After Kangxi left Kunning Palace.
The Empress sat regally on her throne, her beautiful eyes sweeping over Consort Niohuru, the heavily pregnant Consort Ma Jia, Consort Zhang, and others before finally settling on Xu Lejin.
"Your Majesty's previous words need not be taken too seriously, Consort Xu. Although your gaining favor and being granted the title of Consort was just an accident, now that you are a Consort and a concubine in the palace, you don't need to be concerned about the process."
"His Majesty does care about you; otherwise, he wouldn't have punished Niohuru from Chuxiu Palace and Tongjia from Chengqian Palace for your sake."
Xu Lejin smiled faintly and looked up at the Empress.
Carefully choosing her words, Xu Lejin respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, this humble servant will obey your teachings."
"I come from a humble background, and to be able to serve Your Majesty is a blessing I have accumulated over several lifetimes. Other servants would never dare to ask for such a thing. Your Majesty the Empress is kind and benevolent, and Your Majesty is an even more enlightened ruler. He handles the affairs of the harem with virtue and reason, which I greatly admire."
After a pause, Xu Lejin looked at Consort Niohuru and said respectfully, "The Empress of Chuxiu Palace was fined a month's salary because of my favor with the Emperor and the title I received. It was my fault."
"This humble servant dares to beg Your Highness to forgive this humble servant."
After speaking, Xu Lejin lowered her head.
Consort Niohuru smiled gently, "Consort Xu, there's no need to worry. The Emperor punished me with a month's salary because I was too eager for quick results and made a mistake. It has nothing to do with you, Consort Xu."
"Not only will I not blame Consort Xu, but I should also be grateful to you. After all, it is because of you, Consort Xu, that the Emperor promised to have a child with me..."
Xu Lejin paused for a moment, glanced up at Niohuru, and then quickly lowered her head.
The empress clenched her hands within her sleeves, yet maintained a dignified and proper smile on her face.
The concubines continued their pleasantries, one after another. As usual, the Empress inquired about the condition of the imperial heirs among the pregnant concubines, and instructed them to take good care of their babies and give birth to an imperial heir for Emperor Kangxi as soon as possible.
After about half a cup of tea had passed, the Empress looked at the sky outside and said with a smile, "My dear sisters, it's getting late. Let's end our greetings here for today!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, we will take our leave."
Consort Niohuru, leading the other concubines, rose to bid farewell to the Empress.
After leaving Kunning Palace, Niohuru glanced at Xu Lejin with a smile in her eyes, and returned to Chuxiu Palace with her maid Caiyue. Consort Ma Jia, Consort Zhang, and others also left one after another.
Consort Dong looked at Xu Lejin with a flustered expression and stammered, "I am very grateful to Sister Xu for helping me out of that predicament in Her Majesty the Empress's palace just now. I will always remember your great kindness."
"Sister Dong, you're too kind!"
Xu Lejin smiled and said, "Sister Dong and I are both concubines of the Emperor, so it is only right that we help each other and serve the Emperor and the Empress together."
"Moreover, today's events were caused by Consort Chengqian being jealous of Sister Dong's service to the Emperor last night, and she made sarcastic remarks about Sister Dong."
Consort Dong nodded with a smile.
After a moment, Xu Lejin smiled and said, "Sister Dong, you served His Majesty hard last night, and you must be feeling tired now. I won't disturb you any longer as you return to Zhongcui Palace."
"Thank you for your consideration, Sister Xu."
Consort Dong smiled and agreed, then, supported by her personal maid, Green Willow, slowly walked towards the Eastern Six Palaces.
Xu Lejin smiled and, supported by Yingchun, returned to Yikun Palace.
“Your Highness, Consort Chengqian has always been deeply favored by the Emperor. This time, Your Highness has offended Consort Chengqian, and I am worried that Consort Chengqian will retaliate against you.”
Yingchun carefully considered her words before speaking softly.
Xu Lejin smiled, her long, nail-covered fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. She chuckled, “Your concerns are not unfounded. The Empress of Chengqian Palace is arrogant and domineering. She relies on the fact that Empress Xiaokangzhang was her aunt and on the Emperor’s favor. She doesn’t even respect the Empress.”
"I am just a lowly concubine. If the Empress of Chengqian Palace wants to deal with me, it will be as easy as crushing an ant."
Yingchun lowered her head slightly, lost in thought.
Xu Lejin paused, looked at Yingchun with a serious expression, and said in a deep voice, "I have offended the Empress of Chengqian Palace today. She will definitely have someone secretly deal with me."
"Yingchun, send someone to the Imperial Stables to deliver a message to your uncle, asking him to keep the clansmen in check. Also, Yingchun, you must keep Zhishu, Ruhua, and Xiaojiangzi in check. Carefully inspect all food and items that enter or leave my West Annex Hall. Better safe than sorry."
Yingchun respectfully replied, "Yes."
Consort Tongjia was confined to Chengqian Palace, and Consort Niohuru was fined one month's salary. The harem became much quieter for a time.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the Laba Festival arrived.
Because the Empress, Lady Ma Jia, Lady Zhang, and Lady Zhao Jia were pregnant, and Consort Tong Jia was confined to her quarters, Emperor Kangxi summoned Consort Dong of Zhongcui Palace most often, followed by Consort Niohuru, Consort Wanyan, Consort Li, and several other concubines who were not pregnant.
As for Xu Lejin, Kangxi completely forgot about her!
Yingchun carried the Laba porridge into the palace and respectfully said to Xu Lejin, "Your Highness, this is Laba porridge that the Imperial Kitchen carefully cooked this morning. Her Majesty the Empress specially instructed the Imperial Kitchen to send it to all the palaces. Your Highness, please try some while it's hot."
Xu Lejin put down the half-finished sachet in her hand and looked at the Laba porridge.
Laba porridge, made with longan, lotus seeds, peanuts, millet, and other ingredients, is simmered over low heat for two whole hours. It smells sweet and looks soft and sticky, making people's appetites soar.
"Leave it there and let it cool down before eating."
After a short while, Xu Lejin picked up the Laba porridge, holding a small spoon, ready to taste it. Suddenly, she smelled a slightly bitter aroma in the porridge and frowned.
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