February came to a quick end, and the concubines in the palace changed out of their heavy winter clothes and put on spring clothes.
The light spring attire perfectly accentuated the concubines' waistlines.
Consort Rong had given birth six times in a row, and her waist had more than doubled in size. Now, when she saw the young concubine, her waist was slender and her eyes looked like they were filled with poison.
The young ladies-in-waiting and palace maids in Zhongcui Palace were filled with resentment towards Consort Rong due to her jealousy.
The young ladies, Consort Se and Consort Qing, were only fifteen or sixteen years old, in the prime of their youth. They watched as the other concubines, with their slender waists and graceful movements, walked with captivating charm, while Consort Rong forced them to wear only loose-fitting qipaos.
Ru Hua quietly reported the recent situation of Zhong Cui Palace to Xu Lejin.
Xu Lejin chuckled and said, "Consort Rong is really interesting. Last year she was fond of gold and silver jewelry and worked hard to fill her own pockets. This year she even asked the ladies of the Qingguan Palace to wear loose-fitting qipaos."
"Poor Consort Se and Consort Qing, recommended by Consort Rong to serve the Emperor, hoping to gain the Emperor's favor and bring glory to their ancestors, she was at the age of budding beauty and slender waist."
Lianzhi lowered her head, suppressing a laugh.
In early March, the peach blossoms in the palace were in bud, making it the perfect time for spring outings. The young concubines came and went in an endless stream every day in the Imperial Garden.
A nobleman admires flowers, a concubine chases butterflies in the imperial garden, or a young lady or palace maid flies a kite.
The plays performed in the Imperial Garden were a daily occurrence, one after another.
That day, in the evening
Ru Hua lowered her head and quickly walked into the hall. She bowed to Xu Lejin and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has recently been very fond of the newly appointed Consort Yu. He has summoned Consort Yu to serve him in bed for three consecutive days."
Xu Lejin paused for a moment.
“Consort Yu? I don’t recall having a concubine named Consort Yu in the harem.”
Ru Hua pondered for a moment, then spoke in a low voice, “Your Majesty, Consort Yu was a lowly palace maid in the Imperial Garden. She was promoted to Lady of the Palace a few days ago, and yesterday she was promoted to Consort.”
“In the palace, Consort Yu was different from the other concubines. The other concubines read books, played the zither, sang, or at the very least did needlework or flew kites. But Consort Yu liked to farm.”
"I have heard that in the Shufangzhai where Consort Yu lives, half of the courtyard has been set up. Consort Yu has built a shed, covered it with felt, and planted all kinds of vegetables. Consort Yu spends most of her time working in the fields every day."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin felt a surge of interest.
"Truly exceptional. Among the concubines in the palace, it is rare to find one who is so unique. No wonder the Emperor likes her."
"After some time, the Emperor will be very happy to eat the vegetables that Consort Yu personally grew."
Ru Hua's head is bowed, which should be the case.
Xu Lejin changed the subject and said, "I remember that when Consort Yu first received the Emperor's favor, the Emperor sent someone to the Empress's palace to inform her that Consort Yu was exempt from the morning and evening greetings."
"Your Majesty has a good memory, that is indeed the case."
Ru Hua quickly looked up, glanced at Xu Lejin, and whispered her reply.
A few days later
The Empress sat on her throne, turned her head to look at the palace maid Caiyue beside her, and asked in a deep voice, "Consort Yu, have you still not come to pay your respects to me today?"
"Your Majesty, Consort Yu has sent someone to report that she is feeling unwell."
Caiyue replied in a low voice. Although the Empress's face remained dignified, composed, gentle, and virtuous, her eyes were filled with gloom, and her hands clenched involuntarily.
After drinking half a cup of tea, the Empress smiled gracefully.
"My dear sisters, I'm afraid we won't be able to see Consort Yu today. Like you all, I'm also extremely curious about what kind of wonderful person Consort Yu is, that she has won the Emperor's favor so much."
Xu Lejin and Consort Xuan smiled faintly and remained silent.
Consort Hui, Consort Rong, and others frowned and pondered.
Consort Xi covered her mouth and chuckled, "Her Majesty the Empress is kind and generous, and doesn't hold a grudge against Consort Yu. But Consort Yu is too ignorant of etiquette, relying on the Emperor's favor, and has been slow to come and pay her respects to Her Majesty the Empress."
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, Your Majesty should send someone to invite Consort Yu."
The Empress's expression darkened slightly.
After a long while, the Empress looked at Xu Lejin and Consort Xuan and said, "Consort Yu, Consort Xuan, Consort Yu has been slow to come to my palace to pay her respects. What do you think of this matter?"
Xu Lejin considered for a moment, then smiled and spoke.
"Your Majesty, since Consort Yu is unwell, in my opinion, we should let it go."
"Once Consort Yu has recovered, she will naturally come to pay her respects to Your Majesty the Empress."
Consort Xuan followed closely behind Xu Lejin and said, "Your Majesty, I also think this is the best way."
The visit to Kunning Palace ended unhappily.
Yu Ying continued to be an enigmatic figure in the palace. Although Emperor Kangxi would also summon other concubines to his harem, he would visit Shufangzhai every five or six days.
Late April
Emperor Kangxi had not set foot in Yikun Palace for half a year.
Lianzhi, Ruhua, and others were inevitably anxious, and the palace maids and eunuchs serving in Yikun Palace also began to neglect and become lazy.
That day, Ru Hua entered the hall in a huff.
“Your Majesty, they’ve gone too far. Seeing that His Majesty hasn’t visited our Yikun Palace in a long time, they’ve become lazy and sluggish in their work. When I scolded them a few times, they took the blame and made up all sorts of excuses to get away with it.”
"Your Majesty, please think of a solution quickly, this cannot continue."
Xu Lejin remained calm, put down the half-embroidered garment in her hands, and said softly, "Isn't this just right? True feelings are revealed in times of trouble."
"In the Yikun Palace, it is now clear who is loyal, who is a fence-sitter, and who sways to both sides."
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