As expected, incompetent teammates who drag others down can be found everywhere, even soone as shrewd as Minister Cao isn't immune.
After learning the whole story—that it was rely the self-righteousness of soone overly ambitious trying to capitalize on baseless rumors, rather than the rumors themselves being truly outrageous—An Ning decisively stopped paying it much mind.
While watching the drama unfold was entertaining, if things really went too far and affected this person's reputation, there was no guarantee this petty-minded emperor wouldn't irrationally vent his anger elsewhere.
Though, if one really thought about it, this matter was indeed related to her...
Other things aside, if she wasn't careful, it might not be so convenient to go out and have fun in the future.
That said, thanks to how annoying this whole affair was, An Ning behaved quite properly all the way until the imperial procession began its journey back to the capital.
She only occasionally went out for walks and showed less restraint on the chessboard. But on this particular day, after glancing at the rather unfamiliar faces outside her room, An Ning placed a piece skillfully before speaking:
"That's strange, I haven't seen Imperial Guard Nalan for several days now."
"The climate in Jiangnan is pleasant, a land of beauty and talent. Rongruo's health hasn't been good these past two years, so staying here a couple more years would be beneficial for him."
"Besides, I happen to have so tasks to assign him as well."
Casting a faint glance at her, the person opposite spoke with an ordinary expression, as if discussing so trivial matter.
An Ning's chess piece paused slightly in her hand. She raised her eyes to stare fixedly at this person for a mont before finally letting out a cold snort:
"Your Majesty is quite willing to part with him. Should I feel fortunate that at least Your Majesty would engage in so sarcastic banter, rather than silently abandoning in so remote corner?"
After a brief pause, An Ning continued seriously:
"Your Majesty should also know that my feelings toward Imperial Guard Nalan are mostly appreciation, with no other inappropriate thoughts."
Is that so?
His gaze lingering on the increasingly ethereal and peerless beauty of the person opposite him, Kangxi neither affird nor denied, rely casually setting down the chess piece in his hand.
His tone carried a faint lancholy as he said:
"Didn't my beloved consort say earlier that I am not one of those broad-minded individuals..."
An Ning: "..."
Alright, no need to emphasize it—now I truly see it.
But what An Ning was thinking at this mont was, if she rembered correctly, Nalan Rongruo's illness and death seed to occur next year.
The cause was apparently a cold ailnt, though one couldn't rule out that the person before her loved him so much that he had to take him everywhere. With his already frail health, coupled with constant travel, it would be strange if he didn't develop problems!
Viewed this way, staying in Jiangnan for a few years might not be a bad thing. The climate was suitable, there was less family pressure, and he had many close friends—perhaps he could even serendipitously avoid his fatal calamity.
"Your Majesty is quite willing to part with him. Should I feel fortunate that at least Your Majesty would engage in so sarcastic banter, rather than silently abandoning in so remote corner?"
Thinking this, An Ning didn't say much more. Opposite her, Kangxi's gaze softened considerably. When the ga ended, he skillfully pulled her onto his lap:
"I know you dislike the constraints of the palace. I recently ordered the accelerated renovation of Changchun Garden. In a while, the hot spring resort at Chengde will also be completed. Those places naturally have fewer rules..."
Tsk, listen to how nicely he puts it.
As if all of this were for her sake.
Playing idly with the jade tassel in her hand, An Ning remained noncommittal in her heart.
If she disliked palace constraints, the truth was the person before her wasn't much different. Whether she existed or not, Changchun Garden would still be renovated at an accelerated pace, and the hot spring resort would still be visited eventually—yet now he was using it to gain favor.
Really, An Ning clicked her tongue inwardly; this person was probably one of the few truly troubleso individuals she had ever encountered.
He appeared gentle and considerate, but in reality, he never suffered the slightest loss.
But when good opportunities arise, only a fool wouldn't take advantage. An Ning imdiately nodded.
And thus, the matter was closed.
On the return journey, since the weather outside had turned sowhat chilly, she only occasionally went to stroll on the deck when the weather was fine. Most of the ti, she stayed in her room, writing and drawing.
In short, this trip out seed to have flipped so switch.
An Ning's originally sowhat rigid painting skills suddenly gained a certain vitality. Aside from so remaining technical clumsiness, her work had barely reached a visually acceptable level.
With nothing else to do, she decided to capture all the beautiful scenery she had seen during this period.
She could enjoy looking at them when bored.
An Ning herself didn't think much of it, but Emperor Kangxi was visibly quite pleased with himself:
"I rember when I first started teaching you, you couldn't even draw a smooth line. Yet in just a few years, A-Ning's painting skills already show initial spark."
