When Consort Zhi passed away, Emperor Kangxi did not pay much attention to her funeral, so it was held in a very simple manner.
Night falls
Fireflies darted in from outside Yikun Palace, running quickly. Before they could even wipe the sweat from their brows, they respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, news has come from Consort Duan's palace that Consort Niu will go into labor this afternoon."
"At three quarters past the hour of You (5:45 PM), a little princess was born safely. The little princess is healthy and weighs six pounds and five ounces."
Xu Lejin was stunned for a moment.
"This is Consort Niu's first pregnancy. From the onset of labor to the safe delivery, everything went smoothly, taking only two or three hours. Ru Hua, prepare a congratulatory gift and send it to Consort Duan's palace to congratulate Consort Niu on the safe delivery of her daughter."
Ru Hua respectfully responded.
The palace welcomed a new imperial daughter, the twenty-second daughter. However, because her mother, Lady Niu, was only a minor concubine, the reaction from the other palaces was lukewarm, with only token gifts sent to Jingyang Palace.
Three days later, after the 22nd princess's third-day celebration.
Consort Duan looked at Consort Niu, who was lying weakly with her head wrapped in a headband, with a kind and gentle expression, and said softly, "His Majesty and the Noble Consort mean that you have safely given birth to the Twenty-Second Princess, which is a meritorious service to the continuation of the imperial line. Therefore, you are promoted to Noble Lady and are allowed to raise the Twenty-Second Princess until she is one year old."
Niu Changzai, well, he's already a nobleman.
Consort Niu smiled weakly and said respectfully, "Thank you for Your Majesty's great favor, and thank you, Your Highness."
Then, the conversation shifted.
Consort Niu looked at Consort Duan with a face full of gratitude, "This humble servant was able to safely give birth to the twenty-second daughter of the Emperor, all thanks to Your Majesty. Your Majesty's great kindness, this humble servant and the twenty-second daughter of the Emperor are grateful to tears and will never forget it."
Consort Duan had a gentle and graceful expression.
"Your pregnancy and the birth of the twenty-second princess is a blessing for you. I have only done what I should have done."
After a cup of tea
Consort Duan glanced at the sky and said softly, "You've just given birth and are still in your postpartum period. You need to rest more, so I won't disturb you. Green Lotus, let's go."
Consort Duan and her servants returned to the main hall of Jingyang Palace.
Green Lotus lowered her voice, carefully choosing her words before speaking softly, "Your Majesty, you are the head of Jingyang Palace. Logically, the twenty-second princess, born to Consort Niu, should be raised by you."
"Although Consort Niu has rendered meritorious service in giving birth to the princess, she comes from a humble background. How could she personally raise the twenty-second princess to her first birthday?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Duan glared at Green Lotus.
"What nonsense are you spouting? The Emperor and the Imperial Concubine have their reasons for having Consort Niu personally raise the Twenty-Second Imperial Daughter until her first birthday. I—"
"I am already being blessed by the Emperor to raise the Thirteenth Princess."
Green Lotus bowed her head and awkwardly agreed.
After a moment of contemplation, Consort Duan said softly, "I already have a thirteenth princess. Now I only wish for another prince, so that I may have both a son and a daughter."
After saying that, Consort Duan gave a bitter smile.
"Your Majesty, you are in the prime of your life and will surely conceive and give birth to a little prince."
Green Lotus offered a soft compliment.
June 16
After the concubines paid their respects to Xu Lejin at Yikun Palace.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Consort Shuang has tripped and fallen on the main street and is bleeding..."
With her chin half-propped up, Xu Lejin flipped through the account books sent by the Imperial Household Department when Qingtan rushed in in a hurry, disregarding etiquette and speaking repeatedly.
Xu Lejin paused for a moment, looking at Qingtan with surprise.
Are both of them present?
