Chapter 81 Not two days later, Yinzhen and Yin...
Two days later, Yinzhen and Yinsi set off for the temporary Anfeng Hall. The temporary Anfeng Hall was near Shunzhi's mausoleum, but it was some distance from the capital. It would take Yinzhen and Yinsi about half a month to travel back and forth, including the sacrificial ceremony.
When the two went to ask Emperor Kangxi for instructions, he remained silent for a long time before finally nodding in agreement. He even kept Yinzhen behind for a few words.
The general idea was that after Yinzhen arrived, he should also offer incense to the Seventh Princess.
Although the imperial genealogy has been changed, she is still Yinzhen's biological sister, born of the same mother.
Since Kangxi brought up this matter, Yinzhen also mentioned the Uya clan.
"Father, I hope that what Uya promised will not implicate Fifth Sister and Fourteenth Brother."
Kangxi nodded: "I know what's going on. Wenxian and Yinzhen are both old enough to understand right and wrong."
The Fourteenth Prince was fine, as he had already moved to the Fifth Palace in Ganxi. However, the Fifth Princess was only thirteen years old and not yet betrothed, so she still needed her mother's care. But Emperor Kangxi was extremely worried about entrusting her to Lady Uya, fearing that she might ruin his precious daughter.
After much deliberation, Emperor Kangxi intended to entrust the Fifth Princess to the Empress Dowager for upbringing, but the Empress Dowager politely declined, citing her advanced age and lack of energy to raise the princess.
The Empress Dowager's reluctance to raise the Fifth Princess stemmed from her prejudice against her mother, Lady Uya. Lady Uya's actions against Consort Yi were aimed at the Empress Dowager's beloved grandson, the Fifth Prince. How could the Empress Dowager possibly raise her daughter under such circumstances?
Emperor Kangxi was genuinely concerned for several days about who should raise the Fifth Princess, and later he even went to Xianfu Palace to ask Wen Shan for her opinion.
After hearing this, Wen Shan thought that according to historical records, the Fifth Princess should have been taken to Cining Palace and raised under the Empress Dowager's care along with the Fifth Prince as soon as she was born. However, in this life, because of her, the Empress Dowager had never been very fond of Wuya Shi and naturally would not raise her daughter again. Unexpectedly, after all the twists and turns, Kangxi wanted to hand the Fifth Princess over to the Empress Dowager.
"I've thought long and hard but haven't found a suitable candidate. Can you give me some advice?" Kangxi said, leaning on the couch with one hand supporting his chin. "Wenxian will also be betrothed in two years, and it won't do if there's no one around to keep an eye on her."
It must be said that Emperor Kangxi cared for his children quite a bit and did not hold a grudge against them for Uya's mistakes. He still fulfilled the responsibilities of a father.
If even Emperor Kangxi couldn't think of anyone, then Wen Shan was even less likely to be chosen. After some thought, she realized that there really weren't many suitable candidates.
If those who have always been at odds with the Uya clan are excluded, then there are very few left.
Most importantly, it was clear that Emperor Kangxi wanted to find someone for the Fifth Princess who could take good care of her without being of too low a rank, which made it very difficult to find such a person.
First of all, none of the concubines are suitable, and there aren't many people in the rank of consort.
"Hmm... what do you think of Consort Mi?" Kangxi asked after pondering for a while.
"..."
You have a good eye for talent; you picked someone who has a grudge against the Uya clan.
Consort Mi had been in the palace for many years and had just given birth to her first child last year, thanks to the blessing of Lady Uya.
“Consort Mi has a good personality, gentle and approachable, but the Sixteenth Prince is still young, so she may not be able to attend to him in multiple places at once,” Wen Shan said.
Kangxi thought about it and it made sense. He had just realized that Consort Mi also felt that if she raised Wenxian, it would keep Wenxian away from all the intrigue and make him more gentle and docile.
After thinking for a while, Kangxi suddenly laughed and said, "I have thought of a suitable candidate."
"How is Consort Min?"
Min concubine?
Wen Shan didn't respond, and Kangxi started talking to himself.
“Consort Min has two princesses in her palace, and taking care of Wen Xian is a piece of cake for her. Consort Min is also naturally unassuming and kind to others, so she is a good person.”
Kangxi became more and more satisfied as he thought about it. Seeing Wenshan frowning, he asked, "What's wrong? Is there something inappropriate?"
“Your Majesty’s consideration is very wise. It seems that Consort Min is indeed the most suitable.” Wen Shan thought and thought but couldn’t come up with a reason to help Consort Min refuse.
Moreover, she wasn't sure whether Consort Min really wanted to raise the Fifth Princess.
The more Kangxi thought about it, the more suitable Consort Min seemed. Once he decided on the candidate, he stopped thinking about it. Suddenly, he looked at Wen Shan beside him and said out of the blue, "You've been in the palace for many years, how come you still don't have any children?"
There was still some regret in his words.
In his early years, Emperor Kangxi did not favor Wen Shan much, but in the last ten years he has visited her frequently, yet Wen Shan has not conceived.
