Fang He’s heart skipped a beat, and she forcibly held back her breath, feeling so suffocated that her vision momentarily darkened.
In her past life, not obeying a customer at most meant getting fired.
Here, disobedience could cost her life.
Fortunately, the service industry had trained her to be attentive and obedient.
Her instincts kicked in instantly—she turned around without hesitation and, maintaining the same measured pace, walked back a few steps before quietly crouching down.
Kangxi didn’t even spare her a glance.
He had simply judged that it was about time and took a sip of tea.
The moment the warm liquid slid down his throat, he realized he was hungry.
“What time is it?”
Out of the corner of her eye, Fang He glanced at the water clock in the hall.
Then, in a soft and steady voice, she responded to the possibly blind master before her.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, there is still a quarter of an hour before the Hai hour (9-11 PM).”
Kangxi found the voice unfamiliar and casually lowered his gaze to glance at Fang He.
He immediately realized she was a newly assigned palace maid, and his mood soured slightly.
Truthfully, the recent punishments of the palace staff in Qianqing Palace weren’t simply out of misplaced anger.
His rage had been a performance—a warning to the inner palace and the outside world.
As a father of over ten children, disputes between his sons were not something he couldn’t handle.
Proper discipline would be enough.
However, he placed great importance on the Crown Prince, and yet the servants of Yuqing Palace had failed him—how had they allowed the Crown Prince to drink alcohol?
It was one thing that the incident at the training grounds couldn’t be concealed, but the fact that even his broken teacups in Qianqing Palace had spread throughout the inner palace in mere hours?
And those endless impeachment memorials presented at morning court—clearly written overnight—only further irritated him.
As for the concubines, who were usually scheming endlessly, they had suddenly all quieted down, making it all the more obvious.
Kangxi knew exactly what they were up to.
Spies planted near him and the Crown Prince—what exactly were they planning?
He was furious not just because of the manipulations but because these people dared to scheme so brazenly, as if they didn’t even fear him anymore.
And now, after purging a batch of servants, another unfamiliar face had been allowed into his chambers?
That damn dog Liang Jiugong was really getting better at his job!
These thoughts flashed through Kangxi’s mind in an instant.
But as he observed Fang He, who remained perfectly still in her crouched position—so quiet she was almost invisible—his anger didn’t flare up as Liang Jiugong had feared.
With a wave of his hand, he dismissed her.
“Tell Liang Jiugong to get in here.”
Fang He secretly let out a sigh of relief and, maintaining the same steady rhythm, exited the hall.
Upon seeing Liang Jiugong, she huffed internally, but outwardly, she relayed the message word for word in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.
“His Majesty asks Liang An-da (a respectful title for senior eunuchs) to roll inside.”
Liang Jiugong: “……”
Was this girl stupid, or had she grown tired of living?
“Did His Majesty say anything else?” He forcibly suppressed his irritation, too concerned for his own head to be angry with her.
“He asked for the time,” Fang He murmured, keeping her head down.
“Also, Ru Yue from the Imperial Tea Room mentioned that Silver Needle tea pairs well with savory pastries. The Imperial Kitchen should have some prepared.”
At these words, Liang Jiugong’s instincts immediately told him—
His Majesty was hungry.
“Oh no! His Majesty must not go hungry!”
Without wasting another second on Fang He, he waved her away and hurried into the hall.
***
As soon as Kangxi heard Liang Jiugong’s hurried footsteps, he involuntarily furrowed his brows slightly, raising his eyelids to cast a cold glance his way.
“Has Eunuch Gu returned?”
“Still in the Office of Punishments,” Liang Jiugong replied carefully, instinctively shrinking his neck for some reason.
“But by now, the interrogation should be about finished.”
The servants of Yuqing Palace, aside from the personal eunuch whom Fang He had seen beaten to death, had all been sent to the Office of Punishments for harsh interrogation.
The Crown Prince had always been extremely mindful of his image, acting with utmost dignity despite his young age—he practically wanted to engrave “pure and virtuous” onto his forehead.
For him to suddenly drink alcohol was highly suspicious, likely the result of someone’s influence.
Kangxi despised those who sought to corrupt the Crown Prince and had no intention of letting them off lightly.
He had personally ordered Gu Wenxing, the head eunuch of the Palace Affairs Bureau, to conduct the interrogation.
Hearing Liang Jiugong’s report, Kangxi commanded coldly,
“When he returns, no matter the hour, send him to see me immediately.”
