[Qing wear] Harem promotion expert

Since Concubine Xi came back from the Old Summer Palace, except for the necessary greetings in public, the two of them haven't spoken a word alone.

While Jiang Heng was changing the guest's clothes, Qiu Xue was picking out hairpins for her while guessing: "Could it be that the Empress Xi came to serve her softly and make amends? After all, she planted people in our palace back then, and she went around to spread the news about the imperial concubine. The rumors were really caught by the Punishment Department. Although the emperor decided to deal with it, she has never apologized to the empress face to face."

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "How about looking at the sun outside the window?"

Qiu Xue really looked out the window, and said cutely, "It's a beautiful day."

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "Right, in broad daylight, how do you have a dream?"

"Since the empress dowager passed away, Concubine Xi has been back to the palace for a year and a half without saying a word, why did she suddenly realize today, why not come here to make amends?"

Concubine Xi would not come to apologize, in her opinion, the punishment she received was far greater than her fault for being left in Yuanmingyuan for so long.

In Concubine Xi's heart, even if she did something wrong, she would not be so guilty. She wouldn't be unable to come back even after the birth of Hongli's first child. She's not coming back yet, is she?

There must be someone who got in the way.Therefore, the possibility of Concubine Xi silently hating her these years is relatively high, and the possibility of coming to make amends is almost like a fantasy.

Qiu Xue was accused of having a dream, so she couldn't help but muttered: "Then... maybe the time was inappropriate before then? Now not only the Empress Dowager has passed away for more than a year, even the Empress Dowager has just passed away for a year. Concubine Xi Is it time to make amends..."

Halfway through the speech, Qiu Xue herself stopped and thought it was impossible.

Jiang Heng looked at the clothes in the mirror and stood up, but was held by Qiu Xue again: "Mother, wait a minute, since Concubine Xi didn't come to make amends, let's exchange for the Dongzhu hairpin that the emperor sent a few days ago! "

If the visitor is not kind, why not be fully armed?Qiu Xue pressed down Jiang Heng, who had already stood up, with the aura of trying to blind his opponent with pearl light, and re-dressed.

Concubine Xi was waiting in the main hall, and when she saw Jiang Heng coming out, she got up to pay her respects: "The concubine has seen the imperial concubine."

Niu Hulu stayed in Yuanmingyuan much longer than Concubine Qi.

Probably really tormented, Concubine Xi's face now is much more vicissitudes than that of Concubine Yu of the same age.Of course, it also has something to do with her no longer dressing up.Concubine Xi who came to Yonghe Palace today was dressed very simply, and did not make up her face as carefully as the women in the palace.

Whether it was wrinkles or spots, Concubine Xi did not cover them up.

Concubine Xi probably did it on purpose, she must not want to go back to the Old Summer Palace.

Such haggardness can further show that she has suffered and suffered during those years when she was left in Yuanmingyuan.Thinking about seeing her like this, the emperor couldn't bear to send her to Yuanmingyuan again.

Concubine Xi's eyes skipped over the face of the imperial concubine, she couldn't help but pause on the Dongzhu hairpin, and then lowered her head.

She bowed her head and said 'Neixiu', but Jiang Heng had a lot of things to do, so he didn't have time to waste, so he asked directly: "Concubine Xi, what's the matter?"

Concubine Xi raised her head again, but her eyes focused on a chime bell in Jiang Heng's room.

The Zaoban Yamen will introduce new tricks to the palace every year, and there will be no market for Western clocks.

This year, due to the special year, it is not possible to pay tribute to fancy things. Instead, this clock is more elegant and ingenious. The same as the western clock, the running clock, timekeeping, and symphony are already basic functions, and now it is mainly in the shape of a scroll.This time, the Zaoban Yamen made the shape of a deer holding a ganoderma lucidum. Every hour, the lifelike deer inlaid with yellow enamel would be led by the machine to bow its head and make a shape of a ganoderma lucidum, which is extraordinarily exquisite.

"The things in the imperial concubine's palace are really wonderful. The ministers and concubines have been away from the palace for many years to recuperate, and now even though they come back, they can't figure out what is going on in the palace."

As soon as these words came out, Jiang Heng knew why she came here.

It is for convenience and benefits.

When Concubine Xi just came back last year, she was completely confused, and even couldn't get used to the life in this palace—the life order of the concubines in the harem has completely changed!

Jiang Heng has completely taken over the palace affairs since the empress calmed down to recuperate and worship the Buddha.

There was only one thought at first: there are too many things!

