Small selection and big selection are coming

Prince Zhi was a thing of the past, and everyone was surprised to find that there was no atmosphere of unease in the capital. Everyone was discussing new gossip and preparing various gifts: Mingzhu marrying off his granddaughter, the Shi family marrying off a daughter-in-law, and the emperor conferring a title on his grandson. Which one would not be more worthy of gossip?

Especially the last one, it is a grand event that has never happened in this dynasty!

Kangxi successfully minimized the negative impact of the scandal by using a combination of tactics. Seeing that his tactics were effective, Kangxi confidently checked his schedule and decided to take Yinreng and Hongdan on a western tour after Shengshou. Also accompanying them were the third son Yinzhi and the thirteenth son Yinxiang.

When the news got out, everyone started scrambling for spots on the trip. This time, the trip also had a military review aspect to it. Unlike the more social aspect of the tour beyond the Great Wall, the participants had to be hand-picked, and many were left disappointed.

Those who weren't selected didn't dare to seek favors like those on the tours beyond the Great Wall. Since the Prince of Zhi had been imprisoned, the Crown Prince had stopped being ill, yet the Emperor frequently summoned the Imperial Physician. The Emperor, now over fifty, had seemingly transitioned from middle age to old age overnight, and had developed minor ailments—not serious but annoying—so no one dared to bother him.

Shujia had originally thought that after the incident with Yinzhi and the enthronement of Hongdan, Kangxi would not travel again, but she had not expected him to decide on a western tour after all. After a moment's reflection, she understood that Kangxi was signaling to the world that the imperial machinery was functioning well and that Yinzhi's incident had not affected anyone.

While packing for Yinreng and his son in the Eastern Palace, Shujia counted the days. Her due date was approaching, and Yinreng might not be able to make it back in time. However, with Concubine Tong in the palace, she felt at ease. Although Xiluo Te couldn't come to the palace to watch her give birth, she could still visit during her confinement.

The trip was after the Emperor's birthday, and he would return before the New Year, a little over a month away. Furthermore, since he was going for a military review, it was only natural that he would not bring his female relatives with him. This saved her a lot of trouble.

Seeing her busying around, Yinreng put his hands behind her and said, "You should take a break. Didn't you say the date is near?" Seeing her busying around with her bulging belly, he still felt very worried.

Shujia stopped and asked, "Weren't you busy in the front? Why are you here again?"

Yinreng simply took matters into his own hands and escorted his wife to her seat. "When Khan Ama dealt with the eldest brother, I sorted out all the previous matters. Now I am sending them to the Palace of Heavenly Purity in an orderly manner. I will wait for Khan Ama's holy judgment. But you, why are you so restless all of a sudden?"

Could she say she was excited? She sighed, then laughed again: "I'm uneasy, with so many thoughts. Being busy is actually good."

Yinreng was also very excited and pretended to be calm and said, "What is there to be worried about?" He knew why Shujia couldn't sit still, because he felt the same way.

Shujia, however, brought up another matter: "Guanyin Bao is getting engaged."

Yinreng's excitement dropped sharply: "This is a good thing."

Shujia looked a little strange: "Having said that... I always feel something is strange."

Yinreng laughed and said, "Don't overthink it. This is what Khan Ama has decided. What's wrong with it?"

Shujia said, "I'm not being overly suspicious. That girl doesn't have a father, so she always feels like something is missing..."

Yinreng shook his head and said, "As long as the girl's family background is good, it doesn't matter. Didn't the girl from Tong Guogang become Prince An's wife?" He supported the marriage in his heart, and his words were inevitably a bit biased. "Although her father is gone, the Nalan family sticks together. Not only is Mingzhu her grandfather, but even Kuixu and Kuifang take good care of their nephews and nieces."

"Gao Qizhuo, Nian Gengyao, and Makana all married Nalan Xingde's daughters, and they weren't bad either. You're really overthinking it."

"That's right," Shujia sighed. "When other families get married, they say it's a good match. But when it comes to Guanyinbao, I wish he could marry a wife who is outstanding in every way."

Yinreng smiled and shook his head: "You! You're worrying about nothing. Guanyinbao has his parents to make the decision. What's the point of you worrying about it here?"

"I watched him grow up, so I feel closer to him."

"Speaking of watching them grow up, don't you have two younger sisters? Didn't you watch them grow up? Hey, I seem to remember that your third sister is going to be selected next year?"

Shujia had her own record of this matter in her mind, and of course she would not forget it: "Yes, she has grown up and reached the age where she deserves to be worried about."

Yinreng knew that his sister-in-law was born out of wedlock, so he said casually, "Don't worry about that. It's hard to say for those above the rank of Beile, but for those below the rank of Beizi, the chance of being the first wife is guaranteed. At the very least, she'll be the wife of a Prince of the State."

