These words caused an uproar throughout the palace.
Consort Yi could no longer maintain her gentle smile; her chest heaved, and her face suddenly turned ugly. To make matters worse, she had been standing the whole time, and now she naturally became the focus of everyone's attention.
The concubines were all talking about it.
Then, her gaze shifted subtly between Consort Yi and the newly promoted Consort Guo. The Empress wore an expression that suggested she had expected this, remaining calm as if nothing had happened.
Consort Tong's melancholy eyes flickered slightly.
These disturbances could no longer stir her heart. Consort Tong glanced at Consort Yi indifferently, then her gaze fell directly on the food, as if nothing could attract her attention.
Consort Tong was like an apricot blossom at the end of spring, her pink and white petals gradually withering and turning yellow, struggling but swaying precariously in the summer breeze.
Compared to her was Consort Tong, who was like a flower just beginning to bloom. Her eyes sparkled, and while she could not hide the surprise on her face, a hint of longing also flashed in her eyes.
Since Consort Guo can be promoted to Imperial Concubine...
Why couldn't she? Consort Tong looked towards her sister, Imperial Concubine Tong, her eyes burning with ambition.
They were clearly sisters, yet one sat prominently at the front, while the other was lost in the crowd. Consort Tong gripped her handkerchief tightly with her fingertips, trying her best to calm herself down.
Consort Zhangjia, who also lived in Chengqian Palace, glanced at her out of the corner of her eye for a long time before lowering her gaze to look at the bowl and chopsticks.
How should she proceed in this battle between sisters?
Having been promoted to Noble Lady due to a dispute between the Emperor and Consort Tong, she was practically invisible in Chengqian Palace. Unpopular throughout the palace, she was fortunate that the Seventh Prince's affair led to a purge of the entire palace, allowing her to find some trusted confidants.
Consort Tong was indifferent, while Noble Lady Tong didn't dislike her, but she also acted as if she didn't exist.
When Consort Tong looked at Imperial Concubine Tong, Consort Zhangjia looked at Consort Qi. Consort Qi had also come from Chengqian Palace… Perhaps she could too? Her heart quickened, her thoughts raced, and she held her breath, trying to minimize her presence as she pondered quietly.
A thousand people, a thousand faces.
Faced with this sudden promotion, the concubines reacted in very different ways.
For example, Consort Hui covered her mouth and chuckled, while Consort Xuan quickly lowered her head, concealing her laughter perfectly. She finally managed to stop herself from laughing, and cheerfully tugged at Consort Guo's... no! Consort Guo's arm: "Sister Guo, why don't you get up and thank the Emperor?"
Consort Guo was deeply shocked.
She hurriedly got up, half surprised and half dazed.
It was a success?
This...it actually succeeded? The success came so suddenly that Consort Guo could barely contain her excitement. She bowed deeply and replied, choking back tears, "Your Majesty, I...thank you for your grace."
Compared to Consort Guo's joy, Consort Yi's heart sank into an abyss. The late Empress's younger sister, who entered the palace in October, was also a Consort, while Consort Tong's younger sister was only a Noble Lady.
The emperor had strict requirements regarding rank and status.
There has always been a custom of having no one of high rank in a single surname. Consort Yi always thought that she could firmly suppress Consort Guo. She never expected that Consort Guo would actually jump out of her grasp!
Consort Yi raised her head slightly.
She looked at the Emperor with a mix of confusion and grievance, but was startled by his unusually cold gaze and trembled all over.
What, what's going on?
Although she was to be promoted to the rank of Consort Guo, the Emperor was actually watching her closely.
etc……
Consort Yi took a deep breath and suddenly felt a dull pain in her stomach. Startled and uncertain, she hurriedly sat down, clutching her handkerchief tightly in her hands—what had she done?
Past events raced through her mind like a galloping horse: her growing pride after becoming pregnant, her indifference towards Consort Guo and the Fourth Princess, her jealousy and suspicion towards Consort Qi...
