Xu Lejin rested quietly in the Yikun Palace to prepare for childbirth.
The Empress turned a blind eye to the difficulties caused by the Imperial Household Department and the Imperial Kitchen. She was very satisfied with Xu Lejin's cleverness, while Consort Niohuru of Chuxiu Palace was angry at Xu Lejin for her lack of self-control.
For a time, even Emperor Kangxi, the Empress Dowager, and others couldn't figure out Xu Lejin.
On the second day of the second lunar month, the dragon raises its head.
It was the day when Emperor Kangxi, the Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress offered sacrifices to Heaven. It was also the day when eligible young women from the three banners of the Imperial Household Department and bondservant families were selected to enter the palace to serve the Emperor and his concubines.
Early in the morning, Xu Lejin felt uneasy and specifically instructed Ruhua to go to the Imperial Household Department to inquire about the news.
Xu Lejin kept glancing outside Yikun Palace, which Yingchun and Zhishu noticed.
After thinking for a moment, Yingchun smiled and said, "Your Highness need not worry too much. You have already sent a letter to the Madam, and the Madam will understand your concerns and stop Miss Lijin from participating in the selection this year."
Xu Lejin gave a bitter smile.
Although she didn't want her younger sister, Lijin, to enter the palace, she was currently only a concubine and had no influence over her uncle and father's decisions. Her uncle and father were determined to have women from the Xu family in the palace to curry favor with the emperor…
In the evening, Ru Hua returned from the Imperial Household Department.
Ru Hua respectfully reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Highness, Miss Lijin did not participate in this year's Imperial Household Department selection. It is said that the Madam strongly opposed it, and Miss Lijin disfigured herself with a hairpin, which is why she was not sent to the palace for the selection. However..."
"However, Your Highness's half-sister, Chunying, successfully passed the preliminary selection and stayed at the Imperial Household Department to learn etiquette. Your Highness's cousin, Qiaohui, the half-sister of Lord Xu of the Imperial Stables, was also selected to serve in the palace."
Xu Lejin paused for a moment, then sighed inwardly.
Her younger sister, Lijin, who was mentally challenged, disfigured herself to avoid becoming a palace maid. How cruel her father and uncle were! Both sisters had already entered the palace as maids, and she only wanted Lijin to enter the palace a year later, yet her father and uncle refused.
Indeed, people's hearts are the most fickle thing.
My uncle works at the Imperial Stables. He is blinded by greed. When I was first made a concubine, he sent me money through someone. Now that I have fallen out of favor, am confined to my quarters, and am in poor health, my uncle is eager to send his daughter into the palace so that he can once again seek wealth and honor.
It's absolutely ridiculous!
The original owner, on his deathbed, entrusted me with taking care of his family and thanked his uncle, but now reality has slapped me hard in the face.
After a quarter of an hour of silence, Xu Lejin smiled and said coldly, "Uncle and Father have sent their half-sister and cousin into the palace again. They really can't wait."
"Yingchun and Zhishu, from today onwards, there is no need to inquire about the situation of your half-sisters in the palace. They are being taken care of by their uncle and will surely be safe and sound. I only need to pay attention to my own sisters."
"Welcoming Spring" and "Knowing Books and Bowing Oneself" should both be "yes".
This day, at the hour of You (5-7 PM).
The head steward of the Imperial Household Department respectfully invited Emperor Kangxi to choose a consort. Kangxi looked around at the green-headed consorts and found that only Consort Li, Consort Wanyan, Consort Hesheli, Consort Dong, Consort Shangjia, and Consort Fanjia were eligible to serve him in bed.
Xu Lejin's green nameplate was not visible on the tray.
Emperor Kangxi pondered for a moment and said, "Is Lady Xu still not fully recovered? I remember she has been ill for some time now."
"Your Majesty, Consort Xu is not yet fully recovered and is not fit to serve you in bed."
