The eldest princess's passing wasn't entirely unexpected, as the child had been in a state of continuous illness since the beginning of September, possibly related to the previous epidemic, leaving her with noticeable aftereffects.
Regardless, the loss of another child in the harem caused Kangxi great distress, and those unrelated to the matter could not afford to show a smile at such a time.
Throughout October, everyone was on high alert, and even Xiuning reduced her visits to Shou Kang Palace.
As November arrived, the weather turned cold and the atmosphere of the approaching Lunar New Year began to ease the somewhat oppressive atmosphere of the Forbidden City.
"Phew, I thought I wouldn't recover for the rest of the month," Xiu Ning said, holding Chun Yu's hand. She had just returned from Shou Kang Palace and still carried a chill with her.
Standing at the door, Xiu Ning took off her cloak, rubbed her palms together, and quickly went to the brazier to warm her hands and body.
"My lady, this is a warming soup prepared in the kitchen. Please try it," Xuanting said as she brought the soup into the room and presented it directly to Xiuning.
Xiuning reached out and took it, stirring it with a spoon as she asked if anything had happened at Qixiang Palace during her absence.
Xuan Ting shook her head. "But Consort Nara has sent someone to invite you again, Your Highness."
Xuan Ting was also convinced. It seemed that Consort Nara had taken a liking to her mistress. In the past two months, she always liked to come and invite people over for no reason. Although her mistress would not go eight out of ten times, the number of times she was invited had caused new rumors to spread in the harem.
Some unreliable rumors even claimed that Consort Nara wanted to hand over the child to the Empress Dowager to raise, and that her frequent visits to her mistress were all for the purpose of seeking some experience.
Such outrageous words are tantamount to deliberately stabbing one's own master in the heart.
"Don't worry about her anymore. If she sends anyone over again, just refuse them."
Xiu Ning lowered her head and took a sip of the warming soup to soothe her stomach. She ignored Consort Nara's petty thoughts. Anyway, her idea was not very good, and Xiu Ning didn't have time to play along with her.
Xuan Ting nodded upon hearing this, and only left with the empty bowl after Xiu Ning finished drinking the cold-dispelling soup.
After drinking the warming soup, Xiu Ning felt much better. She got up and called Chun Yu, who was still tidying up clothes, "Did you send the batch of fabric from before the New Year to the Imperial Wardrobe?"
With the new year comes a new look. A couple of days ago, the Empress suddenly sent a batch of winter fabrics from the Imperial Household Department to all the palaces. The fabrics were festive in color and were specially supplied from Jiangnan, which won praise from all the palaces.
"I sent someone to deliver it," Chunyu said, bringing over the clothes Xiuning needed to change into and helping Xiuning into the inner room. "But there are so many people queuing these days, I'm afraid we won't be able to get the new clothes until the beginning of next month."
As Chunyu helped her get dressed, Xiuning tidied her appearance in front of the bronze mirror. "No rush. As long as I can wear it during the New Year, I won't even realize it until I see it. I've been in the palace for three years now. Compared to this year's newcomers, I'm already an old-timer."
Time really is unreasonable. Although Xiuning's appearance has not changed much, she has become more adapted to the palace in terms of both mindset and behavior.
"Although Ning Chuge has the Empress Dowager's favor, some everyday clothes still need to be sent."
Furthermore, Ning Chuge has already grown teeth and can eat some simple complementary foods. When you have time, go to the Imperial Hospital to inquire more, and write down what's good and what's bad.
Sitting back on the couch, Xiu Ning sighed. "The imperial heirs in the harem have always been unable to be kept. According to the Emperor, he is considering adopting a princess from the imperial clan to suppress the bad luck." However, Xiu Ning felt that it was unreliable. In a situation where there are both congenital deficiencies and acquired human factors, even a god could not save the situation. Trying to change one's fate through metaphysics is simply deceiving oneself.
Chunyu, being very perceptive, didn't say anything. Instead, she poured tea for Xiuning and brought over the pastries from the table.
While sipping tea and eating pastries, Xiu Ning thought of the two pregnant concubines in the harem. "Consort Ma Jia must be nearing her due date."
Chunyu nodded. "I heard that the midwife and wet nurse have already moved into Zhongcui Palace at the beginning of next month."
Xiu Ning sighed, "Speaking of which, Consort Ma Jia's pregnancy has been extremely difficult. She fell and had to take medicine to try and save the pregnancy, and then she took the wrong medicine to try and save the pregnancy." She wondered if the baby in her belly could hold on.
Just as Chunyu was about to chime in, footsteps came from the doorway. Xuanting hurriedly called out to Consort Nara, instantly silencing the two servants inside.
"Oh, it's so warm in my sister's palace," the voice of Consort Nara rang out. Xiuning didn't even need to look up to know the purpose of this person's visit.
Tsk, still harboring wicked intentions!
"Consort Nara has arrived, please have a seat."
Xiu Ning remained motionless, her gaze calmly fixed on Consort Nara as she entered.
Consort Nara didn't seem embarrassed at all. She handed her cloak to the maid who had followed her, and then sat down next to Xiuning, her belly more than five months pregnant.
Perhaps because she hadn't been sleeping well lately, the two were standing close together, and Xiu Ning could clearly see the dark circles under Consort Nara's eyes.
For a moment, no one in the room spoke.
Xiuning, holding her teacup, spoke first, "Did Consort Na come here because of something?"
"Sister Xitala, I really have no choice. Please forgive me and lend me a hand..." A sobbing voice came from Consort Nara's mouth, along with tears streaming down her face. The sudden change in the scene made Xiuning freeze in place.
What's going on now?!
"What are you saying, Consort Nara? I... Oh dear, what help can a mere Consort like me possibly offer?"
Consort Nara, please stop crying. It would be terrible if you harmed the unborn child.
Xiu Ning glanced out the window and thought to herself, "That concubine Nara is really restless. Instead of thinking about how to protect the pregnancy, she spends all her time pondering these petty tricks. What is she after?"
Consort Nara naturally hoped for a better outcome, ideally relying on her own crying and fussing to get her to raise the child in her womb herself.
Hearing the voice, Consort Nara stopped talking and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "Sister Xitala, don't belittle yourself. I came here today just thinking, thinking..." She started crying again halfway through her sentence.
Xiuning: ...
Xiu Ning couldn't help but roll her eyes, but on the surface she still showed great empathy and kept trying to persuade Consort Nara in a gentle and kind manner.
Consort Nara also knew when to stop while she was ahead. She lowered her head and thanked them while sobbing.
An hour had passed by the time Consort Nara left Kaixiang Palace.
Xiuning rubbed her head and sighed. Seeing this, Chunyu quickly came over to massage her master's head.
"Never mind, help me to rest."
Xiu Ning waved her hand wearily and took Chun Yu's hand directly into the inner room.
"If the commotion just now gets out, pretend you don't know anything and see what she's up to."
"Yes, I understand."
"..."
In late November, Consort Ma Jia of Zhongcui Palace gave birth to the fourth prince.
Because the fourth prince was born in poor health, the emperor and the empress dowager discussed and named him Saiyinchahun in the hope that the fourth prince would have good health.
Unexpectedly, before the New Year was over, the child suddenly died, not only ruining the holiday, but also causing Consort Nara to give birth prematurely before the first month of the lunar calendar.
That wasn't the end of it. After Consort Nara spent a day and a night giving birth to the fifth prince, Baoqing, Chenghu, who was originally being raised in Kunning Palace, also passed away.
The entire Forbidden City was caught in a terrible cycle of childbirth and death.
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