Ning Chuge is coming back?!
Xiu Ning was initially surprised, but then delighted. She thought that Ning Chuge would have to wait until at least the 35th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign to return. By then, the Dzungar tribe would have been subdued and pacified by the Kangxi Emperor, Galdan would have died on his escape route, and the Qing Dynasty would have successfully dealt with a covetous foreign enemy, becoming unstoppable and advancing all the way.
It was after the end of the Dzungar rebellion that Kangxi paid more attention to the situation in Mongolia beyond the Great Wall, and even treated it as a key issue with an inspection tour almost every year.
"Does Your Majesty say when Ning Chuge will enter the palace?"
Xiuning beckoned Chunyu over, her questioning tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of urgency.
Chunyu nodded and then shook her head. "The exact time is unknown, but the princess and her consort have already set off and should be able to return to the palace in less than a month."
The army that escorted Ning Chuge to her marriage only took a month, including the entire round trip.
The same principle applies to Ning Chuge now.
Xiu Ning nodded and walked around the main hall twice. "There are vacant princess residences in the capital. Even if Ning Chuge returns to the capital, she will not stay in the palace for the time being."
Go ahead and make preparations, especially for food, clothing, and other necessities. Send them to the princess's residence. Don't wait until Ning Chuge arrives before taking any action.
Princess's Mansion was not a residence specially built by Emperor Kangxi for Ning Chuge, but rather a temporary residence for Ning Chuge's former aunts after they returned to Beijing after getting married.
However, the few daughters who were granted titles by Emperor Shunzhi all died young, passing away a few years after marrying into Mongolian families. As a result, the princess residences left in the capital became ownerless and were handed over to the Imperial Household Department for centralized management.
When Ning Chuge returned this time, she and her husband could only stay at the princess's residence.
Xiu Ning planned to clean up the unused princess residence before Ning Chuge returned to the capital, even if it was just to make Ning Chuge feel at ease living there.
Chunyu nodded in agreement, understanding her master's excitement.
...
Ning Chuge was finally coming back after more than a year of marriage, and all the palace servants in Qixiang Palace were overjoyed by the news.
Xiu Ning was also very generous, simply rewarding everyone with three months' worth of monthly allowances. This not only restored her good reputation but also angered Consort Jia, who was closest to her, so much so that she couldn't help but hurl insults at her.
"Consort Jing is good at this kind of superficial work. Humph, those servants are also short-sighted."
"It's just a monthly allowance for three months, yet they've become incredibly grateful," and this time they even rejected her offer, completely ignoring Yongshou Palace.
Consort Jia couldn't stand it, especially the two sentences she didn't say. Heaven knows how much money she spent trying to poach people from Qixiang Palace.
Consort Jia wanted to use people to get things done, but she didn't have the ability to put people in her own system, so she could only rely on money to bribe them. She was already holding back her anger, but then this happened, which made her even angrier.
Seeing this, the maidservant quickly advised Consort Jia to calm down. Her Yongshou Palace was not as wealthy as Qixiang Palace at the moment. If they couldn't dig, they couldn't dig. There was no need to confront Qixiang Palace head-on.
Consort Jia: ...
Consort Jia was amused by the maid's lack of spirit, "I am also a consort, and Consort Jing's background is actually not as good as mine."
"If it weren't for her womb being so fertile, bearing two sons and two daughters, how could Consort Jing possibly have surpassed me?"
Consort Jia, feeling indignant, began to complain. The maid beside her, upon hearing this, thought to herself that Consort Jing's ability to give birth was quite a skill.
Besides, our master only got one tenth prince because of his high status, so what's there to be proud of?
"Your Majesty is right. Consort Jing is just lucky."
Smiling, the maidservant echoed Consort Jia's sentiments, and then helped Consort Jia lie down on the bed to rest.
Consort Jia's body can never recover to its pre-pregnancy state. Right now, she is only being nourished by decoctions made from some precious medicinal herbs. However, as her resistance to the herbs increases, these precious herbs will eventually lose their effectiveness, and when that time comes, Consort Jia's life will also wither away.
The maid sighed, covered Consort Jia with the quilt, and tidied her up. Consort Jia then turned and left the room, pondering her future.
Those who serve as slaves have no say in their life or death.
But the maid was alive and well, and certainly didn't want to die. Thinking of the palace servants who had gone with Consort Ping, the maid secretly struggled with herself, thinking, "No, I can't follow in their footsteps."
Even ants cherish life, let alone humans.
After looking around the small courtyard, the maid simply turned her attention to the Qixiang Palace next door.
Perhaps she should find some time to reconnect with Chunyu from Qixiang Palace.
...
In March, spring is in full bloom.
Having shed their heavy winter clothes, people have brought out their light and figure-flattering spring outfits.
The colorful spring attire adorned the imperial concubines, who vied for attention and their beauty, which also eased the mind of Emperor Kangxi, who had been preoccupied with the war against the Dzungars.
Meanwhile, Ning Chuge and his consort, who had been traveling for almost a month, entered the capital from Khorchin with a large entourage.
Xiu Ning received the news early in the morning, changed into a royal concubine's robe, and went to greet Ning Chuge and the others with Emperor Kangxi.
Accompanied by the cheerful music, Ningchuge, dressed in Mongolian attire, stood beside his tall and imposing consort.
The journey had taken its toll on Ning Chuge, especially since she was already five months pregnant and her belly was noticeably protruding.
Xiu Ning's eyes showed worry, but she did not speak to stop her. Only after the welcoming process was completed did Xiu Ning step forward and hold Ning Chuge's hand.
Mother
"Good, it's good that you're back."
After a brief exchange between mother and daughter, Ning Chuge bowed to Emperor Kangxi and took her leave, while her husband was taken to the Qianqing Palace by Kangxi.
“Father is really anxious,” Ning Chuge said, pouting as he linked arms with Xiu Ning.
Xiuning smiled helplessly, "The imperial court is about to launch a massive attack on the Dzungar army. At this time, your father also needs the support of the Mongols."
The attitude of Khorchin, which has always been the core of Mongolia, is of paramount importance.
Ning Chuge nodded, "My daughter understands, otherwise Batur wouldn't have accompanied her back to the palace."
Batur was a minor Taiji in the Khorchin Mongols, and was not considered particularly outstanding in Mongolia.
But Batur's father is currently the main person in charge of Khorchin and has absolute authority throughout Mongolia.
Ningchuge's marriage to Batur was a powerful alliance between the two families. It not only helped the Batur family control the entire Mongolian region, but also served as a spy planted by the Qing Dynasty in Mongolia to monitor them to some extent.
"How is your relationship with Batur? Now that you're married, you should still act like husband and wife."
Xiu Ning patted Ning Chuge's arm. She knew that her daughter's journey in Khorchin had not been smooth sailing; there had been many dangers and conflicts.
After all, no one likes to be monitored, let alone Mongolia, which already had conflicts with the Qing Dynasty.
Ning Chuge smiled and said, "Mother, don't worry, I understand."
From the first day she married into the Khorchin, she came to terms with her relationship with Batur. Although they were husband and wife, they openly served different factions.
Ning Chuge knew how to handle the situation, and besides, she was confident that Batur would ultimately remain loyal to her.
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