Only after Yinzhen's face was flushed red from the kiss did Wan Anran reluctantly let go, her satisfied expression making Kangxi find it particularly amusing.

Kangxi then turned his gaze elsewhere.

Consort Xi was a rare sight, let alone the plump and round Eighth Prince, Yinzhi. He casually complimented him a few times, pinched the Eighth Prince's nice-feeling cheek, and then turned to look in the noisiest direction in the hall.

Consort Guo looked helpless.

The Fourth Princess and the Sixth Prince, Yinqi, were arguing so fiercely that even the appearance of Emperor Kangxi couldn't stop them. The two were vying for a hug from Consort Guo, and their little antics never stopped—one would punch the other, the other would secretly pull the other's braid; one would kick the other, the other would pinch the other's stomach.

Before Kangxi could even frown, Consort Guo was already comforting the two little ones with practiced ease. Even more surprisingly, the two actually stood obediently and quietly, especially Yinqi, whose well-behaved manner drew Kangxi's attention.

The difference between Consort Yi and Consort Guo...tsk tsk!

This skill is quite extraordinary! Kangxi's expression relaxed slightly, but at the same time, he secretly began to make plans.

Consort Guo is a good-natured person.

Emperor Kangxi liked Consort Yi's colors and personality. However, after the incident, Kangxi felt that Consort Yi's spoiled and willful nature was not good. She was only amusing to him, but what did she do to the other concubines? Not to mention that she had also corrupted the Sixth Prince's personality.

Emperor Kangxi brought up Consort Guo as a way of giving Consort Yi a warning.

only……

Thinking back to his visit to Yikun Palace yesterday, and how unusually frail Consort Yi appeared, Kangxi felt a pang of sympathy. After pondering it carefully, a new idea suddenly flashed into his mind.

He then went to find the Empress in high spirits.

Empress Niohuru stared blankly, even the hand holding the teacup trembled slightly. She looked at the emperor, who was full of tenderness and affection, with a shocked expression, hesitant to speak, yet wanting to speak.

The problem is—

Kangxi, beaming with satisfaction, said, "Isn't my idea good?"

The Emperor is actually showing off!?

The Empress gave a dry "yes," but in her heart she thought, "If Consort Yi knew, she would probably spit out a mouthful of blood."

Kangxi became more and more satisfied the more he thought about it.

He grumbled to the Empress, "I should have done it this way from the beginning. Consort Guo is steady and gentle, while Consort Yi is flamboyant and spoiled. With Consort Guo in charge, Consort Yi will not act rashly and her temperament will be tempered. The matter of bestowing the title of Consort can wait a few more years."

The Empress finally understood.

It was said to be to temper Consort Yi's character, but if she really didn't have this character, she would probably lose most of the Emperor's favor!

Let's think about it more carefully and deeply.

If Yikun Palace were placed in an ordinary household, Consort Guo would essentially be a virtuous wife, while Consort Yi would be a concubine. A virtuous wife and a beautiful concubine—isn't that exactly what men love most?

Empress: Hehe.

Watching the Emperor's boastful manner, she almost wanted to applaud. The Empress's eyes flickered, and she couldn't help but wonder... how would Consort Yi react if she knew?

"And there's more..."

"Your Majesty, please speak?" The Empress regained her composure and perked up.

"Which one does the Empress think is better, Consort Xuan or Consort Hesheli?" Kangxi hesitated for several days.

Emperor Kangxi had originally planned who would be promoted to the rank of Consort: Consort Qi, Consort Hui, Consort Yi, and Consort Rong. However, he did not expect an unexpected turn of events. Since he did not intend to promote Consort Yi, he had to choose one from Consort Xuan and Consort Hesheli.

Consort Hesheli was the younger sister of Emperor Renxiao, born out of wedlock. She and Emperor Renxiao had barely met, and Emperor Kangxi had little affection for her. However, considering the Crown Prince and Consort Hesheli, it seemed somewhat inappropriate for her to have such a low rank.

As for Consort Xuan...

