Chapter 3 Consort Nara pays her respects
Yunyun was still a little dazed when Fuling woke her up.
It takes a long time to form a good habit, but only a few days to fall into bad habits.
After sleeping in for more than half a month straight, Yun Jun had forgotten what it felt like to get up early.
However, she had no choice but to get up. Paying respects was a rule in the palace. Now that she was in better health, she couldn't avoid getting up early, just like high school students couldn't avoid early morning study sessions and college students couldn't avoid 8 a.m.
The charcoal fire inside was still warm, and Yunyun, wearing only a single layer of clothing, did not feel cold.
The palace maids had already prepared hot water and soft towels. Yunyun immersed her hands in the copper basin, feeling the hot water flowing through her fingertips, and her eyes became clearer.
After washing up with hot water, Yunyun sat in front of the dressing mirror, letting Lingzhi do her hair and makeup.
The mirror on the dressing table was originally a bronze mirror, but last year, the governor of Fujian presented some Western mirrors as tribute during the Dragon Boat Festival. The emperor bestowed them all upon the harem, and the two concubines and four junior consorts each received one. Hers was a cloisonné enamel mirror, which was quite exquisite.
She's been taking good care of herself in her room lately, and her complexion is rosy and fair. She only needs to do her eyebrows and apply a little lip rouge.
Her hair accessories were simple; she didn't like too many things hanging on her head, as it gave her a headache.
Therefore, Lingzhi was simply dressed in a simple double bun hairstyle, adorned with a set of jade hairpins and a few gemstone flowers, which looked fresh and elegant without losing her status.
The clothes she was to wear this morning had been prepared and hung up last night. Yunyun opened her arms and let Lingzhi put them on her layer by layer.
For breakfast, Yunyun ordered egg dumplings and eight-treasure porridge. Although she only mentioned these two items, Xiaofuzi also mentioned the three types of porridge and six side dishes that she usually eats, as well as some delicate pastries.
The eight-treasure porridge in the kitchen was cooked until it was soft and sweet, and the side dishes were also quite appetizing. Yunyun finished a small bowl without realizing it.
She glanced at the Western-style clock beside her; it was already quite late. Regretting her decision, she gave up on the idea of having another bowl.
Wearing a scarf and hand warmer, and draped in a cloak, Yunyun had a satisfying breakfast. When she arrived at the main gate of Yanxi Palace, Consort Nara was already waiting for her.
In these kinds of greetings, if there is a principal position, one usually follows behind the principal position. But for concubines like them who do not currently have a principal position, they can either go ahead on their own or go together.
Consort Nara was also dressed very elegantly today. She already had beautiful features, and this outfit amplified that advantage. In addition, her bamboo-green dress made her look very much like a woman from Jiangnan.
"Your cloak looks nice, a green brocade satin. Is it newly made? It suits you well."
The two walked and talked.
Yunyun smiled and said, "It was made before the New Year. I thought it would be perfect to wear in the winter. I have some fine leather here. If you like it, just send someone to pick it up."
“I’ll take your words seriously,” Consort Nara said with a relaxed smile and a touch of intimacy in her voice. “I won’t stand on ceremony with you. I know you’re well-off. I’ll come and pick out some good stuff myself later. You’re not allowed to feel bad about it.”
The two chatted and laughed, and when they arrived at Cining Palace, it was neither too early nor too late. Some concubines were already waiting in front of Cining Gate, gathered in twos and threes, and talking in hushed tones.
Yunyun glanced at it briefly.
She recognized most of the concubines here, but she hadn't spoken more than a few words to some of them. Her acquaintances were limited to knowing that the person existed and being able to match their name with their face.
After waiting for a while in front of Cining Gate, important figures always arrive last. It was only after almost all the concubines had arrived that Consort Niohuru and Consort Tong finally arrived late.
Not everyone has the 'honor' of paying respects to the Empress Dowager.
Only concubines of the rank of Xiaofujin and above were qualified to enter Cining Palace. Other concubines could only kowtow at the entrance of Cining Palace and could not even see the Empress Dowager. They could only stand outside the palace and wait for them to come out.
Cining Palace is an exceptionally orderly place.
This was Yunyun's first impression.
She followed obediently behind Consort Tong, holding her breath and keeping her eyes closed.
Upon entering the Cining Palace, a meticulously dressed and stern-faced nanny led them to their seats.
A young palace maid quietly brought out tea and snacks, then silently withdrew.
Consort Niohuru and Consort Tong sat on either side of them, while the other concubines stood behind them, divided into the East and West Palaces. Only Consort Ma Jia was exempted from paying her respects because she was pregnant and about to give birth, and the roads were slippery due to the snow.
Now, only Yun Jun stands behind Consort Tong.
Yes, although they have the 'honor' of entering the Cining Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager, and there are quite a few empty seats at the moment, they are not yet qualified to sit down. They can only stand obediently behind the concubines' seats as motionless ornaments.
This body was already used to wearing platform shoes, so Yunyun didn't feel uncomfortable standing up.
On the bright side, even though it was freezing cold, there was at least a charcoal brazier inside, so she didn't feel cold.
Consider it exercise.
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Consort Tong and Consort Niohuru were talking quietly.
Consort Niohuru had a dignified and elegant appearance, with a face like a silver plate. When she spoke, the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, and her eyes were gentle, giving people a kind and approachable feeling. However, the makeup on her face was rather heavy, making her look somewhat pale.
The topics of their conversation were very safe; there was no verbal sparring or underhanded plotting like one might imagine in a palace intrigue drama. They simply talked about clothes, jewelry, or anecdotes.
They're all good at talking.
The voice is kept at a level that is audible but not noisy, and the speaker speaks in a soft, gentle voice. Even simple jewelry can be described in detail.
