Rebirth Plan to Save Leader

Chapter 10

After seeing off her two family members, Li Mu fell into deep thought. However, this contemplation was interrupted by Yinreng in her arms just as she sensed something was amiss. Yinreng’s small hands brushed against her collar; though he lacked strength, his nudging caught her attention. “Is this child hungry?”

Snow Lotus came over to take the little Prince. “Your Majesty, let me take the Crown Prince down.”

Li Mu nodded. She could feel that the servants in Kunning Palace were more spirited than before, full of drive and seemingly tireless. Naturally, she didn’t bother too much with this; she just felt that the current situation seemed a bit too easy. Everything was developing in her favor, but with so many talented people in the harem, would someone really just watch her remain triumphant forever?

Li Mu shook her head. She would take it one step at a time; she would face whatever came her way. Worrying now was useless. She casually picked up a book from the heated kang bed, ignoring the outside world to enjoy a good read. She still preferred her own straightforward temperament!

“Your Majesty, the weather is hot, but you mustn’t overindulge.” Nanny Zhou brought over a bowl of mung bean soup with a bit of a headache. Yesterday, the Empress had almost eaten two bowls, but fortunately, she had been kept under watch. Today, however, Nanny Zhou had a premonition that the Empress might not be so easy to deal with.

“I know!” Li Mu immediately rolled up. Her eyes sparkled; a cold drink on a hot day was the greatest joy in the world!

In the Qianqing Palace, Kangxi ordered the Ministry of Rites to speed up the announcement of the Crown Prince’s investiture to all regions. Such a matter was of paramount importance, and not a single detail of etiquette could be overlooked. After handling all this, he stretched. Liang Jiugong, who was waiting nearby, immediately stepped forward to flatter him: “Is Your Majesty going to Kunning Palace to see the Empress and the Crown Prince?”

Kangxi scolded him with a smile, “Usually you aren’t this clever, but your expression changes the moment the Empress and the Crown Prince are mentioned.”

Liang Jiugong pleaded his innocence, “Your Majesty, you misunderstand me. I only think that Your Majesty is happy whenever you see the Crown Prince. After a long day of work, shouldn’t Your Majesty rest well?”

Hearing Liang Jiugong’s words… Kangxi recalled the scenes of his visits to Kunning Palace; it was much as Liang Jiugong described. The Empress always had endless things to say to him, and with Yinreng being so well-behaved and fond of his father, even his most somber moods would improve.

At this moment, the Empress was likely playing with Yinreng while anticipating his arrival. At that thought, Kangxi quickened his pace, making Liang Jiugong struggle to keep up. One could only say the Emperor was always saying one thing and feeling another! As a servant, Liang Jiugong couldn’t speak of it.

Kangxi didn’t have his arrival announced when he reached Kunning Palace. To be honest, ever since he accidentally overheard the Empress’s true thoughts that one time, he had subtly developed this habit. It wasn’t a bad feeling; Kunning Palace felt like a second Qianqing Palace.

As he arrived tonight, the Empress’s voice rang out as usual, but this time it carried a hint of grievance… Grievance? Kangxi’s gaze sharpened. The Empress was the Master of the Central Palace; who would be bold enough to bully her?

But when he got closer to look, the situation was not at all what he had imagined. He saw the Empress sitting on a stool as if throwing a tantrum, her eyes fixed on an empty bowl. She said crossly, “Nanny Zhou, this bowl is so small. I only ate a tiny bit; it’s not even enough to fill my stomach.”

She even lifted the bowl and shook it under Nanny Zhou’s nose. Nanny Zhou was utterly helpless. “Your Majesty, you cannot overindulge in this. Have you forgotten you just finished your confinement? Eating too many cold things is bad for your health. Don’t you want to give the Crown Prince a few more brothers and sisters?”

