Consort Lan, hoping to conceive, took fertility drugs after serving the emperor. However, the result was the opposite; she miscarried her already conceived child and lost her life.
When the news reached Emperor Kangxi's ears, he was furious.
"Another fertility drug? Consort Wen's body was damaged by the fertility drug, making it difficult for her to conceive again."
"Now, Consort Lan has suffered a miscarriage due to taking fertility drugs, and has even lost her life."
With a furrowed brow, Kangxi pondered for a long time before coldly saying, "Liang Jiugong, issue an order to thoroughly investigate this matter. Furthermore, issue an edict to the six palaces that all concubines are forbidden from taking fertility drugs without authorization; those who violate this order will be banished to the Cold Palace and never allowed to leave again."
"twitter."
Liang Jiugong respectfully agreed, a gloating smile quickly flashing across his lowered eyes.
The Qianqing Palace was completely silent.
After a cup of tea, Liang Jiugong returned and bowed as he entered the hall to report, "Your Majesty, has the Empress Dowager arrived?"
Emperor Kangxi was taken aback for a moment, then quickly stood up.
"Grandson respectfully welcomes Imperial Grandmother. It's so early, why has Imperial Grandmother come to my place?"
The Empress Dowager gestured for Kangxi to rise, and the two sat facing each other.
After a moment of contemplation, the Empress Dowager spoke, "I heard that Consort Lan suffered a miscarriage due to taking fertility-enhancing medicine, and Consort Lan has also passed away."
"Yes, Your Majesty, that is indeed the case."
After a pause, Kangxi continued, "I have already instructed Liang Jiugong to inform the six palaces that from now on, the concubines in the palace shall not take any fertility-enhancing medicines."
The Empress Dowager nodded thoughtfully, her face showing signs of age.
"Among the concubines in the harem, those in high positions such as Consort Hui, Consort Duan, and Consort An are all getting on in years. Consort Wen has damaged her health and can no longer conceive. Consort Zhi suffered from an illness during her previous childbirth and is also unable to have children."
"Consort He and Consort Tong are too young to serve the emperor. The emperor must consider the issue of offspring."
Emperor Kangxi frowned.
The Empress Dowager continued, "I know that the Emperor is wary of Consort Wan and Consort Ning because they are from Mongolia, and has always been unwilling to summon them to his bedchamber. I understand the Emperor's thoughts and will not force him."
"Your Majesty, the harem is just like the court; it needs checks and balances. The Imperial Concubine has many children, and she is the Emperor's darling. However, in the harem, the problem isn't a lack of offspring, but rather inequality. If Your Majesty wishes to be with the Imperial Concubine for a long time, you must consider this carefully."
Kangxi nodded slightly, lost in thought.
After a long while, Kangxi spoke, "Grandmother, I understand what you mean."
"Although Consort Wen's health has been damaged and she may not be able to conceive again, and Consort Hui is getting old, I will visit Consort Wen and Consort Hui's palaces more often in the future. Also, regarding matters of palace power..."
"Grandmother knows that Consort Gui is used to being lazy and dislikes palace power the most. In the future, the power to manage the six palaces will still belong to Consort Wen and Consort Hui."
The Empress Dowager sighed softly.
"Your Majesty's considerations are thorough, so I will not say more. As for Consort Wan and Consort Ning, even if Your Majesty dislikes them and does not summon them to your bedchamber, I implore Your Majesty to consider my feelings and grant them some dignity."
"I will also keep them in check, making them come to Cining Palace every day to accompany me in eating vegetarian food, chanting Buddhist prayers, and praying for the Qing Dynasty."
Kangxi nodded.
"Thank you for your kindness, Grandmother."
Two days later
Xu Lejin was comfortably lying on the soft couch, basking in the warm winter sun, when Liu Ying ran into the hall and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, this servant has heard that the matter of Consort Lan miscarrying after taking fertility-enhancing medicine is somewhat related to Consort Wen."
Xu Lejin sat up abruptly, staring at Liu Ying in surprise.
