Chapter 003

Chapter 003

The young lady of the Niohuru family, who had just regained consciousness, slipped back into unconsciousness once again.

The relief they had felt was replaced by anxiety once more.

The physicians all wore expressions of deep distress, as they truly had no solution. How could the young lady of the Niohuru family have developed a comatose condition?

On the Niohuru concubine's orders, the imperial physician also made a trip to the Niohuru residence.

But the result was the same—they returned empty-handed.

All they could do was instruct people to feed her medicinal soups and tonics to barely keep her alive, ensuring she didn't stop breathing. There was nothing else they could do.

To be honest, Su Yi didn't mean for this to happen. This body still needed some time to nourish and fully integrate with her spirit. The spiritual energy she absorbed was almost entirely used up on this body.

Otherwise, she would have to vomit blood every day, and sooner or later, she would become anemic. If that happened, she would truly become a sickly person. Rather than that, it was better to let this body remain in this state for now, while she nourished it daily with spiritual energy.

This way, she wouldn't have to keep vomiting blood.

Fortunately, she had some experience with this before. As soon as Su Yi left the body, it fell into a deep sleep.

The physicians called it a deep coma, and since she wasn't dead, the Niohuru family couldn't just bury her.

Yikun Palace

When she heard the news, the Niohuru concubine pretended to be concerned, skipped a few meals for appearances, and then moved on.

After all, she had already played the part of a good elder sister. It wasn't as if she had to weep every day.

Moreover, it was just as well that she had this comatose condition. It saved her the trouble of having to deal with her when she entered the palace.

With Hesheli's death, the affairs of the inner palace naturally fell to her to manage temporarily.

Now, she was the only high-ranking concubine in the palace.

Although the Grand Empress Dowager was above her, it wasn't a big deal for the Niohuru concubine. As long as she didn't make any mistakes, the Grand Empress Dowager couldn't say much.

Lately, the Emperor had rarely visited Yikun Palace.

She sent people to inquire, and it turned out that the Emperor hadn't summoned anyone recently. This somewhat eased the Niohuru concubine's mind. It was better that he didn't come than go to someone else.

After all, Hesheli was just one woman. Why should the Emperor mourn her so deeply?

As she thought this, she couldn't help but touch her belly. How could it be that after so many nights of favor, there was still no movement? The imperial physician had said that she had a congenital illness that made conception difficult.

She had been taking tonics for years to regulate her body, but there was still no sign of pregnancy.

The Niohuru concubine was genuinely anxious. In the current inner palace, there were only two princes: the eldest prince, Yinzhi, and the crown prince, Yinreng. With so few children, Kangxi couldn't help but dote on them.

Several princes had died young, and Yinzhi, who was originally the fifth prince, had now become the eldest.

She had been so busy with Hesheli's childbirth that Kangxi had sent the child to be raised by a minister outside the palace. If he had stayed in the palace, she would have made sure to teach him a lesson once she had the time.

The Niohuru concubine was lost in thought, her expression blank and her eyes dark. Fortunately, she only showed this side of herself when she was alone. Even in front of her personal maid, Yujing, the Niohuru concubine would put on some semblance of composure.

After finishing her tasks, Yujing returned and, following protocol, waited outside, calling out "Your Highness" before quietly waiting for permission to enter.

She kept her eyes downcast, her expression one of quiet deference.

A while ago, Yushan, who had been serving the mistress, was also quite favored by her mistress. However, because she once entered to report something without prior notice, she was immediately punished by the mistress to kneel.

After two days, she was demoted to the Xinzhuku, accused of dishonesty for stealing the mistress's golden hairpin and hiding it, intending to sell it outside the palace.

Yujing was then promoted to replace Yushan's position, feeling both delighted and panicked. She became increasingly cautious in serving the mistress, not daring to overstep in the slightest, lest she become the next Yushan.

Lady Niohuru had already composed herself, once again the gentle and virtuous figure of the harem.

She leisurely picked up the teacup and took a sip.

"Your Ladyship, the tasks you have assigned have all been completed, and all traces have been erased. They will definitely not be linked to the Yikun Palace," Yujing slightly lowered her head and bowed her back.

It was just a minor concubine, yet it was difficult for the mistress to specially 'take care' of her.

A hint of satisfaction appeared in Lady Niohuru's eyes. She took off a jade bracelet from her wrist, "You've worked hard on this matter. This jade bracelet is of good quality and complements the skin tone, so I'll reward it to you."

Yujing's face lit up with joy, and her heart raced with excitement. She quickly knelt down to thank the mistress for the reward, "Thank you, Your Ladyship, for the reward." Then she extended her hands and received the jade bracelet with both hands held high.

As a consort, the Imperial Household Department naturally prioritized her, sending the best items for her selection first. Only after she had chosen could the minor noble ladies and concubines have their turn.

The jade bracelet she received was naturally extremely precious. Yujing, having received such a good item, walked out with a light step.

When Lady Niohuru was in charge of the harem affairs, she could naturally arrange more.

There were not many people selected in this year's selection, but there was one who particularly caught Lady Niohuru's attention.

That was the newly appointed Noble Lady Guoluoluo by the Emperor, the famous Consort Yi, who was as radiant and beautiful as a blooming rose, with a straightforward and decisive personality. In the harem, only she had such a character, which made Kangxi very fond of her.

She enjoyed almost exclusive favor for over a decade and bore several children.

Now that she had just entered the palace, she was still only a noble lady, and her foundation in the palace was not yet stable. If Lady Niohuru didn't act now, when would she?

Qianqing Palace

Four wet nurses and eight nannies were taking care of the precious imperial prince, not daring to relax in the slightest.

The Emperor inquired about the prince's condition every day. If something went wrong, they would be finished, so they dared not slack off at all.

After feeding, the wet nurse held the little baby, patting his back to burp, his eyes half-closed and mouth smacking.

When he was just born, his skin was red like a monkey, but after just ten days, it became snow-white, his eyes moist and bright, and his skin no longer wrinkled, as if he had changed into a different baby.

He was absolutely adorable.

And he was very well-behaved, hardly making any fuss, just closing his eyes after eating, and then falling asleep on his own, not causing any trouble.

Suddenly, the little prince, who was almost asleep, suddenly made a sound, his short and chubby hands as if grabbing at something.

The wet nurse quickly put the little prince's hand back into the swaddle and gently coaxed him.

Su Yi felt a twinge of guilt and pulled back her finger, which had been poking at the baby's cheek.

No, why should she feel guilty? After all, she had only poked at the air and hadn't actually touched anything.

The little baby's hand was still small, like a little bun when clenched, soft. Su Yi's hand itched to touch it again.

The originally clenched fist suddenly opened and grabbed at the air, passing through Su Yi's fingertips, but the little hand still didn't give up and continued to grab.

The baby started to cry, as if angry, which made the wet nurse very nervous. She quickly picked him up to soothe him, but the usually easy-to-soothe little prince was not having it this time. He started to move around.

Both little hands stretched out, as if asking to be held. The wet nurse had no choice but to have another wet nurse come over to hold him, but it was no use. The little prince didn't want to be held by that wet nurse either.