The Virtuous Concubine

Like a brilliant ray of light, the woman who slowly walked out from the layers of palace curtains was none other than Empress Niuhulu. Her appearance immediately attracted everyone's attention, as if the air around her froze. Empress Niuhulu was as solemn and dignified as a towering green mountain, and the fine embroidery and jewels on her clothes perfectly set off her dignified temperament and noble status.

She walked steadily and calmly, and although she had a smile on her face, she had a natural dignity and affinity. Although the other concubines in the palace had their own strengths, they all seemed to be eclipsed by Empress Niuhulu, who was wearing court robes.

There were many quick-witted concubines among them, and they quickly recovered from their amazement and shock, and couldn't help but feel like watching the fun. Their eyes wandered between Empress Niuhulu and Concubine Tong, two high-ranking officials in the harem, for fear of missing any details.

One is the empress who came to power later, and the other is the imperial concubine favored by the emperor. If something goes wrong today, who knows what the emperor will do?

Empress Niuhulu did not seem to notice the gazes of the concubines, and just followed the instructions of the female official in charge of ceremonies and walked to the place where she would kneel later. After she stood still, there seemed to be an indescribable tension in the air.

Because at this moment, Concubine Tong is required to lead all the concubines to pay their respects!

Although Concubine Tong had her own little thoughts in her mind, Liuying had repeatedly reminded her before she came that if something happened today, it would be a disgrace to the entire royal family. The Empress Dowager and even the Emperor would definitely not let the person who caused the trouble go.

Moreover, in the face of Empress Nianhulu's aura, she had to restrain her emotions and maintain a decent smile and respect on the surface.

She knew that today's ceremony was the home turf of Empress Niuhulu, and any misbehavior could make her a laughing stock in the harem. She had already lost face the last time she was so angry that she vomited blood. This time, she would definitely not let others laugh at her!

Concubine Tong took a deep breath and walked to the position where she needed to perform the ceremony. Behind her, the other concubines followed and lined up in the order required by the etiquette. Although they had their own thoughts, they would never dare to lose their composure in such an occasion.

Imperial Concubine Tong came before Empress Niuhulu, bowed her head, and performed a standard court ceremony with an extremely respectful attitude: "I, Imperial Concubine Tong, pay my respects to the Empress. I am here with the other concubines in the harem to congratulate the Emperor and Empress on their wedding. I wish you a long and happy marriage, and that we will work together to pacify the borders, nourish the people, and secure the country forever."

As soon as the voice fell, the concubines behind Concubine Tong also echoed in unison: "May you live in harmony for a hundred years, work together, pacify the border and nourish the people, and consolidate the country forever!"

Empress Niuhulu nodded and said, "I will obey your majesty's orders. I am granted the title of empress today by the grace of heaven. I hope you will all work together to show your kindness to the people and help the royal family to maintain its prosperity forever! Everyone, please stand up!"

When all the concubines stood still, a eunuch from the Yellow Gate came forward and announced loudly: "The Golden Book—the Golden Treasure—has arrived—"

Everyone's eyes turned to the eunuch who came to report. The most important eunuch in Kangxi's life, the advisor, was walking towards the crowd with the golden book and golden seal that symbolized the status of the empress. As long as Niuhulu took the golden book and golden seal from him, her position as empress would be difficult to shake.

The advisor walked to the center, knelt down, held up the golden book and golden seal with both hands, and read out in a loud voice: "In compliance with the Empress Dowager's decree, today I appoint Consort Niuhulu as Empress, and order you all to hold the imperial seal and perform the ceremony!"

Everyone present knelt again, performing the ritual of six bows, three prostrations and three kneelings. After the ritual was over, the queen did not stand up, and the female official who was reading the edict to confer the title of queen continued:

"I believe that the way of heaven and earth is to follow the laws of nature, and internal governance is the foundation of human relations. Education is the model of the family and the state, and etiquette is the foundation of the king's rule. You should cultivate virtue to inherit the good fortune. You should rectify the name and uphold the rules. I ask your concubine, Niuhulu, the daughter of Duke Ebilun. You are from a noble family in Zhongxiang, a family of outstanding talent. You are gentle and dignified. You are well-mannered and polite. You are a model of gentleness and are well-known in the palace. You are dignified and respectful, and you are a mother in the world. I now obey the benevolent order of the Empress Dowager and enthrone you as the Empress. You should be sincere and filial to the emperor. You should be respectful and frugal before the concubines. Respectfully assist the ancestral worship and open up the auspiciousness of the descendants. You will further praise me and promote the rule of peace and harmony. I admire you."

