Fang He dared not cry out loud, only shaking her head in despair, softly whimpering like a chicken being slaughtered.
“Please, Your Majesty, leave a descendant for Xu Jia…”
“The ancestral grave of Xu Jia cannot be disturbed…”
Kangxi: “…” Did I scare this little groundhog too much?
He found it somewhat amusing, but it wasn’t a bad thing.
He couldn’t keep someone around who was reckless and lacked respect for imperial power; she needed to learn a lesson.
Actually, speaking of anger, Kangxi was more upset with himself for claiming to be wise and vigilant, yet easily being brought down by others.
There was a bit of a sense of shame in that, but he wouldn’t truly make things difficult for a little palace maid.
Seeing this, Kangxi could only helplessly point at Liang Jiugong.
“Then you two spar, and I will watch.”
Fang He paused her crying, her gaze subtly shifting to Liang Jiugong. She was quite willing, but… it seemed Liang Gongguan was lacking some items?
She forgot which drama she had watched, where a eunuch was kicked in the groin and showed no reaction. If that was the case, wouldn’t she just be left looking lewd?
Liang Jiugong felt his body stiffen under Fang He’s gaze.
Originally, he didn’t care much; after all, to better serve his master, he had learned wrestling from Master Wu since childhood, and his skills were not inferior to those of ordinary guards.
He didn’t dare to lay hands on the Emperor, nor could he deal with a girl who had vented her anger on him many times?
But… the look in this little ancestor’s eyes was too strange, reminding him of the time the Emperor was brought down, making him worry he might also be pecked by an eagle.
As he was nervously watching, he heard Fang He sobbing and refusing:
“Your Majesty, this isn’t appropriate. That old woman said this move would hinder descendants…”
Liang Jiugong: “…” Just say I’m not worthy.
Kangxi raised an eyebrow, understanding why Fang He dared not lay hands on him.
If it truly hindered the imperial heirs, even if he spared Fang He, the ancestors and all the women in the Forbidden City would have to deal with her.
But the more Fang He said this, the less Kangxi was willing to give up.
A move that could hinder descendants… knowing oneself and one’s opponent ensures victory.
As an emperor, how could he not witness it!
He snapped his fingers, and a shadowy figure appeared in the cabin, kneeling on one knee.
Kangxi commanded:
“You spar with her. If it hinders descendants, I will select a few good boys for you to adopt, ensuring you do not cut off your lineage.”
The black-clad figure did not hesitate:
“This servant obeys.”
After saying this, he stood up, his eyes flashing with brilliance, cautiously bowing to the soft Fang He on the ground.
“This servant is ready, please, miss.”
Fang He: “…” You are ready, but you don’t mention my life or death!
She was still weak in her limbs; couldn’t they take their time and choose another day to spar?
Kangxi smiled more gently at Fang He:
“Shall I have Liang Jiugong bring you a cup of poison wine to wake you up?”
Fang He immediately got up, her expression serious, “Thank you, Your Majesty, but that is unnecessary. I am very clear-headed.” Sparring, right? Fine!
She wiped her tears, her swollen eyes looking at the black-clad figure, and began to introduce the background.
“This move of mine is for a heartless man, so to spar, there must be a premise.”
The black-clad figure: “Please, miss.”
“Pretend you are my husband…”
The black-clad figure: “…” This is a woman serving the Emperor!
Seeing the black-clad figure’s shocked expression, Fang He quickly explained—
“Your Majesty once said he would grant me a marriage to a night fragrance gentleman, so let’s just say you are a night fragrance.”
The black-clad figure: “…” This is really a woman serving the Emperor?
Kangxi almost laughed but was impatient to hear Fang He beat around the bush, so he directly instructed the shadow guard.
“Just treat yourself as an ordinary man, temporarily let down your guard, and forget the moves you learned.”
The black-clad figure understood; shadow guards were skilled at disguising and changing identities.
His vigilance instantly disappeared, even transforming into a refined scholar, bowing respectfully to Fang He.
“Please, miss.”
Fang He didn’t say much, letting out a loud sob, pointing at the black-clad figure and starting to scold.
“What have I done to wrong you? You eat my food and drink my drink, yet dare to betray me behind my back. Are you a beast?”
Kangxi and Liang Jiugong: “…” Is this also a move?
Liang Jiugong quickly lowered his head to pour tea for his master, while Kangxi picked up the teacup, trying to prevent himself from laughing.
The black-clad figure was momentarily stunned by Fang He’s scolding but managed to maintain a serious face.
Although he couldn’t let loose in front of his master, he could still show a disdainful demeanor.
Fang He covered her face and cried, “Do you despise me for not giving you children? Isn’t it just having kids? Let’s have them now! I can give you ten or eight, isn’t that enough?”
