In February of the thirteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Xiuning was diagnosed with pregnancy.
With four women in the harem already pregnant, and the first two confirmed to be carrying male fetuses, Xiu Ning's pregnancy seemed less high-profile.
Apart from the Emperor, the Grand Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager who sent gifts as usual (the Empress Dowager sent the most because of Ning Chuge), the others, such as the Empress, only gave token gifts out of courtesy, similar to the kind of gestures given after the news had already been exposed.
However, Xiuning wasn't upset. It was better that no one paid attention to her; she was actually afraid of being paid too much attention.
With so many people watching, all sorts of unexpected things are bound to happen. Xiu Ning doesn't want to be in the spotlight at this time. It would be best if no one else could see her, so she could give birth to the child in peace.
"Spring Rain, help me go for a walk outside the courtyard."
Sitting for too long causes some back pain, so Xiuning couldn't go to the dangerous Imperial Garden at this time. She could only choose to take a short walk in the small courtyard of Qixiang Palace to make herself feel more comfortable and reduce the discomfort of pregnancy.
"My lady, please be careful. I have already asked Xiao Zhuozi to have people clean the courtyard inside and out, but we haven't had time to check yet. There may still be some broken stones and wood chips."
Chunyu held Xiuning's arm, talking while keeping an eye on the ground around them, afraid that a stone might suddenly jump out and get in their way.
It's no wonder Chunyu is so nervous. With all sorts of things happening in the harem these days, Chunyu can't even be sure if there are really so many people trying to take action or what.
Xiuning couldn't help but chuckle. Chunyu was too worried. This wasn't her first pregnancy. "Don't worry, no one has been able to reach into our Qixiang Palace yet (the system is still helping to keep an eye on things). Besides, your master's status isn't as high as those two. One is a legitimate son, and the other is an illegitimate son. They've already found out about them." Even if those people outside the palace want to keep an eye on things, they'll have to get rid of the Empress and Consort Ma's pregnancies first.
Speaking of which, the current situation of the previous dynasty is not good. Last year, Wu Sangui raised an army to rebel, but the court did not take him seriously. As a result, Wu Sangui's side is now reporting frequent victories, while the Qing Dynasty is suffering repeated defeats. Even the other vassal kings who were watching the war are starting to make moves.
For this reason, Emperor Kangxi has not entered the inner palace for several days, but has been living in the Qianqing Palace to govern the country.
Xiuning knew in her heart that the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories was eventually quelled by Kangxi, but the Qing Dynasty paid a heavy price. In fact, many of the concubines who were promoted for the first time in the sixteenth year of Kangxi's reign were due to their military achievements.
The Hitara clan also had members who went to the front lines, but they were not close to Xiuning. Moreover, the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories had only just begun, and it had not yet reached the point where the Qing Dynasty and the enemy were fighting each other for their wealth. Manchu nobles like the Hitara clan were mostly in the relatively stable rear areas.
In February, the weather had only just warmed up, and only a few trees in the courtyard had sprouted tender buds in early spring. Xiu Ning put one hand on her waist and walked back and forth around these trees.
"Your Highness, the people from Cining Palace have arrived."
Xuancao called out to Xiuning from behind, and then led over a rather unfamiliar palace maid.
"This servant greets Your Highness, may Your Highness be blessed," the palace maid curtsied, glanced at Xiuning, and quickly stated the purpose of her visit, "The Empress Dowager has acquired several beautiful peonies and invites Your Highness to the Imperial Garden to admire them."
Flower viewing? The Imperial Garden? The Empress Dowager?
Three key pieces of news in a row completely baffled Xiuning.
She glanced at Chunyu beside her, who understood immediately. Smiling, she reached out and pulled the palace maid to a corner, then handed her a bulging purse. "Sister, do you know who else the Empress Dowager invited?"
Upon seeing the purse, the palace maid paused for a moment before tucking it into her sleeve. "And the Empress, Consort Shu, Consort Tong, Consort Ma Jia, Consort Zhang, Consort Dong, Consort Zhao Jia..."
After revealing a series of names of people in the harem, the palace maid looked up at Xiuning again and said, "It's getting late, please come with me as soon as possible, Your Highness."
Seeing Xiu Ning nod, Chun Yu smiled and replied, "Don't worry, sister, I'll help you go back to change and get ready."
After speaking, Chunyu walked to Xiuning's side and gestured to Xuancao with her eyes to keep an eye on the slightly strange palace maid.
"My lady, are we really going to the Imperial Garden?"
Chunyu felt that something was wrong. Although she heard from the palace maids that many concubines had gone, and even the empress was there.
Xiuning nodded and then shook her head. "This person is strange. Although she is indeed from Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager usually doesn't use her to deliver messages." The Empress Dowager's messages are all delivered by Su Ma La Gu. For the more important ones, Su Ma La Gu will make a trip in person. For the less important ones, Su Ma La Gu will arrange for someone close to her.
The palace maid who just delivered the message to her was considered a low-ranking servant in Cining Palace, usually doing menial tasks like sprinkling water and sweeping. In other palaces, there might be lazy servants who would be assigned such tasks, but given Sumalagu's temperament, it was unlikely in Cining Palace.
"Let's go and see what's going on. If anything seems amiss on the way, I'll say I'm feeling unwell, and then we'll head straight back to the palace."
While they were talking, Xiuning had already changed into a new qipao, and to make walking easier, she also wore a pair of embroidered shoes without heels.
After leaving the side hall, Chunyu called Xuancao and Xuanting to follow, saying, "Thank you for leading the way, sister."
The palace maid responded and continued walking with her head down.
Qixiang Palace is not close to the Imperial Garden; in fact, you have to pass several palaces to get there.
Xiu Ning did not ride in a sedan chair; she chose to walk, with Chun Yu and Xuan Cao supporting her on either side of her arms. Xuan Ting stood in front of her, separating her from the palace maids.
Seeing this defensive posture, the palace maid didn't say much, but kept urging Xiu Ning to hurry up.
Xiuning: ...
What treasures does the Imperial Garden hold that require her to arrive early? Listening to Chunyu's list, could it be that the mastermind behind it all wants to capture them all?
With her mind wandering to all sorts of things, Xiu Ning maintained her pace, remaining composed no matter how urgently the palace maids urged her on.
The palace maid also saw through Xiu Ning's thoughts, and stopped urging her. The two of them walked slowly until the Imperial Garden came into view.
The palace maid led Xiuning around the trees in front of them to a pavilion behind the artificial hill.
Many concubines, including the Empress and Consort Tong, had already arrived at the pavilion.
"Please wait a moment, Your Highness, the Empress Dowager will be here soon."
After speaking, the palace maid bowed and turned to leave.
When the others saw that it was Xiuning who had come, they all greeted her. Xiuning nodded and walked to the Empress's side to bow and pay her respects.
The Empress spoke up, "Were they also invited by the Empress Dowager?"
Xiuning nodded, "Yes."
Having received a definite answer, the Empress breathed a sigh of relief. The fact that so many concubines had come meant that she must have been overthinking things.
"Spring Rain, help me to the pond to rest. It's a bit stuffy here."
Xiu Ning took Chun Yu's hand and led Xuan Cao and Xuan Ting to the pond, not far from the pavilion.
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