Chuxiu Palace
Consort Zhao looked at Xu Lejin with a half-smile and said softly, "Consort Yu, you've heard the rumors in the palace, haven't you? I don't know which palace it is, but they're spreading rumors and even throwing mud at you, saying that Consort Hesheli's death is related to you, Consort Yu."
"The Consort Yu I know has always been gentle, virtuous, kind and generous. How could she possibly hold a grudge against Consort Hesheli because of what happened back then?"
With a dark and unreadable look in her eyes, Consort Zhao turned her head and looked at Consort Nara and Consort Zhang.
“Consort Nara, Consort Zhang, I have heard that the rumors that Consort Yu’s sister could not tolerate Consort Hesheli originated from your Yanxi Palace and Yonghe Palace.”
"Although you are not the principals of Yanxi Palace and Yonghe Palace, you are the highest-ranking people in Yanxi Palace and Yonghe Palace, so you still need to discipline and educate the palace servants below you."
"In the palace, the most taboo thing is spreading rumors and believing everything you hear!"
Consort Nara and Consort Zhang paled, exchanged a glance, and glared hatefully at Xu Lejin. "Yes, Consort Zhao's instructions are correct. We will obey Consort Zhao's orders. However..."
"In the palace, there are many maids and eunuchs, and everyone is saying the same thing. They are all talking about how Consort Hesheli's death is related to Consort Yu. Public opinion can be very powerful. Sometimes, I wonder if it is really as the rumors say?"
After speaking, Consort Nara looked at Xu Lejin with disdain.
Consort Xuan looked angry and opened her mouth to reprimand Consort Nara, but Xu Lejin stopped her before she could finish speaking.
Xu Lejin smiled faintly, then spoke in a cold voice.
“Na La Consort, Zhang Consort, rumors stop with the wise.”
Changing the subject, Xu Lejin looked at Consort Zhao and said, "Consort Zhao, the trend of people in the palace spreading rumors and misinformation is becoming increasingly serious. As Consort Zhao, you are in charge of the six palaces. If these far-fetched rumors about ghosts and gods in the harem were to reach the ears of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, I wonder what would happen?"
"The emperor is busy with state affairs and is working hard on the Three Feudatories. If the inner palace is also in chaos at this time, I wonder what the emperor and the empress dowager will think when they find out."
Consort Zhao's smile froze, turning from white to blue.
After a long while, Consort Zhao glared fiercely at Consort Nara and said coldly, "Consort Yu is right to remind me. As the year draws to a close, I was so busy that I forgot myself."
"Caiyue, Lianxing, pass on my orders: no one in the inner palace is allowed to discuss matters of ghosts and gods. Consort Hesheli died after a long illness that defied all medicine."
Caiyue and Lianxing respectfully replied, "Yes."
Xu Lejin and Consort Xuan exchanged a glance, stood up, and led the other concubines in praising Consort Zhao's virtue.
At night
Emperor Kangxi arrived at Yikun Palace, gently embraced Xu Lejin, and spoke in a deep voice, "When Empress Hesheli was alive, she was prone to jealousy and irrational behavior during her pregnancy, which made Consort Zhao appear dignified and composed. But now..."
"In the harem, although Consort Tong, Consort Yu, you, and Consort Xuan work together to check and balance Consort Zhao, Consort Zhao has a long and distinguished career. She comes from the prominent Manchu clan of Niohuru."
Xu Lejin looked up, glanced at Kangxi, and quickly lowered her head again.
"Consort Zhao is of noble birth and enjoys the deep trust of Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager. She holds power in the palace. With the end of the year approaching, palace affairs are busy, and it is normal for even the most meticulous plans to have oversights."
"I know that I come from a humble background and do not know anything about palace affairs. I have no time to help Consort Zhao. But there are Consort Tong and Consort Xuan in the palace. Consort Tong was raised with a good family education and I heard that she was good at managing household affairs even before she entered the palace."
