The news of the Imperial Concubine's death spread throughout the six palaces, east and west, early the next morning.
The concubines in the harem changed out of their usual brightly colored clothes and into plain palace attire, their faces etched with sorrow, and gathered in Xianfu Palace.
Consort Hui, Consort Jing, and others discussed in hushed tones how to arrange the funeral for the Imperial Concubine.
"Sister Huipin, in the harem, besides the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, the highest-ranking concubine is Consort Yu. Now that Consort Yu has passed away, all funeral arrangements..."
Consort Yi glanced up at Consort Hui and Consort An, then quickly lowered her head and said in a deep voice, "My sister is foolish. When considering the funeral arrangements for the Noble Consort, we should consult Consort Yu's opinion."
Upon hearing this, Consort Hui's face stiffened.
Consort Hui gave Consort Yi a cold look, clenching her teeth. "Consort Yi's words are not without reason. The funeral arrangements for the Imperial Concubine should indeed be discussed with Imperial Concubine Yu, but..."
"Consort Yu just gave birth to the fifteenth princess the day before yesterday and is currently in her postpartum period, needing to rest and recuperate. It is really not appropriate to disturb Consort Yu with the matter of the Imperial Concubine's funeral."
After speaking, Consort Hui exchanged a glance with Consort Jing, who was standing beside her.
Consort Jing understood immediately and took over the conversation with a gentle expression, saying, "What Consort Hui said makes sense. The matter of the Imperial Concubine's funeral should indeed not disturb Consort Yu."
"Sister Anpin, what do you think?"
Changing the subject, Consort Jing looked at Consort An, who was quietly watching the show with her head down, and asked softly.
Consort An was taken aback.
"Consort Hui and Consort Jing are both very thoughtful, and Consort Yi's considerations are also reasonable. Now I'm confused; I don't know whether to listen to Consort Yi or Consort Hui and Consort Jing?"
After saying this, Consort An looked troubled.
Consort Hui, Consort Jing, and the other two exchanged glances silently, inwardly cursing Consort An for her deep scheming and cunning. They would rather harm themselves than offend them, or Consort Yu.
Duan Pin, who was quietly bowing her head, looked up and glanced at Hui Pin, Jing Pin, and the other three who were deep in thought.
After a quick moment of thought, Consort Duan stood up and said softly, "Consort Hui, Consort Jing, Consort An, and Consort Yi. In this spring, the air is still chilly, and the Fourteenth Princess has caught a cold these past couple of days and cannot be separated from me."
"I've always been a fool. My sisters will discuss and arrange all the matters related to the Imperial Concubine's funeral. I'll go back to Jingyang Palace to take care of the Fourteenth Princess first."
With a gentle expression, Consort Duan curtsied and, supported by a palace maid, withdrew from Xianfu Palace.
Consort Hui, Consort Jing, and the others exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes wide as they watched Consort Duan's graceful departure, their teeth nearly grinding to powder.
The noble ladies, concubines, and court ladies below looked on with nothing but envy.
They also wanted to leave gracefully, like Consort Duan, without getting involved in this mess.
But they are of low rank, so they can't.
Consort Rong covered her mouth and said sweetly, "Consort Duan, I am now completely content with having a daughter! Although the Fourteenth Princess was born to a lowly mother, she was raised by Consort Duan, who is kind-hearted and treats the Fourteenth Princess as her own."
"The Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager trust and rely on my younger sisters. I will entrust the matter of the Consort's funeral to my younger sisters. I will also return to Zhongcui Palace first."
Standing up, Consort Rong wore a mocking expression, her gaze sweeping over Consort Hui, Consort Jing, Consort An, and Consort Yi one by one, before raising her voice and saying, "If you sisters have come up with a plan, send someone to Zhongcui Palace to inform me."
"..."
Consort Hui, Consort Jing, and the other three women's expressions changed as they suppressed their anger.
Consort Rong took a few steps, then stopped, her eyes darkening as she stared at Consort Yun, Lady Se, and Lady Qing in the corner. She said coldly, "Consort Yun, Lady Se, Lady Qing, what are you all standing there for? Get out of here!"
"The affairs of the inner palace are managed by Consort Hui, Consort Jing, Consort An, and Consort Yi. Do you intend to interfere in palace affairs while you remain in the Noble Consort's palace?"
Consort Yun's face turned ugly, and a fierce glint flashed in her eyes.
The woman, Se Yingying, and the official, turned pale and lowered their heads in fear, looking as if they wanted to disappear into the ground.
Afternoon
Xu Lejin was gazing lovingly at her infant daughter when Ruhua bowed and entered from outside the palace, lowering her voice to report, "Your Majesty, Consort Hui and Consort Jing have not yet come up with a specific plan."
Why?
Xu Lejin looked puzzled and glanced at Ruhua, "The funeral for the Imperial Concubine should be conducted according to the standards for an Imperial Concubine. Although the Imperial Concubine is from Khorchin and is related to the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager,..."
"The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager have not issued any imperial edict."
After a slight pause, Xu Lejin continued, "The funeral of the Imperial Concubine shall be conducted according to the standards for an Imperial Concubine. If the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, or the Empress Dowager wish to posthumously confer upon the Imperial Concubine, they may add to the standards for an Imperial Concubine."
Ru Hua nodded slightly, lost in thought and remained silent.
Qin Huai opened her mouth to say something, but at that moment, Zi Wu, who was beside Xu Lejin, hurriedly entered from outside the hall and spoke softly. "Your Majesty, Granny Su Ma from the Empress Dowager's palace has come on the Empress Dowager's orders."
"、、"
Surprised, Xu Lejin quickly instructed Ziwu to invite Sumalagu into the hall.
A moment later, Su Mala Gu entered the hall with neither arrogance nor servility, knelt down and bowed to Xu Lejin, saying, "This servant Su Mala Gu greets Consort Yu."
"Please rise, Granny Su."
Xu Lejin was flattered and quickly gestured for Ruhua to help Sumalagu up. At the same time, Xu Lejin did not forget to instruct Ziwu to bring over an embroidered stool.
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