In the first year of Chongde (1636), Huang Taiji formally proclaimed himself emperor and changed the country's name to "Great Qing".
At the same time, the layout of the palace's backyard also changed drastically.
First, the imperial harem was divided into five palaces, ranked from highest to lowest status.
Empress Xiaoduanwen Zhe Zhe (Borjigit clan): She was conferred the title of Empress and resided in Qingning Palace (the central palace), holding the highest position.
Hailanzhu (Borjigit clan), the Crown Prince's consort: was conferred the title of Grand Consort Chen of the Crown Prince's Palace and moved into Guanju Palace.
Consort Namuzhong (of the Borjigit clan): She was conferred the title of Grand Consort of the Western Palace, and later promoted to Imperial Noble Consort, and moved into the Linzhi Palace.
Consort Batmazao (Borjigit clan): She was conferred the title of Consort Shu and moved into Yanqing Palace (Second East Palace).
Consort Bumbutai (Empress Xiaozhuang) was a secondary consort of the Western Palace, and was later conferred the title of Consort Zhuang, residing in Yongfu Palace. (Secondary Western Palace)
Aside from Hailanzhu, no one else in the harem was happy about the grand investiture, not even Zhe Zhe, who had already become Empress due to her position and experience.
In Qingning Palace, Zhe Zhe looked at the nanny beside her and asked softly, "Nanny, do you think that if Hailanzhu had entered the palace before me, the position of Empress would have been hers?"
"Why does Your Majesty ask such a question? After all, Your Majesty is already the Empress..." The nanny didn't know how to persuade the Empress, but in reality, she wasn't sure about the Empress's question either.
After all, Huang Taiji's preferential treatment of Hailanzhu was so obvious; he even bestowed upon her such a beautiful name as "Hailanzhu," and there was also the Jarud Borjigit clan member who was implicated and forced to relinquish her position.
"That's true, I was being too attached to appearances. After all, she is one of our Khorchin people, so if she is doing well, it's also good for Khorchin."
The Empress seemed to be convincing both the nanny and herself.
The entire Qingning Palace fell silent again, as if all danger was hidden beneath the surface of harmony.
Linzhi Palace.
"Hmph, Zhe Zhe is one thing, but why is it that Hai Lan Zhu, who was married twice, was promoted to a position above me and second only to the Empress? The Emperor even gave her that nice title, 'Consort Chen.' I wonder if she can keep up her sickly appearance."
Consort Shu was so angry that she threw a vase in the palace.
"Your Majesty, please don't speak so loudly. Walls have ears, and it would be bad if someone heard what Your Majesty was saying."
Consort Shu's personal maid, Luyao, offered some advice.
"Ha, I'm afraid others will hear?"
Consort Shu rolled her eyes, but her voice was noticeably softer as she remained defiant.
As one of Huang Taiji's concubines, Consort Shu, though not as beautiful as Hailanzhu who resembled a Han Chinese, was still considered a beautiful woman with superior Mongolian features. However, compared to the exceptionally beautiful Hailanzhu, she was incomparable.
"Forget it, I don't believe that Hailanzhu is so arrogant. If she gets the position of Consort Chen, other women will hate her. Oh right, there's also Hailanzhu's younger sister, Bumbutai. Isn't she in the palace? She entered the palace before Hailanzhu, and now her sister, who entered the palace later than her, is ranked ahead of her. Luyao, you should praise her sister's glory in front of her."
Consort Shu's eyes held a hint of calculation.
Even if she can't outsmart Hailanzhu, she'd be happy just to disgust that pretentious woman, Bumbutai.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
...
Having received her assignment, Luyao arrived at the entrance of Yongfu Palace. Looking around at the orderly palace staff in the courtyard after the bestowal of titles, Luyao couldn't help but admire them.
As expected of a noblewoman from the Khorchin tribe, her methods of managing subordinates are comparable to those of the Empress. Compared to their Lady, recalling the Lady's seemingly shrewd but actually foolish nature, Lu Yao shook her head. No, there's simply no comparison.
Fortunately, her mistress still managed to put on a very respectable act in front of the Emperor.
When Hailanzhu was coming, if it weren't for the presence of the even less favored Zhalute Fujin, Luyao would have been genuinely worried that it would be their own concubine who would be driven away to make way for Hailanzhu.
But now that the situation is settled, she is no longer worried.
Lu Yao was thinking about how to let Consort Zhuang in the palace know about the various rewards bestowed upon Hailanzhu by her title of Consort Chen.
In order to complete her master's task, Luyao also inquired about the treasures that the Emperor had bestowed upon Consort Chen.
It has to be said that, looking at those precious things, Lu Yao couldn't help but understand why her mistress hated Consort Chen so much. The Emperor was just too good to Consort Chen. Those priceless treasures were displayed one by one in Consort Chen's palace, making people envious and jealous.
Luyao didn't plan to do it herself. After thinking for a while, she found a few palace maids who were passing by, mainly those from poor and remote palaces.
"stop."
Several palace maids, trembling with fear, bowed to Luyao, who was dressed as a first-class palace maid: "Greetings, elder sister."
"Um."
Luyao nodded haughtily.
"I need you to do something for me."
Several palace maids hesitated.
Luyao revealed a seductive smile, "It's okay, you just need to stand nearby and talk for a while. Once you're done talking, you can keep all this money."
As she spoke, Luyao took out a bulging purse from her waist, untied it with her hand to reveal the silver inside, and waved it around in front of the palace maids.
Several women simultaneously revealed longing in their eyes. They were originally palace maids from remote palaces, and they were assigned to poor places because they didn't have enough money.
If they had money, they could even find themselves an easier job.
The group exchanged glances, and unanimously saw a hint of interest in each other's eyes.
Luyao looked at their eyes and gave them a disdainful smile.
Hmph, it's just a little money; you can easily get someone to do something for you.
Sure enough, not long after, Luyao heard the voices of several palace maids.
"Sister, we agree."
...
Yongfu Palace.
After the grand investiture ceremony within the palace was concluded and the emperor's gifts were settled, Bumbutai leaned back in her wooden chair with her eyes closed, revealing a hint of weariness.
Su Mo'er (Su Mala Gu) looked at her mistress with pity, "Your Highness, you've worked too hard. Your headache has flared up again. Shall I give you a massage?"
"It's alright, Su Mo'er. You must be tired from helping me tidy up. Sit down and rest for a while."
Bumbutai said calmly.
Su Mo'er felt a warmth in her heart when she heard her mistress thinking of her. "This servant is not tired. The weather has turned cooler these past few days, and Your Highness's head is not feeling well. I will go to the imperial physician's office to get another box of medicinal oil for Your Highness and massage it for you."
"good."
Bumbutai closed his eyes and nodded faintly.
Seeing this, Su Mo'er couldn't help but slow her steps and slowly walked out of the hall.
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