After having lunch and seeing off Yinreng, Mingxiu prepared to go back and take another nap.

She doesn't know if she's still growing, but she seems to never get enough sleep.

Heaven knows she's only in her early twenties; in modern times, she'd still be a child, and now she's already a mother.

Then Mingxiu heard a palace servant announce that the Empress Dowager had summoned her.

Mingxiu was stunned for a moment, then looked at Green Bamboo beside her. Green Bamboo also shook its head, looking equally bewildered.

It seems that no one knows what happened, but they can't refuse the Empress Dowager's summons. Mingxiu can only take Lüzhu and go to Cining Palace with the nanny who came to deliver the message.

Mingxiu didn't bother to tidy up. Although no one said anything, she had a strange feeling that it might not be a good thing.

Especially since she had just returned from outside the palace with Emperor Kangxi yesterday, and was summoned by the Empress Dowager today.

Sure enough, when Mingxiu stood in Cining Palace, her bad premonition finally came true.

"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager is still taking a nap. Please wait here for a while. She will summon you when she wakes up," Su Mala Gu said kindly as she came out.

Mingxiu smiled and nodded, but inwardly she was cursing; she knew it was bad news.

After watching Su Mala Gu walk into the Cining Palace, Mingxiu's face immediately fell.

Green Bamboo beside her also looked troubled. Mingxiu sighed and said nothing.

I glanced at the sky outside, and thankfully, it wasn't too hot today.

The Empress Dowager's gaze was everywhere around Cining Palace, so Mingxiu and Lüzhu couldn't say anything and could only stand in front of Cining Palace with their heads down.

Luckily, she didn't wear platform shoes today, otherwise her feet would have been ruined.

Mingxiu stared at her little feet and sighed.

Palace maids and eunuchs passed by from time to time, and everyone who saw this knew that Consort Ming was being punished by the Empress Dowager to stand.

However, no one dared to say anything about the Empress Dowager's decisions.

The women in the harem quickly received the news, and their expressions varied, some happy and some worried.

In Yanxi Palace, Consort Hui was deeply worried when she heard from a palace servant that Mingxiu was being punished by the Empress Dowager to stand in front of Cining Palace.

Actually, when Kangxi and Mingxiu went out together yesterday, she felt that someone in the palace would definitely say something, but she didn't expect that the Empress Dowager would personally take action this time.

Consort Hui, who knew a little about the situation, paced around the palace. At this point, no matter who she asked, they couldn't help. Right now, she could only turn to the Emperor.

He quickly instructed Liu Ying to go to the front and see what the Emperor was doing.

After Liu Ying left, Consort Hui sat on the couch, frowning as she pondered for a while, before finally getting up and heading towards Chengqian Palace.

Outside Cining Palace, Mingxiu kept her head down, not daring to speak to Lüzhu. Just standing there, time seemed to pass too slowly.

Mingxiu had no choice but to lower her head and start watching TV in her mind to pass the time.

After she finished watching two episodes of the TV series, the gates of Cining Palace finally opened.

"The Empress Dowager has already woken up from her afternoon nap. Consort Ming, please come in with me." Su Mala Gu smiled and stood aside, waiting for Mingxiu to enter.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work, Aunt Suma." Mingxiu stretched her legs, which were a little stiff from standing, and followed Aunt Suma inside with a smile.

Then Su Mala Gu led her to the study. Mingxiu raised her eyes and looked around to make sure no one was in the room.

Mingxiu looked at Sumalagu with some confusion.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager said that she is feeling unwell today. She originally wanted to personally copy some Buddhist scriptures to place before the Buddha to pray for the Qing Dynasty, but she is not feeling well now, so she would like to trouble Your Majesty to help copy the Buddhist scriptures." As she spoke, Su Ma La Gu pointed to the things on the desk next to her.

Mingxiu's lips twitched. What could she say? She could only smile helplessly and nod before walking to her desk.

They took a deep breath and started arguing.

Green Bamboo looked at Mingxiu with a pained expression.

Su Ma La Gu saw Ming Xiu sitting obediently at the desk copying books, and then went out.

Whether it was Mingxiu's imagination or not, she felt that Sumalagu sighed slightly before leaving.

Mingxiu was intently copying Buddhist scriptures in the study, looking at the thick stack of Buddhist scriptures next to the academy.

Although they didn't say it explicitly, it's clear from what they've put here today that she copied it.

Mingxiu gritted her teeth, then gritted them again and could only helplessly continue copying.

It's okay, it's okay. Anyway, she already guessed that some people would dislike her when she went out to play.

She's already gone out to play, so it's not a bad deal. It's just copying Buddhist scriptures, right? Okay.

As Mingxiu copied the text, she tried to calm herself down, otherwise she felt like she was about to explode.

This is inside the main hall of Cining Palace, where Emperor Kangxi is looking at the Empress Dowager with a serious expression.

He had just finished discussing matters with several cabinet ministers when he saw Liang Jiugong standing beside him with a hesitant expression.

I asked around and found out that Mingxiu had been punished by the Empress Dowager by being made to stand.

Startled for a moment, Kangxi quickly understood why.

He took a step and headed straight for the Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager sat on a stool, her aged back hunched over and unable to straighten. "Xuan Ye, what brings you here to see me?"

"Grandma, I remember telling you not to interfere in my harem anymore. What are you doing today?" Kangxi said with a frown and some displeasure.

"Does Xuan Ye still remember what he said to me back then?" the Empress Dowager said calmly.

Kangxi frowned. "Of course I remember. I'll say it again: he's no longer the eight-year-old child who just ascended the throne. I know what I'm doing, so Grandmother, please don't worry about it."

The Empress Dowager gently tapped her cup on the table. "In my opinion, Xuan Ye has probably long forgotten his original thoughts. I told you that the harem must be balanced. Have you done that?"

Kangxi lowered his eyes and pondered for a while. "Grandma, I don't think I've done anything wrong. Since I ascended the throne, everything has been great in the harem and the court. But why can't you stand to see me doing well?"

The Empress Dowager's previously calm expression instantly darkened. "Xuan Ye, what are you saying? How could I possibly think badly of you?"

"Grandma, I came here today mainly to take Consort Ming away. I don't want to say anything. As for what I promised, Grandma, rest assured, I will never forget it, and I will not follow the example of the late Emperor."

"However, please do not get involved in anything unnecessary, Your Majesty. Leave the rest to me. Your Majesty should also get some rest."

After Kangxi finished speaking to the Empress Dowager with a calm expression, he took his leave without waiting for her to reply.