Chapter 53 is also quite poignant...
It's quite poignant to say that Kangxi's illness was minor and he recovered after a few days of rest, but the Imperial Noble Consort's health deteriorated rapidly. After more than half a month, she was nearing her end. After Kangxi recovered, he visited the Imperial Noble Consort once more and stood alone at the Qianqing Gate for a long time after leaving Chengqian Palace.
Since the matter with the Imperial Noble Consort was only a matter of a few days, Yinzhen would often go to Chengqian Palace in the evenings after returning from the Imperial Study to chat with her.
As usual, Yinzhen went to Chengqian Palace that day, while Yinsi and Yinxiang stayed with Wenshan in Xianfu Palace.
Winter was approaching and snow was imminent. Wen Shan took out the furs that Yinzhen and Yinsi had brought back from Mongolia by the window, intending to make some cloaks and blankets for them.
While choosing a lining, Wenshan suddenly remembered something.
"Shouldn't Yinzhi move to the Fifth Academy in Qianxi next year?"
She hadn't even thought about such a big thing.
Upon hearing this, Yinzhi looked up and smiled, saying, "Mother, don't worry, the servants will take care of things over there."
Yinzhi still remembered how Wenshan almost cried her eyes out when Yinzhen was moving away. Fearing that Wenshan would be upset again, he wanted to quickly move on from the matter, so he didn't remind Wenshan.
Wen Shan slapped her forehead, stepped forward and hugged Yin Si, saying apologetically, "I've been so busy lately that I forgot. I'll go and prepare things for you right away."
Yinzhi was both amused and exasperated. Yinxiang, standing to the side, also pouted. His eighth brother had gone to the Xianfu Palace where he lived, leaving him all alone.
Hmm... that's good too, he can have all of his mother!
So Wenshan started rummaging through her belongings again to prepare things for Yinzhi, thinking that she would go to the Fifth Palace in Ganxi tomorrow to tidy things up for him. When Yinzhen went there, she took care of everything, and now she naturally had to treat him equally.
Just then, Pearl pushed the door open and came in.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has just issued an edict that Consort Jinmin, Consort Liang, and Consort Cheng will be promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine."
"Hmm?" Wen Shan was somewhat surprised and found it a bit sudden, but upon closer inspection, it seemed to make sense. All three of them had given birth to princes and were still in the position of noble lady; their rank should be raised.
Yinzhi keenly sensed something was amiss: "Father Emperor seems to be promoting these people together, but I just feel like something's not quite right."
"Father Emperor wouldn't want to send me back to Mother, would he?" Yinxiang asked.
They had discussed this before; having three princes in Xianfu Palace was too conspicuous.
Although Wen Shan was a little reluctant, she still said, "It's good that you go back to Jingren Palace. You can keep your mother company with your sister."
Having raised Yinxiang for several years, it was naturally difficult to send him away from Wenshan. However, it was not to send him back to somewhere else, but to his biological mother, which was a matter of course.
"It's hard to say." Yinzhi thought for a moment and said, "Father's thoughts are hard to fathom; his heart is as deep as an abyss."
The mother and her two sons had originally planned to wait together for Yinzhen to return from Chengqian Palace, but instead of Yinzhen, they waited for Kangxi instead.
"Get up, all of you." Kangxi waved his hand casually, looked around and, not seeing Yinzhen, asked, "Has Yinzhen returned to the Fifth Palace in Qianxi?"
Wen Shan brought over the brewed tea: "Yinzhen went to Chengqian Palace to pay his respects to the Imperial Noble Consort."
Yinxiang and Yinsi stood obediently to one side. Kangxi beckoned them over and, with great fatherly affection, gave each of them a piece of pastry to eat.
Yinxiang thought to himself that his father was really good at doing favors, using things from their Xianfu Palace to perform a show of fatherly affection.
“Yinzhen has always been very filial. Yinsi and Yinxiang should learn more from your fourth brother.”
