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

Kangxi's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and he walked even more lightly, afraid of disturbing this "autumn moon".

He stood behind the pillar, his gaze fixed on the back of her hand.

Although the red mark had faded somewhat, the traces of yesterday were still visible, standing out starkly against her fair skin.

Liu Yunshu seemed to sense something, paused in her flipping through the book, and looked up.

Upon seeing that it was Emperor Kangxi, a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes. She quickly rose, curtsied, and asked softly, "Your Majesty? What brings you here?"

"Tong Guowei said the autumn scenery in the mansion was unique, and led me to come and take a stroll. I ended up finding you first."

Kangxi emerged from behind the pillars, his gaze sweeping over the Euclid's Elements in her hands.

Her gaze returned to the pale red mark on the back of her hand, her tone softening unconsciously, "Why is the back of your hand red?"

Liu Yunshu curled her fingertips slightly, subconsciously hiding the back of her hand behind her back, and said softly with her eyes lowered, "It was just an accident yesterday, it's nothing serious, it will be fine in a few days."

She didn't want to speak ill of Longkodo in front of him, partly to maintain the decorum of a married couple, and partly because she was afraid he would lose his temper and act recklessly because of her.

Seeing how sensible she was, Kangxi felt a pang of heartache.

He couldn't resist stepping forward and taking her wrist, his fingertips gently brushing against the faint red mark.

"You bumped into something? What kind of bump could leave such a deep mark?"

Liu Yunshu's ears turned red from the heat of his palm. She tried to pull her hand away, but he gently held it. She could only lower her eyes and whisper, "It's really nothing, Your Majesty, you don't need to worry."

"How can I not be worried?" Kangxi frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible anger.

"You are a lady of the Hesheli clan, you should be well protected, not subjected to these 'bumps and bruises.' Is this how Longkodo treats you?"

"Fourth Master... he's just been too busy with affairs lately to attend to matters at home."

Liu Yunshu's voice was as soft as a feather. Although she was defending Longkodo, a barely perceptible hint of sadness flashed in her eyes.

"Aunt Li is a bit spoiled, but it's not intentional."

Seeing her forced composure, Kangxi's anger intensified.

The more she considers others, the more insignificant her own grievances seem, which is what makes her so pitiful.

He loosened his grip on her wrist a little, but didn't let go.

His fingertips still gently caressed the faint red mark, his tone growing heavier: "You think it was intentional to leave a scar on the back of your hand?"

The question was so direct that Liu Yunshu was speechless for a moment. She could only lower her eyelashes, which cast a faint shadow under her eyes.

When Kangxi saw that she didn't speak, his anger gradually subsided, leaving only pity.

Just then, Li Si'er's sweet, coquettish voice came from not far away, tinged with a hint of deliberate grievance: "Master~ look at my face, it still hurts from the beating my sister gave me yesterday!"

Liu Yunshu stiffened slightly and subconsciously pulled Kangxi to hide behind the artificial hill.

He had just hidden inside when he realized that he had actually dragged the Emperor along to hide from people. But Longkodo and Li Si'er were arriving soon, and if he went out now, things would be even more complicated.

The space behind the artificial rockery was cramped, and the two breathed similarly.

Liu Yunshu could clearly smell the faint ambergris on Kangxi's body.

She quickly let go, took a half step back, and bumped into a protruding rock, making her hiss softly in pain.

Kangxi reacted quickly, reaching out to support her waist and pulling her closer to him, avoiding the sharp stone corner.

The distance between them closed instantly. He could see the panicked glint in her eyes and feel the slender curve of her waist. His heart tightened inexplicably, and he unconsciously tightened his grip on her hand.

"Be careful." He lowered his voice, his breath landing on her earlobe, causing Liu Yunshu to tremble again.

She quickly straightened up, trying to get out of his arms, but he stopped her with a look.

The footsteps of Longkodo and Li Si'er had already reached the corridor.

"Master, you see, my sister did it on purpose! Yesterday, she not only hit me, but also had the servants push me. If it weren't for your protection, I'm afraid she would have bullied me to death!" Li Si'er's voice was choked with sobs.

Longkodo coaxed her gently, "Alright, alright, I know you've been wronged. I'll have her apologize to you later."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yunshu subconsciously looked at Kangxi, her eyes filled with tears, and gently shook her head at him.

Kangxi understood the meaning in her eyes, hugged her even tighter, and whispered in her ear.

"I know that the lady is not the kind of person who bullies the weak."

Kangxi's breath brushed against her ear, carrying the warmth of ambergris, instantly dispelling the grievances in her heart.

Longkodo coaxed Li Si'er in a low voice, his tone full of indulgence: "If she dares to disrespect you again in the future, just tell me directly, and I will take care of it for you."

Upon hearing this, Li Si'er's sobbing voice instantly subsided, replaced by a smug and coquettish tone: "My lord still loves me the most! My lord~ what would I do if you weren't by my side~"

Longkodo's heart softened at Li Si'er's words, and he reached out to put his arm around her waist, speaking in a doting tone.

"Silly boy, how could I let you suffer alone? From now on, you'll get to choose the best things in the manor first. She's the first wife, so she should give way to you."

Behind the artificial rockery, Liu Yunshu bit her lower lip tightly, but the tears in her eyes finally couldn't be held back and slid down her cheeks, dripping onto Kangxi's sleeve.

