Harigana has been learning how to manage palace affairs with the Empress Dowager these past few days, spending every day in the Ning Shou Palace, sometimes even having lunch there.

If it weren't for their age and social status, the two of them might very well have become sworn sisters.

Harigana is someone who likes quiet, but secretly enjoys listening to gossip.

The Empress Dowager was a lively person who loved to gossip.

When two people like these get together, they can talk endlessly once they start.

"Harigana, tomorrow is the day for paying respects again, so be careful."

Since the incident involving Consort Yi, Emperor Kangxi ordered that the Empress Dowager's daily greetings, which were previously once every three days, be changed to once every ten days, citing her advanced age and inability to handle such matters.

Bumbutai was so angry that he almost cursed out loud, but thinking of the guards around him and the plan, he managed to suppress the urge to curse.

He went to the small Buddhist shrine with a dark expression, and no one knows what he said or did.

"Your Majesty, don't worry, I can protect myself."

The Empress Dowager looked at Harigana, who was speaking softly and sweetly, saying that he could protect her, her face full of conflict.

They all grew up on the grasslands and ate beef and mutton, so why is there such a big difference?

Could it be that the grass in the Nenjiang River basin is so good that it makes people more delicate and supple?

Shake your head and shake off the unrealistic thoughts in your mind.

"Yes! I believe you!"

That's what she said, but in her heart she thought it would be better for her to keep an eye on things more.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Before the Empress Dowager could speak, they heard the announcement from the eunuch outside, which startled the two of them.

Turning around, I saw Emperor Kangxi striding in.

"Empress Dowager!"

Emperor Kangxi nodded.

"Emperor, what brings you here?"

The Empress Dowager sat up straight and withdrew her hand from Harigana's arm.

She felt like she had offended this cold-faced emperor, and a chill ran down her spine.

"Xuan Ye!"

Harigana could tell from his gaze that he was jealous. Feeling helpless, she stood up, walked to his side, hugged his arm, and looked at him with bright eyes.

Sure enough, the man's coldness vanished instantly. He glanced at the person beside him, then turned to answer the Empress Dowager: "Empress Dowager, I have something to discuss with the Imperial Noble Consort, so I will take her back first."

The Empress Dowager couldn't help but let her lips twitch in front of the two of them, without any attempt to hide it, and even pouted in disgust.

She waved her hand, her voice helpless: "Get out of here, don't get in my way."

Didn't you know she was all alone?

They come here to arrest people, making it sound nice, but what's there to discuss?

With Harigana's delicate and gentle nature, wasn't it Kangxi who had the final say?

It was called a discussion, but it was really just a notification.

He glanced at the smiling Hariga, then closed his eyes.

It's unbelievable that someone in the palace could be so innocent and naive; it's truly rare and precious.

"Yes! I will visit the Empress Dowager again when I have time!"

Kangxi didn't mind, but Harigana blushed and whispered, "Your Majesty, I take my leave. I will come again tomorrow."

Before she could finish speaking, Kangxi interrupted her: "I need your help tomorrow. I'll tell the Empress Dowager when you come."

Emperor Kangxi was filled with regret. What a mess this was!

The original idea was that if Harigana and the Queen Mother maintained a good relationship, it would benefit all three parties.

The result was one of indulgence: this little woman would come to Ning Shou Palace every day with great enthusiasm, and would even let him eat alone at noon.

If he had known it would turn out this way, he would never have agreed, even if you killed him.

Today, she finally finished dealing with all the affairs of the court, but Qingxi Palace was quiet and peaceful. She could guess that she had come to the Empress Dowager's place again.

"Xuan Ye, are you angry?"

Harigana, held in Kangxi's arms and sitting on the dragon carriage, looked at the silent man and cautiously asked him a question.

I was just rolling my eyes inwardly.

"Let's talk about it when we get back!"

Harigana almost burst out laughing at his arrogant demeanor, but she held back her laughter, clutching his shirt tightly and looking at him timidly.

Kangxi originally wanted to complain about her heartlessness after returning home and ask her to coax him, but seeing her nervous and frightened appearance, his heart softened instantly.

"I'm not angry, sweetie."

Holding the person in his arms, he pressed the little head into his embrace, and a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.

But the next moment he became unhappy again.

"Jiaojiao, who did your hair?"

He had never seen this braid before; it certainly wasn't done by Dulan. If she knew how to braid like that, she would have already styled Harigana's hair.

"Your Majesty, she knows so many braids, and she said she can make me a new braid every day. Does it look pretty?"

He looked up at Kangxi, wanting a compliment.

“She’s beautiful. My Jiaojiao is beautiful. She looks good even without braids. Braids are just an embellishment.”

After Kangxi finished speaking, he pulled her back into his arms and secretly decided that he would have Li Dequan go out and find some books later, specifically those that recorded various ways of braiding hair, so that he could decide her hairstyle in the future.

"Xuan Ye, you're just trying to fool me again."

She quietly slipped her hand into his sleeve and traced circles on his wrist.

Kangxi stiffened, wanting to pull away, but he liked the feeling so much that he could only endure it.

Upon arriving at Qingxi Palace, he immediately picked her up and carried her back to the inner palace, his steps hurried.

"Look at the smug looks on their faces!"

A young eunuch whispered to the person next to him, his eyes filled with envy.

Those around him followed his gaze and saw the sedan chair leisurely entering the side gate of Qingxi Palace.

"Keep your voice down, don't talk nonsense."

The young eunuch immediately shut up; he was just saying it, but he was secretly envious.

They were all sedan chair carriers, so why were they always following behind, carrying empty sedan chairs back and forth behind them, while the sedan chair carriers had to serve them carefully?

Why doesn't the Emperor ride in the Imperial Concubine's imperial carriage once, so they can also experience the feeling of leisure and comfort?

"Greetings, gentlemen!" Little Li said as he stepped forward, his voice not obsequious, but his eyes filled with a smile.

"Eunuch Li, does His Majesty have any orders?"

Emperor Kangxi's palanquin was very stable, so there were twelve eunuchs accompanying it.

Upon seeing Little Li, one of the managers immediately stepped forward.

"No, no, it's just that Her Majesty said you all worked hard and sent me out to reward you."

After finishing his sentence, Xiao Li stuffed a purse into the steward's hand, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then turned and went back.

After seeing Xiao Li off, the dozen or so people present all marveled at how well the Imperial Noble Consort knew how to conduct herself, even they remembered her fondly.

Only the young eunuch who had previously envied Qingxi Palace felt deeply guilty.

The Imperial Noble Consort would reward them with silver every time she rode in her sedan chair. He must have lost his mind to even have such thoughts; he deserves to die.