Chapter 609: The Princess Consort of Jingnan

Princess Roujia’s face turned crimson in an instant. She never expected Emperor Kangxi to issue such an absurd order.

Yet, she dared not defy the command. After all, it was an imperial decree. She could only press her lips tightly together and kneel on the ground, lowering her head as if wanting to bury it in her chest, not daring to look up even once.

Consort Tong, who had been utterly panic-stricken, was stunned when Song Qingshu effortlessly defused the crisis at hand. She stood frozen in place, unable to react.

However, it wasn’t long before an unusual sensation coursing through her body brought her back to her senses. Flustered and embarrassed, she pinched the man at her side on his waist, “At a time like this, how can you still act so recklessly?”

Song Qingshu leaned close to her ear and blew gently, “The more outrageous we act, the more frightened she becomes. Her mind won’t have the chance to dwell on any inconsistencies.”

“Inconsistencies? What kind of inconsistencies?” Consort Tong was startled.

As someone entirely unaware of the ruse, she was most worried about their secret being exposed.

“For instance, my hair. Even though she hasn’t seen Emperor Kangxi before, she can surely distinguish between the hairstyles of Han and Manchu, can’t she?” Song Qingshu spoke as though recounting something inconsequential, without the slightest trace of worry.

Consort Tong was nearly scared out of her wits. She hastily glanced toward Princess Roujia in the distance and, seeing that the princess kept her head lowered, finally breathed a sigh of relief. She shot Song Qingshu an exasperated look, “Then why didn’t you just send her away?”

“If I had driven her out, she might calm down and later recall the suspicious details. It’s better to keep her here, let her remain terrified, and ensure she stays under my control.” Song Qingshu’s fingers lightly brushed Consort Tong’s cheek, “Relax a little. You don’t look like you’re serving the Emperor right now. Be careful, or you’ll arouse her suspicions.”

Consort Tong’s greatest fear at this moment was precisely that. Gritting her teeth, she began to cooperate, moving her waist subtly while soft, melodic moans escaped her lips.

“Bah, no wonder Consort Tong is favored in the imperial harem. She really is a beguiling little enchantress,” Princess Roujia muttered inwardly, her face flushed as she knelt on the ground. She felt a mix of embarrassment and anger.

Yet, a sense of dread crept over her. Based on rumors, Emperor Kangxi cared deeply about his reputation. Now that she had witnessed such an outrageous scene, would he silence her to protect his image?

No, surely not. She wasn’t just some lowly palace maid who could be quietly disposed of. At the very least, she was the Princess Consort of Jingnan…

But how would this situation resolve itself?

Princess Roujia was utterly distressed. She had come to plead for her father’s sake, but before she could even speak, she found herself mired in trouble.

Suddenly, she froze. Thinking back to the entrance of Earthly Ascension Palace, no one had informed her that the Emperor was there. Moreover, the palace maid had led her straight in…

Her expression darkened immediately. Having grown up in an aristocratic household, how could she not understand the cunning schemes of the imperial harem? Was someone trying to set up Consort Tong, dragging her into the fray as collateral damage?

No matter how hard she racked her brain, she couldn’t pinpoint who might be orchestrating this. Each name that surfaced in her mind was quickly dismissed.

The suggestive sounds continued to fill her ears, and Princess Roujia felt a wave of heat welling up within her, making her inwardly lament her predicament.

‘How does the Emperor have such stamina? It’s been so long, and he still hasn’t stopped!’

“Princess Consort of Jingnan, why have you come to the palace?”

Hearing Kangxi’s question, Princess Roujia finally felt a breath of relief. She quickly replied, “I brought some specialty goods from the northern region to present to the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the other consorts.”

She didn’t dare speak the truth. She knew that pleading directly with Kangxi would be far less effective than having the consorts influence him through pillow talk. To ensure her father’s safety, she chose to answer this way.

“Specialty goods?” Song Qingshu asked with a faint smile. “What sort of goods did you bring? Tell me about them.”

“There are many specialties from the northern region, but the most valuable are ginseng, deer antlers, and sable fur. I made a point to collect these items to present to the consorts,” Princess Roujia replied awkwardly. Kangxi’s questioning gaze unsettled her, especially since his actions hadn’t paused for even a moment. Consort Tong’s sweet, seductive sounds only added to the awkwardness.

“These three items are indeed valuable,” Song Qingshu said, his tone taking on a peculiar edge, “but in my eyes, they aren’t the most precious treasures of the northern region.”

Princess Roujia was taken aback, then panicked. “Please enlighten me, Your Majesty. As long as it’s something from the northern region, I’ll find a way to present it to you.”

Kangxi’s tone seemed to imply that she was withholding the most valuable treasures while offering less important ones to the consorts. If interpreted poorly, this could amount to the grave crime of deceiving the Emperor. How could Princess Roujia not feel anxious?

“Is that so?” Song Qingshu’s gaze bore into her, a faint smile on his lips. “I fear the Prince of Jingnan might not be willing to part with it.”

Princess Roujia’s heart sank. She was well aware of her husband Geng Jingzhong’s rebellious ambitions. Kangxi’s words seemed to carry a veiled warning.