Consort Yi was drenched in cold sweat.
Her smugness vanished in an instant. She bit her lip tightly, clenched her hands, and felt a pang of regret rising in her heart.
It's not too late yet.
If I win over Consort Guo and others now, and also win back the Emperor's heart, I suppose my position as a concubine won't be in jeopardy...
The abdominal pain became more intense.
Could it be that her period is about to start...? Her period for the past two months... Consort Yi felt dizzy and her body swayed slightly.
Then, under everyone's gaze, Consort Yi collapsed heavily to the ground. Consort Rong, sitting beside her, paled and grabbed Consort Yi's arm tightly: "Consort Yi!?"
The banquet was in complete chaos.
Consort Yi, who was carried into the inner palace, was soon found to be nearly three months pregnant.
The atmosphere in Cining Palace was strange.
Wan Anran's eyelids twitched, and she glanced up at the Empress. Empress Niohuru's brows were furrowed, clearly unaware of the matter. The two exchanged a glance, and the same thought arose in their minds: Consort Yi is truly unlucky.
If only she had revealed this sooner.
I'm afraid that even if the Emperor wants to promote Consort Guo to the rank of Imperial Concubine, he will wait until her pregnancy is stable. By then, with Consort Yi's methods, whether the Emperor is still angry or not will be a different story.
Putting everything else aside, just look at how dissatisfied the Emperor is—he's still sleeping these days, hasn't he? Otherwise, how could there be a pregnancy?
And this news only came after the Emperor had just been promoted? He even fainted immediately…
The two men, who knew the emperor's personality well, had strange expressions.
To love someone is to wish them life, to hate someone is to wish them death—this is perhaps an inescapable fate for the Aisin Gioro clan. Your own sister gets promoted, and you faint—isn't that a slap in the face?
The imperial physician who treated her also looked unwell. He stated directly, "Your Majesty, Consort Yi has excessive internal heat, which is detrimental to her liver and lungs. Her pulse is weak, and the pregnancy is unstable. This pregnancy requires prolonged bed rest and recuperation; otherwise, I fear..."
Even the imperial physicians dared not say anything further.
Finding out about a pregnancy on the Emperor's birthday is usually a joyous occasion, but Consort Yi's situation makes it less than a cause for celebration.
The Empress sighed softly.
As for Emperor Kangxi, he frowned and instructed the palace servants to take good care of Consort Yi. He also ordered, "Since Consort Yi is weak and needs to rest in bed, the Sixth Prince will be temporarily taken care of by Consort Guo."
The Empress and Wan Anran exchanged a glance.
The two couldn't help but sigh for Consort Yi—her luck was unparalleled!
When Consort Yi awoke, she didn't know whether to be happy or sad.
The good news is that she is pregnant again after Yinqi. If she gives birth to another prince, she will be the only concubine in the palace with two princes.
Consort Yi was worried because the Sixth Prince, Yinqi, had been handed over to Consort Guo. She felt somewhat annoyed and regretful about her previous actions... Could Consort Guo really take good care of Yinqi? Would Yinqi miss her? Would he not eat well? Would he not sleep well? Would he cry?
Consort Yi felt uneasy.
Of course, the more important question is—the Emperor.
Since entering the palace, Consort Yi had always been a favored concubine, never suffering any grievances. Even though Consort Qi was increasingly favored and valued by the Emperor, she was still far inferior to her... She must have been blinded by greed, why was she going against her for no reason?
Once her image in the Emperor's eyes is ruined, it won't be easy to change it back. Consort Yi thought about it carefully, and gradually her mind became chaotic.
Consort Guo also has some troubles.
For example, when Yinqi moved from the main hall to the back courtyard, he caused quite a commotion, and the palace servants looked tense. They weren't worried about the Sixth Prince, but rather about whether the gentle and kind Consort Guo could keep him in check.
