"My dear Rongxian, grow up quickly, be healthy and strong."

Consort Ma held Princess Rongxian in her arms, tears streaming down her face again. Empress Hesheli had died from postpartum hemorrhage, and while most of the harem had been targeted, her child had still escaped. She was filled with hatred! Her three sons, Chengrui, Saiyinchahun, and Changhua, had all died at the hands of that poisonous woman, Hesheli. She wanted nothing more than to skin her alive, eat her flesh, and drink her blood. She didn't believe in the saying that death is the end of all suffering. Hadn't Hesheli given birth to a child while still alive? Don't worry, the Emperor is protecting her now; there's nothing she can do. There's plenty of time. Just you wait.

"Your Highness, the princess is so well-fed and chubby!" Si Yu said, looking at Princess Rongxian, who was a little over one year old, in Ma Jia's arms.

"A princess is certainly good, but it would be even better if she were a prince."

Lady Ma wiped away her tears. All three of her sons had died young. She didn't know if Emperor Kangxi was trying to compensate her or if he thought princesses were worthless, so he raised Rongxian under his care. Fortunately, Rongxian made her life less difficult.

"Your Highness, yes, there is a saying among the common people that a sister can bring a brother, and the princess will surely bring you a prince." Siyu comforted Consort Ma Jia.

"I hope so! Take Rongxian away! I want to be alone for a while."

"yes."

Yongshou Palace

"Hongxiu, Hongxiu~" Wanyi, who had been woken up by hunger, sat up and called out to Hongxiu outside.

"You're here! Is Your Highness about to get up?" Hongxiu quickly came in and helped Wanyi up.

"Yeah, I'm starving."

"My lady, it's almost lunchtime. Aren't you hungry?"

"Has anyone been here today?" Wanyi thought. Logically, since many people saw her return from Mingyaxuan, someone should have come to inquire about her whereabouts.

“My lady, Consort Wuya came by this morning, but I turned her away. She didn’t seem to be in a good mood.”

"Ignore her, just have someone keep an eye on her." Wanyi planned to get rid of Wuya's grandfather, otherwise it would be bad if some incompatible foods appeared on her table that day.

"We've already assigned people to keep an eye on her, but once she enters the Gan Cheng Palace, our people can't get in."

"Just keep an eye on her or her maids and see what they do there. Be careful not to get caught."

"This servant understands."

In order to cover up the matter of Mingyaxuan, Kangxi also began to visit the inner palace. He went to Consort Zhao's residence on the first night and went to Chengqian Palace on the second night.

"Cousin, it's been so long since you've visited me. Have you forgotten about me?"

"How could that be? Come, Yuzhu, this is your favorite crispy pork." Kangxi picked up a piece of pork and gave it to Consort Tong.

"So my cousin remembers my favorite food. I'm so happy."

Consort Tong picked up the crispy pork that Emperor Kangxi had given her. She recalled the days when Emperor Kangxi lived in the Tong residence. Because she had gained some weight, her mother restricted her from eating crispy pork. Furious, she threw off her maid and ran out. She happened to run into the courtyard where Emperor Kangxi lived. Seeing the large amount of crispy pork in front of him, she became even angrier.

"Hey, give me the crispy pork in front of you."

Young Xuan Ye ignored Xiao Yuzhu. Xiao Yuzhu saw that the boy seemed to be crying and looked very sad.

"Are you unhappy? Having some crispy pork will cheer you up. If you're still not happy, how about I play with you?" Young Xuan Ye looked at the little girl in front of him with some surprise. In the palace, no one had ever been willing to play with him; even the eunuchs and nannies indulged him. And so, young Xuan Ye and Xiao Yuzhu spent a happy period together. This way, Xiao Yuzhu had crispy pork to eat every day and also had a playmate.

"Your Highness, when I went to fetch the food just now, I saw His Majesty heading towards the main hall," Gu Cui said to Consort Wuya as she set out the food.

"As expected, the Emperor dislikes Consort Zhao. Going to Consort Zhao first is just to show his superior status. The plan is in place, and all that's left is for it to come to fruition. Keep a close eye on the main hall. As soon as the Emperor comes out, come back and tell me immediately."

Uya had been planning to leave Chengqian Palace for half a month, and if this didn't work, she didn't know how long she would have to wait next time.

"I understand, but what if the Emperor doesn't come out?" Gu Cui asked with some worry. If the Emperor doesn't come out, wouldn't all the arrangements have been in vain?

"Then we'll wait until next time. I can afford to wait."

After having a meal at Consort Tong's residence, Emperor Kangxi would usually go for a walk, a fact known throughout the entire Qiancheng Palace.

"Come, let me take you for a walk."

After dinner, Kangxi felt a bit full. Only Yuzhu dared to feed him so much. Every time Kangxi didn't want to eat, he couldn't resist Consort Tong's coquettishness and nagging, so he would go out for a walk to digest his food.

"Mm." Consort Tong responded, naturally stepping forward to take Kangxi's hand, and together they walked out towards the back garden of Qiancheng Palace.

"You're nothing but a lowly maidservant. How did you manage to climb into the Emperor's bed by such despicable means? Have you forgotten who you were before?" A haughty eunuch shouted at Wuya, who was standing to the side.

"No, this servant hasn't forgotten. I am just Consort Tong's maid, both before and now," Uya said hurriedly, tears streaming down her face.

"Eunuch Su, no matter what, my mistress is still a concubine. How can you be so rude!"

"How did this concubine come to be? Would you like me to tell you?"

"It was clearly Her Majesty who summoned me, so why did she send you here to torment me?"

"Don't you know the Empress doesn't like you? What's wrong? Didn't you kneel enough this morning? Do you want to experience that punishment of kneeling again?"

On the other side, Kangxi, who had just arrived and overheard these conversations, turned ashen-faced. His woman, the woman of the emperor of a nation, had been bullied to such an extent by a mere servant. No one else could do that.

“Cousin, I did not send anyone to harass Consort Wuya.” Consort Tong was shocked. That damned Wuya clan, why is she everywhere? She’s such a jinx.

"Then what's going on here?"

Emperor Kangxi was somewhat displeased. Consort Wuya was someone his cousin had pushed forward. He was already quite angry because she had pushed him to other women like other women in the harem, and he had even neglected Consort Tong for a while because of this. Afterwards, out of respect for Consort Tong, Emperor Kangxi bestowed the title of Consort Wuya upon her. Emperor Kangxi did not arrange a residence for her. Consort Tong had the power to assist in managing the six palaces, so she could be assigned to another palace. However, she was assigned to the rear hall of the Qiancheng Palace. He thought that Consort Tong did this because she liked Consort Wuya, but he did not expect that it was not the case.

“Cousin, I do not like Lady Wuya, but I really did not ask Eunuch Su to do such a thing. You must believe me. I only thought that if Lady Wuya becomes pregnant in the future, I could adopt a child.” Eunuch Su was one of Consort Tong’s second-class eunuchs.

"It's all my fault. If I could have given birth to a son or daughter for my cousin, none of this would have happened." Consort Tong knelt down, weeping bitterly, and grabbed one of Kangxi's hands.