Kangxi's embrace of Xu Lejin froze.
With a focused gaze on Xu Lejin, Kangxi said in a deep voice, "Does my beloved consort mean to have Consort Tong assist Consort Zhao in managing the affairs of the six palaces? Consort Tong is, after all, new to the palace and still young, and is currently under house arrest."
"However, it is feasible for Consort Zhao to take charge and Consort Tong to assist from the side."
Xu Lejin lowered her head slightly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes!
November 17
After Consort Tong's three-month confinement ended and she left Chengqian Palace, she was immediately given the power to assist in managing the six palaces.
"With the year drawing to a close, palace affairs are numerous and complicated. His Majesty has decreed that Consort Tong should assist me in managing the affairs of the six palaces. This will require Consort Tong to work hard."
Consort Zhao's smile was stiff, but she forced a cheerful expression as she looked at Consort Tong and spoke.
With a radiant smile, Consort Tong covered her mouth with her handkerchief and said with a smile, "It is my blessing to be able to share Consort Zhao's burdens. I dare not complain about the hardship."
"Speaking of which, my sister has to thank Consort Yu for granting her the power to assist in managing the six palaces."
Tong Fei squinted at Xu Lejin and spoke with a forced smile.
"If it weren't for Consort Yu's advice to the Emperor, I would never have had the opportunity to be involved in palace affairs. I am extremely grateful for Consort Yu's great kindness. Yesterday, the Emperor bestowed upon me two bolts of warm satin from Jiangning. Now, I will take this opportunity to give one bolt to Consort Yu."
"Xiangling, deliver this to Yikun Palace for me later."
The palace maid beside Consort Tong respectfully responded.
Xu Lejin smiled and said, "Thank you, Consort Tong. The warm satin from Jiangning is soft in texture. I will have the embroiderers cut it into clothes and wear them."
Tong Fei and Xu Lejin worked together, flattering each other while simultaneously setting traps for one another.
Consort Xuan rested her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling.
Consort Zhao's face turned from white to green, then from green to black, and she spoke with a forced expression, "The Emperor treats Consort Tong and Consort Yu differently. The Emperor's favor towards Consort Tong and Consort Yu is unparalleled in the palace."
"You flatter me, Consort Zhao!"
Xu Lejin and Tong Fei stood up and said in unison.
The afternoon sun shone warmly on her, making her feel exceptionally comfortable and warm. Xu Lejin squinted her eyes contentedly as she lay on the chaise lounge, with Lianzhi and Ruhua carefully attending to her beside her.
"Your Majesty, this servant does not understand why you would help Consort Tong obtain the power to assist in managing the six palaces?"
Lianzhi looked puzzled and asked softly.
With a slight upturn of her lips, Xu Lejin murmured softly, "The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease. I was too prominent before, and I intended to avoid her sharp edge and remain quiet for a while. I did not expect Consort Zhao to be so overbearing and aggressive in her actions."
"Although the matter of Consort Hesheli's death and the haunting of the palace was suppressed with a few words, Consort Zhao's intentions towards me have never stopped."
After a pause, Xu Lejin spoke softly, "Since Consort Zhao cannot tolerate me, why don't I rebel? Consort Zhao has no children, and what she cares about most now is palace power."
"The Emperor was dissatisfied with her, so I followed his wishes and promoted Consort Tong, helping Consort Tong to take away the palace power from her. She and Consort Tong fought like the snipe and the clam, and even if I couldn't benefit from it, I could still have some leisure time."
Lianzhi and Ruhua exchanged a glance, understanding each other perfectly.
The next morning
As soon as Xu Lejin returned to Yikun Palace, the palace maid Ziwu respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager of Cining Palace summons you to Cining Palace at 3:45 PM this afternoon."
"Yes, I understand."
Xu Lejin responded faintly, her brows furrowed, and she remained silent in thought.
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