Time passed second by second.
Throughout the capital, the Imperial Guards, having received the imperial decree, rode swift horses and galloped through the streets, constantly shouting that the earth dragon was about to rise again.
As noon approached, the sun hung blazing hot in the center.
Most of the people in the capital gathered in open spaces with their families, looking up at the blazing sun.
Among them were delicate young ladies from wealthy families, sweating profusely and constantly complaining. The sky was clear and the weather was hot, but how could the earth suddenly turn upside down?
There were occasional disturbances among the crowd, but they were all minor skirmishes under the strong suppression of the Imperial Guards and the city's garrison.
Zhongcui Palace
Consort Rong lay slumped on the soft couch, half asleep.
"Where would an earth dragon turn over? Consort Yu is truly confused, shouting that everyone in the palace is following her nonsense. Even the Emperor, he actually believed Consort Yu's ramblings!"
"Caiwei, I'm so sleepy. Help me to my room to rest. After I've had a nice afternoon nap, it'll be time to get up and watch Consort Yu's good show."
Caiwei hesitated, but in the end she couldn't go against Consort Rong's wishes, so she had to bite the bullet and help Consort Rong back to her bedchamber to rest.
Consort Rong lay on the bed and soon fell into a deep sleep.
Caiwei and the other senior palace maids exchanged glances and quietly moved towards the door, thinking that if the earth really did turn upside down, they would immediately run out.
If the earth doesn't turn around, it's fine; at most, the empress will scold him a few times.
Outside the Qianqing Palace
Kangxi's expression was solemn. Xu Lejin stood under the scorching sun, gazing up at the sky, while Qin Huai, drenched in sweat, held an umbrella over her, his heart filled with anxiety.
The weather was sweltering, with not a breath of wind.
Xu Lejin's palace attire was soaked with sweat, and her makeup was completely ruined; she looked utterly disheveled.
It was past noon.
Clouds rose on the horizon, moving swiftly across the sky. Above the palace, various birds flew about, their mournful cries sending chills down one's spine.
Soltu, Mingzhu, and others had solemn expressions.
Just then, the earth suddenly shook violently, and Xu Lejin staggered and almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Emperor Kangxi reacted quickly and stepped forward to support Xu Lejin, thus preventing her from coming into contact with the earth.
The sound of collapsing buildings came from behind them. Kangxi, Xu Lejin, Suo'etu, Mingzhu, and others turned around and saw that the Qianqing Palace, which had stood there just moments before, was now half-collapsed.
The earth was still shaking intermittently, and even Emperor Kangxi, who had long held a high position, was stunned.
Suo'etu, Mingzhu, and the others looked shocked and surprised, but deep down they were relieved to have survived a disaster. Fortunately, they listened to Consort Yu, otherwise, if the earth had turned upside down, they would have been injured or even killed.
Consort Yu, do you perhaps possess the ability to foresee the future?
Time passed second by second, half an hour later, the shaking of the earth gradually stopped. Kangxi and Xu Lejin were protected by palace maids and eunuchs, which was good, but Suo'etu, Mingzhu and others were covered in dust and looked miserable.
"Liang Jiugong,"
Bowing, Liang Jiugong stepped forward and said, "This servant is here."
"Go immediately to the palaces of the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, summon the Imperial Guards, and do everything in your power to treat the concubines and palace servants. Have the Prefect of Jingzhao maintain order in the capital and build shelters for the people whose houses were damaged in the earthquake."
Liang Jiugong respectfully replied, "Yes."
Emperor Kangxi looked at Xu Lejin, pondered for a moment, and said, "Consort Yu, you are in charge of settling the concubines in the harem, and taking stock of the damaged palaces and injured palace servants."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The matter was of great importance, and Xu Lejin did not hesitate, agreeing decisively.
After a pause, Xu Lejin continued, "Your Majesty, after the earth dragon has turned over, there may still be follow-up effects. Please issue an edict that all people in the capital, as well as the concubines and palace servants, should be more cautious."
Kangxi nodded.
"I understand!"
Xu Lejin returned to the inner palace. Along the way, she heard the cries of palace maids and eunuchs. Some of the palace buildings had collapsed due to years of disrepair, but most of them still stood.
The west side hall and the west secondary hall behind Yikun Palace collapsed, but the rest were not seriously damaged.
Half an hour later
Ru Hua, Zi Wu, and others hurried over from the Eastern Six Palaces, their faces grave as they reported to Xu Lejin: "Your Majesty, in the Eastern Six Palaces, Zhongcui Palace and Chengqian Palace suffered the most severe losses."
"The side halls, auxiliary halls, and secondary halls of Chengqian Palace have all collapsed, as has Zhongcui Palace."
After hesitating for a moment, Ru Hua forced herself to speak.
"In Zhongcui Palace, apart from the rear hall which still stands, everything else has collapsed. Consort Rong is buried in the ruins. The palace servants are digging with all their might, but it seems that she is likely to die a horrible death."
"Consort Yun was hit in the back by a pillar that fell from the roof beam, and her life is now unknown. Consort Se and Lady Qing are unharmed."
Xu Lejin was stunned when she heard this.
Was Zhongcui Palace really damaged that badly? Consort Rong is buried in the rubble.
Didn't she send someone to inform her beforehand? How come Consort Rong is still buried in the ruins? Could it be that Consort Rong thought she was exaggerating and didn't take it seriously, which is why she is now buried in the ruins?
After hesitating for a moment, Xu Lejin frowned and asked, "What about the princesses in Consort Rong's palace? Are they alright?"
"Your Majesty, the nannies and palace maids who are in charge of taking care of the Second and Fourth Princesses are doing their best to protect them. Although the Second Princess Feng was frightened, she is not seriously injured."
Xu Lejin nodded.
It's good that the imperial heir is safe. As for Consort Rong, we can only leave it to fate.
A moment later
Consort Hui, Consort An, and others gathered at Yikun Palace.
Zhu Lan respectfully reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, in Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager is unharmed, but the Empress Dowager was hit by a pillar when the building collapsed, and her chances of survival are slim."
"The several imperial concubines in Shou Kang Palace—Consort Gongjing and Consort Duanshun—were unharmed thanks to the protection of their palace servants, while Consort Shuhui was buried in the rubble."
Upon hearing Zhu Lan's report, Xu Lejin, Consort Hui, Consort An, and the others were all stunned.
Everyone was still shaken, thankful that they had been more careful; otherwise, they might have been the ones injured and buried in the ruins during the earthquake.
Hai Shi Yi Chuang
Consort Yun of Zhongcui Palace has passed away.
Midnight
News came from Cining Palace that the Empress Dowager had died tragically in the Northwest.
The next day at dawn
The body of Consort Shuhui of Shou Kang Palace was exhumed, and her face was unrecognizable. Based on her clothes and jewelry, it was confirmed that the deceased was Consort Shuhui. Upon hearing the news, the Empress Dowager vomited blood and fainted.
The next day at 9:00 AM
Inside the main hall of Zhongcui Palace, Consort Rong was rescued. Having been confined in the ruins for a long time, she was unconscious. Although the imperial physician managed to save her life, ...
Consort Rong's mind was ruined by the stress, and she became an idiot.
In addition, a total of 46 eunuchs and 72 palace maids died in the palace, and as many as 100 people were injured. Outside the palace in the capital, more than 500 houses collapsed, and as many as 2,000 civilians were killed or injured.
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