Princess Roujia softly responded, “Your Majesty must be joking. All the land under heaven belongs to the Emperor, and all its people are his subjects. The glory of our family is entirely due to the Emperor’s grace. Why would Jingzhong not be willing to repay it?” Secretly, she pondered her current predicament: her father had yet to be rescued, and she had no clear understanding of the court’s internal affairs. For now, Jingzhong had no choice but to bide his time and outwardly maintain obedience. Whatever the Emperor demanded later, she decided to agree on Jingzhong’s behalf.

Song Qingshu studied Princess Roujia from head to toe and couldn’t help but praise, “The princess is elegant and graceful—a beauty like this is far more precious than deer antlers, ginseng, or mink furs.”

Princess Roujia froze in shock. She had never imagined the Emperor would say something so inappropriate. Once she processed his words, her anger surged. Taking a deep breath, she coldly replied, “Your Majesty, please show some decorum.”

Song Qingshu stepped away from Consort Tong’s embrace and casually draped a thin blanket over himself. “I am well aware of the princess’s intentions in coming here. Since there are no outsiders present, I won’t mince words. The fate of Yue Le rests entirely on my decision. It all depends on the princess’s choice.”

Consort Tong, standing to the side, was the first to be taken aback. She hadn’t expected Song Qingshu to be so audacious as to target Princess Roujia, now the noble consort of the King of Jingnan. Such a move carried grave implications. If the King of Jingnan were to be provoked into rebellion after his consort was humiliated in the palace, who would bear the consequences? Song Qingshu could simply flee, but when Kangxi returned, wouldn’t she be the one to bear the brunt of his wrath?

“Have you lost your mind?” Consort Tong whispered urgently, grasping Song Qingshu’s arm despite her exhaustion. She dared not raise her voice for fear of drawing attention.

“If she exposes what happens here today, it wouldn’t matter much to me. But your reputation would be in ruins, and even the Emperor would be disgraced. Do you think he would allow you to remain in the palace?” Song Qingshu sneered, his voice low and firm. “The only way to secure your secret is to implicate her.”

Hearing his reasoning, Consort Tong was stunned. She quickly grasped the gravity of the situation. The rebellion of the Three Feudatories would be dealt with in due time, but if her own indiscretions were exposed, Kangxi would never admit his involvement. She would be left utterly defenseless, with no one to speak on her behalf—a fate worse than death.

“Fine, I’ll help you,” she murmured through clenched teeth.

Princess Roujia was utterly bewildered. The implications of Kangxi’s words were all too clear. How could she not understand? “I’m the Emperor’s elder sister!” she exclaimed in shock.

Song Qingshu laughed coldly. “A distant cousin several generations removed, at best. Even if you were my actual sister, so what? I am the Emperor. What w0man could I not have?”

“But I’m already married,” Princess Roujia protested, desperately attempting to deter Kangxi from his intentions.

“Experienced women are more alluring. I prefer them,” Song Qingshu replied with a calm but resolute tone.

Princess Roujia fell silent. She finally realized why her passage to Earthly Ascension Palace had been so unimpeded and why everything seemed so peculiar—it had all been orchestrated by Kangxi.

“My husband commands an army of one hundred thousand soldiers guarding the northern frontier. Does Your Majesty understand the implications of this?” she said, trying to reason with him. She knew that, trapped in the inner palace, she had no chance of resisting if Kangxi chose to use force. Still, she couldn’t bear to dishonor her devoted and loving husband, Jingzhong. She resolved to escape this situation and leave the capital under the cover of night, entrusting her father’s rescue to her brothers in the city.

Song Qingshu burst into laughter. “Princess, are you joking? Do you think Jingzhong wouldn’t rebel if nothing happened here today?”

Hearing Kangxi’s blunt words, Princess Roujia fell silent, unsure how to respond. How could she argue that her husband harbored no rebellious intentions when the entire court knew the Three Feudatories were discontented?

“You must be tired from kneeling, Princess. Come and rest on the bed,” Song Qingshu said, his tone softening.

Princess Roujia glanced at the bed. Seeing the disheveled state of both Song Qingshu and Consort Tong, she thought to herself,

‘I can’t willingly walk into a trap.’

Just as she was about to refuse, Kangxi gestured, and she felt herself lifted by an invisible force, flying toward the bed.

“Ah!” she screamed instinctively, but midway through, she landed in a warm embrace.

“Did I scare you, Princess?” Song Qingshu said, holding her close, a hint of astonishment flashing across his face. The Princess Consort of Jingnan felt unexpectedly soft and full in his arms.

Panicked, Princess Roujia tried to break free, but Consort Tong seized the opportunity to cling to her. “Sister Roujia, the Emperor has taken a liking to you. This is an immense honor for you and your family. As long as you serve him well, freeing Prince An is but a matter of a single word from the Emperor.”

“But I already have a husband!” Princess Roujia exclaimed, mortified and furious, though deep down, she knew there was no escape from this situation.

“Is that your concern?” Song Qingshu chuckled. “I only seek a single night of pleasure. Afterward, I’ll pardon Prince An and allow you to return to your life as a princess consort. I will not hinder you, and today’s events will remain known only to Consort Tong.”

Hearing this, Princess Roujia’s heart sank further. The trap had been meticulously laid, and escape seemed impossible.

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