Retirement in Qing Chuanwen

Although there has been no definite news, the other concubines in the harem did not dare to go to Kangxi or the Empress Dowager to ask if they will seal the harem next, but since such rumors are faintly spread, it must be It is very likely that the harem will really be sealed.

You must know that it is not without reason.

Sure enough, on New Year's Eve, Kangxi directly mentioned the matter of sealing the harem at the banquet.

"It's time to move the position." The Empress Dowager knew that Kangxi was going to seal the harem for a long time, so she was not surprised, and said, "Today happens to be New Year's Eve, so it can be regarded as a double happiness."

Hearing the Empress Dowager's words, many concubines below were eager to move, some even ignored the rules, and looked up at Kangxi who was sitting in the upper seat, with burning expectations in their eyes.

Even Concubines Hui and Concubine Yi are no exception.

Although Concubine Hui is not favored, she still has an elder brother under her knees, he is the eldest son of the Emperor Kangxi, and he is not the unpopular kind, Concubine Hui thought to herself, the emperor will seal the harem this time, it will not be a big deal. Maybe it's not for her?

As the saying goes, if you don't look at the monk's face to see the Buddha's face, at least you have to look at the elder brother's face.

As for the concubines like Yi Concubine and Rong Concubine who have been favored and then fell out of favor, although they count carefully with their fingers, there are not many other concubines who can be promoted to the concubine position, which means that the possibility of their promotion is very high big.

But one day they didn't get any definite news from Kangxi, Yibi and the others were always in a state of turmoil.

But fortunately, Kangxi didn't intend to whet people's appetites. After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, he nodded with a smile and said, "The Emperor Mama's words are reasonable, come here, pass on my will—"

"The imperial concubine Tong Jia bestowed the title: Xian."

"Concubine Zhen Dai Jia has been promoted to Noble Concubine."

"Concubine Niu Niu Colu's title: Xiang."

"Concubine Hui Nala has been promoted to Concubine Hui."

"Concubine Guo Luoluo is promoted to Concubine Yi."

"Concubine Ma Jia is promoted to Concubine Rong."

"The nobleman Borzigit has been promoted to the concubine, and the title is given: Yi."

……

Kangxi dropped a series of names and promotions, and the people whose names were promoted by him were naturally overjoyed, but those who did not have their own names after Kangxi finished reading were greatly disappointed.

For example, Concubine Jing and Concubine Duan.

Especially Concubine Jing, ever since she was instigated by Nala Shi to make Miao agree to fight for favor, her fortune has been going downhill, not to mention being punished, and the collapse of the human setting. Nala family framed her, even if she was not so unlucky, she managed to escape in the end, but then Yinqi died young, and the concubine Jing lost everything.

Even if Concubine Jing did occasionally feel disgusted with Yinti because of his frailty and sickness, but after all, it was a child who had been raised under her knees for more than a year. Is it a real child?

So the death of Yinti was indeed very sad for Concubine Jing, but after being sad, Concubine Jing was left with only panic.

In the past, she had love, and then she had Yinti, but now she has no love and Yinti, so what will she do in the future?

Concubine Jing is very clear that a large part of the reason why she was able to ask Kangxi to let her raise Yinti was because she was favored, but now she is no longer favored, and Yinti died at her knees. Other low-ranking concubines gave birth to imperial heirs, and she was not qualified to ask Kangxi to let her raise them.

That is to say, if she can't catch up with the glory of sealing the harem this time, then she is afraid that she will die of old age in this concubine in the future.

Although for the low-ranking concubines below, the position of a concubine is already very good, at least she is the lord of the first palace, even if she is not favored, she is still much better than them.

But as far as Concubine Jing is concerned, even if she falls out of favor, she still looks forward to a higher level.

Not only Concubine Jing thinks this way, but Concubine Duan also thinks the same way, otherwise they wouldn't be so disappointed after learning that Concubine Hui, Concubine Yi and Concubine Rong were the ones promoted to concubine.

