Seeing that his father didn’t stop him, Yinzhen burst out laughing, hiding his scrutiny in his eyes, and urged, “Brother Liang, quickly tell us; we’re also curious about what Miss Fang He did!”
What could that plain-looking old lady possibly do to warrant such a grand display from his father…?
Liang Jiugong, not hearing his master speak, understood he was being called to speak.
He rolled his eyes and made a funny face, extending both hands: “Well, everyone, listen closely; those with money support with money, and those with people support with people… Miss Fang He has led His Majesty into a pit!”
Everyone: “…” Although, isn’t His Majesty a bit too idle?
Liang Jiugong laughed, “Don’t underestimate Miss Fang He, she learns things quite quickly. Originally a palace maid who couldn’t recognize a single character, she managed to recite the ‘Three Character Classic’ fluently in just ten days, and she’s about to finish learning the ‘Hundred Family Surnames’ and the ‘Thousand Character Classic. Even the big characters she’s never encountered are only slightly behind the Fifth Prince.”
Hmm? Even Cao Yin, who was worried about his friend still being oblivious in the pavilion, was slightly surprised to hear this.
Although the ‘Three Character Classic’ was just an introductory text, when they learned it back then, they were all young, and the smarter ones took at least three to five months to memorize and understand it.
As for those who weren’t smart… just look at the Fifth Prince, Yinzhi.
Even Cao Xi couldn’t help but praise, “Such a clever girl…”
“It’s a pity her learning of the rules isn’t very good; she was suppressed by her relatives working in the palace and wasn’t allowed to stand out, wasting nine years in the imperial tea room.”
Liang Jiugong smiled and interrupted Cao Xi, directly reporting Fang He’s background.
“After coming out, this girl has made His Majesty angry several times. If it weren’t for His Majesty’s broad-mindedness and considering her family’s elders, what kind of celestial being wouldn’t he have?”
Cao Xi nodded in agreement, but Cao Yin’s expression suddenly changed, finally catching on to Liang Jiugong’s… no, His Majesty’s meaning.
Who was to say that the rules were bad?
How many palace maids were suppressed and not allowed to stand out… and there were also fools who made His Majesty unhappy, including him, yet he didn’t know how long His Majesty would remember this favor…
This was not just about palace maids; it was clearly the same as the group of literati below, mocking the Cao family.
Once the Emperor got angry, there would be no turning back.
Cao Yin looked pale at Kangxi, who smiled slightly at him.
“Ziqing, I will not go back on my word, but only by embracing all rivers can one be truly great… If rivers do not flow into the sea, the vast sea will eventually be eliminated by heaven, don’t you think?”
Cao Yin solemnly knelt down, “This servant remembers; I should not delay the court’s affairs for a few close friends of Rong Ruo. It’s just that the letter from Rong Ruo-was all my fault; I will not make this mistake again!”
He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, bringing out the last plan he discussed with his father.
“His Majesty must approve the implementation of the salt tax silver law in Jiangnan, issuing salt permits to wealthy gentry, with all sales and transportation under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs!”
He understood that once the salt permit law appeared, the structure of the Jiangnan gentry would undergo earth-shattering changes.
It was hard to say how many of his close friends would still have dealings with him; if these people were ungrateful, their lives might not be guaranteed.
But he had dragged it out for two years, going through countless twists and turns; he had done his best, worthy of Rong Ruo and those in the capital.
Kangxi did not respond, only smilingly asked the Crown Prince and the Eldest Prince what they thought.
Yinzhen and Yinti immediately sat up straight, the anger that had almost driven them to kill earlier had vanished.
Their father had brought them here to witness the southern people’s arrogance?
This was a test for them during the southern tour!
At the same time, Fang He’s test from Master Kang was just beginning.
She had confirmed Kangxi’s schedule with Wei Zhu and learned that Liang Jiugong and Li Dequan had all gone to Wangjiang Tower, causing her previous indignation to subside.
She and Wei Zhu split into two paths; one went openly to search, while the other sweet-talked to coax Chun Lai into the ear room where Wei Zhu was staying.
The little eunuch inside had already been sent away by Wei Zhu in advance.
With a lookout in place, Fang He felt bold enough to speak openly.
