Pink and tender little princess

Kangxi is truly a mysterious person, unpredictable from the inside out.

They say the emperor's heart is unpredictable, and Kangxi was certainly like that, not to mention the women in the harem. The previously favored concubine, who gave birth to three sons, was so enviable, but now she's been replaced by a noblewoman. He treated his court officials the same way: when things were going well, he was incredibly kind, but when things turned sour, all the old scores came back to haunt him. He treated his sons just as well. He was kind enough to the crown prince, but then he created "Yinzuo"; he always protected Yinzhi, but now he's got him under his wing.

All these contradictions and changing attitudes made the people below feel sick.

The human heart is inherently unpredictable, and this applies not only to the emperor. At least he still appears before everyone's eyes; high-ranking officials, princes, and members of the royal family can still see him. This objective existence is here for everyone to see. But now you can't even be sure of his physical condition.

As a teenager, Kangxi vomited blood due to excessive reading. However, since he was young and had adequate medical care and food, he didn't suffer any serious side effects. However, when Yinzhi became involved in a crime, Kangxi became so enraged that he vomited blood. From that point on, Kangxi's health deteriorated, and he suffered from minor ailments, gradually showing signs of aging.

Yinreng saw him every day, and besides being able to discern some changes from his face, Kangxi's physical condition was also revealed in his handwriting: the old man's handwriting was no longer as powerful as before. This made Yinreng very worried.

In the blink of an eye, this old man whose health is worrying has given birth to another son/daughter. What's going on?

This old man can really make everyone worry to death with just a thought. Even if he just sits there without thinking, he can still make people depressed!

Yinreng was getting depressed. "If your health really deteriorates, I have a contingency plan. If you're healthy, I'll just stay put. Your health changes like your moods, what can I do?"

Well, I have to prepare for both situations. I should act like a good son in front of the old man, but secretly control the key departments. Tuoheqi is currently the commander of the infantry and is loyal to me. If necessary, he can be used.

The thought of the capital's security being in his own hands reassured Yinreng, who could now focus on being a model crown prince. After the Lantern Festival, he accompanied his father, the Khan, on a tour of the capital. Before departing, he calculated that his wife's due date was still quite early, so he wouldn't be out and about while she gave birth.

Before leaving, Yinreng returned to the palace to give instructions: "The Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine are all in Changchun Garden now, and there are few people to look after them in the palace. I have already told the Empress Dowager and the others to send someone from your family to accompany you for a while."

Shujia was thinking the same thing: "Don't worry, why would I treat myself badly?"

Yinreng summoned his sons again, simply urging them to study hard. While Hongtong was being taught, he thought: When will I ever grow up?! My second and third brothers were able to go, but I can't!

This time, not only were there princes accompanying the emperor, but also several of his grandsons. Hongdan was a mandatory member, and Hongxi also got a spot. There were also three other sons, Hongsheng from Yinzhi's family, Hongsheng from Yinqi's family, and Hongshu from Yinyou's family. Their fathers hadn't been given spots, but they were chosen by Kangxi nonetheless.

Last year, among the younger brothers who accompanied the emperor on his tour outside the Great Wall, only Hongtong was left behind, and he was filled with resentment.

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Shujia smiled and sent the three of them off, and the next day she sent someone to the Shi family to pick up Shuhui.

Now that the Empress Dowager and Concubine Tong were absent from the palace, the Crown Princess was truly the highest-ranking woman. Concubine Hui and Concubine Rong were in charge of the household, and Concubine Liang was also present. There were also several noble ladies, maids, and maids. Concubine Gao, who had recently enjoyed great favor, was being kept in the palace to nurse her pregnancy, so she wasn't required to travel back and forth. A major responsibility for Concubine Hui and Concubine Rong was to keep an eye on Concubine Gao's pregnancy. As for the Crown Princess, they also sent frequent inquiries. When they heard that the Crown Princess wanted to bring her younger sister over, and had consulted the Empress Dowager, she readily agreed.