An Ning: "......"
To this, An Ning could only maintain a smile and say with "sincere" expression:
"Thanks to Your Majesty's careful guidance..."
As soon as she finished speaking, Emperor Kangxi behind her indeed nodded with considerable satisfaction.
An Ning: "......"
Alright, as long as you're happy.
As for the many famous paintings and antiques this lord happily bestowed upon her... well... she accepted them without the slightest hesitation.
When Consort Rong's side learned of this, a young palace maid beside her was visibly displeased.
Thinking this, An Ning didn't say much more. Opposite her, Kangxi's gaze softened considerably. When the ga ended, he skillfully pulled her onto his lap:
"Your Highness, look at how much effort you've expended this entire journey—frequently receiving noble ladies, diligently sharing His Majesty's burdens. anwhile, what about the one next door?"
Spending all day idle, only knowing how to seduce His Majesty, without accomplishing a single proper task.
But what was the result? Why did her own mistress, after all this hard work, receive less than half of what that other one got? Even those lower officials, clearly all receptions were handled by her own mistress, yet they turned around and sent their lavish gifts elsewhere.
His Majesty truly... his favoritism knows no bounds.
The young maid was about to say more when her always gentle mistress suddenly spoke:
"If my Zhongcui Palace cannot keep you, upon returning to the palace, I will personally find you another placent..."
Hearing this, the previously complaining maid hastily knelt.
"Your Highness, this servant... this servant only..."
But before she could finish, the head maid ordered soone to take her away. An older matron quickly stepped forward as if to say sothing.
If she disliked palace constraints, the truth was the person before her wasn't much different. Whether she existed or not, Changchun Garden would still be renovated rapidly, and the hot spring resort would still be visited eventually—yet now he was using it to gain favor.
"Don't worry, Matron. It's rely baseless talk; I know my limits."
Really, An Ning clicked her tongue inwardly; this person was probably one of the few truly troubleso individuals she had ever encountered.
Thanks to lessons from previous dynasties, this court was particularly strict about imperial consorts interfering in politics. Forget receiving noble ladies, even eting one's own relatives during holidays was rare.
And her Yinzhi would reach adulthood in a few years, even participating in court affairs. Yet her family background was only average, unable to offer the Third Prince much support.
Neither the legitimate heir nor the eldest, in terms of imperial favor, Yinzhi couldn't even catch up to his two older brothers. In every aspect, he started at a significant disadvantage.
Due to the pain of losing children early on, Lady Majia didn't harbor much personal ambition. But she didn't want her only remaining son, her Yinzhi, to start so far behind his brothers.
If she, as his mother, could do her utmost to assist him...
Hard work? What was there to fear?
At this mont, Lady Majia only wished she could do more.
Keeping track of the various official connections and relationships during this period, Consort Rong's brow unconsciously relaxed slightly:
"Regardless, in His Majesty's heart, he still considers the dignity of us older consorts."
At the very least, during this ti, all official rewards were always distributed equally, never causing her, an older consort, to lose face. That was already enough...
As for privately? Why overthink and make herself uncomfortable.
"It's good that Your Highness understands."
The matron beside her quickly smiled and said:
"As the saying goes, the moon waxes and wanes, people have their flaws. While being unburdened allows one to act freely, in this servant's view, among the constant comings and goings in the rear palace, soone as steady as Your Highness, with children by your side, is already excellent."
"Matron speaks rightly..."
Lady Majia quickly nodded, her expression showing no displeasure.
As for the one next door, to be honest, had Consort Rong ever felt envious?
Of course she had—peerless beauty, glorious favor, even within the strict palace rules, she showed little restraint. She even dared to confront the Grand Empress Dowager directly, yielding not an inch. And despite this, she still managed to live well in the palace to this day.
After that incident, even the proudest Consort Hui, who had long coveted harem authority, didn't dare provoke her lightly.
The finest gold, jade, silks, and rare treasures in the palace—aside from His Majesty's and the Crown Prince's Yuqing Palace—were most abundant in the Palace of Eternal Spring.
But if Consort Rong were truly in that position, Lady Majia knew in her heart that even with such circumstances, she wouldn't dare act that way. Since that was the case, how could she be jealous?
Besides, in this world, what thing offers perfect satisfaction?
Thinking of the son and daughter at her knee, a slight smile soon appeared on Lady Majia's face.
If she couldn't have overflowing favor and carefree freedom, then peace, stability, and contentnt were also blessings in their own right.
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