Chapter 47 Consort Hui's Hunting Trip: Filial Piety from Baoqing

The Empress Dowager's health has been deteriorating in the past two years. A few years ago, she often went to the hot spring resort for recuperation.

However, the passing of life is an irreversible process. Even with years of health preservation efforts, the Empress Dowager's life was gradually coming to an end. By November, she was even unable to get out of bed.

Emperor Kangxi had a very deep affection for the Empress Dowager. He not only personally served her medicine every day, but also issued an edict ordering the six palaces to attend to her when she was ill.

This time, it wasn't a matter of taking turns to care for the ailing concubines; the principal concubines had to report to Cining Palace every day to show their filial piety.

The concubines were crowded together in the room. The highest-ranking imperial concubine stood at the front. Because she was attending to the sick, she only had her hair styled in a small bun with a few gold hairpins and wore only a pair of pearl bracelets on her hands, looking very simple and elegant.

Yunyun stood at the front, wearing a crimson padded jacket embroidered with orchid patterns. The collar and cuffs were sewn with thick fox fur, making it very warm.

After an unknown amount of time, the Empress Dowager's weak voice came from inside the tent, "Alright, you've all worked hard, you can all go back now."

Yun Jun breathed a sigh of relief. The underfloor heating in Cining Palace was burning brightly, and she was already dressed in thick clothes. In addition, the room was crowded and poorly ventilated, which made her sweat profusely.

The weather in November was already like winter. I had just stepped out of the warm room when I was hit by a cold northwest wind.

Yunyun had good eyesight and noticed that several concubines, who had dressed rather lightly to show respect, had turned pale and their lips had turned blue; they were clearly cold.

And then there's Consort De, who's nine months pregnant now. She came to attend to the sick man with her big belly, and to make matters worse, she wore platform shoes. Emperor Kangxi didn't even give her an imperial edict to exempt her from this task. She really doesn't know how to behave.

Yun Yun pulled her dark blue brocade cloak tighter around herself, feeling glad she had been prescient.

The sedan chairs were parked on the palace road opposite the Cining Palace, in a neat row. The one at the front was decorated with gold-inlaid phoenix tassels at the four corners and was entirely golden, reserved for the Imperial Noble Consort.

Consort Rong and she fell behind and whispered to each other: "I just happened to be standing behind the Imperial Noble Consort. Her face was so pale, and her wrists were so thin and bony. I was afraid she might accidentally break them."

With a carefree and plump heart, Consort Rong had few worries in recent years. The Third Prince, Yinzhi, was quite learned and was praised by the Emperor. She also believed that she had reached the pinnacle of her rank. They had never hoped to become Noble Consorts or Imperial Noble Consorts. For a bondservant to rise to the rank of Consort was already the highest they could hope for.

In addition, she was in charge of palace affairs, and her subordinates were very sensible, often offering her soup and novelties. As a result, her face became noticeably rounder and she looked radiant.

The relationship between Consort Rong and Yun Yun was limited to chatting when they bumped into each other, and they wouldn't go to each other's palaces unless they met, mainly taking a "whatever happens, happens" approach.

Yunyun felt that this way of getting along was quite good.

Hearing Rongfei's words, she subconsciously looked up and saw the Imperial Noble Consort being helped into the sedan chair.

She was wearing a straight-cut, lake-blue cheongsam today, which didn't really show off her figure. When she bent over like this, her shoulder blades protruded slightly under the dress, making her look rather thin.

She also whispered to Consort Rong, "The Imperial Noble Consort has clearly had a tough time these past few years."

However, life in the palace is not easy for anyone. Lower-ranking concubines worry about their food rations, while higher-ranking concubines have no shortage of material things, but they also have their own sorrows.

Putting aside everything else, just take the four concubines. Which one of them hasn't experienced the pain of separation from their children? They've only recovered in the last few years.

The two women's sedan chairs were close together, but they weren't in a hurry. They simply walked slowly on the bluestone slabs, carrying their hand warmers, chatting as they went.

"I heard someone has entered your palace. Is it a concubine or a high-ranking concubine?" Consort Rong asked curiously.

“Consort Yuan said she came from inside the walls of the Qianqing Palace,” Yun Jun didn’t care whether people could get into the Yanxi Palace or not, since she wouldn’t be able to squeeze in.

Besides, it seems that Emperor Kangxi will live for a long time. There are still quite a few empty rooms in the back hall of Yanxi Palace. It is estimated that a few more will be arranged to come in later. Anyway, the likes of Lady-in-Waiting and Consort-in-Waiting don't take up much space and can't cause any trouble in front of her.