Just like there may be only a few actors on a stage, but there are double or even ten times the staff behind it.There are not many people in the emperor's harem, but as long as the entire harem is maintained in normal operation, there are countless people involved.Even for a piece of cloth, several departments are involved from entering the harem to actually sending it to a concubine who deserves it.

Jiang Heng did some calculations, if she really manages everything in her own mind, let alone having no free time of her own, she would have to take the necessary rest time.

It’s okay to work on a project by chance, but it’s not okay to be crazy like this for many years: the purpose of working is to get promoted, not to get a work-related injury.

Jiang Heng found a solution: if the harem is a business, she is now the acting general manager.If the manpower is not busy enough, and it is impossible to recruit new people, the only way is to make full use of the existing human resources.

Twenty wasteful manpower have been idle in the harem——the show girl who entered the palace in the same year as Jiang Heng, and the Xu Changzai who came to the palace from the hidden mansion, are all high-quality potential employees. Words, even the palace rules have been systematically studied, it can be said that they can be directly employed without training.

So Jiang Heng divided the chores of the harem into departments, and began to fill them with people. The three concubines formed a group, helped each other and supervised each other, and each group received one task.Change jobs every quarter or two, just as the former emperor often transferred his courtiers among the six ministries, so as to prevent one person from being in the same position all year round, dominating corruption and making false accounts.

At first, Jiang Heng only assigned them half of the workload to test the waters.

After all, these concubines have always lived a leisurely life - even if there is overtime pay, not every salted fish is willing to work.Jiang Heng's original plan was to select more than half of the people who were willing to do things.

However, to Jiang Heng's surprise, everyone responded positively and asked for more work.

Yes, people like leisure and want to be a happy salted fish, but if it is too salty, it will be bad if you can't survive the saltiness!

Life in the harem is too monotonous and boring for these concubines who have nothing to do all year round. There is only four corners of the sky. Except for group activities in the palace, they can only go around in their own room-if they go out and walk too much, if something happens to them What should I do if I hit my life, I have to hold back.

In fact, it's okay to simply be forced to stay at home. The women at this moment are much more chaste, and they can spend a day doing needlework.

But if they live in this way for a long time, they will lose their sense of existence. Even if they are masters by name, no one will take them seriously without the right to speak out.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is very good at doing things. Although it dare not deduct the quantity of the quota, the quality is too good to show tricks.For example, when he is in office, there are only two precious brocades a year. Even if the number of horses is correct, the patterns are not good enough.

Naturally, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will send the best and latest materials to important people.

Sometimes they still receive old materials, are they going to make trouble?If the trouble comes to the queen or the imperial concubine, she will get justice once, but the time is still long, why don't you deal with the Ministry of Internal Affairs?

In the final analysis, even if they have nothing in their hands and no power, the county magistrate is not as good as the current one, and their voice is not as loud as any small steward.

So when they found out that the imperial concubines were going to divide tasks for everyone, these concubines were not dissatisfied with being assigned tasks, but only felt that they saw hope.

They can finally have their voices heard.

Compared to Jiang Heng who needed them, they actually needed the Yonghe Palace more!

Strong subjective initiative determines high efficiency. After half a year of running-in and adjustment, Jiang Heng has returned to the original more relaxed time.

Still taking the company as an example, each department had to ask the superior leader Ning Concubine Guo in advance, and if Guo could not solve the problem, he reported it to the vice president Yu Fei.

As the fifth elder brother's birth mother, and the most favored concubine in the palace (the only concubine who has not been to the Old Summer Palace to recuperate), Concubine Yu has the confidence to adjudicate most of the disputes.

After two layers of screening, there were far fewer things that Jiang Heng needed to make a decision on.

She still only needs to spot-check accounts from time to time and review personnel work.

There's even time to think about adding entertainment to the staff.

Jiang Heng asked Hu Si, the steward of the Yuanmingyuan library, to contact him to buy them, and bought a lot of folk tales. As the so-called "Tang Poetry, Song Ci, Yuan Qu, Ming and Qing Novels", there are as many vernacular books as there are stars.It's a pity that the scriptures that can enter the palace are mostly about telling stories about gods and Buddhas to persuade people to be good, so don't even think about those exciting fragrances.

But these stories of karmic gods and Buddhas also caused a wave of follow-up reading among the concubines: This is the outside world!

Jiang Heng's criterion for treating these concubines is to put himself in the shoes of himself: if he transmigrates into one of these concubines, he must feel that he can live a good life.

In fact, Jiang Heng's standard is still set high. These concubines don't want much, and they are easily satisfied.

Now they are used to gathering in groups of three at noon to meet with palace officials for 'office work', and in the afternoon, they either read storybooks or gather together to play poker and chat together-groups of three also make them more open and honest looking for someone An excuse to talk to relieve boredom.