However, the disappointment of Concubine Jing and the others cannot affect the happiness of others. As for Jing Hao, who has become a precious concubine, she is naturally happy. Originally, she thought that she would not be able to catch up with her confinement of the harem this time.

It's not that she underestimated her status in Kangxi's mind, but that she was promoted from concubine to concubine in just a few months, and now it's only been a year or so since she was promoted from concubine to concubine again. As a noble concubine, this kind of promotion speed is really faster.

Don't look at Concubine Tong Jia and Concubine Niu Colu... No, it should be Concubine Xiangui and Concubine Xiang now. Don't look at them being in high positions not long after they entered the palace. of.

But Jinghao really has no background at all. She was able to turn herself out of the cold palace, from a small promise to become a precious concubine on an equal footing with Concubine Xian, all because of Kangxi's feelings for her.

Jing Hao uses "feeling" to describe it not because Kangxi doesn't love her, but because she feels that the word "love" is not enough to describe Kangxi's love for her.

Such kindness is precious, but also dangerous.

Jing Hao originally thought that because of her current favor, the Empress Dowager would persuade Kangxi not to promote her anyway, but it was not for targeting her, but because she now had an heir and a great favor , if there is a high position, then it is difficult to guarantee that the empress dowager will not choose to suppress her promotion for the sake of the little prince.

But Jinghao didn't expect that she was still promoted. While she was happy, she thought to herself, could it be that she treats the heart of a gentleman with the heart of a villain?

Jing Hao, who has no mind-reading skills, naturally does not know that when the Empress Dowager learned that Kangxi wanted to promote Jing Hao to the imperial concubine, she really stopped her with words.

As for the reason, it was similar to what Jing Hao thought. Seeing Jing Hao being favored day by day, and Xiao Baokang growing up day by day, if she was sent to a high position, the Empress Dowager thought, there is no guarantee that she would not have any ambitions.

After all, people's hearts are unpredictable, and human nature is so complicated. Even if Jing Hao has no coveted heart for the position of the middle palace and the crown prince, what about in the future?

Once she enters the middle palace, all the sons she will give birth to will be legitimate sons, even if they are not as good as the sons born by the Empress Yuan like the little prince, they are still qualified to compete for the crown prince.

You must know that once Jinghao's son becomes the prince, and when he succeeds to the throne, then Jinghao can become the empress dowager.

Could Jinghao be able to resist such a temptation for ten years?

The Empress Dowager can't even trust her own grandson, let alone an outsider like Jing Hao.

But the Empress Dowager could not persuade Kangxi, and Kangxi had already expected the reaction of the Empress Dowager. At that time, he said: "Huang Mama, I know what you are worried about, but promoting Dai Jia to Concubine Xi is the right thing to do." Because of her meritorious service in childbearing; Jin conferred the title of Concubine Zhen because she had cowpox; and now I promote her as Concubine because of her merits in nurturing health. She deserves these things, not because I prefer her .”

Kangxi's words were straightforward, but in the ears of the Empress Dowager, it was no different from him voluntarily admitting that he was partial to quietness.

Because among Jinghao's several promotions, except for the cowpox incident, every other promotion stemmed from Kangxi's preference for Jinghao.

Because in this harem, not everyone who gave birth to an emperor's heir can be promoted to be a concubine, and not everyone who raised an emperor's heir can be rewarded for his meritorious deeds.

Kangxi remembered everything that Jinghao did and every credit she deserved, and he planned to reward her for her merits every time. This was his preference for her.

Kangxi knew that the empress dowager was worried about what effect he would have on the little prince if he valued Jinghao too much, but Kangxi believed that he had not misjudged the person, and he firmly believed that he was not the kind of person who would make people faint.

Kangxi never thought of abolishing the little prince. He hoped that the Qing Dynasty would be passed on to their father and son.

The whole process of not being persuaded by the Empress Dowager, but conversely persuading the Empress Dowager is undoubtedly not easy, but...

