The Concubine of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty

Chapter 485 Consort Rou, please receive the imperial decree.

Within half a month, nearly two decades, officials were either killed or demoted, transferred to other positions, promoted in name only but demoted in reality, or demoted in name only but promoted in reality—all sorts of things happened. The blood flowing outside the Meridian Gate was shocking and appalling.

The matter of abolishing the feudal domains has been completely settled after this incident.

The concubine of the Irgen Gioro clan looked haggard. In just twenty years, she had become so haggard that she was unrecognizable. She had to force a smile during her morning and evening greetings, and afterwards she would be subjected to open and covert ridicule from some of the other concubines.

Words can kill!
In just two short decades, ever since her father went to prison, the malice of the world has been pouring down on her. She couldn't fight it off, but she had no choice but to endure it. And this was just the beginning of her life.

Due to the hardships of life and the difficulties faced by others, Consort Yiergenjueluo aged more than ten times in just over twenty days.

A person's exhaustion and lifelessness cannot be concealed no matter how hard they try to hold on.

However, Consort Yiergenjueluo had no choice but to endure it. Her father had already been beheaded, and her elder brother had also been beheaded. But she still had her mother, her remaining younger siblings who had been demoted to bondservant slaves and exiled to Longcheng. There were several of them, and she, as a concubine in the palace, had to maintain her dignity.

Even if it's unbearable, I have to endure it! Things will get better in a year or two, Consort Irgen Gioro told herself. Just for my mother, just for... for my underage younger siblings.

Qin Rou, stroking her belly, was momentarily stunned when she saw Consort Yiergenjueluo. The backlash from her fall in social class had come so quickly.

The darkest and most evil side of human nature—taking advantage of someone's illness to kill them—is on full display at this moment.

Consort Yiergen Gioro had done everything she could—begging from others, from the Emperor, to the favored concubines. She humbled herself and begged from every single one of them. Unfortunately, the story still headed towards its predetermined ending. Clearly, it was not something that Consort Yiergen Gioro, a mere weakling, could do to stop.

She was also one of the driving forces, or rather, one of the onlookers. The father of the concubine of the Irgen Gioro clan was destined to become the chicken used as a warning to others in setting the tone for the campaign to abolish the Three Feudatories.

Qin Rou clearly saw through this, so how could she be so presumptuous as to try to change this predetermined outcome?

She can only be a spectator, and she deserves to be just a spectator.

Therefore, I chose to stand by and do nothing.

The atmosphere in the palace and among the people remained tense. The emperor's sword had been put down and the decree to abolish the Three Feudatories had been issued, but the court and the people were filled with unease and impending storm.

In the court and among the people, in the palace and the royal residence, everyone was clear-headed, for the retaliation of the Three Feudatories was about to come.

As expected, in early July, Geng Jingzhong sent an envoy to Taiwan to invite Zheng Jing to join him in rebellion. Wu Sangui, taking advantage of Geng Jingzhong's ambition, lured him into participating in the rebellion, claiming that he harbored ulterior motives and plotted to seize Fujian.

Kangxi remained calm and composed. He was the emperor, the ruler of the world, the banner chief of the Manchu, Mongol, and Han Eight Banners, and the pillar of stability known to all. If he panicked, the decline of the world under his rule would not be far off.

Not to mention, from the moment the decision to abolish the feudal domains was made, the final reactions of Wu Sangui, Shang Kexi, and Geng Jingzhong were already predicted. Now, it is just that the worst outcome is being foreshadowed.

Emperor Kangxi issued an imperial edict instructing relevant departments to arrange the withdrawal of the feudal domains. He dispatched ministers to various regions for consultations and authorized them to formulate specific arrangements for the relocation of officials and troops and local defense. Emperor Kangxi also sent envoys to various regions to inspect the situation and ensure a smooth process.

At the same time, Emperor Kangxi announced in the court and the inner palace that the titles and ranks of the imperial consorts had been officially established. Hadanara, pregnant with twins and having rendered meritorious service to the inner court, was to be conferred the title of Consort Rou. She would reside in the main hall of Chengqian Palace, holding the position of principal consort. The auspicious date for the investiture ceremony was the second day of the eighth lunar month.