Yinzhi and his companion politely exchanged a few pleasantries.
"Yin Si, take your thirteenth brother to the side hall to play. I have something to say to your mother."
Wen Shan immediately sensed something was wrong and became nervous. Since Kangxi had spoken, Yinzhi and Yinxiang had no choice but to obediently withdraw, leaving only Wen Shan and Kangxi in the room.
"Come and sit down." Emperor Kangxi smiled and patted the seat next to him.
"..."
Kangxi sat on the couch, with only a little over a foot of space between him and the edge. Could she possibly sit down half of it? Wouldn't she be exhausted from sitting like that?
Since Kangxi had spoken, she had no choice but to sit down. Kangxi moved further in, put his arm around her waist, and sat a little forward to make Wen Shan more comfortable.
Wen Shan was now even more uneasy. What was Kangxi planning to do? Were the two of them that close?
This intimacy made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.
"I haven't visited Xianfu Palace often in the past two years."
Kangxi looked at the interior decoration of the palace. Because of the presence of Yinxiang, there were many more children's toys and various warm and cozy decorations in the room.
When Kangxi said this, Wen Shan could only reply, "Your Majesty is busy with state affairs and does not often come to the inner palace. I am also in a mess all day and am not suitable to serve Your Majesty."
Since Yinxiang came to Xianfu Palace, Kangxi did not come often. It was only recently, as Yinxiang grew up and began to resemble Kangxi, that Kangxi occasionally came over, but he would only visit Yinxiang and then leave.
Wenshan said she felt absolutely thrilled about it!
Having money, children, and not having to serve Emperor Kangxi—it was practically her dream life in the imperial harem.
If others said such things, Kangxi would have thought it was just flattery, but Wenshan said he knew clearly in his heart that it was her true feeling.
A few years ago, he was angry with Wen Shan for not paying attention to him, but each time it came to nothing. She was really like a ball of water or a ball of cotton, making it impossible to exert any force on her.
Moreover, even if Kangxi was unwilling, he had to admit that even if he rushed over in a rage wanting to settle scores with Wenshan, he would always inexplicably calm down when he saw her smiling face.
There's always a magical sense of peace at Xianfu Palace.
"I had Yinzhi bring you back a black fox fur. Have you seen it?" Kangxi asked, recalling the fur he had bestowed upon Yinzhi that day.
Kangxi was still wondering if Yinzhi had given Wenshan anything.
In fact, Yinzhi didn't actually give it to her. After receiving the black fox fur, he put it away. He, his fourth brother, and his uncle had already made enough furs for their mother to use up. Although it was a gift from the emperor, he didn't consider it anything precious.
Just this afternoon, when Yinzhi saw Wenshan tidying up the leather, he remembered this matter and mentioned it to Wenshan, asking her if she wanted to see it. If she did, he would have someone find it.
Wen Shan lost interest as soon as she heard it was black fox fur; she didn't like black things and it didn't suit her.
"I saw it. Your Majesty noticed that the fur was pure and intact, and since it's been cold lately, I thought I'd ask Yinzhen to give it to the Imperial Noble Consort."
When Kangxi heard this, he simply said that since that was the case, he would find a few more good ones and send them over later.
Then the atmosphere fell silent again. Wenshan kept telling herself to say what she had to say and leave quickly. What was the point of tormenting people like this?
The suffocating feeling reminded her of her southern tour, which was nothing short of torture.
But it was clear that Kangxi just wanted to ramble on with her today, and he brought up how she had been in the palace for ten years and still looked the same as when she first entered the palace.
Wen Shan thought to herself that this person was lying through his teeth. How could things be the same after ten years?
She's so much prettier than when she was a teenager and looked like a bean sprout!
While Wen Shan and Kangxi were talking in the main hall, Yin Si and Yin Xiang in the side hall also looked displeased.
"Father, this is no good news." Even the usually carefree Yinxiang noticed it.
Father Emperor must have something important to discuss with you today. I wonder if Mother can handle it.
