Xiuning closed her eyes briefly, gazing at the sky, which she could only see a small part of. "Take good care of Yinji and don't get involved in these palace affairs anymore."

Consort Rong looked surprised after hearing this. Not getting involved? She was siding with Consort Jing.

Consort Rong couldn't help but have a thought when Consort Jing said that. Before she could speak, Xiu Ning nodded naturally and said, "What I said is what you think. There's no need to worry about Qixiang Palace."

Qixiang Palace is caught in the middle of the situation, and Xiuning is determined to fight for it.

But Consort Rong was different. From the moment she raised Yinji, rather than the child born to Consort Wang, she had already created a rift with the circle vying for the throne.

There's nothing wrong with that; on the contrary, it's a good thing, as long as one's ambitions aren't too great.

Leaving this vicious cycle of life-or-death struggle early on will only make life a little harder in the future; getting involved could mean certain death and no future.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness."

Consort Rong lowered her head, and although she was sitting on the couch, her actions and demeanor were very respectful.

Xiu Ning looked at the future helper she had personally pushed out, smiled and waved her hand, "It's not about granting your wish, it was your own choice."

If I were to force you to stay, it would only be a losing proposition for me.

Xiuning was worried that she would be stabbed in the back if she forcibly dragged people who didn't want to be involved into the situation.

Humans can calculate everything, but they are not good at calculating people's hearts.

'Sigh, I'm getting old, and I've become timid,' Xiu Ning thought to herself, feeling that she was indeed indecisive.

But that's fine too. Without Consort Rong, she can find another Consort Rong. There's no need to risk offending her and causing trouble. There are so many concubines in the harem, and there are quite a few who want to gain her favor and rise to the top in one step.

Consort Rong had no idea that the Consort Jing, whom she was grateful to, secretly despised her.

Consort Rong relaxed, feeling that with Consort Jing's reputation, she didn't need to worry about her and Yinji being implicated by Qixiang Palace.

"Consort Rong, just because I am not looking for you here does not mean that others will let you off the hook."

Therefore, I must remind you, mother and son, to be more careful in your future actions.”

Don't get scammed and then blame her for not helping you.

Now that she has been excluded, Xiu Ning will definitely not invest any more resources in Consort Rong.

Consort Rong nodded quickly and assured her, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I understand."

Now that things have come to this, the future of my son and I will depend entirely on my abilities.

"A superior skill brings peace and success; a misstep brings no blame to others."

If even the connections she had cultivated over the years couldn't protect her and her child, then Consort Rong had no reason to blame anyone.

As Xiu Ning listened to Consort Rong's resolute words, she thought to herself that if that day ever came, no one could say for sure whether Consort Rong would truly be willing to accept it.

But who can you blame? You chose this path, so you have to walk it yourself.

...

In April, a carriage returning from the south quietly entered the Sixth Prince's residence.

The Han woman, who was nearly five months pregnant, successfully changed her appearance and became an ordinary princess in the Prince's mansion.

Another half month or so passed.

The four princes who were sent by Emperor Kangxi to the south on official business have officially set off to return to the capital.

Good news kept coming in, and one of the princesses serving Yinzhen was diagnosed with pregnancy on the way.

You should know that the Fifth Prince lost a son born out of wedlock earlier this year.

The illegitimate son and the legitimate son were born in the same year, but the fifth prince was not so lucky. He went out of the capital to do errands for the emperor and died at the beginning of the year.

I heard that the princess who gave birth cried her eyes out, but it was of no use and she even ruined her health. She and her daughter, who was born earlier, would fall ill every few days. She not only tormented herself but also the Fifth Prince's wife, who was in charge of the household. This greatly displeased the Consort De in the palace, who sent a maid to reprimand the princess who was always sick several times.

Besides the Fifth Prince, the Third Prince Yinyi and the Eighth Prince Yinsi also each brought back a beautiful bride.

The news that Yin Yi had brought people back with him was only told when Yin Yi's wife came to the palace to pay her respects.

Shumulu was quite accustomed to this, saying that the woman was a gift from a clan in Jiangnan, and it would be impolite not to accept her.

Xiu Ning had no objection to this, and simply allowed Shumulu and the others to enter the mansion and be properly settled.

They are, after all, from Jiangnan. A few years ago, they went to Jiangnan and sent silver. This time, they made in-laws in the south. In the long run, these are all connections that will be useful when vying for the throne.

After more than a month of on-and-off travel, it was June when the four of them finally returned to Beijing.

It's getting hot.

Xiuning waved her round fan. She had just gone to the princess's residence and met Consort De on her way back. The two walked for a while and chatted briefly. Now Xiuning was alone again.

"Your Highness, Consort De is truly devoted to the two princesses of Consort Zhangjia."

Whether it was choosing a location or selecting people, Consort De took over the tasks that should have been done by Consort Zhangjia.

Not only that, Consort De also secured many benefits for the two princesses, ensuring that they could live comfortably in the princesses' quarters.

"The princess is getting old and will have to leave the palace to get married. Consort De is raising the thirteenth prince, so she should help her out more."

Otherwise, how could the Thirteenth Prince be so devoted to his own son?

Consort De, Wuya Chenglin, is not the person in the original timeline who had two sons by her side.

She currently only has one child, Yinzhen, who was raised by the Empress Dowager and later grew up by her side. He has no relation to Tongjia Rongyue of Jingren Palace. In fact, because Consort De had wronged Yinyu, Tongjia Rongyue had even caused trouble for Yinzhen. The rift between them is so deep that it can't be repaired.

Now, Consort De is raising Consort Zhangjia's three children well, and they will all be a great help to Yinzhen in the future.

Chunyu nodded, "Princess Kejing has already married, and now there are only three princesses left in the princess's quarters." In a few years, when Princess Buer and Princess Dai get married, tsk, there will be a few more little princesses in the harem. By then, they should have grown up.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!