What happened in Chengqian Palace could not be kept from Consort Hui, nor from Consort Wen, who was clinging to life on her sickbed.
Yanxi Palace
Consort Hui's old face was so gloomy it seemed like it could drip water. She sneered, "The Tongjia clan? The late emperor's reign produced the emperor's birth mother, Empress Xiaokangzhang. Before that, there was Consort Chengqian, Consort Gong, and now there is Consort Que. Yet they are still not satisfied and have sent three more young women into the palace."
"Cunxin, have our people find out what the three women the Tong family sent to the palace this time are like—their appearance, temperament, and family background."
The palace maid, Cunxin, bowed and agreed.
Consort Hui paused, then changed the subject, speaking coldly, "What about Yonghe Palace? Is Consort Hui still so ungrateful?"
“I have promoted her and wanted her to work for me, but she is pretentious and always pretends not to understand the olive branch I extend to her.”
“Your Majesty, Consort Na says that she comes from a humble background and dares not presume to be worthy of Your Majesty.”
Cunxin lowered her head slightly, her mind racing with thoughts.
After a moment, Cunxin said softly, "Your Highness, I think that although Consort Na is beautiful, she doesn't know how to be virtuous. Your Highness doesn't need to bother with her."
"There are many young and beautiful concubines in the palace; if not Consort Na, there are others. Next year..."
He glanced quickly at Consort Hui, then steeled himself and spoke respectfully.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty has arranged for Consort Suochuoluo to reside in our Yanxi Palace. She will be entering the palace next February. I have heard that Consort Suochuoluo is extremely beautiful."
"Um."
Consort Hui nodded slightly, her expression thoughtful, and said, "That may be true, but there are still three or four months before the new concubines enter the palace. Wouldn't it be better if someone could be of service to me during these three or four months?"
"Our Yanxi Palace,"
With a cold snort, Consort Hui's face was contorted with rage, and her tone was icy.
"Consort Li and Consort Yue are ungrateful. I went to great lengths to recommend them to serve the Emperor, but they turned around and sided with Consort Yu."
“Prostitutes are heartless, actresses are ungrateful. If I had known they were like this, I shouldn’t have brought them into the palace. Now, I find them an eyesore.”
Cunxin lowered her head and remained silent.
At this moment, from the rear hall of Yanxi Palace, came the sounds of zither and pipa playing, and singing and chanting. Consort Hui's head began to throb with pain.
With a look of disgust, Consort Hui shouted, "Tell them to stop singing and playing! It's giving me a headache!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Cunxin sighed, quickly left the main hall, and headed towards the rear hall.
Half an hour later
Cunxin returned with a helpless expression, head drooping, and said softly, "Your Highness, Consort Li and Consort Yue said that Consort Yu wants to hear a piece of music in a few days, and they are rehearsing and cannot stop."
With an embarrassed expression, Cunxin spoke again in a low voice.
"Li also told them that if Your Majesty did not like it, you could report to the Emperor and Consort Yu. As long as the Emperor and Consort Yu ordered them not to play or sing, they would not play or sing."
"presumptuous,"
Upon hearing this, Consort Hui slammed her hand on the table with a loud 'smack'.
With a ferocious expression and a sinister look in her eyes, Consort Hui spoke in a cold voice, "I am the mistress of Yanxi Palace and assist in managing the six palaces. Am I not allowed to deal with these few concubines?"
"Guards, take Concubine Li, Concubine Yue, and the others to the Censorate..."
Cunxin's expression froze for a moment. She opened her mouth, but swallowed the words that were about to come out.
Afternoon
Sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves, dappling the ground.
Xu Lejin lay comfortably, while Ru Hua softly reported, "Your Majesty, among the three Tongjia princesses in Consort Que's palace, Tongjia Feixu is sixteen years old and is the daughter of the magistrate of Shanyang County. She has delicate features and a refined and elegant appearance."
"Princess Tongjia Rongyin, seventeen years old, is a Manchu woman of the Tongjia clan, unemployed and without official rank. She is slender and possesses captivating charm. Princess Tongjia Qianrou, eighteen years old, is aloof and beautiful, and is..."
Ru Hua paused for a moment, then spoke.
"According to the news sent by the lady outside the palace, Princess Tongjia is apparently the daughter of Lord Tong Guowei and his mistress. She was secretly raised in the home of a scholar from the Tongjia clan from a young age."
Xu Lejin nodded, her red lips parting slightly, "Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen years old, are all ages when one is as beautiful as a flower, a bud about to bloom!"
"Tong Guowei's decision to have his wife, Lady Hesheli, escort three people to the palace is truly remarkable."
He chuckled.
With her lips pursed, Xu Lejin said coldly, "It's a pity that Tong Guowei's wishful thinking is likely to fail. Consort Que was able to risk everything to scheme against the Emperor and gain favor early on; her mind and methods are not simple."
Ru Hua lowered her head slightly and replied with a smile, "Your Majesty is quite right."
After drinking half a cup of tea, Xu Lejin squinted her eyes.
"What Consort Que wants to do, let our people lend a hand where they can. Consort Que doesn't want these three to serve the Emperor, and naturally, I disapprove as well."
Looking up at the sky outside, Xu Lejin pondered.
After half a cup of tea
Xu Lejin said, "Ruhua, you should go to the Censorate in person. Consort Li and Consort Yue are, after all, imperial concubines..."
"yes."
October 16
The imperial concubines gathered at Yikun Palace.
Consort Hui smiled and looked at Consort Que, speaking in a sweet voice, "Your Highness Consort Que, I have heard that there are three beautiful new sisters in Your Highness Consort Que's palace?"
"Today is the day when the palace ladies pay their respects to Consort Yu. Why doesn't Consort Que bring her three new sisters for us to see?"
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