Liang Jiugong kept his head down, letting Kangxi's words go in one ear and out the other.

After pondering for a moment, Kangxi said again, "Liang Jiugong, have someone inquire about what happened today when Lady Xu visited the Empress's palace for the first time to pay her respects."

"Did my cousin cause any trouble for Madam Xu?"

Liang Jiugong respectfully replied, "Yes."

As night fell, the Imperial Household Department presented a green plaque, respectfully inviting Emperor Kangxi to choose a plaque.

Because the Empress and several other concubines became pregnant one after another, there were not many concubines in the harem. Therefore, among the green-headed plaques, there were only a pitifully small number of concubines, namely Consort Niohuru, Consort Tongjia, Concubine Li, Concubine Wanyan, Concubine Hesheli, and Concubine Dong.

Kangxi said in a deep voice, "Xu Shi?"

"Your Majesty, Consort Xu's green plaque is not yet ready."

The head steward of the Imperial Household Department, with a heavy heart, replied in a low voice.

Kangxi nodded, his gaze sweeping over Consort Niohuru, Consort Tongjia, and then landing on the green plaques of Consort Li, Consort Wanyan, Consort Hesheli, and Consort Dong.

After much deliberation, Kangxi finally chose the green plaque of Consort Dong.

Consort Dong, a former palace maid, was beautiful and charming. She had the good fortune to give birth to the emperor's second daughter, but sadly, the daughter died in infancy. In the past two years, Consort Dong...

The grief of losing her daughter subsided considerably for the Dong family.

The head steward of the Imperial Household Department bowed and left the Qianqing Palace, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead in the biting wind.

Emperor Kangxi threw down the sandalwood beaded string he was holding:

"Liang Jiugong, have someone investigate Xu Shi. Why did Xu Shi remain so calm after I favored her and made her a concubine that day, unlike the other palace maids who were overjoyed?"