Chapter Seven, the Gate of the Palace of Heaven and Earth in Mutual Harmony laments
Her playful expression greatly displeased Heshili: "Do you really not understand? Do I have to say it out loud?"
"Zhenshun Mingde" is this an evaluation given by Shunzhi to Wuyun Zhu
After leaving the Cining Palace, the Emperor proceeded to the Qianqing Palace, while the various consorts returned to their respective chambers. Only the Empress held the hand of Consort Zhao, standing together in the Lijing Pavilion of the Imperial Garden, engaged in conversation. The accompanying palace maids, understanding the situation, stood quietly with their heads bowed in the corridor beneath the pavilion.
Dong Zhu did not speak and walked straight towards the Chengqian Palace
Dong Zhu retracted her smile: "Is it for that chrysanthemum pillow?"
Even though she was mistakenly betrothed to Boguer, as a Fujin in the residence of the Prince of Xiang, she was a woman of measured decisiveness, bright and cheerful.
Standing on the pavilion, one can see the entire scenery of the garden. Although it is already late autumn and there are few flowers and plants in the garden, the towering pines and cypress trees, along with the unique rocks and pavilions, still create a vibrant and charming atmosphere
Bearing the infamous title of "demonic concubine and calamity", she spent four years in the palace, experiencing both great joys and sorrows, including favor and resentment, the loss of a child, and the death of a father. The imperial palace dulled her wisdom and temperament, robbed her of her smile and straightforwardness, and closed her heart, rendering her like a withered tree. In just four years, she fell ill to the point where no medicine could cure her.
And her unparalleled beauty withered too early, likely due to these reasons
It seems that she is indeed more suited to court life than herself
Tears silently fall
Dongzhu appeared completely unconcerned, not even glancing at the Empress. She merely gazed at the lush cypress trees in the garden and slowly spoke: "The names of the three main palaces in the harem, Qianqing Palace, Kunning Palace, and Jiaotai Palace, are derived from the 'I Ching.' 'Qian' means 'heaven,' and 'Kun' means 'earth.' Qianqing and Kunning signify the tranquility of heaven and earth, the enduring stability of the nation, and the peace and prosperity of the people. This, Dongzhu naturally understood, but others did not."
"Dongzhu, do you see over there? Do you know what that door is called?" the Empress asked, pointing to the door between Kun Ning Palace and the Imperial Garden.
Standing outside the main hall of the Chengqian Palace, Dongzhu raised her head to gaze at the plaque in the center, which bore the four characters "Zhenshun Mingde" written in the personal hand of the late Emperor Shunzhi.
Dongzhu took a deep breath, her brows slightly furrowed: "I never expected that even after becoming the Empress, you still have such a temper. Since childhood, my unintentional actions have always made you furious. Fine, I will go find the ancestors to retrieve the pillow; I can manage without it myself."
From Feiyangu's words, Dongzhu learned that before her marriage, Wuyunzhu was also a cheerful woman who loved to talk and laugh, enjoyed wearing men's clothing, and would often engage her father and brothers in horseback riding and hunting, as well as delighting in wandering around the streets.
"Kun Ning Gate," Dong Zhu replied
This is the second time she has earnestly gazed at this plaque; the first time was on the sixth day of the first month when she entered the palace, led here by Granny Su. On that day, she also stared at this plaque in a daze for quite a while.
All changes began from the moment of entering the palace
Hesher's expression was gloomy: "Yes. I have always known your schemes; you love to focus your thoughts on this, to curry favor with the ancestors and attract the emperor's attention. A single chrysanthemum pillow has captured everyone's attention, and where does that leave me?"
Seeing the suspicious gazes of the palace maids, Dongzhu suddenly understood; is this a ploy of self-inflicted suffering
He Shenli is indeed too cautious, too paranoid; she is merely a subject of ridicule. Does she really think she would go to the Empress Dowager to ask for a pillow? This has truly turned into a childish quarrel. Dongzhu actually just wanted to scare her a little and then use it as an excuse to leave. Yet, she responded as if facing a formidable enemy, using such quick wit to extricate herself, inadvertently setting a trap for Dongzhu.
Do you know? The queen's face showed neither joy nor sorrow, making it impossible to discern her thoughts. She merely nodded slightly, "So you do know. Then you should understand the impropriety of your actions today."
"It is!" The palace maid beside the queen immediately went to summon the sedan chair. Looking at Dongzhu, who seemed a bit dazed, Hesheli said with concern, "Alright, you don't need to blame yourself. I already said it was my own carelessness that caused me to fall. The wind is strong here, so don't stand around. You should go back."
Chun Yin followed closely behind Dong Zhu, murmuring softly: "It would be one thing if others did not see clearly, but I saw it distinctly. It was clearly the Empress who fell on her own, yet she pretends to be the good person. What does this mean"
Master!" Chunyin immediately offered a handkerchief, but Dongzhu did not reach out to take it, allowing her tears to fall into the wind, dripping down and soiling the smoke-blue garment.
He loves her, perhaps precisely because of the excellent virtues she displays, such as wisdom, gentleness, solemnity, and chastity
The Empress is the sovereign of the harem, and what the Empress deems to be punishment is indeed punishment. Dongzhu met Heshili's gaze, yet a hint of mischievousness appeared on her face.
Dongzhu smiled self-deprecatingly, performed a kneeling salute, and then took her leave
Dongzhu, in the past we were the Talawen pearls nurtured in the boudoir, competing for fame and fortune, which was inconsequential. Now, although we were once sisters in the inner palace, our positions have been established; I am the Empress, and you are a consort. You must remember your identity, and should there be any breach of propriety, do not blame this palace for being heartless. The words of Hesheli were laced with a warning.
This palace consists of two courtyards, with the main entrance facing south at the Chengqian Gate. The front courtyard features a main hall with a width of five bays, and in front of the hall is a spacious platform. There are three auxiliary halls on each side, east and west. The layout of the rear courtyard mirrors that of the front, also comprising a main hall with five bays and three auxiliary halls on each side, but the courtyard is deeper and contains ancient cypress and wisteria. In the southwest corner, there is a well pavilion, a delicate and exquisite structure built against the wall.
Today, the Qianqing Palace and the Kunming Palace each have their own rightful place in the universe. If someone harbors delusions that obstruct the harmony of heaven and earth, would that not be a breach of propriety? Should they not be punished? The Empress's gaze returned from the Kunming Gate, firmly fixed on Dongzhu's face
Dongzhu turned and left, while Heshieli reached out to pull her back. Just as his hand grasped the fabric of Dongzhu's clothing, he suddenly exclaimed in pain and fell down. Before Dongzhu could comprehend what had happened, the palace maids waiting under the pavilion rushed over. Supported by the maids, Heshieli immediately said: "This has nothing to do with Concubine Zhao; it was my own carelessness. You all must keep your mouths shut; not a word about today is to be leaked outside."
Dongzhu smiled slightly and said: "The Empress is the master, and Dongzhu is the servant, so I shall naturally follow the Empress's lead. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."
Bearing these four characters, she has not lived a single day for herself; perhaps she has never had the opportunity to unreservedly showcase her true self