After seeing off Consort Que, Xu Lejin let out a long sigh.
The sudden death of Consort Que's birth mother is suspicious to anyone who isn't utterly foolish. Tong Guowei of the Tongjia household was too eager for quick success and too self-righteous.
Consort Que
From the time she had known Consort Que for the past year or two, she knew that Consort Que was not the kind of woman who was like a parasitic plant, dependent on her family and wholeheartedly plotting for their benefit.
Perhaps because Consort Que and her mother were neglected and ignored by Tong Guowei from a young age, Consort Que developed a self-reliant and strong character.
With a soft sigh, Xu Lejin spoke gently, "Tong Guowei believed that by causing the death of Consort Que's birth mother, he could warn Consort Que and make her obediently serve them, but he never expected..."
"The reason why Consort Que and Lady Tongjia still maintain a seemingly harmonious relationship is simply because their birth mother was in the Tong family. Now that their birth mother has passed away, the bond between Consort Que and the Tong family has been severed."
After a pause, Xu Lejin narrowed her eyes, revealing a dark and ambiguous coldness.
"Tong Guowei's cleverness has backfired. Hopefully, he can clean up any clues. Otherwise, if Consort Que finds out the truth, Tong Guowei and the Tongjia clan will be in for a storm."
Ruhua and Nongying lowered their heads slightly and exchanged a glance.
After considering it for a moment, Nongying said in a low voice, "Your Highness, Consort Que is, after all, from the Tongjia clan and is the daughter of Lord Tong Guowei. It shouldn't be that way."
Xu Lejin raised an eyebrow and glanced at Nongying indifferently.
"Consort Que was indeed from the Tongjia clan, the daughter of Tong Guowei, but she grew up relying on her aunt. Although she entered the palace because of the Tong family, and it was because of this that she became a consort,..."
"The Tongjia clan is large and numerous, with members all over the world. Even if Tong Guowei is gone, there are still Tong Guogang, Tong Guoji, and even Tong Guosheng, Tong Guolie, and Tong Guoqiang. As long as the Tong family stands strong, Consort Que's position as a Noble Consort will not be affected."
After a pause, Xu Lejin chuckled softly and continued, "Although the current patriarch of the Tongjia clan is Tong Guowei,..."
"Besides Tong Guowei, Empress Xiaokangzhang's brothers were Tong Guoji and Tong Guogang. Although Tong Guoji was the eldest son, he died young. The second son, Tong Guogang, had no daughters, only sons."
“Tong Guowei is the third son of the legitimate wife. According to the order of seniority, if Tong Guowei hadn’t had several daughters, how would he have had the opportunity to become the head of the Tongjia clan…”
Outside the palace, the Tongjia clan was experiencing a storm.
Palace
November 22nd,
That afternoon, news suddenly came from Yongshou Palace that Consort Guo had given birth.
Frowning slightly, Xu Lejin murmured softly, "Consort Guo is nearly thirty years old and has been pregnant with this child. She has been through many ups and downs during her pregnancy and has been resting in bed. She is very fortunate that the baby is still alive and well now, nine months along."
"Consort Guo is an older woman giving birth, and it's her first child, so she probably won't be able to deliver for a while."
He called out loudly towards the outside of the hall, "Firefly!"
A moment later, Liu Ying bowed and entered the hall to await Xu Lejin's orders.
"Give the order: Consort Guo's childbirth is a major event in the palace. Instruct the Imperial Household Department and the Imperial Hospital to cooperate fully to ensure Consort Guo's safe delivery. As for Yongshou Palace, have someone keep a close watch on it and report any unusual activity to me immediately."
Liu Ying respectfully agreed and quickly withdrew.
As dusk fell, Emperor Kangxi arrived at Yikun Palace. Consort Guo, who was in Yongshou Palace in front of it, had not yet given birth, and her heart-wrenching cries could be heard even through the palace walls.
Emperor Kangxi frowned and said in a deep voice, "The imperial physician diagnosed that Lady Guoluo's pregnancy is a prince."
"In the early stages of her pregnancy, Lady Guoluo went through several ordeals. Although she managed to keep the baby, the imperial physician said that the prince in Lady Guoluo's womb might be a little weak after birth and would need to be carefully nurtured to grow up."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly, quickly considering her options.
"Your Majesty need not worry too much. The imperial physicians are highly skilled, and the midwife is also very good at midwifery. Consort Guo will surely give birth to the little prince safely."
"The little prince is a bit weak since he was just born, but that's alright. The wet nurses and imperial physicians will take good care of him and use the best of everything. The little prince will definitely grow up healthy and safe."
Kangxi glanced at Xu Lejin and nodded.
Early the next morning
After seeing Emperor Kangxi off, Xu Lejin summoned Liuying to inquire about Consort Guo's labor progress. She learned that Consort Guo had been in labor for a day and a night, but had still not given birth to the imperial heir.
After frowning and pondering for a moment, Xu Lejin said softly, "Have the imperial physician and the midwife ensure that Consort Guo and the young prince are safe and sound."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yongshou Palace
Although Consort Fu held a high-ranking position, she was young and had never given birth.
At this moment, listening to Consort Guo's heart-wrenching cries from inside the delivery room, Consort Fu's face turned pale, her heart filled with fear and unease. Her eyes were fixed on the delivery room, fearing that something might go wrong.
A quarter of an hour, then an hour, passed.
Consort Fu's back was soaked with sweat, and she became increasingly worried.
Noon
Under the blazing sun, Consort Fu stood outside the delivery room, her forehead covered in sweat, just like Consort Guo who was giving birth inside. Palace maids Rouyun and Rouyin gently wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"Your Majesty, Consort Guo and the young prince are blessed by their ancestors and will surely be safe and sound."
Consort Fu responded weakly, and with the support of Rouyun and Rouyin, she sat down in a chair, her legs trembling, wondering when Consort Guo would finally give birth to this child...
For a whole day and night, there was not a sound from inside.
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