In order to ensure that Yin Yi could have a comfortable time in the Imperial Study, Xiu Ning had long ago used both people inside and outside the palace to investigate the situation of the Imperial Study.

As a private academy used by the imperial family to cultivate the sons and grandsons of the emperor, the Imperial Study had a very strong faculty. Moreover, as a school favored by Emperor Kangxi, all matters that occurred in the Imperial Study would be reported to him by the servants.

Yinyi covered his forehead, completely believing his mother's words, after all, his mother had no reason to lie to him.

Since that's the case, it proves that the situation in the Imperial Study is quite complicated.

"Mother, aren't you worried that your son will be taken advantage of?" He was neither favored by the Emperor like his second brother, nor was he older than his eldest brother, so he seemed to be the easiest person to bully in the Imperial Study.

Xiuning sat calmly in the chair. "Can you?"

No matter how innocent the children she raises may appear on the outside, they can't change their true, cunning nature.

Yin Yi immediately dropped the pretense and chuckled to himself, "My son is capable of protecting himself."

I can't say I never suffer any losses, but I'm definitely not a pushover.

If it really came down to trickery, Yinti and Yinreng might not be as shrewd as Yinyi. After all, from the perspective of their birth mother, Xiuning, as an experienced strategist, was better than Consort Hui and the late Empress.

The mother and son chatted intimately in the study until a sound came from the doorway. It was Chunyu, reporting that the prince's quarters had been cleaned and that Xiuning should return to the palace.

With a wave of her hand, Xiu Ning bid farewell to her beloved son who was still reluctant to part with her, and left with remarkable grace.

"Why is there such a commotion next door? What's wrong? Did those servants fail to satisfy Consort Hui?"

As soon as she stepped out the door, Xiuning casually glanced up at the neighbor's house.

Although they weren't very close, Xiuning could still hear Consort Hui's extremely penetrating voice.

Chunyu nodded. "She's always dissatisfied with this or that. Consort Hui is quite the troublemaker. I heard that even the servants of the Imperial Household Department were all smiling and apologizing, but she still couldn't get out of the prince's quarters."

Xiu Ning clicked her tongue twice upon hearing this. She had to admit that she truly admired Consort Hui. Regardless of whether she was favored or not, she always dared to act boldly.

"The Yehenara clan's family education is commendable. It's just that a new member of the clan will enter the palace next year. We'll have a good show to watch then."

With a hint of schadenfreude, Xiu Ning took Chun Yu's arm and turned to lead the group back to the palace.

As soon as she entered the gate, Xuan Ying, who was staying at the palace, came up to her and said, "Your Majesty, news just came from Yikun Palace that Consort Yi has been diagnosed with pregnancy."

Xiuning blinked and returned to normal. "It's a joyous occasion. Chunyu, remember to send a generous gift to Yikun Palace later, along with the white jade Guanyin statue that the Emperor bestowed upon you before. Send them together."

Spring Rain bowed her head and replied, "Yes."

...

Yikun Palace Main Hall

The emperor had just been diagnosed with pregnancy by the imperial physician, and everyone in the hall was overjoyed.

Consort Yi sat on the couch with her barely visible pregnant belly, opposite Consort Guo Luoluo, who was about to give birth.

Under normal circumstances, if two sisters were pregnant at the same time, they would probably have mixed feelings.

But the two sisters were very happy at this moment, especially Consort Yi, who breathed a long sigh of relief. She was glad that she had lived up to expectations, otherwise she would have had a hard time explaining to the Empress Dowager.

Guo Luoluo appeared apologetic, which was related to the cooperation they had reached with the Empress Dowager. Unfortunately, Guo Luoluo was pregnant with a princess, and there had been no good progress.

"Right now, we just hope this pregnancy won't disappoint us and the Empress Dowager. We can't afford to have another one. If we delay any longer, the Empress Dowager might have to find someone else to cooperate with."

Consort Yi's pregnancy was only recently diagnosed, and she didn't feel much reluctance to part with the child.

What she cares about most now is the cooperation between Guoluo Clan and the Empress Dowager. Her family only needs to send one prince to receive most of the support from the Mongolian side, which is still a good deal when she thinks about it.

Consort Yi did not feel that she only had this one child; she also had to consider the future.

As for why she had to sacrifice her first child, it can only be said that she had to hurry. Otherwise, if the Empress Dowager were to be won over by others, then sending out the prince would only be adding flowers to snow. There was no guarantee that the Emperor would be able to stop her, and she wouldn't even be able to add flowers.

"Your Majesty, the mistresses of the various palaces have sent their congratulatory gifts. I have already registered them and would like to request Your Majesty to review them."

The maid Zhi'er carefully presented the register to Consort Yi.

Consort Yi took the items and glanced at them briefly. "Put them away and seal them up. Apart from the gifts from the Emperor, there's no need to bring out anything else."

One must always be wary of others. The imperial heir in her womb, to put it bluntly, concerns the future of the entire Guoluo clan, and cannot afford to make any mistakes.

Zhi'er responded with a "yes," turned around, and withdrew with the roster in her arms.

Seeing this, Guo Luoluo, who was sitting opposite, whispered a reminder to Yizhui to be careful of Xiuning.

"We're in the wrong after all, and the other party might get angry and try to trip us up."

These are all uncertain things. If Consort Yi's baby is a prince, and he is handed over to the Empress Dowager for upbringing, it's hard to say how much progress Consort Yi and the Empress Dowager's relationship will make, but Xiu Ning's relationship with the Empress Dowager will definitely become awkward.

Based on the daily interactions between Consort Yi and Xiu Ning, Consort Yi could obviously foresee the situation after their falling out.

Well……

Consort Yi was still somewhat guilty. After all, in their daily interactions, Xiu Ning was always open and honest with her. Would it be a bit unethical for her to suddenly betray her like this?

Of course, this thought only existed in Consort Yi's mind for a moment; more than anything, Consort Yi found it troublesome.

If the two of them were to fight, it would surely benefit someone else.

"Probably not," Consort Yi calmed herself and smiled to reassure Guo Luoluo, "Consort Jing is a smart woman. She knows that if the two of us quarrel, it won't end well. Instead, it will only benefit others."

However, we'll probably have to let go of our differences in the future. Everyone has pride, and Consort Yi can't just act like a green tea b*tch and disgust people.

Guo Luoluo sighed and said, "I can't help you much. Just be careful."

Consort Yi nodded, "Don't worry, I was prepared."

"Prepare? Prepare what? I am not the kind of person who likes to cause trouble. Consort Yi has no need to be so flustered."

In the main hall of Qixiang Palace, Xiuning chatted idly with Chunyu. It was only because Consort Yi regarded the Empress Dowager as a good backer that she secretly promoted cooperation between the two. Xiuning wished they would become more closely entangled, so why would she be angry with Consort Yi for this?

Mongolia is no longer what it used to be, and she will not leave this huge bombshell to her son.

Ningchuge is a woman, and her future lies in Mongolia. Having a good relationship with the Empress Dowager is useful, but Yinyi and Yin's future lies in the Qing Dynasty. If they were to be associated with Mongolia, Kangxi would be the first to disagree.