Chapter 116: First Day
After more than half a year, the concubines once again stepped into Chengqian Palace to pay their respects to Imperial Noble Consort Tong Jia. Everyone sat in their seats and talked quietly with people they knew well.
The seat opposite Concubine Niohuru was originally Concubine Hui, but now that Concubine Hui was demoted, Concubine Rong naturally took her place, but Concubine Rong seemed to be very uneasy.
With one less concubine, the positions of the others naturally had to change. After all the adjustments, only the first and last concubines were left vacant, presumably for Yuying, who had not yet arrived, and Huipin, who was under house arrest.
I just don't know who the first and last part are for?
Someone glanced at the two empty seats and whispered speculation to the people around him.
Now Kangxi only favored Concubine Jin, and the green cards in the Ministry of Internal Affairs became decorations, covered with a thick layer of dust. No one wanted to compete for favor, because they couldn't win, and Kangxi didn't give them any chance.
Suddenly, the harem became much more peaceful, and the concubines' interactions became less hypocritical and more sincere.
"Then the first concubine position is naturally given to Concubine Hui. Although Concubine Hui has been demoted now, since she was once the first concubine position, she is of course the first concubine position now."
A minor nobleman guessed so.
But some people disagree with her.
"I don't think so. You also said that was in the past. As for the first position of concubines, I think it is prepared for Concubine Jin. After all, if we talk about favor now, who can surpass her?"
More than one person made this guess, so everyone was looking forward to Yuying's arrival.
After countless people had been waiting anxiously, Yuying finally arrived with her companions and appeared at the gate of Chengqian Palace.
Everyone turned their heads and saluted her.
Yuying was being stared at by countless eyes, but she managed to keep her composure and remained silent. In her heart, she was thinking, could it be that she was late?
Before she could figure out what was going on, a maid from Chengqian Palace came over, led her to the seat of the head concubine, and motioned for her to sit there.
Yuying looked at the maid who was leading the way, then glanced at the people around her, but couldn't make out anything.
She couldn't stand any longer, so she sat down. Sitting next to her was Concubine De, and when she saw Yuying looking over, Concubine De nodded gently to Yuying as a greeting.
Yuying quickly smiled back, her eyes stopped wandering around, and she sat quietly, but her mind was working fast.
The Imperial Concubine wants to harm me!!
No matter how the seats were arranged, she could not pass over Concubine An and sit in the top seat of concubines. She lowered her head and did not dare to look at Concubine An who was sitting opposite her.
Seeing Yuying sitting down, the noble who had guessed that the seat was prepared for her looked proudly at the person who guessed wrong, as if to say, "Look, I guessed right, didn't I?"
The person who guessed wrong turned his head away and ignored her.
What's there to be proud of? It's not like you're sitting there.
Tong Jia really didn't do it on purpose. It was just that she hated Huipin now, so naturally she moved her seat as far away from her as possible.
But why was Yuying placed at the top of the concubines?
Kangxi's favor was above all else, not to mention that Yuying's seat at the palace banquet was always at the top of the imperial concubines. If she arranged Yuying's seat lower, wouldn't that be a slap in Kangxi's face?
The concubines in the palace exchanged greetings and wished each other a happy new year. Many of the lesser nobles complimented Yuying from a distance.
After all, Yuying doesn't like to go out normally, so they can't see her even if they want to. Now that they can see her, they have a rare chance, so they must seize it. It would be nice if Concubine Jin could remember her and mention her in front of the emperor.
The atmosphere in the hall was very lively and no one noticed that a little palace maid was quietly walking towards the back hall.
Tong Jia was sitting in the back hall. Seeing someone coming to the front of the hall, she took a sip of tea and asked, "Is everyone here?"
The little maid nodded.
So, Tong Jia put down the cup, tidied herself up, and then was helped out by Zichang.
The originally noisy sounds in the hall quieted down.
"Your servant (concubine) pays respects to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine. May Her Majesty be blessed." Everyone lowered their heads, faced Tong Jia, and bowed to her.
Tong Jia was sitting at the top. She glanced around and finally her eyes fell on Yuying. When she walked out just now, she naturally heard the compliments from others.
Her eyes darkened, and then she spoke slowly: "Well, everyone get up."
Yuying couldn't wait to stand up, then lowered her head, praying that no one would notice her, and greeted and went over quickly.
How is that possible?
She is now the focus of the harem.
Tong Jia was also the first to call out her name, "Princess Jin."
Yuying shuddered and quickly responded, "I'm here."
"Now that the emperor has left you alone to serve him, you must not take advantage of the emperor's favor and do whatever you want. You must understand the rules better."
Yuying stood up and bowed to Tong Jia alone, and her attitude was very respectful. "Yes, I understand. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern."
After Yuying sat down, Tong Jia called out the names of a few more people, and told Concubine Yi to take good care of the two children, and also reminded Concubine Rong to pay attention to her body while chanting Buddhist scriptures, acting like a lady of honor.
The few people who were named also responded respectfully. At this moment, everyone wished they were the Defei who was ignored by the Imperial Concubine.
Even though the arrogant and domineering imperial concubine is annoying, such an understanding imperial concubine is even more puzzling.
Tong Jia said enough, took a sip of tea in her hand, moistened her throat, and then spoke again, "If there is nothing else, go back to the palace."
Everyone looked at each other, then stood up and said goodbye to Tong Jia.
But everyone was wondering why the Imperial Concubine's personality changed after her illness?
After everyone had left, Tong Jia asked Zi Chang beside her: "How was it? Did I behave well today?"
Zishang nodded, "Your Majesty has behaved very well."
Tong Jia smiled with satisfaction.
Yesterday, Father delivered the news that the position of Empress was vacant and that a minister in the court had submitted a memorial asking the Emperor to appoint another Empress. Father specifically told her to control her temper so that the Emperor would see her virtue and know that she was worthy of the position of Empress.
Tong Jia didn't think so. Besides her, was there any other candidate in the harem? But just in case, Tong Jia showed her understanding today.
Palace of Heavenly Purity.
Kangxi rubbed his brows and felt a headache when he thought that all the memorials on the table today mentioned the issue of appointing another queen.
He took a short break and asked about Yuying.
Upon learning that she had gone to Chengqian Palace to pay her respects, Kangxi quickly put away the Treaty of Nerchinsk which he had not put away yesterday, and placed it in a place where Yuying would never see it, so as to prevent Yuying from being sad when she saw it again.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
