More than a month has passed in the blink of an eye.
Kangxi no longer frequently visited Xu Lejin's palace, but instead stayed in Qianqing Palace, or went to the main palaces of other palaces, or summoned lower-ranking concubines to serve him in bed.
He would only come to Xu Lejin's palace for one night every five or six days.
During the day, every three to five days, he would come to Yikun Palace for lunch.
October 16
The concubines of the harem gathered at Yikun Palace. Xu Lejin sat upright in the main seat, her gaze sweeping over Consort Wen and looking at several fresh faces in the corner, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"I've heard that Consort Wen has recommended quite a few young and beautiful palace maids to serve His Majesty in the past month and a half?"
Consort Wen nodded slightly and said with a smile, "Your Highness, that is indeed the case."
"Dong, Ye, Wu, and Qi, why don't you pay your respects to the Imperial Concubine and let the other concubines in the palace meet you so that they won't be unfamiliar with you in the future?"
Four women in palace attire, who were in the corner, bowed and stepped forward.
"This humble servant, along with Lady Dongguoer, Lady Yemu, Lady Wujia, and Lady Qijiahai, pays her respects to the Imperial Concubine and all the other ladies. May the Imperial Concubine and all the other ladies be blessed."
Xu Lejin observed him discreetly for a moment.
"The women recommended by Consort Wen are all excellent. They are not only beautiful, but also have excellent figures and gentle and charming temperaments. I think His Majesty will like them. Consort Wen is very thoughtful."
Consort Wen paused for a moment, then smiled radiantly and said, "Considering the imperial heir is my duty."
Xu Lejin nodded.
The first person on the west side below, Consort Hui and Consort Wen quickly exchanged glances and said, "Sister Wen, as expected of someone from the noble Niohuru clan, you are gentle and virtuous."
"I can't help but be captivated by the ladies recommended by Consort Wen."
Consort Wen glanced at Xu Lejin, raised her chin slightly, and spoke in a loud voice.
"Sister Huifei is joking. I am merely a servant of the emperor, sharing his burdens. His Majesty has only five sons, and it has been a long time since any of his concubines have conceived."
"Dong and Ye, my sister had the imperial physician examine their pulses, and they are both in good health. It seems that as long as they serve the Emperor, they will soon become pregnant."
Consort Hui nodded slightly.
"Sister Wenfei, you are truly virtuous."
Consort Wen and Consort Hui spoke in unison, their words carrying veiled criticisms. Xu Lejin heard them but did not stop them, her expression remaining calm and composed. Consort Zhi, Consort Lan, and others, however, were filled with anger.
"vomit,"
Suddenly, a clear voice came from the corner.
Xu Lejin, Consort Wen, and Consort Hui all looked in the direction of the sound, and saw that the person making the vomiting sound and covering their mouth was Consort Niu from Consort Duan's palace.
Around twenty years old, her delicate face scrunched up in pain from sudden vomiting.
A sharp glint flashed in Consort Wen's eyes as she coldly asked, "What's wrong with Consort Niu? Why is he suddenly vomiting? Is he feeling unwell, or...?"
His sharp gaze was fixed on Niu Changzai's belly, as if he wished he could cut it open and take a look.
Niu Changzai stopped vomiting, her body trembled slightly, she stood up, carefully protecting her lower abdomen with both hands, walked to the center of the hall, and respectfully bowed deeply to Xu Lejin.
"Your Highness, Consort Wen, I am pregnant and three months along."
Consort Wen and Consort Hui both looked surprised.
Xu Lejin smiled faintly, "Very well, Niu Changzai is pregnant, which is a joyous occasion in the palace. I will send someone to inform the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."
"Consort Duan, Consort Niu is from your palace. Consort Niu's unborn child is entrusted to your care. You must ensure that Consort Niu and the unborn child are safe and sound."
Consort Duan snapped out of her surprise and quickly stood up with the help of a palace maid. She bowed and agreed, but in her heart she wondered when Lady Niu had become pregnant.
Now that three months have passed, this has only just come to light; Niu's intentions are far from simple.
Consort Wen and Consort Hui exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with intense hatred.
Consort Hui covered her mouth and said, "Your Highness, Consort Niu is pregnant, which is a joyous occasion. However, just to be on the safe side, we should still invite an imperial physician to check Consort Niu's pulse. Also..."
"In addition, the Imperial Household Department should also bring the official document to be checked carefully."
Xu Lejin looked displeased and stared intently at Consort Hui.
Consort Hui straightened her back, looking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Consort Wen coughed lightly and chimed in, "Your Highness, I believe that is indeed the proper way."
"This concerns the imperial heir; we must get to the bottom of this."
The two women were singing in unison, which displeased Xu Lejin. However, after thinking it over, she still instructed the palace maids Liuying and Qingtan to go to the Imperial Household Department to fetch the imperial records of the concubines' nights with the emperor, and to go to the Imperial Hospital to invite the imperial physicians.
Half an hour later,
The imperial physician arrived, and the official in charge of household affairs also retrieved the documents.
Xu Lejin was too lazy to investigate the records of the concubines' nights with the emperor, so she handed the matter over to Consort Wen and Consort Hui.
After a cup of tea, the imperial physician took Niu Changzai's pulse and knelt down respectfully, saying, "Congratulations, Your Highness, and all Your Highnesses, Consort Niu is three months pregnant."
"Um."
Xu Lejin nodded and looked at Consort Wen and Consort Hui.
Consort Wen and Consort Hui exchanged a glance, both feeling resentful.
Consort Wen spoke in a deep voice, "Three months ago, on the nineteenth day of the seventh month, it was indeed Consort Niu who served the emperor."
"It is estimated that Niu Changzai conceived her dragon fetus around that time. Congratulations, Niu Changzai."
After Consort Wen, the other concubines in the harem also congratulated Consort Niu on her pregnancy.
Xu Lejin, with a calm expression, bestowed many gold and silver treasures and precious tonics upon Consort Niu, allowing her to rest peacefully in Jingyang Palace and give birth to healthy princes and princesses for Emperor Kangxi.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
