The Empress paused for a moment, her eyes revealing undisguised schadenfreude.
Lady Dong and Lady Zhaojia exchanged a glance, then lowered their heads to look at the floor, their eyes involuntarily glancing towards the side hall. Their hearts were itching with curiosity, eager to know whether Consort Ma Jia was carrying a prince or a princess.
The palace maid of Consort Ma Jia opened her eyes wide in fear, her eyeballs darting around.
After a long silence, the Empress spoke in a deep voice, “Rumors are not to be believed. I have heard that Consort Ma’s unborn child has a strong and powerful pulse, and is most likely a healthy little prince.”
“Even if Consort Ma Jia is carrying a princess, she will still be of the Emperor’s blood, a royal princess of the highest rank and greatest honor.”
The Empress gave Xu Lejin a meaningful look, her eyes grave, and continued, "As a concubine of the harem, Consort Xu has followed the crowd blindly, which is an even greater offense. I hereby confine Consort Xu to Yikun Palace for one month..."
Why did the Empress punish Lady Xu?
Emperor Kangxi arrived before he did, but his voice preceded his arrival.
The Empress swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue, glared fiercely at Xu Lejin, and bowed to Emperor Kangxi, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
"Why is Your Majesty in the inner palace at this hour?"
Kangxi glanced at the Empress.
"I was passing through the Imperial Garden when I heard that Lady Ma Jia had gone through a miscarriage, so I came to check on her. Empress, how is Lady Ma Jia's unborn child? Just now outside Zhongcui Palace, I heard that the Empress had punished Lady Xu by confining her to her quarters for a month. What offense did Lady Xu commit?"
The Empress looked up, glanced quickly at Kangxi, and carefully chose her words, saying, "Your Majesty, it's related to Consort Ma Jia's miscarriage..."
In a concise manner, the Empress reported the cause and course of events to Emperor Kangxi.
Emperor Kangxi frowned, glanced at Xu Lejin, and then said in a cold voice, "Although the Empress's handling of the matter was somewhat biased and generalized, it was not unfair to Xu for the sake of the imperial heirs."
"Ma Jia, since you are out of danger, Xu will be confined to Yikun Palace for a month to pray for the health of the dragon child in your womb. That will be enough. As for the punishment of copying the 'Palace Rules,' let it go!"
The Empress was displeased, but she had no choice but to shut her mouth because of Emperor Kangxi's word. Once the Emperor had spoken, he could not take it back.
Xu Lejin respectfully replied, "Yes."
Consort Zhao Jia and Consort Dong, who were standing to the side with their eyes lowered, exchanged a glance, then lowered their eyes again and remained silent in contemplation.
After pondering for a moment, Emperor Kangxi looked at the Empress with gentle eyes and said, "The Empress is pregnant, and the imperial heir is of utmost importance. In the harem, the only ones in high positions are Niohuru of Chuxiu Palace and Tongjia of Chengqian Palace."
"The Tongjia clan of Chengqian Palace has committed a transgression and is confined to her quarters for three months. For trivial matters in the inner palace, the Empress may instruct the Niohuru clan of Chuxiu Palace to assist."
Xu Lejin looked up, glanced at Kangxi, then lowered her head and smiled.
Upon hearing this, the Empress's face darkened, and she forced a bitter smile. "Yes, Your Majesty, I obey your command."
“Sister Niohuru is so thoughtful and meticulous. I have been thinking for a long time about having Sister Niohuru share some of my palace duties, but I haven’t had the chance to ask Your Majesty for help.”
Kangxi nodded and responded.
Consort Zhaojia and Consort Dong looked down at their toes, secretly happy for Niohuru of Chuxiu Palace.
Consort Zhaojia, Consort Dong, and Consort Majia all depend on the Niohuru clan. Although the Niohuru clan now holds power in the palace and it has no direct connection to them, they will still benefit from it in the long run.
Just then, a gentle voice rang out.