“Understood!”
Liang Jiugong quickly agreed before cautiously probing further, “Your Majesty, the Imperial Kitchen has prepared some pastries, and there’s a pot of simmering chicken soup. Would you care to have some?”
“Have mercy on your servants, please,” he pleaded, putting on a pitiful tone.
“If the Crown Prince finds out that you skipped dinner and weakened your health, he’ll be even more guilt-ridden. The Grand Empress Dowager will surely have my skin peeled off!”
Kangxi chuckled and scolded, “You damn dog servant, daring to compare me to a child? If you’re itching for a beating, just say so—I’ll grant your wish!”
Liang Jiugong grinned shamelessly, “If it makes Your Majesty eat a little more, then even if my behind gets beaten to a pulp, I’d be happy!”
Having grown up with this mischievous eunuch, Kangxi wasn’t the type to forbid a bit of lighthearted banter.
He huffed a laugh and relented.
“Fine. Bring me something easy to digest.”
After a brief pause, he added with a sharp undertone,
“From now on, any new palace staff entering Qianqing Palace must be thoroughly vetted. If another mistake happens, you can pack your things and go serve in the Punishment Bureau’s laundry division—I have no use for incompetent servants.”
Liang Jiugong felt a chill in his heart—was this command because of that little palace maid earlier?
Or was there something else?
Could it be… that girl hadn’t served properly?
At that moment, Chief Eunuch Liang made a firm decision—he needed to have a serious talk with Qin Gugu.
Not because he was petty, of course! This was for His Majesty’s safety!
New palace maids had to be strictly disciplined—if they needed to be beaten, they would be beaten; if they needed to be punished, they would be punished severely!
After all, the palace wasn’t lacking in young women desperate to serve in Qianqing Palace—especially those who knew how to behave.
***
Fang He dragged her exhausted legs back to the Imperial Tea Room.
Even after experiencing countless workplace disasters in her past life, the image of the little eunuch being dragged away, desperately covering his mouth, was still seared into her mind.
And just now, when Master Kang had suddenly taken notice of her, it had been downright terrifying.
Ru Yue, who was squatting by the stove, and Qiao Wen, who was applying ointment to her burned hand, immediately stood up and rushed over at the sound of her return.
“Did you serve the tea?”
Ru Yue asked impatiently.
What, did they think she swallowed the tea cup whole?
Fang He stayed true to the original host’s timid nature, gently placing the empty tray back into the tea cabinet.
Silence spoke louder than words.
The two of them: “…”
Qiao Wen studied Fang He’s expression closely.
“Did you get a good look? What was His Majesty’s mood like?”
“Gugu (senior palace maid) taught us that we must not speak recklessly about the master,” Fang He mumbled hesitantly, swaying slightly for dramatic effect, as if still shaken from the experience.
She staggered toward the small clay stove.
“I-I should just boil water.”
Seeing Fang He’s seemingly exhausted state, Ru Yue and Qiao Wen exchanged a knowing glance.
Qiao Wen held her wrist dramatically. “I burned my hand and won’t be able to serve in front of His Majesty for the next few days. It’ll have to be you, Sister Ru Yue.”
Ru Yue scoffed internally—Oh, now you need me?
Still, she forced a fake smile and agreed halfheartedly, but her gaze lingered on Fang He.
The Next Day
When it was time for their next shift, Ru Yue rushed ahead and plopped down onto the wooden stool, looking at Fang He with a pitiful expression.
“I didn’t cover myself properly last night and caught a chill. My head hurts, and I can’t handle the wind. Sister Fang He, can I trouble you to bring the tea?”
Fang He held back a smirk.
“…Alright.”
She absolutely loved dealing with these kinds of scheming little fools.
The original host had taken after her mother—she was soft-hearted, spineless, and had no sense of self-preservation.
Senior maid Xu Momo had always told her to be obedient and avoid trouble, and the original host had never once refused anyone.
She had worked in the Imperial Tea Room for nine years without a single raise.
Every month, she received a salary of two taels of silver, and instead of keeping it, she would either hand it over to the senior maids to curry favor or give it all to Xu Momo, keeping only seven maces of silver and twenty copper coins for emergencies.
Xu Momo had later fallen gravely ill and died in Anping Hall, and the money disappeared with her.
Given the cost of living in Qianqing Palace, even buying a simple pastry required ten more copper coins than she had.
This… was far more terrifying than time travel itself.