The Concubine of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty

Chapter 395: Idle One

Concubine Ma Jia was speaking with great enthusiasm, and Concubine Dong also joined in the fun, responding with a word or two from time to time, so that Concubine Ma Jia wouldn't have to perform a one-man show.

Concubine Dong was so considerate and pleasing that Qin Rou couldn't help but think about it and felt tired for her. It was not so easy to please others. She deserved to succeed!

Concubine Zhang and Concubine Li then talked for a while. Qin Rou took a casual look and saw that the Manchu concubines all attended the event in a solemn manner, with three earrings in one ear; the concubines of the Han Army Banner did not have this honor. Having three earrings in one ear was an honor unique to the Manchu concubines and the Meng concubines, but there was no Meng concubine in the palace.

Whether it is noble or not, whether it is discriminatory or not! It can be seen on such important occasions and important days.

It was later today when the Empress's maid, Yuanyan, came to the palace and invited the concubines to enter. Even after entering the main palace, Yuanyan conveyed the Empress's order, saying that the concubines were waiting in the palace, as the Empress still had some palace affairs to deal with.

It's just about the banquet! The concubines all know this.

Manchu-Mongolian marriage is a national policy. Since the time of Emperor Taizong Huang Taiji, the Aisin-Gioro royal family and the Khorchin Borjigit clan have had a particularly close relationship, and the Empress and Consort Niuhuru could not have attached too much importance to it.

Therefore, all the concubines were worried, given the personality of Princess Khorchin. Especially those smart and well-informed people in the palace were not allowed to inquire openly, but had to ask the servants secretly.

When the previous emperor was alive, the Mongolian concubines were the most powerful family. The empress and consorts were almost all from Mongolia. There were also several concubines. The Mongolian concubines also had bad tempers. At that time, even the concubines would be beaten or scolded!

The late emperor's deposing of the empress is a good example. She was extravagant and arrogant, so the late emperor had no choice but to depose her. Of course, the late emperor was serious about not liking or even hating the deposed empress.

To know one thing, one can learn a hundred things. Just look at the words and deeds of the Princess of Khorchin, the precedents in the palace, and the cautious attitude of the Empress and Consort Niuhuru towards the two Princesses Gulun Shuhui who married into Mongolia. It is difficult for them not to regard the Mongolian concubines as a scourge.

He was worried that Princess Gulun and others would, on a whim or after long planning, bring a princess of Khorchin origin into the palace, so he was very anxious.

Not to mention the Queen's decree asking them to wait a little longer; even if the Queen had no decree, it would be natural for them to wait.

The concubines waited in the palace for a long time. The sun rose in the east and the sky was red. They were numb from waiting. It was like a bright light of dawn passed before their eyes. They finally saw the light of victory. Ding Ruzhong's long voice came to their ears: "The Queen Mother has arrived! Concubine Niuhulu has arrived..."

The Empress and Concubine Niuhulu finally arrived.

The concubines stood more solemnly and properly! The Empress arrived first, followed by Concubine Niuhulu. Everyone did not dare to look up, and hurriedly bowed and greeted: "The Empress, may you be well and healthy, and Concubine Niuhulu may you be well and healthy."

The Queen walked to the top and waved her hand, "Everyone, stand up!" She watched the concubines slowly stand up, and the Queen also sat on the Phoenix Throne. At the same time, Concubine Nianhulu was also supported by servants and sat in her seat with dignity and elegance.

The Queen smiled and said to everyone, "Today, we are hosting a banquet for the two Princesses of the First Rank and their families in the palace. This palace and Concubine Niuhulu were worried, so we were busy going through the details of the whole process early in the morning. We were so busy that we didn't pay attention and forgot that you were still waiting here."

The queen said she was explaining, but in fact she didn't mean it. Although these concubines were humble, they were all concubines in the palace and had their own uses.

Does the Queen value this banquet? Of course she does! This is related to the Queen's dignity as the mother of the country, and it is also the court's deterrence and favor to the kings! As the mother of a country, the Queen must do her best. Only then will she not lose the grace and prestige of the court!
But at the same time, the Queen also has to be on guard, because Princess Gulun Xingping and Princess Gulun Shuhui are not others, they are both the daughters of the Grand Empress Dowager.

Isn't there a saying that goes, "No matter how old a child is, he will always be a child to his mother and will always be loved." What's more, the Empress Dowager has a criminal record!
Were the late emperor's deposed empress and the current empress dowager both chosen by the late emperor? Of course not! It was the grand empress dowager who made the matchmaking and arranged it. Even the eldest princess of Gulun Xingping was married back to her mother's family, Khorchin, because the grand empress dowager insisted and decided on it, even though the father of her husband Wu Keshan made a mistake in the casting.

I heard that Princess Gulun Xingping and her husband had a faint relationship.

This is the case with my children! I don’t even need to mention my grandchildren.

This is just a useless backhand move, a chess piece left lying around.

Although the emperor was extremely determined not to allow Concubine Meng to enter the palace and occupy a high position, once the Empress Dowager insisted and the emperor had to give in, if Concubine Meng entered the palace, these concubines might not be useless.

After all! It is common for concubines to occasionally lose one or two of their favors when they compete for favor.

The Queen mentioned this lightly, just to plant a tiny seed in everyone's heart - the seed of resisting Concubine Meng. Maybe one day, it will be useful and grow into a towering tree, which will relieve the Queen and even the concubines from their anxiety.

Everyone has their own unique face, and there will always be someone who will be careful.

The more sober concubines could all figure out the queens' little thoughts. The more confused ones... were just confused people! Let's not talk about her.

Concubine Li said: "The Queen is kind and compassionate, and it is just a small matter for us. The two Princesses of the Gulun Xingping and Gulun Shuhui have not returned to the capital for many years. Now they have finally returned with their families, so they must be received with dignity. We are sensible and feel sorry for the Queen and Concubine Niuhulu, so we expect the Queen and Concubine Niuhulu..."

At this point, Concubine Li paused for a moment, then turned her head respectfully and looked at Concubine Niu Hulu who was sitting next to her before continuing, "Are you two busy with the banquet?"

"That's right!" Concubine Zhang also smiled and said, "We know that the Empress and Concubine Niuhulu are busy. We are incompetent and cannot share your worries. We can only be obedient and not add any troubles to you and Concubine Niuhulu. This is also a token of our gratitude. Please don't reject our gratitude, Empress!"

Concubine Ma Jia pursed her lips. She stood for so long. Are you tired? Your body is extremely tired. Are your feet sore? Of course they are.

Zhang was good at flattering the queen. With just a few words, she brushed off everything on behalf of the concubines and benefited herself. She was also good at bullying the weak and fearing the strong. She was indeed a spineless person!

No matter how much Concubine Ma Jia looked down on Zhang, she knew subconsciously that the queen was the queen, the master of the six palaces, and she had to pay respects to the queen in the morning and evening, and it was her duty for concubines like them to wait no matter how long they waited. Therefore, Concubine Ma Jia would not show it.

If it is not shown, it will just be treated as if it does not exist.

"This palace and Concubine Nianhulu both know that you are all obedient and sensible," the Queen said with a smile, her eyes full of satisfaction.

After that, the Queen did not bring up the topic again! There was really no need to do so, so she changed the subject and said, "The sedan chairs that are going to pick up the families of the two Princesses have already set out, and the banquet will begin soon. The Emperor will come after he finishes his court session. After you pay your respects, you do not have to go back to your respective palaces, just follow me and Concubine Nianhulu."

The words couldn't be clearer and the meaning couldn't be clearer.

"Yes..." Everyone bowed and responded.