“Then it’s settled,” Nara said with a smile. “The elder sister felt very close to the younger sister the first time they met.”
"If my younger sister could really come to my palace, I would be overjoyed."
Nara's words were so exaggerated that anyone who didn't know better would think Xiuning was the reincarnation of Emperor Kangxi. It's incredible how she could have such a strong attraction for someone like her.
"What are you saying, Consort Nara? You can't keep talking about death, it's too unlucky." Something is definitely amiss. Xiu Ning didn't see any kindness in Nara's eyes, she only saw the scheming hidden deep in them.
After they finished speaking, the two smiled at each other and then each returned to the palace with their maids.
Chunyu turned her head and glanced at Nara, her face full of complaints. In the end, she couldn't hold back and could only say that the other party was ignorant of her place. "Your Highness is a Consort," she said. Nara was just a concubine, yet she was calling her "sister" and "brother" right away. It was unbearable to watch her try to take advantage of the situation.
"Perhaps it's out of resentment." The first batch of imperial concubines who entered the palace didn't hold any high positions. Even Borjigit, who was raised by the Empress Dowager herself, could only be a concubine.
Only three years later, a concubine named Changzai re-entered the palace, whose background seemed to be similar to her own. Anyone would be dissatisfied.
Xiu Ning smiled and stared straight ahead. She thought to herself, "This harem is really interesting."
They spend their days bickering in Kunning Palace or listening to crosstalk in Cining Palace. With so many women chosen by the Emperor to enter the palace, they're never lonely, no matter where they are.
After a good self-deprecating laugh, Xiu Ning returned to Qixiang Palace and finally had the breakfast she had missed for a while.
The breakfast tasted a little off because it had been reheated twice, but thankfully it was still edible.
"Remember to pay attention to the time next time. If all else fails, just pay extra and ask the eunuch in the imperial kitchen for help."
Xiu Ning wouldn't compromise herself in this regard. She wiped her lips with a handkerchief in one hand and whispered a message to Chun Yu.
Chunyu nodded in agreement, and then called Xuancao and Xuanting to quickly clear the table of food.
...
Since it was still daytime and Xiuning had nothing to do, she simply asked Chunyu to call Xuancao and Xuanting over, and asked the three of them to take advantage of the time they had to reorganize the monthly allowances sent by the Imperial Household Department and the packages she had brought in from outside the palace before sending them to the storeroom for registration.
“These things weren’t urgent, but since the Emperor is away from the palace these past two days, and we don’t have much to do right now, let’s take this opportunity to get them all done at once.”
With a wave of her hand, Xiu Ning spoke while leaning against the soft pillow behind her.
Xuancao and Xuanting were shocked to hear that their master had entrusted them with such an important matter, which showed that he trusted them completely.
They all expressed their utmost loyalty and then went to work under Chunyu's supervision.
Xiuning held the book, using it as a way to relax and pass the time.
A little while later, Xiuning heard footsteps coming from the doorway.
"My Lord"
Xiuning jolted awake, looked up and glanced at Chunyu who had appeared in front of her. "What's wrong?"
Chunyu pointed excitedly out the window, "Your Highness, the chief eunuch of Qianqing Palace has come. He said that the Emperor specially ordered him to deliver this reward to you before leaving the palace."
"reward?!"
Xiu Ning blinked and sat up from the couch in one swift motion. She hadn't expected that even though Emperor Kangxi had left the palace, he hadn't forgotten to send her a reward. It seemed that her efforts last night hadn't been in vain.
"Who is this eunuch who came?"
There were quite a few eunuchs in the Qianqing Palace. Besides Liang Jiugong, a favorite of Emperor Kangxi, there were also eunuchs in charge of other matters.
"His surname is Zhou, and he's in charge of the Emperor's private treasury," Chunyu added quietly, then reached out to help Xiuning up from the couch.
"It seems this eunuch holds a high position," he said. He was in charge of the emperor's private treasury and had connections with money and other valuables, so only trusted confidants could use his services.
After quickly considering the situation, Xiuning instructed Chunyu to make sure that this Mr. Zhou was settled in properly.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, Eunuch Zhou has been invited into the main hall for tea," Chunyu said calmly, otherwise she wouldn't have spoken so slowly.
Xiuning nodded, then had Chunyu tidy up her clothes and accessories before taking Chunyu's hand and walking out of the inner room to the main hall.
Upon seeing Xiuning approach, Eunuch Zhou immediately rose from his seat and said, "This servant greets Consort Xitala."
“No need for formalities, Eunuch Zhou. Xuancao, quickly serve Eunuch Zhou some tea,” Xiuning said with a smile, gesturing for Eunuch Zhou to sit down.
Of course, Xiu Ning's performance was one thing, but Eunuch Zhou did not forget the important business he had come for. He bowed and smiled as he read out all the rewards that had been delivered.
The most abundant item was cloth and clothing, followed by some headdresses and jewelry, all of which Xiu Ning could use. Compared to those seemingly valuable but useless items, it seems that Eunuch Zhou put thought into sending these.
Seeing that the items had instantly filled the entire octagonal table, Xiu Ning was delighted. "It's getting hotter and hotter these days. It's really kind of you, Eunuch Zhou, to make this special trip."
After saying that, Xiuning gave Chunyu a look, and Chunyu immediately stepped forward and stuffed the bulging purse into Eunuch Zhou's hand, saying, "It's just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it as payment for a cup of tea."
Shocked by such generosity, Eunuch Zhou couldn't help but admire how Xitala Changzai could always surprise people. "Oh dear, this is too much. This servant thanks Your Highness for your kindness."
He spoke politely, but Zhou Gonggong's actions in accepting the purse were anything but hesitant.
Xiu Ning saw this and felt even more at ease. Well, as long as there was an opportunity to curry favor, that was fine. Anyway, the eunuchs around the Emperor were all the kind of troublesome little devils, so she couldn't easily offend them.
A eunuch who manages the emperor's private treasury and a woman who is the emperor's concubine—these two don't have much to talk about.
When it was time to leave, Eunuch Zhou took his leave. Xiu Ning smiled and Chun Yu saw Eunuch Zhou off.
After everyone had almost left, Xiuning turned around and went to the octagonal table to check the things that had been delivered.
To be honest, the fabrics and such can be sent to the embroidery workshop to be cut right now, but some of these headdresses and jewelry are a bit out of line with the regulations, so at least for Xiuning's current rank, she can't take them out.
Thud—
After closing the wooden box, Xiuning beckoned to Xuancao and Xuanting at the door, "Make a list of all the items bestowed by the Emperor. Place the usable ones in the main hall of the room for the time being."
Although the Emperor might not be able to come to Qixiang Palace, who knows if she has any spies of Kangxi by her side? She still has to put on a show.
Xuancao and Xuanting nodded in unison, "Yes."
The news that the Emperor had sent a reward to Qixiang Palace before leaving the palace spread like wildfire throughout the harem, making the concubines of Xiuning, who had somewhat neglected the palace that day, furious and cursing him inwardly.
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