The candlelight in Kunning Palace was eventually extinguished, and the entire hall fell into silence.

The moon sets, crows cry, and a new day begins once more.

Xiuning was awakened by the system's notification sound. Although she was a little sleepy, she knew that she was not in the side hall of Qixiang Palace, but in the side hall of Qianqing Palace.

Opening her eyes and forcing herself to stay awake, Xiu Ning got out of bed.

Outside the door, the palace maids who were on night watch were not surprised to see Xiu Ning get up.

"This servant greets Your Highness. May I bring in your toiletries?"

"This is troublesome."

Xiu Ning nodded, and with the help of a palace maid, quickly washed herself up before following the eunuch at the door back to Qixiang Palace.

Outside Qixiang Palace, Chunyu stood at the gate early, waiting for her master to return.

Upon seeing Xiuning appear, Chunyu ran up to her, took her arm, and looked at her with lingering concern.

After thanking the eunuch who had escorted her back, Xiuning asked as she entered the room, "Is there any hot water?"

Although Kangxi had instructed the maids to help clean her body last night, Xiuning felt something was off because she wasn't washing herself.

Furthermore, Kangxi was quite crazy yesterday; her chest and neck were covered with numerous red marks.

Xiuning still had to go to Kunning Palace to pay her respects in a little while. If the Empress and others saw her, she could imagine what would happen to her. She would definitely be targeted relentlessly.

Those who are arrogant from the start (regardless of gender) never have a good ending.

Xiu Ning didn't want to be one of them; she wanted to be the Empress Dowager.

Chunyu nodded and helped Xiuning walk towards the bathing room. "Earlier, Granny Li specially ordered someone to bring hot water, so you can take a bath directly, Master."

"Did Granny Li give this special instruction?" Xiu Ning raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected that Granny Li, who didn't show her face much, would act so quickly, compared to Eunuch Kang, who was exchanging glances with them.

Chunyu hummed in agreement, "They delivered it right on time, and they even thoughtfully prepared bath petals and toiletries for the master."

It has everything you could need; just by looking at it, you can feel the care and attention Li Mama put into it.

Xiuning smiled and said, "Please thank Granny Li for me. Thank you for your consideration."

Although preparing hot water is a small thing, sometimes you can see a person's true character from small things.

Compared to Eunuch Kang in the same palace, Xiuning definitely has a higher level of affection for Granny Li, otherwise what's the use of just talking?

"Don't worry, my lady, I know what I'm doing." Chunyu wouldn't let go of any opportunity to build a relationship with Granny Li, especially since it was Granny Li's own idea.

The two women, mistress and servant, entered the bathhouse. Xiu Ning waved her hand, asking Chun Yu to fetch her a change of clothes, and then took off her clothes and stepped into the bathtub.

call

The comfortable water temperature allowed Xiu Ning's body to relax immediately. She exhaled and then splashed water to wet her body and wash herself.

After the body was repaired by the two systems and with a night's rest, Xiu Ning felt much better.

But when she saw that her body was covered with bruises and red marks, with no part of her skin intact from her chest to her neck, Xiu Ning could only be speechless.

No wonder she was so sore all over last night; it turns out Kangxi really was crazy.

If she hadn't known there were so many women in the harem, and if she hadn't been an impulsive person, she probably would have thought she was a great scourge to the country.

After quickly taking a shower, Xiu Ning used the system to retrieve a face cream to repair her body.

She quickly applied the paste, and seeing the blemishes fade rapidly, Xiu Ning breathed a sigh of relief, took Chun Yu's hand, put on her clothes, and went back to her room.

"Master, would you like to rest a little longer?" Looking out the window, Chunyu saw that it was still early and hurriedly inquired about Xiuning's health.

Xiuning shook her head. "It's better to be humble than high-profile when we meet for the first time." She wasn't from a wealthy family. If she really displeased the Empress, Kangxi wouldn't stand up for her.

Emperor Kangxi was a very pragmatic emperor. He valued the exchange of benefits. To him, women were merely items to add variety to his daily life. If one was gone, another could be found. Even the empress and the concubines held more political significance than they were themselves.

Sitting in front of the dressing table, Xiu Ning let Chun Yu do her makeup and dress her up.

Of course, since she had already decided to go to Kunning Palace in advance to find out the extent of the situation, Chunyu chose to keep her makeup as light and subtle as possible, avoiding anything too flashy.

Chunyu naturally understood Xiuning's meaning. She quickly finished drawing Xiuning's hair, and also styled her hair into a bun, inserting two silver hairpins at an angle, and adding a hair ornament.

"Okay, that's settled then."

Nodding in satisfaction, Xiu Ning got up and took Chun Yu's hand to go to the outer hall.

"My lady, this is a soup that I just asked Xuancao to fetch from the imperial kitchen. Please have some to fill your stomach."

It was not yet time for breakfast, so Xiu Ning went to Kun Ning Palace to pay her respects and returned.

"Remember to give the money to Xuancao to make up for it." This money was specially taken from the imperial kitchen; you can't get it without slipping some silver to the eunuch who helped you.

"Don't worry, Your Highness, I've explained everything," Chunyu said as she served Xiuning her meal, muttering a few words about the changes in Qixiang Palace after Xiuning went to serve the Emperor last night.

Xiu Ning listened carefully. After finishing her soup, she wiped her lips with a handkerchief and said, "Write down all the activities. Right now, we are not the masters of Qixiang Palace, so there are some things that are not convenient to do." Everything will have to wait until she successfully moves into that main hall.

...

Kunning Palace

Hesheli Fangyi got up early today, or rather, she didn't sleep well after the lights were turned off last night. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could think about was the image of Xitala Xiuning.

Therefore, she was not in good condition today, especially with dark circles under her eyes that were clearly visible even when covered with makeup.

"My lady, how does this gold-threaded phoenix hairpin inlaid with rubies suit your attire today?"

The phoenix hairpin naturally signifies the empress's central position in the palace.

Cuizhi held a hairpin in her hand, which glittered in the sunlight.

Today, Hesheli Fangyi wore a purple qipao embroidered with large red peonies. It was a very deep color, but Hesheli Fangyi's fair skin made the qipao look very flattering.

Turning her head, Hesheli Fangyi glanced at it and nodded, "This one will do."

This was a gift from the Emperor on her birthday, and Consort Hesheli treasured it greatly, rarely wearing it on ordinary days.

Upon hearing this, Cuizhi inserted the gold hairpin into Hesheli Fangyi's hair.

At the door, Granny Li entered and said, "Master, Consort Xitala has arrived."

“It doesn’t seem to be time for the greetings yet,” Hesheli Fangyi said casually, fiddling with her hair. “Please come in.”

She wanted to see just who this Hitara was.