Chapter 340: Chapter 340

Her lips were naturally crimson without rouge, her eyebrows naturally dark without pigment. Her jet-black, thick long hair was gently tied up, making the priceless pearls and jade hairpins seem like mere accessories. Dressed in a misty purple qipao, it accentuated her jade-like skin and ethereal bone structure, as if she were a celestial consort.

In short, the moment she approached in the morning light, it seemed as if the entire grand hall brightened along with her. Even Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, who considered herself accustomed to beauties, couldn't help but pause for a moment before finally regaining her composure.

"So this is Consort Chen indeed, truly extraordinary!"

"I am unworthy of such praise from the Grand Empress Dowager."

Despite saying this, after bowing in salute, An Ning responded with exceptional naturalness, showing no trace of nervousness or restraint.

From beginning to end, although her etiquette was complete, her back had never truly bent.

In the hall, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's eyes subtly darkened for a moment, as if frosting over, but then dissolved with extreme speed into flowing gentleness.

Receiving her mistress's signal, Aunt Suma nearby hurriedly had a seat prepared.

Contrary to everyone's expectations, this so-called audience seemed remarkably smooth, appearing as nothing more than a ruler's sudden whim to summon someone.

Even the questioning remained entirely ordinary.

The meeting lasted only about half an hour. Even so, the moment An Ning stepped out of the hall, Xiangzhu and others waiting outside the door instinctively breathed sighs of relief.

They hastily checked her over from head to toe before carefully helping their mistress onto the palanquin.

Similarly relieved was the system within her spiritual sea.

It had to be said, this was truly someone who had experienced three dynasties, a winner in palace struggles, who had fought her way through power struggles and even assisted her grandson in ruling the empire—a genuinely formidable person.

That authoritative aura without needing anger made even the system, secretly peeking from within the spiritual sea, feel slightly intimidated for a moment.

Therefore, it was particularly puzzled why its host had to be so conspicuously sharp. Even if pretending, she should at least appear respectful and reverent.

"But it's strange—she actually just met with you, without even the slightest testing!"

This wasn't the attitude toward a consort dominating the harem, especially considering her host's title.

"Chen," although different from that other Consort Chen, still carried some association, yet this was completely ignored.

On the way back, the system couldn't help but express its curiosity.

An Ning clicked her tongue.

"You said it yourself—she's an elder who has experienced three dynasties, a Grand Empress Dowager who assisted two emperors. Do you really think someone like her would be like those jealous consorts and concubines, obsessing over trivial details, being petty, and entangled in romantic sentiments?"

Consort Chen Hailanzhu might have been a favored consort, but so what? In the eyes of a true victor, she would only be seen as a complete failure.

Why would someone like that hold grudges for decades?

"Of course, the most important thing is..." An Ning's eyes unconsciously flashed with complexity: "She has already aged..."

No matter how much power she once held, it was now gradually slipping away as her grandson matured.

Facing her grandson who held real power, even for the sake of everything after her death, she could no longer afford to gamble.

This was what losing power meant...

Admittedly, as a childless consort who was clearly useful to the current emperor, even if she became highly favored and powerful, if she crossed boundaries, this senior ancestor wouldn't necessarily target her.

But to prevent any risks, testing, or even some degree of suppression might still occur.

No particular reason—just the sharpness of a woman who had held power for many years.

And An Ning's behavior today was subtly telling the other party that she wasn't someone who would tolerate bullying, that being submissive and allowing herself to be manipulated was impossible.

Acting recklessly and fighting to the death was more her style.

After all, without children, she had nothing to lose.

Either truly eliminate her before she died, otherwise, even three parts of suppression today would be repaid twelvefold in the future.

Showing weakness, keeping a low profile?

An Ning inwardly sneered.

When you've already revealed your sharp edges, these things only prove your weakness and vulnerability—they hold no other value.

Often, only by revealing your bargaining power to the greatest extent will others exercise restraint.

"Believe it or not, if I had deliberately kept a low profile today, or even intentionally concealed my appearance, in these people's eyes, that would be a signal that I could be pushed back, even oppressed..."

Not to mention anything else, consider how the late Emperor's Consort Donggo met her end—even on her deathbed, she was still dragging her extremely weak body to serve this very person. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was worn to death.

Compromise? Ha! Lazily reclining in the palanquin, An Ning's eyebrows and eyes unconsciously took on a cold tint.

As for whether the other party would become angry, feeling offended by a junior and wanting to eliminate her outright...

Let's just say, Emperor Kangxi, this emperor with real power, isn't dead.

Not to mention she was currently an indispensable piece on his chessboard. "Awake holding imperial power, drunk resting on beauties' laps"—this highest pursuit of men throughout history was never empty words.

A stunning beauty was also a symbol of certain power, especially for an emperor with intense desire for authority.

Such a person might not care much when possessing something, but once losing it, especially if erased without his permission...

"Rest assured, the Grand Empress Dowager is intelligent. She still has her family and relatives behind her, and her life is nearing its end. It's clearly a losing business—she won't do it."

Of course, even if there was a one-in-ten-thousand chance she truly lost her head, it would be fine—just send her off directly.

Anyway, being subservient and serving others was impossible.

Facing the system's clearly worried puppy-dog expression, An Ning offered rather indifferent comfort.

Since their stay at Cining Palace hadn't been long, when An Ning's group returned, it wasn't even noon yet. However, the entire Palace of Eternal Spring was unusually quiet at this moment.

After listening to the palace servants' careful report and pausing briefly in surprise, An Ning stepped forward as usual into the inner chamber.

Sure enough, in the bedchamber, on the sandalwood soft couch where An Ning usually liked to recline, a figure in bright yellow had appeared at some unknown time.

At this moment, he was unusually relaxed, leaning against the couch, holding an obviously already-read book volume in his hand.

"Your Majesty, when did you arrive?"

Ignoring the distinctly intense gaze from behind, after paying her respects and seeing that the other party remained silent, An Ning simply rose and casually sat at the dressing table not far away, attempting to remove the cumbersome ear accessories and other items.

Usually in her own bedchamber, An Ning never liked elaborate adornments, even her clothing was whatever felt comfortable.

Unfortunately, whether they were fastened too tightly or An Ning was too unskilled with her hands, for a moment these amethyst earrings proved difficult to remove. After several unsuccessful attempts, An Ning stopped struggling and decisively planned to call for assistance.

Just then, she heard a somewhat ambiguous laugh from behind. The book in his hand had been set aside at some point:

"A-Ning's attire today is particularly different!"

"It seems ordinarily, it was I who wasn't worthy of my beloved consort putting in such effort."