Chapter 10 Consort Hui and the other concubines

Everyone attached great importance to the first greeting after the promotion.

Yanxi Palace was bustling with activity early in the morning, with palace maids and eunuchs busy at work.

Yesterday, the Imperial Household Department sent new people over, but they couldn't figure out the current Consort Hui's personality, so they could only follow the old servants closely, even handing her a handkerchief with a bit of restraint, for fear of making a mistake.

Lingzhi carefully threaded a pair of gold earrings inlaid with pearls through Yunyun's ear piercings, and then put two pairs of gold rings on her ears.

Wearing three earrings in one ear was a Manchu custom, and concubines had to strictly adhere to it.

She had always worn simple earrings before, but this was the first time she had worn gold-inlaid pearls.

Only those of the rank of concubine or above could use Dongzhu pearls, and even then, the Dongzhu pearls they used were not of the highest quality.

The finest pure pearls were reserved for the Empress.

"Your Highness is radiant today," Fuling praised as she adjusted Yunyun's concubine's everyday clothes.

This is not an exaggeration.

Compared to her usual simple attire, she wore a rare royal blue blouse with a begonia and butterfly pattern today. The blouse had exquisite embroidery and trim on the collar, cuffs, and slits. She was adorned with full headdress and wore a warm jade bracelet on her wrist, making her both beautiful and noble.

Yunyun looked at herself in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.

The saying "clothes make the man" is definitely true.

When everything was ready, Noble Lady Nara was already waiting at the palace gate.

In the past, one of them was a princess and the other was a concubine. Although there was a difference in their status, it was not very obvious.

Now that she has been promoted to the rank of Consort and become the mistress of Yanxi Palace, the waiting of Noble Lady Nara has taken on an additional layer of formality.

According to palace rules, the principal consort has the responsibility to manage the lower-ranking concubines within the palace. When paying respects, those of lower rank must accompany the principal consort. This is a hurdle from Noble Lady to Consort. Only by crossing this threshold can one truly have the dignity of a 'master' in the palace.

No wonder Lady Nara was so heartbroken yesterday.

She used to be able to compete with Yun Jun on equal footing, but now she has to make a living under his control.

The psychological gap is something only those who have experienced it truly understand.

Upon seeing Yun Yun, Consort Nara awkwardly greeted her, "May Your Highness Consort Hui enjoy boundless blessings."

A concubine could be addressed as "Empress".

“No need for formalities,” Yun Jun said, her attitude toward Noble Lady Nara remaining unchanged.

Now that she has taken the lead, she also bears a greater responsibility.

Yun Jun's voice was gentle. "I just received the imperial decree yesterday. Palace affairs are complicated, so I didn't have time to explain to you in detail. Now that I'm moving to the main hall, you are a noble lady and have a prince, so you should move to the east side hall. It has better lighting there. If you need anything after moving there, or if you have any other needs, just send someone to the main hall to let me know. There's no need to be formal."

The principal seat of the first palace is naturally located in the main hall.

She issued an imperial decree yesterday and has been making arrangements for moving.

She had lived in that room for a long time, and it was decorated to her liking. Now that she was moving out, she naturally took everything with her, leaving only the rules and regulations.

If I had to describe it, it would be a modern show flat.

It has everything it should have, but it's clean and deserted.

She wasn't the type to become arrogant after achieving success overnight. After all, she had known Nara for a long time, and there was a certain degree of superficial friendship between them.

It's perfectly reasonable; it's only right that she moved to the east side hall.

Noble Lady Nara wrung out her handkerchief, feeling a sense of relief.

This calm and ordinary attitude is exactly what she needs.

It's a good thing that Consort Hui became the principal consort. She has a good personality and treats those who serve her well. She would not do anything to mistreat lower-ranking concubines.

Besides, she's always been tight-lipped, so even if I accidentally said something I shouldn't have in front of her, she probably wouldn't tell anyone.

Upon realizing this, Noble Lady Nara instantly understood and returned to her usual self.

She chattered on and on, only mentioning the lessons she had learned, without making a single mention of the other concubines.

Upon arriving at Kunning Palace, a cool breeze immediately greets you.

The Imperial Household Department treated the Empress, who was already in charge of palace affairs, with great courtesy. In the past, they would secretly try to trip her up, since at that time, Consort Niohuru was only a concubine, and her position was somewhat illegitimate.

But now that she's become the empress, she has the real power to deal with them.

The Imperial Household Department immediately became obedient and dared not harbor any further thoughts.

They had to quickly offer some 'benefits' in hopes that the empress would be magnanimous and not bother with such insignificant people as themselves.

This is one example of using ice far beyond the recommended serving size.

The seating arrangement was based on the order in which the imperial edict was announced.

Consort An, being the head of the concubines, sat to the lower right of the Empress. Since the left is considered the place of honor, the seat to her left was currently empty, belonging to Consort Tong.

Following Consort An are Consort Duan, Consort Yun, and Consort Xi; following Consort Tong are Consort Jing, Consort Rong, and Consort Yi.

It was just a coincidence.

Consort Rong, the former favored concubine, and Consort Yi, the current favored concubine, were sitting next to each other, but they couldn't stand each other and didn't say a word while sitting side by side.

The Empress, always considerate, did not allow the other concubines to stand, but instead placed several embroidered stools at the very end for the noble ladies to sit on.

With this thoughtful gesture, even Noble Lady Nara praised the Empress several times.

Who wants to suffer when they can be comfortable?

With all seven concubines present, Yunyun sipped her tea while listening to their conversation.

They are all from the same rank, and there are only four concubines above them, so they are all potential enemies.

We were already happy about the promotion yesterday, so now...

It's time to probe each other's intentions.

