Chapter 172 Peacock Garden

Honghui recently discovered something that bothered him.

In order to show his favor to the crown prince, Kangxi gave rewards to the Eastern Palace every now and then. Not only Yinreng received them, but also the crown princess, Hongzhao, Hongxi and Hongjin.

Look, the two brothers have just got a pair of peacocks, which are extremely rare.

In order to show off, Hongxi and Hongjin invited the princes and brothers in the upper study to come to Yuqing Palace to watch the peacock spread its feathers.

While Honghui was admiring the peacocks, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. It was a woman in palace dress who seemed to be pregnant. She walked out of the prince's study and saw the princes in the garden, so she took a detour through the small path to avoid suspicion.

Honghui was a child with a very good memory. It was no exaggeration to say that he could remember the memorials he read to Kangxi after only one time. He felt that he had seen this woman before when he was still young.

With doubts in his mind, Honghui asked, "This place is quite close to the study of the Crown Prince's Second Uncle. Will our noise disturb the Crown Prince's Second Uncle? I vaguely saw a guest here just now."

Hong Jin said with disdain: "What guest? That's my father's princess."

Hongxi glared at him and said, "Don't be rude to your stepmother."

"It's my brother's fault. The distance was a bit far and I misjudged it." Honghui showed an annoyed look, "How about letting my brother brush the feathers of the two peacocks?"

"That's a nice thought." Hong Jin rolled his eyes and showed that he would do it himself.

Honghui felt a little regretful that he lost the opportunity to get close to the peacock.

That afternoon, Honghui kept recalling when he had met the woman in palace dress, and finally he remembered it when he returned to Prince Yong's Mansion.

She shouldn't have appeared in Yuqing Palace at all. It should have been Nianhulu's mother who was recuperating in the mansion. There was no doubt about it!
After hesitating for a long time, Honghui found an opportunity to talk to Yihuan in private.

"Mother, is Mother Niuhulu's illness still not cured?" Honghui suddenly asked.

Yihuan was a little puzzled. She had almost forgotten about this person: "Your father said she is still sick, so she must be sick."

"Then do you think it's possible that she is no longer in the mansion?" Honghui said in confusion, "My son once met a princess of the Crown Prince's second uncle in Yuqing Palace. Although she looked a little different, I am sure that she was Niuhulu's mother."

Yihuan looked at Honghui for a long time without saying anything. It would be a lie to say that she didn't believe Honghui.

But if what Honghui said was true, Yinzhen could not have been unaware of it, and he must have taken some action.

"Maybe people are similar." Yihuan raised her hand and touched Honghui's forehead. Now she had to stand on tiptoe to reach it.

"This is something your father should consider, but you should not go to Yuqing Palace again." Yihuan was afraid that Honghui would be bold and uncover some secrets, bringing disaster upon himself.

Honghui nodded. He just wanted his mother to know the situation.

"Mother, the Queen Mother rewarded Hongxi and Hongjin with a pair of peacocks. My son thinks they are very interesting. How about we build a peacock garden in our Old Summer Palace? My brothers and sisters will definitely like it."

"Mother, it seems that you like it." Yihuan responded with a smile.

******
Not far behind the Hall of Mental Cultivation, there is a row of courtyards, where the favored concubines temporarily live.

Once Kangxi got tired of someone, she would have to move out. Those with connections and money could live with a good-tempered master, otherwise they would be arbitrarily assigned to a palace that was no different from the cold palace.

If one person moves out, another will naturally come in.

The most abundant thing in the Forbidden City is women who serve the emperor. It is said that the house where Huo Taoer lives has bad feng shui. The previous women were driven out because they angered the emperor, and now most of them have passed away.

But Huo Taoer was different. Kangxi would summon her almost every day. Sometimes he didn't even need her to sleep with him, but just have tea and chat with her alone.

Not only did the people in the imperial court begin to flatter her, but even the four concubines in the harem had heard of this favored concubine. Concubine De also mentioned this matter when chatting with her daughter-in-law.

"This Miss Huo has become a big shot recently. She may have one or two relatives outside the palace. Don't get into trouble with them. It will be embarrassing if it comes to the emperor."

Concubine De was not worrying about nothing. This kind of thing really happened before. Emperor Kangxi favored a noble lady, and this noble lady's younger brother had a conflict with the Tenth Prince outside the palace. The Emperor punished them both with fifty lashes, and no one got away with it.

The Fourteenth Lady always looked down on people without status: "My Lady, please don't be sad."

Concubine De shook her head and said, "She will be qualified to come before me only when she is granted the title of concubine. Why should I be sad?"

Kangxi sometimes changed his concubines so quickly that it took days. If you were really sad and jealous, you would be so jealous that you would die. There is no need to do that.

Yihuan didn't say anything. She probably knew who this Huo Taoer was. She didn't expect that the Ninth Master would give her directly to the Emperor. Was he trying to set a big trap for the Eighth Master?
Huo Taoer, who was at the center of the discussion, was serving tea in the Yangxin Palace at this time. She had recently learned the skill of making tea. Although she could only draw very simple patterns, it was enough.

Through the screen, Huo Taoer could vaguely see Kangxi leaning forward to read the memorials.

"Liang Jiugong, light some more lights. It's too dark." There was a hint of anger in Kangxi's voice. His eyesight was getting worse and worse. He could no longer see clearly without wearing Western glasses.

He was also unwilling to always wear Western things when summoning his ministers, as that made him feel frustrated as if he was being defeated by Westerners.

Liang Jiugong quickly added lights and candles, and the room was brightly lit. He rubbed his eyes, which was a little dazzling.

"How long will it take for the barefoot gentleman from the barbarian land to arrive?"

"In reply to the emperor, we will reach the capital in three days."

Seeing that no one was looking at her and everyone was looking down not to attract Kangxi's attention, Huo Taoer flicked her fingers lightly, and fine powder fell into the teacup and slowly dissolved.

After calming her pounding heart, Huo Taoer walked gently towards Kangxi carrying the tray.

A special eunuch who was in charge of testing poison came forward to test it with a silver needle, and then quietly withdrew. Huo Taoer was already used to it. She didn't know what kind of medicine her boss gave her, and she couldn't test its toxicity at all.

Maybe this is not poison at all. Although Huo Taoer was puzzled as to how she could avenge her sister by doing this, she had already stepped in and could not turn back.

Kangxi took a look and said: "Tao'er has made great progress. This garden has already taken shape."

After drinking half a cup of tea, Kangxi looked at the beauty and felt much better: "Give me a massage to loosen up my shoulders."

"Yes."

Huo Taoer always kept her head down and looked submissive in front of Kangxi. Although she didn't smile much, her attitude was respectful and submissive.

Kangxi also observed her for many days and found that she did not do anything out of the ordinary. Even the tea was tested by a special person every day. Could it be that his intuition was wrong, and this beautiful woman who was to his liking really had no background?

If that's the case, then you can really pamper her.

Liang Jiugong was frowning as he watched from the side. He always felt that the emperor's mood was not very stable recently, and as long as Huo Da Ying came, the emperor would be in a good mood. This was really strange.

Perhaps, I should check this Huo lady again.