As night fell, Kangxi ordered his men to send Bao Shou, Wuxiha, and Wunaxi back to the Princes' Residence.
After the clouds and rain of Wushan, one is satisfied.
Emperor Kangxi lay flat on the bed, pondered for a long time, and then said in a deep voice, "Baoshou, Wuxiha and Wunaxi are now over a year old. My beloved concubine's health has also been restored. It is time to give them a younger brother or sister."
"emperor,"
Xu Lejin gave Kangxi a coquettish look.
After a moment's consideration, Xu Lejin said softly, "Your Majesty, after giving birth to Baoshou, Wuxiha, and Unaxi, my health has deteriorated significantly. I'm afraid I won't be able to bear Your Majesty any heirs for the next year or two."
"In the palace, there is Consort Zhao and a group of concubines who are all very caring. Your Majesty might as well visit Consort Zhao's palace more often, or summon the concubines to serve you in bed."
Kangxi opened his eyes, his face darkening.
Turning his head, Kangxi looked at Xu Lejin and said coldly, "My beloved consort, are you so eager to push me towards other concubines?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin's heart skipped a beat.
She quickly got up, knelt on the bed, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, Your Majesty, I had no such intention. The Empress Dowager and Consort Zhao taught me that the Emperor's favor should be distributed equally so that his offspring will be numerous and prosperous. I dare not monopolize Your Majesty's favor."
"The ladies in the palace long for the Emperor as they long for rain after a long drought."
Emperor Kangxi remained silent, lost in thought.
After a long while, Kangxi closed his eyes and said, "It's getting late, let's rest early!"
"yes."
Xu Lejin responded with a hum, then fell into a deep sleep, her mind filled with questions.
The next day
Consort Nara looked haggard, with dark circles under her eyes, and gazed at Xu Lejin with resentment. "Consort Yu, His Majesty only visits my palace once a month. Last night..."
Before she could finish speaking, Consort Nara silently shed tears.
Xu Lejin's expression froze for a moment. After thinking quickly, a cold smile appeared in her eyes as she spoke in a deep voice, "Does Consort Nara mean that I stole your favor last night?"
"I was also surprised by what happened last night."
Taking a deep breath, Xu Lejin said coldly, "I was unaware beforehand that His Majesty had chosen Consort Nara last night. I was also quite surprised by His Majesty's sudden arrival at Yikun Palace."
"Your Highness, Consort Yu, this humble servant had no such intention."
Although Consort Nara said she had no such intention, her lowered eyes revealed her resentment.
Xu Lejin chuckled lightly, raised her eyes to look at Consort Zhao, who was sitting in the main seat with a playful look in her eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Consort Zhao, His Majesty visited Yikun Palace last night, and I could not possibly refuse His Majesty entry."
"Consort Yu..."
Consort Nara's eyes reddened slightly, feeling both ashamed and angry.
At this moment, Consort Zhao sneered and said, "Consort Yu, what Consort Yu said is not without reason. The Emperor is the Son of Heaven. He can favor whomever he wants. When the Emperor goes to Consort Yu's palace, Consort Yu, as a concubine, cannot refuse the Emperor."
"I heard from the palace servants about what happened last night. Consort Nara, you have been wronged. I will have the Imperial Household Department send you some clothing and jewelry later."
"You gave birth to Baoqing for the Emperor, so the Emperor has you in his heart."
Consort Nara lowered her eyes and reluctantly agreed.
After leaving Chuxiu Palace, Xu Lejin walked along the long street.
Consort Xiao Nara, with her large pregnant belly, covered her mouth with a handkerchief and said with a coquettish smile, "Consort Yu is really clever. Under the guise of reuniting with the princes and princesses, she seduced the Emperor to go to Yikun Palace."
“If all the sisters in the palace were like Consort Yu, vying for favor with their sons, it would be chaos and utterly disorderly.”
Xu Lejin's expression froze upon hearing this.
Turning around, her gaze fixed intently on Consort Xiao Nara, Xu Lejin hesitated for a moment before her eyes fell on Consort Xiao Nara's large belly, and she spoke softly, "Consort Xiao Nara, you are nine months pregnant now, aren't you?"
"A woman who is pregnant should not be too excited. Consort Xiao Nara should remain calm and composed."
After a pause, Xu Lejin glanced meaningfully at Consort Nara beside Consort Nara.
"Last night, His Majesty's visit to Yikun Palace and his overnight stay in my palace was purely accidental. If Consort Nara does not believe it, she can send someone to inquire, or she can ask His Majesty herself."
Having lost patience with continuing the argument with Consort Nara, Xu Lejin's eyes sharpened as she coldly stared at Consort Nara, saying, "If Consort Nara doesn't believe me, there's nothing I can do. I am now a Consort, while Consort Nara is merely a Consort."
"If I were determined to steal your favor, would I be wasting my time explaining myself to you here?"
After saying that, Xu Lejin, supported by Lianzhi and Ruhua, walked quickly toward Yikun Palace without looking back.
Upon returning to Yikun Palace, Xu Lejin's expression darkened.
Lianzhi gently comforted her, "Your Majesty, there's no need to argue with Consort Nara and Consort Xiao Nara. The Emperor's favor towards you is a blessing for our Yikun Palace. Consort Nara and Consort Xiao Nara are just sour grapes, jealous of Your Majesty's favor with the Emperor."
"If Your Majesty were to harm your health because of this, it would truly fulfill the wishes of Consort Nara and Consort Xiao Nara!"
Xu Lejin picked up the teacup beside her and gulped down several mouthfuls.
"When the Emperor comes to my palace, how can I possibly tell him that he has gone to Consort Yanxi Palace to favor her?"
"You two are clearly picking on the weak, deliberately trying to make things difficult for me."
"Your Majesty doesn't go to their palace, does that mean you blame me? That's absurd."
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