"Mother, I'm so bored living alone in the princess's quarters."

The topic had shifted from the harem to the individual. Ning Chuge leaned back on the couch, exuding an obvious air of decadence.

Anyone would be overwhelmed in this situation. The princess was all alone (Chunxi had moved to Cining Palace to accompany the Empress Dowager before the new year), and she was burdened with numerous studies. It was only because Ning Chuge had a good temperament that she was able to cope with the high-pressure policy; otherwise, she would have been completely lost.

"I'll speak to the Emperor on your behalf and ask if you can stay at Qixiang Palace for a couple of days?"

Xiu Ning could only think of this solution. The lessons could not be canceled. Just like the princes had to go to the Imperial Study to review their studies every day, princesses also had their responsibilities, so they also needed to cultivate some skills in music, chess, calligraphy and painting from a young age.

Of course, in Xiuning's view, it would be useless to train these princesses who were destined to marry into the Mongolian grasslands in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. However, the Qing Dynasty's integration into the Han culture was so obvious that Xiuning simply could not refuse.

Ning Chuge shook his head, "It's just treating the symptoms, not the root cause."

They returned to rest for two days to quench their thirst, but upon returning to the princess's residence, they were still suffocating.

Rather than doing that, Ning Chuge might as well save up his vacation days and wait until the New Year holidays to say some nice things to his father and get him to stay at Qixiang Palace for a few more days.

"Mother, do you think Fifth Brother's birth mother has a good chance of being promoted this time?"

Ning Chuge suddenly mentioned Yinzhen's birth mother, Wuya Chenglin, with a strange look in her eyes.

"You mean, the rank of concubine?"

Xiu Ning raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps. She's been quite noticeable lately." A while ago, she first argued with Consort Jia in the Imperial Garden, and then she quarreled with Consort Yi on the long street. Even the newly arrived Consort Ling is said to be at odds with her... Tsk. "Yonghe Palace doesn't have a principal position yet. If she can get the Empress Dowager to speak up, the Emperor might give her face."

Compared to the relatively scarce imperial concubine rank, the concubine rank is still something we can be willing to give up.

“Grandmother will speak up; recently, Consort Wuya has been going to Shou Kang Palace to pay her respects.”

When Ning Chuge heard the name Wu Yachenglin, her first reaction was disgust.

There was nothing they could do; after all, Wuya Chenglin was Yinzhen's biological mother.

Since Yinzhen was sent by Kangxi to live in Shou Kang Palace, Ning Chuge's status in Shou Kang Palace plummeted.

Previously, there was a incident where Ning Chuge tried to curry favor with the Empress Dowager. Although Xiu Ning successfully stopped her in the end, which brought Ning Chuge back to her senses, the appearance of Yinzhen still became a thorn in the side of the Empress Dowager and Ning Chuge.

Of course, the Empress Dowager might not care, since the one she most wanted to raise was the prince. However, the Empress Dowager invested a lot of affection in Ning Chuge when he needed it most. Ning Chuge was not an experienced adult who could quickly withdraw his feelings, cut his losses in time, and prevent himself from getting too deeply involved.

In the end, the only one who got hurt was Ning Chuge (Yinzhen was also constantly blamed by Ning Chuge).

“She can go if she wants to. Yinzhen is her own son. If the Empress Dowager doesn’t stop her, no one else has the right to do so.”

If the Empress Dowager doesn't mind, what's the use if others do?

Xiu Ning glanced at Ning Chuge and saw that Ning Chuge still looked thoughtful. She realized that it would be difficult to make Ning Chuge completely let go of the kindness the Empress Dowager had shown her.

With a nonchalant expression, Xiu Ning shook her head and poured a cup of warm tea for Ning Chuge.

Seeing this, Ning Chuge tried to take it, but Xiu Ning turned her hand and sideways, placing the teacup steadily on the table.

Um?

Ning Chuge blinked, not understanding her mother's meaning. Did she not want to give her any to drink? Why was she pouring it out?

"Pouring tea requires a steady hand; the amount of tea leaves used should be neither too much nor too little, and the steeping time should not be too long or too short."

"What if we can't grasp it well?"

"That's alright. The taste of tea is ever-changing, and who can say that their own brewing method is the right one?"

"..."

Just before the Dragon Boat Festival, the imperial edict regarding the investiture of the imperial harem was officially issued.

Among them, Xiu Ning was promoted from Consort Jing to Noble Consort Jing, while Consort Yi, Consort Ping, and Consort Hui were all promoted to Imperial Concubine.

All the concubines below the rank of Consort were promoted one rank, except for Wuya Chenglin, who directly became Consort Wuya.

Congratulations, Your Majesty!

When the imperial decree was delivered to the main hall of Qixiang Palace, the entire palace erupted in commotion.

This is a Noble Consort, and she retains her original title, making her a rank higher than Noble Consort Tong.

Xiu Ning waved her hand with a smile on her lips, "Chun Yu, convey my message: all the palace servants in Qixiang Palace will receive a six-month monthly allowance."

Regardless of how good or bad things will be in the future, she has definitely benefited in the short term.

Chunyu happily agreed, and then called Xuanying over to quickly compile the statistics.

Qixiang Palace was peaceful and harmonious, but in the inner palace, there are always those who are happy and those who are sad.

When Xiu Ning received benefits, the entire palace was filled with smiles. But when Tong Jia Rong Yue got nothing and was even suppressed by someone less capable than herself, Jingren Palace seemed cold and lifeless.

Where is the Empress?

Qianli came in from outside and found the Jingren Palace courtyard unusually quiet, so she quickly called over a maid to ask her what was wrong.

The young palace maid shrank her neck and pointed to the main hall, "Her Majesty said no one should disturb us."

Qianli looked up and asked, "Has Her Majesty learned of the investiture?"

The young palace maid nodded, "The news is being sent everywhere," and it's impossible to hide it from everyone.

Besides, even if we keep it a secret, what then? Who knows, the master might be even angrier when he finds out.

Everyone got a share, but Jingren Palace remained silent, which was frightening in itself.

After hearing what the palace maid said, Qianli could only wave her hand and let her leave.

She touched her chin, and decided to go into the hall to check on her master's condition.

When Qianli thought her mistress would be furious and didn't want to come in, Tong Jiarongyue remained calm.

calm?

"Your Majesty, you..."

"I am fine. This grand conferment of titles upon the six palaces was all within my expectations."

Of course, Tong Jia Rongyue did not expect Kangxi to be so ruthless. She thought that even if there was no Imperial Noble Consort, it would be fine to add a title above the Noble Consort, but in the end, there was no title at all.

Your Majesty, are you still wary of them?

After hearing what her mistress said, Qianli breathed a sigh of relief and then brought over a cup of hot tea.

Tong Jiarongyue looked at the teacup held in her hand with a strange expression, "The situation in the harem is about to change."

Things are about to change. Suddenly there are several more concubines and imperial consorts, which means the power in the palace that Tong Jia Rongyue has always held in her hands will be in question.

Tong Jiarongyue is already prepared for the power in the palace to be redistributed.

As it turned out, she did receive the Emperor's decree, but the recipient was not Xiu Ning from Qixiang Palace, but Consort Ping, who had just entered the palace the previous year, and Consort Hui, who had recently made a fool of herself by having an adopted son.