The balance of power in the harem is a mysterious thing that is neither visible nor intangible.

No matter what it is, if it's hard to understand, it can all be explained by the concept of harem balance.

For example, even though Xiu Ning was the highest-ranking concubine in the harem, she still had no power in the palace; the Empress Dowager's adopted sons were changed repeatedly; and several princesses had to be married off to Mongolia after they came of age...

"Consort Yi and Consort Guoluo are sisters. Consort Yi had just given birth to the Ninth Prince Yintang safely, and Consort Guoluo was later diagnosed with a boy."

If this pregnancy is successful, then Lady Guoluo will occupy the top spot in the imperial harem with four imperial heirs—three sons and one daughter.

Xiuning herself, with two men and two women, could only rank second. As for the others? They'd be lucky to have even one to support, what more could they ask for?

Chunyu's imagination ran wild, "But Master, what if Consort Yi and Consort Guo Luoluo end up becoming enemies over the issue of having offspring? That would be exactly what I wanted."

"Turning against each other?" Xiu Ning smiled, thinking to herself that if it were any other sisters, it might be possible, but Consort Yi and Consort Guo Luoluo were clearly not that kind of people. "Don't forget Consort Guo Luoluo's background. The Emperor, out of consideration for reason, will not give her a high rank."

Furthermore, this person is open-minded and considerate of the bigger picture, as evidenced by their interactions over the years. Therefore, what you're thinking is unlikely to happen.

Before entering the palace, Consort Guo Luoluo was already a widow, and it could be said that she had been exposed to all the darker aspects of life. Her opportunity to enter the palace and serve Emperor Kangxi was a stroke of good luck. She was well aware that she could not go far in the harem, and the only way for Consort Guo Luoluo to advance further was to rely on Consort Yi.

Based on this, the offspring born to Consort Guoluo would primarily belong to the lineage of Consort Yi. Their relationship would be one of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, rather than one of life-or-death struggle and competition.

This is important. Although many promising situations in the imperial harem have been ruined by internal strife throughout history, there have been many more instances of cooperation and mutual benefit.

"Consort Yi and Consort Guo Luoluo, these two sisters both hope that the Guo Luoluo clan can grow bigger and stronger."

Xiu Ning stroked her chin, thinking to herself that of the four pairs of sisters in the harem in the original timeline, only Consort Yi and Consort Guo Luoluo got along the most harmoniously. Looking at the other three pairs, they were all scheming against each other. Even if they didn't meet, they were secretly tripped up a lot, highlighting the chaos.

After listening to her master's explanation, Chunyu thought about it for a moment and realized that it seemed to make sense.

"So, the reason why Consort Guoluo was targeted was because the harem didn't want the Guoluo clan to gain any more support," it seemed that everything made sense.

“It’s not just the power of the harem, but also… allowance,” Xiu Ning pointed to the roof, lowering her voice, “I just don’t know who has the upper hand.”

If she remembered correctly, Guo Luoluo was promoted to the rank of Noble Lady after giving birth to this child, but the child died young a few months later, and she was unable to conceive again. She could only live with a princess.

However, Consort Guoluo, Kejing, was quite capable. Not only did she gain power in the northern desert, but she also elevated the title of Heshuo Princess to Gulun Princess (of course, Emperor Kangxi did not like princesses to hold power, even if the person was his own daughter), which was quite legendary.

Guo Luoluo's presence was merely an addition to Xiuning's daily life.

Xiu Ning's gaze was mostly focused on the area around her own courtyard and a few palaces that she had marked as important.

In early March, everything comes back to life.

Consort Jia, who was far away at the summer palace, set off with the Tenth Prince, Yin'e.

It is worth mentioning that two days before Consort Jia set off, Consort De, who was also staying at the summer palace, suddenly fell ill.

Consort De, who originally planned to return to the palace with Consort Jia, had to stay at the summer palace to recuperate, and even Yinzhen, who was with her, could not return to the palace.

"Is it a real illness or a fake one?"

When Xiuning received the message, Consort Jia had already set off and was on her way.

Chunyu shook her head. "It seems to be true. I heard it was a sudden illness caused by catching a cold."

The illness came on quickly, and no one could have predicted it. Even Prince Yinzhen, who lived with Consort De, had the same symptoms.

"If you don't want to come back, then don't come back. The summer palace is far from the imperial palace."

This missed opportunity means we don't know when the next chance will come.

It can only be said that Consort De's methods are still no match for Tong Jia Rongyue's.

Xiuning didn't respond just now because she was communicating with the system in her mind.

The system's confirmation made her understand that Consort De's failure to return with Consort Jia and her son this time was due to a plot against her, forcing her to stay behind.

The only person who could choose to make a move at this time is Tong Jia Rongyue of Jingren Palace.

So it seems that what he said before about not letting Consort De return to the palace was actually true.

Xiu Ning reached out and rubbed her wrist, then mentioned Guo Luoluo, who was nearing her due date.

This person is really unlucky; he's been back in the palace for only a few months, and he's had one accident after another.

Didn't we mention before that Consort Guo Luoluo might have gone into premature labor after falling? And she really did go into premature labor, about a month early, just in time for the old saying, "Seven months to live, eight months to die."

"The imperial physician said that in the past two days, all the palace servants in Yikun Palace have been on high alert, and the defenses are extremely tight," Chunyu said softly.

"With such tight defense, Guo Luoluo still gets into trouble as usual. What does that tell us?"

This indicates that there is a problem within Yikun Palace, and Consort Yi is either pretending not to know or has failed to investigate.

Xiuning didn't say what came next, but both she and Chunyu, who were present, understood.

Ever since Guo Luoluo was diagnosed with a boy in this pregnancy, Yikun Palace has been plagued by a series of events, both big and small.

The events that occurred were all trivial, and even when Xiuning went to visit, something happened. Consort Yi had taken precautions and scolded her, but there was no significant progress. As a result, they could only stay in Yikun Palace and could not go out, fearing that another incident would bring a devastating blow to Consort Guoluo.

Having endured countless hardships to reach this stage, it's no wonder that Yikun Palace is tense.

However, Xiu Ning was not very optimistic that Consort Yi would be able to guard against her.

“Let’s not get involved in the affairs of Yikun Palace,” Xiu Ning said, “besides, it wouldn’t do her any good.” She waved her hand, turned around, and went back to sit down on the couch. Xiu Ning picked up a teacup and took a sip. “Prepare the congratulatory gift for Yongshou Palace. I wonder what kind of expression Consort Jia will have when she returns to the palace and sees such a big surprise.”

Strangely enough, Consort Jia is still unaware that Lady Wanliuha has given birth to a child.

Whether she had truly forgotten about it or not, Xiu Ning thought of Consort Jia's fiery temper and thought to herself that this person was probably going to be driven mad by anger. It was really going too far!

…………

"Bang—Ha, good, really good!"

Did they think she was dead? She had spent half a year painstakingly staying in the palace, only to be betrayed by her own subordinates upon her return.

Ignoring the fact that her loud voice had caused Yin'e to cry, Consort Jia pointed at the maid she had left in the palace and said, "Go, go and receive your punishment!"

There's no reason why she should be allowed to remain safely in Yongshou Palace after losing face like that. Anyone who betrays the palace should be sent back to the Imperial Household Department.