Inside Yikun Palace, the candlelight flickered.
Outside the palace, Liang Jiugong and the palace maid Lianzhi waited under the corridor, their eyes downcast and their expressions calm, but their red ears betrayed their inner turmoil.
Inside the hall, red candles flickered, and clouds and rain shone over Wushan.
The man's low growl and the woman's soft moan broke the silence of the night.
The Eastern Six Palaces, the Eastern Annex Hall of Yanxi Palace.
The candlelight crackled and popped as the young concubine sat motionless on the bed, her face grim and her eyes deep and unfathomable.
Her hands, hanging down inside her sleeves, were clenched tightly.
After a long while, the young concubine, Xiao Nara, turned ferocious and began pounding on the bed.
"Bitch, bitch, that bitch Consort Yu! I finally conceived, but she's clinging to the Emperor, seducing him so he won't come to Yanxi Palace to see me. Bitch..."
The palace maid timidly looked up.
"My lady, you are carrying the emperor's child, please take good care of your health."
"Tonight, His Majesty first chose Consort Yu. After you were diagnosed with Yu Xi's pregnancy, it is normal for His Majesty to favor Consort Yu, who is the mother of the sixth prince, the eighth princess, and the ninth princess."
The young concubine glared fiercely at the palace maid.
"Of course I know, but I am not willing to accept this."
“I am younger and more beautiful than Consort Yu. She is a woman who has given birth and is past her prime. What makes her think she can keep the Emperor?”
The palace maid lowered her head, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke softly, "Your Highness, His Majesty still cares for you."
"The Emperor's men just came to tell you that His Majesty will come to visit you, Your Highness, in the East Annex of Yanxi Palace tomorrow afternoon."
"Yes, I understand."
After a commotion that lasted for most of the hour in the east wing of Yanxi Palace, the young concubine, Xiao Nara, fell into a deep sleep, filled with resentment and anger.
In the eastern side hall in front of Yanxi Palace, in the sleeping quarters of Consort Nara.
Consort Nara lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling with her eyes open.
She said she hoped that Xiao Nara would become pregnant and give birth to an imperial heir, who would become an asset to her fifth son, Baoqing.
But now that Xiao Nara is indeed pregnant, she feels a deep sadness in her heart.
Consort Nara tried to comfort herself by pretending to be relaxed, saying that Little Nara might not be so lucky as to give birth to a son in one go. She forced herself not to think about it, but she just couldn't control her heart.
His mind was filled with images of Xiao Nara giving birth to a prince, after which she would be on equal footing with him, or even ride roughshod over him...
With her eyes wide open, Consort Nara tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.
It went on until dawn.
Nara Concubine, sporting large panda eyes and a gloomy face, sat in front of the bronze mirror.
The palace maids served her carefully, helping her with her makeup and changing clothes.
Chuxiu Palace Main Hall
Xu Lejin had a rosy complexion and looked radiant, while Consort Nara, Consort Li, and Consort Wanyan looked haggard and listless.
Nodding slightly, Xu Lejin thought to herself that the news of Xiao Na La's pregnancy last night had a significant impact on the concubines in the palace!
Consort Zhao, of the Niohuru clan, with her face covered in thick makeup, looked at Consort Xiao Nara with a smile.
After a moment's thought, Consort Zhao spoke softly, "The young concubine is very fortunate. She has been serving the Emperor for only half a year before she became pregnant."
"There are many sisters in the palace. If every one of them had the good fortune of Consort Xiao Nara, why would His Majesty worry about not having many children, and why would the Qing Dynasty not prosper?"
Xu Lejin, Nara Concubine, and the others lowered their heads.
Changing the subject, Consort Zhao looked at Xu Lejin.
"Consort Yu has given birth to the sixth prince, the eighth princess, and the ninth princess. It has been almost a year. The emperor often visits Consort Yu's palace. Consort Yu should take advantage of her youth and continue to produce offspring for the emperor."
Xu Lejin's expression froze upon hearing this.
Out of the corner of his eye, he discreetly observed the expressions on the faces of the concubines.
As expected, all the concubines' eyes fell on Xu Lejin's belly, as if they wanted to stare a hole through it to see if she was really pregnant with the emperor's child again.
After pondering for a long time, Xu Lejin looked ashamed and murmured softly.
"Your Highness, I am ashamed. Although I have been favored by the Emperor since I was promoted to the rank of Consort, I injured my body when I gave birth to Bao Shou, Wu Xiha, and Wu Na Xi. I am afraid that I will not be able to have any children for the next year or two."
"The Emperor and the Empress Dowager are aware of this matter."
Xu Lejin lowered her head, staring at her toes.
Consort Zhao's eyes flashed with a cold smile as she scrutinized Xu Lejin, her expression full of regret. "Consort Yu is a woman of good fertility. I was even thinking that after the sixth prince, the eighth princess, and the ninth princess turn one year old, Consort Yu would give them more siblings. However..."
"Consort Yu gave birth to three children, a boy and a girl, which is unique in the palace. She is blessed with great fortune."
Xu Lejin nodded, her expression calm and composed.
"Thank you, Consort Zhao. Bao Shou, Wu Xiha, and Wu Naxi are the Emperor's children. Currently, Consort Ma Jia is pregnant and Consort Xiao Nara is pregnant. The children of Consort Ma Jia and Consort Xiao Nara will also be Bao Shou's younger siblings."
Consort Zhao nodded, suppressing her anger.
Consort Zhao Jia slightly raised her eyes, glanced at Xu Lejin, and respectfully said, "Your Highness Consort Zhao, Your Highness Consort Yu, this concubine lives in Zhongcui Palace with Sister Ma Jia. Sister Ma Jia is now seven months pregnant."
"In two or three months, Consort Ma's unborn child should be ready to be born. Since Consort Yu gave birth to the sixth prince, the eighth princess, and the ninth princess last year, no children have been born in the palace."
"If Sister Ma Jia's unborn child is a prince, then he will be the Emperor's seventh son!"
After Consort Zhao finished speaking, she glanced provocatively at Xu Lejin out of the corner of her eye.
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