mtl008 Chapter 230: Showing Affection and Feeling Distressed
Chapter 230: Showing Affection and Feeling Distressed
When they arrived at the main hall, Kangxi showed no sign of surprise. He pulled Shi Nanxi to sit next to him. The crown prince and the eldest prince both saluted Shi Nanxi.
"I pay my respects to Mother Xian."
"Yinzhi pays his respects to Xian'e Niang."
When Shi Nanxi saw the prince saluting, she immediately stood up and returned a half-salute, but as soon as she moved, Kangxi held her hand.
"They are both juniors, just sit still."
Shi Nanxi looked at Kangxi, bit her lip, hesitated, and then obediently did not stand up. However, it could be seen that she was a little nervous and uncomfortable.
The prince was shocked. He was already surprised to see the emperor personally go to the side hall to pick up Concubine Xian. He did not expect that the emperor would actually let Concubine Xian accept his full courtesy. Thousands of thoughts passed through his mind, but all of them passed in a flash.
He glanced at Concubine Xian, who was a little restless, and said politely:
"What the Emperor said is true. Xian'e Niang is the elder and I am the younger. It is only right for me to pay my respects to you."
Shi Nanxi seemed to be comforted by these words and looked better. Kangxi was even more relieved. He put down his hand and helped the prince up himself, his eyes full of pride and joy.
"The prince has really grown up and become more sensible. It just so happens that your mother Xian has brought some soup over. The soup in her small kitchen is always delicious. You can enjoy it later."
"Yes, Father Royal, it seems that I am in for a treat today."
The prince was very happy to be helped up by his father personally. Then Kangxi looked at the eldest prince and called him up, but did not help him up himself.
The eldest prince stood up and clenched his fists again. It was the same again. Why did the emperor only have eyes for the crown prince? He was also bowing. Why did the emperor only support the crown prince?
Shi Nanxi, the chief minister, saw this scene and shook his head secretly. Kangxi was indeed in love with her and his partiality was obvious.
But she was also a person who was favored. As a vested interest, she naturally wouldn't say anything. What's more, she had worked hard to get the favor, so she didn't think it was unfair. She would fight for what she wanted.
"Your Majesty, the soup in my kitchen is not as good as the soup in your inner kitchen, but if the prince likes it, I will definitely reward my kitchen."
After saying this, she looked at the eldest prince again and said equally:
"The same goes for the eldest brother. I will double the reward for the small kitchen when the time comes."
Kangxi also looked at the eldest prince and agreed with a smile:
"Okay, then add my reward to it, and it will be triple the reward."
Shi Nanxi stood up with a smile.
"I, the concubine, would like to thank the emperor for his grace on behalf of Xiaofang, but let's first see if Xiaofang is worthy of the emperor's grace."
As he said this, he walked forward to the kang table, opened the box himself, and took out the wolfberry and pork bone soup inside. Knowing that it was a gift for the emperor, the small kitchen stewed it with great care and the quantity was sufficient.
Shi Nanxi asked someone to add two bowls, one for each person. The bowls were not big, with red wolfberries floating in them. The pork inside was stewed until soft and the soup was clear, exuding a faint meaty aroma and sweetness.
"Try it." Shi Nanxi handed it to Kangxi first, then to the crown prince and the eldest prince, and finally to herself.
Kangxi looked at Shi Nanxi with a smile. After she finished serving the soup, he picked up the spoon and took a sip. After swallowing it, he smiled and praised.
"It tastes delicious and leaves a lingering fragrance on your lips and teeth. It is as good as always. It deserves a reward."
The prince also took a sip and found it tasted really good, so he followed suit.
Only the eldest prince curled his lips secretly. It was true that Concubine Xian came from a country farm and was ignorant. It was just an ordinary wolfberry and pork bone soup, but she presented it as a treasure. Not only did the Emperor praise it for Concubine Xian's sake, but the Crown Prince also followed suit to flatter her.
I thought so in my heart and said yes.
No one spoke after eating or sleeping. After Kangxi finished his bowl of soup, he wiped his mouth and spoke again:
"In summer, we lose weight, and in autumn, we nourish our body. After autumn, we should eat more nourishing soups and meals, especially Concubine Xian. You are weak and need more nourishment."
