"It's getting late, and I have other matters to attend to in the palace, so I'll take my leave now."
Consort Tong disliked listening to others argue, so she turned to the Empress, said a few polite words, and then simply left with her maid, Qianli.
After Consort Tong left, Consort Shu and Consort Nara, though enjoying their bickering, were not ones to be mere spectators. With a soft snort, she followed them out.
Hesheli Fangyi pursed her lips upon seeing this. After all, these two were so perfunctory in their respect for her, which showed that they did not take her seriously or respect her in their daily lives.
"Go back, Bao Cheng is waiting for me."
Feeling somewhat displeased, Hesheli Fangyi lowered her head and said something to Tanyun before turning around and getting into the sedan chair.
With the three powerful women of the harem leaving one after another, there was naturally no need for the remaining concubines to stay.
The two concubines from Yanxi Palace, who were of the Borjigit clan, wanted to have an extra conversation with the Empress Dowager, but unfortunately the Empress Dowager had gone to the small Buddhist hall to worship Buddha, so the two could not see her and had to leave first.
Seeing this, Consort Nara angrily withdrew her gaze and disappeared among the other consorts.
At this moment, Xiu Ning, who was sitting in the side hall chatting happily with the Empress Dowager, had no idea what was happening outside.
The two women were discussing Ning Chuge's temporary return to Qixiang Palace.
The Empress Dowager didn't necessarily want to possess Ning Chuge and prevent the child from contacting her birth mother; she just couldn't bear to see Ning Chuge go back to suffer.
Living in Shou Kang Palace is different from returning to Qi Xiang Palace, especially since there is an even younger child, Idel, who needs to be taken care of in Qi Xiang Palace.
However, Xiu Ning's unexpected insistence on this matter was not due to dissatisfaction with the Empress Dowager, but simply because she had already promised Ning Chuge. Xiu Ning knew that she could not break her promise to a child, and besides, this trip back was only for a few days during the New Year holiday, and Ning Chuge would still have to return to Shou Kang Palace later.
"...I will arrange for someone to send Ning Chuge back later. However, the child is a bit fussy at night, so you may need to coax him a little more."
The Empress Dowager patted Xiu Ning's hand and spoke kindly.
The Empress Dowager meant well, because Ning Chuge had lived in Shou Kang Palace for a long time since birth.
In this era, there were already some problems in the relationship between birth mothers and their children. Even when Xiu Ning was still at her parents' home, her biological mother, Lady Fucha, could only spend time with her briefly during the morning and evening meals. Moreover, when Lady Fucha was busy managing the household, Xiu Ning would hardly see her at all.
This also resulted in the fact that the more noble the family, the less intimate and measured the relationship between relatives was compared to that with the servants who served them. Most of the time, there was a certain distance between them, and there was not much affection between them. The royal family was no exception.
The reason why Xiu Ning insisted on bringing Ning Chu Ge back was to make up for the time the mother and daughter spent together.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I understand," Xiu Ning smiled upon hearing this.
The Empress Dowager nodded, and the two chatted about Ning Chuge's daily life before Xiu Ning took her leave.
That very night, Ning Chuge was sent back by people arranged by the Empress Dowager.
They carried a lot of things in large and small bags, followed by countless wet nurses and palace servants.
The rear hall, which had been prepared long ago, was cleared out and handed over to the palace servants who served Ning Chuge to tidy up. Xiu Ning took Ning Chuge's little hand, and the mother and daughter entered the room.
Mother
Ning Chuge is already six years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning), and is a little girl who can tie her hair up in a bun.
"Are you tired? Come sit on the couch. Your mother has prepared a meal for you, all of which are your favorites."
Xiu Ning took off Ning Chuge's outer clothes and turned around to change into a set of clothes that had already been dried.
Ning Chuge couldn't help but laugh out loud, her face displaying a variety of expressions.
