The next day
Xie sent another letter to the palace, informing Xu Lejin that Xu's fifth sister-in-law had safely given birth to another son. Xu Lejin was overjoyed and immediately instructed Ruhua and Nongying to prepare generous gifts for Xu's fifth sister-in-law.
mid february
After Emperor Kangxi arrived at Yikun Palace and dined with Xu Lejin, he pondered for a moment before speaking, "My beloved consort, Yin Chu is now sixteen years old, and he has never had anyone to serve him."
"I heard from my servants that Yinzhi, who is one year younger than Yinchu, had his maidservants arranged by Consort Hui two years ago."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin paused slightly.
After a quick thought, she said softly, "Your Majesty, I mentioned this matter to Yin Chu last year, but Yin Chu was unwilling, and I had no choice."
"Your Majesty knows that child, Yin Chu; he has always been very opinionated since childhood."
With a soft sigh, Xu Lejin quickly glanced at Kangxi.
Immediately afterward, Xu Lejin lowered her voice and whispered, "This year is the election year, and the little girl that Yin Chu has been longing for for several years will probably participate in the talent show this year."
"Um,"
Emperor Kangxi nodded and said loudly, "What my beloved consort says is quite right. Indeed, the ministers of the previous dynasty have petitioned me to select concubines to serve in the palace this year."
"Furthermore, Yin Chu is sixteen years old, and it is time to decide on a consort."
"I have always placed high hopes on Yin Chu, and Yin Chu's harem..."
After a pause, Kangxi looked at Xu Lejin with a serious expression and said in a deep voice, "Yinchu has not had anyone to serve him for a long time, and the previous court has already expressed some dissatisfaction about this matter."
"I will discuss this matter with Yinchu later. Also..."
Emperor Kangxi frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Wuyoudai, Wulingzhu, and the others have reached the age to get married. I plan to set their wedding date in a few days."
"Yes, Your Majesty's considerations are thorough."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly.
early March
Emperor Kangxi issued an edict setting a wedding date for Wuyoudai, the eleventh princess Yierha, and the thirteenth princess Foerguochun.
Wuyoudai was granted the title of Princess Gulun Zhuangshu and married into the Fucha family on the nineteenth day of the tenth month. Her husband was arranged long ago; he was the second son of Fucha Maqi.
Princess Yierha, the eleventh princess, was granted the title of Princess Heshuo Lingke and married into the Suochuoluo family on the second day of the eighth month.
Princess Lingke's husband was the man married to Xu Lejin's eldest sister, Xu Chujin. He was the son of Xu Lejin's eldest brother-in-law's elder brother, making him a distant relative of the Imperial Noble Consort Xu Lejin.
Princess Foerguochun, who was raised by Consort Duan since childhood, was granted the title of Princess Heshuo Tongxian and married the eldest son of the Wanyan family on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month.
Although the Wanyan family was not a major clan among the Eight Banners, it was one of the most prestigious clans in Manchuria.
As for,
Now seventeen years old, Wu Lingzhu, after discussions between Xu Lejin and Emperor Kangxi, decided to wait a year or two until she turned nineteen before setting a wedding date and marrying into the Shumulu family.
April 2nd
Consort Hui gently covered her mouth, looked at Xu Lejin, and said, "Your Highness, a few days ago in the Imperial Garden, I happened to meet Consort Sanghua of Changchun Palace."
Swallowing the words that were about to come out, Consort Hui deliberately kept everyone in suspense.
Xu Lejin and Consort Que exchanged a glance, their expressions indifferent.
After a short while, Consort Hui gritted her teeth and said in a deep voice, "When I saw Consort Sanghua, she placed her hands on her lower abdomen and carefully protected it. So I paid more attention to her and sent someone to Changchun Palace to inquire about Consort Sanghua's situation."
"This inquiry revealed something astonishing: Consort Sanghua hadn't changed her clothes for two months, and the records in the Imperial Household Department clearly show that she had served the Emperor during the first month of the lunar calendar."
After Consort Hui finished speaking, the main hall of Yikun Palace became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
A moment later
Xu Lejin said calmly, "Is Consort Sanghua pregnant? Is this a joyous occasion in the palace?"
