There are many ways to torture people in the imperial harem. The way Xiu Ning was forced to copy books and could not move around freely would probably have driven anyone else crazy.
However, Xiu Ning had a good attitude and remained calm while copying the book, which infuriated Consort Shu.
Even though so many methods of making things difficult for the other party have been tried, how come they remain so calm, and there hasn't even been a complaint from the Emperor?
Consort Shu's original plan was to use this method to provoke Xiu Ning and make her do something irrational. As long as Xiu Ning dared to lose her temper first, she would have an even more ruthless plan waiting for her.
As time has passed, Xiu Ning still attends every invitation and never hesitates to do anything asked of her, leading Consort Shu to suspect that Xiu Ning has some masochistic tendencies.
"Your Majesty, the main hall is cold and quiet. Let me help you to the couch for a short rest."
Cuizhi walked to Consort Shu's side and, seeing that her mistress's face had turned pale, quickly offered her advice.
Consort Shu nodded. Her health had not recovered well since her childbirth, especially in winter, when even wearing many layers of clothing could not keep out the bone-chilling cold.
Consort Shu's hand, which was resting on Cui Zhi's, trembled slightly. She couldn't help but grit her teeth and say, "Take all the braziers in the main hall away."
Since there was still no reaction, she would intensify her efforts, determined to see if a pampered young lady could resist.
As Consort Shu left, the two remaining braziers in the main hall were also taken out.
The temperature in the air dropped further, and Xiuning's breath even left white vapor.
'System, this is what women's jealousy is like.' It's terrifying. They don't hold back at all and aren't even worried about being retaliated against later.
'Host, do you need the system's help?'
The system is good at sales; as long as Xiuning talks to it, it can always find a way to convert points into crystals.
"No need. The Emperor is coming soon. If I suffer more, wouldn't my image as a favored concubine be completely ruined when Empress Niohuru falls from power?"
Xiu Ning didn't really want to play along with Kangxi. The fact that he put her in such a high-profile position was more about using her than feeling anything.
Therefore, if we only talk about benefits, she needs to maximize her 'sacrifice' in order to reap more benefits in return.
system:……
The system understood, but it didn't know if the host's sacrifice was really useful. The host's miserable state had been witnessed by the emperor more than once or twice, but apart from saying nice things, the emperor hadn't taken any other practical actions.
'It's not time yet,' Xiu Ning said calmly. She knew she had to use her guilt wisely, otherwise a few rewards would be enough to appease her and she would be the one who suffered the most.
Normally, it would take Consort Shu no more than two hours to invite Xiuning over.
Normally, Xiuning can go back in about an hour.
But this time, unexpectedly, Xiuning did not rush to leave. Instead, she slowly finished copying all the Buddhist scriptures in her hands. Even after she finished, she did not rest. She continued to expose her wrists and elbows.
It's cold, and the chill in the air rushes to penetrate the skin.
Xiu Ning remained composed, watching her wrist rapidly turn from white to red until she felt it was about right. Then, she lowered her sleeve to perfectly cover it.
...
"Greetings to Consort Xitala. Our Lady has already retired for the night. Consort Xitala has worked hard in copying the Buddhist scriptures. This servant will now see Consort Xitala off."
Cuizhi walked to Xiuning's side and bowed.
Xiuning smiled and nodded, then followed Cuizhi out of the main hall.
Of course, Xiu Ning's trip was not in vain; Chun Yu held a pair of jade bracelets given to her by Consort Shu as a reward.
"They still know how to save face and understand that their actions are not ethical."
Xiuning glanced at the wooden box Chunyu was holding and spoke casually.
"My lady, you have suffered."
Chunyu's hand, which was supporting Xiuning, was a little unsteady. She looked at the exposed section of Xiuning's wrist and was furious.
"Soon"
The suffering she endured was not for nothing. Niohuru still wants to be the empress? Ha, let her go offline and be with her son as soon as possible.
During this period, Consort Shu's actions successfully provoked Xiu Ning's anger. It's one thing to take the opportunity to seek personal gain, but no one would want to let things go when they are being targeted like this. They're not Ninja Turtles.
As soon as Xiuning entered the main hall of Qixiang Palace, she saw Liang Jiugong and others standing at the entrance of the main hall.
The Emperor has arrived again.
Turning her head to signal Chunyu to steady her, Xiuning smiled without showing her teeth, first exchanging a few words of flattery with Liang Jiugong, and then entered the hall by herself.
"This humble concubine greets Your Majesty, wishing you ten thousand years of happiness and peace."
"Ning'er, get up quickly!"
Xiuning got up, took a few quick steps to the couch, and sat down close to Kangxi.
"His Majesty arrived without informing me, but thankfully I returned in time."
With a coquettish tone, Xiu Ning smiled slightly, her eyes full of love.
Kangxi lowered his head slightly, put his hands behind his back and embraced Xiu Ning's slender waist, which could be encircled by one hand. "Ning'er and I are of one mind, why would we need anyone else to inform us?"
"Your Majesty~"
Xiu Ning blushed deeply, her sweet voice piercing Kangxi's heart.
Kangxi's eyes darkened slightly. "What I said is true. Ning'er and I, isn't that right?"
Xiuning: ...Damn it, that's indecent!
Xiu Ning stopped talking and buried her face in Kangxi's neck and shoulders, holding onto his arms tightly.
Seeing this, Kangxi raised his eyebrows and was about to reach out and exchange blows with Xiuning when he noticed the sleeve that Xiuning had 'accidentally' lifted up.
Um?
His expression suddenly turned cold as Kangxi looked at Xiuning's wrist, which was now bright red. "Today you went to Consort Shu's place again, and you were accompanying her to copy Buddhist scriptures?"
Xiu Ning hummed in agreement, still leaning on Kangxi's shoulder and neck without getting up. "Your Highness, Consort Shu misses the little prince. Since I have nothing to do to help, I thought it would be good to copy some Buddhist scriptures."
After speaking, Xiuning raised her head, her eyes shining like a galaxy, "Does Your Majesty think that what I did was wrong?"
Kangxi smiled and pulled Xiuning closer into his arms, saying, "How could that be? Ning'er is so sensible and considerate. If all the concubines in the harem were as considerate of me as Ning'er, I wouldn't have to worry about things every day."
These words truly reflected Emperor Kangxi's inner thoughts. With unrest in both the court and the harem, he had to maintain stability while also ensuring the direction of progress, a pressure he could never have imagined.
Xiuning reached out and stroked Kangxi's furrowed brows. "Your Majesty's health is a matter of great importance to the country. There's not much I can do to help, but I hope Your Majesty can have fewer worries."
"..."
The two huddled together on the tatami mat, whispering sweet nothings to each other.
Emperor Kangxi did not leave Qixiang Palace and return to Qianqing Palace until dinner was over.
"Your Majesty, why didn't you stay?" It was obvious that the Emperor didn't want to leave.
Chunyu didn't understand her master's meaning, and her expression looked a little blank.
"How can I serve the emperor in this state?"
Xiu Ning raised an eyebrow, not forgetting to show the marks on her arm. "No one can accept their own imperfections in front of their 'beloved one,'" she said, which is why she had to painfully send the Emperor away.
What is a single opportunity to serve the emperor in bed? It seems that Kangxi's anger towards Consort Shu and Lady Niohuru is about to become uncontrollable.
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