Kangxi turned his head towards Jing Hao who was sitting on his right hand side, seeing her smiling at him with her eyes bent, she just felt that everything was worth it.

As the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, although he is rich and unparalleled in the world, but after living for so many years, he is rarely able to be unrestrained, but he can't, but at least he can make his sweetheart happy.

So the Empress Dowager felt that Kangxi was definitely lying when he said that he was not biased towards quietness. Not only the Empress Dowager could see this, but even Concubine Xian Gui and Concubine Xiang could see it.

One of the two of them thought that Kangxi might seal the harem this time, and she might be canonized as empress by Kangxi like the original Empress Xiaozhao; promoted to concubine.

As a result, they never expected that both of them were standing still, barely getting a title.

Therefore, compared with the concubines who were named by Kangxi, even if they wanted to be happy, they couldn't be happy.

However, Kangxi hadn't finished speaking. After they got up and thanked Jing, Kangxi let them sit down and said: "Concubine Xian Gui has been recuperating for a while, and it is time for her to recover, so from now on, Concubine Xian Gui will be in charge of the Six Palaces again. Well, as for Concubine Xiang..."

"When Concubine Xiangui was recuperating, you took care of the affairs of the sixth palace very well. I gave you this title in the hope that you can assist Concubine Xiangui in managing the affairs of the palace in the future."

Concubine Xiangui and Concubine Xiang hurriedly got up to thank them, this time their thanks were much more sincere than just now.

Although Concubine Xian didn't get what she wanted, she was naturally happy to be able to regain the palace power. After all, even though she was in a high position, she was not favored, and she didn't have any power in her hands, so she was naturally a little flustered.

And Concubine Xiang always knew that she was only in charge of the palace power, and that sooner or later she would return the power in her hand to Concubine Xiangui. As a result, Kangxi spoke up in person now, even if she could only share the palace power with Concubine Xiangui equally in the future, but for For Concubine Xiang, this is indeed good news.

-

The Great Sealing of the Harem on New Year's Eve can be said to have added a joy to the 21st year of Kangxi's New Year. Originally, when the New Year was quiet, it was time to distribute red envelopes to Jingxiu Palace. Now that good things come in pairs, the rewards are naturally doubled.

As the saying goes, it is better to be alone than to be happy alone.

So when she woke up this morning, before Jinghao had time to say what she wanted to eat, Shiliu brought her two little apprentices Hongyou and Xiaodongzi to cook her a table of delicious food.

Yes, Shiliu has already taken in two young apprentices, and Jinghao suggested and facilitated this matter.

When Jingxiu Palace was still a dilapidated cold palace, only Jinghao and Shiliu, the master and servant, lived here. Originally, they thought that they would be trapped in this three-acre land for the rest of their lives, so naturally they didn't think so much about the future. .

But then things changed.

Jinghao came out of the cold palace, and Shiliu didn't have to be trapped in the Forbidden City all her life, she still had a chance to leave the palace.

Even if Shiliu has a bad relationship with her parents, so what?She chooses a good husband for Shiliu, and let them form a new small family.

Taking a step back, even if Shiliu doesn't want to marry, even if she likes to cook, it's not a problem to see her always soaking in the kitchen every day, so Jinghao simply suggested that she take in two young apprentices.

In this way, pomegranate will not have to work so hard in the future.

I have to say that the two little apprentices of Pomegranate are really well received. Hongyou and Xiaodongzi are really talented in cooking. kind.

Jinghao picked up a piece of yuba roll. After being deep-fried and steamed, the yuba roll absorbed the plump abalone juice, so it tasted delicious even without any seafood filling.

The soft and not rotten yuba skin wraps the shredded carrots, fungus and chives inside, which is very refreshing and delicious after one bite.

Originally, there should be pork stuffing in this yuba roll, but because of the Chinese New Year, greasy food is much more delicious, so Pomegranate made a special filling for it.

I have to say that Pomegranate still understands Jinghao's eating habits, and the bean curd roll without pork stuffing really wins Jinghao's heart.

