The imperial selection of concubines was held every three years. Following the twenty-second year, the twenty-fifth year saw another round as per tradition, with Emperor Kangxi appointing Noble Consort Wen and Noble Consort Yi to oversee the proceedings.
This selection chose Lady Irgen Gioro as the Eldest Princess Consort for the Eldest Prince. As for the emperor’s harem, after consulting with the two noble consorts, only three candidates were retained—all of exceptional beauty but from relatively humble Manchu and Han military banner backgrounds.
Initially granted the rank of "promised attendants," only one was elevated to the position of "constant attendant." They were assigned to side halls within various palaces, placed under the supervision of higher-ranking consorts. Among them were ambitious souls, but no sooner had they entered the palace than they were doused with cold reality.
No nights spent with the emperor, no accompanying him on outings—only palace maids to attend to them, their days bleak and lonely. The emperor seemed to have forgotten them entirely.
The most strikingly beautiful among them, Consort Yun, gritted her teeth and took out her hidden savings, instructing her personal maid to secretly bribe a eunuch in charge of the imperial records office, hoping to have her name plaque placed in a more prominent position.
But the eunuch dared not comply.
Though he shared a hometown with Consort Yun’s maid, six or seven years prior, a eunuch who had accepted bribes and leaked the emperor’s whereabouts had been flogged and expelled from Qianqing Palace. Since then, any servant caught violating palace rules either ended up in the punishment bureau or the labor camp—none were shown mercy.
With such precedents before them, none dared risk their lives for bribes from imperial consorts. They might as well have stamped "incorruptible" on their foreheads.
The imperial records office, in particular, was under the strict surveillance of Chief Eunuch Liang Jiugong. The slightest irregularity would never escape notice.
When the nervous eunuch reported the bribe, Consort Yun faced dire consequences.
Not only was her name plaque removed, but she was also demoted to "promised attendant" and moved out of her spacious quarters. She wept day and night, filled with regret.
Everyone said Concubine Cheng of the Palace of Universal Happiness was a kind soul, and Consort Yun was fortunate to have been assigned there after the selection. Even after her demotion, Concubine Cheng ensured her monthly allowance was delivered in full, without any deductions. But having exhausted her savings, how could she maintain her lavish lifestyle and blooming beauty on such meager provisions?
During the selection, the inspecting matron had marveled that her beauty was unmatched in the entire harem. Consort Yun believed she rivaled even the famed beauty of Noble Consort Yi and dreamed of becoming the next favored consort. Most importantly, she was still young.
Noble Consort Yi was already twenty-eight—how could she compare?
She longed to see the emperor.
After a tearful breakdown, Consort Yun exhausted every means to gather information about the Palace of Universal Happiness. Learning that Concubine Cheng had long been neglected by the emperor—his visits solely for the sake of the Fourth Prince and Seventh Prince—her ambition flared. One day, while paying respects at the main hall, she expressed her desire to pledge loyalty and seek favor.
But the usually gentle Concubine Cheng reacted as if hearing a joke. "Seeking favor?" she asked coldly.
"Abandon such thoughts. Even if I cared—which I don’t—you may try, but do you truly believe the emperor would spare you a glance?" Concubine Cheng scoffed, then smiled faintly. "His heart belongs solely to Noble Consort Yi now. Do not court death."
Consort Yun fell silent. Was this not exclusive favor?
"Not quite. The emperor still selects others’ plaques about ten days a month." Though Concubine Cheng knew that since the southern tour in the twenty-third year, the emperor’s visits to other consorts involved nothing more than conversation under quilts, the court and harem remained oblivious—even Noble Consort Yi herself.
Otherwise, how could the Eleventh Prince remain the emperor’s youngest son?
Concubine Cheng had long aligned herself with Noble Consort Yi and, with keen observation, pieced together hints of the truth. She found no resentment in this arrangement.
Within a few short years, under Yunxiu’s protection, she had risen from an obscure low-ranking consort to a titled concubine and even became Yinzhen’s adoptive mother. With the treasured family recipe passed down by Mrs. Guoluoluo, Yin You’s foot ailment had greatly improved—now he could run and jump freely. Remembering past hardships, Concubine Cheng often wept with joy during prayers, reciting sutras for Noble Consort Yi’s long life and well-being.
Shaking off her reminiscence, she studied Consort Yun’s burning envy and sighed. Out of pity, she offered a final warning: "The emperor despises those who seek favor. Stay quietly in the Palace of Universal Happiness, avoid the imperial gardens, and cease your schemes."
Those pitiable women didn’t even require the consorts’ intervention—the emperor himself would cast them aside.
Like the Han woman the Cao family presented during the southern tour. After the imperial return, Consort Rong had briefly recounted the incident, leaving all astonished.
Consort Yun ignored the advice. For half a year, she scrimped and saved, procuring fragrant ointments from the imperial household to tend to her hands and face. Enduring the bitter winter, she ventured to the imperial gardens every few days come spring, undeterred by mockery.
