When Shirley returned to the palace, she sweetly held Kangxi's arm with her left hand and Consort Tong's arm with her right.

Consort Tong tried to pull it apart but couldn't, so she didn't say anything and just listened to Shirley's boasting.

Kangxi couldn't help but laugh at Xue Li's witty remarks. He turned his head and couldn't resist pinching her cheek, only to see his cousin's smile on her lips.

Emperor Kangxi paused, then turned his head and sighed softly.

He was already mentally prepared.

Upon returning to Yikun Palace, Shirley arranged for servants to deliver gifts to the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager.

At noon, Emperor Kangxi, along with Prince Yong's family, Chengzhen, and Anqi, returned to Yikun Palace to dine with Xueli.

Shirley liked her eldest grandson because he was just as tall and handsome as Chengze.

It was a rare occasion for the whole family to be together, and Emperor Kangxi was delighted. After finishing his meal and giving a few words of advice, he departed.

By observing his footsteps and breathing rhythm, Sherry realized that he was extremely weak inside.

After a while, Chengze left a letter and left the palace with his family.

Chengzhen returned to the prince's residence, where Xue Li and her little girl lay together whispering to each other.

The next day, Shirley dressed up and went to pay her respects to Consort Tong.

It's been a while since I've styled my hair, and Shirley is feeling a bit uncomfortable at the roots right now.

When Sherry arrived, everyone was already there.

"Sister Tong, you're here so early, it's clear you've been waiting for me!" Xue Li said to her in her usual sweet tone.

Consort Tong didn't say anything, but simply arranged for someone to serve her milk tea.

"Sister Niu, it's been a long time! You've become more and more beautiful!" Perhaps she had been having so much fun that she forgot all about home, because once Xue Li returned to the palace, she felt like the days were dragging on forever.

"Sister Xian hasn't changed at all; she's still as beautiful and charming as ever," Consort Niu said with a smile.

"Wow, I've heard that the Third Princess is also outstanding in her studies!" Sherry felt that she had become corrupted and was now engaging in mutual flattery.

Consort Rong had aged considerably, but her demeanor had become much more serene, radiating a subtle Zen-like quality.

"If she can learn even a little bit from the eldest princess, then I'll be at ease."

"Of course, all the daughters of our royal family are excellent!" Consort Tong said with a faint smile.

"I wonder if Little Fish misses me~" Sherry was somewhat looking forward to the daughter of Consort Tong, who had survived. They had been friends for a long time!

"You rascal!"

"Your Majesty is so blessed, with so many beautiful young ladies!" After bowing and sitting down, Shirley saw many of the new brides she didn't recognize.

Gentle, alluring, dignified, delicate, lovely, aloof...

Thank goodness the Empress Dowager was still alive. If she hadn't been, how much of a mess would Kangxi have been in?

The older folks were used to Shirley's way of speaking, while the newcomers cautiously glanced around, not daring to utter a sound.

They all stood up to greet her, and Shirley happily gave everyone gifts, which pleased the concubines.

Moreover, some of those who are favored are clearly familiar faces.

When they had finished chatting, they went to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager did not see them. In her spirit, Shirley saw this woman, who had lived through three dynasties, leaning weakly against a soft pillow, breathing heavily.

Three months passed like this!

The Empress Dowager is too ill to get out of bed.

Consort Tong arranged for the concubines to take turns attending to the emperor during his illness. Emperor Kangxi was probably heartbroken and fell seriously ill himself.

The court officials were extremely worried about the emperor, both verbally and in their actions!

Of course, none of them took it seriously.

After all, Emperor Kangxi was always vigorous and healthy, and free from illness and disaster.

Soon, Ning Chuge returned to the palace.

His entire demeanor underwent a dramatic change.

And she returned as the Empress of the "Kunhe Kingdom".

The attendants behind him included blond-haired and blue-eyed men, as well as men with black hair and yellow skin.

Ning Chukuo also brought back some advanced Western knowledge, though Kangxi most likely wouldn't adopt it.

Even when Kangxi was seriously ill, he was still quite angry!

Upon learning that Ning Chuge's country was quite far from the Qing Dynasty, he said nothing more.

This was the first time the father and daughter spoke on equal footing.

Emperor Kangxi looked at his eldest daughter with extremely complicated feelings.

He couldn't say anything bad, no matter what he wanted to say.

This daughter has grown up to be very outstanding, and her arrogance is unique among the court officials.

Of course, she has the ability to do so!

Currently, she wants to bring some people to her country.

To put it bluntly, the Qing Dynasty and the State of Kun signed a treaty to advance and retreat together!

While Kunhe Kingdom keeps an eye on those foreigners, the Qing Dynasty can rest assured that it can keep an eye on Mongolia and Russia!

Kangxi didn't think there was anything wrong with it, after all, the trade routes that Ningchu had established had indeed earned him a lot of money.

As Kangxi discussed the contract with Ning Chuge, Mingzhu, Suo'etu, and Yinzhi, sitting below him, had complex expressions.

After all, he really didn't take the princess seriously.

To put it simply, from the Empress Dowager herself to the Emperor to the court officials, who would take the princess seriously?

But this older sister is the most promising!

The news that the Qing Dynasty's eldest princess had become the empress of Kunhe Kingdom spread like wildfire.

After they settled their matter, Sherry finally managed to catch the person.

He watched her eat while asking her questions.

"In the letter Chengze gave me last time, he said you abducted some people from the Qing Dynasty?"

Ning Chuge nodded.

"Is it a matriarchal society where you live? When are you taking me there?"

“My daughter does want gender equality, but some men are so stubbornly ingrained in their thinking that women should have better benefits than others!” Ning Chukuo said, his eyes filled with coldness.

"Oh, weapons, city walls... the cement is done, right?!" Sherry remembered the letter Chengze had given her.

Kunhe Kingdom is surrounded by sea, primeval forests, mountains, and plains...

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