Hongli was also afraid, afraid that his mother would do something that would make him a laughing stock.
This incident was all thanks to Physician Wang's secret tip-off, which allowed me to learn in advance about Xilinjueluo's false pregnancy.
If I didn't know and let my mother make a scene, and things escalated to the point where everyone knew that Lady Xilinjueluo was faking her pregnancy, where would I, as the emperor, put my face?
The thought of this outcome made the arrogant and proud Hongli feel uncomfortable all over. He didn't want others to know about his family's shameful affairs.
Fortunately, Physician Wang was a loyal physician who tipped me off in advance, so everything was under control and no one else knew about it.
Xilin Jueluo had been working hard for several years, but in one day she was back to square one, demoted from a high-ranking concubine to a lowly concubine, lost favor, and had no hope of turning her life around.
That wasn't all. Enraged by being deceived, Niohuru sent a nanny to secretly torment Xilinjueluo under the pretext of teaching her manners, causing her immense suffering.
At this moment, Xilinjueluo Shi lost her former arrogance and confidence, and her heart was filled with regret and remorse.
The farce ended uneventfully, and many people were unaware of what had happened. Consort E was demoted and became a disfavored concubine.
The Xilin Gioro clan member who had a false pregnancy became the only pregnant concubine in the harem. As a result, Consort Hai was promoted by the Empress Dowager and became the most prominent figure in the harem.
After the New Year, it was time for the imperial concubine selection again. While taking care of Consort Hai's pregnancy, Lady Niohuru was also carefully looking for new candidates.
This time she must choose a good one. She can't let a fool like Xilin Jueluo appear. It's one thing to be stupid, but she's also useless. She hasn't been able to get pregnant for several years, yet she dares to fake a pregnancy to deceive the emperor and embarrass herself.
The thought of Xilin Gioro clan made Niohuru angry and resentful. She knew Xilin Gioro clan was in trouble today.
Consort Hai was born in May, before the imperial concubine selection was over. After giving birth to the Seventh Prince, Hongli promoted her to the rank of Consort Yu.
In addition, Hongli bestowed titles upon the imperial harem, promoting Consort Chun (née Su) to Consort Chun, Consort Jia (née Jin) to Consort Jia, and Consort Shu (née Yehenara) to Consort Shu. Furthermore, Consort Chen finally rose from the rank of Lady-in-Waiting to the rank of Lady-in-Waiting.
The reasons for promoting the older generation are twofold: firstly, they have served us for many years and deserve a promotion; secondly, it is to make room for newer people.
Everyone else had been promoted, but Yunyi was already a Noble Consort, a rank below the Empress. With the Empress still alive and Yunyi in good health, there was no higher rank she could attain. No matter how much Hongli favored her, he would not promote her.
In June, the talent show ended, and Hongli's aesthetic sense remained the same as always. He mainly chose Han girls from the Han Banner Army, who were gentle and charming in appearance.
However, due to the interference of the Niohuru clan, several Manchu bannermen were also selected for this imperial concubine selection, and they were all given high positions.
The most eye-catching one was Niohuru Rulan, who was directly granted the title of Consort Shen.
Although he was given the position of principal wife as soon as he entered the palace, it is clear from this title that Hongli did not like this niece of the Empress Dowager, who was also his cousin.
However, out of respect for her mother, Consort Shen was still the first concubine to receive the emperor's favor among all the new entrants to the palace.
The next day, Consort Shen went to pay her respects to the Empress, and the other concubines in the harem saw her appearance and were immediately relieved.
Consort Shen is only fourteen years old this year. She is very petite and looks younger than her actual age.
Everyone chuckled inwardly upon seeing this; she was just a young, immature girl, what was there to be afraid of?
Hongli didn't like her to begin with, and her appearance wasn't his type, so after Consort Shen received his favor once, Hongli was unwilling to go anymore.
This reminded Yunyi of a casual conversation from later generations, which said that Emperor Qianlong preferred Han women to Manchu girls, and that he liked mature, sophisticated women rather than naive young girls.
After all, many of his concubines did not have children in their early years, and many of them had children in their twenties or thirties, which was rare in ancient times when it was common for children to have children in their teens.
After paying her respects, Niohuru summoned Consort Shen to speak with her. She pulled Consort Shen aside, her words full of expectation.
Consort Shen was her own cousin from her maternal family. If she could give birth to a child, that child would have blood from both the imperial family and the Niohuru family.
If there is no legitimate son, then this child is the most suitable to inherit the throne.
Niohuru was already planning her future. It was ridiculous of her; she was too confident in herself, believing that Consort Shen would definitely get pregnant and give birth to a prince, and that her Niohuru family could produce another emperor.
Consort Shen was under immense pressure, constantly urged by the Empress Dowager to give birth. Being young and out of favor, getting pregnant was not an easy task for her.
Furthermore, Emperor Hongli was wary of the Niohuru family and would not allow the influence of maternal relatives to become too great, making it even more difficult for Consort Shen to conceive.
But Niohuru was unaware of all this; she was still indulging in her own pipe dream, hoping that her family would continue to prosper.
Three years have passed, another cycle has begun, and it's time for another talent show.
Consort Shen had gone from a newcomer to a veteran in the palace, and despite the high hopes placed on her, she still hadn't conceived.
With the imperial concubine selection approaching, many young and beautiful girls entered the palace, while the older women who had been in the palace for many years fell further out of favor.
Yunyi has been very busy lately. Her eldest son, Yongjie, is sixteen years old this year and it's time for him to marry a principal wife and start a family.
Empress Fucha is kind-hearted. During this year's selection of daughters-in-law, she specially arranged for Yunyi to assist her so that she could choose her own daughter-in-law.
Seeing Consort Hui busy at work, Lady Fucha felt a pang of sadness. If her Yonglian were still alive, he would be of marriageable age in a few years.
Hongli was very concerned about this selection of consorts. Yongjie was his eldest son and the son of his beloved Lady Gao. He had to choose his consort carefully.
Furthermore, after his eldest son gets married, he will have a grandson, and then he will be able to become a grandfather and hold his grandson.
Having many children and grandchildren is a symbol of good fortune. When sons get married and continue their lineage, the royal family can prosper even more.
Empress Fucha, Hongli, and Yunyi were all very concerned and determined to choose a good consort for Yongjie.
After examining many young women, Yunyi and Lady Fucha finally selected five girls and let Hongli make the final decision.
Yunyi had already asked her son for his opinion, and he said he would follow the elders' arrangements. So Yunyi discussed it directly with Fucha Shi without asking him what kind of girl he liked.
Among the five selected women, there were women from the Irgen Gioro clan, the Hesheli clan, the Guarjia clan, the Wanyan clan, and the Guoluo clan.
They were all Manchu women chosen for the imperial concubine examinations. They were either from powerful families or of noble character, and were all very good girls. They were a perfect match for Yongjie.
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