Consort Hui suddenly spoke up, and Xu Lejin frowned.
Xu Lejin glanced indifferently at Consort Hui and the brocade box containing the oriole hairpin in front of her, and said in a deep voice, "A woman nearing forty can still conceive and have children."
"Consort Hui is only nearly thirty years old, in the prime of her life, and at an age when she is most fertile. I present this oriole hairpin to you, Consort Hui, hoping that you will give birth to several younger brothers and sisters for the Second Prince and the Third Princess."
Upon hearing this, Consort Hui's expression changed.
In the end, Consort Hui swallowed the words that were about to come out and said respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will follow your teachings. If I am able to conceive at my age, I will be eternally grateful to Your Majesty."
"Um."
Xu Lejin responded and turned her head to talk to Consort Que with a smile.
February 14
It was a joyous day for several newcomers, including Consort Fu and Noble Lady Jing of the Guarjia clan, to enter the palace. Consort Fu was a concubine upon entering the palace, although she did not have a title. However, Yongshou Palace did not have a principal position.
Consort Fu naturally moved into the main hall of Yongshou Palace.
Just as they settled into the main hall of Yongshou Palace, Consort Fu's maid Rouyun bowed and reported to her, "Your Majesty, Consort Guo and the Seventeenth Princess from the side hall have come to pay their respects."
"Consort Guo, the Seventeenth Princess?"
The young and beautiful Consort Fu hesitated for a moment, "I remember that Consort Guo is the elder sister of the late Consort Yi, and the Seventeenth Princess is Consort Yi's daughter."
Rouyun smiled and nodded.
"Your Majesty, that is indeed the case. Consort Guo entered the palace at an advanced age, and is now nearly thirty. After Consort Yi gave birth to the seventeenth princess, she passed away. The Empress Dowager was kind and specially granted Consort Guo permission to raise the seventeenth princess in her place."
Consort Fu nodded and instructed Rouyun to invite Consort Guo and the Seventeenth Princess into the palace.
After a slight pause, Consort Fu turned her head to look at another maidservant, Rouyin, and asked in a deep voice, "I heard from the governess that there is a Consort Chen living in Yongshou Palace. She used to be a palace maid who tended the flowers and plants in the Imperial Garden. She gained the Emperor's favor and was promoted to Consort?"
Rouin thought for a moment quickly and said softly.
"Your Majesty, there was indeed a Consort Chen living in the west side hall at the front and back. Consort Chen was unfortunate and passed away a month ago."
"Now, in our Yongshou Palace, there are only Your Highness and Consort Guo."
Consort Fu nodded, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Consort Guo gracefully entering the hall, led by Rouyun, and swallowed the words that were about to come out.
...
Changchun Palace next to Yikun Palace
The newly arrived Consort Chen and Consort Yu went together to Consort He's main hall to pay their respects. Afterwards, the two headed towards Consort Bu, née Zhaojia, in the east side hall.
Consort Yu was slightly younger, looking no more than fifteen or sixteen years old. She turned her head to look at Consort Chen and said softly, "Sister Chen, Consort He looks quite young, not even ten years old."
"Um."
Consort Chen responded softly, then carefully began to speak, “Consort He was summoned to the palace to await her arrival. Although she is young, she holds the rank of Consort. In addition, in our Changchun Palace, there are Consort Bu, Consort Rui, and Consort Wen, among others.”
"Consort Bu is older and has given birth to the sixth princess for the Emperor. Consort Rui and Consort Wen are currently pregnant with the Emperor's child. Below them is Consort Yi, who used to serve the Emperor alongside Consort Wen."
As they spoke, the two arrived at the east side hall.
Consort Chen gave a wink to the maid beside her, who stepped forward with a smile and said, "Sister, please inform Consort Bu that my mistress and Consort Yu have come to pay their respects to Consort Bu."
"Just wait, my esteemed one hasn't woken up from his afternoon nap yet."
The palace maids serving outside the east side hall looked Chen Guiren and Yu Guiren up and down with arrogance and mockery, thinking to themselves, "I thought they were some kind of beauties, but they're nothing special."
Consort Bu gave the two new concubines a hard time, and Consort Rui, who lived in the west side hall, as well as Consorts Wen and Yi, who lived in the east and west side halls behind, soon learned about it from the palace maids.
Consort Rui, Consort Wen, and Consort Yi each had their own thoughts.
East Six Palaces
Consort Hui sat upright in the main seat, looking down at Noble Lady Suochuoluo, whose beautiful face, oval face, and willow-leaf eyebrows were full of charm, and her every smile and frown was full of elegance. She was so jealous that she felt flustered.
Her hands, clasped tightly within her sleeves, were smiling radiantly as Consort Hui spoke, “I have long heard of Consort Suochuoluo’s beauty, and seeing her today confirms it is true.”
"Noble Lady Suochuoluo is beautiful; the Emperor will surely be pleased with her."
Consort Suochuoluo smiled shyly, her face beaming with delight, and said respectfully, "Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness. How can the light of a firefly compare with the brilliance of Your Highness's moon?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Hui felt extremely relieved.
"Noble Lady Suochuoluo has such a silver tongue, she really knows how to talk. How could I possibly be a bright moon?"
Noble Lady Sochoro lowered her head slightly, her mind racing.
At this moment, Consort Hui chuckled and said, "Today is the first day that Noble Lady Suochuoluo has entered the palace. I imagine there are still many places that have not been properly arranged. I will not keep you any longer. You may return to the East Side Hall."
"Yes, this concubine takes her leave."
Consort Suochuoluo bowed and withdrew from the main hall of Yanxi Palace.
Consort Hui watched Noble Lady Suochuoluo's departing figure and spoke in a deep voice, "Cunxin, what do you think of Noble Lady Suochuoluo who entered the palace today? Can she be of use to me?"
Cunxin quickly raised her head and glanced at Consort Hui.
After a moment of contemplation, Cunxin said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, this servant thinks that Consort Suochuoluo is beautiful, but she seems to be not very smart and does not understand the rules of the palace."
"Um."
Consort Hui responded calmly and said leisurely, "Indeed, she is beautiful but foolish. Isn't she just what I need to use?"
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