Consort Liang was seriously ill this time and did not recover until the New Year.

However, Consort Liang remained in Chuxiu Palace, which was also plagued by Consort Hui. At most, others would go there to deliver a gift and take a look, but most chose to remain indifferent.

After all, they weren't very close to Consort Liang. After giving birth to Yinzhi, Consort Liang quickly went into hiding and kept a low profile.

Previously, Consort Liang made a high-profile appearance despite her illness, but it was only to arrange for the succession of her children.

Those who thought of this admired Liang Guiren, but none of them could understand her.

They all have the heart of a loving mother, but too many of them are even willing to harm themselves for it... The women in the harem could not do that.

As expected, Yin Yi and his entourage, who had left the palace to handle matters in the south during the New Year, did not make it back in time.

Regardless of whether others were disappointed or not, Xiuning was prepared.

She greeted with smiles the Princess Consort Shumulu of Yinyi, who came to the palace to pay her respects, as well as Yinlu and his wife Borjigit. Accompanied by Bul and Dai, who came from the princess's residence, the family happily spent a pleasant New Year in Qixiang Palace.

After the New Year, as winter faded and spring arrived, the latest news from the south was also delivered back by a postman on horseback.

The relevant appeasement work was done very well, which can be seen from Kangxi's increasingly hearty laughter.

Xiuning also received several letters from Yinyi.

The letter contained little content, mostly just a few casual words to let everyone know they were safe.

Content involving Yinzhen, Yinyu, and Yinsi is extremely rare.

Of course, this was just a letter in the open, used to deal with Kangxi and others who would occasionally investigate. In secret, Yin Yi would also send back letters with more substantial content.

"It seems we should congratulate Consort Tong in advance on the birth of her grandchild, the sixth son."

Xiu Ning calmly put down the letter in her hand, a smile playing on her lips. She thought to herself that the matter that Tong Jia Rong had been worrying about for several years had been resolved by Yin Yu simply by going to the south.

Chunyu looked slightly surprised. "The Sixth Prince has an heir, but there's been no movement at the mansion outside the palace."

They lived in the inner palace year-round, and although it was inconvenient for them to contact the outside world, they could still receive some news every now and then.

Besides, Xiuning now has a daughter-in-law. When her daughter-in-law visits the palace, she will definitely talk about the affairs of the other wives and sisters-in-law.

When Yin Yi and his three companions went on a business trip to the south, they did not bring any women to serve them.

If there's any real movement at the mansion in the capital while he's been away for several months, that would be truly frightening.

Xiuning waved the letter in her hand lightly. "They're not from the capital's mansion, they're from the south."

When Yin Yi and his three companions arrived in the south, they were warmly welcomed by the local officials.

As a prince, his residence and daily life could not be too bad.

Since the process was taking so long, and considering that men couldn't be without women to serve them, the officials simply sent several more beautiful Han women to please them.

Yinyi and Yinsi confiscated it because one was the oldest and the other had only recently gotten married.

Yinzhen accepted one as a token gesture because the officials in the south were more supportive of the Crown Prince, and as one of the Crown Prince's men, he couldn't refuse to give them face.

Only Yinyu truly treated this trip as a leisurely sightseeing trip.

He accepted whatever his subordinates sent him.

Of the four princes, Yinyu was the most outrageous, and he had at least a handful of women serving him.

With so many people spending all their time together, it's not impossible that one of them might get pregnant during this time.

Yin Yi's letter was about just this small matter.

I heard that Yinyu was very happy and immediately promoted the Han woman to the rank of Gege.

Judging by this momentum, if this person can father a son, his rank might even rise another level.

"However, identity is a big deal, and I reckon Consort Tong in the palace wouldn't agree to it."

As for Consort Dong'e, the wife of Prince Yinyu outside the palace? That's completely unimportant.

Although Dong Eshi's family was influential, she herself had no children.

At this time, offspring, like family background, are a woman's source of confidence.

Without an heir, Dong Eshi lost half her confidence. Even though she had a bad temper and liked to cause trouble for the other ladies in the mansion, she couldn't stand up for herself when facing Yin Yu and Tong Jia Rongyue.

Chunyu pondered her mistress's words, "This servant thinks that Consort Tong might change this child's identity."

It's okay if the biological mother has a low status, as long as the adoptive mother has a high status.

Ideally, the mother should log off immediately after giving birth, then the child can be raised by someone else, and the jade tablet can be changed so that no mistakes can be found.

Xiuning raised her eyebrows. "The Sixth Princess Consort wouldn't agree."

Lady Dong'e was not old, and she would definitely prefer to give birth herself rather than adopt a child.

Otherwise, if the status of the eldest son were given to a child born to a Han woman, it would be fine if it were a girl, but if it were a boy, Dong E would be disgusted.

Since Lady Dong'e refused to raise the child, the only option was for a concubine in the mansion to take over.

Yinyu's current concubine is from the Tongjia clan and is a distant niece of Tongjia Rongyue.

Entrusting her to Lady Tongjia to raise would be like creating a major threat for Lady Dong'e herself, wouldn't it? Lady Dong'e was even more displeased.

Ultimately, the best approach is for parents to raise their own children.

If Dong Eshi could get the news, she would definitely prefer to let the child's birth mother live, just like Consort Wang in the harem, who, even though she gave birth to two princes for the emperor, is still just a concubine without a title.

"Alright, this matter is not our concern. Let Consort Tong and the Sixth Prince's wife deal with it themselves."

The trouble caused by Yinyu has made this child a hot potato.

"Chunyu, send a letter to Yinyi in the south. He is going out on an errand for the Emperor. Tell him to remember this identity. Don't be like Yinyu who went out and wasted a good opportunity and caused such trouble. It's simply shameful."

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