In September, although it was already cold outside, the atmosphere inside the room remained warm and inviting.
Xiuning felt a little dizzy, and when she regained consciousness, it was already dawn the next day.
Because she was resting in a side hall, Xiuning was still somewhat unfamiliar with the layout of the room.
Summon the system to get down to business. After calming herself down, Xiu Ning got up and called over the palace maid waiting at the door.
Because the marks on her body were too obvious, Xiu Ning could only have the palace maids apply makeup to her exposed skin.
The palace maid was clearly used to big events and was not unfamiliar with this; on the contrary, she was very skilled at it.
“Your Highness, Eunuch Liang from His Majesty’s side specifically instructed that you may have breakfast before returning to the palace.”
Without the daily greetings, Xiu Ning has more flexibility in her schedule than before. For example, now that she has finished serving the emperor, there is no problem with going back early or late.
"Thank you for your trouble. Please bring up breakfast."
Xiu Ning nodded, got up and sat down at the octagonal table. This was a sign of the Emperor's favor towards her, and it was better than being sent back to Qixiang Palace on an empty stomach.
The palace maid bowed her head and replied, "Yes." She then gave a brief instruction to the person at the door, and a group of palace maids entered carrying food boxes.
One after another, exquisitely presented dishes were laid out on the Eight Immortals table. A palace maid held chopsticks in one hand and served dishes and soup to Xiuning.
Originally, she only planned to eat a simple meal, but the delicious and colorful dishes whetted Xiu Ning's appetite, and she even ate an extra bowl of rice.
After rinsing her mouth with the tea beside her, Xiu Ning wiped her lips with a handkerchief. "We can remove it now."
The palace maid nodded and helped Xiuning to the couch to rest. After she finished her work, she asked Xiuning if she wanted to return to the palace.
"Go back," the emperor said, "there's no point in her staying to attend the morning court session."
Just when I didn't want to go out, I bumped right into Liang Jiugong, who was jogging towards me.
Seeing that Xiu Ning hadn't left yet, Liang Jiugong's eyes lit up, and he bowed with a smile, "Your Highness, His Majesty invites you."
Now?
Xiuning's eyes widened. "Does Eunuch Liang mean to go to the Qianqing Palace to accompany the emperor?"
It's strange, given Kangxi's current state of mind, he doesn't seem like the kind of person who would enjoy the company of a beautiful woman.
“Please, Your Highness, take a step forward,” Liang Jiugong said with a sincere smile, clearly acknowledging Xiu Ning’s words.
Seeing this, Xiu Ning could only shake off the maid's support and turn around to go to the Qianqing Palace with Liang Jiugong.
At this moment, Kangxi was resting in a chair. He had been quite excited the night before, and this energy continued into the morning court session. In fact, because things had been going smoothly in the court recently, Kangxi was in an unexpectedly good mood.
Hmm, Lady Hitara is indeed quite good; compared to the other concubines in the harem, she makes him feel more at ease.
In this era, it is too one-sided to talk about love and not love between men and women.
Emperor Kangxi had a clear purpose for the women in his harem: to bear children or simply to be his playthings.
If Xiuning serves him well, it will relax him and naturally elevate his status in his heart.
Just like now, Kangxi summoned Xiuning to accompany him because he thought Xiuning suited his tastes, so he would dote on her more and let her have a son or daughter to rely on.
With so many women in the harem, who knew when he would lose interest in Xiuning? Kangxi, who was clearly a scoundrel, felt incredibly considerate.
"emperor"
A familiar female voice came from behind him. Kangxi reached out and grabbed Xiuning's wrist, kneading it. "I have nothing to do today, so I can spend more time with you."
Xiu Ning beamed with joy upon hearing this, and leaned forward, saying, "Your Majesty's word is as good as gold, I am delighted."
Xiu Ning's soft body pressed against her somewhat stiff shoulder as she spoke softly, her voice quickly traveling down her neck and shoulder to half of her body.
Kangxi couldn't help but twitch his ears, and the skin around them turned a bright red.
...
Kunning Palace
Hesheli Fangyi was already six months pregnant, and even the imperial physicians could feel the sex of the fetus in her womb.
It was precisely for this reason that Hesheli Fangyi abolished the daily greetings to the concubines.
I had a leg cramp last night, so I didn't sleep well and felt sleepy when I woke up this morning.
With a delicate yawn, Hesheli Fangyi reached out and took the pregnancy-preserving medicine handed to her by Tanyun, drinking it half-heartedly.
"Was it Hitara who was serving His Majesty yesterday?"
Upon hearing this, Tan Yun lowered her head and replied, "Yes."
Seeing that Hesheli Fangyi had finished the medicine in her hand, she quickly handed her some tea to rinse her mouth.
"And now? Has Consort Xitala not returned to the palace?" After spitting the tea into the spittoon beside her, Hesheli Fangyi wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief.
"Your Majesty, perhaps Consort Xitala has something to say..." Tan Yun was interrupted by Hesheli Fangyi before she could finish speaking, "What could it be? It's just that the Emperor likes to spoil her."
I thought it was just a toy to be used and then discarded, but the emperor took it to heart.
Compared to other concubines in the harem, Consort Xitala was quite shrewd.
Hesheli Fangyi, who had long seen through Kangxi's thoughts, was extremely dissatisfied with Xiuning.
Unfortunately, she needs to focus all her energy on protecting her pregnancy right now, so she doesn't have much energy to devote to the other person.
"Your Majesty, this servant thinks that Consort Xitala is only useful for the time being while she still has some presence. His Majesty must have gotten tired of her seductive tricks long ago."
Tan Yun was quite blunt with these people, because his master liked to hear it.
Hesheli Fangyi chuckled, "If I can get pregnant before we get too lovey-dovey, I won't lose out."
When it comes to pregnancy, Hesheli Fangyi speaks of it so casually, but if another concubine like Nara, who doesn't know how to read people, were to appear in the harem, she would probably be tempted to devour her.
It's also because she's now pregnant and diagnosed with a male fetus; otherwise, Consort Hesheli Fangyi wouldn't have allowed Consort Nara to rest and recuperate so peacefully.
"I only wish that the women in the harem could be smarter and avoid touching things they shouldn't."
Her son is the future emperor, and anyone who stands in their way will be eliminated by her.
With stern eyes and a cold expression, Hesheli Fangyi took Tanyun's hand and rose to walk towards the inner room. "Keep a close eye on these people in the harem. If there is any news, inform me immediately."
"Yes, I understand."
...
In early November, it snowed.
Xiuning, wearing a thick cloak, stood at the entrance of the side hall, looking out at the small courtyard.
The courtyard was bustling with activity. The eunuchs were diligently cleaning with brooms, and the palace maids were making sure to scatter the snowflakes that had fallen from the branches to the ground.
Xuancao and Xuanting were dealing with the few frozen magnolias by the side hall entrance, while Chunyu stood aside directing them.
"My lady, it's very cold outside. Please come inside and rest."
Chunyu kept an eye on Xiuning's movements and, seeing that Xiuning had been standing for a long time, spoke up to remind her.
Xiuning smiled and shook her head. "It's nothing. It's good to get some fresh air."
Although staying in the room was warm, she still disliked the smell of charcoal, especially since she had confirmed her pregnancy and was even more sensitive to the smell.
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