You never refuse? How exactly do you mean you never refuse?
Ning Chuge was taken aback by Xiu Ning's words. The first thing that came to her mind was the network of connections that the Empress Dowager had left in Mongolia and Khorchin.
Of course, the Empress Dowager has been in the palace for decades. Even if she had laid a trap in Mongolia and Khorchin, so many years have passed that even the most powerful trap should have disappeared long ago.
If she asks for this, how much will she get?
Ning Chuge pondered the feasibility of this matter and then fell into deep thought.
Looking at Ning Chuge's posture, Xiu Ning understood that he had taken the words to heart.
Since that's the case, she didn't bother them and simply sat on the couch, leisurely drinking the warm tea that the palace servants had brought her.
The aroma of tea fills the air, leaving a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth.
The tea in Ningchuge's area was either a gift from Xiuning or an imperial gift from Emperor Kangxi.
As one of the most favored princesses in the harem, Ning Chuge still had the respect due to her position. Even Tong Jia Rongyue, who handled palace affairs, would not mistreat her in terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities.
“Mother, I think that sometimes, it’s better to stay still than to move.”
Ning Chuge clapped her hands, raised her head, and revealed her bright, shining eyes.
"A combination of movement and stillness—are you suggesting that you first observe the situation and wait and see?"
Xiu Ning pondered Ning Chuge's words, her expression tinged with a hint of sadness.
Ning Chuge shook her head, looking both cute and serious. "No, no, what I mean is to wait for the Ancestor to come to us himself."
Asking for things is too low-class; if the Empress Dowager were so kind, she would definitely give them to you.
At this time, Yiningchuge believes that the Empress Dowager's psychology is more worthy of attention.
If the Empress Dowager only does ordinary things, then Ning Chuge will not need to hold back anything after he goes to Khorchin and holds great power.
To be honest, compared to the Empress Dowager's extravagant gestures, Ning Chuge, after much deliberation, did not have the same level of anticipation as he had imagined.
There's no other reason than that if the Empress Dowager gives too much, then Ning Chuge will definitely have to pay the same price. If there is no price, it can only mean that Ning Chuge needs to pay even more.
The "many" here doesn't necessarily refer to specific benefits, but also to some implicit promises, including but not limited to Ningchuge's future maintenance and assistance to Mongolia and Khorchin.
That would make us seem too passive.
Ning Chuge smiled brightly at Xiu Ning, "Mother, I believe that our ancestor was thinking about the future more than anything else on his deathbed."
If the daughter were to rashly come to ask for it, not only would she easily displease the matriarch, but she would also allow the matriarch to prejudge her and test her limits.
That's not good. Her mother once taught her that one should consider the person when setting boundaries.
Some things are worth revealing your bottom line for the sake of getting something better, but others are things you can't expose because the other party will manipulate your actions.
The current power struggle between the mother and daughter and the Empress Dowager is a case in point.
After listening to Ning Chuge's words, Xiu Ning was both moved and satisfied. "You're right. I was worried that you might break easily after just getting over 30, but now I can rest assured."
At least in Xiu Ning's view, Ning Chuge has her own way of doing things and will not be swayed by others (including herself). So even if she marries into the Khorchin tribe in the future, she will not worry about Ning Chuge making any mistakes.
"Ning Chuge, do what you think is right. Don't be afraid of failure or things going wrong."
Xiu Ning chuckled softly, her brows relaxed, and she seemed to float in a blissful light.
Ning Chuge nodded obediently, "Mother, don't worry, I will definitely not let you down."
My father said that she is the pearl of the Qing Dynasty, destined to shine brightly.
...
Xiuning waited at the princess's invitation for half an hour, then got up and left with her entourage.
Of course, Xiuning did not return to Qixiang Palace, but instead went to the Prince's Residence next door.
Yinyi and Yinlu had moved in long ago. The two brothers were close in rank and their courtyards were next to each other. When Xiuning came looking for someone, she found a pair of them directly.
"What little tricks are you two up to now?"
Xiuning entered the room and, before the two people even came over, had already spoken her words.
"Mother!" "Mother!"
Although the boy's voice was not clear, it was full of emotion.
Xiuning shook her head helplessly, "You guys, the other day the Emperor was still complaining about you not paying attention in class."
Being inattentive means that he likes to daydream during class, and Kangxi caught him red-handed.
Of course, Yinyi and Yinlu were also reprimanded, but Kangxi did not show too much severity. However, when Kangxi came to Qixiang Palace later, he did not forget to mention it to Xiuning. Xiuning was given a lesson today as a side effect.
Before Yinyi could respond, the younger Yinlu ran to Xiuning's side and hugged her arm, saying, "Mother, your son knows he was wrong."
"Are you aware of your mistake?"
Xiu Ning lowered her head and gently tapped Yin Lu's smooth little head. "You're always causing trouble in the study. Your father said that if there's a next time, he will not let you off easily."
“Mother, Father Emperor has a terrible temper,” Yin Yi said, leaning closer. The young boy was already taller than Xiu Ning. If it weren’t for his still-childish face, he would probably be mistaken for an adult just by looking at his back.
“My son and fourth brother are always well-behaved in the study, except for one occasion when Father Emperor happened to see them.”
Yin Yi tried his best to defend himself, but he refused to admit that he had been misbehaving in the study. Compared to the other princes, he and Yin Lu were very well-behaved.
Xiuning: ...Sophistry!
She rolled her eyes at Yin Yi, thinking to herself that it's really hard to manage a grown-up child.
If you calculate the time, Consort Hui's eldest son has already turned sixteen, and his marriage is about to be arranged.
"Be careful, the study is an important place, don't fool around."
Xiuning said something else, then waved to her and led the two children to the bedside.
The small octagonal table in the tatami room was filled with uneaten food and pastries.
Xiuning glanced at it and simply had the palace servants send some more over.
Princes also have palace servants to attend to them, so Xiuning shouldn't be worried about them.
However, Yin Yi is getting old, and it's hard to guarantee that there won't be any servants who are tempted to cause trouble.
He subtly reminded Yinyi, and then used Yinti and Yinreng as examples, saying, "Your father is very unhappy. Consort Hui and Consort Ping were also reprimanded. If you want your mother to feel at ease, you should put away these little thoughts as soon as possible. If you really want someone, you should talk to your mother first."
Xiu Ning spoke cryptically, and Yin Lu certainly wouldn't understand, but Yin Yi understood Xiu Ning's meaning, and his cheeks flushed slightly.
"Mother, your son understands what's important and what's urgent," Yin Yi said with the shyness typical of a young man. He certainly had no intention of taking in the palace maids around him. Besides, he had seen what had happened to his two unlucky brothers. It was best to just wait for the imperial concubine selection.
"It's good that you understand," Xiu Ning said without saying more. She also believed that the servants in the prince's residence were all carefully selected and re-examined every year. If problems still occurred, it could only mean that the mother and son were not resourceful enough and deserved to be tricked.
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