"Sister" Mingxiu was laughed at, and somewhat displeased, she shifted Huipin's shoulder to hers.

"Alright, alright, stop laughing. Be careful, or Consort Ming will get angry and take the gifts back, and then you won't have any left," Consort Hui said, stopping her laughter.

"Hmph," Mingxiu hummed softly.

With the business settled, it was time to play. Mingxiu, along with Lüzhu and Consort Hui, and her head maid, sat down at the mahjong table.

Mingxiu skillfully arranged the tiles in front of her while watching Huipin and the others' familiar posture.

"Looks like you've been playing a lot lately, sister. Your moves look even more practiced than mine," Mingxiu clicked her tongue twice. Who would guess that she hadn't been playing for very long?

"Of course. It's been much quieter in the palace these past few days since you've been away. I've been passing the time by playing mahjong with my maids."

Mingxiu was speechless for a moment. "Sister, what are you saying? I'm very quiet in the palace too."

When Consort Hui heard this, she gave her a half-smile and remained silent.

Mingxiu was completely confused by her gaze.

The group played mahjong for an entire afternoon until someone outside came to call them.

I was surprised to realize that it was already time for dinner.

Mingxiu could only glance longingly at the cards on the table before withdrawing her hand. The scoring board next to her was empty. "I'll definitely win it back next time."

Consort Hui covered her mouth and smiled, "Then good luck, I hope my sister can win next time."

Mingxiu glared angrily at the players in front of her, completely baffled as to why she kept losing. She had played the longest and was the one who taught them the rules, yet she was the only one who ended up losing.

Consort Hui won the most, followed by Green Bamboo, but only she lost the most miserably.

After losing all afternoon, Mingxiu felt she was full of anger, so she declined Consort Hui's suggestion to eat there and went straight back to Yonghe Palace with Green Bamboo.

When they returned, they saw that the palace was brightly lit, and Liang Jiugong was already waiting at the gate.

As soon as she saw him, she knew that Emperor Kangxi had arrived. Mingxiu quickened her pace and walked into the house, where she saw Emperor Kangxi sitting on the couch with a book in his hand.

"Your Majesty, why didn't you send someone to call out to me when you arrived?" Mingxiu walked to Kangxi's side, grabbed his sleeve, and began to act coquettishly.

Kangxi glanced down at her and said, "I wonder what in Consort Hui's palace could attract my beloved to this extent."

Mingxiu smiled awkwardly, "It's nothing, I was just playing Pai Gow with Consort Hui. Your Majesty, I lost terribly, I couldn't beat you at all. Why didn't Your Majesty comfort me?" Mingxiu pouted and said, sounding aggrieved.