Chapter Three
Emperor Kangxi attached great importance to the selection of his beloved son's crown princess. In his eyes, his crown prince was outstanding in every aspect, including appearance, knowledge, and character.
There were more than just this few prominent families in the Bordered Yellow Banner, such as the Niohuru clan and the four Nara tribes (Yehenara, Ulanara, Huifa Nara, and Hadanara clans). However, they did not have any eligible daughters born to concubines of the bondservant or Han military banners. They could not possibly let the illegitimate daughters born to concubines of the bondservant or Han military banners become the crown princess.
In order to consolidate his imperial rule, Emperor Kangxi learned from the lesson that the Yuan dynasty was driven out of Dadu (the capital of the Yuan dynasty) and returned to the grasslands in less than a hundred years. He worked hard to learn Han Chinese knowledge and integrate into Han Chinese customs, and there were also a large number of Han Chinese officials in the court.
So, on the one hand, I was learning, and on the other hand, I was also affected.
The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children is meaningless to the Manchus. In the past, on the vast grasslands, the primary wife and secondary wives held the same status, but things are different now.
Therefore, only four families were selected, including the Dong E clan... well, although he also disliked them, in the court, whether or not to give them a chance is one thing, and whether or not they can succeed is another.
Kangxi focused on observing the Guarjia, Fuca, and Wanyan clans.
Fucha Misihan didn't know what he was thinking, raising his daughter to be so innocent and naive. Her status was good enough, but her character... wasn't quite right. At the very least, she wasn't suitable to be the Crown Prince and eventually become the Empress.
The key lies with the Guarjia clan and the Wanyan clan.
According to the nanny's report, everything is fine. Moreover, he even sent someone to investigate their personalities and their housekeeping abilities...
Well, they're all good, it's a bit hard to choose.
Let's take another look.
No rush, no hurry.
According to the reports from those below, Princess Fucha and Princess Wanyan praised their Crown Prince more than once: "The Crown Prince that the Emperor has raised must be a man of outstanding talent and noble character, upright and virtuous, kind and benevolent..."
It is evident that both Princess Fucha and Princess Wanyan were very fond of Yinreng. Alas, Emperor Kangxi was very proud of this, for he was indeed a son whom he had personally taught.
At that time, the eldest prince's wife, Lady Irgen Gioro, didn't love him as much; it must be because the eldest prince wasn't good enough! (Yinti: Father! Your son is also your son!!!)
We haven't seen any movement from Princess Guarjia, but that makes sense, young ladies are usually more shy and reserved.
Then, while they were waiting, something happened. First, Princess Guarjia was chased and stung by a wasp that appeared out of nowhere. Then, by sheer coincidence, she bumped into the Fourth Prince, who was on his way to pay his respects to the Imperial Noble Consort (of the Tongjia clan). In full view of everyone, they accidentally collided and fell to the ground together...
Immediately afterwards, Princess Fucha fell into the water and almost drowned, but was rescued by the Crown Prince.
Emperor Kangxi was furious. There was no way such a coincidence could happen. Someone must be plotting something behind the scenes!
Upon investigation, the results were grim. One of the crown princesses he had chosen, Wanyan, had tricked Fucha into going to the Imperial Flower Pond to see the lotus flowers and leaves. The stones there were loose, causing her to fall into the water.
If it weren't for the Empress Dowager summoning Yinreng to Cining Palace today because of the selection of a Crown Princess, he really wouldn't have passed by that place, and he... might have been gone just like that.
When the Fucha clan got into trouble, the Wanyan clan even went to the Guarjia clan to "reconnect" and coaxed them to go for a walk together!
The Wanyan clan! Their intentions are truly despicable!
Such a vicious woman, does she really think she's covered her tracks perfectly? And who exactly did she bribe to help release the wasps? We have to find out!
The Imperial Household Department was deeply entrenched, with many families having connections there. Even Emperor Kangxi focused his attention on the court and the border regions. In his view, the Imperial Household Department was merely a place to serve him, help manage his private treasury, and serve the imperial family for generations.