Yunyun listened with great interest.
I've learned something new; speaking is truly an art.
By the time the Empress Dowager came out, two cups of tea had already been served on the table.
Yun Yun could no longer stand behind Consort Tong as a wallflower. She moved in sync with Consort Borjigit and Consort Dong Jia, who were standing behind Consort Niohuru, and walked steadily to the center on her flowerpot shoes. She bowed and said in unison, "May the Empress Dowager enjoy ten thousand years of peace and happiness."
No need for formalities.
Consort Niohuru and Consort Tong took their seats and began the obligatory greetings ceremony.
First, Consort Niohuru inquired about the Empress Dowager's health. The Empress Dowager replied that she was in good health and there was no need to worry. Then, Consort Tong chimed in with witty remarks, praising the Empress Dowager for her robust health, saying she didn't look like an elderly person at all.
Whether she believed it or not, the Empress Dowager smiled kindly in response.
Then the Empress Dowager issued a supreme instruction to Consort Niohuru.
"I trust your abilities. You handled things well in the past two years. However, this selection by the Imperial Household Department is not only for selecting palace maids, but also for enriching the harem and ensuring the continuation of the imperial line. The emperor is busy with affairs of the court, so you will naturally have to take on more work in the harem."
The rumors circulating in the palace were just whispers that people would be selected for the harem, but no one from above had given any confirmation.
Now that the Empress Dowager has said this, it means that someone must be brought into the harem.
I just don't know how many people will be there.
Consort Niohuru, who had not yet confirmed her identity, stood up and bowed respectfully upon hearing this, saying, "How dare I take credit? I lacked experience before, and it was thanks to the Empress Dowager's guidance that I did not make a fool of myself. I have compared the list of candidates for this selection one by one, and the Imperial Household Department has also made all the necessary preparations. We are just waiting for His Majesty and the Empress Dowager to make their selections."
That's an understatement.
Both Consort Niohuru and Empress Renxiao were popular candidates for empress, and their families were grooming them to be empresses. Both the Niohuru and Hesheli families were prominent clans, and the women they raised were outstanding in every way. However, they were just one step behind, and Hesheli became empress while Niohuru became a concubine.
Later, Empress Hesheli died in childbirth in the thirteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign and became Empress Renxiao. At the suggestion of the Empress Dowager, Consort Niohuru took control of the palace.
Perhaps harboring a desire not to be inferior to Empress Renxiao, Consort Niohuru did everything herself, which even diminished the Emperor's favor towards her.
She was raised by a prominent family, and her years in the harem were not for nothing. She managed the harem for two years with virtually no oversights. She acted with discipline, rewarded and punished fairly, and earned the trust of the concubines. She was capable and shrewd.
She is almost certain to become the next empress.
The three exchanged some pleasantries. The Empress Dowager was getting on in years and her energy was waning, so Consort Niohuru and Consort Tong very tactfully led them to take their leave.
Throughout the entire process, the three young wives' main role was to act as wallflowers; aside from offering their greetings, they didn't utter a single word.
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A concubine's day was actually quite regular. If she had to pay her respects, she had to get up at dawn, light candles, wash and dress herself. If the Empress was present, she would first pay her respects to the Empress, and then, under the Empress's guidance, pay her respects to the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager in turn.
After paying their respects, they returned to their respective palaces for breakfast, which was around 9 to 11 a.m. The concubines were free to move around or take a nap.
Dinner is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The afternoon is free time to visit other concubines and chat. Concubines with talents can paint, read, play the zither, write calligraphy to cultivate their minds, or go to the Imperial Garden to try to have a chance encounter with the Emperor.
After dinner, the Emperor would flip over the green nameplates. The concubine whose name was flipped would have to prepare to wash and dress up, and would be led to the Qianqing Palace by a eunuch sent by the Imperial Household Department. The concubines whose names were not flipped could wash up and go to sleep.
There was no nightlife. In the palace, candles were part of the rations, and once they were used up, they were gone. The palace gates were also locked, so you should just go to sleep when it got dark and not expect to cause any trouble.
Then it was another day of steady repetition.
Yunyun was quite satisfied with this life of eating and drinking for free.
She also developed some hobbies, one of which was embroidery.
Perhaps because she had made so many children's clothes, shoes and socks, the original owner's embroidery skills were quite good.
What she is embroidering now is a flat-sleeved, front-opening outer garment, sewn to the size of a five-year-old child.
According to palace rules, concubines of lower rank were not allowed to raise their children.
They were either raised by high-ranking concubines or sent to Zhaoxiang for unified upbringing; there were no exceptions.
However, given the many princes who died young in the palace, after much agonizing reflection, the Fifth Prince, born to the original concubine, was sent out of the palace to be raised by ministers, the Crown Prince was raised in the Qianqing Palace, and the Ninth Prince, born to Consort Nara, was raised in the Zhaoxiang Palace.
The Fifth Prince was far away outside the palace, and the original owner missed him terribly, so she would make clothes, hats, shoes and socks for the children from time to time.
However, due to the strict palace rules, the clothes that the original owner had made could not be sent out of the palace. They could only be kept as a memento and carefully stored in a special trunk.
When Yun Jun transmigrated, she accepted reality. Since she was using the original owner's body, the things the original owner cared about and cared about were the same things she cared about and cared about.
The original owner's heart was set on the child outside the palace.
A child died young, and now the original owner's hope for the Fifth Prince is that he can grow up safely.
Although she had never raised a child in her previous life, there were eunuchs and maids in the palace, and a wet nurse would be assigned after the prince was born, so she didn't need to do much. Raising a child shouldn't be too difficult.
Yunyun steadily threaded the needle through the embroidery frame, her thoughts wandering aimlessly.
She believes she can be a loving mother to a five- or six-year-old child.
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