Thirty-seven

The wooden-fenced hunting grounds held little interest for the princesses. Qing'er merely caught a glimpse of Fu Ling'an's blurry face from afar before blushing and hiding behind the Fourth and Fifth Princesses. The Fourth Princess, having heard that Mongolian warriors would be participating in the hunt, suddenly remembered the list of chosen husbands the Empress had presented. She then begged Yongzhang to take her to see, from a distance, the eldest son of the Mongolian prince, Che Ling.

Upon hearing the Fourth Princess's request, Yongzhang understood her thoughts, but feigned hesitation as he already headed towards the hunt. The Fourth Princess grew increasingly curious about Yongzhang; what kind of person was he? She was certain that Yongzhang must be doing something for the Emperor in private.

Harichagai, the eldest son of Che Ling, had lived in the capital for three years. He knew of his mission even before arriving in the capital. During those three years, Harichagai acted cautiously, avoiding friendships for fear of arousing the Emperor's suspicion. When he received the imperial edict a few days ago, ordering him to be tested at the hunting grounds, Harichagai knew he had gained the Emperor's approval.

Yongzhang stood on the outskirts of the hunting grounds, telling the Fourth Princess who those people were. Yongzhang didn't know everyone, but he had done his homework before coming. Even those he didn't recognize, he had his servants explain their characteristics to him in detail, so that he wouldn't mistake one person for another.

Whether it was destiny or a sudden realization after five hundred years of prayers before Buddha, the Fourth Princess felt an instant connection with Harichagai upon seeing him. Back in her tent, she secretly scolded herself for being too sentimental. In that fleeting moment of eye contact with Harichagai, she recalled a scene from a TV drama where Princess Taiping met Xue Shao. For a fleeting instant, she considered impulsively begging the Emperor for that man. But she quickly regained her senses. The Fourth Princess wasn't foolish; she wasn't the pampered Princess Taiping, nor did she live in the Tang Dynasty where women still had some rights. Even if Emperor Qianlong doted on her, he wouldn't let her choose her own husband.

Yongzhang observed the Fourth Princess's changing expression, watching her recover from her dazed state in just a moment. Yongzhang now understood his father's regret. No princess in the Qing Dynasty was allowed to serve in the Imperial Study; his father had made an exception. He had heard from his fifth uncle that the Fourth Princess had been the steward before, outside the palace. He had secretly visited the former Xia family residence when he left the palace; Yongzhang greatly admired the Fourth Princess for being able to afford such a large residence.

As Yongzhang led the Fourth Princess back, she remained somewhat silent, and Yongzhang didn't initiate a conversation. Yongzhang wouldn't tell her that taking her outside the hunting grounds was actually a hint from his father, the Emperor. Yongzhang understood the Emperor's methods for stabilizing the unrest in Mongolia, and although he was reluctant to part with the Fourth Princess, he knew that one of them would inevitably have to marry into Mongolia. After escorting the Fourth Princess back to her tent, Yongzhang went to the Emperor's tent.

Back in the tent, the Fourth Princess had regained her smile and was chatting and laughing with the Fifth Princess, teasing Qing'er. The Empress simply watched them laugh and talk, thinking about the Seventh Princess and Yonghui, wondering how they were doing in the capital.

~~~~

In the nineteenth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, the emperor decreed that the Fourth Princess be named a Gulun Princess with the title He Rui, and betrothed to Harichagai, the eldest son of the Mongol Cheling. The Fifth Princess be named a Gulun Princess with the title He Ya, and betrothed to E Yue, the eldest grandson of Ortai. Because the Empress Dowager favored the two princesses, the betrothals were made first, with the actual marriages to be held when the princesses reached adulthood. This time, Qing'er's betrothal was not announced in a grand and ostentatious manner; instead, the Qianlong Emperor discreetly consulted with Fu Heng.

When the Empress learned that it was the Fourth Princess who was going to Mongolia, her expression changed repeatedly. She had thought it would be the Fifth Princess, but she never expected it to be the Fourth Princess. The Empress could see the Emperor's affection for the Fourth Princess, but why would it be the Fourth Princess who was to be married off to Mongolia? The Empress couldn't understand it. Thinking that the Emperor had kept two princesses until they reached their prime, the Empress was somewhat anxious, but she could only put it aside for now, since there were still three years left.

Although the Empress was not in a hurry, the censors had already begun to get busy. The princesses' residences were to be built, and the necessary items needed to be prepared. The Ministry of Rites wanted to take this opportunity to impress the Emperor.

Even amidst his busy schedule, Emperor Qianlong did not forget the matter of his daughters' private quarters. He issued an imperial edict swiftly, the gist of which was: a consort could not have more than two concubines, and the number of children of these concubines could not exceed that of the princesses. The consort also had the right to decide the life or death of his concubines. Of course, this clause had an additional condition: the princess's consent was required.

The princesses' lips twitched as they listened to the decree. The Fourth Princess thought that if a prince consort like Haozhen were to appear, he might abuse his power. If the nanny were to discipline a concubine like Bai Yinshuang, a prince consort like Haozhen would surely kill her without hesitation! Of course, the Fourth Princess wouldn't tell the Emperor any of this. Even if the Emperor meant well, he couldn't say anything wrong in front of her. Privately, the Fourth Princess still chatted with the Fifth Princess about matters of household management.

The nineteenth year of Qianlong's reign seemed to pass by uneventfully, but at the end of the year, Consort Yu suddenly fell ill and never recovered. She passed away on the evening of the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month of the nineteenth year.

The passing of Consort Yu sent a chill down the Fourth Princess's spine. She knew Consort Yu was a long-lived consort. How could she die? Consort Yu's illness was very strange; in modern terms, it was a heart attack, but… heart attacks are more common in the elderly. Consort Yu was only nearly forty; how could she have such a serious illness? The Fourth Princess couldn't understand it either… The Emperor had sent the Fifth Prince to Consort Yi's care less than three days after Consort Yu's death.

Because they were imperial concubines, the princesses born to concubines of the rank of Imperial Noble Consort or higher only went to take a look and did not stay long. The Fourth Princess was unaware of what was happening inside. What puzzled her was, did the fourteen-year-old Fifth Prince still need his mother?