"Pomegranate, it seems that you two little apprentices are very talented in cooking." Jinghao said with a smile, "It turns out that our Pomegranate is not only good at cooking, but also has a good eye."

Otherwise, Shiliu wouldn't have chosen Hongyou and Xiaodongzi among so many servants in Jingxiu Palace to be her apprentices.

"Master..." Pomegranate was a little embarrassed. She had always been nestled in the small world of the kitchen. Apart from the ingredients, she was in contact with people from Jingxiu Palace every day. So more than two years have passed, and Pomegranate is still the same as before. Simple and cute.

And it's especially unfunny.

"Okay, I won't tease you anymore." Jing laughed, "I know you love to cook, but now that you have two apprentices, Hongyou and Xiaodongzi, you don't have to stay in the kitchen all day , and it’s time to come back to serve me.”

"Master, I'm clumsy." Shi Liu said.

Jinghao said: "I just like to be served by clumsy people."

Jinghao didn't say what Pomegranate thought when she heard this, anyway, Hongyou and Xiaodongzi were very envious.

The people at the bottom also said that their master was not smart, and she was clearly a first-class court lady but she just hid in the kitchen, which was simply ruining her future.

After all, no matter how delicious the meal she cooks, how can it be easier to deepen the relationship between master and servant than Lizhi and the others who often serve the master by his side?

However, let’s not talk about whether their master is smart or not, but what if there is a master who is so affectionate, righteous and nostalgic, even if he is not smart?

……

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, it is the Lantern Festival.

As the first important festival after New Year's Day, and the flavor of the New Year has not dissipated, the Lantern Festival is also very lively and grand.

Eating Lantern Festival is not to mention the traditional program. On this day, there will be programs such as thousands of lanterns, fireworks, and lantern riddles.

At this time in previous years, Xiao Baokang was too young, so Jinghao didn't take him out to participate in the Lantern Festival, but this year is different, because the little guy himself also made a noise to come out to watch the fun, so Jinghao simply took him He also took it.

When I was in Jingxiu Palace, Jing Hao didn’t wear too many clothes for Xiao Baokang because of the floor heating in the house, but it was different when I went out to play. I was worried that Xiao Baokang would freeze and Jing Hao dressed him. After wearing clothes one after another, he successfully dressed Xiao Baokang into a ball.

After wearing a small scarf and a baby hat, Xiao Baokang, who didn't like to move at all, seemed to be sealed directly, and he couldn't move at all.

Because wearing too many clothes is a burden for Xiao Baokang, but for the little prince and the others, it is too cute.

In the past, at this time, the little prince and the others would get together to have fun. Although they didn't have much fun, but children, just getting together to do anything can be lively.

But this year Xiao Baokang is out for the holidays, so the little prince and his elder brothers don't go anywhere, so they have to go to Xiao Baokang.

"What's so good about a child?" Not everyone is like the little prince and the others, who grew up watching Xiao Baokang, like Prince Gong's son Yongshou, they have never seen Xiao Baokang, they only know that he is Just a quiet son.

Even Yongshou who lives in the capital is like this, so let alone Xiaochaolu who lives in Mongolia.

Besides, boys seldom like to play with little dolls. Unlike girls, they have a natural kind of good sister mentality towards their younger siblings. They only think that their younger siblings are troublesome ghosts. .

Because they always like to cry, always like to make noise, it's fine if you can't play with them, and you have to delay their play, what's the use of such younger siblings?

So when they heard that the little prince and the others were going to see Xiao Baokang instead of playing, Yongshou and the others were not happy, but disappointed.

"Big Brother, Bayar, didn't you say that you want to compete with the kid from Mongolia?" Yongshou said to Big Brother and Bayar, "After tonight is over, they will go back to Mongolia Now, when the time comes, if you want to compete with them, you will have no chance."

Yongshou only called the eldest brother and Bayar instead of the little prince, not because he had a bad relationship with the little prince, but because only the eldest brother and Bayar wanted to wrestle with the Mongolian boy.

