May arrived, bringing the suffocating heat of early summer to the Forbidden City.
The third day of the fifth month was Yinreng's birthday. Birthdays for young princes were usually minor affairs, organized by their biological mothers, who would invite allied concubines to share a meal. Even rival concubines would send polite, superficial gifts to maintain appearances.
Yinreng's birthday was entirely different. He had no biological mother to host a celebration. More importantly, his birthday was also the anniversary of Empress Hesheri's death from childbirth complications. Therefore, since the day he was born, there had never been a celebration. The harem's concubines still sent gifts, but no one dared to show their faces. Every year, Kangxi would join Yinreng for a private lunch, holding the boy while grieving for his late wife.
This year followed the same pattern. Yinreng listened quietly as Kangxi recounted stories of his mother. In his past life, Yinreng might have admired this deep imperial affection. Now, he viewed it through a more cynical lens. There was undoubtedly genuine love, but the most crucial factor was that Hesheri died young. They had been teenage newlyweds supporting each other through early political struggles. Whatever arguments or flaws had existed between them were erased by her death, leaving only an idealized, untouchable memory. She was the eternal "white moonlight" in Kangxi's heart.
As the father and son sat in melancholic silence, a maid named Yuchan arrived, carrying a food box.
She knelt respectfully and withdrew a bowl of steaming noodles.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness. I am here to deliver a gift on behalf of Concubine De," Yuchan announced. "My lady says that even if the Crown Prince's birthday is not grandly celebrated, a bowl of longevity noodles is essential. Since the Crown Prince lacks nothing, she had no precious treasures to offer. However, knowing her culinary skills are passable, she personally prepared these noodles to wish His Highness a long, healthy, and prosperous life."
Kangxi glanced at the bowl and nodded indifferently. "Leave it on the table."
Yinreng narrowed his eyes. All the other concubines had sent their gifts hours ago. Concubine De (Uya) specifically sent her maid precisely when Kangxi was present. She could easily claim the timing was merely to ensure the noodles were served hot for lunch, but Yinreng recognized a calculated move when he saw one.
Yuchan, however, acted perfectly innocent. She simply delivered the food, bowed, and retreated without a lingering glance at the Emperor.
Kangxi smiled at Yinreng, the heavy atmosphere lifting slightly. "Yuchan spoke the truth. Concubine De may not excel in other arts, but her cooking is exceptional. If you like it, have a few bites. If not, do not force yourself."
"Then I shall try it," Yinreng replied.
Setting aside his suspicions about Concubine De's political maneuvers, he was genuinely curious about food that earned the Emperor's praise.
He took a bite and paused.
The noodles were standard. The broth was standard. Yet, there was an inexplicable, savory depth to the flavor that surpassed the Imperial Kitchens' daily fare. Was it his imagination?
He took another bite. 'No. It is real.' Concubine De's culinary skill was genuinely remarkable. It explained how a woman of low birth maintained such steady imperial favor. In the cutthroat harem, a direct path to the Emperor's stomach was a lethal weapon. Concubine De was a master chef.
Good food was good food, regardless of the sender's motives. Knowing it was not poisoned, Yinreng happily devoured the entire bowl.
Seeing Yinreng's mouth smeared with broth, Kangxi chuckled. He pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped his son's face. "You are growing up, yet you still eat like a messy infant."
Yinreng merely shrugged.
After lunch, Kangxi departed for the morning assembly.
***
The next day, immediately after the morning court session ended, chaos erupted.
Chunying, the loyal maid of the demoted Concubine Tongjia, bypassed the standard protocols. Begging Head Eunuch Liang Jiugong for an emergency audience, she burst into the hall and threw herself to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Your Majesty! Please, I beg you to visit my lady! She... she is dying!"
The word hung in the air.
'Thud. Thud. Thud.' Chunying continuously kowtowed, slamming her forehead against the floor. "Your Majesty! Even if my lady committed a thousand sins, please remember your past affection and see her one last time! She keeps calling your name. If you do not go now, I fear..."
She choked on her tears, conveying that Tongjia was drawing her final breaths.
Kangxi's heart lurched. "What happened? What is wrong with her?"
Chunying shook her head wildly, her face a mask of despair. "My lady... she has already..." She could not finish the sentence.
Seeing the maid on the verge of collapsing from grief, Kangxi's anger finally broke. He rushed out, heading straight for Chengqian Palace.
Within an hour, the news spread throughout the six palaces: Concubine Tongjia was critically ill and near death.
Yinreng was deeply confused by the report. It was the 19th year of Kangxi's reign. According to historical records, Tongjia died in the 28th year. Why was she dying nine years early? Then again, in history, she had never been demoted from Noble Consort either.
Was this the butterfly effect of his survival? Or was this a theatrical performance?
While Yinreng analyzed the situation, the other concubines eagerly awaited confirmation of Tongjia's demise. Only Concubine De (Uya) reacted differently. Hearing the news, she calmly shook her head and murmured to Yuchan, "I suspect the Emperor will restore her Noble Consort title within two days."
***
Chengqian Palace.
When Kangxi entered the bedchamber, he was shocked. Only a month and a half ago, Tongjia had been a radiant, graceful beauty. Now, she lay on the bed, a skeletal shadow of her former self, deathly pale and semi-conscious.
