Consort Tongjia, it seems, was a final burst of energy before her death.
Moreover, they even sent someone to the Qianqing Palace to invite Emperor Kangxi, saying they had something to say to him.
The news quickly spread throughout the six palaces, reaching the ears of the Empress Dowager in Cining Palace. A fierce look flashed across the Empress Dowager's aged face.
"Su Ma, go to Chengqian Palace yourself. Tongjia is, after all, the niece of Empress Xiaokangzhang and the Emperor's cousin. Her days are numbered, and I am not a heartless person."
"She is about to die, so let me give her one last honor!"
Sumalagu respectfully replied "Yes," her eyes filled with a gentle smile, and said, "The Empress Dowager is kind and benevolent. It is a blessing for Consort Chengqian to receive such favor from the Empress Dowager before her death."
The Empress Dowager responded.
Sumalagu bowed as she left Cining Palace. Standing under the palace corridor, she gazed at the magnificent palace bathed in the golden light of the setting sun and sighed deeply.
The palace gates stand tall, adorned with countless favors; I, however, am now a withered flower of yesterday.
She was once a beautiful young woman who married into the Qing Dynasty with the Empress Dowager. She dreamed of rising to a high position and hoped that one day she would gain the emperor's favor.
But after witnessing so much intrigue and backstabbing in the palace, and so many concubines resorting to any means to win favor, I gradually came to terms with it.
She vividly remembered that when Consort Tongjia first entered the palace, she was vibrant, bright, charming, and lovely. Such a proud and beautiful woman, she reached the end of her life in just a few years and was about to pass away.
Covered in wounds, with a shattered heart!
Chengqian Palace
Consort Tongjia, dressed in brocade robes, sat before her dressing table, gazing at her withered and haggard face in the mirror. Her heart ached with unbearable pain; her life had been so tragic.
Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, when he was seven or eight years old, his cousin, the emperor, ascended the throne, and his family's fortunes rose dramatically.
From that time on, she was raised to be an empress, striving for perfection in every word, deed, and action. When she was eleven or twelve, her cousin, the emperor, married Empress Hesheli, and she hid under the covers, crying her heart out.
Later, at the age of fifteen, she was sent to the palace.
At that time, I was full of hope, hoping that although I couldn't be my cousin the emperor's wife, I could at least be with him, sharing a lifelong bond and never parting. But...
There were so many beauties in the palace that she felt jealous.
"His Majesty has arrived."
The sharp voice of a young eunuch outside the palace pulled her back from her thoughts. After straightening her clothes, Consort Tongjia, supported by Xiuqin and Xiuhe, bowed and knelt down to greet Emperor Kangxi.
Emperor Kangxi stepped into the hall and personally helped Consort Tongjia to her feet.
"My cousin isn't feeling well, why isn't she resting properly? She looks much better today."
Consort Tongjia wore the same innocent and naive smile she had when she first entered the palace, without any ambition or desire. She spoke softly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am well aware of my own health."
"There are some things that I must say now, because I fear I may never have the chance to say them again."
An unnatural look flashed in Kangxi's eyes.
Then he realized that he was the emperor, and it was normal for an emperor to have three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines. When his cousin first entered the palace, she was innocent, kind, and lively. He did like her for a while, but gradually, as more and more princes and princesses entered the palace, his cousin did not find love and her personality gradually changed.
"Your Majesty, I know that I am jealous and not virtuous enough. I have failed your expectations and I am guilty."
"When I was young, I also hoped to marry a man who loved me wholeheartedly, to have a son and a daughter, to be a good wife and mother to my husband, and to grow old together in harmony with him."
"From a young age, I studied poetry and literature, and I especially loved the love stories told in those books—love as close as birds flying wing to wing, and a deep understanding between two souls. When I was in my boudoir, I longed day and night to become a virtuous wife and loving mother. But…"
Taking a deep breath, Consort Tongjia smiled and said, "However, I am the daughter of the Tongjia clan, the eldest daughter of my father, and I bear the honor and prosperity of the entire Tongjia clan on my shoulders. I have a mission that I cannot escape."
"Since I entered the palace, all I've ever hoped for is to have a child of my own, whether it be a prince or a princess. But despite being favored for so many years, I still have no child. Whenever I see others having children, my heart aches and I feel like I'm dying."
"Your Majesty, you are the Son of Heaven and have many wives and concubines, but I only have Your Majesty as my husband. Your Majesty is my heaven and my beloved!"
Kangxi opened his mouth, "Cousin, I..."
"Your Majesty, I know your difficulties and understand your difficulties. I know that Your Majesty cares about the people of the world and thinks about them. I don't blame you. I only regret that our youthful love was so deep, but it turned out to be nothing but a mirage."
Her eyes were unfocused, and Consort Tongjia staggered a few steps.
"Your Majesty, I am a dying woman. Now I only hope that after I die I can be a free ghost, and see the mountains and rivers I did not see in my life, and do the things I did not do in my life."
"Your Majesty, I dare to request that you issue an edict to erase all traces of me from the palace. From now on, there will be no more Consort Tongjia in the palace."
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."
After speaking, Consort Tongjia respectfully knelt down and performed a grand salute to Emperor Kangxi.
Emperor Kangxi hesitated for a moment, then remained silent.
Consort Tongjia then turned her gaze to the two maids who were standing behind her, looking dazed. "Your Majesty, Xiuqin and Xiuhe are my maids who accompanied me in my dowry. I noticed early on that they had feelings for Your Majesty."
"I used to be jealous and intolerant of others. Now that I am about to die, I would like to beg Your Majesty to accept Xiuqin and Xiuhe and let them serve Your Majesty in the palace in my place."
Xiuqin and Xiuhe were stunned, but their eyes, though lowered, revealed a hint of eagerness and joy.
Emperor Kangxi sat upright in the main seat, looking down at Consort Tongjia, who was kneeling on the ground with a sincere expression.
After a long while, Kangxi spoke in a deep voice.
"Since you want to leave the palace completely and want me to erase all traces of your time as a concubine, I will grant your wish. I will issue an edict to the Imperial Clan Court, the Imperial Household Department, and the Palace Historians to destroy everything related to you."
"Your two palace maids, Xiuqin and Xiuhe, were recommended by you to serve me, so I can't let you leave with regrets."
"Liang Jiugong".
Kangxi called out towards the outside of Chengqian Palace.
Liang Jiugong bowed and entered the hall to await Emperor Kangxi's orders.
After a moment of contemplation, Kangxi said, "Issue my decree to bestow the titles of concubines upon Xiuqin and Xiuhe, palace maids of Chengqian Palace, and grant them residences in the rear hall and the east and west warm pavilions of Chengqian Palace."
"I hereby declare to the six palaces that there has never been a Consort Tongjia in my harem from beginning to end."
Liang Jiugong could barely understand the earlier imperial edict bestowing the titles of concubine upon Xiuqin and Xiuhe, believing it to be Kangxi's way of making amends for his neglect of Consort Tongjia. However, the later...
There has never been a Consort Tongjia in the palace.
Is this an attempt to erase all traces of Consort Tongjia of the Chengqian Palace?
If the Emperor was angry with Consort Tongjia of the Chengqian Palace, why did he then bestow the titles of concubine upon Xiuqin and Xiuhe...?
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