He Xue, a modern woman with a keen interest in Qing Dynasty history, felt regret over the fate of the deposed Crown Prince, believing he didn't deserve such an end. If given the chance, she was...
Today is He Xue's third-day celebration. He Xue now understands her new family members, including her father, mother, and two older brothers. She also met her maternal grandmother, Lady Tongjia.
Although He Xue was certain that she had traveled to the Qing Dynasty, she didn't know which era it was or whether the deposed crown prince had been born. He Xue was still quite looking forward to meeting the deposed crown prince.
If the deposed crown prince were born, it's uncertain whether her father, with his official rank, would be able to meet him. However, even if the deposed crown prince hadn't been born, she probably wouldn't be able to meet him freely, no matter how high her father's rank was.
Thinking about all this really bothered Xue. Why is it that when other people transmigrate, they are surrounded by stars and princes and nobles, but when it comes to her, she has nothing?
Actually, if He Xue could sleep less, she would have noticed some differences. Unfortunately, He Xue was an infant and didn't have much time to wake up each day, so she missed many things she wanted to know.
He Xue was carried to the front hall by Madam Tongjia. Servants had already placed water boiled with locust leaves and mugwort into the bathtub. Gifts from guests, such as gold and silver jewelry, peanuts, chestnuts, eggs, and dates, were also placed in the tub.
The midwife took He Xue from Madam Tongjia and prepared to begin.
Just then, a commotion arose in the front yard, and everyone looked toward the door. Su Hetai walked out unhappily, wanting to see who dared to disrupt his daughter's third-day celebration.
As soon as Suhetai stepped out, he saw the steward leading Liang Jiugong, the chief eunuch who served Emperor Kangxi, towards him.
Su Hetai hurriedly stepped forward, "Eunuch Liang, please forgive me for not greeting you sooner!"
"You're too kind, sir. We're here on the orders of His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine to help the young princess with her meal!" Liang Jiugong said, flicking his whisk.
"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Liang!" Su Hetai hadn't expected that Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong would also add a basin for He Xue. "Eunuch Liang, please!" he said, welcoming Liang Jiugong inside.
When everyone saw that Kangxi's trusted eunuch had arrived, they couldn't help but sigh that Su Hetai was indeed highly valued by the emperor, and that his childhood friendship with the emperor was truly worthy of his reputation.
Liang Jiugong read out Emperor Kangxi's edict, and everyone looked at Su Hetai with new respect, determined to cultivate a good relationship with him in the future.
The midwife looked at He Xue's three basins of water and her face was beaming with joy. All of these were hers now; she had really struck it rich.
He Xue also listened intently, and she caught some key information: Consort Tongjia. Could the Consort Tongjia of the Qing Dynasty be Empress Xiaoyiren, the adoptive mother of Emperor Yongzheng who only served as empress for one day?
The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict was called Eunuch Liang by everyone. Could he be Liang Jiugong, the chief eunuch by Emperor Kangxi's side?
Her maternal grandmother was Lady Tongjia. Combining this information with Xue, we can roughly conclude that she came to the Kangxi era. Empress Xiaoyiren was still alive, which means that the deposed crown prince was still young. That's great!
Empress Xiaoyiren was her aunt, and Emperor Kangxi was her uncle. Could she live a life of ease as long as she clung to powerful figures, and perhaps even meet the deposed crown prince?
Xue felt happier and happier as she thought about it, and she couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Everyone naturally heard He Xue's laughter and showered her with compliments, saying they didn't care about the cost.
Liang Jiugong also said with a smile, "Little princess is so clever, she likes the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine's offerings!"
"You flatter me, Father-in-law!" Although Su Hetai was pleased with everyone's praise of He Xue, he still said modestly.
Liang Jiugong exchanged a few more pleasantries with Su Hetai before leaving.
The third-day ceremony for He Xue continued. The midwife began to wash He Xue's body, stirring the water with her hands while muttering incantations.
Although the water temperature was just right, He Xue was still startled and burst into tears.
The crowd then began showering him with compliments.
After the third-day celebration, He Xue was taken back to Tongjia's side by Madam Tongjia.
"Mother, you've worked so hard!" Madam Tongjia said to Madam Tongjia.
“Why are you being so polite with your mother!” Madam Tongjia looked at her daughter with affection.
"Just now, His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine added water to Hexue's basin!" Madam Tongjia told Tongjia about what had happened outside.
"Even at this age, my sister is still thinking of Hexue! Once I'm out of confinement, I'll bring Hexue to the palace to see you!" said Lady Tongjia.
Speaking of Consort Tongjia, Lady Tongjia's face was full of heartache. "The Empress finally became pregnant and gave birth to the Eighth Princess, but unfortunately the Eighth Princess was short-lived and passed away. The Empress's health also deteriorated!"
"Mother, don't worry. I believe my sister will pull herself together. She still has the Fourth Prince to take care of!" Lady Tongjia comforted Madam Tongjia.
"Fortunately, the Fourth Prince is by your side, which gives Your Majesty some comfort!" said Lady Tongjia.
He Xue had been fighting off her drowsiness and overheard the conversation between Madam Tongjia and Tongjia Shi, confirming that her guesses were correct.
She could still enter the palace, which meant she could see the deposed crown prince. She was quite looking forward to going to the palace.