This imperial decree written by Emperor Kangxi himself will be announced to the world from today onwards. After hearing the decree, everyone knelt down and bowed, saying, "As ordered, long live the emperor, long live the emperor, and a thousand years and a thousand years and a thousand years of live the empress."

The queen then smiled and stood up gracefully to take the golden book and the golden seal. She slowly unfolded the golden book, read it according to the procedure, and handed it to the female official next to her.

At this point, the enthronement ceremony was completed.

Because Niuhulu was a concubine promoted to the position of the first wife and was already in the palace, the welcoming ceremony, that is, the process of picking up the bride from outside the palace, was omitted. At this time, Kangxi should have led the princes and ministers to the palace of the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager to pay tribute.

The empress then boarded the magnificent phoenix chariot and led all the concubines to the palace of the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager to pay respects and express gratitude. To show respect, the others could only walk behind the phoenix chariot.

Malu couldn't remember how many times she knelt that day! She looked adoring and respectful, but she kept chatting with the system: "Fortunately, there were no cars in ancient times, otherwise we would still have to eat exhaust gas now."

The system was even more nervous than she was, and had been paying attention to Malu's situation. Seeing that she was still in the mood to joke, it couldn't help but feel helpless: "Be careful, if you fall or get stepped on, your career will be over."

Malu snickered: "I see. You might as well worry about Concubine Tong instead of me. Look, she can't even keep her balance and is shaking badly."

It wasn't just Malu who noticed it, many concubines saw it, Concubine Tong walked for a while, her face was almost as pale as gold paper. Her forehead was also covered with cold sweat, but she was still gritting her teeth and persisting. I don't know if she was really hurt or if she couldn't bear it.

The system reminded her: "Kangxi and the princes and ministers will be here soon. Do you want to see if there is anyone you like?"

Malu was puzzled: "What are you satisfied with?"

System: "I'm satisfied with your appearance! Didn't you say you wanted a second spring? Didn't you say you wanted to fall in love? I forgot everything!"

Malu: "Aren't you too impatient? The baby is still in your belly! Aren't there still five babies left to be born?"

The system thinks that there is no rush at all. Relationships must be cultivated early. The harem is strictly guarded. How can we not seize the opportunity to get to know each other earlier? If it is true love, they will definitely not mind having children.

Malu just felt that he couldn't communicate with the system. After everyone chattered for a while, they arrived outside the Cining Palace.

However, the system's plan failed, because the team of princes and ministers stood at a distance from the concubines in the harem, if not far away, at least twenty feet away, and there were many ceremonial guards blocking the way, so Malu really couldn't tell whether they were people or dogs.

The empress got off the phoenix chariot and went to the Cining Palace. Unlike when the first empress entered the palace, the grand empress dowager and the empress dowager received the ceremony together in the Cining Palace. It was said that it was for the sake of the empress and to make things easier, but in fact, they deliberately distinguished the difference between the successor empress and the first empress, simply to maintain the status of the crown prince Baocheng.

Originally, the empress was required to receive the kneeling homage of the wives of the imperial family members and ministers, but Kangxi hinted to the Ministry of Rites to find an excuse to skip this requirement.

The concubines and ministers stood under the autumn sun, and were already sunburned to the point of being unable to stand. But except for Concubine Tong, who was in poor health and had a high status, no one dared to move.

After a long while, Kangxi and Empress Niuhulu finally came out of the Cining Palace hand in hand. The eunuch beside them began to recite loudly: "Announce to the ancestors in the underworld and follow the will of heaven. The emperor and the empress are united in heart today. Heaven and earth are witnesses, the sun and the moon are shining. I wish the emperor and the empress a deep love, a happy marriage for a hundred years, and a great cause for thousands of years, which will last forever! May the emperor and the empress be of one mind, share the responsibility of the clan society, share the celebration of the country, govern the country together, and educate the people together. May the descendants of the royal family prosper, be blessed with eternal prosperity, and the country be long-lasting-"

Every word was like a stone thrown into the sea of ​​people's hearts, stirring up ripples. The people below shouted long live the emperor again, and the sound was endless.