"I haven't even congratulated Consort An yet, and she's already taken the position of head consort without a word. It's truly enviable."

The first to speak was Consort Xi. Today she was wearing a light green gauze robe with flowers and butterflies, the colors bright and vibrant. As one of the more favored concubines, she was already pretty, and this outfit made her look even more lively and radiant.

Although she was still somewhat less attractive than Consort Yi opposite her.

Consort An replied indifferently, "It's just following the Emperor's orders; it's nothing."

She was never favored.

She was made the head of the concubines because of her family background.

She was from the Han Chinese Plain Blue Banner. Her grandfather was Li Yongfang, who married Nurhaci's granddaughter. In a sense, she was related to the royal family and came from a distinguished Han Chinese Banner family.

Seeing that Consort Xi was about to say something, Consort Jing interrupted her first, "Alright, the imperial decree of investiture has been issued. Does Consort Xi still have any complaints?"

She was also made a concubine because of her family background, but she was not favored. She had always been close to Consort An.

Consort Xi, not believing she could take on two opponents at once, turned her attention to what she considered her greatest rival—Consort Yi.

There was nothing she could do; of the seven concubines, she and Consort Yi were ranked last and second to last respectively, both being promoted to concubine status due to favoritism.

Moreover...

Her favor was not as pure as that of Consort Yi.

Consort Yi's rise to favor was entirely due to her own efforts.

As for her...

Consort Xi asked herself this question.

It's likely that the Empress played a part in it.

She was overjoyed.

It was indeed the right decision to cling to the Empress's coattails.

Nara was still a noble lady when she became Consort Xi.

All of this is thanks to the Empress's kindness.

"I've heard that Consort Yi and Consort Guo Luoluo are very close sisters, but how come Consort Yi has already been promoted to Consort while her own sister is still a Consort?"

When Consort Xi said this, she looked at Consort Yi with a puzzled expression, as if she was genuinely standing up for Consort Guo Luoluo.

"Consort Yi sees the Emperor so many times, hasn't she ever pleaded for her sister, Guo Luoluo, to be given a proper rank?"

Although the ranks of concubines in the harem were established, some concubines were still not included in the scope of the investiture.

Aside from the Empress, Imperial Concubine, and the Seven Concubines, Emperor Kangxi issued decrees for only three Noble Ladies.

Consort Zhang lost two daughters in infancy, Consort Nara had a son, and Consort Bu raised the fifth daughter of the emperor.

As for the others, they had no children and were not favored by the emperor, so they were completely forgotten by Kangxi, and he would not issue any special imperial edicts to promote them.

Therefore, she was still referred to as a concubine.

Consort Yi rolled her eyes at Consort Xi with an elegant air. She was never one to take things lying down, so she retorted directly, "You should worry about yourself first. Have you forgotten about being confined to your quarters before? Don't you know that loose lips sink ships?"

Back then, Consort Xi and Noble Lady Nara spoke recklessly, which implicated her.

She hadn't even had a chance to cause trouble for Consort Xi when she ran into her.

Consort Xi was so choked up that her face flushed red and then turned pale. Just as she was about to retort, a eunuch's voice suddenly came from outside the hall: "Consort Tong has arrived—"

Everyone quickly stood up, and saw Consort Tong, supported by a palace maid, slowly walk in.

What are they all chattering about?

The concubines curtsied and greeted, "May Your Highness, the Noble Consort, enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

Consort Tong glanced around, lingering a second longer on Consort Yi's radiant face, before calling out, "Rise, all of you."

After everyone was seated, Consort Tong said a few words as a formality: "Promotion is a joyous occasion in the palace. We are all sisters, so let's not let such a small matter ruin our harmony and cause the Emperor any trouble."

Yunyun echoed the other concubines' agreement.

Consort Tong arrived almost at the last minute, and not long after she appeared, the Empress came out, supported by a palace maid.

On their first visit to pay their respects, the concubines performed a full kowtow to the Empress.

The clear, uniform female voices echoed throughout the hall.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"

The Empress sat upright at the head of the table, slightly raising her hand. "No need for formalities, please sit down."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Consort Tong, the Empress inquired about the princess's recent situation from Consort Rong and Noble Lady Zhaojia. After showing concern for the imperial heir, the Empress got down to business.

"It is a joyous occasion to bestow titles upon the harem. Therefore, I have discussed with the Emperor the possibility of releasing a batch of palace maids ahead of schedule, which can be regarded as a sign of the imperial family's benevolence. You are all the heads of your respective palaces. Go back and make a count, and then send someone to report back."

Although there is a saying that palace maids left the palace at the age of twenty-five, this is not entirely accurate.

According to palace regulations, the service period for palace maids was not based on age, but on years.

After serving ten years in the palace, a palace maid could be released from the palace only upon application by the supervising eunuch or nanny and with the master's permission.

However, there are many variables in the execution process.

For example, if a palace maid is favored by her master, the master will issue an order to keep her by his side.

For example, if a palace maid makes a mistake, she is punished by having to extend her service period.

Another possibility is that if the emperor takes a liking to her and makes her a concubine, she will definitely be unable to leave the palace.

The concubines looked at each other, lost in thought.

This was the first thing they did after becoming the head of the palace.

We can't afford to mess this up.

Seeing that the concubines below, whether they were faking it or not, were at least serious and earnest on the surface, the Empress nodded in satisfaction. "Alright, I won't keep you here any longer. You may all leave."

Empress Renxiao had been in charge of the inner palace for nearly ten years, and there were many people she had placed in the palace.

Even one of his second-class palace maids was a servant of Empress Renxiao.

She took this opportunity to clear everyone out.

What's the point of keeping servants when the master is gone?