It's easy to find out what's going on in Zhongcui Palace, but with one incident after another happening in the harem, everyone's attention is always inexplicably diverted.
This resulted in Consort Ma Jia not actually trying to hide it, but somehow no one could realize it.
Chunyu simply sent someone to probe, and successfully obtained the news that Consort Ma Jia was pregnant. Moreover, Consort Ma Jia's pregnancy was not long, only a little over a month old.
"My lady, should we inform the Empress about this?" Chunyu asked her mistress.
"No need to reveal it," why should she tell the Empress? Whether Consort Ma Jia gives birth to a prince or not has no impact on her, she's happy to watch the show.
However, from what the Empress Dowager said, Xiu Ning could also deduce that the deaths of the two princes were more or less related to the Empress. But because of Cheng Hu and the Empress's status, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager clearly chose to resolve the matter by minimizing the issue.
That's why the Empress Dowager reminded her not to think about getting pregnant and having children for the time being, because the Empress has a protective charm, and it will only be people like them who suffer.
In mid-June, the talent show, which lasted for a month and a half, finally came to an end.
The number of people selected this time is no less than that in the seventh year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.
Moreover, after learning about the list of people entering the palace, Xiu Ning couldn't help but marvel at how impressive it was, as all of them were people who had left their mark on Kangxi's harem.
The most eye-catching one was Tong Jia Rongyue, who was empress for only one day. She entered the palace as a concubine and was even made a Noble Consort in the sixteenth year of Kangxi's reign. In the twentieth year of Kangxi's reign, she was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort. Until her death in the twenty-eighth year of Kangxi's reign, she was one of the most favored concubines in the harem.
Besides Tong Jia Rongyue, there were also Consort An, Li, who was granted the highest rank of Consort in the sixteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign; Consort Jing, Wang Jia; Noble Lady Zhao Jia, who gave birth to the fifth daughter of the Emperor, Duanjing; and Noble Lady Nara, who gave birth to Wanfu and Yinzhen.
There were some lesser-known cannon fodder left, and it wouldn't do Xiuning any good to remember their names.
...
Kunning Palace Main Hall
Hesheli Fangyi rubbed her throbbing forehead and asked Tanyun beside her, "Have the arrangements for the newly promoted concubines' residences been submitted to His Majesty for review?"
Tan Yun first nodded with an "Mmm," and then hesitated slightly before saying, "Consort Tong has been moved from Yonghe Palace to Jingren Palace by the Emperor."
Upon hearing this, Hesheli Fangyi's hand, which was rubbing her forehead, was suddenly lowered. She asked expressionlessly, "Where are the others?"
"No one else has changed; they are all following Her Majesty's orders."
After Tan Yun finished speaking, she glanced cautiously at her master, then lowered her head and looked down.
"My decree?" What decree could she possibly have? The Emperor could change it at will. Who could be as aggrieved as she was as the Empress?
Hesheli Fangyi waved her hand, "Go and tell the servants of the Imperial Household Department to repair these palaces properly, especially Jingren Palace."
Tan Yun couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, Jingren Palace was once the residence of Empress Xiaokangzhang. Some of its decorations exceed the regulations for a concubine. Should we take this opportunity to dispose of them?"
Despite the fact that the Emperor's birth mother died early and he wasn't particularly favored as a concubine, he still had a wonderful son. Although he couldn't outwardly compare to Consort Chen, he secretly enjoyed top-tier treatment in every way.
Jingren Palace was closed to the public after the emperor ascended the throne and was no longer inhabited, but its interior decoration was quite luxurious. Now that Jingren Palace is being reopened, it is difficult to strike the right balance.
"Let's leave it alone for now and have the servants from the Imperial Household Department repair other areas first. I'll consult His Majesty later."
After Hesheli Fangyi finished speaking, she casually flipped through the accounts on the table. "As for the other sleeping quarters, just follow the regulations."
Tan Yun nodded in agreement and turned to leave. As she did so, she clearly saw that the accounts her mistress was reviewing concerned the internal expenses of the harem.
At the end of June, the selected young ladies entered the palace in carriages.
Among them, Tong Jia Rongyue occupied Jingren Palace alone, Zhao Jia Concubine and Nara Concubine went to Changchun Palace, Li Concubine moved into Yonghe Palace, and Wang Jia Concubine went to Xianfu Palace.
Because Tong Jia Rongyue, who was promoted to imperial concubine in one fell swoop, was among them, the emperor went to Jingren Palace to stay overnight that night.
Such a grand display was rare in the imperial harem; apart from the Empress and Consort Shu in those days, no one else had ever enjoyed such treatment.
Moreover, Emperor Kangxi did not stay for just one night, but for three whole nights, during which he bestowed various rewards upon her. Furthermore, Tong Jiarong did not come to pay her respects for three consecutive days. As for the reason, the Emperor explained it to her in advance, and the Empress could do nothing about it.
"Oh my, look at this newly arrived Consort Tong. Compared to us sisters, she is truly enviable."
Consort Nara deliberately stirred up trouble, saying things that disgusted everyone in the room.
Even the Empress, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but frown. How could anyone talk like that? Was she deliberately trying to insult someone?
Consort Nara did it on purpose. Ever since Chengqing passed away, Consort Nara had been focusing her suspicious gaze on the Empress.
Especially after Chenghu returned to Kunning Palace, she became even more convinced that Chengqing's death was caused by the Empress.
Hmph, one day she will avenge her poor son.
Consort Nara, who wished she could insult and tear the Empress to pieces a thousand times in her heart, withdrew her gaze and continued to speak sarcastically about the many concubines who had entered the palace this time. Since they could not come to pay their respects if they did not serve the Emperor, Consort Nara felt no pressure and could say whatever she wanted.
After paying her respects and leaving Kunning Palace, Xiuning was stopped by Consort Nara.
Xiuning blinked in confusion, "What does Consort Nara mean?"
Consort Nara smiled and said, "I've been thinking about how long it's been since I caught up with Consort Xitala. I wonder if Consort Xitala would do me the honor of coming to Chuxiu Palace for a simple get-together?"
Upon hearing this, Xiu Ning exclaimed, "What a pity! I've already made plans to visit Ning Chuge at Shou Kang Palace today. Maybe another day when I'm free."
No matter what Consort Nara wanted to say, Xiuning simply took Chunyu's hand and went around her. In the end, Consort Nara had no choice but to give up.
"My lady, I have a feeling that Consort Nala is up to no good again."
Chunyu turned her head and glanced back, noticing that Consort Nara had already left.
Xiuning smiled and said, "She was never well-intentioned. She came at the wrong time of day, and now she's spouting nonsense in Kunning Palace. What good can she possibly be up to?"
It's nothing more than thinking that Xiuning is still useful, and taking the opportunity to find a scapegoat and cannon fodder for themselves.
A cold glint flashed in her eyes before she quickly withdrew them. Xiu Ning pointed at Chun Yu and said, "Keep a close eye on Chu Xiu Palace. The way that concubine was walking just now was strange. She might be pregnant."
"Got it?" Chunyu was surprised. Prince Chengqing had only been dead for a few months, how could Consort Nara have gotten it so quickly?
Her eyes widened involuntarily, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she nodded solemnly and said, "Don't worry, my lady, I understand."
While they were talking, the master and servant quickly returned to Qixiang Palace.
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