The news of Consort Tong's favor with the emperor spread like wildfire throughout the six palaces, both east and west.
Chuxiu Palace
Consort Wen's face was contorted with rage. She smashed many precious porcelain ornaments in anger and said coldly through gritted teeth, "Consort Tong is truly a vixen. At such a young age, she already desires men and can't wait to serve them in bed."
"Nanny, spread the news you've gathered. I want to see if Consort Tong will still have the face to show her face in the palace after word gets out that she's secretly learning bedroom arts from courtesans."
The wet nurse hesitated for a moment, looked up at Consort Wen, and spoke awkwardly.
"Your Majesty, isn't this a bit inappropriate, after all..."
The wet nurse wanted to say that, after all, Consort Tong's aunt was Emperor Kangxi's biological mother.
Consort Tong's learning of bedroom arts, to put it bluntly, was immoral, but to put it mildly, it was a source of pleasure in the bedroom.
Consort Tong learned the art of the bedroom in order to serve Emperor Kangxi.
Consort Wen glanced at the wet nurse with a cold look and said in an icy tone, "Consort Tong is so young, yet she can seduce the Emperor and make love to him in broad daylight. Can't I just spread the word that she is secretly learning bedroom arts?"
“Consort Tong is clearly restless. If I don’t suppress her now, once she gains favor, establishes herself, and gives birth to a son or daughter, where will I have a place in the harem?”
After a pause, Consort Wen spoke in a cold voice.
"Consort Tong is young, a full six years younger than me. If I don't suppress her, am I supposed to watch her bewitch the emperor and ride roughshod over me?"
The wet nurse reluctantly agreed, but was filled with fear in her heart.
In private, if rumors spread about the concubines' improper behavior and moral depravity, and the emperor investigates, it will be those servants who suffer the consequences and even lose their lives!
Women adorn themselves for those they love; Consort Tong could be said to deeply love the Emperor and want to make him happy.
Although she might be neglected by the Emperor for a while, once the heat dies down, who knows if the Emperor will become enamored with her again and not favor Consort Tong once more.
When Consort Tong gained the Emperor's favor through her bedroom arts, that was when our own concubine would suffer.
Yanxi Palace
Consort Hui was extremely surprised to learn from the palace servants that Consort Tong had been chosen to serve the emperor.
After her initial surprise, Consort Hui sneered, "Consort Tong is quite capable; she actually seduced the Emperor into having illicit relations with her in broad daylight. Cunxin, have someone spread the news of Consort Tong's daytime intimacy to Cining Palace."
"Your Majesty,"
Cunxin looked apprehensive and hesitated.
Consort Hui spoke again in a cold voice, "As the Empress Dowager, I assist in managing the six palaces. Consort Tong seduced the Emperor, indulging in pleasure in broad daylight. I have the right to advise and discipline her. The Emperor is not at fault; the fault lies entirely with Consort Tong."
“Cunxin, don’t be afraid. Although Consort Tong is young and delicate, she is not very beautiful and will not receive the Emperor’s favor. At most, the Emperor will only be infatuated with her for a while!”
Cunxin lowered her head slightly, feeling uneasy.
Consort Hui's lips curled into a mocking, disdainful sneer as she murmured, "I have incriminating evidence that Consort Tong used aphrodisiacs to bewitch the Emperor."
Even if Consort Tong is favored, she should think twice.
With a trembling voice, Cunxin respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty is wise and resourceful. Everything is under Your Majesty's control."
After half a cup of tea
Consort Hui changed the subject, looked at Cunxin, and said in a deep voice, "How are those little palace maids I asked you to bring back from the Imperial Household Department being trained?"
Cunxin raised her head tremblingly.
"Your Majesty, they are still young. Do you really intend to..."
Consort Hui sneered and lowered her voice, saying, "Thirteen or fourteen years old is not young. The Empress Dowager was thirteen when she married Emperor Taizong."
