The Concubine of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty

The main hall is solemn and dignified, symbolizing the majesty of the Empress Dowager.

When the emperor and empress first came to Cining Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager after their wedding, it was also in the main hall of Cining Palace.

Consort Niohuru also paid her respects to the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace!

Now, Qinrou should also go to the main hall of Cining Palace to kowtow and pay her respects to the Empress Dowager; only then will she be truly recognized.

The main hall was furnished in a solemn and somber manner, exuding a profound sense of authority, much like the Empress Dowager herself. At a glance, neither the people nor the hall seemed to reveal their true nature.

Under the watchful eyes of the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Consort Niohuru, Qinrou performed a grand salute.

The Empress Dowager bestowed upon him a pair of pearl earrings.

Whether it's permitted or not, and what the attitude is, a pair of pearl earrings can tell you everything.

The Empress Dowager bestowed upon her a five-tailed phoenix hairpin. Following established custom, she praised her character and conduct, and offered a few words of earnest advice and instruction—common phrases used in the palace.

The Empress bestowed upon him a pair of gold phoenix bracelets inlaid with pearls.

All the rewards were either phoenixes or pearls, items that only the concubines and ladies of the palace could use.

When Qinrou came out of Cining Palace, she had a five-tailed phoenix hairpin in her hair, her earrings had been replaced with pearl earrings, and she wore a pair of gold phoenix bracelets inlaid with pearls on her wrists. The servants served her attentively.

"Go back and rest well. If you need anything, just come and ask me. Your most important task now is to give birth to the twin princes in your womb for the Emperor and for me!" the Empress instructed gently.

Qinrou, heavily pregnant, bowed as always.

As the Empress's phoenix carriage and Consort Niohuru's imperial carriage proceeded in a grand procession toward their respective Kunning Palace and Yongshou Palace, Qin Rou was then helped into her own sedan chair by her servants, and the imperial carriage of a concubine headed toward Chengqian Palace.

She hasn't moved to the main hall yet; she's still living in Zhenshunzhai. Moving also requires choosing an auspicious day and time, and the Imperial Observatory is already doing so. Once they've chosen and presented their selections, they might select two, three, or even four or five, which will still need the Empress's approval.
Naturally, as the Son of Heaven, the emperor could also bypass the empress's designated date for moving and breaking ground. However, doing so would inevitably diminish the empress's authority and dignity as the central figure in the palace and in managing the six courts.

"This hurdle is finally over." Only after returning to Zhenshunzhai did Aunt Chen truly breathe a sigh of relief.

Although I knew beforehand that the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager wouldn't make things too difficult on the surface, I was still just afraid of the worst-case scenario. Who could say for sure when things really came down to it? Now that I've paid my respects and everything seems fine, I can finally relax.

"Yes! Passed." Qin Rou smiled as well. A sense of relief welled up inside her, and it was reflected on her face.

Is there any difference between a concubine and a secondary concubine? There isn't much difference.

When the emperor and empress wanted to kill someone, it was as easy as cutting melons and vegetables. In the palace, it was far too easy for someone to die, whether a concubine or a servant. It was simply a matter of how much thought or effort was required.

In the Qing Dynasty's imperial harem, concubines emerged one after another, eager to be harvested like leeks, but few died of old age! They were all consumables. The emperor changed concubines faster than he changed bowls and chopsticks.

In any emperor's harem, there were countless instances of concubines dying young and imperial heirs dying prematurely.
Which emperor didn't send away countless concubines and imperial offspring?
However, if a concubine in the emperor's harem is not the head of a palace, she doesn't even have the chance to sit at the mahjong table, let alone defy fate.

Even if the little devil wants you dead at midnight, he won't let you live until dawn.

Throughout history, people are like dust. In this world, generation after generation walks through life, and no one's fate or life remains unchanged.

It is clear that the paths in this world are all made by people walking them! Without trying, until the very end of life, no one knows how many roads will be smooth or thorny.

Humans are born with a gambling spirit. Every moment of life is a gamble. Qin Rou is no exception. The opportunity is right in front of her, within her grasp, and she can't remain indifferent.

Ultimately, she's still a human being!
So Qinrou was still happy.

"Aunt Chen has done a great job, Fu Shun has done a great job, and everyone has worked hard," Qin Rou said.

Therefore, Qinrou instructed, "Xiao Cangzi, take the silver to the kitchen and bring back a few more good dishes so we can eat well today."

"This servant obeys!" Xiao Cangzi was overjoyed!

Life is tough for servants in the palace. Even the concubines who are out of favor are experiencing famine. How much more so for the servants? If they want to eat something good, especially meat, which is a major expense for the whole year, it's really not easy without a good master.

Even without noticing the fat man's expression, Xiao Cangzi could guess how happy the other servants in Chengqian Palace would be to hear this news. Even he, the servant who went to fetch the food, would be treated with extra respect, as it was a highly valued job.

After all, he was one of the earliest servants to serve the Empress, along with Aunt Chen, Fushun, and Xiaoman. Now that the Empress has been granted the favor of Heaven and has become the principal Empress, all of them, the servants who served her closely before, have also been promoted to high positions.

"Go quickly!" Aunt Chen said with a smile, adding a word of advice.

Fu Shun and Xiao Man laughed too; they weren't unhappy at all.

Fu Shun was a high-ranking eunuch in the past, and his future is not bad; Xiao Man has always been a close maid serving her, and their relationship is extraordinary. Even if another maid comes to serve her closely later, it will not shake her position.

Aunt Chen goes without saying; she is irreplaceable and irreplaceable.

They were only happy that Xiao Cangzi was useful, which showed that their master was someone who valued old friendships.

They felt more at ease following such a master.

"Yes!" Xiao Cangzi responded, bowed, and happily withdrew, saying, "This servant takes his leave."

Watching Xiao Cangzi leave the hall, even his back view exuded joy.

Especially after he left the palace, the servants outside also became excited and lively.

It's not easy for people in the palace to get a good meal, so they're lucky to have one today, and none of them are unhappy.

"Look how happy they are..." Aunt Chen said with a smile.

"Of the basic necessities of life—clothing, food, shelter, and transportation—clothing and food are the most essential. Eating well and dressing well ensures a secure future; human happiness is that simple. Let them be happy!" Qin Rou said. Life is about these simple joys; life is already hard enough, why deprive them of even these simple pleasures?

"This servant understands," Aunt Chen replied. She knew Her Majesty was always insightful, and now it seemed that her insight had increased even further. Understanding people is not easy; it is the most precious thing.

Qin Rou listened to the commotion outside the palace and saw the beaming faces of the servants inside. She simply smiled and let them be.

When going to Ciren Palace and Cining Palace to pay respects, the sedan chair was indeed prepared by the Imperial Household Department, but it was Aunt Chen and Fushun who reminded them, and then they were ordered to take care of it.

She managed to get everything in order! She wouldn't lose face in front of the entire palace, and she wouldn't have to walk while the Empress and Consort Niohuru rode in sedan chairs to Ciren Palace and Cining Palace.

Qin Rou clearly distinguished between their merits and demerits, and remembered their contributions. (End of Chapter)