Ning Chuge was still young, and some of what he said was a bit confusing and he didn't quite understand it.
Xiu Ning didn't bother to explain things to Ning Chuge in detail. Some things are better left unsaid and kept in mind. They will understand when the time comes. Forcing an explanation now would only confuse the child.
"Don't worry, Mother is always here."
Xiu Ning reached out and gently patted Ning Chuge's back. She pondered the current timeline. Next year, the power structure of the harem would change again. Should she take the opportunity to seek some benefits for herself?
...
Ning Chuge stayed at Qixiang Palace for two days, and only returned to Shou Kang Palace with a slight reluctance after the Empress Dowager sent someone to pick her up.
It was still cold. Xiu Ning stood at the palace gate, watching Ning Chuge's small figure gradually disappear into the distance, and she felt unusually downcast.
"My lady, the princess will come back to visit you when she is not busy with her studies."
Chunyu supported Xiuning's arm, and the words she unconsciously uttered sounded like she was comforting a lonely old woman.
Xiuning: ...
"What nonsense! Even if the princess isn't busy with her studies, she should still spend more time with and be filial to the Empress Dowager." How can she keep running to Qixiang Palace? That would only make the Empress Dowager unhappy.
People raise a princess so carefully, just so they can have someone to talk to.
Shaking her head, Xiu Ning turned to Chun Yu and instructed, "It seems I've spoiled you too much. Be careful what you say next time. I'm not upset because of Ning Chu Ge. Don't you think the Emperor has been visiting the inner palace less often lately?"
After listening, Chunyu paused for a moment, then nodded. "It seems that's true. Since the New Year, the Emperor has only visited Kunning Palace and Jingren Palace once each, and he also sent Eunuch Liang to deliver rewards to you and Yongshou Palace." This doesn't seem right.
Normally, not to mention that the Emperor would summon his master several times a month, he would occasionally come to Qixiang Palace to sit and see the young prince, but this time there was nothing at all.
Chunyu glanced at her master, whose expression was serious, and an untimely guess popped into her mind: Could it be that the emperor has a new favorite hidden in the Qianqing Palace, which is why he doesn't enter the harem?
"Send men to carefully investigate who the Emperor summons to his bedchamber every night."
Xiuning felt that it was probably Wuya Chenglin who made the move, otherwise, given Kangxi's energy, it would have been impossible for him to refrain from entering the harem for so long.
Although many of Kangxi's concubines lived in the enclosed quarters behind the Qianqing Palace, Kangxi still needed to keep a simple record of their service (of course, this record was different from that of the Imperial Household Department, because the concubines who served him had the lowest rank and often had to take contraceptive soup after their service. Only after officially entering the harem were they qualified to bear children for the royal family), in order to prevent any of them from slipping through the net and causing trouble later.
Chunyu responded with a "yes," and then personally led a group to the Emperor's presence.
After spending some time and money, Chunyu found out about Kangxi's recent activities.
Sure enough, "He really did sleep with me?"
Xiu Ning was not surprised that Wuya Chenglin was able to serve Kangxi. After all, he was a future winner in life. He couldn't have given birth to three sons and three daughters without some ability (although in the end only two sons survived, and they even became enemies).
To Xiuning's surprise, Wuya Chenglin still has no official title and remains by Kangxi's side as a tea-serving maid.
What's going on here? Are they trying to play some weird and weird games?
Even those palace maids who served the emperor moved directly into the inner quarters after their service. They didn't need to do any work on a daily basis; they just waited for the emperor to summon them. If they were lucky, they could enter the harem and become concubines (although most of them would blend into the crowd after entering).
Is Wuya Chenglin favored or not?
“Your Highness, I asked the eunuchs in the Imperial Palace, and they all said that this person had been serving His Majesty since before the New Year.” However, at that time, everyone’s attention was focused on the Kunning Palace, and they didn’t pay attention to him.
Xiuning: ...
Xiuning touched her newly done nails; the beautiful, vibrant colors shimmered in the sunlight.
"My lady, His Majesty may have just had a whim," otherwise he wouldn't have kept the person by his side to work after having sex with him.
Xiu Ning shook her head. "On the contrary, the Emperor is probably quite satisfied with her." Being kept by his side is much better than being thrown into the backyard. Although she can't enjoy special privileges, everyone knows she is the Emperor's woman. Why would he make Wu Ya Cheng Lin do anything tiring? Definitely not.
Moreover, staying by the Emperor's side and cultivating a relationship with him through daily contact is far more beneficial to Wuya Chenglin than the minor drawbacks.
With many women in the harem and only one man, Kangxi, Uya Chenglin occupied a significant portion of the harem, so the others had to take a step back.
Xiu Ning didn't mind Wu Ya Cheng Lin becoming the Emperor's woman, but she couldn't just stand by and watch Wu Ya Cheng Lin become that special person who was conferred the title of Consort alone again. She should just stay in the harem and endure it obediently.
"Do we have anyone in Kunning Palace?"
Xiu Ning flicked her fingernails as she looked down. She thought it would be better to let the Empress handle this matter, since Wu Ya Cheng Lin had come from Kun Ning Palace.
"Your Highness's meaning is not yet finished," Chunyu said, but she understood perfectly. "Your Highness, rest assured, this servant will make the arrangements properly."
Xiuning smiled slightly, "Then I'll teach you. Go and get busy."
Chunyu curtsied and said, "Yes."
...
Without hesitation, Chunyu turned around and delivered the news that Wuya Chenglin was already serving Kangxi to Kunning Palace.
At this moment, Kunning Palace was quiet and peaceful. Hesheli Fangyi looked at Yinreng, who had regained his lively personality, and was as happy as if she were in a dream.
Even though she still faced many hardships after arriving, she eventually made it through.
Yinreng successfully became the crown prince, and his family made continuous contributions on the battlefield. As the empress, she was no longer as uneasy as before, and felt that everything was turning for the better.
"What?! Wuya Chenglin has served the Emperor in bed? Why didn't the Emperor tell me?"
Her good mood vanished, and Hesheli Fangyi was shocked when she heard the news from Tanyun.
Tan Yun said cautiously, "Your Majesty, Wu Ya Cheng Lin is just a palace maid."
Wuya Chenglin was not among the palace maids who served the emperor in the inner courtyard of the Qianqing Palace.
Hesheli Fangyi frowned. "What do you mean?"
Tan Yun explained, "Wu Ya Cheng Lin is still a palace maid and stays in the tea room to serve."
This is also why Tan Yun didn't notice. No new concubines were added to the harem, and the list of palace maids to serve the emperor remained unchanged. Who knew that Wu Ya Cheng Lin had been secretly slept with?
After a long pause, Hesheli Fangyi spoke up, "What does Your Majesty mean?" Could it be that he doesn't value Wuya Chenglin?
"Your Majesty, perhaps the Emperor only regards it as a pastime."
Besides, this person hasn't entered the harem, so he won't cause you much trouble.
In Tan Yun's view, her mistress was the Empress, the head of the harem. Even if Wu Ya Cheng Lin successfully became a concubine, she posed almost no threat to the Empress.
However, this person had once stayed in Kunning Palace and had even saved face for her mistress; otherwise, she wouldn't have told her mistress about such an insignificant matter as the emperor having taken a concubine.
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