The next day
The news spread throughout the palace that the young prince born to Consort Wen was not given a name because he was not in the proper order of birth. Therefore, he was referred to as the Ninth Prince by everyone in the palace.
The ninth prince, born to Consort Wen, was a boy with feminine features and was very handsome.
After listening to Liu Ying's report, Xu Lejin frowned and pondered for a moment before speaking in a deep voice, "Regardless of whether Consort Wen's ninth son has feminine features or his features are more refined than those of the princes in the palace, he is still of the Emperor's blood and is a prince in the palace."
"Liu Ying, take this letter from me and go personally to the Imperial Household Department to warn the servants there not to deduct any of Consort Wen and the Ninth Prince's allowances. Also..."
After a pause, Xu Lejin continued.
"In addition, go to Consort He's residence in Changchun Palace and have her restrain the concubines in Changchun Palace from disrespecting Consort Wen and her son. The Ninth Prince has just been born and is being cared for by Consort Wen for the time being. Unless His Majesty gives special instructions, he will be moved to the Prince's Residence after the full moon."
Liu Ying respectfully acknowledged and withdrew.
Because the ninth prince was fair-skinned and had delicate features, Emperor Kangxi disliked this son who had feminine features, so the ninth prince's third-day celebration was not a grand affair.
September 2nd
Consort Hui gently covered her mouth, giggling as she glanced at Consort He before looking at Xu Lejin, saying, "Your Highness, Consort Yu, I have heard that the ninth prince, born to Consort Wen, has exquisite features that surpass those of every princess in the palace."
"If it weren't for the imperial physician and the midwife repeatedly insisting that it was a prince, we would probably have thought that Consort Wen had given birth to a little princess."
After speaking, Consort Hui chuckled.
Xu Lejin paused for a moment, exchanged a glance with Consort Que without making a sound, and said softly, "The Ninth Prince was only born a few days ago, and there was no grand celebration for his third-day celebration. Where did Consort Hui see the Ninth Prince?"
"It's one thing for palace maids and eunuchs to blindly follow rumors and believe anything they hear, but Consort Hui, you are the mistress of Yanxi Palace..."
Consort Hui's old face instantly turned from white to green.
After hesitating for a moment, Consort Hui smiled awkwardly and said in a low voice, "I only heard it from the palace servants who were gossiping. I didn't mean any harm."
"Just out of curiosity!"
Xu Lejin glanced at Consort Hui with a cool expression and said in a cold voice, "There are too many people in the palace and they talk too much. Consort Hui, you may have just said something out of curiosity, but it may not be the case for Consort Wen and the Ninth Prince."
"Consort Hui, you are a consort, and your every word and action sets an example for the palace. You must be careful with your words and deeds."
Her hands, hanging limply in her sleeves, were clenched into tight fists. Consort Hui almost ground her teeth to powder. She hated Xu Lejin to the core, and also hated Consort Wen, who was in confinement in Changchun Palace, and the Ninth Prince.
After drinking half a cup of tea, Xu Lejin looked at Consort He.
After a moment of contemplation, she said softly, "Consort He, Consort Wen is from your palace. She is currently in confinement after giving birth. I will now entrust Consort Wen and the Ninth Prince to you."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will follow your instructions and make sure that Consort Wen and the Ninth Prince are well taken care of."
Although Consort He was young, she solemnly agreed at this moment.
The little girl loves beauty. Although Consort He holds the rank of Consort, she is still a little girl. Yesterday, she went to Consort Wen's room to visit Consort Wen and the Ninth Prince. The Ninth Prince has grown up and is no longer the wrinkled child he was when he was born.
At first glance, Consort He fell in love with the fair-skinned and tender Ninth Prince.
Time flies, and it's already late September.
On this day, Consort Que was in Yikun Palace discussing with Xu Lejin the matter of the full moon banquet for the ninth prince six days later.
Carefully choosing her words, Consort Que looked at Xu Lejin and asked softly, "Consort Yu, what arrangements has the Emperor made for Consort Wen and the Ninth Prince?"