~~~~

In the twentieth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, the princesses of the palace entered the Imperial Study for the first time. The Emperor didn't make an exception by allowing only the three princesses under the Empress's name to enter the Imperial Study; instead, all princesses of school age, starting with the Fourth Princess, were sent there. The Fourth Princess only learned upon entering the Imperial Study that her personal tutor was from the Xilin Gioro clan, who in historical records was the wife of the Fifth Prince. The Xilin Gioro clan member was ten years old and studied diligently under the Fourth Princess. Whenever the Fourth Princess looked at the Xilin Gioro clan member, she thought of the proverb, "A beautiful flower stuck in cow dung."

In early April of the twentieth year, Consort Yi gave birth to a son, but died before reaching full term. The Fourth Princess's heart skipped a beat; the Fourteenth Prince was rumored to be short-lived, but unexpectedly, it was Consort Yi who had also died young…

In May, the Fourth Princess accompanied the Emperor to the Peony Terrace to admire the peonies. Emperor Qianlong asked her to recite a poem by the late Emperor, which she recited diligently, over and over again. Qianlong simply gazed at the blooming peonies, remaining silent for a long time. For the first time, the Fourth Princess realized that Qianlong actually admired her greatly. That day, the Fourth Princess recited the poem until her voice was hoarse. That day, the Fourth Princess collected a pile of peony petals. That day, the Fourth Princess became the object of envy for all the other princesses. That day, the Fourth Princess received a gift from Qianlong: the Four Treasures of the Study, once used by the late Emperor.

In the Imperial Study, the Fourth Princess seemed to be studying diligently, reciting her lessons. She finally understood why modern education, which relies heavily on rote memorization and fails to foster practical application—it all stemmed from these rigid, formulaic essays! Meanwhile, she also endured the Fifth Prince's occasional sarcastic remarks. Each time the Fifth Prince spoke, she would sneer in disdain, only provoking him to retaliate further.

For some unknown reason, Fu'ertai reappeared in the Imperial Study as the Fifth Prince's tutor. However, Fu'ertai was no longer as foolish as before and was very respectful to his masters.

Fifth Princess wanted to discipline Fu Ertai, but Fourth Princess restrained her. Looking at Fifth Prince's expression, Fourth Princess wondered if he was stupid. Any of the other tutors in the Imperial Study were of Fu Ertai's rank or seniority, yet Fifth Prince brought Fu Ertai out without showing any sign of being outdone. Fourth Princess sighed inwardly; was this when Fifth Prince was starting to show signs of becoming mentally unstable?

After May, Emperor Qianlong decided to return to the palace. The entire Yuanmingyuan Garden was bustling with activity. The Fourth Princess was reluctant to leave the Bamboo Courtyard, and for the last few days before her return, she stayed there. Emperor Qianlong jokingly remarked that a large grove of bamboo must be planted in Princess He Rui's future residence.

"The thought of He Rui getting married is truly heartbreaking," the Empress sighed, pondering how to persuade the Emperor to keep He Rui in the capital.

"I'm reluctant to part with them either. But there's a saying that goes, 'Children grow up and if you keep them around, they'll become enemies!'" The Emperor patted the Empress's hand. "Besides, we still have to wait three years. Empress, don't rush to marry off He Rui and He Ya by then."

"Father, how could Mother Empress be in such a hurry to marry off He Rui (He Ya)? Mother Empress loves us very much." The Fourth Princess and the Fifth Princess said in unison, and then they both laughed.

"Yilan'er, look, in less than half a year, the Empress Mother will be so annoyed by your sisters that she will regret not marrying you off earlier."