Brothers and sisters? Li Mu touched her stomach. She had considered this, but it didn’t mean Nanny Zhou was right. A bowl that wasn’t even as big as her palm was so small and delicate—eating it was like eating nothing. Was Nanny Zhou joking?

In her hesitation, however, Kangxi saw her silence as a sign that she wanted to bear him more children. His ears turned slightly red, but he didn’t think there was anything wrong with her thoughts. Since they already had the Crown Prince, it would be even better if they could add more brothers and sisters; legitimate sons and daughters were always more precious.

“Ahem.” As soon as Kangxi made a sound, he saw the Empress looking at him with joy. “Your Majesty, you’re here!” She rushed toward him, making Kangxi almost want to tell her to slow down so she wouldn’t fall. But as she neared him, she restrained her desire for closeness and greeted him with great respect: “I pay my respects to Your Majesty.”

“Rise, Empress.” Kangxi helped her up. “Empress, why did I hear such a commotion as soon as I arrived? What happened?” Kangxi, of course, knew exactly what had happened, having witnessed the exchange between the Empress and her nanny.

Li Mu shook her head. “It’s nothing major.” She naturally wrapped her arms around the Emperor’s neck. Kangxi, accustomed to this, pulled her into his arms and sat down in a chair.

She rubbed against his neck, which was a bit ticklish. She said softly, “Your Majesty, do you prefer little Princes or little Princesses?”

The Empress’s sparkling eyes looked at him. Her appearance, which was usually deliberately solemn in public, seemed to have its seal broken at this moment, revealing all her beauty and sweetness. Kangxi seemed bewitched; he lowered his head slightly and kissed her red lips. They were intimate and tender, the room filled with a lingering affection.

The servants had all tactfully withdrawn. Li Mu was kissed until she was a bit breathless; she tried to push the man away but lacked the strength. She briefly wondered if her strength was just for show. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before a servant rushed in. “Your Majesty! Empress! Something terrible has happened!”

He didn’t realize he had interrupted something significant. Kangxi only looked up after a while, his gaze unfriendly as he glared toward the door. Li Mu’s face turned slightly red, and she hurriedly pushed the Emperor away, straightening her collar. “Your Majesty, it seems something big has happened. You should get up too.”

Although it wasn’t exactly “licentiousness in the daytime,” wouldn’t the Emperor be embarrassed in front of others?

Obviously, the option of “embarrassment” did not exist in Kangxi’s heart. He gave a cold snort. “If you can’t tell me what ‘terrible’ thing has happened, you can get out! Go back to wherever you came from.”

The servant panicked and kowtowed repeatedly. “Your Majesty, I have erred! Please show mercy. I have important news to report. Concubine Zhao Jia is in a bad way.”

At this, Li Mu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The servant continued, “Today is Concubine Zhao Jia’s birthday. The concubines who are close to her all sent gifts, but… but after receiving those gifts, Concubine Zhao Jia suddenly fainted.”

“Has the imperial physician rushed there yet?” Li Mu asked. This sounded like trouble. Although Zhao Jia’s status in the palace was not prominent, she was eight months pregnant. As the saying goes, a seven-month baby survives, but an eight-month one doesn’t. This could not possibly be without someone’s secret scheme.

“The imperial physician is already there,” the eunuch nodded repeatedly. He was still panicked, but having someone to lead him, he stopped trembling.

“Your Majesty, let me go with you to take a look. Concubine Zhao Jia is heavily pregnant; it wouldn’t be good if something happened.” There was no smile in Li Mu’s eyes. She wanted to see exactly who dared to act under her nose. As the Master of the Central Palace, if a pregnant concubine had an accident…

“Very well,” Kangxi said in a low voice. Looking at the Empress’s pale face, he couldn’t help but grasp her hand; it was somewhat cold.

At this moment, he wasn’t particularly dwelling on Zhao Jia’s pregnancy—though he was worried, he had lost so many children that the more disappointments he faced, the less expectation he held. He had long prepared himself for the possibility that this child might not be kept.