After listening to Nongying's gentle persuasion, Xu Lejin pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly, realizing that it was indeed the case.
Consort Liang was originally promoted by the Empress Dowager. Last year, she had a big fight with Consort Wan. The reason was simply that Consort Wan wanted to take away the Fifth Prince, and Consort Liang loved her son dearly.
Now, Consort Wan and Consort Liang have suddenly rekindled their old friendship.
Consort Wan is probably planning to give up raising the Fifth Prince and instead turn her attention to the other princes in the palace!
September 26
Consort Yao of Xianfu Palace is ten months pregnant and will soon give birth.
Upon learning the news, Xu Lejin pondered for a moment before heading towards Xianfu Palace with her palace attendants. There, she saw Consort Wan, who was already waiting.
"Consort Wan, you're here early. Noble Lady Yao had just started her journey when I rushed over, but I still fell behind you."
Xu Lejin looked at Consort Wan, wondering what Consort Wan's intentions were in being so proactive.
Could it be that Consort Wan has taken a liking to the imperial heir in Consort Yao's womb, but...
On second thought, Xu Lejin suddenly realized that Consort Yao had bribed the imperial physician who was taking her pulse, so that the physician would describe her pulse as indicating that she was carrying a boy.
Consort Wan is so eager because she wants to adopt Consort Yao's child!
Startled, Consort Wan said awkwardly, "Your Highness, you jest. I was simply taking a stroll in the Imperial Garden when Consort Yao was in labor."
"Um."
Xu Lejin responded lightly, not bothering to question whether Consort Wan's words were true or false.
Time passed second by second, but there was no sign of the baby being born to Consort Yao in the delivery room.
Consort Que, Consort Duan, Consort Hui, and others arrived at Xianfu Palace one after another.
As night fell, Emperor Kangxi sent Liang Jiugong to Xianfu Palace to inquire about the matter.
The next day
Consort Yao still hadn't given birth, so Xu Lejin, accompanied by palace servants, went to stand guard outside Xianfu Palace once more, her heart filled with longing for the days when she was a Noble Consort.
She used to be a Noble Consort. When the concubines in the harem gave birth, she didn't have to watch over them. She only needed to give instructions to Noble Consort Que, Consort Hui, and others.
Now, she is an Imperial Noble Consort, holding a rank equivalent to a secondary empress. She has to be present during the delivery of every concubine in the harem, and she must be extremely vigilant. The funniest thing is...
Because of the machinations of Consort Hui, Consort Wan, and the court officials, she, as an Imperial Noble Consort, has not yet undergone the investiture ceremony.
In the afternoon, Emperor Kangxi came to Xianfu Palace and happened to see the midwife and the imperial physician coming out to report that Consort Yao's unborn child was in an abnormal position and that she might not be able to give birth.
The imperial physician, bribed by Consort Yao, even said that Consort Yao was carrying a dragon's child, and that her pulse indicated the child was healthy and strong.
Xu Lejin narrowed her eyes, looking at the imperial physician with amusement, seemingly lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Yao Guiren in the delivery room was conserving her strength. Although she was screaming at the top of her lungs, she didn't make any movements.
Consort Que and Consort Duan exchanged a glance, then looked at Xu Lejin. Xu Lejin shook her head almost imperceptibly, and the two lowered their heads in understanding, remaining silent.
Consort Hui and Consort Wan, on the other hand, acted as if it were none of their business and they didn't care.
Consort He was young, but at this moment she had a thoughtful expression on her face. Consort Ning and Consort Liang were focused on the Fifth and Sixth Princes and did not pay attention to...
Half an hour later
Inside the delivery room, Consort Yao's voice grew louder and louder. The midwife and the imperial physician rushed out again to report that Consort Yao's baby was in breech position and that she was very likely to have a difficult delivery.
Xu Lejin knew what was going on, but she kept her lips pursed and remained silent, only showing a worried expression.
After pondering for a long time, Emperor Kangxi said loudly, "Liang Jiugong, convey my decree to the six palaces: Consort Yao is to be promoted to the rank of Consort, and given the title 'Ji' (ε) as the head of Xianfu Palace."
