Chapter 101 Fortunately, the deposed crown prince's marriage...
Fortunately, although the marriage of the deposed crown prince was postponed for a period of time, Wen Shan and Consort Tong Jia had already made almost all the preparations before that. It was just that the scale of the marriage had to be reduced from that of a crown prince to a prince.
Kangxi's re-bringing of the deposed crown prince's marriage was quite clear: he intended to release the prince after the marriage.
Yinzhen and the others no longer care much about the deposed crown prince. Even if Kangxi is biased, the most he can do is raise the prince's rank to the level of a prince. Now that Suo'etu is dead, the former crown prince's faction has fallen and can no longer pose a threat.
Since returning from his military campaign, Emperor Kangxi has never visited the deposed crown prince at Yuqing Palace. The deposed crown prince, now the Prince of Li, still insists on submitting memorials, hoping to see Emperor Kangxi once.
On the day before New Year's Eve, Emperor Kangxi finally went to Yuqing Palace and talked with the deposed crown prince for a while. What the father and son talked about is unknown. However, after that, Kangxi personally came to find Wenshan to arrange a seat for the deposed crown prince at the New Year's Eve palace banquet.
"Don't you also think that I favor Yinreng too much?"
Emperor Kangxi considered himself and Wenshan to be an old married couple. Wenshan was quiet and gentle, and he would tell Wenshan many things that he couldn't tell others.
“The Emperor is both the Son of Heaven and your father. You raised Prince Li single-handedly, and no other prince or princess can compare to him. It’s normal to show some favoritism,” Wen Shan said.
Kangxi was somewhat surprised by her calm tone, which even suggested that it was perfectly natural.
Wen Shan: "Your Majesty, why are you looking at me like that?"
Can't I just go along with him?
Pearl quietly went to the outer room to change the incense burner. The delicate and lingering fragrance of sandalwood wafted in, dispelling some of the dampness caused by the recent snowfall.
Kangxi lay on his side on the couch, twirling a string of jade beads in his hand. He squinted and thought for a moment before asking, "Which one do you favor more, Yinzhen, Yinsi, or Yinxiang?"
Wen Shan: "...I raised all three children, so naturally I love them all."
To judge a gentleman by the standards of a petty person!
Just because you're biased doesn't mean she'll be biased too.
Kangxi smiled and said, "I think you feel more sorry for Yinzhi, but Yinzhi has been sensible and reliable since he was a child, so it's normal that you like him."
Kangxi always felt that Wen Shan was biased towards Yin Si, and the few times she contradicted him were all to speak up for Yin Si.
Moreover, Emperor Kangxi himself was biased towards the deposed crown prince, and naturally believed that even as parents, it was impossible to treat each child equally; there would always be one child who was more favored.
Yinzhi was indeed the most socially adept and skilled at interpersonal relationships among the three children, and he was very good at pleasing his elders.
When Wen Shan heard Kangxi say that, she seriously reflected on whether she had shown favoritism towards any of the children. If she had unintentionally done such a thing, it would be too unfair to the other two.
Kangxi waved his hand in front of Wenshan's face as she frowned and pondered.
What are you thinking about?
Wenshan frankly admitted that she is reflecting on whether she has shown particular favoritism towards any child.
Emperor Kangxi laughed heartily upon hearing this.
"I misunderstood. I shouldn't have asked you that," Kangxi said. "None of Yinzhen's sons are your biological children. It would be inappropriate for you to favor any of them."
Kangxi still felt some regret when this topic was brought up. He had always hoped to have a child with Wenshan, whether it was a prince or a princess, but unfortunately, they were not destined to have children.
Wen Shan was unaware that even at this point, Kangxi was still planning to have her give birth to a child. She propped her face up and said, "Yin Si is a sweet-talking and considerate child. Emperors Yin Zhen and Yin Xiang also know this. Whether in terms of interpersonal skills or filial piety, they are no less than Yin Si. Therefore, I love them both equally."