Originally, they were bored in the house, was it because they didn't want to go out?No, it's just that I'm afraid. I'm afraid that the palace taboo will be too close, and I'm afraid that I will always get together and be misunderstood by others, so I have to be alone.

But now, they are not so afraid.

When Concubine Xi came back, she faced such a court.She felt very strange, and also very uncomfortable.

It even feels like everyone else is crowding her out.

But Concubine Xi didn't feel wrong: people will protect their own interests, for these concubines, they like the life after the concubine's affairs, so naturally they have to protect such a life.After the queen mother and queen are gone, the only one who can break their lives is Concubine Xi.

The concubines all knew that if Concubine Xi became the Empress Dowager in the future, they would definitely break all the rules of imperial concubines today if they only looked at her relationship with Yonghe Palace.

They all have to go back to the original boring place.

Although they are completely unable to decide the important matter of reserve position, it does not prevent them from rejecting Concubine Xi from the bottom of their hearts.

Therefore, Concubine Xi found it difficult to move forward after returning to the palace: it turned out that Jingren Palace wanted to withdraw the monthly silver in advance, or replace some clothes and clothes, which were very cheap. The Ministry of Internal Affairs would not reject a concubine with a prince under her knees, but now it is trouble , many things have to go through the hands of some little nobles!

And they followed the rule of one noble concubine (after this year, the imperial concubine), and they refused to give a little convenience, and asked her to go to the Yonghe Palace to ask for instructions.

Where is Concubine Xi willing!

She thought it was Yonghe Palace who deliberately forced her to bow her head.So just boil it.

After a year and a half, I finally couldn't stand it anymore.

But when Concubine Xi came back to Yonghe Palace, she didn't bow her head, but came to negotiate.

She felt that she had enough chips!

Seeing the maids serving tea and leaving, and only the most confidant maid Qiuxue beside the imperial concubine, Concubine Xi let the maids beside her go out, then she collected herself and said solemnly: "The concubine wants to make an exchange with the empress...or make a business."

Jiang Heng said calmly, "Oh... let's listen to what Concubine Xi said."

Concubine Xi originally made some drafts and wanted to speak slowly, but seeing the imperial concubine in front of her calmly, as if her words were not important to her, and her attitude as if she was not a threat to her, she was not happy. In addition, the depression of living in Yuanmingyuan for many years, and the isolation of being more like an outsider when she returned to the palace, made her words a lot stiffer.

"The imperial concubine has a lot of things to do. She has monopolized power in the palace these years, so she must be used to flattery. Since that's the case, I'll get straight to the point."

"How old is the imperial concubine, and I am the biological mother of the prince. I also hope that the imperial concubine will treat me and Concubine Yu as one from now on, and Concubine Yu's right to assist the six palaces will also be shared with me."

Qiu Xue's eyes widened behind her.

Just now the empress also said that she was daydreaming, and she was only dreaming when she looked at Concubine Xi!How is she the same as Concubine Yu, Concubine Yu is the first concubine who has helped her own concubine, she has never plotted against the Yonghe Palace for more than ten years, not to mention that the fifth elder brother has been in harmony with the fourth princess since he was a child.

Why should Concubine Xi directly share the right to assist the Six Palaces?Can't dream? !

Jiang Heng turned the bracelet on his wrist: "Since Concubine Xi said it was an exchange, what do you want to exchange?" She actually had a guess, but she still wanted to hear Concubine Xi say it herself.

Concubine Xi said in a deep voice: "The concubine will make a promise to the imperial concubine: if Hongli becomes the crown prince, the concubine promises to persuade him, and will never embarrass the imperial concubine, let alone embarrass the princess." She meant a lot: "The emperor The imperial concubine must know that the princess and the prince are still different, and the embarrassment is the most unbearable."

Concubine Xi hadn't finished speaking when she saw the imperial concubine smiling, and then said something she didn't quite understand: "So I'm here to sell insurance."

In Jiang Heng's heart, Concubine Xi's words were like selling insurance.Yes, of course Hongli has the possibility of ascending the throne.Concubine Xi came in advance to sell her sense of crisis, and then gave Jiang Heng a full promise in exchange for current benefits.

Nice sales pitch, but...

"No need." Jiang Heng flatly refused.

Concubine Xi thought that the imperial concubine would be hesitant, would make decisions, and would want more real guarantees, but she really didn't expect her to refuse outright.

Can't help but change color: "Does the empress think that her son will definitely be the crown prince?"