Shuyi's wedding date has been set, and it will be held in June. The family is busy preparing for her wedding. Shuhui can help at home, but she would be more useful if she came to the palace to accompany her sister.

After receiving the letter, Xiluo Te put down what she was doing and sent her maid to call Shuhui: "Pack up! The Crown Princess has sent someone to pick you up. When you arrive at the palace, listen more, watch more, talk less, and comfort the Crown Princess..."

These words had been told to her the first time she entered the palace to accompany her sister. Even now, Shuhui stood quietly on the ground floor, listening to Xiluo Te's nagging. After Xiluo Te finished speaking, she said, "My daughter forgot. Mother, don't be too busy at home. You take charge of the important matters, and my sisters-in-law will take care of the other matters."

Xiluo Te wanted to laugh when she heard this: "Mother is already old, and you still need to teach her these things? Why don't you go there early? Why don't you let the palace wait for you?"

While the mother and daughter were talking, Shuhui's maid had already prepared the bundle, filled her arms, and brought it in. The eunuch who came to pick them up was Zhao Guoshi, and everyone in the Shi family knew him. The palace maids who returned with them were Qingjin and Lulu. Whenever there was an errand to send someone back to their parents' home, Shujia would let the maids who came with the dowry come out in turn, as long as the situation allowed, so that they could meet their families.

When Zhao Guoshi saw Shuhui carrying the bag, he said to the eunuch beside him, "What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and take it." He then glanced down at Shuhui's maid. The Crown Princess had ordered that the fourth lady could bring one or two maids with her when she entered the palace.

After a quick glance, Zhao Guoshi gave the two girls a mediocre rating. Everything was standard, except they weren't very lively. A servant like this was trustworthy, but a servant without a core of character couldn't be considered a top-notch servant—they moved like puppets at the slightest prod, and couldn't help at a crucial moment. Look at the servants around the Crown Princess; they were all skilled. They needed to be trained, trained, trained.

Zhao Guoshi received a red envelope, not caring about the amount, but just smiled and thanked for the reward: "Don't worry, old lady, the master is the most compassionate in his heart, and the fourth princess is the master's sister, so she will live comfortably."

Xiluo Te also grumbled to him, "The Crown Princess has always been reliable (no wonder, she's been beaten by her father). Why should I worry about leaving her with her? It's just that I can't leave here. I can't even visit the Crown Princess more often. It's really a sin."

Zhao Guoshi also patiently chatted with Xiluo Te. The Crown Princess had a good relationship with her family. This old lady had given birth to a Crown Princess and was preparing a dowry for a prince's wife. The fourth princess he was ordered to pick up was already the designated consort of the prince. He was truly patient with Xiluo Te.

After nagging for a while, Zhao Guoshi, Qing and Lu welcomed Shuhui into the car. Shuhui's maids Yuanniu and Fangniu sat in another car with the luggage.

Arriving at the Eastern Palace, it was not yet noon, and Shujia was lying on the kang, listening to Hongxiu's talk. Hearing that Shuhui had arrived, Shujia held out her hand, and Hongxiu came over to help her sit down. Shujia's belly was already very big, and it was a little inconvenient for her to move, so she didn't stand up, but just sat and waited.

Shuhui's baggage had been handed over to Qingjin and the others, who had taken it and put it away. Yuanniu and Fangniu were to follow Shuhui into the palace to kowtow to the Crown Princess. The Shi family had prepared a dowry list for Shuhui, and these two were also on it. Aunt Wang and the others had even taken the time to teach them a lot about palace etiquette. While they were well-versed in the rules, they were still quite nervous, as it was their first time in the palace.

Standing behind Shuhui, Yuanniu and Fangniu squeezed each other's hands and found that their palms were wet. They quietly wiped the sweat from their palms with a handkerchief, and then they heard the fourth princess being called in.

