Xu Lejin rushed to the Qianqing Palace to apologize to Emperor Kangxi.
After learning the whole story from the young palace maid Ruhua, Aunt Chunhua and Aunt Qiuyan were quite surprised, but they were also very impressed by Xu Lejin's quick thinking and decisive response.
The plot to seize the Empress's position can be a big deal or a small one.
If Emperor Kangxi favored Xu Lejin, then even with her humble origins as a bondservant, it wouldn't be impossible for her to compete for the position of Empress by relying on her rare pregnancy with twins.
The problem is that Emperor Kangxi did not particularly favor Xu Lejin.
Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. The emperor is high above, and his temperament is extremely unpredictable. He can elevate a woman to the heavens or throw her into the mud. During the reign of the late emperor, Chunhua and Qiuyan witnessed the dethronement of the late emperor's first empress, who was demoted from the position of empress to the rank of concubine.
I have also met Empress Xiaoxian, of the Dong E clan. She entered the palace and became an Imperial Noble Consort within three months, rising rapidly through the ranks...
Chunhua and Qiuyan exchanged a glance, and you could see the understanding in each other's eyes.
Immediately afterwards, Chunhua and Qiuyan went their separate ways. Qiuyan rushed to the Qianqing Palace to buy time, while Chunhua took a shortcut to report the cause and course of events to Emperor Kangxi.
Xu Lejin, heavily pregnant, walked to the Qianqing Palace.
Liang Jiugong saw Xu Lejin from afar and thought he was seeing things. He blinked and hurriedly came forward, respectfully saying, "Consort Xu, what's wrong? It's so hot outside, why have you come to the Qianqing Palace?"
"Eunuch Liang, is the Emperor inside right now?"
Xu Lejin, panting heavily, asked Liang Jiugong.
Liang Jiugong's heart was in his throat with each of Xu Lejin's heavy breaths, fearing that if he wasn't careful, Xu Lejin would give birth prematurely outside the Qianqing Palace.
After all, Xu Lejin's belly was really big.
Liang Jiugong pondered for a moment, then said softly, "His Majesty is currently discussing state affairs with his ministers. If Consort Xu has anything to say, this servant can convey his message. Consort Xu is carrying the imperial child; your health is of utmost importance."
Xu Lejin's expression froze, and she looked towards the Qianqing Palace.
At that moment, Kangxi's angry voice could be clearly heard coming from the Qianqing Palace.
"The four regents left by the late emperor were Aobai, Sony, Ebilun, and Suksaha. Aobai, Suksaha, and Sony have all passed away, only Ebilun is still alive."
"The Empress was Sony's granddaughter. Now that the Empress has passed away, the position of Empress is vacant. The only one in the harem is Niohuru, the daughter of Ebilun's concubine."
After a pause, Kangxi's icy voice echoed from the Qianqing Palace once more.
"I never expected that the Guarjia and Yehenara clans would also want to compete for the empress's position."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin's expression became even more tense.
When an emperor is enraged, millions will die and rivers of blood will flow. Her father, Xu Lu, had the audacity to want her to compete for the position of empress. If this were to spread, Emperor Kangxi would surely be furious.
In addition, the four regents and the major Manchu and Mongol families could not tolerate the Xu clan.
Taking a deep breath, Xu Lejin smiled and looked at Liang Jiugong, saying, "Eunuch Liang, I have something important to report to the Emperor. Please inform him after the Emperor has finished dealing with state affairs."
"this……"
Liang Jiugong hesitated, his gaze lingering on Xu Lejin's large belly.
After a moment's thought, Liang Jiugong beckoned to a young eunuch who served in the imperial court and instructed him, "Consort Xu is pregnant and going through a lot. Lead her to the side hall to rest and have the palace maids take good care of her."
"Yes, sir."
The young eunuch respectfully agreed.
Xu Lejin glanced at the Qianqing Palace, her expression helpless, and said softly, "Thank you, Eunuch Liang. I will wait in the side hall then!"
