After hearing Yingchun's words, Xu Lejin fell into deep thought.
Tong Guowei has three daughters?
Her eldest daughter was a concubine in the Chengqian Palace, her second daughter was fourteen years old and in the prime of her life, and her third daughter was five years old and still a child. She remembered that in the history of the Qing Dynasty, there were two Tongjia sisters in the Kangxi Emperor's harem, namely Empress Xiaoyiren and Consort Quehui.
Consort Quehui is undoubtedly Tong Guowei's third daughter, who is only five years old at the time.
As for Empress Xiaoyiren,
After pondering for a moment, Xu Lejin had a bold guess in her mind.
Immediately afterward, Xu Lejin said in a deep voice, "Yingchun, send someone to inquire why the Second Princess of the Tongjia Mansion came to the palace today. And how is the Empress of Chengqian Palace's condition now?"
"Yes, my lord."
Yingchun respectfully agreed, and exchanged a glance with Zhishu beside her without making a sound.
In the evening, Yingchun, with a solemn expression, entered from outside the West Side Hall and respectfully reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Highness, I have found out that the Second Princess Tongjia entered the palace today to visit the ailing Consort Chengqian."
"The Empress's condition is fluctuating, and the imperial physicians at the Imperial Hospital are helpless and can only resort to conservative treatment."
Xu Lejin nodded and continued embroidering the tiger-head hat in her hands.
Yingchun pondered for a moment, then lowered her voice and spoke again. "Your Highness, when the Second Princess Tongjia visited the Empress of Chengqian Palace, she encountered the Emperor and spoke with him at length. From time to time, the Emperor's hearty laughter and the Second Princess Tongjia's clear, bell-like voice could be heard from the main hall of Chengqian Palace."
"knew."
Xu Lejin paused in her sewing of the tiger-head hat, then said, "Your Majesty, the Empress of Chengqian Palace, and Princess Tongjia are cousins, and have a close relationship."
"Princess Tongjia is young and at the age of innocence and liveliness, so it is only natural that the Emperor likes her."
Yingchun glanced up at Xu Lejin, then hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.
Xu Lejin smiled faintly, "The Second Princess Tongjia entered the palace at this critical juncture, ostensibly to visit Consort Chengqian, but secretly to spy on Consort Chengqian's health, and..."
Swallowing the words that were about to come out of her mouth, Xu Lejin finished the last stitch of her embroidery.
Looking at the tiger-head hat she had sewn herself, with its tightly stitched seams, Xu Lejin murmured, "When the Second Princess Tongjia enters the palace today, she should be most worried about the Consort of Chuxiu Palace, as well as the Hesheli clan, the maternal family of the deceased Empress."
"Yes, what you say is very true."
Yingchun lowered her eyes and looked at her toes.
The next morning, Xu Lejin was leisurely basking in the sunlight under a tree outside the west side hall of Yikun Palace when Zhishu bowed and entered the hall to report to Xu Lejin.
"Your Highness, Consort Hesheli from Changchun Palace has come to visit."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin looked surprised and asked, "Consort Hesheli?"
“I remember Consort Hesheli was unwell before and recuperated in the west side hall of Changchun Palace. After the Empress passed away, Consort Hesheli’s health gradually improved.”
“I have never had any contact with Consort Hesheli before. What brings her to my humble west wing of Yikun Palace today?”
Zhi Shu lowered her eyes and spoke respectfully, "Your Highness, this servant does not know."
Xu Lejin pondered for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Yingchun beside her.
"Alright, Zhishu, quickly invite Consort Hesheli into the palace. Ruhua, go and prepare tea and snacks."
Zhi Shu and Ru Hua respectfully responded.
A moment later, Consort Hesheli entered the west wing of Xu Lejin's residence with lightning speed.
"Sister Hesheli".
Xu Lejin curtsied slightly to Consort Hesheli. Consort Hesheli, with a friendly smile on her face, quickly helped Xu Lejin up and said with a smile, "Sister Xu, you are pregnant, so please take care of your health. There's no need for such formalities."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin became wary.
"Thank you, Sister Hesheli."
Xu Lejin and Consort Hesheli took their seats one after the other. Consort Hesheli glanced at Xu Lejin's large belly with a thoughtful expression.
After a moment's hesitation, Xu Lejin spoke softly, "Sister Hesheli, what brings you here today to grace my humble abode in the west wing of Yikun Palace?"
"It should have been my younger sister visiting Sister Hesheli in the west side hall of Changchun Palace, but unfortunately I was under house arrest before, and after that I became pregnant, and Sister Hesheli you were also ill and recuperating..."
Consort Hesheli looked embarrassed.
After a moment's hesitation, Consort Hesheli smiled and said, "Sister Xu, you are carrying the emperor's child, and your health is precious. You should take good care of yourself."
"Sister Xu, I have come today because of the rumors circulating in the palace."
Consort Hesheli's gaze fell subtly on Yingchun behind Xu Lejin, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Xu Lejin understood immediately, pondered for a moment, and then spoke with a smile.
"Sister Hesheli, Yingchun is a palace maid I trust and rely on. Since I became pregnant, I have been inseparable from Yingchun. Please forgive me, Sister Hesheli!"
Consort Hesheli gave an awkward smile, "Well, the imperial heir is of utmost importance, so it's only natural that Sister Xu would be cautious."
After a moment's deliberation, Consort Hesheli looked intently at Xu Lejin.
“Sister Xu, you used to serve the Empress. The Empress was kind, benevolent, virtuous and generous, and a role model for women all over the world. Now that the Empress has given birth to the sixth princess, she has suddenly passed away. There are rumors in the palace that the Emperor is going to appoint a new Empress.”
Swallowing hard, Consort Hesheli continued, "I am the Empress's cousin. You, Consort Xu, Consort Chuyun, and Consort Xitala were all originally Consort Xu's maids. Consort Shangjia and Consort Fanjia were recommended by the Empress."
"Now, we're all in this together. If the Emperor appoints a new Empress, we'll be the first to be targeted and become his thorn in his side. He'll definitely want to get rid of us as soon as possible."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin covered her mouth in horror.
After a moment, Xu Lejin looked timidly at Consort Hesheli and said softly, "Then, Sister Hesheli, what do you think we should do? The harem cannot be without a ruler for a day. With the Empress gone, for the sake of peace and harmony in the harem, the Emperor will surely appoint a new Empress."
After speaking, Xu Lejin lowered her head slightly, a glint of light flashing in her eyes.
A smug glint flashed in Consort Hesheli's eyes, and then she said earnestly, "I have come to my sister's place today to discuss a perfect solution with her."
"The Empress's maternal family has no direct sisters of suitable age to enter the palace. There are a few eligible women from the collateral branches of the Hesheli family, but they are not of high birth, and even if they enter the palace, they may not be granted high positions."
Xu Lejin looked up at Consort Hesheli.
"What does Sister Hesheli mean?"
Consort Hesheli looked around, coughed lightly, and spoke in a low voice. "Sister Xu, although I am a daughter of a collateral branch of the Hesheli family, I have been serving the Emperor in the palace for some time and have quite a bit of experience. In terms of lineage, I am the Empress's cousin."
"I've been thinking that if I have the opportunity and the Emperor is willing, I could also compete for the position of Empress."
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