Kangxi’s expression turned somewhat subtle upon hearing Liang Jiugong’s words.
It wasn’t that he doubted Liang Jiugong was making an after-the-fact remark, but that little groundhog with its forehead covered—how could anyone tell if it bore any resemblance?
The main reason why this Zhashuri Old Furen was once famous in the capital… wasn’t because of her beauty or a widespread reputation for virtue.
Of course, the Old Furen had indeed been beautiful in her youth.
Some even called her “Little Hailanzhu,” comparing her to the imperial concubine who had once been deeply favored by Hong Taizu.
One could imagine how stunning she must have been.
She was born into the prestigious Red Girdle Gioro clan, and her great-grandfather was a cousin of Nurhaci.
During the early years after entering China, when Manchu noble families were competing for the best marriages, even the Grand Empress Dowager once considered acting as a matchmaker for her.
Thus, there was indeed a portrait of the Old Furen from her youth in the palace.
However, after looking at that little groundhog, Kangxi truly couldn’t see any resemblance at all—he was completely certain that Liang Jiugong was talking nonsense.
The Old Furen’s natal family arranged for her to marry into the Zhashuri clan, where she became the wife of the commander of the Plain Blue Banner.
Each of the Eight Banners, aside from the Banner Lord, had twenty-one Niru (companies), but only one Dutong (commander).
The commander governed all the households under his banner, so this was not considered a low-status marriage.
The Old Furen had been quite prominent in Beijing in her youth, but the reason for her fame came after her husband’s death—because the number of male “guests” who shared her bed… well, let’s just say she was no less amorous than any man.
At that time, the court had yet to fully promote Han Confucianism, and the boldness of Manchu noblewomen was well known.
Among her children, only her eldest legitimate son, Warda, who inherited the position of Dutong, was undoubtedly of the Zhashuri bloodline.
As for Warda’s other brothers… at least they all shared the same mother.
Unlike his father, Warda took after his mother.
His reputation for amorous adventures was widely known and had been a source of entertainment for many over drinks.
Kangxi glanced down at the genealogy of the Xu family and found it both amusing and unsurprising.
When Nanny Xu was born, her family was already poor.
Her mother, Madam Liao, found a way to secure a position as a wet nurse in the Dutong household to earn money for the family.
As for what exactly happened, the men sent by Li Dequan were unable to find out—after all, the Zhashuri family had long since left the capital.
However, old neighbors of the Xu family and the midwife who had delivered Fang He’s father confirmed that after Liao returned home, she gave birth six months later.
Although the child was frail, he appeared to be a full-term baby and survived.
At the time, the neighbors gossiped endlessly. Xu Nanny’s father, unable to bear the shame, decided to move the family, which eventually quieted the rumors.
Later, Xu Nanny’s father died early, and she struggled to support her mother and younger brother.
She even had to find a way to arrange his marriage.
Desperate, she joined the palace through a minor selection process in the sixteenth year of Shunzhi’s reign.
Liang Jiugong, standing to the side, cautiously spoke:
“Master, the Zhashuri clan was exiled to Ningguta for corruption and bribery. If Fang He’s father was indeed Warda’s illegitimate son, then she would be a descendant of a criminal. Serving in the imperial court… I fear it may be inappropriate.”
Kangxi cast him a half-smiling glance.
“Do you not already know what really happened between Warda and Mingshang?”
His father had once considered passing the throne to Yue Le, but their forefather had staunchly supported Kangxi’s ascension, rallying the regent ministers to block his father’s intentions.
For a long time after, Yue Le and the Plain Blue Banner looked down on the young emperor.
Had Yue Le not spent most of his time leading troops in battle, even Oboi might have had to bow to him.
After eliminating Oboi, Kangxi found the arrogance of the Plain Blue Banner unbearable and sought ways to weaken the influence of the Anqin Prince’s residence.
Yue Le was a formidable military leader, but his household was filled with profligate spendthrifts.
However, when the Three Feudatories rebelled, the court had to rely on the Plain Blue Banner in battle.
As for the crimes attributed to Yue Le’s sons, those were shouldered by his sons-in-law and banner commanders instead.
The wise knew what had really transpired, and Kangxi had no choice but to accept it.
Setting aside other matters, when it came to loyalty, Kangxi had always admired Warda.
If Fang He was truly his bloodline… well, it would make sense.
Liang Jiugong, with a pained expression, spoke again, acting the part of a loyal servant:
“Your servant knows the truth, and Fang He does her duties well. By reason, I should not speak further.”
“But this matter concerns an open crime. If word gets out… it would tarnish Your Majesty’s reputation.”
“I cannot bear to watch Your Majesty be ridiculed… After all, there are plenty of capable palace servants—one less wouldn’t make a difference, would it?”
Kangxi, who had been idly flipping through documents with interest, suddenly paused.
A slow smile spread across his face.
He gave Liang Jiugong a light kick.
“So, according to you, after all the theatrics performed in my presence, my judgment is still inferior to yours?”
Liang Jiugong was instantly alarmed.
He dropped to his knees with a loud thud and frantically kowtowed.
