Biography of Concubine De of Emperor Kangxi

"Future? Didn't I spend the rest of my life working on his future?" Concubine Hui smiled bleakly, her eyes flickering with despair, and she said to Mrs. Mingzhu coldly, "People are partial, and the emperor is even more so." He likes the fourth elder brother and the sixth elder brother. They are innocent and lively when they play like a baby, and they are pleasing to the eye no matter how you look at them. As for our elder brother, he doesn't like it very much, so he doesn't like it no matter how you look at it. You always advise me to be a child disciplined by Ama Blessed, but why do I feel that being praised is more blessed, why is my son not well, and he always gets scolded for everything he does?"

Seeing Concubine Hui's agitation, Mrs. Mingzhu hurriedly persuaded her: "Your Majesty, calm down. Is Eldest Brother the eldest son? Is the eldest son of any family who grew up being scolded? Parents don't dislike the eldest son, but think about it." When you get old, you have to rely on them, lest they be useless."

"With a crown prince here, what's the point of the eldest son?" Concubine Hui said negatively and angrily. Fortunately, she suppressed her voice because of her resentment, so that no one else could hear it.

Mrs. Mingzhu became even more nervous and her face changed, and she tried to persuade her repeatedly, "Your Majesty, you have to plan for the long term. Don't talk about anything else. Those elder brothers are still young, who knows how big they can grow. But our eldest elder brother is strong and healthy. In [-], the young ones are still incompetent, aren’t they all the glory of our big brother? As for the prince, not only my master, but also outside, I heard a lot of gossip, saying that the prince has been raised to death.”

Concubine Hui's eyes flashed light, she stared at Madam Mingzhu, Madam Mingzhu said again: "No matter how conspicuous Concubine De is, she stands tall everywhere, how many people don't like her, are you still waiting for Madam, are you anxious? There is something , it’s not like it hasn’t happened in the past.”

Concubine Hui's whole body was tense, a chill of fear came up her spine, and she said after a long time of boredom: "I'm still afraid of elder brother's poisoning, but what happened to Concubine De back then, she seems to be fine now. I don’t know how to keep a low profile.” Suddenly there was a sneer, “That’s right, she is loved by the two palaces, and the most noble people in the Qing Dynasty hold her in their hands, so what’s so scary about her?”

Indeed, as Concubine Hui said, in the eyes of the world, Concubine De has been with her for nearly ten years, and her journey has been smooth and smooth. Everyone only sees her current brilliance, but forgets how she fell into the dust back then, but they don't know how she has devoted herself to her in the past ten years. There is nothing in return for taking care of the two houses, but those who are jealous will only attribute all this to "good luck".

Shengjia traveled northward and returned to Beijing. He arrived in Qufu on November [-]. The local officials had been preparing for a long time. The emperor planned early on that he would hold a memorial ceremony at the Confucius Temple on November [-]. The ceremony is the highest standard of sacrifice in the Confucius Temple. The emperor's release ceremony was almost as important as the sacrifice of heaven, earth, the country and the Taimiao.This trip is also one of the most important things during the southern tour, Xuan Ye is very cautious, and because he will bring his concubine with him, when he first arrives in Qufu, he will send a ceremony officer to explain the funeral ceremony to the concubine and princess. There will be a joke tomorrow.

At this moment, he and several ministers have set the itinerary for tomorrow. Xuan Ye was free for a while, thinking that the female family members are learning etiquette from the ceremonial officer, so he came over to see the situation in person. Announcement, walking quietly, approaching the door, but heard Lan Qi's voice talking.

