Princess Yilm's entry into the palace and her registration under Empress Niohuru's name was a major event within the palace, and therefore the Imperial Household Department attached great importance to it. However, the Niohuru family outside the palace was completely baffled by the Empress's move.
The First-Class Duke's Mansion, Niohuru Family
The Empress's younger brother, Faka, the third son of Ebilun, inherited the title of First-Class Duke after his father Ebilun posthumously conferred the title of First-Class Duke upon the Empress.
With a solemn expression, Faka held a meeting in the main hall with his stepmother Bayara, his birth mother Shushu Gioro, and his wife, Gushan Gegege Fohe, the daughter of the imperial clan member Ayantu.
Muttering softly, Faka voiced his doubts, "What is the Empress's intention in adopting the eldest princess of Prince Gong's mansion?"
Gushan Gege Fuhe glanced quickly at her husband and two mothers-in-law, then lowered her head to think. She was an unfavored member of the imperial family. When she was still unmarried, she longed to be selected to enter the palace to be raised.
Now that the Empress has chosen the eldest daughter of Prince Gong's family to enter the palace, she understands the Empress's intentions to some extent after careful consideration. However, in front of her husband and two mothers-in-law, although she is a member of the imperial family and married into the Niohuru family, she is not favored and has no say.
Shushu Jueluo spoke softly, “Her Majesty the Empress has been in the palace for many years without ever conceiving. It is very good that she is raising the eldest daughter of Prince Gong’s mansion and enjoying the company of her children.”
There's a folk saying: "The older sister runs away with her younger brother." The Empress is raising Princess Irm, and perhaps it won't be long before she becomes pregnant and gives birth to a prince.
Upon hearing this, Faka nodded thoughtfully.
Beside her, seated with a solemn expression, Lady Bayara smiled disdainfully where no one could see, "That may be true, but Her Majesty the Empress is over twenty-five."
Changing the subject, Bayara glanced at Faka.
“I remember you, Faka, and the Empress, the third princess born of the same mother, are now sixteen years old. Sixteen years old is the age when you are as beautiful as a flower bud.”
"The Third Princess is young and fertile. If she can enter the palace to serve the Emperor, why should we worry about not giving birth to princes and princesses with the blood of our Niohuru family flowing through her veins?"
Faka fell into deep thought, while Shushujueluo glared angrily at Bayala.
With her head bowed and not uttering a word, Gushan Gegege Fuhe had a faint, cold smile on her lips, her heart filled with curiosity and anticipation for what was to come.
A faint smile appeared on the face of the middle-aged woman, Bayara, and she changed the subject, saying, "It's a pity that my fourth princess is only eleven years old now. Even if she enters the palace to share the burden of the Empress, she will have to wait four or five years."
"Although I am a second wife after three marriages, the Fourth Princess is ultimately a legitimate daughter of the principal wife."
Speechless and embarrassed, Bayara casually remarked, causing both Faka and Shushujueluo to change their expressions.
Yikun Palace
Consort Xuan, in a boisterous manner, pulled Xu Lejin aside and asked, "Consort Yu, why do you think Her Majesty the Empress suddenly adopted Princess Irmu, the eldest daughter of Prince Gong?"
“I went to Cining Palace and asked the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, but they wouldn’t tell me anything.”
Consort Xuan looked at Xu Lejin with a pitiful expression, her face full of grievance.
Xu Lejin shook her head helplessly, thinking to herself, "Is this girl from the grasslands, Consort Xuan, missing a screw in her head? How could she not understand such an obvious question?"
The Empress's adoption of Princess Irm was clearly not for her own good.
Clearing her throat, Xu Lejin spoke softly, "Sister Xuanfei, Her Majesty the Empress has been in the palace for many years without having any children. Now, by adopting Princess Irm, she has achieved two goals at once."
"Firstly, Her Majesty the Empress now has a princess, so she will no longer be criticized for not having children. After all, an adopted daughter is still a daughter and is listed in the royal family genealogy. Secondly, Princess Irm is the eldest daughter of Prince Gong. Prince Gong's primary wife only has one son and no daughters."
"Sister Yufei, something's not right!"
Consort Xuan interrupted Xu Lejin and said slyly, "Sister Consort Yu, Prince Gong's mansion has six daughters, and the fourth daughter is the daughter of your own sister, Consort Xu."
"In terms of lineage, she should be the fourth daughter of Consort Xu, whose status is more noble. After all, the daughter of a consort is second only to the daughter of the principal wife. If Her Majesty the Empress were to adopt a daughter, she should be the fourth daughter of Prince Gong, born to Consort Xu, not the eldest daughter of a concubine, right?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin's head began to throb.
How could she explain this to Consort Xuan? Although her second sister was a concubine of Prince Gong and gave birth to his fourth daughter, she was his full sister.
The Empress has always disliked her, disliked that she has both a son and a daughter, and would never adopt the fourth daughter of Prince Gong's mansion, born to her second sister.
Gritting her teeth, Xu Lejin broke things down and explained them to Consort Xuan in detail. Consort Xuan listened quietly, which made Xu Lejin vaguely recall the scene in her previous life when she was young and teaching her ignorant daughter.
One hour later
After seeing off the curious Consort Xuan, Xu Lejin sat there listlessly, feeling utterly hopeless.
"Consort Xuan is simple, lively, and kind-hearted. Although she has been in the palace for more than a year, she is still ignorant about many things. It is kind of you, Consort Xuan, to teach her with such care."
Lianzhi carefully considered her words before speaking softly.
Xu Lejin wore a faint smile and said, "It would be wonderful if Consort Xuan could maintain this innocence and kindness. Although many of her problems leave me speechless, I am actually enjoying them."
“Life in the palace is dull and boring. Bao Shou, Wu Xiha, and Wu Naxi are cared for by Chunhua, Qiuyan, and their wet nurses in the Prince’s Palace. Wu Youdai is in Cining Palace, where she is personally raised by the Empress Dowager. I can visit them and keep them company when I miss them. I don’t need to worry too much about their upbringing.”
"Consort Xuan is pure and kind. Although she is nominally my sister who serves the Emperor, she sometimes feels more like my child."
After saying that, Xu Lejin couldn't help but laugh out loud.
As Kangxi stepped into Yikun Palace, he happened to hear Xu Lejin's silvery laughter.
With a teasing look in his eyes, Kangxi looked at Xu Lejin and said affectionately, "My dear consort, you have such a leisurely and elegant mood. What are you laughing at? I heard your laughter even when I was still outside the palace."
Xu Lejin was stunned for a moment, then quickly stood up with the help of Lianzhi and Ruhua, and curtsied.
"Your Majesty, I wish you a long and peaceful life."
After a quick moment of thought, Xu Lejin said softly, "Your Majesty, I wasn't laughing at anything. I just suddenly thought of something interesting. What brings Your Majesty to my palace today?"
"Your Majesty didn't even send someone to inform me beforehand. Your Majesty, I was ready to welcome you."
Emperor Kangxi helped Xu Lejin up and spoke in a loud voice.
"On a whim, I came to stroll around the inner palace. As I passed by your palace, I happened to hear your laughter, so I thought I'd come in and see you. After not seeing you for a few days, my beloved consort has become even more captivating."
Xu Lejin gave Kangxi a coquettish look, her face flushed.
"His Majesty is always good at teasing his concubines."
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