This day was the day for paying respects to the women in the back courtyard. The ceremony was to be held every five days, on the fifth and tenth of each month. Although He Zhuo knew that the women in the back courtyard had planned to live together in mutual respect when she married into the family, she still did not want them standing in front of her. Therefore, after discussing with the two matrons, she decided on the rule of paying respects every five days.
"Greetings to the Princess Consort, may the Princess Consort be blessed."
These women have been much more well-behaved these past few days; they just couldn't stay quiet. Princess Li miscarried, and the master didn't even see her, let alone offer any comfort or reward.
The princess consort only provided some tonics as usual.
Moreover, Li Gege's maid was taken away that very day and reportedly returned to the Imperial Household Department on the grounds that she had failed to serve her mistress properly and had overstepped the rules. No one in the inner courtyard believed this reason (this is a big mistake; it was the most likely reason). They all thought it was because she hadn't informed the Fujin's courtyard first, but had gone directly to the front courtyard to report.
Moreover, they also realized through this experience that although the Princess Consort appears gentle and kind on the surface, her methods are anything but gentle; she is quite decisive.
A palace maid who is sent back to the Imperial Household Department has no future and can only do the lowest-level jobs.
Therefore, everyone was exceptionally well-behaved this time, and no one mentioned Li Gege, for fear of being tainted by bad luck.
After the routine greetings, He Zhuo went to pay her respects to Consort Hui. This time, Consort Hui did not make things difficult for her and took her to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.
Consort Hui was a typical Manchu aunt, estimated to be 1.72 to 1.3 meters tall. She had a large frame and could carry off her clothes well. She was slightly plump, with a round face, thick eyebrows, and big eyes.
This type is generally the most popular among the elderly, and is commonly referred to as having a blessed appearance.
Yinzhi inherited most of his appearance from Consort Hui. In the palace, the height of shoe heels determined one's status; the flowerpot heels of consorts were as high as 12 centimeters, while those of empresses exceeded 20 centimeters. However, Consort Hui was quite imposing in height among the consorts, standing at over 1.7 meters tall.
In addition, she liked to wear warm-colored clothes, especially red. However, as a concubine, she could not wear bright red, so she usually wore colors such as silver-red and maroon.
The empress in the main seat exuded an imposing aura.
It must be said that the concubines in the palace were all very clever and shrewd. Emperor Kangxi was about 1.75 meters tall and of average build. It would not be appropriate for the tall Consort Hui to stand next to him. Therefore, Consort Hui usually wore low-heeled, platform shoes so that she would not appear out of place next to Emperor Kangxi and would not make him feel oppressed.
"Oh, Consort Hui, you've brought the First Princess to pay respects to the Empress Dowager." They encountered an uninvited guest, Consort Rong, on the way.
“Sister Rongfei, today is the fifteenth,” said Consort Hui.
He Zhuo performed the curtsy: "Greetings to Consort Rong's mother, may Consort Rong's mother enjoy boundless blessings."
"Get up." Consort Rong flicked her handkerchief. "I heard that one of the princesses in Yinzhi's courtyard miscarried. This is really your fault, First Prince Consort. No matter who gives birth in the harem, it's still your child. His Majesty is your grandson."
Consort Rong was practically saying outright that the First Princess Consort was jealous and cruel to her children.
Consort Hui's expression turned sour after being teased by Consort Rong.
“Sister Rong, the First Princess Consort is such a kind-hearted child. She even personally invited the imperial physician to examine her. This Consort Li was unlucky; she simply couldn't be saved.”
"We really have to thank His Majesty for betrothing the First Princess to Yinzhi. This child is so filial. Look, when it was time for the homecoming, he even thought of his mother-in-law and picked out a set of jewelry for me. Rong sister, look, isn't it beautiful?"
……
Before even reaching the Empress Dowager's Shou Kang Palace, I witnessed the concubines engaging in a fierce verbal battle.
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