After listening to Wen Shan's words, Kangxi also seriously considered how he felt about the children in the palace.
He knew the princes' personalities pretty well, except for a few of the younger ones. But he hadn't seen many of the princesses in a long time.
The reason Kangxi talked about this with Wenshan today was because the matter of the deposed crown prince forced him to start to face the fact that, to the other children, he really wasn't a good father.
Wen Shan, standing to the side, knew perfectly well what Kangxi was thinking, but she scoffed at it.
It's too late to start wondering if I'm being biased at this age.
Moreover, Wen Shan remembered that Kangxi had once talked to her about this topic. At that time, Kangxi said with confidence that fingers are of different lengths and it was normal for him to favor the crown prince.
It seems that he has indeed gotten older and felt that his sons are gradually slipping out of his control, which is why he has started to reflect on himself again.
Even so, the deposed crown prince still got married peacefully. After the wedding, he moved out of Yuqing Palace and into a mansion in the capital that the Imperial Household Department had hastily prepared for him.
Consort Tongjia breathed a sigh of relief after watching the deposed crown prince's wedding conclude.
"We've finally finished arranging Prince Li's wedding. It was such a tiring job," Consort Tongjia complained.
Everyone knows that the Emperor favors Prince Li. He didn't pursue the rebellion, even deposed the Crown Prince, and gave him the title of Prince. Therefore, this wedding needs to be prepared with utmost care.
Otherwise, it's hard to say what crazy thing Kangxi might do next.
"Tong sister has really worked hard."
Wen Shan and Consort Tong Jia also went to Prince Li's residence to attend the wedding banquet. They are now on their way back to the palace. After entering the palace gate, the two got off their sedan chairs and prepared to take a walk and chat together.
Consort Tongjia said, "This is my duty and there is nothing hard about it. Fortunately, the new sisters who have entered the palace are quite favored by the Emperor, so I am spared from serving the Emperor."
Consort Tongjia's words carried a hint of sourness.
Among the newcomers selected to enter the palace, there were indeed a few outstanding ones. For example, Consort He was especially favored by Emperor Kangxi, and now she and Consort Mi were equally favored in the palace.
Consort Tongjia was not very old and still hoped to give birth to another prince for the Tongjia clan. Unfortunately, Emperor Kangxi was very generous to her in terms of rank and gave her the power to manage the six palaces without hesitation, but his favor towards her was indeed mediocre.
"I have heard that Consort He's calligraphy is so beautiful that even His Majesty has praised it," said Consort Tongjia. "Noble Lady Jin is skilled in playing the yueqin and is also a talented woman."
Emperor Kangxi's current aesthetic preferences lean more towards gentle and talented women. Consort Tongjia has even begun to search among the palace maids around her to see if there are any suitable ones to use to secure his favor.
Wen Shan no longer cares much about who Kangxi favors or what talents these newly favored concubines have; her mind is focused on Yinzhen's two children and Yinsi's marriage.
Wen Shan couldn't help but feel guilty when she thought about Yin Si's marriage.
“Sister Tong, next month is the Empress Dowager’s memorial service. I was thinking of going to pay my respects in person. Yinzhi’s wedding is only a few months away. I will have to trouble you to take good care of him after I leave.”
She wasn't trying to slack off on purpose this time; she just happened to run into it.
Consort Tongjia: "...That's only right, Your Highness can go with peace of mind."
The princes and princesses were getting married one after another, keeping them busy without end.
Consort Tongjia thought that practice makes perfect, and having just finished the wedding of Prince Li, she could simply follow the same pattern for the wedding of Prince Lian. However, less than three days after Wen Shan left the palace, Emperor Kangxi caused Consort Tongjia another big problem.
After Prince Li moved out of Yuqing Palace, Emperor Kangxi ordered the palace to be renovated and then sealed it off. Everyone in the palace thought that Yuqing Palace would remain vacant until the next crown prince was appointed. However, just as preparations for Yinzhi's wedding began, Emperor Kangxi went to Chengqian Palace.
