"What are you talking about? You seem to be having a lot of fun."

Emperor Kangxi sat down next to the Empress Dowager and looked at the two of them with a smile.

The Empress Dowager pointed to the portrait beside her, "We were talking about choosing a wife for Manzhu'er."

Princess Consort Gong smiled and said, "Manzhu is twelve years old this year, and it's time for her to be married. But there are always some troubles with the noble families in the capital, so I went to the palace to ask the Empress Dowager for her help."

The Empress Dowager couldn't stop smiling. "In the end, it's because our Manzhu'er's family background is too good. I'm afraid only a child from the royal family is good enough for her."

Kangxi...

He shouldn't have come.

The two women turned to look at Kangxi, the atmosphere had been built up to this point, as if they were just waiting for him to speak.

Emperor Kangxi coughed lightly, slowly stood up, and said, "This matter can be decided by the Empress Dowager. I just remembered that I have some memorials to read, so I'll head back now."

After saying that, he ran away without waiting for the Empress Dowager to stop him.

Liang Jiugong, who was chasing after him, was speechless. Look at him, he insisted on wandering around, and now he's gotten himself into trouble.

Emperor Kangxi was wandering aimlessly through the inner palace when some of his concubines, having heard the news, took the opportunity to pretend to bump into him. However, Kangxi dismissed them with a few words. Just as Liang Jiugong was getting tired of watching the spectacle, Kangxi turned directly into Changchun Palace.

This July is the time for Princess Heshuo Wenke to get married. Since being confined to her quarters last year, she has gradually adapted from her initial madness, and it is said that in recent months she has been able to calmly accept the matter of getting married.

Consort Min, who was arranging Princess Wenke's dowry, was taken aback when she saw Emperor Kangxi stride in. She then rose to greet him with a look of delight.

"This humble servant greets Your Majesty."

"Get up."

Kangxi didn't even glance at Consort Min, but casually sat down in the chair and picked up the dowry list on the table to examine it closely. "Is this prepared for the Eighth Princess?"

Consort Min personally brewed tea for Emperor Kangxi and said, "Yes. The wedding is in two months, and I always feel that no matter how I prepare, it's not enough."

Kangxi glanced at Consort Min. Over the years, she had given birth to two daughters and a son, which was quite an achievement. Apart from Wen Ke, who was somewhat arrogant due to the emperor's favor, the other two children were quite good.

"After the preliminary selection is over, I will arrange for two imperial concubines to help you prepare Wen Ke's dowry. After all, she is a princess of the Qing Dynasty, and her dowry will certainly not be meager."

Consort Min looked at Emperor Kangxi gratefully, knowing that with his words, Wen Ke's marriage would not be too embarrassing.

Previously, due to Wen Ke's confinement, the Imperial Household Department was very careless in handling the wedding. The dowry list they sent consisted of only token items, which would be looked down upon even if they were taken to Mongolia.

Now that she had received Kangxi's words, Consort Min was finally relieved.

"What is Dunke doing?"

Consort Min hurriedly explained, "Dunke has been feeling a little unwell these past two days. The imperial physician has examined him and said that he is just a little weak due to the changing seasons, and there's nothing serious."

Kangxi frowned. "I heard around New Year's Eve that Dunke wasn't feeling well. Why has he been so sickly?"

Consort Min panicked a little. "I don't know what's going on either. Dunke has always been very healthy and has rarely been sick in the past ten years, but he has been getting minor illnesses since New Year's Eve this year. Every time, the imperial physician is called to come and see him, but it's never anything serious, and he gets better after taking medicine for a few days."

Emperor Kangxi frowned, but said nothing more.

"I think that Yinxiang is fifteen years old this year, which is the right time for him to get engaged. So I want to find a suitable person from the people selected since childhood and bestow a marriage upon him. Do you have anyone in mind?"

Consort Min was overjoyed. "I have seen the portrait and I am very fond of Lady Zhaojia, the daughter of Minister Marhan."

Kangxi recalled that she was a girl of good character and appearance, and she was indeed a good match for the thirteenth prince.

"Alright, then I will bestow the marriage upon you another day."

Consort Min was so happy that she knelt down to express her gratitude. Emperor Kangxi didn't say anything more, and after offering a few words of comfort, he got up and left.

Having accomplished such a significant task, Emperor Kangxi was in a good mood.

On the way to the Qianqing Palace, Liang Jiugong stepped forward and reported, "Your Majesty, the wife of Prince Gong has already left the palace. She looks cheerful and seems to be in a good mood."

Kangxi raised an eyebrow. "Have you found out what she and the Empress Dowager talked about after I left?"

After pondering for a moment, Liang Jiugong said, "It is said that the Empress Dowager and the Princess Consort have both taken a liking to... Prince Hongyu..."

Kangxi paused, thinking of his beloved eldest grandson, and then of the stubborn Yinti…

"Sigh, you should just summon the eldest son to the palace."

It would be best to ask the eldest brother's opinion on this matter. If he agrees, that would be fine. If he disagrees, then he would have to act before the Empress Dowager issues an imperial decree, or he would be in trouble.

Sure enough, when Yinti heard that Hongyu and Manzhuer were to be betrothed, his expression immediately changed.

Kangxi felt that the matter was going to fall through, but after waiting for a long time, Yinti didn't say anything.

"Baoqing, do you think Manzhu'er is not good enough for you?"

In fact, their statuses were already quite well-matched. If it weren't for Manzhu'er's advanced age, he would have wanted to bestow Manzhu'er upon Hongxi in marriage.

After thinking for a moment, Yinti said, "It seems that Hongyu has someone he likes, but I don't know who it is yet."

Emperor Kangxi was taken aback, then burst into laughter, "What kind of father are you? You don't even know this?"

Yinti secretly rolled his eyes.

He's a father, not a mother. It's good enough that he knows his son has someone he likes; how could he possibly know so much detail?

"So what are your plans? Are you really going to reject Manzhu'er?"

Yinti thought for a moment, "I will discuss this matter with Hongyu when I return. If the girl's status is suitable, we will marry her as our primary wife. If her status is too low, she can be a secondary wife. At least the child won't keep thinking about her like this."

Kangxi thought it made sense. "Alright, then go back and deal with it quickly. Don't say I didn't remind you, the Empress Dowager and Prince Gong's wife seem to have reached an agreement. If the Empress Dowager suddenly issues an imperial decree one day, then there will be no way to deal with it."

Upon hearing this, Yinti quickly got up and left.

Emperor Kangxi couldn't help but click his tongue as he watched his retreating figure. "Look at how anxious he is. It seems that the household really can't function without a mistress."

While Emperor Kangxi was still discussing finding a second wife for Yinqi in the Qianqing Palace, Yinqi had already dragged Hongyu back to his residence from the Ministry of Personnel.

In the study in the front yard, after dismissing everyone, Yinti solemnly looked at Hongyu.

“Hongyu, your father has something to ask you. You must tell the truth.”

The powerful pressure suddenly made Hongyu nervous, and even his voice trembled slightly.

“Father, please ask me anything.”

Yinti fiddled with the ring on his finger, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Do you have a girl you like?"

Hongyu stiffened, his tense face immediately turning bright red, which made Yinti sneer repeatedly.

"Tell me, which family's daughter is she from?"

“Ah…ma…son…”

Yinqi took a sip of tea. "Don't waste my breath. Your Granny Wukuma has already discussed it with Prince Gong's wife. They're probably going to bestow a marriage upon you and Manzhu'er. If you keep dawdling, we'll have to wait for the imperial decree..."

“Gelfin’s granddaughter… Hesheli Xiuya.”