On February 19th, Lady Ma gave birth to a little princess. After that, she rarely had another child. The news quickly spread throughout the six palaces.

The news reached the Qianqing Palace and then the ears of the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager in the Cining Palace.

Under the flickering candlelight

The Empress Dowager, her face grave with age, said in a deep voice, "Is this child another princess? Since Sainchahun, Consort Ma Jia has given birth to four daughters."

"The third, fifth, tenth, and now the twelfth princess of the emperor, Lady Ma Jia gave birth almost once a year, but unfortunately every time she gave birth to a daughter. It must have been hard for her."

The Empress Dowager stood to the side, her eyes lowered, lost in thought and remaining silent.

Immediately afterwards, the Empress Dowager spoke again, "Ma Jia's child is a princess. Now I can only hope that Consort Yu's child will be a prince."

“Empress Mother, Consort Yu deeply admires the Emperor’s favor and will surely give birth to a prince.”

The Empress Dowager slowly raised her head, considered for a moment, and said softly, "I heard that His Majesty went to Consort Xuan's palace last night. If Consort Xuan is fortunate enough to have a child and give birth to a prince or a princess, that would be even better."

The Empress Dowager nodded.

"Indeed, I heard about what happened last night from Su Ma. Consort Yu is a good child, she knows how to repay kindness. If Consort Xuan can become pregnant and give birth to the imperial heir, my life will not have been in vain."

"Su Ma, during the first month of the lunar calendar, the Khorchin tribe sent over some top-quality furs. I remember there was a white fox pelt among them. Tomorrow, find it and send it to Consort Yu at Yikun Palace."

Sumalagu respectfully agreed.

Day 2

In the east side hall of Zhongcui Palace, Consort Ma Jia awoke from her coma.

"My lady, you're awake? You fell into a coma after giving birth yesterday, and I was so worried about you."

"Amitabha, Amitabha, it's so good that you are safe and sound, my lord."

The palace maid Caiwei looked delighted and eagerly stepped forward to serve her.

Another palace maid serving Consort Ma, named Huanxi, rolled her eyes, slammed down the teapot in her hand, and muttered under her breath.

"What's there to be happy about? They were so sure it was a prince, but in the end it turned out to be a princess."

"And she's a sickly princess, I don't even know if she can survive. It's really bad luck. I thought that following a mistress like you would mean living a life of luxury, but look at me now?"

"Either she's grounded, or she's giving birth to princesses one after another."

The murmurs grew louder and louder, making it difficult for Consort Ma Jia to ignore them.

Joyful words drifted into my ears, one by one.

Caiwei, her face cold, reprimanded sharply, "Huanxi, what are you saying? The mistress has just given birth and needs to rest and recuperate. How could you say such things? Isn't this just stabbing the mistress in the heart?"

“My mistress has treated you well, how can you be so ungrateful?”

Huanxi straightened his back, his face full of disdain, and put his hands on his hips.

"You've treated me well? I'm in the prime of my life, and I'm stuck here with you, confined to my quarters. And you call that treating me well?"

"Sister Caiwei, you're such a fool. You know perfectly well that the mistress can no longer have children, yet you still serve her wholeheartedly."

As she spoke, Huanxi knelt down straight. "My lady, please let me go back to the Imperial Household Department, considering that I have served you for several years. If I become successful in the future, I will never forget you, my lady."

Consort Ma Jia turned deathly pale and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Immediately afterwards, everything went black, and he was so angry at a palace maid that he fainted!

Afternoon

Consort Xuan rushed into Yikun Palace, shouting, "Consort Yu, have you heard? This morning, Consort Ma Jia woke up from her coma, but less than half an hour later, she was so angry with her little maid that she vomited blood."

"Today, when we went to Chuxiu Palace to pay our respects to Consort Zhao, Caiwei, who served Consort Ma Jia, rushed into Chuxiu Palace and begged Consort Zhao to do justice for Consort Ma Jia. It was quite a scene."

With a gentle expression, Xu Lejin smiled.

"I have never heard of it. Consort Ma Jia was at least a concubine personally appointed by the Emperor, and she bore him princes and princesses. Where did a mere palace maid get the audacity?"

"Consort Ma has just given birth and is suffering from both qi and blood deficiency. Now she has been so angry that she vomited blood. What should we do?"

After saying that, Xu Lejin showed a regretful expression.

Consort Xuan glared angrily with her beautiful almond-shaped eyes, "Sister Consort Yu, you are too kind. I heard that Consort Ma Jia was disrespectful to you in the past. Now that she was angered by the palace maid to the point of vomiting blood, it is her own fault."

"Sister Yu Pin, why do you pity her?"

Xu Lejin shook her head, her eyes filled with affection, and took Xuan Pin's hand as she began to speak.

After a short while, Consort Xuan suddenly realized and laughed, "So that's how it is. I knew that Consort Yu wasn't just randomly showing kindness. It turns out that Consort Yu was secretly happy, but on the surface she had to pretend to pity Consort Ma Jia."

“Sister Yu Pin, it’s so tiring in the palace. When I’m in a bad mood, I can’t cry loudly, and when I’m happy, I can’t laugh loudly. I can’t eat meat in big bites when I’m eating. I still miss the carefree days on the grasslands, riding horses and having fun.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin smiled faintly.

Looking up at the sky, a longing expression appeared on his face.

thin moon star

Consort Zhao sat by the window, gazing at the bright moonlight outside, and said coldly, "Ma Jia is really lucky to be alive after all this suffering."

"Yesterday, I thought she would have a difficult childbirth, but she pulled through. This morning, Huanxi deliberately provoked her, causing her to vomit blood and faint. As a result, she was only weaker, but her life was still saved."

"If this continues, when will I be able to raise her child?"

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