Emperor Kangxi decreed that during the mourning period for Empress Xiaozhao, of the Niohuru clan, no imperial concubine or empress should be appointed in the harem.
Consort Borjigit's dreams of becoming Empress and Imperial Noble Consort were shattered, leaving her extremely unhappy.
Overwhelmed with sorrow, the Imperial Concubine fell ill and was bedridden.
"Your Majesty, news has come from the Imperial Concubine's palace that she has just recovered from her confinement and has fallen ill due to overwork caused by the Empress's funeral."
Ru Hua jogged into the hall and reported to Xu Lejin in a low voice.
Xu Lejin frowned, tapping her fingers rhythmically on the table. After a long while, she said softly, "No matter what the reason is for the Imperial Concubine's illness, we can only claim to the outside world that she is overworked."
"During the Empress's mourning period, the Emperor has already issued an edict not to establish a new Imperial Noble Consort or Empress for the time being. Even though the Imperial Noble Consort is the highest-ranking woman in the palace, she cannot spread any rumors or gossip at this time that express dissatisfaction with the Emperor's or the Empress Dowager's decision."
Ru Hua lowered her head and spoke respectfully.
"Your Majesty is absolutely right."
With the Imperial Concubine falling ill in bed, all affairs of the harem, large and small, were temporarily entrusted to Consort Hui, Consort Jing, Consort An, and Consort Yi.
For a time, Yanxi Palace, Yonghe Palace, Qixiang Palace, and Yongshou Palace were bustling with visitors, their popularity subtly overshadowing Xu Lejin's Yikun Palace.
In Yanxi Palace
Consort Hui sat upright in the main seat, while Noble Lady Zhi, Noble Lady Lan, and Consort Shou sat respectfully on her left and right sides, their faces full of flattery, eagerly trying to please her.
"Your Majesty, now that the Imperial Concubine is seriously ill, Your Majesty, together with Consort Jing, Consort An, and Consort Yi, will assist in managing the six palaces. Your Majesty also has a second prince under your wing, so Your Majesty will surely be promoted to the rank of Consort and Imperial Concubine in the future."
With the help of a palace maid, Consort Zhi stood up and bowed deeply to Consort Hui, saying, "This humble servant congratulates Your Highness in advance and wishes Your Highness a speedy attainment of the rank of Consort and then Imperial Noble Consort."
"Please rise, esteemed sir; there is no need for such formalities."
Consort Hui looked on with longing for the days to come as a concubine and then a noble consort, and gently gestured for Noble Lady Zhi to rise.
Changing the subject, Consort Hui's gaze fell on Noble Lady Zhi's belly, and she asked softly, "Is the imperial fetus in Noble Lady Zhi's womb all right?"
"Although this pregnancy was diagnosed during the Empress's mourning period, you were conceived before the Empress passed away. The Emperor knows, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager are all aware of it."
"Ignore the rumors in the palace. They're just jealous that you're pregnant with the emperor's child."
Consort Zhi lowered her head, looking at her belly which was not yet showing, and placed her hands on her lower abdomen. She said respectfully, "Yes, Your Highness, I will follow your teachings and carefully nurture the dragon child in my womb so that we can give birth to a younger brother for our Second Prince and Tenth Princess."
"Um."
A sharp glint flashed across Consort Hui's face as she gave a soft reply.
After a cup of tea, Consort Hui watched the disappearing figures of Noble Lady Zhi, Noble Lady Lan, and Consort Shou, and her face immediately darkened. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists tightly.
The palace maid Cunxin glanced quickly at Consort Hui, then lowered her head and whispered, "Your Majesty, Consort Zhi is currently pregnant, but only two months along. Her unborn child may not necessarily be a prince."
"Your Majesty, your second son is already seven years old. Even if Consort Zhi's child is a prince, he is still not as good as our second son."
Consort Hui's eyes were gloomy.
"Last time, Consort Zhi was certain her baby would be a prince, but it turned out to be a princess. This time..."
After a pause, Consort Hui said in a deep voice, "What angers me is not that Consort Zhi is pregnant and that the child in her womb is a prince or a princess, but that Consort Zhi started trembling as soon as she became pregnant."
"They keep calling me 'prince' without even realizing it, aren't they afraid of biting their tongues?"
Cunxin lowered her head slightly, pondered for a moment, and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, a woman's pregnancy lasts ten months. Consort Zhi is currently pregnant, but it has only been two months. Who knows what might happen in the remaining eight months?"
"If Your Majesty is not pleased that Consort Zhi is pregnant and gives birth to a prince or princess, you may simply leave it alone."
"Without the Empress's protection, Consort Zhi is foolish and may not be able to protect the imperial fetus in her womb."
After saying that, Cunxin lowered her head and looked at her toes.
Consort Hui snorted coldly and said, "No, Consort Zhi is my cousin after all. Her child will be an asset to me and my second prince in the future. I will ensure that her imperial heir is born safely."
"Your Majesty is wise."
A glint of light flashed quickly in Cunxin's lowered eyes, followed by a soft compliment.
Yonghe Palace
Consort Jing looked bitter, staring down at her unresponsive belly, and muttered to herself.
"I have been in the palace for over a year, and I have only served the emperor a handful of times. Although His Majesty bestowed upon me the title of Consort because my mother was from the Khorchin, however..."
"There's nothing I can do if the Emperor doesn't like me."
With a sorrowful expression, Consort Jing sighed softly and said in a low voice, "I am only eighteen years old and have only been in the palace for a short time. However, my father and father see that although I am a concubine in the palace, I am not favored. They are actually plotting to send their beloved half-sister into the palace."
"Are my mother and I so disliked by Father? Father is so eager to send my half-sister to the palace."
As she spoke, Consort Jing shed tears of grievance.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor will surely see your goodness and will certainly give you a son or daughter. However, the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager may not agree to the Master's request to send the Seventh Miss into the palace."
Consort Jing's maid, Shiman, whispered words of comfort, "Your Highness, the Seventh Miss's birth mother is a Han woman from Jiangnan. The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager value lineage the most."
"Even if the Seventh Miss enters the palace, she will never be able to surpass the Empress. The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager will not allow the Seventh Miss to give birth to imperial heirs in the future."
Upon hearing this, Consort Jing fell into deep thought.
Qixiang Palace, Consort An's Residence
Consort An squinted, picked up the teacup beside her, and took a sip.
"As the assistant to the six palaces, it is indeed a good thing. Now that I am assisting in the management of the six palaces, the things that the Imperial Household Department sends to me here are all of the best quality. I really like these top-grade pre-Qingming Longjing tea, Wuyi Dahongpao tea, and West Lake Biluochun tea."
The palace maid serving her wore a fawning smile and said softly, "Your Highness is blessed with great fortune. Things will only get better and better in the future. Our Qixiang Palace will surely prosper."
"Um."
Consort An responded contentedly and said leisurely, "Although I am over twenty-five, I still hope to have a child of my own."
"Life in the palace is long, and having a child to keep you company is always a good thing."
The palace maid looked up and quickly glanced at Consort An.
He then lowered his head, pondered for a moment, and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, you are of noble birth, and your father is the Prince Consort of Fuxi. Now you have the trust of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager and are assisting in managing the six palaces. You will surely get what you want in the future and you will definitely have a prince."
"I hope so."
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