It seems no one ever gave her a choice.

The Crown Prince's entourage was wary of her and took advantage of her; the Crown Prince himself treated her like a mindless, thoughtless puppet.

Even if the Crown Prince wins, she at most won't die. But as the Crown Prince's person in name only, the concubines in the harem can't do anything to the Crown Prince who was raised by Kangxi. Instead, they make things difficult for her in subtle ways.

The Hesheli family has never been well-behaved. Relying on the presence of the Crown Prince, they not only did whatever they wanted, but also boldly interfered in the affairs of the harem. Out of respect for the Crown Prince, Kangxi would not easily punish the Crown Prince's maternal family, so he neglected her.

Both being the younger sisters of the Empress, Empress Niohuru's younger sister was promoted to the rank of Noble Consort not long after entering the palace.

It wasn't until the 23rd year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, when she started menstruating, that she officially became one of Kangxi's concubines. She only received the title of Consort, and it was a very low-profile Consort without any official title. Outsiders referred to her as Consort of Chuxiu Palace.

She's pleasing neither side.

The Hesheri family treated her like a tool; she was not favored, and when she didn't meet their expectations, they thought she was useless.

Those who remained with Empress Hesheri looked down on her.

Kangxi vented his frustrations, which he couldn't direct at the Hesheli family, by neglecting her.

As long as the Crown Prince exists, she is destined not to gain Kangxi's respect. If she does not behave well in the harem, the Crown Prince's side, and even her own family, will only think she is incompetent.

She had no way out, something she only realized before her death in her first life.

Unless she's willing to be a tool, but then again, why should she? Why should she be content with the status quo? She wasn't treated leniently because of the Crown Prince; instead, she was constantly on guard. Why should she be willing to be a tool?

In her first life, she refused to be a tool and tried her best to give birth to a son, but the child died after only a little over a month.

In this life, she also refuses to be a tool.