Red candles flickered in Yikun Palace, and the hibiscus-scented curtains were warm.
The next morning, Emperor Kangxi left Yikun Palace satisfied. Before leaving, he also rewarded Xu Lejin with some precious jewelry and top-quality pearls brought from the coast.
Xu Lejin, supporting her aching body, got up with the help of Qin Huai and Ru Hua. She thought to herself that Kangxi was truly vigorous and powerful, having tormented her three times last night.
The ancients were right: at thirty, one is like a wolf; at forty, like a tiger—these are the ages when one is as fierce as a wolf or a tiger.
Ru Hua blushed slightly and spoke softly, "His Majesty's favor towards Your Highness is unparalleled; none of the other ladies-in-waiting can match it. We are truly happy for Your Highness."
With a calm expression, Xu Lejin glanced at Ruhua.
"Ruhua, are you now experiencing the first stirrings of love like a young girl? Should I ask the Emperor to find you a good match?"
Ru Hua blushed instantly.
With a blush on her face, Ru Hua's voice was barely audible as she said, "Your Majesty is teasing me, but I will never marry. I want to serve Your Majesty for the rest of my life."
"A perfectly good young lady like her shouldn't stay single."
Changing the subject, Xu Lejin glanced at Qin Huai and said softly, "Last night I mentioned Qin Huai to the Emperor. The Emperor's meaning is that now that I have given birth safely and become a Noble Consort, Qin Huai, you have done a good job, and it is time to reward you."
"His Majesty has instructed me to ask you if you have a favorite man in mind, as he wishes to bestow a marriage upon you."
Qin Huai blushed, and suddenly the image of Nalan Rongruo, whom she had glimpsed briefly in the past and who had remained unforgettable in her mind, came to mind.
After a moment of hesitation, Qin Huai shook his head.
"Your Majesty, this servant has no one in mind, this servant..."
With a determined look, Qin Huai continued, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask that you remain by my side to serve me. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request."
Xu Lejin shook her head.
After a moment's hesitation, he spoke in a low voice.
"Qin Huai, you are the Emperor's person, so you should understand the Emperor's meaning. The Emperor can allow you to stay by my side temporarily, but he will not make you one of my people."
"Now, whether you leave the palace or the Emperor bestows a marriage upon you, it is the best thing for you and for me."
Qin Huai frowned, pondered for a moment, and then respectfully replied, "Yes."
With her slender, fair hands, Xu Lejin picked up the jade hairpin from the jewelry box and gestured with it beside her hair. She said calmly, "Yesterday, His Majesty mentioned Lord Mingzhu's eldest son, Nalan Rongruo, to me."
"Nalan Rongruo married Lady Lu in his early years, and they had two sons. The elder son died young, leaving him with only one son and several daughters born out of wedlock. The Emperor intends to bestow upon Nalan Rongruo a concubine."
Xu Lejin inserted the jade hairpin in her hair and looked up at Qin Huai.
“Nalan Rongruo is a scholar, and he is rather thin. Qin Huai, although you are a palace maid, you know some medical skills. If you could stay by Nalan Rongruo's side, I think his health would improve considerably.”
Qin Huai was overjoyed upon hearing this.
Xu Lejin saw this and smiled, saying, "Since you don't object, then this matter is decided. I will talk to the Emperor about it and ask him to grant you a marriage."
Qin Huai immediately knelt down and bowed his head in kowtow.
"This servant thanks Your Majesty and Your Majesty for your great kindness and virtue."
With a smile, Xu Lejin then looked at Ruhua.
Ru Hua paused for a moment, then whispered, "Your Highness, this servant would rather die than marry, this servant..."
"This servant will stay by Your Highness's side and serve you forever."
Seeing Ru Hua's resolute attitude, Xu Lejin sighed deeply.
"Fine, fine. Since you are unwilling to marry and insist on staying by my side, then so be it. I will explain to the Emperor that he does not need to look for someone for you."
Ru Hua happily agreed.
Chuxiu Palace
When Consort Niu woke up early in the morning, she learned that Emperor Kangxi had left her Chuxiu Palace the night before and gone to Xu Lejin's Yikun Palace. The main hall of Yikun Palace was brightly lit with candles all night, bathed in the warm spring sunshine.
With her teeth grinding together, Consort Niu gripped the handkerchief tightly in her hand and spoke in a cold voice.
"Your Highness, this is going too far!"
Last night, in order to suppress the burning desire in her heart, she took a cold bath. The Emperor said there were matters to attend to in the court, but instead went to the Consort's palace.
The emperor even spent a night of passion with his concubine.
With a grim face, Consort Niu slammed her hand hard on the table, ignoring the pain in her palm, and gritted her teeth, saying, "I...I am irreconcilably opposed to the Imperial Concubine! I..."
"Prepare the palanquin; I am going to Cining Palace to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager!"
noon
Emperor Kangxi visited Yikun Palace and had lunch with Xu Lejin.
After lunch, Ruhua, Ziwu, and others cleared away the food and served fruits, snacks, and fragrant tea.
Emperor Kangxi looked at Xu Lejin and asked in a loud voice, "Have you taken care of the matter I discussed with you last night?"
Xu Lejin nodded and said softly, "Your Majesty, I have inquired with Qin Huai and Ruhua. Qin Huai is willing. I humbly request Your Majesty to grant Qin Huai and Nalan Rongruo a marriage. As for Ruhua..."
"That girl, Ruhua, is so clueless. She says she's willing to stay by my side and serve me forever."
Kangxi responded with a sound of agreement and remained silent.
After a moment, Kangxi smiled and said, "There are two guards in front of the emperor, which is very good. The other two palace maids in my beloved concubine's palace are also excellent. They have served you well."
Xu Lejin looked surprised and stared at Kangxi in astonishment.
"What does Your Majesty mean? Ziwu and Zhulan are the most capable palace maids besides Qin Huai and Ruhua."
"Does Your Majesty now despise me? Are you going to arrange marriages for all the palace maids around me, leaving me all alone in the palace?"
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