The Virtuous Concubine

System: "It's really possible! Do you... do you want to intercept it?"

Ma Lu sneered: "If I want to intercept, I will start intercepting the Eighth Prince. Why would I keep Concubine Wei alive? What's the point of fighting with women? They are all pitiful. There is no point in fighting with those princes. The most important thing is Kangxi."

In her view, the struggles in the palace were nothing but child's play, and the real battle was with the supreme emperor. Ma Lu knew that only by mastering Kangxi's mind could she truly grasp the key to power.

Malu asked Jingyi to explain the matter of the Eighteenth Son to Xiao Sier, and then prepare something for Kangxi to take to Mount Wutai. She thought for a while and was unwilling to spend any money on Kangxi... so she just wrote a calligraphy.

After much selection, Malu chose the Avatamsaka Sutra and planned to have Kangxi take it to burn after copying it to show his sincerity. However, Malu wanted to eat some meat today, so he had to prepare the ink and paper specially before he could start writing.

After the paper and ink were prepared according to Malu's instructions, Malu fasted and bathed before lighting a light sandalwood in the study room in Yonghe Palace. The scent of ink and sandalwood intertwined, and the atmosphere of Yonghe Palace instantly became solemn. She picked up the pen, dipped it in ink, and began to copy the "Avatamsaka Sutra" on the gold paper with great concentration.

After copying, she gently rolled up the scripture and carefully wrapped it with yellow silk. The ink and paper were not simple, and she would burn them to give Kangxi a surprise. She sent someone to deliver the copied scripture to the Qianqing Palace. When Kangxi opened it in his spare time, he couldn't help but sigh: "Defei's handwriting has improved again. It is dignified, elegant, restrained, and full of literary style. But she seems to have rarely written recently."

Liang Jiugong beside him smiled innocently: "I don't understand these things. If the emperor says it is good, it must be good."

Kangxi shook his head, thinking that the boy was incorrigible, and continued to review the memorials. A trace of fatigue was revealed between his brows. He was really busy recently, with heavy state affairs. In addition to the upcoming trip to Mount Wutai, he also had to plan to set up the Han Army Banner Firearms Camp to strengthen the military strength of the Qing Dynasty. In June, he also planned to go to Mulan for hunting, which was not only for leisure and relaxation, but also for reviewing the army and boosting morale.

He also had to worry about the affairs of the harem. His cousin's pregnancy was difficult, and he didn't want the little Niuhulu family to dominate the palace affairs, and he didn't want the Empress Dowager to take the opportunity to intervene. Therefore, he naturally had to promote the four concubines and give each of them some palace power. Only when the concubines in the harem check and balance each other and supervise each other can the harmony and stability of the harem be ensured.

After finishing these things, he also asked about Yinreng's daily life and studies. He hoped that Yinreng could become a virtuous and talented crown prince, so that the Qing Dynasty would have a successor.

By the time Kangxi had dealt with all the memorials and prepared the palace power distribution that needed to be announced in two days, it was already late at night. The lights in the various palaces of the Forbidden City had long been turned off, leaving only the Qianqing Palace still brightly lit.

He stood up, stretched his tired muscles, and was about to walk to the bookshelf, but his eyes could not help but stay on the magnificent embroidery of "A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains". On the embroidery, the mountains and rivers were magnificent, and the rivers were mighty. Every stitch was delicate and every line was smooth and vivid, as if you could hear the flowing river and the whistling mountain wind.

Kangxi gazed at the rolling hills and sparkling river in the painting and could not help but murmur softly: "Defei may be the one who understands me the most. She actually made such a painting to supervise me to work hard to govern the country."

The advisor on duty nearby didn't hear clearly, so he asked Kangxi: "Your Majesty, do you have any instructions?"

Kangxi slowly turned around, his eyes moved away from the embroidery and fell on the consultant's face, and he smiled slightly: "It's okay, I'm just admiring this "A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains", and I'm impressed by Concubine De's skillful hands and profound meaning."

