Mingxiu was completely dumbfounded, her mouth agape. Based on Xiaoxizi's description and the timing, Mingxiu knew without a doubt who this person was—it must be the legendary Wuya Clan.

Historical records don't explain how Uya came to power; it's only inferred from the birth of Emperor Yongzheng, Yinzhen. Mingxiu finds it hard to explain.

However, the one in Chengqian Palace must be quite unhappy about Uya's rise to power.

Moreover, it's quite strange that Chengqian Palace would be willing to push the Emperor to someone else. Just think, after she served the Emperor, Consort Tong never gave her a kind look whenever she saw her.

Tsk tsk tsk!

Mingxiu thought to herself with a smile.

Chengqian Palace

A woman dressed in pink was kneeling in front of the palace, while palace servants quickly passed by her.

Inside the room, Consort Tong sat pale-faced on the couch, while a young and beautiful woman stood trembling beside her. The floor was littered with shards of porcelain.

Consort Tong's face was gloomy, and the old nanny serving behind her also looked rather unwell, but still tried to persuade her, "Your Highness has already done this much; there's nothing more that can be done."

Consort Tong had been angry for half a day, but there was nothing she could do.

She originally planned to arrange for one of her maids to serve the emperor, and then have her raise the child. She never expected that this vile woman would dare to scheme against her.

Actually, Mingxiu and the others found out the wrong thing. Consort Tong did arrange for someone to serve her in bed, but she didn't drug him. She always thought it would be best if she could have a child, and she really didn't want to push Kangxi to someone else to serve. This time, her family was really urging her, so she had no choice but to give him a chance. If it worked out, great; if not, at least she could give her family an explanation. She could have a child later.

Who knew that this vile woman somehow found out about this news and actually drugged the Emperor, making him think that she was the one who arranged it, but she has no way to explain herself.

The old woman stroked her back to comfort her, saying, "Your Highness, things have already come to this. Now we just hope that she can do her best while she's heavily pregnant, so that we can have an explanation to our family."

"Alright then." Consort Tong rubbed her temples. "Take her away and arrange for her to stay in the rear palace for now."

The palace maid nodded and led Wuya to the back hall through the door.

Seeing the palace maid emerge and hearing Consort Tong's instructions, Lady Uya was secretly delighted. She knew Consort Tong's temperament well; although she had been punished this time, she had ultimately been given an opportunity. If she could conceive a child of the emperor, she could rise to the top in one fell swoop…

Following the palace maid to the back, Lady Wuya understood that she had completely offended Consort Tong this time, and her future days would certainly not be easy. However, as long as she conceived the imperial heir, she would have a chance.

Upon reaching the palace at the back, the maid said, "You can stay here for now. The Empress will inform you if anything comes up. This is your maid, Taozhi." After saying this, the maid turned and left.

Wuya looked at the palace maid who turned and left, her eyes darkened, then she turned to look at the little maid beside her, nodded, and went into the inner room.

Looking at the shabby environment, Wuya's face twisted for a moment. She had been the family's chosen one since childhood, and her food, drink, and housing had always been the best in the family. She had never suffered such humiliation.

If her family hadn't suffered a major blow due to the Emperor's purge of the Imperial Household Department, she wouldn't have had to take this path. She should have served the Emperor, gradually attracting his attention and becoming his concubine with a clean reputation, instead of using this method to rise to power.

It's all Hesheli Mingxiu's fault. If it weren't for her, her family wouldn't be like this. Sooner or later, she'll make her pay the price.

As for Uya, she touched her belly and was quite confident in her body. Looking at her body, she knew that her family had been taking care of her since she was a child, so she was sure she could do it. She just needed to give birth to her child safely.

Thinking this, Uya picked up a pen and paper to write a letter home.

The matter at Chengqian Palace has come to an end, but the discussions within the palace have not stopped, though for the time being, they have nothing to do with Mingxiu.

Although she disliked Uya, Yinzhen still had to be born from her womb, otherwise who knows what might happen.

Then it will be a matter of whether Consort Tong or the Uya tribe is more skilled.

After that, Mingxiu stopped paying attention to Wuya Shi, figuring she would wait until Yinzhen was born to deal with it.

The most important thing in the palace now is the Empress's health. Her illness is getting worse and worse, and the atmosphere in the palace has become increasingly tense. Emperor Kangxi often visits the Empress's palace to sit and meditate.

"Green Bamboo, tell the people below not to go out during this period if they can avoid it. Also, I don't want to hear any rumors, understand?" Mingxiu said seriously.

Green Bamboo nodded in agreement and went out to give instructions to the others.

Looking at the weather outside and calculating the days, it's almost here.

Mingxiu sighed heavily. She had never had any in-depth contact with the Empress, so she didn't know exactly what was wrong with her illness, but it was always better to keep her distance.

It was only February, and the cold winter was not yet over, but the Empress was already at her breaking point.

Hearing the palace bells ring, Mingxiu knew the Empress had gone.

She quickly had someone change her into plain clothes, and then, with Green Bamboo by her side, headed towards Kunning Palace.

Yonghe Palace was not close to Kunning Palace, and by the time she arrived, many concubines had already arrived.

After that, the funeral arrangements for the Empress were carried out in an orderly manner. In February of the seventeenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Empress Xiaozhaoren passed away.

After the Empress's affair was over, spring had arrived and flowers were in bloom.

The palace has returned to its former vibrancy.

News also came from Chengqian Palace that Consort Wuya was three months pregnant.

Yes, Lady Wuya has been made a concubine. When Mingxiu heard this news, she breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if everything had finally settled down.

Myung-soo wasn't very concerned about Uya's pregnancy, but it still had a significant impact on her.

First, Yinreng came to Yonghe Palace much more often. Although he had come often before, it had never reached the point of coming twice a day. Moreover, each time he came, he did nothing but stare at her belly.

Mingxiu was driven to a frenzy by what she saw.

She couldn't take it anymore. She finally asked, "Baocheng, what are you looking at?"

Yinreng frowned, looked at Mingxiu, and asked, "Mother Consort Ming, are you carrying a baby?"

Mingxiu was taken aback, and asked curiously, "Why would you ask that? Of course, there's no baby in Ming's mother's belly."

Yinreng hesitated before speaking, "I've heard that Mother Consort will have her own baby sooner or later."

Upon hearing this, Mingxiu frowned; someone was gossiping in Yinreng's ear.