" The Empress Dowager has arrived…" With a summons from outside the palace, Kang Xi was awakened from reading memorials all night.
The sky was still dark, and the palace was shrouded in a gray haze. It was as quiet as a deserted temple. The Empress Dowager was already dressed and escorted by a group of eunuchs and palace maids to Yangxin Palace.
" Grandmother..." Kang Xi was shocked. He quickly got up from the dragon throne and rubbed his eyes. Then he went to greet the Empress Dowager." Grandmother, good luck..."
"Get up." The Empress Dowager's tone was no longer as kind and caring as before, and she coldly threw it in front of Kang Xi.
" Imperial Grandmother…" Kang Xi felt uneasy. He thought for a while and felt guilty. He was afraid that it was because Liu Huan had not passed the election yesterday and had made an exception to take a concubine. It must be this meddlesome empress again…Kang Xi couldn't help but secretly speculate.
"Your wings have hardened, and you still think I'm the imperial grandmother?”The Empress Dowager ignored him and sat on the throne as she asked.
" Grandmother, please listen to your grandson's explanation…" Kang Xi had always respected and loved the Borzijit family. This was the first time he had seen the Empress Dowager so angry…He no longer had the confidence he had before.
"No need to explain. Are you going to break the rules set by our ancestors one by one today?”Kangxi knew that the Empress Dowager was involved in the implementation of the pro-Han policy, which she and Oboi did not advocate. However, because Kangxi had just ascended the throne and implemented the Manchu Han policy, which was conducive to the stability of the government, they broke the rules and let the young Kangxi deal with it freely. This had already exceeded the previous system of the previous dynasty. Kangxi had overcome all difficulties and did not hesitate to resist the Empress Dowager and the ministers such as Oboi to facilitate this government. It still left a knot in the heart of the Imperial Grandmother.
" I wouldn't dare…" Kang Xi had already made plans in his heart. He had taken over the power of the Empress Dowager and Oboi, but he didn't want to alert the enemy too early. Kang Xi had not expected that the Empress Dowager would be alerted by Liu Yan's matter. In order to avoid attracting the attention of Ao Bai and the others, Kang Xi hesitated.
However, Liu Huan, with her cloud-like face and elegant appearance, had suddenly become so important and unique. She was the person he had been looking for so many years. He wanted her, or rather, his lonely heart really needed such a woman who could understand his feelings. However, as an Emperor, he couldn't go back on his promise to his beloved woman overnight…
"Then let's act according to the ancient rules. After the election, not to mention a noble, even Emperor Zhaoyi and Emperor Zhaorong can be conferred.”When the Empress Dowager saw Kang Xi stand respectfully, her tone softened.
" Yes... I drank too much yesterday and caused trouble. Please punish me. From now on, I will be respectful and not act recklessly... I will listen to your teachings..." Kang Xi did not want to ruin the plan, so he had to give in temporarily.
Liu Huan, I don't know if you know what I'm thinking about the token I gave you last night. I think you know. You're such a thoughtful girl…I have no other choice but to cherish and love you in other ways. I think a vain identity like Guiyi is nothing but a vanity to a woman like you. You won't care too much about it, right? Kang Xi lowered his head in deep thought.
"Hmm…that's good. Don't be too tired with the state affairs. Mu 'er misses the emperor every day, so the emperor should visit the Palace of Earthly Tranquility more often.”The Empress Dowager looked at Kang Xi meaningfully.
"I understand." Kang Xi had long blamed the Empress for being meddlesome, but on the surface, he could not help but obey Imperial Grandmother's wishes.
The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction and was helped up by a palace maid." The Emperor should go to court. Imperial Grandmother should also go back to rest."”
" Yes..." Kang Xi quickly supported the empress dowager and said respectfully," Your grandson will send the imperial grandmother out."”
"Yes." The Empress Dowager turned around and nodded, smiling slightly. Seeing the little Emperor that she had single-handedly nurtured grow up and become so sensible, she was naturally gratified. After sending him to the front of the hall, he sent Kang Xi back to tidy up and prepare for the morning court session.
