Consort Yi moved gracefully into the hall, bowed slightly, and curtsied.
"This concubine greets the Noble Consort and the Consort Yu. May the Noble Consort and the Consort Yu be blessed."
The Imperial Concubine's gaze fell on the woman behind Consort Yi, who was clearly not young, but was exceptionally radiant, with fair skin and a graceful figure, exuding a mature charm in her smoky willow-colored palace dress.
What a beautiful woman, still charming and alluring.
She cleared her throat lightly and smiled, saying, "Consort Yi, please rise. There's no need for such formalities. Today's circumstances are special; my sisters and I have been waiting for you for quite some time. In the future…"
"I hope that such a thing will never happen again."
Consort Yi lowered her head slightly and respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Highness, I will follow your teachings and will certainly pay my respects to you morning and evening from now on."
The Imperial Concubine responded faintly, her eyes fixed on the beauty behind Consort Yi.
Xu Lejin glanced at it casually, then looked away, lowering her eyes slightly and focusing on her inner thoughts.
With a slight frown, Xu Lejin thought to herself, "The woman recommended by Consort Yi to serve Emperor Kangxi is indeed a rare and stunning beauty, but..."
He's a bit older, probably around twenty-two or twenty-three.
Consort Hui, Consort Jing, and Consort An exchanged a glance without saying a word.
Consort Rong covered her mouth and chuckled softly, speaking in a sweet voice, "New sister, since it was Consort Yi who recommended you to serve the Emperor, won't Consort Yi introduce you to us sisters?"
"Sister Rongpin,"
Consort Yi's bright face turned pale.
After a quick moment of consideration, she said softly, "Your Highness, Consort Yu, this is Lady Guo Luoluo from my palace, my half-sister."
"Always here?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Rong gasped in surprise, but quickly regained her composure and looked at the Imperial Concubine, speaking softly, "Your Highness, according to ancestral rules, palace maids are promoted to the rank of 'Guan Nuzi' or 'Yingdai'. Now, Consort Yi's elder sister, having received the Emperor's favor for the first time, has been promoted to the rank of 'Changzai'... This..."
"That's unreasonable!"
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Concubine frowned and pondered.
Xu Lejin glanced casually at Consort Rong, Consort Yi, and Consort Guo, whose eyes were lowered, and smiled slightly.
After a moment, the Imperial Concubine cleared her throat and said, "His Majesty is a man of principle. Consort Guo is bright and charming, and her beauty surpasses that of all the other concubines in the palace. It is only reasonable for His Majesty to make an exception and confer upon her the title of Consort."
Changing the subject, the Imperial Concubine then addressed Consort Yi.
"Consort Yi, has His Majesty given instructions on which palace Consort Guo should reside in?"
Consort Yi paused for a moment, then quickly glanced at the Imperial Concubine, and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, the Emperor issued an edict this morning, granting Consort Guo residence in the west wing of Yongshou Palace."
The imperial concubine nodded slightly.
Consort Hui, Consort Jing, Consort An, and the others each had their own thoughts on their faces and remained silent.
Xu Lejin thought for a moment, then parted her lips slightly, “Consort Yi and Consort Guo are sisters. Consort Guo was recommended by Consort Yi to serve the Emperor. It is only natural that Consort Guo was granted residence in Consort Yi’s palace by the Emperor.”
"I think Consort Guo looks more mature than Consort Yi. I wonder how old Consort Guo is now?"
Consort Yi smiled gracefully, said nothing, but gave a wink to Consort Guo behind her.
Guo Changzai stepped forward with light, graceful steps and respectfully curtsied to Xu Lejin.
Speaking softly and respectfully, Consort Guo said, "Your Highness, I am twenty-two years old."
"Um."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly, without saying anything more.
An hour later, the concubines rose and took their leave of the Imperial Concubine. The Imperial Concubine then spoke with Consort Jing alone.
"I've heard that Consort Jing has recently been having palace maids trained?"
The Imperial Concubine glanced at Consort Jing out of the corner of her eye and said casually, "I wonder, how beautiful are the palace maids that Consort Jing has been training? Can they be compared with Consort Guo, whom His Majesty has just appointed?"
Consort Jing's expression froze for a moment, her brows furrowed as she pondered before she respectfully replied, "Your Highness, I am foolish and dull. None of the palace maids in my palace are as beautiful as Consort Guo."
"Um."
The Imperial Concubine responded lightly and gave a wink to Lingyan, the palace maid beside her.
A moment later, Lingyan entered the palace from outside, accompanied by a palace maid who looked to be sixteen or seventeen years old.
With a graceful figure and delicate features, she was still a rare beauty, though her looks were slightly less striking.
With her lips slightly parted, the Imperial Concubine spoke gracefully, "This is a newly selected palace maid from the Imperial Household Department, named Tao Yue. At sixteen, she is at the prime of her youth. I think she is quite good, so I bestow her upon Consort Jing."
After speaking, the Imperial Concubine gave Consort Jing a wink.
Consort Jing paused for a moment, then suddenly realized what was happening. Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched unconsciously as she said softly, "Yes, Your Highness, thank you."
After looking Tao Yue up and down, Consort Jing remained calm and said softly, "She is from the Imperial Concubine's palace. She seems to be obedient and loyal. I like her very much."
"Yes, as long as Consort Jing is happy."
The Imperial Concubine glanced at Consort Jing with a sullen expression, lowered her voice, and spoke in a deep tone, "Does Consort Jing understand what I mean?"
"Tao Yue is good-looking and virtuous; it's a waste for her to be a palace maid."
Consort Jing nodded slightly, remaining silent in thought.
With her head bowed and her face respectfully fixed on Tao Yue on the ground, a hint of smugness flashed across her clear black and white eyes. In her mind, she couldn't help but fantasize about the days when she was recommended by Consort Jing, serving the Emperor, giving birth to princes and princesses, and living a life of endless glory with servants at her beck and call.
After a short while, Consort Jing said respectfully, "I understand what Your Highness means, but His Majesty has not visited my palace for a long time. I'm afraid I have the will but not the means."
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