Biography of Concubine De of Emperor Kangxi

The two looked at each other so quietly and foolishly, and soon Su Mala opened the curtain and came in. Seeing this scene, she covered her mouth with a smile: "The emperor is playing with Wu Chang with a wooden man?"

Both of them were in a daze, Lan Qi hurriedly bowed her knees and saluted, Xuan Ye settled her mind, and seemed to be telling Nanny Su Ma, and also seemed to be telling Lan Qi: "When the emperor's grandmother is greedy, she should persuade her, even if she is complained. "

"The concubine made a note."

"The servant knows."

The two voices sounded at the same time, and when Lan Qi heard Madam Su Mala answering, she was really startled, she was obviously acting affectionate, and the emperor was not talking to her.

Xuan Ye turned his head and looked at her, there was a slight smile in his eyes, he did not know why he was happy, and pointed at her, and the nurse nodded with a smile, and replied: "Your Majesty, don't worry."

Lan Qi was puzzled when she heard this, but Xuan Ye left quickly, and the nanny came to help her up, and said with a smile: "The Empress Dowager wants to drink candied date tea, you go and make a cup and bring it in."

Lan Qi quickly agreed, turned around and went out to the tea room again. Walking in the corridor, she saw the figure of the emperor leaving. It had been a long time since she had seen him. She felt that the emperor was slightly different from before. clear.

"Let's take care of the Empress Dowager first." She pondered in secret and concentrated on her work.

When he came to the bedroom with jujube tea, he heard the empress dowager's laughter when he entered the door. When he got there, he gave the tea to Aunt Su Mala. Come to say hello, I have never looked closely at you with Wuyangyang people, I always feel that I haven't seen you for a long time, now I look at you, your eyebrows seem to grow longer, and you are more beautiful than before."

Lan Qi blushed, lowered her head and said softly: "The concubine herself feels a little different when she looks in the mirror, but if you say it looks better, the concubine will feel at ease."

Such words sound festive, the Empress Dowager likes it very much, it’s boring to be humble, so you can talk well, no, after that, I drank some candied date tea, boasted to the mother that it tasted like this, and heard Lan Qi talk about recent events , Soon the Empress Dowager will go to bed.

Lan Qi wanted to go back to the Zhongcui Palace after the Empress Dowager fell asleep. Aunt Su Mala said that going back and forth was too hard, and the Empress Dowager might still have a fever at night. I will rest soon.

It can be said that it is just enough, but in fact, it is a great favor to be able to stay in the Palace of Compassion and Ning for a few days, but Lan Qi didn't think about it so much, she just thought that it would take better care of the Empress Dowager.

Sure enough, the Empress Dowager got up twice at night because she had taken too much decoction, and both times she made a little movement, she turned over and went in to ask, even Madam Su Mala was not disturbed, and after getting up at night, she beat her leg again Then coaxed to sleep, the Empress Dowager slept very well all night, but Lan Qi didn't have much rest.

So for three whole days, Wu Changzai stayed in the Palace of Compassion and Ning to take care of the Empress Dowager, but the emperor only sent Director Li to greet him every day due to the busy government affairs. I don't know whether he was avoiding Wu Changzai or because she was there to rest assured. Everyone looked at him coldly, and felt that when the Empress Dowager recovered from her illness, it was time for Wu Ya's momentum to rise again.

But on the contrary, after another two days, the Empress Dowager was in good spirits and all her illnesses disappeared, but Wu Chang, who was so tired that she had lost a whole circle of weight, returned to Zhongcui Palace, but the emperor still ignored her. Either the Yigui people were sleeping in Qianqing Palace, or the emperor stayed in Chengqian Palace, there was almost nothing wrong with Wuchang.

It can't be compared to when she was a court lady, she was served by others for more than half a year, and she suddenly had to serve others for a few days. The meat and vegetables were brought to her every day, and she said that she was already skinny, but now she was even skinnier. Of course, neither of them lacked this kind of food, but it was Bu Chang who felt sorry for her.