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, the head steward of the Imperial Household Department spoke respectfully. "Her Majesty the Empress instructed me early this morning that Consort Xu is ill and might transmit her illness to the Emperor, so she ordered me to hang up Consort Xu's green plaque."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi's expression darkened.
Liang Jiugong, standing to the side, had his heart in his throat and gave a wink to the head steward of the Imperial Household Department.
The head steward of the Imperial Household Department, crestfallen, left the Qianqing Palace, clutching the green plaque.
Kangxi remained silent for a long time before speaking in a cold voice. "Xu is just a palace maid, yet the Empress, as the Empress Dowager, is so wary of her. The Empress's temperament has changed considerably since she became pregnant..."
Liang Jiugong kept his head down, letting Kangxi's words go in one ear and out the other.
After half a cup of tea.
"Liang Jiugong, I remember that a new batch of young and beautiful palace maids entered the palace this month. You go and choose one with outstanding looks and send her to the side hall."
Liang Jiugong was stunned for a moment, then realized what he meant and quickly agreed.
The next day was the tenth day of the second lunar month.
After waking up, Xu Lejin, with the help of Yingchun and Zhishu, changed into a green palace dress, styled her hair in an exquisite double bun, and drew a curved willow-leaf eyebrow with copper ink. She looked much more energetic.
Zhi Shu complimented softly, "Your Highness looks radiant today; even I find you exceptionally beautiful. It's just a pity that Your Highness, despite your beauty, has to feign weakness and recuperate in our Yikun Palace."
Xu Lejin put down the copper ink in her hand, took out a pearl hairpin from the jewelry box, put it on her head, and said with a smile, "Does Zhishu feel bored staying in Yikun Palace?"
"I think it's exceptionally quiet in Yikun Palace. There's no noise, and you don't have to keep curtsying. It's very casual and free."
Zhi Shu lowered her head and remained silent.
Yingchun glared at Zhishu, then smiled and said, "What Your Highness says is quite right. I also feel more comfortable living in our Yikun Palace."
Xu Lejin smiled faintly and remained silent.
At this moment, Ru Hua rushed into the hall and respectfully reported to Xu Lejin: "Your Highness, news has come from Yonghe Palace that Consort Zhang launched her attack early this morning. After learning of the news, Her Majesty the Empress has instructed Consort Chuxiu to go to Yonghe Palace to take charge of the situation!"
"Okay, I understand."
Xu Lejin chuckled softly, then spoke up. "Her Majesty the Empress is carrying the Emperor's child, and the imperial heir is of utmost importance. Since Consort Chuxiu is assisting in managing the six palaces, it is only natural that Consort Chuxiu should go to Yonghe Palace to take charge of the overall situation."
"Yes, what you say is very true."
Yingchun softly echoed.
Xu Lejin pondered for a moment, then ordered in a deep voice, "Ruhua, keep an eye on Consort Zhang's situation at Yonghe Palace, and report any news immediately."
Ru Hua respectfully replied "Yes" and withdrew.
In the west side hall of Yonghe Palace, Consort Zhang was struggling to give birth. The midwife and the imperial physician looked at Consort Zhang with solemn expressions and helpless expressions. She had been in labor for most of the day, but her cervix was still not dilated.
Outside the palace, Consort Niohuru looked grave.
Consort Li, Consort Wanyan, Consort Dong, and others who rushed to the scene upon hearing the news were filled with fear.
Consort Dong glanced at the tightly closed west wing hall, pondered for a moment, and then looked at Consort Niohuru and said, "Your Highness, this isn't Zhang's first pregnancy. Why is it that three hours have passed and there's still no news?"
"This concubine remembers that when I gave birth to the second princess, it was my first pregnancy and it only took four hours. When Sister Zhang gave birth to the eldest princess, it was her first pregnancy and it only took five hours from the onset of labor to a safe delivery."
Consort Niohuru nodded thoughtfully.
"Indeed, there was something wrong with Consort Zhang's delivery this time..."
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