One hour later
The nobleman left the Qianqing Palace satisfied, humming a little tune happily, his heart filled with anticipation for the future.
Xu Lejin stood behind Kangxi, gently pressing his head, and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I think this is a good idea. The two princesses born to Consort Zhi will be moved to the Princes' Residence, where they will be cared for by wet nurses and palace servants. Consort Zhi will be moved out of Yanxi Palace and moved to Yanqing Hall."
"As for Consort Hui, she has two sons and is now raising the third princess born to Consort Cui. In a while, Your Majesty will announce to the world that Consort Hui will be the foster mother of the third princess."
"Consort Hui has both a son and a daughter."
Kangxi nodded thoughtfully, took Xu Lejin's hand, and laughed loudly, "Fortunately, I have my beloved consort, otherwise I really don't know what to do. Although Consort Hui and Noble Lady Zhi have changed their personalities and I am very displeased with them, they are still the birth mothers of the princes and princesses."
"Yinti, Shadali, and Niyang Qiqi are growing up, and we always have to be considerate of them."
With a gentle expression, Xu Lejin lowered her head shyly.
"It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens. Your Majesty does not despise my dull methods and forgives my lax management of the harem. This is an immense favor to me."
"Um."
Emperor Kangxi and Xu Lejin spent a long time cuddling together in the Qianqing Palace.
It wasn't until the afternoon that Xu Lejin finally managed to drag her exhausted body back to Yikun Palace.
Upon returning to Yikun Palace, Ziwu respectfully reported that Consort Zhi had moved to Yanqing Palace.
With her chin half-propped up, Xu Lejin dozed off and said, "Consort Zhi is rather impatient. She moved to Yanqing Palace in a hurry, without any regard for her sisterly relationship with Consort Hui."
"Ruhua, give the order. Although Yanqing Palace is not part of the East and West Six Palaces, it is currently inhabited by Consort Zhi, who is the birth mother of the two princesses. The Imperial Household Department must not deduct any allowance from Yanqing Palace."
Ru Hua respectfully replied, "Yes."
In Yanxi Palace
Consort Hui sat in the main seat with a gloomy face, while Noble Lady Lan and Consort Shou below her lowered their heads and dared not utter a sound.
"Consort Zhi? Consort Zhi, I have always been accommodating to you out of consideration for our sisterly bond, but you have gone too far and dared to try to escape my control. You are utterly despicable."
Consort Hui's face turned ashen; in her heart, she wished she could skin Consort Hui alive and tear her tendons out of her body.
Consort Lan looked up at Consort Hui, then lowered her head and pondered for a moment before opening her mouth to say something.
At this moment, someone from Consort Hui's palace came to report that the Third Princess had already entered Yanxi Palace with her wet nurse and palace servants from the Prince's residence.
Consort Hui paused, her expression turning impatient.
Consort Lan's eyes darted around, and she said softly, "Your Majesty, the Third Princess's birth mother has passed away, and she is a bit older. If she were raised under Your Majesty's care, it would be of great benefit to our Second Prince in the future."
"Over the years, His Majesty has placed great importance on offspring. Although the Third Princess is only a princess, she is still of precious royal blood."
Upon hearing this, Consort Hui looked thoughtful.
After a moment, Consort Hui smiled and said, "What you say makes sense. I am a consort, and I have two princes. No matter whose princess I raise, it is still raising her."
“The Third Princess is older, and it is more beneficial for me to raise her.”
Consort Lan smiled and replied, "Yes."
Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.
In late May, the weather became increasingly hot. Xu Lejin had a lot of ice placed in the main hall of Yikun Palace to barely drive away the heat.
That afternoon
When Xu Lejin woke up from her afternoon nap, Ruhua reported to her with a joyful expression, "Your Majesty, may Heaven bless the Emperor and our Great Qing! At noon today, two immortals suddenly descended from the sky outside the Qianqing Palace."
"An immortal? Descended from the sky?"
Xu Lejin looked surprised, and suddenly woke up, all sleepiness gone.
Frowning, Xu Lejin wondered to herself, "Could this parallel universe be a place where one can cultivate immortality?"
In broad daylight, a celestial being descended from the sky.
Is this parallel Qing Dynasty a fantasy world?
In the evening, news came from the Qianqing Palace that the next day, Emperor Kangxi would hold a banquet in the Taiji Hall to entertain the two immortals, as well as the concubines, princes, princesses, and members of the royal family.
With her eyes narrowed, Xu Lejin was deep in thought.
Before they knew it, time had passed. Kangxi strode into Yikun Palace with a brisk pace and a look of joy on his face. Xu Lejin quickly snapped out of her daze and respectfully greeted him.
Emperor Kangxi laughed heartily and said, "My beloved consort, please rise. There's no need for such formalities."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After a cup of tea, Kangxi embraced Xu Lejin and said in a deep voice, "My beloved concubine must have already heard about what happened in the Qianqing Palace today."
"May Heaven bless our Great Qing, and may our ancestors protect us. Today, two celestial beings have graced the palace with their presence, and I am overjoyed."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly, a look of doubt on her face.
"Your Majesty, the two immortals have graced the palace with their presence. What are your orders?"
Kangxi nodded slightly and lowered his voice to say to Xu Lejin, "The two immortals are originally from beyond the heavens. Many years ago, they came to the Great Qing once and, after some calculation, discovered that a child with spiritual roots had been born in the palace."
"We have come to the palace to take those children with spiritual roots who can cultivate, so that they can go to the outer heavens to cultivate."
Xu Lejin exclaimed in surprise.
Do immortals really exist?
Emperor Kangxi nodded and said with a smile, "I saw it with my own eyes. The two immortals conjured water and fire and demonstrated their magic. It is absolutely true. It is indeed the legendary ability to fly through the clouds."
"At first, I had the same reaction as my beloved concubine; I didn't believe it either. But the facts are right in front of me, and I have no choice but to believe it."
Xu Lejin lowered her head, deep in thought.
Kangxi said softly, "Now, I only hope that the children in the palace who possess spiritual roots will be my own children. If not, I will issue an edict to adopt them as my sons and daughters."
"Such a heaven-sent opportunity should not be missed."
In the stillness of the night, Emperor Kangxi was fast asleep, while Xu Lejin lay awake, staring at the rooftop, her heart filled with worry.
Do immortals really exist in this world?
She was a wandering soul from another world, which naturally could not be hidden from the immortals. If the immortals discovered that she was not Xu Lejin from this world, would the emperor mistake her for a monster?
Will I burn myself to death?
And what if his own children were also implicated and disliked by the emperor?
The next day, looking dazed, Xu Lejin sat in front of her dressing table. Ru Hua jogged into the palace and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, it's getting late. The Emperor has sent someone to urge you to get back to your place."
"ah,"
Realizing what had happened, Xu Lejin snapped out of her thoughts and said, "I understand."
Qin Huai frowned, pondering to himself. Ever since the Empress learned of the Immortal's arrival yesterday, she had been behaving strangely, absent-minded and always seeming preoccupied.
This is so unusual!
After today, we must find an opportunity to report this matter to the Emperor.
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