The Concubine of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty

The servants all went to help the Empress Dowager find the pearl earrings, but the Empress Dowager was still anxious and had no energy to deal with the Empress and the others.

Qin Rou pondered to herself: Does this pair of pearl earrings hold any special significance for the Empress Dowager?
Logically speaking, although the pearl earrings were valuable, even the most precious things should have been nothing more than ordinary to the Empress Dowager.

Even if it's gone, and I'm still angry, I'll just punish the servants. And I've already ordered them to search for it; I shouldn't be in such a hurry.

Seeing the Empress Dowager's anxiety and distress, the Empress, being very concerned and filial, noticed how the Empress couldn't sleep until the pearl earrings were found. Unable to remain seated, she quickly consulted the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager:
"Please trouble Your Majesty to talk to Your Majesty for a while and comfort her. Your Majesty, don't worry, more people means more help. Your granddaughter-in-law will also help the servants look for the earrings."

Qinrou noticed it, but the Empress will only notice more and think more deeply! Could it be that the lost pair of pearl earrings really have some hidden meaning?
Therefore, it was of exceptional value to the Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, I will also accompany you." Consort Niohuru sighed inwardly. Was this incident in the Empress Dowager's palace intentional or coincidental? It was probably more likely the former. What was its purpose?
Consort Niohuru had no time to think or investigate further, but since the Empress had already gotten up to search, how could she sit there blatantly?

It is against propriety!

The Empress and Consort Niohuru did not sit down. In fact, as soon as the Empress finished speaking, Qinrou had already noticed Consort Niohuru's expression and knew that Consort Niohuru could not continue to stand and wait.

The Empress and Consort Niohuru were both fulfilling their filial duties, helping the Empress Dowager search for the lost Eastern Pearl. Qinrou, considering herself to have the shallowest foundation and the lowest status, dared not continue to stand.

That evening, Qinrou felt uneasy and her life was filled with unease. She quickly followed Consort Niohuru in bowing and saying:

"This concubine will follow Your Majesty the Empress's lead." After bowing, Qin Rou also began to carefully search for the pearl earrings that the Empress Dowager had lost.

She no longer cared about the fact that she was carrying the emperor's child.

Each person cherishes their own child; outsiders are ultimately strangers, and no matter how much they love or pamper them, they can't truly dote on them. Even though Qinrou was pregnant with the imperial heir, she dared not be spoiled.

She didn't think that if the Empress Dowager wanted to cause her trouble, she would care that she was still carrying the imperial heir.
However, Qinrou's search lacked wisdom; she simply searched rigidly. Logically, when looking for lost items like the Dongzhu earrings, it would be best to first inquire about when they were lost and where they might be.

Having a direction and location makes it much easier to find the place.

But Qinrou didn't ask. Were the palace servants in Cining Palace less intelligent than her? They couldn't even come up with such a stupid idea, waiting for her to claim credit and show off her petty cleverness.

Qinrou disagrees!

The only reason is that the servants have already asked, searched, or are searching, so there's no need for her to show off her intelligence.

Qin Rou then began searching in some relatively secluded corners, while the Empress Dowager suddenly became much calmer, watching the servants in the hall bustling about in disarray.

The earrings were eventually found by Sumalagu, and everyone else's efforts were in vain. However, neither the Empress, nor Consort Niohuru, nor Qinrou showed any other expression.

The earrings the Empress Dowager wanted had been found, and the Empress simply smiled, happy for the Empress Dowager. Consort Niohuru felt the same way, and Qinrou also breathed a sigh of relief, smiling and happy for the Empress Dowager as well.

The Empress Dowager instructed, "Su Ma, put it on for me."

Sumalagu obeyed the order, and at this moment, the Empress Dowager, along with the Empress, Consort Niohuru, and Qinrou, formally paid their respects to the Grand Empress Dowager:

"Your Majesty, I inquire after your well-being."

"Granddaughter-in-law greets Imperial Grandmother!"

"Your humble servant/concubine greets the Empress Dowager."

