The Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet was held as scheduled at the Qianqing Palace.

At the banquet, wine cups were clinked and songs and dances were performed. Emperor Kangxi, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager sat at the head of the table, with the imperial concubines and members of the royal family on either side below.

Kangxi's gaze swept over the concubines, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"Where is Consort Tong?"

All eyes turned to the empty seat of Consort Tong. Those who knew the inside story, such as Xu Lejin, glanced at Consort Zhao, Niohuru, out of the corner of their eyes, while the relatives who did not know the inside story were secretly speculating in their hearts.

Consort Zhao stood up and carefully considered her words before speaking.

"Your Majesty, Consort Tong..."

Before Consort Zhao could finish speaking, a sharp voice came from inside the hall, "Consort Tong, present the 'Rainbow Feather Dance' to wish you a happy Mid-Autumn Festival, a joyous celebration for your family, and to wish His Majesty a long life, and the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager a thousand years of life."

The main hall of the Qianqing Palace was completely silent.

Consort Zhao swallowed the words that were about to come out, lowered her head, and a cold smile played on her lips.

As the music began, Consort Tong, dressed in a light gauze robe, her snow-white skin partially obscured, danced gracefully in the main hall, swaying her waist and hips with extreme flirtatiousness and allure.

Emperor Kangxi's face was so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it.

The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager exchanged a silent glance, watching this farce unfold with cold indifference.

After Consort Tong finished her dance, the hall fell silent.

After a moment of stiffness, Consort Tong reluctantly stepped down. Following Consort Tong, Consort Zhaojia played a tune on the flute, Consort Zhang played a guzheng tune haltingly, and Consort Xiuqin played a conventional yueqin tune.

Consort Xiuhe performed flower arranging.

Finally, the grand finale was Consort Fan Jia. Although Consort Fan Jia was originally a palace maid, she was exceptionally skilled at playing the pipa, winning praise from Emperor Kangxi and the Empress Dowager.

At midnight, Xu Lejin returned to Yikun Palace.

Ru Hua carefully considered her words before speaking softly, "Your Majesty, Consort Tong lost face so badly at the banquet today. Even with my head down, I could feel the Emperor's suppressed anger when Consort Tong was dancing."

"Of all the ladies and concubines who performed their talents at the banquet, only Consort Tong received nothing. The other concubines all received praise from the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager to varying degrees."

Xu Lejin nodded with a smile.

"Indeed, Consort Tong wanted to win the Emperor's favor, but she used the wrong method. Her original intention in performing the 'Rainbow Feather Dance' was good, but today her thin dance dress revealed a glimpse of her private parts. The fact that the Emperor did not reprimand her on the spot was already a sign of respect for her Tongjia clan background and gave her dignity."

After saying that, Xu Lejin burst into laughter.

The next day, he paid his respects at Chuxiu Palace.

Consort Zhao suppressed her laughter and announced Emperor Kangxi's decree: Consort Tong would be confined to Chengqian Palace for three months, effective immediately, and punished by copying the "Palace Rules and Women's Rules" one hundred times.

The palace maids and eunuchs who served Consort Tong were given thirty strokes of the cane and sent to the Sinzheku (a place for forced labor) to do hard labor.

In the afternoon, the Empress Dowager Cining Palace issued another imperial edict, stating that the concubines in the palace were not behaving properly. From this day forward, all concubines who would perform for the emperor at the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet would be carefully instructed in manners by the governesses.

Night fell that day.

Emperor Kangxi arrived at Yikun Palace and led Xu Lejin into his sleeping quarters.

After their lovemaking, Kangxi embraced Xu Lejin and said in a deep voice, "There are a few interesting concubines in the palace, but my grandmother said they don't behave well and ordered the nannies to teach them manners."

Xu Lejin was stunned for a moment.

"Your Majesty, if I may be so bold as to say this, the most important thing for concubines in the palace is to serve Your Majesty and to ensure that Your Majesty has children and that the family line continues. As for things like playing music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, singing, dancing, needlework, and cooking, these are fine to do in the boudoir."

"The Empress Dowager is also thinking of the harmony of the harem. Your Majesty should appreciate the Empress Dowager's good intentions."

After speaking, Xu Lejin lowered her head.

Emperor Kangxi frowned and pondered for a long time before saying, "Even so, Lady Fan Jia's pipa playing is indeed excellent. The affairs of the previous dynasty are busy, and I would like to have some entertainment and listen to some music in my spare time."

"Your Majesty, there are dancers and musicians in the palace. Your Majesty enjoys listening to music and watching dances. You may summon the dancers and musicians to the Emperor’s presence. There is no need to limit yourself to the concubines in the harem."

After a slight pause, Xu Lejin murmured softly, "How can the petty tricks of the concubines in the harem be compared with those of the dancers and musicians who make a living from such skills?"

The sleeping quarters of Yikun Palace fell silent.

Half an hour later, Kangxi got up from his bed and called out, "Liang Jiugong!"

"emperor?"

Xu Lejin scrambled to her feet, put on her clothes, and looked at Kangxi.

Emperor Kangxi gave Xu Lejin a meaningful look and said in a deep voice, "I have other matters to attend to before the Emperor, so I will return to the Qianqing Palace first. You should rest early and do not need to get up to serve me."

After seeing Emperor Kangxi off, Xu Lejin, supported by Lianzhi and Ruhua, sat in front of her dressing table and looked at herself in the bronze mirror.

Lianzhi considered her words carefully before speaking softly.

"This servant doesn't understand, Your Majesty. Why did you say those things and offend the Emperor? The Emperor enjoys Consort Fan Jia playing the pipa, Consort Xiu Qin playing the moon lute, and also Consort Xiu He performing flower arranging."

Xu Lejin touched her cheek with her delicate hand, her expression indifferent, and said, "The Empress Dowager dislikes the concubines in the palace for imitating actors and performers. She sent word to me, and I will naturally follow the Empress Dowager's instructions."

"Since Consort Tong entered the palace, although the Emperor has neglected me somewhat, my favor in the palace is still unparalleled. Now, taking advantage of this matter to avoid the limelight is not a bad idea."

"The tallest tree in the forest will surely be felled by the wind."

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