"This humble servant greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
Looking in the direction of the sound, the person who came was Nara, a concubine of Yanxi Palace.
Emperor Kangxi spoke in a deep voice, "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Consort Nara blushed with shyness, her captivating phoenix eyes sparkling as she gazed at Emperor Kangxi, her eyes filled with adoration.
The moment Xu Lejin slightly raised her eyes, she clearly saw the love in Nara Consort's eyes.
With a slight upturn of her lips, Xu Lejin revealed a cold smile that seemed to say, "So that's how it is!"
Consort Nara is madly in love with Emperor Kangxi, which is why she stopped the Phoenix Spring Grace carriage last night on her way to the Qianqing Palace to serve him, and did something so improper.
It's just a pity...
Consort Nara was in love with Emperor Kangxi, but he never even gave her a second glance.
The Empress waited a long time for Consort Nara to pay her respects, and her face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip from it. She looked at Consort Nara and just happened to see Consort Nara winking at Emperor Kangxi.
Anger surged within her, but the Empress suppressed it and spoke in a deep voice, "Why does Consort Nara have time to come to Zhongcui Palace instead of tending to the flowers and plants in Yanxi Palace?"
Xu Lejin was taken aback upon hearing this.
Consort Dong and Consort Zhaojia covered their mouths and lowered their heads to suppress their laughter.
Consort Nara hesitated for a moment before speaking respectfully. "Your Majesty the Empress, I heard that Sister Ma Jia had suffered a miscarriage, and I was worried, so I came to Zhongcui Palace to visit her. I did not expect that His Majesty the Emperor, Your Majesty the Empress, and Sister Xu were all in Zhongcui Palace."
After saying that, Consort Nara nervously rubbed the hem of her clothes.
Xu Lejin suddenly realized what the Empress meant. Before gaining the Emperor's favor, Consort Nara had been tending to the flowers and plants in the Imperial Garden. The Empress's words today were a reminder to Consort Nara not to forget her status.
Emperor Kangxi glanced at the Empress meaningfully and remained silent.
The Empress smiled and said, "That Concubine Nara has always stayed in Yanxi Palace, quiet and unassuming, not associating with the other concubines. Has the sun risen in the west now?"
"Nala Consort, since you have the leisure to come to Zhongcui Palace to inquire about Consort Ma Jia's unborn child?"
The jealousy in the Empress's words could be smelled from a distance.
Kangxi frowned, glancing displeasedly at the Empress, who remained oblivious, continuing to speak as if nothing had happened. "That concubine has always been content with having a son, the Fifth Prince Baoqing. Yesterday..."
The Empress then turned to look at Emperor Kangxi.
"Your Majesty, I heard that yesterday, when Consort Xu was serving the Emperor, her carriage, the Phoenix Spring Grace, passed through the long street. Consort Xu stopped the carriage and asked the bedchamber maids to properly instruct her on the proper etiquette for serving the Emperor."
After speaking, the Empress looked at Xu Lejin.
Xu Lejin lowered her head, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the ground.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi paused for a moment, then subconsciously looked at Xu Lejin.
Consort Nara's face turned pale, and she staggered a few steps. With the help of a palace maid, she managed to stand up and looked at the Empress with tears in her eyes. "Your Majesty, this concubine is only worried that Sister Xu is not familiar with the rules of serving the Emperor for the first time."
"This servant meant no harm!"
The Empress's lips curled up, revealing a mysterious smile.
Kangxi looked at Xu Lejin and said in a deep voice, "Xu? Is this really true?"
"Your Majesty, yesterday I rode in the Phoenix Spring Grace Carriage to the Qianqing Palace to serve you. There was indeed someone who stopped the carriage on the way, but I don't know if the person who stopped the carriage was Sister Nara."
Xu Lejin replied respectfully.
After a moment's hesitation, she said softly, "Judging from the voice, it seems to sound a lot like Sister Nara..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
