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

Some time passed after the music started playing in the Imperial Study.

During this period, Kangxi spent his time either handling official business in the Imperial Study or in intimate moments with Liu Yunshu.

This caused the women in the harem to feel envious. Although the Noble Consort and the Fourth Consort felt resentful because Liu Yunshu had relinquished power, they dared not overstep their bounds in the slightest.

After all, the Emperor's heart was clearly biased towards the Empress, and no one wanted to offend him, so they could only suppress their envy and resentment.

With her mind focused on managing the palace affairs assigned to her, Liu Yunshu's idea of ​​"mutual restraint" was indeed realized, and the harem became unusually quiet.

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.

This was the morning court session.

"If you have something to report, speak now; if not, leave the court!"

Li Dequan's high-pitched voice echoed in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, while the first rays of dawn outside illuminated the bronze cranes on the steps, making them gleam with a golden sheen.

At this moment, Zhou Mingyuan, the supervising censor of the Censorate, stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have a matter to report."

Kangxi sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over him, and said in a deep voice, "Speak."

Zhou Mingyuan said loudly, "Your Majesty, I have recently heard that the Crown Prince's lifestyle is excessively extravagant!"

As soon as Zhou Mingyuan finished speaking, the Hall of Supreme Harmony became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

All the ministers held their breath and fell silent, their gazes, some open and some hidden, fixed on Crown Prince Yinreng, their breathing seemingly becoming lighter.

Crown Prince Yinreng's expression changed drastically, and his fingers gripping the court tablet tightened sharply, his knuckles turning white.

Suppressing his shock and anger, he stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Father, I am innocent! What Imperial Censor Zhou said is utter nonsense. I have always been dutiful and have never been extravagant!"

Emperor Kangxi sat upright on the dragon throne, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, his gaze fixed on the two people below him, without speaking immediately.

The atmosphere inside the hall grew increasingly heavy, and even the morning light streaming through the windows seemed somewhat sluggish.

Zhou Mingyuan, however, seemed prepared, and bowed again, saying, "Your Majesty, everything I have said is true. My investigation has revealed that the Crown Prince recently ordered the purchase of one hundred bolts of the finest brocade from Jiangnan, solely for decorating a side hall of the Eastern Palace; he has also sent people to collect rare and exotic animals to place in the garden for his enjoyment, wasting tens of thousands of taels of silver from the national treasury. Such actions are inappropriate for both the country and its people. I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!"

Yinzhi stood to the side, a fleeting, almost imperceptible glint in his eyes before he regained his respectful demeanor, though his hands, hanging at his sides, clenched tightly in secret.

Kangxi's gaze slowly shifted from Zhou Mingyuan to Crown Prince Yinreng's face, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger: "Yinreng, do you have anything to say about what Imperial Censor Zhou said?"

Yinreng's forehead was already beaded with sweat. He hurriedly explained, "Father, those brocades were indeed purchased, but they were not just for decorating the side hall. They were for preparing sacrificial curtains for the upcoming grand sacrificial ceremony."

"As for the rare and exotic animals, they were presented by local officials. I initially intended to refuse them, but considering the kindness of the local people, I accepted them for the time being, intending to hand them over to the Imperial Garden later. They are not for my personal use!"

"Oh?" Kangxi raised an eyebrow slightly. "The curtains used for sacrifices require a hundred bolts of brocade? And you can accept gifts from local officials so casually?"

A series of questions made Yinreng's voice immediately lower, his cheeks flushed red, but he didn't know how to refute them.

Upon seeing this, all the officials lowered their heads and dared not speak, and the air in the Hall of Supreme Harmony seemed to freeze.

Only the soft tapping of Kangxi's fingertips on the armrest remained, each tap striking the hearts of everyone present.

Yinzhi's hand, which was hanging down, moved subtly. The next second, another censor stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I also have something to report."

"speak!"

The imperial censor bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have recently heard that one of the Crown Prince's men was collecting interest on private loans, which has driven a merchant family to ruin!"

"That merchant was originally a law-abiding citizen, but he borrowed money from the Crown Prince's residence because he was short of funds. Unexpectedly, the interest snowballed and grew larger and larger until he was unable to repay it when the due date came. The Crown Prince's men then led people to confiscate his house and even forced his wife and children to their deaths. It was truly a tragic sight!"

These words caused an uproar in the hall.

Crown Prince Yinreng swayed violently, his face ashen. He staggered back a step, staring at the censor in disbelief.

"You...you're talking nonsense! I have never allowed anyone to do such a heinous thing! Someone must have framed you!"

Yinzhi stepped forward at the opportune moment, feigning deep sorrow, and said, "Father, if this matter is true, then the Crown Prince's subordinates have been far too audacious! Even if the merchant owes money, he should be dealt with according to the law. How can they treat human life so carelessly? I beg Father to investigate thoroughly, to give the merchant justice, and to clear the Crown Prince's name."

His words, seemingly defending the crown prince, actually reinforced the accusation that the prince had failed in his duties of disciplining him.

Kangxi's face darkened completely, and he exuded a chilling aura. The sound of his fingertips tapping on the armrest was exceptionally clear in the silent hall, as if it were striking the hearts of everyone present.

His gaze swept over the Crown Prince like a sharp sword, then looked at the two censors, and said in a deep voice.

"Li Dequan, convey my decree: the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate are to conduct a joint investigation immediately to ascertain the Crown Prince's purchase of brocade, his possession of exotic beasts, and the case of the merchant he just mentioned who was driven to his death! If any evidence is found, there will be no leniency!"