Even in her delirium, she murmured, "Cousin... Cousin..."
Kangxi had assumed Chunying was exaggerating to gain sympathy. Seeing the reality, he grabbed the Imperial Physician by the collar. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Your Majesty, Her Ladyship suffers from severe melancholy and a blockage of the heart," the physician stammered.
The cause of the "melancholy" was obvious. Kangxi ordered the physician to immediately draft a prescription and turned to Chunying. "When did this begin? Why was I not informed?"
"Since the night you left, Your Majesty," Chunying wept. "At first, I thought she just needed rest. But she withered away day by day, refusing to eat. When I threatened to fetch you, she forbade it. She said she had committed a grave sin, and your hatred was justified. She said she deserved to die alone."
Chunying stole a fearful glance at Kangxi. "I secretly begged Eunuch Liang to inform you..."
Kangxi vaguely remembered a report, but he had been consumed by rage, dismissing it as one of Tongjia's manipulative tricks. He had harshly reprimanded Chunying instead of listening.
"Today, I had no choice," Chunying cried, kowtowing again, leaving blood on the floor. "The physicians say they can treat her body, but not her heart. If this continues, we must prepare for her funeral. I was terrified, so I dared to disrupt your court."
Kangxi stared at the blood on the maid's forehead. He dismissed her to fetch porridge and sat on the edge of the bed, gently grasping Tongjia's fragile hand.
Feeling the warmth, Tongjia's eyes fluttered open. "Cousin?"
"You are awake."
Tongjia looked at him in disbelief. "Cousin... is it truly you? Am I dreaming?"
"It is me. It is not a dream. Touch my face."
Trembling, Tongjia reached up, her fingers grazing his cheek. Tears instantly streamed down her face. "You finally came. I thought you would never forgive me. I thought you would never look at me again."
Kangxi's chest tightened with complex emotions. Tongjia struggled to sit up. Kangxi quickly supported her, placing a pillow behind her back. The simple movement left her exhausted and sweating, yet she smiled weakly. "To see you one last time before I die... it is a blessing."
"Do not speak such nonsense," Kangxi frowned. "You are young. You have many years ahead of you."
Tongjia lowered her head. "Having earned your disgust, what point is there in living?"
Kangxi opened his mouth, but words failed him.
"Cousin, I do not blame you," Tongjia smiled bitterly. "Your reprimands were just. After you left, I lay here thinking. I realized what a monster I had become. I used to be a simple, innocent girl. How did I become so ugly? How did I become someone who would frame an innocent man to achieve my goals? What happened to me?"
She sobbed uncontrollably, her tears soaking the blanket.
"If I could, I would be your innocent cousin forever! But... but my child died! Cousin, my baby died!"
Years ago, Tongjia had been pregnant. Before she even began to show, she slipped and miscarried. She never believed it was an accident, but the maid responsible had confessed to mere negligence, even under torture. Without proof of sabotage, the matter was closed.
"I just wanted to be powerful!" Tongjia cried, gripping Kangxi's sleeve. "I wanted the power to protect my next child! I admit I was wrong. But I swear to you, Cousin, I had nothing to do with the Crown Prince's illness! I swear it!"
"I never said you did," Kangxi replied gently.
"But you thought it! You did not trust me! Yes, I spread rumors. Yes, I bribed Aunt Lan. But I only wanted the Crown Prince to throw a tantrum. Cousin, when Yinzuo was born, you were so overjoyed. I was consumed by jealousy! I want my own child!"
Her voice grew weaker, her face paler. "After the new year, the physicians said I was pregnant again. I spent every day dreaming of what our baby would look like. Then they told me it was a mistake—a false hope. And right then, Uya gave birth to the Sixth Prince. She is already a Concubine. I was terrified! I was terrified that because I could not bear a child, Uya would eventually steal Yinzhen away from me! Cousin, I was so afraid!"
Seeing her hyperventilating, Kangxi felt a profound wave of guilt. "Stop talking. No one will take Yinzhen from you. There is no precedent for a biological mother reclaiming an imperial prince from his adoptive mother."
"But a lack of precedent does not mean it cannot happen!"
"You are scaring yourself with imaginary threats," Kangxi sighed, stroking her hair. "Your priority is your health."
Tongjia shook her head weakly. "I know my body. I am dying. This conversation... it is just a final surge of strength. Cousin, before I go, please promise me. Forgive me, so I can pass in peace. And take care of yourself. My only regrets are leaving you and Yinzhen behind."
"Silence!" Kangxi commanded, then instantly softened his tone. "You will not die. I promise you: as long as you live, Yinzhen will remain with you. And you will have a child of your own."
"My own child?" Tongjia murmured, her eyes distant. "Is that still possible?"
"Yes! I am the Emperor. My words are law. If I say you will have a child, you will! We are both young. Heal your body, and we will have a child."
At that moment, Chunying returned with a bowl of white porridge. Kangxi did not hesitate. He took the bowl, scooped a small spoonful, and brought it to Tongjia's lips.
"Be good. Eat, and get well," he coaxed gently.
Tongjia's lips trembled, parting slightly. "Yes, Cousin."