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

"The Empress is right."

Kangxi picked up the conversation, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall. His tone was calm, yet carried an air of authority.

"Only when the harem is harmonious can I have no worries. If anyone harbors any intention to cause trouble and disrupts this harmony, they should not blame me for disregarding our past relationship."

As soon as Kangxi finished speaking, the hall fell silent enough that the soft clinking of silver hairpins could be heard.

The concubines all lowered their heads, not daring to even breathe loudly, and the slight resentment that Consort Yi had shown in her eyes just now was completely suppressed.

Consort Tong picked up her teacup and took a sip. The scalding tea didn't burn her mouth, but it only intensified the frustration she felt.

Liu Yunshu's words both flattered the Empress Dowager and borrowed the Emperor's prestige.

She easily pinned the label of "troublemaker" on the person who dared to argue back. Where was the quiet and reserved sister-in-law from the Tong family who used to be?

Seeing that it was almost time, Kangxi rose to take his leave: "Empress Mother, I will accompany the Empress back to Kunning Palace first, and I will come to see you again later."

The Empress Dowager nodded quickly, took Liu Yunshu's hand, and gave her a few more instructions.

"Go back and rest for a while. Don't keep thinking about managing affairs. If Kunning Palace needs anything, just send someone to tell me."

Liu Yunshu complied and followed Kangxi as he turned and walked out.

As he passed by Consort Tong, she happened to look up, and their eyes briefly met.

Consort Tong could hardly hide the complexity and resentment in her eyes, but Liu Yunshu simply nodded slightly and followed Emperor Kangxi out of the palace.

At the entrance of Kunning Palace.

Xiao Shuangzi and Bixi were already waiting at the door. When they saw the two return, they quickly bowed and greeted them.

Kangxi led Liu Yunshu into the hall and sat on the rosewood couch. "The servants in Kunning Palace were all selected from Qianqing Palace. They have clean backgrounds, so Yunshu can use them with peace of mind."

Liu Yunshu nodded slightly.

A young eunuch's voice came from outside the hall announcing something.

"Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress, the Imperial Household Department has sent over newly made winter clothes, as well as hand warmers and fox furs selected from the tributes from various regions. Please take a look."

Kangxi looked up at the door and said to Li Dequan, "Have them carry the things to the side hall. Have Biyu go and count them first, and keep the ones that please the Empress. Distribute the rest to the various palaces, saying that they are the Empress's wishes."

Liu Yunshu leaned on his shoulder, a warm feeling welling up in her eyes.

He was using the pretext of the Imperial Household Department sending things to establish his authority in the inner palace.

This not only showed the Empress's compassion but also let the palaces know that the Emperor stood behind her.

Only good children get candy.

"Is Sanlang going to the Imperial Study this afternoon?"

Kangxi looked up at her, a smile in his eyes: "Yes, I have to finish reviewing the pile of memorials, but I'll come back later to have dinner with you."

He saw her raven-white eyelashes tremble slightly, as if she had something to say, and teased, "What's wrong, are you reluctant to part with me?"

Liu Yunshu did not answer him, but simply hooked her hand around his belt.

"Last night, Bixi told me that the Emperor has renovated the Kunning Palace."

Kangxi smiled but said nothing as he looked at her.

Liu Yunshu gently bit her lower lip, looked up at him, and her voice trembled slightly.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty would like to have Sanlang accompany me for a walk in Kunning Palace so that we can see the places you have changed for me."

Kangxi was taken aback upon hearing this, but then his eyes filled with laughter, and he took her hand.

"Silly girl, what's there to be shy about? If you want to leave, I'll accompany you. I'll go with you, even if it's just one lap, ten laps."

"Wait, I haven't changed my clothes yet." Liu Yunshu smiled and shook off his hand, turning to walk into the inner room.

Biyu quickly followed, and soon brought back a set of casual clothes in a smoky pink color embroidered with magnolia branches.

After Liu Yunshu changed into the new outfit, she appeared even more slender and graceful, with a gentle and elegant demeanor.

Her jet-black hair was loosely tied into a cloud-like bun, adorned only with a pearl tassel hairpin. As she moved, the tassel swayed gently, adding a touch of liveliness.

As Kangxi watched her emerge from the inner room, his admiration was undisguised: "Dressed like this, she resembles a fairy who has stepped out of the water towns of Jiangnan."

Liu Yunshu's ears burned from his words, and she gently pushed his arm away, saying, "Your Majesty is making fun of me again."

The two smiled at each other and walked slowly side by side inside the Kunning Palace.

Kunning Palace has indeed been renovated; the carved beams and painted rafters under the corridors all exude a fresh and new feel.

The courtyard was filled with all kinds of flowers and plants. The peonies were in full bloom, with the Yao Huang and Wei Zi peonies vying for attention. A few orchids were sprouting tender buds in the corner of the wall, and a sweet fragrance of flowers floated in the air.

There was a swing next to the artificial hill not far away.

Liu Yunshu paused, gazing at the swing, a childlike joy welling in her eyes: "There's a swing here?"

Kangxi followed her gaze, his smile deepening: "I thought you would like it, so I had it made overnight."

He reached out and gently ruffled the top of her hair, his voice tender, "Do you like it?"

"I like it." Liu Yunshu turned around and smiled at Kangxi, nodding with a rare childlike expression, and walked briskly towards the swing.

She gently held onto the swing ropes, turned to look at Kangxi, her eyes sparkling: "Sanlang, will you push me?"

