The Empress promoted two palace maids from Kunning Palace, Shangjia and Fanjia.
Consort Niohuru, Consort Ma Jia, and the others were stunned for a moment, then exchanged glances and all looked at Xu Lejin with probing eyes.
Xu Lejin smiled faintly and said nothing more.
A moment later, two palace maids dressed in pink palace attire bowed and entered the hall.
"This servant, Shangjia Chenxiang, greets Her Majesty the Empress, Her Highness of Chuxiu Palace, and all the concubines and mistresses."
"This servant, Fan Jialiuzhu, greets Her Majesty the Empress, Her Highness the Consort of Chuxiu Palace, and all the concubines and ladies-in-waiting. May Her Majesty the Empress, Her Highness the Consort of Chuxiu Palace, and all the concubines and ladies-in-waiting be blessed."
Xu Lejin slightly raised her eyes, glanced at Shang Jiachenxiang and Fan Jialiuzhu, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
Shangjia Agarwood, Fanjia Liuzhu, young and charming, with outstanding appearance.
However, they were illiterate and had never read a book...
In fact, among the concubines in the palace today, only the Empress, Consort Niohuru, Consort Tongjia, and Consort Li and Consort Wanyan, who entered the palace two years ago through the imperial concubine selection, have been educated and know some characters. The rest of the concubines are illiterate.
The Qing Dynasty had a rule that palace maids were not allowed to learn to read.
The original owner of Xu Lejin's body was illiterate...
Consort Ma Jia covered her mouth and said with a coquettish smile, "The palace maids recommended by Her Majesty the Empress are indeed different. I find Shang Jia and Fan Jia to be exceptionally beautiful. Even as a woman, I can't help but be moved."
"His Majesty will surely like the two new sisters."
Consort Ma Jia was illiterate and therefore could not find suitable words to describe Lady Shangjia and Lady Fanjia. She only thought that Lady Shangjia and Lady Fanjia had delicate features and were very beautiful.
The Empress smiled and said softly, "Thank you for Consort Ma Jia's auspicious words. I also hope that Lady Shang Jia and Lady Fan Jia will be favored by the Emperor and give birth to a son or daughter for him as soon as possible, so that the imperial lineage can continue."
Consort Ma Jia paused for a moment, then covered her mouth and giggled.
Niohuru, Li, and Nara, among others, were displeased, but they had to force a smile and insincerely praise Shangjia and Fanjia for their outstanding appearance.
Xu Lejin returned to the west side hall of Yikun Palace.
Yingchun carefully chose her words and spoke softly, "Your Highness, although Her Majesty the Empress has promoted Consort Shangjia and Consort Fanjia, they may not necessarily be favored. Your Highness need not worry too much..."
Xu Lejin smiled faintly.
"Sister Shangjia and Sister Fanjia are fortunate to be recommended by Her Majesty the Empress to serve the Emperor. I had contact with the two sisters when I served Her Majesty the Empress in Kunning Palace, and I know that they are well-behaved and have a peaceful nature."
Yingchun nodded with a smile.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. With the Empress's deliberate favor, Kangxi successively favored Lady Shangjia and Lady Fanjia. The concubines in the harem went to Kunning Palace every day to pay their respects to the Empress. With the addition of Lady Shangjia and Lady Fanjia, they engaged in lively verbal battles, making the scene even more lively.
The Empress smiled and said, "The end of the year is approaching. Yesterday, I instructed the Imperial Household Department to distribute the year-end bonuses to all the younger sisters. If the Imperial Household Department has done anything inadequate, the younger sisters do not need to cover for them."
"Yes, Your Majesty, we will follow Your Majesty's teachings."
Niohuru, leading a group of concubines, respectfully responded.
After a pause, the Empress's gaze fell on the former seat of Consort Zhang, and she spoke thoughtfully, "Yesterday afternoon, the head maid of Yonghe Palace reported that Consort Zhang had suffered a miscarriage and needed to rest in bed. I have already granted Consort Zhang permission to rest for half a month, and during this half month, she does not need to come to Kunning Palace to pay her respects to me!"
