Side Hall of Chuxiu Palace

"Baoqing's health is alright? Thank goodness, thank goodness! I also want to thank you for coming to inform me, Eunuch. Chengxin, you must treat Eunuch well," Consort Nara smiled, revealing a set of white teeth, overjoyed.

Although she had made many preparations before sending Baoqing out of the palace, Baoqing was indeed sick. The concubine Nara was not sure what to do when a baby only a few months old was suffering like this.

Fortunately, the Emperor has now given her a definite answer, and Consort Nara can finally put her mind at ease.

"My lady, you can finally get a good night's sleep."

After delivering the message to her father-in-law, Chengxin turned around and saw her master weeping with joy.

She was happy along with them, but heaven knows what kind of life they, mistress and servant, had been going through during that time; she didn't want to relive it.

"Yes, Chengxin, at least Baoqing didn't have to suffer in the palace like his brother who died young," Consort Nara said with tears in her eyes. Although she might not see her child for a long time after Baoqing left the palace, Consort Nara would rather her child stay outside the palace than live a life that was always dangerous.

"By the way, when you were chatting with that person just now, did you mention where Baoqing would be sent to live?" Consort Nara began to inquire about other information.

Chengxin shook her head. "The eunuch didn't say, but someone who can take care of the prince must be a confidant of the emperor. Your Highness doesn't need to worry too much."

Compared to the palace, it is safer outside the palace. Moreover, taking care of the prince is both an honor and a constraint, but there is no doubt that the person assigned to it is doing so with good intentions.

“That being said, I’m still worried,” Nara Concubine said to Chengxin, her voice a mother’s instinctive reaction. She carefully clenched her fingers. “I’m secretly sending a message outside the palace to ask Father to ask our clansmen to help me find out. Although my background is not as high as those of the high-ranking concubines in the palace, the Yehenara clan is not a small or insignificant family. Perhaps the direct descendants will be interested.”

The direct line refers to the branch of the Yehe Nara clan that holds real power.

Previously, Consort Nara dared not contact them because she lacked the resources, but things are different now. In order to protect Baoqing's future, she must leave Baoqing with enough trump cards.

Chengxin nodded in agreement and turned to carry out the tasks assigned by Consort Nara.

...

In May, the sun shone brightly.

On a rare day with fine weather, Xiuning took Chunyu to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the scenery.

There weren't many places to visit in the inner palace, and concubines had to consider factors such as the distance from their palaces when going out, which meant they were likely to run into acquaintances in the Imperial Garden.

Xiuning originally intended to wander around alone and relax her mind, otherwise, being constantly on edge could easily lead to problems.

As it turned out, before even entering the park, Xiuning heard a female voice that annoyed her.

"Why is she here? It's really strange that she's not in the Qing Palace accompanying the emperor."

Xiu Ning curled her lips into a smile, her words carrying a hint of sarcasm.

It's not Xiu Ning's fault. Xiu Ning is not a bad-tempered person. As long as you don't cross her bottom line, Xiu Ning won't mind.

But Consort Hesheli was different from others. Ever since she gained favor, whenever she paid her respects or met with Xiuning, she would not only mock Xiuning every time, but eight or nine times out of ten, she would mention Ning Chuge, who lived in Shou Kang Palace.

The weather was already hot, and Ning Chuge, being a young child, didn't have much of an appetite. Xiu Ning was anxious and could only ask the imperial physician to take extra care of him and make frequent trips to Shou Kang Palace.

Unexpectedly, these things came to the mouth of Consort Hesheli and became evidence that Xiuning did not trust the Empress Dowager. She had only a mouth and knew how to talk nonsense, which not only displeased the Empress Dowager but also annoyed Xiuning.

As a result, Xiuning now feels unlucky whenever she hears the voice of Consort Hesheli.

"Your Highness, the Emperor doesn't always give the Empress face."

Some people can't figure out the real reason for being favored; they put on a show of being a peacock with a chicken feather stuck in their hair, flaunting their power all day long, without realizing whose face they're disgracing.

In the following sentences, Chunyu deliberately raised her voice so that Consort Hesheli could hear them.

Sure enough, not long after Chunyu finished speaking, Consort Hesheli's furious voice floated out from the front.

"Where did this servant come from? She has no sense of propriety and I don't know how her master trained her. How dare she let her out to talk nonsense?"

Xiuning smiled slightly, took Chunyu's hand, and walked towards the side passage. "Oh dear, it's true that people have all sorts of thoughts. They have filthy thoughts and then blame others for speaking unpleasantly. They didn't even name names. What kind of logic is that?"

Her eyes darted around, a smile almost overflowing, and Xiuning nodded slightly to Chunyu, "Let's go."

Chunyu suppressed a laugh, helped Xiuning quicken her pace, and the two of them, mistress and servant, worked together to infuriate Consort Hesheli, while Chunyu herself took advantage of the time difference to walk away smoothly.

"Okay, okay, slow down, I can't see anyone anymore."

Xiuning glanced back at her and slowed her pace.

"My lady, the sun is shining brightly today. Let me help you to sit in the pavilion," Chunyu suggested softly as she looked up at the sky.

Xiuning felt hot after walking all the way, and hummed in agreement without objection.

Sitting on a stone stool under the pavilion, Xiuning took out a handkerchief to wipe her forehead, while admiring the beautiful scenery around the pavilion.

Unfortunately, it didn't last long before someone else came to bother us.

May Hittara always be with you.

"Consort Ma Jia, Consort Dong, Consort Nara, Consort Zhang, Consort Sun"

A group of people came in one after another, which even Xiu Ning did not expect.

However, seeing that the group looked quite disheveled, Xiu Ning didn't say much and offered them a seat to rest.

"What's wrong with you all?" Xiuning asked curiously.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!