“The Grand Empress Dowager is most kind. This is merely a minor ailment, yet I have troubled Her to worry.” Tong Jiaying spoke with a hint of being overwhelmed by such favor. The Grand Empress Dowager had never liked the Original Host—it was Kangxi who had insisted on bringing the Original Host into the palace as a consort.
When the Original Host first entered the palace, the Grand Empress Dowager had only granted her the rank of Gege. It was only after Kangxi intervened to adjust her allowances to the level of a Concubine that the Original Host breathed a sigh of relief, feeling she had some support. By the sixteenth year of Kangxi’s reign, during the grand enfeoffment of the Imperial Harem, it was again Kangxi who strongly recommended the Original Host to become the Noble Consort, ranking first beneath Empress Xiaozhaoren.
The Grand Empress Dowager thus grew increasingly displeased with the Original Host. In the Original Host’s memories, whenever she fell ill, the Grand Empress Dowager had never once sent anyone to inquire after her, let alone dispatch Sumalagu, the most trusted confidante of the Grand Empress Dowager.
Thinking of this, Tong Jiying lowered her long eyelashes to shield her eyes. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Sumalagu’s visit was a case of “not coming to the temple without a purpose”—she surely hadn’t come simply to inquire about her illness.
Sumalagu’s face still wore an expression of concern, the sagging wrinkles of age carrying a trace of solicitude. “The Grand Empress Dowager has prepared some medicinal herbs and specifically sent this servant to deliver them, hoping Your Ladyship recovers swiftly.” As she spoke, she motioned for a young palace maid accompanying her to present a red sandalwood box to Tong Jiaying.
Tong Jiaying, holding a plain white silk handkerchief, coughed twice at the appropriate moment. Feiyu immediately stepped forward to receive the box.
“The Grand Empress Dowager’s grace is boundless,” Tong Jiaying said gratefully. As Sumalagu delayed getting to the point, she felt increasingly uneasy inside.
If the Original Host’s relationship with the Grand Empress Dowager had always been this close, she could have accepted such concern with ease. But the reality was not so. This visit to inquire about her illness, coupled with the delivery of medicine, likely meant the true intention lay elsewhere.
Seeing Noble Consort Tong’s pale, bloodless face from illness, her slightly furrowed brows, and her guarded expression, Sumalagu fell silent for a moment before saying, “With the passing of the Successor Empress, the Six Palaces have been occupied with funeral rites. Now, the Successor Empress’s coffin has been moved to Gonghua City. The Grand Empress Dowager sent this servant to ask: Regarding the internal governance of the Six Palaces, does Your Ladyship have any thoughts?”
Upon hearing “internal governance of the Six Palaces,” Tong Jiaying’s heart immediately tightened. Indeed, there was a purpose behind this visit—it was about who would manage the rear palace. Given that the Grand Empress Dowager disliked the Original Host, how could she possibly entrust the responsibility of overseeing the Six Palaces to her?
Yet, because of her current status as Noble Consort, the highest-ranking among Kangxi’s Imperial Consorts, matters concerning the assistance or management of the Six Palaces would inevitably involve her. After all, the Original Host had previously been personally appointed by Kangxi to assist the Successor Empress in handling affairs of the Six Palaces.
For the Grand Empress Dowager to send Sumalagu now to ask this question meant that the Grand Empress Dowager already had her own plans in mind.
Tong Jiaying pondered for a while, then lowered her voice, feigning the weakness of illness. “Auntie, regarding the internal governance of the Six Palaces, it should naturally be decided by The Emperor, the Grand Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager. I have no thoughts on the matter.” From the Original Host’s memories, she had dug out and repeatedly pondered the relationship between Kangxi and the Grand Empress Dowager. She felt that this grandmother and grandson pair did not entirely trust and support each other unconditionally. After all, there was the precedent of Kangxi’s own father, Shunzhi, right before Kangxi’s eyes.
At the entrance of Cining Palace, there seems to be a stele inscribed with “Imperial Harem members shall not interfere in state affairs”? Tong Jiying vaguely recalled this from the Original Host’s memories, but since she hadn’t been to Cining Palace, she feared she might be confusing it with a novel plot she had read before, leaving her momentarily uncertain.
However, her current identity was Kangxi’s Cousin and his Noble Consort Tong. By nature, she should unconditionally stand with Kangxi over the Grand Empress Dowager.
Sumalagu understood that Noble Consort Tong was making excuses—she wouldn’t have spoken like this before. Fortunately, the Grand Empress Dowager’s purpose wasn’t focused on this matter.
“Your Highness is currently the highest-ranking Noble Consort in the Imperial Harem. The management of the Six Palaces should naturally continue as before, with Your Highness assisting in governance,” Sumalagu conveyed the Grand Empress Dowager’s intention. The Grand Empress Dowager thinks highly of you and hopes you will continue to assist in managing the Six Palaces as before.
