Xu Lejin was completely baffled.
After attending the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in a daze, I returned to Yikun Palace.
Because Lianzhi was only given to Prince Chun as a princess, she was led out of the palace by Prince Chun and his wife as early as the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.
"Ruhua, tomorrow you pack Lianzhi's things and send them to Prince Chun's residence."
Xu Lejin turned her head and whispered instructions to Ru Hua beside her.
Ru Hua respectfully agreed, bowing her head slightly, keeping her eyes and ears open, carefully supporting Xu Lejin, afraid that if she wasn't careful, a clumsy palace maid or eunuch might suddenly jump out and bump into Xu Lejin.
At that moment, the voice of Li Dequan, who served the emperor, came from behind.
"Your Highness, please wait!"
Xu Lejin stopped and turned around to look at Li Dequan, who was panting as he caught up. Her gaze swept over Li Dequan and the green-clad palace maid carrying a small bundle behind him.
Li Dequan wiped the sweat from his brow and said respectfully, "Your Highness Consort Yu, this is Qin Huai, selected by His Majesty from among the palace maids serving in the Emperor's court."
"His Majesty's intention is for Qin Huai to stay by Miss Ruhua's side and assist her."
"..."
Xu Lejin looked surprised and glanced at the palace maid named Qin Huai behind Li De.
"Eunuch Li, what is the Emperor's meaning?"
Li Dequan quickly glanced around and lowered his voice, saying, "Your Majesty, Miss Lianzhi has always served the Emperor. At today's palace banquet, the Emperor couldn't recall the names of the other palace maids around Your Majesty. Miss Ruhua is someone Your Majesty is used to using. So, after thinking it over, the Emperor decided to bestow Lianzhi upon Prince Chun as a princess."
"Qin Huai previously served in the Qianqing Palace. He was quick and efficient and skilled in medicine. The Empress is pregnant with the Emperor's child, and the Emperor is very worried about her, so he arranged for Qin Huai to serve by her side."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly.
"I understand, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Please convey my gratitude to Your Majesty when you return to the palace, Eunuch Li."
Li Dequan repeatedly said he dared not.
Xu Lejin, accompanied by Ruhua and Qin Huai, walked on the way back to Yikun Palace.
The bright moonlight cast long shadows of the three, mistress and servants, while Consort Hui and others stood in the shadows not far away, their expressions inscrutable.
Consort Zhi, supporting her still-flat stomach, said coldly, "Consort Yu's maid was just given to Prince Chun as a princess by the Emperor, and now the Emperor has given Consort Yu another maid."
"His Majesty's affection for Consort Yu is indeed genuine and he dotes on her exceptionally."
His words were laced with jealousy, and the nobleman, though his face remained calm, was seething with bitterness inside.
Consort Lan looked disdainful, while Consort Hui gave Consort Zhi a cold look. "It is her good fortune to have the good fortune to become a princess in Prince Chun's mansion, the palace maid of Consort Yu."
"If Consort Zhi's younger sister is capable, the palace maids around you can also become the prince's princesses or concubines."
Upon hearing this, the nobleman was speechless.
Consort Hui waved her handkerchief and continued, "It's getting late. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. We've all had a long day. Let's go back to Yanxi Palace and rest."
"yes."
The noble ladies, the noble lady, and the insignificant Lady Shou, each with their own thoughts, respectfully responded.
Early the next day
Xu Lejin had just woken up from her sleep when Ziwu respectfully stepped forward to report, "Your Majesty, Miao Changzai of Shufangzhai had an accident last night."
"What is it?"
Xu Lejin froze as she stretched, and looked at Ziwu to ask, "At yesterday's banquet, Consort Miao was perfectly fine, so how did something happen to her last night?"
"Your Majesty, it was Consort Miao who was on her way back to Shufangzhai last night."
Ziwu swallowed hard and said in a low voice, "Last night, when Consort Miao was returning to Shufangzhai, she was passing through the Imperial Garden when a black cat suddenly pounced on her. Consort Miao was unable to dodge in time and fell to the ground, bleeding on the spot."
"The Imperial Concubine, Consort Hui, Consort Jing, and others went to Shufangzhai overnight and are still there."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin's mouth dropped open in surprise.
After a long while, she finally found her voice and solemnly ordered, "Have someone keep a close eye on the movements at Shufangzhai, and report immediately if anything happens."
"Consort Miao's unborn child is the Emperor's offspring. She is now over five months pregnant. If she falls and bleeds at this time, the prognosis is likely very bad."
Ziwu responded softly.
Ru Hua, who was standing next to Xu Lejin, exchanged a glance with the newly arrived Qin Huai. Ru Hua whispered to comfort her, "Your Majesty, Qin Huai said that Your Majesty should avoid thinking too much during your pregnancy."
"As for Consort Miao's fall and bleeding, Your Highness will handle the matter fairly. Your Highness's most important task is to focus on your pregnancy and give birth to a healthy prince or princess for the Emperor."
"Um."
With a slight nod, Xu Lejin, attended by Ru Hua and Qin Huai, dressed and made up.
In the late afternoon, Ziwu entered from outside the hall with a solemn expression and her head down.
"Your Majesty, the imperial fetus of Consort Miao of Shufangzhai could not be saved. Although Consort Miao was lucky enough to survive, her body was damaged, and she will have to take tonics from now on, which will limit her lifespan."
"knew."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly, feeling a surge of emotion.
The children in the palace, especially those of lower-ranking concubines, faced immense hardship from conception to birth. A slight mishap could lead to miscarriage or even death.
When Consort Miao was first pregnant, she became arrogant and disrespectful to the Empress, relying on the Emperor's favor. She did not seek protection from a high-ranking concubine after becoming pregnant.
It's already quite remarkable that the baby was only five months along before being startled by a cat, causing it to fall and miscarry!
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