A few days later

When Emperor Kangxi arrived at Yikun Palace, Xu Lejin carefully mentioned to him that Lady Zhangjia was pregnant, and subtly inquired whether Emperor Kangxi would promote Lady Zhangjia's rank.

With a frown, Kangxi said coldly, "Zhangjia clan member is frivolous."

After a pause, Kangxi awkwardly swallowed the words that were about to come out, his face solemn as he pondered.

"In less than half a year, Lady Zhangjia was first granted the title of Lady-in-Waiting, then promoted to Attendant-in-Waiting, and now it's not appropriate to promote her rank further. She's fortunate to be pregnant this time, if..."

"If she is fortunate enough to have a safe delivery, then we can consider promoting her rank!"

Xu Lejin nodded slightly and replied, "Yes."

More than half a month later

March is a wonderful season, with lush grass, warbling birds, warm weather, and blooming flowers.

Xu Lejin strolled in the Imperial Garden with Consort Que, Consort Duan, and others, admiring the colorful flowers that were blooming in profusion.

A gentle breeze blew by, carrying the fragrance of flowers that was refreshing and delightful.

"Your Highness, I've noticed that the flowers in the Imperial Garden are blooming earlier than in previous years."

Consort Duan gazed at a twin crabapple tree with buds about to bloom and spoke softly.

Xu Lejin nodded and said, "Indeed, at this time last year, the flowers in the Imperial Garden were still buds, but this year they have already bloomed. I remember..."

Looking into the distance, there is a peach tree with lush branches and leaves.

Xu Lejin spoke softly, "Last year, that peach tree also bloomed exceptionally well. This year, it looks like it has even more buds than last year, a riot of blossoms, which is a good omen."

"Yes, Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort is right."

Consort Que stood to the side, giggling, occasionally bending down to pluck a flower and admire it in her hand.

Turning her head to glance at Consort Que, Xu Lejin softly recited, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, lest they wither and fall." Although Consort Que's picking of flowers was not elegant, it was also a matter of her being spontaneous and frank.

"、、"

Consort Duan paused for a moment, then smiled faintly.

Consort Que, her face as beautiful as a lotus blossom, smiled and said, "Hearing the Imperial Noble Consort recite poetry, I suddenly feel like listening to a song, 'I urge you not to waste your golden robes, I urge you to cherish your youthful days…'"

On a whim, Consort Que suddenly began to hum a tune.

However,

Consort Que's singing opened the eyes of Xu Lejin and Consort Duan.

Xu Lejin covered her mouth, suppressing a laugh, while Consort Duan chuckled and teased, "Your Highness's singing voice is truly captivating!"

"I believe that His Majesty would be especially invigorated if he heard the Imperial Concubine singing."

Consort Que paused for a moment.

Then, pouting and muttering unhappily, "Your Highness, Consort Duan teased me. My singing is indeed less than satisfactory, but it's not my fault..."

With her head slightly lowered, Consort Que looked sorrowful.

"I was neglected from a young age. I had no exposure to music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, singing, or dancing. Although I studied and practiced diligently for two years, I ultimately lacked the talent..."

Xu Lejin nodded slightly.

"Yes, yes. Consort Duan was just saying it casually, don't take it to heart. If we want to hear a song, we can have a palace singer perform one, there's no need for us to sing it ourselves."

"、、"

That day

Xu Lejin invited Consort Que, Consort Duan, Consort Ning, as well as several noble ladies and ladies-in-waiting to listen to music in Yikun Palace.

The songstresses of Nanfu, with their soft Wu dialect voices, sang "Golden Thread Robe," while Xu Lejin and the others sipped tea and ate snacks, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

When one piece ended, the musicians changed to play different tunes; we listened to the pipa, the moon lute, and other instruments.

"His Majesty has arrived..."

The little eunuch's shrill voice rang out in Yikun Palace.

Xu Lejin and the others quickly stood up, straightened their posture, had the palace maids tidy their clothes, and greeted Kangxi with polite smiles.

Kangxi pulled Xu Lejin down to sit and said loudly, "I heard from Liang Jiugong that my beloved concubine has summoned the Southern Palace to sing and perform today. My beloved concubines, what a refined taste you have."

Xu Lejin smiled shyly and whispered.

"Your Majesty, we were just indulging in a song on a whim. We have disturbed Your Majesty. Please punish us."

"It's alright."

Emperor Kangxi laughed heartily, his loving gaze fixed on Xu Lejin.

A moment later, Kangxi added, "Just now, I seemed to hear the song 'Golden Thread Robe' being sung outside. 'Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, lest they wither and fall, leaving only bare branches.'"

"emperor……"

With a blush, Xu Lejin gave Kangxi a coquettish look and whispered, "What we heard was 'Do not waste your youth, but cherish your golden robes.' Isn't that what Your Majesty said, 'Pluck the flower while it blooms, for it will soon be bare and the branch will be empty'?"

"Hahaha,"

Emperor Kangxi's hearty laughter echoed through Yikun Palace.

One hour later

Yanxi Palace

Consort Hui learned from the palace servants that Emperor Kangxi had visited Yikun Palace and was listening to music and drinking tea with Consort Xu Lejin, Consort Que, and others. Her face was gloomy and her teeth were grinding.

"That vixen who seduces the emperor! A noble imperial concubine, resorting to such despicable means to bewitch the emperor!"

Cunxin glanced quickly outside the palace, lowered her voice, and said, "Your Majesty, be careful, walls have ears. This servant heard that it was the Imperial Noble Consort, or the Noble Consort Que, listening to music, and the Emperor left uninvited. It's not true..."

"It was not the Imperial Noble Consort who instructed the singers and musicians to seduce the Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Consort Hui glared fiercely at Cunxin.

"There's no difference. The singing, pipa playing, and zither music from the Imperial Noble Consort's palace, once it gets out, and with the Emperor's Qianqing Palace and the Imperial Noble Consort's Yikun Palace nearby, what else could it be but seducing the Emperor?"

Cunxin lowered her head and pursed her lips, remaining silent.

A moment later, Consort Hui's eyes turned sinister as she spoke in a deep voice, "Cunxin, spread the word out of the palace that the Imperial Noble Consort summoned singers and musicians. Tell Lord Mingzhu that the Imperial Noble Consort is bewitching the Emperor..."

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