Yinzhi frowned in thought. Although the arrangements in the palace and the court had been made, no action had been taken yet. His father should not make a move at this time.
Could it be that the Imperial Noble Consort's actions angered the Emperor?
"Xiao Shunzi." Yinzhi raised his eyes and said coldly, "Go and guard Chengqian Palace. If the Fourth Prince comes out, tell him not to come back."
"Yes, sir."
Xiao Shunzi accepted the order and respectfully withdrew.
"Eighth Brother, do you think Father Emperor came because of Fourth Brother's matter?" Yinxiang asked.
The candlelight flickered, casting shadows on Yinzhi's face. He pondered for a moment, then tilted his head slightly and said, "It's hard to say. Perhaps it will be good news."
Inside the main hall, Kangxi pulled Wenshan aside and reminisced about the past. After rambling on for a while, they finally got to the point.
"I visited the Imperial Noble Consort today, and she is indeed terminally ill, beyond saving."
Emperor Kangxi was deeply moved. Although he and the Imperial Noble Consort were not childhood sweethearts, they had known each other since childhood. Even he felt sorry for his cousin who was so young and already so frail.
"All the preparations for Consort Niohuru's hunting trip began before the Mulan hunt, as a way to bring good fortune to the Imperial Noble Consort," Wen Shan said softly.
These items, naturally, are the same as those used during the Empress Dowager's serious illness, and are for funeral rites.
Kangxi nodded, took Wenshan's hand and patted it, saying, "What I'm saying to you today is from the bottom of my heart. Don't tell a third person."
Wenshan became alert, knowing that this was about to begin.
"On the day I returned from the Mulan Hunting Ground, I went to see the Imperial Noble Consort and originally intended to make her Empress."
"..."
It's a good thing you didn't make the appointment, otherwise wouldn't that have been a death sentence?
Tongjia was empress for only one day; she died the very next day after being formally appointed.
At this point, the appointment of an empress was seen as a way to appease the Imperial Noble Consort and bring good fortune, but it didn't have much political significance, since the Imperial Noble Consort had no children. Therefore, Wen Shan didn't offer any congratulatory words, only saying that Kangxi's thinking was thoughtful.
But Kangxi's next words surprised her.
"To my surprise, the Imperial Noble Consort refused." Kangxi stared intently at Wen Shan with deep eyes: "She said she did not seek the position of Empress, but wanted to ask me for a favor."
Wen Shan's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that the Imperial Noble Consort was trying to use the Empress's position to change Yinzhen's imperial genealogy to her name?
As expected, Kangxi said calmly, "The Imperial Noble Consort asked me to register Yinzhen under your name, saying that this is both the last wish of the Empress Dowager and her own last wish."
Wen Shan pursed her lips and after a long while said, "The Imperial Noble Consort has a motherly heart towards Yinzhen."
To go to such lengths for Yinzhen, even exchanging the title of Empress, truly shows she has given everything.
"Today I visited the Imperial Noble Consort again, and her mind remains unchanged; she still insists that I register Yinzhen under your name."
"Therefore, I wanted to ask for your opinion," Kangxi said.
Wenshan was really in a dilemma; she didn't know how to respond.
Kangxi smiled slightly at her and said, "I just said that I spoke from the bottom of my heart today. You should also speak frankly. I want to hear the truth."
Telling the truth might be a physical act of opening one's heart.
Wenshan hesitated for a while, but finally told the truth about it.
From Yinzhi and Yinxiang to the Imperial Noble Consort, they all tried their best to change Yinzhen's imperial genealogy. So she had to try too. If she could succeed, Yinzhi and the others wouldn't have to risk their lives in the court.
"Actually, I was also thinking about changing Yinzhen's imperial genealogy to my name."
Kangxi nodded as expected, hummed in agreement, and gestured for her to continue.
"Before the Empress Dowager passed away, she asked Sumalagu to tell me about this matter. The Empress Dowager only cared about me and wanted me to have a child to rely on for the rest of my life."
