"I thought that Mother would choose a girl of humble birth to be my wife."
Yinyi looked at his mother with a complicated expression. He hadn't expected that his mother had hurriedly summoned him from the prince's quarters just to discuss the selection of a consort.
That makes sense. He and the Crown Prince were born in the same year, but the Crown Prince's marriage was already arranged. Although the wedding date was still being finalized, it was already in the works. On the other hand, there was not a single sign of progress. Whenever Yin Yi thought about it, he felt extremely anxious.
If he hadn't known that his mother was favored and that their lineage held a respectable position in the harem, Yinyi might have followed Yinti's example and become a whetstone, standing against the Crown Prince.
"If you were truly chosen as a wife from a humble background, would you be willing?"
Anyone can say nice things, but when it actually happens to them, most people can't handle it.
Given their current situation, everyone understands that marrying a wife from a humble background would reduce the likelihood of being targeted.
But if the Fujin's maternal family is not good and cannot help him, would Yinyi be willing?
Xiu Ning didn't think it was a good idea, so after thinking it over and over, she still felt that she should marry a young lady from a prominent family, at least the starting line would definitely be higher.
As for being feared and targeted by others later, you have to pay the price for what you gain; no one can get benefits for nothing.
Xiu Ning understands this principle, and Yin Yi understands it even better.
"You can tell me what kind of woman your wife wants to marry beforehand."
I will try my best to please the Emperor. Otherwise, marrying him would only bring unrest to the household and make things worse.
Xiuning should also consider the invisible benefits, in addition to the visible ones.
"Yinyi, you're not young anymore, you should have figured these things out long ago."
You only get one chance, and whatever you choose, there's no going back.
Therefore, you must not do anything that makes things difficult for me, otherwise even if it is your own son, Xiu Ning will not hesitate to take action.
Xiu Ning's indifference startled Yin Yi, making his heart feel like it was being suddenly clenched, and he could hardly breathe.
He grinned, his expression stiff. "Is everything Mother said true?" Could she be lying to him? This joke isn't funny.
Xiu Ning's gaze remained calm. "I never lie, even if you are my own child."
Fearing that Yin Yi might not take it seriously, Xiu Ning spoke frankly.
Just like her previous conversation with Ning Chuge, Xiu Ning understood that the children were all fearless because they could rely on their mother.
Compared to the other concubines in the harem, Xiu Ning had a huge advantage.
They've become so used to this kind of preferential treatment that they unconsciously bring it into their lives.
What Xiuning needs to do now is to break through this expectation and put them at ease.
In other words, we should prevent them from becoming too dependent on us.
Xiuning doesn't plan to become a nanny because she can't take care of several children forever; they all need to learn to grow up.
Seeing that his mother was not joking at all, Yin Yi finally understood the purpose of his visit.
The reason for marrying a princess was merely an excuse; the most important factor was the harsh discipline and upbringing he received from his own mother.
hiss
Yin Yi looked at Xiu Ning with curiosity. He couldn't say that he wasn't moved at all, but after so many years of getting along, he could understand his mother's thoughts. She just didn't want to raise a useless person, and he understood.
Xiuning: ...What do you know?
Xiu Ning didn't understand Yin Yi's wild ideas, but that didn't affect what she was going to do next.
“Your father has been on the throne for almost thirty years. Now that he is in good health, our lives will only get harder from now on.”
Yinyi, you may marry a virtuous wife and take concubines of beauty. I will not stop you from indulging in lustful desires.
However, I also don't want to repeat myself regarding whether certain things should or shouldn't be done.
Rather than risk causing conflict between mother and son later, Xiuning simply made things clear from the start.
It wasn't that Xiu Ning was heartless; it was just that she couldn't help causing trouble. Dealing with Kangxi alone was already exhausting enough, and Xiu Ning didn't have time to concern herself with the grudges and grievances of the younger generation.
The eldest prince and the crown prince are locked in a life-or-death struggle, the first wife has given birth to two daughters, and the crown princess's entry into Yuqing Palace is still uncertain. At such a time, if Yin Yi dares to jump out and cause trouble, he will definitely be the most eye-catching one in the harem.
Yin Yi: ……
Yin Yi understood the dislike his mother had for him, and thought to himself that he would definitely not make a mistake in this regard.
Changing the subject, Yin Yi once again steered the conversation to the matter of marrying a princess.
Yinyi meant that he wanted a wife from a prominent family.
The reason is simple: he needs to focus on his career, so the household must be managed by his wife.
It wasn't that she didn't trust the young ladies from humble backgrounds, but rather that as Yin Yi was formally appointed, he would definitely continue to bring new women into the household. What if the secondary consort came from a very good family and the primary consort couldn't control her?
Yinyi didn't want to end up having to protect his wife's rights himself.
"Let's just choose someone with a strong foundation, so that my son can focus on politics with peace of mind."
Yin Yi shrugged, thinking this was a good idea.
Xiuning looked at Yinyi with a curious expression, "Aren't you afraid that you'll marry someone who's never satisfied and will want more than you have?"
There are many such people; the late Empress Hesheli is an example.
The deaths of the princes preceding the crown prince are largely the responsibility of Empress Hesheri.
Yin Yi raised an eyebrow. "All I can say is that it all depends on myself."
If he can't protect them, that's fate. Yin Yi will provide appropriate help, but he has no interest in doing more.
Don't assume that what happens in novels would happen in such a real and cruel world.
Everyone's eyes are glued to power; all that talk of love and affection is just a facade.
"Alright, since you put it that way, your mother will keep an eye out for those candidates."
Xiuning suddenly smiled and said, "Taking advantage of your Emperor Father's triumphant return, we might actually be able to marry you a noble consort."
Since Yinti is no longer useful, it's only natural that Yinyi should step forward.
Of course, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Since Yin Yi has been pushed forward, he will have to compete head-on with the Crown Prince.
Given the Crown Prince's current temperament, the methods he used on Consort Hui and her son might very well be used on them as well.
"Prepare yourself."
"Don't worry, Mother, I understand."
"Alright, let's go back."
"Son takes his leave."
"..."
On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, Emperor Kangxi returned in triumph with his army, and the festive atmosphere lasted from his return to the capital until his return to the palace.
Everyone was hoping that Emperor Kangxi, their pillar of support, would return, but there were exceptions, such as the Crown Prince in Yuqing Palace and Consort Hui in Chuxiu Palace.
These two individuals each had their own agendas, but overall, the Crown Prince was more confident than Consort Hui.
When Kangxi returned, Xiuning arranged for Chunyu to go to Consort Hui's palace and others to reclaim the palace power.
Compared to the swiftness of Consort Yi and Consort Jia, Consort Hui's delivery was somewhat slow and hesitant.
Consort Hui was only willing to relinquish half of her palace power, keeping the rest firmly in her own hands.
"Greedy fool!"
When Chunyu brought the news back, Xiuning couldn't help but curse Consort Hui.
Chunyu's face was also grim. She was just a pawn temporarily managing the harem, yet she really thought she was the mistress of the harem.
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