Even though Ning Chuge didn't return to Qixiang Palace often, Xiu Ning went to Shou Kang Palace very frequently. The interaction between the mother and daughter was normal, and their relationship was closer than that of others.
“Mother, when the new year starts, I will have to learn manners.”
It wasn't just about the rules; there were also some skills that Qing princesses were required to master. Xiu Ning even privately asked the Empress Dowager to help her find female instructors skilled in horseback riding and martial arts. In short, she was preparing early to avoid being caught off guard after the marriage was arranged.
"Study hard. You've been smart since you were little, and your mother trusts you."
Chunyu reached out and rubbed Ning Chuge's little head before bringing out the pastries and dishes.
Ning Chuge happily settled into Qixiang Palace, spending her days either with Xiu Ning or teasing the still-infant Yider.
Because it was during the Lunar New Year, both the Emperor and Empress were quite busy, so Xiu Ning had a rare holiday to relax and unwind, spending almost every day playing with her two children.
After the New Year holidays had passed, the Empress Dowager sent someone to fetch Ning Chuge to leave.
"Remember to be obedient. If anything happens, send someone to tell your mother."
Before leaving, Xiu Ning gave Ning Chuge a few words of advice, then stood at the palace gate until she could no longer see him.
"Let's go back."
Xiuning whispered something, then lowered her head, her expression inevitably showing some disappointment.
Seeing this, Chunyu spoke up to comfort her, fearing that her mistress might also harbor resentment towards others because of the child, just like Consort Nara.
"Don't worry, I'm not that confused. Besides, for Ning Chuge's future, it's more useful for her to live in Shou Kang Palace than to stay in Qi Xiang Palace."
It was unavoidable to feel uncomfortable, but Xiuning was not someone who was controlled by her emotions.
Ning Chuge's future lies in a marriage alliance. If the Empress Dowager and others can help Ning Chuge marry into the relatively wealthy Khorchin, that would be a good thing.
However, upon hearing Chunyu mention Consort Nara, Xiuning's thoughts shifted, and she quickly inquired about Consort Nara's recent news.
Chunyu pointed behind her and said, "I heard that Consort Nara has been frequently visiting the Empress Dowager Cining Palace lately, probably because she still wants to bring Prince Baoqing back as soon as possible."
"It's easier said than done. Sending him out of the palace back then was a long and complicated process, and now we're bringing him back," Xiu Ning shook her head. If she were the Empress, she would definitely wait until Bao Cheng's identity was confirmed before bringing Bao Qing back. Otherwise, given the age and health of the princes in the harem, who knows if there would be any problems before the Crown Prince was established.
The Manchu Qing dynasty did not place much importance on the eldest son (besides, Emperor Kangxi himself was not the eldest son). If things got really bad, and Bao Cheng got into trouble, the die would be cast, and there would be no way for Emperor Kangxi to do anything about it.
If I remember correctly, the Crown Prince was established in the fifteenth year of Kangxi's reign. At that time, the previous dynasty was in the midst of the most intense struggle among the princes, and the borders of the previous dynasty were in constant turmoil. Kangxi needed an heir to stabilize the country. Bao Cheng was born as the legitimate son, and so he was named Yinreng and became the Crown Prince.
Currently, this is most likely the process.
"My lady, speaking of Prince Baocheng, I have a little matter from Kunning Palace to tell you."
As if remembering something, Chunyu whispered after Xiuning looked over, "The other evening, the Emperor asked for a palace maid from Kunning Palace to go to Qianqing Palace."
Xiuning was taken aback. "Who is it?"
“Wuya Chenglin is the person that Your Highness asked me to investigate before,” Chunyu added.
"She climbs very fast, why is that?"
Xiu Ning wasn't surprised; after all, this person was the birth mother of the next emperor.
"I heard that this person is extremely good at making soup, and the emperor likes him so much that he wants to take him in."
"There are countless people who can make soup with this reason," Xiu Ning scoffed, completely disbelieving this ridiculous excuse.
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