Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

Kangxi unconsciously loosened his grip on the horse's reins a little, his gaze falling on Liu Yunshu's fingertips as she spun tea.

Her fingertips were slender and fair, her nails were neatly trimmed, and even the way she held the tea leaves exuded a gentle elegance.

The guards hid deep in the shadows of the trees, not daring to breathe.

They had followed Emperor Kangxi for many years and had never seen His Majesty so lost in thought with a strange woman.

Liu Yunshu seemed completely unaware, and only after the tea had steeped for a while did she lift the gaiwan and gently skim off the foam.

The tea slowly poured into the white porcelain cup along the rim. The tea soup was clear and bright. Even before you got close, the sweet fragrance of osmanthus mixed with the mellow flavor of oolong tea wafted over, making the air seem sweeter.

She picked up a cup and handed it to Biyu, then took a sip herself, a faint smile curving her eyes: "Indeed, the tea brewed by the river is the most fragrant, much more pleasant than drinking it in the mansion."

As Biyu sipped her tea, she couldn't help but complain, "Of course! The manor isn't as peaceful as this place. Li Si'er is always hogging the Fourth Master's attention, even favoring her in the kitchen. She doesn't care about you, Miss..."

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Yunshu gently interrupted him: "Now that you're out, let's not talk about those unpleasant things."

She traced the rim of the cup with her fingertips, her tone as casual as if she were talking about someone else's business, "Right now, with tea and scenery, we should really enjoy it."

Emperor Kangxi heard this clearly from behind the tree, and his brows furrowed slightly.

She's already married? But who is this Fourth Master? How can he be so clueless!

Kangxi wanted to go out, but when he looked down at his clothes, he was afraid of disturbing the rare peace and quiet. He simply stopped and continued to hide behind the tree, but his gaze became more and more fixed on Liu Yunshu.

Liu Yunshu knew, of course, that Kangxi was observing her in secret, but she didn't point it out and continued to leisurely drink her tea.

She looked at the clear river surface and said to Biyu with great interest, "Biyu, look how refreshing the river water is! I want to play in the water!"

Seeing that she was in such a childlike mood, Biyu smiled and replied, "Miss, be careful. The stones by the river are slippery. Let me help you." As she spoke, she reached out to help her, but Liu Yunshu gently pushed her away.

"No need, I can do it myself." She lifted her skirt, preparing to take off her embroidered shoes.

Seeing this, Kangxi turned to look at the guards behind him, who understood and turned around.

Liu Yunshu took off her embroidered shoes, revealing her small and exquisite jade feet.

She sat on a blue stone by the river and gently dipped her feet into the water.

The cool river water washed over her ankles, causing her to let out a soft "Ah!" and a faint smile instantly appeared in her eyes.

The water gently lapped over the insteps of her feet, creating tiny ripples.

She couldn't help but wiggle her toes, splashing water droplets onto the bluestone, leaving shallow damp marks.

Sunlight fell on her fair ankles, revealing an unadorned charm.

Hidden behind a tree, Kangxi's gaze fell on her swaying toes, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

I felt that she was like a flower growing freely in the mountains, unrestrained and lively.

Just then, the ribbon in her hair came loose, and her black hair slid down her shoulders.

A few strands of her black hair hung down in front of her chest, gently blowing in the wind and clinging to her clothes.

She subconsciously raised her hand to gather her hair, her fingertips brushing against the side of her neck, revealing a small patch of delicate skin that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

Kangxi paused for a moment, then tightened his grip on the reins.

This woman seemed to possess a magical power; even a simple gesture like gathering her hair appeared exceptionally alluring on her.

There's not a trace of vulgarity, only an unintentional charm, like a feather gently tickling the heart, making one unbearably itchy.

"Oh dear, miss, your ribbon has been carried away by the water!"

Liu Yunshu followed Biyu's gaze and indeed saw the pink ribbon slowly drifting towards the center of the river with the current.

"Oh well, it's just a ribbon. Let it drift away if it wants to."

Liu Yunshu smiled and shook her head, gently brushing aside the long hair that fell over her shoulder with her fingertips, her tone full of indifference.

"It's quite comfortable to have my hair loose and down like this."

Her jet-black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and when the wind blew, the strands gently brushed against her spine. The moon-white dress and her dark hair complemented each other, making her figure appear even more slender.

Kangxi watched from behind the tree, his gaze growing increasingly profound.

Biyu still lamented, "That ribbon was just embroidered by Miss a few days ago, and it even has little osmanthus flowers embroidered on it."

"I'll embroider another one." Liu Yunshu bent down, her fingertips gently touching the water's surface, creating ripples.

After playing in the water for a while, Biyu couldn't help but advise, "Miss, it's getting late, and the wind is strong by the river. If you stay any longer, you might catch a cold."

As Biyu spoke, she reached out to tidy up the tea utensils on the low table. The charcoal fire in the tea stove had gradually weakened, leaving only wisps of smoke.