Shujia was also thinking of this level. Nowadays, it is difficult for princes, dukes, beile, etc. to have concubines as their principal wives. Presumably, Kangxi would not assign her sister to anyone as a concubine. In that case, he could only downgrade her title and assign her to be the principal wife, or simply give up the title.

That depends on Kangxi's intentions. Even if he has a request, it would be better for her to go to Ningshou Palace to mediate instead of letting Yinreng intervene.

"Yes, it all depends on her luck. Speaking of which, it reminds me of something else—not only is there a major selection in the spring, but there's also a minor selection. We need to add some more staff here."

"Why aren't these servants enough to serve us now?" He frowned, because during the investigation of the nightmare, several people were found in Yuqing Palace and Donggong Palace, and those who were involved were beaten to death. There was indeed a shortage of people. "This time we have to choose some honest people to fill these vacancies. If you think those are not suitable, you can return them to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We can't have any more traitors in our family!" He got angry just thinking about it!

Shujia said, "That's what I think. Actually, we have enough manpower here right now. I'm thinking about the future. Hongdan needs more people, and we're going to have another child, so we'll need people to help him. And, have you forgotten about Hongxi? He'll be eleven next year, and the next time there's a big election, Khan Ama might arrange a marriage for him, so we'll have to assign people to serve him. Instead of training the new people we have now, why not first appoint a few honest and hardworking ones who can be transferred over directly? The girls around me are certainly capable, but if they were to be placed with him, they would have to be treated like maids, which would only cause him trouble. What do you think?"

Yinreng had always trusted Shujia to handle household affairs, and what she said made perfect sense. He only emphasized one thing: "She must be honest and dutiful."

"Of course I'm telling you. I've already lost face to face the world thanks to those unscrupulous people. I can't do this any more!"

Yinreng said something fair: "They have been in Yuqing Palace for many years, and I didn't notice it. You don't have to blame yourself."

"Don't worry, no one will be able to interfere this time." I guess not many people would think of this again, right?

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After receiving permission from Yinreng, Shujia took action. She first sent a message to the Imperial Household Department: "Yuqing Palace and Duanben Palace are short of several staff. When recruiting palace maids and eunuchs next year, please reserve vacancies for these places."

Then he went to look for Concubine Tong.

Concubine Tong and Shujia were already very familiar with each other: "Hey, hey, why are you here so early?" She was so pregnant? Although the birth was still a month away, it was still very dangerous. It was worrying to see her.

Shujia said, "I'm so bored in the house. I'm going to walk around for a bit. I hope my mother-in-law doesn't find me annoying."

"I was just worried about having no one to talk to." Today, Kangxi turned over Concubine Wang's card again. Here, Concubine Tong, well, really lacked someone to talk to.

Shujia sat down with some difficulty: "I really don't come to you for no reason. I have something to tell you first. Please love me."

Concubine Tong covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed: "What are you talking about? If I don't love you, who will you love?"

Shujia said, "To be honest, as my mother knows, we had a small incident and kicked some people out. Now we're short of people. When the Imperial Household Department is selecting new people next year, I'd like to ask my mother to give us a thumbs-up. We've also told the Imperial Household Department that we want both palace maids and eunuchs, but they have to be honest. But I'm really worried about how they're going to do things, so I need you to take a look."

Concubine Tong knew these people wouldn't be dismissed simply by being chased away. According to her intelligence, at least three eunuchs were beaten to death, and two palace maids were missing. This was a serious matter, and the Crown Princess approached her, and she had no choice but to agree. Feeling apprehensive, she heard Shujia say, "I can't give you a hard time. I just want... my mother to take me with her when she visits. We shouldn't be too clever and compete with others for the position of the prince."

That's fine. Concubine Tong smiled and said, "Do you really need to go there in person for something like this? Just send someone to tell them."

Shujia was also very satisfied. She was not only selecting honest and useful palace maids for her family, but also selecting palace maids that were suitable for her. She really wanted to select honest people, so she didn't have to do it herself. If she saw something wrong, she would just kick it out. After such a big incident in the Eastern Palace, it was normal to be a little suspicious.

However, the maids in the group of Hongxiu and Xiuniu were of similar age to Shujia. According to the current Qing Palace rules, maids were to leave the palace at the age of thirty. Shujia herself was already twenty-nine (in nominal terms), and these maids were almost old. By then, only two or three could be retained to continue serving, and the rest would have to be released. Filling in new ones would be difficult for a while.

Not only did the Crown Prince face the problem of a lack of successors, but the Crown Princess also had a lack of successors.

Shujia must train her successor two or three years in advance to avoid being caught off guard.

"That's impossible. Who in my place can point fingers at my mother? I'm the only one who has the nerve to come and ask you to love me."

