Not long after An Ning received the imperial decree, the concubines in the harem also learned of the situation.
They were all somewhat shocked!
First of all, Anning's status was indeed high. She belonged to one of the eight great Manchu clans, and aside from other matters, she was worthy of being an empress.
Secondly, she was granted the title of Consort upon her first appointment, and she was also the only Manchu bannerwoman to enter the palace during this selection process.
The others were mostly just shocked, but Consort De was somewhat puzzled. She knew the inside story: An Ning was originally going to be her daughter-in-law, but she ended up becoming her "colleague" and "sister".
An Ning was pretty, but that was all. After the Empress Dowager passed away, most of the women in Kangxi's harem were Han bannerwomen from humble backgrounds or Han women brought back from his southern tours.
No matter how you look at it, An Ning shouldn't have entered the palace, but she did anyway.
"Has Your Majesty seen Consort Shu before?"
"There shouldn't be anyone in the palace. The Emperor only sent someone to take care of Consort Shu after she fell into the water. He has never seen her in private."
"That's strange! It shouldn't be like this!"
Consort De was completely baffled, but she didn't think Anning was a threat. Although Anning had a high status, she entered the palace too late. Now that the structure of the harem was already set, even if Anning gave birth to a prince, she wouldn't have the ability to compete.
The other women in the harem who had princes basically shared the same thought as Consort De: they were more interested in watching the spectacle of Anning entering the palace, or they felt that Kangxi's arrangement was for some reason, and they were all observing.
When Consort Dong'e received the imperial edict and heard the words "Fourth Prince's Consort," she felt as if the sky had become even bluer.
She finally got what she wanted after going through so much trouble.
It's finally her turn to sit on the empress's throne.
After her initial joy, Dong E immediately sent someone to inquire about the situation of Shumulu and Anning. Upon learning that Shumulu had become the Third Consort, she felt that it was indeed the case.
However, she was shocked when she learned that Anning had entered the palace and become one of Emperor Kangxi's concubines.
To outsiders, Anning was just a young woman who entered the palace as a concubine. Although Emperor Kangxi was getting old, it wasn't a big deal.
But in Dong E's eyes, Anning had been Kangxi's daughter-in-law for her entire life. She really couldn't understand how she could have tricked Anning into falling into the water and then managed to get her into the palace. It didn't make sense!
However, entering the palace was a good thing. Dong Eshi knew that Kangxi liked Han women. An Ning's appearance could only be described as dignified and pretty. Even if she was fortunate enough to give birth to a prince, she was destined to be an ordinary palace concubine for the rest of her life.
She aspires to be the future empress, and then, further, the empress dowager.
Dong Eshi's eyes were full of ambition and desire.
At this moment, in the Unalana residence, after receiving the imperial edict, Fei Yanggu and Jue Luo felt it was absurd.
Anning was the only daughter in her family. Before the selection of concubines, they had an understanding with the royal family that Anning would become the fourth princess consort. However, an accident happened and Anning fell into the water.
They originally thought Anning would drop the plaque and go home to get married on her own, but Kangxi directly issued an imperial edict summoning Anning to the palace.
Fei Yanggu and Jue Luo Shi, as parents, truly loved Anning. If it weren't for Empress Xiaoyi's favor towards Anning before her death, they wouldn't even have been willing for Anning to enter the prince's harem.
As a result, An Ning entered the harem, a place that devours people without spitting out their bones. How could they feel at ease?
Trying his best to adjust his mindset, Fei Yanggu forced a smile.
"Thank you for making this trip, Eunuch. I wonder when Consort Shu will be able to return, so that I can have my wife make preparations."
"Consort Shu lives in the palace and was the first to receive the imperial decree. She should be able to return this afternoon. The Emperor values Consort Shu highly and has specially permitted her to bring her dowry into the palace. Please trouble you and the Princess Consort to prepare in advance."
Upon hearing this, Fei Yanggu felt somewhat comforted, at least he was allowed to bring a dowry.
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. Please remind me, Eunuch, what should the dowry be of?"
As Liang Jiugong had said, the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree replied with a smile, "It should not exceed the standards for Empress Xiaoyi's initial entry into the palace."
Empress Xiaoyi entered the palace as a concubine, and Emperor Kangxi specially allowed her to bring her dowry into the palace, which was only slightly less than that of Empress Hesheli. It seems that the emperor treated his daughter very well.
Fei Yanggu handed over a thick purse and inquired about some other matters. The eunuch who delivered the imperial decree told him everything he could, and Fei Yanggu wisely refrained from asking about anything he couldn't say.
Both parties were very satisfied with each other.
After receiving the imperial decree, An Ning was still a little dazed when she returned to her room, but she quickly recovered.
Having survived the apocalypse, she was accustomed to suffering and the coldness of human nature. Since she was able to survive, her character was naturally not bad. It was not something she could not accept becoming an old man's concubine.
I heard that Emperor Kangxi was diligent in exercise and was very good at riding and archery, so his physique must have been quite good. Moreover, he was born into the royal family, was good at health preservation, and had many children, so he probably wasn't too bad-looking.
With this in mind, Anning gradually accepted her situation.
It can only be said that human beings have a strong ability to adapt.
Chunlan entered the room and said with concern, "Your Highness, I'm packing my things. The Imperial Concubine has arranged for you to go home this afternoon."
An Ning smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness. I also appreciate your help and that of Granny Wulan."
Chunlan could tell that Anning was restless and seemed unwilling to enter the palace, which was understandable, as Kangxi was not young after all.
However, judging from Anning's current state, she must have already adjusted her mindset, which is good. Chunlan knows that she will probably be following Anning for a long time, so she naturally hopes that the master she serves is a smart person.
In the afternoon, everyone in Ulanara Prefecture was waiting for Anning to return.
Anning sat in the carriage, feeling uneasy. Although she had the original owner's memories, she was not the original owner. She could act, but she could never truly empathize.
The original owner of this body couldn't swim, and if she hadn't come, the original owner would have died. An Ning didn't feel like she owed the original owner a life, but it was true that she had obtained the original owner's body for nothing.
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