Liu Yunshu nodded, slowly withdrew her feet, picked up a handkerchief to wipe them, and then put her shoes back on.

The two then returned the way they came.

Only after Liu Yunshu's figure completely disappeared into the woods did Kangxi slowly loosen his grip on the reins.

He gazed at the pink ribbon floating on the river, and couldn't help but bend down to pick up a dry twig. He gently stirred the water and pulled the drifting pink ribbon to the shore.

The ribbon, damp with water, clung limply to the bluestone. Though the embroidered osmanthus flowers on it were wet, the delicate and exquisite stitches were still clearly visible.

He pinched a corner of the ribbon between his fingers, and the cool moisture seeped through the fabric.

It reminded him of her jade-like feet soaking in the water just now, and the smile that bloomed in her eyes when she swung her feet, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily again.

"Your Majesty," a guard said, bowing as he quietly approached, "the palace is ready. Shall we proceed now?"

Kangxi withdrew his gaze, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the ribbon.

"Okay, let's go."

But as he turned around, he couldn't help but glance in the direction Liu Yunshu had left.

Upon arriving at the palace, Li Dequan was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing him enter, he hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, hot water has been prepared. Would you like to take a bath to relax?"

Kangxi nodded, but before entering the inner room, he suddenly stopped and handed the pink ribbon to Li Dequan.

"Put this away carefully, don't break it."

Li Dequan was stunned. His Majesty had never liked such bright pink women's items, so why would he specifically instruct him to keep them safe today?

But he dared not ask any more questions, and quickly took it with both hands, carefully folded it and put it into the brocade box: "This servant understands, and will keep it safe."

Kangxi said nothing more and turned to go into the bathroom.

As the hot water washed over his body, the fatigue from days of battle gradually dissipated.

But when he closed his eyes, the image of the riverbank always appeared in his mind.

A woman in a pale white dress sat on a blue stone, brewing tea. Her black hair hung loosely down, and the gentle way she twirled the tea leaves with her fingertips, along with the sweet "Ah!" she let out when she dipped her foot into the water...

"Your Majesty, dinner is ready. Shall we summon you now?" Li Dequan's voice rang out softly from the outer room, interrupting his thoughts.

Kangxi opened his eyes, the dazed look in them gradually fading, leaving only a barely perceptible seriousness: "Send the message."

After he changed into his everyday clothes and sat down at the dining table, he looked at the exquisite dishes on the table, but he had no appetite as usual.

My gaze swept over the empty plate on the table, and I inexplicably recalled the cup of osmanthus oolong tea by the river.

The soup was clear and bright, with a sweet and refreshing taste, far superior to the heavily oiled and salty imperial dishes before me.

"Li Dequan," he suddenly said, "go and find out if there are any villas near the palace, and who lives there."

Li Dequan instantly remembered the pink ribbon that His Majesty had treasured and carefully put away, and hurriedly bowed and replied, "This servant will go and investigate immediately."

He dared not delay and immediately sent men to inquire about the area around the palace.

Within half an hour, the scout returned with a report, detailing the situation of the villas near the palace.

"Reporting to the Chief Steward, the closest palace to the imperial residence is the Jade Spring Villa, where Lord Longkodo's principal wife, Lady Hesheli, currently resides."

"Longkodo's legal wife?" Kangxi paused slightly in his chopsticks, a knowing glint in his eyes.

No wonder the maid mentioned "Fourth Master" earlier; it turns out he was Longkodo.

He had long heard that Longkodo favored his concubine over his wife, but since Longkodo was his cousin, he couldn't interfere too much.

But I never expected that this Hesheli would be so insightful and lively.

A complex emotion flashed in Kangxi's eyes. Longkodo was blind to talent, neglecting such a good woman and instead doting on a lowly Li woman. It was truly a pity.

He put down his chopsticks, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "I understand. Go now, and don't make a sound."

The scout bowed and withdrew. Li Dequan stood aside, already understanding seven or eight parts of the situation, but still kept his head down and dared not say a word.

"Li Dequan, make preparations for tomorrow. I want to take a 'stroll' near Yuquan Villa."

Emperor Kangxi tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, his gaze fixed on the window.

Li Dequan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed and replied, "This servant obeys! Tomorrow, I will arrange everything properly and will not disturb anyone else."

How could he not understand that His Majesty was not "taking a walk" at all, but was clearly thinking about Lady Hesheli?

He dared not say it aloud, but kept it to himself and secretly planned how to arrange things for tomorrow in a way that would appear natural and allow His Majesty to "accidentally" meet that lady.

Kangxi grunted in acknowledgment, picked up his chopsticks again, but still had no appetite. He only took a couple of bites of food before putting them down.

At night, he lay on the dragon bed in the palace, tossing and turning, finding it difficult to fall asleep.

When I close my eyes, the image of Liu Yunshu reappears in my mind.

The moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), her loose, black hair, her delicate charm as she dipped her toes into the water, and her calm and composed demeanor while brewing tea—each scene was so vivid it seemed to be right before my eyes.