Yikun Palace

In the afternoon, Xu Lejin learned from Qingtan what had happened in Yanxi Palace, and she was almost speechless with shock.

"Did Consort Hui kowtow and break her head?"

With a look of astonishment, Xu Lejin said incredulously, "The Emperor frequently summons Consort Suochuoluo, and among the newly arrived concubines, she does indeed enjoy some favor, but..."

"Was Consort Suochuoluo truly arrogant because of the emperor's favor, mocking and despising Consort Hui, indirectly causing Consort Hui to break her head from kowtowing?"

Qingtan paused for a moment, then quickly glanced at Xu Lejin.

"Your Majesty, that is indeed the case. This morning, the news that Consort Guo had safely given birth to the eleventh prince reached Consort Hui's palace. Consort Suochuoluo went to Consort Hui's palace to invite Consort Hui to visit Consort Guo together."

"I don't know what happened, but Consort Hui suddenly fainted due to emotional distress and accidentally bumped her head."

Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin nodded slightly.

After a short while, Xu Lejin spoke in a deep voice, "Since Consort Hui has kowtowed, let her rest and recuperate in Yanxi Palace. There is no need to worry about palace affairs; I, Consort Que, Consort Duan, and Consort Wan will handle them."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Qingtan respectfully agreed and withdrew.

Soon, another palace maid, Liuying, hurried in from outside the hall. Before she could even shake off the chill, she said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Consort Suochuoluo has been punished and demoted to the rank of Lady-in-Waiting."

"Um."

Xu Lejin responded lightly and then continued, "Regardless of the truth, Consort Hui is currently unconscious. Consort Suochuoluo has committed an act of insubordination and offended Consort Hui. This is a crime of usurpation, and Consort Suochuoluo deserves to be punished."

"Your Majesty is absolutely right."

Liu Ying echoed softly, then paused and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Suochuoluo is frivolous. She is a concubine's daughter of the Suochuoluo family and is not worthy to serve the Emperor."

"His Majesty has been too kind and has summoned Consort Suochuoluo several times. Consort Suochuoluo has become arrogant and presumptuous. Now that His Majesty has punished her by making her a concubine, it is already a great favor from His Majesty."

Xu Lejin paused slightly, then turned her head to look at Liu Ying.

After pausing for a moment, she coldly rebuked, "What nonsense are you spouting? No matter what, Consort Suochuoluo is still one of the Emperor's concubines. Although you serve by my side, what kind of behavior is it to gossip about the young lady behind her back?"

"Your Majesty's teachings are correct."

Liu Ying lowered her head slightly, her expression humble and respectful.

The next day

The eleventh prince, born to Consort Guo, was given a third-day celebration.

After the third-day celebration, Consort Que and others visited Yikun Palace. During their conversation, they mentioned Consort Guo, the eleventh prince, Consort Hui, and Consort Suochuoluo.

Consort Que smiled slightly and said softly, "Consort Guo is nearly thirty years old and has just given birth to the eleventh prince, but I have noticed that the emperor is very indifferent to Consort Guo and the eleventh prince."

"Today is the third-day celebration for the eleventh prince, but His Majesty has not bestowed any rewards upon him."

Consort Duan lowered her head slightly, while Consort Wan and Consort Ning exchanged a quick glance.

After a moment's consideration, Consort Wan looked up at Xu Lejin and said softly, "I heard that Consort Guo was not very well-behaved when she was pregnant, which almost caused her to miscarry. The eleventh prince was born weak."

"It is understandable that His Majesty dislikes Consort Guo's affected manner and, consequently, her eleventh son."

Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin nodded slightly.

"What Consort Wan said makes some sense, but..."

After a pause, Xu Lejin glanced at Consort Wan with an ambiguous expression, and then said, "When Consort Guo was first pregnant, she made a mistake, but the child is innocent. No matter what, the eleventh prince is still the emperor's bloodline."

"Now, both His Majesty and I hope that the eleventh prince can grow up healthy and safe."

Consort Wan looked embarrassed and stared down at her toes.

Half an hour later, Consort Que, Consort Duan, and the others smiled and took their leave. Xu Lejin instructed Nongying, who was beside her, to personally see them off from Yikun Palace.

Ru Hua pondered for a moment, then spoke in a low voice, "Your Highness, Consort Wan's words today seem to have a hidden meaning?"

"Um."

Xu Lejin responded softly and continued, "Indeed, Consort Wan's words were nothing more than a probe to gauge my opinion. The eleventh prince, born to Consort Guo, is frail and difficult to raise. I—"

"If I show even the slightest sign that I do not wish the eleventh prince to be safe, Consort Wan and the others will take action."

Looking up at the sky, Xu Lejin shook her head almost imperceptibly and murmured softly, "The child is innocent. The Emperor has many princesses but few princes. The eleventh prince, born to Consort Guo, will be the eighth prince in the future."

"Although my son Yinling has gone to cultivate in the heavens, I still have Yinchu. Having a few more princes in the palace will not affect me or Yinchu."

Ru Hua bowed her head and replied "Yes," her mind racing with thoughts.

After a moment's hesitation, Xu Lejin continued, "When Consort Wan and Consort Ning first entered the palace, they were timid. Now, after several years in the palace, Consort Ning remains the same, while Consort Wan..."

"Consort Wan has grown a lot!"

A few days later, at night

Emperor Kangxi arrived at Yikun Palace, embraced Xu Lejin, and said in a deep voice, "My grandmother's health is getting weaker day by day. This afternoon, my grandmother sent someone to invite me to Cining Palace. In her words, she repeatedly mentioned Consort Wan and Consort Ning."

“Grandmother knows that I do not wish for the Mongol concubines to have children, but Grandmother still hopes that Consort Wan and Consort Ning can have a son or daughter, even if it is just to raise the children of lower-ranking concubines.”

In the darkness, Xu Lejin paused slightly.

Frowning, after much deliberation, Xu Lejin replied softly, "Your Majesty, the matter of offspring concerns the affairs of the previous dynasty, and I dare not presume to comment. The Empress Dowager is currently bedridden, thinking of Consort Wan and Consort Ning, and her heart is with the Khorchin Mongols. I..."

"I think it's perfectly reasonable."

Emperor Kangxi remained silent.

After a long while, just when Xu Lejin thought Kangxi had fallen asleep, Kangxi suddenly spoke seriously, "In my opinion, which of the princes or princesses in the palace is more suitable to be raised by Consort Wan or Consort Ning?"

"Your Majesty, I..."

A few days later

On the second day of the twelfth lunar month, Xu Lejin gazed at Consort Que, Consort Duan, Consort Wan, and Consort Ning below, her thoughts drifting far away.

"Consort Yu, my sister?"

Consort Que raised her voice and called out again.

Xu Lejin snapped out of her daze and looked at Consort Que with confusion. "I was suddenly lost in thought just now. Sister, did you call me because something's wrong?"

"Sister Consort Yu, it is Consort Ning and Consort Fu who are reporting the situation of the Empress Dowager to you."

As Consort Que spoke, she glanced at Consort Ning and Consort Fu out of the corner of her eye.

Nodding, Xu Lejin said softly, "I was thinking about something and got distracted for a moment. Consort Ning, Consort Fu, could you please repeat yourself? How is the Empress Dowager's condition? Has it improved?"

"Your Highness Consort Yu, the Empress Dowager is now..."

Consort Ning looked sorrowful and said in a low voice that the Empress Dowager was now bedridden and slept for eight or nine hours a day, only remaining conscious for two or three hours.

Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin exchanged a glance with Consort Que.