Chapter 013

Chapter 013

Lady Li was conferred the title of Anpin, Lady Wangjia was conferred the title of Jingpin, Lady Nala was conferred the title of Huipin, Lady Guoluoluo was conferred the title of Yipin, Lady Majia was conferred the title of Rongpin, Lady Hesheli was conferred the title of Xipin, and Lady Dong was conferred the title of Duanpin.

The rest were some inconspicuous noble ladies and lower-ranking concubines, known as 'daying' and 'changzai.' Previously, without the rank of pin, the noble ladies were somewhat more significant. Now, with seven pin ranks, the noble ladies were no longer rare, let alone the lower-ranking concubines.

Those who were promoted were overjoyed, having waited years for this moment.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs was rushing to prepare the ceremonial attire for the concubines' investiture, with the Imperial Noble Consort and the Imperial Noble Consort being the top priorities. Everyone was so busy that they wished they could split themselves in two.

The Niohuru family had produced an Imperial Noble Consort, which was a joyous event. The entire household was filled with joy. When Lady Shushujueluo visited Su Yi, her look of relief mixed with slight worry left Su Yi puzzled.

However, upon hearing the news of Kangxi's grand investiture of the harem, Su Yi couldn't help but laugh when she was alone. Whether it was joyful or not was another matter, but this grand investiture of the harem.

The investiture ceremonies for the concubines alone would cost hundreds of thousands of taels.

Su Yi could almost picture Kangxi's restrained expression, secretly wincing at the expense.

After Kangxi ascended the throne, he faced numerous problems. Oboi's tyranny and abuse of power, dealing with his faction and the lingering issues, and the Manchu-Han conflicts were another major issue.

There was also the threat of the 'Three Feudatories,' with Wu Sangui being particularly treacherous. Kangxi wanted to abolish the feudatories, which required a massive amount of manpower and resources, like a money-devouring beast. It would take years to see any results.

Funds were being drained left and right, and the treasury was running low.

Kangxi had no mind to invest in the harem and hold a bunch of investiture ceremonies, which were very costly. Thus, in the three years since his ascension, apart from Lady Niohuru, a high-ranking concubine, the rest were all low-ranking concubines.

This was the first grand investiture of the harem since his ascension, and it was a significant expense. He was probably feeling the pinch now, but he maintained the demeanor of a profound emperor.

In front of a ghost, it was hard to keep secrets.

Kangxi was indeed feeling the pinch now.

But the harem concubines had not been promoted for many years, and there were no pin ranks. The concubines needed to be promoted.

Since his ascension, Kangxi had never granted such an honor, hence this occasion.

But deep down, he was still pained by the expense of the investiture ceremonies.

Kangxi did not show this, as it would undermine the emperor's dignity if people saw that he, as the emperor, was concerned about money.

Not conferring the title of Empress to Lady Niohuru was also a decision Kangxi made after careful consideration. The Empress needed to be a model for the empire, and the selection criteria had to be stringent.

This woman was too ruthless. Kangxi did not want to disrupt the current balance between the court and the harem by appointing a healthy, child-bearing Empress with a strong family background.

An Imperial Noble Consort was the most Kangxi could offer.

Recently, rumors of the harem's investiture had been rampant, and court officials were proposing the appointment of an Empress. The more Lady Niohuru coveted the position, the less Kangxi was willing to give it.

Lady Niohuru, now the Imperial Noble Consort, had to pretend to be happy and accept the greetings from the other concubines, and she couldn't feign illness. At this time, she could only appear joyful.

Although she had been relying on known history to try to change it, this change was not something she could accept. She was supposed to be the Empress!

Not some Imperial Noble Consort!

The matter that had been making her hesitate was finally decided.

She needed to bear a child of Niohuru blood.

After the investiture ceremonies, preparations for next year's selection of new concubines would begin. As the Imperial Noble Consort, with the Grand Empress Dowager stepping back from harem management, she naturally took the reins.

The Niohuru family had already communicated with her and had invited an etiquette instructor to properly educate her.

