Three days later

The morning sun shone warmly on my body.

Xu Lejin sat by the window, her chin resting comfortably on her hand, looking at the storybook in her hand. She thought to herself that today was the day when Consort He, the concubines below her, as well as the noble ladies, ladies-in-waiting, and ladies-in-waiting would go to Consort Hui's Yanxi Palace to pay their respects.

Consort Hui

Xu Lejin chuckled softly, her expression thoughtful.

Yanxi Palace

Consort Hui sat upright in the main seat, with Consort He, Consort An, Consort Duan, and others sitting on her left and right sides respectively.

"My dear sisters, you've all arrived very early today. Since the passing of Empress Xiaocheng and Empress Xiaozhao, I haven't gotten up this early on the 19th of any month."

With a gentle smile, Consort Hui's old face blossomed into a chrysanthemum, and she covered her mouth as she said, "This morning, I woke up feeling dizzy and lightheaded, so I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting."

Consort He was young and kept her head down, eating her snacks and tea.

Perhaps Consort He understood the meaning behind Consort Hui's words, but chose to pretend not to...

Consort An and Consort Duan exchanged a glance. Consort An carefully chose her words before speaking, "Your Highness Consort Hui is too kind. This is our first time paying our respects to Your Highness, so it is only right that we wait a little longer."

Consort Duan nodded.

Consort Wan and Consort Ning, who were always low-key and discreet, followed closely behind Consort An and Consort Duan, nodding and smiling in agreement.

Consort Xi, whose belly was not yet showing, quickly flashed a cold light in her eyes and said in a sweet voice, "Today is the first time that we concubines have paid our respects to Consort Hui. It is normal that you were nervous and took some time to get ready, Consort Hui."

"only,"

With her eyes darting around, Consort Xi continued, "This concubine is pregnant with the Emperor's child and has been waiting for Your Majesty for quite some time. I am feeling a little unwell now..."

"、、"

Consort Hui's expression changed, and she glared at Consort Xi with a gloomy look in her eyes.

Clenching her teeth, Consort Hui's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. She thought to herself that she and Consort Wen had a harmonious relationship and had once shared a common enemy, but Consort Xi, although Consort Wen's younger sister, had always been at odds with her.

Now, Consort Xi, relying on her pregnancy with the emperor's child, is openly trying to sow discord between her and others.

If anything were to happen to Consort Xi's unborn child in her Yanxi Palace, even if she had a hundred mouths and jumped into the Yellow River, she still wouldn't be able to explain it clearly.

That's enough, that's enough.

With a gloomy face, Consort Hui chuckled and said, "What Consort Xi said is not without reason. It was my oversight."

"Cunxin, immediately go to the Imperial Hospital and summon a royal physician to examine Consort Xi's pulse."

The palace maid, Cunxin, respectfully agreed and quickly withdrew.

Consort Duan, Consort Wan, and Consort Ning were all indifferent to their own feelings.

Consort An raised her eyes, glanced quickly at Consort Hui and Consort Xi, and said softly, "Consort Xi's pregnancy is already four months along, so she should be well-prepared. Why does she feel uncomfortable after sitting for only a short while?"

"Could it be that Consort Xi's unborn child is the imperial heir?"

Consort An's words, tinged with ulterior motives, caused Consort Hui, Consort Duan, and the others to all turn their gazes toward Consort Xi.

To be precise, he was looking at Consort Xi's belly.

Consort Xi's heart skipped a beat. She sat up straight, carefully protecting her belly, and said with a smile, "Consort An, you flatter me. I'm just feeling a little unwell; the baby in my womb is perfectly fine. Right now—"

"It's much better now!"

After speaking, Consort Xi lowered her head, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes. She thought to herself that Consort An was meddling in other people's business.

Time passed by, and inside Yanxi Palace, it was so quiet that only the soft breathing of the people could be heard. Consort Xi's expression became increasingly tense, and she lowered her head slightly, fidgeting with the hem of her clothes.

Consort Hui, seated in the main seat, glanced over the large group of noble ladies, concubines, and low-ranking officials in the corner, her gaze finally settling on…

Afternoon

Liu Ying hurried in from outside Yikun Palace, bowed and reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, this morning, news came from Consort Hui's palace that Consort Xi has unfortunately suffered a miscarriage."

Xu Lejin looked surprised.

Her hands continued moving as she copied the calligraphy model. Xu Lejin said softly, "Consort Xi's pregnancy is already more than four months along. It's a stable pregnancy, so why would it suddenly be affected?"

"Is Consort Xi and the unborn child alright?"

Liu Ying exchanged a glance with Ru Hua and Nongying.

After careful consideration, Liu Ying respectfully spoke, "Your Majesty, it is said that Consort Xi was overthinking, which caused the imperial pregnancy to become unstable. After the imperial physician's examination, it was determined that Consort Xi's pregnancy requires rest, and Consort Hui has already arranged for palace servants to escort Consort Xi back to Chuxiu Palace."

"Um."

Xu Lejin responded faintly and put down her calligraphy brush.

She slowly walked to the soft couch and sat down, speaking leisurely, "Consort Xi comes from the noble Niohuru clan, and is currently the only one in the palace carrying the emperor's child. All the concubines in the harem, from myself and Consort Que to the lower-ranking concubines, are watching her closely. It is understandable that Consort Xi is overthinking things."

"Since Consort Xi has suffered a miscarriage and needs to rest, then let her rest peacefully in the rear hall of Chuxiu Palace. She does not need to come to pay her respects to me after half a month!"

Liu Ying respectfully acknowledged and withdrew.

night

After Emperor Kangxi rested in Xu Lejin's palace, he indulged in sexual intercourse and was satisfied.

Kangxi embraced Xu Lejin and said in a deep voice, "There are many concubines in the palace, and many trivial matters every day. My dear concubine, you have worked hard to manage the harem."

Xu Lejin paused for a moment.

"I am not tired. It is my honor to be able to share Your Majesty's burdens. With Consort Que and Consort Hui helping to manage palace affairs, I do not feel tired."

Emperor Kangxi nodded, his affectionate gaze falling upon Xu Lejin.

After a moment's hesitation, Kangxi spoke in a deep voice, "Consort Wen... Consort Wen's illness has come on very suddenly and violently; I reckon she won't make it through this winter."

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