Xu Lejin and Emperor Kangxi spoke at the same time.
With an awkward smile, Xu Lejin quickly glanced at Kangxi, lowered her head slightly, and said softly, "I apologize for my presumption, Your Majesty, please speak first."
"Um."
Kangxi responded and looked at Xu Lejin, saying, "This morning, the imperial physician reported that the Empress Dowager's health is deteriorating and she may not live for more than a month."
"When I was young, it was my grandmother who taught me. It was my grandmother who single-handedly assisted me in ascending the throne. Now..."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin looked up and stared blankly at Kangxi.
After a short while, Xu Lejin carefully spoke, "The Empress Dowager is blessed by the heavens and will surely be safe and sound. She will definitely be able to see the Emperor's children and grandchildren fill his house and see our Great Qing Dynasty prosper."
"Of course, I wish it to be this way, but..."
Kangxi's expression was complicated. He glanced at Xu Lejin and then said, "My grandmother's wish is for me to bestow honors upon the concubines in the harem and reward them. In addition, Consort Wan and Consort Ning..."
"The Empress Dowager hopes that Consort Wan and Consort Ning can raise the princes and princesses."
After he finished speaking, Kangxi frowned.
Xu Lejin nodded and said softly, "The Empress Dowager's suggestion is excellent. Consort Wan and Consort Ning are of noble birth from Mongolia and should have been granted the title of Consort long ago."
"In addition, Consort Duan has served the Emperor for many years and raised the Thirteenth Princess. She should be promoted in rank. Noble Lady Chun, Noble Lady Xiu, Noble Lady Niu, and Noble Lady Wen, who have given birth to princes and princesses for the Emperor, have also made contributions."
Two days later
News came from Cining Palace that the Empress Dowager was almost unresponsive!
Afternoon
Kangxi, looking weary, sat facing Xu Lejin and spoke in a deep voice, "Both Consort Wan and Consort Ning cannot be promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine. Furthermore, regarding the matter of raising children..."
“Consort Duan has been in the palace for a long time. Although she gave birth to the second princess and raised my thirteenth princess, her background is still somewhat inferior. If she were to be made a concubine, I would also like to have Consort Duan raise a prince.”
Xu Lejin nodded slightly.
"Your Majesty has considered all aspects. The Fifth Prince of Consort Liang, the Sixth Prince of Consort Wen, the Seventh Prince of Consort Qi, and the Eighth Prince of Consort Mu are all suitable candidates."
"Um."
Kangxi responded with a sound of agreement, then frowned and pondered.
After a cup of tea, Kangxi said loudly, "My beloved consort's previous suggestion was quite good. The noble ladies and consorts who have given birth to princes and princesses for me should indeed be commended. However, since they are of low birth, it may be inappropriate to rashly confer the title of concubine."
"After much deliberation, I have decided to bestow titles upon them."
Xu Lejin looked up at Kangxi, frowned, and pondered for a moment.
"Your Majesty's decision is excellent. Let the Imperial Household Department draft a few titles, and Your Majesty can choose the appropriate ones to bestow upon Consort Wen and others."
Emperor Kangxi laughed heartily.
“No need! Lady Chun of Qixiang Palace is given the title ‘Xiang’, Consort Xiu of the beloved concubine’s palace is given the title ‘Shun’, Lady Niu is given the title ‘Gong’, Lady Wenzha is given the title ‘Xin’, and Lady Ye Mu is given the title ‘Ying’.”
After a pause, Kangxi continued, "Noble Lady Mu, of the Guo Luo Luo clan, will be promoted to Consort Mu, and will be the head of Xianfu Palace. Also, regarding Lady Suo Chuo Luo of Yanxi Palace, I would like to bestow upon her the title 'Shen'. What does my beloved consort think?"
Xu Lejin looked up in surprise.
After a moment, with a gentle and proper smile on her face, Xu Lejin spoke softly, "Your Majesty's arrangement is naturally excellent, but Consort Mu has just received a title and is now being promoted to the rank of Consort. I am worried that the other women in the harem will feel that Your Majesty is being unfair."
"It's alright."
Emperor Kangxi smiled and said casually, "There is a price to pay for Consort Mu's promotion to the rank of Consort. I am thinking of giving Consort Mu's son, the Eighth Prince, to Consort Duan for upbringing, and promoting Consort Duan to the rank of Imperial Concubine."
"..."
Xu Lejin was stunned.
Kangxi then spoke again, "The sixth prince born to Lady Wenzha and the twenty-third princess born to Lady Yemu, I have decided to give to Consort Wan and Consort Ning to raise. Consort Wan is older and of slightly higher birth than Consort Ning, so she will be promoted to the rank of Consort."
"Sixth Prince and Twenty-Third Princess, what do you think would be the most suitable way for Consort Wan and Consort Ning to raise them?"
Xu Lejin frowned and looked at Kangxi with a puzzled expression.
After a cup of tea, Xu Lejin said softly, "Your Majesty, Consort Wan and Consort Ning are both noble ladies from the Khorchin Mongols. Their backgrounds are actually quite similar. They were both consorts before, but now Consort Wan has been promoted to imperial consort, and Consort Ning..."
"Your Majesty, I suggest that Your Majesty consider entrusting the Sixth Prince to Consort Ning for upbringing as a form of appeasement."
Emperor Kangxi pondered for a long time without speaking.
The next day
Emperor Kangxi went to Cining Palace and discussed the matter with the Empress Dowager before finally issuing an imperial edict.
In addition to the concubines mentioned by Emperor Kangxi, there was also Consort Liang of Yonghe Palace, who was granted the title of Consort Liang by Emperor Kangxi for her meritorious service in giving birth to the Fifth Prince, and lived in Yonghe Palace with Consort Wan.
Emperor Kangxi bestowed titles upon the six palaces, bringing joy to some and sorrow to others.
Consort Duan, Consort Ning, and others were naturally overjoyed, while Consort Wan, Consort Mu, and others were furious.
Consort Bu and Consort Jing felt envy and jealousy.
Jingyang Palace
Consort Yin and Consort Gong, who had just received her title, bowed to Consort Duan with smiles and said, "Congratulations, Your Highness, on receiving the title of Consort and raising the Eighth Prince."
Congratulations to you both!
Consort Duan beamed with joy, looking at Noble Lady Gong with a smile and saying, "Noble Lady Gong is also blessed. Although the Emperor has not yet granted you the rank of Consort, he has bestowed upon you a title."
Consort Gong nodded softly.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I come from a humble background. To become a Noble Lady and give birth to the Twenty-First Princess is already an immense blessing. I would never dare to dream of becoming a Consort."
"Yes, contentment brings happiness!"
Consort Duan responded with a faint "yes".
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