Xu Lejin nodded gently, looked at Consort Gong Niu, who was seated above the concubines, and spoke softly.
"Is Consort Duan's condition any better? Yesterday, when I was conferred the title of Empress, Consort Duan attended despite her illness."
Consort Gong stood up and said carefully, "Your Majesty, Consort Duan's condition is fluctuating. Yesterday evening, the imperial physician examined her pulse and said that as long as she rests quietly, there is nothing to worry about."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly and spoke after a moment of contemplation.
"Ruhua, turn around and send the thousand-year-old purple ginseng that my maternal family sent to the palace to Jingyang Palace to nourish Consort Duan's body."
Ru Hua respectfully replied, "Yes."
Fifteen minutes later
Xu Lejin added, "I have always preferred tranquility and disliked the complicated affairs of the harem. From now on, the affairs of the harem will be managed by Consort Que, Consort Ning, and Consort Hui."
"Now that Consort De and Consort Jin are also consorts, they assist Consort Que, Consort Ning, and Consort Hui from the side."
Consort Que, Consort Ning, and the others stood up in unison and respectfully responded.
After a moment's hesitation, Xu Lejin continued, "The investiture ceremonies for Consort Ning, Consort De, and Consort Jin are coming up soon. Consort Que and Consort Hui from the Imperial Household Department should take extra care of things."
"After that, the princes got married and the princesses got married, so Consort Que and Consort Ning had to do a lot of work."
All the concubines responded in unison, "Yes."
After leaving Yikun Palace, Consort Hui, Consort De, and Consort Jin walked together.
Frowning, Consort Hui pondered to herself, wondering why the Empress had actually divided palace power among them.
What is the Empress really up to? Is she not greedy for power, or is there some conspiracy behind her back...?
When the Emperor established an Empress, he bestowed titles upon the six palaces, but I, as the head of the four concubines and having served the Emperor for many years, was the only one who did not receive a promotion.
Consort Ning?
Consort Ning, by virtue of her noble birth from the Khorchin Mongols, surpassed herself and Consort Duan to become a Noble Consort.
Furthermore, the harem is already full with two Imperial Concubines, four Imperial Concubines, and six Imperial Concubines. The lower-ranking Noble Ladies are constantly waiting; if they wish to be promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine, they can only wait for higher-ranking concubines to make room for them.
Or the emperor has passed away.
But the Emperor is in his prime, and there are still more than twenty years until his death.
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