After lunch, Xiu Ning got up to take her leave, but Kangxi did the opposite. He not only kept Xiu Ning there, but also had Liang Jiugong fetch the list of candidates for the imperial concubine selection, as well as some of the standards and regulations, for Xiu Ning.

Xiuning: ...

What could Xiu Ning do but work directly from the spot in the Qianqing Palace?

She looked through the stacks of lists of imperial concubines from beginning to end, marking the unsuitable ones and putting them away. While rubbing her wrist, Xiu Ning muttered that Kangxi was ruthless. He had just finished being affectionate with her, and then he turned around and schemed against her like this. Sure enough, there was no emotion in the hearts of emperors, only various exchanges of interests.

call

Xiuning breathed a sigh of relief after finishing the last stroke.

Not far away, candles had already been lit for nighttime illumination.

Yes, without realizing it, Xiuning also experienced the life of a busy person.

"Accompany me to dine."

Emperor Kangxi, who was sitting on the couch, got up, put his arm around Xiuning, and walked towards the door.

Xiuning glanced back at the various lists she had placed beside the octagonal table. "Your Majesty, I have put in a lot of effort," she said, not touching a single fish, more serious than ever before.

"Hahaha, I know," Kangxi reached out and pinched Xiuning's neck, speaking in a rather unserious manner, "Today I will certainly reward you handsomely."

award?

Xiuning glanced up at Kangxi, who seemed to be in a good mood, and thought to herself that it was still hard to say who would be rewarded. Could this man be thinking of paying off his debts with his body, thinking he had unlimited charm?

Hmph, narcissistic~

With a haughty smirk in her heart, Xiu Ning lowered her head shyly, clutching the handkerchief she had twirled in her hand, perfectly capturing the coy reluctance.

The two of them simply had dinner in a side hall, and Xiuning didn't mention returning to the palace after the meal.

Clearly, it all depends on how long the Emperor wants her to be a target.

It was another passionate night. Both of them felt comfortable and happy, but their bodies couldn't take such indulgence. They felt completely drained, as if they had been utterly exhausted.

Well, Xiuning admitted defeat and begged for mercy before quickly leaving the Qianqing Palace.

She stayed in the Qianqing Palace for two or three days without feeling anything amiss, but little did she know that her special stay had stirred up quite a storm in the entire harem.

"His Majesty not only entrusted the entire selection process to Qixiang Palace, but also had Liang Jiugong deliver so many rewards. Is Consort Jing really that popular?"

In the main hall of Jingren Palace, Tong Jia Rongyue, who had just finished coaxing Yin Yu, was furious at the news brought by Qianli.

She was anxious and upset about her own son, while the child's father was only concerned with his love affair with his concubine. Is this what life in the harem is like? Everyone's joys and sorrows are destined to be uncommon.

"Your Majesty, Consort Jing is nothing but a vixen who only knows how to flatter and please you."

The Empress is busy with her own affairs, which is why she stole the limelight; perhaps even the Emperor was momentarily misled.

Qianli whispered to her angry master, her words naturally leaning towards belittling Xiuning.

"confuse?"

Tong Jia Rongyue didn't believe that Kangxi could be fooled, but she still thought Consort Jing was more likable.

Thinking of this, Tong Jia Rongyue couldn't help but feel a little depressed. After being in the palace for a long time, the only real man she could come into contact with was Kangxi. Even if Tong Jia Rongyue didn't have any special feelings for Kangxi at the beginning, the frequent daily interactions were there, and the fact that the two had a child together made it really hard not to develop other emotions.

Feeling a mix of bitterness and sadness, Tong Jiarong waved her hand wearily, "What should I do now?"

Yinyu's health has never been very good, and since she gave birth to Yinyu, the Emperor has not been as affectionate towards her as before. Now, she has also shared some of the palace power she held. Tong Jia Rongyue is worried that her future will be like that of the Empress who died young, who gained nothing and even lost herself in the process.

Seeing her mistress so vulnerable, Qianli felt distressed as well.

What can be done? There was already little room for maneuver, and now it's even more restricted in this way and that.

Instead of adding fuel to the fire and making her mistress unhappy, Qianli simply changed the subject, bringing up Wuya Chenglin and her son from Yonghe Palace to cheer her mistress up.

Although Wuya Chenglin gave birth smoothly, the child was weak, and with the imperial physician having given prior instructions, it was obvious to anyone with eyes that the child would not survive.

Compared to her own little master, the difference is immediately apparent.

"His Majesty has said that we will not hold a third-day celebration; we will see how things go when the baby is full-month old."

However, given the current situation, it seems unlikely that it can be done.

Tong Jiarong shook her head with a cold laugh, showing great disdain for Wu Yachenglin's experience.

Qianli laughed and replied, "Who says otherwise? She was more protective of her than anyone else when she was pregnant, but now that things have turned out like this, it's really hard to say."

Who would have thought that having two children would make them winners in life, only to find out that it was all for nothing, a complete waste of effort.

"She was very ambitious. She probably thought that by getting close to the Empress Dowager, she could make a big push for herself," but she didn't succeed and ended up hurting herself instead.

Ha, getting pregnant and giving birth smoothly in the harem is not easy, but it's definitely not simple either.

Wu Ya Cheng Lin is still just a lowly concubine. How could she possibly get pregnant so easily and give birth to a son so readily? Tong Jia Rong Yue doesn't believe there's nothing fishy going on here.

"Forget about Yonghe Palace. If nothing unexpected happens, the only person she can rely on is Yinzhen, who is raised by the Empress Dowager. But how old is Yinzhen?" By the time these young princes grow up, they will all be old.

"It's time to take action against Qixiang Palace. Before we knew it, Consort Jing of Qixiang Palace had risen above me."

Even a minor concubine, whose number of offspring and the emperor's favor both ranked among the top in the harem, was hard to ignore.

...

"master"

Chunyu walked slowly to Xiuning and reached out to massage Xiuning's shoulders.

"Have they all been sent?"

"This servant handed the roster to the Imperial Concubine's personal maid in person."

"Yes, things are tense in the harem lately, so let's not make any mistakes at a time like this."

"Don't worry, Master, I understand."

"..."

Several days had passed since Kangxi's conversation with her at the Qianqing Palace.

The responsibility for this selection of imperial concubines has now completely fallen on Xiuning's shoulders.

However, Xiu Ning was also good at interpersonal relationships. She did not exclude Tong Jia Rong Yue, who was originally in charge of the palace, after gaining power. For example, she would still send a copy of some confirmed lists to Jing Ren Palace. At least on the surface, Xiu Ning did not show any disrespect to Tong Jia Rong Yue.

"Once the list of candidates for the imperial concubines is released, I can finally get some rest."

Working at such a high intensity all the time would tire anyone out, especially with this talent show featuring not only members of the Yehenara clan but also the late empress's cousin—a truly impressive lineup.

"With more and more concubines in the harem, it seems that our Qixiang Palace will also need to be occupied."

Xiu Ning sighed, feeling that she would definitely have to pick two well-behaved ones to come over, otherwise the endless fighting would exhaust her.