Consort Tongjia was informed that after the wedding, Yinzhi would not need to move out of the palace and could stay in Yuqing Palace for the time being.
Consort Tongjia: "..."
You're really going to cause her trouble.
Unfortunately, Wen Shan was not in the palace at the time, so Consort Tongjia had no one to consult with and could only grab a few other consorts to help with the preparations.
Kangxi's decision not only caused an uproar in the inner palace, but also shocked the ministers in the court.
Even Yinzhen and the others were somewhat caught off guard.
"Fourth Brother, Eighth Brother, what does Father Emperor mean by this?"
Yinzhen, Yinsi, and Yinxiang secretly held a small meeting in Chonghua Palace.
Upon hearing the news, Yinxiang rushed over, mainly because the news was simply too shocking.
Yuqing Palace... Father Emperor let the Eighth Brother live there?
Yinzhi also frowned, a rare sight, and was full of doubts about Kangxi's decree.
“Yuqing Palace is where the Crown Prince, no, the Prince Li, has lived since he was a child. Let the Eighth Brother move in there…”
In a sense, Yuqing Palace represents the Eastern Palace.
"Father Emperor probably just wants to distract everyone," Yinzhen said carefully. "This means that Father Emperor wants to see me and Eighth Brother compete."
The deposed crown prince has withdrawn from the struggle for the throne. He has no interest in such matters now. After getting married, he rarely goes out and rarely receives guests. He is quite honest and dutiful.
Emperor Kangxi knew perfectly well what the eldest prince was capable of. If he had to choose someone else to compete with Yinzhen, it would only be Yinsi.
There were ministers who objected to letting Yinzhi move into Yuqing Palace, but Kangxi downplayed it, saying that it was just a palace and that it was nothing unusual even if the deposed crown prince had lived there.
That's the truth, after all, Emperor Kangxi never said that Yuqing Palace was the Eastern Palace or the residence of the Crown Prince.
The situation is now quite clear.
The popular choice for the new crown prince, favored by Emperor Kangxi, should be between Yinzhen and Yinsi.
Prince Yong is the son of the Imperial Noble Consort, and is currently the only prince. After his marriage, he lived in the palace and recently served as regent.
Prince Lian is also the adopted son of the Imperial Noble Consort and is the youngest prince. Now the Emperor has allowed him to live in Yuqing Palace, so he will not have to move out of the palace after the wedding.
So, these two can be considered evenly matched.
However, compared to Yinzhen, Yinsi had a more gentle personality, so he had many more ministers around him. After all, everyone thought that such an easy-going prince would ascend the throne and have an easier life in the future.
Of course, there was still a small group of people who supported the First Prince, but most of them were his former subordinates who had gone to war with him and his in-laws.
As the princes grew up, it became clear which side they were on.
Yinzhen was a notorious lone minister, and his only close relationship with Yinxiang was that of a faction.
Meanwhile, Yinzhi was still surrounded by the Ninth Prince and the Tenth Prince.
The remaining princes mostly had no intention of vying for the throne and didn't stand up for anyone.
The ministers, seeing which way the wind was blowing, mostly sided with Yinzhen and Yinsi.
Kangxi saw all of this. Although he had promoted both Yinzhen and Yinsi, he was still very unhappy to see the court officials all betting on the next emperor.
He's not even fifty yet, so why are people all hoping he'll die so they can abdicate?
Wen Shan was busy with the Empress Dowager's memorial service when she learned of this news. It was already after the Empress Dowager had finished her memorial service and was preparing to return to the capital.
"I've only been gone for a few days and this has already happened." Wen Shan rested her forehead on her hand, looking quite helpless.
I knew that old bastard Kangxi was full of evil intentions.
However, it can be said that Yinzhen's predictions were correct.
After Wen Shan returned to the palace, she didn't even have a chance to meet Yin Zhen before being surrounded by a group of concubines in Xianfu Palace.
