After Consort Hui and the Third Princess returned to Yanxi Palace, things quieted down.
Initially, Nalan Mingzhu's wife, daughter of Prince Ying, Ajige, submitted a memorial to the palace, requesting an audience with Imperial Noble Consort Xu Lejin to plead for Nalan Mingzhu's life.
Afterwards, Nalan Mingzhu's wife went to Consort Hui's palace to plead for help.
Finally, Qin Huai, who had once served in Xu Lejin's palace, was also forced by her mother-in-law's orders to enter the palace to plead for Nalan Mingzhu.
With a serious expression, Xu Lejin looked at Qin Huai, who was dressed as a woman, and after pondering for a moment, said, "Regarding Nalan Mingzhu's sale of official positions, I can only say that His Majesty has his own decision."
"Qin Huai, you also come from the Imperial Court and know the Emperor's temperament. If the Emperor truly wanted to punish Nalan Mingzhu, he wouldn't have merely dismissed him from his position as Grand Secretary."
Qin Huai was stunned for a moment, then covered his mouth and suddenly realized.
A moment later, Qin Huai stood up and respectfully said to Xu Lejin, "This concubine thanks Your Highness, the Imperial Noble Consort. This concubine knows what to do."
"Um,"
Nodding slightly, Xu Lejin pondered for a moment and then said, "Nalan Rongruo, how has your health been these past couple of years? When the Emperor bestowed you upon Nalan Rongruo as his secondary wife, it was because Nalan Rongruo was unwell, and you happened to possess some medical skills."
Qin Huai paused for a moment, her face beaming with happiness.
"Your Highness, although my husband's health is a little weak, it is not serious. I am very satisfied with my life now. I have a son and a daughter and a home of my own."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly, her thoughts drifting away.
Mid-Autumn Festival in August
At the family banquet, Xu Lejin, dressed in the attire of an imperial concubine, sat gracefully beside Emperor Kangxi.
Although she has no title of empress, she has the power of one, because Xu Lejin is pregnant again, so the court officials have been much quieter lately.
After a round of drinks
Consort Shangjia, wife of Prince Chun, suddenly stood up, raised her wine cup, and said, "Your Majesty, Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort, I have heard that Your Highness is less than six months pregnant, but just now I noticed that Your Highness's belly is very large, like that of a woman in full term about to give birth."
"Is the Imperial Noble Consort pregnant with twins again?"
Before Prince Chun could even stop her, Consort Shangjia blurted out what she had been thinking about all along.
Emperor Kangxi, sitting on the dragon throne, paused slightly and exchanged a silent glance with Xu Lejin. Meanwhile, Prince Chun and his concubine, Lady Xu Muer, quickly stood up and knelt down in fear.
Emperor Kangxi said loudly, "The Princess Consort of Prince Chun is very kind. The Imperial Noble Consort is indeed pregnant with twins, but the dragon fetuses are mischievous, and the imperial physicians have not yet determined whether they are boys or girls."
"、、"
Emperor Kangxi's single sentence caused a huge uproar.
The concubines and members of the royal family all turned their gazes toward Emperor Kangxi and Xu Lejin, thinking to themselves what incredible good fortune this was.
It's one thing for the Imperial Noble Consort to be pregnant at over thirty, but...
Is this another twin pregnancy?
The Imperial Noble Consort had already given birth to triplets (a boy and a girl), then twins (a boy and a girl), twin princes, and this time...
After a moment of stunned silence, everyone stood up and said in unison, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Imperial Noble Consort! Your Majesty and Imperial Noble Consort are blessed with great fortune. May the Qing Dynasty last forever!"
"Um,"
With a hearty reply, Kangxi raised his wine cup and said loudly, "My dear ministers, today is a family banquet, so there is no need to be reserved. Let us drink this cup to the brim."
"yes,"
After drinking, the concubines and members of the royal family sat down.
The Princess Consort of Prince Chun, her eyes darting around, quickly considered for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, it is with shame that I say. Your Majesty has many children, while my husband's are not as numerous as Your Majesty's. Your Majesty, I..."
Before she could speak, tears streamed down her face.
Lady Shangjia's face was filled with sorrow, and her voice choked with sobs as she said, "I am unfortunate. Although I bore Your Highness your eldest son, my child died before he was three years old."
"Over the years, I have been unable to bear a son or daughter for Your Highness. I have failed the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the ancestors of the Qing Dynasty!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi and Xu Lejin were stunned and both looked at Prince Chun.
Xu Lejin thought to herself, "Doesn't Prince Chun care about his wife? Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a day for family banquets, and his wife is crying about not having children. What kind of madness is she going through?"
Prince Chun lowered his head and remained silent.
After a moment of contemplation, Kangxi said in a deep voice, "Seventh brother, I remember that in your household, besides the eldest son born to your wife, you have several other sons. Your lineage is not small."
Actually, what Kangxi wanted to say was, "Seventh brother, you are a prince, and not even one whose title is hereditary. You have five sons still alive in your household, which is quite a lot."
Do you really think there's a fortune of millions to inherit?
Prince Chun prostrated himself on the ground, speaking respectfully and fearfully, "Your Majesty's teachings are correct. I have both a son and a daughter, and quite a few descendants. Lady Shangjia... Lady Shangjia has suddenly developed hysteria..."
Covering her mouth, Xu Lejin couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Lady Shangjia's face turned from white to pale, and after a moment she spoke in a low voice, "Your Majesty, although the Prince has six sons and seven daughters, none of them are my children."
"presumptuous!"
Kangxi's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Even if the six sons and seven daughters in the household are not your children, you are Longxi's legal wife and the legal mother of the six sons and seven daughters in the household."
Emperor Kangxi was furious, and the entire hall fell silent instantly.
A second, a minute, after a cup of tea
Xu Lejin considered her words carefully before speaking softly, “Your Majesty, please calm down. Prince Chun just said that the Princess Consort is suffering from hysteria. Your Majesty need not argue with a sick person. Be careful not to upset your health.”
"Um,"
Emperor Kangxi nodded in agreement, saying, "The Imperial Noble Consort is indeed wise and reasonable."
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