It was already dark when Kangxi returned from Yongshou Palace. After explicitly refusing to accompany the Empress to Kunning Palace, he went to the main hall of Qianqing Palace alone.

The hall was somewhat dim; even with several candles lit, it still couldn't provide much light.

Kangxi sat in a chair, his eyes closed in deep thought, with Liang Jiugong carefully standing guard beside him.

Thump thump—thump thump thump—

There was a knock on the door. Liang Jiugong glanced at the unmoving Kangxi, then quickly walked to the door, pushed it open, and went out. "What brings you here at this hour?"

Liang Jiugong lowered his voice, speaking while paying attention to the surrounding noise.

Seeing this, the young eunuch chuckled awkwardly and quickly explained his predicament, "This servant did not do it on purpose, Your Excellency, a message has been delivered."

"What news?"

Liang Jiugong looked up and glanced at him. "You better have something useful to say, or I'm afraid I'll have to teach you a lesson." The emperor was in a very low mood at this moment, and it was truly a case of whoever got caught in the crossfire was going to be unlucky.

The young eunuch scratched his head, lowered it even further, and softened his voice, "Sir, I guarantee this news is absolutely true, it's one of our people..."

After the eunuch finished speaking, Liang Jiugong was completely dumbfounded.

What? This was really the Empress's doing? Goodness, she always seems so dignified and elegant, but she's really ruthless when it comes to backstabbing.

"Go to Eunuch Zhou to collect your reward. Remember, this matter must never be told to anyone."

Liang Jiugong realized what was happening, first giving a warning to the little eunuch who had delivered the message, and then turned and went back to the main hall.

At this moment, Emperor Kangxi inside the hall had already opened his eyes. He looked calmly at Liang Jiugong as he entered and asked, "What is it?"

Liang Jiugong bowed and said, “Your Majesty, there has been a new discovery regarding Consort Shu’s premature birth. The matter involves the Empress of Kunning Palace. Please enlighten us, Your Majesty.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi reached out and tapped the table. "Tell me the details."

Liang Jiugong responded with a "yes," and then repeated what the little eunuch had said.

Of course, Liang Jiugong's explanation was more organized than the little eunuch's, and Kangxi understood the situation almost instantly.

"Was the message really sent by one of our people?"

Kangxi's voice was soft, but it weighed a ton on Liang Jiugong.

A bead of sweat involuntarily appeared near his ear, and Liang Jiugong bent his body even more over. "This is what the messenger replied."

After he finished speaking, large beads of sweat rolled down his ears and fell into his collar.

Liang Jiugong's heart was pounding with tension, but the Emperor remained silent.

After a while, Kangxi chuckled, breaking the quiet and suffocating atmosphere of the surrounding space and successfully allowing Liang Jiugong to catch his breath.

"Ha, that's fine," isn't that just fooling him!

Unable to deny the sudden surge of anger within him, Kangxi beckoned, "Go, investigate thoroughly and find out who is behind this."

Of course, that's what he said, but Kangxi already had someone in mind who could monitor both the Empress and Consort Shu at the same time. Apart from the Cining Palace, no one else in the entire harem had this ability.

What exactly does Grandma want? Is she simply telling him the news?

...

Emperor Kangxi pondered Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's intentions, but he couldn't ignore the fact that the Empress had taken action.

After Liang Jiugong carefully investigated several times, Kangxi finally received a more complete account of the cause and effect.

"But isn't something missing here?" Apart from the Empress and Consort Shu, no one else is involved, which doesn't fit the Empress's persona.

As a couple who had been together for three years, Kangxi knew Hesheli Fangyi quite well. She was ambitious and daring, but she would never let herself be on the front lines to stir up trouble. She would definitely do things behind the scenes.

Looking at the exceptionally clear cause and effect, Kangxi felt that everything was very strange.

Liang Jiugong did not comment on this, only saying that this was all the information they could gather.

It's not that Liang Jiugong wasn't working hard enough; rather, the previous dynasty was still in turmoil, which led to chaos in the harem as various factions came in to carve out their own territories. In some respects, Kangxi was powerless to do anything about it.

"Well, this is the only way for now," Kangxi said, looking up at Liang Jiugong standing in front of him. "How is Consort Shu?"

Several days had passed since Consort Shu's miscarriage. Emperor Kangxi was usually busy with state affairs and did not visit Yongshou Palace often. He vaguely heard from the imperial physician that Consort Shu's recovery was slow and that she would need more time to recuperate before she could fully recover.

"Your Majesty, Consort Shu's health is worse than the imperial physicians predicted, but as long as she rests and recuperates, she still has a chance to recover."

Liang Jiugong spoke tactfully, but given Consort Shu's personality, how could she possibly abandon everything to rest and recuperate? She might very well retaliate quickly after this premature birth.

"Go to the storeroom and select some tonics and medicinal herbs to send to Consort Shu. Also, instruct the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital to prioritize Consort Shu's treatment." Kangxi waved his hand and lowered his head to continue working.

Liang Jiugong responded, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant obeys."

...

Qixiang Palace Side Hall

Xiuning held a cup of freshly brewed flower tea, leaning against the soft pillows on the tatami mat, listening to Chunyu reading the storybook to her.

The storybooks were brought in from outside the palace. The content was clichéd and lacked originality. Only Xiu Ning, who was really bored, would think of using them to pass the time.

For example, the Emperor hadn't summoned her to his bedchamber for a while, and Xiuning couldn't go out frequently because her neighbor had a premature birth. She was so bored that she could only listen to storybooks.

"...Hu was beautiful and her heart was in tune with Xiao Lang's. The two eventually left officialdom and retired to the mountains, becoming an enviable couple."

After finishing the story, Chunyu put down the book and asked her master if she wanted to continue.

Xiuning waved her hand, "They all say the same thing over and over again. These scholars write without any sincerity. Forget it."

Upon hearing this, Chunyu put away the storybook and then poured her master another cup of flower tea.

Xiuning asked, "The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet is in two days. Have the clothes and jewelry for the day been prepared?"

Chunyu smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I locked them up after I made the selections to ensure they're safe."

"Hmm, I remember that the cheongsam was a bit too colorful, so let's change into something more understated."

"Things have been going on in the palace these past two months, so we should keep a low profile."

Xiuning flicked her newly done, beautifully manicured nails and blew on them softly. "How's it next door?"

Chunyu tilted her head. "It's quite quiet, but I'm afraid I won't be able to attend the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet this year."

Xiuning wasn't surprised. "It wasn't just Consort Shu; when Consort Nara came over yesterday, she also mentioned that Consort Zhang was unwell."

"Tsk tsk, with the harem in chaos, everyone else is filled with anxiety. I wonder if the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet will even proceed smoothly."

If things don't go smoothly, the Empress's face will turn ugly again.