Hearing this, Shi Nanxi put down the handkerchief on her mouth, pursed her lips and smiled:
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am feeling much better now. The kitchen is trying to find ways to nourish me every day. What's more important is your health. Your health is a matter of concern to the country, so you should take care of yourself."
Kangxi patted Shi Nanxi's hand gently, his eyes filled with smiles:
"I know. I'll listen to you."
Shi Nanxi glanced at Kangxi and shyly withdrew her hand. The Crown Prince and the eldest prince beside her lowered their heads and pretended not to see the interaction between the Emperor and Concubine Xian.
Shi Nanxi had the boxes and dishes taken back, then she said a few words and stood up to leave.
"Your Majesty, you are still busy with government affairs. I will not disturb you any more and will take my leave first."
It was obvious that Kangxi had something in mind when he kept the Crown Prince and the eldest prince, but she was a sensible person.
Kangxi did have something to tell the Crown Prince and the eldest prince, so he did not stay long.
"Okay, you go back first, I'll have dinner later."
A hint of sweetness appeared on Shi Nanxi's face. She bowed and led the people away.
After leaving the Nine Classics and Three Affairs Hall, Hongying lowered her voice and said:
"My Lady, the eldest prince took a sip of the soup just now and seemed to dislike it."
Shi Nanxi's pace is leisurely.
"It's not just the soup he doesn't like, he also dislikes me. He must have known what happened during the visit not long ago, so he naturally doesn't like me. Besides, I'm not liked by everyone, so you don't need to care."
Hongying said no more after hearing this and returned to Danningju. Shi Nanxi kept his word and rewarded Xiaoxiao three times the amount. Xiaoxiao was so happy that it was as if it was a festival.
……
On the other side, at Yunya Pavilion, the young eunuch quickly conveyed the eldest prince's words to Concubine Hui.
"My lady, the eldest prince said he would not act impulsively, so don't worry, he knows the seriousness of the matter."
After hearing this, Concubine Hui's expression became better, but then her heart ached. She felt sorry for Yinzhi who had to endure the injustice, so she immediately said:
"The first wife is pregnant again and can no longer serve the eldest prince. There is no one who is considerate to him in his mansion. Chunlan and Qiuling, you two should serve the eldest prince from now on. Remember to be cautious and take good care of him and respect the first wife."
When Chunlan heard her name, she stepped forward. She had a face as beautiful as a spring orchid, pure and elegant. She knelt down and took orders from Concubine Hui.
Qiu Ling, as her name suggests, is smart and lively, and she also stepped forward to respond.
The two were quickly led away, followed by the reward that Concubine Hui had given to the First Concubine.
Liangpin in the palace smiled and said:
"Your Majesty is really considerate of the First Lady. It is a blessing for the First Lady to have a mother like you."
Concubine Hui smiled faintly:
"I hope the eldest wife will do well this time and give birth to a little prince."
Although what Concubine Nianhulu said when paying her respects was unpleasant, the First Wife had given birth to three princesses before, and she was worried that this baby would also be a princess. She and the eldest prince both wanted their own child to take the position of the Emperor's eldest grandson.
"Don't worry, your majesty. The eldest wife is a blessed person and will get what she wants." Wu Su, the subordinate, agreed and quickly answered.
Liangpin glanced at Wusu and agreed, but did not respond. The first wife had given birth to three princesses in a row, and this baby was likely to be a princess as well. If she boasted in advance, Huifei would definitely vent her anger if she did not give birth to a little prince.
Concubine Hui was worried about the first wife's pregnancy, so she liked to hear these auspicious words, and her complexion immediately improved.
After thinking about it, he agreed to Wu Su:
"Today, thanks to you for telling me in time that Concubine Xian was going to the Nine Classics and Three Affairs Hall." As he said this, he took off a bracelet from his hand and gave it to Wu Su as a promise.
"This tortoise shell bracelet is perfect for young people like you. Take it and play with it."
Wu Su agreed and was immediately surprised.
"Thank you, Madam Huifei."