Chengqing is dead.

When the news reached the inner palace, the concubines were all unexpectedly shocked.

The Empress was the first to react, and immediately led people to carry Chenghu back to Kunning Palace.

"Why did you rush to hug someone so quickly? Are you feeling guilty because you did something wrong?"

In a side hall of Qixiang Palace, Xiuning and Chunyu chatted idly about palace gossip.

The most exciting news in the palace these past two days has been the deaths and illnesses of the two young princes of the Prince's Mansion.

Nobody knows why this happened, and everyone is even speculating in private who is behind it all, managing to make things this way in one fell swoop.

"My lady, now only the Empress's legitimate son remains in the harem," it's too obvious.

Xiuning sighed, "Yes," right now the Empress is the most suspicious, especially since the power in the harem is still in her hands.

Chunyu pondered, "My lady, could it be this one?"

This was just a pseudonym, but Xiuning understood who Chunyu was referring to.

Xiuning nodded and then shook her head. "It's definitely not true to say that she had no involvement at all, but her own son is also in the Prince's quarters. No matter how crazy she is, she wouldn't take the initiative to do something ruthless." Because if innocent people were implicated, the Empress simply couldn't bear the consequences.

It's highly likely that someone else is using Chengqing's affair to smear the Empress, such as Consort Shu, who has always been at odds with the Empress and has been overlooked.

Speaking of Consort Shu, she has kept a very low profile since she was arrested for attacking the Empress, a stark contrast to her previous arrogance. She rarely appears in the palace during festivals and focuses on health preservation.

Consort Shu's infrequent public appearances, over time, have given people the illusion that she has a low profile.

Don't think this is a bad thing. If you never expect it to be you, then you can do some underhanded things.

Consort Shu is in this situation right now; it remains to be seen when the Empress and the others will realize it.

In early May, the weather gradually warmed up.

Everyone changed out of their spring clothes and put on lighter, more breathable summer clothes.

Outside Changchun Palace, graceful young women lined up earnestly to participate in the selection process. Despite the long wait, their burning desire remained undiminished.

"The selection of imperial concubines is being held today, at both Yikun Palace and Changchun Palace?"

Xiuning held Chunyu's hand as the two were on their way to visit Shou Kang Palace.

"Yes, my lady. I heard that there are many people participating in this selection process, and it will take one day longer than the last one."

Chunyu shared the gossip she had heard, trying to make the journey less boring.

“It’s good to have more people,” Xiu Ning thought to herself as she sat in the sedan chair with her arms on the handles. The next imperial concubine selection was in the sixteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor’s reign. If she didn’t select more people now, the Kangxi Emperor would have to choose from the bondservant bannermen.

"Speaking of which, there are also people from the Emperor's maternal family participating in this selection, right?"

Xiuning suddenly thought of Kangxi's cousin, Tongjia. Not only did she enter the palace as a concubine, but she also had many achievements and even raised the next emperor.

Tsk tsk, another formidable opponent.

Chunyu nodded. "I heard from someone that her name is Tong Jia Rongyue."

Anyway, he's very famous, and everyone else in the talent show seems like his foil. You've heard of him even before you've seen him.

"Pear blossoms in the courtyard bathed in moonlight, willow catkins by the pond in a gentle breeze—it's a very elegant name."

Xiu Ning lowered her head and looked down, but she was actually looking forward to Tong Jia Rongyue entering the palace. The palace was still not lively enough.

As the eunuchs stopped, the sedan chair slowly came to a stop at the entrance of Shou Kang Palace.

Xiuning got up, took Chunyu's hand, and walked into the gate of Shou Kang Palace.

A maid was already waiting in the courtyard. When Xiu Ning arrived, she led her directly to the side hall where Ning Chuge was.

Xiuning asked with a smile, "Does Your Majesty have time later?"

The maidservant replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is currently worshipping Buddha and has no further arrangements."

"Please inform Your Majesty the Empress Dowager that I will be bothering you again later. I hope Your Majesty will not find it offensive."

"How could I possibly find it unpleasant? You always come over to chat with this old woman, and I'm overjoyed."

The Empress Dowager sat on the couch with a smile on her face. Opposite her was Xiu Ning, who had already finished watching Ning Chuge's video. The old woman and the young woman sat together chatting.

To be honest, the Empress Dowager is not very old. She suffered as the successor empress back then and has basically not managed affairs in the harem over the years (except for her particular resentment towards a certain surname). The fact that she can talk to Xiu Ning now is largely thanks to Ning Chuge as a bridge of communication.

"To live in the imperial harem, one must learn to be content with what one has."

Now that you have Ning Chuge, for the sake of the future, you should focus more on the Emperor.

I've heard that there might be more women selected for this imperial concubine selection, but you don't need to worry too much. The Emperor values ​​the imperial heirs highly, and he won't forget you in the affairs of the harem.

The Empress Dowager's words were illogical, sounding like casual conversation but not quite so simple. Xiu Ning pondered the words for a moment, then smiled and replied, "This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your guidance."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, "The inner palace has been in some turmoil lately. In Kunning Palace, Chenghu has been ill and hasn't recovered."

The Emperor and the Empress Dowager valued Chenghu highly, not just because he was the eldest son of the legitimate wife.

"If you can understand, then spend the next two years properly educating Ning Chuge. Quality over quantity," the Empress Dowager said, then added vaguely, "Consort Ma Jia of Zhongcui Palace has been making some moves lately, but her health... alas, it's difficult for her to raise a child safely in the harem."

Xiuning: ...?!

Xiu Ning was stunned. So, the Empress Dowager meant that she could temporarily avoid pregnancy. The Emperor wanted to protect the legitimate son, so the Empress was unlikely to be in danger. Consort Ma Jia was pregnant again, but it was highly unlikely that she could keep the pregnancy.

"Some things cannot be decided by one person alone. The Qing Dynasty was not as peaceful and harmonious as it appeared."

After saying her last two sentences, the Empress Dowager got up and, with the help of her maid, returned to her inner room.

Xiuning watched the Empress Dowager leave, then took Chunyu, who was waiting at the door, back to Qixiang Palace.

Xiuning was still pondering the meaning of the Empress Dowager's words the whole way, and even when the sedan chair was alighted, she hadn't come to her senses.

"My lady, we've arrived."

Chunyu's voice came from above. Xiuning was startled, then realized what he meant, "Remember to send the little clothes I made for Ning Chuge to Shou Kang Palace later."

Xiu Ning personally made all of Ning Chuge's personal clothes. Whenever the Empress Dowager received them, she would give them to Ning Chuge to wear. Occasionally, Xiu Ning would also send some items to the Empress Dowager. The two got along well, which is why the Empress Dowager talked so much with Xiu Ning today.

If it weren't for valuing Xiu Ning, the Empress Dowager, who prefers to protect herself, wouldn't have bothered with such matters.

"Send messengers to investigate the movements in Zhongcui Palace, especially Consort Ma Jia."

After giving Chunyu a few instructions, Xiuning waved her hand, signaling the other woman to leave first. She then sat on the couch, continuing to ponder the additional meaning behind the Empress Dowager's words.