"Your Majesty, let me help you back to bed."
Xuan Ying, supporting Xiu Ning's arm, had just come in from outside the door, and the two of them still carried a trace of the warmth left by the sunlight.
Xiuning shook her head. "Help me to sit in the tatami room. It's so boring to always be lying in bed."
Her health had improved significantly after giving birth to Yinlu. However, there were fixed periods for postpartum confinement in the palace, and Xiuning couldn't just lie in bed for a few days and then claim that she was better. But in private, Xiuning was already living a normal life.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Ying simply helped Xiu Ning to the bedside. Fearing that her mistress might be bored, she even brought over a few books.
The books this time were all serious books; the romantic games that Kangxi and Xiuning played with were only used occasionally.
"Your Majesty, I have registered all the gifts sent by the Emperor into the treasury. Among them is a set of ruby headdresses. I think the color is auspicious and that it will be perfect for you to wear when the little prince is one month old."
Chunyu came in from outside, carrying the ruby headdress she had just been talking about. It glittered and shone brightly in the sunlight.
Xiuning looked up and glanced at it. "Okay, I'll put it on the dressing table for now."
Upon hearing this, Chunyu responded with a "yes" and turned to put the set of jewelry and the wooden box away.
"Have the congratulatory gifts for the other palaces been prepared? The Emperor has bestowed titles on many people this time, so we'd rather send more than miss any. When you have time, go to the storeroom and check it a couple more times."
With her back to the spring rain, Xiu Ning began to talk about the matter of this investiture again.
Emperor Kangxi was truly a man who, when he did act, was astonishing.
One Imperial Concubine, one Consort, seven Concubines, and countless Noble Ladies, Attendants, and Ladies-in-Waiting.
Now, there isn't a single concubine without a title in the entire harem, which has temporarily calmed things down in the court.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I have already sent people to keep an eye on things. The congratulatory gifts for the principal concubines have been delivered, and they are all valuable gifts that no one can find fault with."
Now all that's missing are those influential figures who are always around, but we can still give away about 70-80% of them today.
After Chunyu finished speaking with a smile, she also brought Xiuning a cup of warm tea to soothe her throat.
Seeing that Chunyu's smile hadn't faded, Xiuning joked, "Did you get a good deal?"
Why does she laugh like a little mouse who's stolen some fish? Xiuning knows Chunyu; this child must feel like she's gotten the better deal and is secretly happy about it.
Seeing her mistress say this, Chunyu smiled even more smugly. "With such a joyous occasion in the harem, this servant felt it was inappropriate to let it go to waste, so I specially selected some imperial gifts to send to all the ladies." These were all worthless junk, the kind of things that would take up space in the storeroom, but now they were being given as congratulatory gifts, truly a way to reuse trash.
Hearing the tone of her voice, Xiuning immediately understood why Chunyu was happy.
He shook his head helplessly. "You know, I think you've wanted to do this for a long time."
Those things are somewhat similar to scriptures and Buddha statues; they have a good reputation, but in reality, they have no effect whatsoever.
She often heard Chunyu complain while organizing the warehouse, because they couldn't just throw things away, but leaving them in the way was also inconvenient.
By sending them out now, Xiu Ning will gain a good reputation and free up space in the warehouse. Apart from the fact that it might be a burden on the concubines who are forced to take over, there are no other problems.
Of course, perhaps the other concubines didn't think Xiuning was tricking them. Their thoughts were different. Xiuning wasn't superstitious and didn't have too much fear of imperial power. What imperial gift? It was just an artificial way of giving the object a name. In reality, it depended on who gave it (she was inherently afraid of people).
Chunyu smiled, but didn't refute it, because that's what she really thought.
...
With the end of the imperial harem's conferment of titles, the previously vacant palaces were all inhabited again.
All those above the rank of Consort are principal positions in their respective palaces. This time, a total of seven were appointed. Today you move to a palace, tomorrow I move to another palace, and the excitement continues one after another. Whether you are a participant or an observer, you can feel the long-lost liveliness.
In early September, Xiuning finished her postpartum confinement period.
Along with Yinlu's full moon celebration and the joyous occasion of moving into the main hall of Qixiang Palace, Xiuning undoubtedly became the protagonist.
Like a butterfly playing in the game, Xiu Ning constantly flitted among the people coming and going.
"Consort Jing is really full of energy. She just finished her confinement period and then had a full moon banquet and a palace relocation banquet. It's really enviable."
Sitting on the chair below, Consort Hui couldn't help but whisper to Consort Rong beside her.
The Consort Rong mentioned here does not refer to Lady Magiya, but to Lady Guarjia, who just entered the palace this year.
"Sister, why envy others? You have a son, the eldest prince, which is a blessing that others can only dream of."
The title of the eldest son of the emperor still has a significant advantage. Even if the eldest son is in poor health, in the long run, as long as he can survive and give birth to a child safely, he can still secure the title of the eldest grandson of the emperor.
“Sister, you don’t know this. Although I have Yinti, Consort Jing has Yinyi and Yinlu. Whether in terms of quantity or anything else, she can’t compare.”
As Consort Hui spoke, she waved her hand and glanced at the other concubines not far away out of the corner of her eye.
Speaking of which, Consort Jing really has some tricks up her sleeve. Whether it was during the Crown Prince's smallpox or when Consort Shu had her accident, she clearly couldn't escape it just like Yinti. But Yinyi's body was stronger than Yinti's and Yinreng's. I don't believe that Consort Jing's abilities and skills weren't involved.
Alas, it's too late now that we see everything; Consort Jing gave birth to her child safely in vain.
The more she thought about it, the more she regretted it. Consort Hui felt that they had all gone around in circles, and no one had tried to stop Consort Jing from gaining power.
'Had a lucky streak'
Muttering to herself, Consort Hui sat up straight, her expression somewhat sullen.
On the other hand, not only did Consort Hui regret it, but other concubines with ulterior motives also found Xiu Ning an eyesore.
Tong Jia Rongyue, who already had the idea of adopting a son, became even more determined. No matter what, she needed a prince to secure her position.
"Qianli, what do you think of the candidates you've chosen?"
Upon returning to Jingren Palace from Qixiang Palace, Tong Jia Rongyue was extremely anxious.
Fearing that her mistress might get angry and have some inappropriate thoughts, Qianli quickly reassured her, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I have already investigated and found that, apart from our own people, Consort Wuya and Consort Wanliuha are also very outstanding."
Uya Chenglin and Wanliuha Wanning were both palace maids from the Bannermen, whose low status made them easy to manipulate and suitable for their master's plans.
“Wanliuha is not suitable. Her family has close ties with the Niohuru clan, and we cannot win them over. As for the Wuya clan, they are sincere, but I am not very comfortable with Wuya herself.”
Tong Jia Rongyue tapped the table. She knew that Wu Ya, who lived in Yonghe Palace, was quite ambitious and could even suppress the old people in the palace in their struggle for favor. Would she really be willing to do so?
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