The Consort Just Wants to Lie Flat

Tongjia Lanzhu is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Tongjia clan, a family of significant political standing as the maternal relatives of the Kangxi Emperor. At thirteen years old, she lives a sheltered but privileged life within the Tongjia Residence, characterized by close familial bonds with her parents, Tong Guowei and Hesheli Shi. Her mother, Hesheli Shi, is deeply protective of Lanzhu, having previously secured her position as the nation's Empress through political maneuvering. Lanzhu is known for her gentle demeanor, intelligence, and filial piety, though she harbors a quiet resistance to the prospect of entering the imperial harem, preferring a life of domestic tranquility over court intrigue.

The narrative begins with a sudden disruption when the palace mourning bells ring nine times, signaling the death of the pregnant Empress, Hesheli Shi, during childbirth. This event triggers immediate political and personal turmoil for the Tongjia family. Tong Guowei, as the Emperor's maternal uncle, is summoned to the palace, leaving his wife and daughter to navigate the uncertain aftermath. The Empress's death creates a power vacuum in the harem, elevating Consort Zhao, Niohuru Shi, to the highest rank among the consorts. The Tongjia clan, seeking to maintain its influence, begins to consider Lanzhu as a candidate to replace her mother in the Emperor's inner circle, despite Lanzhu's young age and her own reluctance.

Lanzhu is summoned to the palace to mourn the late Empress, where she witnesses the stark realities of court life. She endures five days of rigorous mourning rituals, kneeling on cold stone floors, which takes a significant toll on her health and her mother's well-being. During this period, she observes the subtle tensions and rivalries among the remaining consorts, particularly the sharp exchange between Consort Zhao and Concubine Li. The experience solidifies her understanding that her entry into the palace is not a matter of if, but when, and that her family's political survival may depend on her compliance.

A key turning point occurs when Lanzhu is summoned to Cining Palace by the Grand Empress Dowager. The Grand Empress Dowager, a formidable figure who has navigated three reigns, tests Lanzhu's temperament and political acumen. She engages Lanzhu in conversation, offering her gifts and observing her reactions, while also discussing broader political matters with the Emperor. The Grand Empress Dowager reveals her intention to introduce a noble lady from the Khorchin Mongols into the harem, a move designed to counterbalance the Tongjia clan's influence. This encounter highlights the complex web of political alliances and the Grand Empress Dowager's strategic manipulation of the Emperor's personal relationships.

Later, Lanzhu encounters the Emperor, Kangxi, at Baoguo Temple. Their interaction is charged with unspoken emotions and political undertones. Kangxi expresses his frustration with the Grand Empress Dowager's schemes and his desire to keep Lanzhu close to him, yet he is constrained by familial duty and political necessity. Lanzhu, aware of her role as a political pawn, maintains a respectful distance, acknowledging her inevitable fate while seeking reassurance from the Emperor. Their conversation reveals the Emperor's genuine affection for Lanzhu, but also his inability to shield her from the demands of the court.

The story concludes with Lanzhu returning to her family, where the reality of her impending entry into the palace becomes increasingly clear. Her mother, Hesheli Shi, is devastated by the news of a fortune teller's prediction regarding Lanzhu's future, which suggests a life-threatening calamity. Despite her fears, Hesheli Shi resolves to fight for her daughter's happiness, while Tong Guowei accepts the political necessity of Lanzhu's role. Lanzhu, though resigned to her fate, finds strength in her family's support and her own resilience, preparing to face the challenges of the imperial harem with grace and determination.