Moreover, the Empress Dowager suddenly ordered Bu Changzai to go to Elder Brother’s place to see the little princess, and to hold the little princess’s hand and walk along with her. Qi begged for her.

In the blink of an eye, it's August, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner, and the palace gradually has a festive atmosphere. Last year, because of the death of Empress Xiaocheng, there was no festive entertainment. Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Right now, because of the San Francisco, the military expenditure on the frontline is huge, but the extravagance of the state banquet is not purely wasteful and unacceptable. Its luxury and grandeur also show the prosperity of the Qing Dynasty. Although it was a good thing, but this time he couldn't be frugal, so he personally went to Yikun Palace to tell her, Concubine Zhao agreed on the surface, but when she turned around, she still deducted the expenses, which caused a lot of discussion in the palace.

It's just that even if other people complained, they just closed the door and said in private, after all, Concubine Zhao is still the head of all concubines, who would dare to disrespect.Only Concubine Tong in Chengqian Palace is not easy to mess with. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is afraid that she will provoke troubles, and will do everything for Chengqian Palace.

That night, Xuanye rested in Chengqian Palace. After listening to Concubine Tong's styled Guqin, he said with a smile: "When you are admiring the chrysanthemums, why don't you put a few pots in the room and listen to the sound of the qin, so that you can enjoy the chrysanthemum?" It’s a bit of an artistic conception.” He said casually, “I walked all the way in just now, and I didn’t come to your place for three or two days, so I feel deserted.”

Concubine Tong got up and asked Jingzhu to put away the guqin, served the tea herself, and sat down beside her. She only sighed when the maids put away the guqin and left. The flowers in the palace are not allowed to be used casually at the moment, even if you go to the imperial garden to pick one, you will be guilty. They also said that some of the flowers that will be raised well can be sold in the palace for money. Anyway, Hua is always going to lose, so it's better to exchange for silver."

Xuan Ye's brows became tighter the more he heard it. He had never heard that the flowers planted in the imperial garden were not enjoyed by the emperor's concubines, but were used to pay back the money. Then why would he hold a state banquet and show off his national prestige? Silver is good.

Concubine Tong saw the change in the emperor's face, and she was secretly proud of herself, she didn't need to tell which one it was, and no matter whether it happened or not, the emperor would always ask about the embezzlement of the palace expenses.But it was self-defeating that the emperor didn't want to stay because he was angry, and he couldn't drink two sips from a bowl of tea, so he left it and wanted to leave.

"I will ask them to send you flowers tomorrow." Xuan Ye only said this when he left. It was useless for Concubine Tong to stay. What kind of tricks is this night, the emperor will not stay here, and those who talk about it tomorrow, I don’t know how to arrange for me.”

After being annoyed for a long time and unable to calm down, she ordered Jingzhu: "Go and send someone to watch over me. If the emperor goes to another place tonight or someone goes to the Qianqing Palace, I will make that one look good."

And Xuanye came out of Chengqian Palace here, and because he was worried about how to go to Concubine Zhao to say these things without hurting his peace, he asked his entourage to go back to Qianqing Palace first, and he and Director Li led three or four little eunuchs to hold the lanterns. scattered in the palace.

Behind here is the Zhongcui Palace. When it was not far or near in front of the door, he stopped to take a look, but he couldn't remember when he came last time. He felt that this place was not very good. When he returned to his side, he had to change her place to live.

Just as he was lost in thought, the door of Zhongcui Palace suddenly opened, Xuan Ye hurriedly signaled the people behind him to extinguish the lantern, and then he heard Lan Qi's voice saying: "I can't find it even after searching in the dark, don't disturb Concubine Tong in front again." Ma'am, let's see you tomorrow."

"How can I do that? Tomorrow morning, I asked the maids and eunuchs of Sansao to pick them up. Is there any one back?" It was Huanchun who spoke, and three or two palace maids held the lanterns and walked along the road looking for something, as if something had been lost.

Lan Qi stood lazily in front of the door, and complained to them: "If you don't go back, I will go back. I really don't care. Isn't it just an earring? I can agree, if another day I found it under the pillow and mattress, don't blame me for pushing you out in the middle of the night."

