Afternoon.
West Annex Hall of Yikun Palace
After finishing his business at court, Emperor Kangxi led his servants to the west side hall of Yikun Palace.
At this moment, Xu Lejin was being served a soup called Five Red Soup, which was believed to replenish qi and blood, by Yingchun and Zhishu.
Five-Red Soup is made with high-quality goji berries, red dates, red-skinned peanuts, red beans, and brown sugar, and is carefully simmered, making it most suitable for women in their postpartum period.
As Xu Lejin swallowed the last sip, she caught a glimpse of Emperor Kangxi entering the hall out of the corner of her eye.
Chao Yingchun and Zhishu exchanged a glance, and Xu Lejin looked at Kangxi and smiled, "Why did Your Majesty come at this time? You didn't even let the servants announce your arrival so that I could tidy up."
"This humble servant is currently disheveled and filthy, and fears she may offend His Majesty's noble eyes."
As Kangxi walked towards Xu Lejin, he laughed heartily and said, "It's alright. I just finished dealing with matters in the court and happened to have some time, so I thought I'd come and see you and the children."
Xu Lejin lowered her head shyly and spoke softly.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
Kangxi walked to Xu Lejin's bedside, and Yingchun and Zhishu quickly brought her a chair.
With a doting gaze, Kangxi spoke softly to Xu Lejin for a long time, telling her to take good care of herself and not to worry too much about the princes and princesses, as her two aunts, Chunhua and Qiuyan, along with her wet nurse and palace servants, would take good care of them.
Xu Lejin respectfully replied, "Yes."
Thinking of his son and daughter next door, Emperor Kangxi felt an urgent urge to go and see them. So he said to Xu Lejin, "My dear consort, please rest well. I'll go next door to see the children."
"yes."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly, a smile appearing on her lips.
Regardless, after she gave birth, Emperor Kangxi visited her and her children at the west wing of Yikun Palace for two consecutive days, indicating that in his heart, the four of them had already secured a place for themselves.
In the palace, princes and princesses who were favored by Emperor Kangxi generally fared better, and their future paths were easier.
Half an hour later, Zhishu entered the palace and reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Highness, after His Majesty visited the young prince and the two princesses, he left. I saw from afar at the entrance of our Yikun Palace that His Majesty seemed to have gone to Consort Zhao's palace."
Xu Lejin nodded.
"Tomorrow is the third-day celebration for the young princes and princesses. His Majesty previously decreed that it be a grand affair. Consort Zhao is the highest-ranking official in the palace and holds power there, so it is only natural for His Majesty to visit her palace."
Zhi Shu smiled and nodded, then bowed and stepped aside.
Yingchun glanced at Xu Lejin out of the corner of her eye and said softly, "Your Highness, I heard that His Majesty sent someone out of the palace yesterday afternoon to deliver an imperial decree, summoning Lady Xu to the palace tomorrow to participate in the baby shower ceremony for the young princes and princesses."
"Um."
Xu Lejin smiled broadly, "His Majesty's great favor in granting my mother permission to enter the palace is my blessing and a tremendous honor for the Xu family."
"My mother was new to the palace and was unfamiliar with the palace rules, so she was inevitably reserved. She didn't recognize the concubines, relatives, or noblewomen in the palace."
"Yingchun, tomorrow let Ruhua stay by Mother's side and serve her."
Yingchun nodded in agreement.
Kangxi returned to the Qianqing Palace and sat upright on the dragon throne. On the imperial desk, several sheets of paper were laid out in a row, with several names clearly written on them: Baoren, Baoshou, Baokun, Baoen, Ningchuke, Gefuhe, Wuxiha, Wunaxi, Burhe, and Yiermu.
His expression was conflicted, and he hesitated for a long time.
Emperor Kangxi held his imperial brush and sketched for a long time on the clean white Xuan paper before finally deciding on the names of his three children.
The son, the sixth prince, was named Bao Shou.
The eighth princess was named Ushiha.
The ninth daughter of the emperor was named Unahi.
With a loud laugh, Kangxi said, "Liang Jiugong, what do you think of these three names I chose?"
"Your Majesty, your choice is undoubtedly excellent. Consort Xu will surely like it, and our Prince Bao Shou will also like the name Your Majesty gave him when he grows up."
After a moment's thought, Liang Jiugong smiled obsequiously and said, "The names of Princess Wuxiha and Princess Unaxi also have excellent meanings. This servant is foolish, but I remember that in Manchu, Wuxiha means 'star,' and Unaxi means 'family heirloom.'"
"This servant dares to guess that His Majesty must hope that the two little princesses will shine as brightly as stars and be as precious as jewels."
Kangxi's hearty laughter echoed from the main hall of the Qianqing Palace. Zhao Chang and Li Dequan, the two eunuchs who were waiting cautiously outside the hall, each had their own thoughts.
Zhao Chang found an opportunity to pass on the news to Consort Tongjia of the Chengqian Palace about the naming of Xu Lejin's three children by Emperor Kangxi.
Li Dequan, who had been quietly observing everything, shook his head almost imperceptibly.
The third-day celebrations for Bao Shou, Wu Xiha, and Wu Na Xi were held with great fanfare, under the instruction of Emperor Kangxi and personally organized by Consort Zhao.
Although the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager did not personally visit Yikun Palace, they sent trusted nannies to deliver grand congratulatory gifts.
The concubines, whether they liked it or not, all came to the west side hall of Yikun Palace with smiles on their faces.
Among the imperial relatives, noblewomen of high status, such as the third wife of Prince An, Lady Hesheli, the wife of Prince Yu, and the wife of Prince Gong, all attended in their finest attire and presented valuable congratulatory gifts.
Xu Lejin's mother, Xie, also entered the palace with her twelve-year-old biological daughter, Xu Lijin.
It wasn't until the afternoon, after the third-day celebrations for Bao Shou, Wu Xiha, and Wu Naxi, that Xu Lejin finally had a chance to speak privately with Xie Shi and Xu Lijin.
"Mother, is everything alright at home?" Xu Lejin asked softly, looking at Madam Xie.
Madam Xie looked at Xu Lejin with a loving expression, but did not answer immediately.
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