The Fourth Master's Dog

From afar, it was already dark outside the Chengqian Palace, but the sparse snow was still falling from the sky. It seemed that there was no sign of stopping after a day, and it was getting heavier and heavier.

The trees that had been cleaned by the palace servants during the day were covered with white snow again. From a distance, they looked like they were wearing a snow-white winter coat.

The pure white moonlight poured down from the sky, making Chengqian Palace look exceptionally warm.

The servants standing outside Concubine Tong's bedroom could faintly hear the woman's soft moans and the man's heavy breathing.

The older palace maids and eunuchs looked like they were used to it, with no expression on their faces.

The younger servants had already blushed, and they kept their heads down, not daring to move.

The red candle on the table has burned halfway, and the two intersecting figures on the big bed have not stopped yet, and the red waves are rolling more violently.

In a flash, I was in the fourth prince's room in the west hall of Chengqian Palace.

The charcoal fire made the whole room warm, the candles in the hall had long been blown out, and the Fourth Prince was sleeping properly on the big bed. The little boy had a look of satisfaction on his face, and it was obvious that he had had a good dream.

A little Duofu was sleeping in a ball near his belly, snoring in his little mouth.

This harmonious picture of the master and his pet was frozen at that moment.

They were the five-year-old Fourth Prince and his three-month-old puppy Duofu.

The atmosphere was particularly harmonious during the first night they spent sleeping in the same bed together.

Before daybreak, in Concubine Tong's bedroom, Liang Jiugong had already brought relevant eunuchs and maids, carrying toiletries and serving Kangxi.

Following Kangxi's eye signals, everyone moved very slowly, not daring to make any noise, for fear of waking up Concubine Tong who was still sleeping.

Looking at the white jade arm exposed on the bed, my cousin was exhausted.

Kangxi's eyes grew a little darker. He was very satisfied with what happened last night. It had been a long time since his cousin had been so proactive.

"Liang Jiugong, give my cousin the pair of gold-threaded white jade rings from my inner storehouse."

"Yes, I will give the order right away and make sure it is delivered to you before the imperial concubine wakes up." Liang Jiugong, who was serving nearby, heard Kangxi's order and responded hastily.

Before Kangxi left the bedroom, he glanced at Concubine Tong who was still sleeping behind the bed curtain. A trace of heartache flashed across his eyes. He thought that his cousin must have had a dream last night and must have been tired. He turned around and gave instructions to the maid standing in front of the door.

"Your queen is tired, let her sleep, and she can skip the greetings today."

After saying this, he got on the sedan chair, left Chengqian Palace, and walked towards the Yangxin Palace.

Early this morning, everyone in the harem knew that Kangxi had stayed overnight in Chengqian Palace yesterday. They were all furious, but there was nothing they could do.

This morning I heard that the Emperor forgave Concubine Tong's visit to pay her respects, and that a batch of ceramics were accidentally broken in the main halls of the harem early in the morning.

In the Kunning Palace, Queen Niuhulu heard the news early in the morning. She angrily tore off the handkerchief in her hand and hit the dressing table hard with her palm.

"Hasn't she always been aloof and arrogant, disdainful of vying for favor? How come she has lowered herself to learn these little tricks that are not presentable enough to win favor?" There was a hint of sarcasm in Queen Niuhulu's eyes, and her tone was full of disdain.

"That's right, Madam. I heard that the little puppy raised by the Fourth Prince is very much loved by His Majesty."

"Moreover, Imperial Concubine Tong raised the Fourth Prince out of the desire to keep him in her good graces. After raising him for so many years, she probably still wants her own child."

"Tong Guifei is just relying on the fact that she is His Majesty's mother's family, otherwise why would His Majesty favor her so much?"

Nanny Du, the wet nurse beside Empress Niuhuru, felt distressed when she saw the Empress's actions, and quickly took Empress Niuhuru's hand off the dressing table.

"My lady, why are you doing this? It's not worth it to hurt your body for her."

Nanny Du looked at her red palm and could not hide the pain on her face. She quickly ordered her maid Du Juan to get the Yurong ointment.

"Now, you are the Empress of the Qing Dynasty. In the final analysis, she is just a favored concubine. A hundred years from now, she won't even be qualified to be buried next to the Emperor. Why bother being angry with her?" The wet nurse, Madam Du, looked at Empress Nianhulu, who still had a face full of resentment and depression, and said soothingly.

After Empress Niuhuru's natural maid Dujuan came back with the medicine, she applied the medicine gently to Empress Niuhuru while speaking with a sharp look.

"My queen, that's what Madam said. Imperial Concubine Tong is so presumptuous because she is His Majesty's cousin. His Majesty is still partial to her now, but Imperial Concubine Tong is older than His Majesty. This year, the harem has selected a young and beautiful concubine. There will always be someone who can take away her favor."

"Your Highness, you are the queen now, and you are His Majesty's wife."

When Empress Niuhulu heard what my wet nurse Du Ma and my personal maid Du Juan said, her tightly furrowed brows slightly relaxed and a smile appeared on her face.

"Yes. Now I am His Majesty's wife. Even if I am not favored now, it doesn't matter. I am the only legitimate empress of the Qing Dynasty. Who can surpass me in public?"

In the front hall of Kunning Palace, many concubines have come to pay their respects to the Empress.

Those with high positions sat dignifiedly in their respective seats, while those concubines with low positions could only stand at the back, waiting for the arrival of the Queen.

"It's almost time, Dujuan, help me out. My sisters must be waiting anxiously." Empress Niuhulu put on the bright yellow phoenix dress that only the empress could wear, and wore the phoenix crown that represented her status as the empress, and walked slowly towards the front hall.