Ignoring Chun Lai’s guilty expression, Fang He calmly asked, “Was it you who spread the tongue twisters?”
Chun Lai knelt in front of Fang He, her face full of guilt: “Miss, forgive me; it was my carelessness. While on duty, I was mumbling and was accidentally overheard by the Fifth Prince. I swear on my family’s lives, I truly didn’t mean it!”
Fang He stared at Chun Lai in disbelief: “But I never recited it loudly; I only murmured to myself in the room. How did you hear it?” “That… I’m just very observant.” Chun Lai, slightly embarrassed, lowered her head even more, “I’m quick and eager to learn; when you were studying, I couldn’t help but listen in.”
Fang He: “…” Then why didn’t you learn from me and pick up the good parts!
With tears in her eyes, she suddenly knelt down in front of Chun Lai.
“But this isn’t my fault; why would His Majesty punish me, boohoo-“
Chun Lai became even more anxious, “Yes, yes, why?”
Fang He covered her mouth and cried, “Maybe it’s because you reported to His Majesty in advance?”
Could it be “Chun Lai was so flustered by Fang He’s crying that she instinctively nodded, but halfway through, she froze”.Fang He wiped away her tears, “Chun Lai, let me confirm one last question: are your family members still alive?”
Chun Lai: “… My mother is still alive.”
Fang He stood up briskly, brushed off the dust from her knees, “Then that’s fine, you can go!”
Chun Lai: “… Miss…”
“I know you must report to His Majesty.”
Fang He interrupted Chun Lai’s words with gritted teeth, showing a forced smile.
“Don’t worry, I’m loyal and there’s nothing that His Majesty can’t know; you just need to pass on the message!”
Chun Lai’s expression shifted from guilt to embarrassment: “No, Miss, His Majesty said that if you ask about me, I should tell you everything without holding back and saying that I should bring you a message.”
Fang He:
If you had said that earlier, I wouldn’t have to play this guilty game!
She closed her eyes, slowly bent her knees, and prepared to listen to the decree peacefully.
Chun Lai didn’t dare let her kneel; His Majesty hadn’t said it was a decree, so she hurriedly supported Fang He.
“His Majesty said he will return the favor in kind, and hopes you think carefully before acting, and not to be impulsive again.”
Fang He took a deep breath, smiled at Chun Lai with particular kindness and gentleness, but her hand around Chun Lai’s waist was particularly strong.
“Good girl, take it slow; I trust you. Now, roll over this way.”
Kangxi was quite satisfied when he returned with the Crown Prince and the princes, hearing Chun Lai report nervously.
Remembering the last sentence was something he had said, with past poison and future… tricks, he subtly curled his lips.
“This little treasure…” he shook his head, suppressing a laugh as he asked Chun Lai, “Did she hug your waist?”
Chun Lai, confused, nodded, then suddenly froze, secretly glancing at the Emperor’s robe corner.
She seemed to know how that ghostly… handprint on Fang He came about. Kangxi couldn’t help but burst into laughter, drinking several cups of tea without being able to suppress it.
As the Emperor, to manage the country well, one must be mindful of the principle that things should be handled with care; it’s not about not getting angry, but for the greater good, many things, even if he had the power, he had to let go of his interest.
The first time he noticed Fang He, he was amused by this little thing, especially when Fang He poked her head out and the vivid expression of being startled was simply irresistible.
At that time, he thought her identity was inappropriate, so he had to suppress his interest.
Later, when he discovered that the Zasu Huli bloodline and the little groundhog were the same person, he indulged his interest in Fang He more than he did with other women.
Rather than saying he wanted to sharpen a good knife, it was more about leaving a bit of fun in these suffocating days; in fact, there were indeed suitable candidates to take the banner of the Plain Blue Banner…
Such thoughts only flashed through Kangxi’s mind before he cast them aside.
He smiled and instructed, “After tomorrow, if that girl requests an audience, don’t stop her; let her in.”
Liang Jiugong, standing by, bowed in response, jokingly teasing, “Just for the fact that Miss Fang He can make you laugh, this servant will stay up all night squatting outside Miss Fang He’s door, waiting to invite her to meet you.”
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