In the afternoon, Xu Lejin instructed the palace maid Zhishu to escort Xu Chaojin out of the palace.
"Your Highness need not worry too much. Consort Xu is favored by Prince Gong, and it was Prince Gong who personally requested her from the Emperor. Although she is temporarily overshadowed by Consort Borjigit, she will surely enjoy both fortune and longevity in the future."
Yingchun carefully considered her words and respectfully offered words of comfort to Xu Lejin.
Xu Lejin nodded, looked at Yingchun, and said calmly, "Yingchun, I heard from Zhishu that you entered the palace all alone?"
Yingchun's heart skipped a beat, and a hint of panic flashed in her eyes.
“Your Highness, I have little connection with my parents, brothers and sisters, and I am all alone. I was an orphan from a young age and grew up on the charity of many families. When I was eight years old, the palace was recruiting maids, and because I was quite pretty, I was chosen by the Imperial Household Department and recruited into the palace.”
Xu Lejin's face was gentle, her eyes full of pity.
“My father and eldest brother went to the Shengjing Mulan Hunting Ground to herd horses. They have been there for two months now. I heard that they are quite diligent in their work at the Mulan Hunting Ground. A few days ago, my uncle sent someone to deliver a message. My uncle’s second cousin is twenty-three years old. His wife passed away three years ago, leaving behind a daughter.”
"My uncle wanted to find a woman to be my second cousin's second wife. He wrote to me asking if I had any suitable candidates, and I immediately thought of you, Yingchun."
Yingchun nearly dropped her jaw in shock upon hearing this.
Xu Lejin smiled gently, her gaze fixed intently on Yingchun. "Yingchun, you have served the Emperor for many years. Even if you haven't achieved great things, you have certainly worked hard. From my pregnancy to my safe delivery, it was all thanks to your careful and attentive care."
"You have rendered meritorious service to the imperial heir. Now that you have some merit, it would be wise for you to retire gracefully, leave the palace as soon as possible, get married, and have a son or daughter."
Yingchun looked completely bewildered and opened her mouth.
After a long while, Yingchun lowered her head and asked respectfully, "When did you find out that I was the Emperor's person?"
“When I was three months pregnant, the Emperor arranged for Aunt Chunhua and Aunt Qiuyan to come to Yikun Palace to take care of the unborn child. At that time, although you tried your best to avoid eye contact with Aunt Chunhua and Aunt Qiuyan, your expression and behavior were quite unnatural.”
"After observing you for a period of time, I finally confirmed that you were obeying the Emperor."
Yingchun quickly recalled the situation and suddenly realized that from that time on, the young mistress knew that the master behind her was the emperor, which was why she still relied on her while giving her a warning.
After a long while, Yingchun knelt down with a 'plop'.
“My lady, I am willing to leave the palace to marry, but I was purchased into the palace by the Imperial Household Department, so leaving the palace is not easy. Moreover, I still have duties to perform, and the Emperor may not grant me permission to leave the palace.”
Xu Lejin removed the pearl flower from her hair and played with it in her hand. "It's up to people. It could be as short as six months or as long as three years. I will mention to the Emperor that you can leave the palace."
"As for your duties, there is no shortage of smart and capable palace maids in the palace. The Emperor will arrange another palace maid to replace you."
Five days later
At dusk, Yingchun entered from outside the palace with a joyful expression and respectfully reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Highness, great news! The Emperor has chosen you for the night, and he will be coming to the west side hall of Yikun Palace tonight."
"Okay, I understand."
Xu Lejin responded with a delighted smile, her delicate hand gently adjusting the two small buns on her head. "Yingchun, how's my hairstyle today? Does it look good? Will the Emperor like it?"
Yingchun raised her head slightly and looked around.
After a moment's thought, Yingchun smiled and said, "Your Highness's hair is styled very well, but I feel that it doesn't quite match your clothes today."
“My lady, if I may presume to speak, Your Highness is young and beautiful. You should wear bright and delicate colors, rather than these old and somber colors like lake blue, sapphire blue, and dark green.”
Standing up, Xu Lejin looked down at her palace attire, her expression subtly changing.
Indeed, she is now a young woman of twenty-nine, and although she is already a mother of three, she is only eighteen years old, which is the prime of her youth and beauty.
She was no longer the old woman in her previous life, over sixty and frail.
Young people should act like young people; to hell with these old-fashioned and conservative clothes!
After thinking it through, Xu Lejin instructed Yingchun, "Yingchun, I remember the Imperial Household Department sent over a sky-blue cheongsam, which I haven't worn yet. Go and get it, and I'll try it on."
Yingchun looked hesitant.
After a moment's hesitation, Yingchun forced herself to speak, "My lady, I think there is a pink dress that would match your hair ornaments better today."
"..."
After thinking for a moment, Xu Lejin decided to follow Yingchun's advice.
As Emperor Kangxi arrived at Yikun Palace under the cover of night, he was greeted by a delicate pink figure craning her neck and looking on expectantly outside the west side hall.
A look of amazement flashed in Kangxi's eyes.
Holding Xu Lejin's fair hand, Kangxi led her into the west wing of the palace and said loudly, "My beloved consort's clothes and hairstyle are very beautiful today. She is young and has fair skin, and she looks best in pink."
Xu Lejin looked shy and lowered her head slightly.
“Your Majesty, pink is so delicate. I am now eighteen, unlike those fourteen or fifteen-year-old girls who are still like flower buds. I have always been worried that I am not up to the task of wearing this pink dress.”
Emperor Kangxi laughed heartily, gazing at Xu Lejin with doting affection. "My beloved consort, there's no need for modesty. Pink is delicate, but it has a unique beauty when worn by you."
He leaned forward slightly, and Kangxi's heavy breathing reached Xu Lejin's ears.
"How many more surprises does my beloved consort hold that I am unaware of?"
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