Chapter 102 Extra Chapter: Sky Screen Cinema 8

"The Nian family has successfully retired."

Yinreng seemed to be deep in thought. Although the story was told from Qingying's perspective and rarely touched on the previous dynasty, no one present was a fool. They could see from these fragments how the Nian family had suddenly turned from a dead end, where they were "too powerful to overshadow the emperor" and were feared by Yongzheng, into a path of survival.

Putting aside others, the three members of the Nian family breathed a sigh of relief. Taking the sky as a warning, they would certainly not allow their family to go down that path again.

After relaxing, the eighteen-year-old Nian Gengyao was quite pleased with his military talent when he was suddenly dragged inside and beaten by his father and elder brother.

"Oh...no, why?"

"You dare ask! You didn't hit me hard enough!"

"Displaced anger! This is displaced anger! Ouch..."

Nian Gengyao remained calm despite being beaten, while at the entrance of the Qianqing Palace, Yinzhi, upon hearing Yinreng's words, was somewhat surprised and uncertain: "Could it be... that this was Hongli's doing?"

No one could answer the question, but everyone had a vague idea in their hearts. Hongli truly lived up to his reputation as an emperor worthy of being remembered and displayed by the heavens. He had just returned from the Yuanmingyuan, and his mastery of imperial tactics was astounding. In this way, wouldn't the Nian family's power in both the court and the harem become his vassals?

Everyone couldn't help but admire him; he was so serious, and they felt this perspective was actually quite good, even though Qingying seemed a bit unreliable. But that didn't stop them from observing Hongli's excellence.

Thinking about it this way, the officials who supported choosing Qingying's perspective calmed down and proudly puffed out their chests. They knew they hadn't made a mistake; it had to be them!

In the fifth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, the three princes held a selection of consorts, inviting only eligible princesses to the palace for a preliminary selection at Jiangxue Pavilion. Although it was called a selection, it was not even as prestigious as a minor selection.

"What's all this stinginess about?!"

Not only did Nian Shilan on the sky throw things, but even Kangxi couldn't help but throw the bracelet in his hand at Yinzhen: "Fourth Prince!"

Yinzhen knelt down with a thud, unable to help but show a hint of grievance: "Father, I'm not that stingy."

Although Yinzhi and Yinzhen were still arguing because of yesterday's game, he couldn't help but plead for them: "Father, that was definitely not Fourth Brother. You know Fourth Brother is just a bit serious; he wouldn't do something so absurd."

"It's not impossible for seriousness to turn into harshness, or even stinginess..."

Yinzhen muttered under his breath, but ultimately did not step forward to add fuel to the fire.

At this time, Yinreng and his fourth brother Yinzhen had a fairly good relationship. Even if the heavens indicated that Yinzhen would become emperor, aside from the fact that he would find it difficult to associate the image of Yongzheng with his fourth brother, Yinreng himself knew that if such an outcome were to occur, the person in charge would only be his father, the Emperor.

Therefore, Yinreng still stepped forward and offered a few words of advice: "Father, the world is not as vast as my fourth brother's. With your guidance, my fourth brother will not become that kind of person."

Kangxi calmed his breathing; he wasn't unaware of the situation. However, the moment he saw it, he felt the imperial family had utterly lost face, and he vented his frustration on Yinzhen.

"Get up."

Kangxi looked at Yinzhen and said he wouldn't hold it against him, but in his heart he still thought he should keep a close eye on this fourth son and make sure he didn't become like Tianmu. He couldn't have such a stingy son!

"Princess, do we really have to do this?" Aruo asked hesitantly.

The change of scenery finally diverted the officials' attention from Yinzhen. Yinzhen couldn't help but sigh. He hadn't expected that even from the perspective of the inner palace, he could still see Yongzheng making a fool of himself. What was the difference between this and watching him make a fool of himself?

Yinzhen was seething with hatred. At that moment, he suddenly felt that the throne was nothing special. If being emperor meant bearing such a stain, he would rather give it up! He wanted to leave behind a pure reputation!

Qingying tilted her head back, her eyes sparkling with affection, and said with a wise expression, "We gaze at each other from afar, and a single glance is enough to break our hearts. Since Hongli and I are so in love, the selection of concubines cannot be disrupted. Our household has produced two empresses. What if the Third Prince chooses me if I participate normally?"