After a moment of contemplation, Xu Lejin said in a deep voice, "Shuang Changzai is four months pregnant. How could she suddenly fall? Ruhua, go to the palaces of Consort Wen and Consort Que and make sure they find out what happened."
"Qingtan, go to Yonghe Palace and let Consort Wan take charge of the overall situation there. Make sure to ensure the safety of the two Consorts and the imperial fetus."
Ru Hua and Qing Tan responded in deep voices and quickly retreated.
The afternoon sun scorched the earth. Xu Lejin waited anxiously in Yikun Palace, wondering if Shuangchang could keep this pregnancy.
Four months later, I fell and started bleeding.
Oh dear, how could this happen?
At this time
An unfamiliar palace maid was led into the hall and respectfully said to Xu Lejin, "Your Highness, my mistress is pregnant and is two months along."
"、、"
Xu Lejin's expression froze for a moment, and she looked at the unfamiliar palace maid, "Who is your mistress?"
There were so many noble ladies, concubines, and palace maids in the palace that she couldn't possibly remember the maids around each of them.
Of course, as a Noble Consort, she wouldn't deliberately remember a particular maidservant or concubine.
"Your Highness, this servant is a maid who serves Consort Niohuru in the Chuxiu Palace."
Xu Lejin nodded upon hearing this.
After a moment's hesitation, she said, "So it's Consort Niohuru who is pregnant. Consort Niohuru's pregnancy is a joyous occasion. Is Consort Wen aware of this?"
"Has anyone been sent to report to the Emperor?"
The unfamiliar palace maid glanced up at Xu Lejin, then quickly lowered her head. "Your Highness, I haven't informed Consort Wen, nor have I sent anyone to report to the Emperor. I'm worried..."
"snort."
With a cold smile, Xu Lejin said in a deep voice, "Men, seize him!"
"Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine?"
The palace maid's expression changed.
Xu Lejin spoke coldly, "Noble Lady Niohuru, I will have someone investigate whether you are pregnant. As for you? Your words are incoherent, and your eyes are shifty."
"I suspect that you are not serving Consort Niohuru."
As soon as Xu Lejin finished speaking, the unfamiliar palace maid kneeling on the ground suddenly raised her head, smiled eerily, gritted her teeth, and instantly blood spilled from the corner of her mouth as she committed suicide by poison!
"、、"
Xu Lejin was stunned, her mouth agape.
Nongying, who was bowing and serving behind Xu Lejin, glanced meaningfully at the unfamiliar palace maid who had committed suicide by poison on the ground, and whispered to the eunuchs to drag the body out and dispose of it.
One hour later
Qingtan, who was sent to Yonghe Palace, and Liuying, who went to Chuxiu Palace to confirm whether Consort Niohuru was pregnant, returned together.
Qingtan's expression was grave. She said, "Your Majesty, Consort Shuang landed on her belly, and the imperial fetus could not be saved; she miscarried. Consort Shuang's health has been damaged, and it will be difficult for her to conceive again."
"well."
Xu Lejin sighed and looked at Liu Ying.
"Your Highness, Consort Niohuru is indeed pregnant and is two months along. However, Consort Niohuru herself is unaware of this and has not sent any palace maids to our Yikun Palace to report it."
The fireflies' voices were low and hushed.
Frowning, Xu Lejin nodded and murmured, "Shuang Changzai suffered a miscarriage, and Consort Niohuru is pregnant again. What a coincidence. How is Consort Lan doing?"
"Your Majesty, Lady Lan is in charge."
Just as Liu Ying was about to report, Ju Xiang, a third-class palace maid, rushed into the hall, knelt down with a thud, and said with a sorrowful face, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Consort Lan..."
"Lan agreed to have a miscarriage."
As soon as Juxiang finished speaking, Yikun Palace fell silent, with only faint breathing sounds audible.
With a shocked and surprised expression, Xu Lejin spoke coldly, "How could Consort Lan have a miscarriage?"
"Your Majesty..."
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