End of October in the 12th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.
News has come from Kunning Palace that more than a year after the death of her eldest son Chenghu in February of the eleventh year, Empress Hesheli is pregnant again and is already three months along!
The Emperor and Empress are about to have another legitimate son.
The concubines in the harem awoke from their dream in a fright.
The Empress's legitimate son?
With such a noble status, if the Empress successfully gives birth to a prince after ten months of pregnancy, her position as Empress will be secure.
Emperor Kangxi was overjoyed and praised the Empress. All sorts of rare and precious items were sent to Kunning Palace as if they were free. For a time, the Empress and the Hesheli family outside the palace enjoyed boundless glory and were riding high.
Chuxiu Palace, one of the six western palaces.
Consort Niohuru had just returned from Kunning Palace. She slumped into a chair, looking down at her flat belly with a forlorn and dim expression.
Zhang and Ma Jia are pregnant.
The Empress is pregnant.
She had been in the palace for eight years, but had not yet conceived, and her menstruation arrived on schedule every month.
Is she infertile?
Back then, she competed with Empress Hesheli for the position of empress. In the end, Empress Hesheli entered the palace in a grand procession with a magnificent red bridal procession, while she was granted the title of concubine and entered the palace.
Not only was his rank lower than the Empress's, but his offspring were also inferior to the Empress's.
"The Empress is pregnant, which is my opportunity. This afternoon I will personally go to the Qianqing Palace to deliver the Emperor a 'Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup'. I hope that this time, I can successfully conceive the imperial heir."
Consort Niohuru lowered her eyes and spoke softly.
The Eastern Six Palaces, Chengqian Palace.
Consort Tongjia's face was gloomy as she angrily clutched the handkerchief in her hand.
Despicable people, they're all despicable!
This is Zhang's second pregnancy.
Lady Ma Jia is even more despicable. She has already given birth to two princes and a princess, and is now four months pregnant with her fourth child!
The Empress also became pregnant with her second child.
Consort Tongjia threw down the deformed handkerchief in her hand and said coldly, "Xiuqin, why am I not pregnant yet? When my aunt was my age, she had already given birth to my cousin, the Emperor, for five years."
"Your Majesty, you are in good health and will become pregnant sooner or later."
Xiuqin lowered her head slightly and spoke respectfully.
With a cold snort, Consort Tongjia smiled brightly, "The Imperial Kitchen has developed a new dish called 'Eight Treasure Duck Gizzard Soup.' You can personally deliver it to my cousin at the Qianqing Palace later, and add..."
Xiuqin agreed cautiously.
The sun is setting.
After reviewing the memorials, Emperor Kangxi prepared to visit the pregnant Empress at Kunning Palace.
Sudden,
A strong surge of heat rushed from my lower body to the top of my head.
Emperor Kangxi's expression darkened.
Damn it, someone actually drugged him in the Qianqing Palace, right under the bright sun.
Are Liang Jiugong and others vegetarians?
"Your Majesty, Yue Jin from the Empress's palace has come to deliver some refreshments on Her Majesty's orders..."
Behind Liang Jiugong was a young and beautiful palace maid.
Kangxi stared at the palace maid with red eyes, “…”
Immediately afterwards,
Driven by lust, Kangxi, under Liang Jiugong's stunned gaze, swept the palace maid up in his arms and quickly carried her to the inner chamber.
Liang Jiugong came to his senses and immediately and tactfully withdrew from the main hall of the Qianqing Palace. He made a few hand gestures towards the shadows and personally closed the palace gates of the Qianqing Palace.
What audacity! To plot against the Emperor right under my nose!
Once he finds out, he'll make sure they regret it!
Kangxi was up until midnight when he came out feeling refreshed, and Liang Jiugong immediately bowed and scraped to greet him.
"Has today's events been thoroughly investigated?"
Liang Jiugong respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, it was Consort Chengqian and Consort Chuxiu. Consort Chuxiu personally delivered the 'Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup' this afternoon, which contains tonics to strengthen the body. Consort Chengqian sent the 'Eight-Treasure Duck Gizzard Soup' which contains a small amount of aphrodisiac herbs."
"Furthermore, when combined with the ambergris incense burned in the Qianqing Palace, it creates a powerful aphrodisiac effect..."
Emperor Kangxi's face was so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it.
After a long time,
Kangxi spoke in a deep voice, "So, it really is just a coincidence?"
Liang Jiugong lowered his head and remained silent.
The following day, Consort Niohuru, Consort Tongjia, and others went to Kunning Palace to pay their respects to the Empress.
“Sister Niohuru, I heard that yesterday afternoon you personally delivered the ‘Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup’ to the Emperor. Your ‘Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup’ worked well. This morning, I saw that you looked tired.”
Consort Tongjia covered her mouth and spoke with a forced smile.
Consort Niohuru paused for a moment, then said gently, "Sister Tongjia is teasing me. Sister Tongjia's 'Eight Treasure Duck Gizzard Soup' is truly delicious. Today, Sister Tongjia has dark circles under her eyes, which must be because she served His Majesty hard last night."
“Sister Niohuru, you…”
Consort Tongjia's face darkened, and she looked at Consort Niohuru with a cold gaze.
After half a cup of tea,
Supported by her head maid, the Empress sat on the Phoenix Throne, looking down at the two concubines and the other concubines below.
The concubines rose and bowed respectfully to the Empress.
"May Your Majesty the Empress be well, and may Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"
The Empress smiled gently, "My sisters, please rise. There's no need for such formalities."
"Le Jin, serve tea to the younger sisters."
Yun Cui, who was beside the Empress, was taken aback for a moment, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, yesterday evening, Le Jin went to the Qianqing Palace to deliver snacks to the Emperor as Your Majesty instructed, and did not return all night."
The Empress's expression froze.
The Empress frowned slightly, then smiled and said, "I understand. Have Qiuhe serve the ladies the Huangshan Maofeng tea that His Majesty recently bestowed upon them."
"yes."
Yun Cui respectfully responded and withdrew.
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