When Consort Yi passed away, Yongshou Palace was draped in mourning. The lower-ranking concubines, in accordance with custom, changed into simple palace attire and went to Yongshou Palace to pay their respects to Consort Yi.

Day 3

News came from the Cold Palace that Consort Guo Luoluo had died suddenly.

At the same time, Emperor Kangxi also issued an edict posthumously conferring upon Consort Yi the title of Imperial Concubine Yi, and all funeral arrangements were to be conducted according to the standards for an Imperial Concubine, jointly handled by Noble Consort Que and Imperial Concubine Duan. He also granted permission for Lord Mi Sihan and his wife, who were outside the palace, to enter the palace to offer condolences.

Liu Ying respectfully reported to Xu Lejin about the passing of Consort Yi. Xu Lejin sighed softly and said, "The struggles in the palace are endless. Consort Yi had only been in the palace for a year or two. It's a pity that she passed away at such a young age."

"Lord Misihan, you and your wife only had this legitimate daughter when you were over forty years old. You cherished her like a precious jewel from a young age, and now you are burying your daughter. How sad and lamentable!"

After a pause, Xu Lejin continued, "Guo Luoluo, a commoner, died suddenly in the Cold Palace. If I am not mistaken, it was the Fucha family who did it."

"The Fucha family is a prominent clan among the Eight Banners, with its own connections in the palace. Making a concubine in the cold palace die suddenly would be an easy matter for them."

Ruhua and Nongying nodded gently.

Xu Lejin's gaze was fixed on the direction of Yongshou Palace in the distance, and she slightly curled her lips, "With Consort Yi's miscarriage and death, the Guo Luoluo family can just wait for the Fucha family's crazy revenge."

"The Guo Luo Luo family, grieving the loss of their daughter and sister, should prepare to face the wrath of Mi Sihan and his son, Ma Qi!"

Xu Lejin's prediction was correct.

A few days later, just after the seventh day after Consort Yi's death, Mi Sihan and Ma Qi, father and son, impeached the Guo Luoluo family in the court, listing all the crimes they had committed over the years.

From embezzlement and bribery, to the abduction of women, to the men from the Guo Luo Luo family who held official positions in the court spending their nights in brothels and taking prostitutes as concubines, and so on.

When news from the previous dynasty reached the inner palace, it caused quite a stir.

Consort Que looked thoughtful and said softly, "Sister Consort Yu, Consort Yi has passed away, and the Emperor has already issued an edict posthumously conferring her titles. The commoner Guo Luoluo in the Cold Palace has also died suddenly. Why is the Fucha family still so relentless?"

"It's one thing to embezzle and accept bribes, or to abduct women, but what about men spending their nights in brothels and taking prostitutes as concubines?"

With a hesitant expression, Consort Que wanted to say that it was common for men to be lustful and seek out brothels; eight out of ten Manchu bannermen in the capital had been to brothels.

Xu Lejin slightly curled her lips and casually said, "Under normal circumstances, it would be one thing for the men of the Guo Luoluo family to seek out women and take prostitutes as concubines; it would just be a refined and elegant affair. But now..."

"The death of Consort Yi touched the bottom line of the Fucha family. If the Fucha family wants to tear off this fig leaf, they can only blame the Guo Luoluo family for their bad luck."

Upon hearing this, Consort Que frowned and pondered.

Half an hour later

Consort Que exchanged a glance with Consort Duan, who had been standing quietly to the side, and said with a smile, "Consort Yu, in two days, it will be the full moon celebration for the thirteenth and fourteenth princes."

After a pause, Consort Que spoke next.

"My sister has served the Emperor for many years, and now she has given birth to two princes. After the two princes have reached their one-month milestone, I believe the Emperor will issue an edict to bestow upon my sister the title of Imperial Noble Consort."

"I, your younger sister, wish to congratulate you in advance on your promotion to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort."

Xu Lejin's expression froze upon hearing this.

His scrutinizing gaze fell upon Consort Que and Consort Duan. He coughed lightly and said in a deep voice, "The Emperor's decree has not yet been issued, and everything is uncertain. Consort Que, please be careful with your words."

Consort Que nodded awkwardly, lowering her voice.

"Yes, sister will remember your teachings and will be careful with her words and actions."

Two days later

The full moon celebration for the thirteenth and fourteenth princes.

