After pondering for a moment, the Crown Prince gave the order: "Have someone send some useful items to the Crown Princess."

"Yes, sir."

The Crown Princess, having received the Crown Prince's reward, touched her belly and then ordered, "Have someone replace the vase and screen that the Crown Prince bestowed upon me."

The head maidservant beside the Crown Princess was taken aback upon hearing this. The vases and screens used in the Crown Princess's room were now more elegant and refined. The ones sent by the Crown Prince were not bad, but they were too extravagant.

She remembered that her master didn't like it, so why was it changed to her clothes?

Seeing the maid beside her looking blank, the Crown Princess asked, "What's wrong?"

"This servant remembers that Master does not like overly bright objects."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Princess couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Yes, she didn't like the rich and glittering items bestowed upon her by the Crown Prince, but when it comes to liking something, there are always things beyond one's control.

"A woman follows her husband wherever he goes, whether he's a chicken or a dog. Since it's a gift from the Crown Prince, she'll naturally like it."

"Yes, Master."

"Go and get it done right away!"

"Yes, this servant will have someone change them right away."

After everyone left, the Crown Princess sat alone on the bed, touching her belly. Thinking about what she had just seen, she felt that giving birth to a daughter might not be a bad thing.

Although the Crown Princess was a woman, she was pampered by her father and brothers and had read many books since childhood, including the Four Books and Five Classics, historical books and miscellaneous essays. She did not have to take the imperial examinations or restrict herself, and she read a wide variety of books.

She is also a book lover. The more books she reads, the clearer her understanding of issues becomes.

She didn't know what others thought, but in her eyes, the Crown Prince's behavior was far from worthy of his reputation.

The Crown Princess has read many historical books, and throughout history, only a few crown princes have been able to die peacefully.

She was self-aware; although she had some quick wit, she didn't believe she had the ability to turn the tide. The position of Crown Princess seemed to have fallen from the sky, and she felt uneasy sitting in it.

She didn't think she could change the Crown Prince on her own. If she offered advice and became his strategist, she would inevitably face retribution after he achieved great things. If she failed, the consequences would be dire.

She had originally hoped to have a son, but now it seems that having a daughter would be better.

Nowadays, there's no need for Qing princesses and noblewomen to marry into Mongolia and have daughters. Even if the crown prince is no longer the heir apparent, a daughter will still be a good match for him, no matter who sits on the throne in the future.

Thinking this, the Crown Princess decided to go and pray to the Bodhisattva, hoping that the Bodhisattva would bless her to have a daughter this time.

No one knows what the Crown Princess is thinking. The Crown Prince is still in his study, with a pretty palace maid by his side. He doesn't know that his Crown Princess has already "given up" on him in her heart.

Lady Guarjia saw things clearly. She knew she couldn't possibly win over the Crown Prince, so she was content with the way he was. As long as she had a daughter and there was no need to involve her own family, she felt everything was fine.

...

When Yinzhen returned to his residence, he also brought with him the imperial edict conferring the title of prince and the official document.

After receiving the imperial decree and seeing off the eunuch who had come to deliver it, Tong Cheng'er said, "Father, is this a grand conferment of titles upon the princes?"

Yinzhen nodded: "Yes, everyone who went on this expedition was included."

"Looks like I'll have some gifts to give these next few days."

Yinzhen smiled upon hearing this, finding her focus quite peculiar: "Since you can get it back, overall, you've probably made a profit."

After all, the title of prince carries different weight than other noble titles, and with repeated use, one can still make a profit overall.

Tong Cheng'er smiled.

After discussing some trivial matters, Tong Cheng'er began preparing for the banquet.

These were things that Tong Cheng'er had been too lazy to arrange while she was still in her boudoir, but now she had to start doing them. However, she couldn't shake her lazy nature, so Tong Cheng'er had to change the administrative system of the Yong Prince's Mansion.

And you know what? Since the new system was implemented, there have indeed been far fewer people cheating and shirking their duties in the mansion. Tong Cheng'er has decided that the system should be changed every two years.

There is no perfect system, but it can be changed; out with the old, in with the new.

With the issuance of the imperial edict, the common people of the capital now know the news.

Interestingly, many rumors circulated in the city praising the First Prince for his bravery and skill in battle, and saying that the title of Prince Zhi was well-deserved.

Upon hearing this, Yinzhen couldn't help but smile. He wondered which brother's method it was; it wasn't particularly sophisticated, but it was quite effective.

It's still early, and Yinzhen isn't in a hurry to vie for the throne.

In the blink of an eye, half a month has passed. Tong Cheng'er has been incredibly busy for the past two weeks, attending banquets almost every day and hosting one at home as well. After half a month of this, she can finally take a break.

After things calmed down, Tong Cheng'er couldn't help but sigh to Yinzhen, "Back then, I was afraid of attending banquets every day, but now it's become the norm."

Yinzhen felt exhausted from the continuous work of the past few days. Visiting different brothers' residences one by one, and having almost the same people at each banquet, it was really meaningless.

"How about I suggest to Father Emperor that we reduce the amount of extravagant banquets in the future?"

Upon hearing this, Tong Cheng'er quickly shook her head: "Let's forget about it!"

Wealthy families often make do with what they have; if word got out, people would think they'd gone mad!

However, things got much better after that busy period, and Tong Cheng'er returned to her previous life.

Raising kids, petting cats, reading storybooks, checking the accounts every now and then to see how much money has increased each quarter, and then thinking about how to spend it...

Such days are quite pleasant.

And just like that, half a month passed.

Yinzhen suddenly brought some news that left Tong Cheng'er somewhat bewildered: "You mean Father Emperor is going to tour Jiangnan?"

Yinzhen nodded: "This time, you and I will both be in the accompanying entourage."

Being included in the parade is indeed an honor, but Tong Cheng'er is overthinking it.

What will happen to our Hongzhao?

Yinzhen: "Bring it with you."

Tong Cheng'er was still worried. She was already concerned about the medical standards in ancient times. It was okay for older children, but younger children had weaker immune systems, and Tong Cheng'er was really worried about them traveling far away.

"Let's forget it! I'm worried about him going out with such a young child. Children are easily sick, and what if he gets sick from the change in environment or something?"

Yinzhen didn't think that far ahead: "So what are your plans?"

After thinking for a moment, Tong Cheng'er said, "How about we send Hongzhao to stay with my mother for a while?"

Yinzhen understood that the "mother" she was referring to was Shumulu Shi.

After hearing her words, Yinzhen couldn't help but think that sending Hongzhao back to his maternal family for a while might not be a bad idea.

"In that case, I'll have to trouble my mother-in-law."

Tong Cheng'er: "Mother loves Hongzhao the most, she probably can't wait to have him!"

"Alright, take him there before you leave."

During Emperor Kangxi's tour of Jiangnan, the Crown Prince did not stay in the capital. For some unknown reason, Emperor Kangxi left the First Prince and the Third Prince in the capital to handle all matters.

The Crown Princess was about to give birth, so she naturally couldn't go with them and remained in the capital.

The crown prince couldn't contain himself upon hearing the news and smashed things up in his study, making a complete mess of it.

When the Crown Princess learned of this, she couldn't help but sigh. The Crown Prince had become increasingly impatient lately.