To be honest, there weren't many concubines in Kangxi's harem. In addition, Kangxi allowed several princes to take their mothers away to live out their retirement, so there were even fewer people in Changchun Garden. Mingxiu rarely encountered anyone in Changchun Garden.

Mingxiu arranged a series of activities and games for everyone, and even let everyone earn their own money. So, everyone in the palace has a full schedule arranged by Mingxiu, and everyone is getting along very harmoniously now.

Mingxiu and Kangxi returned and stayed for a while. During this time, Kangxi continued to do the same things: fishing, practicing calligraphy, studying, and bickering with Mingxiu. Mingxiu did the same: reading storybooks, playing mahjong, and bickering with Kangxi. However, Mingxiu's mahjong partners had changed recently.

Consort Hui had been unwell lately, and Prince Yinzhi and his wife, Lady Yierjueluo, were worried about her health, so they took her away.

Therefore, Mingxiu's mahjong partners were changed to Mingxiu, Xiaohesheli, Consort Rong, and Consort Wenxi.

That's right, it was Consort Rong and Consort Wenxi. Consort Rong returned because Yinzhi's harem had been quite restless lately, and she felt she needed some peace and quiet. So, upon hearing that Mingxiu had returned, she came to Changchun Garden with her luggage packed.

Mingxiu naturally welcomed her with open arms, but she didn't quite understand this Consort Wenxi.

The four sat at the mahjong table. Mingxiu looked at Consort Wenxi with curiosity, and Consort Wenxi felt a little embarrassed by her direct gaze.

"So, why did you come back? Weren't you here because of Xiao Jiu's residence? Why can't you bear to leave us sisters?" Mingxiu looked at Consort Wenxi with amusement.

Mingxiu was just joking. Although Mingxiu was an Imperial Noble Consort and she was a Noble Consort, the two of them were not really familiar with each other and did not have much contact. Even if they had contact, it was only when they were handling palace affairs in the palace.

So Mingxiu couldn't understand why she had come over.

Unexpectedly, Consort Wenxi nodded seriously after hearing Mingxiu's words.

Mingxiu was completely overwhelmed, which surprised even Consort Rong and Lady Hesheli.

Consort Wenxi found the expressions on their faces somewhat amusing: "Don't look at me like that. I'm just telling the truth. Staying in the palace isn't as comfortable as being here." Consort Wenxi smiled. She was telling the truth. Since leaving the palace, relatives from her family had been frequently visiting, which was extremely annoying. However, she couldn't refuse to see them. So, after Xiao Jiu got married, she simply returned. She couldn't have anyone causing her trouble here.

Mingxiu was taken aback, but seeing the complicated look on Consort Wenxi's face, she didn't say anything. Every family has its own troubles. "Okay, that's good. We're short one person for our mahjong partners. You can come over often and we can play together. Anyway, we don't have anything else to do."

“Yes, yes, let’s all play together. After Sister Hui left, we were one person short when we played cards. It just didn’t feel right to play with the others. Now it’s perfect for the four of us to play together,” Little Hesheli said with a smile.

Consort Rong also made some kind remarks, saying that since everyone was already at this age, there was no point in fighting anymore, and everyone got along surprisingly well.

As Mingxiu watched everyone greet her with smiles, she couldn't help but sigh, "Girls really are the cutest creatures in the world."

And so, their card-playing partners were decided.

Peaceful days always pass quickly, and a month has already gone by in the blink of an eye. During this time, Mingxiu and the others have gotten along much better with Consort Wenxi.

Mingxiu sat in the pavilion, looking at the flowing water outside, and said, "I didn't know you were this kind of person before."

Hearing Mingxiu's voice from the side, Consort Wenxi smiled and said, "Oh, so what kind of person did you think I was before, sister?"

"I don't know, I only know that you're deep in thought, but that's enough for me. If you're deep in thought, I can just stop playing with you, so there's no point in knowing more about you," Mingxiu said.

"Haha, is that so? That really suits your personality, sister." Consort Wenxi laughed heartily upon hearing Mingxiu's words.

"Then aren't you worried that I would harm you?"

Mingxiu turned her head and glanced at Consort Wenxi: "I know you won't."

Consort Wenxi was taken aback: "Why would you think that, sister?"

"Although I don't know why you entered the palace, and I know you are a deep thinker, I still know a little about you. You didn't enter the palace to climb the social ladder, nor did you come for the Emperor's favor. And I have nothing to do with you, so I don't think you would harm me. But even if you don't want to harm me, I am capable of protecting myself." Mingxiu said, winking playfully at Consort Wenxi.

The smile on Consort Wenxi's face vanished completely, and her eyes were fixed on Mingxiu.

Mingxiu smiled when she saw Consort Wenxi's eyes: "Of course, I don't know anything else. I just need to know that you are harmless to me. Isn't it fun to eat, drink and play every day? Why bother with so much brainpower?"

Consort Wenxi looked at the woman in front of her and didn't know what to say for a moment. She had always thought that Mingxiu was very smart, because if she wasn't smart, she wouldn't have been able to win Kangxi's favor and even make Kangxi leave the harem empty for her. The concubines, princesses and princes in the harem all had a good impression of her, but they just thought she was smart and didn't have any other thoughts. After all, she didn't seem like a deep-thinking person, and she didn't seem to have any intention of harming others. So Consort Wenxi's understanding of her was always superficial.

Unexpectedly, in just a brief encounter, she actually knew what his purpose was in entering the palace. Fortunately, this person did not interfere. If she had, the situation would probably be very different now.

"Why?" Consort Wenxi's hoarse voice rang out.

Mingxiu was eating chocolate, thinking about making some chocolate cookies later, when she suddenly heard Consort Wenxi's voice.

Mingxiu turned her head in confusion: "What do you mean, why? Your business is your business, it has nothing to do with me."

Is that so? Well, that makes sense. There are plenty of people in the palace who know how to protect themselves. Not everyone is unaware of what happened to her back then. It's just that many people have some suspicions, but no one has taken action.

Consort Wenxi did not ask any further questions: "Indeed, the most important thing in life in the palace is to do your job well."

Mingxiu nodded: "By the way, I'm going to make some chocolate chip cookies when I get back. Do you want some? If so, I'll bring you some later."