Whether it was a complaint or not, Tong Jia Rongyue's trip to Cining Palace did have some effect.

Emperor Kangxi went from rarely visiting the inner palace to occasionally coming over to sit and rest, but he still rarely stayed overnight.

Of course, the refusal to allow overnight stays was directed at the older members of the harem, but for favored concubines like Xiuning, Kangxi was still willing to give them face.

"You're saying the Emperor is letting me stay overnight as a favor?" That's hilarious.

Unable to resist letting out a sneer, Xiu Ning remained calm. She felt that rather than Kangxi giving her face, it was more accurate to say that Jue Chan Shi was not enough to make Kangxi completely lose himself in her and forget everything else. Otherwise, why would Kangxi still think of her in the harem?

"Your Majesty, the Emperor went to Cining Palace, and the situation in the harem has improved considerably."

But this is merely treating the symptoms, not the root cause. If the Empress Dowager also abandons her duties, won't the situation revert to its previous state?

Chunyu was somewhat worried, not out of fear, but because when the Emperor resumed his previous ways, her mistress would stand out in the entire harem.

In the Qianqing Palace, the concubines in the harem had no way of knowing where to go, so it was difficult for them to find fault. However, Qixiang Palace was located in the harem, and their mistress still had to go out and about, so it was not good to keep enduring it indefinitely.

"Your concerns are not unfounded, but things won't really turn out the way you think."

First of all, the Empress Dowager in Cining Palace did not allow it.

The late emperor's favored concubine, Shumulu, was a helpless move by both sides to compromise. What ability did Juechan have to compare with Shumulu? Besides, Kangxi was not the late emperor. He had experienced the taste of favored concubines in power. He could be infatuated for a moment, but he would not be blinded by love.

"Don't worry, it won't be long."

It's a very nonsensical sentence; even if Chunyu connects the cause and effect, it's still incomprehensible.

But Xiu Ning herself knew the meaning behind her words: Jue Chan was going to get pregnant.

A foolish beauty who acts on her own initiative has planted a time bomb for herself, both now and in the future.

One reason why Yinzhi was not favored by Emperor Kangxi from birth was that Juechan was too clever for his own good.

Despite her current status being inappropriate, she still challenged the emperor's authority by getting pregnant and giving birth, only to be thrown into the harem and ignored by the enraged Kangxi Emperor.

Yinzhi, a prince, was only granted the title of concubine by Emperor Kangxi when he had grown up and was about to get married. This shows how much Juechan was disliked.

Xiuning wasn't worried about such an idiot at all.

With the cicadas chirping in the summer heat, the Forbidden City welcomes the annual summer season.

This time, Emperor Kangxi did not go to the summer palace to escape the heat because of court affairs.

Xiuning wanted to be more comfortable, so she sent Chunyu to the Imperial Household Department early on. Chunyu not only brought bamboo mats for cooling off, but also had palace servants make windmills that could blow air.

They laid out a bamboo mat under the shade of a tree, surrounded by ice basins for cooling, each covered with gauze. Xiu Ning, along with Ning Chuge and Yin Lu, chatted while eating iced drinks.

“Mother, my third brother is the same. I asked him to come back with me, but he insisted on going to keep his promise to my eldest and second brothers.”

"Going horseback riding in this heat, Father Emperor knows he'll scold them again."

Ning Chuge was furious. She had just returned from the princess's place and hadn't even had a chance to catch her breath before she complained to Yin Yi.

As someone who used to love horseback riding, Ning Chuge has moved past those crazy days, and even has plans to practice whip cracking.

Unexpectedly, my younger brother, who usually enjoys eating, drinking, and having fun, became obsessed with it, showing signs of developing a kind of fanaticism.

"Your father may be criticizing you, but he's actually happy inside."

Xiuning pointed out the difference between how Kangxi treated his daughters and sons.

The words were few, but just one sentence made Ning Chuge bite her lip.

She was still very angry. Even though she knew that she, as a princess, could not compare to those princes, Ning Chuge still felt unhappy.

Seeing this, Xiu Ning patted Ning Chuge on the shoulder, "There are good and bad aspects. Your father is lenient with you. As long as you don't go too far, he won't be dissatisfied with whatever you want to do."

Therefore, as long as Ning Chuge puts on a convincing act, Kangxi will never pay too much attention to her. Ning Chuge can then secretly accumulate her own strength, and one day when she leaves the Forbidden City, she can live a life where the sky is high and the sea is wide and the birds fly freely.

Ning Chuge clearly understood what her mother meant, and she nodded, "Sometimes, I really don't know whether it's better to be valued by Father Emperor or ignored by him."

Being valued means that one's actions are being monitored, and one is easily warned by the Emperor for some outrageous behavior.

Being ignored means you can do whatever you want, but seeing others being favored by the Emperor makes you feel disappointed.

Sigh, such a dilemma is really hard to make a decision.

Xiu Ning saw Ning Chuge's dilemma but didn't say much, because it was normal. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Princesses and princes live in different environments, and it's impossible to expect Kangxi to treat them equally.

"Whether you value it or not, the most important thing is to rely on yourself."

Relying on Kangxi is always an external thing; who knows when Kangxi might change his mind.

Emperor Kangxi ultimately chose Yinzhen as his successor from among his many sons, perhaps because Yinzhen was the most insightful and discerning among them.

It is said that emperors are hard to fathom, but emperors are not the only ones who are truly hard to fathom.

She couldn't help but sigh at how difficult life was for royalty. Xiu Ning lowered her head and put the melted ice cup into her mouth.

...

Rear Hall of Qianqing Palace

The Qianqing Palace is more solemn and dignified during the day than at night. Even the palace servants walking around unconsciously lower their voices, for fear of disturbing some important figures and causing themselves to be punished.

Since Juechan came to live in the rear palace, except when he was called to the front palace to serve the emperor at night, he usually stayed in his room and passed the time by himself.

Even though there were many palace maids who served the emperor in the rear palace, Juechan was unable to fit in because of her outstanding performance.

"Ugh—ugh—"

"Miss, are you alright? Did you accidentally eat something bad? Should I inform the head maid and ask her to fetch the imperial physician for you?"

"No, no need for that. I'm afraid it's the iced tea I ate last night that's causing the problem. Quickly pour me a cup of warm tea, and I'll feel better soon."

"yes"

"..."

The conversation between the master and servant temporarily ended when Yunyan ran off to fetch water for Juechan.

Juechan's face was slightly pale, and his expression showed a hint of panic.

Her eyes followed Yunyan as she left, while she tried to calm her rapidly beating heart.

call

What she just said was a lie to Yunyan. She didn't get sick from eating the ice bowl. The bowl of ice had already melted into water in the porcelain bottle next to her. She didn't eat it at all.

Reaching out, Juechan touched her flat stomach. She was happy and excited. Her period was several days late, so she was probably pregnant.

Faster, faster, even faster.

Subconsciously touching his face, Juechan thought about his wonderful future life and was filled with anticipation.