Upon hearing this, the consultant could not help but cast his eyes on the embroidery, examined it carefully, and then exclaimed: "The craftsmanship of the Empress Defei is unparalleled in the world. This painting not only shows the splendid rivers and mountains of our Qing Dynasty, but also symbolizes the peace and prosperity of the country under your wise governance."

Kangxi smiled and tried to shake the white jade rosary in his hand, but it was empty. He had carried this item for many years, and he was still a little uncomfortable giving it to Concubine De. He nodded and said, "Let her embroider a painting of Along the River During the Qingming Festival some other day. The imperial study in the harem is still short of a large ornament."

The wrinkles on the consultant's face could not help but move, and he thought to himself: "What do you think of the Empress Defei?"

However, he, a servant, had no right to interfere with the emperor's orders. I believe that the Empress Defei will also appreciate this favor and trust and embroider the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" well.

Malu was sleeping soundly and didn't know that he had another mission.

A few days later, Liang Jiugong came with an imperial decree from Emperor Kangxi - Consort De of Yonghe Palace was in charge of the imperial kitchen and the Imperial Household Department's Craftsmen Department. Facing this sudden power in the palace, Malu did not show any excessive joy, but just stood up, tidied her clothes, and then respectfully accepted the decree: "I accept the decree and will not fail the emperor's trust."

Liang Jiugong said with a smile: "Your Highness Defei has always been virtuous and sensible, and the emperor's trust in you is evident. The affairs of the imperial kitchen are complicated, but with your talent and ability, you will be able to handle them in an orderly manner."

Malu responded with a gentle smile: "Eunuch Liang, you are too kind. Although I dare not boast about myself, I will do my best to live up to the emperor's expectations." She was actually a little surprised to receive this, but if the palace power really had to be divided with her, because of Ecan's position as the chief steward of the imperial kitchen, she would be the most suitable person to do this.

Seeing Malu so calm, Liang Jiugong was even more delighted: "Your Majesty, if you think so, the Emperor will be pleased. Then I will not bother you anymore. If you need anything, just let me know."

Ma Lu smiled and said, "Thank you, Eunuch Liang. I just don't know what palace duties the other concubines have been assigned. I need to be prepared. A single move in the palace can affect the entire palace..."

Liang Jiugong nodded and said, "Your Majesty has considered everything. In the harem, each concubine has her own responsibilities. For example, Concubine Niuhulu was in charge of palace affairs during Concubine Tong's pregnancy. Concubine Hui was responsible for managing the palace's allowances, Concubine Yi supervised the personnel transfers of eunuchs and palace maids, and Concubine Rong was in charge of clothing materials and embroidery rooms."

Ma Lu listened carefully, silently memorizing the duties of each concubine in her heart: "Eunuch Liang is right. I will work closely with other concubines to ensure that everything in the harem goes smoothly."

Liang Jiugong was relieved to see that Malu was so reasonable: "Your Majesty is very understanding. It is a blessing for the emperor and the Qing Dynasty to have a concubine as virtuous as you in the harem."

After Liang Jiugong left, the people of Imperial Concubine Wenxi also arrived and invited Malu to go to Yongshou Palace to meet with the other three concubines to discuss the specific matters of palace affairs. Malu naturally had no reason to refuse: "Please reply to Imperial Concubine Wenxi that I will go there immediately."

When Malu had dressed herself up, changed out of the clothes and jewelry she wore to receive the imperial edict, and put on a more simple and elegant outfit, she came to Yongshou Palace, where Noble Consort Wenxi and several other concubines were already waiting. They were all sitting there, talking and laughing, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Ma Lu walked into the Yongshou Palace, smiled and first saluted the imperial concubine with her hairpin, then saluted the concubines present: "Dear sisters, I am late."

Imperial Concubine Wenxi asked Malu to sit down with a smile: "Don't be so polite, sister Defei. There is no need to be so polite between sisters." It is true that people are in high spirits when good things happen. Everyone is happy to suddenly have power in the palace!

Malu sat down as he was told and looked up at the dignified and elegant imperial concubine.