The news that Consort Yi had died from postpartum hemorrhage spread throughout the palace by evening.
White banners were hung in Yongshou Palace, and Consort Guo and Consort Chen, as low-ranking concubines of Yongshou Palace, knelt before the spirit tablet of Consort Yi.
The palace maids and eunuchs of Yongshou Palace were all weeping.
Cining Palace
When the Empress Dowager learned that Consort Yi had died from postpartum hemorrhage, she sighed deeply and said coldly, "Consort Yi was useless; she's gone just like that. Although she gave birth to a daughter, but..."
"I originally intended to promote her, but I never imagined that she would be so unlucky, and that her womb would also fail to bear children."
Sumalagu lowered her eyes and pondered quickly.
A moment later, Sumalagu raised her head and said respectfully, "Empress Dowager, His Majesty has entrusted the seventeenth princess, born to Consort Yi, to be raised by Consort Duanshun."
"Um."
The Empress Dowager responded and said in a deep voice, "Although Consort Yi is useless, she is intelligent. I am raising the twelfth princess born to Consort Yu and also have to take care of the fifth princess who was raised by the former Empress Dowager. I am overwhelmed and really cannot raise the seventeenth princess."
"The Seventeenth Princess suffered in the womb and is weak. She needs to be carefully cared for. It would be best to entrust her to the Dowager Consorts. Among Fulin's consorts, the Dowager Consort Gongjing is the best choice to raise the daughter of Princess Roujing, while the Dowager Consort Duanshun is the best choice to raise the Seventeenth Princess."
Sumalagu nodded and said "Yes".
After Consort Yi's funeral, the end of the year was fast approaching, and Xu Lejin was busy with the New Year's gifts for each palace. She was so busy that she wished she could do the work of two people.
December 16
Consort Hui sat upright in the first seat on the east side. She slowly raised her head and looked at Xu Lejin, saying, "Your Highness Consort Yu, a few days ago, the earth shook and the palace lost many servants. Now, with the end of the year approaching, all the palaces are short-handed. I would like to ask Your Highness Consort Yu to come up with a plan."
Xu Lejin nodded.
After a moment of contemplation, he spoke softly, “His Majesty’s intention is that next February, the Imperial Household Department should select more palace maids to enter the palace. In addition to those from the bondservant families of the Upper Three Banners, some Han women should also be selected from the common people to serve in the palace.”
"Currently, all palaces are short-staffed, and I am powerless to help."
Consort Hui, Consort An, and Consort Duan exchanged glances and respectfully replied, "Yes."
After a pause, Consort Hui's eyes darted around, and she said again, "It's alright if we concubines have fewer servants, but the servants serving His Majesty's Qianqing Palace, the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace, and the Dowager Consorts' Shou Kang Palace are indispensable."
Xu Lejin nodded with a smile.
“What Consort Hui said makes sense. I will make arrangements for this matter.”
Half an hour later, Xu Lejin yawned, looking tired.
"Ladies, is there anything else? If not, please return to your palaces. I stayed up late last night reviewing the accounts and went to bed quite late, so I'm a little sleepy now."
Consort Hui, Consort An, and others spoke in unison.
"We have nothing else to say, so we will take our leave."
The concubines from each palace left Yikun Palace in order and walked along the long street.
Consort Hui was followed by Noble Lady Zhi, Noble Lady Lan, and Consort Shou.
Consort Lan lowered her head slightly, frowning in thought, while Consort Zhi turned to look at Yikun Palace.
With a sarcastic tone, Consort Zhi spoke coldly, "With just a few words, Consort Yu has postponed the issue of manpower shortages in the various palaces until next year. There are still two months until the Imperial Household Department's preliminary selection next year."
"The Imperial Household Department has selected palace maids to enter the palace. They still need to be trained for some time. By the time they are trained and assigned to various palaces, who knows when that will be?"
Consort Hui glanced at Noble Lady Zhi and remained silent.
Consort Zhi, remembering this, added, "In Consort Yu's palace, there is no shortage of maids and eunuchs to serve us. They have no idea of our difficulties. With a shortage of manpower in the palace, are we, the dignified ladies of the harem and the Emperor's concubines, expected to personally serve tea and water and do other chores?"
"I've heard that many poor families in the capital are selling their children because of the earth's upheaval. In my opinion, since we're going to buy Han women from Han families to enter the palace, why postpone it until next year?"
"As long as we have the money, we can do it right now, and we can even negotiate a lower price."
Consort Zhi rambled on, expressing her dissatisfaction. Consort Hui remained calm, seemingly lost in thought, while Consort Lan glanced at Consort Zhi out of the corner of her eye.
Consort Shou, who came from a palace maid background, lowered her head and looked pale.
December 20th
December 25th
As the year draws to a close, the festive atmosphere in the palace grows stronger. Due to a shortage of manpower, the various palaces are exceptionally busy, and mistakes are inevitable in the midst of this busyness, especially in the Imperial Household Department.
The Imperial Household Department had to deliver New Year's gifts to each palace, making trip after trip.
In the midst of the chaos, New Year's gifts might be sent to the wrong person, such as a gift meant for a noble or high-ranking official, but sent to a lower-ranking concubine or maidservant, or vice versa.
Within a few days, several low-ranking concubines in the palace caused trouble in front of Xu Lejin.
This day
Ru Hua hurried in from outside the hall and respectfully announced that Lady Dai of Yonghe Palace was requesting an audience.
Xu Lejin frowned, put down the account book in her hand, rubbed her forehead, and said in a deep voice, "Please invite Consort Dai into the hall."
The lower-ranking concubines come to Yikun Palace only to discuss the New Year's gifts. Xu Lejin thinks that Daijia's visit today must be because the Imperial Household Department sent the wrong New Year's gifts again.
The Imperial Household Department made a mistake in the chaos and should have been severely punished, but the palace was already short-staffed, and further punishment would only make things busier, so they could only give a stern reprimand.
With a gentle expression, Consort Dai bowed as she entered the hall and greeted Xu Lejin, saying, "This humble servant greets Consort Yu. May Consort Yu be well."
"No need for such formalities, Lady Dai."
Xu Lejin glanced at Ziwu, who was serving beside her, and said, "Ziwu, have a maid bring a stool for Consort Dai."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