In the imperial harem, the Empress held the central position and ruled over the six palaces.

Below her were one Imperial Noble Consort, whose rank was equivalent to that of a secondary Empress; two Noble Consorts; four Consorts; six Concubines; and countless Noble Ladies, Attendants, and Ladies-in-Waiting. Those above the rank of Concubine held the position of Principal Consort, residing in the main palace hall, and were responsible for assisting the Empress in managing the palace women and concubines.
More importantly, as the head of the household, one naturally has the responsibility to educate and nurture the imperial heirs.

Kangxi's intention was that those who achieved meritorious service, were granted titles and privileges, and whose children were protected, should be rewarded accordingly. The outcome depended on the abilities of the court officials. They should all demonstrate their abilities in this battle.

The imperial decree from the previous dynasty quickly reached the inner palace, leaving Qinrou stunned. Kangxi's sudden move completely disrupted the order of the inner palace.

Residing in the main hall, as the principal wife of the palace, she had the responsibility of educating and nurturing the imperial heirs. Every single one of these responsibilities resonated deeply with the concubines.

This was enough to cause a stir among both the government and the public.

Qinrou never imagined this day would come. His understanding and impression of Kangxi were so rigid and ingrained that he never thought that Kangxi would promote the status of his concubines in addition to the two major conferments.

She even prepared herself to remain a concubine until her death, as Emperor Kangxi did not grant her any posthumous titles.

She thought that the best outcome would be to be promoted to the rank of Consort in the sixteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, along with the other concubines; and that in the twentieth year, she would be lucky enough to be promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine.

She had also planned out a way for her child, making every effort to ensure his well-being. Just like the Fifth Prince Baoqing, she sent him to the home of a high-ranking official outside the palace, where he would be cared for by the official.

Or perhaps, she could gamble with her life and send them to Consort Niohuru to be raised. Qinrou was certain of one thing about Consort Niohuru: she was capable and resourceful, and protecting two children would be no problem for her.

Alternatively, handing the child over to the Empress Dowager for upbringing would be a last resort, which Kangxi would not allow. There were only two or three princes in the palace at the moment, and the first two might be gone one day. Kangxi would not allow it, as his eldest son's political stance was naturally biased towards the Mongols and close to them.

The reason why Consort Yi's future Fifth Prince was able to be sent to the Empress Dowager's palace to be raised was because at that time the Crown Prince was born to the Empress Dowager, and the position of the legitimate heir had been determined.
Secondly, the eldest prince Baoqing has already established himself, and there will be even more noble princes in the palace in the future, such as the sons of imperial concubines and the adopted sons of imperial concubines. Even if a prince raised by the empress dowager is close to the Mongols, he will ultimately not amount to much.

Emperor Kangxi could afford to give up one son.

It's as if Emperor Kangxi had secretly decided to abandon his fourth son, Saiyinchahun.

Neither the eldest son nor the most senior, nor of noble birth, what can they use to compete?
Therefore, Qinrou is only considering the first two paths, but the timing is still uncertain as to which one to take.

She wasn't afraid of death! Nor did she care about it. This life, whether she lived or died, was simply a matter of living;
Therefore, in her plan, there was no chance of things taking an unexpected turn.

In the twelfth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, she was promoted! She was made a concubine! She never dared to dream of such a thing, not even in her wildest dreams.

Before Qinrou could react, Aunt Chen and the other servants were already overjoyed.

After the court session, Li Dequan brought the imperial edict to Chengqian Palace to announce it. After the announcement, Qin Rou was still in a daze. She probably never thought that there would be such an imperial edict or that this day would come.

But if the Emperor likes her, he will naturally promote her. If she wants to maintain this favor, the rank of Consort is just the beginning. The rank of Imperial Concubine, Imperial Noble Consort, and how prestigious she will become in the future is unknown and not impossible.

Li Dequan beamed with joy, making no mention of Consort Rou's momentary daze, and kindly reminded her, "Congratulations, Consort Rou! Your Majesty! Please accept the imperial decree."

(End of this chapter)