The Mid-Autumn Festival, August 15th.
At the banquet, Emperor Kangxi and the Empress sat in the main seats, with a group of concubines and members of the imperial family below them.
The Empress glanced quickly at Kangxi, then turned to look at Caiyue, the palace maid serving beside her, and said in a deep voice, "What did the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager say?"
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager say they are not feeling well and will not be attending the banquet today."
Caiyue lowered her voice and reported softly.
The Empress nodded, looked at Kangxi and said softly, "Your Majesty, the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager are not feeling well today. They just sent someone to inform you that they will not be attending today's banquet."
Emperor Kangxi paused for a moment, then nodded slightly.
After several rounds of drinks, several performances of singing and dancing took place in the palace. Xu Lejin subtly gave Xuan Pin a wink, and the two were preparing to find an opportunity to slip out for some fresh air.
At this moment, Emperor Kangxi spoke.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Observatory has already determined an auspicious date yesterday. The 18th of next month is an auspicious date. I am considering that Your Majesty's investiture ceremony will be held on that day."
Upon hearing this, the Empress's face lit up with joy.
With the help of palace maids, the Empress rose gracefully, curtsied, and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will obey Your Majesty's decree. Long live the Emperor!"
Emperor Kangxi nodded and gestured for the Empress to rise.
On the royal family side, Prince Gong and Prince Chun exchanged a glance, then secretly looked towards the concubines in the harem, their eyes landing on Xu Lejin.
After hesitating for a moment, Prince Gong beckoned to a servant beside him and whispered a few words in the servant's ear.
A moment later, a servant whispered a few words to Prince Yu. Prince Yu, Fuquan, stood up, raised his wine cup, and toasted Emperor Kangxi from afar, saying, "Your Majesty, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for celebration throughout the palace. I would like to offer you a toast."
"Second brother, you're so thoughtful!"
Emperor Kangxi nodded slightly, raised his wine cup, and drank it all in one gulp.
Immediately afterwards, Kangxi looked towards the concubines, shifting his gaze from the empty seat of Consort Tong to Consort Xu and Consort Xuan in turn, and pondered for a moment.
"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a day of beautiful flowers and a full moon, a time for the whole palace to celebrate. I am thinking of adding to the joy. Among the concubines in the harem, there are many who are senior and have borne children for me, ensuring the continuation of the family line."
As soon as Kangxi finished speaking, all the concubines looked at him with delight and anticipation.
The Empress, whose position was above the Empress Dowager, frowned slightly, but spoke with a gentle smile, "What Your Majesty says is very true. The sisters in the harem should indeed be promoted in rank."
“Consort Nara, Consort Zhang, Consort Ma Jia, and others are all long-time servants of the Emperor, and they have also borne him princes and princesses.”
Emperor Kangxi gave the Empress a satisfied look.
Immediately afterwards, Kangxi gave Liang Jiugong a wink and said, "Liang Jiugong, read out the imperial edict!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Liang Jiugong respectfully agreed, and a moment later three eunuchs presented him with a bright yellow imperial edict.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I believe that governing the state is fundamental to managing the household and ensuring the prosperity of the six palaces. It is the duty of the Empress Dowager to assist her in governing and to provide for her with the four virtues. Having long served diligently within the inner palace, she is hereby promoted to a higher rank to enhance her virtue. Therefore, I hereby appoint you, Consort Tong, of the Tongjia clan, for your gentle and virtuous nature, your refined manners, and your skillful conduct in all matters of etiquette. Now, I hereby bestow upon you the title of Consort Gong. Respectfully yours."
After Liang Jiugong finished reading the imperial edict, no one knelt to receive it in the main hall because Consort Gong, of the Tongjia clan, was confined to Chengqian Palace.
Liang Jiugong handed the imperial edict to Li Dequan behind him, gave him a few instructions, and Li Dequan quickly left the Qianqing Palace and headed towards the inner palace.
Liang Jiugong continued reading the imperial edict.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, the Emperor, wish to extend blessings upon the palace and assist in the governance of the inner court, especially in those of virtuous and gentle character. I hereby bestow upon you the honor of being enshrined in rites and ceremonies, and grant you an official position within the inner palace. You, Consort Yu, of the Xu Mu'er clan, are virtuous and gentle, of prudent and wise conduct, and will forever uphold the Emperor's words, receiving the Emperor's favor and enjoying lasting blessings. Therefore, by the Empress Dowager's benevolent decree, you are hereby conferred the title of Consort Yu. Respectfully Your Majesty."
