Chapter 217 The Grand Conferment of Titles in the Sixteenth Year of the Kangxi Emperor

Jiang Nan carefully reviewed the list from beginning to end again.

It must be admitted that Kangxi's arrangement was extremely well thought out.

Her family background, qualifications, offspring, the balance of the previous dynasty, and even her reputation were all taken into account; there was nothing wrong with that.

While she was pondering this, Dai Jia, who was sitting at the lower end of the table, couldn't contain herself and stared longingly at Jiang Nan.

His voice was filled with urgency and trepidation.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please tell me quickly, what is my rank? Am I a Consort or a Lady-in-Waiting?"

Jiang Nan looked up from the list and, seeing her nervous yet expectant expression, couldn't help but tease her.

"Oh, you underestimate me so much? Everyone in this palace knows that you are the one I protect. If the Emperor really only gives you the rank of a Consort, I will be the first to object and I will definitely go to the Qianqing Palace to have a word with the Emperor."

Daijia felt a warmth in her heart from the Empress's words, her eyes reddened slightly, and she stammered.

"Your Majesty...you are so kind to me."

Jiang Nan beckoned to her, pointing to the list in his hand, his tone slightly indulgent.

"Silly girl, come here and see for yourself. You are now a proper concubine. From now on, you should refer to yourself as your concubine."

Lady Daijia hurriedly stepped forward, her eyes searching eagerly for the name on the list. When she saw the name Lady Daijia, she immediately noticed the name of Consort Cheng.

Her face instantly lit up with a bright glow, and she was so happy she almost jumped for joy.

She then saw Consort Jing, Lady Wang, sitting beside her, and quickly turned to Lady Wang who was sitting to the side.

"Sister Wang, you are Consort Jing!"

Wang was more composed. Upon hearing this, she stood up and bowed respectfully to Jiang Nan.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."

She knew in her heart that she was able to be granted the title of concubine because she had given birth to the eldest daughter of the emperor.

But the Empress's usual protection and support were also crucial.

Jiang Nan waved her hand casually.

"You all deserve it."

She then looked at Daijia, who was still immersed in joy, and asked.

"Sister Daijia, you are now a concubine, which, according to the rules, makes you eligible to be the head of a palace. Have you decided which palace you wish to move to? I will make the arrangements for you."

Dai Jia shook her head vigorously, her tone firm.

"I'm not going anywhere. If you insist on moving, I'll move to Kunning Palace to keep Your Majesty company. If not, I'd rather stay in Yongshou Palace and keep Sister Wang company, so that we can look after each other."

Seeing her resolute attitude and the deep affection between her and Wang, Jiang Nan nodded in agreement.

"Very well, then you can continue to live together in Yongshou Palace. With each other's support, I will feel more at ease."

Dai Jia then smiled sweetly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Jiang Nan said no more and raised her voice.

"Zhao is triumphant."

Zhao Deyi immediately bowed and entered the sleeping quarters.

"Your servant is here."

Jiang Nan handed him the list and gave him instructions.

"Send this list back to the Qianqing Palace and report to the Emperor that I have reviewed it and have no objections, so proceed according to this plan."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhao Deyi took the list with both hands and carefully withdrew.

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A month later, Emperor Kangxi issued an edict granting titles and honors to the six palaces, which naturally brought joy to some and sorrow to others within the harem.

Inside a side hall of Yonghe Palace, Wuya Changzai looked at her bronze mirror, her face still delicate but unable to hide her disappointment, and sighed softly.

“Zhu Xi, Her Majesty the Empress clearly said that I am a blessed person and that I should be pregnant this year.”

She turned around, her brows slightly furrowed.

"But it's been so long, why is there still no sign of anything? Or... could you take my pulse again and check it carefully?"

The palace maid Zhu Xi put down her work and stepped forward to gently comfort her.

"My lord, please don't be impatient. Perhaps it's because my skills are not good enough and my pulse diagnosis is inaccurate. Fate is something that can't be rushed; it will come naturally when the time is right."

