Zhongcui Palace, East Side Hall

After giving birth to the fifth princess, Consort Ma Jia became pregnant again shortly after completing her postpartum confinement. During her pregnancy, she had too many worries.

This time, the delivery of the tenth princess was delayed again, resulting in a deficiency of both qi and blood, and a pale complexion.

At this moment, Consort Ma Jia had her head wrapped in a headband and covered with a thick quilt. In the July weather, a red-hot charcoal fire was already burning inside the room.

The palace maid Caiwei carefully fed Consort Ma Jia spoonful by spoonful of the Five Red Soup.

“Caiwei, I remember that today is the birthday of the sixth prince, the eighth princess, and the ninth princess born to Consort Yu.”

"The sixth prince, the eighth princess, and the ninth princess are celebrating their first birthdays. It must be quite lively at Yikun Palace today, right?"

Although she was eating sweets, Consort Ma Jia was actually feeling miserable inside.

Caiwei looked timidly up at Consort Ma Jia, then lowered her head and said softly, "Your Highness, I heard that the little prince born to Consort Yu picked up poetry and musical instruments during his first birthday celebration today."

"Everyone in the palace is talking about how Consort Yu's little prince will learn from the Han people and become a great scholar with literary talent and elegance."

Upon hearing this, Consort Ma Jia couldn't help but laugh out loud.

“We Manchus govern the world with horsemanship and archery, but Consort Yu’s sixth son wants to learn from those pedantic scholars and study poetry and etiquette. Even if it is an auspicious omen of dragons and phoenixes, so what?”

"Consort Yu, how can your child compare to my Seinchahun?"

"Heaven is fair after all. Although I have given birth to daughters one after another, my son, Seinchahun, is the emperor's eldest son. When he was a baby, he grabbed a sword."

Caiwei lowered her head and nodded, her expression thoughtful.

“What Your Highness says is very true. Our fourth prince will become a warrior in the future, brave and skilled in battle, and will make great achievements. He is not one of those scholars who are weak and helpless.”

Consort Ma Jia smiled and nodded.

That night, Xu Lejin was in the main hall of Yikun Palace, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Emperor Kangxi.

In the afternoon, Li Dequan, who served the emperor, bowed and came to Yikun Palace to report to Xu Lejin that Emperor Kangxi had chosen Xu Lejin tonight and would be coming to Yikun Palace that evening. He instructed Xu Lejin to prepare to receive the emperor.

The moon rose above the willow branches, but Emperor Kangxi was nowhere to be seen.

Xu Lejin frowned slightly, quickly pondering whether there had been a sudden change in the previous dynasty, which was why Kangxi had broken his promise and had not yet come to her Yikun Palace.

Lianzhi and Ruhua exchanged a glance, their brows furrowed in thought.

After a moment, Lianzhi spoke softly, "It's late and the dew is heavy; be careful not to catch a cold. Let me help Your Highness back to your room to rest for a while. The Emperor is probably on his way to our Yikun Palace right now."

"It's alright."

Xu Lejin looked up at the bright moonlight. "The moon is very round tonight. It has been a long time since I have properly appreciated the moonlight."

"Ruhua, have someone bring me a soft chair to place under the eaves. I will enjoy the moonlight while waiting for the Emperor's arrival."

Lianzhi opened her mouth, but swallowed the words that were about to come out.

Ru Hua bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness, this servant will obey your orders."

Under the bright moonlight and the occasional gentle autumn breeze, Xu Lejin, dressed in a moon-white palace gown, leaned back in a soft chair, leisurely basking in the moonlight.

The moonlight shone on Xu Lejin, making her look like a fairy from the moon palace, untouched by the dust of the world.

Lianzhi and Ruhua carefully served behind Xu Lejin, glancing at the palace gate from time to time.

Half an hour later, the palace maid Ziwu came in from outside with a solemn expression and hurried steps.

With her head slightly lowered, Ziwu respectfully reported to Xu Lejin: "Your Majesty, the Emperor has gone to Consort Xitala's residence in Yongshou Palace."

Xu Lejin paused for a moment, then remained expressionless.

"I understand."

I looked up at the night sky and saw the bright, clear moonlight.

Xu Lejin parted her red lips slightly and said, "It's getting late, I should rest early."

"Your Majesty,"

Lianzhi and Ruhua had furrowed brows and solemn expressions.

Xu Lejin chuckled lightly and said casually, "The Emperor is the Son of Heaven. All the women in the palace belong to the Emperor. He can favor whomever he wants."

"The favor bestowed upon the concubines in the palace is never something they can decide for themselves."

After speaking, Xu Lejin shook her head at Lianzhi and Ruhua.

Lianzhi and Ruhua bowed their heads slightly and respectfully replied, "Yes."

The next morning, Xu Lejin was riding in a sedan chair. As soon as she left the gate of Yikun Palace and turned into the long street, she saw a small sedan chair with two people ahead of her, swaying and heading towards Chuxiu Palace.

Lianzhi frowned and said respectfully to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, the one in front looks like Consort Xitala."

“Last night, Consort Xitala served His Majesty. His Majesty was considerate and may have specially rewarded her with a sedan chair.”

"Um."

Xu Lejin responded lightly and said softly, "Last night, she served the Emperor diligently and was rewarded with a sedan chair by the Emperor, which is only natural."

Inside Chuxiu Palace.

When Xu Lejin entered the main hall with the help of Lianzhi and Ruhua, all the concubines below, except for Concubine Ma Jia who was still in confinement, had already arrived.

"We, your humble servants, pay our respects to Consort Yu."

Consort Nara, Consort Hesheli, and others stood up, curtsied to Xu Lejin, and their slightly lowered eyes revealed a hint of schadenfreude.

Xu Lejin smiled and asked everyone to stand up.

After everyone took their seats in order, Consort Nara winked at Consort Xiao Nara, who was heavily pregnant. Consort Xiao Nara covered her mouth and giggled, "Your Highness Consort Yu, I heard that last night His Majesty originally chose Your Highness Consort Yu's green head plaque, but when he passed by Yongshou Palace, Consort Xitala intercepted it and took it to Yongshou Palace."

"This humble servant is foolish and does not know whether the information is accurate. I beg Your Highness to enlighten me."

Xu Lejin smiled gently, but a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes as she looked at Consort Xiao Nara.

Then Xu Lejin looked at Consort Xitala, who was standing to the side with her head slightly lowered but could not hide the smug smile on her face, and said softly, "I am not really clear about what happened last night."

"I believe that the one who knows the ins and outs of this matter best is Consort Xitala?"

With a half-smile on her face, Xu Lejin looked at Consort Xitala with amusement.

Consort Xitala's face paled. After stammering for a moment, she straightened her back, smiled sweetly at Xu Lejin, and said respectfully, "Your Highness Consort Yu, please forgive me. This concubine did not mean it."

"Yesterday evening, having nothing to do, I went for a walk outside Yongshou Palace, and unexpectedly encountered His Majesty on the long street."

She glanced timidly at Xu Lejin.

Consort Xitala lowered her head and spoke in a soft voice, "Your Highness Consort Yu, please forgive me. This servant was unaware that His Majesty had chosen Your Highness Consort Yu's name last night. If this servant had known, he would never have kept His Majesty with me."

"Your Highness Consort Yu, you are a magnanimous person, surely you wouldn't hold a grudge against a lowly and uncouth person like a maid?"