The Virtuous Concubine

Kangxi arrived soon. His image as a filial son was also one of the foundations of his rule, so after Su Malagu went to the Qianqing Palace to explain her intentions, Kangxi simply followed Su Malagu back to the Cining Palace.

"Grandmother, what is your intention for calling your grandson?" Kangxi asked earnestly.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang motioned for Kangxi to sit down first, and then she spoke: "I heard that there is a new person in the harem?"

Kangxi was a little embarrassed when his grandmother asked him this directly. He couldn't help but think of the absurdity of that day in the Qianqing Palace. He even almost killed his own child with his own hands!

Seeing that he only nodded, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang looked at Kangxi's face and said calmly and forcefully, "Emperor, your decision is justified. But the rules of the harem are also very important. How can we forget the lessons of the past?"

After hearing this, Kangxi recalled his childhood experience of the painful experience of Consort Dong E, who was the most favored concubine in the palace and overshadowed the entire harem. He was silent for a while, then said, "Grandmother, I understand your concerns and will work hard to ensure the stability of the harem. The incident with Consort Wu Ya was indeed caused by a reason."

When Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang heard the emperor explain this to her, her expression softened a little: "Emperor, I know you are a decisive person and will never lose your mind. But as your grandmother, I have to say these words today."

Kangxi stood up and bowed deeply to the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang: "Grandmother, I understand. Without you, I would not be where I am today. You are the pillar of support in my heart."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang smiled with satisfaction. She stood up from her seat, walked to Kangxi, and said lovingly, "Emperor, you will definitely achieve great things in the future. I am confident in you. But if the Qing Dynasty wants to last for thousands of years and have successors, it still lacks a queen."

Kangxi was silent for a moment. He knew what Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang meant. He had the same idea and had almost decided on the candidate, but he couldn't just go along with the Empress Dowager. He had to use this opportunity to win her over. He looked up at Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and asked, "Grandmother, do you have a candidate?"

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang sighed softly: "Concubine Niuhulu has a distinguished family background. She is also virtuous and kind, and has the demeanor of a mother of the country. Making her the empress will not only appease the harem, but also stabilize the former dynasty."

Kangxi nodded, his eyes revealing a trace of thought: "Grandmother, your words will be remembered in my heart. Concubine Niuhulu is indeed a good choice, but I still need to think about it."

Xiaozhuang knew that he was considering whether to support her mother's family. She said softly, "This matter needs to be carefully considered. The position of the Queen Mother is related to the country and the people of the Qing Dynasty. Among the people in the harem, who do you think can take on this important task?"

A hint of determination flashed in Kangxi's eyes: "Grandmother is right. Concubine Niuhulu is the only choice for the empress."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang showed a gratified smile on her face: "Emperor, I am very pleased that you can make such a decision. I believe that Concubine Niuhulu will become a competent queen and bring well-being to the Qing Dynasty."

Kangxi nodded, and the two chatted about some other things. Then Kangxi returned to the Qianqing Palace to announce his decree first.

After the announcement, Kangxi began to prepare for the follow-up matters. He ordered the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department to carefully prepare for the ceremony of conferring the empress, and everything should be done in accordance with the specifications of the first empress, with only two points reduced.

When the ladies in the harem heard the news, their reactions varied. Some were happy for Concubine Niuhulu and thought she deserved the title; others were jealous and secretly sighed that they did not have such an opportunity. Concubine Niuhulu herself finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, she is better.

After stuffing a thick red envelope into the eunuch who announced the imperial edict, her maids were busy preparing clothes and makeup for her. Soon, Concubine Nianhulu, no, their future empress, the mother of the entire Qing Dynasty, would go to the Qianqing Palace to thank the emperor.

Their faces were all filled with joyful smiles. They were all blessed by their master. "My queen, you are finally going to become the queen! You must send a message back to the palace!" a maid said excitedly.

