The next morning, at 5:15 AM, Xu Lejin bowed and saw Kangxi off.
Sitting upright in front of the dressing table, Xu Lejin yawned, squinted at herself in the bronze mirror, and said with her red lips slightly parted, "Lianzhi, Ruhua, today's makeup should be simple and plain."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lianzhi and Ruhua respectfully replied, "Yes."
After a moment's hesitation, Ru Hua quickly looked up and met Xu Lejin's gaze, then spoke respectfully, "Some time ago, Your Highness was unwell, but His Majesty, in his boundless grace, specially granted Your Highness the privilege of not having to pay your respects to Consort Zhao. Now—"
"Although Your Majesty has recovered her health, the imperial pregnancy is of utmost importance. In my humble opinion, it would be better to wait a while before visiting Consort Zhao's palace to pay your respects."
Xu Lejin's lips curled up, but the smile in her eyes paused.
“If His Majesty had not stayed in my palace last night, we could have postponed our visit to pay our respects to Consort Zhao for a few more days. But His Majesty did stay in my palace last night.”
With a soft sigh, Xu Lejin said in a deep voice, "Although the Emperor stayed in my palace last night and did nothing, it was not the case in the eyes of Consort Zhao and the other concubines in the harem."
"If I don't go to Chuxiu Palace to pay my respects today, my crazy ramblings about being pregnant with the imperial heir and being arrogant because of the emperor's favor will spread throughout the palace within half a day."
Upon hearing this, Ru Hua lowered her head, pondered, and remained silent.
Chuxiu Palace
As soon as Consort Zhao got up, Caiyue bowed and reported to her that Emperor Kangxi had stayed at Yikun Palace the previous night.
Her expression stiffened, and Consort Zhao's cheerful mood instantly soured. She spoke coldly, "I remember that Consort Yu is pregnant, and is now more than five months along?"
"Was it Consort Yu who served the Emperor last night? Or was she a palace maid recommended by Consort Yu...?"
Caiyue's expression froze for a moment.
"Your Majesty, last night His Majesty rested in the main hall of Consort Yu's Yikun Palace and did not request hot water for changing his clothes."
Caiyue glanced quickly at Consort Zhao and whispered, "I think His Majesty simply stayed at Consort Yu's place last night."
Consort Zhao nodded upon hearing this.
With a slight softening of her expression, Consort Zhao spoke softly, “The Emperor treats Consort Yu differently. He rarely visits other concubines in the palace when they are pregnant, and even if he does, he doesn’t let them stay overnight. Only Consort Yu receives special treatment from the Emperor.”
"After Consort Yu became pregnant, the Emperor frequently visited her palace. Previously, simply because she had caught a cold, he had decreed that she be exempted from her daily morning and evening greetings."
Caiyue and Lianxing exchanged a glance without saying a word.
With a resentful look in her eyes, Consort Zhao continued slowly, "I used to think that Consort Yu was just a palace maid with ordinary looks and nothing to fear. I never expected that Consort Yu would give birth to triplets, a boy and a girl, and become the apple of the Emperor's eye."
"Caiyue, tell Consort Tong that the Emperor is showing special favor to Consort Yu."
Caiyue respectfully agreed.
Inside the main hall of Chuxiu Palace, a group of concubines were waiting early in the morning.
Xu Lejin and Consort Xuan met outside Chuxiu Palace and entered the palace together.
"We, your humble servants, pay our respects to Consort Yu and Consort Xuan. May Consort Yu and Consort Xuan be blessed with good fortune."
When the concubines, led by Concubine Nara and Concubine Li, saw Xu Lejin appear in Yikun Palace, they were stunned for a moment. Suppressing their surprise, they quickly stood up, curtsied, and greeted her.
Xu Lejin and Consort Xuan exchanged a glance and said with a faint smile, "Sisters, there's no need for such formalities."
"Consort Xie Yu, Consort Xuan."
Xu Lejin, Consort Xuan, and the other concubines took their seats in order.
Consort Nara gently covered her mouth, looked at Xu Lejin, and smiled as she spoke, "Consort Yu is pregnant with the Emperor's child. His Majesty has specially granted Consort Yu the privilege of not having to come and pay her respects to Consort Zhao. We are worried that we will not be able to see Consort Yu for a long time."
"I never imagined that I would have the honor of meeting Consort Yu today."
After saying that, Consort Nara giggled.
Xu Lejin said with a faint smile, "It's kind of Consort Nara to be so thoughtful. I caught a cold a few days ago and I'm afraid I might pass it on to all of you sisters."
"His Majesty is kind and Consort Zhao is generous, exempting me from my daily greetings. I am not very grateful. Now that my health has just improved, I thought I would like to come and pay my respects to Consort Zhao to express my gratitude."
These words silenced Consort Nara.
Consort Nara's expression was somewhat unpleasant. She lowered her head, and a hint of annoyance flashed quickly in her eyes.
The little concubine, Xiao Nara, who was standing to the side, was about to speak up in a loud and boisterous manner.
Nara Concubine glared sharply, and Little Nara Concubine shut her mouth sheepishly.
Inside the room, Consort Zhao had finished dressing up. She was wearing a palace dress that was almost bright red, with kingfisher feathers adorning her hair and three earrings made of full, round, high-quality pearls on each ear.
"You just said that Consort Yu came to pay her respects to me today?"
With a look of surprise, Consort Zhao looked at the palace maid Yinshuang and asked to confirm.
Yinshuang nodded. "Your Majesty, Consort Yu is already waiting in the palace. From a distance, I can see that Consort Yu looks rosy and healthy, not at all like someone who has just recovered from a serious illness."
"Yes, I understand."
Consort Zhao's eyes flashed with a cold smile as she frowned in deep thought.
Yinshuang quickly glanced at Consort Zhao, bowed, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Xiangyun from Consort Tong's palace came to report this morning that Consort Tong is not feeling well and has come to pay her respects to Your Majesty today, so she may be a little late."
Consort Zhao sneered and, supported by Caiyue and Lianxing, gracefully walked towards the main hall.
Inside the main hall, Xu Lejin, Consort Xuan, and other concubines saw Consort Zhao come out and immediately stood up to pay their respects. After receiving Consort Zhao's nod of approval, they all took their seats.
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