inspire-indiana Chapter 227: Changing Seats and Gaining Benefits
Chapter 227: Changing Seats and Gaining Benefits
As the news of the court's request to establish a queen spread to Changchun Pavilion, the matter of Concubine Xian's promotion to noble concubine was quickly suppressed. Many people were speculating whether the harem would really have a queen. Especially after the emperor did not reject the court's proposal to establish a queen, the rumors became more and more intense.
Many palace concubines began to place their bets on the preferred candidates for the queen in advance, among which the most people supported Concubine Niuhulu and Concubine Hui. Recently, there was an endless stream of concubines visiting Ruijingxuan and Yunyaguan every day.
Compared with the other two, there were far fewer concubines who were optimistic about Shi Nanxi as the candidate for the queen, but there were still some. Shi Nanxi always refused visitors on the grounds that she liked quietness.
In a blink of an eye, it was the day to pay respects to the Empress Dowager every five days. Shi Nanxi had just arrived at the door and heard someone inside flattering Concubine Hui before she even went in.
"Empress Hui, I heard that the eldest concubine is pregnant again. Congratulations, it looks like you're about to have double happiness!"
Concubine Hui had a smug look on her face, but her expression was still gentle and dignified.
"The eldest wife is blessed, and I am very happy to receive the news."
Seeing Concubine Hui's smug look, Concubine Nianhulu, her biggest rival, smiled and deliberately raised her voice:
"The eldest wife is pregnant again. Congratulations to Concubine Hui. I just hope this baby is not another princess. The eldest brother has already had three daughters in a row, so it's time for a little brother."
Concubine Hui's face turned pale for a moment, and then she caught a glimpse of Shi Nanxi coming in. She turned her eyes and immediately greeted her warmly:
"Sister Xian Fei is here. I wanted to congratulate you in person a few days ago on your promotion to the rank of Imperial Concubine. This is truly a cause for celebration!"
When she spoke, she deliberately raised the tone of the words "The Imperial Concubine's share" so that everyone could hear it, and Imperial Concubine Nianhulu naturally heard it as well.
Her back teeth were about to be bitten off, but she still kept smiling. However, when she looked at Shi Nanxi, a hint of coldness flashed across her eyes, and she congratulated him:
"Yeah, congratulations, sister."
Shi Nanxi came in without saying a word and was taken away by Concubine Hui as a messenger. When she met the gaze of Concubine Nianhulu, she pursed her lips and smiled, then stepped forward to salute as usual.
"I pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine, sister. May you be blessed. The promotion is the grace of the Emperor, and I am ashamed to accept it."
In public, Concubine Niuhulu naturally would not do anything, but just smiled and said:
"Stand up, everyone knows that the emperor loves his sister, Concubine Xian. How can you feel ashamed of it? On the contrary, you really deserve it."
When Shi Nanxi heard this, she stood up to thank the emperor, smiled again, and still didn't say much. But just as she was about to walk to her seat, Concubine Nianhulu's eyes flashed and she glanced at Concubine Hui.
Suddenly he said:
"Wait a moment, Sister Xian Fei."
Upon hearing this, Shi Nanxi stopped and looked over. What did Concubine Niuhulu want to do?
Facing Concubine Xian's suspicious and cautious eyes, Concubine Niuhulu raised her eyebrows:
"Sister Concubine Xian, you said you were in charge of the etiquette and rules for the concubines, how could you have forgotten that now that the emperor has promoted you to the rank of noble concubine, you should be the most prestigious among the concubines. Isn't it time to change your seat?"
After saying this, she turned to Concubine Hui with a smile.
"Sister Huifei, don't you think so?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent.
Concubine Hui's expression finally changed. She looked at Concubine Nianhulu who had a malicious look on her face and wished she could go up and slap her.
Unfortunately, she knew rationally that it was not possible, and upon closer examination, what she said was actually quite in line with the rules. In the palace, everything was based on status and favor.
Concubine Xian and she held the same rank as a concubine. She was ranked before Concubine Xian because of her seniority and because she was the eldest prince.
Although Concubine Xian has no prince now, she is favored by the Emperor and enjoys the same status as a noble concubine, so it is reasonable for her to be ranked before him.
