"Cuizhi, is everything peaceful at Qixiang Palace next door?" Consort Shu lay on her side on the bed, her eyes slightly closed, her words muffled.
Having just dealt with Lady Niohuru who had entered the palace, Consort Shu felt extremely exhausted. They were either mother and daughter or their relationship was awkward. Unfortunately, her stepmother carried family responsibilities, and Consort Shu couldn't afford to be rude to her for the sake of her future.
"Your Majesty, the people next door left the palace long before our Lady left, and there seems to be no movement from them now."
Cuizhi carried the nourishing soup meant for Consort Shu, speaking softly.
She opened her eyes, got up, and took the soup. Consort Shu held the soup bowl in one hand and stirred it slowly with a spoon in the other. "I'm a little bored anyway, so I'll invite Consort Xitala over for a visit this afternoon."
Speaking of which, the Emperor really favors Consort Xitala. Even after all this time, he still summons her so many times.
Could it be that the other party was the variable that appeared, and she was unable to turn this person away, so that the entry of Xitala into the palace was just like that of Shumulu, who replaced Consort Dong'e during the reign of the late emperor.
Squeak—
The clinking of the soup spoon against the porcelain bowl was sharp and jarring. Consort Shu placed a mouthful of untouched soup next to Cuizhi and asked, "How are the arrangements made by the people at Qixiang Palace?"
Seeing her master's sudden change of expression, Cuizhi was used to it. "We've already seen some progress, but Eunuch Kang, who had some dealings with us before, is a cunning old fox who won't utter a word."
Frowning, Cuizhi was somewhat annoyed by this eunuch in charge of Qixiang Palace. He would take any kind of benefit but never said a word he was telling the truth. He was really as slippery as an eel.
"Yeah?"
Consort Shu chuckled, thinking that there really were some ignorant servants in the harem who couldn't distinguish between master and servant. "Then let's teach him a lesson and ask him what his choice is. I'm not one to tolerate him for long. If he doesn't express his opinion, don't blame him for not being able to retire in peace."
You dare to try to outsmart her? Don't you even know your own limitations?
Upon hearing this, Cuizhi nodded in agreement, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant understands."
...
Consort Shu resumed her daily routine of causing trouble for Xiuning.
The Empress of Kunning Palace did not take this seriously, and even Hesheli Fangyi was somewhat pleased with it. She knew that it was one thing for the Emperor to push Xiuning forward, but it was another to accept it without any reservations.
At present, Hesheli Fangyi's main focus is on the developments in the court and the secret recipe for conceiving a child that her mother specially sent her after entering the palace.
"Does it really work?"
Some were skeptical. So many imperial physicians in the palace had failed to help her conceive. Even if Hesheli had connections and influence, she might not be able to compete with the royal family.
Tan Yun understood Hesheli Fangyi's feelings and nodded. "Your Majesty, the imperial physician said this prescription is good, but there may be some side effects."
The secret formula for conceiving a child—you can tell what it's for just by the name.
"I am not afraid of any side effects. As long as I can give birth to the prince smoothly, I can secure my position as empress."
Hesheli Fangyi had not forgotten that when her mother entered the palace, she had mentioned Hesheli, the concubine of Jingyang Palace, to her, implying that she should push her as much as possible, even if it meant leaving herself a way out.
"If they're not your own children, who knows if they'll be loyal to you?"
Hesheli Fangyi didn't want to gamble on the other party's conscience; if she had that thought, she might as well just have a baby.
Upon hearing this, Tan Yun quickly swallowed the medicine, knowing that taking too much of it would weaken the mother's body. In any case, it wouldn't change the Empress's mind, so she decided to let it go.
She obediently replied, "Yes," and went to arrange for people to prepare the medicine for the Empress.
The bitter scent of medicine once again filled Kunning Palace, a strong reminder to every concubine who came to pay their respects that the Empress had begun her quest for a child again.
Everyone has their own opinion, but without exception, everyone agrees that the Queen wants to get pregnant.
There was no other way; only when the Empress became pregnant and gave birth to a legitimate son could these women have the opportunity to have their own offspring.
Even Consort Ma, who gave birth to the eldest prince, frequently visited the prince's residence, precisely because she was afraid something might happen to her son.
"Sister, do you think Her Majesty the Empress will get what she wants this time?"
As they left Kunning Palace, Consort Nara chatted with Xiuning as they walked, her eyes never leaving the palace behind her. Anyone who didn't know better would think she had left some treasure inside.
"Her Majesty the Empress is blessed with great fortune; I'm sure her wishes will come true."
After Xiuning finished speaking, she laughed and joked with Consort Nara. After all, Consort Nara and the Empress entered the palace in the same year. Consort Ma Jia had already given birth to a son, so why hadn't Consort Nara had any children?
Consort Nara: ...
"These things can't be forced; perhaps it's just that our time hasn't come yet."
Consort Nara thought about how she had to take some contraceptive foods after each time she served the emperor, and a dark glint flashed in her eyes.
It's all the Empress's fault! How could she be so useless!
"Stop talking about me, little sister. You've been favored lately, you should make the most of it."
Consort Nara gave Xiuning a look and then added a comment about Consort Zhang, who had gained the rank of Noble Lady last year by giving birth to a daughter: "She is very enviable. The servants of the Imperial Household Department run around her every day. Compared to Consort Sun in the same palace, she is like heaven and earth."
Life in the imperial harem is so realistic and cruel. Having offspring is like having a get-out-of-jail-free card and a daily hostage, so life is very carefree.
Hearing the provocation in Consort Nara's words, Xiu Ning didn't take it to heart, but she appeared very excited on the surface. "This is fate, isn't it? Whether it's a princess or a prince, they are all of the Emperor's bloodline. If I am fortunate enough to have one, it will not have been in vain for me to enter the palace and serve the Emperor."
People like them, who were selected to enter the palace, whether they were truly willing or not, all had an inexplicable obsession and expectation for offspring. This had nothing to do with whether they loved Emperor Kangxi or not; it was entirely a matter of self-interest.
Xiu Ning's words struck a chord with Nara, who also longed for a child of her own, a desire that had driven her mad from the moment she entered the palace.
By the end of April, Emperor Kangxi had been rarely visiting the inner palace due to his involvement in the Butu opera.
Whenever he had free time, he would summon his guards to put on plays and have fun, which prompted court officials to submit memorials to advise him, but to no avail.
"Is the Emperor not coming again?"
In a side hall of Qixiang Palace, Xiuning listened to the latest news brought by Chunyu. She couldn't quite put her finger on whether she was disappointed or not. After all, this wasn't the first or second time that Kangxi had stood her up. Even the Empress and Consort Shu had received the same treatment, so Xiuning was used to it.
"Your Highness, Your Majesty..."
Chunyu hesitated, feeling that the Emperor had changed quite a bit recently, and seemed to be acting like a tyrannical ruler.
"The Emperor's condition is not something we should discuss. You may leave now."
Xiu Ning waved her hand, her mind racing with thoughts of the upcoming scene where she would capture Ao Bai alive.
Emperor Kangxi was probably already prepared for this tactic of feigning one move while secretly making another.
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