Consort Hanyan was dancing in the Imperial Garden when she was frozen into an ice sculpture.

Although Emperor Kangxi and Consort Zhao tried their best to suppress the matter and prevent the palace servants from spreading it outside the palace, they could not stop the spies from being spread throughout the palace by the various Manchu and Mongol noble families and the three banners of bondservants.

As things escalated, under the guidance of those with ulterior motives, the story spread that Consort Xu Lejin monopolized Emperor Kangxi's favor, was narrow-minded, and could not tolerate the other concubines in the harem. This led to the incident where Consort Hanyan, in her quest for favor, danced in the Imperial Garden in thin clothing and was frozen solid.

With a light laugh, Xu Lejin's face was full of sarcasm as she said coldly, "The concubines in the palace and the ministers of the previous dynasty really think too highly of me. The death of Consort Hanyan was clearly her own doing, yet now they're trying to drag me into it."

"His Majesty favors me more, but I do not monopolize His Majesty's favor. In the past two years, there have been many concubines in the harem who have become pregnant, such as Consort Ma Jia's tenth daughter and Consort Xiao Na La's eleventh daughter."

"If I wanted to monopolize the Emperor's favor and not tolerate the concubines in the harem, how could I allow them to have the opportunity to serve me in bed, or to give birth to the tenth and eleventh princesses?"

"What a joke, a complete joke!"

Xu Lejin's eyes flashed with a cold smile. Lianzhi and Ruhua lowered their heads slightly, not daring to utter a sound.

Three days later, news came from the previous dynasty.

Ru Hua respectfully reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has severely reprimanded the ministers who spread rumors and stirred up bloodshed in the previous court, and ordered that Minister Tong Guowei, Minister Mingzhu, and Minister Suo'etu be fined half a year's salary."

“The ministers from the Qijia, Chengjia, Tangjia, and Yangjia clans below him have all been suspended from their posts and confined to their quarters for six months to reflect on their mistakes.”

Xu Lejin responded faintly and spoke softly.

"Although the rules set by our ancestors forbade the empress to interfere in politics, the imperial court and the empress have always been one. If the empress is not at peace, the imperial court will also be affected."

"Lord Suo'etu, Lord Mingzhu, and Lord Tong Guowei are one thing, but the Hesheli family has a concubine in the palace, and the Nala family has a concubine in the palace. Lord Tong Guowei…"

"The second daughter of Lord Tong Guowei, Princess Tongjia, is sixteen years old, a time when she is as beautiful as a flower in full bloom."

After a pause, Xu Lejin continued, "Qi Jia, Cheng Jia, Tang Jia, and Yang Jia are either prominent families in the Manchu Banner or renowned families in the Han Banner. They have no sisters or daughters and are all concubines in the palace. Why are they interfering in this?"

Ru Hua looked up at Xu Lejin, then lowered her head and remained silent.

Lianzhi, who was standing to the side, pondered for a moment before taking over the topic and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that the Qijia, Chengjia, Tangjia and Yangjia clans all have young, eligible princesses who are quite famous."

Lianzhi stopped there.

Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin instantly understood, realizing that the reason they believed everything they heard and spread rumors was because of their daughters and sisters of marriageable age!

February of the 15th year of Kangxi's reign

That afternoon, Emperor Kangxi visited Yikun Palace and dined with Xu Lejin.

"I see that my beloved concubine is becoming more and more plump and smooth," Kangxi said with a smile after lunch, glancing at Xu Lejin with amusement.

Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin gave Kangxi a coquettish glare.

With her face flushed, she lowered her head and said softly, "Your Majesty is teasing me again. I'm afraid of the cold in winter, so I've been eating more. Your Majesty also has the Imperial Kitchen send me papaya stewed with snow every day, so I've definitely gained weight."

"Gaining three pounds every holiday season is now a thing of the past for me!"

"Hahaha."

Emperor Kangxi laughed three times, took Xu Lejin's hand, and said with a smile, "No matter how my beloved consort changes, I will always love her. I love her charming and coquettish nature."

He swallowed hard, his eyes burning as he stared at Xu Lejin.

"emperor,"

Xu Lejin was both embarrassed and annoyed. She glanced into the hall, her ears turning bright red, and said in a soft, muffled voice, "Your Majesty, it's not even dark yet, all the servants are still here, I'm afraid..."

"My beloved concubine, do not be afraid, I am the Emperor."

Before Kangxi could finish speaking, Liang Jiugong hurriedly entered from outside the hall, bowing respectfully.

With a thud, Liang Jiugong knelt on the ground and spoke tremblingly, "Your Majesty, Consort Shangjia passed away this afternoon."

Emperor Kangxi looked surprised.

Xu Lejin paused for a moment, then spoke softly, "Eunuch Liang, is the information incorrect? Consort Shangjia caught a cold a few days ago, but after being treated by the imperial physician, she has fully recovered."

"Why did he suddenly leave us?"

With trembling hands, Liang Jiugong looked up at Xu Lejin helplessly, then lowered his head and remained silent.

After a long while, Kangxi said in a deep voice, "Although Lady Shangjia is a concubine, she is the niece of Shang Kexi, the cousin of Shang Zhilong, the Imperial Son-in-Law, and the aunt of the primary consort of my seventh brother, Longxi."

"Now that Lady Shangjia has passed away suddenly, Liang Jiugong, convey my decree, instructing Consort Zhao to instruct the Imperial Household Department to conduct a grand funeral for Lady Shangjia, and grant permission for the wife of Prince Chun to enter the palace to offer condolences."

Liang Jiugong respectfully acknowledged and withdrew.

The sudden news of Consort Shangjia's death disrupted his pleasant mood. Kangxi pulled Xu Lejin aside and fell into deep thought. It wasn't until nightfall that Kangxi got up and returned to Qianqing Palace.

Consort Shangjia, though the niece of Prince Pingnan Jing, Shang Kexi, held a low rank in the palace. Therefore, after the funeral, the palace quickly forgot about her.

March arrived as scheduled.

The flowers in the Imperial Garden are beginning to bud, ready to bloom in the spring breeze. The grass is also sprouting, creating a thriving and vibrant scene of everything flourishing.

Xu Lejin strolled along the path in the Imperial Garden, enjoying the gentle spring breeze on her face.

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