"Entering the Confucian Temple, the first stone square is called 'Jinsheng Yuzhen' square, the meaning of the sentence comes from Mencius' saying, "Confucius said that the collection of great achievements, the one who has gathered the great achievements, is also the sound of gold and jade. The final principle is also.' Mencius compared Confucius with perfect music, and praised him as the culmination of ancient sages and sages. The rites and music played in the memorial ceremony were different in all dynasties. From the Qing Dynasty to the sixth year of Kangxi, I wrote Zhonghe Shao "Music", taking the meaning of peace in the world, all the movements are named after the word "Ping", and it was awarded to Guoxue for the interpretation of Confucius. "Anping", "Jingping" for the final music, and "Xianping" for the music. The memorial ceremony is solemn and solemn. After everything is ready, the drum master first hits the big drum for 360 rings in the east of Dachengmen, and hits the big bell for 180 Make a sound as a warning, and then enter the temple to salute, open the house, perform sweeping, and appease the gods..."

Xuan Ye silently retreated to the window, faintly saw Lan Qi explaining these things to everyone with a leisurely smile, the imperial concubine sat on top, frowning as usual, but the princesses listened attentively, and the ceremonial officer stood aside with a smile Seeing Concubine De's eyes full of admiration, Xuan Ye suddenly felt a surge of pride in his heart, so he stopped entering to disturb them, and left in a hurry.

In the evening, the ceremonial officer came to report to the emperor, Xuan Ye mentioned why Concubine De was explaining, the ceremonial officer was unavoidably flustered, and seeing that the emperor had no intention of blaming him, he even asked with a smile, and of course picked the emperor's favorite words to say.

It turned out that after he had been rambling on for a long time, the imperial concubine angrily said that she did not understand. In order to appease the imperial concubine, the imperial concubine began to speak on behalf of the ceremony official. It made the imperial concubine impatient, but the concubine de only picked the most important things and spoke concisely, and her voice was not rigid, which made the empress of the imperial concubine listen to her.

Afterwards, when saluting, how to stand, how to stack left and right hands, how to kowtow, how to offer incense, etc., are all explained by the concubine De. I don't know, Empress Concubine De has such profound knowledge, after all concubines rarely participate in funeral ceremonies, there is no need to be proficient in these principles."

Xuan Ye was very proud, but he restrained himself and didn't show it on his face. He just ordered lightly: "I'm afraid that others may not understand it all. Tomorrow, we must arrange corresponding people to guide the ladies to salute. Don't make a joke."

The ceremony officer hurriedly kowtowed to promise, and left tremblingly.

As soon as the people left, Xuan Ye called Eunuch Liang to come in, and asked him if the imperial concubine was gone, then came to his cousin, and when he entered the door, he saw the imperial concubine reading a book under the candle lamp, frowning and muttering something, Xuan Ye approached and asked: " Sure enough, you have come to the hometown of Confucius, you are so outstanding, even you have studied hard?"

The imperial concubine complained: "Why does the emperor bring his concubine and his concubines to pay homage together? With such red tape, the concubine and concubine make a big fuss." Eyeballs rolled, thinking of Concubine De's erudition, she was very unconvinced for a while , let’s hear the maid in front of the door say that the emperor has been here, so it’s not good to keep it secret and just say awkwardly, “People say that it’s been a cold window for ten years, but Concubine De has been reading and writing seriously for ten years. work hard."

Xuan Ye was very tolerant towards her, and said gently: "You don't have to be too nervous, everything will be guided by the etiquette officer tomorrow, and you won't make mistakes if you don't speak up, follow the steps, do what others want you to do, and soon It's over."

The imperial concubine raised her slender eyebrows, and said dissatisfiedly: "Your Majesty, don't underestimate my concubine. When have I ever humiliated you in a big matter? Otherwise, you think it will be dark, and my concubine is still bothering to watch what book?"

Xuan Ye smiled and said: "Isn't it?" He praised her for her mind and understanding, but the imperial concubine still murmured why she brought her concubines with her. Even if the mother came to pay homage to her son, it would not be an exaggeration.

The emperor knew that other words to the imperial concubine were empty talk, but when Yinzhen was involved, she would be able to say anything, which really made his cousin happy, and prepared the emperor's night meal carefully, and asked him to go to bed early, saying that he could not delay tomorrow business.