"The princess is intelligent."

"Wait, is this the same 'wall over the hill'?"

As a learned scholar, Yin Zhi couldn't help but break down upon hearing this, "Is this how poetry is used? How exactly does Ulanara teach her daughters?!"

Yinzhi was startled, not expecting his third son to make such a fuss, and quickly grabbed his arm: "Third son, calm down."

Yinzhen silently stepped back, afraid of being noticed by Yinzhi. He really hadn't expected this to happen. It was because Tianmu's description was too brief, not because he was uncultured!

Yin's expression was indescribable. Everyone said he was the dumbest of the princes. But this Ulanara Qingying wasn't much better. And she was called a talented woman?

He admits he's not smart, so why is Qingying so ordinary yet so confident?

"When did she and Hongli become lovers? When did the Third Prince say he wanted to choose her?"

Yin Tang sneered: "In your dreams."

[Qingying had A'Ruo prepare a lot of beans, which she ate. On the day of the Third Prince Hongshi's imperial concubine selection, she feigned failure to be selected. Qingying was not ashamed but rather proud.]

"Does she think she's very smart?"

Even the kind-hearted Yinqi couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark.

Seeing Qingying's actions on the sky, everyone was utterly bewildered. Yin Zhi, however, comforted himself, thinking that it was normal for someone like her to lack education, and it would be abnormal to argue with her.

“No,” Yinzhi frowned unhappily, “She… how could she become Hongli’s concubine? Would Hongli choose her?”

Not only Yinzhi couldn't understand it, but everyone else couldn't either. Yinsi made a reasonable guess: "Based on Hongli's personality as shown earlier, he definitely wouldn't choose Qingying. Since Qingying was not chosen, does this perspective end there?"

"this……"

At this moment, those who had not yet fully experienced the power of "Yi Syndrome" couldn't help but worry that they might have chosen the wrong option.

"The auspicious hour has arrived, ladies-in-waiting, enter!" Hearing the eunuch's announcement from not far away, A'Ruo couldn't help but feel anxious: "Princess, we've already missed the appointed time, we need to hurry."

Qingying continued walking unhurriedly: "What's the rush? I'm just going to give Brother Hongli a heads-up. What does it matter if I go early or late?"

"Yes." A'Ruo hesitated for a moment, but seeing Qingying's certainty, she nodded and obeyed. The two, mistress and servant, strolled leisurely towards Jiangxue Pavilion.

"What did she say? Who is she advising?"

"Fourth Brother, calm down, she won't be selected."

Yinzhi stopped Yinzhen, whose fists were clenched, and quickly tried to persuade him.

Yinzhen was furious. It was already embarrassing enough to imagine himself as Yongzheng, but seeing this scene, and taking it a step further, all he saw was a woman brazenly offering to help his son with his eyes in public. What right did she have?! What right did she have?!

"Princess Fucha is dignified and composed, making her the ideal choice for the primary consort."

"Thank you, Fourth Prince."

"Hongli..."

As soon as Qingying walked in, she saw Hongli handing the jade ruyi to Fucha Langhua, and she was shocked and heartbroken.

"How dare you! Who gave you permission to address the Fourth Prince by his given name?"

Qingying was startled by Consort Hua's imposing presence. She then came to her senses and awkwardly bowed to everyone, saying, "Greetings to the three Your Highnesses. I am late and was in a hurry, so I was impolite."

"Alright," Yi Xiu said coldly, "Since you're here, go wait over there!"

Qingying hesitated, unable to offer any advice in this situation. She could only stand in the selection team and look at Hongli expectantly.

Her expression, which said "She's willing to be a concubine for Hongli," was completely undisguised and anyone could see it.

Hongli completely ignored Qingying's gaze, picked up the purse given to his concubine, and walked towards Tongjia Zhilan. Ignoring Qingying's utterly devastated expression, he directly handed the purse to her.

"Princess Tongjia, gentle and graceful, is a suitable choice for a secondary consort." Qingying was shocked, heartbroken, and felt utterly betrayed.

But Yinzhen breathed a sigh of relief. He felt good. That was how it should be. Let it end. As long as Qingying wasn't selected, he could take it all in stride!