In addition, the Imperial Household Department was instructed to send some tonics to Consort Dong to help her recover.

After Consort Dong's miscarriage, the palace was quiet for a while.

The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.

That night, Kangxi rested in Yikun Palace. After a night of passion, Kangxi left satisfied the next morning. Xu Lejin, with a rosy complexion and a radiant face, went to Chuxiu Palace to pay her respects to Consort Zhao.

The atmosphere inside Chuxiu Palace was somber.

Consort Zhao, her face grim, spoke in a cold voice, “My dear sisters, last night, Consort Hanyan of Chengqian Palace, dressed in a thin gauze dress, danced all night in the Imperial Garden. This morning, when the palace servants cleaning the Imperial Garden found Consort Hanyan, she was already frozen into an ice sculpture.”

"ah?"

Xu Lejin covered her mouth in horror, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Turning her head to look at Xu Lejin, Consort Zhao said in a deep voice, "Yesterday, Consort Hanyan somehow learned that the Emperor would be passing by the Imperial Garden, and in order to gain the Emperor's favor, she danced in the Imperial Garden."

"Unexpectedly, the Emperor did not go to the Imperial Garden last night, but instead went to Consort Yu's sister's Yikun Palace."

Consort Zhao's casual words made Xu Lejin the target of public criticism.

With a look of regret, Xu Lejin carefully spoke, "Your Highness, I was unaware that Consort Hanyan danced all night in the Imperial Garden last night."

"In the freezing cold, the concubines in the palace, apart from paying their respects to Consort Zhao at Chuxiu Palace every day, stayed in their own palaces. Consort Hanyan was also confused, actually braving the wind and snow to dance in the Imperial Garden."

With a soft sigh, Xu Lejin continued.

"If I had known earlier that Consort Hanyan was dancing in the Imperial Garden, I would never have allowed His Majesty to stay in my Yikun Palace. Now Consort Hanyan is frozen solid."

"I feel truly guilty and distressed."