Kangxi’s voice still carried a smile, yet it made one feel slightly chilly.
“So you’re here to tell me that you don’t even want a second chance, that you haven’t fulfilled your promise to me?”
“Because I’m leading you by the nose, you thought you could play me for a fool?”
The rustling of his dragon robe drew closer as Kangxi stretched out his hand, unable to bring himself to scold that little dark face, lightly tapping her shoulder with his toe.
“Are you mute?”
Fang He quietly replied, “Replying to my master, I know that no matter what I say, it will be seen as a defense, and I’m afraid that saying too much will only make you angrier”.
“May I ask Liang Zongguan to prepare the writing materials? Whether I am diligent in my tasks, the Emperor will know at a glance.”
Kangxi raised an eyebrow slightly.
Without needing to be instructed, Liang Jiugong immediately called Li Dequan to bring the writing desk from the corner to the center of the cabin.
Fang He still didn’t move.
Kangxi glanced at her indifferently, then walked back and sat down leisurely.
“Get up.”
Only then did Fang He respectfully rise, taking a few steps forward, holding the brush slowly yet earnestly as she recited the Three Character Classic. “Your Majesty, please take a look.”
Fang He stepped back a few paces and knelt down.
Kangxi set down the half-read memorial, took a deep breath, and after sipping half a cup of tea, he stood up and walked forward slowly.
He looked at the few thin pages of large characters with a calm expression, showing no signs of change.
If Fang He dared to come before him to act recklessly without any backing, especially after he had warned her with poison wine, then no matter how much joy she could bring, Kangxi would not keep her.
As for now, the cursive script was written very seriously, not like a beginner; aside from being a bit clumsy, it was much better than what Yinqi had written.
Fang He had been practicing calligraphy for less than a month.
If her skill was high enough to deceive him, the Emperor, then it proved that she indeed had some talent in the art of writing.
Thus, Kangxi was willing to have a proper discussion with Fang He.
“Come, if you have any dissatisfaction with me, you can say it all here today; I will pardon you.” Kangxi’s voice softened considerably, and his handsome Danfeng eyes even slightly curved.
He looked at her indulgently, much like that charming young master in Fang He’s imagination… as she slowly knelt again.
Fang He: ” I dare not; I have no dissatisfaction.”
Damn, she thought in her heart, this dog is definitely doing it on purpose!
She wasn’t truly seeking death; how could she dare to stand and watch after the Emperor asked like that?
Kangxi’s smile grew even wider, his handsome face slightly tanned, resembling a sun obscured by mist, looking amiable, yet his sharpness was all hidden in his eyes, not allowing anyone to act recklessly.
“Then listen carefully as I speak”.
Kangxi smiled gently, watching her quietly.
“You asked Zhu to find a way to inquire about your background from the older palace members during this southern tour; you really want to know who you are?”
Fang He bit her cherry lips lightly, nodding with difficulty under Kangxi’s gaze, “I… want to serve my master better.”
Kangxi gently placed the teacup on the low table, and with a ‘clack,’ it made one’s heart tighten.
“Lying is not the behavior of a good girl, Fang He. If I do not permit it, you can ask everyone, and you will not obtain any information you wish to know. Do you understand what I mean?”
Fang He’s face turned slightly pale, but she gritted her teeth and nodded tightly, “I understand.”
Kangxi nodded, “Very good. Secondly, I should let you know that as the ruler of the Qing Dynasty, I still have people I can use, and you are not indispensable. If you do not know your place…”
Fang He couldn’t help but secretly raise her head.
Was she being dismissed?
Kangxi’s lips parted slightly, coolly uttering a few words, “I don’t mind spending a little more silver to send you a straw mat.” Fang He: “. I will remember the Emperor’s decree!”
She knew that Master Kangxi must be stingy, otherwise, he wouldn’t be unable to afford the bedding for a beautiful person!
It must be!
Seeing her little face getting tighter and tighter, Kangxi’s mood improved significantly, finding it quite amusing to bully a little groundhog who would never admit defeat…
“Get up. If you can meet my expectations, before I grant you marriage, I will definitely let you know your background.” He returned to a gentle demeanor and smiled.
Fang He seemed to be enchanted by his gentleness and did not rise, only daring to raise her head with bold anticipation, “May I ask Your Majesty, when do you plan to grant me marriage?”
“I will give you a year. If you can satisfy me within a year, before I seal the pen next year, there will definitely be a decree for your marriage.”
Kangxi continued to entice her according to her expectations, but his tone suddenly carried a hint of danger.
“But I do not keep useless people around me; you only have one year…”
Fang He’s eyes brightened more and more, her deer-like eyes, contrasting sharply with her skin tone, filled with the fervor of wanting to throw her head and shed blood.
She didn’t let her master finish his sentence because she had learned to answer quickly.
“I will never dare again!” She knocked her head down loudly, her voice soft yet resonant.
“I know I am foolish, but I will make up for my shortcomings with diligence, studying hard with my teacher to meet my master’s expectations!”
“I will go find my teacher to ask how to practice the cursive script of the Three Character Classic and the Thousand Character Classic, and how to study the Young Learner’s Jade Forest…”
“I take my leave!”
After saying that, she knocked her head twice and, like someone afraid of ghosts at a grave, quickly yet rhythmically exited the cabin.
Hahaha, throwing her head and shedding blood was impossible, but she had to quickly find a place where no one was around, lest her head be laughed off, hahaha!
The blood of the chicken pancake had turned into a future with a date; she just liked this mighty and unyielding master!
Fang He’s departure was like a gust of river wind, leaving Liang Jiugong dizzy, weighing his master’s temperament, feeling frustrated for Fang He.
“This girl is too bold… The master hasn’t given permission yet; how dare she just leave?”
“I will definitely have a good talk with Miss Fang He later; at the very least, she must learn the rules and never be so reckless again.” Kangxi leaned back against the soft pillow with an ambiguous expression, gently rubbing the ring on his thumb, lazily closing his eyes, pondering for a moment before opening them with a hint of a smile.
“No need; she is also trying to save her life.”
Liang Jiugong: To save her life, she defies authority?
Kangxi chuckled softly, in a good mood, explaining to Liang Jiugong.
“She is afraid that if she doesn’t leave now, she will laugh in front of me.” “Previously, my guarantee was not enough to convince this cunning little thing; she is just climbing up the ladder I provided her.”
Liang Jiugong suddenly understood, his expression particularly complex, “You mean she pretended to be a lone wolf, only completing one-third of the task, forcing you… cough cough, to lower yourself to give her a little girl a precise guarantee, so that… she can continue to dangle the carrot infront of the donkey?”
He pondered, carefully considering, and felt that… this little ancestor must have been born from a butcher in her past life?
Her courage was so great!
She could always touch the pulse of the Emperor; perhaps she had seen too much in her past life, and this life had grown onto her?
Kangxi lazily hummed, his expression much better than when he first learned of Suo’ertu’s movements.
Liang Jiugong, familiar with his master’s expressions, dared to ask boldly.
“What does the master plan to do with that girl? She must understand the distinction between high and low.”
Kangxi nodded slightly but did not rush to speak.
After a moment of silence, he gently clapped his hands.
“Not in a hurry; doesn’t she feel wronged? Let her relax for a few days.”
Liang Jiugong’s expression remained unchanged, merely treating it as his master’s nonsense; their master could not possibly be that magnanimous.
“After entering the palace, before Yinqi and the others start school, you stop her and convey my message to her. Kangxi’s smile deepened, quite mischievous.
“Having a girl enter the study is not quiet at all; just place her desk in the corner of the Hongde Hall, separated by a screen.”
“I will personally be her teacher.”