Xiuqin's voice choked with sobs, and after speaking, she prostrated herself on the ground.
Consort Tongjia gave a self-deprecating laugh, raised her hands, and looked at her emaciated hands, which were thin from illness, and murmured to herself, "How could my cousin the Emperor like me like this?"
"I'm barely clinging to life now. My father and the Tongjia clan have already abandoned me. They're just waiting for me to breathe my last so they can send my second sister to the palace... cough cough cough..."
He coughed violently twice.
Consort Tongjia looked at Xiuqin and Xiuhe with barely a breath, "You two have grown up with me since you were little. How could I not understand your thoughts? The fact that you are so hesitant today means there must be some great joy in the palace."
"I suspect that perhaps it was that concubine who received the Emperor's cousin's favor and was thus promoted to the rank of concubine?"
Xiuqin and Xiuhe had glistening tears streaming down their faces.
With a choked voice and eyes full of pity, Xiuqin forced herself to speak respectfully: "Your Majesty, it is Consort Xu of Yikun Palace. The Emperor has bestowed upon her the title of Consort Yu and granted her residence in the main hall of Yikun Palace."
"Consort Yu? A principal wife in the palace."
Consort Tongjia chewed for a moment, then laughed loudly, "Hahaha, the Emperor really dotes on her. A mere bondservant maid gave birth to an imperial heir, her maternal family was elevated to a higher banner and given a surname, and now she has even been made Consort Yu."
"Born of exceptional beauty and grace, of noble birth, possessing both elegance and refinement. What a fine Consort Yu she is!"
"Is His Majesty implying that the concubines in the harem, who are of noble birth and from prestigious families, are not as intelligent as Xu Muer, a mere bondservant maid, and are not as beautiful and intelligent as Xu Muer?"
After saying this, Consort Tongjia covered her mouth and coughed violently.
A moment later, she unfolded the handkerchief covering her mouth, revealing bright red blood on it, which looked just like the shattered heart of Consort Tongjia.
Wiping her mouth, Consort Tongjia's face changed from pale to rosy. She sat up straight and said, "Xiuqin, help me wash and change."
"Xiuhe, go to the Qianqing Palace and invite the Emperor over. I have something to say to him."
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