The system's suggestion is good, and Xiuning plans to adopt it.

She entered the palace in the seventh year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign and gave birth to her first child, Ning Chuge, in the ninth year of his reign. In the more than ten years since Xiu Ning entered the palace, including the one she is currently pregnant with, she has given birth to a total of four children.

Such a number was not uncommon in the imperial harem, after all, the ancients valued having many children and grandchildren.

But Xiu Ning's strength lies in her ability to raise and successfully nurture all the children she gave birth to.

The threat posed by Xiu Ning's lineage is not yet apparent to the public because Ning Chuge and her children have not yet settled down and started their own families. Once her two daughters are married and her two sons are married, have children, and enter government service, Xiu Ning's terrifying power will be fully revealed.

"It can no longer reproduce."

Whether for her own health or for other reasons, Xiuning could not cross Kangxi's bottom line.

Having many offspring in the harem is a good thing, but if it exceeds a certain limit, it becomes a bad thing.

Here's something rather strange: in the original timeline, even if a concubine gave birth to multiple children, almost none of them actually grew to adulthood.

Even though Consort Yi only had three sons, her youngest son, the Eleventh Prince, died when he was around twelve years old, and Consort De's youngest daughter also died when she was almost an adult.

These are only two of the four concubines. Did they not have any means or abilities to raise their children from infancy to adulthood? Yet they were unable to protect their children.

Xiuning didn't want to gamble on whether it was man-made or a natural disaster, so the baby in her belly was her last one.

Xiu Ning reached out and touched her stomach, composed herself, and called Chun Yu, who was guarding the door.

"Master, you're awake?"

Chunyu looked delighted. She helped Xiuning up and whispered that breakfast was ready and could be taken at any time.

Well, at this time of year, breakfast can actually be considered lunch.

After all, it was already noon.

Xiuning walked to the main hall and sat down. "Let's have a meal," she said, feeling quite hungry, mainly because she had been sleeping since last night and was still not fully awake.

Chunyu nodded, turned around and beckoned to Xuanying at the door. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xuanying came in with several heavy food boxes.

The food box was opened, revealing a variety of delicious-looking dishes inside.

"Master, these were all made by the two newcomers. They added some special flavors to suit your taste."

As Xuan Ying spoke, she carried the dishes out, and finally set out the bowls and chopsticks before leaving.

Seeing this, Xiuning nodded in satisfaction, "They've all put in a lot of effort. Chunyu, don't forget to give them a reward later."

Chunyu replied, "This servant understands."

Simple chopsticks helped Xiuning serve the food, and Chunyu then ladled out a bowl of soup and brought it to Xiuning's side.

While eating and drinking, Xiuning would occasionally comment on the taste of the dishes she ate.

Overall, Xiuning is more satisfied than with the previous ones.

"Let them continue with today's preparations, and I will certainly not be stingy with rewards."

Xiuning got up, took Chunyu's hand, and returned to the tatami room, which was her recent activity area, and she basically didn't go out.

"Mother, Mother"

The sound of her child coming from the doorway interrupted Xiuning before she could finish speaking.

Tap tap tap —

Footsteps approached from afar, and Xiu Ning looked up to see Ning Chu Ge running towards her like a gust of wind.

"Ning Chuge, weren't you going to accompany the Empress Dowager?" Why are you here in the middle of the day?

Ning Chuge pouted, beads of sweat still on her forehead. "With Consort Wuya here, Grandmother has no time to care about her daughter," so naturally she came back. Otherwise, what good would it do to stay there like a nuisance?

Xiuning: ...

Xiu Ning sighed, took out her handkerchief and wiped Ning Chuge's forehead. "You're acting like a child again. Aren't you grown up? Why are you still throwing a tantrum at the Empress Dowager over this?"

Ning Chuge felt even more aggrieved after hearing Xiu Ning's words; her little face and mouth clearly showed her unhappiness.

"I didn't want this either, but who told me to be so annoying?" She's everywhere, as if on purpose. She doesn't appear when I'm not with my grandmother, but as soon as I go to see her, she shows up within a quarter of an hour.

Upon hearing this, Xiu Ning remained calm, saying, "People in the harem all know how to use tricks."

She made it so obvious, but in the end, you're the one who suffers.

Ning Chuge, don't you understand yet?

Ning Chuge couldn't help but bite her lip, "Daughter understands."

However, the other party did a better job, appeasing the Empress Dowager on the key point and then not pursuing the matter further. Otherwise, how could a minor noblewoman dare to offend the daughter of a high-ranking concubine?

"If you understand, then you know how to handle it." The best thing is to pretend you don't know.

“But my daughter is not willing to accept it.” It would be difficult for Ning Chuge not to pursue the matter, because Ning Chuge is used to doing things her own way. Wu Ya Cheng Lin has crossed the line time and time again. Most people might let it go, but Ning Chuge cannot accept it.

Xiu Ning smiled and reached out to rub Ning Chuge's head. "If you can't accept it, then find a way to solve it."

But don't worry, her pregnancy this time is not stable, and it will probably be the same as the previous two.

Stay away from her for now. Don't worry, your mother won't let you suffer for nothing.

Wu Yachenglin is a strange person. She's not exactly smart, but she's not stupid either. She gave birth to a stillborn child last year and got pregnant again soon after. Why doesn't she use the energy she puts into chasing KPIs all these years to take good care of her health? What's the point?

Mother

Ning Chuge's voice was soft and sweet, completely different from her usual assertive demeanor.

Xiuning said gently, "How can anyone bully my daughter?"

To be honest, Wuya Chenglin deserves to be taught a lesson, otherwise she'll really think that Qixiang Palace is easy to bully.

...

Life at the palace was rather monotonous. Due to the weather, going out was easily restricted, so everyone couldn't help but want to stay indoors.

At times like these, Uya Chenglin, who would occasionally spend half a day visiting the Empress Dowager, would attract considerable attention.

"My lady, you are pregnant, so why don't we call it a day?"

Jing Ci supported Wu Ya Cheng Lin, his eyes constantly looking outside.

It wasn't that she wanted to persuade him, but the situation simply didn't allow it. The imperial physician had warned the master to be careful of his stomach, and going out at a time like this would only lead to trouble.

Wu Yachenglin's face was pale, and it was clear at a glance that her expression was not normal.

"How can that be considered? I promised the Empress Dowager before. What if she gets angry if I don't go?"

Moreover, since Yinzhen is still in the Empress Dowager's hands, and given her current situation where one child is born and another is dying, Yinzhen is very likely her last hope.

Her gaze hardened once more, and Wu Yacheng released Jing Ci's wrist. "Help me pack up. We're going to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager."

Jing Ci: ...

"Yes, I understand."