She returned on the fifteenth of the month, which was unfortunate. Now that she was an Imperial Noble Consort, according to the rules, the concubines were supposed to come to pay their respects to her every morning and evening. However, Wen Shan found it troublesome and was unwilling to get up early, so she simplified it to coming once on the first and fifteenth of each month.
Today happens to be the fifteenth, and because Emperor Kangxi arranged for Yinzhi to live in Yuqing Palace, the concubines are all eager to get along with Wenshan.
Who can blame her when both of her most outstanding sons are raised under her care?
Wen Shan had no choice but to chat with all the beauties in the room for a while.
Consort Hui and Consort Rong, these elderly women, were just there to make their usual appearance. At their age, they had no desire for rivalry or jealousy. After sitting down, they didn't exchange more than a few words. Consort Tongjia, who always fawned over Wen Shan, did so even more now, not letting a single word fall to the ground.
The main reason was that some young concubines who had just entered the palace wanted to get close to Wen Shan. Even if they gave birth to a prince immediately after entering the palace, it would be too late. If they wanted to live a comfortable life in their later years, they naturally had to curry favor with the Imperial Noble Consort.
"Has Consort Yi not arrived yet today?"
Consort Hui was tired of listening to the flattery of these young concubines. She glanced at the seat opposite Consort Rong and found it was still empty, so she mentioned it.
Consort Rong casually said, "Since the Eleventh Prince passed away, Consort Yi has hardly gone out. It's really tough for her to have to suffer the pain of losing her son at this age."
"Hmph." Consort Hui snorted and said, "It's been almost a year since I last saw Consort Yi. We've been sisters for so many years, I really miss her."
"Consort Min didn't come either," Consort Ping chimed in.
Since the Crown Prince was deposed and Suo'etu was killed, Consort Ping has become much quieter in the palace. Although Consort Ping has been in the palace for many years, Emperor Kangxi has not pursued her mistakes and continues to support her with the title of Consort Ping. However, everyone knows that Consort Ping is no longer a force to be reckoned with.
After listening for a while, Consort Mi realized that the topic had shifted to Consort Min and was afraid that she would say something unpleasant later, so she quickly said, "Your Highness, Consort Min's health has improved a lot recently. She is busy with the Fifth Princess's wedding and is in good spirits."
Consort Rong's temper flared up again as soon as the Fifth Princess was mentioned, even if Consort Mi didn't mention her.
"Speaking of which, the Fifth Princess is quite lucky. Her birth mother is guilty of a crime and her younger brother is involved in a rebellion, yet she still managed to marry into the capital. Who wouldn't be envious?" Consort Rong said sarcastically.
Princess Rongxian was the emperor's eldest daughter. She was favored by the emperor since childhood and even traveled thousands of miles to pacify Mongolia. Why was the fifth princess able to marry into the Tongjia clan and not suffer the hardship of being married off to a distant place?
Not only were the concubines, including Consort Rong, who had given birth to princesses and had all married far away to serve in Mongolia, feeling uneasy.
In the past, it was the rule that everyone should go to pacify Mongolia, and there was no other way to do it. But this time, the Fifth Princess insisted on staying in the capital, which made them feel resentful.
"Alright, the princess is of noble birth, and her marriage is a matter for the Emperor and Empress Dowager to decide. It is not something we can discuss," Consort Tongjia said impatiently, frowning and coldly stopping her.
Putting aside the fact that Consort Min and Wen Shan are on good terms, just the fact that the Fifth Princess is going to marry her younger brother, Consort Tongjia, would not allow these people to gossip.
After speaking, Consort Rong realized that the Fifth Princess had been betrothed to Consort Tongjia's younger brother. Realizing her slip of the tongue, she quickly apologized.
"Alright, the princess's marriage is a joyous occasion. His Majesty has instructed that it be properly arranged." Wen Shan interrupted them, saying, "In recent years, the princes and princesses have gradually grown up and there have been many marriages. My sisters and I will have to work hard to help them out."
