Consort Xitala looked pitiful, with tears streaming down her face.
It was as if he had suffered a great injustice.
With her eyes lowered, Consort Xitala bowed and apologized to Xu Lejin, but her words were full of attempts to shirk responsibility.
The implication was not that she had intercepted Xu Lejin's favor last night, but that Kangxi himself wanted to go to the east side hall of her Yongshou Palace.
Furthermore, in her words, Consort Xitala also flattered Xu Lejin.
To argue with her would make Xu Lejin appear petty and lacking in class.
With a cold laugh, Xu Lejin looked sharply at Consort Xitala and said in a deep voice, "If I were petty and narrow-minded and did not forgive Consort Xitala, what would happen?"
“Since Consort Xitala knows that she is crude and shallow, she should stay in the East Annex of Yongshou Palace to cultivate her character, study and understand principles, instead of idly wandering around Yongshou Palace.”
“Last night, it was just a coincidence that I met the Emperor. If I had met someone I shouldn’t have met or been in contact with, Consort Xitala would have no way to clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.”
These aggressive words turned Consort Xitala's face pale, and she lowered her head, her eyes filled with intense hatred.
The other concubines had inscrutable expressions, secretly glancing at Xu Lejin out of the corner of their eyes.
Consort Hesheli opened her mouth as if to say something, but swallowed the words back down.
At this moment, Consort Zhao, of the Niohuru clan, gracefully emerged from the inner chamber, supported by palace maids Caiyue and Lianxing, and sat regally in the main seat.
Xu Lejin and the other concubines immediately stood up and bowed to Consort Zhao.
After everyone was seated, Consort Zhao's gaze fell on Xu Lejin.
“Sister Yu Pin, I already know about what happened last night. Consort Xitala received the Emperor's favor last night, and the Emperor specially bestowed upon her a sedan chair. It seems that the Emperor was very satisfied with Consort Xitala's service.”
After a pause, Consort Zhao spoke earnestly, "Sister Consort Yu, both thunder and rain are imperial blessings. The harem needs to receive blessings equally so that offspring can flourish."
"I hope that Consort Yu will not mind what happened last night."
Xu Lejin smiled gently and said, "Yes, Your Highness Zhaofei's teachings are well remembered. Last night, Consort Xitala worked hard serving the Emperor, so it is only right that His Majesty bestowed a sedan chair upon her."
"This concubine dares not harbor any resentment!"
After saying that, Xu Lejin nodded slightly, but inwardly she sneered!
Consort Zhao nodded, then changed the subject and spoke softly.
“A few days ago, His Majesty sent some fashionable jewelry to me through the Imperial Household Department. Among them was a hibiscus hairpin with twin blossoms on one stem, which I found very beautiful.”
"Lianxing, find it later and send it to Consort Yu in Yikun Palace."
Xu Lejin slightly raised her eyes, smiling without saying a word.
Lianxing respectfully replied "Yes" and withdrew.
Consort Zhao smiled and cleared her throat, then said, "Does Consort Yu know that in the palace, one flower blooming alone is never spring? Only when all flowers bloom together is spring."
With a gentle smile, Xu Lejin spoke respectfully.
"Thanks to Consort Zhao's teachings, I am foolish and only know that although there are countless flowers and plants in the palace, only a few can truly catch the Emperor's eye."
"Whether it's one flower blooming alone or a hundred flowers blooming together, it's all up to the Emperor."
The main hall of Chuxiu Palace became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
Consort Nara, Consort Li, Consort Wanyan, and others lowered their eyes, their thoughts unknown.
Consort Xitala hung her head, like a quail, not daring to utter a sound.
Consort Zhao's face was grim. She forced a bitter smile and said in a deep voice, "What Consort Yu said is quite right. The Emperor has always decided the preferences in the palace."
"His Majesty favors Consort Xitala, so after she served him yesterday, His Majesty, out of consideration for her, bestowed upon her a sedan chair, a unique favor and honor in the palace."
Xu Lejin smiled faintly and remained silent.
Consort Xitala was filled with fear and trepidation. After hesitating for a moment, she forced herself to speak, "Yes, this concubine thanks Consort Zhao for her teachings. This concubine will certainly serve His Majesty wholeheartedly and live up to His Majesty's favor."
Consort Zhao nodded with a forced smile.
Xu Lejin, supported by Lianzhi and Ruhua, walked along the long street.
Just then, footsteps sounded behind them. Ru Hua turned around and looked, then said respectfully, "Your Highness, is Consort Xitala's palanquin behind us?"
"Um."
Xu Lejin gave a faint reply and slowed her pace.
Lianzhi and Ruhua exchanged a glance, understanding each other perfectly.
"Alight from the sedan chair."
The voice of Consort Xitala came through.
A moment later, Consort Xitala, supported by a palace maid, stepped forward with small, quick steps, curtsied to Xu Lejin, and said, "This humble servant greets Consort Yu. May Consort Yu be blessed."
"No need for such formalities, Consort Xitala."
With a calm expression, Xu Lejin looked down at Consort Xitala.
"Consort Xie Yu."
Consort Xitala was helped up by a palace maid. Her delicate, fair face was as white as jade, and she looked pitiful as she gazed hesitantly at Xu Lejin.
After a moment, Consort Xitala spoke softly, "Your Highness Consort Yu, I served His Majesty diligently last night, and His Majesty bestowed upon me a sedan chair. May I go ahead, Your Highness Consort Yu?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin smiled faintly and remained silent.
Lianzhi, standing beside him, opened her mouth as if to say something, but Xu Lejin shook her head to stop her.
“Serving the Emperor is the duty of us concubines in the harem. Consort Xitala is now complaining about how hard it is, but does that mean she is dissatisfied with serving the Emperor?”
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