The fourth elder brother and the sixth elder brother are together here, and the emperor has sent someone to teach him about etiquette. Yinzhen understands how important tomorrow's affairs are, and has always seemed a little nervous, while Yinzuo seems to understand, but remember Erniang He said that if he is obedient, he will ask Ahma for a small machete for him, so he also earnestly learns from his brothers to ensure that he will not make mistakes tomorrow.

At the moment the two little ones are taking a bath, Lan Qi watched Huanchun laying out dinner waiting for them to come to eat, the nurse hurried to say that the sixth elder brother was playing in the water and refused to get up, and asked the master for help with a helpless face, she told the master helplessly. When I came here, I heard my son making a big fuss before entering the house, and when I entered the door, I stepped on the water all over the floor. The nurses kept asking her to be careful of slippery feet.

"Yinzuo, your skin is itchy, aren't you?" Lan Qi scolded, but her son was not afraid at all, he waved his hands coquettishly and called Er Niang to hug her, Lan Qi came over with a thick blanket and wrapped the little thing in it. Under the blanket, he patted his buttocks twice to scold him, "Don't be so naughty, Erniang is really going to be angry." But when she turned her head, she saw Yinzhen huddled in hot water and didn't know why she was nervous.

"Yinzhen, you..." Lan Qi was about to speak, but her mind was agitated, and she suddenly smiled with eyebrows crooked. Is her eldest son shy?Afraid of embarrassing the child, he hurriedly said, "There is food in the room, Yinzhen dressed up and came to eat, and Empress De will take your naughty brother away first."

Waiting for Lan Qi to pack Yinzuo in the outside room and get dressed, she came to the dinner table and waited for Si elder brother, when someone came from the imperial concubine and said that the emperor had passed, and asked when Si elder brother would go back, Yinzhen walked in the door, and Yinzuo ran over to hug him I don't want my brother to go.Yinzhen looked at Lan Qi, she smiled so softly and amiably, and also heard that the Concubine De concubine understood the various etiquettes of the funeral ceremony tomorrow, so she nodded in agreement.Anyway, since the southern tour, he often lived with his younger brother at both ends, and he was used to it.

The two sons, although they can't be said to be quiet, they all seem quiet in front of Yinzuo. This little guy is energetic, cheerful and lively every day. Lan Qi usually rewards those who take care of the sixth elder brother. She knows that it is not good to serve this little ancestor. easy.

After falling asleep at night, Lan Qi was suddenly woken up by someone touching her, and something was pressed heavily on her chest. When she opened her eyes, she saw Yin Zuo running over at some point, crawling on top of her, and then lay down with a grunt. Drilling in his arms, he said, "Emiang, what does fourth brother want to ask you?"

Lan Qi was stunned, then lifted the curtain to look, and saw Xiangyue came in with candles from last night, making the room brighter, Yinzhen was standing under the bed in pajamas, Xiangyue smiled and said, "Si elder brother, get under the bed quickly." Go inside, it's cold."

"Fourth brother, come quickly." Yin Zuo beckoned, Lan Qi told him to whisper, and she squatted down from the bed to hold her son's hand, which was already a little cold, guessing that he might not be willing, so she just said, "If you catch a cold , I will not be able to go to the Confucian Temple to participate in the funeral ceremony tomorrow."

When Yinzhen got nervous, she quickly followed her younger brother to bed, and Lan Qi told Xiangyue: "Tell the wet nurses that they will sleep here tonight, tell them to rest well, and follow the elder brothers tomorrow so that there will be no mistakes."

Later, because of Yin Zuo's tossing, he said that he wanted to cling to Er Niang, but it was difficult to talk to Er Niang after the fourth brother was separated, so he insisted on sleeping next to Lan Qi with the fourth brother, and he hugged his forehead without any scruples. The mother's arms were tightly glued together, while Yinzhen slept peacefully beside him, asking about things to pay attention to tomorrow.

