Did Yikun Palace summon the imperial physician?
The news quickly spread throughout the palace, reaching the ears of Consort Hui, Consort An, and others. Each palace sent people to closely monitor every move of Yikun Palace.
Consort Duan hurried to Yikun Palace.
"Your Majesty, I heard that the imperial physician has been summoned to Your Majesty's palace. Is Your Majesty, or any of the princesses, feeling unwell?"
Consort Duan entered Yikun Palace and, before she could catch her breath, looked anxiously at Xu Lejin and asked her what was wrong. In her heart, she thought to herself that Consort Yu seemed to be alright.
On her way here, she had not heard of any discomfort among the princesses under Consort Yu's care.
Why did Consort Yu suddenly summon the imperial physician?
Xu Lejin wore a faint smile as she looked gently at Consort Duan and said softly, "I, Wuxiha, and Wunaxi are all fine. We invited the imperial physician today for the sake of Consort Dai."
"The imperial physician just examined Dai's pulse and found that she is pregnant and is already one month along."
Upon hearing this, Consort Duan looked surprised and exclaimed, "Consort Dai is pregnant? How could that be?"
Startled, Consort Duan realized she had lost her composure.
She coughed lightly and lowered her head slightly. "This concubine has lost her composure. Please punish me, Your Majesty. I remember that Consort Dai served His Majesty for only a little over a month. How could she have become pregnant so quickly?"
Xu Lejin nodded.
"When Consort Dai was diagnosed with pregnancy, I was also surprised. But thinking about it carefully, perhaps it is Consort Dai's good fortune. She became pregnant on her first time serving the Emperor."
After speaking, Xu Lejin gave Consort Duan a wink, and Consort Duan smiled and agreed.
Turning her head slightly, Xu Lejin looked at Consort Dai, whose eyes were lowered and who seemed to be deep in thought. She smiled and said, "I have already sent someone to inform the Emperor and the Empress Dowager that you are pregnant. I believe that in a few days, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager will bestow their rewards upon you."
Dai responded with a gentle expression, "Yes."
Night falls
Emperor Kangxi stayed at Xu Lejin's palace. After having dinner, Kangxi and Xu Lejin sat facing each other.
After a long silence, Kangxi spoke in a deep voice, "Daijia's pregnancy was unexpected. I... I only summoned her to my bedchamber once when the Empress Dowager recommended her and Wei. I never imagined..."
He hesitated, then glanced at Xu Lejin out of the corner of his eye.
Xu Lejin paused for a moment, then smiled broadly and said, "Consort Dai is truly blessed; she became pregnant after serving Your Majesty for just over a month. I am so happy for Your Majesty."
"The Empress Dowager often says that Your Majesty has few sons, but Consort Dai is blessed with good fortune and is pregnant. The child in her womb is likely a prince. Your Majesty, I congratulate you."
After speaking, Xu Lejin, supported by Ru Hua, stood up and curtsied.
Emperor Kangxi personally helped Xu Lejin up, took her hand, and spoke with a loud laugh.
"Compared to Lady Daijia's pregnancy, I would much rather you, my beloved consort, conceive. Wulingzhu is almost a year old, and I have heard from the imperial physicians that your health has been almost fully restored..."
Xu Lejin gave Kangxi a coquettish glance, then lowered her head in deep thought.
This...this?
Emperor Kangxi began urging her to have children again. From the thirteenth year of Kangxi's reign until now, she has given birth to three children, one son and four daughters.
Emperor Kangxi urged her to have children again...
After a moment, Xu Lejin raised her head and said softly, "Your Majesty, I am unfortunate. Since the birth of Wu Lingzhu, I have been carefully taking care of my health, hoping to conceive again and continue Your Majesty's lineage. However..."
"Your Majesty, the matter of offspring ultimately depends on the will of Heaven. Currently, Consort Xiu and Consort Dai are pregnant, and the other ladies in the palace are all of childbearing age."
"Your Majesty believes that as long as Your Majesty frequently visits the inner palace, Your Majesty's offspring will surely flourish."
Emperor Kangxi nodded slightly, his expression grave as he looked at Xu Lejin.
After a short while, Kangxi spoke in a deep voice, "This afternoon, I went to Cining Palace to pay my respects to my grandmother. She mentioned that Lady Daijia is pregnant and should be rewarded."
"My grandmother means that as the year draws to a close, it's time to promote the senior concubines with lower ranks in the harem."
Changing the subject, Kangxi looked intently at Xu Lejin.
"What is your opinion, my beloved concubine, on the matter of promoting lower-ranking concubines?"
Xu Lejin's face turned cold. She quickly glanced at Kangxi, then lowered her head and pondered for a moment. "Your Majesty, I am foolish. I dare not presume to discuss the matter of promoting lower-ranking concubines."
"Um."
Emperor Kangxi frowned, pondered for a long time, and said softly, "It's getting late, let's rest early!"
Before we knew it, it was New Year's Eve.
The palace was filled with joy, and the New Year's Eve family banquet was held in the Qianqing Palace.
Emperor Kangxi and the Empress Dowager sat in the highest seats. To their left were Xu Lejin, who led a group of concubines from the harem to take their seats in order. To their right were Prince Yu, Prince Gong, and their families.
The family feast was held, and everyone raised their glasses in celebration.
Despite her advanced age, the Empress Dowager smiled kindly and looked at Emperor Kangxi, saying, "Emperor, I see that your harem is full of old servants who have served you for many years."
"The emperor is preoccupied with the affairs of the court, so the harem should also be given more attention."
Kangxi respectfully replied "Yes," and exchanged a glance with Xu Lejin without making a sound.
After a moment, Kangxi cleared his throat and said in a deep voice, "Today is New Year's Eve, and the Empress Dowager and I are very happy to have a family banquet. The Yonghe Palace promised that Lady Daijia was pregnant a few days ago."
"Liang Jiugong announced to the six palaces that Lady Daijia was promoted to the rank of Changzai and was granted one hundred taels of silver."
Liang Jiugong respectfully agreed.
Sitting cautiously in the corner, Dai Yingying, now Dai Changzai, was stunned for a moment before quickly getting up and going into the hall to express her gratitude.
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