“Thirteen or fourteen-year-olds are the freshest and most delicious; His Majesty will surely like them.”
After saying that, Consort Hui revealed a sinister smile in her eyes.
soon,
New Year's Eve of the 20th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign arrived as scheduled.
At the New Year's Eve banquet, Xu Lejin sat at the head of the concubines' seats, followed by Consort Wen, Consort Hui, and others. As for Consort Tong, she was unwell after serving the emperor and did not attend.
Consort Wen turned her head and smiled as she whispered to Consort Hui, "I heard that after Consort Tong served the Emperor, she was particularly unwell and has been resting in bed ever since. Could it be that Consort Tong has fallen ill?"
"Sister Wenfei, this..."
Consort Hui blushed, her eyes flashing with schadenfreude.
Lowering their voices, Consort Hui whispered to Consort Wen, "Consort Wen, you may not know this, but Consort Tong is young. The day she served His Majesty, she made quite a commotion, and that's how she got injured."
"My dear Consort Tong, you're being a bit too hasty. She's already been summoned to the palace and given a principal position. What difference will a year or two make? Serving the Emperor so eagerly is ultimately..."
"well."
Consort Hui sighed, outwardly showing pity for Consort Tong, but inwardly despising her.
Her expression shifted, and Consort Wen covered her mouth, speaking in a soft voice, "Consort Hui is right. Consort Tong is already petite, and now, at such a young age, she's so eager to serve the Emperor. What will become of her in the future?"
"Sister Huifei, I heard from the older palace maids that if a woman serves men too early, it can leave lasting problems. At best, she won't be able to have children; at worst..."
Blinking her eyes, Consort Wen looked at Consort Hui with a sly smile.
“Sister Tongfei, how pitiful you are, suffering such a great calamity at such a young age.”
Consort Hui smiled but remained silent.
Consort Wen and Consort Hui went further and further as they spoke, so Xu Lejin's face darkened and she said in a cold voice, "Consort Wen, Consort Hui, what are you whispering about?"
“You are imperial concubines, representing the dignity of the palace. How can you whisper and gossip behind people’s backs?”
Consort Wen and Consort Hui looked displeased, and finally lowered their heads in embarrassment, their eyes filled with intense hatred.
After three rounds of drinks
Emperor Kangxi, seated on the dragon throne, rose with a wine cup in hand and announced in a loud voice: "Gentlemen, today is New Year's Eve. Good news has arrived from the previous dynasty: Wu Shifan has committed suicide in Kunming, Yunnan."
"After eight years, the Revolt of the Three Feudatories has finally come to a complete end, and I am overjoyed. My beloved ministers, let us drink this cup together and celebrate with the whole nation."
The relatives and concubines all raised their wine cups.
"May Your Majesty and the Qing Dynasty enjoy peace and prosperity for thousands of years to come."
The singing and dancing continued in the hall, the sounds of string and wind instruments filling the air, but Xu Lejin's thoughts drifted far away. The Revolt of the Three Feudatories had ended, which meant that the previous dynasty was basically stable. Next…
After a ten-year hiatus, the talent show is set to resume in two years.
In fact, Emperor Kangxi would even summon eligible women from the families of meritorious officials to the palace as concubines or imperial consorts to reward them for their meritorious service in suppressing the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories, thus ensuring the continuation of the imperial line and filling the harem.
"Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine?"
Suddenly, I heard Ruhua calling my name.
Coming to her senses, Xu Lejin looked in the direction Ru Hua was pointing and saw Emperor Kangxi on the dragon throne and the Empress Dowager beside him, both staring intently at her.
With an apologetic expression, Xu Lejin spoke respectfully, "Your Majesty, please forgive me; Empress Dowager, please forgive me. I have been disrespectful."
"It's alright."
"emperor,"
The voices of Emperor Kangxi and the Empress Dowager rang out simultaneously, and the vast Qianqing Palace fell into complete silence.
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