The death of a noblewoman in the palace was not a major event. However, since Emperor Kangxi was not present, and Holland was indeed from the Niohuru family, the relevant people were informed. When Lanqin found out, Xinyi in the Seventh Prince's residence also learned of it.
Naturally, Emperor Kangxi, far away in the northern deserts, also received an urgent report stating that Consort Lan's old illness had not healed and she had finally passed away. Kangxi, remembering the kindness shown to him by the Dutch and the favor he had bestowed upon her for a time, replied: posthumously conferring upon her the title of Consort Lan, and ordering her burial in the Imperial Consort Mausoleum.
The next day, despite the Fourth Prince's objections, Lanqin still arranged to go to the palace with Xinyi to see Holland off one last time. The Lingzhu family naturally learned of this as well. Upon hearing the news, Madam Yang fainted, and after waking, she again wanted to go to the palace to see her daughter. However, her status made it impossible; even Madam Anjia was not qualified to enter the palace. Therefore, only Lingzhu from the Ling family went to see Holland one last time.
Since Holland was merely a noblewoman, her funeral arrangements were quite simple. Her family members, of high status, were allowed to enter the palace for a visit. A sandalwood coffin was prepared, and she was dressed in mourning attire befitting a concubine. Palace servants who had attended to her kept vigil overnight. She remained in the palace for one day, and finally, the palace pallbearers carried her body directly out the back gate of the palace to the royal mausoleum for burial.
On the day Lanqin and Xinyi entered the palace, Holland's body still lay in a side hall of Zhongcui Palace, where she resided. Several minor nobles who usually associated with Holland would often go there to visit and burn some paper money.
The Fourth Prince and the Seventh Prince accompanied Lanqin and Xinyi into the palace. After giving them a few instructions, they returned to the Ministry of Revenue. As the Fourth Prince and the Seventh Prince, they were not required to attend the funeral of a minor noblewoman of the Emperor.
Xin Yi personally supported Lan Qin, followed by their two maids, as they walked along the long palace path. The two sisters were deeply moved. Although Holland hadn't been very kind to them before, especially Lan Qin, who had never really liked her second sister, now that she was dying alone in the palace, how lonely she must have been in her final moments. Lan Qin knew Holland was ill, but she never expected them to be separated by death so suddenly.
"Third sister, how could second sister die so suddenly? Alas, when we were young, although she was a bit domineering and arrogant, she wasn't the kind of person who was completely bad at heart. I never thought that she would die here after only three years in the palace." Xin Yi was dressed as a concubine, and she was now the dignified concubine of the Seventh Prince, a far cry from the timid fifth sister who used to stand beside Holland.
“Everyone has their own destiny. The Netherlands chose this path itself. Now that she has ended up like this, although we feel sorry for her, it seems to be within reason,” Lanqin said slowly.
"Ah, you mean Holland's death wasn't strange or sudden, but rather inevitable?" Xin Yi asked, glancing sideways at Lan Qin.
"That's mostly true. Holland, confident in her beauty, gained the Emperor's favor upon entering the palace, but she also made many enemies and aroused the jealousy of others. Although she is strong-willed, she is straightforward and not good at scheming. She has probably already offended the true mistress of the harem because of her arrogance due to the Emperor's favor," Lanqin sighed.
"The real master? Isn't it the Emperor?" Xin Yi asked.
"Of course, this is the Emperor's harem, but the women living here are not simple. There are Consort Hui, Consort Rong, and Consort Yi, all born into powerful families; their influence is not to be underestimated. What does Holland have? Our father is merely a minor branch of the Niohuru family. The only one without a family background is my mother-in-law, Consort De, but she is dignified, elegant, and extremely intelligent. She saw through Holland's tendency to offend people and never got close to her. Therefore, Holland's only advantage in this palace is the Emperor's favor. Once that's gone, she will be unable to move an inch and will eventually die alone in this harem. Why did she become bedridden at such a young age, losing the Emperor's favor? Was it really just because she was unwell? Why couldn't all the imperial physicians in the palace cure her?" Lanqin spoke passionately. The more she spoke, the more she felt that this vast Forbidden City was full of unspeakable secrets.
Xin Yi was terrified as she listened, and sighed, "Everyone envies those who can enter the palace and be selected, so that they can serve the emperor, become the mistress of a palace, or even become a revered empress. But who knows how many palace servants like Second Sister died in this harem to make the current Four Consorts?"
When Lanqin saw that Xinyi could say such things, she couldn't help but praise her, "Fifth Sister's current wisdom has put my mind at ease. She can see through the truth, so your days in the Seventh Prince's mansion will not be difficult. Even if the Seventh Prince marries a primary wife in the future, your life will not be bad."
Xin Yi said, "Thanks to my third sister for planning for me back then, I have such a good life now. The Seventh Prince treats me very well and has said that he will not remarry, but I only listened to him. The most important thing is to give birth to the Seventh Prince's child. Now I am two months pregnant."
Upon hearing this, Lanqin exclaimed with delight, "Fifth Sister kept it a secret so well, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Xin Yi smiled and said, "People say that the baby is most vulnerable in the first three months, so it's best not to tell others beforehand. Wait until after three months when the pregnancy is more stable before telling anyone."
Lanqin looked at Xinyi and knew that she was a cautious and prudent person. She was indeed blessed and was now pregnant with the Seventh Prince's child. Her future would be secure.
The two sisters walked for half an hour before arriving at Zhongcui Palace. They saw that the entrance to the side hall where Holland had originally lived was now draped with white curtains, and several young palace maids dressed in white were kneeling at the entrance. A copper basin was placed at the entrance, containing burning paper money.
Lanqin and Xinyi walked over to the side hall. Looking inside, they saw that it was decorated with white curtains and various paper flowers. A huge mahogany coffin was placed at the very entrance of the hall.
Inside, a row of palace maids and eunuchs were kneeling. Among them were several palace maids and eunuchs who usually served Holland. They were all kneeling there with tearful faces.
Lanqin and Xinyi stepped over the brazier at the entrance and entered the side hall where Holland had lived before his death.
The two sisters walked hand in hand to Holland's coffin and saw the woman who had once been so beautiful lying quietly inside. She had been dressed in the robes of a concubine, and her hair had been styled in a high bun, adorned with Holland's favorite jewelry, all gifts from the emperor.
"Huifen, how exactly did my second sister die?" Holland asked the palace maid kneeling in the first position.
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