Chunyu nodded in agreement and, following Xiuning's instructions, turned around and cleaned up all the troubles left over from Qixiang Palace.
Over the years, Kangxi had planted quite a few spies in Qixiang Palace. This time, Xiuning handed over most of them in one go, and the few remaining ones were so frightened that they became extremely obedient.
He was afraid that if he made any further moves, he would be discovered and arrested by the Crown Prince.
Their identities must not be revealed, much less exposed to the Qing Dynasty. Otherwise, if even the slightest rumor were to spread, not only would they themselves perish, but their entire families would be doomed.
Chunyu had a good grasp of their thoughts, so she didn't hold back when she took action.
The few people left behind were just to cover things up; otherwise, if the Crown Prince had arrested all of the Emperor's people, the Emperor might have become suspicious upon his return.
The highest level of self-discovery is when truth and falsehood are mixed together, and no one can tell what is real and what is fake.
After the cleanup, Qixiang Palace was exceptionally peaceful. Seeing that there was nothing for her to do, Xiuning continued to live a leisurely life in the palace.
Occasionally, Chunyu would come over and tell her about the general situation in the harem.
However, as September drew closer, the Crown Prince wisely refrained from targeting the harem, allowing them a few rare days of peace.
Apart from Consort Jia, whose illness was getting worse, and Consort Hui, who had argued with the Crown Prince.
The two women were at opposite ends of the spectrum. Consort Hui carried Orange Heart with her wherever she went, as if deliberately showing off her abilities; Consort Jia, on the other hand, constantly contacted Niohuru outside the palace, striving to pave a way out for the Tenth Prince before she fell from grace.
Xiu Ning watched coldly, thinking to herself that neither of them would end up well.
Although Consort Jia's efforts to pave the way were commendable, her own son was simply not clever enough. He was thoroughly betrayed by the Eighth Prince, whom she favored so much. He and the Ninth Prince were a pair of unlucky brothers, both of whom squandered their power and money, becoming nothing more than tools.
Although Consort Hui is currently arrogant, she is nothing more than a grasshopper in autumn. Xiu Ning has already received a letter from Li Dequan, which clearly states that the Emperor is in a bad mood recently.
It's obvious who offended Emperor Kangxi when he was in a bad mood amidst the army's frequent victories.
Xiu Ning never expected that Li Dequan would eventually find a way out for her.
That makes sense. Right now, Emperor Kangxi is difficult to please. In his later years, he will change his attitude every single day. Even if Li Dequan is very clever, he will not be able to withstand such pressure.
Choosing Xiuning as a backer was to be expected.
If anyone in the harem could gain any advantage over Emperor Kangxi, it would undoubtedly be Xiuning.
...
Mid-Autumn Festival banquet on the fifteenth of August.
With Emperor Kangxi absent, the atmosphere in the inner palace was somewhat desolate.
Despite Consort Hui's extravagant efforts to liven up the atmosphere of the festival banquet, no one gave her any face, and the entire banquet was deathly silent, which was quite annoying.
Consort Hui was furious, but she couldn't show it. The others didn't have much power in the palace, and Consort Hui had excluded them from the start.
It can be said that this Mid-Autumn Festival banquet is Consort Hui's personal stage. Consort Hui hopes that this banquet will show her own style in the harem, and at the same time challenge Xiu Ning and Tong Jia Rong Yue, and build momentum for the First Prince Yin Ti.
Now that it's all been ruined, everything is gone.
"Heh, so it's easy to get the power of the palace. I still don't understand how she lost it back then."
Still jumping around and showing off, even the Crown Prince has quieted down. Xiu Ning rolled her eyes and said something extremely impolite.
"Your Majesty, Consort Hui started making veiled attacks as soon as she returned to the palace, which shows how angry she is."
She has none of the demeanor expected of a concubine; she's just a shrew.
Chunyu couldn't understand how Consort Hui had become like this. Logically speaking, Consort Hui was not of high birth, but her upbringing was not bad. Judging from her previous behavior, she was not so stubborn.
"It's all because of power; everyone wants it," but there's only so much power. It's either you or me, so what can we do?
Everyone is greedy, and no one can bear to give up power so easily.
With a sigh, Xiu Ning turned her gaze to the princes' quarters and the princess's quarters.
"Leaving aside the harem, continue to remind Yinyi and Yinlu to be careful."
"Boer and Dai are living alone in the princess's quarters. Send someone to bring her back first."
Rubbing her temples, Xiu Ning perked up. "Ning Chuge is about to give birth. I wrote a letter. Find the right opportunity to send it out." In a while, she would have even less time to pay attention to Ning Chuge.
Ning Chuge gave birth alone in Khorchin. Although she took several imperial physicians with her when she left the capital, no one could guarantee her safety.
"Prepare more medicinal herbs from the warehouse and take them to Ning Chuge."
Leaning back slightly, Xiu Ning frowned. She wasn't worried about the situation in the palace, but she couldn't guarantee that Kangxi wouldn't go so far as to suppress her after returning from outside the palace.
Chunyu was fine at first, but as Xiuning started talking more, she became increasingly alarmed. Could it be that serious?
"Don't take it lightly. As the saying goes, it's always better to be prepared."
Regardless of whether Kangxi would take action, Xiuning had to consider the worst-case scenario.
If Qixiang Palace were implicated, or even if Emperor Kangxi blamed Xiuning for everything because his own spies were arrested, then the Qixiang Palace faction would definitely have to lie low for several years.
They haven't been able to rise to prominence for several years. Xiu Ning can do it, but can Yin Yi and Yin Lu? Ning Chuge, who is far away in Khorchin, and Bu Er and Dai, who live in the Princess's residence, can they?
It should be noted that Yin Yi and Yin Reng were the same age. Yin Reng's marriage had already been arranged, but there was still no news about Yin Yi. Who knew what the Emperor was thinking?
Xiuning never dared to ask in detail, for fear that Kangxi would think that she and her son were restless and that the man, who had already fallen into the vicious cycle of power, had to be careful even when talking to the other party.
"Go and get back to your work. I have nothing to do here."
She waved her hand, then looked up at the dark rooftop, which made her feel depressed.
Chunyu turned and left, leaving Xiuning alone in the main hall.
The teacup on which the watch rested had cooled down. Xiu Ning tapped the table lightly. She thought of the message sent outside the palace a couple of days ago, in which Lady Fucha had asked Lady Fucha to inquire about the candidate for Yin Yi's consort.
Fucha had previously collaborated with her, but some things went wrong later, and after much back and forth, Fucha had no choice but to choose Xiuning, but the original terms had already been nullified.
At present, Xiuning does not plan to ask for a daughter from the Fuca or Xitala clan to marry Yinyi. Good resources should be used wisely. Yinyi's future is bright, and some powerful families can also be considered.
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