Chapter 018

Chapter 018

If a family already has a concubine in the palace, and the elder sister has entered the palace, then the younger sister, during the selection process, can actually be excused and allowed to return home to arrange her own marriage.

If one truly wishes to send both into the palace, it is not impossible.

The Imperial Noble Consort oversees the selection process, and when reporting to the Emperor, she can naturally mention it.

She could mention that she misses her sisters at home, and if they could enter the palace, it would be like having them by her side.

However, at this moment, Su Yi's striking appearance gave the Imperial Noble Consort a sense of crisis. Almost the moment she saw her, that sense of crisis made her nearly lose her composure, as if the appearance of this sister would cause her to lose everything.

This prompted her to change her original decision. As for the Niohuru family, she would later find another excuse, perhaps choose another cousin. After all, isn't that still a Niohuru?

"This is my sister, whom I haven't seen in a long time. The elders at home are very pleased that my sister has grown up so well, and they have already arranged for her..."

She was about to retract her earlier suggestion to Kangxi about wanting her sister to enter the palace to accompany her. Fortunately, she had only mentioned it briefly in front of Kangxi and hadn't made it too definite. Changing her mind now, in front of so many concubines, Kangxi should grant her, the Imperial Noble Consort, some leniency.

The concubines below were also listening intently. From the tone of her voice, it seemed the Imperial Noble Consort did not want her sister to enter the palace?

If only they had known earlier, they should have eliminated her during the initial selection, instead of waiting until the palace selection for the Emperor to see her?

Fortunately, the Imperial Noble Consort hasn't lost her mind yet.

Unexpectedly, Kangxi suddenly interjected at this moment, "I remember, the Imperial Noble Consort mentioned to me that you miss your sister at home and want her to accompany you often. Since that's the case, let's keep her name on the list. You can talk together in the palace in the future."

After saying this, he reached out and patted the back of the Imperial Noble Consort's hand on the chair, smiling comfortingly. The Imperial Noble Consort's smile broadened, as if she were very pleased, "Thank you, Your Majesty. That's exactly what I was thinking."

Her other hand, hidden in her sleeve, clenched tightly, the nails digging painfully into her palm.

Kangxi looked at her for a while, his deep eyes seemingly able to see through people's hearts and all illusions. The Imperial Noble Consort's expression remained one of joyful smiling.

The remaining concubines also smiled stiffly. There was no stopping it now; if the Emperor said to keep her, who would dare to dismiss her?

What a remarkable Imperial Noble Consort, with such profound sisterly affection. Let's hope they don't end up fighting like cats and dogs. In the palace, where are there any real sisters? Even blood sisters can turn against each other!

Kangxi also smiled, then withdrew his gaze and stood up, looking somewhat tired, "I'm tired. The rest will be left to the Imperial Noble Consort." Then he left directly.

The selected girls quickly made way on both sides. Su Yi only saw the bright yellow hem of his robe pass by her, and she idly wondered if his shoes were also bright yellow, and what about his socks and undergarments?

Wasn't he just a little yellow man all over?

No one noticed Kangxi's lips twitch, then quickly press into a straight line.

The concubines present quickly stood up and bowed, "We respectfully send off the Emperor."

The Imperial Noble Consort bowed her head, her eyes terrifying in the moment she lowered them, but when she rose, her expression was gentle again.

As for the later selected girls, since Kangxi had left, except for those pre-selected to stay, all were dismissed. The concubines, in a bad mood, showed no mercy, and almost none of the later candidates were spared.

While a few at the front were exceptionally kept, by the end, it was a complete wipeout.

Those who were dismissed and sent out couldn't help but cry as they boarded their family carriages.

The current Emperor is young and handsome, and the selected girls who saw his heavenly visage were all stirred with spring feelings. To become a royal concubine would not only bring honor to their families but also fulfill a young girl's heart.

The Imperial Noble Consort appeared gentle and kind, but when it came to dismissing candidates, she was as ruthless as the other concubines. If only they had been reviewed earlier when the Emperor was present...

Yikun Palace

"Bang!" The embroidered stool was kicked over with a loud crash, startling Yujing, who was following behind, to immediately kneel down.

The Imperial Noble Consort, who had endured all the way back to Yikun Palace, finally couldn't hold back anymore. Her face completely darkened.

Kangxi had not given her any face at all. She couldn't believe that Kangxi hadn't understood her implication that the family elders had already arranged a good marriage for her sister!

Although she hadn't finished her sentence, she had indeed changed her mind. Even the other women had understood, but could Kangxi not see it?!

Was he so blinded by beauty?!

Forcing her to put on a delighted expression, how would those concubines view her now!

She no longer cared if anyone was watching. Previously, she could pretend in front of Yujing, asking others to leave her alone, but now only Yujing was present...

Yujing kept her head down, not daring to speak, trembling. Her demeanor only fueled the anger of the Imperial Noble Consort, who was already seething with suppressed rage.

She rose and slowly moved toward Yujing, her gaze venomous, like a snake coiling around its prey. Seeing the hem of the Imperial Noble Consort's skirt approaching, Yujing began to plead for mercy in fear.

Jingren Palace

Consort Tongjia was in a bad mood today after being slighted by the Imperial Noble Consort. Although the younger Niohuru sister was also entering the palace, she was uncomfortable with someone else coming to share the emperor's favor.

But now, "Hmph, the Imperial Noble Consort is always putting on an act. Now she's reaping what she sowed."

Consort Tongjia couldn't help but laugh as she spoke.

"Your Highness is right. The Imperial Noble Consort probably can't laugh now," said Nanny Wang, who had taken care of Consort Tongjia since childhood and could speak a few words with her.

Consort Tongjia ate her sweets, her face twisted in disdain, "As if no one knows her thoughts. Hmph, she entered the palace with the late empress but has never been pregnant. Now she's anxious and wants her sister to enter the palace to share the emperor's favor."

Hopefully, she would conceive a child and then could adopt her sister's child.

But who would have thought that her sister was so stunningly beautiful, and now she wanted to change her mind, but the emperor wouldn't allow it.

Thinking of this, Consort Tongjia's good mood vanished, and her face darkened, "Nanny Wang, do you think the emperor..."

Nanny Wang knew what Consort Tongjia wanted to say, but all the women in the harem were like this. The emperor was never short of women, and Her Highness should get used to it.

She could only soothe her, "Your Highness, men always love novelty. The emperor is also a man and can't help but be momentarily dazzled by those flowers and grasses. But Your Highness is different. You are related to the emperor, unlike the other women in the harem. The emperor would never mistreat you."

This was true. Which woman in the harem could compare to Consort Tongjia, who became a noble consort just a year after entering the palace?

If not for her lack of seniority, she could have been the Imperial Noble Consort, outranking Niohuru. Those other women had struggled for so long and were only concubines. How could they compare to Her Highness?

After hearing this, Consort Tongjia's expression gradually improved, and she couldn't help but show a bit of shyness when thinking of Kangxi. Her cousin truly treated her differently.

Qianqing Palace

While changing the tea, Liang Jiugong accidentally glanced at the list of ranks for the newly selected concubines by Kangxi's hand. His hands remained steady, but his heart quivered.

The harem was on the brink of a major upheaval...