It must be said that neither her background nor her appearance was what Kangxi liked. The only thing that satisfied Kangxi was that whether it was Consort Qi, Noble Lady Nara, or Yinzhuo, who was raised in Xianfu Palace, their personalities were all better than the last.

Shouldn't this level of education be given some recognition?

Of course, Consort Xu, whose name no longer existed in the palace, was not even remembered by Emperor Kangxi. But even if he had remembered her, it wouldn't have mattered, since this ambitious concubine left Xianfu Palace voluntarily and had nothing to do with Consort Xuan.

Emperor Kangxi was caught in a dilemma.

He asked the Empress, thinking she would surely give a fair and impartial evaluation. Little did he know that as soon as Kangxi finished speaking, the Empress answered without hesitation, "Your Majesty, I recommend Consort Xuan."

Kangxi: ...

The Empress, with a serious expression, answered earnestly: "Consort Hesheli is young. Firstly, we don't know her well enough, and secondly, she's not mature enough. We need to observe her further. As for Consort Xuan—"

Emperor Kangxi listened intently, intending to see what the Empress had to say about Consort Xuan. Unfortunately, the next second, the Empress gracefully and frankly stated her reason: "I am biased; I prefer Consort Xuan."

Kangxi was taken aback by the bluntness of the words.

He blinked, and then the Empress coughed and mumbled a string of words: "Consort Xuan has a good temper and a good personality, and she doesn't cause trouble. She has been my good helper for many years..."

Kangxi: …………

He stared at the Empress, who looked serious and showed no shame whatsoever, for a long time. He couldn't help but wave his hand, saying, "It's her skill to make the Empress favor her. In that case, let's decide on Consort Qi, Consort Hui, Consort Rong, and Consort Xuan."

The Queen was overjoyed.

Her radiant smile made even the emperor smile. Who would have thought that this momentous matter, which had troubled so many concubines in the harem for so long, would be decided by the emperor and empress in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea?

December of the 20th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.

The Emperor received congratulations at the Taihe Gate after the suppression of the Three Feudatories, announcing the victory to both domestic and foreign audiences. The Emperor bestowed upon the Empress Dowager the titles of Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager, and at the same time promoted Consort Qi of Chuxiu Palace to Consort Qi, Consort Hui of Yanxi Palace to Consort Hui, Consort Rong of Zhongcui Palace to Consort Rong, and Consort Xuan of Xianfu Palace to Consort Xuan.

Several more imperial edicts were subsequently sent to the inner palace.

Consort Guo of Yikun Palace was promoted to Consort Ning and granted the position of principal consort of Yikun Palace.

Consort Hesheli of Jinyonghe Palace was promoted to Consort Ping.

Consort Shun was appointed as a Noble Lady Nara of Xianfu Palace.

Dai Jia, a palace maid in the Changchun Palace of the Jin Dynasty, was promoted to Noble Lady Cheng.

Consort Tongjia of the Jincheng Palace was promoted to Noble Lady.

Jin Qixiang Palace Guard was appointed as a Changzai.

The series of imperial edicts caused quite a stir in the palace, with some people happy and others worried.

For example, Consort Yi was on the verge of a complete breakdown.

Consort Guo…wasn’t it Consort Ning who moved into the main hall? Then what about her? The Emperor’s intention is actually to have Consort Ning as the head of Yikun Palace from now on, and her as the deputy?

Consort Yi simply refused to believe it.

Her face was pale, and she sat up, crying out urgently, "I, I want to see the Emperor—!"

"Master! Your health is the most important thing..."

"My lady—please think of the baby in your belly..."

A commotion broke out in Yikun Palace.

While Consort Ning was in high spirits, she didn't want her sister to miscarry on the very day of her promotion. She immediately sent Consort Yi back to her bed and summoned the imperial physician to Yikun Palace to treat her.

Consort Yi's pregnancy was already unstable.

In her emotional turmoil, she showed signs of miscarriage. The imperial physician's face turned ashen, and he had to administer several acupuncture treatments to stabilize the pregnancy. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said cautiously, "Your Highness, please refrain from emotional agitation. If you continue like this... I'm afraid even I will be powerless to help you."

