In Yanxi Palace
Cunxin entered from outside the palace with a face full of anger and said, "Your Majesty, the flower room sent six newly cultivated 'Green Peony' and 'Green Cloud' plants to Consort Yu's palace, and Consort Que also received two."
"'Green Peony', 'Green Cloud'?"
Consort Hui put down the imperial kitchen's purchasing list and looked at Cunxin. "I heard that the flower room has cultivated new green chrysanthemums this year, named 'Green Peony' and 'Green Cloud'."
"Consort Yu received six pots of flowers. As a consort who assists in managing the six palaces, I should also receive one or two. Cunxin, take a few people to the flower room later and bring back the 'Green Peony' and 'Green Cloud' flowers."
Upon hearing this, Cunxin hesitated.
After considering for a moment, Cunxin lowered her voice and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor's Qianqing Palace received ten pots of flowers, Consort Yu's palace received six, Consort Que's palace received two, and the remaining two..."
"The Emperor had the remaining two pots sent to Shou Kang Palace."
With a 'smack', Consort Hui slammed her hand on the table, and the teacup rolled to the ground, making a crisp cracking sound. Consort Hui's face instantly darkened, as if water could drip from it.
"Does His Majesty dislike me so much? The newly cultivated chrysanthemums were sent to Shou Kang Palace, but he wouldn't even allow the flower shop to send them to my palace. I assist in managing the six palaces; even if I haven't made any great contributions, I have certainly worked hard."
Cunxin looked up and glanced furtively outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, please be careful with your words. These are things you must not say."
After a quick consideration, Cunxin continued, “Your Majesty, the Shou Kang Palace is inhabited by the Dowager Consorts. Currently, the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager have both passed away, and the Dowager Consorts are the most senior members of the palace. The Emperor sent the flower workshop to deliver newly cultivated chrysanthemums to the Shou Kang Palace as a gesture of respect to the Dowager Consorts.”
"I know, but..."
Consort Hui still harbored resentment. She thought she had achieved inner peace and tranquility, but now she realized that she could not remain unmoved by anything.
The next day
Consort Duan brought the Thirteenth Princess and the Eighth Prince to Yikun Palace.
The wet nurse and palace servants were sent to take the Thirteenth Princess and the Eighth Prince out to play. Consort Duan lowered her voice and quietly relayed the conversation between Consort Hui and her servant in Yanxi Palace to Xu Lejin without missing a single word.
Xu Lejin curled her lips, looked at Consort Duan, and said, "Consort Duan seems to know a lot about what's going on in Consort Hui's palace?"
Consort Duan's face stiffened.
After a moment's thought, Consort Duan awkwardly replied, "Your Highness, the second-class palace maid in Consort Hui's palace is my person, so I know some things about Consort Hui's palace."
"Um."
Nodding, Xu Lejin glanced casually at Consort Duan, "Consort Hui's palace has your people, so conversely, does your Jingyang palace also have Consort Hui's people?"
"Consort Hui has held the rank of consort for a long time. Although she was born into a bondservant family, her ancestral home is the powerful Nara clan."
Upon hearing this, Consort Duan's expression changed.
With her head bowed, she pondered rapidly, taking in the moments, the time it took to drink a cup of tea, and a quarter of an hour later, Consort Duan raised her head and said sincerely, "Yes, Consort Yu's teachings are correct. I was confused."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly.
At this time
Liu Ying ran into the palace and respectfully reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, Consort Duan, news has come from Xianfu Palace that Consort Le is pregnant and is already a month and a half along."
Xu Lejin nodded, pursing her lips without saying a word.
"Lord Le?"
Consort Duan quickly searched her memory and finally found some information about Consort Le.
Le Changzai, of the Xile clan, was a palace maid who served the emperor. She was initially granted the title of Le Daying and was later promoted to Changzai.
Le Changzai had been serving Emperor Kangxi for many years and was over twenty years old.
Consort Duan spoke softly, "Your Highness Consort Yu, Consort Le has never received much favor, serving the Emperor only three or four times a year. Now she's actually pregnant?"
"Um."
Xu Lejin responded softly and continued, "The amount of favor one receives is not important; what matters is the blessing of Heaven. There are many concubines in the palace who frequently serve the Emperor, but none of them have conceived."
"Blessed people are not judged by the amount of favor they receive."
Consort Duan nodded slightly, pursing her lips without saying a word.
After a short while, Xu Lejin gave a deep order, "Consort Le is pregnant, which is a joyous occasion in the palace. Nongying, you go to Xianfu Palace yourself and ask Consort Mu to take good care of Consort Le's unborn child, and make sure that Consort Le and the unborn child are safe and sound."
"yes,"
Nongying respectfully agreed and withdrew.
Xianfu Palace
Consort Mu was shocked to learn that Consort Le was pregnant.
"Consort Le? Consort Le is pregnant? How is that possible? I remember that since I became the mistress of Xianfu Palace, Consort Le has only served the Emperor twice. How could she be pregnant?"
Consort Mu felt bitter inside, her eyes filled with sorrow.
Mulan, the palace maid serving Consort Mu, lowered her head and said softly, "Yes, Consort Le's favor is far less than that of Noble Lady Jing and Noble Lady Yao in our Xianfu Palace. Noble Lady Jing and Noble Lady Yao can serve the Emperor once a month, yet they have not conceived. How come Consort Le has conceived?"
"、、"
When Mulan mentioned Consort Jing and Consort Yao, Consort Mu's old face grew even more filled with jealousy and madness.
Consort Mu harbored deep hatred for Noble Lady Jing. Although they lived under the same roof in Xianfu Palace and saw each other frequently, she had never spoken a single word to Noble Lady Jing in a calm and peaceful manner.
Consort Mu held the rank of Consort, while Noble Lady Jing was from the powerful Guarjia clan.
As for Consort Yao, she came from the Han Banner Army and although she received some favor, Consort Mu, mindful of her rank, did not take her seriously and let her be, rarely paying her any attention.
Another palace maid, Mu Jin, who served Consort Mu, bowed and entered from outside the hall.
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