The Imperial Concubine's gaze swept over the group of concubines and landed on Xu Lejin.
After frowning and pondering for a moment, the Imperial Concubine parted her lips slightly and said, "I remember that Consort Yu's pregnancy is more than six months along. I wonder if the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital have been able to diagnose whether she is carrying a prince or a princess?"
A glint of light flashed in his eyes.
The Imperial Concubine clenched her hands in her sleeves, then spoke softly, “His Majesty only has three princes, which is a bit too few. If Consort Yu’s next pregnancy results in a prince, I will certainly petition His Majesty to elevate Consort Yu to the rank of Imperial Concubine, so that she can be on equal footing with me.”
"Thank you for your kindness, Consort Xie."
Xu Lejin smiled and said, "I am unlucky. The imperial physician diagnosed me a few days ago that my pulse is weak and not very strong. I estimate that it is most likely a princess."
Upon hearing this, the imperial concubine was speechless.
Consort Hui, who was sitting quietly to the side, quickly glanced at Xu Lejin and said softly, "The imperial physician's diagnosis may not be accurate. Consort Yu is very fortunate. The imperial fetus is in your womb and has not yet been born. It is uncertain whether it is a prince or a princess."
"Yes, Consort Hui's words make sense."
The Imperial Concubine changed the subject and said softly to Xu Lejin, "Consort Yu has a third prince. Even if this child is a princess, she will still be of noble royal blood. The Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager will surely be delighted."
After speaking, the Imperial Concubine thought to herself.
It would be best if Consort Yu's next pregnancy resulted in a princess. There are already three princes in the palace. If Consort Yu gives birth to another prince, she will probably be on equal footing with me.
It's utterly humiliating for a noble Mongolian woman like myself to be on equal footing with someone who was once a palace maid.
Xu Lejin lowered her head slightly and smiled faintly.
"Yes, Your Highness, I will follow your teachings."
The Imperial Concubine shifted her gaze from Xu Lejin to Consort Zhi and Consort Chun, who were sitting in the corner. After a moment of contemplation, she asked in a deep voice, "Consort Hui, Consort An, how are the imperial unborn children of Consort Zhi and Consort Chun?"
"Your Majesty, Consort Zhi suffered a slight fright during her pregnancy, but she has recovered well after recuperation. However, Consort Zhi's health was somewhat weakened after giving birth to the Tenth Princess, so this pregnancy is likely to be premature."
Consort Hui replied softly, glancing at Noble Lady Zhi out of the corner of her eye. She thought to herself that it would be best if Noble Lady Zhi's next pregnancy was premature and weak, so that Noble Lady Zhi could continue to follow her lead.
Otherwise, if Consort Zhi gives birth to a healthy prince, she might develop disloyal thoughts.
The Imperial Concubine nodded slightly. "As long as Consort Zhi's unborn child is healthy, a premature birth is fine. Consort Hui, you will assist me in managing the six palaces. The palace tonics should be prioritized for the pregnant Consort Yu, Consort Zhi, and Consort Chun."
"Yes, Your Highness, I will obey your orders."
Consort Hui respectfully agreed, her head lowered and her eyes flickering.
After Consort Hui, Consort An of Qixiang Palace pondered for a moment and respectfully said, "Your Highness, Consort Chun's pregnancy is going well. Although it is her first pregnancy, Consort Chun is taking excellent care of the baby. She doesn't go out much and stays quietly in her room."
"Um."
The Imperial Concubine nodded, glanced at Consort Chun, and said nothing more.
At this moment, Consort Rong covered her mouth and said with a coquettish smile, "Your Highness, Consort An, Consort Chun was born a palace maid and is used to serving others, so naturally she is strong and healthy."
"If the dragon fetus born to Chun Changzai is a prince, he will surely be exceptionally strong after his birth."
With a single, casual remark, he successfully drew the attention of all the concubines to Consort Chun. Consort Chun immediately felt extremely uncomfortable and looked to Consort An for help.
Consort An gave Consort Chun a reassuring look, then spoke softly, "If Consort Chun is fortunate enough to give birth to a healthy prince, the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager will surely be delighted and reward her handsomely."
“These days, I’ve overheard the palace servants talking about how the second, fourth, ninth, and eleventh princesses in Consort Rong’s palace have all fallen ill one after another.”
With a look of disdain, Consort An looked at Consort Rong and said, "Sister Consort Rong, is it that the palace servants who serve the Second Princess and the Fourth Princess are not doing their best?"
"The Second Princess, the Fourth Princess, and others, although princesses and not princes, are still of the Emperor's blood. What would happen if anything were to happen to them? Consort Rong has already lost the eldest prince; if..."
He spat out two mouthfuls of liquid.
Consort An looked terrified, lowered her head slightly, and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, please forgive me, Your Highness, please forgive me. I didn't mean it. I was just worried about the Second Princess, the Fourth Princess, and the others."
The Xianfu Palace fell silent instantly.
Consort Rong's face turned from white to green, and she almost ground her teeth to powder. She hated Consort An so much that her teeth itched. At the same time, Consort Rong secretly wondered if Consort An had found out about her act of using her child to win favor.
If Consort An finds out and reports it to the Emperor, what should I do?
Xu Lejin had been secretly observing Consort Rong. When she saw the fleeting panic on Consort Rong's face, she immediately understood that the successive illnesses of Consort Rong's princesses were probably intentional on her part, with the aim of using her daughters to gain favor.
After pondering for a moment, the Imperial Concubine said to Consort Rong with a serious expression, "Consort Rong, you are the birth mother of the Second Princess and the Fourth Princess. If you cannot take good care of the princesses, I will have no choice but to report to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager to select other foster mothers for the Second Princess and the Fourth Princess."
"The princesses are of royal blood, golden branches and jade leaves, precious and noble, and there must be no mistakes."
Consort Rong's face paled at the thought of losing custody of her children, and she replied meekly, "Yes, Your Highness, I will remember your teachings and take good care of the Second Princess and the Fourth Princess."
Before they knew it, half an hour had passed as the concubines chatted back and forth.
Lingyan, who was in the Imperial Concubine's palace, hurried back and whispered a few words in the Imperial Concubine's ear. The Imperial Concubine was startled, but then forced herself to remain calm and spoke.
"Since Consort Yi is here, let her in. It's also a good opportunity for me and all the other ladies to see our newest sister."
Lingyan respectfully replied, "Yes."
Xu Lejin was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized what was going on.
Consort Yi's belly had been empty for a long time, but she finally couldn't hold back any longer. Perhaps, Consort Yi was forced to do so due to pressure from her family.
But why was Consort Yi late in paying her respects today?
Could it be that last night, when Consort Yi recommended new concubines, she herself didn't hold back, staging a scene of one dragon playing with two phoenixes, and thus went a little too far, causing her to miss today's morning greetings?
With her mind wandering, Xu Lejin glanced at the Imperial Concubine in the main seat out of the corner of her eye, thinking to herself, "Isn't the Imperial Concubine too intolerant?"
She was a concubine, a newcomer, yet she could be so angry.
Time passed second by second. At the entrance of Xianfu Palace, Consort Yi, dressed in a rose-red palace gown, gracefully walked into the hall. From Xu Lejin's angle, she could not see the new bride following behind Consort Yi.
However, Xu Lejin had already guessed what was going on from the looks in the eyes of the other concubines.
The newcomer recommended by Consort Yi is definitely more beautiful than Consort Yi herself!
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