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

Upon hearing this, Kangxi withdrew his gaze from Liu Yunshu and said to the door, "Come in."

The door was gently pushed open, and Biyu walked in carrying a neatly folded plain-colored qipao.

He first curtsied to Emperor Kangxi, then whispered to Liu Yunshu, "Madam, please change quickly."

Liu Yunshu nodded in agreement and carefully handed Kangxi's outer robe back to him.

Her fingertips brushed lightly against his hand, then she withdrew them as if startled, lowering her eyes and saying, "Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. I will go to the inner room to change."

After saying that, he led Biyu into the inner room.

Kangxi took the outer robe, his fingertips still tinged with the cool touch of her handing it to him.

He casually draped his outer robe over his arm, his gaze unconsciously following her figure until the inner room curtain fell.

Before long, the inner room curtain was gently lifted, and Liu Yunshu came out wearing a dark-colored qipao with pine and bamboo patterns, her hair also being restyled.

She walked up to Emperor Kangxi and curtsied slightly: "Your Majesty, I have finished getting ready and will be returning now."

Kangxi gazed at her increasingly elegant figure beneath her dark-colored cheongsam, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the outer robe tucked into his arm. His tone was gentler than before: "Then Madam, please go ahead. I will stay here a little longer."

Liu Yunshu curtsied in agreement and turned to walk out of the hall. Just as she reached the door, Kangxi called out to her, "Madam."

She paused, turned around, and Kangxi was momentarily speechless. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence: "If you have any questions about Euclid's Elements, feel free to write to me anytime."

I inwardly berated myself for being speechless!

When Liu Yunshu turned around, a faint smile lingered in her eyes. "Then this humble woman will humbly comply."

Then he took Biyu and headed towards the Qianqing Palace.

Kangxi stood there, stunned, savoring Liu Yunshu's smile as she turned around.

At this moment, he deeply understood what it meant to "turn around and smile, and all the beauties of the six palaces would pale in comparison."

It wasn't until the palace lanterns under the corridor flickered that Kangxi came to his senses, raised his hand to rub his temples, and chuckled to himself for losing his composure like a young boy.

He put his outer robe back on and straightened his clothes. His fingertips could still feel the slight coolness from when he brushed against her, but the warmth in his heart lingered for a long time.

Li Dequan was waiting outside the palace. When he saw Kangxi come out, he quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the palace banquet is still in progress. Shall we return to the palace?"

"Hmm." Kangxi responded, but his footsteps unconsciously glanced in the direction Liu Yunshu had left before turning his gaze away. "Let's go back."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The banquet has ended.

As Liu Yunshu sat in the carriage, Biyu nervously twisted her handkerchief and whispered, "Miss, what did I do to that person at the other courtyard? Would that be...?"

Liu Yunshu opened her eyes and patted the back of her hand reassuringly, "It's alright, that person won't hold it against you."

Biyu was slightly relieved, patted her chest, and couldn't help but say.

"Miss, that Li Si'er went too far! He clearly spilled your wine on purpose, yet he pretended to be innocent! And Madam, she just tries to smooth things over, not saying a word for you!"

Liu Yunshu lightly traced the edge of the luxury car window with her fingertips, gazing at the palace lanterns flashing past outside. Her eyes remained calm: "Mother has her own difficulties. The dignity of the Tong family must be preserved. As for Li Si'er..." She looked into the distance with a wistful expression, "I suppose it wasn't intentional."

She didn't do it on purpose, so it must have been intentional! Miss is just too kind-hearted! Biyu thought angrily to herself.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Qianqing Palace.

Kangxi stood by the window, his mind filled with thoughts of Liu Yunshu. The more he got to know her, the more he realized how rare she was.

She possesses both the gentle grace of a young lady confined to her chambers and the profound knowledge rarely seen in ordinary women.

What a pity... Kangxi stared at his fingertips with a dark look in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, it's late, you should rest." Li Dequan brought in a calming soup and saw Kangxi gazing out the window in a daze, so his tone was unusually gentle.

Kangxi withdrew his gaze, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the windowsill, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible melancholy: "I'm not sleepy yet."

He took the calming soup but didn't drink it; his gaze drifted back to the window.

That direction led directly to the Tong residence.

Li Dequan saw this and understood, but only dared to say softly, "If Your Majesty is concerned, perhaps tomorrow..."

Before he could finish speaking, Kangxi raised his hand to interrupt him.

"No need." Kangxi took a sip of soup, the warmth sliding down his throat, but it did not dispel the thoughts in his mind.

"She is Longkodo's wife; how can I act recklessly?"

They were just close friends, Kangxi told himself, but then a vague sense of unease welled up inside him.

at night.

Emperor Kangxi had a dream in which he returned to the riverbank where they first met.

He and she sat facing each other, brewing tea around a low table and stove. The silver kettle on the stove emitted wisps of steam, and the aroma of tea mixed with the fragrance of osmanthus filled the air.

She gently plucked the strings of the zither with her delicate hands, playing the same nameless tune she had heard at the Jade Spring Villa that day. The clear and melodious tune, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus, drifted into her ears, softer than the moonlight in her dreams.

When the piece ended, she looked up at him, her eyes filled with the soft moonlight, her smile faint yet genuine: "Did you find the music pleasant today, Your Excellency?"

Kangxi gazed into those watery eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Don't call me 'Noble Lady' anymore. Call me..."

"What did I call you?" Liu Yunshu looked up at him in confusion.

Call me Sanlang.

As soon as he said it, even Kangxi was stunned.

