Because of Consort Zhangjia's illness, the Thirteenth Prince Yinxiang also chose to stay in the palace. It is said that Consort De specially asked the Emperor for his permission.

"Please let her in."

What is this person doing here? The two of them are truly like water and water, never interfering with each other at all.

Chunyu nodded in agreement, and soon after she left, Consort De, dressed in a Manchu-style dress, came over.

"Your Majesty, this concubine greets Consort Jing."

"Consort De is exempt from formalities."

Xiu Ning smiled faintly, "Please forgive me for the poor hospitality, Consort De."

Consort De shook her head, "Your Majesty is too kind. It is I who have disturbed Your Majesty. I have been impolite to come here."

Xiu Ning waved her hand, "You can't say that. Right now, the only high-ranking concubines in the palace are you and me. If there's anything I can help with, Consort De, please feel free to speak up."

Anyone can say nice things, and besides, Consort De has always been a smart person. Xiu Ning has no other thoughts about communicating with such a person except that she is worried about being tricked.

After listening to Xiu Ning's words, Consort De pursed her lips, somewhat embarrassed, "It's for Consort Zhangjia in my palace. She has a hard life too."

I fell ill from a sudden chill.

He's clearly not that old, but his appearance makes one suspicious.

"Is Consort Zhangjia seriously ill?"

Xiuning remained calm and composed.

Consort De nodded and sighed, "After all, frequent childbirth has damaged her health and she hasn't recovered properly." Now, a minor illness has become a major one.

Of course, this was partly because Consort Zhangjia herself wanted to keep quiet, and Consort De knew it all but did nothing about it.

Given that her biological mother was still alive, Consort De did not want to raise several children for nothing.

"What does Consort De mean?"

Xiu Ning asked in return, wondering if this person had come to fetch the imperial physician for Consort Zhangjia.

As it turned out, Consort De not only wanted to summon the imperial physician, but she also wanted to invite Consort Zhangjia's relatives to the palace.

"Poor things, they haven't seen each other for years, and several children are crying their hearts out."

"I have come uninvited, hoping to ask Your Majesty for help."

Consort De was dressed in a light-colored Manchu dress, and because of her years of self-cultivation (mainly because Emperor Kangxi did not like her), she was surrounded by a faint sandalwood fragrance.

Xiuning thought for a moment, her expression somewhat troubled, "This is against the rules."

If a concubine's family member wanted to enter the palace, the emperor's approval was required.

As a concubine, she really didn't have that ability.

Consort De quickly explained, "Your Majesty has already spoken with him, and His Majesty's decision is to decide based on Consort Zhangjia's health condition."

Xiu Ning let out an "oh," glanced at Consort De again, and finally understood what this person meant.

It seems that Consort Zhangjia has already reached the final stage of their relationship; that's quite early indeed.