Concubine Tong laughed and then asked, "The Emperor wants to take the Crown Prince and Prince Hongdan with him on a western tour. Well, I remember it's the Crown Prince, so he's the one who's on tour with you. You won't have anyone to watch you when you give birth. Do you want to ask your family to come and accompany you?"

Shujia said, "Hongdan is Hongdan, right? He's still called the Crown Prince. You can call him whatever you want. As for me, my mother hasn't finished mourning yet. Besides, don't we still have the Consort Mother?"

Concubine Tong was quite flattered and said, "I'm just busying myself. Is your third sister going to be selected next year? Can you call her in for everyone to see?"

Shujia thought to herself, just right, and continued, "I'm not praising my sister, she's excellent in everything. Although I don't see her often, I still trust her family's education."

Concubine Tong said, "That's natural."

"But there is something about this third sister that makes people feel awkward."

"What is that?"

"A concubine's son."

Concubine Tong also knew this and couldn't help but say, "Let's be honest, how can your sister be a concubine? She was born out of wedlock, and it's not easy to say if she's too high."

"Who says it's not? It depends on her luck."

Concubine Tong came up with another plan: "So, when the emperor leaves the capital, you can bring her over. Isn't there still the Fourth Princess? Call these two girls over to keep you company, and let everyone here take a look, especially the old ancestor, as there might be something wrong."

The claim that the third daughter, Shuyi, was a lie was true; the real target was the fourth daughter, Shuhui. There was a fifteenth prince in the palace who was about her age, and there was also a Prince Ping outside the palace who was also about the same age. Shuhui was born in the thirty-third year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, and she would definitely be on the list for the next selection. Even if Concubine Tong hadn't mentioned it, Kangxi and the Empress Dowager would have thought of her. Speaking up in advance was a good way to do the Crown Princess a favor.

Shujia hesitated and asked, "Is this okay?"

"What's wrong with that? Let's go to Ningshou Palace tomorrow. I'll start by teasing the old ancestor and saying that the Crown Prince will be accompanying you. You're about to give birth, so why not ask your family to come and talk? You don't have to live in the palace. The two princesses are in mourning, so there's nothing wrong with that. What do you think?"

"Then I'll have to trouble you, my mother." Shujia was very happy to do the favor.

"What are you talking about? You're welcome." Concubine Tong was happy to do a favor.

After sitting for a while, Shujia stood up and said goodbye: "I have to go back to see how the dinner is prepared at home. The father and son are all coming back to eat today."

Concubine Tong stood up to see her off: "Then I won't keep you."

Returning to the Eastern Palace, Shujia glanced at the menu and looked up and down at the maids around her. There were eight of them, and five or six were going to leave. It was really worrying. She had thought about their fate. In the eyes of many, being accepted by Yinreng was a very good way out, but it was not something she could do.

It's not okay to release them early. You say it's grace, but people outside don't understand and wonder what they have done wrong in there.

She'd been waiting until now, the situation was stronger than she was, and she had to consider it. Shujia had a pension for each of them, but she felt guilty about the inadequacies of their marriages. She needed to keep one or two useful people, but keeping anyone behind meant that they would have no connection to marriage or love for the rest of their lives, a thought that gnawed at her.

It would be great if the palace implemented a contract system, where professional women could work, like in a housekeeping company. Shujia had a crazy idea that married women could also do this job. There weren't many men walking around in the harem anyway.

Alternatively, it would be enough to move the date of leaving the palace forward by a few years.

Hongxiu saw Shujia in a daze, walked over and handed her a hand warmer filled with charcoal, then took the hand warmer from Shujia's hand and left: "Master, what's wrong with you? You're still holding the hand warmer even though it's cold."

"Ah? Oh..." In fact, Hongxiu doesn't look old at all when you look at her closely. Her family has a nice environment and the girls don't look old at all.

"master?"

"Ah? Oh, how was dinner?"

"That's all. It's heating up on the stove and will be ready for use when the Crown Prince and the Grandson come back." Hongdan hadn't received the official work permit yet, but Kangxi had already given the order, so calling him the Grandson was appropriate.

It’s so worrying... The pregnant woman started to have wild thoughts again.

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Apart from the issue of the palace maid, there was nothing else that worried Shujia. She just needed to give birth to the child in peace, and then wait for the court to discuss the ceremony, and when the auspicious day came, Hongdan would be canonized, and then she could put her mind at ease. Compared with the latter two matters, the first one seemed so insignificant.

Shujia looked at the busy figures of Hongxiu and others and thought to herself, at this moment, I'm afraid they themselves don't dare to put their own happiness above their master's?

"Master, it's time to go to Ningshou Palace."

The atmosphere in Ningshou Palace was a bit weird, for no other reason than that Concubine Hui was there too.

