Xianfu Palace
Imperial Concubine, E.
At this time, Emperor Kangxi's decree had not yet reached Xianfu Palace, so Consort Xuan was still Consort Xuan and did not know that she had been promoted to Imperial Noble Consort!
Consort Xuan's face was ugly. She clutched the handkerchief in her hand tightly and said through gritted teeth, "Consort Yu? The Emperor went to Consort Yu's palace for dinner again."
"The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager sent a message to me early this morning, suggesting that His Majesty appoint me as a Noble Consort. His Majesty hesitated, and now he has rushed to Consort Yu's palace."
"Having dinner is just an excuse; the real reason His Majesty is in such a hurry is to appease Consort Yu!"
Lingyan and Lingrou, who were serving Consort Xuan, kept their heads down and dared not utter a sound.
They had served Consort Xuan since childhood and knew her true nature; she was not the innocent, lively, and kind-hearted person she appeared to be in public.
In public, Consort Xuan habitually used innocence as a disguise.
But behind closed doors, he becomes a different person.
Immediately afterward, Consort Xuan spoke coldly, "I have always been on good terms with her, but what about her? She clearly possesses the secret formula for conceiving a child, yet she refuses to share it with me. All these past two years, I've wasted my time calling her 'sister'."
"I come from the Khorchin, a noble family. She is a lowly palace maid. If it weren't for her good fertility and usefulness, I would lower myself to call her 'elder sister.'"
"Ungrateful."
Lingyan and Lingrou exchanged a glance, wishing they could disappear into the ground.
At this moment, the head maid of Xianfu Palace bowed and entered the hall to report that Liang Jiugong, who served the emperor, had arrived.
Upon hearing this, Consort Xuan immediately adopted a weak and delicate demeanor, as if she had not yet recovered from the grief of losing her child due to miscarriage. With the help of Lingyan and Lingrou, she stood up.
"Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness!"
Liang Jiugong smiled broadly and bowed to Consort Xuan.
Consort Xuan was taken aback, secretly delighted, but feigning ignorance, she looked at Liang Jiugong and said, "Eunuch Liang, are you mistaken? I am only a Consort, not a Noble Consort."
"That's right, that's right."
Liang Jiugong smiled and said, "This servant has come at this time on the Emperor's orders to deliver an imperial decree. Your Highness, please receive the decree."
Consort Xuan quickly half-squatted down.
"By imperial decree, Consort Xuan of Xianfu Palace, of the Borjigit clan, is of noble birth, gentle and virtuous, and of outstanding character. By the grace of the Empress Dowager, she is hereby promoted to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort. So be it."
Consort Xuan was overjoyed and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness. I thank the Empress Dowager. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress Dowager!"
After announcing Emperor Kangxi's decree, Liang Jiugong did not linger.
After seeing Liang Jiugong off, the Imperial Concubine looked up, unable to hide her joy. Supported by Lingyan and Lingrou, she returned to her bedchamber and said, "I am now an Imperial Concubine, personally appointed by the Emperor."
“In the past, Consort Yu and I were both consorts. Consort Yu was older, and I always called her ‘elder sister.’ Now I finally don’t have to call her ‘elder sister’ anymore.”
Lingyan smiled and stepped forward to pour a cup of tea.
"Your Majesty is absolutely right. Now, when Consort Yu sees Your Majesty, she must respectfully address you as Noble Consort and pay her respects."
"Um."
The Imperial Concubine glanced at Lingyan haughtily, "You're right. Now that she's calling me 'I'm the Empress' and wants to bow to me, I'm truly delighted."
"After all this time, I am finally a Noble Consort. Now I am just waiting for the Empress to pass away, and then I will be the first among the consorts. I have no children and it is difficult for me to conceive, but so what?"
"Once I become Empress, all the princes and princesses in the palace will have to call me Empress Mother."
The Imperial Concubine's words became increasingly outrageous.
Lingyan opened her mouth to offer some advice, but was stopped by the maid Lingrou beside her. The two maids lowered their heads slightly, their eyes constantly flickering.
The news of Emperor Kangxi's investiture of Consort Gui spread throughout the six palaces, east and west, early the next morning.
The news reached the ears of the bedridden empress.
The empress lay weakly, her withered hands gripping the bedding tightly. Her face was pale and sallow. Suddenly, she vomited a mouthful of blood.
Immediately afterwards, the empress closed her eyes and fainted.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
"Lianxing, quickly go and fetch the imperial physician, quickly fetch the imperial physician."
"Yinshuang, Hongxia, quickly go and report to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager that the Empress has vomited blood and fainted!"
Kunning Palace immediately sprang into action, with Caiyue issuing orders in an orderly fashion.
An hour later, Emperor Kangxi, the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and all the concubines in the harem gathered at Kunning Palace. The Empress, who was on her sickbed, slowly woke up. Under the full treatment of the imperial physicians, her complexion gradually became rosy and she regained her spirits.
Xu Lejin glanced quickly at the Empress out of the corner of her eye, knowing that the Empress was experiencing a final burst of energy before death.
"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, your humble servant..."
"Your Majesty, I am unfortunate. After serving as Empress for more than half a year, my health has deteriorated, and I have fallen ill and am unable to recover. I am ashamed of the trust and reliance placed upon me by Your Majesty, the Grand Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager."
With great effort, the Empress sat up.
"Your Majesty, I entered the palace at the age of thirteen. To be fortunate enough to become your Empress is a blessing I have accumulated over many lifetimes. I am now completely content."
The Empress coughed violently twice, and the bright red blood on her handkerchief was so glaring.
"Your Majesty's only regret is that I have not borne you any children. Fortunately, Your Majesty is so kind as to allow me to raise Irm."
"Your Majesty, I am about to die. I implore you to treat Irm well."
The Empress's heartfelt words moved all the concubines in the harem.
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