He looked at her with pity and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Liu Yunshu was startled by his sudden action and stared at him blankly.

"Don't cry." Kangxi's voice was extremely low, almost a whisper. "It's not worth it."

The sound of their conversation had gradually faded into the distance.

[Little brat, it's time for my performance...]

Xiao Ba: ⚆_⚆?

Liu Yunshu suddenly reached out and touched Kangxi's cheek, murmuring, "But am I plain-looking?"

She seemed lost in self-doubt, and before Kangxi could answer, she asked, "But is my conduct flawed?"

"Madam..." Kangxi looked at her reddened eyes, and his heart ached as if it were being pricked by fine needles.

Liu Yunshu looked at the person in front of her through teary eyes, as if looking through him at someone else. "Why can't you see me? Is it because I'm not as charming as Aunt Li? Not as pleasing to you as Aunt Li?"

She looked at the person in front of her anxiously, "I... I can do it!"

Her eyes were filled with a frantic pleading, as if she had grasped at the last straw, "I can learn to please you, I can..."

He then tiptoed and kissed her. The moment their lips touched, Kangxi froze on the spot.

He gazed intently at the petite woman before him, her eyes tightly shut, awkwardly and ingratiatingly trying to please him.

But the one she really wanted to kiss was never him!

Kangxi felt a mix of bitterness and resentment, yet he neither wanted nor was willing to refuse this rare moment of intimacy.

He tightened his arms around her slender waist, taking the initiative to deepen the kiss.

Startled by the sudden force, Liu Yunshu opened her eyes, her gaze filled with helplessness. She tried to back away, but he held her firmly in his arms, leaving her nowhere to retreat.

For a long time, the lips are divided.

Kangxi pressed his forehead against hers, his gaze fixed intently on her affectionate eyes.

"Madam, can you see clearly who this person is?"

"Your Majesty..." Her voice trembled, and she instinctively tried to push Kangxi away, but he held her even tighter. "This humble woman...this humble woman was foolish! I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

Kangxi gently pinched her chin with his fingertips, preventing her from lowering her head and looking away, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

There was a bitter feeling of being mistaken for someone else, a pity for her being wronged, and a stubborn reluctance to let go.

"Confused?" His voice was low and somewhat hoarse. "Whom have you mistaken me for? Longkodo?"

Liu Yunshu trembled at the question, her face turned deathly pale, and tears welled up again, but she bit her lip tightly and refused to let them fall.

Looking at her like this, Kangxi felt a bitterness in his heart that outweighed his dissatisfaction.

He knew that she hadn't meant to offend him; she had simply accumulated too much resentment and was hurt by Longkodo's words, which was why she lost her temper.

He sighed with pity, gently lifting her chin. "I can answer your question, Madam."

"Your appearance is elegant, like a plum blossom under the moon, far from ordinary; your virtue is profound, you consider the big picture, and you have no faults." Kangxi's fingertips gently brushed her reddened lips, his tone more serious than ever before. "As for romance and pleasure—Longkodo can't see it, it's his blindness, not your fault."

Liu Yunshu stared at him blankly, tears finally streaming down her face.

She opened her mouth as if to say something, but from afar came Biyu's anxious cry: "Madam! Madam, where are you?"

Liu Yunshu froze and quickly stepped back from Kangxi's embrace.

She hastily wiped away her tears, straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, and said in a trembling voice, "This humble woman...this humble woman should go."

As soon as he finished speaking, he hurriedly walked outside.

As Kangxi watched her hurried departure, the warmth of her lips and the slenderness of her waist still lingered on his fingertips, and the bittersweet feeling in his heart lingered for a long time.

He raised his hand to touch the corner of his lips, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

She mistook him for someone else in that kiss, but he took it seriously.

Only after Liu Yunshu's figure completely disappeared at the end of the corridor did he slowly walk towards the main hall.

As soon as he arrived outside the main hall, Tong Guowei rose to greet him. "Your Majesty just went to admire the autumn scenery. Did you find the scenery in the mansion satisfactory?"

Kangxi glanced at him indifferently and snorted lightly, "The scenery is acceptable, but the 'family style' of the mansion has truly opened my eyes."

Tong Guowei's smile froze instantly, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and he quickly bowed: "Your Majesty's words... Your Majesty is foolish and begs for clarification."

"A mere concubine publicly criticizes the principal wife, and Longkodo continues to favor and indulge her. Is this the family tradition of the Tong household?"

Kangxi spoke calmly, yet with an overwhelming air of authority, his gaze sweeping over Tong Guowei's pale face.

"Uncle, you watched me grow up, you should know what I dislike the most."

Tong Guowei's legs went weak, and he immediately knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I have failed in my duty of discipline! I have allowed trivial matters in the mansion to disturb Your Majesty's presence."

"I trust that my uncle will handle this well. The Tong family is a prestigious clan, not a place for concubines to run rampant."

Cold sweat streamed down Tong Guowei's face as he repeatedly kowtowed, saying, "Your subject obeys! Your subject will strictly discipline Longkodo and restrain the servants in his household."

"Very well! Then I shall return to the palace."

Kangxi turned around, his gaze unconsciously sweeping in the direction Liu Yunshu had left before he stepped out the door.

Li Dequan quickly followed, but seeing his somber expression, he didn't dare ask any more questions and silently led the people to the carriage.