For high-ranking concubines, things like pushing their maids to serve the emperor were commonplace.
This is a very common way to secure favor, and sometimes it's just that high-ranking concubines find it inconvenient to serve the emperor.
However, most of these palace maids would not receive any official rank or title. They would continue with their regular duties after serving the palace maids. Occasionally, a lucky one might conceive a child or two and then receive a rank or title.
However, their rank could not be very high, and the children they gave birth to would only be given to the principal concubines to raise.
Throughout their lives, they could only slowly accumulate seniority in the harem in hopes of gaining the emperor's favor and receiving a minor title.
Of course, the above examples are all results of ordinary palace maids rising to higher positions.
There are also special cases, such as those who are favored by the emperor or have other powerful backers. They often do not stand out at first, but by the time others notice them, they have already risen to prominence and cannot be ignored (such as Wuya Chenglin).
Compared to the Uya clan, the Wanliuha clan was simply unlucky.
They were both from the bannermen, but Uya was able to be promoted to concubine in the eighteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign and to imperial concubine in the twentieth year of his reign, thanks to her offspring.
Wanliuha remained a concubine until she gave birth to the twelfth prince, Yin Tao. Because of her rank, Yin Tao was entrusted to Sumalagu for upbringing by Emperor Kangxi. He was the only imperial heir among Kangxi's children to be raised by a servant (although Sumalagu held a very high position in Kangxi's heart).
Even Wanliuhashi, who had been honest and hardworking, finally obtained the rank of Dingpin in the 57th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, a stark contrast to Wuyashi.
When Xiuning heard Chunyu mention Wanliuhashi's service to the emperor, she was not flustered. In the end, Wanliuhashi was just a pawn in Consort Shu's hands. No one else knew what Consort Shu wanted to do with Wanliuhashi.
Xiu Ning might be able to guess a little bit, and Tong Jia Rong Yue could also guess some things, after all, the little Niohuru clan member would be entering the palace next year.
She beckoned to Chunyu to help her with her hair and makeup, and Xiuning called out the system in her mind, "It doesn't make sense. If Consort Shu is using Wanliuha to cause trouble for Niohuru, does that mean she has no feelings for her own mother and sister?"
Even if we take a step back and say that Niohuru prioritizes her own interests, her mother and younger sister haven't wronged her yet (although her younger sister is about to enter the palace and compete with her for the position). Is Consort Shu really going to continue going crazy like this?
"Host, no one knows what Consort Shu is thinking, and besides, she is not the real Consort Shu," the system pointed out to Xiu Ning not to forget the otherworldly soul inside Consort Shu's shell. Perhaps the real Consort Shu would be willing to sacrifice everything for her family, but whether someone from another world has such awareness is hard to say.
Xiu Ning scoffed inwardly. People from other worlds rarely even have a sense of belonging, let alone the awareness to sacrifice for their families. That's probably impossible. In a sense, they all have the protagonist's mentality (similar to "I can let the whole world down, but the whole world must unconditionally stand by my side").
This kind of thinking is influenced by their own real-life experiences, and it's very difficult for them to change it.
"That makes sense. It seems that the harem will be in chaos for a while while Consort Shu is gone."
After exchanging a few words with the system, Chunyu took the opportunity to help Xiuning fix her makeup.
She stood up, looked at herself in the bronze mirror from left to right, and then reached out and pulled off the gold hairpin from her head. "Wearing the same thing makes it too heavy. Let it be like this."
Chunyu stepped forward and supported Xiuning's wrist, and the two of them went to the palace to have their meal.
The meals were prepared in the small kitchen. When it got cold, it was easy to bring the food back from the imperial kitchen and it would get cold again. So Xiuning simply relied on the small kitchen. Only when the emperor came would someone be sent to the imperial kitchen.
"Yinyi is awake?"
After finishing the steamed buns in her hand, Xiuning picked up the soup bowl next to her, took a sip, and chatted with Chunyu.
"The young prince has finished his breakfast with the help of his wet nurse and is now playing in the side hall."
As Chunyu spoke, she took the opportunity to use the bamboo chopsticks in her hand to pick up a small steamed bun for Xiuning.
The side hall is a toy room that Xiuning recently had renovated. Some of Yin Yi's toys were moved there, and it is now one of Yin Yi's favorite places to go.
"Tell the wet nurse to keep track of the time. Yin Yi is getting older and we can't let him do whatever he wants."
As they were talking, Chunyu picked up the steamed bun for her and she ate it smoothly.
The fresh and rich aroma filled her mouth. Xiu Ning squinted her eyes and picked up a handkerchief to wipe her lips.
"Have someone take the food away. These days are a bit boring without paying respects."
Just as people don't like going out when it's hot, they also resist going out when it's cold.
No one knows who said what, but the Empress is now focused on raising her child in Kunning Palace. The occasional greetings and banter that used to happen between them have been repeatedly postponed, leaving Xiuning to spend most of her day in a daze.
"My lady, may I bring you the storybook?"
Chunyu had a sudden inspiration and remembered the stack of storybooks that Emperor Kangxi had brought for his master on one of his visits.
To be honest, the master hasn't even looked at it since it was delivered.
When Xiuning heard Chunyu mention this, she realized it was a complaint she had made to Kangxi one day. Unexpectedly, Kangxi actually sent her a stack of storybooks to pass the time.
"Bring it here," he thought, since he was just idling around anyway, he wanted to find something to do, otherwise he would always be thinking about scheming against people.
Chunyu responded with a "yes" and turned around to bring over books that were as tall as her forearm.
Xiuning glanced at it, then reached out and picked up the top book, flipping through it casually.
Snap—
"My lady, what's wrong?"
Hearing the noise, Chunyu quickly put down what she was doing.
Xiuning waved her hand, "It's nothing," she said, "I just didn't expect the content of this story to surprise me."
He secretly cursed Kangxi in his heart. He was so improper. The cover of the book looked fine, but the content was quite explosive. The erotic illustrations were really well-organized and detailed.
"Ahem, Chunyu, have the kitchen prepare a bowl of the soup His Majesty likes, and then run an errand for me later," Xiuning said, putting her hands together again as she thought to herself that it would be a shame not to enjoy such wonderful content with Kangxi.
Doesn't she like being unconventional? Well, that's perfect, she likes it too.
With a slight shift in her eyes, while Chunyu was still completely bewildered, Xiuning had already decided to invite Emperor Kangxi to Qixiang Palace today.
In the afternoon, at the main hall of the Qianqing Palace
Chunyu appeared in front of Liang Jiugong right on time, carrying a food box.
Upon seeing Chunyu's attire, Liang Jiugong felt a headache coming on; it was exactly the same as Caiyue's from yesterday.
"Does His Highness have any other instructions?" Liang Jiugong took the food box and asked Zui Chunyu as usual.
Chunyu smiled shyly, then pulled a folded piece of paper from her sleeve. "Please help me deliver this, Father-in-law."
Liang Jiugong: ...Hey, this is quite an eye-opener.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