Xu Lejin slightly raised her eyes, glanced at the Empress, and then lowered her head without saying a word.
Niohuru smiled and said, "Your Majesty the Empress is kind. Consort Zhang's pregnancy has been troubled ever since she became pregnant. Now that she has suffered a miscarriage, she should indeed rest in bed. Everything is for the sake of the imperial heir."
The Empress smiled gently and nodded.
Immediately afterwards, the Empress inquired with concern about the condition of Consort Ma Jia and Consort Zhao Jia's unborn children.
That afternoon, Xu Lejin was in the west wing of Yikun Palace, enjoying the warm sunshine on her body by the window, flipping through the storybook in her hand.
Yingchun bowed and entered the hall, reporting to Xu Lejin, "Your Highness, Consort Dong from the west side hall of Zhongcui Palace has come to visit."
"Sister Dong?"
Xu Lejin was taken aback for a moment, then quickly smiled and said, "Please invite Sister Dong inside to sit down."
Yingchun respectfully replied "Yes" and withdrew.
Looking up at the winter plum blossoms budding in the cold wind outside the window, Xu Lejin smiled slightly, revealing a calm and breezy smile. She wondered to herself, what was Consort Dong's purpose in visiting at this hour?
She has a cool and aloof personality and doesn't like to get close to people.
Moreover, the concubines in the harem were constantly scheming and plotting against each other in order to win Kangxi's favor. They would never visit each other's palaces without a reason.
What brings Consort Dong to visit today?
A moment later, Yingchun led Consort Dong, dressed in a bright green palace gown and with her hair styled in an elegant double bun, into the hall. Xu Lejin smiled and stepped forward to exchange half-bows with Consort Dong.
With a smile, Xu Lejin said, "Sister Dong, what brings you here to the west wing of my Yikun Palace today? My place is simple and I apologize for any inconvenience you may have caused."
"Sister Xu is too modest."
Consort Dong smiled gently, looking at Xu Lejin with kind eyes, "Sister Xu's residence is fresh and elegant. Although it is simple and plain, it is not shabby."
"Sister Xu, as expected of someone who served the former Empress, you are thoughtful and insightful."
Xu Lejin smiled faintly.
After a moment of contemplation, Consort Dong lowered her voice and whispered, "Sister Xu, ever since Her Majesty the Empress recommended Sister Shangjia and Sister Fanjia, they have been the ones who have received the most favor in the past two weeks."
"Sister Xu, you come from the Empress's palace, do you know what the Empress's intention is in doing this?"
Xu Lejin slightly raised her eyes and glanced at Consort Dong.
"Sister Dong flatters me. I dare to guess that Her Majesty the Empress's recommendation of Sister Shangjia and Sister Fanjia has its own reasons. I..."
With a soft sigh, Xu Lejin said, "I am of average talent. Although I have been granted the title of Consort, I have not seen the Emperor for more than half a month."
"His Majesty has probably already forgotten me!"
After speaking, Xu Lejin lowered her head, looking dejected.
Upon seeing this, Consort Dong's expression became extremely unnatural. She gave an awkward smile and said, "With the year drawing to a close, His Majesty is busy and preoccupied with matters of the court, and has neglected you, my sister."
"My sister is young and beautiful, in the prime of her life. Sooner or later she will win the Emperor's favor."
Xu Lejin smiled gently.
"Thank you, Sister Dong. I come from a humble background and only hope to live a peaceful and comfortable life in the palace. I dare not ask for more!"
After a pause, Xu Lejin looked at Consort Dong and said, "Sister Dong is exceptionally beautiful and brews excellent tea. I've heard that His Majesty is very fond of her. Sister Dong also gave birth to His Majesty's second daughter. I only hope that Sister Dong will gain favor and protect me."
Xu Lejin was gentle and humble, with her eyes lowered, making it impossible for anyone to discern her true thoughts.
"From now on, I will definitely treat Sister Dong with the same respect as my own sister."
Upon hearing this, Consort Dong paused for a moment, then nodded with a smile.
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