Wen Shan spoke with genuine sincerity, and Kangxi was moved as he recalled the Empress Dowager's appearance before her death.
The Empress Dowager truly loved Wen Shan like her own daughter, which shows that Wen Shan genuinely served the Empress Dowager. If there were any pretense or ulterior motives involved, the Empress Dowager would not have loved her so much.
Wen Shan continued, "After learning about this, I secretly wished that Yinzhen would register the property under my name."
Kangxi interrupted her at this moment and asked, "Because of Consort De?"
Wen Shan nodded: "Although it's not good to say it like this, after all, Consort De is Yinzhen's biological mother, but the Emperor is discerning and naturally knows that Consort De has never had any maternal feelings for Yinzhen."
Everyone in the harem knew this. A few years ago, Consort De would still pretend in front of others, but ever since the Sixth Prince died young, she stopped acting at all.
Kangxi, with his extensive network of informants in the inner palace, was naturally aware of this as well.
He knew better than anyone why Consort De acted this way, and since Yinzhen had never been raised by her side, Kangxi turned a blind eye.
"Now that Yinzhen is still young and being raised by me, we can't see anything yet. But when he grows up, gets married, has children, and establishes his own residence outside the palace, he will have to go through the procession in front of Consort De. As the saying goes, filial piety is the most important virtue. If Consort De wants to make things difficult for him, there is nothing Yinzhen can do."
Yinzhen is still a child and is therefore raised by her. But things will be different when he grows up. After all, Consort De is his biological mother according to the imperial genealogy, and she can interfere in many things. Moreover, Yinzhen is forced to deal with Consort De frequently due to filial piety.
Emperor Kangxi knelt down and sighed, "The fact that you can tell me these things shows that you, like the Imperial Noble Consort, have a motherly heart for Yinzhen."
"Your Majesty, I feel sorry for this child because he had a hard childhood," Wen Shan said, her eyes lowered. "Does Your Majesty still remember why Yinzhen first came to stay with me for a short time?"
Kangxi seemed lost in memories. After a moment of thought, he said, "It seems that the Crown Prince and Yinzhen had a dispute that day, and I punished Yinzhen by making him kneel in Cining Palace, right?"
Wen Shan nodded and glanced at Kangxi cautiously, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive my bluntness, but I felt that Your Majesty's handling of the matter was biased. Although Yinzhen did talk back to the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince pushed him down the steps. He was already injured, yet you still punished him by making him kneel in the snow. At that time, Yinzhen was not even three years old."
When Wen Shan spoke up for Yinzhen about something that happened many years ago, Kangxi was not angry. He just sighed and said, "Now that I think about it, I did punish him a bit too much. That day, when I saw the Crown Prince faint and unconscious, Yinzhen was so stubborn and talked back to me. I was angry and punished him too much."
It was rare for Emperor Kangxi to speak his mind like this.
"When I went to pay my respects to the two patriarchs that day, I saw him kneeling in the snow, his face red from the cold but his body straight. He was indeed a stubborn child."
"At that time, the Imperial Noble Consort was pregnant and did not come, nor did the Consort De. If I may presume to say something, I did feel that the Emperor did not love him, and that his birth mother and adoptive mother did not care about him."
Now that the Imperial Noble Consort is seriously ill, Wen Shan doesn't want to mention what happened afterward. Kangxi naturally understands that he entrusted Yinzhen to the Imperial Noble Consort's care, but he never expected that the Imperial Noble Consort was also bewitched at that time and believed in some unfounded words about horoscopes and neglected Yinzhen.
Wen Shan's words were very bold, and Kangxi was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"You, I told you to tell the truth, and you dare to say anything."
After Wen Shan finished speaking, she was actually a little scared: "His Majesty said that I must not get angry when I open my heart to you."
