His smile grew warmer.
“I heard from Li Dequan that you make an excellent Southern Tea?”
Qiao Wen immediately responded, “Not just Southern Tea, Andar—I specifically prepared Laoshan Tea from Shandong for you today. Would you like to taste it?”
Before Liang Jiugong could reply, a voice sounded from not far away on the steps.
He turned his head—and immediately recognized the approaching figure.
It was Consort Yi.
***
Inside the Imperial Tea Room, Cuiwei and Wunai saw Qiao Wen heading toward the imperial presence, followed shortly by Consort Yi.
The scent of palace drama was in the air, and they couldn’t resist rushing out to watch the spectacle unfold.
Fang He, however, remained by the small clay stove, carefully nudging the window open a little wider.
She stretched her neck in and out, pretending to work while ensuring she had the best possible vantage point for eavesdropping—a masterclass in flexible melon-eating (gossiping).
Meanwhile, outside Zhaoren Hall, Liang Jiugong had no time for Qiao Wen anymore.
Instead, he quickly stepped forward with a warm smile to greet the approaching Consort Yi.
“Greetings to Your Highness, Consort Yi. What brings you here at this time?”
It was nearly lunchtime.
Without a summons from the emperor, even high-ranking consorts were not allowed to visit the imperial presence at will.
Even someone of Consort Yi’s status had no right to serve the emperor his meals without invitation.
Consort Yi gracefully descended from her soft sedan, lightly supporting herself with a maid’s hand.
When she smiled, it was as if Zhaoren Hall itself brightened.
When it came to dazzling beauty and allure, no one in the harem could compare to Consort Yi.
This was precisely why Liang Jiugong treated her with extra courtesy.
Consort Yi smiled and said, “It’s all because of that little monkey, the Ninth Prince. He fusses when he sleeps and refuses to nurse properly—I’m worried sick.”
“Just now, out of nowhere, he suddenly learned to say ‘Ama’ (Father). I thought I’d come over and trouble His Majesty, hoping for his grace to visit and see him. Does His Majesty have time to see me?”
The Ninth Prince had been born last August—just seven months old now.
Even with deliberate teaching, it was quite early for him to start speaking!
Liang Jiugong knew that Consort Yi was favored, and the Ninth Prince showed signs of being a bright child.
He didn’t dare obstruct her.
“This is wonderful news! Your Highness, please wait a moment while this servant reports to His Majesty.”
Consort Yi smiled and nodded, remaining in place.
As Liang Jiugong turned to leave, her smile faded, and her phoenix eyes swept coldly over the figure of Qiao Wen, who was kneeling nearby.
Seeing the tea cup in Qiao Wen’s hands, Consort Yi curiously inquired, “A maid from the Imperial Tea Room? Raise your head and let me see you.”
Qiao Wen’s heart lurched violently, but she dared not defy Consort Yi’s command.
With a pale face, she lifted her head slightly, ensuring she maintained perfect court etiquette.
However, the moment their eyes met, the warmth in Consort Yi’s gaze instantly cooled by three degrees.
Others might not notice, but having spent years in the harem, Consort Yi saw it clearly—this girl bore a resemblance to Imperial Concubine Rong in her younger years.
Although Imperial Concubine Rong was no longer favored, no one in the harem had given birth to more children than she had.
Even the late Empress Hesheri had once struggled under Imperial Concubine Rong’s shadow—one could only imagine how stunning her beauty had been in her prime.
Though Qiao Wen lacked the refined aura of Imperial Concubine Rong, she had youth on her side.
With His Majesty’s temperament, if this girl were allowed into his presence, he would certainly take interest.
It didn’t matter if there were countless women in the harem—no one wanted another Imperial Concubine Rong rising through the ranks.
Consort Yi suddenly broke into a bright smile.
“A fine girl,” she said warmly.
“You may stand. Coincidentally, I’m a little thirsty after my walk—bring me the tea.”
Qiao Wen hesitated.
“But this tea is—”
Before she could finish, Consort Yi’s maidservant’s brows arched sharply, and she sternly reprimanded her in a low voice—
“Insolence! Who do you think you are, hesitating before a consort? Hurry and serve the tea!”
Qiao Wen didn’t dare protest further.
Even though she was a palace maid serving in the emperor’s presence, offending a favored consort with a prince could mean death.
Even Prince Kang’s household wouldn’t dare raise objections if she were beaten to death for such an offense.
With extreme caution, she lifted the tray above her forehead and bowed deeply, presenting the tea.
Consort Yi stepped forward, as if parched from thirst—but at the perfect moment, she “accidentally” bumped into the tray.
“Ah—!”
Consort Yi exclaimed softly.
The teacup tilted—its contents spilled directly onto her silk robe.
It soaked into the fabric of her elegant, muted purple flag gown embroidered with hibiscus patterns.
Her maidservant reacted instantly, delivering a sharp slap across Qiao Wen’s face.