Concubine Hui's haggard appearance was evident in every detail. She was one of the earliest consorts in the harem, and like Concubine Rong, she was over fifty, her green card no longer in use. However, the concubines in the harem took great care to maintain their appearance, appearing younger than their actual age. Concubine Hui had been like this before, but seeing her today was a shock—she looked even older than her actual age. Compared to Concubine Rong, who was the same age, the difference was stark.

After Yinzhi's misfortune, Concubine Hui was distraught and even went to Emperor Kangxi to accuse him of disobedience. Kangxi took pity on her situation and refrained from punishment, but her life in the harem was not easy. While the six eastern and western palaces and the Ningshou Palace didn't overtly distance themselves from her, she still felt the pressure—they were so polite, it was almost like "respecting the gods but keeping them at a distance."

Concubine Hui fell ill immediately, thus avoiding the most embarrassing period of the first few days of the incident. When she got up from her sickbed, she went to Ningshou Palace to pay her respects.

In addition to having to stay in bed, the Crown Princess had to report to Ningshou Palace every day, and now she encountered this.

The Empress Dowager greeted Shujia as usual: "You are heavy, I told you not to perform formal formalities. Help you up quickly!"

The Ningshou Palace maids really did manage to pick the Crown Princess up before she could even bend down. They couldn't afford to hurt the pregnant Crown Princess, and they couldn't afford to offend the Crown Prince's mother. They carried her directly to the Empress Dowager and put her down.

The Empress Dowager asked, "Did you come here on a stretcher today? You are not allowed to walk anymore, it's tiring." The nature of small animals drove this old lady, who still had a childlike heart, to instinctively choose the most comfortable way to relieve stress - talking non-stop.

"Yes," Shujia answered the Empress Dowager's question first. "You gave the order the other day. How could I not listen?"

Then they greeted each of the concubines in turn, starting with Concubine Tong, and Concubine Hui was next: "I heard that Concubine Mother was ill. I am too heavy to cause trouble. Today, I see that you look a little weaker. You should rest and recuperate."

Concubine Hui couldn't even apologize at this moment. She could only say vaguely, "The Crown Princess is thoughtful." She felt like sitting on pins and needles, the kind of sitting on pins and needles where you couldn't move.

Fortunately, the Crown Princess only asked a question and then turned to Rong Fei, De Fei and others who took action. These people were not sick and it was common to see them recently. They were just greetings.

Tong Fei smiled as she watched the Crown Princess treat Hui Fei the same as everyone else. She thought to herself, "She's so knowledgeable, interesting, and well-mannered. No wonder the Crown Prince likes her, and no wonder she's raised such a sensible and beloved son." A mother's relationship with her son is crucial; a good woman not only earns her husband's love and respect, but also positively influences and benefits her son.

Ahem, Concubine Tong swore she wasn't complaining about Concubine Hui. Shujia congratulated Concubine De, saying that the Fourteenth Prince's concubine, Shushujueluo, had given birth to Yinzhen's eldest son on the first day of September, and the baby was almost a month old. Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince's concubine, Li, was pregnant again. "You're so lucky!" she said.

Concubine Tong took advantage of the situation and said, "Why are you jealous of others? Aren't you the same?" She looked at Shujia's belly and the whole room was filled with laughter. Shujia refused and wanted to fight with her. Concubine Tong dodged left and right, and the other concubines looked at her unhappy: these two have a really good relationship, a concubine mother and a clan wife, they can even joke like best friends.

Only the Empress Dowager was anxious and didn't know what to do: "No, you can't move."

Concubine Tong said, "That's right, the old ancestor is right. She needs someone to look after her. It's a pity that the Crown Prince will leave the capital with him after the birthday celebration."

Seeing that they had stopped making noise, the Empress Dowager put her mind at ease and began to think seriously, "Is your mother still able to spare some time?"

Shujia replied that she was still mourning her grandfather, and Concubine Tong said, "That's right. I seem to remember there are two princesses in the mansion," and then she praised the Empress Dowager. "Just look at our Crown Princess. The girls in their family can't be bad. Oh, girls change a lot when they grow up. I wonder how beautiful they are now. It would be nice to have them here to chat with you."

The Queen Mother was very interested: "That's quite true."

As soon as Concubine Tong said this, the other concubines guessed what she meant. What other meaning could there be in asking a young lady who hadn't participated in the selection to speak? Even if there was, it could be said that they were "looking at each other". Concubine Yi hadn't found a chance to speak at first, but now she clapped her hands and said, "That's great! Nowadays, there are few girls with good temperaments like before. There are only a few who can compare with their sisters-in-law. I was wondering where all the good girls have gone. They are hiding here."

The matter was settled. The full moon of the Fourteenth Prince's eldest son was also coming the next day, and the Emperor's birthday was two days later.

Because Shujia was pregnant, she appeared in both scenes and then stopped, waiting quietly for the emperor to leave the palace and her sister to enter.

The author has something to say:

The annual vacation is over and it’s time to go back to work...