Consort Niohuru's words were brief and to the point.
After pondering for a long time, the Empress and Consort Tongjia smiled and casually brushed the matter aside.
Although Xu Lejin felt regret that the Empress and Consort Tongjia did not continue their argument or bickering, she understood that what the harem needed was peace and tranquility.
The best thing is to let things pass by peacefully like this now.
The Empress showed concern and inquired about the condition of the unborn child of Consort Zhaojia and Consort Xu Lejin, who were both pregnant. She instructed the two to take good care of the unborn child and to give birth to a healthy prince and princess for Emperor Kangxi.
Consort Zhao Jia and Consort Xu Lejin respectfully responded.
Immediately afterwards, the Empress looked at Consort Guoluo and Consort Nongyu and said with a smile, "Consort Guoluo and Consort Xitala, from today onwards, you are officially consorts in the harem. You must serve the Emperor wholeheartedly and carry on his lineage as soon as possible, so as to expand the royal family."
"Yes, Your Majesty, this humble servant will follow Your Majesty's instructions."
Consort Guoluo and Consort Xitala stood up and smiled in response.
After leaving the Empress's Kunning Palace, Xu Lejin walked along the long street, attended by Chunhua and Yingchun.
At that moment, the voice of Consort Xitala came from behind.
"Sister Xu, please wait a moment."
Xu Lejin stopped and turned to look at Nongyu, who was being helped by a palace maid and walking towards her.
With a slight smile, Xu Lejin asked, "Is there something you need, Sister Xitala?"
"I apologize for disturbing you, Sister Xu."
Nongyu looked at Xu Lejin with a kind expression, and after thinking for a moment, she smiled and said, "Sister Xu, you and I used to serve in the Empress's palace together, and now we are both concubines. I hope that we can help each other in the future."
Xu Lejin gazed at Nongyu calmly, smiling without saying a word.
After a pause, Nongyu lowered her voice and said softly, "Sister Xu, when I was in the Empress's palace, I was punished by the Empress. Thanks to Sister Xu, I had Ruhua bring me medicine to treat my sunburn."
"My sister owes half the credit to the Emperor for her gaining his favor and being made a concubine."
Xu Lejin nodded with a smile.
After a moment of contemplation, Xu Lejin said softly, "Sister Xitala, you flatter me. You have gained the Emperor's favor and have been made a concubine. It is because of your beauty that the Emperor likes you."
“When my sister was punished by the Empress and made to kneel under the scorching sun for two hours, I sent Ruhua to bring her medicine. It was just a small favor, nothing to mention. My sister doesn’t need to worry about it.”
Nongyu paused for a moment, then smiled and agreed.
Xu Lejin looked up at the sky and smiled apologetically, "The sun is getting harsher and harsher. Sister Xitala, I am pregnant and should not be exposed to the sun for too long. I will go back to Yikun Palace first."
"Please make yourself at home, Sister Xitala!"
Nongyu paused for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "This younger sister respectfully sees off Sister Xu."
They returned to the west wing of Yikun Palace.
Aunt Chunhua left the west side hall to prepare lunch for Xu Lejin, while Yingchun and Zhishu served Xu Lejin from the side.
"Your Highness, Consort Xitala is truly fortunate. She just received the Emperor's favor yesterday and today she has been conferred the title of Consort and given residence in the East Annex of Yongshou Palace."
"Yongshou Palace is the closest palace to the Emperor's Qianqing Palace. It was the former residence of Consort Hui. Now the Emperor has granted Consorts Guoluo and Xitala the privilege of living in Yongshou Palace, which shows how much the Emperor likes them."
Zhi Shu pouted and whispered.
Xu Lejin glanced at Zhishu and said casually, "Whether the Emperor likes or dislikes, favors or not, depends entirely on the Emperor's will."
"In previous years, the Emperor was very fond of Consort Ma Jia, who gave birth to four imperial heirs, the most in the palace. Consorts Nara and Zhang were also favored. Now, Consort Nara is confined to Yanxi Palace, and before the six-month period is over, Consort Zhang's health was damaged after giving birth to the fourth imperial daughter, and she can no longer bear children."
Yingchun and Zhishu exchanged a glance.
"My lord, be careful what you say, for the walls may have ears."
Xu Lejin nodded with a faint smile, looked down at her five-month pregnant belly, and fell into deep thought.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and it was soon early May.
On the first day of the fifth lunar month, Emperor Kangxi, as was customary, stayed at the Empress's Kunning Palace. The Empress was heavily pregnant, with her due date in mid-May, and her large belly made it inconvenient for her to serve Emperor Kangxi.
After weighing the options, the Empress promoted Chu Yun, a palace maid who had previously served Emperor Kangxi.
"Chu Yun, let me ask you this: a month ago, the Empress recommended the palace maid Xu to serve me. That day, when I mentioned you, the Empress said that you were unwell and not fit to serve me in bed. Is that true?"
After their lovemaking, Kangxi, attended by Liang Jiugong, eunuchs, and palace maids, put on his clothes.
With his back to Chu Yun, Kangxi spoke in a deep voice.
Curled up on the dragon bed, naked, Chu Yun paused for a moment, slowly raised her head, glanced timidly at Kangxi, then lowered her head, biting her lip and remaining silent.
Liang Jiugong sighed almost imperceptibly, becoming even more cautious!
After waiting for a long time without receiving a reply from Chu Yun, Kangxi already had his answer. After a long silence, he coldly instructed Liang Jiugong, "Liang Jiugong, send Chu Yun back to the Empress's palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Liang Jiugong glanced at Chu Yun, who looked dejected on the dragon bed, with pity, and respectfully replied, "Yes."
Chu Yun was sent back to the Empress's palace. The Empress's bedchamber was brightly lit. Chu Yun endured her physical discomfort, bowed and entered the bedchamber, kneeling down with a numb expression.
The Empress stared coldly at Chu Yun and spoke in a chilling voice, "You know my rules. Drink the medicine, and I can keep you around. In the future, when I am not feeling well, I will still have you serve the Emperor."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Chu Yun didn't even glance at the dark medicine in the bowl, numbly picked it up and drank it down in one gulp.
The Empress smiled knowingly.
"I know of your loyalty. You have served the Emperor well tonight, so go back and rest early. You don't need to come out to work tomorrow. As for your maternal family outside the palace, I will have someone send them some money."
Chu Yun kowtowed respectfully, "This servant thanks Your Majesty the Empress for your kindness. This servant takes her leave!"
The next morning after the court session, Kangxi learned from Liang Jiugong that Chu Yun had returned to Kunning Palace the previous night and had been given a contraceptive medicine by the Empress. Kangxi's face darkened and he looked very unwell.
Oh, Empress, you have ultimately failed to live up to his expectations.
Chu Yun was a dowry member brought into the palace from the Hesheli family when the Empress married into the palace. She was two years older than the Empress.
Over the years, whenever the Empress was unwell, it was Chu Yun who served her. Chu Yun was also a beautiful woman, but she had remained in the position of a palace maid serving the Emperor for seven whole years.
He had once intended to make Chu Yun a concubine, but the Empress prevented it, saying she couldn't live without Chu Yun.
After a long silence, Kangxi said in a deep voice, "Liang Jiugong, have Chunhua and Qiuyan keep a close eye on Xu Shi in Yikun Palace. The Empress has become increasingly narrow-minded these past few years. Xu Shi used to serve the Empress, and now she is pregnant with twins. I am worried..."
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