Consort Yi regained her senses and was filled with lingering fear.

She clutched her stomach, her heart pounding with fear, and quickly instructed a palace maid to slip her a purse. The maid saw the imperial physician off, carefully instructing him, "Please, sir, do not reveal the mistress's condition to anyone..."

The imperial physician nodded and agreed.

But before he even reached his duty room, he was summoned to Kunning Palace. The Emperor and Empress gave him a cold look, and the imperial physician quickly explained everything about Consort Yi's condition.

Emperor Kangxi was a little unhappy.

Wasn't Consort Yi's reaction a blatant slap in his face? Kangxi wasn't unaware of the ambition of his concubines, but he didn't want them to put their ambition on the surface, as if their attempts to please him were all for the sake of promotion.

Empress Niohuru asked a series of questions in detail.

Immediately afterwards, she instructed the palace servants to send gifts to comfort Consort Yi, and also told her that the matter of moving to the palace with Consort Ning could be arranged after she recovered.

This is the ultimate way to kill someone by destroying their spirit.

Besides Consort Yi, Noble Lady Tong was also unhappy.

Looking at the imperial edict, she was actually ranked behind Lady Daijia? The emperor hadn't even given her a title? Consort Tong's face turned pale with anger, and she hid in her room, smashing cups and vases to pieces.

Her movements were also heard in the front yard.

Consort Tong lowered her head, a faint smile playing on her lips, as she encouraged the Seventh Prince to move forward step by step. Seeing him stumble and fall into her arms, Consort Tong's eyes crinkled with laughter, and she clapped her hands vigorously: "Yinyou is truly amazing!"

"Yinyou is amazing!"

"Yes, our Yinyou is so smart. And did you remember what your mother told you?"

"Wishing you all the best, Father..."

"What's next?" Consort Tong urged softly.

Sweat beaded on Yin You's nose.

After a long pause, he remembered: "May Ukuma be in good health, and may Huangma be blessed with good fortune, happiness as vast as the East Sea, and longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain."

Consort Tong breathed a sigh of relief.

She gently rubbed Yinyou's forehead: "Yinyou, you must do your best."

Yinyou nodded emphatically.

He patted his chest, making a promise like a little adult: "Mother, don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

Consort Tong held her son affectionately.

She only reluctantly let go of his hand when she saw him doze off. After watching her son and his party leave, she casually looked away, saying, "She's just an important person, let her be."

Anyway, I've figured it all out.

Consort Tong's only thought now is to watch Yin You grow up, get married, and have children; she has no other desires.

Consort Tong, or Consort Zhangjia.

Let them try to win the emperor's favor if they want, but if they dare to set their sights on Yin You, I will fight them to the death.

Consort Ping of Yonghe Palace forced a smile.

She had originally thought she would at least get a concubine's rank, but she never expected that Consort Xuan would take it away from her! Wasn't Consort Xuan out of favor? How could she have risen to the rank of concubine in one fell swoop?

Besides the frustration, there were also pleasant surprises.

For example, she was eating melon seeds in Chuxiu Palace when she was greeted by Consort Qi and Consort Xuan, who had issued an imperial edict announcing her promotion. She was dumbfounded, thinking she had misheard, and stared at the eunuch announcing the edict: "You... say it again?"

The eunuch delivering the imperial decree was both amused and exasperated.

He bowed respectfully and replied, "Your Highness, Consort Xuan, please return to Xianfu Palace to receive the imperial decree!"

Consort Xuan hurriedly left, her steps uneven.

Wan Anran covered her mouth and burst out laughing. Immediately afterward, the palace servants of Chuxiu Palace knelt down in unison, their faces beaming with joy as they congratulated Consort Qi: "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness!"

Wan Anran revealed a faint smile.

Although she had expected it, she couldn't help but feel a surge of joy when the imperial edict was issued.

She was the head of the four concubines.

Wan Anran was excited for a moment but quickly regained her composure. With a wave of her hand, she distributed a year's salary to all the palace servants as a reward. The entire Chuxiu Palace was exceptionally lively, with laughter echoing in the air.