The Concubine of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty

Chapter 29 I don’t want to die well
When we arrived at Kunning Palace, the emperor's guard of honor had just arrived, and they had already disembarked and were waiting aside.

The honor guard of the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Concubine Niu fell, and the Emperor stepped forward and said, "My grandson would like to say hello to Madam Huang, and my son would like to say hello to Huang Enie!"

The Empress Dowager only glanced behind the emperor, followed by all the distinguished ministers. These ministers are all pillars of the country. Those who are less than the third rank cannot enter Kunning Palace today.

The ministers also knelt down and saluted. The Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Concubine Niu Hulu were all people who needed a big salute from them.

The Empress Dowager stepped forward, stretched out her hands, held the emperor's arms, and helped the emperor up. "Emperor, get up." Then she turned her attention to the kneeling ministers behind the emperor. "Ministers, please get up."

After receiving the order from the Queen Mother, the ministers stood up.

At the same time, the Queen and Concubine Niu Hulu also brought their concubines, Fujin and concubines, to the emperor to salute and greet him, "I, my concubine/slave, pay homage to your Majesty, long live your Majesty."

The emperor looked at the women who were saluting, and then only stepped forward to help the queen up. "Thank you for your hard work, queen," the emperor said harmoniously, and then said to all the women: "Get up!"

"Concubine, it's not hard." The queen let the emperor help her up and said softly.

The group stood up.

The emperor and the empress dowager and empress dowager on the side said seriously: "The sacrifice is about to begin. My grandson invites Huang Ma Ma and Huang E Ni to come in."

"Okay!" the Queen Mother responded.

Then the emperor, the empress dowager, the empress dowager, and the empress took the lead, followed by the ministers, Fujin, and concubines in an orderly manner. No one is left behind, and no one dares to surpass.

Kunning Palace is nine rooms wide, and the places for worship are from the second room in the west to the third room in the east, a total of four rooms.

The eunuchs and maids were all waiting along the road. The entire Kunning Palace had already been cleaned out. The matter of offering sacrifices was an important matter for the country. Therefore, in addition to the emperor, concubines, ministers and ministers, as well as the empress dowager and empress dowager, there were also other people standing by to wait. A servant like no other.

Neither can the former emperor and his concubines. Historically, after the death of the former emperor, there have always been many concubines who had entanglements with the current emperor, such as Concubine Yang and Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, and Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty and Emperor Zetian.

In the early days of the Qing Dynasty, concubines could be inherited by sons or brothers. However, the first emperor advocated Han culture, promoted Sinology, and also emphasized ethics and principles.

The system of sons and brothers inheriting the concubines of the previous emperor was abolished. In order to prevent concubines from scheming with the emperor, a rule was established that the former emperor and concubines under the age of fifty were not allowed to meet the emperor in private, no matter how noble their status was.

Women's honor is given by men. They can restrict it however they want, just like restricting an object!
As for the former emperor and his concubines, all their honor was placed on the body of the late emperor and his son. After the death of the late emperor, all the honor and honor had nothing to do with them.

Among the former emperors who had sons, the only one who can benefit from the blessing of sons now is the emperor's biological mother, Empress Xiaokangzhang. Queen Xiaokangzhang has been dead for eight years.

The rest of the former emperors and concubines either had nothing to place their honor on, or they placed it on their sons, and the sons had not yet been able to earn honor for their mothers and concubines.

Otherwise, the concubines would not want the emperor to die and become a widow! They may not have a good life while the emperor is still there; but after the emperor passes away, they will definitely not have a good life.

At least while the emperor was still there, the concubines still had some hope.

The sacrifice was extremely solemn, and the lamas were already waiting in the hall. This was the first time Qinrou saw the lama. She quickly lowered her head. Although she was surprised, Qinrou understood how important these powerful people in feudal society regarded power and wanted the country. No beauties. And the people in power in these feudal societies regarded the national sacrifices that were linked to the power of the emperor as very important. Never challenge the emperor's limits.

Power is always much more important than beauty. For example, Yang Guifei was the emperor's scapegoat during the Maweipo rebellion.

I am not afraid of life or death, and I admit that I yearn for death, but I don’t want to die a good death. Qin Rou lowered her eyebrows and thought with amusement.

The emperor, the empress dowager, the empress dowager, and the empress also had solemn faces, and even the ministers Fujin and others were silent, which shows the solemnity and majesty of the sacrifice.

The only sounds in the entire hall were the lamas and their drums, and the sounds of the emperor and empress offering incense and praying for blessings.

Although the rest of the people were not dead, they regarded themselves as seriously ill patients not far from the dead. The ministers and concubines who knelt and worshiped were as steady as clocks.

No looking, no shaking, no smelling, no moving.

Even if the sky falls, everyone's expressions remain unchanged.

The process of sacrifice is relatively simple. Today is a small sacrifice. The four-season sacrifice held every year at Qingming, Zhongyuan (July 15th), Winter Solstice, and Suidu (the day before the end of the year) is more complicated. The threshold for participation is also higher.

The class threshold of feudal society is a series of natural chasms, which delineates the dignity of everyone's status. People living in it can't escape the oppression of class no matter how much they struggle.

Until the end, the lama recited a prayer that was inaudible and incomprehensible, but full of charm, saluted the emperor, and announced the end of the sacrifice.

The emperor exchanged words with the lamas, then asked the palace people to lead the way, and led the lamas down, not knowing where they were going.

"Huang Ma Ma, the banquet has been arranged in Qianqing Palace. Please also ask Huang Ma Ma and Huang Eni to move to Qianqing Palace." The Queen Mother nodded. The Queen Mother stood aside, although she did not say it clearly, she was like a loving mother. He smiled and nodded, which was also allowed.

"Your Majesty, Madam Huang, I invite you." The emperor said with a golden mouth. Then he turned his head and said to the ministers, Fujin, and concubines: "Every minister, Fujin, and concubine, are also going with me."

It has to be said that when giving orders, both men and women are the most charming. It is indeed power that can mess with people's hearts. Power is the most attractive.

"Slave/Concubine Deng accepts your order and thanks the Emperor for your kindness. Long live the Emperor!" Everyone thanked him.

Kunning Palace is the queen's bedroom, but it is also within the harem. The ministers are all men. It is inappropriate to walk around in the harem after all. If something happens with one or two concubines, it will not be bloodshed. The river cannot stop.

The Qianqing Palace was indeed the emperor's palace, with a vast area. Although the rules were heavy, they were not as restrictive as those in the harem.

It was also a place where emperors of all dynasties held banquets to entertain their ministers. After the Qing Dynasty entered the customs and made Beijing its capital, this fine tradition was continued.

Moreover, in the harem, even if the emperor dared to invite him, the ministers would not dare to stay! Living like them, even if they are disgusting and cowardly, there are still weak people who can be bullied. Who would not think of reaching out to the harem?
All we can say is that light is always opposite to darkness, and power is always accompanied by corruption. Where there is power, corruption will inevitably breed.

(End of this chapter)