The sun had risen and the morning court session had ended. Kang Xi and Cao Yin were walking in the imperial garden.
"Cao Yin, accompany me to Chuxiu Palace.”Kang Xi seemed to be in high spirits as he spoke to Cao Yin excitedly.
" Your Majesty, this... this isn't very good..." Cao Yin bowed and followed behind Kang Xi, looking a little embarrassed.
"What's wrong?" Kang Xi asked with a beaming face.
" The election isn't here yet…" Cao Yin replied awkwardly." If the Empress Dowager…"
"Alright! Don't mention the Empress Dowager anymore. This morning, Zhen has already found a stomach full of bad luck. It must be the Empress's mouth again. I had previously said that the Empress was a magnanimous person and was always thinking of me. She was afraid that I would be lonely around her, so she had organized the election several times. I didn't expect that when I really met the woman I loved, she would actually obstruct me like this. I even felt that I had mistreated her.”Kang Xi was furious. He continued," Liu Huan is the best in both looks and talents. It is only right that I give her the title of noble. I am the king of a generation, but I don't even have the right to marry a concubine!”
" Your Majesty..." Cao Yin frowned even more. He bowed and said," Your Majesty, please calm down."”
"Cao Yin, zhen has already submitted to imperial grandmother and will not mention the matter of taking in a concubine in advance for the time being. However, zhen is not joking. How can he break his promise in front of this little girl? Think carefully about how zhen will compensate her.”Kang Xi was excited again and pulled Cao Yin to think of an idea.
" This..." Cao Yin was in a difficult position again. He was also alone and did not have a wife, let alone talk about making girls happy. He could not help but look troubled.
"Cao Yin, one moment you do this and this, the next moment you do that and that…what use do I have for you?”Kang Xi impatiently rushed into a pavilion and sat down to rest. Cao Yinju sighed and quickly followed.
" Your Majesty, forgive me for being blunt, but I have no experience in such matters…" Cao Yin said truthfully.
"Hahaha! That's true!" Kang Xi was amused by his awkward expression. He said happily," Oh right, Cao Yin, I won't break my promise to you. Do you have any women that I like? I promised that once the maid's term is up, if you like any good woman, I will bestow marriage for you!"”
" My little ancestor, this is not a child's play. If the Empress Dowager finds out, even if Cao Yin has a hundred heads, it won't be enough…" Cao Yin was so frightened that he knelt down and kowtowed.
"Alright, alright, let's get down to business.”Kang Xi waved his hand and let Cao Yin stand beside him. He continued to talk casually." I'll tell you about Liu Huan." Do you know that she is the fairy who saved me at the center of the lake? She is the talented woman who recited poems at the Crimson Snow Pavilion. She is also the beauty who outshone all the other beauties at the banquet. She is the perfect person in the world. She is my chosen servant and will soon be my concubine…"
Kang Xi was excited. He quickly grabbed Cao Yin's arm and dug his fingers into it. Cao Yin almost cried out from the Emperor's grip, but he could only hold it in.
"I love her eyes and brows. Cao Yin, have you ever read the phrase,'The water is the waves of the eyes, and the mountains are the peaks of the brows.' She is the place where her eyes and brows are full!”Kang Xi's eyes were filled with gentleness, a gentleness Cao Yin had never seen before.
He was really in deep trouble.
"Cao Yin, do you understand how I felt at that time? It was as if I had met an old friend who had visited many times but could not see him. That feeling is like wishing we had met earlier!" Kang Xi took a big sip of tea and waved his hand.
"Yesterday, zhen sent a brocade box. Cao Yin, do you know what zhen sent? You definitely wouldn't have guessed that she is such an otherworldly woman. I know that mountains of gold and silver can't move her. Wealth and splendor are not what she wants. I spent a lot of thought to think of a gift that is suitable for her!”Kang Xi asked Cao Yin to guess with interest.
