Story of Consort Xi

Chapter 11: Wrath

The Imperial Harem Selection on Eighth of December on the year under Emperor Kang Xi's rule was held in Ti Yuan Hall. Emperor Kang Xi was accompanied by the highest-ranking concubines in his Harem (Noble Consort Rong, Consort Yi and Consort De) to select the candidates.

Amongst the hundreds of candidates, only a handful would be selected in the end. Those that were selected were naturally elated, whereas those rejected were disappointed, with some even fainting on the spot out of anguish.

It was already past noon by the time the Imperial Harem Selection ended. Looking at each other, both Noble Consort Rong and Consort Yi heaved a sigh of relief. However, Emperor Kang Xi's words quickly put them on edge again.

"How many candidates were there in total for this Imperial Harem Selection?" Dressed in formal Imperial dragon robes, Emperor Kang Xi narrowed his eyebrows as he turned to ask Head Eunuch Li De Quan.

Head Eunuch Li De Quan replied: "In response to Your Majesty, there is a total of one hundred and seventy-six candidates for this Imperial Harem Selection. However, only one hundred and seventy-five candidates turned up today." He had already guessed the reason behind Emperor Kang Xi's question. After all, he was present on that very day when Emperor Kang Xi met Ling Ruo.

"Why is that so? What about the last candidate?" Emperor Kang Xi narrowed his eyes, while his face slowly darkened.

Glancing carefully at Noble Consort Rong, Head Eunuch Li De Quan bowed and replied: "In response to Your Majesty, I noticed that Lady Niohuru's name was cancelled on the official candidate list when it was sent to me today. I believe the candidate who is absent is Lady Niohuru. I have asked the Supervisor-Maid Hong Ling, who is in-charge of Zhong Cui Palace. She informed that this was the order from Noble Consort Rong. Lady Niohuru was also brought away by Eunuch Lin Quan overnight, and has not returned since."

Without waiting for Emperor Kang Xi to question, Noble Consort Rong quickly stood up from her seat and kneeled: "In response to Your Majesty, this was indeed my order. I just found out last night that Niohuru Ling Ruo was engaged before the Imperial Harem Selection, and had even slept with a man called Xu Rong Yuan. Such person is not fit to participate in the Imperial Harem Selection. Hence I have removed her name from the official candidate list."

"Oh? There is such an issue? But you have been staying within the Imperial Harem for so long, Noble Consort. How would you know all these?" Emperor Kang Xi's suspicion caused Noble Consort Rong to fluster even more. She definitely could not say that it was told by Crown Princess Shi. Her relationship with Crown Princess Shi will make Emperor Kang Xi even more suspicious of her intentions.

Just when Noble Consort Rong was still struggling to provide an answer, her maid Ling Zhu stepped forward and kneeled: "Your Majesty, your humble servant was the one who unintentionally heard about it when I left the Imperial Palace to visit my family a few days ago. Upon returning to the Palace, I informed Her Highness Noble Consort Rong. To avoid any possible misunderstanding, Noble Consort Rong even sent me out to clarify the rumours and to ensure the truth."

"After your investigation, are the rumours true?" Emperor Kang Xi looked at maid Ling Zhu expressionlessly.

Shivering slightly, maid Ling Zhu did not dare to look straight at Emperor Kang Xi. Staring at the golden tiles, she replied: "In response to Your Majesty, yes. There are no waves without wind [1]. After investigating, it was confirmed that Ling Ruo was indeed engaged and even slept with the man. Her Highness Noble Consort Rong had no choice but to remove her name to maintain peace within the Imperial Harem."