Two imperial edicts were issued by Emperor Kangxi from Chengqian Palace.
The concubines in the harem were all stunned!
The unsuspecting concubines in the harem speculated that the two palace maids who had been granted the title of Consort Tongjia were now being promoted to concubines of lower rank. Where was Emperor Kangxi placing Consort Tongjia?
Did they place Consort Tongjia in the same position as the deceased Empress Hesheli?
She was even better than Empress Hesheli.
When Empress Hesheli passed away after childbirth, the only person left in the Empress's palace was Chuyun, a palace maid who had served her, who was then given the title of concubine.
Now the same scenario is playing out again.
There's one more.
Besides the addition of two new concubines to the harem, why was it necessary to erase all traces of Consort Tongjia in the palace? Although Consort Tongjia was foolish, jealous, and outwardly strong but inwardly weak, she was still a concubine who had served for many years.
She was Emperor Kangxi's cousin and the niece of Emperor Kangxi's birth mother, Empress Xiaokangzhang.
How can you just erase it like that?
Kangxi's actions showed absolutely no regard for the reputation of the Tongjia clan!
Is there more to the story, or...?
Yikun Palace.
Xu Lejin frowned, pondered for a long time, and then said in a deep voice, "After today, there will be two more concubines in the palace. Although they are given to live in the East and West Warm Pavilions of the rear hall of Chengqian Palace, it is clear from their residences that the Emperor does not like them."
"However, it cannot be denied that they were officially appointed as concubines by the Emperor."
Lianzhi frowned slightly.
“Your Majesty, even though the two concubines are newcomers recommended by the Empress of Chengqian Palace, Your Majesty is already a Consort, the Consort Yu. They can never surpass Your Majesty.”
Xu Lejin glanced at Lianzhi with a calm expression and said, "Whether or not they can overstep their bounds is not up to you or me. If the Emperor likes them, even if they were once as lowly as weeds, they will have their day to rise to prominence."
"If the Emperor doesn't like you, even if you are of noble birth, a member of the imperial family, and hold a high position, so what? In the palace, you are nothing but a decoration."
After speaking, Xu Lejin's gaze turned meaningfully toward the Chuxiu Palace behind her.
Lianzhi and Ruhua exchanged a glance, then lowered their heads and remained as quiet as if they were invisible.
Dusk fell.
Inside the main hall of Yikun Palace, several candles flickered, making a crackling sound as they burned.
Xu Lejin glanced outside the hall and said softly, "Serve me to rest. Although tonight is my day of conferment as a concubine, a joyous occasion, the Empress of Chengqian Palace is experiencing a final burst of energy before her death, and the Emperor will surely be with her in Chengqian Palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lianzhi and Ruhua respectfully responded.
She carefully stepped forward to serve Xu Lejin, removing the jewels from her head and changing her into her nightgown.
That night, the palace was destined to be anything but peaceful.
Just after midnight, Chengqian Palace became noisy, with bursts of crying waking up several concubines in Zhongcui Palace, Yonghe Palace, and Yanxi Palace who were fast asleep.
The next day at dawn, Xu Lejin had just gotten up.
The palace maid Ziwu, who was sent by the Imperial Household Department yesterday afternoon, came in from outside the palace in a panic and respectfully reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, the Lady of Chengqian Palace passed away at 1:15 AM yesterday."
"Okay, I understand."
Xu Lejin remained calm and softly instructed Lianzhi and Ruhua, saying, "Since the Empress of Chengqian Palace has passed away, please change into plain clothes today and simply wear a plain silver hairpin in your hair."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
One hour later.
In the main hall of Chuxiu Palace, Xu Lejin, being a newly promoted Consort Yu, whose status was second only to Consort Zhao of the Niohuru clan, was moved to the front of all the concubines.
Last night at the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), Consort Tongjia passed away. The Eastern Six Palaces were in turmoil for most of the night, so the concubines in the Eastern Six Palaces all looked haggard. Even with thick layers of makeup, they could not hide the dark circles under their eyes.
