Qixiang Palace Side Hall
"My lady, the imperial eunuch just sent word that the imperial relatives will be entering the palace in a couple of days, and our lady will also be coming."
Chunyu excitedly ran into the room and told Xiuning the good news.
It's really rare. Chunyu thought she would have to wait a while longer to see Lady Fucha, but she didn't expect the opportunity to change so quickly.
"Among the relatives who entered the palace this time, Consort Shu and the Empress were also involved, right?"
Xiuning looked up at Chunyu beside her, her expression surprisingly calm.
Chunyu nodded and said, "The Emperor granted Madam's special permission to enter the palace."
In other words, it was an annual event for the relatives of high-ranking concubines to enter the palace, but Xiu Ning's birth mother, Lady Fucha, was able to come because of a special exception made by the Emperor.
“In that case, you should have someone make proper preparations. When the time comes, discuss it with the Imperial Kitchen in advance,” Xiu Ning thought for a moment and quickly instructed Chun Yu. “My status is not high, and even if Mother goes to the palace, she may not be able to stay for more than a few hours. Preparing everything in advance will save some trouble later.”
Chunyu then realized what was happening and asked, "My lady, are you unhappy?" But these were just polite words.
Xiuning shook her head. "It's not really true." She had indeed intended for Lady Fucha to enter the palace, partly to communicate with her family outside the palace so that she could make further arrangements.
However, after thinking it over, she decided it was best not to get involved and did not reveal anything to Kangxi.
Kangxi's sudden remarks now have a certain element of exploitation for Xiuning.
Using her status as a lowly concubine to confront Consort Shu and the Empress, did Emperor Kangxi truly believe that this "favored concubine" could withstand the pressure, or did he simply not care?
"Some things should be discussed after Mother enters the palace."
Xiuning waved her hand, dismissing Chunyu, while she leaned against the soft pillows, pondering the major events of the year.
Should we seize this opportunity to allow the Hittara clan to rise to power? It doesn't seem impossible.
Two days later, relatives who had received the imperial edict outside the palace began to enter the palace one after another.
Because they were relatives of officials outside the capital, their first step upon entering the palace was to pay respects to the Empress in Kunning Palace.
The Empress did not intend to make things difficult for them. Her own mother had also come, and delaying them any longer would only reduce the time she could spend with her mother. The Empress simply met with them briefly and then instructed Tanyun to escort them to their respective palaces.
Throughout the entire process, Lady Fucha maintained a very low profile, avoiding speaking whenever possible.
By the time they arrived at Qixiang Palace, even their backs were soaked.
Mother
Xiuning stood at the entrance of the side hall and hurriedly went to greet Lady Fucha after she entered.
"This humble woman pays her respects to Consort Xitala."
Lady Fucha bowed in greeting, but before she could get up, Xiuning helped her up.
"Ritual must not be abandoned"
Lady Fucha glanced helplessly at Xiuning. She was worried that there might be other spies in Qixiang Palace who could use this as a pretext to complain to Xiuning, which would not be worth it.
Xiuning smiled and pulled Lady Fucha into the hall. "They're all family." Even the cunning and shrewd Eunuch Kang chose to turn a blind eye. Xiuning's strategy was already showing initial success.
Once inside the room, only the mother and daughter remained. Lady Fucha breathed a sigh of relief. "Xiuning, you were too careless. Even if Qixiang Palace is safe, we still have to be vigilant."
Meeting her mother's worried expression, Xiuning could only nod obediently, "Mother, I understand."
“You,” Lady Fucha shook her head, sitting on the couch, holding Xiuning’s hand tightly, “two days ago, when we received the imperial decree from the palace, I was more worried than happy.”
Your father said that the previous dynasty was in turmoil, and yet you have risen to power at this time. Xiuning, what exactly does the Emperor mean by this?
Lady Fucha looked worried. When she spoke of the Emperor, she subconsciously fell silent, afraid that if others heard her, it would make things difficult for Xiuning in the palace.
Xiu Ning was helpless when she saw that Madam Fucha asked such a direct question as soon as she came in. She nodded and then shook her head, speaking vaguely, but Madam Fucha would definitely understand, "It means what you think."
Lady Fucha: ...! ! !
"Isn't this...isn't this forcing you to your death?"
Lady Fucha couldn't help but grit her teeth, resenting the Emperor for pushing Xiuning out to suffer.
“Mother, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. You can only reap what you sow. Besides, if the Emperor hadn’t given his approval, you wouldn’t have been able to enter the palace. This whole thing can only be described as having a cause and an effect.”
It was indeed wrong of Kangxi to push Xiuning out as a target, but he also gave her real benefits indirectly. Otherwise, Xiuning would be like the other concubines, with at most one or two opportunities to serve the emperor once a month. She wouldn't be comfortable, but she would definitely be more frustrated than she is now.
Xiuning wanted to give it a shot. This year, the Empress was pregnant and would give birth to a prince. If she could seize the opportunity and also give birth to an heir, at least the support from the Hitara and Fucha clans would be more secure.
That being said, well, sigh.
Madam Fucha sighed. She first waved her hand, indicating that she would not discuss it further, and then took out an envelope from her sleeve and handed it to Xiuning. "This is the network of connections sent by Madam Fucha. It is more detailed than before." Just as her daughter said, there is a cause and effect. Madam Fucha was able to increase her investment because of the fact that her daughter had been favored during this period.
Regardless of what other plans the Emperor might have, no one would deny that Xiuning is the Emperor's most favored concubine.
After quickly glancing at the sealed letter, Xiuning burned it to ashes with a nearby candle. She smiled at Lady Fucha and said, "Mother, if the Hitara clan wants to advance further, they should follow the Emperor's lead. This May, the court is likely to make a big move." Any force that dares to oppose the Emperor will eventually be overthrown.
After finishing their business, the mother and daughter were finally able to chat about family matters.
Including Xiu Ning's several half-sisters, Madam Fucha held the belief that as long as they didn't get in her way, she would never stop them from finding a good marriage.
"Are some families so easy to get into? But since they don't seem to regret it, I, as their legal mother, won't refuse them."
The marriage alliance would at least provide the Hitara clan with another network of connections, so it wouldn't be a loss for them.
"Everyone has their own destiny," Xiu Ning said, not caring about this. She simply instructed Lady Fucha to take good care of her younger siblings. "The future of the Xitala clan depends on these younger generations," she said. "So, they should be nurtured. It's best if the family prospers and has ambition."
Lady Fucha stayed at Qixiang Palace for about an hour before being asked to leave.
This was also the rule, so Xiuning could only let Lady Fucha take back the rewards that Chunyu had prepared in advance. Although Lady Xitala could also produce them, there was still a difference between tributes and those that her family bought.
"My lady, the madam has already left. Let me help you into the room to rest."
Chunyu helped Xiuning up and whispered something.
"Let's go back. What has His Majesty been busy with lately?" Xiu Ning turned around, mentioning Kangxi in her words.
“The Emperor often summons his close guards to play ‘Buku’ in the palace,” Chunyu replied. “Some ministers have already accused the Emperor of neglecting his duties, and the harem has heard the commotion.”
Anyway, it caused quite a stir, and no one can refute whether it's true or false.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
