Xu Lejin launched into a stern and urgent interrogation.

Consort Hesheli and Consort Zhaojia were both stunned, their faces wide with disbelief and their mouths slightly agape.

Consort Zhao glanced disdainfully at Consorts Hesheli and Zhaojia, and said in a deep voice, "Sister Yu Pin, you are too serious. It was just a joke between us sisters and has nothing to do with the peace and tranquility of the harem."

“Consort Hesheli and Consort Zhaojia, although their words were inappropriate, they were only for the sake of my relationship with Consort Yu. Consort Yu is very magnanimous, so I will not hold it against them.”

Consorts Hesheli and Zhaojia, their hearts pounding in their throats, looked at Xu Lejin with expectant eyes.

With a sigh, Xu Lejin slowly glanced at Consort Hesheli and Consort Zhaojia.

Speaking softly, Xu Lejin said, "Since Consort Zhao has pleaded for them, then this concubine will not hold it against them. However..."

"Your Highness, I vaguely remember that the concubines in the harem must be careful with their words and actions. Consort Hesheli and Consort Zhaojia are so outspoken. I think it would be best to have the governess properly instruct them."

“It’s one thing for us sisters in the harem to joke around, but if we were to speak so recklessly in front of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, I’m afraid not only we ourselves would be punished, but our families outside the palace would also be implicated.”

Xu Lejin's casual words caused Consort Zhao's expression to change, and she nodded slightly, remaining silent in thought.

Consorts Hesheli and Zhaojia, their faces filled with fear and lingering unease, stood up with the help of palace maids and bowed, saying, "Your Highness Consort Yu's teachings are correct. We will certainly be careful in our words and deeds in the future and keep Your Highness Consort Yu's teachings in mind."

Half an hour later.

Outside Chuxiu Palace

Since Consort Zhaojia disregarded the safety of the imperial heir and attempted to delay the birth of the imperial heir, giving birth to the seventh imperial daughter, she completely lost Kangxi's favor.

For more than half a year, he was not summoned even once.

Having lost face so badly in Chuxiu Palace today, he looked miserable and ashamed. He gave a half-bow to the other concubines and then fled in a panic with his maids.

"Sister Hesheli, speaking of which, you were the late Empress's cousin. How have you become?"

"Consort Yu used to be a palace maid who served the late Empress. Now that she has been granted the title of Consort, she scolded you, Sister Hesheli. I feel sorry for you, Sister Hesheli."

"The late Empress's grandfather was one of the four regents appointed by the late Emperor. The late Empress passed away after giving birth to the sixth princess. Sister Hesheli, you are now the only concubine of the Hesheli family in the palace, representing the dignity of the Hesheli family. Now you are being reprimanded by Consort Yu in front of all your sisters."

"If it were me, born into the Hesheli family, a prominent Manchu family, and I were so humiliated, I would have rather killed myself to prove my innocence."

With her swaying waist and alluring figure, Consort Zhang, at the prompting of Consort Nara, displayed a mocking and disdainful expression, hands on her hips and chin slightly raised, and launched into a barrage of sarcastic remarks at Consort Hesheli.

Consort Hesheli was already displeased, and now, after being subjected to a barrage of sarcastic remarks from Consort Zhang, her face turned bright red, her eyes bloodshot, and her anger raging.

Despicable people, they're all despicable!

Nara Concubine gently covered her mouth and glanced at Concubine Zhang and Concubine Zhaojia.

She spoke calmly, "Sister Zhang, Hesheli has no children. Since the late Empress passed away, she has lost the Emperor's favor. How dare she now contend with Consort Yu, who is at the height of her power and has given birth to the sixth prince, the eighth princess, and the ninth princess?"

"However, in any case, Sister Hesheli is, after all, the late Empress's cousin and comes from the Hesheli family."

Consort Zhang nodded slightly.

She covered her mouth with her soft, boneless hand. "Sister Nara is right. I was confused. I only saw Consort Yu reprimanding Sister Hesheli today. I never thought that Sister Hesheli has no children and no favor."

"In the palace, without children or favor, one lives worse than a palace maid."

After speaking, Consort Zhang glanced disdainfully at Consorts Shangjia and Fanjia behind Consort Hesheli.

With an arrogant expression, Consort Zhang turned and left hand in hand with Consort Nara.

Xu Lejin watched from afar as Consort Nara and Consort Zhang mocked and ridiculed Consort Hesheli in unison.

His expression remained calm, but inwardly he was sneering.

Consort Nara and Consort Zhang are truly cunning. Their words, ostensibly defending Consort Hesheli, are actually an attempt to incite Consort Hesheli to become her complete adversary.

“Your Majesty, Consort Nara and Consort Zhang are extremely rude, openly sowing discord between Your Majesty and Consort Hesheli in the middle of the street.”

"In my humble opinion, Your Highness, now that you are a concubine, you have the right to punish Consort Nara and Consort Zhang."

Lianzhi lowered her head and spoke softly.

Xu Lejin raised her hand and stroked the purple-gold tassels on her hair, her expression indifferent.

"It's alright. This is outside Consort Zhao's palace. They are making outrageous remarks outside Consort Zhao's palace. Consort Zhao will punish them."

"Since I have just been granted the title of Consort, we should observe the situation calmly."

Lianzhi looked up, glanced at Xu Lejin out of the corner of her eye, then lowered her head and remained silent in thought.

Ru Hua, who was standing to the side, hesitated for a moment and said respectfully, "Your Majesty is wise. Although Consort Nara and Consort Zhang are only consorts now, they have served His Majesty for a long time and have princes and princesses under their wing. Even if they have not made any great contributions, they have certainly worked hard."

"Your Majesty is kind and benevolent, and does not hold grudges against them. When His Majesty finds out, he will surely praise Your Majesty."

Xu Lejin nodded.

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