Xiu Ning was unaware that because of her, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang dealt with a large number of palace servants and concubines, and even sent away the old people around her own grandniece.
She has not left her room since returning.
After all, at this critical juncture, she had already boldly chosen to do something. If she did it again? Even the system might not be able to protect her.
Irgen Gioro Yiyun and Guarjia Yuxi also expressed their concern for Xiuning's return, but due to some privacy concerns, Xiuning didn't say much, only that she was lucky to have been seen by other palace servants and sent back.
"That's really lucky. I thought that Lady Hitara would never have the chance to enter the palace."
In the main hall of the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Kangxi heard about Xiuning's plight from Liang Jiugong and casually remarked with emotion.
Don't be surprised. Even if Kangxi did take a liking to Xiuning's face, if Xiuning herself didn't live up to expectations and couldn't stay until the end, Kangxi wouldn't have taken the initiative to bring her back.
This may stem from Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's upbringing. Although Emperor Kangxi was uncontrollable when it came to women, he was very materialistic in his feelings towards women.
To elaborate further, Kangxi always believed that women were merely an embellishment to his power; having them was good, but not having them was not necessarily a bad thing.
Deep down, Emperor Kangxi was always somewhat indifferent to women (the Empress is an exception, as she was a wife he married, while the others were either tools for bearing children or playthings to amuse him), and they were not worth his emotional investment.
Therefore, although Xiu Ning was beautiful and Kangxi couldn't forget her, she was only beautiful; she couldn't possibly dominate the world based on her looks alone.
"This servant believes that Princess Xitala has a bit of luck on her side."
Being able to catch the emperor's eye is simply a matter of good luck. Other candidates, even if they are targeted, framed, or even sent home, will not be remembered by the emperor.
"You lackey," Kangxi said with a laugh, pointing at Liang Jiugong, who was bowing low. "Speaking of which, who was the one who did the beating?"
His concubines were never honest, something Kangxi had always known.
"Your Majesty, the main person who took action was Consort Shu, but other concubines also got involved. Furthermore, the Empress knew about this but did not stop it."
Liang Jiugong spoke calmly, after all, he had reported similar matters countless times.
Don't be fooled by the virtuous, gentle, and charming appearance of the concubines in front of the emperor. They can be ruthless when they're behind his back. In recent years, the emperor has sent the palace maids he favored to the harem as concubines, but such women often die within a few months.
Tsk tsk tsk, what a den of wolves and tigers, they're all man-eating flowers.
"Is Consort Shu still being unruly even though she's pregnant?"
Kangxi squeezed the jade thumb ring on his hand, and suddenly chuckled softly.
Seeing this, Liang Jiugong quickly lowered his head even further. "Consort Shu's health has improved, and now, more people from the Niohuru clan are being sent to the palace." Consort Shu has connections, power, and is pregnant, so she is naturally fearless.
After a long pause, just when Liang Jiugong thought Kangxi would not speak again, Kangxi spoke up, "Is Lady Ma Jia serving you tonight?"
Liang Jiugong nodded, "Consort Ma Jia is already bathing and waiting in the inner chamber."
At this moment, with just a command from Emperor Kangxi, a eunuch would carry the clean-washed Consort Ma Jia onto the dragon bed.
This was the rule for imperial concubines to serve the emperor in the Qing Dynasty. Apart from a few high-ranking concubines, the others, who were unnamed and without status, were subjected to all sorts of humiliation.
"Forget it, let's send her back."
Kangxi paused, then added that he should summon the palace maids who lived in the backyard to serve him.
Liang Jiugong: ...This is a slap in the face, isn't it?
Consort Ma Jia was, after all, the only concubine in the harem to give birth to a prince. The emperor would rather choose a lowly maid who was only fit to be a bed warmer than have Consort Ma Jia serve him. That's quite something.
“Zha”
Liang Jiugong turned and went out, waving his hand to the little eunuch waiting at the door to go to the backyard to call someone, while he himself went to the outer room to explain the situation to Consort Ma Jia.
Consort Ma Jia: ...
With her face deathly pale, Consort Ma Jia fought back tears. "Eunuch Liang, this...this is His Majesty's will? But what have I done wrong?"
Why would they suddenly stop summoning her? Normally, unless Consort Shu snatched her away, this would never happen.
Liang Jiugong thought to himself, what else could it be? His own actions have been exposed, and the Emperor can't deal with Consort Shu and the Empress for the time being, but he can't deal with you concubines? Even if you give birth to a prince, so what? Consort Shu and Consort Zhang are pregnant in the harem, and it's not like others can't have children.
"Consort Ma, please leave with this servant."
Without explaining why, Liang Jiugong flicked his whisk, a smile on his face that was cold in its intensity.
Consort Ma Jia composed herself, realizing she couldn't offend the Emperor's favorite, and nodded through gritted teeth, "Yes, thank you, Eunuch."
And so, having changed into a new set of clothes, Consort Ma Jia followed the little eunuch, reluctantly walking back.
Just as she was about to leave the Qianqing Palace, Consort Ma Jia saw the back of the woman being led into the main hall behind her.
Consort Ma Jia: ! ! !
Consort Ma Jia was filled with resentment, but she dared not say anything out of line.
Gritting her teeth and taking a deep breath, suppressing all her emotions, Consort Ma Jia could only bury her head and hurry on her way.
...
The next morning, Xiu Ning, who had slept soundly in bed, opened her eyes right on time.
There was already some commotion outside the door.
Xiuning took the opportunity to open the window and peek out; it was indeed a lively scene.
Palace maids and eunuchs came and went, carrying or holding various packages of different sizes, accompanied by newly dressed young ladies as they walked out of the palace.
"Princess, it's time. Please quickly pack your belongings. Palace servants will come to collect them and escort you away shortly."
Qiu'er stood at the door, knocked a few times, and then spoke her mind.
Regardless of whether Xiuning and the other two could hear her, Qiu'er turned and left after finishing her work.
Seeing this, Xiuning quickly closed the window and got out of bed to wash up.
After she had tidied herself up, she began to sort and put away her used clothes and accessories one by one, wrapping them up tightly to ensure they wouldn't fall apart along the way.
Xiuning didn't bring much stuff, and she usually tidies up, so she finished everything in about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Squeak—
The door was pushed open from the inside, and Xiuning beckoned to Qiu'er, who was in the distance, "You can arrange for people now."
Qiu'er smiled and agreed, then quickly went down to find the person.
"You're so fast?"
A sigh came from behind her, and Guarjia Yuxi looked utterly devastated. She had so many things, and after working for quite some time, she still hadn't finished packing half of them.
Xiuning offered a suggestion, "How about we ask the palace servants for help?"
Guarjia Yuxi shook her head regretfully, "I'll do it myself," and then turned to get busy.
Xiuning was helpless and went back to her room to wait for any movement outside.
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