"This servant dares not accept such praise. Serving Consort Xu is my duty."
Liang Jiugong lowered his eyes slightly and watched Xu Lejin go to the side hall of Qianqing Palace.
A moment later, Aunt Chunhua hurriedly arrived outside the Qianqing Palace.
Aunt Chunhua looked around but couldn't see Xu Lejin. Only Liang Jiugong stood at the entrance of Qianqing Palace with his head slightly lowered. Aunt Chunhua's heart was in her throat.
"Eunuch Liang, has my young master arrived before the Emperor?"
Aunt Chunhua looked at Liang Jiugong and asked, carefully choosing her words.
Liang Jiugong was taken aback for a moment, then took Xu Lejin to the side hall to rest and informed Aunt Chunhua. Aunt Chunhua breathed a sigh of relief and briefly told Liang Jiugong the cause and course of events.
Upon hearing this, Liang Jiugong's eyes widened in surprise.
After realizing what had happened, Liang Jiugong secretly felt relieved for Xu Lejin. It was fortunate that the Emperor was in the palace discussing state affairs with his ministers at that moment; otherwise, things might not have turned out well.
Half an hour later, Xu Lejin bowed and knelt in the main hall of the Qianqing Palace.
Emperor Kangxi sat on the dragon throne, his face grim, looking down at Xu Lejin, and said coldly, "I understand what my beloved consort means. Every concubine in the harem wants to seize the position of Empress, but only my beloved consort understands this."
"Your Majesty, I am of humble birth and have little influence. To be able to serve Your Majesty and bear your children is already a blessing I have accumulated over several lifetimes. As for anything else, I dare not ask for more."
"This humble servant only hopes that the dragon child in my womb will be born safely and grow up healthy."
Xu Lejin took a deep breath, prostrated herself on the ground, and then said, "Your Majesty, my father is foolish and spoke inappropriately. It is my fault for not properly managing the household. Please punish me, Your Majesty."
"Yes, they should be punished."
Emperor Kangxi's gaze fell on Xu Lejin's large belly. After pondering for a long time, he said, "I will punish Consort Xu of Yikun Palace to ensure the safe delivery of the imperial heir."
"The father of Consort Xu is hereby confined to his home, effective immediately. Without my special pardon, he is forbidden from stepping outside the house. All affairs of the Xu family, large and small, are to be handled by..."
Emperor Kangxi paused, thinking of the unpleasant events at Xu Lu's residence in the suburbs of Beijing, and hesitated.
Xu Lejin slowly raised her head and said softly, "Your Majesty, my younger brother Huaizhen, born of the same mother, is only four years old and may not be able to shoulder the responsibilities of the family. However..."
After hesitating for a moment, Xu Lejin spoke in a low voice.
"However, the concubine's mother, née Xie, was the 68th generation direct descendant of the Chenliu Xie clan, a prominent family during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. The concubine's maternal grandfather was a strict ruler, and the concubine's mother was known as the 'Female Zhuge Liang' of the Xie family even in her boudoir."
After speaking, Xu Lejin lowered her head slightly, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on her back.
Emperor Kangxi gave Xu Lejin a meaningful look, and after pondering for a long time, he said loudly, "Since the mother of my beloved concubine is the daughter of the Xie family of Chenliu, from this day forward, all matters concerning the concubine's household shall be managed by the Xie family."
Xu Lejin breathed a sigh of relief.
"This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great favor. Long live the Emperor!"
Kangxi nodded with a smile.
Immediately afterwards, Kangxi called out to the Qianqing Palace, "Liang Jiugong, Consort Xu is pregnant with the imperial heir and is suffering. I hereby bestow upon her a sedan chair. Liang Jiugong, you shall personally escort Consort Xu back to the west wing of the Yikun Palace."
"The palace servants are ordered not to discuss matters concerning the Xu family, whether inside or outside the palace."
Liang Jiugong respectfully replied, "Yes."
With his head slightly lowered, Liang Jiugong thought to himself, "The Emperor really values Consort Xu very much!"
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