Yukui smiled there: "Master really loves the servants enough, who was so anxious that their eyes were wet just now?"

Xuanye laughed straight after hearing this, but the little girl's temperament has not changed at all, but his quiet laugh startled the delicate Huanchun, who asked who was in front, and approached with a lantern in his hand, Seeing that it was the emperor, she knelt down immediately in fright, and Yukui Xiangyue followed behind and bowed her knees to salute.

Lan Qi was the only one who stood stupidly at the door, but she was not stupid at the moment, who would have thought that the emperor would be okay standing in front of his palace in the middle of the night.

"Master, master, come here quickly..." Seeing that Lan Qi hadn't come over, Huan Chun hurriedly turned to call her, and then she lost her mind and hurried to the front.

Eunuch Li also asked the little eunuchs to re-light the lanterns, and the surroundings were bright for a while, and he could clearly see that Lan Qi was wearing regular clothes, her hair was combed, and there was a jade bead flower on her sideburns, she looked clean , as if seeing her as a court lady back then, thinking that she was about to go to bed, she took off all the jewelry on her body.

"There's no need to salute." Xuan Ye suddenly said when Lan Qi was kneeling, and asked again, "Is the clothes on your body cool?"

Lan Qi was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook her head, Xuan Ye then said: "Accompany me for a few steps, Huan Chun and you follow behind."

Huan Chun was overjoyed, got up and saw that the emperor had already walked forward, but Chang Zai was stunned, hurriedly pushed forward, and said in a low voice: "Don't be stupid, hurry up and follow."

Lan Qi woke up, and quickly ran to Xuan Ye's side, Xuan Ye turned around and saw her flustered look, frowned and said, "What's the hurry, aren't you afraid of falling?"

Lan Qi stretched out her feet and smiled: "It's time to go to bed, and I've already changed into soft shoes."

With her smile, Xuan Ye's heart inexplicably warmed up, and the lingering resentment just now was much lessened. He didn't know what to say for a moment, and walked forward slowly again.

Today, autumn is cool and crisp, which is the most pleasant season in the four seasons in Beijing. The cold winter has not come to midsummer, so you don’t have to worry about the heat, and you won’t be shivering from the ice and snow. You can stretch your muscles and bones freely, and enjoy the moon and stars. Depressed to live up to the great autumn night.

"Are you reading the book I gave you?" After walking for a while, Xuan Ye suddenly asked, thinking that he said that he would wait for Lan Qi to read the book thoroughly before seeing her again. Happy, even if she just stays by my side, it can make me feel at ease.

"Your Majesty... are you going to test your concubine now?" The voice in his ear was full of timidity, Xuan Ye stopped and turned to look at her, pretending to be angry and asked, "Aren't you watching?"

Lan Qi hurriedly waved her hand to deny, "I'm reading all of them, every book..." Her heart was pounding, "I've read every book, every book... I've turned to the bottom, but if you want to ask now, The concubine can't remember anything in her head."

Xuan Ye smiled, guessing that she must have seen that she had written her name, but those books were not selected for her, but the books that Xuan Ye himself was reading recently and had lectures with various ministers, and they were just for her to think about, even if she couldn’t Seeing each other, I can do the same thing. I didn't really expect her to understand anything, but listening to Mr. Li talking about her recent things, I also know that these books have made her grow a lot.

"Your Majesty, those books are too difficult." Lan Qi finally found a chance to say these things in her heart, "Can you let my concubine read some interesting books?"

"Studying hard in the cold window, why is it so interesting, you are my courtiers, are you reading for fun?" Xuan Ye wanted to bully the person in front of him for no reason, this sentence angrily said, really frightened her, He lowered his head and said nothing.

"Let's go, it will be cold if you stand still." Xuan Ye smiled helplessly, and reached out to hold her hand.

Lan Qi was poked into the softness of her heart by this action. She used to think that her hand would never reach this person's palm again. His own hand, a big and gentle palm, held himself firmly.

Her body was gently pulled, she quickly followed, but Xuan Ye asked: "How is life in the palace, is there anything missing, what is missing?"

