Emperor Kangxi punished Consort Hui and promoted Consort Shou in name only, effectively demoting her.
However, regarding Consort Lan...
Xu Lejin was baffled, and the concubines in the harem were equally confused.
It wasn't until five days later, when news came from the previous court that Emperor Kangxi was giving Nalan Mingzhu a second term, that Xu Lejin suddenly realized why Emperor Kangxi hadn't punished Consort Lan.
The reason for this was that Consort Lan benefited from having a good uncle.
With a calm expression, Xu Lejin said softly, "His Majesty values Lord Mingzhu highly, and Consort Lan escaped a calamity by sheer luck. I hope Consort Lan will learn from this experience."
“In the palace, the palace servants have sharp eyes; they can’t just distort the truth with a few words from Consort Lan.”
Ru Hua nodded in agreement.
After a pause, Ru Hua looked up at Xu Lejin and said softly, "Your Majesty, I heard that Consort Wen punished Consort Duan yesterday, saying that Consort Duan was not doing her job properly in managing palace affairs."
"Oh? Is that so?"
With a slight frown, Xu Lejin said coldly, "Consort Duan is a veteran of the palace, trusted and relied upon by the Emperor, and she is diligent and conscientious in her work. Consort Wen, having just seized power from Consort Hui, is already eager to target Consort Duan."
"In the palace, who doesn't know that Consort Duan is dependent on me?"
Ru Hua lowered his head and remained silent.
Xu Lejin sneered, then said, "Does Consort Wen intend to use her status as Empress Xiaozhao's younger sister, and the Niohuru family behind her, to contend with me?"
"Ru Hua instructed someone to reveal to the Emperor that Consort Wen had punished Consort Duan."
Five days have passed in the blink of an eye.
Emperor Kangxi visited Yikun Palace and dined with Xu Lejin.
With a tender, silent gaze, Kangxi spoke in a deep voice, "I am already aware of the matter concerning Consort Wen and Consort Duan. Consort Wen is a consort, the younger sister of Empress Xiaozhao, and backed by the powerful Niohuru clan. Consort Duan…"
"Consort Duan comes from a humble background. The Dong family is just a group of bondservantes in the Imperial Household Department. It is normal for Consort Duan to suffer some grievances."
Xu Lejin looked surprised and exclaimed.
"Your Majesty, even though Consort Wen is only a concubine, you cannot accuse Consort Duan of neglecting her duties in managing the six palaces. Your Majesty knows best what kind of person Consort Duan is; since she began managing the six palaces, she has always been conscientious and dutiful."
Emperor Kangxi shook his head, interrupting Xu Lejin.
With a solemn expression, Kangxi said, "The matter of the Three Feudatories is at a critical juncture. The Niohuru family has contributed significantly to the Three Feudatories, and I must consider the interests of the previous dynasty."
"Consort Duan is only a concubine, and has only one adopted daughter. She has no sons. With Consort Duan, Consort Wen, and others above her in the palace, it is inappropriate for her to assist in managing the six palaces."
After a moment's hesitation, Kangxi's expression turned serious, and he continued, "If Consort Tong and Consort He were not so young, the power in the palace should be jointly held by you, my beloved consort, Consort Wen, Consort Tong, and Consort He."
Xu Lejin frowned and remained silent in thought.
Kangxi's words were quite clear: he disliked Consort Duan for her low birth and felt she was unworthy of holding power in the palace. Therefore, it was normal for Consort Duan to suffer some grievances and be punished by Consort Wen.
A cold laugh sneered in her heart, but Xu Lejin's heart felt as if it had fallen into an ice cave.
After a long silence, Xu Lejin looked up at Kangxi and said softly, "Your Majesty, I am pregnant and have to raise Wuxiha and Wulingzhu. I am afraid I will be unable to manage the six palaces."
"Your Majesty, I beg you to grant me the privilege of relinquishing my authority to manage the six palaces and entrust all palace affairs to Consort Wen. Please also grant me permission to wholeheartedly raise the princes and princesses."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi looked shocked.
