A month passed in the blink of an eye, and Anning was finally about to finish her postpartum confinement. She took several thorough baths and felt completely refreshed. Kangxi also felt much more comfortable.
Emperor Kangxi attached great importance to the full moon celebration of the sixteenth prince, ordering Consort Tong to hold it properly, saying that it had been a long time since a prince had been born in the palace.
After hearing this, Consort Tong knew that An Ning's favor had not yet ended, and then she devoted herself to making preparations.
Therefore, the full moon banquet was held in a very grand manner. Needless to say, the imperial relatives would definitely come, and the important officials of the court also came with their wives.
Anning appeared at the full moon banquet with Kangxi. Everyone looked at Anning next to Kangxi and couldn't help but wonder how she didn't become uglier after having a child, but instead became more charming!
There are many ways to maintain health in the palace, but you're already this well-fed right after giving birth. Isn't that a bit too much?
An Ning didn't care what others thought. She only felt tired, but she was still happy. How could she not be happy at a full moon celebration?
After the formalities were completed, Kangxi laughed loudly and said, "Liang Jiugong, announce the decree!"
Everyone was shocked. The imperial decree was announced at the full moon banquet. The matter could be big or small. None of them knew about it in advance.
Liang Jiugong stepped forward and began reading the first imperial edict.
Its content is roughly that my sixteenth prince was born with good fortune and nobility... and I bestow upon him the name Yinyi.
When people heard the name, they thought about it for a moment and had no objections. It had a typical good meaning, but it didn't make them think too much like the name Yinzuo.
Therefore, the public accepted it well.
Immediately afterwards, Liang Jiugong produced a second imperial edict.
Upon closer inspection, everyone noticed that the first imperial edict was for bestowing a name upon the Sixteenth Prince. The youngest prince was still too young to receive such an honor, so it was obvious who this edict was for.
Everyone's attention was focused on Anning. In fact, a hint of surprise flashed in Anning's eyes. As everyone knows, Emperor Kangxi was very stingy with the ranks of his concubines.
Is this possible?
Can she be made a concubine?
Liang Jiugong didn't let An Ning guess for long before he read out the contents of the imperial edict. The gist of it was that Consort Shu, of the Ulanara clan, was beautiful and kind-hearted, and had won the Emperor's heart. She was hereby conferred the title of Consort Shu.
How should I put it? It felt both unexpected and not unexpected.
Emperor Kangxi was indeed stingy with titles, but Anning had children, favored the emperor, and a good family background, so it was perfectly reasonable for her to be promoted. If she hadn't been promoted, it would seem rather unreasonable upon closer examination!
An Ning accepted the imperial edict with a smile and expressed her gratitude.
An Ning made a fortune from this full moon celebration. Not only did she receive many gifts and rewards, but most importantly, her rank was promoted.
The rank of imperial concubine!
In the Kangxi era, this was no easy feat. Once she obtained the rank of Consort, she would be able to participate in some palace affairs. She wouldn't need connections to compete for favor, nor would she need to be wary of others' schemes; Kangxi would arrange all of that for her.
She needs a lot of money to cultivate the talents she needs. She can't win the throne without money. But it's not easy for her to command remotely from the palace. With palace affairs, it will be much easier for her to contact the palace.
Compared to An Ning's happiness, the others in the harem were clearly not so happy.
As is widely known, Emperor Kangxi was stingy with titles. Apart from Consort Tong, who was considered a "lucky charm," the four most powerful consorts in the harem had waited for many years to obtain a title.
She suffered a lot of scheming during that time, and each childbirth was more dangerous than the last, with several children dying.
But what gives Anning the right to peace?
She's only been in the palace for less than two years, how could she have risen so quickly?
A family background?
But some come from good families.
Do you have children?
There were also many women in the harem who gave birth to sons but still did not have high ranks, and some did not even get the rank of concubine.
As for pampering?
Consort Wang was also favored, and her son was quite favored, but she was still a concubine. Although she enjoyed the same privileges as a concubine, she still had to bow to a lady-in-waiting.
Everyone has gone through hardship, so it's hard not to feel envious when someone suddenly becomes lucky.
Reason told them that the sixteenth prince's age posed no conflict of interest to them and was not worth offending, but they couldn't calm their emotions!
Anning happily returned to Changchun Palace with the imperial edict and her son. That night, Kangxi stayed at Changchun Palace. In the middle of the night, they were suddenly awakened by a commotion.
"Liang Jiugong, what's going on outside?"
Liang Jiugong also felt unlucky and said with a bitter face, "Your Majesty, Consort Lin from the inner palace has gone there, and her maids have started a commotion."
Emperor Kangxi had already forgotten who Consort Lin was. Hearing this, he was stunned for a moment. But since someone had died, Kangxi couldn't help but overthink it.
Today is Yin Yi's full moon celebration. Why did Consort Lin have to die tonight of all times? He suspects that someone might be trying to ruin his son's reputation.
An Ning also had some doubts. She would inquire about Consort Lin's condition every month. Although the condition was not good, it had not yet reached the point of being on its last legs!
An Ning: "Your Majesty, please accompany me to see Consort Lin. We can also ask her what's going on."
Emperor Kangxi had the same idea and nodded in agreement.
The two went to the inner palace in the middle of the night. When they arrived, Consort Chen was also there. She had just gotten up, her face was bare of makeup, and she looked sleepy. When she saw the two, she hurriedly bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty, Greetings, Your Highness."
Kangxi: "Get up, why did you come here?"
Because of the jade pendant, Emperor Kangxi had a vague impression of Consort Chen, knowing that she lived in Changchun Palace and was a well-behaved person.
Consort Chen didn't want to come either; she was woken up by the noise. Consort Lin's maid was very good at crying.
"Your Majesty, I was woken up by the noise. I heard that Sister Lin had passed away, so I got up to see her off."
Emperor Kangxi waved his hand and said, "You've put your heart into it."
After saying that, Kangxi looked at the palace maid of Consort Lin, who was still crying, and asked, "What is your name?"
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