evening
News came from Yanxi Palace that Xu'er had woken up, but a few days later, news came that after waking up, Xu'er had become delirious, and just as she calmed down a bit, she ran out of the room.
Xu'er fell into the lotus pond and drowned!
When the news reached Yikun Palace, Xu Lejin was stunned for a moment, but did not react much.
Xu'er's death was something she had expected. Consort Hui had played a part in it, but Xu'er's true master was the murderer who killed her.
Consort Que sighed softly and said in a low voice, "Over the years, Xu'er has spread countless rumors in the Imperial Noble Consort's palace, yet she has ended up like this."
"The master behind Xu'er is truly ruthless!"
Xu Lejin glanced at Consort Que and said with a smirk, "The most poisonous heart is that of a woman. Consort Que, after all these years in the palace, don't you understand the rules of survival in the palace?"
"The lives of palace maids are as worthless as grass; it's perfectly normal for them to get injured, die, or become crippled."
Consort Que lowered her head and pursed her lips, remaining silent.
Xu Lejin paused, then whispered, "Consort Qi Jia, from Consort Que's palace, is pregnant. Consort Qi Jia comes from the prominent Qi Jia clan and was granted the title of Consort upon entering the palace."
"I remember that in Consort Que's palace there are Noble Lady Ding, Noble Lady Qi Jia, and Noble Lady Li. Does Consort Que feel that Noble Lady Qi Jia is too crowded in Chengqian Palace?"
Consort Que looked up at Xu Lejin, completely baffled.
With a gentle smile, Xu Lejin spoke casually, "In the palace, only Consort Que's Chengqian Palace is occupied by three Noble Ladies. My suggestion is that Noble Lady Qi Jia is pregnant and can be moved to Yonghe Palace, or Changchun Palace or Yongshou Palace in the Western Six Palaces."
“Yonghe Palace used to be the residence of Consort Wan. After Consort Wan passed away, no one lived there. Only Consort He and Consort Yi lived in Changchun Palace. Consort De was the principal consort in Yongshou Palace, with Consort Yuan and Consort Wang below her. There was room for another consort.”
With her brows furrowed, Consort Que fell into deep thought.
After a long while, Consort Que lowered her voice, speaking softly in a tone only she and Xu Lejin could hear, "Does Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort mean that Consort Qi Jia is in league with Consort He and Consort De?"
Xu Lejin nodded almost imperceptibly.
A few days later
Consort Qi Jia of Chengqian Palace moved to Yonghe Palace because she became pregnant.
Changchun Palace
Consort He was taken aback when she heard the palace servant's report.
After a long silence, Consort He, still languishing on her sickbed, spoke softly, "What is the Imperial Noble Consort up to? Although Lady Qi Jia is one of my people, and is now pregnant, she is merely a daughter of a collateral branch of the Qi Jia clan."
"Does the Imperial Noble Consort mean that after Qi Jia gives birth, she will be promoted to the rank of Consort?"
A fierce glint flashed across Consort He's pale, gaunt face as she coldly said, "In my palace, when Consort De and Consort Jin gave birth to princesses one after the other, the Imperial Noble Consort elevated them to the rank of Consort, placing them in the principal positions of their respective palaces, before the Emperor. Now…"
"Qi Jia, one of my subordinates, is pregnant. Does the Imperial Noble Consort intend to elevate Qi Jia to the rank of Consort in the future?"
The palace maids serving Consort He lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound.
With a 'clatter,' Consort He overturned the teacup beside her, panting heavily as she spoke coldly, 'All I want is a child, why is that so difficult?'
"Back then, the thirteenth prince of the Zhangjia clan, the fourteenth prince of the De Consort, and the princess of the Jin Consort were all about to become the children of the Empress, but what happened?"
"The Imperial Noble Consort is, after all, someone who came from the side of Empress Xiaocheng, my elder sister. How can she target me like this?"
...
Yonghe Palace
Consort Qi Jia moved into Yonghe Palace and resided in the East Side Hall.
The maidservant who had accompanied the bride entered the hall quickly and respectfully reported, "Your Highness, the head maidservant and the chief eunuch of Yonghe Palace are here outside the hall with other palace servants, requesting an audience."
"Please come in quickly!"
Qi Jia's face showed a smug look. She thought to herself that she had just moved into Yonghe Palace, and the head maid and the chief eunuch had come to pay their respects to her. Could it be that she was destined for great fortune?
The baby in my belly came at just the right time.
Although the Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort did not promote her rank, they moved her into Yonghe Palace.
There was no principal consort in Yonghe Palace, nor were there any other concubines; she was the sole mistress of Yonghe Palace.
After a joyful meeting with the head maid and the chief eunuch of Yonghe Palace, Consort Qi Jia became increasingly arrogant, as if she could already see the day when she would be promoted to concubine and imperial consort, bringing glory to the Qi Jia family.
evening
Liu Ying respectfully reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, the head maid and the chief eunuch of Yonghe Palace have already gone to pay their respects to Consort Qi Jia as soon as she moved into the east side hall of Yonghe Palace, as you instructed."
"Yes, I understand."
After responding, Xu Lejin pondered for a moment and then said, "Tell the head maid and the chief eunuch of Yonghe Palace that within Yonghe Palace, everything is to be decided by Consort Qi Jia."
"Is Consort He still ill at Changchun Palace? Have someone tell Consort He about Consort Qi Jia's splendid life at Yonghe Palace, and the same goes for Consort De at Yongshou Palace and Consort Jin at Xianfu Palace."
"Make sure that Consort He, Consort De, and Consort Jin all believe that the Emperor will promote Consort Qi to the rank of Consort after Consort Qi gives birth."
Liu Ying respectfully acknowledged and withdrew.
Time flies, and three months have passed.
On this day, Liu Ying ran in from outside the palace with a happy face and respectfully said to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, news has come from Princess Gongjing's residence that Princess Gongjing is two months pregnant."
"Okay, okay, okay."
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