Kangxi couldn't bear to refuse, so he quickly stepped forward and stood behind the swing, gently holding the seat with both hands: "Hold on tight, I'll push you slowly."

As he gently swung his arm, the swing slowly rose, the wind brushing against Liu Yunshu's hair and carrying the fragrance of flowers from the courtyard around her.

She couldn't help but raise the corners of her lips, and her clear laughter, like silver bells, echoed in the courtyard of Kunning Palace. She had lost some of her usual dignified and aloof demeanor and gained a touch of girlish charm.

As Kangxi watched her robes flutter in the wind and listened to her unrestrained laughter, the tenderness in his eyes almost overflowed.

"Yunshu, there's actually another way to sit on a swing, would you like to try it?"

Liu Yunshu tightened her grip on the swing ropes, then turned back to look at him with a bright smile: "What other new ideas do you have? Sanlang, tell me quickly."

Kangxi suddenly bent down, put his arms under her knees and back, and picked her up.

He sat on the swing and then gently turned the person around so that she sat facing him in front of him.

"Sitting like this, you can see the wind and you're not afraid of falling." He rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice coming down from above, with the vibration of his chest.

Then, he gripped the swing ropes with both hands, exerted a gentle force, and the swing swung up again.

Liu Yunshu gasped in surprise, then laughed at the calm and affectionate gesture, reaching out to wrap her arms around his neck.

"Sanlang's method is much more interesting than ordinary swinging!"

As they swung to their highest point, she suddenly looked up at him, her expression a mix of coquettishness and reproach: "Sanlang, have you ever accompanied others like this before?"

Kangxi was taken aback, then chuckled softly, pinching her cheek with his fingertips: "Jealous?"

He saw that she pursed her lips and didn't say anything, but stared at him with bright eyes.

Kangxi wrapped his arms around her soft, slender waist, his eyes filled with a helpless yet doting smile.

"In this palace, besides you, who else could make me go to such lengths to set up a swing and indulge in such frivolous behavior?"

He lowered his head, his nose brushing against the top of her head, his voice even lower and more solemn: "There was no one before, and there will only be one from now on."

Liu Yunshu then smiled, the slight hesitation in her eyes turning into a soft, tender expression. "How about I tell you a little secret?"

Kangxi's fingertips paused at her waist, a curious smile playing on his lips: "Oh? The Empress's secret, of course I must hear it."

Liu Yunshu leaned close to his ear, her breath sweet as orchids: "Actually, that day at the rockery, I genuinely wanted to kiss you, not the wrong person."

Kangxi froze, his arms tightening around her, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes. "Really?"

"Of course it's true." Liu Yunshu looked at him earnestly. "Longkodo and I have long since lost any friendship, so how could I mistake you for him? Will you blame me for lying to you?"

Kangxi stared at the seriousness in her eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. He then chuckled softly, pulling her closer into his arms and nuzzling his chin against the top of her head. "Strange? I'm more than happy about it."

"Even though there was no affection between us, he still humiliated me like that, I..."

"I know, no need to explain," Kangxi said, his fingertips gently pressing against her lips, the tenderness in his eyes turning into a deep warmth.

"My answer remains the same: in my heart, Yun Shu is exceptionally beautiful and virtuous, a truly outstanding woman."

"San, Sanlang, you're so good~" Liu Yunshu tightened her arms around his neck.

"If you think I'm good, then come with me and have a good swing ride."

As she spoke, the swing swung even higher, causing Liu Yunshu to gasp in surprise.

The swing went higher and higher.

Tsk tsk tsk! I knew men would turn into teddy bears when they encountered this damn woman.

However, Kangxi is so much older than the host, so he might get knocked down.

Xiao Ba quietly hid on the artificial hill and began to admire the scenery.

A goldfish leaped out of the pond, flicked its tail, and scattered drops of water onto the stamens of various flowers.

Wow! The goldfish in the palace are so lively! Just like their owner!

A thin layer of sweat appeared on Liu Yunshu's forehead as she leaned on Kangxi's shoulder.

"Sanlang, weren't you going to the Imperial Study?"

Kangxi let out a low chuckle as he caressed Liu Yunshu's waist.

"With Yun Shu like this, how can I possibly go?"

Liu Yunshu glanced at him lazily from the corner of her eye, her usually aloof and dignified face now tinged with a captivating charm.

"Is it my fault in this?"

This rare sight caused Kangxi to catch his breath.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he pulled the person closer to him, his voice slightly hoarse: "It's my fault, it's my lack of self-control."

Liu Yunshu snorted lightly, looking at him with a half-smile, "With such poor self-control, what will become of Sanlang in the future..."

Emperor Kangxi, understanding the unspoken meaning, chuckled softly, "What a jealous little thing. I only have trouble controlling myself around you."

He kissed her lips and said in a low, husky voice, "The night is too short for us to worry about anything else."

Swing around! Those who know, know; those who don't, might think you're just swinging on swings!

Xiao Ba said it was familiar with this routine.

The spring breeze, carrying the fragrance of flowers, wafted towards her, making the pearl tassels at her temples rustle and ruffling the hem of his bright yellow casual clothes.

After a long while, the swing finally stopped.

Kangxi picked her up horizontally and carried her into the house.

Xiao Ba silently watched the swing and the crabapple blossoms that had been soaked by the goldfish. These goldfish were so energetic!

It's a pity it doesn't understand animal language, otherwise if we communicated with it properly, we might be able to pry out some secret recipes or something!