"Your Majesty, I rode to see Consort Chen yesterday, but we didn't exchange more than a few words before she left!"

Urina dared not say much, only recounting what people usually say, saying that even if it were to spread, it would be harmless.

The Empress Dowager was increasingly satisfied. Although she did not hear what she wanted to hear, she knew from the woman's behavior and composure that she was hiding her true abilities.

"Hmm! What do you think of Consort Chen?"

Bumbutai's voice grew even gentler, and Urina's heart pounded, but she dared not delay. After a moment's thought, she replied, "Your Highness Consort Chen is very beautiful, and I like her very much!"

Harigana is indeed good-looking, a fact that Bumbutai has to admit.

However, she still had to say what she needed to say. As for whether this person could become a sharp weapon in her hands, that depended on her own fate.

"Yes! I've seen it from afar once, and it is indeed very beautiful!" The Empress Dowager nodded, seemingly agreeing with Urina's statement.

However, his tone changed a moment later. He looked at Urina with a smile, took her hand, patted it, and then said, "But the girls of our Khorchin are not bad either! Urina is very pretty. When we get back, I will send a nanny to you. You can learn from her and I guarantee the emperor will like you!"

Urina was overjoyed, her eyes brightening for a moment before she blushed and replied, "I thank the Empress Dowager for her kindness! I ask for little; it would be my honor to receive the Emperor's favor. I dare not ask for more!"

The Empress Dowager had been observing Urina's expression, so that moment of smugness and surprise did not escape her notice.

Urina thought she had concealed her true feelings well, but she forgot that the old woman in front of her had lived through three dynasties! How could her little act possibly escape her eyes?

Bumbutai nodded in satisfaction. She knew that Xuan Ye liked the gentle and considerate nature of women from Jiangnan, so regardless of whether this Urina was truly gentle or not, as long as she could make Xuan Ye happy, that was enough.

"Good boy!"

The tent was filled with warmth for a moment. If one did not know the inside story, one would surely think that Bumbutai and Urina had a very good relationship.

After speaking for a while, Bumbutai dismissed Urina. However, before leaving, she had Sumalagu fetch a set of pearl jewelry for her: "Urina, these are top-quality pearls from Fujian Province. There are only a few in the palace. Today, I will bestow this precious pearl upon you. I only ask that you serve the Emperor well!"

Urina actually had no shortage of pearls. Although her mother was not the Grand Consort, she was deeply loved by Eqige, so she had never lacked such things since childhood.

However, since the Empress Dowager actually gave her such tribute, she was naturally extremely grateful!

Moreover, the Empress Dowager's words were quite clear: she must compete with Consort Chen for the Emperor's favor, and the Empress Dowager would definitely help her!

However, she wasn't foolish enough to clash with Consort Chen before even entering the palace. Angel was clearly a good example, and she didn't want to lose face like Angel.

However, since the Empress Dowager had sought her out, she was willing to have someone to rely on. It's good to have a powerful patron; she needed to have a foolproof plan in place to strike decisively.

This was something her mother had repeatedly told her before she left. She said it's never too late for dinner, and that she shouldn't worry about being the first to show off, but rather learn to avoid risks.

"Empress Dowager, you are so kind to me! I thank you for your kindness! I will certainly obey your decree and serve the Emperor well!" Urina knelt on the ground, expressing her sincere gratitude to Bumbutai.

"Alright! We're all family, no need to be so polite! I'm a little tired, Suma, go see Urina off!"

After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, she leaned to the side and closed her eyes, as if she were really tired.

Urina politely bowed and followed Sumalagu out, behaving herself properly throughout and showing no sign of arrogance.

"This humble servant thanks Aunt Su Ma!"

Urina gracefully gave Sumalagu a half-bow, which Sumalagu immediately dodged and returned the bow, saying, "Your Highness need not do such a thing; it is what this servant should do!"

Tongjia had been observing what was happening here. Although she didn't know what they wanted to do, she figured it must be related to that vile woman.

"Min'er, have you sent the letter back to the capital as I asked you to?"

Min'er quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, I have already sent someone back to the capital. I expect that you will receive the letter from Your Highness within three days!"

Tongjia waved her hand, and Min'er withdrew.

"Harigana! Humph!"

Lady Tongjia was so heartbroken by Emperor Kangxi's words a few days earlier that she nearly died. She was the Emperor's cousin, his closest relative. But those words, "Take care of yourself," had left her trembling with fear for a long time.

Unable to make up her mind, she could only send a message to her father, asking them to think of a solution. After all, what she had done was real, and she had a gut feeling that if the Emperor didn't really know what she had done, he wouldn't have said those things.

But she was, after all, a member of the Tongjia clan. As long as her father intervened, it was clear that a woman from a small Borchijin tribe could not amount to much.

She needs to think things through carefully, since the Emperor's trust has waned somewhat, and she needs to regain his favor.

"I'm getting more and more excited to go back to the palace!"

Tongjia Shi reclined on the chair, toying with a white jade hairpin in her hand. Her lips curled into a wicked smile, but her eyes were unusually ruthless.

At this moment, in the forest not far from the main force, a woman was moving about. Her clothes were tattered, and her face and hands were scratched with bloody marks from tree branches.

But she seemed oblivious to the pain, clutching a whip tightly in her hand as she staggered toward midday.

"If I'm not having a good time, nobody else should either!"

The woman murmured to herself, her eyes resolute, as if her enemy lay ahead of her.

However, Harigana was completely unaware of these matters; she was being closely protected by Kangxi, dodging the brown bear's attacks.

The brown bear was getting closer and closer to Kangxi and his entourage. After receiving Li Dequan's order, the guards took out their bows and arrows and began to shoot at the brown bear.

The brown bear in front of me looks to be at least a ton.

The guards' arrows were like tickling the brown bear; after all, the bear's fur was tough and its hide was at least a hand's width thick, so ordinary sharp weapons really couldn't hurt it at all.

Although they couldn't hurt it, the guards' actions clearly angered the adult brown bear.