Consort Nara seemed to have seized an opportunity to vent her pent-up anger, and began to verbally attack Consort Zhou, who was being taken away by the imperial palanquin.
Chengxin listened from the side, her heart pounding with fear. She kept glancing around, afraid that her mistress might accidentally spread these words. Life in Chuxiu Palace was already difficult enough; if there were any rumors, Chengxin didn't even want to think about the consequences.
“My lady, Consort Zhou has only recently entered the palace and is merely a member of the Han Army Banner.”
As everyone knows, the Empress Dowager has never been particularly fond of the Han Bannermen, so you don't need to worry too much.
Chengxin reluctantly advised Consort Nara, even though she believed what she said. She knew her mistress's character, and that in a simple contest between the two of them, Chengxin might not necessarily win.
"How can I not worry? I am not the only one in Chuxiu Palace. Not to mention Consort Wang Jia who lives across the street, although she is not favored, her clansmen are capable. Even without a prince, she can still be on equal footing with me."
Now, another concubine, Consort Zhou, has entered the palace without any backing but dares to challenge me. Hmph, I think if this continues, I might not even get the position of the head of the Chuxiu Palace.
But she is still the birth mother of the eldest prince (although Yinti's current health condition is already extremely poor), so why is she inferior to these two?
Orange Heart: ...
What could Chengxin say? One's family was successful and the other was successful on her own, so she couldn't just slander the other without reason.
“Your Highness, you are the birth mother of the young prince. Everyone knows the Emperor’s affection for the young prince. You have more confidence than they do.”
Chengxin quickly used Yinti to appease Consort Nara. Since returning to the palace, Yinti had been tricked several times and had become sickly.
Anyone with eyes could see that this eldest prince would no longer pose any threat to the crown prince, so the empress could openly watch the emperor show favoritism and affection towards Yinti.
Because he had relatively few children, including the one in Xiuning's womb that hadn't been born, Kangxi only had three sons and two daughters (one of his daughters was adopted from a brother). The fact that Yinti had become like this was the responsibility of several powerful figures in the harem (whether directly or indirectly). Therefore, no one objected to Kangxi's favoritism towards Yinti.
However, the premise for having no objections is that the child poses no threat, that Chengxin can see it, and that Consort Nara can also see it.
Consort Nara couldn't accept that the child she had given birth to with such difficulty had no competitive edge. Chengxin's attempts to comfort her were like stabbing Consort Nara in the heart, causing her eyes to turn red with pain, which hadn't been so intense at first.
"Shut up! Shut up!"
Pointing at Chengxin, Consort Nara gritted her teeth, "My Yinqi has no health problems whatsoever. The Emperor treats him well because he is intelligent and sensible, not for any other reason, no!"
“Yes, yes, yes, Your Highness is right,” Chengxin quickly agreed, bowing her head and sweating profusely as cold sweat trickled down her temples. “The fact that the young prince is favored by the Emperor is entirely due to his own outstanding talent, and also thanks to Your Highness’s careful nurturing. Your Highness must not get agitated. What will happen to the young prince if something happens to you?”
In the last sentence, Cheng Ling had a sudden inspiration and simply steered the topic to Consort Nara, highlighting her importance to Yinti and bringing her back to her senses.
Blinking her eyes and glancing down at her fingers, Consort Nara smiled and said, "You're right. I can't get excited, and I can't let anything happen to me. Yinti still needs my help."
These words were spoken with such madness that Consort Nara's expression became even more mad.
Orange Heart: ...
Summer is here, and good things are on their way.
As the weather outside gradually warmed up, the imperial court and the inner palace became lively with the occasional reports of victory from the frontier.
The previous dynasty was lively because the court was stable and the ministers did not need to worry about rebel attacks.
The palace was bustling because the emperor had officially announced his intention to bestow titles and honors upon the six palaces this year.
"The news is spreading everywhere, but the Emperor hasn't said when yet."
With her six-month pregnant belly, Xiu Ning was helped by Chun Yu to take a walk in the yard.
Xiuning has been in the palace for almost ten years. She has schemed against others and been schemed against herself. Now she has a son and a daughter and is favored by the emperor. After this investiture ceremony, she can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Does time matter, my lady? Right now, those people are all busy trying to curry favor with Cining Palace and Kunning Palace."
It's also because very few people in the Qianqing Palace could find the right connections; otherwise, there would definitely be no pure land in the harem.
Secretly disdainful of these scheming people, Chunyu carefully supported her master, her eyes constantly scanning the surrounding ground, afraid that a pebble or something else might suddenly appear in her way.
"Cining Palace and Kunning Palace?"
Xiuning found it amusing; frankly, for these two palaces, not trying to please them was more advantageous than trying to please them.
"The Empress Dowager is still attached to the Mongol lineage and dreams of promoting another Mongol concubine; the Empress wishes they would remain untitled concubines so that they would be easier to manage, and even if she were to promote someone, she would only choose someone who poses no threat."
Ultimately, it depends on the Emperor. I've heard that the Mongols have contributed significantly, so perhaps the Empress Dowager will get her wish.
The two Mongolian concubines who entered the palace in the seventh year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign have been living a solitary life in Yanxi Palace and have rarely caused trouble over the years. If the Kangxi Emperor were to consider it, perhaps these seven concubines could really become eight concubines.
Of course, Rongpin was already missing from the original Seven Concubines. Now that the Empress is alive, it's uncertain whether Xipin can rise to the top. So this grand conferment of titles upon the six palaces will be quite a spectacle.
After going over these things in her mind, Xiuning continued to walk around the courtyard. This was an essential daily activity for her after she became pregnant (except for the period when her pregnancy symptoms were severe), so that she could have a smooth delivery in the future.
"His Majesty has always been wary of the Mongols, but I don't think so."
Chunyu now dares to discuss some things with Xiuning, and the years of companionship have made the two of them, mistress and servant, very close.
"It depends on what the Empress Dowager chooses." You can't have your cake and eat it too. If the Empress Dowager really wants to promote a high-ranking Mongol concubine, then it will be impossible for an imperial heir with Mongol blood to appear.
However, if the Empress Dowager desires an imperial heir, there might be room for negotiation.
"We are merely bystanders in this matter; we will understand when the decree is issued."
To put it another way, as long as Xiuning can ensure that she is on the list of the Seven Concubines, that's fine. As for whether the others are selected or not, what does it have to do with her?
...
Cining Palace Main Hall
The Empress Dowager was also considering holding a grand investiture ceremony for the six palaces during the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.
"Su Ma, I am somewhat unsure of what to do." Those two juniors living in Yanxi Palace are indeed pitiful, but without a prince to rely on, how far can Mongolia go in the future?
Born in Khorchin, she inadvertently spent her entire life plotting for the Qing Dynasty.
To be honest, she let down the Horqin people; she failed to fulfill her promise to ensure the continued prosperity of Horqin.
Now, another choice is before her. What should she choose?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