Her persistence bore fruit when she finally encountered the emperor—only to have her hopes dashed by the sight of his interlaced fingers with another.
The resplendent beauty at the emperor’s side, no older than her early twenties, possessed mesmerizing peach-blossom eyes brimming with laughter. A single glance from her exuded boundless charm. Compared to her, Consort Yun paled like firefly light against the sun, shrinking into insignificance.
A perfect match, radiating mutual affection—where was the room for another?
Before she could recover, another blow struck.
Before Consort Yun could softly utter "Greetings, Your Majesty," the emperor glanced at her indifferently and posed an unexpected question: "What is your relation to Consort Ping?"
His tone was neutral, devoid of disdain. After careful thought, Consort Yun cautiously replied, "Consort Ping has long been ill. Though residing in the Palace of Universal Happiness, I was fortunate to assist in her care."
The emperor pressed, "Who are you?"
"Your servant is Consort Yun, a promised attendant selected last year," she answered tremulously, barely containing her excitement. "Your Majesty—"
Her melodious address made Noble Consort Yi frown. She too interjected, "Your Majesty."
Residing in the Palace of Universal Happiness, Consort Yun couldn’t possibly be tied to Consort Ping—just a coincidence. Why not show mercy?
But Consort Yun misinterpreted the exchange. Her gaze toward the palace beauty turned venomous. Wretch!
Yet before she could speak, the emperor abruptly cut off Noble Consort Yi.
Consort Yun’s heart leapt—only to be shattered by his next words.
"Stay out of the imperial gardens henceforth. Since you’re acquainted with Consort Ping, relocate to Chuxiu Palace and attend to her. If her condition worsens, you will answer to me."
Emperor Kangxi paused, then mused, "Consort Yun… why does that sound familiar?"
Liang Jiugong whispered, "She is the former constant attendant whose plaque was removed."
Now, no plea could save her.
The emperor’s furious roar echoed through the gardens: "Liang Jiugong, drag her away!"
Consort Yun’s relentless scheming for imperial favor ended in disgrace, terrifying the newly selected consorts and deterring any ambitious high-ranking consorts from similar attempts.
Meanwhile, the bedridden Consort Ping, unjustly implicated, coughed up blood in rage, her lingering cold worsening anew.
After the falling out with Mrs. Guoluoluo, Suo Etu found his influence completely blocked. His niece, now deemed useless, left him seething with rage. His repeated requests to meet with the Crown Prince were all denied. Left with no choice, he could only wait until the Crown Prince turned thirteen and began participating in court affairs before attempting to reestablish connections.
Noble Consort Yi reigned supreme in the imperial harem, having borne three princes and maintaining a close relationship with the Crown Prince of Yuqing Palace. No one dared challenge her authority. Meanwhile, Noble Consort Wen managed palace affairs with a balanced hand—fair yet firm in her judgments. Even with Mingzhu’s backing, Consort Hui failed to wrest control of the harem’s power. Under such circumstances, the imperial court enjoyed years of relative peace.
But when Mingzhu was dismissed by the emperor, Consort Hui’s heart turned cold. Then came news from the princes' quarters: the Eldest Princess Consort was pregnant. Like a pillar of support, this steadied the wavering morale.
Even if the first child was a daughter, she was still the emperor’s first grandchild.
Soon after, the Eldest Princess Consort conceived again. Officials who had gathered around the Eldest Prince under Mingzhu’s guidance now eagerly anticipated the birth of the emperor’s first grandson, ready to seize the opportunity to challenge the Crown Prince.
Beyond this, the Grand Empress Dowager, though still in good health, fell ill after catching a chill in her advanced age. Day after day, she relied on medicinal brews. The emperor, deeply concerned, ordered the imperial physicians to spare no effort in her treatment. The tranquil atmosphere shattered, and the harem suddenly descended into chaos.
Then there was the matter of selecting the Crown Princess, which stirred ambitions in many quarters. Though the emperor had not made any formal announcement, Suo Etu was already scheming.
Who wouldn’t want a share of the future empress’s influence?
While the harem was in turmoil, the imperial court fared no better.
With the rise of Galdan, the ambitious leader of the Dzungars, the court split into factions—those advocating for war and those pushing for peace. The political storm raged fiercely.
The more astute officials urged military action, and the Eldest Prince’s eyes gleamed at the prospect. This was his chance to earn military merit.
The next day, in Yanxi Palace.
"Mother," Yinti strode in, paying his respects before frowning. "I have no interest in Lady Guan or Lady Wu. Why must you force this upon me?"
So, after a few whispers from Lady Irgen Gioro, he now dares to show displeasure toward his own mother?
Consort Hui sneered. "Mrs. Guoluoluo has already persuaded your imperial father to arrange a marriage for the Crown Prince. Must your consort still monopolize your attention? You refuse a secondary consort, you refuse concubines. If the emperor’s first grandson is born from the Crown Princess’s womb, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself!"
At the mention of "the emperor’s first grandson," Yinti’s expression darkened instantly.
