The twenty-one years of Kangxi's reign seemed to pass very quickly.
Lantern Festival, January, February
Time flew by, and there were few interesting things happening in the palace. Because the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories was over, Kangxi often visited the inner palace. He would summon his concubines to his bedchamber for twenty days a month, or stay in the palaces of high-ranking concubines.
As time went on, the concubines in the palace began to vie for the emperor's favor with all their might.
March 2nd
Xu Lejin, dressed in a light-colored spring outfit, looked elegant and noble. With her hair styled in an exquisite updo, she looked down at the concubines on her left and right sides and spoke gracefully, "Congratulations, Consort Que. His Majesty has bestowed upon you a title a few days ago."
"Consort Wen, Consort Hui, Consort Que is young. As her elder sisters, you should take good care of her and be considerate of her. I informed the Emperor a few days ago that from now on, Consort Que will assist you in managing the six palaces."
Consort Wen and Consort Hui both looked displeased.
Consort Que, formerly known as Consort Tong, was favored by the emperor near the end of last year. However, she caused a great uproar by secretly studying bedroom arts and was reprimanded by the Empress Dowager, who confined her to her quarters for a month to reflect on her actions.
After her confinement ended, Consort Tong regained the Emperor's favor in a high-profile manner and was greatly loved by him. A few days ago, on the last day of February, the Emperor bestowed upon her a title and set a date for the investiture ceremony of Consort Que to be held half a month later.
Consort Que looked delighted, stood up, and said with a smile, "Thank you, Your Highness. I will certainly live up to Your Highness's expectations and will diligently assist in managing palace affairs."
"Um."
Xu Lejin nodded and smiled faintly.
Turning to the side, Consort Que's gaze then fell upon Consort Wen and Consort Hui, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Consort Wen, Consort Hui, I am young and hope you two will guide me in the future."
Consort Wen snorted coldly and remained silent.
Consort Hui, with a gentle expression, smiled and said, "Sister Consort Que is too modest. All the concubines in the palace know about your methods. I will have to learn from you in the future."
Consort Que's face paled, and she sat down awkwardly.
Consort An looked up and quickly glanced at Xu Lejin, Consort Wen, Consort Hui, and others. She pursed her lips and remained silent, her face showing a thoughtful expression. Consort Duan, who was sitting opposite Consort An, spoke with a smile.
"Consort Hui is highly experienced, while Consort Que is young; naturally, Consort Que should seek guidance from Consort Hui. However..."
Consort Duan paused, then said softly, "Everyone has their own expertise. Consort Hui is very good at educating her children. The Second Prince and the Third Princess have been taught very well by Consort Hui."
"Consort Que serves His Majesty with utmost devotion, and I've heard that His Majesty is very fond of her."
Out of the corner of her eye, Consort Duan glanced at Consort Wen and said with a flattering expression, "Of course, Consort Wen manages the affairs of the six palaces in an orderly manner."
Consort Hui and Consort Wen were taken aback.
A moment later, Consort Wen raised her head slightly, looked down at Consort Duan, and said in a deep voice, "Consort Duan is becoming more and more clever these days, able to please everyone, praising Consort Hui and Consort Que, and also flattering me."
Consort Duan smiled but remained silent.
Consort Wen looked up and glanced at Xu Lejin. "Your Highness, there are more and more eloquent people in the palace. Consort Duan has been by Your Highness's side for many years and has learned a lot."
With a calm expression, Xu Lejin gave Consort Duan a look that said, "Take it easy."
"One is influenced by one's company. Consort Duan has a close relationship with me, so her conduct is naturally similar to mine. Consort Wen and Consort Hui are also close to me, aren't they equally gentle and virtuous?"
Consort Wen gave an awkward smile and mumbled something.
"Your Highness is too kind. Your Majesty, Consort Hui and I are merely fulfilling our duties. 'Gentle and virtuous' are words used to describe the Empress. Your Majesty and Consort Hui are far too unworthy of such praise."
"Yes, Consort Wen is quite right."
Inside Yikun Palace, people chatted back and forth, and one or two hours passed quickly!
Xu Lejin frowned as she watched Consort Wen, Consort Hui, and the others exchanging barbs, their words never falling short of each other. Feeling extremely annoyed, she looked up at the sky outside and pretended to yawn.
With a leisurely expression, Xu Lejin rested her chin on her hand and parted her red lips slightly, "It's getting late. I went to bed a little late last night, and I'm already sleepy at this hour."
"My ladies, please return to your palaces. I also need to catch up on some sleep."
Consort Wen and Consort Hui swallowed the words that were on the tip of their tongues.
They rose respectfully, and Consort Wen and Consort Hui led the other concubines in saying in unison, "We respectfully obey Your Highness's orders. We, your humble servants, will take our leave."
"Um."
With a lazy expression, Xu Lejin smiled and watched everyone leave.
Outside Yikun Palace
Consort Wen and Consort Hui walked together, discussing in hushed tones. Before long, they headed straight for Consort Wen's Chuxiu Palace. Consort He, being young, happily led the palace servants back to Changchun Palace.
After half a cup of tea, only Consort Que and Consort Duan remained on the long street.
With a smile, Consort Duan bowed to Consort Que and said, "Congratulations, Consort Que, on gaining the power to assist in managing the six palaces. Although Consort Que is young, I can tell at a glance that you are intelligent."
Consort Que looked Consort Duan up and down.
After hesitating for a moment, she smiled and said, "I thank Consort Duan for your help in the Imperial Concubine's palace earlier. I am young and have been feeling unwell lately, so I won't say any more to you."
Consort Que had a delicate and charming face on her small, palm-sized face.
After walking a few steps, Consort Que turned back to look at Consort Duan and said softly, "My Chengqian Palace is close to Consort Duan's Jingyang Palace. If Consort Duan has nothing to do, she may come to visit my palace often."
Consort Duan responded gently.
On the long street, Consort Yin and Consort Niu of Jingyang Palace had been sent back by Consort Duan long ago, so Consort Duan was standing alone at this moment, with only the palace maid behind her carefully supporting her.
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