"I'm not angry." After laughing enough, Kangxi frankly admitted his favoritism: "Everyone says that ten fingers are not all the same length. I have so many children, so it's impossible for me to treat them all equally. The Crown Prince is the heir apparent and was raised by me personally, so naturally I'll show him some favoritism."
Kangxi's confident and assertive manner left Wenshan speechless.
With things discussed to this point, Kangxi understood why Wenshan wanted to register Yinzhen under her name, and the Imperial Noble Consort naturally felt the same way.
"So, Your Majesty, I would like to ask you to allow Yinzhen to be registered under my name." This was the first time in the ten years since Wen Shan entered the palace that she had asked Emperor Kangxi for something.
Kangxi held her hand and chuckled, seemingly remembering something. After a moment, he said, "In the end, I owe Yinzhen something. You're right, this child had a hard childhood."
Looking back now, wasn't Yinzhen's stubborn and cold nature due to all he had experienced at such a young age?
Wen Shan said softly after hearing Kangxi's words, "If Yinzhen knew that you could say that, he would be very happy."
"What if I were to give you a choice as well?" Kangxi suddenly straightened up and stared intently at her.
"I can register Yinzhen under your name, but Yinsi must be sent back to Consort Liang."
Wen Shan looked up at Kangxi with a somewhat confused expression, not quite understanding what he had said.
"So, what would you choose?" Kangxi pressed.
The warmth in her eyes just now had completely vanished.
This time, they really got to ask Wenshan.
She loved Yinzhen, Yinsi, and Yinxiang equally, treating them all as her own sons. If Kangxi simply wanted to send Yinsi back to Consort Liang, she would naturally have no objection. Just as she had told Yinxiang before, she was their biological mother, and it was only natural for her to send him back.
Even though she was reluctant to let her go, she wouldn't force her to stay.
But to exchange Yinzhi for Yinzhen... that would undoubtedly be tearing her heart out.
This would be unfair to Yinzhi, and Yinzhen would not agree to it.
Kangxi waited patiently for her answer. After a while, Wen Shan said, "I treat Yinzhen and Yinsi as my own children. They are my children, not objects that can be exchanged."
Kangxi's expression remained calm as he asked her, "So you're rejecting my proposal?"
"You just defended Yinzhen so much, are you going to give it all up?"
As Kangxi pressed closer, Wen Shan's fear and tension gradually disappeared, and she became calm.
"Your Majesty, I have no children of my own. It is all thanks to the grace of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager that these three children can be raised in Xianfu Palace. Since the Emperor has entrusted them to me for upbringing, I have fulfilled my duty as a mother. Whatever arrangements the Emperor makes, I can only obey. However, as their mother, I really cannot bring myself to exchange Yinzhi for Yinzhen. I hope the Emperor will forgive me."
These words surprised Kangxi. He thought he had figured out Wenshan's personality. She was simple-minded and timid. Every time he put on a stern face, she would be terrified and not know what to say. Her words today were indeed beyond Kangxi's expectations.
"Liang Jiugong".
Kangxi called out, and Liang Jiugong came in from outside the door carrying an imperial edict. Kangxi took it and then waved for him to leave.
Emperor Kangxi handed the imperial edict to Wen Shan: "Open it and take a look."
This was against the rules, but what happened today was clearly against the rules, so Wen Shan boldly opened the imperial edict.
Two things were written above.
The Imperial Noble Consort was elevated to Empress, and the imperial genealogy of the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, was changed to the name of the Noble Consort Xuan.
He had already drafted the imperial edict before Kangxi came to Xianfu Palace.
"Then why was the Emperor saying so much to me just now..."
Wen Shan held the imperial edict, unsure of what to say. Yin Si was right; the emperor's heart was as deep as an abyss, and she couldn't fathom Kangxi's thoughts.
"What I just told you was the truth, and naturally I want to hear the truth from you as well."
Kangxi gazed at Yinreng for a moment and then said, "Besides being the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, I am also their father. Although I favor Yinreng, I do not treat Yinzhen and the others as worthless."
