Afternoon
When Emperor Kangxi arrived at Yikun Palace, he could not hide his joy as he looked at Xu Lejin and said in a deep voice, "I am very happy that my beloved consort is pregnant. Now that she is a Noble Consort, I am considering promoting her to a higher rank."
"?"
Xu Lejin had a big question mark above her head.
She was already a Noble Consort; the next step up would be Imperial Noble Consort and then Empress.
The empress was appointed, not promoted.
Does Kangxi mean he wants to bestow upon her the title of Imperial Noble Consort?
But,
Will the Manchu and Mongol noble families of the previous dynasty, and the various Mongol tribes, make her an imperial concubine and eventually an empress?
The answer is no. Kangxi was in his prime, and the Manchu and Mongol noble families and various Mongol tribes were all eyeing the position of Empress.
Although she has many children and enjoys favor, her family background is not prominent. It is unlikely and unrealistic for her to become empress within eight or nine years, or even ten years.
Now, she was certain that if Kangxi proposed to promote her to Imperial Noble Consort in the previous court, it would definitely be met with opposition from the court officials.
After a quick moment of thought, Xu Lejin spoke softly, "With Your Majesty's words, I am content. However, the positions of Imperial Noble Consort and Empress are matters of national importance."
"Your Majesty, I dare to urge you to consider this carefully and discuss it with the court officials."
Kangxi responded, feeling increasingly guilty.
With a furrowed brow and a moment's thought, Kangxi said loudly, "What my beloved consort says is quite right. Tomorrow at the morning court, I will propose that you be made Empress."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly, her head lowered, but a playful sneer flashed in her eyes.
hehe
The mind of an emperor is truly unfathomable!
Previously, the emperor only wanted to promote her to Imperial Noble Consort. Knowing it was impossible, she retreated to advance, which instead aroused Kangxi's guilt. Now, he directly said that he wanted to make her Empress.
Empress, the mother of the nation, a position that every woman in the world dreams of.
Undeniably, she was also tempted, but while she was tempted, she knew it was impossible right now.
After dinner
Emperor Kangxi did not stay overnight at Yikun Palace, but returned to Qianqing Palace instead.
Ruhua and Nongying, their faces beaming with joy, bowed and knelt, saying, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations! His Majesty's word is law; Your Majesty will soon become..."
Be careful what you say!
Shaking her head, Xu Lejin promptly stopped Ruhua and Nongying, and casually said, "Although the Emperor's word is law, the actions of the Son of Heaven are constrained by the previous dynasty. Before a matter is settled, it can only be understood implicitly, not explicitly."
Ruhua and Nongying exchanged a glance and suddenly realized.
"Yes, Your Majesty's admonition is correct. We will follow Your Majesty's teachings and be careful in our words and deeds."
The conversation between Kangxi and Xu Lejin in Yikun Palace was kept secret by the palace servants and those who served the emperor, thanks to their joint persuasion.
The next day
During the morning court session, Emperor Kangxi mentioned that Xu Lejin was pregnant and should be rewarded, and he intended to make her empress.
Nalan Mingzhu, Suo'etu, Tong Guowei, Faka and others exchanged glances and stepped forward together.
Nalan Mingzhu said, "Your Majesty, the matter of establishing an empress is a matter of national importance. I urge Your Majesty to consider it carefully. Although Consort Yu is deeply favored by Your Majesty, her maternal family is in decline, and I am afraid it will be difficult for her to become empress."
Soetu: "Your Majesty, I second that. Although Consort Yu has rendered meritorious service to the imperial heir, the Empress is the mother of the nation and a role model for all women. Consort Yu..."
The words "unworthy of his position" were swallowed back by Suo'etu.
Faka's expression darkened slightly. After a moment of thought, he said, "I also believe that Consort Yu is not fit to be Empress."
