Inside the main hall of Kunning Palace.
The Empress sat gracefully on the Phoenix Throne, while two Consorts and several Concubines sat below her, all wearing perfectly appropriate smiles.
Consort Tongjia smiled coldly, "There have been rumors in the palace that Consort Xu was frail, but now she has recovered her health. I see that Consort Xu did not lose weight during her illness; on the contrary, she has become much fuller."
"Consort Xu, could it be that you've been feigning illness all along, intending to avoid paying your respects to the Empress and performing the morning and evening rituals?"
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment after Consort Tongjia's words.
Among them, the Empress's face was so gloomy it seemed like it could drip water, and she looked at Xu Lejin with icy eyes.
Xu Lejin smiled gently, "Your Majesty, a month ago, I was indeed in poor health and had to drink herbal soups every day to help me recover. Your Majesty the Empress is kind and kind, and has allowed me to recuperate in Yikun Palace. Of course, I must do my best to recover."
"Consort Xu is becoming increasingly eloquent!"
Consort Tongjia snorted coldly.
Xu Lejin smiled and didn't say anything, staring at her toes with her eyes downcast.
Consort Niohuru pursed her lips, raised her eyes to look at the Empress, and spoke respectfully. "Your Majesty, Consort Xu has now fully recovered. I am considering whether to have the Imperial Household Department hang up a green plaque in her honor?"
“What Sister Niohuru said is very true.”
The Empress gave Consort Tongjia a meaningful look, and continued with a smile, "Nowadays, there are not many concubines in the harem who are healthy enough to serve the Emperor. Since Consort Xu is already in good health, she should indeed put on her green headband again and serve the Emperor, so that she can give birth to a son or daughter for the Emperor as soon as possible."
"Tong Jia, don't you think so?"
The Empress changed the subject and inquired about Consort Tongjia.
Consort Tongjia's face darkened, and she glared at Xu Lejin with hatred before smiling and saying, "The affairs of the inner palace are decided by Her Majesty the Empress, with the assistance of Sister Niohuru. I am foolish and can only do my best to serve His Majesty."
Xu Lejin slightly raised her eyes, glanced at Consort Tongjia, and then lowered her head to ponder.
The Empress's face stiffened, and she forced a smile.
"Sister Tongjia has served the Emperor diligently. I remember that after she was released from confinement, the Emperor visited her Chengqian Palace for seven consecutive days, which is unique in the harem. The sisters in the harem are all envious of the Emperor's favor with her."
Consort Tongjia raised the corners of her eyes and smiled contemptuously, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, but my cousin the Emperor likes to visit my Chengqian Palace. It is impossible for me to stop him from entering my Chengqian Palace!"
"Your Majesty and I grew up together, so it is only natural that Your Majesty would favor me more."
After speaking, Consort Tongjia adopted an arrogant demeanor.
The Empress was seething with hatred and her stomach ached with anger, but on the surface, she had to maintain a dignified, virtuous, and gentle smile.
Xu Lejin lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment.
Slowly raising her head, Xu Lejin looked at the Empress, carefully choosing her words, and spoke softly, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, but this humble servant is unworthy and fears I am unable to serve Your Majesty."
Why?
The Empress's face was grim, and her gaze was intense as she looked at Xu Lejin.
Consort Niohuru, Consort Tongjia, and others looked at Xu Lejin with puzzled expressions, unable to understand the meaning behind her words.
Xu Lejin smiled slightly and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, this concubine is pregnant."
Upon hearing the word "pregnant," the Empress, Consort Niohuru, Consort Tongjia, and others were all stunned, their jaws dropping and their eyes fixed on Xu Lejin's slightly fuller waist.
"Consort Xu, are you really pregnant?"
The Empress coughed twice to conceal her surprise, and looked coldly at Xu Lejin, "Consort Xu, do you know that the emperor's records of concubines receiving the emperor's favor and serving him in bed are kept in the imperial archives? You have not served the emperor for two months since you were confined to your quarters."
"Every month, the imperial physicians in the palace would take the pulse of the concubines to check their health. You know the consequences of faking pregnancy to compete for the emperor's favor?"
After speaking, the Empress looked sharply at Xu Lejin.
Xu Lejin trembled slightly, timidly raising her head to look at the Empress. "Your Majesty's teachings are etched in my mind, but I am indeed pregnant, and I am already three months along."
"The Imperial Physician Xu from the Imperial Hospital has been treating my health and can testify on my behalf."
After Xu Lejin finished speaking, the main hall of Kunning Palace was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Consort Niohuru, Consort Tongjia, and the other concubines all held their breath, their faces filled with disbelief.
The Empress paused, then said coldly, "Consort Xu, do you know the consequences of deceiving the Emperor? Just half a month ago, the head maid of Yikun Palace reported to me that you changed your clothes every month. Now…"
"And now you actually tell me that you are three months pregnant."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin looked at the Empress with surprise, her eyes filled with a deep sense of mockery.
The Empress suddenly realized what was happening, and an unnatural expression flashed across her face as she awkwardly spoke, "As the Empress, I have the Emperor's trust and am responsible for managing the harem. I oversee everything from the various palaces to the monthly changes of clothes for the concubines."
"Today, it was Consort Xu who suddenly mentioned that you are three months pregnant, which reminded me of the report given by the head maid of Yikun Palace half a month ago."
Xu Lejin nodded with a smile.
After a moment's thought, Xu Lejin looked up at the Empress and said, word by word, "Your Majesty, my condition is somewhat special. During the first three months of my pregnancy, I still have my period."
"I had been thinking of following Your Majesty's example and waiting until I was three months pregnant before announcing it to the public, so I had not informed Your Majesty about my special condition."
"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, please punish me!"
Xu Lejin got up and, with Yingchun's help, awkwardly knelt down before the Empress, her head bowed as if she had done something wrong.
The Empress looked at Xu Lejin, her heart aching with anger.
Consort Tongjia suppressed the jealousy in her eyes, smiled at the Empress, and covered her mouth with a laugh as she spoke. "Your Majesty, Consort Xu was originally a palace maid in your palace. Following your example, she waited until the emperor's child was three months along before reporting to you. She has truly inherited Your Majesty's wisdom!"
A metallic sweetness rose in the Queen's throat.
Forcing herself to swallow the metallic taste in her throat, the Empress glanced at Consort Tongjia and chuckled softly. "Sister Tongjia, this concerns the imperial heir. Just because Consort Xu says she's three months pregnant doesn't mean she is."
Whether Consort Xu is pregnant or not can only be determined after the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital examine her pulse.
After speaking, the Empress gave Xu Lejin a meaningful look.
Immediately afterwards, the Empress said in a deep voice, "Chu Qiao, take my token and go to the Imperial Hospital immediately to invite Chief Physician Pei, Physician Jiang, and Physician Xu to come and take Consort Xu's pulse."
The palace maid, Chu Qiao, respectfully acknowledged and withdrew.
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