In the Qianqing Palace
After Liang Jiugong respectfully reported what had happened on the long street, Kangxi's face immediately darkened.
"Liang Jiugong, the imperial edict to confer the title of Consort Hui on the rank of Imperial Concubine has been temporarily suspended. The older Consort Hui gets, the more confused she becomes. She actually vented her dissatisfaction in the long street, making a big fuss about it."
"Consort Hui's character is flawed; she is unworthy of the rank of Imperial Concubine."
With lowered eyes and a slight nod, Liang Jiugong responded softly.
Deep down, Liang Jiugong thought to himself: Consort Hui, Consort Hui, the Emperor, out of consideration for the Second Prince, has already written an imperial edict to appoint you as Consort Hui, but now, because of your actions, you have lost the position you were about to obtain.
Your servant feels sorry for you!
Cining Palace
The Empress Dowager opened her tightly closed eyes, a fierce look flashing across her aged face. She said coldly, "Consort Hui is confused! The Emperor's decree has been issued, summoning Hesheli and Tongjia to the palace to enjoy the treatment of a concubine. The matter is settled. Even if she is dissatisfied, she should not openly cry in the street."
"With this cry, Consort Hui may have ruined her promising future."
Sumalagu's eyes flickered. She looked up at the Empress Dowager and spoke softly after careful consideration.
"Your Majesty, this servant does not understand your meaning?"
With a sneer, the Empress Dowager said in a deep voice, "When Consort Rong passed away, the Emperor posthumously conferred upon her the title of Consort. Consort Hui is the birth mother of the Second Prince. The Second Prince is getting older, and Consort Hui has served the Emperor for many years. For the sake of the Second Prince, the Emperor will also confer upon Consort Hui the title of Consort."
"The Emperor has probably already prepared the imperial edict. With Consort Hui's outburst, she's lost her rank and is now disliked by the Emperor. With Consort Wen and the others entering the palace, Consort Hui's days ahead will be difficult."
Sumalagu lowered her head, lost in thought and remained silent.
After a pause, the Empress Dowager continued, "With Consort He and Consort Tong entering the palace, the Hesheli family and the Tong family are behind them. Consort Hui's dissatisfaction will be exaggerated and spread to the Hesheli family and the Tong family."
"Although Consort Hui is from the Yehenara clan, she is not a direct descendant of the Yehenara clan. From now on, her maternal family will likely be relentlessly targeted by the Hesheli and Tong families."
With a soft sigh, the Empress Dowager said leisurely, "Consort Hui originally had the Second Prince and was raising the Third Princess. She had a winning hand, but now she has played it terribly."
"Consort Hui's family outside the palace must hate her to death."
The Empress Dowager kept talking incessantly.
After a long pause, the Empress Dowager changed the subject, her eyes grave. "I find the Emperor's thoughts increasingly unfathomable. Among the women sent to the capital by the Khorchin tribe are many young and beautiful women, such as Consort Wan and Consort Ning?"
"Consort Wan and Consort Ning, although they are daughters of the Prince of Khorchin and of good birth, are much less beautiful and are dull, clumsy, and timid."
"Why would the emperor choose the plain-looking and timid Consort Wan and Consort Ning over the bright, intelligent, and beautiful women available?"
Sumalagu lowered her eyes, a hint of coldness flashing in them.
The Empress Dowager paused for a moment, then said, "The Emperor has granted Consort Wan and Consort Ning the main positions in Yonghe Palace and Zhongcui Palace, respectively. Su Ma, arrange for some of our people to enter Yonghe Palace and Zhongcui Palace."
"Consort Wan and Consort Ning are, after all, from the Khorchin and are my great-nieces. In this palace, only I can protect them to some extent."
Sumalagu respectfully replied, "Yes."
October 15
The joyous day when Consort Wen, Consort He, Consort Tong, and others entered the palace.
The Chuxiu Palace, Changchun Palace, Chengqian Palace, and other palaces were decorated with extra festive decorations. The concubines of lower rank in these palaces were all dressed in their finest attire and solemn attire, waiting at the gates of their respective palaces to welcome their principal consorts.
In the afternoon, dappled sunlight fell on the ground.
Ziwu respectfully reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, Consort Wen, Consort He, Consort Tong, and others have all entered the palace and are settled in their respective palaces."
"Consort Wen has sent word that she will come to our palace later to pay her respects to Your Majesty."
Xu Lejin was stunned for a moment.
After a moment's consideration, Xu Lejin spoke softly, "I and Consort Wen are both consorts with titles, and our ranks are the same. Ruhua, go to Chuxiu Palace and tell Consort Wen that she has entered the palace today and needs to be settled. She doesn't need to rush to pay her respects to me."
"Sister Hefei, Sister Tongfei, and also send someone to inform Consort Wan and Consort Ning."
After a pause, Xu Lejin added, "Tomorrow is the sixteenth, the day when all the sisters in the palace gather in my palace. It's not too late to meet again tomorrow."
Ru Hua lowered her head and smiled in agreement.
Early the next morning
With the help of Qin Huai and Ru Hua, Xu Lejin sat in the main seat.
Below, on the left and right sides, are Consort Wen, Consort He, Consort An, and Consort Duan; on the right are Consort Tong, Consort Hui, Consort Wan, and Consort Ning.
The nobles, attendants, and concubines sat in the corner.
With a gentle gaze, Xu Lejin swept over Consort Wen, Consort He, and Consort Tong, and said softly, "Consort Wen, Consort He, Consort Tong, Consort Wan and Consort Ning, you entered the palace yesterday. Are you getting used to everything here?"
Consort Wen, being older and holding a title, was the first to reply.
"Thank you for your concern, Consort Xie. I am doing well in Chuxiu Palace. Consorts Ling and Lu are both well-behaved and know how to behave. As soon as I arrived at Chuxiu Palace yesterday, they greeted me and performed the full kneeling ceremony."
Xu Lejin nodded.
"It would be best if Consort Wen could get along harmoniously with Consort Ling and Consort Lu. Although Consort Ling and Consort Lu are only of the rank of Consort, they serve the Emperor for some time. If Consort Wen has any questions, she can ask Consort Ling and Consort Lu."
"Or send someone to my palace."
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