Lianzhi lowered her head and remained silent.
Ru Hua smiled and spoke respectfully, “Your Majesty is very thoughtful. I heard from the older palace servants that during the reign of the late Emperor, Consort Dong’e, who was greatly favored by the late Emperor, was initially named Consort Xian when she entered the palace, and became Imperial Noble Consort after only three months. After her death, she was posthumously honored as Empress Xiaoxian.”
"Consort Dong'e serves as a cautionary tale. It would be wise for Your Majesty to avoid confrontation for now."
Xu Lejin nodded.
"That is exactly what I meant!"
Xu Lejin angered Emperor Kangxi and was disliked by him. The news quickly spread throughout the palace, and the happiest people were Consort Zhao and Consort Tong, who was confined to Chengqian Palace.
Of all the concubines in the palace, the only one who was worried about Xu Lejin was Consort Xuan.
For Xu Lejin's sake, Consort Xuan even went to Cining Palace to cry to the Empress Dowager. After receiving a lecture from the Empress Dowager, Consort Xuan finally realized Xu Lejin's intentions.
Following suit, Consort Xuan also followed Xu Lejin's example. Once, when Emperor Kangxi dined at Xianfu Palace, she noticed that he favored a dish of pigeon soup. She deliberately mentioned to Emperor Kangxi the rule set by their ancestor that one should not eat more than three times.
For more than a month after Kangxi's death, he did not visit the main halls of Yikun Palace and Xianfu Palace. Consort Tong was confined to Chengqian Palace, which benefited Consort Zhao and the other concubines in the harem.
mid-October
Consort Zhao, beaming with joy, looked at Xu Lejin and said, "Thanks to Consort Yu and Consort Xuan, His Majesty often comes to my palace for meals and overnight stays."
"To express my gratitude to Consort Yu and Consort Xuan, I have specially instructed the Imperial Household Department to create a pair of auspicious pomegranate flower bracelets as a gift for the two of you."
After speaking, Consort Zhao gave a wink to Lianxing, the palace maid beside her.
"Thank you, Consort Zhao. His Majesty often visits your palace, so I imagine you will soon be pregnant with the imperial heir. I offer you this tea instead of wine to congratulate you on your wish coming true soon."
Xu Lejin raised her teacup and offered it to Consort Zhao from afar.
Consort Zhao's rosy complexion turned deathly pale, then ashen, and she sneered, "Thank you, Consort Yu. I also long for a happy pregnancy and to conceive the Emperor's child soon."
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