Yinzuo, who was too boring to talk, fell asleep first, and Yinzhen was a child after all, before Lan Qi finished speaking, he also fell asleep in a daze, with a pair of sons by his side, Lan Qi was satisfied, her only regret It was the daughter who was in the palace and enjoyed the family happiness with her son after going out for so long, but she also wanted to hug her little daughter day by day.

The two little guys were warm, and Lan Qi felt a little sweaty all over her body. She quietly got up and asked the people from the previous night to remove a pot of charcoal fire. When she came back, she could see the peaceful and lovely faces of the two brothers in the dim light of the candle, and her heart skipped a beat. When they were about to melt, they got down together and kissed them one at a time. The fourth elder brother in the dream moved a little, and continued to sleep comfortably.

The night was peaceful, and the next day I got up early and drove to the Confucian Temple to perform the funeral ceremony. The etiquette was complicated and solemn but everything went smoothly. The emperor knelt down three times and kowtowed nine times in the Dacheng Hall, and personally wrote the four characters "Teacher of All Ages". Gai also ordered that all the money and grain of the land in the 24th year of Kangxi in Qufu County be exempted to benefit the people.

After the incident, Shengjia left Qufu and continued to return to Beijing, but Concubine De fell ill with a cold after the memorial ceremony, and was never able to get close to her son all the way, and even Xuanye had to wait for her to recover before seeing each other.Everyone thought it was normal for Concubine De to fall ill due to exhaustion from the journey. Only Lan Qi knew that she got sick because she got up from time to time to watch the children turn over and kick the quilt that night in Qufu. , Li Bi softened down.

On the way back like this, she kept quiet and did not interact with others, and finally regained her spirit before entering the palace. On the 28th of the month, Shengjia traveled to Nanyuan, and entered the imperial city on the 29th.Concubine Wen and Concubine Hui came to greet him. After two months of separation, Concubine Wen was transformed into a radiant radiance. Even Concubine Rong opened her eyes to look carefully for fear of admitting the wrong person, and Concubine Huang frowned, which was inconceivable.

Xuan Ye was very polite, and after saying a few words to him, he took the prince to the Palace of Compassion and Peace to pay his respects, and the others scattered back to their respective palaces. He said politely, "Finally home."

This trip, everyone was exhausted. The Yonghe Palace was busy packing up and packing things, and Huanchun and the others were too tired to move. They could always hold their breath when they were outside. This time, Just arms are not arms and legs are not legs.Things were simple for Lan Qi, so she told them to rest for a couple of days, and she got up to change her clothes, and brought a few young maids who stayed at home to Ningshou Palace, thinking that she wanted to hug her little ones. Princess.

The Empress Dowager was indeed waiting, and had already sent someone to ask the emperor not to come over to pay his respects, and she also missed Fifth Elder Brother very much. After listening to the child talking about the journey, she came to see Lan Qi and her daughter after being taken by the wet nurse, and said with a smile: "Think about it badly, the little girl is so good, she doesn't cry at all."

Lan Qi thanked the Queen Mother for taking care of her, and then sat down to talk, the Queen Mother asked her if she had seen Concubine Wen Gui, mentioned her changes in the past two months, and said with emotion: "If it lasts for a long time, it will be a good thing, who wouldn't want to see a spiritual person? "

Lan Qi nodded and said nothing, and the queen mother immediately said: "Next year should be the year of the draft, but the empress dowager said no, just pick a few from the nobles of the Eight Banners."

On the way, I heard Concubine Rong mention this matter. I didn’t expect that the queen mother told her when she returned home. She also said that there is no definite order at the moment, and it will be announced after the emperor comes back to discuss and decide. But one thing has been decided. Queen Hesheli's younger sister is old enough to enter the palace.