"Everything is fine." Lan Qi said, suddenly blushing, as if asking for credit, "When the clothes are cut in autumn, the size of the concubine is a bit wider than that of the first year. If the life is not good, how can it be like this."

Xuan Ye glanced at her, still thin and slender, and stared at her with disgust, "Where is your width?" But then sighed, "You just think everything is good, and others can't." After that I don't know where the narrator came from, but he actually told Lan Qi about Concubine Tong's affairs, and also asked Lan Qi: "Don't you think that life in the palace is difficult for Concubine Zhao?"

"The concubine's request is naturally different from other people's. Maybe others feel uncomfortable, and it's not unreasonable. But the concubine Zhao did this, and the money didn't go into her pocket. It was for the court to reduce the burden." Lan Qijing He said quietly, "If you pursue it right now, you won't be able to catch up with the Mid-Autumn Festival the day after tomorrow. It's better to wait for the Mid-Autumn Festival. If the Emperor doesn't feel ashamed, then the Concubine Zhao will have to work hard. If it's inappropriate, you There is something to be said for pursuing it, but now I rush over to question it angrily, the concubine Zhao has put in all her efforts to manage everything, and even a concubine would be disappointed."

Xuanye's heart gradually calmed down. He thought of these truths when he walked out of Chengqian Palace, so he was worried about how to tell Yikun Palace. Now that Lan Qi said it, what he liked in his heart was right. She was impressed by her words and thoughts, she hadn't been close for half a year, and the person in front of her was no longer that delicate and soft little Chang Zai. She had gained wisdom and a vision of looking at the world, so she couldn't help laughing secretly, she should give her a few more esoteric books Books are good.

"Your Majesty, did my concubine say something wrong?" Lan Qi couldn't help feeling a little nervous when she saw Xuan Ye was in a daze, but Xuan Ye reached out and stroked the hair on her temples, "It's a pity that she used to target you like that, and she always doesn't want to get close to you." Others are increasingly isolating themselves, if people can truly stand alone, what do I want the ministers and generals to do."

After finishing speaking, Lan Qi was dumbfounded, knowing that she didn't understand, she patted her forehead: "I still haven't studied too much, go back, and memorize a few chapters tomorrow, I will come to test you from time to time, don't think that the time is too late." It's a long time to be lazy, and no matter how long it is, it will pass."

Hearing that we were about to part, Lan Qi felt a sore cold in her heart, but she knew how to be modest and dared not get entangled, and blessed her body, she turned around and went back to Huan Chun, and when she and Huan Chun were together, she couldn't help but look back Look, the emperor has already walked away, and the heart that was just full is suddenly missing a big piece.

"Master, let's go too." Huanchun helped her back, Yukui Xiangyue was holding the lamp in front of her, and only after returning to the Zhongcui Palace to rest in the bedroom did Huanchun dare to ask, "You suddenly said to Long Live Lord When we spoke, the servants looked as if they had never been separated, and they were still the same as before."

Lan Qi herself was also surprised, she sat on the bed with her knees hugged and recalled the scene just now, she always thought that if she could have another day by Xuan Ye's side, she would definitely cry and feel wronged, but just now she suddenly asked to accompany her for a walk , she unknowingly returned to her previous mood, as if she had never been separated, as if she had never had those unhappiness and grievances, and she even had to fiddle with her soft shoes so she was not afraid of falling.

The soreness in her heart was true when she was separated, but she was not sad at all. She didn't know where the sense of security came from, and said to herself: "Why am I not sad?"

"Master, I found it." Xiangyue suddenly exclaimed excitedly, holding an earring in her hand and held it up in front of her, "You said it must be in the bedroom, but you just said that you touched your ear outside the door during the day, and you mentioned it?" Do the servants dare not give their best? In the middle of the night, they will go out to look for it.”

Lan Qi was not convinced: "I told you to look for it tomorrow, but you want to go out by yourself."

Huan Chun took a towel to wipe the master's face, smiled and gave Xiangyue a push: "Hold down, the master knew the emperor was coming, so Tete went out, so why bother us."