But now...
check!
Thorough investigation!
As for that vicious woman, Wanyan, how could we dare let her into Yuqing Palace? She's so ruthless for the position of Crown Princess. What will happen when the Crown Prince's concubines and other princesses get pregnant? Won't she be even more ruthless then?
However, Kangxi was at a loss as to what to do with this year's candidates. He couldn't very well let Guarjia become the Crown Princess again, could he?
The kneeling Fourth Prince felt extremely wronged. He had no idea that the young ladies were there to select a Crown Princess, and given his young age, he had never considered that he was involved.
Guarjia knelt with her head bowed, concealing all the color in her eyes. She was so innocent, and the royal family... Given the emperor's concern for his reputation, he would surely give her an explanation, no matter what.
The Crown Prince stood aside, still in shock that he could hear other people's thoughts, except for his father's.
At this moment, only the fourth prince, Lady Guarjia, and Liang Jiugong were in the Qianqing Palace, but the voices of just a few of them were enough to give the crown prince a headache.
Liang Jiugong: This is going to be a problem for the Emperor. It seems that the Crown Princess won't be chosen this time.
Fourth Prince Yinzhen: It really has nothing to do with me. It was Guarjia who bumped into me. I, I'm innocent! I should have known better than to go there today. No, I should have gone to see Mother in the afternoon instead. That way, things wouldn't have happened...blah blah blah.
Guarjia: Fourth Prince, I'm sorry, but everyone looks out for themselves. Whoever wants the position of Crown Princess can have it. As for that dilapidated place, Xian'an Palace, let's leave it to the future Crown Princess! I don't want to suffer with the Crown Prince who favors his concubine over his wife anymore.
Amidst the noise, Crown Prince Yinreng could barely hear Guarjia's voice. He thought to himself, "Why is the fourth prince so long-winded? Looking at his cool and aloof little face, you wouldn't guess that the fourth prince is actually so... long-winded."
But what did Guarjia mean by those words?
Did he favor his concubine over his wife?
Impossible. How could Aisin Gioro Yinreng, after being taught by his father, be the kind of person who favors his concubine over his wife?
Sitting above, Emperor Kangxi could not hear what others were thinking, so he naturally did not know what others were thinking. He only saw that his beloved son's face was slightly pale, and he assumed that his beloved son was in a bad mood. He felt even more disgusted with Wanyan.
The Wanyan clan was filled with rage. They thought they could rise to the top in one fell swoop, but instead, they were targeted by the Emperor and the Crown Prince, and in a rather inappropriate way! It was utterly despicable!
"Baocheng..." The old father, Emperor Kangxi, was also full of worry. He was about to say something to comfort his precious son. After this incident, he thought he could get married and start a family. He must be extremely disappointed.
No, Bao Cheng can't stand this injustice. Tomorrow, we'll select two prettier girls and send them to Yuqing Palace to comfort the Crown Prince.
"Father, since Lady Guarjia and my fourth brother accidentally bumped into each other, let's bestow a marriage upon them." The Crown Prince was also unwilling to be disliked. He was made Crown Prince shortly after his birth and was spoiled from a young age. Apart from Emperor Kangxi, no one had ever made him suffer.
Like the fourth one? Let's put them together!
Hmph! He knew that the Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort had secretly chosen Ulanara Feiyanggu's daughter as their fourth consort, and the Imperial Noble Consort had even bestowed upon her a tutor.
Hearing the Crown Prince's words, Kangxi hesitated. The fourth prince's marriage... well, although he was a bit young, his cousin was in poor health and had already chosen a match for him.
Ulanara's family background is not low, and Feiyangu is also a fierce general. They also had Feiyangu's legitimate daughter investigated. She is a calm and steady girl, and she is indeed a good match for the fourth prince.
I promised my cousin, but now...
Guarjia was a prominent Manchu family, and Shi Bingwen was the Commander-in-Chief stationed in Jiangnan. Anyone could guess the meaning behind bestowing a nanny upon them.
