After Yin Chu abdicated
Yin Chu became the Retired Emperor, Empress Mingwei became the Retired Empress, and Xu Lejin was also promoted one rank to become the Grand Empress Dowager, becoming the highest-ranking person in the entire Qing Dynasty palace.
After his grandson Hongxu ascended the throne, he bestowed upon Xu Lejin an honorific title.
At the same time, Yin Chu, the Empress Dowager, and several concubines in Yin Chu's harem who had served him since his time as a prince but had always been frustrated in their careers also moved to the Yuanmingyuan Palace.
Xu Lejin was too old to move, so she continued to stay in the palace and reside in Cining Palace.
Empress Fucha Xuanyin, the wife of Hongxu, was a gentle and virtuous woman.
The decision to choose Fucha Xuanyin as Hongxu's primary consort was made jointly by Xu Lejin, Yinchu, and the Empress Dowager. They valued Fucha Xuanyin because she came from the prominent Manchu family of Fucha and was exceptionally capable at managing household affairs.
During her years at Prince Hongxu's residence, Fucha Xuanyin managed the entire residence in an orderly manner.
Hongxu’s son Changmao,
The first year of the Gan'an era. Gan'an was the reign title of Hongxu.
On a certain day of that year, Fucha Xuanyin led the newly appointed concubines of Hongxu's harem to Cining Palace to pay their respects.
Hongxu's primary consort, Fucha Xuanyin, was made empress. His secondary consorts, Ulanara and Irgen Gioro, were respectively Consort Xian and Consort Ke.
In addition, there were two princesses, Fucha and Gao, who were bestowed the titles of Consort Zhe and Consort Hui.
There are four concubines below, several noble ladies, but none at the time of being a lady-in-waiting or a concubine.
Xu Lejin sat upright in the main seat, looking down at the group of concubines from Hongxu's harem. Her head was buzzing with pain; it had been so many years since she had seen so many people at once.
Yin Chu's harem consisted of only a handful of women.
Hongxu's harem is now almost as grand as that of Emperor Kangxi's reign.
With a wave of her hand, Xu Lejin said impatiently, "You have made my Cining Palace so crowded. Empress, Consort Ke, Consort Hui, and Consort Wan, please stay. The rest of you may return to your respective palaces."
Empress Fucha Xuanyin gave Consort Zhe and the others a meaningful look, and they bowed and withdrew.
A moment later, in Cining Palace, only Empress Fucha Xuanyin, Consort Ke, Consort Hui, and Consort Wan remained. Xu Lejin finally felt her breathing become much easier.
Clearing her throat, Xu Lejin smiled and looked at Fucha Xuanyin, speaking softly, "The Empress has just given birth to the Emperor's eighth and ninth sons. Why isn't she in Changchun Palace, taking good care of herself?"
"I see that the Empress looks much more haggard."
Fucha Xuanyin stood up and said respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. Your granddaughter-in-law is fine."
Xu Lejin beckoned Fucha Xuanyin to come forward and patted her hand.
"You're young now, just over thirty, so you naturally don't feel it yet. But in a few years, you'll regret going out into the wind so soon after giving birth, before your body has fully recovered."
"You were personally chosen by me, the Emperor Emeritus, and the Empress Dowager, and you have given birth to three sons and three daughters for the Emperor. Naturally, I hope you are in good health."
"The emperor has just ascended the throne, and the harem cannot do without you, the empress."
Fucha Xuanyin nodded gently.
Consort Ke, Consort Hui, and Consort Wan (née Chen) watched with smiles.
Consort Ke was personally chosen by Empress Dowager Xu Lejin a few years ago, as a precaution, because at that time, Empress Fucha was in poor health after giving birth to Hongxu's fifth son, Yonglang.
Consort Hui and Consort Wan served in the Prince's residence for many years, and it was only through the protection of Empress Dowager Xu Lejin that they were able to give birth to several princesses.
Hall of Mental Cultivation
Yes, since Yin Chu ascended the throne, the place for handling state affairs was moved from the Qianqing Palace to the Yangxin Hall. As Yin Chu's son, Hong Xu naturally handled state affairs in the Yangxin Hall as well.
Hongxu sat on the dragon throne, his face solemn.
After a long silence, Hongxu spoke in a deep voice, "Wang Zhong, why do you think my grandmother and mother dislike Consort Xian? Consort Xian served me in the Prince's residence for many years, and we were childhood sweethearts; she is my cousin. My original intention was to confer upon Consort Xian the title of Noble Consort, but..."
"It's one thing for the Empress Dowager to dislike her, but the Empress Dowager is Consort Xian's aunt. Why doesn't she like Consort Xian?"
Wang Zhong, the chief steward of the imperial guards, lowered his head in deep thought.
After a cup of tea, Wang Zhong carefully considered his words and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, perhaps the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager want to train Consort Xian a bit..."
"Um,"
Hongxu responded with a sound of agreement, then remained silent in thought.
Wang Zhong lowered his head, feeling helpless. He thought to himself, "Don't you know that the people in the palace don't like Consort Xian?"
The Empress Dowager was displeased, as were the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Emeritus. Furthermore...
Even the concubines in Your Majesty's harem do not like Consort Xian.
Only Your Majesty thinks that the pretentious and affected Consort Xian is a treasure, and that Consort Xian's feelings for Your Majesty are genuine.
A few years later
The harem remained peaceful. Aside from his special favor for Consort Xian, Hongxu treated the other concubines with indifference, and only three or four new women entered the palace.
Until the ninth year of the Gan'an era
Empress Fucha Xuanyin, despite her failing health, arranged the wedding of her eldest son Yongxun, but then suddenly fell ill and was bedridden, causing panic throughout the palace.
That day
Consort Hui and Consort Wan arrived at Cining Palace together. Upon entering, Consort Hui reported to me with a grave expression, "Empress Dowager, news has arrived from the court that the Emperor intends to elevate Consort Xian to the rank of Noble Consort."
"、、"
After a moment of surprise, Xu Lejin looked at Consort Hui.
"Although Consort Xian has enjoyed the Emperor's favor in recent years, she has not given birth to any more children. Consort Xian only has Yongzhen as her son. Why does the Emperor suddenly want to promote Consort Xian to the rank of Noble Consort?"
Consort Hui lowered her head slightly, pursed her lips, and said softly, "Your Majesty, His Majesty means that over the years, none of the high-ranking concubines in the harem have had their ranks elevated."
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