Xu Lejin returned to the west side hall of Yikun Palace and sat upright on the rose chair.
Looking at the several ten-foot-long hanging curtains placed under the eaves outside, Xu Lejin pondered for a long time before speaking softly. "Today, Consort Zhao's impromptu invitation to the concubines in the palace to admire chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden was premeditated."
Yingchun slowly raised her head, glanced at Xu Lejin discreetly, and then lowered her head in silence.
He picked up the teacup beside him and took a small sip.
With a slight upturn of her lips, Xu Lejin frowned and murmured, "Is the Emperor and Princess Tongjia destined to have an inescapable tragic fate? Today in the Imperial Garden, the Emperor's doting on Princess Tongjia was obvious to everyone."
"Your Highness, please be careful what you say. You mustn't say such things."
Yingchun glanced outside the hall, lowered her voice, and spoke cautiously, "The Emperor is the Son of Heaven, and the Emperor's actions are beyond question. Princess Tongjia is young and lively, so it's only natural that the Emperor likes her."
"Even if Princess Tongjia really does enter the palace in the future, it will be a match made in heaven, not a tragic one."
"Um."
Xu Lejin responded softly, her expression nonchalant.
"Indeed, the Tong family is the Emperor's maternal family. The Emperor's birth mother, Empress Xiaokangzhang, died early, so it is only natural for the Emperor to show favor to his maternal family."
"Now, the Empress of Chengqian Palace is bedridden and unable to serve the Emperor. The Emperor wishes to bring the Second Princess Tongjia into the palace so that Ehuang and Nüying can share one husband. This is also for the sake of the political situation in the previous dynasty."
"A match made in heaven? It truly is a match made in heaven!"
Yingchun was taken aback for a moment, then said respectfully, "Yes, Your Highness is very thoughtful. This servant is foolish and would never have thought of these things."
Afternoon.
Xu Lejin had just woken up from her afternoon nap when Zhishu entered from outside the palace with a grave expression. "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! The Empress of Chengqian Palace vomited blood this afternoon."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin's muddled mind snapped back to reality.
With a look of utter bewilderment, Xu Lejin stared intently at Zhishu and asked seriously, "What did you say? The Empress of Chengqian Palace vomited blood? Although the Empress of Chengqian Palace is bedridden, her condition is not serious enough to cause her to vomit blood."
"Why would someone suddenly vomit blood?"
Zhi Shu lowered her head and pondered for a moment before speaking softly. "Your Highness, it is said that it is related to the Emperor and the Second Princess Tongjia. The Empress of Chengqian Palace learned from some unknown source that the Emperor and the Second Princess Tongjia were strolling in the Imperial Garden this morning. Overwhelmed with grief, she vomited blood."
"So that's how it is."
Xu Lejin sighed, her tone full of pity.
"The Empress Chengqian is currently bedridden, and Princess Tongjia, who was supposed to enter the palace to accompany her, ended up laughing and joking with the Emperor in the Imperial Garden. No one could accept this."
"Yingchun, have someone secretly keep an eye on Chengqian Palace. Report any unusual activity immediately."
Yingchun looked at Xu Lejin with a puzzled expression, and after thinking for a moment, said respectfully, "My lady, if someone with ulterior motives makes a big deal out of this, how do we explain it?"
"this……"
Xu Lejin was stunned upon hearing this.
It is indeed difficult to explain. She had no prior contact with Consort Tongjia of Chengqian Palace. Her sudden concern for Consort Tongjia's illness was exploited by someone with ulterior motives, who judged her with their own petty mind and added fuel to the fire to make false accusations.
At that point, she won't be able to clear her name even if she jumps into the Yellow River.
After thinking it through, Xu Lejin sighed softly, "Never mind, let nature take its course. There's no need to deliberately inquire about the situation in Consort Chengqian's palace."
"Yes, my lord."
Yingchun lowered her eyes, a fleeting look of guilt and unease crossing her gaze.
Early the next morning.
Chuxiu Palace
Consort Zhao, with a solemn expression, sat upright in the main seat, looking down at the group of concubines below, and said in a deep voice, "My dear sisters, I believe you all know about the incident yesterday afternoon when Sister Tongjia of Chengqian Palace vomited blood."
"The matter of Tong Jia vomiting blood is of great importance. The Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager all attach great importance to it. The Emperor personally went to Chengqian Palace to visit Tong Jia, and the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager also sent their capable nannies to Chengqian Palace to offer their condolences."
After a pause, Consort Zhao continued, "I also went to Chengqian Palace yesterday evening. After Sister Tongjia vomited blood, her face turned pale and her body became increasingly weak."
Consort Ma Jia, Consort Zhao Jia, and others lowered their heads slightly, a hint of schadenfreude flashing in their eyes.
Consort Nara and Consort Zhang exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with deep, unyielding worry, as well as confusion and anxiety about their future life in the palace.
Consort Li, Consort Wanyan, Xu Lejin, and others had indifferent expressions.
After surveying the expressions on the faces of the concubines, Consort Zhao spoke solemnly, “There is another matter that none of you sisters know. Yesterday afternoon, the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager learned that the incident of Consort Tongjia vomiting blood was related to Princess Tongjia the Second, and they have issued an imperial decree to send Princess Tongjia the Second out of the palace overnight.”
"His Majesty is also aware of this matter."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin paused for a moment, secretly glanced at Consort Zhao, and then lowered her head to ponder in her heart.
Upon hearing this, Consort Ma Jia and Consort Zhao Jia could not hide their joy.
Consort Hesheli sneered and said, "The Second Princess Tongjia should have been expelled from the palace long ago. The Second Princess Tongjia was nominally sent to the palace to accompany the ailing and bedridden Consort Chengqian, but she secretly harbored ulterior motives."
"The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager are wise. They sent Princess Tongjia out of the palace. Otherwise, if this had continued, we would have had another little Princess Chengqian in our palace."
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