Time continues to move forward.

Winter goes and spring comes, and all things revive.

The investigation into Chunxi eventually led to Consort Jia. Xiuning was somewhat surprised because she considered herself to be Consort Jia's neighbor, but she hadn't offended her much. Why did this person have to make trouble for her family?

Unable to figure it out, Xiu Ning simply stopped thinking about it and had Chun Yu remove all the messages about the princess, while also giving Consort Jia a small lesson.

When news came from Consort Jia that she was seriously ill and sent someone to invite her over, Xiu Ning refused outright.

"reject?!"

Why would she refuse? The sincerity she showed was more than enough; who in the harem doesn't value interests?

Consort Jia didn't understand Xiu Ning's actions. After thinking it over carefully, she sent her maid twice more. As expected, Xiu Ning didn't come even once, and her refusal was very obvious.

Consort Jia: ...This is really strange!

"Your Highness, since things aren't going well with Consort Jing, should we try to cooperate with Consort Tong?"

A person cannot remain motionless on a single tree. The maid turned her head and mentioned Tong Jia Rongyue, who was similar to Xiu Ning.

Consort Jia shook her head, "Consort Tong is no good. She's not as bright as she used to be. It's better to let Yin'e rely on himself than to look for her."

At least Yin'e relies on himself and won't complain much when things go wrong, since he can't compete with others on his own.

But if they were to seek out Tong Jia Rongyue, Consort Jia had a premonition that Yin'e would definitely be implicated by Tong Jia Rongyue and her son.

With a sigh, Consort Jia thought it over and over, and finally set her gaze on Consort Yi in Yikun Palace.

It's not that I think Consort Yi is capable of taking on this important task, but Consort Yi seems to be quite clever, and besides, her sons, the Ninth Prince Yin Tang and Yin E, have a good relationship.

In that case, it would be better to let the younger generation interact more. Yinzhen also has his older brother Yinqi. Judging from their strength on paper, they are no less than the Qixiang Palace lineage.

Consort Jia made up her mind that even without Xiu Ning, capturing Consort Yi would be a good alternative.

Moreover, she wasn't just taking advantage of Consort Yi for nothing. Yin'e was her only son, so she would not only receive a considerable sum of money, but also the assistance of the Niohuru clan outside the palace. This was much more worthwhile than marrying a Niohuru clan girl.

At the moment, Consort Jia was completely unaware that all the effort she had put in would ultimately benefit not Consort Yi's lineage, but the insignificant Eighth Prince, Yinzhi. Fortunately, Consort Jia arrived early, otherwise she would have been so angry at this turn of events that she would have vomited blood.

That being said, once Consort Jia set a goal, she would certainly go on to achieve it.

The maids around him started moving again, but this time their target was Yikun Palace instead of Qixiang Palace.

"Changed?"

Xiuning stood by the window, dressed in spring clothes, looking full of energy.

As people get older, they want to dress younger.

Xiu Ning is good-looking, and with her years of hard work in maintaining her appearance, she looks much younger than her actual age.

However, Xiu Ning was dissatisfied. She did not want to be a widow in the palace at such a young age, so she would try her best to make changes within the standard range.

Fortunately, Emperor Kangxi doted on her. Moreover, Xiu Ning dressed up to please herself, and Emperor Kangxi liked this occasional contrast in Xiu Ning's appearance. He spent more and more time at Qixiang Palace, which made everyone in the harem envious.

The outfit Xiu Ning is wearing now is the spring attire that Emperor Kangxi thought was quite nice.

Xiuning plans to go to the Qianqing Palace later, and if all goes well, stay overnight and return early tomorrow morning.

Chunyu nodded, "Right now, Yikun Palace and Yongshou Palace have a very good relationship. Consort Yi comes over whenever she has time, which means they seem to have reached some kind of deal."

Otherwise, Consort Jia wouldn't have been so blatant. Consort Yi is a smart person, but smart people often have a tendency to hesitate and fear getting into trouble.

The fact that Consort Yi is being so bold right now can only mean that the benefits offered by Consort Jia are enough to entice people.

Indeed, the fact that Consort Jia could persistently lure even a clever person like Consort Yi into her trap suggests that Consort Jia had suffered considerable losses this time, enough to make Consort Yi willing to take the risk.

However, despite the risks, Consort Yi had prepared a sufficient excuse and would not allow others to seize on such trivial matters and expose her.

"Consort Jia, rest assured, as long as I am here, there is no need to worry too much about Yin'e."

Taking care of a child is no small matter, but Consort Yi had plenty of experience taking care of two sons, so dealing with Yin'e was not a big problem.

It's impossible to put Consort Jia at ease, especially since Yin'e is such a fool.

Consort Jia felt unbearable bitterness whenever she thought about how her son would be sold by weight after she was gone.

But there was no other way; her son was her own flesh and blood, and she couldn't just abandon him.

With feigned smiles on their faces, both Consort Jia and Consort Yi knew perfectly well that they were each other's enemies. As for the sweet words they uttered, they were just empty words; anyone who took them seriously was a fool.

"With your words, I am relieved."

Unable to get up from the bed despite her worries, Consort Jia forced herself to sit up and, with a heavy heart, had her maid escort Consort Yi away. She herself struggled to get out of bed, trying to make as many arrangements as possible to ensure her son would have enough to eat and drink in the future.

"Your Majesty, you are not feeling well and should rest."

The maidservant went and returned quickly, without wasting much time at all.

Consort Jia smiled bitterly. How could she rest? If her health weren't so poor and she could only rely on willpower to hold on a little longer, she would definitely be pushing herself even harder than she is now.

"I want to rest, but I'll rest for as long as I can in the future." Anyway, once I can't open my eyes anymore, I'll only be able to live my days lying in a dark tomb. "While I still have the energy, I should keep busy."

Maid: ...

Terrified by her mistress's words, the maid trembled and dared not offer any further advice, remaining obedient as if afraid of hearing something shocking.

Consort Jia didn't argue with the maid. After finishing her business with Consort Yi, she asked the maid to find an opportunity to invite Yin'e over.

Finally, she had to give Yin'e a heads-up, otherwise all her preparations would be in vain.

……

Yin'e was still somewhat dazed when he arrived.

The main reason was that his mother was in poor health, and Yin'e considered himself not very smart, so he rarely came to Yongshou Palace.

It's not that Yin'e dislikes his mother or is not close to her.

On the contrary, Yin'e was worried that he might upset his mother, and if her condition worsened as a result, he would truly be devastated and have no mother left.

This young boy, barely out of school, already has a clear understanding of life and death.

So, out of fear, Yin'e came up with this clumsy method: to stay as far away from Yongshou Palace as possible in case something happened to his mother.

Well, you could say it's a commendable act of filial piety, but in reality it won't have any effect.

Consort Jia's fate was sealed; what difference did it make if it came a couple of days earlier or later?

Mother

Yin'e pursed his lips. Although he was clumsy with words, his eyes did not lie; they were overflowing with worry.

Consort Jia sighed. With her son like this, how could she close her eyes in peace?