Everyone expected Consort Shu to die, but her death was so swift that it caught everyone off guard.

When the news reached Xiuning's ears, she was having breakfast with Yinyi.

Since recovering from the rash, Yin Yi has been feeling a bit listless and has lost a lot of weight.

In addition, with frequent incidents in the harem and repeated problems with food, Xiu Ning has no opportunity to nourish Yin Yi's body.

"Hurry up and finish your food, be good," Xiuning said, looking at her son who couldn't chew, feeling extremely troubled.

Yinyi pouted, "Mother, I don't want to eat."

It tasted terrible, and had no flavor at all. Tears welled up in his eyes quickly. Yin Yi looked at his mother with a pitiful expression, lowered his head, and sniffled softly.

Xiuning: ...

Hey, we haven't even gotten anywhere yet, and we're already feeling wronged.

"Good boy, finish these, and this afternoon your mother will have someone make your favorite milk cake."

Xiuning patiently coaxed Yinyi for a couple of minutes, then ladled out a bowl of clear soup and handed it to Yinyi.

Yin Yi: ……

Yin Yi felt even more wronged, but he understood that it was not appropriate for him to bargain with his mother at this time, because his mother would always find a way to get him to agree.

Yin Yi mumbled a soft "yes," then laboriously shoved the food from the porcelain bowl into his mouth. If he couldn't swallow, he would just drink the soup. In any case, it was painful for the eater and painful for the watcher.

Xiu Ning shook her head, ignoring Yin Yi, and reached out to refill her bowl of rice and start eating.

Not far away, Chunyu came in from the doorway, quickly walked to Xiuning's side, and whispered about the passing of Consort Shu.

Xiuning slowed down her chewing. "What just happened?"

Chunyu nodded, "Yes, the Emperor and Empress are already on their way."

Xiuning thought for a moment and said, "Then let's go and see her in a while. After all, we've been neighbors for many years, and we should at least see her off on her final journey."

Moreover, given Consort Shu's character, she might just leave some surprises for the harem in her final act.

Of course, if Consort Shu really had a backup plan, then considering the child in her womb, Xiu Ning couldn't rush over and walk right into the trap. But Xiu Ning had to consider the timing of revealing her pregnancy. Her delay had made her pregnancy almost three months along.

This timeline clearly demonstrates a lack of trust in the harem and the Emperor. Xiu Ning isn't someone who stops having fun after giving birth; she must find a way to alleviate Kangxi's unease.

After finishing her meal, Xiu Ning got up and asked the wet nurse to keep an eye on Yin Yi. She then took Chun Yu's hand and went into the inner room to change her clothes.

"Your Highness, Yongshou Palace is in a complete mess. Would you like to change your shoes?"

Chunyu looked down at her mistress's high-heeled, flower-pot-soled embroidered shoes and felt a little worried.

Xiuning shook her head, "These are the ones." How else could she subtly show that she didn't know she was pregnant? If she was going to put on an act, she had to go all the way. Otherwise, if she only pretended to do a small part, the flaws would be even bigger.

Seeing that her master did not change, Chunyu hesitated and then could only remain silent.

Seeing this, Xiu Ning understood that Chun Yu was worried about her health, but now was the perfect opportunity, and she had to seize it.

Before leaving, Xiu Ning reminded the wet nurse to take good care of Yin Yi. She then spoke to Yin Yi gently and sweetly until he was comfortable before turning around and taking people to the Yongshou Palace next door.

Although Qixiang Palace and Yongshou Palace are separated by only one wall, the interior atmosphere of the two palaces is still very different.

Qixiang Palace enjoyed peace and tranquility, while Yongshou Palace was turned upside down.

When Xiuning arrived, she saw people coming and going everywhere.

Everyone seemed to be in a hurry, and even the white silk hanging up was only half up, as if they had lost their backbone and didn't know what to do.

Frowning, Xiuning grabbed Chunyu's wrist. "Why is Yongshou Palace in such a mess?"

It was far more chaotic than she had imagined; things were all over the place, and she had no idea what they were doing.

Chunyu leaned against Xiuning, while using her body to shield Xiuning from all kinds of gazes from around them. "This servant doesn't understand either. Perhaps the former palace maid has become a concubine, and Consort Shu doesn't have any good people around her for the time being."

Now that Consort Shu is gone, no one else has the responsibility or obligation to maintain order in Yongshou Palace.

The Yongshou Palace is currently in complete chaos because the servants there are all acting independently.

absurd!

Muttering to herself, Xiuning said, "Let's go to the main hall first. Didn't they say the Empress and the Emperor are coming? Let's show our faces first."

Those who come without showing their faces are less than half as valuable.

Xiu Ning didn't want to work hard for nothing; if she was going to do something, she wanted to do it to the best of her ability.

Upon hearing this, Chunyu nodded, while holding Xiuning's hand even more cautiously and walking with extra care, for fear of being startled or pushed by a palace servant who suddenly ran out.

Having arrived safely at the entrance of the main hall, Xiuning could hear the Empress and the Emperor talking even before she entered.

The two clearly had some disagreement about the arrangements for Consort Shu, and seeing this, Xiu Ning didn't dare to go in directly.

"...Let's handle this matter as it is for now. Please take care of it, Your Majesty. I still have matters to attend to in the court, so I'll be heading back now."

After saying this, Kangxi strode outside with great strides.

Xiuning quickly bowed her head, "This concubine respectfully sees Your Majesty off."

Kangxi turned his head and saw Xiuning standing at the door bowing to him. He paused for a moment before walking away.

After watching Kangxi leave, Xiuning glanced at the main hall behind her. After thinking it over, she finally went inside.

"This humble concubine greets Your Majesty the Empress."

Hesheli Fangyi was still sulking because of Kangxi's words. When she saw Xiuning come in, she immediately lost her temper and said, "It's good that Consort Xitala came so quickly."

What, did you come all this way just to see her make a fool of herself? The rest of you haven't even arrived yet.

"Qixiang Palace is adjacent to Yongshou Palace, so it is normal for the concubines to be one step ahead of their sisters."

Xiu Ning ignored Hesheli Fangyi's sarcasm and instead seriously explained why she had come over due to the distance.

Hesheli Fangyi snorted lightly, "Yongshou Palace is in great chaos right now, and I can't take care of you for the time being. If Consort Xitala has nothing else to do, please go back as soon as possible."

What's the point of staying in a palace where someone just died? If she weren't the Empress, Hesheli Fangyi wouldn't have come to support the palace while she wasn't fully recovered.

It's important to know that the initial poisoning and vomiting of blood completely destroyed Hesheli Fangyi's body.

Hearing the Empress rudely dismiss them, Xiu Ning readily agreed.

Before she could even leave, another palace servant came running to ask the Empress how to arrange the mourning hall in Yongshou Palace.

The Empress had no choice but to make the arrangements herself. As luck would have it, the two met at the door, and the Empress lost her balance and stumbled towards the steps in front of her. Xiu Ning caught her just in time.

Unfortunately, the force of the impact was too great, and Xiuning stumbled. The flowerpot sole of her shoe separated from the upper, and Xiuning lost her footing and fell to the ground.