News of Consort Hui's illness reached Xu Lejin's ears.

After a moment's hesitation, Xu Lejin said softly, "I gave birth to two princes a few days ago, and Consort Hui has fallen ill today. This seems rather strange. Yesterday…"

"I remember that Consort Hui was perfectly fine yesterday during her third-day celebration."

Ruhua and Nongying exchanged a quick glance, their brows furrowing slightly as they pondered.

After a moment, Ru Hua smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you have just given birth to two little princes and are currently in your postpartum period. It is best to avoid thinking too much. As for Consort Hui's illness, Consort Que and Consort Duan will take care of it."

"Um,"

Xu Lejin gave a faint reply, saying, "That's true."

As time passed day by day, the concubines in the harem continued to vie for the emperor's favor. Xu Lejin was not suitable to serve him during her postpartum period, so Kangxi mostly summoned young and beautiful noble ladies, concubines, and ladies-in-waiting to serve him in bed.

Occasionally, he would visit the palaces of high-ranking concubines, such as Consort Que, Consort Duan, and Consort Ning, for a short while, and dine together.

mid-July

Xu Lejin, with a headband wrapped around her head, looked at her two baby sons in swaddling clothes with loving eyes. The newborns changed every day, and now, at about twenty days old, they had fully grown up.

It's exquisitely beautiful, with fair and delicate skin, and is very cute.

Because they had many children, the three eldest sisters, Ushiha, Uyudai, and Ulingzhu, moved to the residence of the princes last year when they became pregnant, leaving Yinchu and Yuludai in Yikun Palace.

Xu Lejin's gaze fell on Yin Chu and Yu Lu Dai, who were playing with their two younger brothers by the cradle. After a moment's thought, she said in a deep voice to Nongying, "Nongying, go to the Princes' quarters and have the nannies accompany the Seventh Princess, the Twelfth Princess, and the Fourteenth Princess to my palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Nongying responded and quickly walked out.

Ru Hua, standing to the side, hesitated for a moment before carefully speaking, "Your Majesty, why did you suddenly summon the Seventh Princess and the Twelfth Princess? The Seventh Princess, the Twelfth Princess, and the Fourteenth Princess should be studying and learning to read right now."

Xu Lejin nodded.

"After I became pregnant, I neglected Wuxiha, Wuyoudai, and Wulingzhu a lot. Now that the baby is born safely, it's time for Wuxiha and the others, as the older sisters, to come and see their newborn brother."

Ru Hua nodded slightly, smiling.

After half a cup of tea

Xu Lejin was lost in thought when she suddenly heard Yin Chu's clear voice, "Mother, Mother!"

The twins, Yin Chu and Yu Lu Dai, are now six years old (by Chinese reckoning). Yin Chu will officially start his studies at the Imperial Academy at the end of this year, while Yu Lu Dai, being a girl, can stay with Xu Le Jin for a few more years.

Coming to her senses, Xu Lejin looked at Yin Chu with affection and said with a smile, "Yin Chu, what's wrong? Why aren't you over there with your sister and continue watching your brother?"

“Replying to Mother, Yin Chu is now the elder brother and has to take care of his younger brothers. Yin Chu needs to grow up and be a good elder brother.”

The crisp sound echoed throughout Yikun Palace.

Xu Lejin smiled, lovingly taking Yin Chu's little hand, and said softly, "Good, good, your mother's Yin Chu has grown up. Be a good older brother, and your younger brothers will listen to their older brother, Yin Chu."

"Um."

Yin Chu nodded firmly.

Seeing this, Yu Ludai, not to be outdone, stepped forward and said that she would be a good older sister and take good care of her two newborn brothers, speaking in a childish voice.

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

An hour later, Nongying returned and led Wuxiha, Wuyoudai, and Wulingzhu into the main hall of Yikun Palace.

Ushiha is now twelve years old, a graceful young woman. Her features bear a six or seven-point resemblance to Xu Lejin; she's at the age of a flower bud, ready to bloom.

The slightly younger ones are Wuyoudai and Wulingzhu. Wuyoudai is nine years old, with a bright red cinnabar mole between her eyebrows. Even at such a young age, she is a little beauty with bright eyes and white teeth.

Because Uyudai was raised by the Empress Dowager from a young age, she developed a somewhat melancholic personality.

Seven-year-old Wu Lingzhu is still young, just a child, but her features are exquisite, combining the best traits of Xu Lejin and Emperor Kangxi. She'll likely grow into a little beauty in the future.

"Ushiha, Uyudai, and Ulingzhu greet Mother. May Mother be blessed."

The older Ushiha, accompanied by his two younger sisters, smiled and curtsied to Xu Lejin, his eyes involuntarily glancing at his two younger brothers in the cradle.

While they were at the prince's residence, they heard from the nannies and palace maids that their mother had given birth to two younger brothers. They were curious about what the brothers looked like and wanted to see them, but the nannies said that their mother had just given birth and was exhausted.

Xu Lejin looked at her with loving eyes and quickly told her three daughters to get up.

Following suit, Yin Chu and Yu Lu Dai also bowed respectfully to their three elder sisters, Wu Xi Ha, Wu You Dai, and Wu Ling Zhu. Laughter and cheerful voices filled the Yi Kun Palace.

Yongshou Palace in front

After her miscarriage, Consort Yi was bedridden and now looks pale and is barely clinging to life.

Hearing the faint laughter, Consort Yi whispered weakly, "Rouyun, what's going on? Why do I hear children laughing?"

Rouyun hesitated for a moment, her expression showing a hint of confusion.

With a forced smile, Rouyun spoke softly, her voice barely audible, "Your Majesty, it is from Consort Yu's palace. Consort Yu has sent people to fetch the Seventh Princess, the Twelfth Princess, and the Fourteenth Princess, so that they may gather at Yikun Palace to enjoy family time."

"So that's how it is."

A bitter smile appeared on Consort Yi's sallow face.

Staring blankly out of the palace for a long time, she finally murmured, "Consort Yu is blessed with great fortune, having both a son and a daughter. Everyone in the palace envies Consort Yu's good fortune. I..."

"If I hadn't miscarried, my child would already be moving in the womb, and in a few months, he would be born, and in a year or two, he would be sweetly calling me Mother."

Tears fell silently from the corners of her eyes, and Consort Yi sobbed uncontrollably.

Rouyun's eyes were filled with heartache, and she gritted her teeth with hatred for Guo Luoluo and He Rouyin, who had caused their mistress to miscarry and lose her child, and who would never be able to conceive again.

Fifteen minutes later

Consort Yi sighed deeply, and said with a look of utter despair, "I'm tired and want to sleep for a while. Rouyun, you may leave!"

"Your Majesty..."

Afternoon (5-7 PM)

When Xu Lejin woke up from her afternoon nap, Liu Ying, looking grave, trotted into the palace and respectfully said to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, Consort Yi has passed away in Yongshou Palace!"

"、、"

Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin was instantly wide awake.

He paused, sighed softly, and said, "The passing of Consort Yi was expected. Since her miscarriage, she had lost all will to live and remained bedridden. Now…"

"Consort Yi is finally free."

The firefly lowered its head, staring at its toes.

After a moment, Xu Lejin spoke softly again, "Did Consort Yi report to the Emperor and Consort Que? Consort Yi comes from the prestigious Fuca clan and is the eldest daughter of Mi Sihan, the Minister of Revenue."

"Enough. Consort Yi has passed away, and I am currently in confinement. The Emperor and Consort Que will decide on Consort Yi's funeral arrangements. Liuying, prepare a funeral gift and send it to Consort Yi's palace on my behalf."

Liu Ying respectfully responded.