"My beloved consort, is this truly the case? Can't you show me even a little consideration?"
Xu Lejin lowered her head and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I dare not. My maternal family, the Xu Muer clan, is not a prominent family. I have never learned how to manage a household, unlike Consort Wen, who is from the Niohuru clan."
"I am already busy raising the princes and princesses, and if I were to also manage the six palaces, I fear that in the midst of the chaos, something might go wrong, which would displease or disgust the Emperor."
Kangxi stared blankly at Xu Lejin.
After a long while, Kangxi, his face full of anger, got up and left Yikun Palace.
The news of Xu Lejin offending Emperor Kangxi spread like wildfire throughout the palace. Consort Wen was delighted and rewarded the palace servants of Chuxiu Palace with double their monthly allowance.
Consort An of Qixiang Palace frowned in deep thought, feeling fearful and as if she were witnessing the death of a rabbit.
Consort An pondered in her heart that Consort Wen, who was in charge of the palace, had given Consort Duan a hard time as soon as she took office. Consort Yu pleaded for Consort Duan, but angered the Emperor and incurred his displeasure and disgust.
And what about her?
She was only a concubine and had no children of her own. She simply raised the sixteenth princess together with Consort Chun.
After Consort Yu and Consort Duan, Consort Wen's next target will be herself.
In Yanxi Palace
Upon receiving the news, Consort Hui couldn't help but laugh three times, saying that Heaven has eyes and retribution is swift. Consort Yu and Consort Duan also had their days. At the same time, Consort Hui cursed Xu Lejin in her heart, wishing that she would die in the womb.
Consort Lan, sitting in a side hall of Yanxi Palace, was deep in thought with a solemn expression.
"Consort Yu has angered the Emperor and displeased him. Is this a good opportunity for me? Qiu Ran, quickly help me with my makeup and change into my new willow-colored palace dress. I'm going to the Qianqing Palace to be the Emperor's gentle confidante."
The palace maid Qiu Ran happily agreed.
Cining Palace
The Empress Dowager was kneeling in front of the Buddha statue, chanting Buddhist scriptures.
Consort Wan and Consort Ning knelt meekly to one side, following the Empress Dowager as she ate vegetarian food and chanted Buddhist prayers.
Sumalagu entered and respectfully reported.
The Empress Dowager, her face grave with age, pondered for a long time before speaking with a weary voice, "Consort Yu is indeed clever, knowing that the Three Feudatories are at a critical juncture, and the Emperor needs the Niohuru family..."
"Within the womb of Consort Yu are Yinling and Wunaxi, who have received the blessings of immortality, and now she is pregnant with another child."
Even if Consort Yu's next pregnancy results in a princess, her position as consort will remain secure.
"It is a wise move for Consort Yu to step down from her position of power and raise the princesses."
Consort Wan and Consort Ning exchanged a quick glance, their eyes filled with confusion.
The Empress Dowager glanced at Consort Wan and Consort Ning, sighed, and said in a deep voice, "Consort Wan and Consort Ning, you are both at the prime of your youth. You should spend more time in the palace and don't need to come to Cining Palace every day to keep me company while I eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist prayers."
"In the prime of your youth, you should serve the Emperor. When you have free time, go to Consort Yu's Yikun Palace and have a chat with her."
"Being on good terms with Consort Yu will undoubtedly bring many benefits in the future."
Consort Wan and Consort Ning looked puzzled.
The Empress Dowager looked at Consort Wan and Consort Ning, who seemed like wooden blocks, and shook her head helplessly.
“The Emperor treats Consort Yu differently. Even though Consort Yu keeps giving birth to daughters, as long as Consort Yu’s Third Prince and Eighth Princess are alive, the Emperor will not neglect Consort Yu.”
"You are on good terms with Consort Yu, and the Emperor will see you often and summon you to his bedchamber. When you are fortunate enough to become pregnant and give birth to a prince or princess, with your family background, becoming a consort or even a noble consort will be just around the corner."
"Besides that, Consort Yu is pregnant with twins this time, and she's due soon..."
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