Yinreng was unaware of all that Kangxi was thinking; he was carefully considering how to move his pieces.

The Crown Princess won't be entering Yuqing Palace for several more years, so he's not in a hurry.

Yinreng was naturally intelligent, but he still couldn't compare to Kangxi, who had been experienced for many years.

In Go, the game is about strategy, tactics, and mindset. In any of these aspects, Yinreng was still too inexperienced to compete with Kangxi.

"My son has lost." After nearly an hour of negotiation, Yinreng was unable to admit defeat.

"There are few high-ranking officials in the court who can play chess with me for so long. They are all over fifty years old, and you are still so young. Bao Cheng, you are my pride." Kangxi was extremely proud.

"Come, play two more rounds with me. I'll give you a three-point handicap. If you accept, I'll give you that mutton-fat jade pendant." To prevent Yinreng from losing his fighting spirit, Kangxi added weight to the game.

As he wished, Yinreng was in high spirits: "Then Father Emperor, you must be careful, I didn't use my full strength just now."

He said this without a hint of guilt, as if he wasn't the one who had just been frowning, deep in thought, and sweating profusely.

Emperor Kangxi liked his stubbornness; how could the crown prince not have some pride and willfulness?

"I'll be waiting," Kangxi said with a hearty laugh.

His laughter carried into the inner room, where the Empress Dowager and the others could hear it clearly.

Yinzhen sat on the ground holding Tana, with Hongzhao surrounding him.

"Father and Crown Prince are playing chess," Yinzhen explained to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager understood: "The Emperor always tells me that he has maintained his excellent chess skills and has his own style."

Consort Yi smiled brightly: "The Crown Prince was personally trained by the Emperor, so naturally he has the Emperor's demeanor. Although I have given birth to two sons, those two combined are not even half a finger of the Crown Prince."

"Your Highness is being modest. Not only is the Fifth Prince kind-hearted and admirable, but his literary and martial talents have also been praised by Father Emperor. The Ninth Prince, at such a young age, speaks eloquently and is quite remarkable," Tong Wanyan flattered.

The Empress Dowager's expression, which had been stiff for a moment, became even more amused after Tong Wanyan finished speaking.

She raised Yinqi, and even though Consort Yi was his birth mother, she didn't want to see Consort Yi being overly modest and belittling Yinqi.

Everyone in the harem is shrewd; Consort Yi regretted her words as soon as they were spoken.

She spoke too quickly, concerned only with doing Tong Wanyan a favor, and neglected the Empress Dowager.

He must have had a bad night's sleep because the wind blew his head, which is why he said something he shouldn't have.

Consort Yi quickly added, "Little Fifth was raised by the Empress Dowager, and her words and actions influence me, so I'm never worried. It's Little Ninth, whom I raised myself, who is more of a worry."

The Empress Dowager was easygoing; she listened to the inappropriate remarks made by Consort Yi and let it pass without taking them to heart.

"I think Xiao Jiu is very good. The Emperor likes him and Xiao Shi very much. They are lively and mischievous children, but they can stand on their own," the Empress Dowager said.

"What the Empress Dowager says makes sense. I think the same way. It's enough that Xiao Jiu grows up healthy and happy. He has the Emperor and the Crown Prince to protect him anyway." Consort Yi breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager didn't care about what she had just said.

She looked at Tong Wanyan gratefully and then let her win a good hand. From then on, the Empress Dowager and Tong Wanyan won so many cards that their hands were sore from winning.

When playing cards, both hands are busy, so you can't eat anything.

If you don't speak, the atmosphere will seem strange and unsettling.

Consort Yi and Tong Wanyan racked their brains to find topics to talk about, while the Imperial Concubine joined in the banter. The three of them worked together to make the Empress Dowager laugh non-stop.

They were the younger generation, so it was their duty to please the Empress Dowager.

Tong Wanyan lived a very glamorous life in Yuqing Palace. Yinreng was the apple of Kangxi's eye, and she rose to prominence along with him, making her someone to be admired.

Consort Yi made it clear that she wanted to cultivate a good relationship with Yuqing Palace, and Consort Gui had the same idea.

So, the conversation naturally veered towards Tong Wanyan.

The Empress Dowager doted on Tong Wanyan, treating her like her own granddaughter, and was happy to go along with it, helping her to get along well with the Consort and Consort Yi.

The palace is still controlled by Consort Gui and Consort Yi. With their protection and favor, Tong Wanyan's life is easier.

Unsurprisingly, the Imperial Concubine brought up the matter of the Grand Princess acting as matchmaker that day.

It's no wonder they're gossipy; by the end of the year, so few things have happened, and there's no way they can keep repeating the same stories.

The Imperial Concubine asked, and the Empress Dowager followed suit with curiosity.

Over the past year, the Empress Dowager often heard Emperor Kangxi tell her that the Tong family had a worthy successor, how good the two brothers were, but unfortunately they were from a collateral branch.

Seeing the three people staring intently at her, Tong Wanyan said gracefully, "We are all messengers, but the decision should ultimately be made by both sets of parents. I have sent a letter to my mother, and I think we will know if there is any news by the New Year."

"Yes, it's an arranged marriage. It's because of your good upbringing that they believe your family has good traditions. That's a good thing," the Empress Dowager said.

Tong Wanyan nodded in agreement, and Tong Ruita's marriage was thus remembered by the Empress Dowager and Emperor Kangxi.

For some reason, Tong Wanyan always felt that this matter could not be accomplished.

Regarding the relationship between Yinreng and Yinti, the two were rivals. In another ten years or so, their relationship would be one where they would draw their swords against each other and kick each other when they were down.

The eldest princess's cousin married into her family, which didn't go well.

Given Kangxi's meticulous and deliberate nature, he probably planned some things decades into the future.

He might not want to see Yinreng and Yinti fight to the death, but they are bound to be irreconcilable enemies.

Tong Wanyan had not mentioned her thoughts to anyone, including Yinreng.

She didn't want to interfere too much in her family's affairs.

Both Tong Qinian and Tong Ruita are capable of leading a region, and it would be a bad thing if they rose through the ranks smoothly.

Sometimes, setbacks are the most life-saving thing.

When Tong Wanyan and the Empress Dowager had a pile of winnings on their table, it was time for lunch.

The Empress Dowager and Tong Wanyan were in high spirits, their fortunes were good, and they walked with a spring in their step.

The Empress Dowager was not short of money. She was having a great time and generously gave each of the Consort Gui and Consort Yi a jade headdress, the cost of which was hundreds of times more valuable than a few ingots of silver.

These things definitely include Tong Wanyan.

The Empress Dowager rewarded her with a jeweled headdress and two bolts of fine fabric.

After washing her hands, the Imperial Concubine, still wearing her nail guards, said, "If you ask me, the biggest winner today is Consort Tong. It's true that the Empress Dowager dotes on Consort Tong."

"She's the only one in the palace who speaks Mongolian the best, and she often keeps me company. If I don't love her, who will I love? You all have palace affairs to attend to, but with her in my heart, I no longer feel empty," the Empress Dowager said.

Tong Wanyan helped the Empress Dowager to her feet and followed closely behind her, saying, "It is my honor to be allowed to stay by your side. Even if others wanted to serve you every day, you might not allow it."

“That’s right, first impressions are hard to define. Just today, countless people came to Ning Shou Palace to pay their respects, but you only invited a few of us. Let them be envious!” Consort Yi said.

"You're the most eloquent of all," the Empress Dowager said reproachfully.