In contrast, the concubines in the Western Six Palaces, being farther from Chengqian Palace, appeared much more energetic, with rosy and fair complexions. Apart from their simpler clothing and headdresses, they showed no signs of anything unusual.
"My dear sisters, as you all know, yesterday His Majesty promoted Consort Xu of Yikun Palace to Consort Yu, and also bestowed the titles of Consort Xiuqin and Consort Xiuhe of Chengqian Palace upon them."
"At 1:15 AM last night, Sister Tongjia of Chengqian Palace passed away."
Wiping away the crocodile tears from the corners of her eyes, Consort Zhao looked sorrowful and sobbed, "Sister Tongjia was bedridden for half a year, and now she has passed away at such a young age. It is truly a pity."
"Today should have been the day for all the sisters to formally pay their respects to Consort Yu, but with the passing of Consort Tongjia, the entire palace is filled with sorrow. Therefore, the matter of all the sisters paying their respects to Consort Yu will be postponed for the time being!"
"in addition……"
Consort Zhao's eyes were red, and her gaze swept over the group of concubines. "With the passing of Sister Tongjia, Concubine Hanyan, Concubine Xiuqin, and Concubine Xiuhe, who used to serve Sister Tongjia, must stay in Chengqian Palace to mourn her. Today, I'm afraid the sisters will not be able to see Concubine Xiuqin and Concubine Xiuhe again."
"However, they are all acquaintances in the palace, and we will meet them sooner or later."
With her insincere words, Consort Zhao both belittled Xu Lejin, the newly promoted Consort Yu, and made her presence felt among the other concubines, killing two birds with one stone.
With the help of Lianzhi and Ruhua, Xu Lejin rose to her feet and led the concubines below her in unison, saying, "Yes, we concubines will obey the teachings of Consort Zhao."
Consort Zhao's cold gaze swept over Xu Lejin.
"It's getting late, and I'm tired. My sisters, please return to your palaces. As for Sister Tongjia at Chengqian Palace, His Majesty has not yet issued an imperial decree. If any of you sisters wish, please go to Chengqian Palace to see Sister Tongjia off."
"If none of you sisters have time, I'm sure His Majesty won't punish you."
Everyone responded in unison and left Chuxiu Palace.
Inside Chengqian Palace, everyone had changed into mourning clothes. Palace maids, eunuchs, and the three concubines, Hanyan, Xiuqin, and Xiuhe, all dressed in plain palace attire, knelt before the coffin of Consort Tongjia, weeping uncontrollably.
When Xu Lejin arrived, Hanyan, Xiuqin, and Xiuhe were momentarily stunned.
The three women then bowed respectfully to Xu Lejin and said, "We, your humble servants, pay our respects to Consort Yu. May Consort Yu be blessed."
"No need for formalities. I have come today to pay my respects to the Lady of Chengqian Palace."
He gave a wink to the second-class palace maids Ziwu and Zhulan behind him, and Ziwu and Zhulan quickly took out the paper money, incense and candles they had brought.
Xu Lejin knelt before the spirit tablet and personally burned the sacrificial offerings on behalf of Consort Tongjia.
Hanyan, Xiuqin, and Xiuhe looked at each other, but ultimately did not stop Xu Lejin. Instead, they silently continued to kneel before the coffin, wiping away tears with sorrowful expressions.
Half an hour later, Xu Lejin finished burning the sacrificial offerings.
At this moment, Emperor Kangxi also arrived at Chengqian Palace. Looking at Consort Tongjia lying peacefully in the coffin, Kangxi's eyes reddened slightly. After a long while, Kangxi said in a deep voice, "Liang Jiugong, convey my decree that the Tongjia clan should select an auspicious burial site for Consort Tongjia."
"Although the palace has erased all traces of Consort Tongjia, the funeral will still be conducted according to the rites for a Noble Consort, and will be held seven days later. Except for Consort Zhao Niohuru, all the other concubines in the palace will wear white mourning clothes to attend the funeral of Consort Tongjia."
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