The Concubine of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty

Chapter 494 Consort Niohuru Admits
What did the Empress do? She merely employed a perfectly legitimate and open scheme. Was it effective? Clearly, it was very effective.

Qin Rou looked at the concubines in the hall, each with their own unique posture, and saw the same resentment and indignation in their eyes. The jealousy and hatred were overwhelming, and how could the effect be anything but bad!
It's incredibly useful.

Even though the remaining concubines might not have been unaware that it stemmed from a perfectly legitimate conspiracy within the Kunning Palace, they still jumped into the perilous situation without hesitation or turning back.

One's own defeat may be saddening and unbearable, but the enemy's success is even more unbearable.

A love rival can be forgiven, but an enemy cannot be forgiven! Even a three-year-old child, once grown up, understands the principle of eliminating all traces of the enemy.

Unfortunately, everyone thinks the same way. If the enemy lives, I cannot live; if I want to live well and not live in fear for the rest of my life, I must eliminate them completely, leaving no trace of their lives so that they have no chance to rise again.

In order to live a good life and have a peaceful rest of my days, I can only ask the enemy to be magnanimous and let me die so that my whole family can be reunited in the underworld.

Otherwise, why would Emperor Kangxi be so wary of Zhu San Taizi, even though it was uncertain whether he existed? The reason is simple: Zhu San Taizi was the legitimate successor of the Ming Dynasty.

A mere title was enough to be used and exploited repeatedly, stirring up trouble within the Qing Dynasty and shaking the very foundations of its rule.

How can I tolerate someone else snoring beside my bed? He will kill me; he will steal my peace and tranquility.

Although these concubines in the harem were rivals for love, in essence, they were enemies.

The struggle for imperial favor is essentially a struggle for status, honor, and the additional resources and benefits that come with the emperor's affection.

And all of this is finite. There's only so much favor; if you get it, others won't get any.

I have what others don't, but I can't possibly give away the resources I already possess—that would be a huge mental hurdle! That's the fundamental contradiction.

Therefore, it's perfectly normal for the concubines to be jealous and want to remove the obstacles in their path.

The empress only amplified her jealousy.

Jealousy, when it arises, is like a wild beast unleashed from its cage—unprovoked, uncontrollable, driven entirely by instinct. Ultimately, humanity, in its essence, is nothing more than a wild beast, mostly governed by reason.

When reason is lost, one acts entirely on instinct. The dark side of one's heart is then unleashed.

Qin Rou sat calmly! Her face was serene, but her heart was far from calm; turbulent waves surged within her, yet she remained unfazed.

The concubines were also in agony, but they had to put on a smiling face and offer their congratulations. Their emotions were in turmoil, and their minds were in even greater turmoil.

In the palaces with their vermilion walls and black tiles, lined up one after another, Kangxi was not only their husband, but also their heaven.

Thunder, lightning, rain and dew are all grace from the king.

Once an imperial edict is issued, even if rivers of blood flow, one must still put on a smiling face.

At this moment, Consort Niohuru stepped into the palace. As always, the concubines rose to greet her, their faces inevitably showing a hint of schadenfreude.

Consort Niohuru, despite her noble birth, could not become Empress. Her unique position as a Consort was still extremely prestigious, only slightly inferior to that of an Empress.

However, after Consort Rou was granted the title of Consort, the prestige of the Consort's rank diminished considerably in the palace, where there were only two Consorts.

Things are valued for their rarity. The ranks of Consort and Concubine are essentially just those of concubines. They are just more prestigious concubines, but they cannot compare to the rank of Empress.

Consort Niohuru's noble status was diminished and dissipated considerably. However, if we're talking about losses, the one who suffered the most severe damage and had the ability and skill to retaliate was none other than Consort Niohuru herself!

These bystanders, too, wanted to play the role of the fisherman in this drama of the snipe and the clam fighting. To use someone else's knife to kill!
That would be perfect.

Consort Niohuru remained dignified, weaving through the path cleared by the other concubines, who all bowed in welcome. Concubines and servants—what difference was there, really?
Consort Niohuru remains the noble and unique Consort Niohuru.

Qin Rou was merely promoted; it's not like her brain was gnawed out. She wouldn't be so arrogant as to go against Consort Niohuru.

For her, it was as if the Empress was always the Empress, and Consort Niohuru was always Consort Niohuru.

Qinrou also got up, and Aunt Chen quickly helped her up while serving her, and then she bowed and greeted her.

"Get up!" Consort Niohuru was as decisive as ever, not trying to win anyone over. To her, all the concubines in the palace were just people in different guises, no different from each other, and not worth her attention.

Having received the imperial decree, the concubines dared to stand up. Qinrou also rose, and Aunt Chen, not forgetting to help her, helped her to her seat.

Consort Niohuru glanced at Qinrou's large belly. Although her tone was not gentle, her expression softened considerably. "Consort Rou, congratulations!"

Consort Niohuru was generous in extending goodwill first.

Qin Rou was stunned for a moment, not expecting Consort Niohuru to have such an attitude. After a quick thought, she realized that Consort Niohuru was congratulating her on her promotion.

After a quick thought, she answered without hesitation, maintaining her composure and saying generously, "It is indeed a joyous occasion, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!"

How could a promotion not be a joyous occasion? This rank of concubine is the ultimate goal that countless concubines in the palace strive for their entire lives but never attain.

Consort Niohuru was no different; she readily accepted Qinrou's presence and even spoke to Qinrou with great generosity and magnanimity:
"Both the Consort and the Lady of the Imperial Concubine rank are extremely noble. ... I am several years older than you and have been a Consort for seven or eight years. If there is anything you don't understand, you can send your servants to my palace to ask."

This greatly disappointed the concubines. While Consort Niohuru may not have meant what she said, her attitude at least demonstrated one thing:
At least, Consort Niohuru wouldn't openly cause trouble for Consort Rou.

As for those who do it in secret, who knows who is behind the scenes?

Qinrou didn't mind what Consort Niohuru said, but she accepted it quickly and readily, and she never refused. Consort Niohuru meant well, didn't she?
Therefore, Qinrou readily agreed, saying, "This concubine understands. This concubine thanks Your Majesty for the guidance."

"Hmm." Consort Niohuru nodded and said nothing more. However, Consort Niohuru was usually not very talkative when she came to pay her respects.

I wonder if Consort Niohuru was always taciturn at home, or if she only became like this after entering the palace! Suddenly, this thought popped into Qinrou's mind.

If it's the latter, ... one can only say that this palace is truly a monster. Anyone who enters is either devoured, skin and bones, until they are completely gnawed away; or half of them are swallowed up, their former innocent and kind nature erased.

The thought was so terrifying that Qin Rou suddenly shivered.

In the hall, servants served Consort Niohuru tea and snacks. After sitting down, Consort Niohuru sipped her tea again, as relaxed as ever.

But the true meaning is always what is expressed.

Consort Niohuru acknowledged Rou Pin's rank as a concubine; and she also recognized the prestige of Rou Pin's rank.

Surprising to everyone, wasn't it? But time is full of unexpected and ever-changing events.

The concubines' dreams of having Consort Niohuru cause trouble for Consort Rou were shattered.