Prince Gong was summoned to the palace and played chess with Emperor Kangxi in the Qianqing Palace. During the game, Prince Gong's wife, Lady Majia, became jealous. This matter quickly spread throughout the six palaces and reached the ears of the Empress Dowager Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager knew Kangxi's intentions, and although they felt it was inappropriate, they did not stop him.

Time flies, and it's already the fifteenth of August.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, the whole family gathered for a banquet.

Emperor Kangxi, Empress Dowager, and Empress Dowager sat in the main seats, flanked by imperial concubines, princes, and their wives. Prince Gong attended the banquet today without his wife, Lady Ma Jia.

At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, toasts were exchanged and songs and dances were performed in a peaceful and prosperous atmosphere.

Prince Yu, Fuquan, was the eldest of the late emperor's surviving sons besides Kangxi. He turned to Prince Gong beside him and asked, "Why did you come to the palace alone today, Fifth Brother? Where is your wife, Lady Majia?"

"Second Brother, Lady Ma Jia is unwell and should not enter the palace."

Prince Gong looked embarrassed and replied softly.

Fuquan nodded and winked at his wife, Xiluke, behind him.

Xiruk covered her mouth, looked at Prince Gong, and said with a smile, "In my fifth brother's household, there is only his wife as his primary consort, and no secondary consorts. Therefore, when my fifth brother went to the palace to attend the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet today, he did not have anyone to take care of him."

"Thank you for your concern, Second Sister-in-law. I am ashamed to say that among the concubines and maids in my household, none of them are particularly outstanding. Therefore, there is no suitable candidate for the position of secondary consort at the moment."

Prince Gong looked up at Emperor Kangxi, the Grand Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager on the dragon throne, and answered Xiruke in a low voice.

Sirruk smiled gently.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but the words were interrupted by the Empress Dowager sitting on the throne.

The Empress Dowager looked at Xiruke with her cloudy eyes and spoke in a hoarse voice, "Fuquan Fujin, what are you and Changning talking about? I am old and hard of hearing, and we are far apart, so I can't hear anything."

Siruk paused for a moment, then looked up at the person seated above him.

After a moment's thought, Xiruke respectfully spoke, "Your Majesty, my granddaughter-in-law was just telling my fifth brother that he only has his wife as his primary consort, and no secondary consorts. As a result, his wife is unwell, and when my fifth brother entered the palace, he had no one to accompany him."

After Siruk finished speaking, Prince Gong smiled and agreed.

The Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager, seated on the throne, exchanged a glance and said in a deep voice, "What Consort Fuquan said is not without reason. Changning is the Emperor's brother and has already been granted the title of Prince of the First Rank. In principle, he can appoint two concubines."

“Ma Jia was young when she gave birth, which damaged her health and made her unable to have any more children. Chang Ning has no children.”

The Empress Dowager paused, then turned to look at Kangxi. "Your Majesty, the Changning household only has one consort, Lady Ma. What is Your Majesty's opinion on this matter?"

Emperor Kangxi pondered for a moment.

"What does Your Majesty mean? There are many eligible women in the families of the court officials. If Fifth Brother has someone he likes, I will issue an imperial decree to bestow a marriage upon him, making her a secondary consort."

After speaking, Kangxi looked at Prince Gong, Changning.

Upon hearing this, Prince Gong's face lit up with joy. He quickly rose and knelt respectfully in the hall, saying, "Your Majesty, I do indeed have a woman I like. I hope Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Mother will grant my wish."

"Oh, whose noble lady is she?"

Emperor Kangxi gave Prince Gong a wink, pretending not to know the inside story.

The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager exchanged a glance, understanding what was going on. Although they disagreed, they thought again that she was just a concubine. If the Emperor was willing and Changning liked her, why not grant their wish?

Moreover, Changning is a Prince of the First Rank, and he is entitled to have two concubines.

Prince Gong, with a respectful expression, said, "She is the second princess of the Xu family, the maternal family of Consort Xu in the palace. Your Majesty greatly admires the beautiful green-flowered maiden cultivated by the second princess Xu. I believe that a woman who can cultivate such rare and exquisite beauties must be exceptional."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and Your Majesty to bestow Princess Xu upon me as your secondary consort."

Kneeling in the main hall, Prince Gong's face was sincere.

Kangxi suppressed the almost-spoken "yes," turned his head to look at the Empress Dowager, and asked softly, "What does Grandmother think? Although the Xu family was formerly a bondservant of the Imperial Household Department, Consort Xu gave birth to a prince and a princess for me, and I have already elevated their banner and bestowed upon them a surname."

A hint of wisdom flashed across the Empress Dowager's aged face.

After a moment's thought, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Changning has always been sensible. It's rare for him to ask the Emperor or me for help. Although Xu Muershi comes from a humble background, Changning likes her, so how could I refuse?"

After a pause, the Grand Empress Dowager turned her head and looked at the Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, I remember that our Khorchin tribe sent a princess to the capital last year, and she is now living in the imperial palace."

The Empress Dowager was taken aback.

Frowning and pondering for a moment, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Your Majesty, there is indeed such a princess. She is the daughter of a third-class Taiji of our Khorchin, and she is fifteen years old, in the prime of her youth."

The Empress Dowager nodded.

Emperor Kangxi and Prince Gong, who was kneeling below, exchanged a glance and understood each other.

Although the Empress Dowager's eyes were cloudy, they were still sharp and wise. She looked around at the concubines, relatives, and wives in the hall and said with a smile, "Changning's household has no secondary wives. After careful consideration, I have decided to bestow the second princess of Xu Muer's family and the daughter of the third-class Taiji of Khorchin upon Changning as her secondary wife."

“A few days ago, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau reported to me that the 28th of next month is an auspicious day, and Changning’s two concubines will enter the mansion together on the 28th of next month.”

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