After leaving Jingren Palace, Jia Yue felt a headache coming on.
She wasn't a complete novice; she had seen a lot about human relationships and social interactions, but compared to the imperial harem, it was simply that she lacked experience.
Even a simple greeting could stir up a storm within her.
The empress's true feelings or feigned affection are unknown.
Consort Nian appeared delicate and silent.
Consort Xi has an honest and kind face.
Consort Qi, silent yet sharp-tongued.
Yu Bin appears to be gentle.
...
Honestly, she felt that the road ahead was long and she didn't know where the end was.
But everyone wants to live. She is a doctor and does not want to take people's lives lightly, so she cherishes her own life.
She knew she had entered the vortex of the imperial harem, and even if she wasn't the ultimate winner, she couldn't afford to be a loser.
Upon returning to Chuxiu Palace, Jiayue had Hongzhao brought to her and casually asked, "Has there been any news from the palace lately?"
Bao Chun paused for a moment, then said, "This servant has heard some news from Shou Kang Palace that there will probably be a selection of candidates next spring."
Jia Yue fell silent upon hearing this.
Emperor Kangxi died in winter, at the end of the year. Yinzhen ascended the throne not long after the New Year. Now it is the first year of Yongzheng's reign, and it is autumn, at the end of September.
"Early spring next year!"
Bao Chun thought she was sad, so she quickly comforted her, "Your Majesty, although the new bride is young and inexperienced, our Emperor is a man who cherishes old friendships, so Your Majesty need not worry."
Jia Yue smiled and said, "I am not worried about the Emperor's favor. In the past, my favor was only so-so. Now that I have Hongzhao, it will not be worse than before. The Emperor values his offspring and treats the mother of the imperial offspring with more respect."
Even if there are new concubines, I am not afraid. However, the entry of new concubines into the palace may disrupt the current situation. Furthermore, I do not know their backgrounds, and I am only afraid that the harem will be in turmoil, which may affect the Chuxiu Palace.
"Your Majesty's thinking makes sense. With so many concubines in the harem, it is indeed easy for trouble to arise."
For example, in the early years of the Kangxi reign, when Kangxi was in power, he did not have enough control over the harem, and a lot of children and concubines died.
Nowadays, when you mention it to the old nannies in the harem, they all look very reluctant to talk about it.
"It's just a rumor, whether or not there will be a draft is still unknown, don't think too much about it, we'll see when the time comes."
This is something she can't control.
However, I imagine the Imperial Concubine will suffer next year.
It's not hard to see from his memories that Yinzhen's feelings for Consort Nian were genuine. Of course, in Jia Yue's opinion, the emperor's true feelings were nothing special, but they were still rare.
As a favored concubine, she would find it difficult to accept.
If Jia Yue could get the news, then Consort Nian of Yikun Palace could naturally get it too.
When Consort Nian returned from paying her respects, she heard about the matter and her expression turned sour.
In the past, she was almost the sole favorite in the Prince's mansion. In her eyes, she and Yinzhen were like husband and wife, and Yinzhen treated her differently.
The selection of concubines meant that new people would enter the palace, which meant that her favor with the emperor would no longer be the same as before. After all, Emperor Yinzhen would not select the daughters of officials to enter the palace as decorations.
The key point is that Yinzhen is now almost forty years old, which is not young. Those high-ranking officials may not send their daughters to the palace because of his age, but those with lower official positions will always try to send their beautiful daughters to the palace to try for a rich and promising future.
Although she was beautiful and talented, she wasn't confident enough to think she was the best in the world.
The women in a prince's harem and the concubines in an emperor's harem are of two different qualities.
The others each had their own ideas.
Meanwhile, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Yinzhen was unusually not reading any memorials. He had promised the Empress Dowager yesterday that he would allow the selection of consorts next year.
Having offspring is indeed a problem he needs to consider.
Hongshi is not young anymore, he's around ten years old. His aptitude is average, and his temperament seems average as well. He doesn't think it's appropriate for such a son to be the heir to the throne.
As for Hongli and Hongzhou, they are both too young and have just entered school. It is hard to say what their future holds.
Needless to say, Hongzhao was still a baby.
Having many sons may lead to more conflict, but having few sons makes it even more problematic for him to choose a suitable successor.
But then he thought of Consort Nian and murmured, "Su Peisheng, I remember that the Imperial Household Department recently sent a box of high-quality South Sea pearls. Consort Nian looks beautiful in pearls, so send them to her. Also, send her that painting of snow-covered mountains by Dong Qichang. I think Consort Nian will like it too, so send it to her as well."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Consort Nian received the gifts and thanked him with a smile. However, after Su Peisheng and his men left, she returned to her room, and the smile on her face faded.
"Although the South Sea pearls are beautiful and the calligraphy and paintings are also my favorites, I really can't be happy that Your Majesty is sending these at this time. The selection of concubines is probably not just a rumor. Next year, the harem will really have new concubines."
As she spoke, Consort Nian frowned slightly, a wave of sorrow washing over her, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.
Seeing this, Wenmei, a trusted palace maid standing to the side, couldn't help but feel sad. However, the emperor's heart was unpredictable, and no matter how high the rank of the imperial concubine was, it could never surpass that of the emperor.
She could only comfort him, saying, "Your Majesty, the Emperor's foundation is not yet stable after his ascension to the throne. The selection of concubines is merely a measure to win over the hearts of the people. I have seen the Emperor's feelings for Your Majesty. Even with new concubines, the Emperor's heart is still with Your Majesty!"
This box of South Sea pearls and calligraphy and paintings speak for themselves. After all, the Emperor has never given these things to the Empress. If you ask me, the Emperor probably considers the Empress his wife.
Wen Mei's words of comfort were indeed very soothing. Consort Nian came from a good family and she was truly in love with Yinzhen. However, she was of Han Chinese bannerman background and there was a significant age gap between her and Yinzhen, so she was destined to be a concubine.
She did want to become Yinzhen's wife, even though she wasn't officially his wife. However, Yinzhen believed she was the right person for him.
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