From the first light of dawn until nightfall.

The Empress got up early in the morning, bathed, burned incense, changed her clothes, and listened to the imperial edict in Kunning Palace.

Then he went to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to meet the court officials and to the clan to worship the ancestors.

Then, in the afternoon, the investiture ceremony ended, and he returned to Kunning Palace to instruct the concubines and other women in the harem.

The empress's investiture ceremony lasted a full day.

Under the pitch-black night, Xu Lejin, Consort Xuan, and other concubines of the harem walked along the long street toward their respective palaces, all looking exhausted.

"Sister Yufei, it's late, I'll head back to Xianfu Palace now."

Consort Xuan yawned and spoke softly to Xu Lejin.

Xu Lejin nodded with a faint smile and said, "Yes, it's late, the roads are slippery, and it's dark. Consort Xuan, please be careful on your way back to the palace."

"Lingyan, Lingrou, help your lady."

The two palace maids beside Consort Xuan respectfully replied, "Yes."

Immediately afterwards, Xu Lejin smiled and spoke to Consort Yi, Consort An, and Consort Xi of the Western Six Palaces, as well as the Noble Ladies, Attendants, and Lady-in-Waitings following behind them, telling them to return to their palaces to rest as soon as possible.

Back at Yikun Palace, Xu Lejin slumped down and sat on the chaise lounge.

Lianzhi and Ruhua exchanged a glance and then winked at Ziwu and Zhulan.

Ziwu and Zhulan immediately brought over warm water, squatted down to take off Xu Lejin's shoes and socks, and soaked Xu Lejin's pair of fair and tender feet in the warm water.

Xu Lejin closed her eyes contentedly and spoke softly, "The Empress's investiture ceremony was exceptionally grand. Fortunately, it was springtime, so the sun wasn't too scorching and the weather wasn't cold."

"If it were summer or winter, that would be even more unbearable."

Lianzhi gently massaged Xu Lejin's head to ease her fatigue, and said softly, "Your Majesty has worked hard today. The Empress's investiture ceremony..."

"Since His Majesty ascended the throne, this is the second time he has appointed an empress. I wonder..."

"This servant misspoke."

Lianzhi knelt down with a 'plop' and prostrated herself on the ground.

Xu Lejin opened her eyes, her gaze sharp as she looked at Lianzhi, and said in a cold voice, "Her Majesty the Empress has entered the palace, and her blessings are abundant."

"Lianzhi, please don't say such things again in the future."

"Yes, Your Highness, this servant will follow your instructions."

Lianzhi lowered her head and respectfully replied.

The next day

The Empress, dressed in a phoenix robe, sat regally on her phoenix throne, a dignified smile on her lips. Looking down at the concubines below, she spoke in a deep voice, "Yesterday was my coronation ceremony. My sisters, you have all worked hard."

"I have specially instructed my servants to select some of the finest materials to make spring outfits for you ladies. Please do not find them unpalatable."

After speaking, the Empress called out to the outside of the palace, "Silver Frost, Red Glow".

A moment later, palace maids Yinshuang and Hongxia led more than ten palace maids in single file.

Each palace maid carried one or two bolts of high-quality fabric, such as Shu brocade or brocade. The lowest quality fabric, such as woven satin, was given to lower-ranking concubines and palace maids.

Xu Lejin and Consort Xuan smiled faintly and had the palace maids beside them accept the Empress's gifts.

Consort Xi smiled gently, covering her mouth with her handkerchief. "The fabric bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress is naturally of the finest quality. After I returned home, I had it cut into clothes and put them on."

As she spoke, Consort Xi removed the long nail guards from her hands and stroked the brightly colored Shu brocade in front of her.

The Empress smiled gently and said, "I'm glad that Consort Xi likes it."

“Consort Xi is young, and I think that peach pink suits her very well. His Majesty will surely like it when he sees Consort Xi wearing peach pink palace dress.”

"I am overjoyed by Your Majesty's favor and I really like the fabric that Your Majesty has bestowed upon me."

The Empress and Consort Xi worked in perfect harmony.

Xu Lejin and Consort Xuan watched with indifferent expressions, smiling faintly without saying a word.

Consort Hui and Consort Rong looked on with envy, their expressions turning rather unpleasant as they gazed at the brocades they had received.

Shu brocade is precious, second only to Yanluo gauze, Fuguang brocade, and warm satin from Jiangnan.

Consort Xi had no children and entered the palace late, yet she received a Shu brocade as a reward from the Empress. Consort Hui and Consort Rong, who were also consorts of the same rank as Consort Xi, either had princes or both sons and daughters, but they received slightly inferior brocade.

The Empress's intention to elevate Consort Xi is obvious.

That afternoon

Xu Lejin and Consort Xuan are accompanying the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager at Cining Palace.

Thick carpets were laid out in the main hall of Cining Palace. Princess Burhe, who was raised by the Empress Dowager, and the three sisters, Wuxiha and Unaxi, who were personally raised by Xu Lejin, were playing games.

Uyudai, who was just over six months old and was being held in the wet nurse's arms, looked at her three older sisters with wide, round eyes.

The Empress Dowager smiled kindly at Xu Lejin and Consort Xuan, saying, "The Emperor only has three princes, which is a bit too few offspring. Consort Yu and Consort Xuan, as consorts, you should work harder and try to give birth to another prince for the Emperor as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will keep in mind your teachings."

Xu Lejin and Consort Xuan exchanged a glance and spoke in unison.

The Empress Dowager, who was standing to the side, glanced at Xu Lejin and said softly, "Your Majesty, I remember that there has been no happy event in the palace for a long time since Consort Yu gave birth to the twelfth princess, Wuyoudai, last year."

"When Consort Jing entered the palace, she was not favored by the emperor. Consorts Yun and Lan were newcomers and, although they were quite favored, there was still no good news."

"Most of the lower-ranking concubines, ladies-in-waiting, and palace maids were originally palace maids. Although the emperor occasionally summoned them, they were never fortunate enough to have them."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly.

"That's true. But the previous dynasty is busy with many affairs and the treasury is tight, so it's not advisable to hold a large-scale imperial concubine selection. It seems that the emperor also doesn't want to hold a selection."

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