The Virtuous Concubine

Since getting permission from Emperor Kangxi, the Fourth Prince has been learning to read and write with the two old eunuchs in the mornings. In the afternoons, he would be too naughty to stay at home and run around, sometimes to the Fifth Prince, sometimes to the fields in Shanglin Garden, and sometimes to the riding and archery range.

Malu thought that it was a good thing for boys to be energetic, so she didn't care about him. But she also found that the Fourth Prince didn't like Dachun very much now, and he didn't let her follow him around on a daily basis, which made Dachun sad for a long time.

Ma Lu knew that it was the eunuch incident that made him dissatisfied with Dachun. She couldn't do anything about the fact that Xiao Si'er had a strong desire to control her. So she simply transferred Dachun to the twins and let Jingyi stay with the fourth prince more. Anyway, the twins were younger now, so Dachun was more suitable.

Apart from this transfer, Malu spent every day in Yonghe Palace watching flowers bloom and wither, tasting fine wine and delicious food, and lived a very comfortable life. But this afternoon was unusual. After lunch, Liang Jiugong came to Yonghe Palace with a happy face, and came to announce the order of Emperor Kangxi to summon Malu to accompany him. Seeing Liang Jiugong's high spirits, Malu thought to herself that this must not be a bad thing.

She quickly changed into gorgeous clothes. She had been a concubine for a while now, and her next step was to play with some palace power. Naturally, she couldn't dress in the same delicate and fresh style as before.

Although a person's ability is not in dressing up, people always respect the clothes first and then the person. She is in the harem and can only follow the local customs. Malu wore a rose red cheongsam this time. In addition to the gorgeous peacock embroidery, the collar and cuffs were embroidered with a circle of pearls and gems, which sparkled and added a bit of luxury.

Malu was very satisfied, and felt that this dress was in line with her current high-spirited state and new personality. The old Malu who was trying to please others was not suitable for a mother with three children. She specially wore a golden crown with a magpie on a plum blossom and a jade hairpin, which contrasted with the peacock on the dress and showed her extraordinary status.

The lower skirt was also a horse-faced skirt with inlaid gold peacock feathers. The hem of the skirt swayed gently as she walked, as gorgeous as clouds. Such a gorgeous and eye-catching dress naturally could not be worn without makeup. She emphasized her eyebrows, drew long eyebrows slanting into her temples, and applied bright lip balm.

After that, she added three pairs of ruby ​​earrings. Manchus pay attention to one ear with three clips, that is, to pierce three holes in one ear. After she entered the palace and became a concubine, she also pierced two pairs of earrings. Looking at herself in the mirror, Malu was very satisfied. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains with green, and her eyes were like autumn water and clear rivers, which made her look extraordinary and graceful.

Bai Xia admired from the side: "Master has always liked fresh and elegant, I didn't expect that a new style would look so good. Today's outfit is really eye-catching."

Malu gently stroked her clothes, feeling the delicate embroidery and the coolness of the gemstones. It is better to be rich!

But she would not express her feelings in front of Bai Xia. She only said, "It's nice to change your style occasionally. When was this dress delivered? I see that the material is not of the currently popular pattern."

Bai Xia nodded: "Master, you have a good eye. This dress was made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs when Master was appointed as a concubine, using the tribute material from Suzhou weaving. Like the ink-and-wash dress, Master thought it was too ostentatious, so she kept it at the bottom of the box."

Malu nodded, saying that this was just right, and went out to the Qianqing Palace.

After she informed him and stepped into the palace, she found that besides Kangxi, there was someone else present! He was a minister. Ma Lu's heart tightened, and she quickly adjusted her expression, saluted Kangxi without looking away, and then wanted to walk to the warm room next to her.

But in her heart, she secretly blamed Wei Zhu, asking how she could handle the situation with a stranger inside!

Malu was about to turn around when she heard Kangxi's voice behind her: "Defei, I specifically asked you to come here today, why are you hiding away without saying a word?"

Ma Lu was startled and quickly knelt down and saluted: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I have already informed you, but I didn't expect to meet the ministers of the previous dynasty. I don't want to disturb your Majesty from handling government affairs, so I will avoid him first."

Kangxi smiled slightly, as if approving, as if helpless about her excessive caution, and waved his hand to signal her to stand up.

"It's okay. I asked you to come here today because I wanted to share a great event with you."

Malu was relieved after hearing this. However, she still kept her eyes straight, not even glancing at the kneeling minister. She stood up, with a hint of curiosity and expectation in her eyes: "Your Majesty, I wonder what happy event it is that can make Your Majesty so happy?"

Kangxi smiled and said, "I have recently received a victory report from the border. Our army has defeated the enemy in Yaksa and achieved an unprecedented victory. This is not only my honor, but also the honor of our Qing Dynasty. The woolen clothes you developed before are warm and close-fitting, which has reduced many casualties and made it easier for the soldiers on the front line to kill the enemy. The magical properties of this item are mentioned in the official report, and it is even suggested that it can be further promoted so that every member of the Eight Banners of the Qing Dynasty can have one."

Malu was pleasantly surprised. She knew what this victory meant to the country, so she saluted again and said, "Your Majesty is wise and brave. Our army is invincible. This is God's blessing to our dynasty. I feel extremely honored to live in such a prosperous era."

She didn't mention her own contribution, which made Kangxi even more satisfied. But Malu knew that Kangxi must have something to ask her, otherwise he would have just asked her to come to the Qianqing Palace in the evening. There was no need to ask her to come during the day.

Sure enough, Kangxi smiled and added, "Don't be modest, it's also your contribution. Liang Jiugong has taken the reward to Yonghe Palace. I called you here today because I hope you can continue to improve and simplify the production process of this dress. I hope that all the people of the Qing Dynasty, whether military or civilian, can wear this warm dress to resist the severe cold."

Malu was delighted. She knew the importance of this task and quickly showed an expression of responsibility: "Your Majesty's expectations are in my heart. I will do my best to study with the craftsmen of the Ministry of Internal Affairs so that this dress can benefit more people. It's just that I don't understand and can't do it because it's the affairs of the previous dynasty..."

Kangxi nodded: "You just need to simplify and improve the technology in this area, and the rest will be done by Nalan."

The minister who had been kneeling beside him, Nalan Mingzhu, finally spoke up: "I am here."

"I have ordered Mingzhu to take charge of the follow-up arrangements for this matter. You will be responsible for the specific matters. You must ensure that the production and distribution of these clothes can proceed smoothly."

Kangxi's eyes were heavy, thinking of the fight between Mingzhu and Suo'etu, and his originally good mood was also shrouded in a layer of gloom. He couldn't let Mingzhu's people take all the credit, and he still needed to give another thing to Hesheli to keep the prince and Suo'etu balanced with Mingzhu.

Nalan Rongruo replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my best." After that, he bowed to Malu and said: "Your humble servant Nalan Rongruo, I pay my respects to the Empress Defei."

Malu nodded, as if he was seeing him for the first time, but his heart was filled with shock - this guy!

Malu didn't believe that he had done nothing wrong here. He was really annoyed with this man. He was like a piece of leftover chewing gum that he couldn't get rid of no matter how hard he tried!

However, she did not show it on her face, and only said: "Lord Nalan, you can directly ask the chief steward of the Craftsmen Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He will tell you about any progress here."

Nalan Rongruo nodded his head, feeling very nervous. He looked at Malu secretly, but there was no trace of the jade pendant, and he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.