When someone is wronged, the worst thing to do is to complain in person, because that will give others something to talk about.
Flowers don't bloom for a hundred days, and people don't stay popular for a hundred days.
If something were to happen to her in the future, wouldn't that expose all the dirt on her? So Xiuning always silently endured these grievances, but never said a bad word about Consort Shu on the surface.
Of course, there are downsides to doing this. If Kangxi really doesn't care or is heartless and pretends not to see it, then it's like shooting yourself in the foot. You'll swallow all the grievances and bitterness and end up leaving nothing behind.
When Xiuning handled this matter, she naturally considered various factors. It can only be said that she still held a certain place in Kangxi's heart, which was the fundamental reason why Xiuning was able to successfully advance her plan.
"My lady, I've fetched your medicine."
Before Chunyu could finish speaking, Xuancao called out from outside, "Liang Jiugong from the Imperial Palace has arrived again."
"Eunuch Liang, is there something the Emperor needs to do?" Xiu Ning took Chun Yu's hand and turned to rush to the main hall.
Liang Jiugong bowed, holding a whole tray of exquisite small porcelain bottles in his hands, "Your Highness, the ointment that His Majesty specially instructed the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital to prepare for you is ready."
The Emperor said that Your Highness has recently suffered some injustice and should take good care of your health.
After saying this, Liang Jiugong handed the tray to Chunyu, took a step back, and held the whisk with a kind expression.
Xiu Ning smiled brightly upon hearing this. She first thanked the Emperor, and then, in front of Liang Jiugong, she opened the ointments on the tray and examined them one by one.
Like a young woman receiving a gift from her sweetheart, Xiu Ning's shy and excited emotions filled the entire scene.
"It's getting late, Your Highness. I won't disturb you any longer. I'll take my leave now."
Having completed the task assigned by Emperor Kangxi, Liang Jiugong received genuine feedback from Xiuning and left Kaixiang Palace satisfied.
After everyone had left, Xiuning neatly put away her belongings, saying, "Put all these ointments away."
The joy she had shown earlier vanished. Xiu Ning waved her hand dismissively and walked over to the octagonal table to sit down.
"My lady, your wrist," Chunyu hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.
Xiuning shook her head, "It's nothing." It was just something she put on for certain people to see. It looked serious, but it didn't actually hurt her foundation.
Two days later, Consort Shu was suddenly reprimanded by Emperor Kangxi.
The specific reason is unknown, but Consort Shu fell ill immediately after returning from Qianqing Palace. The imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital were constantly traveling back and forth between the two points, making Qixiang Palace, which was next door, much more lively.
November 19th, Minor Snow
After returning from paying her respects at Kunning Palace in a sedan chair, Xiuning lazily curled up on the couch to keep warm.
It was so cold outside. A sudden winter snowfall caused the temperature to plummet, making the previously plentiful charcoal scarce.
Just like ice in summer, charcoal became a restricted resource, uniformly allocated by the Imperial Household Department, and each palace could not exceed its original quota.
"My lady, what do you think? How about I light another brazier of charcoal?"
Chunyu placed the charcoal brazier at Xiuning's feet and pulled up the thick blanket beside her to cover Xiuning's body completely.
"No need, save it, otherwise it will be unbearable like in the summer."
Looking back on the days before the end of summer, Xiu Ning could only shake her head. Life in ancient times could never compare to the technologically advanced modern world, even though they were already concubines and lived in the wealthiest families in the land.
Chunyu nodded in agreement, and fearing that her master would be bored, she chatted about some gossip about the harem.
"How is Consort Zhang of Xianfu Palace? The imperial physician says her due date is approaching, in the next few days."
Xiuning thought of Kangxi's eldest daughter, whose birth mother was the current Consort Zhang. She died at the age of three in the tenth year of Kangxi's reign.
Of Kangxi's early children, very few, regardless of gender, survived (this is not surprising, as many speculate that it is related to Empress Yuan, who had many children after her death, while only a few survived before her death).
"I heard the situation is good. Her Majesty the Empress has specially allocated a generous amount of charcoal, and even Consort Sun is being given charcoal according to her rank."
As a maid who frequently visited the Imperial Household Department, Chunyu knew quite a bit about these matters.
After speaking, Chunyu handed the small hand warmer she had prepared to Xiuning, who then held it in her arms to keep warm.
A warm sensation emanated from her hands. Xiu Ning sighed and remarked that having to get up early to pay respects on such a day was truly useless rubbish.
Tap tap—tap tap tap—
Footsteps could be heard coming from the doorway.
Xiuning turned her head and saw Xuancao, whose nose was red from the cold, walk in.
"Your Highness, news has arrived from Xianfu Palace: Consort Zhang is about to give birth."
Chunyu turned to Xiuning and asked, "My lady, should we go over there?"
Xiuning stood up. "Let's go check first, so that when everyone else arrives, I won't be the only one missing."
She quickly changed into a thick set of clothes and wrapped herself in the cloak bestowed upon her by Emperor Kangxi to keep warm.
Holding the hand warmer in her arms, Xiu Ning was carried to Xianfu Palace in a sedan chair.
She arrived at an inopportune time; the main hall of Xianfu Palace was in complete chaos, with palace maids and eunuchs running around everywhere, making it impossible to tell who was who.
Xiu Ning frowned. With everything in such chaos, how could Consort Zhang possibly give birth safely? The best environment for a pregnant woman is quiet.
“Sister is here, please sit down and wait,” Nara called out to Xiuning from behind. “The Emperor and Empress have not yet arrived.”
Xiuning smiled but didn't say anything when she saw that it was Nara.
"Hey, Consort Zhang really knows how to pick her days. I heard that she went into labor suddenly, which startled Consort Sun who was pregnant."
Nara ignored Xiuning's expression and spoke her mind.
Xiu Ning raised an eyebrow. "How does Sister Nara know so much about this?" No wonder they live next door.
Empress Nara waved her hand, "With all this commotion, it's hard for me not to know." As she spoke, more concubines rushed over.
The Empress arrived last, as the Emperor was busy with palace affairs and did not have time for the time being.
"How is the situation?"
Hesheli Fangyi, dressed in a bright yellow cheongsam, looked dignified and imposing.
When the palace maid serving Consort Zhang explained the situation, the entire hall instantly fell silent.
"Let the midwife do her best, and it's best if both mother and child are safe." Before the child is born, regardless of whether the sex is determined, everyone will refer to the baby in the womb as "little prince."
Hesheli Fangyi waved her hand and then summoned a palace servant from Consort Sun's side to inquire.
There were two women giving birth in Xianfu Palace, and as someone who usually liked to save face for herself, she wouldn't miss the opportunity.
"In that case, send the imperial physician over to take a look," Hesheli Fangyi said, immediately becoming nervous upon hearing that Consort Sun was frightened, which surprised everyone around her.
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