Chen Yuwei couldn't understand the deeper meaning behind the Empress Dowager's words, but she could pretend to be clueless.

Without responding or engaging in conversation, Chen Yuwei listened with a smile as the Empress Dowager rambled on until the Empress Dowager's expression changed, and she shut up and stopped talking.

"Alright, I need to go to the small Buddhist hall later, so you may all go back now."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand slightly annoyed, signaling the maid beside her to quickly see the guest out.

Fucha Jinyi remained cheerful and smiling, showing no sign of resentment at being kicked out by the Empress Dowager. "Your Majesty is busy, and I will not disturb you. I will take my sisters and leave now."

"This concubine/imperial concubine takes her leave."

Everyone rose and followed Fucha Jinyi to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager before turning and leaving the hall.

As Niohuru watched the departing figures, a hint of displeasure crept into her otherwise calm expression.

No matter how unhappy she was, she had to keep it to herself for now, since she was going to leave the palace for a while and Niohuru couldn't afford to break ties with these people.

Although the current emperor is her own son, how could the mother and son not have some sordid affairs?

In addition, the women in the harem were all very good at stirring up trouble, and Niohuru was afraid that she would be caught off guard and suffer a setback.

Having finally outlived the emperor and become the most honored empress dowager in the harem, Empress Dowager Niohuru was eager to enjoy the luxurious life in the palace and didn't want to leave so soon.

snort!

Let them scramble for a few years, and when the next selection is held, make sure that their maternal family, the Niohuru clan, sends in several more young women to serve them.

At this moment, the people who had already walked away were unaware that the Empress Dowager had already mentally banished them to the cold palace.

Some ambitious individuals even fantasize about becoming the next empress dowager.

It doesn't matter if they're not favored; as long as they live long enough in the harem and have many children, the Qing Dynasty will eventually be theirs.

"Alas, among the late emperor's harem, our Empress Dowager was the most fortunate. I wonder if we are so lucky as to become like her."

"You agree, right, Consort Shu?"

Jin Xiangling took small, quick steps and approached Chen Yuwei, gossiping and chatting away.

Jin Xiangling only received the title of Noble Lady upon entering the palace this time; she didn't even get a formal title.

This result left Jin Xiangling feeling extremely frustrated, especially with the contrasting example of Consort Huang Wanyu.

It should be noted that Huang Wanyu was the last woman to enter the mansion among them, yet she received a better rank and title than most of them. It's truly incomprehensible where one can seek justice.

"I cannot answer what Consort Jin said. Among the concubines who can enter the palace, none of them are unlucky."

If you're unlucky, you won't be able to enter the harem. The ministers outside the palace also have it tough in their own harems. It's better to enter the palace and try your luck; you might reap greater rewards.

Jin Xiangling was speechless at Chen Yuwei's words, thinking to herself, "Why are you pretending to be so important? I don't believe anyone doesn't want that position."

After indulging in some wishful thinking based on her own experience, Jin Xiangling continued to dawdle with Chen Yuwei.

Especially when Chen Yuwei was carried away in the sedan chair, Jin Xiangling stood by her side like a maid, closely following behind. The two of them looked at each other, one looking up and the other down, and well, the atmosphere was quite subtle.

"...Noble Lady Jin, I have arrived. We can talk again another time."

With her round belly full of weight, Chen Yuwei really didn't want to waste time playing Tai Chi with Jin Xiangling.

Unfortunately, Jin Xiangling pursued him too relentlessly, with an air of not giving up until she achieved her goal.

Having just entered the palace, Chen Yuwei couldn't afford to break ties too easily. The servants of the Imperial Household Department were deeply entrenched, and the powerful bondservant families were not people Chen Yuwei could afford to offend at this time.

Jin Xiangling nodded, "I won't disturb Consort Shu any longer. This concubine will take her leave."

Chen Yuwei nodded, "Take care, Consort Jin."

Standing at the entrance of Yikun Palace watching Jin Xiangling leave, Chen Yuwei whispered to Xia He, "Have someone keep a close eye on Qixiang Palace. Our Consort Jin has lofty ambitions; Yikun Palace is a small and insignificant place, so it's probably not a good place for her to get involved."

Tsk tsk, at this point, the bondservant families already dared to openly covet the throne?

That makes sense, considering the late emperor's mother was born into a bondservant family.

Although the Uya clan was later elevated to a higher class, it did not mean the entire clan was elevated, but it did give the bondservant families hope for upward mobility.

Today, half of the concubines in Emperor Qianlong's harem are from the Manchu banner system.

If these people were to gain power and dominate the harem, not to mention the future succession to the throne, Chen Yuwei's daily life would be miserable.

No, no, we still need to think of a way to put an end to the ideas of the bondservant families.

A lackey should act like a lackey. If everyone wants to climb up, then who will do all the dirty and hard work at the bottom?

Chen Yuwei's thoughts were grand and noble, but in reality, it was simply because the rise of the bondservant families would affect her own interests. As a mission taker, Chen Yuwei was no longer considered human; would she care about such trivial matters? All she cared about was herself.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant understands."

Xia He responded with a "yes" and helped her mistress walk into the palace.

"Recently, I have felt that the child in my womb is unstable and I am afraid that I will give birth."

Keep a close eye on the wet nurses and midwives, and have the imperial physicians perform two rounds of treatment daily. Make sure the gates of Yikun Palace are securely guarded.

Feeling the vigorous life force in her womb, Chen Yuwei pondered how to spend the next few years of mourning.

Why

Everything must be done according to palace rules; for example, brightly colored clothes and jewelry are probably not allowed to be used much.

After the mourning period ended, when Yonghu turned six, he was sent to live alone at the Prince's Residence.

She also needed to start planning the selection and arrangement of some servants as soon as possible.

Yonghu is followed by Yonghong and Yongkun. The three children are close in age, which is something she needs to worry about.

It was during this time that Chen Yuwei would worry about having so many children in quick succession, a sweet burden indeed.

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