Lan Qi glared at them angrily, seeing that her eye sockets were wet, the three of them admitted their mistake and said they dared not make fun of her, and it took a long time to coax them to sleep, and after stepping back, they said to each other: "Wait a little longer, the master's hope is great!" .”

They were so emotional, but the words passed to Concubine Tong were different. When they heard that the emperor left Chengqian Palace, he actually went to the back and walked in the palace with Wu Yashi from Zhongcui Palace in the middle of the night. Concubine Tong was so angry that she said everything Can't come out, but Jingzhu said that not many people may know about this, because most people go back to Qianqing Palace first, and only the emperor also goes back.

"That little Chang Zai is really capable. Could it be that he sent someone to keep an eye on us? Why is she waiting at the gate of the palace when the emperor just went out?" Concubine Tong burst into tears with anger, "Fortunately, no one knows, if someone else I heard that an out-of-favor often snatched the emperor from me, what face will Chengqian Palace have in the future?"

After thinking about it, Concubine Tong said angrily again: "No wonder I heard people say that Wu Ya's momentum is about to rise. I don't take it seriously. I dare to behave like this even if I live in front of her. If it is farther away , I don't know how arrogant it is. No wonder Concubine Zhao hates Yigui so much, I understand it today."

This grievance is inexplicable. Although Concubine Tong is indeed a little wronged, if she does not provoke Concubine Zhao, the emperor will not come and go. Lan Qi is always innocent, but innocent people have to do it for her. This pays a price.

Two days later, the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was decent and grand, Concubine Zhao's expenses were all spent on this banquet, the Empress Dowager once again praised her in public, asking little Concubine Tong to follow suit, the boss was still reluctant.

Xuan Ye was grateful for meeting Lan Qi that night, which made him sure that he would talk to Concubine Zhao about spending money after the Mid-Autumn Festival. No matter what, she was in charge of the sixth house, and everything was in order, and gossip was not enough to criticize her. So hard, so on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, they stayed in the main hall of Yikun Palace. It was rare for the emperor and concubine to talk for a long time, and even Concubine Zhao herself found it inconceivable.

But the gentler the emperor was towards Concubine Zhao, the angrier he became that Chengqian Palace could not be at peace. On this full moon night, the Yikun Palace seemed to have a spring breeze in late autumn, but Zhongcui Palace was inexplicably greeted with a disaster.

Concubine Tong was missing a pair of jade bracelets in Chengqian Palace earlier, and she searched the entire palace but could not find it. Some people said that she had seen a maid from Zhongcui Palace sneaking around, so Concubine Tong brought someone to look for it. The matter said: "It's fine if it's an ordinary bracelet, but it was given to Baoping by my grandmother before I entered the palace. I can only wrong you and make me double it."

Concubine Tong's grandmother is naturally the emperor's grandmother, and the emperor always respects and loves her very much, and often sends people to greet her. up.

But they clean themselves up, but they don't know why they want to commit crimes. When Concubine Tong's little eunuch came out of Huanchun's room holding a pair of jade bracelets, Lan Qi was stunned.

Concubine Tong Youyou put on the bracelet, and asked with a sneer: "What do you mean, if I don't look for it more carefully tonight, shouldn't this bracelet be sold outside the palace?"

Another nun next to her said: "I heard that the maidservant of Zhongcui Palace wandered outside the night before yesterday, so Empress Qiao's bracelet disappeared the next day."

Lan Qi was startled, but she heard Concubine Tong ask, "Is there such a thing?"

"Niang Niang..." Huan Chun suddenly stepped forward and knelt down in front of Concubine Tong.

When Concubine Tong spread the palace rules and blamed the maids of Zhongcui Palace in the middle of the night, the Empress Dowager in the Palace of Compassionate Ning only took a break, and Madam Su Mala fell asleep early because of being drunk by the emperor. No one could do it for her. They call the shots.But it is rare for the emperor to come to Yikun Palace, and the gate is tightly guarded so that no one can enter, let alone disturb the emperor.In addition, even if Huigui and Ronggui wanted to help, it would not help Concubine Tong's dignity to come, and it would cause a whole lot of trouble.