The first thing to do is to arrange Yinzhi's wedding.
Because Emperor Kangxi decreed that Yinzhi should move into Yuqing Palace after his wedding, the wedding was held according to a higher standard than that of a prince's wedding. The happiest people about Yinzhi's wedding, besides Wen Shan and Consort Liang, were Tong Guowei.
On the day that Emperor Kangxi issued the decree to allow Yinzhi to move into Yuqing Palace, Tong Guowei, unusually, had a few drinks with Longkodo and his son behind closed doors.
I think the Tong family made the right bet this time. They're just waiting to rise to prominence and achieve great success.
Moreover, with the downfall of the Crown Prince, Tong Guowei has become increasingly bold in his actions. His previous interactions with Yinzhi, which were kept private, are now slowly coming to light, and he is basically the leading figure of the Eighth Prince's faction.
Yinzhi did not react to this but silently indulged it, and naturally Kangxi did the same.
The day before Yinzhi's wedding, Consort Yi left Yikun Palace for the first time and came to Xianfu Palace to deliver a congratulatory gift to Yinzhi.
"You've finally gone out! I was so worried about you these past few days." Wen Shan kept Yi Fei to talk, and only felt relieved after looking at her and seeing that she looked alright and hadn't lost too much weight.
Consort Yi stayed indoors because she wanted some peace and quiet. Wen Shan thought about it for a long time but ultimately didn't disturb her. Fortunately, she has now come out on her own.
"For the past year, I have stayed at home to bathe and fast in order to pray for Yinzhi. This is the last thing I, as his mother, can do for him." Consort Yi lowered her head and smiled, saying, "A few days ago, I heard from Yintang that Prince Lian will be getting married soon, so I naturally have to come and present a congratulatory gift."
"Your presence is the best gift."
Pearl, who served Consort Yi's favorite Biluochun tea, said with a smile, "Our mistress often talks about Consort Yi. Knowing that you were coming today, she specially made your favorite Thousand-Thread Cake, which will be served shortly."
Consort Yi felt comforted. Ever since the death of the Eleventh Prince, she had been feeling very awkward, unsure of how to face Consort Min. The deep entanglement between Consort Min and Wen Shan also left her unsure of how to deal with Wen Shan.
She hid for almost a year before she finally recovered a little.
For the sake of Yinqi and Yintang, she couldn't continue to be so depressed.
"You should come and join the fun at Yinzhi's wedding tomorrow," Wenshan said with a smile.
Previously, since Consort Yi did not go out, she did not force her and discussed with Consort Tongjia that if Consort Yi did not come, it would be fine and there was no need to urge her.
Consort Yi nodded: "That's natural."
When the steaming hot thousand-thread cake was served, Consort Yi hesitated for a moment and then asked, "Your Majesty, I wonder how Consort Min is doing now?"
Consort Yi only knew that Consort Min had fallen ill since that day, but she did not know the extent of her illness.
The main reason, of course, was that she deliberately avoided mentioning anything related to Consort Min.
Wen Shan said softly, "The imperial physician said it's a heart ailment, and you know why."
"This illness is difficult to cure, but the Fifth Princess's marriage to a man in the capital has eased Consort Min's mind considerably, and things are going alright for now."
Consort Min had survived her previous life's fate thanks to her obsession with sending the Fifth Princess off to her wedding, and Yinxiang almost wept with joy.
Although Consort Min still looked sickly, at least she had pulled through, and Yinxiang hoped for another chance.
Consort Yi remained silent for a moment upon hearing this, and ultimately said nothing.
Yinzhi's wedding day was exceptionally lively. Because the wedding was held in the palace, Emperor Kangxi personally went to Yuqing Palace. No princes, ministers, princesses, or noblewomen were absent. The scene was even more lively than when Yinzhen got married.
Wen Shan felt something was off when she saw Yinzhi move into Yuqing Palace.
