Wang Jia, a concubine, served the emperor, but her favor was fleeting.
Kangxi continued to summon his concubines to his bedchamber, and every few days he would go to Yikun Palace to dine with Xu Lejin. Kangxi's words revealed that he did not like the newly entered concubine Wang Jia.
In fact, Emperor Kangxi subtly indicated that Consort Wang Jia was too docile and did not resemble a Manchu or Mongol lady-in-waiting, nor a concubine who was originally a palace maid.
Beneath her gentleness and tenderness lies a restraint and aloofness.
In short, Kangxi felt extremely uncomfortable being with Consort Wang Jia.
On this day, Consort Xuan came to visit Yikun Palace.
"Sister Yu Pin, have you heard? The Emperor is going to make Consort Zhao the Empress. Now, when the concubines go to Chuxiu Palace to pay their respects every day, Consort Zhao always comes out right on time, keeping a high and mighty air about her."
Consort Xuan rested her chin on her hand and spoke in a depressed tone.
Xu Lejin smiled gently and said softly, "Consort Zhao is the daughter of a regent minister and comes from a noble family. If it weren't for the death of Lord Ebilun three years ago, Consort Zhao would already be the Empress."
"Now that Lord Ebilun's three-year mourning period has ended, it is only natural that His Majesty should appoint Consort Zhao as the new Empress."
Consort Xuan nodded slightly.
“What Consort Yu said is very true.”
"I heard from the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager that when the Emperor appoints Consort Zhao as the new Empress, he should also promote the concubines in the harem who have borne him children."
Consort Xuan paused for a moment, then continued, "Consort Yu, you are truly blessed. You have already given birth to the Emperor's sixth son, eighth daughter, and ninth daughter, and now you are pregnant with your third child."
"If Consort Yu is carrying a prince, then she will undoubtedly be promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine above the rank of Consort."
Xuan Pin winked playfully at Xu Lejin, her face beaming with smiles. "Sister Yu Pin, I'm here to congratulate you on the birth of your son and your promotion to the rank of Consort."
Xu Lejin's expression was indifferent.
"Thank you for your kind words, Consort Xuan. I also hope that the child in my womb will be a prince. But as for being promoted to the rank of Consort? I come from a humble background. To be granted the rank of Consort is already an immense favor. The rank of Consort..."
"As for the rank of Consort, only Consort Xuan's younger sister or other virtuous and talented women in the palace can hold it."
Consort Xuan sighed softly and remained silent in thought.
Xu Lejin glanced at Consort Xuan out of the corner of her eye, guessing that Consort Xuan's words today were not unfounded. Although Consort Xuan came from Mongolia and was innocent and carefree, she was not stupid.
Consort Xuan came to Yikun Palace today and said these words to me. She was most likely trying to find out what I was thinking.
June arrived as scheduled.
The lotus flowers in the Imperial Garden are in bloom. The emerald green lotus leaves and white and pink lotus flowers are vying for beauty. After paying their respects each day, the concubines in the harem would go to the Imperial Garden in groups of three or five to admire the lotus flowers.
Over time, the Imperial Garden became a major spot for the concubines to vie for the emperor's favor.
The weather was hot and humid, so Xu Lejin stayed in Yikun Palace to rest and recuperate. Listening to Ruhua and Ziwu's soft reports, she would occasionally sigh to herself that there were many concubines in the palace, vying for beauty and talent, and that Kangxi was young and vigorous.
Although Emperor Kangxi was known for his romantic escapades, he always had limits and a sense of propriety.
Sometimes, Xu Lejin would think that if her soul were in her early twenties, an age when she loved romance, she probably would have been unable to resist falling for Kangxi.
After all, who wouldn't love a chosen one of heaven, an emperor of noble status?
It's a pity that although she has acquired a young and delicate body, her heart is no longer that of a young girl who craves romance and love.
Now, I am very at peace with myself; I am fortunate to have gained something and I accept my fate to lose it.
If Emperor Kangxi was willing to come to Yikun Palace, she would serve him well; if he did not come, she would quietly stay with her children, live a simple and peaceful life, and protect them so that they could grow up safely and healthily.
Xu Lejin thought to herself, the Qianqing Palace,
Emperor Kangxi was reviewing memorials when his nose started to itch. He couldn't help but sneeze, thinking to himself, "Why did I suddenly sneeze? I feel perfectly fine."
"emperor,"
Liang Jiugong knelt down respectfully, wondering if Kangxi had caught a cold and if too much ice had been added.
Kangxi waved his hand, stood up, and strolled to the outside of the Qianqing Palace. Standing under the corridor, he spoke loudly, "I'm fine. Liang Jiugong, what do you think about the matter that the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager mentioned a few days ago regarding the appointment of Consort Zhao as Empress and the establishment of ranks in the harem?"
Liang Jiugong's heart skipped a beat.
Slowly raising his head, Liang Jiugong glanced at Kangxi with trepidation before quickly lowering his head again.
"Your Majesty, this servant is foolish and dares not speak presumptuously about matters of the harem. Consort Zhao has been in charge of the palace for three years. Consort Yu has been working hard to bear Your Majesty's heir. Consort Xuan comes from Mongolia. The concubines are all serving Your Majesty dutifully and are all excellent."
Emperor Kangxi nodded thoughtfully.
On a summer day, a cool breeze blew by, lifting the hem of Kangxi's robe. Kangxi laughed heartily. "Among the concubines in the palace, apart from Lady Majia, Consort Yu has borne me the most children."
“Ma Jia used to be a good person, but she has become increasingly confused in recent years.”
Liang Jiugong lowered his head and remained silent.
That day, in the afternoon
Ru Hua hurriedly returned from outside Yikun Palace, and with a solemn expression, she respectfully reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, Consort Wanyan from Changchun Palace next door has gone today."
Xu Lejin was stunned for a moment.
"I remember that after Consort Wanyan miscarried, her health was never good. A few days ago, the weather was hot and Consort Wanyan suffered from summer heat. She informed Consort Zhao and took good care of herself in Changchun Palace."
Ru Hua nodded slightly and said, "Your Majesty, that is indeed the case."
"Consort Wanyan has been bedridden for two months, and her condition fluctuates. A few days ago, I met Shuyue, who serves Consort Wanyan, and we chatted for a bit. Shuyue told me that Consort Wanyan has been depressed and ill since her miscarriage years ago, and she has been contemplating suicide."
"Okay. Got it."
Xu Lejin responded softly, then sighed softly, "Beauty fades with time, flowers bloom and wither, all things must come to an end. When Consort Wanyan first entered the palace, she was such a bright and beautiful woman."
"Now, in this palace, after only six years, she has passed away."
After speaking, Xu Lejin looked at him with pity, staring blankly out the window at the wilted flowers and plants under the scorching sun, feeling a pang of regret and sorrow.
Time flies, and she has been in the Qing Dynasty for almost four years, becoming one of Emperor Kangxi's concubines!
Over the course of four years, young and beautiful women came and went in the palace, some dying of illness, others murdered, and in the end, only a few remained...
Lianzhi and Ruhua exchanged a glance and softly comforted her, "Your Majesty, you are carrying the imperial child. The imperial physician advised you to avoid overthinking. The deceased is gone, and Consort Wanyan is now gone, which can be considered as being freed from the torment of illness."
"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, and Your Majesty, if they knew that Your Highness was worrying so much during your pregnancy, they would certainly be unhappy."
Xu Lejin nodded gently and murmured softly.
"That's always been the case in the palace. Concubines come and go in waves. I just feel sorry for Concubine Wanyan, who died so young."
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