Yu Yingxi is pregnant and has been pregnant for two and a half months.
Emperor Kangxi was not pleased with this. Instead of immediately going to Shufangzhai to visit Consort Yu, who was pregnant, he coldly remarked that Consort Yu was ignorant, having only reported her pregnancy two and a half months prior.
Xu Lejin lowered her head slightly, glanced at Kangxi out of the corner of her eye, and said softly, "Your Majesty, Consort Yu is pregnant. This is a great joy in the palace."
“It is understandable that Yu Ying is young and inexperienced, and was worried when she first became pregnant.”
Emperor Kangxi nodded calmly.
After a long silence, Kangxi spoke in a deep voice, "Since Lady Yu is fortunate to have conceived and become pregnant with the imperial heir, she shall be promoted to the rank of Attendant Gentleman of the Palace as a reward. Furthermore…"
"I also wish to bestow a title upon Consort Yu."
Xu Lejin smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty's consideration is excellent. Consort Yu has rendered meritorious service in bearing the imperial heir, so let the Imperial Household Department devise a title for her."
"Need not."
Emperor Kangxi laughed loudly and looked at Xu Lejin.
"Yu is merely promoted to the rank of Changzai, so there is no need for the Imperial Household Department to devise a title for her. Yu is unconventional in the palace and enjoys growing vegetables, which is quite interesting, so we bestow upon her the title 'Miao' (妙, meaning wonderful/exquisite)."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin smiled gently.
"Miao Changzai is a fine title; Your Majesty is wise."
Having received Kangxi's nod of approval, Li Dequan bowed and withdrew, then hurriedly went to Shufangzhai to convey Kangxi's imperial edict, promoting Lady Yu to the rank of Changzai and bestowing upon her the title 'Miao'.
Half an hour later
Liang Jiugong personally led Imperial Physician Xu from the Imperial Medical Academy to Yikun Palace to examine Xu Lejin's pulse.
Physician Xu knelt on the ground and carefully took Xu Lejin's pulse. After taking both of her hands, Physician Xu spoke with a solemn expression, "Your Majesty, Consort Yu is suspected to be pregnant, but it is still early and the pulse is not clear."
"..."
Xu Lejin looked surprised upon hearing this.
She had not been favored by the emperor for more than half a year until the beginning of this month, when, with the help of her daughter Unahi, she regained his favor.
From the moment he regained favor to now, it has only been half a month at most.
Emperor Kangxi laughed heartily and said repeatedly, "Good, good, good! Consort Yu's second pregnancy is a joyous occasion in the palace."
"Liang Jiugong, convey my decree: Consort Yu is pregnant. From this day forward, the monthly allowance for Yikun Palace will be doubled. Consort Yu will no longer need to visit the Empress's palace every morning and evening for her morning and evening greetings."
Xu Lejin glanced quickly at Kangxi, then lowered her head and pondered for a moment.
"Your Majesty, the imperial physicians have not yet confirmed my pregnancy; they only suspect I am pregnant."
"Your Majesty's favor is too great for me. As a concubine in the harem, it is my duty to visit the Empress's palace every morning and evening to pay my respects."
"Um."
Kangxi responded with a sound of agreement, then frowned and pondered.
After a short while, Kangxi instructed Liang Jiugong, "Since it is not yet certain whether Consort Yu is truly pregnant, the doubling of her monthly allowance will be temporarily suspended."
"Consort Yu is in poor health. By imperial decree, from this day forward, Consort Yu may pay her respects to the Empress every five days."
Liang Jiugong respectfully agreed.
Xu Lejin knelt down, curtsied, and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor. Long live the Emperor!"
Emperor Kangxi personally helped Xu Lejin up, his eyes filled with affection.
Night falls
Inside the Kunning Palace, the Empress was practicing calligraphy.
Caiyue entered the hall with a nervous expression, hesitant to speak.
The Empress put down the fine calligraphy brush in her hand and said in a deep voice, "You are an old servant of mine and know my rules. I do not like to be disturbed when I am practicing calligraphy."
"This servant knows, but..."
Caiyue lowered her head, her brows furrowed, deep in thought.
A moment later, Caiyue spoke softly, “Your Majesty, Consort Yu of Shufangzhai is pregnant and is already two and a half months along. The Emperor has decreed that Consort Yu be promoted to the rank of Changzai and given the title ‘Miao’.”
"In addition, Consort Yu of Yikun Palace is suspected to be half a month pregnant. The pregnancy is still in its early stages, and her pulse is not obvious."
The empress's hand froze, and her expression paused.
"Lady Yu is pregnant, this is a joyous occasion. The Emperor has promoted her rank and bestowed upon her a title. Consort Miao?"
"Well deserved, Mr. Yu is indeed a rare and wonderful person."
Changing the subject, the Empress added, "Consort Yu has always been fertile, so it's only natural that she would become pregnant. The imperial physician's conservative assessment is that she is suspected of being pregnant, which means she is already pregnant."
Caiyue lowered her head and respectfully replied, "Yes."
After a long silence, the Empress solemnly instructed, "Consort Miao is pregnant, and Consort Yu is pregnant; it's a double celebration in the palace. Caiyue, later you will personally deliver some rewards to Consort Miao and Consort Yu on my behalf."
"This servant obeys the order."
Caiyue bowed and withdrew. The Empress's gentle smile instantly turned into intense jealousy. She thought to herself, "Consort Yu is truly blessed. Four years ago, she gave birth to triplets, a boy and a girl, and last year she gave birth to the twelfth princess. Now, less than a year later, she is pregnant again."
Following Consort Rong, Consort Yu enjoyed great fortune in the palace.
Seattle, Yu, and Yufei have all become pregnant, but what about me?
Why had she not conceived yet? The imperial physician diagnosed that there was nothing wrong with her body.
Why haven't I been able to conceive for so many years?
The Empress was deeply troubled. Gazing out the window at the bright moonlight, she sat there blankly for the entire night. When she woke up the next morning, she had a splitting headache.
"Your Majesty, Your Highnesses, Her Majesty the Empress is unwell today. Please return home!"
Inside the main hall of Kunning Palace, Caiyue smiled and spoke to the concubines of the harem.
Xu Lejin's expression froze.
Consort Rong whispered to Consort Duan, who was sitting next to her, "Yesterday, two pieces of good news came from the palace. Consort Miao is pregnant, and Consort Yu is pregnant. Today, Her Majesty the Empress is feeling unwell."
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