As Shuhui grew older, she became more acquainted with the family dynamics, and she could only admire her sister. How many concubines had watched helplessly as concubines bore children one after another, while they themselves were left with only the dignity of being the principal wife? Those who had a daughter, like the Seventh Concubine, were fortunate, while those who had nothing, like the Fifth Concubine, could only watch as their rival's son took over their husband's entire family.

Comparing the two, her sister was the more ruthless. The Crown Princess's most brutal aspect was that everything she did stayed within the framework, and she still achieved her goals. This was what Shuhui admired the most. So when she heard that the palace was coming to pick her up, the little man in Shuhui's heart was already dancing.

As she stepped over the threshold, thinking that her sister was inside, Shuhui's lips curled up involuntarily.

Shuhui greeted Shujia politely, and Shujia waved her hand and said, "Come and sit here with me." Shuhui walked over briskly, but when she reached Shujia, she slowed down and sat down gently next to her sister.

Shujia put her hand over hers and asked, "How was your New Year?"

Shuhui smiled and said, "It was very lively at home. On New Year's Eve, my father got drunk." Yipa covered his mouth and whispered in her ear, "He sang a few lines and was helped away by my mother. The next day, we went to kowtow to my father, and his face..."

"Puchi," Shujia couldn't help but burst out laughing, "Didn't Second Brother sing along?"

Shuhui was stunned and blinked. "Big brother was scared silly, third brother was stunned, and second brother... Anyway, I heard that when Ama and E'ma returned to their room, big brother and third brother saw that second brother was gone. When they looked for him, he had already laughed himself to death and was sitting on the ground, holding onto the chair leg, unable to get up."

Shujia had no idea her family could be so full of life now! She laughed so hard that her stomach hurt a little. She gently stroked it for a while before asking, "I asked you to bring two girls. Have they come yet?"

"They're waiting outside."

"Call him in."

Yuanniu and Fangniu, with each other as their companion, were not particularly timid. They silently recited the steps, entered the room, bowed their heads, knelt, kowtowed, and signed in. Hearing their names, Shujia felt like laughing again and asked, "Who came up with these names?" She probably came up with them later, otherwise they wouldn't fit so well.

As expected, Yuanniu replied, "It was a name given by the Fourth Miss."

Shujia glanced at Shuhui. No matter how steady she was, she was still a little girl, with a bit of a mischievous temper. This was good.

"Get up and come here so I can take a look."

The two men responded, stood up, walked forward, stopped, and raised their heads slightly.

Well-behaved, all the people in the Duanyi Palace agreed. Apparently, they'd been carefully groomed at home. Shujia saw that both were about the same age as Shuhui, and thought they'd grown up together, likely serving as dowry. However, judging by their complexions, they were both of average appearance.

After a few words of praise, he asked, "Which aunt gave you guidance?"

Yuanniu replied, "My Lord, it's Aunt Wu."

Shu Jia ordered the award: "Take them down and settle them in the courtyard where the fourth lady lived first. The fourth girl will talk to me later."

The two thanked for the reward and left. Shujia then asked Shuhui, "Are all your maids like this?"

"My girl is naturally not as good as your aunts here."

"Who told you that! When you were little, you looked after the nanny. Now that you've grown up, the maids are the most important!"

When they were at home, Xiluo Te had explained this to Shuhui in various ways. Shuhui asked in confusion, "Do you think they are... not good?"

"What's good or bad? There's only usefulness in this world, not good or bad." The Crown Princess's training class resumed, this time focusing on personal maids. "These two look honest at first glance. Mother gave them to you, so I guess they're reliable. But, being reliable isn't enough. Are they smart enough?"

Shuhui was a little puzzled: "A girl who is too clever is not easy to use. Someone with big eyes and a big heart is difficult to deal with."

Shujia asked Shuhui, "Is your being useful just about being obedient?"

Shuhui paused and said, "Well, not only must you be obedient, but you must also be able to do your job well."

"Then you'll need some skills. It's getting late. Go rest in your yard and come back to talk later in the afternoon."

Shuhui stood up and said goodbye, and they walked away together, thinking together.

