The treatment of Mongolian concubines in the imperial harem was undergoing a rapid deterioration.

The contrast between their high status when the Manchus entered China and their current complete disregard and neglect is simply enormous.

Borjigit Consort entered the palace at a young age, and her mind was filled with the arrogant and domineering image of the Mongolian concubines during the late emperor's reign. But when she became the emperor's concubine, wow, it was completely different from what she had seen.

Borjigit's concubine couldn't accept it at the time. Besides, she entered the palace for the Empress's throne, but in the end she got nothing and the Emperor didn't particularly like her. What was she after?

Feeling depressed, Borjigit shook his head and got up to go back to his room to rest. However, he got up too quickly, which made him feel dizzy and unable to support himself. He even swayed from side to side.

"Master, are you alright?"

The maidservant quickly helped up the concubine Borjigit, her eyes filled with worry.

"It's nothing, I just haven't been sleeping well lately, so I might be feeling a little unwell," Consort Borjigit smiled weakly. "I'll just help you back to your room to lie down for a bit."

The maidservant, still worried, suggested in a low voice, "Master, why don't we ask the imperial physician to take a look?"

Consort Borjigit frowned. "This is too much trouble. We've already consulted many imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital for my leg injury before." Right now, she was so annoyed that she didn't want to talk to anyone.

In modern times, someone might notice that Borjigit's concubine had psychological problems, but in ancient times, there was no such concept. The maids were used to their mistress relying on herself for everything, so they simply thought she hadn't rested enough and could accept not calling a royal physician.

The maid carefully helped Consort Borjigit onto the bed, then draped the neatly folded bedding over her. After finishing her task, the maid turned and left, completely unaware of her mistress's furrowed brow.

...

Qixiang Palace

"This servant congratulates Your Highness, the Emperor has chosen you again tonight."

"Please, Your Highness, move quickly into the sedan chair; we shall depart for the Qianqing Palace immediately."

The little eunuch who delivered the message had a smile on his face and hadn't missed a single message since he entered the room.

There's no other way, since this young lady is currently very popular.

As a eunuch who would be spending a long time in the harem, one had to be good at reading people's expressions and moods.

Even if this Xitala Changzai fades into obscurity in the future, he must give him the utmost attention right now.

"Thank you for making this trip, Eunuch," Xiuning turned to look at Chunyu, "Let me go and get ready first. Please come into the main hall for some tea to rest your feet."

"You're too kind, Your Highness. This servant will wait outside the hall," the young eunuch said, bowing respectfully.

Xiu Ning nodded, leaving the situation to Chun Yu to handle, while she took Xuan Cao into the room, changed into new clothes, and then came out.

As Xiuning boarded the sedan chair bound for the Qianqing Palace, she felt quite calm.

Well, in the end, it was the presence of the Empress Dowager that limited Kangxi's temperament. Even though it could be seen from their sexual relations that Kangxi still liked her, he didn't summon her very often each month. At least the Empress in Kunning Palace was always far ahead.

The Empress should have given birth to her legitimate son Chenghu in December of the eighth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. Empress Nara gave birth to Prince Chengqing safely just three months after her.

Of course, none of these princes survived, which led to Empress Nara being sent out of the palace by Emperor Kangxi to raise Baoqing (who was also the eldest prince, Yinti) after giving birth to him. She was raised there for six years until Yinti began his education, at which point Emperor Kangxi brought him back to the palace.

Xiuning figured that if she wanted to seize the opportunity to be promoted to concubine in the sixteenth year of Kangxi's reign, she would have to work hard on her family background and offspring.

As for family background, thanks to her communication with Xitala Debao before entering the palace, she could at least be assured that the Xitala clan would not hold her back. As for offspring, she shouldn't even think about it until the Empress gives birth to a legitimate son. Even if the Empress does give birth to a legitimate son, it's best if he doesn't have a prince of similar stature. She could consider a princess. Intermarriages were quite common during the Kangxi era. If she was well-trained, not only would the princess have a good future, but she could also use this opportunity to connect with the Mongol forces.

After thinking through all these complicated thoughts, Xiu Ning heard a young eunuch shout to stop the sedan chair.

"My lady, we've arrived."

Xiuning stepped out of the sedan chair, nodded to the young eunuch, and followed the nanny beside her to the inner room to bathe and change clothes.

It's not a bad thing, really. After serving the emperor several times, Xiu Ning received a special privilege: she no longer had to be wrapped up like a spring roll and sent to the emperor's bed. She could change into her nightgown and wait for the emperor to come in.

Well, although this is not very useful, it's a way to comfort myself so that I don't feel as humiliated as before.

Xiuning cleared her mind and simply sat in the bathtub, letting the maids serve her as she washed and dressed.

Once the cleaning was nearly finished, Xiuning got up, changed into the nightgown prepared by the maids, and then put on a bright qipao over it. Only then did the palace maids help her into the side hall of the Qianqing Palace.

There was no one in the main hall at this time, and a faint fragrance lingered in the air.

It smelled similar to sandalwood, but not as strong. Xiuning couldn't help but sniff, and then sat quietly on the tatami mat.

Xiuning looked up when she heard a noise at the door and saw Kangxi, whom she hadn't seen for several days.

Xiuning quickly rose, curtsied, and greeted the Emperor, "This concubine greets Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"

"Quickly, no need for formalities."

Kangxi stepped forward, reached out and helped Xiuning up from the ground, and with a forceful pull, he also drew Xiuning into his arms.

Xiu Ning's face turned bright red. She tried to pull her hand away from Kangxi's grasp, but when she couldn't, her voice weakened. "Your Majesty, you are so shameless! You're being a scoundrel!"

Xiu Ning muttered to herself, while her expression became even more shy and alluring.

She glanced at Kangxi, and the ripples in her eyes made Kangxi's heart skip a beat. He didn't know if it was just his imagination, but he felt that Xiuning had become even more beautiful than before after not seeing her for a few days.

In fact, Xiu Ning was beautiful from the beginning, otherwise she wouldn't have been targeted after the preliminary selection. But because of the system, Xiu Ning's appearance could be upgraded indefinitely and continue to become more beautiful in her daily life.

The smooth, soft skin in his hands captivated Kangxi, and he couldn't help but touch it again and again. He was also impressed by the women in the harem, realizing that none of them could match him in this aspect.

"I've been busy with important matters these past few days. How have you been doing in the harem?"

Kangxi smiled, reached out and pulled Xiuning directly to the bedchamber. The feel of her muscles was just too good; Kangxi didn't want to let go.

Xiu Ning had no choice but to be thankful that there were only the two of them in the side hall of the Qianqing Palace. Otherwise, Kangxi's outrageous behavior alone would have been enough to send her to the Empress Dowager and others, where she would be targeted by them.