"twitter."
Liang Jiugong agreed and quickly went to inform the six palaces.
Xu Lejin smiled gently, β'Ji' means auspiciousness and good fortune. Itβs a good omen. I hope that when Consort Ji hears this good news, she can safely give birth to the dragon child in her womb.β
"Um."
Kangxi responded and looked at Xu Lejin, saying, "I still have a memorial in the Qianqing Palace regarding Consort Ji's childbirth. Please take extra care of it, Imperial Noble Consort. After Consort Ji gives birth, have someone report to me immediately."
Xu Lejin replied "Yes" and respectfully saw Kangxi off from Xianfu Palace.
Consort Wan's expression changed, and she spoke in a sarcastic tone, "Consort Ji is quite fortunate. She doesn't even know if the dragon child in her womb is a boy or a girl, or whether she can be born safely, yet she has already received the Emperor's favor and been named Consort Ji."
"Very well, I've been keeping vigil for a whole day and night since yesterday, but Consort Ji still hasn't given birth."
She curtsied to Xu Lejin, then said in a muffled voice, "Your Highness, I am exhausted and must return to Yongshou Palace now."
"Your Majesty, I take my leave."
Supported by her maids, Consort Wan swayed as she left, giving Consort Liang a wink before she departed.
Consort Liang lowered her head slightly, hesitated for a moment, then pretended to be unsteady on her feet and staggered. She then said in a trembling voice, "Your Highness, I am worried about the Fifth Prince, so I will return to the palace first."
"Um."
Xu Lejin responded and looked at Consort Hui and the others.
Consort Hui, clutching her handkerchief, wore a faint smile on her middle-aged face. "Your Highness, Imperial Noble Consort, I have also returned to the palace..."
"This concubine takes her leave."
Consort Bu followed closely behind, while the other consorts and attendants were eager to make their move. However, since Consort Que and Consort Duan did not act, they naturally dared not make a move either.
Inside the delivery room
When Consort Ji learned that Emperor Kangxi had bestowed upon her the title of Consort and made her the head of Xianfu Palace, she smiled knowingly. Guided by the midwife, she began to labor, and within an hour, she safely gave birth to a daughter.
That's right, Consort Ji is carrying a princess.
Consort Ji learned of her pregnancy from the imperial physician when she was five months pregnant, but she kept it from him, saying that she was unsure whether it was a prince or a princess, all for the sake of today's events.
Xu Lejin, who was outside the delivery room, felt relieved when she heard the baby crying.
She instructed the imperial physicians, the midwife, and the palace servants of Xianfu Palace to take meticulous care of Consort Ji and her daughter.
Exhausted, Xu Lejin returned to Yikun Palace. After washing up, she went straight to sleep.
The happiest people when Consort Ji gave birth to a daughter were Consort Wan and Consort Liang of Yonghe Palace.
Consort Wan snorted coldly and said, "Consort Ji planned everything, but she never expected to be carrying a princess. I thought she was carrying a prince, but it turns out to be a princess."
"However, although Consort Ji gave birth to a princess, she was granted the title of Consort and became the mistress of Xianfu Palace, which can be considered her good fortune."
Consort Liang lowered her head slightly, lost in thought.
After a moment, Consort Liang spoke softly, "Consort Ji truly lives up to her reputation as someone summoned to the palace by imperial decree. She comes from a prestigious Han Banner family; her grandfather was Yao Qisheng, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief."
"Consort Ji entered the palace less than two years ago and gave birth to a princess, yet she was granted the rank of consort."
Consort Liang's tone was sour, and she was indignant.
Consort Wan's expression faltered slightly. She glanced at Consort Liang, frowned, and remained silent. After a while, she said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid all the concubines in the harem have been schemed against by Consort Ji. Her pregnancy..."
Gritting her teeth, Consort Wan continued, "Consort Ji's pregnancy wasn't due to breech presentation or difficult labor at all. She deliberately used this method to gain the Emperor's sympathy and get him to promote her to the rank of Consort."
"What a cunning and despicable woman..."
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