Kangxi behaved normally while in Qixiang Palace. He could chat and laugh with Xiuning, play with the children and have dinner together. He was also very hospitable when he stayed overnight. However, after leaving Qixiang Palace, he changed his attitude quickly. Not only did he stop sending the usual rewards, but he also left no words behind.
Perhaps due to the busyness of the previous dynasty, rumors of Wu Sangui's ascension to the throne spread more and more widely, and Kangxi's visits to the inner palace became less frequent. Everyone enjoyed the same treatment, and even Chunyu did not notice Kangxi's estrangement from Qixiang Palace at the beginning.
It wasn't until Emperor Kangxi began to summon concubines to the Qianqing Palace instead of Xiuning that Chunyu realized something was wrong.
With a slightly uneasy feeling, Chunyu cautiously inquired about Xiuning's expectations.
Xiu Ning smiled faintly, "His Majesty does have this intention. Haven't you noticed that our family hasn't sent any messages to Qixiang Palace lately?"
Chunyu was taken aback when she heard this, but then realized that it was true.
In a flash, Chunyu realized, "Are they the same people who were imprisoned?"
Oh dear, it was them who caused this trouble. It's all my fault for not dissuading my master. I shouldn't have helped.
Xiuning nodded and then shook her head. "Don't overthink it, they're just a cover."
The fact that the Emperor did not lose his temper at Qixiang Palace, but instead treated it coldly after leaving, is enough to show that it was not this palace that angered the Emperor.
Furthermore, those people in the prison were not released, and the family's influence in the harem was not limited to Qixiang Palace alone.
With all these factors combined, can't you guess what the Emperor is planning?
Chunyu immediately realized that the Emperor was dissatisfied with the Hitara clan, and her master was merely implicated!
Knowing that Kangxi was probably not angry with her, Xiuning was able to calm down. She picked up the teacup next to her, put it to her lips, and took a sip. "Looking at this matter, although Qixiang Palace has suffered some losses, it is not without benefits for us."
The Empress is dead, and the Crown Prince's residence is still undecided. Our Qixiang Palace is still too conspicuous.
The influence of the two healthy princes, Yinyi and Yinlu, was more significant than imagined.
The fact that Emperor Kangxi hasn't come during this period may well be a way of protecting the two children.
After all, coming too frequently can also show that one attaches great importance to Qixiang Palace (of course, even if one ignores it, it will not affect the attention that is focused on Qixiang Palace, it's just a matter of how much).
Ah, what a sweet burden.
Xiuning muttered to herself. What seemed like a Versailles affair to others was a bit of a hassle for Xiuning. Whether Kangxi came or not had its advantages and disadvantages, but Xiuning was the backbone of Qixiang Palace. She could only reassure Chunyu by talking about the positive aspects, because she couldn't afford to lose her composure, or things would easily go wrong.
Sure enough, following Xiuning's logic, Chunyu was completely convinced by her master.
The anxiety that had been building up earlier subsided, and Chunyu cheerfully poured Xiuning a teacup, while also bringing over the pastries prepared in the small kitchen.
Xiuning didn't explain much, but kept the negative effects to herself and studied while eating.
Kangxi's cold treatment did not completely dissipate until the third month of spring.
In about a month, the women in the harem, who were initially unsure, also realized that Xiu Ning had fallen out of favor.
Everyone was initially surprised, then delighted, and then happily dressed up as peacocks to compete for attention.
Fortunately, the Empress is gone, so Xiuning no longer has to go to Kunning Palace to pay her respects daily. Otherwise, she would definitely be trampled on and ridiculed by some restless people.
...
"Your Majesty, when I passed by the Imperial Garden today, I found that the flowers in the garden were in full bloom."
"You never go out; it's not good for your health. Why don't I help you go for a walk to clear your head?"
Chunyu walked up to Xiuning and cheerfully told her about the benefits of going out.
In March, the weather is warm and flowers are in bloom.
The Imperial Garden is meticulously tended by servants, and a new batch of flowers, plants, and trees has been replaced early on. Right now, it is lush and green, filled with birdsong and the fragrance of flowers, making it a perfect place for a spring outing.
Xiu Ning was fiddling with the round fan in her hand at this moment. Yin Lu and Yin Yi had been taken away by the palace servants of Shou Kang Palace early on because Ning Chu Ge was resting.
Having a rare opportunity to relax, Xiuning had absolutely no desire to go out and suffer.
"I won't go. The Imperial Garden is beautiful, but the people there are even more beautiful. I've fallen out of favor, and everyone avoids me like the plague. What's the point of going there?"
She might have to listen to a few more gossips, but Xiuning doesn't like to suffer. She'd rather live a peaceful life by herself.
"Your Majesty, I have observed that there is no one else in the Imperial Garden. Everyone has gone to the Lotus Pond and the Peony Pavilion. His Majesty has been very fond of those two places lately. Wuya's ability to gain favor is largely due to her skill in staking out people."
Chunyu knew perfectly well about her mistress's reputation in the harem. She wanted her mistress to relax, but she also had to consider the opinions of others.
“Yonghe Palace is quite far from the Lotus Pond and Peony Pavilion. Wuya really put her heart into it.”
Xiu Ning smiled and pointed out Wu Ya Cheng Lin's thoughts, while lamenting that this person was really dishonest. Every time people thought she had really fallen out of favor, she would find an opportunity to turn things around, doing sit-ups over and over again.
Chunyu nodded, "I go to these two places almost every day, even though I come back disappointed most of the time. It's rare to catch one or two opportunities."
At least while everyone else went to the Imperial Garden to try their luck, Wu Yachenglin knew how to be flexible.
However, how did Wuya Chenglin know that the Emperor would definitely return to those two places?
"What else could it be? I have connections. Besides, perseverance will eventually pay off. As long as you put in the effort, you will surely move the heavens."
Xiu Ning's last sentence was quite meaningful. It was no problem that Wu Ya Cheng Lin had connections, because the Imperial Household Department's power over the years was still greater than that of a lean camel.
In addition, Wuya Chenglin's daring and aggressive approach, using her birth of a royal heir as leverage, was very attractive to the Tong family, who had never had a prince but were very ambitious.
Chunyu was unaware of this matter, but Xiuning deduced the cooperation between Wuya Chenglin and Tong Jiarongyue through casual conversations with the system.
However, Xiu Ning wasn't very optimistic. Wu Ya Cheng Lin was too clever, and Tong Jia Rong Yue came from a prominent family; she might not be able to outmaneuver someone like Wu Ya Cheng Lin.
"So what if she has ulterior motives? As long as I can firmly suppress her position, do you think I'm afraid she'll cause trouble?"
In the main hall of Jingren Palace, Tong Jia Rongyue gave an affirmative answer to her maid Qianli's concerns.
It's not that Tong Jia Rongyue ultimately chose Wu Ya Chenglin; it's just that the palace maid from the flower room who was transferred there was too stupid. She was tricked into losing her beauty, and she was supposed to push the other woman onto the dragon bed to serve the emperor.
Although Tong Jia Rongyue only wanted to find a tool to bear children, that doesn't mean that the palace servants who served the emperor didn't need to be picky.
“If you’re unlucky, you can’t blame others,” Tong Jiarong said, putting down her handkerchief. Her eyes sparkled. “Have someone keep a close eye on Consort Wuya in Yonghe Palace. Consort An in the same palace is not easy to deal with. We can’t let our hard work for months go to waste and end up benefiting others.”
Qianli nodded, "Yes, this servant understands."
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