September 17
The investiture ceremonies for Consort Ning, Consort De, Consort Jin, and the concubines Shunpin, Xiangpin, and Gongpin, as well as the investiture ceremonies for several secondary consorts, including those who were granted the titles of Noble Lady and Attendant.
At the front was Consort Ning, dressed in the auspicious robes of a Noble Consort; behind her were Consort De and Consort Jin, dressed in the auspicious robes of a Consort; and then Consort Shun, Consort Xiang, and Consort Gong, dressed in the auspicious robes of a Concubine.
Those who are appointed as nobles, such as the Secret Nobleman and the Diligent Nobleman, do not wear auspicious clothing.
The eunuch read the imperial edict aloud and presented the golden book. Consort Ning and others performed the three kneelings, six bows, and three prostrations ceremony. Afterward, they entered Yikun Palace to listen to the teachings of Empress Xu Lejin.
Seated on the phoenix throne, Xu Lejin looked down at Consort Ning, Consort De, Consort Jin, and others, and said softly, "Today, my sisters have undergone the investiture ceremony and are now officially appointed as Consorts, Consorts, and Concubines."
"I have specially ordered the Imperial Household Department to make a batch of jewelry for all of you sisters as a congratulatory gift for your promotion."
"Fireflies, Green Sandalwood,"
She called out to the palace, and Liuying and Qingtan led the young maids of Yikun Palace to bring up a brocade box containing jewelry. The one that belonged to Consort Ning was a jade peach blossom hairpin.
The hairpin is emerald green, inlaid with a lifelike pink peach blossom.
Consort Ning smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you. I really like this jade peach blossom hairpin; I will wear it every day after I return. And this..."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly.
"Consort Ning, those are peach blossom earrings that I ordered the Imperial Household Department to make for you. They are part of a set with the jade peach blossom hairpin."
Unable to hide her joy, Consort Ning stood up and said respectfully, "Your Majesty the Empress has gone to great lengths. I really like these jade peach blossom hairpins and earrings."
Xu Lejin nodded gently.
"If Consort Ning is pleased, that's good."
Consort De and Consort Jin exchanged a glance. Consort Jin pursed her lips and remained silent, while Consort De looked at the Ruyi Lily Hairpin in the brocade box, covered her mouth and said, "Your Majesty, I do not lack jewelry. Your Majesty should keep this Ruyi Lily Hairpin for yourself."
Xu Lejin's expression darkened slightly.
Consort Ning paused for a moment, then said coldly, "Consort De, it's your good fortune that the Empress bestowed jewelry upon you. It's one thing that you have no shortage of jewelry in your palace, but the Empress's gift is another matter entirely."
"Consort De, don't think you can act recklessly just because you are the mother of the Fourteenth Prince."
With her lips pursed, a hint of disdain flashed in Consort De's eyes as she remained silent in contemplation.
Consort Jin, standing to the side, sighed softly and said with a smile, "Your Majesty the Empress, please forgive me, Your Highness Consort Ning, please forgive me. Consort De simply felt that the Ruyi Hundred Gold Hairpin was too precious."
"Consort Jin, you..."
Consort De glared fiercely at Consort Jin.
Half an hour later
After Consort Ning and the others left Yikun Palace, Xu Lejin frowned and remained silent.
After considering for a moment, Ru Hua said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, look at Consort De's arrogant manner. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was a Noble Consort or an Imperial Noble Consort."
"Your Majesty bestowed jewelry upon several consorts, and Consort Ning accepted it with a smile, except for Consort De..."
Xu Lejin glanced at Ruhua indifferently and shook her head almost imperceptibly.
"Consort De, Consort De, noble, virtuous and wise, the Emperor bestowed upon her the title 'De' (virtue), so she naturally has the right to be arrogant. I am the Empress, why should I stoop to her level?"
After a pause, Xu Lejin whispered barely, "Consort De is reckless; one day she will pay the price for it."
Upon hearing this, Ru Hua was completely baffled.
On the long street
Consort De walked straight ahead with a gloomy face, while Consort Jin chased after her.
Suddenly, Consort De stopped and looked at Consort Jin with a gloomy face. She said coldly, "Consort Jin, what are you doing following me? Didn't you latch onto the Empress and Consort Ning's coattails?"
"I am a concubine, just like you, but naturally I am not as virtuous as the Empress, nor as noble as Consort Ning..."
Consort Jin barely stopped in her tracks when she heard Consort De's harsh words.
Instantly, Consort Jin's face turned ashen, alternating between pale and green, a truly remarkable sight.
After a long while, Consort Jin came to her senses and spoke softly in a low voice, "Sister Consort De, I didn't mean it that way. Today is our investiture ceremony, a gift from Her Majesty the Empress. Sister, you really shouldn't offend the Empress."
"If you don't like the lily hairpin bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress, you can simply put it away. Why show your dislike in front of Her Majesty the Empress?"
After hesitating for a moment, Consort Jin lowered her voice.
"Sister, in the palace now, Consort Que and Consort Ning are united with the Empress against a common enemy. We have just been promoted to the rank of Consort, and our foundation is not yet stable. The Fourteenth Prince is still young and cannot contend with them. We must bide our time and conceal our abilities."
Upon hearing this, Consort De glanced at Consort Jin with disdain.
With her chin slightly raised, Consort De said with a proud look, "I am Consort De, personally bestowed by the Emperor. During the Tang Dynasty, there were four consorts: Noble, Virtuous, and Wise. 'Virtuous' was the third among the four consorts."
"、、"
Consort Jin paused for a moment, then lowered her head slightly.
Half an hour later, the conversation between Consort De and Consort Jin on the long street reached Xu Lejin's ears. Xu Lejin curled her lips into a cold smile and spoke in a cold voice.
"The Four Consorts: Noble, Virtuous, and Wise? Above Consort De are Consort Shu and Noble Consort, and above Consort De is the Empress."
Swallowing the words that were about to come out of her mouth, Xu Lejin thought to herself that Consort De was indeed a bit too arrogant.
In the blink of an eye
A month has passed.
On the day of Yin Chu and Ulanara's wedding
Emperor Kangxi and Empress Xu Lejin personally left the palace to attend the wedding of Prince Yong, Yin Chu, and Lady Ulanara. Yin Chu, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, was handsome and dashing, while Lady Ulanara, in her red wedding dress, wore a shy blush beneath her red veil.
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