In this way, Lan Qi watched Huanchun, Yukui, and Xiangyue being pinned and beaten until they could not move. Bu Changzai was so frightened that his knees limp and fell to the ground. Lan Qi went to help her, but Concubine Tong said, "Wu Chang is here. You have no way to govern, and I won’t succeed if I don’t pursue you, you kneel here for half an hour, and reflect on yourself, after all, I live in front of you, if you are not good, I am afraid that people will gossip behind your back.”

When Concubine Tong led people away, Zhongcui Palace was so quiet that the door of Chengqian Palace could be heard closing, Pan Xia Jinhe hurriedly helped Huanchun and the others up, Lan Qi knelt there motionless, and Bu Chang was crying Pull her: "Stop kneeling, she can't see it, what's the matter, why did you come to trouble us all of a sudden, Lan Qi, stop kneeling..."

"Half an hour passed quickly." Lan Qi struggled to release Bu Chang's hand, and knelt there straight. There was no resentment in her condensed eyes, but compassion, "Why did she do this and torture us?" It will only bring hatred to her, who would like a troublemaker."

Maybe it was just what Lan Qi said. Even if Concubine Tong uttered a bad breath after returning to the palace, she still couldn't sleep all night. She didn't know what she was afraid of and lost. I got a cold and fell ill.

And when the Empress Dowager and Xuan Ye both knew about the farce in the Zhongcui Palace on the night of Mid-Autumn Festival, they heard that Concubine Tong was completely confused and could not pursue anything. Except for the three maids who were seriously injured and unable to move, Wu Changzai was fine and fine.On the other hand, in Chengqian Palace, Concubine Tong's illness was very serious.

When Aunt Su Mala came to see Huanchun and the others, she did not appease them. Instead, she scolded the three maids whom she had personally trained. Now Lan Qi felt wronged, and she pulled Auntie and said: "If you don't feel sorry for them, no one will really feel sorry for them. After a few days, I will go to the Palace of Compassion and Peace to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager, and you can tell me that I am fine here, and nothing is wrong."

The mother sighed and said: "The Empress Dowager and the Emperor are very angry. If I hear you say this, I'm afraid I will be even more angry. If you should be wronged, you should be wronged. If you are so good-natured, people will treat you like a persimmon."

In front of Huanchun and the others, Lan Qi didn't say anything, and only waited to send Mama Su Ma out before she whispered in a private voice: "Why can Concubine Tong be unhappy? Here, everyone's face is not good-looking when it gets too big. Not to mention that we should be bullied and tossed, but after all, nothing major happened. If the empress wanted the lives of the three of them, even if she knelt in front of the Qianqing Palace and begged Well, I will fight for it too. That day Concubine Tong obviously came to seek trouble, so it’s good to fulfill her wish, mother, please tell the Empress Dowager for me, I am not a soft persimmon, and I will not always be bullied. The Empress Dowager loves me so much, how can I let others spoil me at will."

Aunt Su Ma was shocked inwardly. Back then when Concubine Chen was favored, the noble concubine and the noble concubines were filled with resentment, so they bullied the master who was the concubine Chen's younger sister. At that time, the master also said similar words in front of Empress Xiaoduan .

When these words came to the Empress Dowager, the old man was emotional, and told Aunt Su Mala not to tell the emperor, "He will feel even more distressed when he hears it. If he does something impulsively, he will disappoint the child. If she You said it on purpose and wanted to pass it on to the emperor through your mouth, so that will break your mind."

Aunt Su Mala was puzzled, and asked timidly, "Do you want to be on guard against Wu Chang?"

The Empress Dowager sighed softly: "Don't blame me for being suspicious, she has such a heart at such a young age, and she is just a maid of humble background, I feel a little uneasy in my heart. Isn't it strange that such a good person is low-key and gloomy? Let’s take a cold look, if it’s really good, it’s our emperor’s blessing, if you’re born with a lot of scheming, you’ll be able to pay it off in the future?”