"Ruhua, go to Changchun Palace and invite Consort Sanghua to come here. Also, go to the Imperial Hospital and invite a few imperial physicians who are proficient in gynecology to take Consort Sanghua's pulse."
Ru Hua respectfully acknowledged and withdrew.
Yi Changzai, who was in the corner, paused for a moment, then walked uneasily to the center of the hall, knelt down, and looked extremely apprehensive.
"Your Highness, please forgive me. I was negligent and failed to notice Consort Sanghua's health condition, and I did not report to you in time."
"This humble servant knows her crime and begs Your Highness, the Imperial Noble Consort, for punishment."
With a faint smile, Xu Lejin had a palace maid help Yi Changzai up and said softly, "It's alright. Although you are the highest-ranking person in Changchun Palace, you are still just a Changzai. It's understandable that you can't be perfect in every aspect."
After speaking, Xu Lejin turned her head and exchanged a glance with Consort Que.
After a moment of contemplation, she spoke in a deep voice, "By imperial decree, Consort Yi is hereby promoted to Noble Lady as a reward for her meritorious service in taking care of the concubines in Changchun Palace."
Yi Changzai, I am Yi Guiren.
Consort Yi was stunned for a moment, then quickly knelt down again, respectfully kowtowing to express her gratitude.
Consort Hui covered her mouth and said, "Congratulations to Noble Lady Yi. Noble Lady Yi has served His Majesty for many years. She used to be a low-ranking concubine, but now she can be considered a Noble Lady."
"Although she is not a concubine, there are no high-ranking concubines in Changchun Palace. Noble Lady Yi has the highest rank. She does not have the title of concubine, but she has the power of one!"
Consort Yi paused slightly.
Xu Lejin gave Consort Que a wink, and Consort Que smiled gently, "Is Consort Hui jealous? Consort Hui lives in Yanxi Palace, while Noble Lady Yi lives in Changchun Palace, which is quite far away."
"Does Consort Hui mean to move to another palace, to Changchun Palace?"
Her expression changed slightly, and Consort Hui said coldly, "Your Highness, Consort Que, are joking. I am used to living in Yanxi Palace. I was just thinking that Consort Xin in the Imperial Noble Consort's palace and Consort Xin in Consort Ning's palace are both consorts and the birth mothers of princes. They are qualified to be the heads of their respective palaces."
"If Consort Xin or Consort Xin were moved to Changchun Palace, then Changchun Palace would have someone truly in charge."
Consort Que paused for a moment, then turned her head to look at Xu Lejin.
With a slight upturn of her lips, Xu Lejin remained silent, her gaze fixed intently on Consort Hui.
Consort Xin and Consort Xin, who were both in the rank of concubine, exchanged a glance, stood up, and said in unison, "Your Highness, we two concubines know that we come from humble backgrounds and have absolutely no intention of being moved to Changchun Palace to become a palace mistress."
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort, is wise."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly, a mocking expression on her face, and looked at Consort Hui, saying in a deep voice, "I will find an opportunity to mention Consort Hui's suggestion to the Emperor. As for whether it will be successful or not..."
“Consort Xin and Consort Xin are both consorts and have given birth to princes, so they are indeed qualified to be the heads of a palace.”
Half an hour later
The concubines of the harem left Yikun Palace.
Consort Hui's face was grim, her eyes filled with venom as she glared fiercely at Consort Xin.
As for Consort Xin, she was originally from Xu Lejin's palace. After paying her respects, she could return to the inner palace without having to leave the gates of Yikun Palace. Therefore, Consort Hui could only vent her anger on Consort Xin.
Consort Ning shielded Consort Xin behind her and said coldly, "Sister Consort Hui, Consort Xin is from my palace. Even if Consort Xin has done something wrong, it should be me who reprimands her."
"I won't trouble Consort Hui with Consort Xin's matter."
After saying this, Consort Ning and Consort Xin left quickly.
Consort Hui's old face underwent a remarkable transformation, changing from white to green, then from green to purple.
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