Even someone like Lady Tongjia, who was preordained to enter the palace, was targeted by schemes against her. However, with the protection of the Imperial Noble Consort, she escaped unscathed; instead, the Consort bit off more than she could chew. It's likely that the ladies of the harem knew Lady Tongjia was destined for the palace, and their schemes weren't intended to harm her, but rather to embarrass her, disgust her, and damage the image of the Tongjia sisters in Emperor Kangxi's eyes. In the end, their schemes backfired.
More than two months later, I returned home safely. Although my family had already received the news that I was the Grand Consort, the Emperor's decree had not yet been issued, and they were always worried that something might happen.
The next day, everyone got up early and went to the main room for breakfast.
Just after breakfast, Liang Jiugong, the chief eunuch of Emperor Kangxi, came to deliver an imperial decree.
"Lord Korkun, congratulations! You've had a wonderful daughter!"
"Eunuch Liang, please have a cup of tea first. My wife and daughter will be here shortly."
In the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Grandmother led the women of the family, and eldest brother led the men of the family out in single file.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: There is a daughter of the Irgen Gioro clan, Hezhuo Shushen, who is of good character, diligent and gentle, dignified and pure, kind and virtuous, skilled in domestic affairs, and possessing virtuous qualities. She is hereby bestowed upon the eldest son of the Emperor, Aisin Gioro Yinzhi, as his consort. This is the imperial decree!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Eunuch Liang, this is just a small token of my appreciation. Please sit down and have a cup of tea!" Father handed Liang Jiugong a purse that looked light but contained a large amount of silver notes. Liang Jiugong accepted it with a smile.
"No, we still have a few families to deliver imperial decrees to. Next time."
"Alright, then I won't delay your business any longer. I'll see you off."
Ama saw Liang Jiugong off to the gate and stood there for a short while.
When she returned, everyone was waiting for her.
"Your humble servant, Korkun, and his family pay their respects to the Great Princess Consort. Congratulations, Great Princess Consort!"
"Greetings to the First Princess Consort, congratulations!"
I quickly helped my grandmother, father, and mother up, tears welling in my eyes. From the moment the imperial edict was read, I became a member of the royal family. I could no longer see my father and brothers at will, and even family members had to bow to me when they met me…
“Father, grandmother, mother…” I said, my voice choked with emotion.
After my father sat down by my hand, he told the family what he had learned from Liang Jiugong. Then I went back to my room. After that, I could only move around in my own small courtyard and could not go out unless necessary, as I was preparing to get married.
The gentle, beautiful, and talented Fucha Yuyan was betrothed to a member of the imperial family, marrying the eldest grandson of Yebushu, the fourth son of Huang Taiji.
Ulanara Yudie married the second son of Prince Gong Changning as his wife.
The woman from Shengjing, surnamed Suozhuoluo, was given to Emperor Kangxi's younger brother, Longxi, as a secondary consort. However, Longxi had few children and only had one son over many years.
Fuling'a, the Empress Dowager's niece and daughter of the Khorchin Taiji, became the second wife of Prince Ping.
Two of the Empress Dowager's relatives were married. One married a member of the imperial clan, a general named Feng'en, as his second wife. Her maiden name was Bulukan, and she was as gentle as her name suggested, lacking the ostentation typical of noblewomen from the grasslands. The other married Aling'a, the younger brother of Consort Wenxi in the palace. Her maiden name was Xiuli, and she was quite fluent in Chinese.
Consort Hui's relative, of the Durbet clan, married Erhe, a fifth-rank imperial guard. Erhe's grandfather, Changshu, was the seventh son of Huang Taiji. Changshu's mother was of the Irgen Gioro clan, and she was from the same lineage as our family. She is still alive and still has contact with our family.
Among those who were officially registered this time, the one with the highest rank was Xiao Tongjia, who entered the palace as a concubine but enjoyed the same rank as a consort.
The highest-ranking member among the remaining members was Mao Mushuang of the Han Banner Army, who was granted the title of Noble Lady. His father was the Governor-General of Huguang, holding a high position and great power.
In addition, there were Consort Shen, Consort Jiang, and other lower-ranking concubines.
The above information was not all provided by Liang Jiugong. He informed several Manchu and Mongol noble ladies, and the rest was supplemented the following day after the Xuan paper was printed.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