"This subject is ignorant, I really can't guess the Saint's heart.”Cao Yin smiled and shook his head.
"Zhen gave me a handful of red beans and a green parasol tree.”Kang Xi said proudly.
"Haha." When Cao Yin heard this, he laughed. The Emperor usually did not get close to women, but it turned out that he had never met a woman who could move his heart. Now that he had met her, he was actually as passionate as a young master, spending all his effort to please the lady. The ancients said," The most ruthless is the imperial family." However, Cao Yin did not think so. Wasn't this Liu Yan the girl who was with Xie 'er that day? Although he didn't look closely, at a glance, she looked similar to Xie 'er, she was indeed a top class beauty. Xie 'er also addressed her as sister, presumably just like the emperor said, she was extremely intelligent and talented. To be able to communicate with the Emperor's poems without any fear at the first banquet, a woman who could answer fluently was definitely an extraordinary woman.
"I've thought of it!" Cao Yin had yet to recover from his thoughts when Kang Xi suddenly said excitedly.
"What did the emperor think of?" Cao Yinhuan came back to his senses.
"Cao Yin, I want to personally draw a new palace for Liu Huan. Cheng Ming Palace is too tacky and doesn't match Liu Huan's charm. What hall should I build? Cao Yin, quickly think about it." Kang Xi fell into anxious thoughts again.
"Emperor, Cao Yin has a phrase to describe the Liu Xuanshi the emperor spoke of, but I don't know if it's appropriate.”Cao Yin hesitated.
"Read it quickly!" Kang Xi perked up.
"'Ye Fu's eyes are angry, clouds add to the hair, and the wind blows off the cotton on the cheek. The afterglow entered the bed, and it was expected that the people around him would suffer. Outside the screen window, sad idle branches, dancing into a net.'”Cao Yin slowly chanted.
Kangxi listened carefully. On the surface, this sentence described willow trees, but in fact, it described beautiful women. The willow was used as a metaphor for people, and the people were used as a contrast for the willow. The people and the willow blended together, regardless of color. It was really a good sentence! The last sentence also drew out the sorrow of parting of those who missed the willow. The beauty left like a willow, leaving thousands of willow catkins flying in front of the window, adding to the bitterness of love. Looking carefully, the little catkins were not flying catkins, but the spring tears of parting people!
"Isn't this an old phrase?”Kang Xi turned around and asked.
"Your Majesty, this poem comes from Nalan Xingde's 'Eternal Joy.'”Cao Yin lowered his head and replied.
"Nalan Xingde." Kang Xi read," It's him. I remember that after we parted in Scholar Xu's residence, we never met again. I didn't expect his pen to be stronger than before. How is Nalan Xingde now?"
"Nalan Xingde is now in the directorate, studying under Grand Scholar Xu.”Cao Yin replied.
"Yes, I am. The provincial examination is coming soon. A talent like Nalan Xingde should be used by me.”Kang Xi said seriously, and Cao Yin nodded.
Kang Xi's smile grew wider as he said," Then what name does Cao Yin want to give my palace from the phrase 'Nalan Xingde'?”
"Hey, don't say it first. Let me guess.”Kang Xi was in high spirits and guessed," Falling Candle Palace? Or…Dancing Willow Garden?"
Cao Yin smiled and shook his head.
"What is that name? Tell me, tell me quickly!" Kang Xi slapped his thigh and told Cao Yin to hurry up.
"What does the emperor think of the 'Eye-brushing Veranda'?”Cao Yin said respectfully.
"The Eye-brushing Pavilion…Hmm, interesting, I'll take it! Hahaha! The imperial guards really pity you, Cao Yin. With your talent, you should enter the Imperial Academy!”Kang Xi clapped his hands and laughed heartily.”
Kang Xi immediately got up and walked straight to the study instead of Chuxiu Palace.
Cao Yin quickly followed him and reminded him," Your Majesty, slow down. The road is slippery in spring moss…"
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