Xu Lejin's words instantly silenced the entire Qianqing Palace.
The Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager, who were seated on the throne, frowned slightly, exchanged a glance without making a sound, and then spoke in a deep voice after a moment, "What Consort Yu said is not without reason."
"Although she is only a concubine, she was still personally appointed by the Emperor. The palace can afford to support an idle person."
Kangxi nodded.
"Grandmother is absolutely right. Consort Tong? Xiuhe is a concubine in your palace. Why is she dressed so frailly? The New Year's Eve banquet is a day for the whole palace to celebrate."
"This is really disappointing."
Consort Tong opened her mouth, wanting to argue, but the words stuck in her throat.
After a moment's thought, Consort Tong said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I was negligent in my handling of Consort Xiuhe. I will have the palace servants take good care of Consort Xiuhe from now on."
"Um."
The New Year's Eve banquet continued, with singing and dancing, clinking glasses, and toasts exchanged.
At this moment, Liang Jiugong whispered a few words in Kangxi's ear. Kangxi's face darkened, and he glanced at Consort Tong meaningfully, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the table.
Lunar New Year's Day
Emperor Kangxi suddenly issued an imperial edict, ordering Consort Xiuhe, who was living in the West Warm Pavilion of Chengqian Palace, to move to the West Side Hall of Yongshou Palace.
Consort Tong's face was gloomy, and she spoke in a cold voice, "Why did His Majesty suddenly order Consort Xiuhe to move to another palace? Consort Xiuhe was living comfortably in the West Warm Pavilion of Chengqian Palace in this palace."
Xu Lejin glanced at Consort Tong, then lowered her head and remained silent.
After a moment of contemplation, Consort Zhao smiled and said, "Chengqian Palace is spacious and magnificent. Wouldn't it be better for Consort Tong to live alone? Although Consort Xiuhe lives in the West Warm Pavilion, Consort Xiuhe is in Chengqian Palace. In the end, Consort Tong is not living alone in a palace."
"Upon careful consideration, the only ones currently living alone in the palace are myself, Consort Tong, Consort Yu, and Consort Zhang."
Consort Zhao's words were loaded with meaning, and Xu Lejin and Consort Zhang instantly became the target of public criticism.
Consort Tong's glares were like daggers, aimed directly at Xu Lejin and Consort Zhang.
With the help of Lianzhi and Ruhua, Xu Lejin stood up and said with a smile, "The Emperor dotes on Consort Tong, so he issued an edict to move Consort Xiuhe to another palace. Consort Tong should be happy."
"As for the concubines and Consort Zhang, they are only temporarily living in a separate palace because there are few concubines in the palace now."
After a pause, Xu Lejin smiled sweetly.
"This year is another year of the imperial selection. If the Emperor chooses a consort, new women will enter the harem. After that, the concubines and Consort Zhang will no longer be able to live alone in one palace."
Consort Zhao nodded slightly and said, "What Consort Yu said is quite right."
Chuxiu Palace was filled with a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere, with smiles on the faces of every concubine.
'vomit'
At this moment, Consort Fan Jia suddenly covered her mouth and vomited.
Consort Zhao, Consort Tong, Xu Lejin, and the others all turned their gazes toward Consort Fan Jia, their minds racing, wondering if Consort Fan Jia was pregnant.
Consort Fan Jia has been serving the Emperor for three years, thanks to the recommendation of Empress Hesheli.
"Consort Fan Jia, what's wrong with you?"
A cold glint flashed in Consort Zhao's eyes as she asked in a deep voice.
Consort Fan Jia smiled gently and said, "Your Highness, I am pregnant and have been carrying for a month. During the year-end season, Your Highness has been working hard managing the affairs of the six palaces. I was planning to wait until after the Lantern Festival to report to Your Highness."
"Now, the child in my womb is eager for me to share this good news with the ladies and all my sisters."
Consort Zhao's expression faltered slightly.
"Good, good, good. Consort Fan Jia is pregnant. This is the first happy event of the year."
Turning her head, Consort Zhao looked at Consort Xuan and said with a smile, "Sister Consort Xuan, Consort Fan Jia is from your Xianfu Palace. Now that she is pregnant, you must take good care of the dragon child in her womb."
"Yes, Your Highness, I will obey your orders."
Consort Xuan nodded softly, exchanging a glance with Xu Lejin without making a sound.
The 7th and 15th of the lunar month
Time flew by, and the festive atmosphere in the palace gradually faded.
Consort Xuan looked at Xu Lejin with a face full of complaints and indignation, and said, "Sister Consort Yu, what's going on with Consort Fan Jia? She's not the only one in the palace who is pregnant."
“Sister Yu Pin, you are pregnant, so why aren’t you as pretentious as her? Today she complains that her stomach is uncomfortable and wants to see the imperial physician, tomorrow she says that the smell of roasted meat in my palace bothers her, and the day after tomorrow she says that her chest is blocked and she wants to see the emperor.”
"The Emperor is busy with countless affairs of state and the affairs of the court. If every concubine in the palace were to become pregnant and keep going like her, wouldn't the Emperor be exhausted to death?"
After speaking, Consort Xuan rested her chin on her hand with a look of utter despair.
Xu Lejin smiled and moved the pastries on the table in front of Consort Xuan, saying softly, "Alright, alright, Consort Xuan, don't be angry."
"It's normal for Consort Fan Jia to be a little dramatic since she's pregnant. Pregnancy is only about ten months, and a month and a half has already passed. In another eight months, her baby will be born, so just bear with it."
Upon hearing this, Consort Xuan exclaimed in surprise!
"What, I have to endure it for another eight months? No way, no way, I can't stand her acting up for even a day longer. It's just a pregnancy, does she really think she's some kind of precious gem or porcelain doll? Does she think everyone has been pregnant before?"
Xu Lejin gently poked Consort Xuan's forehead and said affectionately, "Consort Xuan, you've never been pregnant before, have you? You've just come to the palace, you should take advantage of your youth and give birth to a prince or princess for the Emperor as soon as possible."
Consort Xuan rolled her eyes impatiently.
"Sister Yu Pin, why do you always urge me to get pregnant, just like the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager? I'm still a child, I haven't had enough fun yet. If I have a child, I can't play shuttlecock, drink alcohol, or eat meat. I don't want that!"
After saying that, Consort Xuan skipped away.
Xu Lejin watched Consort Xuan's cheerful figure and sighed softly, thinking to herself, "I hope Consort Xuan can always be like this, happy and carefree."
The last day of the first lunar month
The west wing of Xianfu Palace was in turmoil for most of the day, but Consort Fan Jia's unborn child ultimately could not be saved.
Xu Lejin stroked her three-month pregnant belly, sighed softly, and murmured, "Poor Consort Fan Jia's child, it only stayed in the womb for two months before it was gone."
"Consort Fan Jia has always been cautious since becoming pregnant, but it is easy to dodge a spear in the open but hard to guard against a hidden arrow in the dark. In the end, it is impossible to guard against it all."
Lianzhi lowered her head and said carefully, "Your Majesty, didn't the imperial physician say that Consort Fan Jia's miscarriage was caused by excessive thinking and fluctuating emotions during her pregnancy?"
Xu Lejin glanced at Lianzhi and murmured softly.
"Excessive worry during pregnancy may affect the fetus, but it's unlikely to cause a miscarriage. Since Consort Fan Jia became pregnant, she has been constantly causing trouble, and many in the palace have long disliked her, so..."
"Her miscarriage was expected."
After speaking, Xu Lejin looked up at the roof.
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