The four younger relatives each had a different title, and these titles were not entirely the same.

"Rise!" Su Mala Gu put the newly found pearl earrings on the Empress Dowager's head. The Empress Dowager seemed to finally calm down and treated them more gently. Perhaps the Empress Dowager's pearl earrings were some kind of divine object, truly acting as a medicine to lower blood pressure, reduce internal heat, and calm the mind.

The servants were cleaning up the mess, but dared not disturb their masters inside the hall. Every movement had to be extremely careful and subtle.

Try to treat yourself as if you were dead, and the things in your hands as if they were dead. Otherwise, you might actually become a real dead person because of this.

"This is Consort Rou." It seemed that Dongzhu had been found, and the Empress Dowager was finally willing to talk to people. She turned her gaze to Qinrou, saying that it was an affirmation rather than a question.

Being singled out by the Empress Dowager, Qinrou felt no worry or tension. When faced with a situation so close, everything else seemed insignificant. Worry and tension were pointless! Whether she passed through it or not, it had to be. She bowed.

The Empress's gaze, following that of the Grand Empress Dowager, fell upon Qin Rou for a fleeting moment. While she remained serene and respectful, it was a pity that her fox-like eyes were too striking!
It also makes her appear more charming, lively, and sharp.

This is extremely disadvantageous!
Just like the stereotypical image of the fox spirit Su Daji—a scourge to the country and its people. Consort Rou was born with a pair of fox-like eyes, which naturally gave her a bad impression in front of the Empress Dowager.

The moment I saw this person and those eyes, I saw an unsettling, ambitious, and cunning impression. This foxy and unpleasant feeling was immediately etched into my mind, naturally adding a touch of dislike to my impression!
The Empress, gentle and virtuous, introduced her: "Indeed! She was conferred the title of Consort by imperial decree yesterday, and you remember her. You instructed that once she had learned the proper etiquette, she should be brought here for you to see. I thought that her manners and appearance were both excellent, and that her appearance was exceptionally outstanding in the palace, so I brought her to see you as soon as possible so that she could kowtow to you and pay her respects."

The Empress spoke softly and gently, her words both intimate and natural, displaying her virtue and wisdom.

Hearing the Empress's praise, he seemed genuinely delighted. The Empress Dowager had no objections, as it was a matter that had been decided long ago!

Its political significance outweighs everything else.

What the Empress Dowager showed and demonstrated was for the benefit of the many members of the imperial family, nobles, and court officials! Look!

Look at the honor and privilege!
"In my opinion, he is indeed a good child. The Emperor and Empress have excellent taste." The Empress Dowager gave a compliment that was neither too strong nor too weak, neither too clear nor too vague.

Not radical, not reckless, and not some fool who acts on his own initiative.

The emperor also placed a servant by her side, who could point out any inappropriate behavior. From the emperor's perspective, it's not hard to imagine that she could attain the rank of concubine.

A bit of affection + pregnant with twins + not someone who acts on their own initiative!

But we'll have to wait and see in the future!

"Thank you for the compliment, Grandmother." The Empress, gentle and virtuous, accepted the Grand Empress Dowager's praise on behalf of Qinrou, herself, and Emperor Kangxi.

Qin Rou also bowed again, with a perfectly measured smile on her face, serene and proper.

Hearing from the Empress that the Grand Empress Dowager wanted to see her, Qinrou was not without fear. The Grand Empress Dowager's formidable reputation was enough to intimidate anyone.

He's a seasoned veteran, forged in the harems of three emperors! Who wouldn't be afraid of him!
Qinrou understood this as well.

The reason why the Empress Dowager wanted to see her must have been after Kangxi made his intentions clear after she was promoted to the rank of Consort. The Empress Dowager couldn't go against Kangxi's wishes in such a matter that would maximize her interests, and at this time, she would disagree with him.

She is self-aware.

But at this moment, I can't help but feel a little relieved.

"Since you have come to kowtow to me, go to the main hall!" said the Empress Dowager. (End of Chapter)