Mingxiu looked the young Hesheli up and down. This young Hesheli did look quite different from Empress Hesheli.

"Get up. I am still in confinement after childbirth and cannot get up to greet my sister. I did not know that my sister had something important to discuss with me this time."

Although Mingxiu and Xiaohesheli are both from the Hesheli family, their family ties have long been strained.

Mingxiu was merely a distant relative, a branch of the family that couldn't be any more distant.

Thinking about this, she sighed. There were already three Hesheli clan members in the palace, including her. That's quite a lot.

She, Consort Xi, and this young Hesheli.

"I have been in the palace for some time now, but I have never properly paid my respects to Consort Ming. When I left home, my father told me that Consort Ming is kind-hearted and that I should spend more time with her when I have the chance," said Xiao Hesheli respectfully, bowing her head.

Mingxiu raised an eyebrow. She had been in the palace for quite some time now. Was it a little late to only think about spending time with her now?

Mingxiu didn't make it clear, and told her to get up and sit in the chair.

"You're too kind, little sister. We're practically family. I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to chat with you properly. I wonder how you're doing in the palace."

After sitting up, Little Hesheli looked down respectfully, his face devoid of any other expression.

Mingxiu was somewhat alarmed, wondering if this little Hesheli was truly without desires or ambitions, or if he was just too cunning for her to see through.

"Thank you, sister. I've had a good time in the palace. The palace servants have been kind to me because of my family and Consort Ming. I wanted to come and see the little princess since Consort Ming gave birth to her. After all, life in the palace can be a bit monotonous." Little Hesheli said softly with her head bowed.

"It was my oversight. Someone bring the little princess over so that Consort Ping can have a look at her," Mingxiu said with a soft laugh, covering her mouth.

Upon hearing the order, Green Bamboo quickly brought the little princess over.

When Little Hesheli saw the princess being carried out, she gestured to Mingxiu, then walked to the little princess's side and looked down at her.

She also gestured to the palace maid beside her to hand over the things she had brought.

Mingxiu saw that inside was a small silver lock, which looked very exquisite and must have been quite expensive.

As Pingpin put the baby on Youyou, Lvzhu gave Mingxiu a meaningful look.

Mingxiu shook her head and did not stop her.

Although she still couldn't figure out why little Hesheli had come today, the joy in her eyes was genuine.

Moreover, she didn't believe that this little Hesheli could be so stupid. If there was a problem with Yin Suo, she would definitely be the first person they looked for.

Most importantly, Myung-soo has not yet felt that he or she are likely to be enemies.

Both of them were from the Hesheli clan, although the younger Hesheli was closer to Suo'etu and his family.

However, the Crown Prince's relationship with Suo'etu has not been bad over the years, and Mingxiu did not deliberately prevent him from contacting Suo'etu and the others.

It seems that although Emperor Kangxi did not want Songgotu to be too close to the Crown Prince, he did not have any particular opinion on the matter.

Therefore, Hesheli must still be supporting Crown Prince Yinreng.

As long as it is Crown Prince Yinreng, they will not be in an adversarial relationship.

Mingxiu glanced at Xiao Hesheli, who was still exchanging affection with the little princess.

For some reason, although she had never been close to this young Hesheli before, the feeling she had back then was very different from now.

At that time, she exuded a calm demeanor, with a hint of sadness within it. She seemed indifferent to desires yet very proud.

But now, this seemingly indifferent demeanor seems to carry a hint of sorrow, and the sense of pride is almost gone.

Could it be because of the matter of being favored by the emperor? But this matter shouldn't have come to her. If she had just thought that someone in the palace who was loyal to the Hesheli family would have made arrangements for her.

Mingxiu picked up her teacup and took a small sip of tea.

After a long while, she squinted her eyes and thought she probably understood.

For some reason, this young Hesheli woman was not very keen on receiving the emperor's favor. However, it seems that she had been in the palace for a long time without receiving the emperor's favor, so the palace servants had been somewhat negligent in their treatment of her.

Although the Hesheli family is quite powerful now, they are very cautious about interfering in the inner palace, since their main focus is on the Crown Prince.

If they interfere arbitrarily and the Emperor mistakenly believes they have ulterior motives, it could affect the Crown Prince.

She came here seeking protection, especially since she just mentioned her father.

Or perhaps they wanted Mingxiu to mentor her, so that at least the people in the palace wouldn't dare to neglect them anymore.

If that were all, Mingxiu wouldn't mind. Surviving in the palace was difficult enough; a young woman in the prime of her life would be trapped there for her entire life.

Unlike Mingxiu, who was also confined to the palace, Mingxiu had seen mountains and rivers, deserts and desolate landscapes, and she had the emperor's favor and the opportunity to travel outside the palace.

Most importantly, she had things to do for entertainment, which made her feel less restless in the palace.

But the other concubines might have a much more boring life.

After thinking it through, Mingxiu put down her teacup and beckoned to Xiao Hesheli, "Little sister, come and rest for a bit. Don't tease this little rascal. This little rascal of mine isn't very big yet, but he's very restless. Don't disturb your little sister in a bit."

Little Hesheli looked up and smiled slightly. "No, sister, you're exaggerating. I think the little princess is very cute."

Mingxiu held Xiaohesheli's hand affectionately and said, "She's just a show-off. If you feel bored in the palace, you can come to my palace anytime. I'm bored in the palace too. When you come, I'll take you with me, and we'll invite Consort Hui to join us for a game of mahjong."

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