Yinxiang, standing beside Wenshan, noticed her serious expression and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong, Mother?"
Mother didn't seem happy about her son's wedding.
"Yuqing Palace..." Wen Shan hesitated for a moment but still didn't say it.
She always felt that this place was somewhat unlucky.
The main reason was that the Crown Prince had left a very bad impression on her.
Moreover, the mansion originally intended for Yinzhi in the capital had already been almost completed, and as soon as Yinzhi moved to Yuqing Palace, the Ninth Prince volunteered to take him there.
Wenshan had visited that mansion; it was very elegant and grand, and she was quite satisfied with it.
However, it is inauspicious to say such things today, as it is Yinzhi's wedding day.
Yinxiang thought Wenshan was still worried that Yinsi moving into Yuqing Palace would attract too much envy, so he comforted her with a few words.
The Ninth Prince and the Tenth Prince were the most cheerful, as if they were the ones getting married. When it came time to make a ruckus in the bridal chamber, it was these two brothers who stopped others from going in and teasing their Eighth Prince.
Wen Shan thought to herself that Yinzhi hadn't spoiled the two of them for nothing.
Prince Li was absent today due to illness. Everyone knew that inviting Prince Li to Yinzhi's wedding was no different from stabbing him in the heart with a knife, so they all kept quiet.
Yinzhen was in a good mood today, so he dragged Yinxiang to find Yinsi for drinks, determined to get Yinsi drunk.
Fortunately, Yinzhi slipped away quickly and they didn't catch him.
After a lively wedding night, the next day, Yinzhi, accompanied by his wife Guoluo, came to Xianfu Palace to pay his respects to Wenshan.
Last night, Emperor Kangxi stayed at Consort He's residence and sent a message through Liang Jiugong that there was no need to pay his respects to him yet; he could go to Xianfu Palace first.
Yinzhi readily agreed and came with his wife.
Guo Luoluo had a rather heroic and spirited air about her, and she was impeccable in her manners and conduct. She was also very generous and magnanimous in her dealings with others.
Yinzhen and Lady Fucha arrived early with Yi'an and Hongxi. Before marrying Yinsi, Lady Guoluo naturally thought that Yinzhen and Yinsi were somewhat at odds, but even so, she still prepared very thoughtful gifts for Yi'an and Hongxi. On their wedding night, Yinsi did not hide anything from her and told her everything about his relationship with his brothers Yinzhen and Yinxiang. Since they would be husband and wife in the future, they could not hide anything from each other.
Although Guo Luoluo was somewhat shocked upon hearing this, she quickly accepted the news, which meant she no longer had to worry about how to get along with her fourth sister-in-law.
Will you be a little disappointed?
Both were exhausted after a long day. After undressing, they showed no intention of consummating their marriage. After lying down side by side, Yinzhi suddenly asked a question.
Lady Guoluo turned her head to look at the man who had just become her husband and asked softly, "What is Your Highness referring to? I don't know about the others, but I have no regrets just being able to marry Your Highness."
Lady Guoluo was intelligent and naturally knew what Yinzhi was asking. Yinzhi was asking if she would be disappointed to learn that he had no intention of becoming emperor.
After all, from the outside perspective, Yinzhi is now a strong contender for the throne, so Guoluo clan is very likely to become the future empress.
Now, Yinzhi clearly tells her that he has no intention of vying for the throne, but only wants to assist Yinzhen.
Upon hearing her answer, Yinzhi knew she understood, so he smiled, closed his eyes, and said, "Go to sleep. Tomorrow we still need to pay our respects to Father and Mother."
The dragon and phoenix red candles outside were still burning. Guo Luoluo stared at Yinzhi for a while, thinking that no matter whether Yinzhi became emperor or a commoner in the future, what she had just said was from the bottom of her heart.
Since their engagement, Yinzhi has helped Guoluoshi quite a bit, both openly and secretly. He has taken good care of her father, mother, and even her married sister.
She certainly wouldn't regret marrying someone like that.
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