Tong Jiying appeared moved, but a thread of caution remained in her mind. Surely, it couldn’t be this simple. She coughed twice again and said weakly, “I am deeply honored by the Grand Empress Dowager’s regard and should devote myself wholeheartedly to repay her great kindness. However, as I am currently ill, I must trouble the Grand Empress Dowager to oversee the affairs of the Imperial Harem.” On her first day here, after falling ill, the Grand Empress Dowager had taken over the management of the Imperial Harem entirely.
Sumalagu’s smile remained unchanged, but inwardly, she grew suspicious of Tong Jiying’s concession. Could she have learned something? Or had The Emperor promised her something during his visit yesterday? Suppressing her thoughts, she steadied herself and looked at Tong Jiying, saying, “The Grand Empress Dowager hopes for Your Highness’s swift recovery so she may ease her burdens and enjoy a few years of leisure and peaceful retirement.”
Seeing that Sumalagu had circled back to the topic of managing the Six Palaces after such a roundabout approach, Tong Jiying still couldn’t discern her specific purpose. She could only muster her energy to respond, “I will take my medicine diligently and strive to recover soon, so I may share the Grand Empress Dowager’s burdens.” Well, she had originally intended to recover in seven days, but now she felt it would be better to rest a while longer.
Sumalagu looked at Tong Jiying with a hint of apology in her eyes and said, “This matter should not have been brought to Your Highness, but when the Successor Empress was gravely ill, she once made a request to the Grand Empress Dowager. She said she had a younger sister at home and hoped that after her passing, this sister could take care of The Emperor in her stead.”
“The Grand Empress Dowager, seeing the Successor Empress so ill, initially agreed to comfort her. Now, this matter has become the Successor Empress’s dying wish.” At this point, Sumalagu paused, waiting for Tong Jiying to respond.
Tong Jiying thought to herself, isn’t this the later Noble Consort Wenxi? But why is this being mentioned to her? If the Grand Empress Dowager wants someone to enter the palace, does she need Tong Jiying’s approval?
There must be a trap here.
Tong Jiying coughed a few more times, gently pressed a handkerchief to the corner of her mouth, and then, with Shuangyu’s assistance, drank half a cup of warm water. She asked with feigned confusion, “Auntie, since this is the dying wish of Sister Successor Empress, it should naturally be decided by The Emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager. Why come to ask me?”
As if puzzled, Tong Jiying raised her head, her large eyes looking bewilderedly at Sumalagu.
As expected, nothing good was coming. If the Grand Empress Dowager wanted the Successor Empress’s sister to enter the palace, wasn’t it to bring in someone to counterbalance or even replace her? After all, she was not favored by the Grand Empress Dowager.
Sumalagu looked at Tong Jiaying, whose clear eyes held a trace of innocent ignorance. She sighed inwardly, though her expression remained gentle as she explained, “Your Ladyship assists in managing the Six Palaces. Since new ladies are to enter the palace, it is only natural to discuss this with Your Ladyship. Later, when Niohuru Gege arrives, Your Ladyship will also need to arrange her residence and attendants.”
Discuss it with her? Tong Jiaying felt this was too good to be true. Was the Grand Empress Dowager someone who would consult with her? When had a big boss ever discussed hiring senior executives with a junior employee?
“Auntie, I am currently ill and truly have no energy for such matters. I must trouble you to make another trip and report this to The Emperor, leaving it to His Majesty’s wise judgment.” Tong Jiaying intended to kick this ball over to Kangxi. If the Grand Empress Dowager wanted new ladies to enter the palace, she could discuss it with Kangxi herself. She, a mere shrimp, would not get involved.
After all, to live a long life, one must worry less and avoid meddling in others’ affairs. She had no desire to toil away in the Imperial Harem doing double the work without any extra reward.
Sumalagu had expected Noble Consort Tong to take on this matter as she had in the past, eager to please the Grand Empress Dowager, requiring only a few sweet words from them. Yet Noble Consort Tong had changed once again, catching them somewhat off guard.
“Your Ladyship assists in managing the Six Palaces. Such a minor matter need not trouble The Emperor; Your Ladyship can handle it yourself.” Sumalagu’s smile faded slightly as she looked at Tong Jiaying. Did she think that with the Successor Empress gone, she was the only one left?
At that moment, Shuangyu happened to bring over a bowl of medicine, its bitter aroma filling the air, and reminded her, “Mistress, it is time for your medicine.”
Tong Jiaying looked at Sumalagu with a troubled expression, her voice growing increasingly weak and feeble. “Auntie, I truly have no energy to spare. After taking the medicine, I feel drowsy all day and cannot attend to the affairs of the Six Palaces.” Managing the Six Palaces was one thing, but taking the blame for the Grand Empress Dowager was another. They didn’t even pay her a separate salary. If she ever had the chance, she would definitely discuss with Kangxi the need for a raise.
Seeing this, Sumalagu understood and naturally took her leave politely. Upon returning to Cining Palace, she reported the matter truthfully to the Grand Empress Dowager.
The Grand Empress Dowager’s hands did not stop trimming the Podocarpus bonsai, nor did she even glance up, merely remarking calmly, “She has indeed grown wiser.” It was a pity, however, that the Emperor’s harem could not be entrusted to a woman from the Tong family.