Jiang Heng shook his head: "The position reserve is a matter for the emperor, and no one but the emperor can make it right. I shouldn't, but you are not trustworthy."

"For one thing, Concubine Xi, you are peaceful from the front, but in private, you spread rumors again and again to buy people from Yonghe Palace earlier.

Concubine Xi was completely stunned, she really didn't expect the imperial concubine to disrespect her so much.

For Jiang Heng, this disgrace was just the beginning: after Concubine Xi returned to the palace, she didn't go over the old score, it was already for the sake of two funerals in the palace.

Concubine Xi took the initiative to come to PUA her, so I'm sorry.

Jiang Heng didn't seem to see Concubine Xi's face, and continued to say calmly: "Secondly, Concubine Xi doesn't have that much influence on the fourth elder brother—even if the fourth elder brother really becomes the emperor, Concubine Xi can only be heard by the harem if he wants to come. It’s just a woman who can’t be seen. For example, in the Annan war, what did the fourth elder brother say about this matter? What is the idea in his heart? Which department is he learning to do now?”

"Does Concubine Xi know? I'm afraid Concubine Xi knows as much as a random official from the previous dynasty."

Being stared at by Concubine Xi, Jiang Heng didn't feel anything: Nian's swinging scissors in the shape of a South Sea alligator back then was nothing more than that, let alone Concubine Xi's eyes were deadly.

As for Concubine Xi, I don't know if she suddenly broke her defense and was stunned, or her brain was not as fast as Nian Shi's.After Jiang Heng finished speaking, he started to drink tea from a teacup, and Concubine Xi suddenly got up: "You..."

Jiang Heng cut off indifferently: "You? Concubine Xi has been in the Old Summer Palace for many years, and she even forgot her honorific title?"

"Speaking of which, instead of coming to this palace to sell anxiety, Concubine Xi might as well go back and make up for the relationship between mother and child that has been estranged for many years."

Time has changed many things, not only the identity of two persons, but also human emotions.How Hongli struggled alone in the palace all these years, Jiang Heng can understand.The affection between mother and child exists, but it is impossible for him to trust Concubine Xi's standard of handling things after seeing his biological mother suffer such a big setback.

The mother and son should have very little communication, otherwise Hongli would never agree with the birth mother to come to Yonghe Palace in the current situation.

Concubine Xi's plans and confidence when she came here were completely shattered at this moment.Her eyes were dizzy for a while, and she couldn't tell whether it was dizziness from anger or fear.

In such a blur, she could still clearly see the hairpin on the imperial concubine's temple.

She knows how to fight back!

Concubine Xi helped the table, stood up straight and said coldly: "The imperial concubine has a sharp tongue. The concubine has already seen it at Nianshi's birthday banquet more than ten years ago! But no matter how sharp the tongue is, the imperial concubine should also be careful. I know very well that the status of this imperial concubine is the best status the emperor can give! In the emperor's current dynasty, the empress will not be able to be a queen."

As if she felt she had finally caught Jiang Heng's painful foot, Concubine Xi's voice was a little distorted, like a handful of broken beads falling on a porcelain plate, with a broken feeling.

"If the emperor wants to balance the situation in the court, he will not establish a queen, lest any prince become a heir, a legitimate heir, and repeat the disaster of the former emperor's arrogance and misbehavior to win over courtiers!" Concubine Xi looked at Jiang Hengbin The hairpin on the side, the Dongzhu is the queen's exclusive jewelry, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs will not send it wrong.It should be sent by the emperor privately to comfort the imperial concubine.

But what if I gave her Dongzhu?So what if you have been a pet for many years?

Concubine Xi said coldly: "Even if there is an Dongzhu hairpin, it can only be worn privately. On the grand ceremony, you can still only wear the imperial concubine's court clothes, with amber court beads instead of Dongzhu court beads!"

It was really the first time for Jiang Heng to see Concubine Xi showing her sharpness like this.

It should be quite powerful.

Concubine Xi's defense suddenly reminded her of what the emperor said to her before the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The emperor's expression was very calm, and he talked like a family chatter: "The queen's anniversary ceremony has passed. I asked Qin Tianjian to count a good day for you, so that I can issue the imperial edict."

Jiang Heng was combing his hair in front of the mirror, but he couldn't help turning to look at the emperor when he heard the words.

The emperor took her comb and combed it slowly, not caring how shocking the words would be if it was spread out, it seemed that the canonization of the queen was so logical, just like a rhino combing through the smooth hair.

He continued: "The imperial decree will be issued first, and the canonization ceremony will have to wait until the three-year filial piety of the empress's mother."