Su Yi, who was clearly arranged: ???

The female lead was ultimately fixated on her fertility.

Su Yi had been in a deep sleep for a long time, and what she missed was more than just a little. Now, an etiquette instructor was starting to teach her the rules and etiquette.

Staying at the Niohuru residence wouldn't last long. If she didn't enter the palace, she would have to be arranged for marriage. If she entered the palace, Kangxi would only visit the harem once every ten days or half a month, and even then, not everyone would get a turn. Most of the time would be her own to spend.

She had observed that many beauties lived long lives, some even reaching their seventies or eighties, making it very suitable for a peaceful life.

And she might even get to see the little milk dragon (a nickname for the emperor), well, just to get a bit of imperial aura.

Where could be more convenient than inside the palace?

Su Yi was deeply tempted. She originally wanted to feign illness but had been behaving obediently, though she found it a bit tedious. However, Su Yi quickly mastered everything to minimize the hassle.

The Niohuru family was also very attentive, going to great lengths to hire a capable etiquette instructor. Just before the selection, they finally achieved satisfactory results.

With Min Yi's beauty, few could compare. Even Yipin, who was said to be the most favored in the palace and the most radiant, might find it hard to match Min Yi.

With the Imperial Noble Consort (a high-ranking concubine) looking after her in the palace, Min Yi's favor with the Emperor was just around the corner.

Su Yi clearly saw through the Niohuru family's intentions. Although Shushu Jueluo was quite affectionate towards her, she also valued others equally, making Su Yi's position not quite enough.

They only needed Su Yi to be obedient.

Sometimes, she really didn't want to shatter the Niohuru family's illusions. Kangxi's attitude towards the female lead didn't seem like he valued or favored her.

Did they really expect Kangxi to favor another woman from the Niohuru family?

Perhaps because she was about to enter the palace, Su Yi wanted to go out for a walk. Bayala and Shushu Jueluo quickly agreed.

Su Yi went out properly, but then changed into a set of men's clothes she had prepared in advance in the carriage, and had Yun Xiu braid her hair and put on a melon-skin cap.

A sky-blue long robe paired with a cloud-patterned vest of the same color, a lake-colored belt around the waist, and a folding fan in hand, she looked like an overly handsome and noble young gentleman.

It was unclear how she managed it, but she looked both heroic and softened her feminine beauty, appearing more androgynous rather than obviously female.

Yun Xiu beside her was stunned, wondering how the young lady had suddenly turned into... a young gentleman.

It took her a while to react, and only when Su Yi gently lifted her chin did Yun Xiu come back to her senses. Facing the young lady's smiling peach blossom eyes, with a somewhat intoxicated and hazy look, her heart fluttered, and she immediately covered her face, "Young lady!"

"What's wrong?" Su Yi said with a smile, her peach blossom eyes curving into crescent moons, naturally exuding affection that made one's heart sway.

"Young lady, stop teasing me," Yun Xiu said, clutching her chest with lingering fear. Serving the young lady up close was truly a test. Seeing her every day had built some immunity, but she had been in a deep sleep before. Now, dressed as a man, she was even more, more enchanting.

"I'm not teasing. I just like being close to Yun Xiu," Su Yi said in a deliberately lowered voice, making it even more unbearable.

Yun Xiu snorted softly, "Young lady, you say the same to Xiu Jin."

The sweet words the young lady said were too many.

"But now it's Yun Xiu accompanying me," she said, naturally putting her arm around Yun Xiu's shoulder. Although Yun Xiu said she was just being coaxed, she was clearly very happy.

She was always gentle with beautiful young ladies.

Thinking that after entering the palace, she could visit the young ladies' palaces, have tea, and chat, Su Yi's smile became even more radiant.

There were no ugly concubines in Kangxi's harem.

Kangxi suddenly sneezed, immediately making Liang Jiugong nervous, asking if His Majesty wanted to return to the palace and summon an imperial physician, fearing he might catch a cold.

Kangxi waved his hand, signaling him not to make a fuss. It was just a sneeze. He had just come out; how could he return immediately?