The Concubine of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty

Chapter 493 Is Qin Rou afraid? She's not afraid at all.
Who wouldn't want an imperial heir? Whether favored or not, those in the harem are bound to have their own thoughts.

But aren't there already too few imperial offspring in the harem? It's difficult to conceive, difficult to give birth, and difficult to raise them!
In the imperial harem, many concubines find it difficult to gain favor; and even those who do manage to gain favor find it hard to be happy!

Even if one becomes pregnant, it's not so easy to give birth. Take, for example, Consort Bilai and Consort Xiaoli, both mother and child perished!

The cost of such a price is not hard to understand.

Consort Bilai was weak after her miscarriage and died tragically; Consort Xiaoli went mad after her miscarriage, stayed in the palace for a while, and eventually passed away.

Just a few days after Consort Ma gave birth to the Third Princess and finished her postpartum confinement, this young woman, who was once in the prime of her life, ultimately perished in the sweltering heat of June.

Because the court was busy with state affairs and everyone in the harem was silent, the death of Consort Li did not cause much of a stir.

She has no imperial heir!

If it weren't for the fact that her pregnancy was once a precious event, who in the palace would still remember her?

“That’s right,” Consort Dong quickly adjusted her mindset, acting as if nothing had happened. If there were a ranking of the most tolerant people in the harem, she would be at the top.

“We women are weak and frail, unlike our fathers, brothers, uncles, and elders who can gallop across the battlefield and serve the country loyally; but if we are fortunate enough to give birth to a prince or princess for the Emperor,” Consort Dong said gently but reasonably, her words full of loyalty and duty, revealing the duties and future of concubines in the harem, “having a son or daughter is considered to have fulfilled the duties of a concubine and made a small contribution to the Emperor by bearing children.”

But don't forget, don't just focus on the previous dynasty. It's true that uncles, elder brothers, and cousins ​​could achieve great things in the previous dynasty; but for women in the harem and concubines, their future lies in bearing children. If they have even a tiny bit of blood, even if the emperor is considering the princes and princesses, how could he ignore them?

Their minds can be used not only in the imperial court but also in the harem.

The concubines gathered together, seemingly chatting idly, gossiping about trivial matters. But as for the human mind, a clever person can always make a difference, no matter where they are.

It's just a matter of size and quantity.

As they were speaking, the main gate of Kunning Palace opened, and the servant who opened the gate first bowed to the concubines in the courtyard.

The concubines in the harem did not make a move for the time being.

Silence fell again.

All eyes fell on Qin Rou without prior arrangement, some subtly, some openly, and some silently. As always, Aunt Chen was serving Qin Rou by her side.

This has been the case ever since Qinrou was diagnosed with pregnancy! It happens every single day, rain or shine, without fail.

Except when I'm feeling unwell, there are no exceptions.

However, Aunt Chen was very careful, and although she had some minor ailments, she recovered quickly thanks to timely medication. After the imperial physician's treatment, she quickly returned to Qinrou's side to serve her.

Now is a critical time.

Qin Rou clenched her fists slightly. Aunt Chen felt the Empress's strength and, without making a sound, helped Qin Rou up even more!

No need to worry, the Empress is never alone; she has them by her side.

However, with a firm grip, a great deal of power is quietly generated.

Qin Rou remained calm and, supported by Aunt Chen, walked step by step toward the main hall of Kunning Palace.

Although she didn't bring many servants, the concubines in the harem weren't fools. They all kept several meters away from Qin Rou, so even if someone bumped into her, they wouldn't hit her. This was a safe distance.

If women in the imperial harem want to live and live well, the most important and crucial thing is not to be used as pawns.

They are wary of everyone around them except themselves, including close friends, confidants, and relatives.

Only then can one survive.

The emperor, the supreme ruler, the Son of Heaven, is a lonely figure. These concubines in the harem, though perhaps as lowly as ants, are they not also lonely and isolated?

Qinrou walked steadily, supported by Aunt Chen. The concubines, however, entered the palace a little later. Upon entering, they witnessed Siyu, a servant of the Empress, standing to the side, being carefully carried in by four senior eunuchs and placed on the right side of the Phoenix Throne. This was directly opposite Consort Niohuru's seat.

The expressions on everyone's faces were beyond words.

Yes! Consort Hadanara is now a concubine, holding the rank of Consort. In the daily morning and evening audiences at Kunning Palace, she already has a seat next to the Empress.

Those who entered the palace later than most, and those who had the imperial heir later, are now more honored than them. Even though they have seats to rest in, they remain standing.

This is truly...infuriating!

Qin Rou remained silent.

The Empress, residing in the central palace, oversees the six palaces and commands all the noblewomen of the realm. Could the Empress possibly be unaware of the actions of the servants in Kunning Palace?

Even if it were, it would be because the Empress was incompetent! Everyone would assume that this was the Empress's intention.

The Empress wanted everyone to be jealous, and she wanted the concubines to watch as the lowly concubine Hadanara, who was just as lowly as them, was granted the title of Consort, and how she gradually gained different treatment from them and became more and more noble!

Witnessing your enemy, or someone on your level, turn the tide and become incomparably noble is the most likely way to amplify a person's jealousy, let alone a group of people.

Did Qinrou not understand the Empress's meaning? No, she understood.

However, the rank of Consort was conferred by the Emperor. Whether she could hold onto it and when she could hold onto it depended not only on the circumstances, but also on her own abilities and methods as Consort Rou.

Is Qinrou afraid? She's not afraid at all.

Qinrou simply held Aunt Chen's hand tightly and, under everyone's watchful eyes, walked step by step, unhurriedly, toward the seat to the right of the Empress. She slowly approached, getting closer and closer, until she finally stopped... Supported by Aunt Chen, she turned around.

Then, with Aunt Chen's help, he sat down.

This was her initial position as a concubine!

Despite the resentment, bitterness, and injustice in others' hearts, Qinrou still had to sit down and make sure she was settled.

What does it matter to her if others feel resentment, bitterness, grievance, and injustice?
You'll have to deal with it yourself!

Qinrou would only happily accept what she received.

Does she really want to be a concubine for the rest of her life?

Or perhaps, is she willing to spend her whole life as a concubine, controlled by others and unable to even protect her own imperial offspring?
She was unwilling. Qin Rou understood this perfectly. Faced with the choice between compromising herself and compromising others, Qin Rou unhesitatingly chose to compromise others!

"Your Highness, this servant takes his leave." Si Yu's expression remained unchanged, and the curve of her lips, still shaped by the palace maids, was the most graceful angle.

His words and actions were well-organized and orderly. Even when he was about to leave, he would first bow before stepping down.

Qinrou, naturally aware of the gravity of the situation, spoke up to stop the palace servants of Kunning Palace, especially the head maidservant by the Empress's side.

The Empress is indeed the Empress!
Not to be offended.

The head maidservants around the Empress represent the Empress's dignity. Unless you want to cause trouble for the Empress, you should not touch them.

Coincidentally, there was no drizzle!
After Siyu withdrew, everyone watched as a young palace maid from Chengqian Palace served tea to the newly seated Consort Rou.

"Please have some tea, Consort Rou." The palace maid was very polite and well-mannered, not missing a single drop.

As for the tea served in Kunning Palace, it was not something that everyone was fortunate enough to drink.

When bestowed by the Empress, or like Consort Niohuru, tea and snacks are considered proper gifts.