Xu Lejin learned from palace servants that her two youngest daughters had been given names by Emperor Kangxi.
The Emperor's twenty-ninth daughter, Jianing, was designated the twenty-seventh princess, while his thirtieth daughter, Youyao, was designated the twenty-eighth princess. She smiled knowingly, thinking that she had given birth to two princesses in this pregnancy, and that the Emperor had immediately bestowed names and designated their ages, showing his delight.
The third-day celebration and the full moon celebration passed in the blink of an eye.
In the twenty-seventh year of Kangxi's reign, as the year drew to a close and the palace was bustling with activity, Consort Que, Consort Hui, and Consort Duan were all extremely busy.
Late December
Emperor Kangxi looked lovingly at his two infant daughters and smiled at Xu Lejin, saying, "Although I have many princesses, the princesses born to the Imperial Noble Consort—Wuxiha, Wuyoudai, Wulingzhu, Yuludai, as well as the still young Jianing and Youyao—are my most precious treasures."
"Your Highness, the Imperial Noble Consort, have borne me children; you've worked so hard!"
Xu Lejin gave a coquettish look, lowered her head slightly, and whispered, "It is my duty to continue the Emperor's lineage; I dare not complain of hardship."
"The Emperor has devoted himself to the affairs of the previous dynasty and to the well-being of the country; that is true hardship."
Kangxi's hearty laughter echoed in Yikun Palace. Jia Ning and You Yao, in their cradles, opened their big, dark eyes and curiously turned their heads to look at Kangxi.
The afternoon passed pleasantly as Kangxi and Xu Lejin chatted back and forth, occasionally teasing their two infant daughters.
As for the twins born four years ago, the Tenth Prince Yinshi and the Eleventh Prince Yinshi, now four years old, they are at an age where they are lively, active, and extremely mischievous. Xu Lejin had the wet nurse and palace servants confine them to a side room.
Night falls
Kangxi embraced Xu Lejin and said softly, "My beloved consort has worked hard managing the harem, bearing me four sons and seven daughters. I have discussed this with the ministers of the previous court, and on New Year's Eve, I will issue an edict to bestow upon you the title of Imperial Noble Consort."
"The court officials oppose making my beloved concubine empress because her maternal family has no important officials from the previous dynasty, and her younger brother has just entered the court and has no political achievements. I can only settle for second best and let my beloved concubine secure her position as Imperial Noble Consort."
Immediately afterward, Kangxi looked at Xu Lejin with a serious expression and said, word by word, "My beloved consort, rest assured, in a few years, when Huaizhen has made achievements in the court and your youngest brother has also entered officialdom, I will certainly make you empress."
Xu Lejin remained calm upon hearing this.
The opposition from the former court officials was to be expected. Although her maternal family, the Xumur clan, had marriage ties with Manchu and Mongol noble families and imperial relatives, relying solely on marriage alliances was ultimately insufficient; the key was to possess personal strength.
The more the court officials, such as Songgotu and Tong Guowei, opposed her, the more it aroused Kangxi's pity for her.
Now, all that's left is to wait for Kangxi's favor to accumulate until, finally, the court officials can no longer suppress it, and she can then rightfully ascend to the position of Empress, becoming the mother of the nation.
With a smile in her eyes, Xu Lejin spoke softly, "Your Majesty's kindness is truly overwhelming."
"Your Majesty, the palace is still short of one Imperial Noble Consort and five Concubines. This time, Your Majesty has bestowed great favor upon me to perform the ceremony of bestowing the title of Imperial Noble Consort. I would also like to ask for a similar favor for the sisters in the harem who have seniority and have given birth to imperial heirs for Your Majesty."
Emperor Kangxi pondered for a moment.
"What does my beloved concubine mean?"
Nodding slightly, Xu Lejin said in a low voice, "Consort Hui gave birth to the Second Prince and raised the Third Princess, so she is worthy of the title of Noble Consort. Consort Wan is currently bedridden, and Consort Ning is also from the Khorchin Mongols and is raising the Sixth Prince, so she is also worthy of the title of Consort."
"Among the noble ladies in the palace, Consort Qi was the birth mother of the Seventh Prince, Consort Xin gave birth to the Ninth Prince, Consort Wan gave birth to the Twelfth Prince, and Consort De gave birth to the Fourteenth Prince. All of them have made contributions."
With a slight furrow in his brow, Kangxi pondered.
After a long silence, Kangxi spoke coldly, "Although Consort Hui was born into the Ulanara clan, her branch of the family was incorporated into the bondservant banners. Consort Hui is not qualified to be a Noble Consort."
Xu Lejin pursed her lips and lowered her head in contemplation.
“Your Majesty is thoughtful and considerate. Consort Duan has served Your Majesty for many years and is highly experienced. Now she has both a son and a daughter. Consort Wan is from Mongolia.”
"Um,"
Kangxi responded and pondered for a moment before saying, "Consort Duan is not suitable. Her background is not as good as Consort Hui's. In that case, either Consort Gui will not be established, or we can only establish Consort Wan."
"Consort Wan, Consort Wan,"
Hesitant, Kangxi could not make up his mind.
Xu Lejin pondered for a moment, then glanced quickly at Kangxi before speaking in a barely audible whisper, "Your Majesty, Consort Wan is currently bedridden. Although she is from the Khorchin Mongols, her health..."
"Consort Wan's body is no longer capable of doing anything."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi immediately understood.
Isn't that exactly right?
Consort Wan is currently ill and could die in the Northwest at any moment. Even if she is made a Noble Consort, what difference would it make?
Consort Wan's health was simply insufficient to cause trouble in the palace.
The promotion of Consort Wan to Imperial Noble Consort served two purposes: firstly, to appease the Mongols, and secondly, to conform to the prevailing trend of the times.
After New Year's Eve
On the first day of the new year, Emperor Kangxi issued an edict to announce to the world that the grand ceremony for bestowing the title of Imperial Noble Consort would be held on the tenth day of the third month.
At the same time, Emperor Kangxi bestowed titles upon the six palaces.
Consort Wan of Yonghe Palace, of the Borjigit clan, was promoted to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort.
Consort Ning of Zhongcui Palace, of the Borjigit clan, was renamed Consort Ning; Noble Lady Chen of the De clan was renamed Consort De; Noble Lady Yu of the Jin clan was renamed Consort Jin; Noble Lady Xile of the Xin clan was renamed Consort Xin; Noble Lady Qi of the Qi Jiahai clan was renamed Consort Qi; and Noble Lady Xin of the Xin clan, of the Wenzha clan, was renamed Consort Xin.
Consort De moved to Yongshou Palace, Consort Jin to Xianfu Palace, Consort Xin to the rear hall of Yikun Palace, and Consort Qi to Chuxiu Palace.
Consort Xin continued to live with Consort Ning in Zhongcui Palace.
Consort Xiang (née Chun), Consort Shun, Consort Gong (née Niu), Consort Tong (née Hadanara), and Consort Ying (née Chang) enjoyed the rank and privileges of a concubine.
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