A few days later
Emperor Kangxi issued an edict to betroth a low-ranking general of the imperial clan to Xu Huainian. The daughter of the son of the illegitimate son of Emperor Taizong's cousin, who was Kangxi's distant niece who was almost beyond the fifth degree of kinship, was the bride of the general. The wedding date was set for the first month of the following year.
On New Year's Eve, Emperor Kangxi decided that his second son would marry the daughter of Prince Darhan on the 26th of June the following year.
Princess Bulhe, the fifth princess, was granted the title of Princess Gulun Chunhui and married into the Hesheli family on April 13th.
Princess Moyaqi, the sixth princess, was bestowed the title of Princess Heshuo Duanjing. On the third day of the ninth month, she was sent to marry the Kharachin tribe. The eldest prince Yinzhi, the second prince Yinti, and the fourth prince Yinchu served as the escort envoys to send Princess Duanjing to marry the Kharachin tribe.
The 30th year of Kangxi
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the imperial concubines gathered at Yikun Palace. Consort Hui covered her mouth and spoke sarcastically, "Your Highness, I have heard that His Majesty has betrothed the daughter of General Feng'en to Your Highness's sixth brother."
"Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort's sixth brother, as I recall, was born of a concubine. Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort's fifth brother, born of the same mother, married the fifteenth daughter of the Duke of Fuguo, Tao Sai. He is now a younger brother born of a concubine, and both have married daughters of generals from the imperial clan."
"In addition, last year the Emperor also bestowed the Imperial Noble Consort's niece, Xu, upon Aling'a of the Niohuru family as his wife, so that she could marry as a princess of the imperial clan."
After a pause, Consort Hui nearly ground her teeth to powder, and then said, "This shows that the Imperial Noble Consort's family has received His Majesty's great favor."
Xu Lejin glanced at Consort Hui indifferently, then slightly curved her lips into a smile, remaining silent in contemplation.
After a cup of tea
Xu Lejin's gaze lingered on the empty seat for a moment before she said, "Last winter, Consort He caught a cold and fell ill, and her health has not improved since."
"Consort De, Consort Jin, you often visit Consort He's palace. How is Consort He doing?"
Consort De and Consort Jin exchanged a quick glance. Consort De carefully considered her words and replied softly, "Your Highness, the imperial physician diagnosed that Consort He has caught a cold and needs to rest."
"I think that now that the New Year is over, spring will soon arrive, and the weather will be warmer. Consort He's condition may improve a lot."
"Um,"
Xu Lejin responded and then said after a moment's thought, "Since Consort He is ill, and Consorts De and Jin are free, they should visit Changchun Palace more often. After all, you were once from Consort He's palace."
Consort De and Consort Jin respectfully agreed.
Xu Lejin paused, her gaze shifting to Consort Qi Jia, heavily pregnant, seated among a group of distinguished guests in the corner. She said in a deep voice, "Consort Qi Jia's due date is in the next few days."
"Today, the entire palace pays its respects. For the sake of the imperial heir, Consort Qi Jia need not attend."
With the help of her maid, Consort Qi Jia slowly stood up and said respectfully, "Your Highness, it is my honor to pay my respects to Your Highness."
"Your Highness, the Imperial Noble Consort, are so kind and benevolent, allowing those of us of lower rank to pay our respects only on the second day of each month. This is already an act of great kindness and consideration. Even though I am heavily pregnant, I will still come to pay my respects to Your Highness today."
Xu Lejin paused slightly, then looked at Consort Qi Jia with a meaningful gaze.
Xu Lejin curled her lips slightly, thinking to herself, "Qi Jia Shi is treating me as the most powerful person in the harem, below the rank of Consort and above the rank of Noble Lady, subtly displaying her status."
Below the rank of Consort and above the rank of Noble Lady, those with deep seniority include Noble Lady Xiang and Noble Lady Gong.
Consort Xiang and Consort Gong are entitled to the privileges and benefits of a concubine.
Is Qi Jia pregnant with a dragon?
As far as she knew, she was carrying a princess. What made Qi Jia so confident that the emperor would bestow the title of concubine upon her after the princess was born?
The position of concubine is currently vacant.
Since the Emperor issued the decree to marry the Sixteenth Princess to Dunbudoburji, the heir of the Khalkha Prince, everyone in the palace tacitly agreed that the last person in the rank of Consort would be Noble Lady Xiang.
Although the sixteenth princess is still young, only twelve years old, and has several years before her marriage, many things will happen in those years, but...
Qi Jia is far too confident!
Xu Lejin was deep in thought when Consort Que looked at Consort Qi Jia and said coldly, "Qi Jia, you were once in my palace. Is this how I taught you?"
"You, a noble person, who gave you the audacity to speak to the Imperial Noble Consort in such a manner?"
Changing the subject, Consort Que looked at Xu Lejin and said solemnly, "Imperial Noble Consort, Qi Jia has committed insubordination and disregarded the proper order of rank. I humbly request Your Highness to punish Qi Jia in order to uphold the discipline of the harem."
Following Consort Que, Consort Duan followed closely behind.
"Your Highness, the harem cannot function without rules. If everyone were like Consort Qi Jia, relying on her pregnancy with the emperor's child to defy high-ranking concubines, wouldn't the harem be in complete chaos?"
"Your Majesty, I also request that the Imperial Noble Consort punish Consort Qi."
Consort Ning paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Your Highness, I second that suggestion."
Among the concubines below them, Consort Xin, Consort Qi, and Consort Xin were always invisible and never participated in these matters.
Consort De and Consort Jin wanted to plead for Consort Qi, but they couldn't bring themselves to say the words.
Consort De and Consort Jin knew that Noble Lady Qi Jia had indeed become somewhat arrogant lately.
Furthermore, Consort De, Consort Jin, and Noble Lady Qi were summoned to the palace in the same year. They climbed the ranks for so long, giving birth to princes and princesses, before finally becoming principal consorts after some time. Noble Lady Qi, on the other hand...
Consort Qi was moved to Yonghe Palace shortly after becoming pregnant.
There were no other concubines in Yonghe Palace. Consort Qi Jia went to Yonghe Palace. Although she was not the principal consort, she had the power of one.
Consort De and Consort Jin were both jealous.
Frowning, Xu Lejin pondered, while Consort Qi, clutching her pregnant belly and standing in the center of the hall, was deathly pale, her eyes filled with undisguised intense hatred.
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