A young eunuch serving the emperor was instructed by Liang Jiugong to send Xu Lejin to Yikun Palace.
"Consort Xu, this is your residence, the west wing of Yikun Palace."
Xu Lejin nodded with a smile.
He reached into his sleeve, intending to tip the young eunuch a few taels of silver, but his sleeve was empty; he had no money on him.
With an awkward smile, Xu Lejin could only speak gently. "Thank you, Father-in-law. You must be tired from your journey. I should have offered you tea, but I'm new here and haven't prepared anything. I'm truly sorry."
"I'll have my servants send you some silver later. Please don't find it offensive, sir."
The young eunuch quickly waved his hand with a smile: "You're too kind, Consort Xu. It's my honor to be able to escort you to the west wing of Yikun Palace. I don't deserve your kind words."
After a pause, the young eunuch smiled and said, "Consort Xu, this servant has other duties to perform before the Emperor and must return to serve him now!"
Xu Lejin smiled and nodded, responding softly.
"This servant takes his leave."
After watching the young eunuch leave her sight, Xu Lejin looked around the west wing of Yikun Palace.
The three small rooms are connected by a central entrance and two side rooms. In front of the west wing, there are two plum trees planted on the left and right, which are now sprouting tender pink buds.
Xu Lejin stepped into the west side hall.
Inside the palace, an older palace maid, accompanied by two younger maids, was tidying up the bed and wiping the decorations in the room, while a young eunuch of about thirteen or fourteen years old was helping out.
Upon seeing Xu Lejin enter, the older palace maid immediately stepped forward, smiling, and said, "This servant Yingchun greets Consort Xu. May Consort Xu enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
The two maids and eunuchs behind Yingchun spoke one after the other:
"This servant is literate; I wish to greet the Consort."
"This servant, Ruhua, greets the concubine."
"This servant, Xiao Jiangzi, greets the concubine!"
Xu Lejin nodded gently, sat in the main seat of the west wing, and smiled faintly.
How old are you?
Yingchun slightly raised her eyes, glanced at Xu Lejin out of the corner of her eye, and lowered her head respectfully, saying, "Reporting to Consort, this servant is twenty-three years old this year."
Zhi Shu said cautiously, "This servant is seventeen."
Ru Hua had a youthful face and clear eyes. "Replying to Consort Ru, this servant is fourteen years old this year."
"Your Highness, I am fourteen."
Xiao Jiangzi lowered his head, humble and respectful.
Xu Lejin smiled faintly, her lips pursed as she pondered silently.
Yingchun gave a wink to Zhishu and Ruhua behind her. One of them quickly poured tea, while the other brought over a plate of snacks.
Yingchun stepped forward with a cup of tea, smiling, and said, "Your Highness must be tired from your journey. Please have some tea to soothe your fatigue. It's not mealtime yet, so please have some snacks to tide you over."
Xu Lejin glanced at Yingchun, took the tea, and set it aside.
"Yingchun, you're so thoughtful."
"Zhishu and Ruhua, continue tidying up the room. Xiao Jiangzi, go outside and see if my old belongings from when I worked in the Empress's palace have been delivered."
Zhi Shu, Ru Hua, and Xiao Jiangzi, having received Ying Chun's nod of approval, bowed and went to do their work.
Xu Lejin saw everything and knew that Yingchun would be the leader of the palace maids and eunuchs who would serve her in the future. Zhishu, Ruhua and Xiaojiangzi all listened to Yingchun.
With a slight smile, Xu Lejin said, "When I was working in the Empress's palace, I remember that no concubines lived in Yikun Palace. Now, thanks to the Emperor's grace and the Empress's favor, I have been granted the right to live in the west wing of Yikun Palace."
"I'm new here and don't know anything about the west wing of Yikun Palace. I don't care about anything else, but I just don't like anything luxurious or glamorous. Replace the gauze curtains, bedding, and decorations in the room with something simpler."
"In addition, I don't like sweet or spicy food, and I'm not used to having various incense burners in the house. I don't like having various vases in the house. Everything should be simple and clean."
"I dislike palace maids and eunuchs gossiping behind my back the most."
The respectful response to welcoming spring is "yes".
A moment later, Nongyu, the newly appointed head maid of the Empress in Kunning Palace, came to see the Empress with the Empress's gifts.
Xu Lejin received Nongyu, accepted the Empress's gift with a smile, exchanged a few words with Nongyu, inquired about the Empress's unborn child, and then Nongyu hurriedly left.
Next came Zhou Huai, the chief eunuch serving Consort Tongjia of Chengqian Palace, and Lianxing, the head maid serving Consort Niohuru of Chuxiu Palace, who, on the orders of Consort Tongjia and Consort Niohuru respectively, delivered congratulatory gifts to Xu Lejin.
The concubines below, being concubines of lower rank like Xu Lejin, did not send anyone to deliver congratulatory gifts.
As night fell, Xu Lejin had her dinner and sat on the couch reading by the light of an oil lamp.
Yingchun bowed and entered to report: "My lady, Lord Xu from the Imperial Stables sent you a package through someone. I took the liberty of accepting it on your behalf."
Xu Lejin put down the book in her hand.
"It must be that my uncle knew that I had gained the Emperor's favor and been granted the title of concubine, so he sent me a congratulatory gift."
Yingchun nodded with a smile.
Xu Lejin then said, "Quickly bring over the bundle that your uncle sent."
"yes."
Yingchun respectfully agreed and withdrew.
A moment later, Yingchun and Xiaojiangzi entered the hall carrying a large bundle.
After dismissing Xiao Jiangzi, only Yingchun and Xu Lejin remained in the hall. Xu Lejin opened the bundle, looked at the various things inside, and smiled.
“My uncle is very thoughtful. Knowing that I was newly appointed as a concubine and did not have any money to bribe officials, he specially sent me four hundred taels of silver notes, some loose silver, and some other things that I would need.”
Yingchun smiled and flattered, "Yes, Lord Xu dotes on the young mistress very much."
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