“Wretched girl! Do you even know how to serve properly?”
“This is Cloud Rosette Silk, a gift from the Empress Dowager! Tea stains will ruin it—you could never afford to compensate for this, even if you had ten lives!”
Qiao Wen’s face turned deathly pale.
She collapsed to her knees with a loud “thud”, just as Liang Jiugong stepped into the Eastern Warm Pavilion, where Kangxi was reading.
“Your Majesty, Consort Yi has arrived. She says the Ninth Prince has learned to call ‘Ama’ and wishes for your grace to visit him. What do you think…?”
Through the half-open window, Kangxi’s gaze drifted past Liang Jiugong, landing on another open window about ten meters away.
There, by the windowsill, a tiny head kept bobbing in and out, stretching out eagerly before quickly retreating—over and over again, just like a little field mouse.
It was as if the person couldn’t bear to miss the commotion outside, peeking out curiously before hastily pulling back, repeating the cycle in a comical rhythm.
The sight almost made Kangxi laugh.
Was this person bold or timid?
Judging by the direction… Wasn’t that the Imperial Tea Room?
Without revealing his amusement, Kangxi asked Liang Jiugong in a neutral tone, “Who is on duty at the Imperial Tea Room today?”
Liang Jiugong was momentarily stunned before replying, completely baffled, “It should be Qin Gugu’s niece, Cuiwei, and Concubine Tong’s cousin, Wunai.”
Kangxi knew his servants well—if he had gotten the answer he was expecting, his interest would have deepened.
But upon hearing these names, his curiosity faded slightly, his gaze returning to its usual calm indifference.
“Go see what the commotion outside is about. If anyone is being disorderly, deal with it immediately. Let Consort Yi in.”
Liang Jiugong’s heart tensed—disorderly?
What could possibly be happening outside?
Still, he dared not question the order.
As soon as he stepped outside the hall, the answer became painfully obvious—
Qiao Wen was kneeling on the ground, forehead touching the floor, her face red with a fresh slap mark, repeatedly kowtowing.
Meanwhile, Consort Yi stood nearby, her face cold with fury as palace maids anxiously dabbed at the damp stains on her robe.
Ah—so that was it.
He immediately understood everything.
With a practiced, knowing smile, he approached and bowed respectfully.
“Oh dear, what a situation! This girl has been serving in Qianqing Palace for a year now. This humble servant originally thought she was a good one, but who would have expected her to be so clumsy, offending Your Highness in the process?”
He gave a polite half-bow, then casually slapped himself lightly on the cheek.
“It is entirely my failure to discipline my subordinates properly. Your Highness, please punish me as you see fit!”
Consort Yi was no fool—she immediately picked up on the unspoken warning in his words.
Even a lowly palace maid serving in the imperial presence—no matter how insignificant—was not hers to dispose of.
She merely smiled faintly and said, “Oh, Liang Andar is certainly capable, but that doesn’t stop some people from getting overly ambitious.”
“It is no great offense to me—but Qianqing Palace’s reputation must not be tarnished.”
“Does His Majesty wish to see me?”
Liang Jiugong chuckled internally—he knew Consort Yi was not one to back down easily.
If he denied her entry, she would immediately take the matter to the Empress Dowager—and at that point, it would no longer be about Consort Yi, but about giving face to the Empress Dowager herself.
And the Fifth Prince was the Empress Dowager’s dearest grandchild.
Poor Qiao Wen simply had no luck.
“His Majesty invites Your Highness inside,” he said with a gracious smile, stepping aside to allow her entry.
At the same time, he tilted his head and signaled to Li Dequan.
Li Dequan immediately understood, stepping forward to clamp a hand over Qiao Wen’s mouth and drag her away.
“If you cannot even serve properly and dare to offend a consort—thirty floggings. Then send her to the Office of Punishments.”
“Mmmph! Mmmph!”
Qiao Wen’s beautiful almond-shaped eyes widened in terror as tears streamed down her face.
She desperately struggled, trying to explain, but not a single word escaped before she was dragged away.
Consort Yi felt a sense of relief, flashing a smug smile before stepping into the Eastern Warm Pavilion.
Inside, she performed a delicate curtsey, her voice sweet and teasing.
“Your Majesty, this humble consort greets you.”
“Just look at me—I went through all this effort just to see you, and I’ve nearly turned into a drenched chicken in the process!”
Outside the window, the “field mouse” head suddenly froze.
It remained stiffly still for a long moment, before slowly retreating, and then—ever so gently—the window was closed.
Kangxi retracted his gaze, saying nothing.
He did not tell Consort Yi to rise.
Instead, he lowered his eyes, looking at her with quiet amusement and a hint of something unreadable.
“If it’s so difficult, then don’t come so often.”
“That way, you’ll save me some vinegar and some good tea.”
Consort Yi stiffened.
…Hadn’t His Majesty always liked her playful jealousy and sultry complaints?
What was different today?
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