Consort Wen's younger sister remained in the palace. All the concubines with connections found out that the Niohuru family was preparing to send her to the emperor's bed after Consort Wen's health was damaged and she could no longer conceive.
The concubines in the palace, though furious, could only suppress their discontent because of Consort Wen and the Niohuru family, hoping that this Princess Niohuru would change her ways later.
He was favored later in life.
As time went on, the Empress Dowager in Cining Palace also heard some rumors.
That day, the Empress Dowager frowned and looked at Sumalagu, saying in a deep voice, "I heard that Ebilun's wife came to the palace a few days ago and left Ebilun's fourth daughter in the palace to accompany Consort Wen?"
Sumalagu bowed her head and respectfully replied, "Yes."
After a quick moment of thought, Su Mala Gu smiled and said, "Empress Dowager, I once had the honor of seeing the Fourth Princess of the Niohuru family from afar in the Imperial Garden. She was a charming and bright girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old, just the age of a flower bud."
"Um."
The Empress Dowager nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Charming and bright? How does she compare to Consort Wen?"
Sumalagu's expression froze for a moment. She looked up at the Empress Dowager and quickly lowered her head to ponder.
After a short while, Su Mala Gu said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the fourth princess of the Niohuru family is more beautiful than Consort Wen. In my opinion, she is on par with Consort Liang, Consort Zhi, and Consort Guo in the palace."
The Empress Dowager nodded.
"In that case, she must be an absolute beauty."
Changing the subject, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "I've heard that this fourth princess of the Niohuru family is the daughter of Ebilun's third wife, and her surname is Bayara?"
"She wasn't from a noble family, so to become Ebilun's third wife and have a son and a daughter, I really can't think of any other reason besides her outstanding appearance."
"Daughters resemble their mothers. If the fourth princess of the Niohuru family were to enter the palace, it would be quite a lively place."
December 16
Xu Lejin sat in the main seat, her gaze gentle as she looked down at the group of concubines. She spoke softly, "The end of the year is approaching. This year, under the joint management of Consort Wen and Consort Hui, the palace is in good order."
"The Empress and the Emperor are very pleased."
Xu Lejin gave a wink to Ruhua beside her, and Ruhua called out loudly towards the outside of the hall, "Qingtan, bring up the gifts that Her Majesty has prepared for the ladies and concubines of the various palaces."
A moment later, Qingtan entered in single file, accompanied by several palace maids.
Consort Wen and Consort Hui exchanged a glance and said with a charming smile, "Your Highness, you've prepared a gift? Your Highness is favored by the Emperor, so the things in the palace must be of the finest quality."
"I can't wait any longer."
Xu Lejin glanced at Consort Wen and said, "Consort Wen is joking. Everything in my palace was bestowed by the Emperor."
"As the year draws to a close, I have prepared pink pearl earrings for Consort Wen, Consort Hui, and other consorts of higher rank. For those of higher rank, the earrings will be made of round and full pearls. For those of noble ladies, ladies-in-waiting, and ladies-in-waiting, the earrings will be made of various kinds of jade."
"It's just a small token of my appreciation, nothing particularly valuable."
Consort Wen and Consort Hui exchanged a glance, their minds quickly forming a plan.
Consort Duan smiled sweetly and said with delight, "In all my life, I have never seen such round, full, and large pearls. Your Highness's gift has touched my heart perfectly."
"I think these pearl earrings match the palace dress I made the other day very well."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly and said with a smile, "I'm glad Consort Duan likes it."
With Consort Duan leading the way, all the concubines in the palace smiled and praised the gift given by Xu Lejin, saying it was very much to their liking. The atmosphere in Yikun Palace was lively and pleasant.
At this time
Consort Tong, who had been keeping her head down and not saying a word, slowly raised her head and looked at Consort Wen.
“Sister Wenfei, I heard that you have allowed your fourth sister to stay in the palace for a while? With the end of the year approaching, the Emperor often visits the inner palace. Sister Wenfei’s fourth sister seems to be quite old, so it may not be appropriate for her to stay in the palace for a while.”
Consort Tong appeared gentle and weak, but her eyes held a hostile intent.
Xu Lejin chuckled softly and remained silent, only glancing at Consort Wen below with amusement, wondering how Consort Wen would answer Consort Tong.
Allowing someone from outside the palace to stay in the palace for a short time without authorization is a violation of palace rules.
If it weren't for Consort Wen's ability to manage the six palaces, she would have already been found guilty of something and reported to Emperor Kangxi and the Empress Dowager.
Consort Wen glanced at Consort Tong with displeasure and said coldly, "Consort Tong is very thoughtful. It was I who did not consider things carefully. However, the other day, when the Emperor came to my palace, I reported this matter to him, and he agreed."
"、、"
Consort Tong, having been rebuffed, stomped her foot and glared at Consort Wen with hostility.
Three days later
As the morning sun shone down on the earth, Xu Lejin sat by the window, holding a hot water bottle, warming herself by the charcoal fire, and admiring the red plum blossoms budding amidst the white snow outside the window, feeling leisurely and content.
Qingtan entered from outside the hall with a solemn expression.
"Your Majesty, yesterday the Emperor favored Consort Niohuru Fourth Princess in Consort Wen's palace. This morning, he bestowed upon her the title of Noble Lady and granted her residence in Chuxiu Palace."
"Oh? A distinguished guest?"
Xu Lejin nodded slightly and said gracefully, "I previously thought that His Majesty would wait a while, until after New Year's Eve and the Lantern Festival, before he favored her. I never expected..."
"Noble Lady Niohuru is the legitimate daughter of the regent Ebilun. Although she was born to a second wife, her background is still higher than that of Consort Wen. I thought she would be granted the rank of Consort, but unexpectedly, she was only granted the rank of Noble Lady."
After a pause, Xu Lejin continued speaking.
"Prepare a congratulatory gift and send it to Chuxiu Palace to congratulate Consort Niohuru. Also, since it's still chilly, please tell Consort Niohuru that she doesn't need to come to my palace to pay her respects!"
Qingtan respectfully agreed and withdrew.
Ru Hua frowned and carefully chose her words, "Your Majesty, she is just a noble lady, Your Majesty need not take her to heart."
"That's natural."
Xu Lejin picked up the porcelain teapot, poured herself a cup of warm tea, took a small sip, and said casually, "I am a Noble Consort, so there is no need to worry."
"With Consort Niohuru enjoying favor, the ones who should be worried are Consort Wen, Consort Hui, and others."
After a cup of tea
Liu Ying's face was red from the cold as she ran into the palace, rubbing the hem of her clothes as she spoke, "Your Highness, Consort Tong sent someone to the Imperial Household Department to inform them that Consort Tong can now serve you in bed."
Xu Lejin was stunned for a moment, not understanding why.
Liu Ying's ears turned slightly red, and she forced a smile as she whispered, "Consort Tong had her first period three days ago, and now that she's feeling better, she's thinking of serving His Majesty as soon as possible."
"Yes, I have already informed Consort Wen and Consort Hui."
Xu Lejin was surprised for a moment, frowned, and said, "I remember that Consort Tong is still young. Is she thirteen or fourteen years old now?"
"Your Majesty, Consort Tong is fourteen years old and was born on the second day of the sixth lunar month."
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