Finally, Consort Yi appeared before everyone looking radiant. It had been a full year since she gave birth to Xiao Jiu, and in that year, her figure had completely returned to its former state, even more charming than before.
However, she hadn't dressed up so elaborately before, and it seemed that many people had forgotten Consort Yi's beauty. Now, she had to remind them of it. Consort Yi looked around and smiled.
The benefits of this were probably only known to Emperor Kangxi.
She wore a bright red short cheongsam adorned with clusters of roses, paired with a smoky blue long skirt of Suzhou satin with silver trim and a myriad of auspicious symbols. Her hair was styled in a traditional Chinese updo, with a red gold hairpin adorned with eight treasures and a flying swallow. Since giving birth to Xiao Jiu, her usual attire had been rather simple and neat. However, her striking features meant that even in such clothes, she didn't appear shabby. But now, dressed in such a magnificent outfit, she was truly breathtaking.
That's how Emperor Kangxi was. Holding the hand of the woman in his hand, Consort Yi smiled brightly. Consort Yi could almost smell the jealousy emanating from the group of women around her!
However, today is her and Xiao Jiu's home turf, so she's not afraid at all. Let these women be jealous if they want!
However, today is not a day for her to keep a low profile. It is her son's first birthday, not only for Xiao Jiu, but also for herself!
Standing beside Consort Yi, Xiao Tongjia's eyes were also filled with envy. Although she had not yet been officially granted a title and was only a concubine—unless that was the way it was used a few years ago, as it was gradually being phased out—it was just that they had only recently entered the palace, and a low rank would certainly not be worthy of their status. However, a high rank would be far beyond their qualifications, so for the time being, they were designated as concubines, but they were already enjoying the treatment of a consort.
She knew from the moment she entered the palace that there was a Consort Yi who was favored by the emperor and had just given birth to her second son. Being able to give birth to two princes for the emperor was a great contribution to the royal family.
So even someone like her, who considers herself the emperor's new favorite, doesn't dare to provoke her, simply because she's currently enjoying great popularity and doesn't usually try to compete for his favor, as if she wants to coexist peacefully with her.
She had met Consort Yi before, but she didn't seem to have a very strong presence, not even as strong as her mischievous son in the palace. Some people said that Consort Yi was the Emperor's most favored concubine in the past, and she thought so too…
Lady Tongjia hadn't been in the palace long before she heard that the Ninth Prince, who was being raised by Consort Yi, was a little devil. Ironically, it was precisely this mischievous nature that made the Emperor pay extra attention to him. When the Emperor mentioned the Ninth Prince to her, he was all smiles, making Lady Tongjia feel a pang of envy. She couldn't help but wonder how the Emperor would treat her if she gave birth to a child.
But now that she has been in the palace for a while, the old palace staff have tried to trip her up, both openly and secretly. Whether it was sarcastic remarks or even attempts to drug her, she has managed to avoid some of these tactics.
This made her realize even more that the palace was truly difficult to manage; those who smiled at you on the surface could actually trip you up behind your back.
However, after experiencing these methods many times, Xiao Tongjia did not feel frustrated or afraid; on the contrary, she became more courageous with each setback.
She could certainly continue the glory created by her sister, and the entire Tongjia clan was her support!
Did the head of the Tongjia clan not sense the emperor's dissatisfaction with them and his determination to suppress their family? Actually, no. Just like things tend to turn around when they reach an extreme, there were people around the head of the clan who advised him to keep a low profile during the holiday. But everyone understands the principle, but can they really remain calm and composed when it comes to themselves?
This is a right that is readily available.
Decades ago, the Tongjia clan was insignificant among the Manchu families, and was on the verge of decline. Just when it seemed they would soon be unable to survive in the capital, they systematically selected one of their daughters to enter the imperial harem, where she became a concubine of the Shunzhi Emperor. At that time, the entire family had no hope, as the Shunzhi Emperor had already begun to favor Consort Dong'e, leaving little room for the other concubines to survive.
Anyone who truly loved the girl in their family and cared about her would not have done that, but Lady Tongjia was unable to resist the Empress Dowager's orders at that time.
However, this move turned out to be the most correct choice for the Tongjia family at the time, because Consort Tongjia was born, and the Third Prince at that time was the current emperor!
The Third Prince was clever and quick-witted from a young age, which earned him the attention of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang. He even rose to become the emperor, a position of immense wealth that they could never have dreamed of. It was from then on that the Tongjia clan began to rise to prominence. Especially after Empress Dowager Tongjia passed away early, the emperor naturally transferred some of his affection for his mother to the Tongjia family.
This glory is so tempting that one can't help but want it to continue.
But Consort Yi made no move at all. She should have been the emperor's most favored person in the past, but he just ignored her.
This made Lady Tongjia both disdainful and angry. She was disdainful because she thought Consort Yi probably wouldn't dare offend him, and she was angry because she felt ignored!
But now, seeing the radiant beauty in her eyes as she gazed at the Emperor, she felt an even greater mix of emotions!
Some people seem to have never fought before, but now she just stands there as if she has won over me, which makes Xiao Tongjia's face darken even more, but a flame also burns in her eyes.
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