Jiang Heng subconsciously nodded: This is a regular example. For example, when the first emperor passed away, the emperor also drafted the imperial decree after he ascended the throne, and the canonization ceremony was made up in the third year of Yongzheng.

After nodding his head, he realized that he had agreed to the post-sealing matter, and he couldn't help but say, "But your majesty..."

The emperor seemed to know what she was going to say, and pressed his hand on her shoulder, pressing down a slight warm touch.

"I just want to name you as queen, it has nothing to do with others."

In the Qing Dynasty, there were only eight founding princes who were awarded the iron hat king, and there was no rule after that, but the emperor felt that the thirteenth brother was worth it, so he wanted to give an iron hat king to Prince Yi's mansion; But the emperor felt that it was enough for him to be an official, so he would be worthy of the honor of the Taimiao.

Just like now, no matter whether Hongshang is his preferred heir or not, no matter whether this move will break the balance among the princes, he only thinks she should be, and he also wants to make her queen, so he did so.

To be an emperor, it is important to balance the government, but if the government always balances out your own intentions, then you can't be regarded as a capable emperor!

Besides the power of the emperor, he himself is a very affectionate person.

Jiang Heng thought about what the emperor said, and then looked at Concubine Xi in front of him—Concubine Xi always felt that they were the same, waiting for her son to succeed.

But for Jiang Heng, sons and daughters are sons and daughters, they have their own future to go to, and she also has a career as a concubine to do well.

Over the years, she has always felt the joys and sorrows of the emperor. From the loose-leaf booklet to the Gantt chart, she has devoted countless small thoughts to share the worries of the emperor; she respects the queen mother as her elder, and respects the queen as her boss and senior. Treat every day's palace affairs as work, persevere and do your best to optimize.

She was not waiting for the Queen Mother to bring her son.

The queen's position is the promotion she deserves.

But when she said it, Concubine Xi probably wouldn't know it, and refused to understand it.

In Concubine Xi's eyes, Imperial Concubine smiled lightly.

More than ten years have passed, and the appearance of the imperial concubine smiling is no different from before.Those eyes have been in the palace for many years, but they are still black and clear, and when he smiles, it seems like transparent water ripples.

Concubine Xi looked into these eyes, she didn't feel angry and sad at all when she was hit by her cruel words, but she still smiled sincerely, and felt her heart ache.

She turned around involuntarily and said: "Yonghe Palace is an expensive place, and my concubines can't afford to stand up, so I dare not come to see you again from now on!"

Then he walked away quickly.

Jiang Heng didn't even have time to tell her: Don't talk so badly, you should still come in the future.

Concubine Xi, who hurried out, turned her head and took one last look at Yonghe Palace: I never want to come to this place again!Fortunately, there is no need to come!The concubine needs to make peace with the empress, but she doesn't need to pay respects to the imperial concubine - the late emperor had installed several imperial concubines, and there has never been a precedent for forcing concubines to pay respects.

She no longer has to come to the Yonghe Palace to meet the imperial concubine who broke her defenses!

Seven days later, the imperial decree spread throughout the government and the public.

There were many people who were shocked, but no one was in such pain as Concubine Xi!

The imperial decree has been issued, and the concubine must go to see the new empress tomorrow.

Concubine Xi thought about the harsh words she had said in Yonghe Palace, and felt that she was dying, so she decided to say she was sick and not go away.And she is not completely pretending, she feels that she will definitely be sick when she diagnoses her pulse in such a mood.

Just before she invited the imperial physician, Su Peisheng arrived in person.

Eunuch Su still smiled and said in a friendly manner: "It is a great event in the palace to establish a queen! The slaves are ordered to pass on the emperor's oral instructions. If the concubines in the palace suddenly feel uncomfortable, it must be due to fate, and they must go to the Old Summer Palace to avoid it. It would be good if the Empress is here. No, this servant was ordered to inquire in each palace, thinking about Concubine Xi's weak body, so this servant came here first, I don't know if the empress is not feeling well?"

Concubine Xi: ...Why am I still uncomfortable?There was only 'I was sick, but I got better quickly'.

This night was a sleepless night for Concubine Xi.

In the Yonghe Palace.

Sitting on the couch in his cloak, Jiang Heng ticked off the last line of to-do list on the loose-leaf booklet.

Just about to pick up the new collection of western novels in the library to read, Qiu Xue has already come with a lamp, and under the candlelight, her face is full of joy: "Your Majesty, go to bed early, and the concubines in the palace will come to greet you tomorrow." Woolen cloth!"

Jiang Heng read several pages before he was willing to sleep.

Tomorrow is another brand new working day.

(End of text)