"Consort Tong and Consort He, although they enjoy the rank and privileges of a consort and are addressed as Her Highness Consort Tong and Her Highness Consort He throughout the palace, are still young and have not yet undergone the investiture ceremony. Consort Duan..."
"Now that Consort Hui has been disliked by the Emperor, it's inevitable that Consort Duan will harbor ambitions to rise in rank. It's a good thing that Consort Duan wants to rise in rank, but she shouldn't try to leech off me to achieve her goals."
Qin Huai and Ru Hua exchanged a glance, then lowered their heads and remained silent.
After a moment, Xu Lejin said in a deep voice, "Give the order that from today onwards, when Consort Duan comes to my palace, she must be informed and given my permission before being allowed to enter."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
In the following days, Consort Duan still brought the Thirteenth Princess to Yikun Palace, but was refused entry. Xu Lejin used the excuse that she needed to take good care of her body during her postpartum period to avoid seeing Consort Duan.
After a few exchanges, Consort Duan understood Xu Lejin's attitude. Although she was secretly annoyed, she did not show it on her face.
The news that Xu Lejin and Duan Pin had become estranged quickly reached Consort Wen's ears. After some discussion, Consort Wen led the palace servants to Qianqing Palace.
It's unclear what Consort Wen whispered in Emperor Kangxi's ear, but Kangxi decreed that Consort Duan should quietly raise the Thirteenth Princess in Jingyang Palace, and that Consort Duan's palace power be transferred to Consort Wen.
Inside Yanxi Palace, Consort Hui burst out laughing and said, "Consort Duan was so eager to curry favor with the Noble Consort, but now she has been abandoned by the Noble Consort and lost her power in the palace. How delightful!"
"My confinement for six months is almost over, I..."
Consort Hui's eyes darted around, and after a moment of contemplation, she instructed Cunxin, who was serving her, "Cunxin, I have a way to bring down the Noble Consort. Would you be willing to lend me a hand?"
"Your Majesty, this servant is willing."
Cunxin lowered her head and responded softly, but felt utterly helpless.
Consort Hui's face turned sinister. She lowered her voice and whispered to Cunxin, "I order you to go into the palace and find a few of your close, gossipy maids. Tell them quietly about the Imperial Concubine..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
