More and more concubines gathered, and after hearing from Shu about the people who had come, Consort Tong had a better understanding of the situation.
After tidying themselves up a bit, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law walked out of the inner chamber one after the other. Qingyan was a little stunned. The concubines had arrived in such an orderly manner that they had all gathered at Chenggan Palace in less than an hour. This really made her feel flattered.
Many concubines used their families outside the palace to put pressure on Qingyan, hoping she would relent and allow the young ladies to enter the palace.
"Greetings to the Imperial Concubine!" Consort Rong and Consort Hui visited almost daily, while Imperial Concubine Tong spent more time with these two.
Qingyan was on good terms with Lady Yingenjueluo, Consort Hui was even more respectful to Consort Tong, while Consort Rong came only to cause trouble and watch the spectacle.
"Hmm, all the sisters are here today. I've never seen anything like this before." The concubines were speechless at Consort Tong's words. Normally, none of them would come to Consort Tong's place to be tormented for no reason.
Sometimes, when they saw Emperor Kangxi visiting Consort Tong, they had to leave with a smile; any slight negligence would make Kangxi think they lacked tact.
"What Consort Gui said is absolutely right. It's not like the imperial concubine selection is just around the corner. The younger sisters are feeling uneasy because all those new faces are outshining them!" Consort Jing covered her mouth and smiled, her eyes involuntarily drifting towards Qingyan.
It was clearly implied that Qingyan was past her prime, but Qingyan seemed not to hear it at all, showing no concern whatsoever; as long as Sisi liked it, that was all that mattered.
Looking at Consort Jing's exaggerated actions, Consort Tong couldn't help but feel that Emperor Kangxi's judgment was indeed much better than hers; Consort Jing was someone she had chosen.
During the imperial concubine selection, she appeared cute and dignified, but after entering the palace, her true nature was revealed. Furthermore, Consort Jing's family was under the control of the Ma Jia clan, and her actions mirrored those of Consort Rong.
The struggle between Qingyan and Dong'e Shi escalated to the point that even the imperial concubines were involved. Consort Tong held a superior position and unilaterally crushed Consort Rong.
In addition, the Qing banquet received much attention from Emperor Kangxi, and the problems left by Consort Dong'e could not compare with the Qing banquet.
The Rongfei mother-in-law and daughter-in-law suffered endless torment and were always ready to rebel against Consort Tong and others.
"Uneasy? Consort Jing is only twenty years old. If she grows old and loses her beauty, how will we face each other?" Consort Tong didn't give her a chance to retort. "Sister Consort Hui, am I right?"
Consort Tong smiled coldly. Daring to bully Qingyan, it was clear that they didn't take her imperial decree to heart.
“Yes, Your Highness is absolutely right. Consort Jing, Consort Rong and I are the oldest. It seems we really have to make way!” Consort Hui snorted coldly.
"It was my fault for speaking out of turn. Please forgive me, Consort Jing!" Consort Jing thought to herself, "This is bad."
Consort Hui shook her head helplessly. Such a timid girl, and her mouth is really fast. If the Empress Dowager were here, such a concubine would probably be dealt with directly. How could she have the chance to appear among them again?
“Sister Huifei, do you remember when the Empress Dowager was still alive? We sisters weren’t this presumptuous!” Consort Yi chimed in from the side. Consort Rong had really crossed her line; Ma Jia’s people had actually contacted Yinqi.
If the Empress Dowager hadn't strongly suppressed it, Emperor Kangxi would probably have bestowed Lady Magiya's youngest daughter upon Yinzhi as a secondary consort.
Upon hearing the news, Consort Yi found Tatara Shi exceptionally endearing. She secretly discussed the matter with Yinqi for a while, and now Yinqi's relationship with his primary consort is exceptionally harmonious.
"Consort Yi, what are you saying? The Empress Dowager has always been strict with rules, and I was just too young." Consort Tong looked remorseful, but she was secretly overjoyed.
Qingyan sat to the side and watched as the concubines exchanged several rounds of words, which made her feel that things were not going well.
"Hmm, Your Highness could pick up those rules from when the Empress Dowager was still alive!" Consort Yi didn't mind, after all, they were already used to it, but now, these young concubines were not used to it.
As soon as the words fell, the newly arrived concubines couldn't help but complain about the rules. They felt uncomfortable just hearing about them. Moreover, Consort Tong had always been a good mistress. Usually, when they made some minor mistakes, they were punished by copying Buddhist scriptures. For the concubines, this kind of punishment was a way to pass the time.
Whose study doesn't contain some copied scriptures?
“Consort Yi is right. It’s time to set proper rules. Since the Empress Dowager doesn’t manage things much, you’ve all become increasingly unruly. The Empress Dowager once stipulated that all concubines of the rank of Consort and above must recite scriptures for one hour, pick Buddhist beans for one hour, and copy scriptures for two hours every day,” Consort Tong said directly. During those times, Consort Tong also felt very tired.
After sticking with it, she actually felt that the rules were good, and during that time, there were hardly any infighting among the people.
Looking at the imperial harem now, the concubines have basically all started to rise up!
"Starting tomorrow, all concubines of the rank of Consort shall resume the rules set by the Empress Dowager. Every five or ten days, everyone shall place the scrolls of prayer beads on the Buddhist altar in Cining Palace for worship!" Upon the issuance of Consort Tong's imperial decree, the faces of the concubines all changed.
Consort Hui, Consort Rong, and Consort Yi remained calm. Even after the Empress Dowager left, they did not relax. After all, their years of perseverance had been suddenly interrupted, and they were not used to it.
"Your Majesty, what about you?" Consort Rong asked in return.
"Sister Rongfei, after the Empress Dowager left, I haven't been lazy at all. I've been sending scriptures to the Buddhist hall in Cining Palace every month on time." Consort Tong had already anticipated that Consort Rong would ask.
Emperor Kangxi thought she could stop being so tired, but she persisted.
Even Xiao Guai would make offerings to the scriptures according to the rules. Although she didn't copy those scriptures, who would investigate who paid for these superficial things?
"Mother, mine will continue to be sent!" Qingyan quickly stated, adding that the wives' homework would be halved. "However, I'm quite far along in my pregnancy, so I've stopped picking Buddha beans, but I haven't stopped anything else."
Qingyan's promise led many to look towards Consort Rong. The Third Prince's wife had yet to send any scriptures.
"Yes, my little darling, aside from the scriptures, you can resume the rest after your confinement period!" Consort Tong expressed her satisfaction.
"The Fourth Prince's wife is sincere. Even the eldest son's wife only stopped after she became pregnant. But Consort Rong, after the Third Prince's wife left the palace, she no longer keeps the Buddhist scriptures in the Cining Palace. This..." Consort Hui would never criticize Consort Rong. If she discovered that the Third Prince's wife had something to hide, she would be the first to use it.
Consort Rong's expression changed instantly. The Third Prince's wife rarely entered the palace, and even paying her respects required Consort Rong to have Yinzhi go back and tell her, which made Consort Rong lose face. Many concubines used the story of Consort Dong'e to mock her.
Their mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship was worlds apart from that of Consort Tong and her mother-in-law, even angering Emperor Kangxi. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
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