So he asked someone to prepare water.

Therefore, Jingren Palace ordered water again in the morning.

Emperor Kangxi was busy working inside, but the advisor had to be called because it was time.

"It's time for the Emperor to hold the morning court session."

When Kangxi heard the advisor's call, he stopped.

He couldn't help but kiss her forehead, then got up.

Call someone in to wash up.

Looking at the person who came in, he said, "Keep your voice down, don't disturb your empress."

...

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it's time to rise and pay your respects to the Empress."

Wanwan heard Tingfeng's voice, "Come in and serve me!" The voice was terribly hoarse.

Hearing the sound from Tingfeng, he told Tingxue to bring Wanwan a cup of tea, while he and Tingyu went in to serve her.

Pulling back the curtains, both of them were shocked to see Wanwan's appearance. How could the Empress have been so ravaged? Upon seeing the marks on the doll's body, they couldn't help but blush.

He deftly helped Wanwan with her washing and dressing. "Your Highness, we must hurry and pay our respects to the Empress. Today is your first time paying respects, so we can't be late," Tingfeng said.

"Understood. Dress simply and modestly."

...

Kunning Palace

Consort Nara was unhappy because Wanwan wasn't chosen as one of the people she had placed in Jingren Palace. What made her even angrier was that she learned what kind of person Wanwan was from that palace maid. Hearing the maid's description, her heart sank.

Most importantly, we know that the Emperor called for water four times last night, which is unprecedented in the palace.

...

Kunning Palace

"I've heard that our Consort Ming is an unparalleled beauty. I wonder if you sisters are happy to have such a younger sister?" Actually, this statement is somewhat inaccurate. In the harem, seniority is not considered; only rank matters.

Upon hearing this, everyone had different thoughts.

The smarter ones know that even without this person, they still won't be favored, and even if they do have this person, the gap is too big to compete with.

Some, like Consort Nara, were afraid that this beauty would diminish their favor, such as Consort Li and Consort Ma Jia.

Consort Li was that foolish one, whether out of jealousy or something else, she thought, "Everyone says Consort Ming is an unparalleled beauty, but no one has ever seen her, right? Who really knows?"

"Yes, none of you have seen this Consort Ming yet," said Consort Nara. The meaning was quite clear: who knows if you are beautiful or not?

Hearing this, Consort Tong was pleased and even chimed in, "Consort Nara is right." Consort Tong simply disliked all of her cousin's women in the palace.

This is the woman who gave birth to Wan Fu, and later became Consort Tong.

Consort Zhao glanced at those present and inwardly cursed her own foolishness. She had already learned of this Consort Ming when the Emperor issued the decree and had her family investigate, but the result disappointed her; she was indeed a rare and exceptional beauty.

...

The Empress has not arrived yet.

The women in the harem were chattering away when someone said, "Our Consort Ming is so high and mighty. Everyone except the Empress is here."

Wanwan heard this as soon as she arrived. "I'm late. I don't know which sister this is. Let me recognize her."

Everyone turned their heads at once, and when they saw Wanwan's face, some were jealous, some were envious, and some wanted to destroy her; in short, they all had different thoughts.

Wanwan walked straight to the head of the table, looked at the person on her left, and thought that this must be Zhao Fei.

He then gave her a polite bow, saying, "Greetings, Consort Zhao." Consort Zhao rose and returned the bow. "Greetings, Consort Ming."