"You little rascal, Lan'er, how dare you gossip about your sisters! You'll get a beating!" The three princesses started arguing.

~~~~

Not long after returning to the palace, Consort Yu's newborn daughter, the Eighth Princess, suddenly passed away, leaving Consort Yu heartbroken. The Empress Dowager's dissatisfaction with the previously cautious Consort Yu lessened considerably. Consort Yu didn't use the child as an excuse, and even when the Eighth Princess was heavily pregnant, she didn't use it as a pretext to request the Emperor to visit. Consort Yu's understanding nature earned the Empress Dowager's appreciation, who offered words of comfort and bestowed upon her many gifts. The Empress also sent numerous gifts. He Rui and He Ya became more diligent in running errands.

Because of the departure of the Eighth Princess, the Emperor's favor towards Consort Yu increased, and he visited her more frequently. Consort Yu initially occupied the Emperor's space for a few days, but later, with the guidance of Granny Xia, she began to quietly invite the Emperor to visit other palaces, further deepening the Emperor's affection for her.

The Empress showed no reaction to Consort Yu's growing favor. Consort Jia's health deteriorated day by day. Consort Chun, after the last incident, seemed either more docile or plotting something. Consort Yi and Consort Shu were scheming, their daily greetings to the Empress tinged with sarcasm towards Consort Yu. The Fourth Princess assumed Consort Ling was melancholy, but instead, Consort Ling addressed Consort Yu as "elder sister," clearly trying to assert herself.

Granny Xia was very dissatisfied with the people who came from Empress Xiaoxian's side, and Consort Yu's dislike for Consort Ling was partly due to Granny Xia's influence. Granny Xia always felt that the death of Imperial Noble Consort Huixian was related to Empress Xiaoxian, and consequently, she always felt that every word Consort Ling spoke was calculated. Now, Consort Ling's enthusiasm seemed full of intrigue, and Granny Xia immediately reminded Consort Yu. Consort Yu listened to Granny Xia's words without question, knowing that Granny Xia was placed by her daughter to constantly remind her. Moreover, Granny Xia's words had prevented her from making any mistakes in the palace, and had also eased the Empress Dowager's prejudice against her.

Consort Yu's attitude towards Consort Ling was hard for Consort Yi and Consort Shu to understand. They thought Consort Yu was close to Consort Ling, but Consort Yu always avoided her. They thought the two weren't close, but every time they paid their respects, they chatted more intimately than anyone else.

On the surface, the harem appeared calm and peaceful, but inside, everyone was scheming and plotting.

At the end of July, the palace was bustling with activity for the Thirteenth Prince, Yonghui's, first birthday celebration. A table was laden with items, and Yonghui crawled all over it. Then, incredibly, he fell asleep on the table, with books beneath him, a sword in his hand, an abacus as his head, and drooling. The Emperor, seeing Yonghui's antics, burst into laughter. The Empress turned her head away, avoiding looking at Qianlong's expression. The Fourth Princess lowered her head, her lips trembling. Yonghui, oh Yonghui, you are truly too adorable.

Not long after Yonghui's first birthday celebration, the Emperor was preparing for his trip to the south, and the list of those accompanying him was quickly finalized: the Empress Dowager, the Empress, Consort Yu, and Consort Ling. Just as they were preparing to depart, news arrived that Consort Jia had passed away.

The trip to Jiangnan was delayed. Of the three princes born to Consort Jia who were still alive, one was now under the Empress's name, one had been moved to the Prince's residence, and the Emperor, after much deliberation, placed the third in Consort Yu's long-term care. Consort Jia's posthumous title was quickly issued, and she was buried in the Yu Mausoleum. The spirit tablet of Imperial Noble Consort Shujia was placed in the West Warm Pavilion of the Long'en Hall in the Yu Mausoleum, to the west of Imperial Noble Consort Huixian.

The Empress listened quietly. Consort Chun gritted her teeth inwardly, Consort Yi merely raised an eyebrow, Consort Shu lowered her eyes, seemingly lost in thought, and Consort Yu, unaware of what had happened, listened calmly. Consort Ling twisted her handkerchief, her expression somewhat strange. The Fourth Princess, along with several children under the Empress's name, stood solemnly before the coffin, their expressions grave. Yongxing, having no affection for Consort Chun, couldn't cry. The Fourth Princess hinted to the Fifth Princess to pinch Yongxing, warning that if he didn't cry, people would gossip. Yongxing, in pain, burst into tears. Yongxing's crying was followed by Yongqi's. Lanxin, watching with a heavy heart, also shed tears. The Fourth and Fifth Princesss felt a pang of sorrow, their eyes reddening, yet unable to cry, they could only wipe their eyes with handkerchiefs from time to time.

The Fourth Princess was unaware that although the historical Consort Jia had also passed away twenty years ago, it was in November of that year, not August. If the Fourth Princess knew this, she would probably start to have second thoughts.

After Consort Jia's funeral, Emperor Qianlong's trip to Jiangnan was put back on the agenda. The Fourth Princess had assumed Consort Jia held some importance in Qianlong's heart, but it turned out she was nothing special. However, this time, the Empress was absent from Qianlong's trip to Jiangnan. The reason was simple: the Empress was pregnant again.