Consort Yun was favored upon entering the palace. For three consecutive nights, she was taken to the Qianqing Palace by the Phoenix Spring Grace Carriage to serve the emperor, and during the day she was summoned to the Qianqing Palace to accompany him.
He was favored and enjoyed unparalleled popularity.
That afternoon, Xu Lejin and Consort Xuan walked hand in hand along the winding path in the Imperial Garden.
A woman in palace attire spoke from not far away, her voice filled with jealousy and resentment: "Consort Yun, Consort Yun, it's Consort Yun again, serving the emperor? Consort Yun is the same age as me, entered the palace after me, and now she's been favored by the emperor, while I..."
"It seems the Emperor has forgotten about me."
With a soft sigh, the woman in palace attire looked sorrowful and murmured to herself.
"In terms of looks, I am no less beautiful than Consort Yun. As for family background, Consort Yun comes from the Hesheli clan of the Manchu Plain Yellow Banner, but she only had an Empress Xiaocheng a few years ago, and this year the Emperor bestowed titles upon the harem, adding Consort Xi. I…"
“My family background is not bad either. I am from the direct line of the Yehe Nara clan. My ancestors were the famous Yehe tribe. Empress Xiaoci Gao was my great-great-aunt.”
Xu Lejin and Consort Xuan listened to every word the woman said.
With a slight upturn of her lips, Xu Lejin said softly to Consort Xuan, "Consort Xuan, the one in front looks like Noble Lady Lan. Noble Lady Lan entered the palace on the same day as Consort Xuan, Consort Gong, and Consort Xi."
"Consort Xuan, Consort Gong, and Consort Xi are all already principal consorts, but Noble Lady Lan is still too young to have served the emperor."
Consort Xuan nodded slightly.
Looking at Consort Lan not far away, Consort Xuan said in a low voice, "Consort Lan is fifteen years old now, and she is already old enough to serve the Emperor. However, the Emperor, the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager say that she is too young to serve the Emperor, so she cannot serve the Emperor."
Xu Lejin glanced at Consort Xuan out of the corner of her eye, then lowered her head and smiled without saying a word.
evening
Xu Lejin lay leisurely and comfortably on a recliner in Yikun Palace, dozing off.
Ru Hua, her face beaming with joy, hurried in from outside the palace and respectfully reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is currently heading towards our Yikun Palace. Eunuch Liang from the Imperial Guard has sent word that Your Majesty should prepare to receive him."
Xu Lejin was stunned for a moment.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
After a short while, Emperor Kangxi's imperial carriage stopped outside the gate of Yikun Palace. Xu Lejin, along with the palace maids and eunuchs of Yikun Palace, greeted Emperor Kangxi with smiles at the entrance of Yikun Palace.
Emperor Kangxi stepped down from his imperial carriage, personally helped Xu Lejin up, and held her hands in his own.
"In the autumn, the wind is bleak and the night is cold. My beloved concubine is frail. Why didn't you wear a cloak? Look at your little hands, they're so cold from the cold. It breaks my heart to see them like this."
With words of affection, Kangxi looked at Xu Lejin.
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin blushed, thinking to herself, "Why is Kangxi being so sweet-talking today?"
She smiled shyly and said softly, "I am not cold. I am very happy that Your Majesty has come to my palace. Naturally, I must personally greet Your Majesty at the palace gate."
"My beloved concubine is so thoughtful!"
Kangxi and Xu Lejin walked into the palace while talking.
Inside the main hall of Yikun Palace, Xu Lejin had the palace servants light a charcoal fire early in the morning, making the room warm and cozy. Kangxi casually took off his cloak and handed it to Liang Jiugong.
Liang Jiugong was lost in thought and didn't react in time. The cloak in Kangxi's hand was taken by an unfamiliar palace maid from Xu Lejin's palace.
Emperor Kangxi glanced at the palace maid with a meaningful look, then smiled without saying a word.
Xu Lejin noticed what was happening and gave Ru Hua a wink. Ru Hua understood immediately, smiled, took the cloak from the maid, and handed it to the palace servants attending to the emperor.
This palace maid was also ordered by Ruhua to go outside the palace.
Xu Lejin tilted her head slightly, looked at Kangxi, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, the palace maid just now was sent by the Imperial Household Department when I was granted the title of Consort by Your Majesty. Her name is Qing'er."
"I saw that she was well-mannered and beautiful, so I promoted her to be a second-class palace maid and put her to serve in the palace. It was her first time seeing His Majesty's face, and she was so happy that she lost her composure. I beg Your Majesty to forgive her for my sake."
Emperor Kangxi laughed heartily.
"My beloved concubine's words are becoming increasingly sweet. She merely accepted the cloak I offered her without any real harm. If you do not like her, you may send someone to escort her back to the Imperial Household Department."
Xu Lejin responded softly, "Yes."
In the stillness of the night, the candlelight in Yikun Palace was dim, and Kangxi lay on the bed with Xu Lejin in his arms.
"Tomorrow is your investiture ceremony, my beloved consorts. This time, I have bestowed titles upon the harem, appointing three consorts and seven concubines. My beloved consort has given birth to Bao Shou, Wu Xi Ha, Wu Na Xi, and Wu You Dai, and is now a consort, so she should be the first to receive this title."
Emperor Kangxi frowned slightly, glanced at the woman in his arms, and spoke in a deep voice.
"Consort Gong is my own cousin and the daughter of my maternal uncle. She is under house arrest in Chengqian Palace. My uncle has petitioned me many times to lift her house arrest."
"If Consort Gong is placed below you, my beloved Consort, at tomorrow's grand investiture ceremony, your uncle and my late mother will likely be dissatisfied."
Emperor Kangxi continued talking incessantly.
Xu Lejin listened and thought for a moment before saying softly, "Your Majesty, it is already a great honor for me to have Your Majesty's favor. I only hope to grow old with Your Majesty and have many children and grandchildren."
"I dare not ask for more than that."
Upon hearing this, Kangxi's gaze towards Xu Lejin softened even more. He thought to himself, "If all the concubines in the palace were as gentle, compliant, and sensible as Consort Yu, that would be wonderful."
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