She went there full of enthusiasm, but returned in a hurry; these two conflicting emotions perfectly reflect Xiu Ning's feelings.
Who could have imagined that what was just a routine undercover visit would end up like this?
"master"
Chunyu stood behind Xiuning. She was a little worried because she saw that her mistress had been standing by the window without moving since she returned.
"It's nothing, I'm just wondering who did it."
You said everyone knew it was a clandestine trip, so how did things go wrong at the very end?
She had previously praised the prefect for being sensible and reasonable, but she dug a hole for herself in the process. Of all people to criticize, she had to criticize the emperor's birth mother.
Shaking her head, Xiu Ning had no hope for the future of this prefect. No matter how well the auspicious omen had been handled, it could not outweigh the storyteller's behavior today.
As someone who accompanied Xiuning out of the palace today, Chunyu naturally understood the meaning behind Xiuning's words.
Who did it? It must have been done by someone who had a grudge against the prefect.
After all, when someone gets promoted, they're stuck in the same place, blocking the way for others. If someone is dissatisfied, it's normal for them to cause trouble at this time.
This incognito tour ended rather abruptly due to an unexpected event, so Xiuning received a reward from Emperor Kangxi to appease her.
Just when everyone thought the matter was over and they were about to set off to continue their southern tour, she was surprised to receive a request for an audience from the prefect's wife.
"I will not see them. I will only say that I am unwell and it is not appropriate for me to meet with them."
Jumping out at a time like this will either be asking her for a favor or causing her trouble.
Xiuning didn't want to get involved in this mess and simply refused.
While Xiuning refused, others did not, including Consort Ping; some even accepted gifts from the prefect's wife.
When Xiuning received this news, Consort Ping had already done something for the Prefect's wife and brazenly went to test the Emperor's intentions. As a result, she was not only scolded by the Emperor, but was also directly locked in the dragon boat to rest and was also deprived of the right to receive the families of ministers on a daily basis.
Xiuning: ...
"Consort Ping is a direct descendant of the Hesheli clan, she should not lack this kind of filial piety tribute, how could this be?"
Xiu Ning frowned, feeling that Consort Ping was acting strangely. This person was not from a humble background. Although the gift from the Prefect's wife was not small, it was still insignificant compared to the extent of Hesheli's own wealth accumulation. There was no reason for Consort Ping to take the risk.
Chunyu couldn't understand it either. Logically speaking, she thought that among the people the prefect's wife chose to give gifts to, Consort Ping was the least likely to accept these bribes, but in the end, Consort Ping took the most.
"This servant does not know either. Since leaving the palace, Consort Ping has been resting alone on the dragon boat or in the imperial palace."
"Master, shall I send someone to investigate?"
Chunyu bit her lip, thinking to herself that she was afraid she wouldn't be able to find out anything even if she tried to find out.
Because Consort Ping was not particularly outstanding in the harem, even though she held power in the palace, she still had a low profile and even had few spies sent to the other side's palace.
He waved his hand, "No need, let's look at the future."
If the other party truly has ulterior motives, they will surely reveal themselves. She is not worried about not having enough time for her southern tour, which will last for several months.
Chunyu nodded in agreement, and kept the matter of Consort Ping in mind, secretly deciding to pay more attention to it.
As it turned out, this attention actually revealed a problem: Consort Ping, who was imprisoned, was not behaving herself and repeatedly spoke up for the prefect, until she angered Emperor Kangxi and was ordered by him to be sent back to the palace.
"Send them back to the palace?"
Sitting on the dragon boat during the southern tour, Xiu Ning listened to the latest news brought by Chun Yu, not understanding why Consort Ping was so stubborn in taking the lead.
Chunyu nodded, looking puzzled. "Only Consort Ping returned to the palace this time. I heard she set off early this morning." She didn't even have time to greet the other concubines, which shows how angry the Emperor was.
Turning her head, Xiuning glanced behind her.
At this moment, she was on the boat, and behind her was just a cabin made of wooden planks; she couldn't see anything else.
“Even the Thirteenth Prince wasn’t taken away. Something’s not right,” Consort Ping was acting strangely, unlike her usual behavior.
Chunyu pondered, "Master, could it be related to the situation of the Hesheli clan?"
Consort Ping's father was unable to manage the household, and the current head of the Hesheli clan is the Crown Prince's uncle, Lord Suo'etu.
It's understandable that Consort Ping, lacking family support, wouldn't relinquish the filial piety gifts from her subordinates.
After all, the concubines in the harem also need to make a living. Whether it's daily expenses or favors, don't count on the fixed salary the emperor gives them; it's simply not enough.
This is why all the concubines in the imperial harem with names and surnames came from prominent families. It wasn't just a matter of status, but also the benefits they brought, including, but not limited to, winning over palace servants to provide them with assistance.
Otherwise, how can we explain why the emperor spends more time with high-ranking concubines each month? The Imperial Household Department would always place the green plaques in their proper positions.
"Is that so?" Xiu Ning didn't completely believe Chun Yu's explanation.
Because Consort Ping wasn't that kind of fool; there were many ways to solve the problem of being short of money, and there was no need to gamble her future on this one time.
"There must be something we don't know about here," there definitely is.
But Xiuning, lacking the ability to calculate mentally, naturally didn't know the specifics.
Of course, if Xiuning were willing to spend some points to ask the system to intervene, it could also deduce Consort Ping's true thoughts based on the information. But what would be the purpose of doing so? Xiuning did not think that Consort Ping could threaten her, so she simply saved her few points and waited for a more important move later.
...
With Consort Ping gone, a third of those in charge of managing palace affairs have left, naturally placing an even heavier burden on Xiu Ning and Tong Jia Rong Yue.
Among them, Tong Jia Rongyue had to take care of Yin Yu, who was unwell on the dragon boat, so Xiu Ning had to temporarily take over most of the palace affairs and be responsible for all the food and drink for the entire group on the southern tour.
Xiu Ning was so busy with these matters that she completely forgot about Consort Ping, who had returned to the palace.
It wasn't until the dragon boat, after many stops and starts, finally arrived in Jiangnan before spring blossoms that Xiuning suddenly realized that more than a month had passed.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty just sent word that the families of the officials who received the Emperor will be coming to visit tomorrow."
Chunyu rushed into the main hall. They were no longer on the dragon boat, but in a beautiful manor.
The manor was filled with countless rare treasures, clearly prepared specifically for the arrival of the emperor.
"Yes, I understand. Make the arrangements on your end in advance."
She waved her hand, and Xiu Ning felt a sense of anticipation as she thought about meeting the family of the author who had written the masterpiece.
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