After Consort Bu passed away, Xu Lejin went to the Qianqing Palace. Immediately afterwards, Emperor Kangxi issued an edict posthumously conferring upon Consort Bu the title of Consort Bu and ordering the Imperial Household Department and Consort Duan to solemnly arrange Consort Bu's funeral.
After Consort Bu's funeral, the Sixth Princess dragged her weary body back to the Prince's quarters.
Early the next morning
Liu Ying rushed in from outside the palace, her face grave, and reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! News has come from the Prince's quarters that the Sixth Princess is ill and has become delirious with fever."
"、、"
Xu Lejin was taken aback for a moment, then said anxiously, "Why is the Sixth Princess suddenly ill? Consort Bu just passed away, and now the Sixth Princess is sick, especially with the end of the year approaching..."
The words that were about to come out of my mouth were swallowed.
With a long sigh, Xu Lejin said solemnly, "The Sixth Princess is ill. Instruct the Imperial Hospital to ensure that the Sixth Princess is safe and sound."
"Nongying, go to Consort Que's palace personally and ask her to pay more attention to the princes and princesses."
“In the winter, when it’s freezing cold, the princes and princesses need plenty of charcoal for cooking, and they also need to pay extra attention to their diet and daily life.”
Liu Ying and Nong Ying responded with serious expressions.
The sixth princess fell ill, and then two other princesses also fell ill, catching a cold, coughing and having a fever. Even the eldest prince, the most senior prince, caught a cold and needed to rest in bed for some time.
The Sixth Princess, the First Prince, and others who were ill did not attend the New Year's Eve banquet.
Emperor Kangxi sat on his dragon throne, turned his head to glance at Xu Lejin, and said in a deep voice, "This year has been a turbulent one in the palace. Consort Yi suffered a miscarriage and passed away, and Consort Bu died of illness a few days ago. Even Moyaqi and Yinzhi have fallen ill."
"My dear consort, instruct the Imperial Household Department to be more careful and cautious in their work, and tell the palace servants to take good care of the princes and princesses."
Xu Lejin nodded gently, smiling warmly.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will obey your orders and strictly supervise and discipline the palace servants."
New Year's Eve banquet ends
The second day of the Lunar New Year
Consort Que, dressed in a peach-colored palace gown that accentuated her delicate beauty, rested her chin on her hand and spoke softly, "It's another new year. Time flies like an arrow, the days pass like a shuttle. Time really does fly by!"
"In the blink of an eye, five years have passed since I entered the palace."
Xu Lejin raised her eyes, glanced at Consort Que, and said with a smile, "Consort Que is in the prime of her youth, why are you lamenting how quickly time flies?"
"Even if it is a sigh, it is the sigh of the old Empress, Consort Hui, Consort Duan and others."
"Consort Que and Consort Wan are like flower buds, at the age of blossoming beauty."
Covering her mouth, Consort Que giggled.
"The Imperial Noble Consort is in the prime of her life; she is by no means old."
Consort Duan remained calm, her eyes downcast, sitting quietly in her seat, while Consort Hui unconsciously reached up and touched her cheek.
Consort Wan smiled radiantly.
Everyone chatted amongst themselves, and soon an hour had passed. Xu Lejin then dismissed the concubines, citing her fatigue, and sent them back to their respective palaces.
The Lantern Festival gifts will be available soon!
After the Lantern Festival, the first month of the lunar calendar quickly came to an end, and everything in the palace remained the same.
As February arrived, spring brought the revival of all things, with flowers, plants, and trees flourishing. In the princes' quarters, the eldest prince, the sixth princess, and several other imperial heirs who had fallen ill during the winter gradually recovered their health.
mid february
On this day, Consort Que, the four consorts, and the three concubines paid their respects to Xu Lejin.
Consort He stood up, her face solemn, and respectfully said to Xu Lejin, "Your Highness, I have something to report. My concubine, Lady Zhangjia, is pregnant and is already a month and a half along."
"Is Lady Zhangjia pregnant?"
Xu Lejin was taken aback for a moment, thinking to herself that Zhangjia was indeed lucky.
Inside Lady Zhangjia's body lived a fiery young woman. When Emperor Kangxi summoned Lady Zhangjia to his bedchamber, she was not frightened.
And now, Lady Zhangjia is even pregnant with a dragon child!
It is now the beginning of the twenty-fifth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. Lady Zhangjia is one and a half months pregnant. If all goes well, she will be able to safely carry on the imperial fetus and give birth in the tenth month.
After a moment's thought, Xu Lejin laughed loudly, "Very well, Consort Zhang is pregnant, this is a joyous occasion. I will report this to the Emperor. Consort Zhang's unborn child will be entrusted to you, Consort He, to ensure a safe delivery."
Consort He smiled and replied, "Yes."
Following Consort He, Consort Ji hesitated for a moment, her expression thoughtful, before standing up with the help of a palace maid and looking at Xu Lejin with a smile.
"Your Highness, Consort Jing in my palace has also become pregnant. Her pregnancy is still very early, less than a month along, but the imperial physician has diagnosed an 80% chance that she is indeed pregnant."
Xu Lejin nodded, "Alright, there's also good news in Consort Ji's palace. Today is a double celebration!"
"Consort Ji must take good care of Consort Jing's unborn child. If there is anything lacking, report it to Consort Que. Make sure Consort Jing gives birth to a prince safely for the Emperor."
Consort Ji's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and respectfully agreed.
Consort Wan nearly ground her teeth to powder, her heart burning with jealousy. Everyone in the palace could conceive and become pregnant, but she was the only one who couldn't.
Since being promoted to the rank of imperial concubine, she...
She serves the emperor two or three times a month and enjoys his favor, so why has she not yet conceived?
Could it be that I am infertile?
With a livid face, Consort Wan looked down at her belly, her heart filled with bitterness.
Consort Hui raised her eyes, glanced at Consort Ji, and said softly, "I remember that Noble Lady Jing in Consort Ji's palace was born into the Guarjia clan. She was disfigured and left with scars on her face because of a dispute with Mu and Guoluo, commoners."
"I always thought that Consort Jing would lose favor like Consort Liang and Consort Tong because of the scar on her face. I never expected that her luck would change and that Consort Jing would become pregnant with the emperor's child."
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