"Consort Wen will soon be out of confinement, and the prince will be almost a month old."
Xu Lejin nodded, her brows furrowing slightly.
After drinking half a cup of tea, he sighed softly and said, "His Majesty is ultimately concerned that the Ninth Prince has a feminine appearance, so when Consort Wen gave birth to the Ninth Prince safely, His Majesty did not offer any reward."
"The ninth prince is almost a month old, and the emperor has kept quiet about naming him."
After a pause, Xu Lejin continued speaking.
"By the way, Consort Que, someone from Chuxiu Palace came yesterday to report that Consort Ye's due date is in the next few days. Although Consort Ye is of humble birth, the imperial physician has diagnosed that the child in her womb is a little princess, but she is still of the Emperor's blood."
"Regarding Consort Ye's childbirth, I will need to trouble Consort Que to take extra care of things."
Upon hearing this, Consort Que nodded slightly and said, "Yes, younger sister will remember elder sister's teachings and will do her utmost to ensure that Consort Ye gives birth to the little princess safely, and to ensure the safety of both mother and daughter..."
Afternoon
Liu Ying hurried in from outside the palace and respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, news has come from Chuxiu Palace that Consort Ye has made her move."
"Okay, I understand!"
Xu Lejin gave a faint reply, put down the account book in her hand, and said in a deep voice, "Have Consort Que and Consort Hui gone to Chuxiu Palace to oversee things? Have the midwife, the wet nurse taking care of the little princess, and the palace servants all been arranged?"
Liu Ying looked up at Xu Lejin and quickly considered her options for a moment.
"Your Majesty, Consort Hui is unwell and is recuperating in Yanxi Palace. After Consort Que received the news, she went to Chuxiu Palace. The midwife, the wet nurse to take care of the unborn princess in Consort Ye's womb, and the palace servants have all been arranged in advance."
Xu Lejin nodded.
In the evening, Emperor Kangxi was having dinner with Consort Xu Lejin in Yikun Palace when news came from Chuxiu Palace that Consort Ye had safely given birth to a baby princess weighing 6.6 jin. Both mother and daughter were safe.
With a smile on her face, Xu Lejin secretly glanced at Kangxi out of the corner of her eye.
Emperor Kangxi laughed heartily and said, "Very good, very good. Consort Ye has rendered meritorious service in giving birth to the princess. She shall be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver and promoted to the rank of Consort Chang. The princess shall be raised by Consort Ye until she turns one year old, after which she shall be moved to the Princes' Residence."
"Your Majesty is wise."
After a pause, Xu Lejin looked up at Kangxi, then quickly lowered her head.
After a moment's consideration, Xu Lejin spoke softly, "Your Majesty, the ninth prince born to Consort Wen is almost a month old. Although the ninth prince born to Consort Wen has delicate features and is very handsome, he is still Your Majesty's own flesh and blood."
"Wen Changzai"
Hesitant to speak, Xu Lejin looked cautiously at Kangxi.
Emperor Kangxi's expression darkened slightly, and he frowned without speaking.
After a short while, Xu Lejin said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, if you look at it from another perspective, the reason why the Ninth Prince is so handsome is because Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and Consort Wen is gentle and refined."
"The child is innocent. The Ninth Prince was merely born with the best qualities of the Emperor and Consort Wen; he has done nothing wrong."
Kangxi responded and looked intently at Xu Lejin.
A moment later
Emperor Kangxi spoke in a loud voice, “What my beloved concubine says is not without reason.”
"Liang Jiugong, convey my decree to the six palaces: Consort Wen has rendered meritorious service in giving birth to the Ninth Prince, and is hereby promoted to Noble Lady to raise the Ninth Prince until his first birthday. The Ninth Prince is named Yin Tang, and his order of birth is Sixth Prince."
"The twenty-fourth daughter of Consort Ye, the twenty-third princess in order of birth, was given the name Santana."
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