In the period leading up to the issuance of the imperial decree, the inner palace was always in a state of chaos.
Because some people are unwilling to accept this, some will take advantage of the time before the matter is settled to cause trouble in the harem. As for their purpose, it is naturally to achieve their own desires.
Consort Jia was one of them. Just as she told Xiuning, if she had a choice, she would rather give up the position of Imperial Consort, just so that she could leave a prince with the same bloodline for her family.
Unlike her older sister, Consort Shu, Consort Jia had a strong sense of family.
Even the reason why she acted so recklessly after being in the palace for so many years had a deeper meaning.
Unfortunately, no matter how much she made a fuss or tried to lower the royal family's guard, Kangxi would not allow her to have a child.
As Consort Jia grew older, neither she nor Lady Niohuru could wait any longer.
This time, it's all or nothing; she has to give birth to the prince.
“Your Majesty, this matter does not necessarily require your personal intervention,” the maid Lianqiao advised softly. “Even though the Empress Dowager in the palace has not been able to bear any children, she is still a respected Empress Dowager.”
Therefore, you can adopt if you don't want to have children, and there are no restrictions on adoption.
Consort Jia frowned. "You mean, using Wanliuhashi, who lives in the side hall?"
Wanliuha was the woman whom Consort Shu had promoted to serve in the emperor's bedchamber while Consort Shu was still alive. Later, when Consort Shu acted erratically, Wanliuha, in order to protect her family and herself, turned around and sold Consort Shu to Niohuru.
This directly led to Empress Dowager Niohuru personally eliminating Consort Shu in order to eliminate the risks, and also caused Consort Jia to lose her elder sister.
Therefore, Consort Jia's situation upon entering the palace was very unfavorable.
Consort Jia couldn't say she didn't resent Consort Shu, after all, Consort Shu had contributed to her and Niohuru's current predicament.
But as the saying goes, the person is gone, and the past is like smoke.
The previous grievances faded as some people completely left. No matter how much Consort Jia hated Consort Shu, it could not change the fact that Consort Shu had passed away.
But Wanliuha was still around. As Consort Shu's crimes were gradually no longer investigated, Wanliuha began to stand out in her eyes.
Without Wanliuha's betrayal, Consort Shu wouldn't have died so quickly. She was the culprit who brought these sisters to this point. How could Consort Jia not seek revenge?
To this day, the fact that Lady Wanliuha remains a concubine and cannot rise above her station in Yongshou Palace is the best proof of this.
Lian Qiao nodded, and seeing that her mistress's expression was not right, she quickly explained, "Your Highness, this servant is just worried," what if she loses her position as a Noble Consort, but her mistress still cannot conceive? Wouldn't that be losing both the chicken and the egg?
It would be better to let Wanliuhashi test the Emperor's attitude first. He's just an adopted son; there's room for him to change his mind.
Otherwise, it might end up like Juechan, where even if she did give birth to a prince, what good would it do if she was still not found in the harem?
Lian Qiao thought too much about Jue Chan's experience. She didn't think that her master was special just because she had a family background. The emperor's heart was very cold, and he would not easily change his mind once he made a decision.
Consort Jia understood what Lian Qiao was worried about from her expression.
To be honest, even Consort Jia herself wasn't sure. Despite how confident she and Xiuning were, who could truly control the Emperor's mind? He was the ruler of a nation.
What you said makes sense.
This allowed Lady Wanliuha to test the Emperor's attitude, thus clarifying whether she was capable of bearing a child.
However, there is another problem. If the emperor goes to extremes and directly adopts Wanliuhashi's offspring into her own, she will not only be unable to have children, but she will also have to guard against the consequences of her adopted son not being properly raised and Wanliuhashi reaping the benefits.
"Lianqiao, send a message to the family. I need to discuss this matter with the family again."
Since the matter concerned the entire Niohuru clan, Consort Jia could not make a decision lightly.
Lian Qiao bowed her head and replied, "Yes," before turning around to contact her family outside the palace.
...
"My lord, something has happened in the harem again."
Chunyu rushed in from outside the door, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
In the tatami room, Xiu Ning and Ning Chuge sat together discussing the new tribute fabrics from Jiangnan this season, as well as headdresses, jewelry, rouge, face powder, and other items that women would need.
Hearing Chunyu's voice, before Xiuning could answer, Ning Chuge chimed in, "Aunt Chunyu is so happy, could it be Jingren Palace?"
The Empress Dowager and the Consort of Jingren Palace did not get along well, so there had always been minor frictions between Qixiang Palace and Jingren Palace.
Ning Chuge knew that Chunyu had suffered some grievances because of this, and that Chunyu would be happy as long as something happened at Jingren Palace.
Chunyu nodded upon hearing this. "Prince Yinyu of Jingren Palace is ill. The Noble Consort originally intended to invite her usual imperial physician to treat him, but the physician had already been summoned by Consort Hui. The Noble Consort couldn't get anyone to come and is currently furious."
He had a terrible temper; he nearly overturned the entire Jingren Palace, and others watched and laughed at him.
Ning Chuge covered her mouth and chuckled, "Empress Tong always likes to do this kind of thing. Father Emperor will be unhappy if he hears about it."
The Emperor prefers obedient and sensible women, but Consort Tong always acts with an air of superiority.
Ning Chuge wasn't sure if she was mistaken, but in her opinion, Consort Tong seemed to look down on everyone. But they were all concubines, so was this attitude really appropriate?
“These days, there are all sorts of disturbances coming from the inner palace every now and then. If your father gets angry about every single one of them, he won’t be able to keep up.”
Xiuning tapped the table, thinking to herself that there were those who wanted to take advantage of the situation, those who didn't know the true nature of things, and those who had ulterior motives. Who knew what the Emperor himself was thinking?
Ning Chuge turned to look at her mother and couldn't help but pout, "They haven't come down yet, so why are all the ladies so crazy?"
Describing them as crazy is not an exaggeration at all; Ning Chuge even felt that these people were more like madmen.
Xiu Ning didn't correct Ning Chuge's words. The corners of her mouth turned up slightly. She thought to herself that this was nothing compared to the crazy things that happened in the harem. Compared to some of them, this was just a drop in the ocean.
Xiu Ning waved for Chun Yu to leave first, then turned to Ning Chu Ge and said, "It's precisely because she hasn't come down yet that some people are acting as crazy as you described."
Hmm? Why?
Ning Chuge sat up abruptly, genuinely puzzled. "Mother, is there some other purpose?"
Xiuning nodded, "It's all for their own greater benefit."
Some people want to gamble, some want to take risks, and some are directly implicated... He reached out and touched Ning Chuge's head, "Your imperial father's dissatisfaction is not as much as you think."
The Imperial Concubine is from the Tong clan and has a son. As long as she doesn't cross any lines, she will be safe and sound.
Not only was she safe and sound, but the Consort's family background and offspring were her lifeline, unless these two things threatened Emperor Kangxi himself.
Xiuning thought of Tong Shi, who was later punished by Kangxi, and Yin Yu, who had always been in poor health. Was it possible?
She lowered her head to hide the emotions in her eyes; in any case, Xiuning didn't think much of it.
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