“Your servant dares not! I had no such intention! Please, Your Majesty, do not be angry…”
“Get up, I am not angry.”
Kangxi’s smile gradually faded, and his voice turned indifferent.
“You are right. There is no shortage of palace servants capable of serving at my side. If someone is no longer useful, I can simply replace them.”
Sweat trickled down Liang Jiugong’s forehead, yet he dared not move a muscle.
“Your servant was wrong! Your Majesty is wise beyond measure, far surpassing me in judgment. I should not have spoken out of turn—I deserve to be punished!”
With that, he did not hesitate.
Remaining in his kneeling position, he began slapping himself forcefully.
After a dozen hard slaps, his face was swollen.
Only then did Kangxi finally speak in a detached tone: “Leave. Rest and recover for a few days.”
Liang Jiugong had served him for many years and was indeed more perceptive than others.
But having spent too much time around the emperor, before Kangxi himself had even grown complacent, Liang Jiugong was already overstepping, taking liberties.
Whether it was Fang He or Wei Disheng, Kangxi did not particularly care.
However, he could not tolerate his own servants overstepping their bounds and forgetting who their true master was.
***
As soon as Liang Jiugong stepped out of the hall, his face, swollen and nearly raw from the slaps, startled Li Dequan, who had been in a good mood.
“Godfather, what on earth happened—”
Before he could finish, Liang Jiugong gave him a vicious kick, nearly sending him tumbling.
“If you don’t know what to say, then shut up!”
Li Dequan felt deeply wronged.
“But didn’t you go in there to—”
Liang Jiugong cut him off again.
“You dare to speculate on His Majesty’s thoughts? If you keep running your mouth, go find a pillar and smash your head against it. I won’t stop you.”
Li Dequan immediately fell silent.
Only then did the frantic pounding in Liang Jiugong’s chest start to ease slightly.
He had pushed too far and ended up trampling on a hornet’s nest.
He didn’t dare feel angry—only a deep chill ran through him, mixed with a trace of relief.
Ever since Zheng surrendered, both the imperial court and the inner palace had grown increasingly reverent and fearful of the Emperor.
As the Grand Steward of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, his status had risen accordingly, and people outside flattered him incessantly.
He had nearly been blinded by wealth and forgotten his place.
No one knew exactly how much His Majesty was aware of.
Luckily, the Emperor still found him worth reprimanding.
If he had been deemed unworthy even of that… Liang Jiugong shuddered violently.
Ignoring the stinging pain on his face, he quickly gave an order in a hushed tone: “Don’t hoard all the assignments for the imperial court.
Go to the Imperial Tea House and tell them that because Miss Fang He is capable and has received His Majesty’s praise, the tea house will gain some favor and will now be permitted to serve tea in the halls.”
Li Dequan grew even more anxious.
“Godfather, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but does His Majesty truly value Fang He that much? If so, and we’ve been setting traps for her, in the future—”
Liang Jiugong rolled his eyes.
“If you know you’re talking too much, then don’t act like an idiot!”
“Just do as you’re told. If you can’t handle your duties, I’ll find someone else who can.”
The Emperor hadn’t mentioned Fang He once, which clearly meant his interest in her was lukewarm at best—she was insignificant, neither indispensable nor particularly favored.
More importantly, Liang Jiugong had to demonstrate absolute obedience to the Emperor’s will.
It didn’t matter whether Fang He was truly foolish or just pretending to be.
She had caused him to suffer this punishment and was also getting too close to the Office of Ceremonial Affairs.
She couldn’t be dealt with right away, but sooner or later, she would have to be taken care of.
Digging a pit for her in advance?
That was nothing.
***
After giving his orders, Liang Jiugong still felt weak in the legs.
He didn’t linger in the imperial presence and instead returned to his quarters to nurse his wounds, making a show of humility.
Li Dequan waited a day before delivering the message to the Imperial Tea House.
Although he didn’t fully understand his godfather’s actions, he was well-versed in the art of setting traps.
He chose the evening, a time when Cuiwei and Fang He were handing over their duties, to visit the tea house.
Present were the young palace maids Cen Ying and Yulian, who served under Cuiwei, and Bai Min and Ran Xia, who were under Fang He.
Li Dequan entered with a bright smile.
“Oh, everyone’s here? Perfect. I have some good news for you all.”
Cuiwei stepped forward with a smile.
“Oh? No wonder I heard magpies chirping this morning! What good news has brought Brother Li to our tea house?”
“It really is great news—your tea house has produced a capable person!”
Li Dequan grinned.
“The other night, when Fang He was on duty in the palace, she served so well that His Majesty praised her. That’s quite an honor for your tea house!”
Hmm?
Apart from a slight flicker of doubt in Cuiwei’s eyes, the other maids all exchanged sharp, shocked glances and immediately turned their attention to Fang He.
Fang He leaned against the tea cabinet, her gaze lowered, saying nothing.
She was actually surprised that these two scheming old foxes, Liang Jiugong and Li Dequan, had come to stir trouble in the tea house after already targeting Wei Zhu.