The Virtuous Concubine

Malu gently put down the teacup, lowered her head and said: "Now, I understand the rules and limits of the harem better..." There was a hint of sob in her words, as if she had thousands of words to say but could not express them, and could only turn them into a soft sigh.

Emperor Kangxi clearly understood what was said. He frowned slightly and said, "Who hit you?!"

Malu did not answer directly. She just raised her eyes, revealing a hint of helplessness and expectation: "There are three thousand beauties in the harem, and each of them admires and loves you. Don't let the beauties hope for you in vain. I just hope that all of you sisters can be blessed with the same grace."

After a long while, Kangxi finally spoke in a very gentle voice: "I know. But I have already turned over your card today. A gentleman's word is as good as gold. You can't say such stupid words about treating everyone equally tomorrow. Today, I just want to protect you alone."

Malu's eyes turned red: "Your Majesty!" Then she threw herself into Kangxi's arms, like a young swallow flying into the forest, with her clothes fluttering in the wind.

Kangxi gently embraced Malu, and suddenly felt helpless. Yes, as an emperor, there were indeed too many things that he could not help. Although his motives were indeed impure, he had to admit that he had a very comfortable life in the Yonghe Palace for seven days.

Malu is indeed different from other imperial concubines. She doesn't try to win favor from others by making insinuations, nor does she seek favor or reward overtly or covertly. She just lives her own life, and she won't change because of him. She just accepts him into her daily life.

He patted Malu on the back and said, "I know what you mean. I will keep your words in mind."

Malu leaned on Emperor Kangxi's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, with some inexplicable waves in her heart: "Thank you, Your Majesty. It is a blessing for the Qing Dynasty and also a blessing for me to have such a wise ruler as Your Majesty."

The next day, Kangxi sent many gifts, pearls like tears, silk like water, each of which sparkled and shone, which was very much to Malu's liking. In the evening, he turned over Huifei's card again, and Malu's seven consecutive days of favor were finally over. Seeing this, the concubines in the harem also had their own thoughts in their hearts.

As long as she was not the only one favored, life in the palace would be more hopeful. After all, Concubine De had a high status and many children. If she was the only one favored by the emperor, the other concubines would be like being in a desert, with no hope. What's more, the emperor's mind was always unpredictable, and soon he canonized another concubine.

This newly promoted concubine was none other than an old acquaintance of Malu, her roommate Wan Liuha when Malu entered the palace for the selection.

Concubine Hui originally just felt that Concubine Wei was no longer favored. She could no longer add a child to the royal family, and her favor was gradually surpassed by Concubine Yi and others. She still needed to find another person to love. Otherwise, this Zhongcui Palace would really be like a cold palace!

Concubine Hui sat at the head of the table, sizing up the three maids in front of her. This was the third wave of maids she had asked her subordinates to select. Some were beautiful, some were smart, and some had outstanding talents, but in Concubine Hui's eyes, none of them were qualified to serve the emperor.

In terms of appearance, with Concubine Wei and Concubine De as good examples, how could such a person catch the emperor's eye? In terms of intelligence, she looked at the way these people talked and responded, and felt that they were not even as good as Jingyi who was in front of the Fourth Prince! Because the eldest prince was the leader of the children in the Shangshufang, Concubine Hui was familiar with the first few princes, so she naturally knew what the people around him were like.

The maids showed off their talents one after another, but Concubine Hui never showed a satisfied look on her face. Just as Concubine Hui was about to wave her hand to let the maids leave, a voice broke the silence: "Your Majesty, Wan Liuha is willing to recommend herself."

Everyone's eyes instantly focused on Wan Liuha. She stood among the palace maids. Her figure and appearance were not the most outstanding, but her eyes revealed an unyielding spirit. It turned out that she saw that Concubine Hui was not satisfied with them, and she knew that this was her last chance. If she could not catch Concubine Hui's attention at this moment, she might die in obscurity in this palace like other palace maids.

Concubine Hui's eyes fell on Wan Liuha, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She remembered this woman, she was Malu's roommate, and she was also a woman who showed extraordinary talent during the Xiaoxuan. A hint of curiosity surged in Concubine Hui's heart, and she motioned Wan Liuha to come forward.

Wan Liuha walked slowly to Concubine Hui and bowed reverently. Her voice was clear and firm: "Your Majesty, there are many women in the palace, but only a handful of them can truly understand your Majesty and the Emperor's intentions. Although I, Wan Liuha, dare not claim to be talented, I am willing to do my best to help your Majesty solve her problems."

Concubine Hui looked at the woman who dared to recommend herself and became curious: "Then tell me, why did I choose you? How can you prove that you understand my mind and the mind of the emperor?"

Wan Liuha raised her head and decided to burn her boats. She secretly apologized to Malu in her heart, and then continued: "When I was a young maid, I was lucky enough to participate in the election with the Empress Defei and we had a close relationship. Although we were assigned to different places afterwards, we still have some contact. If the Empress is willing to give me a chance, I am willing to use my actions to prove that I am capable of doing what the Empress wants me to do."

A while ago, Concubine Yi was in charge of releasing the palace maids. Although the palace maids were eligible to leave the palace when they turned 30, not every palace maid who turned 30 could do so. Only when the emperor decided to release them could they leave this magnificent but restraining cage. If they were only 25 or 26 years old at this time, they could only hopelessly wait for the next opportunity that seemed out of reach.

Wan Liuha was unwilling and did not want her future to be so passive. Especially during the countless nights of gossip, when she heard other palace maids talking about De Guiren, Depin, and De Fei, she could not help but feel a strong desire in her heart. She longed to change herself and the fate of her family like Uya Malu.

At that time, she slept in the same room with her! How could she be inferior to her?

"Okay, Wan Liuha, I will give you this opportunity." Concubine Hui's voice was filled with anticipation and excitement. "If you need anything, just tell me directly. I will grant you anything that is not excessive."

With the help of Concubine Hui, Wan Liuhe was a generous person. Kangxi himself was not a picky person and would not offend Concubine Hui. So after she had taken all the benefits, he casually awarded her the position of concubine.

After the harem knew the whole story, they were somewhat disgusted with Hui Fei's behavior of praising Wan Liuhe. Hui Fei's behavior was self-evident. Fortunately, Wan Liuhe was not favored, because her talent was not outstanding. She just took advantage of the favor that Hui Fei or Wei Guiren missed when she came to see them.

One of them was old and ugly, and the other was weak and sickly, so their days of enjoying the emperor's favor were limited. Kangxi would come to visit from time to time and ask about the children. He rarely stayed overnight before, and at most had a meal. Now that there was a perfect person like Wan Liuha, the benefits were finally kept within the family.