Consort Guo carefully observed Yinqi's every move.
He plucked flowers from the flowerbed, one here and one there, splashing mud all over himself and the palace. Then Yinqi skipped back into the room, looking around.
His gaze fell on the corner cabinet.
A brocade table runner with tassels at the four corners was laid on top. Yinqi stood on tiptoe and pulled the table runner down with all his might.
The palace servants gasped softly.
The vase on the table tipped over and shattered into pieces on the floor, but Yinqi ignored it and ran off with the table runner.
The wet nurse called out helplessly, "Sixth Prince!"
Her gaze towards Consort Guo was filled with fear: "Consort Guo, the Sixth Prince, the Sixth Prince didn't mean it..."
Even just saying it made the wet nurse feel guilty.
Under the displeased gazes of the palace servants, she subconsciously lowered her head. To the surprise of the wet nurse, Consort Guo stood up, smiled and nodded: "I know, Yinqi didn't do it on purpose."
The wet nurse was stunned: "Huh?"
Consort Guo walked up to the Sixth Prince and asked, "Yinqi, are you making flowers for your mother?"
Yinqi stopped what he was doing.
His smile was innocent and pure: "Yes! For Mother! For my younger brother and sister!"
Consort Guo smiled slightly.
A gentle smile appeared on her lips: "Then how about your aunt helps you?"
Yinqi happily agreed.
The two worked together to wrap the flowers properly, and then had someone escort the Sixth Prince to the front hall. The palace maid, Dengcao, couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, there's no need for such formality..."
The Sixth Prince was handed over to his master to be raised.
What does this mean? Consort Yi has definitely fallen out of favor! Dengcao cautiously said, "Shouldn't Your Highness be trying to win back the Emperor's favor at this time...?"
Consort Yi is very beautiful.
What difference is there between Consort Guo and Consort Yi, who are sisters? It's just a pity that Consort Guo's reaction was: rejection.
She shook her head and replied softly, "Now is the real beginning."
"Why……?"
"I have been promoted to the rank of Consort, but I have not received a title or a golden book," Consort Guo replied softly.
What she needs now is not to compete for favor.
Instead, she revealed a different side of herself, completely different from Consort Yi. Consort Guo looked at the Sixth Prince, who had finished delivering the flowers and was running happily toward her, and smiled from the bottom of her heart.
She half-squatted down, listening to the Sixth Prince's chatter, and finally reached out to pat his head: "Yinqi is so great!"
Yinqi's cheeks flushed.
He walked happily into the house, in an extremely good mood.
Consort Guo's eyebrows and eyes were curved.
She smiled as she fed the Sixth Prince, then watched with amusement as he ate the vegetables he didn't want.
Immediately afterwards, Consort Guo escorted the Sixth Prince to his bed.
She held the book and read the storybook softly until the Sixth Prince fell asleep.
Kindness and gentleness made the wet nurses breathe a sigh of relief.
At first glance, some people might think that Consort Guo and the Sixth Prince are the biological mother and son.
Consort Guo felt the same way.
Leaving Yinqi's room, gazing at the bright moon hanging high in the sky, the scene of Consort Yi's pregnancy came to mind.
Consort Yi held her own hand.
She said in a trembling voice, "If my sister's child is adopted to the Cining Palace... my sister and I will take good care of her child and raise her to adulthood together."
Consort Guo's lips curled up.
Her eyes crinkled into a smile, and she smiled with exceptional tenderness: "Little sister... my answer is the same as it was back then."
Consort Guo grabbed Consort Yi's hand in return.
She sighed softly, "What are you saying, sister? Even if your child is taken to the Cining Palace, he will still be your child, and more importantly, our child. I will take good care of him as he grows up."
The moon that night was just as round as it is today.
Consort Guo paused for a moment, and just as Dengcao was about to remind her, she started walking again.
The lampwick slightly opened its eyes.
Under the moonlight, what flashed by... was it the master's tears?
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