Concubine Niuhulu smiled slightly. She knew that these palace maids were really happy for her, but she had more considerations in her heart. She said softly, "Yes, but I'm not in a hurry. So many people are staring at me now. I'd better wait for the emperor to announce it to the world and issue an order."

After the palace maid put the last hairpin on her, she stood up and walked to the gate of Yonghe Palace. She looked at the palace walls and blue sky outside and took a deep breath.

She knew that from now on, she would no longer be a simple concubine, but the Empress of the Qing Dynasty.

Dressed in carefully selected gorgeous clothes and wearing a kingfisher-inlaid six-phoenix crown on her head, Concubine Niuhulu looked both dignified and elegant. In order to show her modesty, she did not wear the nine-phoenix crown that only the empress could wear.

She looked back at the Yonghe Palace, where she would not be living for long, and then she whispered to the maid beside her, "Let's go to the Qianqing Palace."

The group slowly walked towards the Qianqing Palace, and the eunuchs and palace maids along the way bowed their heads in greeting. Concubine Niuhulu always maintained a dignified and calm demeanor, noble but not arrogant.

After arriving at the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Kangxi was already waiting inside the palace. When he saw Concubine Nianhulu walk in, a trace of admiration flashed in his eyes. Her dignity and steadiness were indeed worthy of the honor of the mother of a country.

Concubine Niuhulu bowed respectfully, and then said softly: "I bow to thank the emperor for his great grace. Long live the emperor."

Kangxi smiled and motioned for her to stand up: "My beloved concubine, please stand up. There is no need to be so polite between you and me."

Concubine Niuhulu stood up, her eyes full of gratitude: "Your Majesty, I am able to receive this honor thanks to your grace. I will do my best to manage all the affairs of the harem and not let Your Majesty worry."

Kangxi was very satisfied with Concubine Niuhulu's tact: "I believe you."

Concubine Nianhulu bowed again and said, "I obey your command." The two talked for a while about the subsequent arrangements for the queen's enthronement. After finalizing some details, Kangxi picked up the tea.

Concubine Niuhulu knew that Kangxi was hinting at her to leave, but she still had three questions to ask. She thought for a moment and decided to ask directly now.

"Your Majesty," Concubine Niu Hulu continued, "I have three final things I would like to ask Your Majesty."

Hearing her serious words, Kangxi put down his teacup and looked at her gently: "My beloved concubine, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask."

Concubine Niuhulu took a deep breath and said slowly: "The first thing is about Concubine Tong's position. After I was named the Queen, I wonder if Concubine Tong's position needs to be changed? Her deep love for the Emperor is known to everyone... So I dare to ask if Concubine Tong needs to be comforted."

Kangxi frowned slightly, he understood Concubine Nianhulu's worries. Concubine Tong was a hot-tempered person, and she would definitely be furious if she knew that Concubine Nianhulu would eventually surpass Concubine Tong and become the empress.

Kangxi even felt a little regretful, why did he confer the title of imperial concubine on her so early, and now he didn't know how to comfort her. But no matter how much she made a fuss, it was impossible to confer a higher title, and she had to take back her power to manage the affairs of the six palaces.

"Tong Guifei is already in a high position, so her position will not be changed for the time being." Kangxi said after a moment's hesitation, "If she does anything inappropriate, please bear with her. If it really doesn't work, come to me directly."

After receiving Kangxi's promise, Concubine Nianhulu was relieved. She then asked, "The second thing is, is the emperor going to confer titles on the six palaces?"

Emperor Kangxi shook his head and said, "You asked a good question. I just conferred the title a while ago, so let it go. And I don't want others to take away your limelight. Let's concentrate on holding a ceremony to confer the title of empress for you alone. What's the last thing?"

Concubine Niuhulu smiled and said, "That's Concubine Wuya. Will she still live in Yonghe Palace as originally planned? I have already asked someone to clean up the side hall. How is her health? Can she bear to be moved?"