“Cough cough…” Kangxi sprayed tea all over Liang Jiugong, coughing incessantly, pointing at Fang He, wanting to scold her but was hindered by his sore throat.
The black-clad figure was also stunned; he really didn’t know how to cooperate.
Even if he was acting, how could he cooperate in having children in front of the Emperor?
He was even a bit confused; wasn’t this supposed to be sparring?
Fang He sobbed more mournfully, grabbing the black-clad figure’s hand, asking pitifully, “You just despise me, wanting to be with a vixen, right?” The black-clad figure hesitated, feeling a bit impulsive to nod in agreement.
Mainly because with someone like Fang He, he felt that ordinary men wouldn’t be able to handle her.
But Fang He didn’t give the black-clad figure a chance to speak.
At that moment, taking advantage of everyone being in a ridiculous shock, her expression suddenly changed, fiercely twisting the black-clad figure’s fingers backward.
Even though the black-clad figure had never let down his last bit of vigilance, he didn’t expect Fang He, who was still acting, to suddenly erupt.
Unable to help it, he let out a muffled groan from the intense pain and reached out to push Fang He away.
Fang He moved faster, her other hand quickly reaching for the black-clad figure’s eyes.
“Then you can go underground to be a pair of mandarin ducks!”
The black-clad figure couldn’t care to push her away, but at least he had skills.
Enduring the pain, he reversed his injured finger and swiftly caught the small hand that was about to poke his eyes, his back breaking out in a cold sweat.
Startled, he even forgot to fully follow the Emperor’s orders, instinctively using some force to dislocate one of Fang He’s wrists, stepping forward to prepare to subdue her.
Fang He’s face turned pale from the pain, but instead of retreating, she pressed closer to the black-clad figure, using all her strength to lift her leg and kick up.
The black-clad figure was wary of Fang He’s struggles and also cautious of any weapons she might have, but he didn’t expect someone would use such despicable tactics in front of the Emperor.
Caught off guard, he let out a muffled shout, clutching his groin and collapsing to the ground.
Fang He’s arm was suddenly released, and she stumbled to the ground, still not forgetting to act, tears streaming down her face as she cried out.
“Go to hell, scumbag! All of you here!”
Kangxi and Liang Jiugong were dumbfounded.
In the hall, apart from the shadow guard who was enduring the pain and turning red in the face, there was complete silence.
At this moment, even if news from Ningguta hadn’t arrived, Kangxi completely believed that Fang He was of the Zasulu lineage.
To produce someone like this, this… both singing and acting, not caring about the means but only the results, there was no one else in this world besides that unconventional old lady.
Moreover, the two of them bore a resemblance, so without needing evidence, Kangxi believed Fang He’s words.
Fang He shrank to the side, weakly reminding:
“Your Majesty, we’ve finished sparring, and now, the old woman said just kick where he’s covering.”
The two of them, one sitting and one standing, even with one lacking a tool, felt a chill in a certain place and couldn’t help but close their legs.
Kangxi: “…Bring someone, quickly take him down, and have Doctor Qin personally check on him, trying to avoid leaving any future troubles.”
The black-clad figure outside bowed his head as he entered, quickly carrying the man away, unable to help but secretly glance at Fang He.
Such a ruthless woman must be remembered, and in the future, keep a distance.
Fang He covered her wrist, silently shedding tears.
She said she wouldn’t act, but the Emperor insisted she act, and she was hurt too!
Kangxi noticed, his gaze subtly scanning Fang He’s disheveled clothes, her tear-stained cheeks, and her limp wrist.
Hmm… to be honest, he wanted to show pity, but he truly couldn’t muster it.
He pressed his hand against his thin lips and coughed a few times, clearing his throat, “You should go back to recuperate. Once you’re healed, come serve before me.”
Fang He choked on her gratitude, weakly asking, “May I request a favor from Your Majesty?”
Kangxi: “Speak.”
Fang He secretly glanced at Liang Jiugong:
“Since boarding the ship, I haven’t seen my belongings, and I have no money to use. May I ask Your Majesty to grant me a medical apprentice from the Tai Hospital to check my injuries…?”
Upon hearing this, Kangxi’s expression turned cold, and Liang Jiugong’s face changed drastically, cursing Li Dequan in his heart for being a scoundrel.
Kangxi did not respond to her words, only coldly glancing at Liang Jiugong:
“You go arrange it. This girl said, ‘When beating a dog, one must look at its owner, and I find it reasonable.”
Fang He: “…” As long as it’s not her getting beaten, it’s fine.
Liang Jiugong wiped his sweat and bent down, cautiously responding:
“Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely arrange for the young lady properly, and such things will not happen again in the future.”