“One has also entered Zhongcui Palace,” Consort Rong sighed softly, “but she seems to be very ambitious, and she clashed with Consort Nara of the side hall as soon as she arrived.”

Although they both belonged to the Nara clan, they were not related by blood. If you look closely, they were only five degrees of kinship apart.

She had heard Consort Rong mention this Consort Nara, saying that she was the birth mother of the tenth princess, and that she was gentle, polite, and skillful with her hands. The orchid-patterned handkerchief in Consort Rong's hand was embroidered by her.

"What happened?" Yun Jun was curious to hear some gossip.

Consort Rong said a few words. What deep hatred could two people who had just met have? It was nothing more than trivial matters of vying for favor.

When the Emperor came to Zhongcui Palace, he saw that the Third Princess was lively and clever. He also went to see the Tenth Princess, born to Consort Nara, and praised her a few times. This displeased Consort Nara, and afterwards, he often bickered with her and gave her attitude.

"I find it annoying too. Who doesn't want their palace to be peaceful and harmonious? I might as well let her go copy books and stay out of the palace until she finishes copying them."

As a principal consort, Consort Rong still possessed this much power.

After exchanging a few more words, the two bid farewell and each boarded their respective sedan chairs.

The palanquin was carried by strong eunuchs who were skilled at the job, so the journey to Yanxi Palace was almost smooth.

As usual, Yunyun gave a reward of silver and returned to the main hall amidst a chorus of thanks.

"Is there anything I can do while I'm away?"

Yunyun went into the inner room while untying the sash of her cloak.

Lingzhi quickly stepped forward to take the cloak from her and served her a bowl of ginger soup. She replied, "It's nothing serious. Consort Yuan came by and brought some handkerchiefs she embroidered and a rabbit fur-trimmed hand warmer. However, since you're not here, I didn't dare to accept them without permission. So I asked her to go back first and said I would give her a reply when you return."

Yun Jun nodded in understanding, "If she comes again, accept the gift and give her some furs as a return gift."

Yuan Yingying had just entered Yanxi Palace and was unsure of the master's attitude, so she sent some gifts to show goodwill. There was no need for her to make things difficult; it was also to put her mind at ease.

As long as you don't cause trouble in Yanxi Palace, you can compete for favor as you please.

Anyway, she doesn't live off the emperor's favor, and Consort Nara has been avoiding seeing him for the past few years—she is still resentful about the deaths of her two children at Zhaoxiang Palace.

Consort Wei seemed somewhat afraid of the Emperor. When she first served him, the Emperor was initially delighted and favored her, but later she became trembling in his presence, and the Emperor gradually stopped favoring her. However, she appeared content with having a son.

In short, if Consort Yuan has the ability, she won't stop her.

The Emperor was very concerned about the Empress Dowager's serious illness. He first tasted the medicine himself, and then walked to the Temple of Heaven to pray for her.

Unfortunately, the Empress Dowager's condition did not improve, and in December, she passed away peacefully in her sleep, a happy death.

The emperor was deeply grieved and suspended court for five days. The palace was also dressed in mourning colors.

Yunyun arranged Yanxi Palace in an orderly manner and then sent people to help the Grand Consort.

She had only been in the palace for a short time and had not experienced any major events. To avoid offending the Emperor at this crucial juncture, she needed someone to keep an eye on her.

Because of the passing of the Empress Dowager, there was no joy in the palace during the New Year.

In February, a major event occurred in the previous dynasty: an imperial censor impeached Mingzhu for forming cliques, engaging in corruption, and eliminating dissidents. Mingzhu was dismissed from his position as Grand Secretary, and many officials who were affiliated with him were also dismissed.

These days, Suo'etu is riding high and beaming with joy.

Mingzhu was his biggest rival in the court. The two disagreed and fought fiercely. He contributed a lot to this matter and also gained considerable benefits.

The vacancies left by the dismissed officials had to be filled, and he took the opportunity to promote many of his own people to the positions.

Moreover, Songgotu did it openly and legitimately.

He is the Crown Prince's maternal uncle, and his power is the Crown Prince's power. The Crown Prince is the heir apparent, and although he is still young, his future is bright.

-

Once married, one becomes an adult, so Emperor Kangxi brought his eldest son along on the hunting trip that year.

The eldest prince was overjoyed and couldn't wait to visit Yanxi Palace. He almost knocked over the flower stand when he entered, but luckily a young eunuch caught him in time.

Dressed in a sapphire blue casual suit, he moved with the speed of the wind, his words filled with excitement: "Mother, rest assured, your son will definitely hunt down a tiger for you and make you a tiger-skin coat. I guarantee that all the ladies in the harem will say how impressive it is."