"You and the Imperial Noble Consort are both so kind-hearted as mothers. If I were to disagree, wouldn't I appear to be an unkind father?"
Wen Shan read the imperial edict several more times, confirming that it contained no information about Yinzhi. After hesitating for a long time, she finally asked, "Then, what about Yinzhi?"
Yinzhi will be moving to the Fifth Palace in Qianxi next year. If there is any difference between him returning to Consort Liang's side and staying with her, it is that he will not be able to come over often after he finishes his studies.
Kangxi leaned back, propped his chin on his hand, and said, "Yinsi is a very intelligent child. I like him very much and hope that he will become a pillar of the Qing Dynasty in the future. However, the more intelligent one is, the more likely one is to go astray. I am just giving you a reminder. Please advise and guide him more often."
At present, Kangxi only sees Yinzhi as precocious and intelligent, sensible and knowing when to advance and retreat. He naturally knows that the Crown Prince is wary of Yinzhi, but just like with the eldest prince, Kangxi does not think that they want to fight to the death with the Crown Prince. It is normal for princes to have ambitions for the throne, but Kangxi is confident that as long as he is alive, his sons will not cause any trouble. As long as they are not overly guided, they will be fine.
"Yin Si should be raised here with you. I hope he can learn more about honesty and integrity from being around you and Yin Zhen."
"..."
So all that information I got from her turned out to be just a joke.
Kangxi found it amusing to see Wen Shan pursing her lips, clearly annoyed. He pulled her aside and said, "I'm not here to tease you. I've already said those things, and they were all my true feelings. I'm only human and can't be completely cold-hearted. Even I was moved when the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Noble Consort passed away."
"While moved, I couldn't help but think that I had indeed shown less concern for Yinti and Yinzhen."
Actually, there was another reason that Kangxi kept from Wen Shan: the Crown Prince's perfunctory and careless behavior during his illness made him start to think about whether he had spoiled the Crown Prince too much and made him have too smooth a path, which was why the Crown Prince now had no respect for his father.
Perhaps it's time to put some pressure on the Crown Prince and start learning how to be a Crown Prince who is worthy of his father and can command the respect and obedience of his brothers.
So, for these multiple reasons, he stood at the Qianqing Gate for a long time that day, and then wrote down this imperial edict.
Regardless of the process, at least the result was what they wanted. Wen Shan sincerely thanked Kangxi, who smiled and suddenly said out of the blue, "Actually, I have always liked you quite a bit."
Wen Shan: "...?"
Has Emperor Kangxi gone mad?!
He himself just said that she had never been favored in the palace for ten years, and that she only spent a few days with the other concubines during the Southern Tour. In the end, she abdicated and gave way to Consort Mi when she appeared.
Now you're saying you like her?
Don't believe him! Are you trying to fool her like a little girl?
Kangxi was telling the truth; he didn't like women who were too clever. Wen Shan, with her simple yet profound wisdom, was just right.
However, Wen Shan clearly didn't care about him, and as the emperor, he naturally wouldn't try to please her, so they continued to live their lives in this stumbling and bumpy way.
Of course, this stumbling block was Kangxi's perception.
If Wen Shan knew, she would cry. She's clearly having a great time!
That night, Emperor Kangxi unusually stayed overnight at Xianfu Palace. Yinzhi and Yinxiang waited for Yinzhen almost all night, but he did not return.
Yinzhen sent word that the Imperial Noble Consort was critically ill and he would stay with her in Chengqian Palace for the night. The next morning, Kangxi’s imperial edict was issued to the six palaces, and the Imperial Noble Consort was officially conferred the title of Empress. The imperial genealogy of the Fourth Prince Yinzhen was changed to the name of the Imperial Noble Consort Xuan.
Unfortunately, the Imperial Noble Consort was unable to receive the imperial decree in person. After the decree was issued in the morning, Empress Tongjia, who had just ascended to the position of Empress, passed away that evening.
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