Xiu Ning took off her nail guards and handed them to Chun Yu, who was standing next to her. She then smiled and leaned closer, saying, "It's all thanks to the Empress Dowager's excellent care. It's my good fortune that Ning Chuge can live in Shou Kang Palace."
"What are you saying?" The Empress Dowager patted Xiu Ning's hand, but couldn't hide the smile on her face. Before she could finish speaking, footsteps came from the doorway.
The two paused for a moment, then looked over at each other. A palace maid reported that Consort Ma Jia and Consort Nara had accidentally bumped into each other on their way back to the palace and were both diagnosed with pregnancy.
"She's pregnant? That's wonderful news!"
The Empress Dowager clapped her hands, a smile appearing on her face. She quickly beckoned the palace maid to come to her side, not bothering to hide it from Xiuning who was standing nearby. "However, a fall is no small matter. What exactly happened? Tell me in detail."
The palace maid bowed her head and replied, "Yes." She said, "I heard from the palace servants that Consort Ma Jia and Consort Nara were returning to the palace together. When they were almost at the palace gate, Consort Nara suddenly stumbled. Consort Ma Jia happened to be standing next to her, and the two of them fell right next to each other."
Fortunately, Consort Ma Jia's maid helped to cushion the fall, "otherwise it would probably be even more serious than it is now."
After listening to the palace maid's description, the Empress Dowager waved her hand to dismiss her, then turned to Xiuning beside her and asked, "What do you think of this matter?"
Xiu Ning pondered for a moment, "I think it's too much of a coincidence. Consort Tong just made an appearance today, and if nothing unexpected happens, His Majesty will probably go to accompany Consort Tong later."
When a concubine enters the palace, the emperor will stay with her for three consecutive days as a sign of respect.
However, Tong Jia Rongyue was no ordinary concubine. Emperor Kangxi wanted to give face to his maternal family, so even if he didn't stay overnight, he would go over for a short visit in the evening.
Now that the matter of Consort Ma Jia and Consort Nara has occurred, it is both reasonable and morally right for the Emperor to visit these two pregnant consorts.
Will Tong Jia Rongyue hold a grudge against Consort Ma Jia and Consort Nara because of this?
The Empress Dowager said nothing upon hearing this, but instead beckoned to the palace maid waiting at the door, "Go and fetch some tonics from the storeroom and send them to Consort Nara and Consort Majia."
"Yes, I understand."
The palace maid left quickly, and Xiu Ning watched her go before turning back to continue teasing Ning Chuge, who was lying on the couch.
"Sigh, it was so hard to get a new concubine into the harem, but then this has to happen," the Empress Dowager sighed, fiddling with the Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist.
Seeing this, Xiu Ning stood up and gestured for the wet nurse to take Ning Chuge away. She then helped the Empress Dowager up and led her to the inner room. "I've heard that it's always a bit more lively when a new concubine enters the palace. It was just like that when I first entered the palace. Your Majesty, please don't worry about it. With the Empress here, it will be resolved quickly."
Will it be resolved quickly? The Empress Dowager didn't believe it, and neither did Xiu Ning.
"I am truly old and can no longer understand the turmoil in the harem," the Empress Dowager said, sitting down on the edge of the bed and gently patting Xiu Ning's hand. "Hitara, you are a wise child. Some things are better left unseen."
The Empress Dowager was truly kind to Xiuning; she hadn't shown such concern even to the two members of the Borjigit clan.
“Sometimes, it’s not wrong to fight or not to fight.” Having distanced herself from these disputes, the Empress Dowager saw things more clearly: the harem was a small political court, with the concubines each representing different forces.
"If the situation in the court is not clear, the harem will not be peaceful. You still have Ning Chuge. You should always consider the future."
What's the point of arguing about who's better now? Life is long, and who can guarantee that the current advantage will last forever?
(Just like how the Empress risked her life to give birth to Yinreng, but Yinreng and Empress Hesheli's final fate was not good.)
Xiuning understood the Empress Dowager's good intentions. Originally, the Empress Dowager and she were not related, so there was no need for the Empress Dowager to remind her again and again. Therefore, she would appreciate this kindness no matter who it was for.
"I will remember Your Majesty's teachings," Xiu Ning said earnestly, then helped the Empress Dowager lie back down on the bed to rest before turning to leave.
When Chunyu, who was waiting at the door, saw Xiuning come out, she quickly took her arm and asked, "My lady, shall we go back to the palace?"
"Returning to the Palace"
Xiuning whispered, "Don't waste too much time on Consort Ma Jia and Consort Nara," because those with ulterior motives will spread the word.
Chunyu replied, "Yes, I understand."
...
After arriving safely back at Qixiang Palace in a sedan chair, Xiuning quickly changed into casual clothes.
"Put away the jewelry on the dressing table that should be put away, and send back to the Imperial Household Department that should be sent back. Remember to store each item carefully, and report any lost items immediately."
Xiuning sat in a chair, fanning herself with a round fan as she directed the spring rain.
Chunyu, busy with Xuancao and Xuanting, spent half a day transforming the entire room.
Xiuning was very satisfied. In the middle of summer, the original decorations were rather heavy, but the current ones were much more refreshing.
"My lord, news has come out."
During dinner in the evening, Chunyu served Xiuning food while revealing gossip about the outside world.
"I heard that it was an accident by one of Consort Nara's maids. Consort Nara's embroidered shoes were not sewn properly, and the heel of her shoe fell off while she was walking."
"That reason is quite strange," Xiuning said, sipping her soup. "What did the Empress say?"
"Her Majesty the Empress has closed the case, and the palace servants involved have been sent to the Censorate," Chunyu said, clicking her tongue. "Consort Ma Jia and Consort Nara will both need to rest in bed for a period of time."
After all, falling so close together, even though there were palace servants cushioning the impact on the abdomen, still caused a great deal of shock.
“Consort Ma Jia is doing better, she's been three months pregnant, while Consort Nara has only been pregnant for a little over a month,” tsk tsk, if this gets out now, it'll be hard to avoid the Empress's repercussions later.
Xiuning finished the last mouthful of soup. "Did His Majesty go to see them this afternoon?"
Chunyu shook her head, "He only sent Eunuch Liang to deliver the reward; the Emperor has been governing in the Qianqing Palace and has not come out."
Xiuning continued eating the dishes Chunyu had placed on her plate. "Have we given our gifts?"
"It was delivered. When it was delivered, Zhongcui Palace and Chuxiu Palace were unusually lively." Chunyu had already been trained in dealing with people, so Xiuning didn't need to worry about her at all.
After chatting and laughing through dinner, Xiu Ning got up and went for a couple of walks in the courtyard. Just as she was thinking that it was about time to take a bath and go to bed, a sudden shout of "The Emperor has arrived!" startled her. By the time she realized what was happening, she was already reflexively bowing and paying her respects.
Get up quickly.
Kangxi walked up to Xiuning and reached out to pull her up from the ground.
"Your Majesty, why did you come at this time? This is so unexpected."
"I'm here. Is my beloved concubine unhappy?"
Kangxi's expression remained unchanged, and his voice sounded deep and resonant, as if it carried the weight of a thousand pounds.
Xiu Ning smiled and shook her head, "I'm so happy you've come here, but... I just don't quite recognize you." Tong Jia Rongyue's outstanding performance was known throughout the harem.
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