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After Shuhui left, she instructed Zhao Guoshi: "All the offerings to the Fourth Lady should remain the same, but none of you should interfere. Tell the Fourth Lady that she can come and live with me and she doesn't have to be restricted. I'll hand over her courtyard to her." She wanted to see how Shuhui managed things on a daily basis.

After a few days of observation, Shuhui had arranged her place in perfect order. Of course, the maids and eunuchs of the Eastern Palace would never neglect the future fifteenth wife and the prince's sister-in-law.

A few days later, Shujia hinted to Zhao Guoshi that the maids and eunuchs should slack off a bit and serve the offerings a little later. Shuhui, however, replied to Shujia and fired two maids: "Yuanniu and Fangniu are naughty when they have nothing to do. It's a good idea to give them less time to argue."

Shujia smiled and said, "As you wish."

The two palace maids thought to themselves, did the Crown Princess bring this girl in to discipline her?

Shujia thought that the Xiluo family had raised Shuhui according to the traditional model. While this approach certainly produced a noble lady, every trait fulfilling the ideal, it also had a fatal flaw: a quiet, tolerant, and overly ordinary nature. Shuhui's temperament had become more cheerful now, and perhaps this would improve her relationship with her husband in the future. However, this kind of household management was not suitable for the imperial family's backyard—based on experience, the Fifteenth Prince would marry in the palace.

Those raised in sterile rooms are the most difficult to withstand wind and rain.

"I was wrong."

"Second sister?"

"How have you been these past few days?"

Shuhui carefully considered her words: "I'm used to it."

"Fool," Shujia whispered, "when you get married, will you be used to encountering such things? I said I was wrong because I wanted to see how you would handle it, but I didn't expect that I would be self-defeating. How can you show your ability in front of me? Let me ask you, if you encounter such a thing as neglect by your subordinates in the future, how will you deal with it?"

Shuhui said softly, "I haven't been treated with much disrespect by my sister. How can you say that?"

"Not much? Even if there is? Just tell me what to do?"

Shuhui's face turned serious: "Leave it to the steward."

"You're a new bride, and you start treating people right after you enter the house? That's okay in other places, but not here."

Shuhui thought hard for a while and said, "I can't report it to the emperor, right?" This would seem too incompetent.

Now it's time to pass on the secrets: "After being hit, hit back. No matter how hard you fight back, you've already felt the pain. If you've felt the pain, you've lost. The best thing to do is not to let this happen!" Strike first, gain the upper hand; strike later, suffer the consequences. If you've got a firm grasp on your opponent's weak spot from the start, everything else will be much easier.

Shujia then went on to talk about a lot of modified rules, solemnly emphasizing: "I told you to strike first, but I didn't tell you to enter the house and beat people up. People say that the Eighth Concubine is strong, but look at what she has done?" Shuhui listened attentively.

Shujia finally said, "Have you been wronged these days?"

Shuhui shook her head fiercely: "Suffering a little bit can be considered as broadening one's horizons. With my sister watching over me, how can I be wronged? I've learned my lesson now, which is better than being wronged in the future."

Shujia ordered the two palace maids to come and apologize, and Shuhui smiled and said, "No one has any bad intentions, so don't worry about it."

Good, showing magnanimity at the right time, this one passes the test.

Just like that, the Crown Princess pointed at her sister, and time entered February. On the eve of the Emperor's return, Shujia received news: the Fourth Lady had given birth.

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The Empress Dowager, Concubine Tong, and Concubine De were all in Changchun Garden. The news of the death of Prince Zhen's mansion was reported directly to Changchun Garden, not to the palace. After passing through Changchun Garden, the Crown Princess received the news a day late, as the Fourth Lady had already given birth.

Shujia had always had a good impression of the Fourth Lady, and couldn't help but ask with concern, "Is it a prince or a princess?"

"She's a pink and tender little princess."

Shujia leaned back with a look of genuine disappointment on her face.

The author has something to say:

I must update before 11 o'clock, otherwise I will be dead if I stay up late...TT