But Concubine Hui did not move. She was the biological mother of the eldest prince and had entered the palace more than 20 years earlier than Concubine Xian. If she really gave up her seat to Concubine Xian today, she and the eldest prince would lose face. She looked at Concubine Xian.
Concubine Xian was not stupid. She should have been able to see through Concubine Nianhulu's provocation. Besides, her qualifications were not as high as hers, so even if she became the first concubine, she would not be able to keep her position.
The other concubines present were also looking at Concubine Xian, wondering what she would do. Among them, Concubine De and Concubine Rong had particularly sharp eyes.
They are also senior concubines. If Concubine Xian becomes the first today, their ranking will have to move back a step.
Shi Nanxi didn't expect that Concubine Nianhulu would actually suggest changing seats. When she met Concubine Hui's gaze, she lowered her eyes slightly, as if she was conflicted and hesitant. She stood there without speaking or moving.
However, a smile flashed in his lowered eyes. It was like sending a pillow when one is sleepy. The idea proposed by Concubine Nianhulu was brilliant!
She had always wanted to make trouble for Concubine Hui. As for the reason, it was that based on Concubine Xi's reminder that day, she spent two days finally finding out that on the day of the Beginning of Autumn, she and Kangxi went boating on the lake and were seen by Concubine Wang and Concubine Hui and Concubine Liang.
According to the information found, Concubine Hui and Concubine Liang had a long conversation with Concubine Wang at that time. After that day, Concubine Wang began to wander around Qingxi Book House every day. Because of her, Kangxi would occasionally go to Qingxi Book House. It was obvious that Concubine Wang wanted to meet Kangxi by chance.
But before this, Concubine Wang had never been to Qingxi Book House. If this didn't explain anything, then the servants who served Concubine Wang suddenly became seriously negligent, and the little eunuch who told the palace maid Baojuan about the effects of catnip had contact with the steward of Concubine Hui's palace after the incident, which completely proved that what happened in Qingxi Book House that day was related to Concubine Hui.
But this matter has passed, and these are all speculations. There is no substantial evidence to prove that Concubine Hui was the real culprit behind the Qingxi Book House incident, but this does not mean that she did nothing.
Now there is a great opportunity to slap Concubine Hui in the face. With a gleam of light in her eyes, Shi Nanxi did not directly respond to Concubine Nianhulu's words, as that would make her seem too arrogant and rude. She wanted to let others know that she was forced to "change" her seat.
Looking at Concubine Xian who was struggling and hesitant and didn't speak, Concubine Hui's face gradually darkened, with a trace of disbelief and anger in her heart. Could it be that Concubine Xian really wanted to climb over her head?
Concubine Nianhulu looked at Concubine Hui's dark face and snorted secretly. She wanted to compete with her for the position of queen. She pretended to be confused and urged Concubine Xian.
"Empress Xian, why are you standing there?" After saying this, she seemed to have just realized that there was no chair in front of Concubine Hui. She immediately looked at the servant standing by and lightly scolded him:
"How tactless! Hurry up and bring a chair to Concubine Xian."
The servant who was being looked at turned pale. She didn't know whether to move or not. If she moved, she would offend Concubine Hui. If she didn't move, she would offend Concubine Niuhulu and Concubine Xian. She was a little desperate!
When Concubine Hui saw this, she could no longer hold back. She winked at Concubine Liang, who immediately spoke:
"It's getting late. The Queen Mother will soon come out. Seating is just a small matter. We can't miss the opportunity to pay our respects to the Queen Mother."
Noble Consort Niuhulu noticed the glances between Consort Hui and Consort Liang, sneered secretly, but waved her hands and said:
"It's just moving a chair. How can it delay the visit? Hurry up and move a chair for Empress Xian."
The last sentence was obviously directed to the palace maids.
Without waiting for Concubine Liang to speak again, Concubine Niuhulu looked at Shi Nanxi, who was frozen in place, and urged again:
"Empress Xian, Liangpin is right. It's getting late. You should go and sit down quickly. You must not miss the opportunity to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager."
As Concubine Nianhulu spoke, the serving maid still tremblingly moved a chair and placed it in front of Concubine Hui.
After what Concubine Nianhulu said, Shi Nanxi could no longer remain silent, otherwise it would be disrespectful to the Empress Dowager.
He had no choice but to turn around and walk step by step towards the seat in front of Concubine Hui. Everyone watched this scene with bated breath.