Tong Guowei said, “Your Majesty, Consort Yu is of lowly birth. How could she become Empress? Even if she is a Consort, it is Your Majesty’s favor that she has been given. Even if Your Majesty favors Consort Yu, you cannot let the Manchu and Mongol noble families and the people of the world be chilled for the sake of a woman.”
"During the reign of the late emperor, he disregarded the country and its people for the sake of Empress Xiaoxian. Your Majesty is aware of this. Now that Your Majesty wishes to make Consort Yu Empress, are you going to repeat the mistakes of the late emperor?"
Among the ministers, Yongqin Gong Pengchun, the elder brother of Empress Xiaoxian, had a gloomy expression and was about to step forward to defend himself, but...
"How dare you, Tong Guowei! How can you presume to judge the late Emperor? Although you are the elder brother of Empress Xiaokangzhang and the Emperor's maternal uncle, you cannot be so arrogant as to speak ill of the late Emperor."
"Tong Guowei, what is your crime?"
Prince An, Yue Le, stepped forward from among the ministers, his eyes fixed sharply on Tong Guowei.
Upon seeing this, Dong Epengchun quickly pondered for a moment, then withdrew his step, lowered his eyes, and stared at his toes, appearing as if it were none of his business.
Prince An, Yue Le, then looked at Emperor Kangxi on the dragon throne and said, "Your Majesty favors Consort Yu, and Consort Yu has rendered meritorious service to the imperial heir, as all the subjects of the land know, but..."
"This old minister should speak frankly, but Consort Yu's family background is indeed not prominent. Her maternal clan has no important officials in the court. Your Majesty should carefully consider the matter of making Consort Yu Empress."
...
The events that occurred in the previous dynasty spread to every corner of the inner palace in less than half a day.
Consort Que, Consort Duan, and others who were on good terms with Xu Lejin were naturally happy for her to become the future empress. However, Consort Hui, Consort Wan, and others angrily smashed a large number of ornaments.
Yonghe Palace
Consort Wan, confined to the main hall of Yonghe Palace, had a face so dark it seemed as if water could drip from it. "The Emperor actually intends to elevate Consort Yu to Empress? What virtue or ability does Consort Yu possess? She's only good at bearing children!"
"Someone, prepare pen and ink. I need to write a letter back to Khorchin."
The palace maids serving Consort Wan exchanged a glance, but remained unmoved.
With a 'smack,' Consort Wan slammed her hand on the table and said coldly, 'Have you all lost your voices? I ordered you to serve me writing materials. Although I am under house arrest, I am a consort, and behind me are the Mongol tribes!'
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has ordered that you are not allowed to contact the Khorchin tribe."
A slightly older, more composed palace maid forced herself to speak in a deep voice.
Consort Wan was stunned for a moment, and her heart skipped a beat.
Is she being placed under house arrest in a disguised form?
Were all the palace servants around her the Emperor's men? Was she constantly being monitored, her every move under his control?
The truth is cruel.
At this moment, Consort Wan sat there stunned, as if struck by lightning, her eyes lifeless.
Why is this happening? Why?
Everything seemed different from what she had imagined. From the moment she was made a concubine, yet instead of raising a prince, she was raised the twenty-third princess, things began to deviate from her expectations.
Consort Wan fell ill from the shock and fear!
The previous dynasty was in a state of contention over whether Xu Lejin should become empress. Half a month passed, and the twenty-fourth year of Kangxi's reign arrived as scheduled, but the matter was still unresolved.
Xu Lejin simply smiled and let it go...
Kangxi felt increasingly guilty towards Xu Lejin because of this. Precious items were sent to Yikun Palace every few days. While Xu Lejin was taking care of her pregnancy, she received so many gifts from Kangxi that she was overwhelmed.
In contrast, Consort Le, Consort Chang, Consort Chang, and Consort Xiao, who were also pregnant, kept a low profile. If no one specifically mentioned them, no one would remember that there were these pregnant concubines in the palace.
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