"Yes, sir!" Li Dequan hurriedly bowed and responded, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

Seeing that Kangxi did not trust him, the Crown Prince felt wronged and angry. In a moment of impulsiveness, he forgot the proper etiquette between ruler and subject and shouted loudly with his neck stiff.

"Father! I believe I have never done anything wrong. These things must have been fabricated maliciously! How can you convict me based solely on the testimonies of these two people?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall was startled.

No one expected that the Crown Prince would speak to Emperor Kangxi in such a tone in the imperial court.

Yinzhi quietly tugged at Yinreng's sleeve, signaling him not to act impulsively.

But Yinreng was already blinded by rage and couldn't listen to anything else.

The last trace of warmth vanished from Kangxi's face, his eyes turning as cold as ice. He slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne and said in a deep voice.

"Insolence! I haven't even sentenced you yet, and you're already questioning me? As the Crown Prince, instead of being careful with your words and actions, you're roaring in the court—what kind of decorum is this!"

"Guards!" Kangxi's voice carried an undeniable authority. "Take the Crown Prince back to the Eastern Palace and confine him to his quarters to reflect on his actions. Without my decree, he is not to step out of the Eastern Palace even a single step!"

When the guards stepped forward, Yinreng wanted to argue, but Kangxi's cold gaze made him feel a chill.

The words that were on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back. He clenched his fists tightly and was led away by the guards, who were half-inviting and half-escorting him.

A hint of smugness flashed in Yinzhi's eyes, but his face still showed a pained expression as he bowed and said.

"Father, please calm down. The Crown Prince may have lost his temper in a moment of panic. I hope you will not get angry and harm your health."

Kangxi glanced at him, his eyes seemingly able to see into people's hearts. Yinzhi felt a sudden panic and subconsciously lowered his head.

"This matter will be investigated by the Three Judicial Offices. They must get to the bottom of this." Kangxi's voice echoed throughout the hall. "Court adjourned!"

After everyone had left, Kangxi did not get up immediately, but remained seated on the dragon throne.

His fingertips continued to tap the armrest unconsciously, but the force was a bit stronger than before, revealing the turmoil in his heart.

He remembered when Bao Cheng was just learning to walk, wearing a bright yellow little python robe, wobbling and jumping into his arms, calling out "Father" in a childish voice.

Her warm little body pressed against him, even her breath smelled of milk.

Back then, this child only had dependence in his eyes; how could he be so arrogant and suspicious now?

At this moment, a figure walked in from outside the hall; it was Liu Yunshu.

She wasn't wearing the elaborate empress's court dress, but only a moon-white everyday dress embroidered with magnolia flowers, her hair simply tied up, and she was holding a gilded lacquer box in her hand.

He walked slowly into the hall and gave Li Dequan a wink.

Li Dequan nodded knowingly, led the palace maids and eunuchs out, and carefully closed the palace door.

Liu Yunshu placed the gilded lacquer box in her hand on the small table next to the dragon throne and gently opened it.

Inside was a dish of freshly brewed Biluochun tea, the tea soup clear and the aroma wafting.

She walked behind Kangxi, stretched out her hands, and gently massaged his tense shoulders and neck with just the right amount of pressure.

"I just came from Kunning Palace and heard that something went wrong during the morning court session," she said softly. "Your shoulders are so stiff, you must be angry."

Kangxi did not turn around, but simply closed his eyes.

As her fingertips roamed over his neck and shoulders, the tense muscles seemed to relax a little.

"Baocheng... has disappointed me too much." His voice was tinged with weariness and a hint of barely perceptible heartache.

Liu Yunshu continued working, and said softly, "His Highness the Crown Prince may have been framed. Although he is a bit impatient, he may not be so despicable at heart. Besides, what father doesn't want the best for his child? I understand your suffering."

Kangxi grasped her hand that was resting on his shoulder and pulled her in front of him.

Seeing the worry in her eyes, most of the gloom in my heart dissipated.

"You understand me best." He sighed, reached out and pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"Sometimes I really feel that in this court and harem, only here with you can I catch my breath."

Liu Yunshu leaned against him, her fingertips gently brushing against the gold dragon pattern on his clothes.

"You have your own decisions about matters of the court, but your health is your own responsibility. If you keep holding your breath and harm your health, it will only make those with ulterior motives happy."

She reached for the teacup on the small table. "This Biluochun tea was picked this morning before the Qingming Festival. I had the kitchen brew it with spring water. Please try it and it will help you calm down."

Just as Kangxi was about to take it, Liu Yunshu took a sip of tea from the cup, and in Kangxi's surprised gaze, gently kissed his lips.

The warm tea, mixed with the sweet taste on her lips, flowed down their touching lips and onto Kangxi's tongue.

He was taken aback, then reached back and grabbed her waist, deepening the tea-scented kiss.

Only the dappled morning light filtering in from the windows illuminated the embracing figures, making them appear even more tender and affectionate.

After the kiss, Liu Yunshu, her fingertips still stained with tea, gently rubbed them against his lips, a smile in her eyes.

"Isn't drinking like this more cathartic than drinking alone in silence?"

Kangxi chuckled softly, his fingertips caressing her flushed lips, the weariness in his voice fading considerably.

"You always have a way of making me feel at ease."

He took the teacup, tilted his head back, and drank the rest of the tea.

The refreshing taste of Biluochun tea, mixed with the sweetness she left behind, warms you from the tip of your tongue all the way to your heart.