The Empress pondered for a moment, then smiled.
“Our Emperor is over twenty years old, but he only has two sons, the fourth prince Saiyinchaze and the third princess, born to Consort Ma Jia, and the fifth prince Baoqing, born to Consort Nara. His offspring are inevitably few.”
"In the palace, although I, Consort Zhang, Consort Ma, and Consort Zhao are pregnant, Sister Niohuru, Sister Tongjia, Consort Li, Consort Wanyan, and Consort Hesheli have served the Emperor for many years and should also become pregnant so that they can continue the Emperor's lineage and expand the family."
Niohuru and Tongjia clansmen respectfully replied, "Yes."
The two women looked at the pregnant Zhang, Ma Jia, and Zhao Jia with hostility in their eyes.
The Empress paused, then smiled and said, "Although Consort Xu has only recently received the Emperor's favor, he has already bestowed upon you the title of Consort. I hope that while Consort Xu serves the Emperor wholeheartedly, she will also conceive soon."
"Yes, Your Majesty's instructions will be followed!"
Xu Lejin responded respectfully.
The Empress smiled gently, pursing her lips and remaining silent.
Consort Tongjia chuckled softly, "Your Majesty the Empress is giving Consort Xu too much credit. Among the concubines in the palace, those who have served the Emperor more seniorly than Consort Xu, such as Consort Hesheli, Consort Li, and Consort Wanyan, have not yet conceived. Consort Xu..."
"Consort Xu is still relatively inexperienced and has only recently gained the Emperor's favor. Isn't it a bit too hasty for Her Majesty the Empress to expect her to become pregnant?"
The Empress remained silent.
Tongjia glanced at Xu Lejin with disdain, then smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I have always been outspoken and speak without thinking. If my words have offended Your Majesty, please forgive me this once."
Xu Lejin lowered her head, thinking to herself that Tongjia was still the same as always, relying on her relationship with Emperor Kangxi as a cousin, and openly provoking the dignity of the Empress.
"It's alright."
The Empress paused for a moment, then said with a smile, "What Sister Tongjia said is indeed not without reason. Consort Xu has just received the Emperor's favor, so it is indeed not advisable for her to rush into pregnancy."
"Sister Tongjia has been in the palace for five years and has always been favored by the Emperor, but she has not yet conceived. How much less so for Consort Xu, who has just gained the Emperor's favor?"
Changing the subject, the Empress looked at Lady Tongjia with a half-smile.
Tongjia's face instantly turned ashen. "Yes, Your Majesty's admonition is correct. I have learned my lesson!"
Niohuru, Majia, and others covered their mouths and giggled.
Xu Lejin pondered for a moment, then slowly raised her head and said with a smile, "Your Highness is deeply favored by the Emperor and is blessed with good fortune. I believe that Your Highness will sooner or later become pregnant."
"This humble servant also believes that all the ladies present will bear children for His Majesty. This humble servant is unfortunate, and I am already grateful for the favor of His Majesty and Empress, who have bestowed upon me the title of Consort. This is the greatest blessing of my life. As for anything else, this humble servant dares not ask for too much."
"This humble servant is only willing to serve Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress with all her heart."
Xu Lejin's words eased the tense atmosphere in Kunning Palace.
The Empress gave Xu Lejin a satisfied look.
Consort Niohuru subtly observed Xu Lejin for a moment, then smiled and said, "Consort Xu is intelligent and quick-witted; no wonder His Majesty likes her."
"Your Majesty the Empress has done an excellent job of training the palace maids around me. They are far inferior to Consort Xu."
Niohuru's words caused the Empress's expression, which had softened considerably, to darken again, and her gaze toward Xu Lejin was filled with hostility.
Xu Lejin's mind raced.
After a long while, Xu Lejin smiled faintly, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I am clumsy and tongue-tied, and I have carefully considered every word and action, for fear that I might say or do something wrong."
"It is one thing for me to lose face, but if this leads the entire palace to believe that Her Majesty the Empress is not strict in managing her subordinates, and causes the court and the harem to misunderstand that His Majesty is bad at judging people, then that would be my fault!"
The Empress slammed down her teacup and looked at Consort Niohuru with a serious expression. "Sister Niohuru, you are an old hand in the palace. You know in your heart what you can and cannot say."
"This is the last time, and I hope it will be the last time."
Niohuru respectfully replied "Yes," but in her heart she hated Xu Lejin to the core.
at the same time.
After the morning court session, Emperor Kangxi was reviewing memorials in the main hall of the Qianqing Palace when he suddenly thought of Xu Lejin. "At this hour, shouldn't Xu be in the Kunning Palace paying her respects to the Empress?"
Liang Jiugong was taken aback for a moment, then replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, that is indeed the case."
After a pause, Liang Jiugong continued, "Your Majesty, I heard that today, when Consort Xu went to Kunning Palace to pay her respects to the Empress, she encountered Consort Li, Consort Wanyan, and Consort Hesheli. Consort Hesheli's maid, Yunxiang, spoke rudely to Consort Xu and was punished by Consort Wanyan, and has been confined to Changchun Palace for three months to reflect on her mistakes."
"Heseri clan? Palace maid Yunxiang?"
Emperor Kangxi put down the memorial in his hand, his eyes grave. "Heseri is the Empress's cousin, I remember that. But the palace maid Yunxiang? Even if a palace maid is favored by Hesheli, she shouldn't speak so disrespectfully to Xu."
Liang Jiugong hesitated slightly before speaking respectfully, “Your Majesty, the palace maid Yunxiang served you twice when Consort Hesheli was unwell.”
"Oh, I see."
Emperor Kangxi pondered for a moment, “Xu served me once and was immediately promoted to a concubine. It is normal for the palace maids who have served me but are still nameless and without status to feel jealous.”
“Last night, I stayed in my cousin’s palace. In her words, she repeatedly implied that Xu’s promotion was too fast.”
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