Chuxiu Palace
After conveying Emperor Kangxi's decree, Liang Jiugong bowed and took his leave.
Consort Zhao sat limply in the main seat of Chuxiu Palace, her face pale and filled with anger.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor trusts you, which is why he entrusted you with the responsibility of managing the palace staff in the Princes' quarters. Only Your Majesty has this honor, holding the reins of palace power and being relied upon by the Emperor."
Caiyue carefully considered her words and softly offered words of comfort to Consort Zhao.
A cold glint flashed in Consort Zhao's eyes as she said in a cold voice, "Trust? Reliance? Most of the servants in the palace come from the Three Banners of Bondservants, their roots are intertwined, and a single move can affect the whole situation."
"Although I hold the power in the palace and have the highest rank, I am not legitimate and proper until I have been officially named Empress."
"You, as my dowry maid, know how arrogant the servants of the Imperial Household Department are."
After a slight pause, Consort Zhao tapped her index finger rhythmically on the table and murmured, "Back then, why did the Empress's Prince Chenghu die young? Everyone in the palace knows."
"His Majesty has now ordered me to reorganize the palace servants in the Princes' quarters, which undoubtedly touches on the interests of the bondservant of the Imperial Household Department. If I am not careful, I will not even know when I will be caught off guard."
"It may seem like a good job, but you only know how difficult it is when you are there in person."
Caiyue respectfully agreed, and exchanged a glance with Lianxing beside her.
Lianxing pondered for a moment and whispered, "Your Majesty, I think the decision on how to reorganize is actually in Your Majesty's hands. After all, Your Majesty has no princes or princesses at the moment, so why not take it up high and put it down gently?"
"The three bannermen of the Imperial Household Department, seeing that Your Highness handles things with care, will also give you some face."
With her brows slightly furrowed, Consort Zhao pondered for a long time.
"That's a good idea!"
Consort Zhao began to reorganize the wet nurses and palace servants who served the princes and princesses in the princes' quarters. She gave them a stern reprimand and instructed them to take good care of the imperial heirs.
On the surface, she had to maintain the persona of being virtuous, generous, dignified, and composed, but her heart was bleeding whenever she saw the princes and princesses in the princes' quarters.
Why?
Why were none of the princes and princesses in the palace born to her?
Even if she's a princess, that would be fine!
As time went on, Consort Zhao became increasingly depressed. One afternoon, she caught a chill and fell ill, spending two months in bed. Finally, in mid-June, her health improved.
June, on this sunny day
After paying her daily respects to Consort Zhao, Niohuru, Xu Lejin was invited by Consort Xitala of Yongshou Palace to take a walk in the Imperial Garden.
The lotus flowers in the Imperial Garden are blooming in profusion.
The deep green lotus leaves stretch as far as the eye can see, while the red and white lotus flowers stand gracefully, like young girls swaying in the wind.
The air is filled with the delicate fragrance of lotus leaves and flowers.
"Your Majesty, the lotus flowers in the Imperial Garden are blooming even better this year than last year. Look at that white lotus flower; there are even bees collecting nectar on it!"
Consort Xitala, with a smile as bright as a flower, pointed to a half-open white lotus flower not far away and spoke softly.
Xu Lejin nodded slightly and looked over.
The white lotus flowers are just beginning to bloom, revealing their green lotus pedestals. A ring of yellow stamens surrounds the pedestals, and several busy little bees are dancing merrily among the stamens.
With a slight smile, Xu Lejin parted her lips and said, "It is indeed beautiful."
“After entering the painting, I will pick some lotus flowers and take them back to the palace to make vases and decorate the house.”
Turning her head, Xu Lejin gave instructions to Ru Hua, who was following beside her.
Ru Hua respectfully responded.
Consort Xitala smiled gently and said, “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, lest they wither and fall. The lotus, though without branches, is hollow inside and straight outside, neither creeping nor branching, rising from the mud unsullied, cleansed by the clear ripples without being seductive.”
"Just like Consort Yu, despite holding the rank of Consort and being favored by the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Empress Dowager, you remain approachable and never become arrogant because of your favor."
Xu Lejin turned her head and glanced at Consort Xitala.
"Consort Xitala is very talented in literature. Reading makes one wise and brings peace and tranquility. With her beauty and charm, and her ability to compose poems and couplets, Consort Xitala is now a favorite of His Majesty."
"Thank you so much, Your Majesty. Your Majesty's kindness is beyond words. This humble servant is moved to tears."
Consort Xitala was overjoyed upon hearing this.
The next day, in the evening
Xu Lejin gazed at the lotus vase placed in front of the window, a serene and elegant smile on her face.
Lianzhi carefully chose her words and spoke softly, "Your Majesty, this servant does not understand why you mentioned Consort Xitala to the Emperor last night?"
"Although Consort Xitala is clever and has been obedient to Your Majesty these days, I think she is not willing to be subservient to anyone."
Xu Lejin's slender, fair fingers touched the lotus petals, and she gently plucked one off, holding it in her hand to play with. "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, lest they wither and fall."
"What Consort Xitala meant was to remind me that she is still in the harem, wasn't it? She is eager to win the emperor's favor, so why don't I take the opportunity to give her a way out, thus both doing her a favor and disgusting Consort Zhao and the others."
"in addition,"
Xu Lejin paused, then tossed away the lotus petals in her hand and murmured, "It is taboo in the palace to favor only one person. In the past two months, although the Emperor has invited other concubines to serve him, he has mostly come to my palace."
"The tallest tree in the forest will be felled by the wind. What I want is long-term favor, not short-term gains. It is better to elevate Consort Xitala than to give Consort Zhao, Consort Nara, Consort Guoluo, and others an opportunity to take advantage of the situation."
"In addition, Consort Ma Jia of Zhongcui Palace is about to give birth. Consort Ma Jia already has one son and two daughters. Whether this child is a prince or a princess, it will be a joyous occasion."
Lianzhi nodded and exchanged a glance with Ruhua beside her.
Entering the scene, a smile appeared on her face as she softly said, "Your Majesty, a few days ago, news came from the Prince Gong's Mansion and Your Majesty's maternal family outside the palace that Consort Xu is pregnant and is already three months along."
"The fourth young mistress of the Suochuoluo family, the third young mistress of the Tatara family, and Aunt Yingchun, etc., are all pregnant with one to five months of pregnancy."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly, her eyes brimming with smiles.
"Yes, these are all happy events."
After a slight pause, Xu Lejin continued, "This morning, during the morning greetings, Consort Zhao mentioned that Consort Ma Jia's due date is in the latter half of this month."
"Ruhua, find the Guanyin fan that was sent by the Imperial Household Department and deliver it to Consort Ma Jia in Zhongcui Palace."
Ru Hua respectfully replied "Yes" and withdrew.
Chuxiu Palace
Consort Zhao learned from the palace servants that the concubine Xitala would be serving her in the side hall of the Qianqing Palace tonight, and she almost bit her teeth to pieces.
With a ferocious expression and eyes full of hatred, Consort Zhao said, "Consort Yu is quite capable. She has been favored by the Emperor for two months, and now she is pushing out Lady Xitala. It is hateful that I have no one of my own to rely on."
“Consort Ma betrayed me, Consort Zhao fell out of favor because of the seventh princess, Consort Dong is getting old, and Sixue has been working hard to serve me these days and has fallen ill from overwork.”
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