Liu Yunshu in the dream was also slightly startled, then a gentle smile spread across her eyes, and she nodded slightly: "Sanlang".

This soft call, like a feather brushing against his heart, made Kangxi feel relaxed all over, and he reached out to hold her hand.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

Li Dequan's voice rang in my ears.

Kangxi suddenly opened his eyes. The candlelight in the hall flickered slightly. There was no fragrance of osmanthus or moonlight, only the bright yellow dragon pattern embroidered on the ceiling.

He glared at Li Dequan with displeasure. Damn it!

Li Dequan: ⚆_⚆?

Li Dequan felt a tightness in his chest when Kangxi glared at him, and the mouthwash cup he was holding wobbled. He quickly bowed and said...

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, but... it is time for the morning court session. If I don't get up soon, I'm afraid I'll be late."

Kangxi finally came to his senses. The tenderness of the dream still lingered in his heart, and the frustration of being interrupted surged up instantly.

Knowing that Li Dequan was not wrong, she could only snort heavily, throw off the brocade quilt and sit up: "I know, you may leave. Let the palace servants come in to serve you."

"Yes, sir." Li Dequan felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quietly withdrew.

But a question arose in his mind: His Majesty's temper had become increasingly unpredictable these past few days.

He took a deep breath and forced himself to pull his thoughts back. It was just a dream, how could he take it seriously?

She was Longkodo's wife, and he could not overstep the boundaries of the proper order between ruler and subject, or between men and women.

It was even more... a desecration of her.

He suppressed that thought deep in his heart.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Tong Mansion.

Liu Yunshu leaned against the chaise lounge by the window, closing her eyes to rest.

Qiu Shuang silently stepped forward and draped the thin blanket over her knees, saying softly, "Madam, it's getting chilly. Be careful not to catch a cold."

Liu Yunshu nodded slightly, looked up at her, and a deep meaning flashed in her eyes.

Qiu Shuang, an imperial bodyguard serving Emperor Kangxi, is an interesting character.

Is it surveillance? Protection? Or...?

Regardless of her purpose, if she uses this piece well, it will be easier to achieve her goal.

At this moment, Li Si'er burst into the courtyard from outside, her bright red dress dazzling everyone.

She first looked around at the furnishings in the room and clicked her tongue twice.

"Why is your room so simple, sister? Would you like me to send over some fine silks and satins to add a touch of elegance?"

As she spoke, she walked to the dressing table, picked up an elegant silver hairpin and played with it, her tone full of boastfulness.

Yesterday, Fourth Master sent a lot of gold and silver jewelry to my sister's room.

Li Si'er twirled the silver hairpin twice, glancing at Liu Yunshu out of the corner of her eye, her tone becoming increasingly smug: "Fourth Master said that from now on, I'll get to choose the best things in the manor first."

Liu Yunshu didn't even lift her eyelids, her fingertips gently twirling the tassels of the thin blanket, her tone indifferent: "If my sister likes it, that's good. It's my sister's blessing that Fourth Master dotes on you."

Seeing Liu Yunshu's indifferent expression, Li Si'er felt even more resentful and threw the silver hairpin back onto the dressing table.

She swayed her hips as she walked to the chaise lounge, looking down at Liu Yunshu with a sarcastic tone: "Sister seems quite open-minded, but I wonder... if your heart is already burning with jealousy?"

"Although you hold the title of the principal wife, you don't hold even the slightest place in the Fourth Prince's eyes and heart."

Liu Yunshu slowly raised her eyes, her gaze calmly falling on Li Si'er.

"My sister is right. But marriage is about fate; you can't force it. As for what others think, I've never cared."

"Don't you care?" Li Si'er seemed to have heard a joke, leaning down to lightly lift her chin with a hint of malice.

"You, the dignified young lady of the Hesheli family, have your husband stolen by a lowly concubine. How could you not care?"

Liu Yunshu's chin was being pinched, but she was too lazy to struggle. She slowly raised her eyes, and the peace in her eyes was gone, replaced by a hint of coldness.

"Is my sister implying that she is 'lowly'? Or is she implying that Longkodo has poor judgment, neglecting his wife and favoring his concubine?"

"You!" Li Si'er was furious at her sarcastic words and increased the pressure on her hand, causing Liu Yunshu to frown slightly.

Qiu Shuang stepped forward and pulled Li Si'er's hand away. "Aunt Li, Madam is the principal wife of the Tong family. It is improper for you to touch her like this."

Li Si'er was pulled so hard he stumbled. Seeing that a servant had humiliated him, he angrily retorted, "How dare you, a mere servant, interfere in your master's affairs?"

As he spoke, he raised his hand to slap Qiu Shuang across the face.

A cold glint flashed in Liu Yunshu's eyes as she straightened up and raised her hand to block.

In an instant, the slap landed heavily on the back of her fair hand.

Liu Yunshu's hand instantly turned red, but she didn't frown at all, only staring coldly at Li Si'er.

"Aunt Li, you've touched my people and even tried to hit me. Do you think the rules of the Tong family can't control you anymore?"

"Rules? Fourth Master is the rule of this manor! With Fourth Master backing me up, do you think I'm afraid of you? Humph!"

As soon as Li Si'er finished speaking, he slapped himself hard across the face.

A crisp slap echoed in the room, and half of Li Si'er's cheek instantly became red and swollen.

She then sat down on the ground, slapped her thigh, and burst into tears.

"How could you be so heartless, sister! I only said a few words, and you ordered the servants to beat me, and even hit me yourself! I can't live like this anymore, I'm going to find Fourth Master to reason with you!"