After bowing
Xu Lejin slowly walked to the entrance of the main hall, clasped hands with Kangxi, and looked down at the assembled civil and military officials.
Prince Yu and Prince Gong exchanged a glance, and Prince Yu said loudly, "May the Emperor and Empress be like phoenixes soaring together, their cries resounding, their joy lasting a lifetime, and their hearts united for a hundred years."
The eunuch in the singing room raised his voice and began to sing.
"kneel,"
The civil and military officials, the concubines, princes, and princesses all knelt down and shouted in unison, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"
in
The nephews and nieces of the Hesheli and Tong families, Princess Chunxi, Princess Chunhui, as well as Consort Hui, Consort De, and Consort Jin remained silent in the crowd, their lips pursed.
He even showed no joy on his face, his expression cold.
The eunuch announcing the ceremony said, "One kowtow."
"Your son kowtows."
"Three kowtows,"
"prosper."
The court officials chanted in unison, "With the Emperor and Empress united in heart, may the dynasty prosper for ten thousand generations!"
At the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony
Xu Lejin and Kangxi held hands, looking at the assembled court officials below, but her thoughts drifted away.
Back then, when I saw Ruyi's coronation ceremony in "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace," I was already amazed. Now, having experienced it in person, I realize just how grand the ceremony was.
Describing it in words is ultimately pale and powerless.
The ceremony concluded
At night, Xu Lejin, dressed in a bright red palace gown, sat regally in the sleeping quarters of Yikun Palace. Emperor Kangxi, also dressed in the wedding attire he wore on his wedding day, drank the nuptial wine, and Xu Lejin finally welcomed her long-awaited wedding night.
After their lovemaking, Kangxi embraced Xu Lejin, stroking her smooth, delicate back, which was as white as mutton fat jade, and said softly, "The Empress and I have been together for many years, and now we are finally husband and wife."
"Um,"
Xu Lejin gave Kangxi a coquettish glance and then lowered her head slightly.
Yes, it hasn't been an easy journey. She's been in the Qing Dynasty for twenty-five years, had thirteen children, and was only made Empress at over forty.
As for the ministers' claim that the emperor and empress were of one mind?
She dared not even dream of it. After all, as the emperor and the ruler of the world, Kangxi could have any woman in the world. She was over forty years old, and even with careful maintenance, she could not compare to a young girl in her late teens.
From now on, she only needs to fulfill her duties as empress; as for the emperor's favor and such, that's up to her.
In short, as long as she doesn't make mistakes and as long as her children are capable, her position as empress is secure.
Emperor Kangxi was in his prime. Even if he later had three thousand concubines and many children, what did it matter to her?
She would never be like Ruyi...
After a moment's hesitation, Kangxi said in a deep voice, "I already have twenty-three princes and thirty-four princesses, a flourishing lineage. The Empress and I are now husband and wife."
"From now on, I will not take any new concubines into my harem, nor will I have any more children."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin stared at Kangxi in disbelief.
What does that mean?
The Emperor meant that for the next one or two decades, no new women would be chosen as concubines or imperial consorts during each imperial selection process. However, this meant there would be no more offspring. So, what was the basis for that?
There were quite a few young concubines in the palace.
Consort Xiang, Consort Hesheli, Consort He, Consort Chen, Consort Liu, and others are all of good age to have children. How can you say that they will not have any more offspring in the future?
Could it be...
Suddenly realizing something, Xu Lejin nearly dropped her jaw in shock.
Emperor Kangxi nodded slightly and said, "From the day I issued the decree to make my beloved concubine Empress, I took the medicine to prevent me from having children. There will be no more princes or princesses born in the palace in the future."
Xu Lejin exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty..."
Emperor Kangxi looked at Xu Lejin with affection and spoke loudly.
"I already have enough children. Yin Chu has grown up and reached the age to marry a consort. If you want to continue the family line and have children, then marry one of them!"
"From now on, I will have to trouble the Empress to take better care of matters in the inner palace, since I have many children."
...
Kangxi talked on and on for a long time.
Xu Lejin eventually drifted off to sleep, and when she woke up early the next morning, Emperor Kangxi had already gone to the morning court session.
In the main hall of Yikun Palace
Xu Lejin smiled as she looked down at the group of concubines. Consort Que and Consort Ning were beaming with joy, while Consort Hui, Consort De, and Consort Jin looked much more haggard.
Consort Hui covered her mouth and said sarcastically, "Historically, the Empress has always lived in Kunning Palace. Now that Your Majesty the Empress is the mother of the nation, why is she still living in Yikun Palace?"
"No matter how good Yikun Palace is, it can't compare to Kunning Palace."
With a slight smile, Xu Lejin said calmly, "Whether it's Kunning Palace or Yikun Palace, I am the Empress personally appointed by the Emperor."
"I have served His Majesty for over twenty years and have lived in Yikun Palace ever since. Although I am now the Empress, I do not wish to move palace. Therefore, I have petitioned His Majesty to grant me permission to continue living in Yikun Palace."
"Yikun Palace was originally intended to assist, it's kind of Consort Hui to have such a heart."
Consort Hui's expression changed, and she swallowed the words that were about to come out.
Consort Que and Consort Ning exchanged a glance and said softly, "What Your Majesty the Empress says is very true. No matter where you live, Your Majesty the Empress is still the Empress personally appointed by the Emperor, and your status is very noble."
"Um,"
Xu Lejin nodded slightly and gave a faint reply.
Immediately afterwards, Xu Lejin looked at Consort Xin and Consort Shun and said, "After I was made Empress by the Emperor, Consort Xin and Consort Shun moved to Yonghe Palace. Are you getting used to living in Yonghe Palace?"
Consort Xin and Consort Shun quickly stood up and exchanged a glance.
"Your Majesty, my concubine and Consort Shun are staying at Yonghe Palace and are doing well. Thank you for your concern."
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