“In early May, your father will lead the army on a campaign. Now that you’re pregnant,” Xiu Ning frowned, thinking that keeping Ning Chuge behind wouldn’t be difficult, but persuading Kangxi would be a problem.
To be precise, Ning Chuge married the future leader of the Khorchin.
Ning Chuge is carrying the young heir of the Khorchin, whose future is limitless if he grows up and successfully inherits the family business.
Based on this, the Khorchin would never have wanted Ningchuge to give birth to her child in the princess's residence in the capital.
Xiuning didn't want to think too badly of the current leader of Khorchin, but she was even less willing to entrust the lives of her daughter and grandson to outsiders.
"No matter what, this child must be born in the princess's residence in the capital."
Xiuning made up her mind, even if it was difficult to do.
Mother
Ning Chuge looked up at Xiu Ning, then reached out and touched her belly. "Before our daughter returned to Beijing, Batur's Abu said that we should return to Horqin in half a month."
But on the way to Beijing, the daughter tried to discuss it with Batur, who neither agreed nor refused.
After saying that, Ning Chuge sighed, "My daughter is worried about what will happen next."
Giving birth is easy, but raising a child is difficult.
The living conditions in Khorchin are indeed better than in other parts of Mongolia, but compared to the bustling capital, Khorchin can only be considered a remote village. Its infrastructure is inadequate, and even the most basic necessities like eating, drinking, and relieving oneself are extremely rudimentary.
Even so, the Mongols still didn't take it seriously. They even carried their own unique arrogance, using their noble bloodline as an excuse to look down on the Manchus who had entered the pass and integrated with the Han people.
Thinking about all this gave Ning Chuge a headache, especially her cheap father-in-law, who was such a fussy woman.
In her opinion, her father-in-law's other abilities were questionable, but he was very good at stirring up trouble and being petty. She had lived in Horqin for more than a year, and she had clashed with this father-in-law openly and secretly countless times. Batur accounted for more than half of the issues involved.
Ironically, their main point of contention was Batur and her private life.
If Ning Chuge hadn't been so capable, getting pregnant in about a year, her father-in-law might have even had to find two more concubines for Baturdo to continue the family line. After all, he was a member of the Borjigit clan with golden blood, and her father-in-law was usually very arrogant.
Seeing Ning Chuge's constantly changing expression, Xiu Ning knew without asking that Ning Chuge's life in Khorchin must not be pleasant.
She patted Ning Chuge's hand to calm the child down, then led him into the main hall and called Chunyu to quickly bring up the prepared pastries and dishes.
"Mother, now that you mention it, I am indeed hungry."
Before entering the palace today, Ningchuge and Batur chose to stay at a post station in the capital a day earlier so that they could meet Emperor Kangxi in the best possible condition.
After resting for a night, I got up in the morning, changed into formal attire, and went to the palace.
Ning Chuge naturally didn't eat much during this time, and now that the round trip has taken so long, it's perfectly normal for his stomach to be growling with hunger.
Xiu Ning watched Ning Chuge eat the pastries she brought with a gentle expression, then poured a glass of warm water and handed it to him.
"Eat slowly. The affairs of the Qing Palace will not be finished in an hour."
"And there's a welcome banquet for you today, so please rest in the main hall for a while. It'll probably be dark before you leave the palace."
After considering all the arrangements for the day, Xiuning felt incredibly busy.
However, this is normal; this is how it's usually arranged when Mongolians come.
Ning Chuge did not refute Xiu Ning's words. She nodded as she ate, and did not forget to praise her mother for preparing pastries that she liked very much.
During her year or so in Horqin, Ning Chuge has grown rapidly. Not only has she corrected her somewhat flawed temperament, but she has also become more resolute.
The mother and daughter didn't talk for long, mainly because Ning Chuge was in very poor condition.
Xiu Ning planned to wait until Ning Chuge had recovered, so that she wouldn't have to worry about Ning Chuge leaving for the next two weeks. Whatever they wanted to say could be discussed later.
Allowing Ning Chuge enough time to rest, Xiu Ning walked out of the main hall and waved to Chun Yu, "Are they still discussing matters at the Qianqing Palace?"
Chunyu nodded upon hearing this, "No one came out; the princes and ministers are all here."
Xiuning pondered for a moment, "Go and inform the Imperial Household Department that they must make sure today's welcoming banquet is well organized."
"Go through the menu for the banquet again for me. Remember, the more grand the better."
Emperor Kangxi certainly hoped that the Mongolian rear would not be in chaos when he attacked the Dzungars, so the attitude of the Borjigit clan, represented by Batur, was crucial.
There wasn't much Xiuning could do, so she simply prepared a proper banquet as a way of supporting Kangxi's work.
Upon hearing this, Chunyu replied, "This servant understands."
"Go and get back to work."
"This servant takes her leave."
After watching Chunyu leave, Xiuning turned and entered the main hall. She did not go into the inner room to disturb Ning Chuge, who was already asleep. Xiuning sat on the couch, thinking about some arrangements for the next step.
For now, the best course of action is to keep Ning Chuge in the capital as soon as possible. As for the troubles in Khorchin, we can only put them on hold for now.
In the afternoon, a palace servant came to deliver two messages: first, to ask Ning Chuge to come over; and second, that the banquet could proceed as planned.
"Mother, then I will go there."
After a good night's sleep, Ning Chuge was indeed much more energetic, and her cheeks were rosier. After speaking to Xiu Ning, she turned and left with the palace servants from Qianqing Palace.
Seeing this, Chunyu tiptoed to Xiuning's side, "Master..."
"According to the message that was sent, have the Imperial Household Department make preparations," Xiu Ning said, turning to enter the palace while having Chun Yu help her change clothes and wash up.
Since it was a proper palace banquet, Xiu Ning had to change back into the auspicious robes she had been wearing.
The busyness took a long time, and by the time Xiuning finished getting ready and went out, it was almost time for the banquet to begin.
At the entrance, the sedan chair that had been waiting appeared in Xiuning's eyes.
Supported by Chunyu, Xiuning boarded a sedan chair and was escorted by eunuchs to the palace where the banquet was to be held.
All the principal concubines of the harem attended this banquet, and even the princes and princesses who lived in the princess's residence and the prince's residence were there.
When Xiuning arrived, most of the people had already arrived, and Tong Jiarongyue was directing the people from the Imperial Household Department to work.
It wasn't that Xiuning was to take over; rather, Emperor Kangxi specifically arranged for Xiuning to accompany Ning Chuge, who had come from afar.
Consort Jing
Consort Tong
The two greeted each other and took their seats.
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