"What do you mean? Didn't Consort Lan miscarry and suffer severe bleeding because she didn't know she was pregnant and took fertility drugs?"
Liu Ying quickly glanced around and lowered her voice.
"Your Majesty, that is indeed the case, however..."
With a forced smile, Liu Ying spoke in a weak, mosquito-like voice, "However, the fertility-enhancing medicine that Consort Lan is taking was originally taken by Consort Wen. It was Consort Wen who had the prescription leaked to Consort Lan."
Xu Lejin exclaimed in surprise.
"really?"
Liu Ying nodded heavily and said respectfully, "It's absolutely true, I dare to swear on my life."
Afternoon
When Emperor Kangxi visited Yikun Palace, he mentioned the miscarriage of Consort Lan during his conversation with Xu Lejin.
With a deep frown, Kangxi sighed and said, "The struggle between Consort Wen and Consort Lan has always existed. In truth, it's also my fault; I shouldn't have favored Consort Lan because of Nalan Mingzhu."
Xu Lejin lowered her head slightly, considering the matter.
"Your Majesty need not blame yourself. It was Consort Wen and Consort Lan who misunderstood, which led to their later rivalry. Now that Consort Lan has suffered a miscarriage and passed away, and Consort Wen is unlikely to conceive again, they have both been punished."
Kangxi nodded, deep in thought.
After a long time
Kangxi suddenly realized something and looked at Xu Lejin, saying in a deep voice, "My dear consort, this afternoon, news came from my fifth brother's residence that his wife, Lady Majia, had passed away after a serious illness."
Xu Lejin paused for a moment, then looked at Kangxi with a puzzled expression.
Clearing his throat, Kangxi began, “The concubine of my fifth brother, Xu Muer, is the second elder sister of my beloved concubine. Although she has not given birth to a son for my fifth brother, she has given birth to four daughters.”
"With Madam Ma's passing, my fifth brother is a few years younger than me and will inevitably have to marry another wife. My intention is to elevate his primary wife to be his third wife."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin frowned and pondered.
After a cup of tea, Xu Lejin said, "Your Majesty's kindness is great. My second sister..."
"Your Majesty, I am terrified. I remember that there is another concubine in the Prince Gong's Mansion, who is from the maternal clan of the Empress Dowager, the Khorchin Mongols."
"The Khorchin are our most powerful in-laws. When Borjigit's concubine became Prince Gong's concubine, it was already a step down for her."
"What I mean is, Your Majesty, please issue an edict to make Borjigit's secondary consort the consort of Prince Gong. As for my second elder sister, I think it would be perfect for her to be a secondary consort."
Emperor Kangxi gazed at Xu Lejin meaningfully for a long time, then left Yikun Palace under the pretext that he had other matters to attend to at court.
The next day
Xu Lejin got up early and had Ruhua deliver a message out of the palace, carefully explaining the interests involved and the priorities of the matter to her second sister in Prince Gong's mansion.
Furthermore, he had someone invite Xie to Prince Gong's Mansion to act as an intermediary and persuade his second sister, Xu Chaojin.
Three days later, Emperor Kangxi issued an edict establishing Borjigit, a secondary consort of Prince Gong, as his primary consort. In addition, he bestowed the title of Doroi Junwang Fujin (a title for a prince) upon Xu Muer, another secondary consort of Prince Gong.
At this point, Prince Gong's residence had two wives: Lady Borjigit and Lady Xumur.
The news reached Cining Palace
The Empress Dowager looked surprised and said, "What is the Imperial Concubine up to? My distant great-niece, in such a way, has become the Second Consort of Changning?"
Suddenly realizing what was happening, the Empress Dowager understood.
"The Imperial Concubine has made a clever move by retreating in order to advance. Although Xu Muer of Changning Mansion missed the opportunity to become the successor to the throne of Changning, she has been granted the title of Doro Prince's Consort by the Emperor."
"Su Ma, do you think Chang Ning's situation counts as what people call 'having two sons inheriting the family line'? Hahaha!"
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