Liang Jiugong personally assisted Fang He out of the cabin.
Outside, Li Dequan had been eavesdropping, hearing some slight commotion, thinking the Emperor was angry.
At this moment, seeing Fang He being helped out with a particularly pitiful appearance, he felt relieved and hurriedly approached.
“Godfather, let me help!”
Liang Jiugong coldly looked at him:
“No need, we can’t afford you. Go call Zhu over, and you go take thirty lashes. We’ll settle the score later!”
Li Dequan was stunned, instinctively looking at Fang He.
Fang He only weakly leaned on Liang Jiugong’s arm, smiling at him, a gentleman’s revenge is not too late, she would take her revenge in at most ten days.
Paired with her particularly disheveled appearance, it made Li Dequan feel a chill rise in his heart.
But in front of the Emperor, Li Dequan didn’t dare to say much, leaving with a sullen face.
Liang Jiugong smiled at Fang He:
“Are you satisfied with how we handled this?”
“If you’re not satisfied, taking this kid’s life is also fine. We will all serve before the Emperor in the future, so let’s not flood the Dragon King’s temple.”
Just from that encounter, he would never offend this little ancestor again; after all, he was just a godson, and if he was gone, he was gone.
Fang He was taken aback, lowering her eyes, her voice hoarse yet calm:
“Liang Jiandai, don’t say that. My conflict with Brother Li is because he tarnished your reputation; a little reprimand is all.”
“You are the Emperor’s personally appointed steward. In the past, I was reckless and ignorant, offending Jiandai. If you do not hold it against me, I would be immensely grateful.”
Liang Jiugong looked at Fang He with surprise and deep meaning, seeing Wei Zhu hurriedly approaching, still smiling at Fang He.
“What I said earlier in the palace was not a joke; your identity is not ordinary, and there is no need to belittle yourself like this.”
“I will call the physician over to check on you, and arrange for a palace maid to serve you. You should rest well; we will have plenty of time to get to know each other in the future.”
As Wei Zhu approached, he instructed her:
“The first room on the right near the deck is larger; it is reserved for the young lady to rest.”
Wei Zhu carefully helped Fang He downstairs.
The two entered the room in silence; this place was more than three times larger than the small room Fang He had previously occupied.
Seeing Fang He’s belongings placed on the table, the dust indicating they hadn’t been there long, both were taken aback, and Fang He felt even more subtle.
This room was directly beneath Kangxi’s sleeping chamber.
After Wei Zhu helped Fang He sit down, seeing her disheveled appearance and soft wrist, tears began to fall.
“Sister, what happened? Did Liang… did they make things difficult for you again?”
Fang He weakly leaned against the prepared bedding, smiling at Wei Zhu, “Being so close to the Emperor, one must not drop cat urine; if someone sees it, they will be punished.”
“I was injured while serving His Majesty. The heavier the injury, the more stable my head will be in the future; you should be happy for me. Quickly collect yourself; someone will come soon.”
Wei Zhu hastily wiped her tears, but still felt very down, murmuring in a low voice.
“I know Sister is valued by His Majesty. I thought about it for a long time, and no matter how I think, I can’t figure out the reason; it must be something that Godfather and Godmother won’t say.”
He was always meticulous and deeply understood the survival rules in the palace, unable to help but say a few more words.
“Sister may not say it, but I can see you look down on the riches of the palace. Even if you go out to live a hard life, you wouldn’t want to stay in the palace. You seem gentle… but in reality, you have your own ideas.”
“In the future, serving before the Emperor will be even harder; the merits to be released from the palace are not so easy to earn. Sister, don’t mind my prattling; just keep your cool. Even if you can’t go out, it’s better than offending the master…”
Fang He mocked herself in her heart, look, she wasn’t even as clear as a half-grown boy.
She thought she could adapt to any situation, but at the moment the poisoned wine cup touched her lips, she realized she was still the same as when she first crossed over, as if in a dream.
In her previous life, she had received over twenty years of education, which wasn’t easy to change.
She never recognized herself as a part of this world, treating herself as a passerby.
So she felt good about herself, and when her emotions flared, she dared to scheme against Kangxi, even daring to bring him down; all these injuries were self-inflicted.
Fang He flicked Wei Zhu’s forehead with her not-so-painful hand, seriously responding to his advice.
“I will be cautious in the future. Although I’m not clever, I can still listen. There’s no difficulty in the world, as long as one is willing to give up. I know how to lighten my burdens.”
Before Wei Zhu could say anything else, Liang Jiugong entered with a young physician and an inconspicuous palace maid, forcing her to close her mouth.
This physician treated the princes and was not as skilled as other physicians but specialized in injuries.
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