After the imperial edict was read aloud, Liang Jiugong, seeing that Xu Lejin had not received it for a long time, coughed twice and said:
"Your Highness, please receive the imperial decree."
Lianzhi and Ruhua, who were standing next to Xu Lejin, had happy expressions on their faces and whispered a reminder to Xu Lejin.
Xu Lejin suddenly realized what was happening, and quickly went to the center of the hall and knelt down, saying respectfully.
"Your Majesty, I, Xu Muershi, accept the imperial decree and kowtow to express my gratitude for Your Majesty's divine grace. Long live Your Majesty! ...!"
Emperor Kangxi, seated on the dragon throne, gazed at Xu Lejin with doting affection.
"Please rise, Consort Yu. There's no need for such formalities!"
If the Empress was pleased with the imperial decree that conferred the title of Consort Gong upon Tongjia, then the imperial decree that conferred the title of Consort Yu upon Xu Lejin was like falling into an ice cave.
With a stiff smile on her face, the Empress spoke softly, "Your Majesty, Consort Yu is so happy that she forgot to react just now."
Emperor Kangxi smiled but remained silent.
He gave Liang Jiugong a wink, and Liang Jiugong immediately read out the third imperial edict.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, deeming you worthy to assist the Empress Dowager in her duties within the palace, hereby bestow upon you a new rank, and urge you to diligently and cautiously serve within the palace. You, Consort Xuan, of the Borjigit clan, having been examined according to ancient precedents, possessing virtuous and gentle nature, adept at etiquette, and exemplary in conduct, are hereby appointed as Imperial Consort Xuan, in accordance with the Empress Dowager's benevolent decree. Respectfully Your Majesty."
When Consort Xuan was promoted to Imperial Concubine Xuan, the Empress, who held a higher position, almost lost her dignified demeanor.
Consort Xuan was taken aback for a moment, then bowed and stepped forward, kneeling down to kowtow and express her gratitude, saying, "Your Majesty, I, your concubine of the Borjigit clan, thank you for your divine grace. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress Dowager! Long live the Empress Dowager!"
The main hall of the Qianqing Palace was completely silent.
The concubines who were not granted a title turned pale, their faces filled with disappointment.
A moment later, the concubines in the Qianqing Palace rang out in unison, "We, your humble servants, congratulate Consort Yu and Consort Xuan! May Consort Yu and Consort Xuan be blessed with good fortune!"
Xu Lejin and Consort Xuan exchanged a glance, then smiled and told the other concubines to stand up.
Chengqian Palace
Upon receiving the news, Tong Jiaxianyu was overjoyed and dressed up in a dignified and gorgeous palace gown. She styled her hair in an exquisite bun and made Li Dequan wait in Chengqian Palace for almost half an hour before slowly appearing, supported by palace maids Xiangling and Xiangyun.
Unable to hide her joy, Tong Jiaxian knelt down to receive the imperial edict.
Li Dequan suppressed his anger and calmly read out the imperial edict conferring the title of Consort Gong upon Tongjia Xianyu. Upon hearing that she had been conferred the title of Consort Gong, Tongjia Xianyu's smile faltered.
"Eunuch Li, is there a mistake?"
The palace maid Xiangling, having received a signal from Tongjia Xianyu, smiled and asked Li Dequan.
Li Dequan glanced at Xiangling, then out of the corner of his eye looked at Tongjia Xianyu, whose face was full of expectation, and said respectfully, "Your Highness Consort Gong, there is no mistake. His Majesty has indeed conferred upon you the title of Consort Gong."
"Impossible, impossible!"
Upon hearing this, Tong Jiaxianyu nearly collapsed.
Why Consort Gong, and not Imperial Concubine Gui?
She was already Consort Tong, but this imperial decree only bestowed upon her a title, and it was 'Gong'?
Was her cousin, the Emperor, praising her gentle and respectful demeanor, or subtly implying that she wasn't obedient enough?
Li De's expression remained unchanged. He said calmly that he still had duties to perform before the Emperor, then got up and left Chengqian Palace, leaving Tong Jia Xianyu behind, staring at the bright yellow imperial edict with a face full of astonishment and disbelief.
After a cup of tea, the sound of Tongjia Xianyu crying came from Chengqian Palace.
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