"If there is no chance, there will be no chance." The eldest brother waved his hand, "At worst, we can wait until next year to compete again."

But spending the Lantern Festival with their brother Baokang is different. If they miss this year, even if they can spend the Lantern Festival with him next year, they will also miss this year.

So Jing Hao over there, all of a sudden a group of half-grown boys came, except for the little prince and the others, she hardly knew the rest.

But it doesn't matter if you don't know each other, anyway, those who can enter the palace today, and can play with the little prince and the others, are nothing more than some clan children.

Don't look at how much Yongshou and his group of half-grown boys felt disappointed just now, and they disliked Xiao Baokang for being too young to play with them, but in front of Jing Hao, they didn't show it.

Before entering the palace, they had asked their family members to remind them, knowing that the precious concubine in front of them was very favored, so they all came to Jing Hao and saluted her obediently.

"Get up." Seeing the little prince and the others coming, Jinghao was not surprised, but seeing Yongshou and the others also came, she felt strange, "Why are you all here?"

"Ms. Jing'er, we are here to see brother Baokang." The seven and a half year old little prince wore a delicate apricot yellow dress today, which made him look more and more like a young man with red lips and white teeth.

Jinghao felt a little strange, but she didn't stop her, so Yongshou and the others followed the little prince and they met the "brother Baokang" they called smoothly.

Now Xiao Baokang, who is one year and four months old, has not yet fully developed his facial features, but it can be seen that he has completely inherited the excellent genes of his parents, and he is so cute as Yuxue.

With a round face, big clear and innocent eyes, especially his long eyelashes, when he blinks his eyes, he is naturally cute and cute, even if he doesn't do anything, just sit there and watch Looking at them, no matter how vicious a villain is, his heart will melt when he sees them.

In this way, can Yongshou and the others survive?

Yong Shou and others: "...!!!"

Can't stand it, can't stand it!

Obediently bang, why is this little brother Baokang so cute!

As the big brother who once hated Xiao Baokang so much, and later loved him so much, when he saw Yongshou and the others with wide-eyed, dull expressions, and blushing expressions from the corner of his eye, the alarm bell in his heart suddenly rang—— —

not good!

They are going to gradually turn into wolves!

"Okay, okay, okay, look and see, let's go." The elder brother pulled Yongshou and the others while talking, "Didn't you say that you are going to wrestle? Let's go, let's go wrestling."

"I'm not leaving, let's go." Although Yongshou said this to the elder brother, his eyes were still shining on Xiao Baokang, like a dog seeing a bone. of.

Big Brother: "...???"

He just wants him to go, if he doesn't go, why should he go?

"Didn't you just say that children are not good-looking?" Seeing Yongshou and the others like this, the eldest brother remembered himself who was made a mess by Xiao Baokang back then, and he was exactly the same!

The elder brother thought to himself, their brother Baokang already had enough good brothers, so there was no need for Yongshou and the others to join in the fun.

However, Big Brother thinks it’s unnecessary, but Yongshou and the others think it’s too necessary: ​​“Ordinary kids don’t have much to look at, but Brother Baokang is different. Now I finally know why you guys like Brother Baokang so much. Who doesn't like this?"

He is now unilaterally announcing that Baokang's younger brother is his half-brother.

The little prince and others: "...!!!"

You're thinking about ass!

Jing Hao on the side didn't expect that the situation in the pavilion would change suddenly. She looked at Yong Shou and others who obviously liked Xiao Baokang, and then looked at Xiao Baokang who was guarding against Yong Shou and others like a wolf guard. The prince and others finally looked at Xiao Baokang.

Xiao Baokang didn't seem to know that his flourishing and cute face set off another "bloody storm". Anyway, he was sealed by thick clothes now, like a little salty fish who had no desires and desires.

Seeing him like this, a sentence popped out of Jing Hao's mind inappropriately——

You fight and grab it.

Even if you get my people, you won't get my heart.

As soon as this sentence came out, Jing Hao's expression suddenly became awkward.