The Concubine of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty

"Your Majesty, the Empress said that tomorrow she will take me to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager. Do you think I should be careful about anything?"

Qinrou knelt before Kangxi, blinking at him with a look of utter bewilderment in her eyes. The Empress Dowager! Qinrou both admired and feared her.

It's impossible not to be nervous. Isn't this just trying to achieve a roundabout solution, to offer some relief?

Although Qinrou felt it might be useless! Just kidding! The Empress Dowager was the one who taught Kangxi; was she someone who could be easily changed?
I don’t like it, I just don’t like it!
Although, Qinrou didn't really think she needed the Empress Dowager's favor.

But it's said that those whom the Empress Dowager disliked would meet a terrible end!
Qinrou felt that she wasn't yet capable of remaining unfazed when faced with adversity.

This news wasn't exactly breaking news; at least Emperor Kangxi already knew about it.

He glanced at Qinrou, noticed her expression, and asked, "Are you nervous?"

Qinrou nodded. "Yes! I'm nervous."

It would be strange not to be nervous. The Empress Dowager was so powerful and influential that she was practically the devil in the harem.

Who can blame them when the Empress Dowager is now the pillar of stability in both the imperial court and the harem?

Moreover, she held a high position of power and influence, and was renowned for her prestige! Qinrou feared that the Empress Dowager might kill her with just one glance!

Of course, Qinrou felt that she didn't deserve this honor.

But I was still nervous and afraid, for no reason, and I couldn't control myself.

The emperor had a late-night snack, and suddenly the baby started moving inside Qinrou's belly. Kangxi played with the baby for a while with great interest. After the late-night snack, the emperor left Chengqian Palace.

Qinrou was seven months pregnant and unable to serve the emperor. Emperor Kangxi also showed no intention of keeping her.

"Grandma is wise and intelligent. As long as you behave yourself, she won't easily dislike anyone!" Kangxi said lightly and simply.

Of course, once you reach the position of Empress Dowager, you won't easily show who you like or dislike. If you do show it, it means one thing: a warning, a reprimand, or that you want to achieve a certain goal.

Kangxi would never delve deeper into the matter. The palace was full of ears and eyes; walls had ears, and sometimes, without warning, words would end up on someone else's desk.

Of course, Kangxi was confident that Qinrou would be safe and sound.

The Empress Dowager understood the political significance of Qinrou's promotion to concubine at this time. The political significance outweighed any affection, and based on this alone, Qinrou would surely be safe and sound.

Any further worries are unnecessary.

"Behave yourself and follow the rules!" Qin Rou repeated these four words. She felt that she could do it, and she would inevitably move in that direction in the future.

Anyway, Qinrou doesn't think she has any ambitions.

As for the Empress Dowager not easily disliking anyone, she believed that.

As the Empress Dowager, she doesn't need to dislike anyone. Those she dislikes will be eliminated on her own.

There's no need to dislike it!

But saying it is no different from not saying it at all. How should I put it? At least I have a clear direction now, so I don't seem so nervous and worried anymore.

"I understand," Qinrou nodded solemnly.

"As for the Empress Mother!" Kangxi pondered for a moment, "The Empress Mother has a good temperament. In the past, when I was naughty and mischievous, and my maternal grandmother was angry, the Empress Mother would always take extra care of me."

Emperor Kangxi understood this, and it's possible that the Empress Dowager did it intentionally.

However, it must be acknowledged that although the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager both came from the Khorchin and belonged to the same Borjigit clan, they both served as Empress Dowagers in the Qing Dynasty's harem.

But they are indeed two completely different people.

The Grand Empress Dowager was highly skilled, possessing exceptional political acumen and insightful thinking. The Empress Dowager, on the other hand, was much gentler and more virtuous, lacking the Grand Empress Dowager's aggressiveness.

Take the late Emperor, for example; if the Empress Dowager had been like the Empress Dowager, there would have been no way that this most noble mother and son would have fallen so far as to never speak to each other again and to hate each other. The late Emperor might not have been so depressed and died young.

Of course, if the Empress Dowager were in the position of Grand Empress Dowager, then the one sitting on the throne would not be the late Emperor.

Then the roles would reverse; the late emperor would have already foreseen the fate of Taizong's eleventh son, Bomubogor. Let alone his descendants!

Kangxi pondered these things and continued, "Your Majesty is kind-hearted. As long as you behave properly, Your Majesty will not be displeased!"

If we mention the Grand Empress Dowager, it wouldn't be right not to mention the Empress Dowager at all.

Qin Rou nodded again. In short, the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager wouldn't easily dislike her, that's for sure! Even if they did dislike her, they might not show it.

Qinrou didn't ask for much; she just wanted people to leave her alone and let her live a peaceful and comfortable life.

But if you try to cause her trouble, then you'll be in big trouble.

Qinrou listened to Kangxi's words and interpreted them herself.

In short, tomorrow all you need to do is behave properly, stay grounded, and not overstep any boundaries.

Anyway, do your best and leave the rest to fate!

She really had no other choice.

Should we confront her head-on? It's like an egg hitting a rock; she'll be the one who breaks! Should we try a soft approach? The status is unequal. The Empress Dowager has countless ways to torment people; punishment is a reward, and reward is punishment.

"Your Majesty's words have eased my tension considerably." Regardless of whether it was true or not, she had said it anyway. Upon hearing it, Kangxi offered some guidance, and Qinrou instantly felt less nervous and uneasy.

Looking at her, Kangxi could see that she was still nervous, and it was better to maintain it for now. He also had a lot of respect for his maternal grandmother.

Emperor Kangxi was well aware of his temperament and what he disliked most.

Tomorrow may not be unpleasant, but some tests are inevitable.

Kangxi understood this. But he couldn't show it too much, otherwise, she would be the one suffering!
Even though Emperor Kangxi had never fully grasped the methods of his maternal grandmother, he could still discern seven or eight parts of them.

Ruthless enough! Not someone an ordinary person could handle.

Having served three emperors, the vice-ruler possessed a ruthless eye for people and a keen eye for judgment. He was a shrewd and calculating man, more cunning and scheming than anyone else.

If someone were to deceive her, not only would Consort Rou be unable to keep their deception hidden, but even Emperor Kangxi himself would likely be caught.

It's best not to play tricks on her; being honest is the best approach, and you'll be more likely to get through it.

Kangxi didn't want to say more, lest Qinrou become even more nervous, so he subtly changed the subject, "Are you hungry? I remember you eat a midnight meal every day without fail. Have you eaten today?"

"No," Qinrou shook her head; she was still hungry today! "Your Majesty, please have some supper with me!"

Of course, it shouldn't be used immediately.

"Since my beloved concubine has invited me, I will stay for supper with you before I depart," Kangxi said.

Qinrou naturally wouldn't stay, not to mention that she was pregnant; even if she wasn't pregnant, if Kangxi wanted to leave, she wouldn't be able to stop him.

Of course, they wouldn't ask where the emperor was going.

However, Qinrou learned the next day that after Kangxi left, he went to Kunning Palace.

They did not leave Kunning Palace until the next day.

When it came time to pay respects, the Empress arrived not too late. Upon arrival, she said nothing more than, "Disperse, everyone! I will take Consort Niohuru and Consort Rou to pay respects to the Empress Dowager and Grandmother." (End of Chapter)