Uya walked to the window, looked at the sky outside, and her tone became increasingly dejected.

"The titles have already been bestowed, and the ranks have been set. Even if I were promoted immediately, could I be promoted again right away? It seems that what is destined to be yours will be yours, and what is not, you cannot force. Look at Sister Dai Jia, she rose to the rank of Consort in one step, while I... am still just a lowly Attendant."

She paused, then said with a hint of relief.

"It's thanks to the Empress's protection that the main seat in Yonghe Palace has remained vacant, with no one moving in. Otherwise, having to pay respects to the Empress every morning and evening and live at her mercy would be truly unbearable."

Zhu Xi hurriedly said.

"Your Majesty, please don't think like that. You are destined for great fortune. It's best to proceed steadily and cautiously. Once you have a little prince, your blessings will only be greater. What is a mere concubine's rank?"

Uya waved her hand, looking somewhat dejected.

"Alright, stop preparing those fertility-enhancing soups for me before. I've come to understand now that some things can't be forced."

Those herbal decoctions were less about efficacy and more about wishful thinking, if the fertility-enhancing decoctions from the Imperial Hospital were truly that effective.

The palace had long been filled with the fragrance of medicine from this thing.

Zhu Xi understood that these fertility-enhancing soups were simply tonics, so she obediently accepted them.

"Yes, Master."

Uya straightened her clothes and said.

"Let's go, it's time to go to Kunning Palace to pay our respects to the Empress."

The master and servant left Yonghe Palace and walked silently along the long palace road.

Uya was preoccupied and remained silent the whole way.

Halfway there, she suddenly heard the sound of an entourage clearing the way behind her, and she quickly moved aside.

A beautifully decorated palanquin slowly approached, and seated upon it was the newly appointed Consort Hui, of the Nara clan.

A little boy was sitting next to her; he was the Second Prince.

A hint of envy flashed across Wuya's eyes, and she quickly curtsied.

"This concubine greets Consort Hui."

The palanquin stopped, and Consort Hui, of the Nara clan, gracefully dismounted with the help of a palace maid, then carefully carried the Second Prince down.

She wore a polite smile and spoke gently.

"It's Sister Wuya! Are you on your way to Kunning Palace to pay your respects to the Empress?"

Uya replied respectfully after hearing this.

"That's right, Your Majesty."

Her gaze involuntarily fell on the chubby-faced second prince.

"This must be the Second Prince, right? He looks so well-behaved and clever."

Consort Hui lowered her head and spoke softly to her son.

"Second Prince, quickly greet Consort Wuya."

Although the second prince was young, he had learned manners quite well. He cupped his hands in a proper manner and said in a childish voice.

"Your subject greets Your Highness, Uya."

Uya was flattered and quickly stepped aside to avoid him.

"Young prince, please rise quickly. I am unworthy of such a position."

Consort Hui noticed that Lady Wuya's gaze lingered on her son, and she understood what was going on, but she didn't show it on her face, and just smiled.

"I am going to Kunning Palace to express my gratitude, and I also have some matters to consult with Her Majesty the Empress."

Uya hurriedly said.

"Your Majesty has important business to attend to, so please proceed first."

Consort Hui nodded, said no more, and took the Second Prince's hand again to get into the sedan chair.

The ceremonial procession slowly began, passing over Uya and moving forward.

Uya stood there, watching the palanquin with its canopy gradually disappear into the distance, and the vibrant little life beside Consort Hui, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

The pomp and circumstance of a concubine, the reliance on her offspring—all of this vividly reminded her of the disparity in their social standing.

She gently stroked her flat stomach and whispered to Zhu Xi, "I hope... I can live up to expectations."

Zhu Xi offered a soft word of comfort.

"Master, please rest assured, what is meant to come will come. Let's go, lest we be late."

Uya nodded, suppressing all outward emotions.

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