After half a cup of tea
Xu Lejin returned to Yikun Palace, gazing thoughtfully outside. Under the azure sky and a few scattered white clouds, the leaves swayed gently in the breeze.
The dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell on the ground, leaving patches of shadow.
It was vague and mysterious.
Xu Lejin smiled slightly, her mind preoccupied with Zhongcui Palace and the news of Consort Ma Jia's childbirth...
She recalled that in the history of the Qing Dynasty, Consort Rong of Emperor Kangxi, of the Ma Jia clan, gave birth to six children in ten years, five sons and one daughter.
Although only one son and one daughter survived in the end, it is undeniable that...
Consort Rong, of the Ma Jia clan, was the most favored concubine in the early years of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, and was also ranked alongside Empress Xiaogongren as the champion of childbirth among Kangxi's consorts.
This is Ma Jia's fifth pregnancy. She previously had two sons and two daughters, of whom one son and two daughters are still alive. This time...
It might be a prince, or it might be a princess.
Afternoon
Xu Lejin woke up from her afternoon nap and lazily leaned against the soft couch.
A gentle breeze blew by, and Xu Lejin asked softly, "Lianzhi, how is Consort Ma Jia doing at Zhongcui Palace? Did she give birth smoothly?"
"Your Majesty, everything is fine in Zhongcui Palace, except..."
Lianzhi hesitated for a moment, then said respectfully, "Consort Ma Jia was confined to her quarters during her pregnancy, which inevitably caused her to worry and be anxious. As a result, the imperial fetus was somewhat weak in the womb and has not yet been born."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly.
"Yes, I understand."
Ru Hua, who was standing to the side with her eyes lowered, frowned slightly and exchanged a glance with Lian Zhi.
Looking up slightly at Xu Lejin, Ru Hua spoke softly, "Your Majesty, I heard from a palace maid in Zhongcui Palace that Consort Ma Jia is carrying a prince, which is very likely to be a boy."
“Consort Ma already has one prince and two princesses. If this child is a prince, then she will have two sons and two daughters.”
Ru Hua finished speaking in a low voice, her eyes timidly lowered as she looked down.
Xu Lejin chuckled softly, her eyes fixed on Ruhua with an ambiguous expression.
After a moment of contemplation, his expression remained calm and composed.
"How can you be so sure that Consort Ma is carrying a prince?"
Xu Lejin chuckled and said, "Consort Ma Jia is good at bearing children. Even if this child is a prince, so what?"
Ru Hua paused slightly, lost in thought.
"Your Majesty is quite right. Consort Ma already has one prince and two princesses. Even if this child is a prince, it will only be icing on the cake."
Lianzhi smiled flatteringly, and after thinking for a moment, she said, "Your Majesty, you are blessed with great fortune. Our Prince Baoshou, Princess Wuxiha, and Princess Unaxi are auspicious omens, unmatched by anyone in the palace."
Xu Lejin remained silent, her expression indifferent, and shook her head almost imperceptibly.
After a short while, Xu Lejin parted her lips slightly and said, "Ruhua, tell the maids and eunuchs below to keep an eye on Zhongcui Palace."
“Consort Ma Jia should report to me immediately upon giving birth.”
"yes."
Ru Hua respectfully acknowledged and withdrew.
Zhongcui Palace, East Side Hall
From inside the delivery room came the cries of pain from Consort Ma Jia.
In the east side hall, Consort Zhao, of the Niohuru clan, along with Consort Zhao and Consort Dong, who lived in Zhongcui Palace with Consort Ma, sat upright, their faces solemn and each preoccupied with their own thoughts, eagerly awaiting their arrival.
"Your Highness, this is not Ma Jia's first pregnancy. Why has the imperial heir not been born yet after so long?"
With a timid glance at Consort Zhao, who sat solemnly, Consort Dong spoke softly, "This concubine remembers that when I gave birth to the second princess, it was my first pregnancy, and it only took half a day."
Consort Zhao nodded. "Indeed, although I am not fortunate enough to conceive and bear children for the Emperor, I have been in the palace for many years and have witnessed the births of other concubines."
"This is Consort Ma's fifth childbirth; it should have gone smoothly, but now..."
With a soft sigh, Consort Zhao gazed intently towards the delivery room.
With a slight furrow of her brows, Consort Zhao changed the subject and said with a smile, "I remember that when Consort Yu gave birth to the sixth prince, the eighth princess, and the ninth princess last year, it only took one night and half a day from the onset of labor to the safe delivery."
"Consort Yu is having her first child, and she has three children."
Upon hearing Consort Zhao's words, Consort Zhaojia and Consort Dong's expressions changed simultaneously.
Consort Dong lowered her head slightly, lost in thought.
Then, Consort Zhao added, "Last year, when Consort Yu gave birth, I was also present. Consort Yu was very quiet from beginning to end, unlike Consort Ma Jia who screamed and cried out."
"I am unfortunate, I have never experienced the joy of pregnancy, nor have I ever felt the pain of childbirth, but the way Consort Ma Jia is now is truly incomprehensible."
Could it be...?
Hesitant to speak, Consort Zhao secretly rolled her eyes, a cold smile playing on her lips.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
At that moment, a sharp voice came from the gate of Zhongcui Palace.
Consort Zhao, Consort Zhaojia, and Consort Dong exchanged a quick glance, then hurriedly rose with the help of palace maids and walked quickly to the outside of the East Side Hall to bow and greet Emperor Kangxi.
"Your Majesty, I greet you. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace." With a gentle expression, Consort Zhao lowered her head slightly.
Emperor Kangxi glanced at Consort Zhao, and behind her, Consort Zhaojia and Consort Dong, who had their eyes lowered, and said in a loud voice, "My beloved consort, please rise. There is no need for such formalities."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Consort Zhao smiled and stood up.
After a moment's hesitation, Consort Zhao spoke again, "Your Majesty, Consort Ma Jia has been preoccupied with many worries during her pregnancy and has rarely moved around, so the imperial heir has been delayed in being born. However…"
He glanced at Kangxi out of the corner of his eye.
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