He had a good memory and still remembered the year when Emperor Kangxi hunted tigers and bears and showed them off in front of him.

Yun Jun refused, saying, "The tiger-skin coat is out of the question. Mother can't wear it. Let's save this filial piety for your father, the Emperor. He likes these things."

But Baoqing still thought the tiger-skin coat was impressive and insisted on giving it to his mother. "Mother, you have plenty of silver fox fur and red fox fur, but you're lacking larger ones. There's nothing particularly eye-catching. I'll hunt a tiger for you and let you show off."

As usual, the First Princess Consort came to Yanxi Palace to pay her respects to her mother, only to find the First Prince behaving so erratically.

She knew he was straightforward, sometimes even stubborn, but she never expected him to be like this in Yanxi Palace…

They can't understand human language.

Especially when it comes to sending tiger skins to her mother, it makes her want to laugh.

The First Princess raised her teacup to conceal the upturned corners of her mouth.

Yunyun saw that Baoqing was stubborn and didn't want to argue with him. She asked Fuling to bring him a plate of spicy dried meat to eat slowly, and said tactfully, "Don't just try to be brave when you get to the hunting grounds. Your safety is the most important thing. As for furs and such, your mother has plenty."

But the eldest prince wanted to give his mother the best. His eyes lit up and a brilliant idea struck him. He not only got her a tiger skin, but also a wolf skin.

"I will hunt two more wolves then, nitrate them for you, and display them in Yanxi Palace as ornaments. They will be placed in the main hall to show your status and demonstrate my filial piety to you, so that the other consorts will be envious."

Yunyun didn't think they would envy her for placing the wolf in the main hall.

They might even laugh at her son for not being considerate.

Yanxi Palace has always been warm and elegant. Yunyun didn't want anything rough around the edges, so she repeatedly refused, "No, my mother often has concubines coming here. Don't scare them. If you like it, you can put it in your own study."

Baoqing remained earnest, saying, "Your subject already has a tiger skin in his study; it's a trophy from Father Emperor."

Yunyun now felt a little sorry for her daughter-in-law. She figured she would inevitably encounter some wolves and tigers in the future, and she hoped she wouldn't be frightened.

"Baoqing, just listen to your mother. If you are filial, bring back some silver fox fur for your mother. Your mother will use it to make hand warmers and fur collars."

Seeing his mother's unusual insistence, Baoqing had no choice but to nod, though he was unwilling. "Alright then, your son will hunt more silver foxes to make fur trim for you, Mother."

After this back and forth, Yun Jun lost her joy at Bao Qing wanting to go hunting with the Emperor. Instead, she felt that Bao Qing was becoming more and more inhuman as he grew older, and sent him back home.

After Baoqing left, the First Princess Consort also left.

On the palace path, the First Princess Consort lagged half a step behind Baoqing. Baoqing was completely puzzled. "Why do you think Mother wouldn't like tiger skin?"

How majestic and imposing!

That one of his was obtained by throwing a tantrum and begging at his father, the Emperor.

The perfect smile on the First Princess Consort's lips froze for a moment, and she helped Yun Jun persuade her, "Mother has her own ideas, so let's just listen to them and not make decisions on our own that would upset her."

During the mourning period, one is not allowed to shave their head. Baoqing's head had already grown stubble. He touched his head, which was a little prickly, and suddenly realized, "Mother must be worried about my safety, that's why she refused."

The more Baoqing thought about it, the more she realized it made sense. She felt that her mother had really put a lot of thought into it. "Mother is worried that I'll take risks in the hunting grounds, so she deliberately said she didn't like it. But that's precisely why I should give her face. Not only will I give her the tiger-skin coat, but I'll also give her a tiger head as a decoration! And two wolves!"

The First Princess's maidservant, who had been following silently behind, felt that the First Prince still had some shortcomings.

It's said that entering the royal family isn't so easy.

Everything was going smoothly before; it turns out this was what was waiting for.

The First Princess Consort was unaware of her maid's inner thoughts, only feeling that her mother's previous words of refusal had been in vain, and that the First Prince had clearly only heard what he wanted to hear.

She opened her mouth, but fearing that the more she persuaded, the more she would give, she could only swallow her words.

No matter what, he can always steer the conversation towards showing filial piety to his mother.

I silently prayed that he would have bad luck in the hunting grounds and that he wouldn't run into a tiger or a wolf.

-----------------------

A note from the author: Please, those who actually protect animals, don't have these kinds of thoughts.