The Concubine of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty

Even though Consort Ma Jia managed to avoid the palace, the hustle and bustle continued for half a month, and everyone's thoughts became much more active.

"With three princesses by her side, Consort Ma Jia is now completely different from before. I heard Consort Ya Jia mention that when Consort Ma Jia gave birth to the First Prince and the Fourth Prince, she was extremely haggard during her postpartum period. This time, the Third Princess doesn't need to be taken away, and she can raise her herself. She smiles much more often, and although she has just given birth, she is full of energy."

After the ceremony, the Empress dismissed them. Lately, the Empress's patience had grown considerably. The imperial decree that the Third Princess would be personally raised by her birth mother, Consort Ma Jia, caused a great uproar in the palace.

Kangxi did not explain to anyone, but the next day, he went to Cining Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager may or may not have asked, and it is unclear what Kangxi said to her.

There may have been debate, or there may not have been, but in short, the victory is obvious.

The overall situation is settled; the Third Princess's long-term residence in Zhongcui Palace is now a fait accompli.

Ten days or so have passed, and the concubines in the palace have also settled this matter.

Jealousy was present! But excitement outweighed all else. Consort Ma had shown them a completely new path, and everyone wanted to squeeze onto it.

Therefore, in the past few days, there have been more eyes watching Zhongcui Palace than usual. Even the slightest disturbance might not be noticed by Consort Ma Jia, but the rest of the harem would notice first.

Consort Ma Jia was just a minor consort; she could manage her small palace in Zhongcui Palace, but she didn't have the ability to interfere in the affairs of the entire Zhongcui Palace.

Therefore, it was inevitable that the news would spread.

People in the palace would occasionally mention Consort Ma Jia. What were the feelings of these concubines when they talked about her? Probably envy, jealousy, and hatred!

If you're having a hard time, don't bring it up and hurt others' feelings. It would be best to teach Consort Ma a small lesson first, so she doesn't get carried away.

Consort Yiergen Gioro lived in Yanxi Palace. After entering the palace, she was quite capable and resourceful, and her methods were excellent. She was better at handling information than anyone else.

It seems that she and Consort Yehenara get along quite well, and they can always talk to each other.

Living in the same palace, not everyone is like Qinrou, who avoids associating with other concubines.

Consort Yehenara said, “A mother worries when her child travels a thousand miles! Even if the servants take the best care of a child after ten months of pregnancy, how can a mother not worry? In winter, she fears he is cold; in summer, she fears he is hot; and when the seasons change, she worries that he may catch a cold.”

At this point, Consort Yehenara was clearly somewhat melancholy. There was obviously no one in the world who could truly empathize with another, but people in the same situation but with different circumstances could not help but feel a sense of shared sorrow.

When Yehenara Consort was referring to Consort Majia, she was also referring to herself.

There was nothing they could do but feel disappointed. Consort Yehenara was not one to admit defeat, just like Consort Ma Jia was not one to admit defeat either... They couldn't afford to lose.

Offspring, status, and favor! Those are all limited; for every bit more others gain, they lose a bit.

Even if you cry today, you must stand up immediately. If you don't stand up, you will only die.

Consort Yehenara smiled and said to Consort Irgen Gioro, "Consort Maga is fortunate to have the Emperor's special favor in having the Third Princess by her side. Whether the Third Princess is good or not, Consort Maga can tell just by taking a few steps, and Consort Maga will naturally be happy. The Third Princess is Consort Maga's best medicine and remedy. You will know this when you become a mother. Just looking at the Third Princess makes Consort Maga full of energy."

Consort Yiergenjueluo smiled shyly. Since entering the palace, she had not been favored and was almost completely ignored. As for having children, she had never been happy.

Is it that she doesn't want to be a mother? No, it's that she doesn't have the opportunity; it's that the Emperor won't give her the chance!
Was Consort Yehenara trying to comfort her? Consort Irgen Gioro was unlikely to think that way. Living in the same palace, Consort Irgen Gioro was already well aware of Consort Yehenara's difficult nature.

Zhan Yan smiled, displaying the poise and elegance befitting a noblewoman from the Manchu and Mongol Eight Banners: "That's true. Everyone says you can empathize, but you need someone in the same situation. To be honest, I've never given birth to a child. Everyone says they love children, but I really don't know how deep the longing is, and I've never experienced the pain of missing someone. I can't truly understand the joy of raising children."

Consort Yiergen Gioro also seemed somewhat dejected. Without any aggression, she humbled herself, concealed her sharpness, and went along with Consort Yehenara's words.

People can't teach people; but they can learn from experience! Back in the day, her mother raised her with great care, and she didn't find it difficult—it was just a matter of competing for favor.

She came from a distinguished family, possessing both talent and virtue; she was a noblewoman from the Eight Banners. When she first entered the palace, she was still quite arrogant!
After two years in the palace, he's become like this, worn down to almost nothing.

Learning to bow one's head and be humble is not so difficult anymore!

"If we're talking about who's truly favored by the Emperor, it has to be Consort Ma Jia. Who else in the palace enjoys such favor and trust, and is able to personally raise the imperial heir? This is a blessing that others could pray to for eight lifetimes and still not attain. I truly envy Consort Ma Jia, I'm extremely envious!" Consort Nimacha said enviously, then asked the rest of the group, "Aren't you envious? Who has such good fortune as Consort Ma Jia!"

After leaving the main hall of Kunning Palace, the group will separate after exiting through Kunning Gate.

Therefore, many of the concubines overheard their hushed conversation. Some curled their lip, unwilling to admit their envy, and simply remained indifferent. Words in the palace were not so easy to utter; who knew which sentence might be a bloodstained knife, meant to stab someone in the body and heart, leaving them no choice but to suffer the consequences!

Someone else chimed in, saying, "Envious? How could I not be envious? I'm extremely envious. If I were favored, pregnant, or had an heir, I would ask the Emperor to let me raise the heir myself. If I were favored, would I be any less favored than Consort Ma Jia?"

The concubines laughed, while Aunt Chen watched Qin Rou's expression nervously. She had heard everything she was supposed to hear; how could the concubines have missed a single word?

For the past two weeks, this wasn't the first time the concubine had heard such words. While the tactic of sowing discord was despicable, it was undeniably effective; few could resist its charm.

Qin Rou smiled. She knew perfectly well what these people were up to.

People like her are probably an anomaly. Having seen so much, one loses all illusions.

Emperor Kangxi was an emperor; his passionate nature was real, but so was his extreme coldness. It was very hurtful!
She never believed that her child, as an heir of the Kangxi Emperor, would necessarily be loved by him. Emperors don't lack children, especially when it comes to the grand scheme of the empire; the most likely compensation he would offer is another child…

Children can even be a form of compensation? This world has gone mad and become unacceptable.

With such a clear understanding, no matter what they said, it couldn't hurt her. Because she knew that these so-called concubines were unimportant.

In the palace, under the guise of concern, they say things that cut to the heart, making you uncomfortable unintentionally. Ideally, you'll miscarry, become so angry and depressed that you die young, which would be exactly what they wanted. Then they'll laugh at you for being unlucky.
How could Qin Rou not know?

(End of this chapter)