It would be one thing to bestow the title of "Prince Consort" upon the fourth prince, but to bestow it upon him as a "Second Prince Consort" is an insult.
This is a difficult situation!
The Fourth Prince felt wronged and worried that the Crown Prince might take his anger out on him, considering he still felt he was too young.
As Yinreng listened to the jumbled thoughts of others, the shockwave he experienced for the first time left him dazed and unable to think straight.
He wanted to take his leave from his father, but Kangxi seemed to have noticed his impatience before he did, and turned his gaze to Yinzhen and Princess Guarjia, saying, "You may leave now."
Guarjia did not complain to the emperor, but her expression showed some grievance, revealing her frustration at being schemed against.
At the same time, she also showed the Emperor her incompetence, implying that she was too easily manipulated and therefore not suitable to be the Crown Princess.
"Baocheng, stay." Kangxi didn't want to see Yinzhen and Princess Guarjia anymore; he wanted to comfort his crown prince.
Yinreng thought about it and agreed. They had all left, so their thoughts wouldn't reach his ears. He reluctantly accepted it.
After the Fourth Prince and Lady Guarjia left the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Kangxi began to speak with Yinreng, discussing the selection of the Crown Princess.
Even though he had an idea, he still wanted to ask Bao Cheng what he thought.
If Bao Cheng is determined not to like someone, he won't insist on marrying a woman he dislikes.
"Baocheng, it's all your father's fault for choosing these women for you. Sigh, I'll pick some more for you later. I refuse to believe there isn't a woman in the world who is both beautiful and talented." The one who is worthy of Baocheng must be the most outstanding in the world.
However, these four princesses, born into prominent families, were carefully selected by Emperor Kangxi. Other princesses might be younger.
However, it's also good that we can teach them gradually.
"Father's judgment is naturally good, but sometimes some people are too cunning and malicious. Father is also busy with state affairs. Fortunately, it was discovered before the Crown Princess was chosen." Crown Prince Yinreng comforted his father, saying it was all someone else's fault.
Kangxi nodded. "The Wanyan clan is too vicious, the Dong'e clan is too domineering, the Guarjia clan has caused this trouble, and the Fuca clan... sigh..."
"Baocheng, look at this Lady Fucha. Although her family background and appearance are good, she has a lively and carefree personality. She's not quite suitable to be the Crown Princess..." He sighed in distress. He had thought he had two backup options, but who knew...
As the Crown Prince listened, his first thought came to mind the words she had said when she first saw him. They were somewhat... cough cough, not very reserved, but they also reflected the fact that Princess Fucha had fallen in love with him at first sight.
This was the first time someone had expressed such direct and passionate affection for him, and the young and inexperienced Crown Prince blushed slightly.
Yinreng had no particular thoughts about the selection of the Crown Princess; he assumed that his father and his mother would handle it for him, so he didn't need to consider it himself.
But now...
“Father, temperament can be corrected and taught. It’s just that we didn’t focus on Princess Fucha before. With your abilities, I believe Princess Fucha can correct her temperament soon…” The Crown Prince spoke up for Princess Fucha, looking quite righteous.
However, Kangxi looked at his beloved son with a wistful expression. Didn't he know what kind of person Baocheng was?
Especially those slightly reddened ears, a pang of sadness welled up inside me. My son is grown up, it's time for him to get married and have children, and he'll be leaving his old father...
Little did the Crown Prince know that he was already thinking to himself: Now that the eldest son has married a princess, his eldest grandson might already be pregnant.
The next general election is in three years. It takes about a year from the eldest son's betrothal to his marriage, which means it will be at least four years before he can marry the crown princess.
If he were to have another legitimate son, he would be at least four or five years younger than the eldest son. At this time, the crown prince was most proud of his status as the legitimate son, so he was made crown prince to suppress the eldest son. He had not thought of having a son born out of wedlock, which would have created such an awkward situation between him and the eldest son.
Kangxi was unaware of this and assumed that his son was embarrassed because he knew that Princess Fucha was in love with Yinreng. He was still ignorant and inexperienced.
(End of this chapter)
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