On the evening of the second day, Ushiha and Unahi were moved back to Yikun Palace and raised by their biological mother, Xu Lejin.

Inside Yikun Palace, laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air.

The two little girls, Ushiha and Unashi, are a lively girl and a quiet girl.

Every day, apart from going to Chuxiu Palace to pay her respects to the Empress, Xu Lejin spent the rest of her time in Yikun Palace taking meticulous care of her two daughters.

As for Wuyoudai, who was raised by the Empress Dowager Cining Palace, Xu Lejin would visit her every three to five days.

Over time, Ushiha and Unahi, along with Princess Burhe, who was raised by the Empress Dowager, became close friends.

Three little girls, their innocent and childlike voices often echoing from inside the Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager looked at the three little girls playing with loving expressions.

The Empress Dowager spoke softly, "Consort Yu has taught the two princesses exceptionally well; they are well-behaved, sensible, considerate, and caring."

“A few days ago, Consort Rong brought the Second Princess and the Fourth Princess to pay their respects to me. The Second Princess, as the elder sister, did not know how to take care of the younger Fourth Princess and made the Fourth Princess cry in my Cining Palace.”

"The Empress Dowager originally wanted Bulhe to play with the Second Princess and the Fourth Princess, but the two sisters played by themselves and isolated Bulhe. The Empress Dowager and I felt particularly sorry for her."

"Now it's all good. With Ushiha and Unashi, Burhe won't be too lonely."

The Empress Dowager kept talking incessantly.

Xu Lejin listened carefully, thought for a moment, and then said with a smile, "Your Majesty, you flatter me. I am the mother of the Seventh and Eighth Princesses, and it is my duty to teach them."

“The Fifth Princess is of noble status, being the legitimate daughter of Empress Xiaocheng. The Second and Fourth Princesses, born to Consort Rong, are well-behaved and sensible, adhering to the rules and showing deference to the Fifth Princess, unlike my Seventh and Eighth Princesses, who are like little monkeys.”

As she spoke, Xu Lejin glanced at the three little girls playing happily.

The Empress Dowager nodded, smiling but saying nothing.

Two days later

Consort Rong glared at Xu Lejin with an unfriendly expression and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness Consort Yu, I don't know where I offended you, but you actually slandered my daughter and me in front of the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager."

"I am no longer favored by the Emperor and can no longer have children. If there is no love and protection from the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, how will I and my child survive in this palace?"

With a accusatory look in her eyes, Consort Rong stared intently at Xu Lejin.

"Your Highness, you are deeply favored by the Emperor, so you naturally cannot understand the difficulties I face in the palace. All that I and my children can rely on is the pity of the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager."

As she spoke, Consort Rong's face became covered with tears.

Xu Lejin was taken aback and said in a deep voice, "Consort Rong, I do not know what you mean. I have never slandered you or the princesses in front of the Empress Dowager or the Empress Dowager."

"Consort Rong, are you mistaken?"

Consort Rong sneered, "Your Highness Consort Yu, wasn't it you who, in front of the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, subtly implied that I, my second princess, and my fourth princess did not know the rules, which is why the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager dislike me and the second and fourth princesses?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin suddenly realized what was going on.

After a moment of contemplation, Xu Lejin spoke gently, saying, "Consort Rong, whether you believe it or not, I have never slandered you, the Second Princess, or the Fourth Princess in front of the Empress Dowager or the Empress Dowager."

"I am also a mother, and I have princesses and princes under my care. I would never do such a thing, nor would I deign to do it."

After saying this, Xu Lejin turned around and, supported by Lianzhi and Ruhua, returned to Yikun Palace without waiting for Rongpin's reaction.

The afternoon sun dappled the ground. Xu Lejin, wearing a white fox fur cloak, stood under the outer corridor of the main hall of Yikun Palace, her thoughts drifting far away.

Ru Hua lowered her voice and whispered, "Your Majesty, there's no need to argue with Consort Rong. Ever since Consort Rong was released from confinement and the Emperor hasn't summoned her to his bedchamber for a long time, she's changed her personality and is being exceptionally protective of the Second Princess, the Fourth Princess, and others."

"Um."

Xu Lejin nodded slightly, and after thinking for a moment, she smiled and said, "Consort Rong knows how to protect the princesses, so she can be considered to have learned her lesson."

"After the birth of the eleventh princess, she lost the emperor's favor. In the palace, she could only rely on the eldest prince and the four princesses."

Ru Hua nodded slightly and respectfully replied.

At this moment, the palace maid Ziwu hurried in from outside Yikun Palace and whispered to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, news has come from Prince Gong's residence that Consort Xu gave birth to a little princess this morning, and both mother and daughter are safe and sound."

"Um."

Xu Lejin responded, and after thinking for a moment, she smiled and instructed Ziwu, "Second Sister's safe delivery is a joyous occasion. Ziwu, please select some of the finest tonics, fabrics, and jewelry from the storeroom and send them to Prince Gong's Mansion."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Ziwu respectfully agreed and withdrew.

Lianzhi, standing to the side, frowned and pondered for a moment before speaking in a low voice, "Your Highness, this is Consort Xu's second pregnancy. I remember that Prince Gong's Mansion now has three princes and seven princesses."

Xu Lejin instantly understood the meaning behind Lianzhi's words.

Her second elder sister, who was married to Prince Gong as a secondary consort three years ago by imperial decree, is three years older than him and is now twenty-three years old. She has given birth twice, both times to daughters.

In Prince Gong's residence, besides the eldest prince born to his second wife, Lady Ma Jia, there were also two princes born to his concubines, Lady Shushu Gioro and Lady Chen.

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