The imperial concubines, members of the royal family, and others all dressed in their finest attire to congratulate Xu Lejin on the birth of her two sons.

Everyone tacitly believed that Xu Lejin would become the Imperial Noble Consort, and even...

Becoming empress is only a matter of time.

Halfway through the full moon celebration, Liang Jiugong, who was serving the emperor, suddenly entered Yikun Palace with an imperial edict in his hand. All the concubines and royal wives turned their attention to the edict in Liang Jiugong's hand and to Xu Lejin.

This imperial edict,

Most likely, it was to confer the title of Imperial Noble Consort on Xu Lejin.

A moment later, the concubines and wives of the imperial clan all knelt on the ground. Liang Jiugong opened the imperial edict, and his shrill voice rang out in Yikun Palace:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, the Emperor, deem you to assist the Empress in fulfilling her duties within the palace. To aid in the governance of the inner court, virtuous and gentle women are especially indispensable. Therefore, in accordance with established precedents, I hereby bestow upon you the title of Imperial Noble Consort. You are virtuous and gentle, well-versed in etiquette and propriety. Holding a position within the inner palace, you have exemplified exemplary conduct and honors. Your conduct is exemplary, and your conduct is worthy of the highest honors. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon you the title of Imperial Noble Consort. May you further cultivate your virtues, diligently and cautiously assist the Empress in governing the palace. May you forever heed this imperial decree, receive the Emperor's favor, and enjoy lasting blessings. Respectfully Your Majesty."

Xu Lejin was stunned for a moment and forgot to accept the imperial decree.

With a respectful and obsequious expression, Liang Jiugong smiled and said, "Your Highness, please accept the imperial decree!"

"、、"

Xu Lejin came to her senses, a joyful smile on her face, and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, I, Xu Muer, accept the decree and thank you for your great favor. Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Imperial Noble Consort! Long live the Imperial Noble Consort!"

Following Xu Lejin, the Yikun Palace resounded with the orderly voices of the imperial concubines and wives of the royal family.

Xu Lejin received the imperial edict and, with the help of Ruhua and Nongying, stood up, looking down at the vast number of concubines kneeling on the ground.

"Rise, no need for formalities."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Following the imperial edict, Liang Jiugong presented Xu Lejin with the golden book, golden seal, and golden token representing the rank of Imperial Noble Consort.

At the same time, an edict was issued to the six palaces that, effective immediately, Imperial Noble Consort Xu Lejin would act as Empress.

Xu Lejin smiled and agreed, holding the imperial edict in her hands. She knelt down in the direction of the Qianqing Palace and said, "Your Majesty's grace has brought me great joy. I will do my best to manage the six palaces and share Your Majesty's burdens."

After reading the imperial edict, Liang Jiugong returned to the Qianqing Palace.

Consort Que, Consort Duan, and other royal wives surrounded Xu Lejin, smiling and congratulating her on her promotion to Imperial Noble Consort. They showered her with compliments as if they were free.

Consort Hui watched from afar, her face contorted with rage, her heart burning with insane jealousy.

In the evening, Emperor Kangxi arrived at Yikun Palace and had dinner with Xu Lejin. Xu Lejin carefully brought up the matter of the twenty-fifth daughter of Consort Tong, the twelfth son of Consort Xin, and the thirteenth and fourteenth sons of herself, who had not yet been named according to their birth order.

After frowning and pondering for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Emperor Kangxi spoke in a deep voice, "The twenty-fifth daughter of Consort Tong, whose birth order is the twenty-fourth princess, will be named Lingzhu."

"The twelfth son of Consort Xin, bestowed the name Yinzhi, is the ninth prince in order of birth. He is the son of my beloved consort."

After a pause, Kangxi hesitated for a moment.

"The thirteenth prince is named Yinshi and is ranked as the tenth prince. The fourteenth prince is named Yinzhi and is ranked as the eleventh prince. For the merit of the birth of Yinshi and Yinzhi, the beloved concubine is rewarded with a thousand taels of gold and a bushel of pearls."

Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin immediately knelt down.

With a nervous expression, Xu Lejin said softly, "Your Majesty, although I am an Imperial Noble Consort, the Eastern Pearl has always been a symbol of the Empress's status. I dare not overstep my bounds. Please, Your Majesty, rescind your decree."