With her brows furrowed, Xu Lejin pondered for a long time.
"Your Majesty, although I am pregnant, I have considered that the Second Prince's marriage to his second wife, and the marriages of Princess Wenxian, Princess Youjing, and Yuludai, should proceed as planned."
"In the palace, there are Consort Que and Consort Ning. In another month, Consort Hui's confinement period will also be over."
After a pause, Xu Lejin continued, "Above the rank of Consort, Consort De and Consort Jin both come from prominent Han Banner families. Consort Xin, Consort Xin, and Consort Qi are also veterans in the palace and can help with the arrangements for the Second Prince's marriage to his consort and the princesses' weddings."
"Um,"
Kangxi nodded.
A moment later, Kangxi looked at Xu Lejin with affection and said softly, "Yinti's marriage to his second wife, and the marriages of Wenxian, Youjing, and Yuludai can proceed as usual, but..."
"My beloved consort has borne me children and managed the six palaces for so many years. Now that she is pregnant, I wish to make her empress."
Xu Lejin's expression froze, and she frowned, pondering for a long time.
Choosing her words carefully, she spoke softly, "I understand Your Majesty's feelings for me, but I am getting old and pregnant, and I cannot withstand any more hardship or exhaustion."
"That's true."
Emperor Kangxi nodded slightly, and after a moment he continued, "Very well, my beloved concubine is pregnant, so it is indeed not appropriate to hold the ceremony for the investiture of the empress. The matter of establishing an empress will be discussed after my beloved concubine gives birth."
Xu Lejin lowered her head and rolled her eyes.
Her expression was respectful, and she spoke softly, "Yes, Your Majesty, I thank you for your consideration."
………
Time flies like an arrow.
In the blink of an eye, it was mid-May of the thirty-eighth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.
In mid-December of the thirty-seventh year, Consort Liu gave birth to a little princess in Yongshou Palace, who became the thirty-fifth daughter of the emperor.
In January of the thirty-eighth year, Lan gave birth to a son through a concubine, who became the twenty-fourth prince.
On the first day of the second month, Princess Wenxian, born to Consort Shun, married into the Tatara family.
In mid-February, the Second Prince Yinti married Feiyanggu's eldest daughter, Ulanara Yirou, and two months after the marriage, they moved to the Zhijun Prince's Mansion outside the palace.
In early March, the eldest prince and his wives and concubines left the palace and moved into the Prince Cheng's residence.
May 13
Princess Heshuo Youjing, daughter of Consort Daijia of Chunxi Palace, married into the Li family of the Han Banner Army.
...
During this time, Xu Lejin was diagnosed with twins when she was five months pregnant, and the dragon fetus in the womb of Consort Ziyan of Qixiang Palace was also diagnosed as a strong and vigorous little prince.
A few days later
Consort Que and Consort Ning went to Yikun Palace to report to Xu Lejin on all matters concerning the marriage of Princess Yulu Dai, also known as Princess Gulun Shengshu.
Nodding slightly, Xu Lejin smiled and said, "Yu Ludai will get married on the sixth day of next month, just like the weddings of Wuxiha, Wuyoudai, and Wulingzhu."
"Consort Que and Consort Ning have handled the marriages of many princesses in recent years without any mistakes. I trust you."
Consort Que and Consort Ning exchanged a glance and softly replied, "Yes."
After hesitating for a moment
Consort Que carefully chose her words before speaking softly, "Your Highness, there is another matter, but I am unsure whether I should speak it or not?"
"Please feel free to speak."
Xu Lejin spoke softly, her voice calm and serene.
Lowering her voice, Consort Que said, "Your Highness, things haven't been peaceful at the princes' quarters lately. Prince An has sent his granddaughter, the half-sister of the Fifth Prince's future wife, Lady Guoluo, into the harem of Your Highness's Fourth Prince."
"I have heard that the Fourth Prince has already decided to grant the title of Consort Guo Luoluo."
Xu Lejin nodded and gave a faint reply.
A moment later, Xu Lejin parted her lips slightly and said casually, "Yinchu has already reported this matter to me. The Fifth Prince's half-sister, Consort Guo Luoluo, entering Yinchu's harem—Yinchu has his own plans."
"Consort Que need not worry."
Consort Que respectfully replied, "Yes."
After a pause, Consort Que and Consort Ning exchanged a glance, lowered their voices, and said, "There is another matter. In the past six months, several princesses, including Consort Wu, Consort Niohuru, and Concubine Zhao, have become pregnant."
"Um,"
Nodding slightly, Xu Lejin spoke softly, "The Fifth Prince's many offspring are a joyous occasion. Consort Que and Consort Ning need not worry. The princes' offspring will come when they are meant to; there is no need to rush."
Consort Que and Consort Ning exchanged a glance and whispered "Yes."
Yanxi Palace
Consort Hui was overjoyed, thinking that now three more princesses and concubines in Yinzhi's harem were pregnant. When Prince An's granddaughter, Lady Guoluo, entered the mansion, Yinzhi would have six children.
In this life, Yinzhi will not be killed off by Lady Guoluo and die without an heir.
After half a cup of tea
Consort Hui spoke in a deep voice, "Cunxin, at the Second Prince's residence outside the palace, is the Irgen Gioro clan's child still a little princess?"
"In the past six months, have none of the princesses or concubines in the Second Prince's household become pregnant?"
"Your Majesty, the imperial physician has diagnosed that Consort Irgen's pregnancy is carrying a little princess."
Cunxin paused for a moment, then said softly, "Your Majesty, I've heard that since the Second Prince's wife entered the manor, he spends half the month in her room."
“The concubine of the Second Prince is pregnant and about to give birth, so she is not suitable to serve him. Among the concubines and maids below, apart from Fang Gege who entered the mansion last year, the rest are not very favored.”
Consort Hui nodded upon hearing this.
After a moment, Consort Hui looked at Cunxin and said in a deep voice, "Yinti is my own son. I cannot remain without a son forever."
"Cunxin, go back and pick a few good-looking girls from the palace. I will bestow them upon Yinti and Yinsi as concubines, so that they may have more children."
Cunxin bowed her head and replied, "Yes."
May 29
Afternoon
Xu Lejin suddenly felt a gush of liquid spurting out from beneath her.
After ten years apart, a familiar feeling told her that she was about to give birth. She quickly had Ruhua and Nongying help her into the delivery room and arranged for the imperial physician and midwife to arrive.
One hour later
Two baby cries came from the delivery room.
Consort Que, Consort Hui, and the others exchanged glances, thinking to themselves that the Imperial Noble Consort had given birth safely. From the onset of labor to delivery, it only took an hour, which was incredibly fast!
Consort Hui covered her mouth and muttered, "The Imperial Noble Consort is having twins again this time. I wonder if they'll be two princes or two princesses?"
"、、"
Consort Que and Consort Ning exchanged a glance, ignoring Consort Hui.
The door to the delivery room opened, and two midwives came out carrying the swaddled baby, their faces beaming with joy. "Your Highnesses, the Imperial Noble Consort has safely given birth to twins, a boy and a girl. The little princess was born first."
Upon hearing the words "twins," both Consort Que and Consort Ning smiled.
Consort Hui's smile was more like a grimace.
Another pair of twins?
She's incredibly lucky; to conceive and give birth to a blessed pair of twins at over forty.
Above the ranks of concubines, Consort De and Consort Jin felt a sense of powerless defeat, letting the palace maids beside them support their limp bodies.
Consort Xin, Consort Qi, and others were genuinely happy for Xu Lejin.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