He had thought about this a few years ago, but later he felt that he couldn't force it and didn't want to put pressure on Wenshan, so he never mentioned it to her.
Wenshan was already sweating profusely.
It would be strange if she could conceive after taking two doses of medicine a day.
However, it was a serious crime for a concubine to take contraceptives without permission, so she couldn't be foolish enough to say it out loud. Therefore, she could only pretend to be sad and say, "Perhaps I am unlucky and do not have the fortune to give birth to an imperial heir."
"Nonsense." Kangxi squeezed her hand and said sternly, "You are not allowed to say such things in the future."
"I think those imperial physicians are useless; they haven't been able to cure your health after all these years."
Wen Shan shed a tear for the imperial physician who was unjustly blamed.
She hasn't had any serious illnesses or injuries, so what's there to take care of?
Emperor Kangxi could just say it offhand.
Emperor Kangxi had just mentioned the Fifth Princess and said with some emotion that it would be wonderful if he could have a daughter with Wenshan.
The daughter is bound to be very well-behaved and adorable, just like her mother. With three older brothers to take care of her, she is sure to be the center of everyone's affection.
Wen Shan: "..."
It can only be said that Kangxi and Yinzhen were indeed father and sons, even dreaming the same things.
I want to give birth myself!
"Yinzhen, Yinsi, and Yinxiang are all very filial, and they will surely take good care of you in the future," Kangxi said softly, patting Wenshan's head.
Wen Shan nodded, and she was happy after praising Yinzhen a few times.
After Kangxi left, Yinxiang somehow found out about the conversation the night before and rushed in early this morning to ask Wenshan if Kangxi was going to put the Fifth Princess in Minpin's care.
Wen Shan nodded and said, "Your father has been planning to arrange a marriage for the Fifth Princess in recent years, and he wants a concubine to raise her."
Judging from Kangxi's words, he only intended to raise the child on behalf of the emperor and had no intention of changing the imperial genealogy.
Yinxiang's impression of his fifth sister was rather lukewarm.
“Wenxian’s temper is just like Wuya’s, and she’s very difficult to get along with,” Yinxiang said. “I’m worried that she’ll go to Yanxi Palace and bully Wenke and Dunke.”
Wenke is only seven years old this year, and Dunke is only four years old. Yinxiang is really worried about them.
In her previous life, the Fifth Princess grew up under the Empress Dowager's care and became even more spoiled. She didn't get along with the Fifth Prince, who was also raised in the Cining Palace. However, the Empress Dowager doted on this granddaughter she had raised since childhood and even chose a consort for her from the Tongjia clan in the capital. She was one of the few princesses who did not go to pacify the Mongols, so naturally she didn't get along well with her sisters.
Although the Fifth Princess is no longer raised by the Empress Dowager, her temperament remains the same, only somewhat toned down.
Wen Shan chuckled when she saw Yinxiang's furrowed brow: "Yanxi Palace is your mother's and two younger sisters' territory, how could the Fifth Princess bully you?"
"If you're really worried, go and check on it more often."
It was difficult to change Kangxi's decision, and they couldn't think of any good reason to refuse, so they had no choice but to accept it.
Yinxiang sighed deeply. He was truly not good at the intricacies of the inner palace, especially when it came to outwitting his father, the Emperor. Unfortunately, his fourth and eighth brothers were not around at this time; otherwise, his eighth brother would surely have a solution.
Wen Shan also took some time to visit Yanxi Palace and told Consort Min about this in advance.
Now having given birth to one son and two daughters, Consort Min has shed much of the aloofness of her former cool and talented self and has become much gentler, like a lily in full bloom, gentle and beautiful.
Wen Shan often came to Yanxi Palace. Wen Ke and Dun Ke both liked her very much, and they would rush over to her as soon as they saw her.
"Your Majesty!"
Wenshan held one in each arm, and the two sweet and soft little girls wrapped their arms around her neck and kissed her on each cheek.
"Let Empress Xuan see our two little princesses, how come they've become even more beautiful?"
Consort Min watched with a smile, "Alright, you two, stop teasing Consort Xuan."
Wen Shan stood up, picked up four-year-old Dun Ke, weighed him in her arms, and turned to Consort Min, saying, "Dun Ke has grown quite a bit recently."
Consort Min smiled and said, "That's right, the clothes I made at the beginning of the year are already too small to wear."
Dunke hugged Wenshan's neck and rubbed against her, saying in a childish voice, "The clothes are tattered!"
"Yes, the clothes are worn out. Make new ones for Dunke."
Wen Ke peeked out and asked, "Your Highness, isn't Thirteenth Brother here?"
Yinxiang often came to Yanxi Palace to play with his two younger sisters. Occasionally, he would bring Yinzhen and Yinsi along to show off his two adorable sisters. Although they were not raised together, the siblings had a very good relationship.
“Your thirteenth brother is in the Imperial Study,” Wen Shan said with a smile. “He was caught by Master Zhang today and won’t be back for a while.”
Wen Ke stuck out his tongue: "Thirteenth Brother is naughty!"
Wen Shan had never raised a daughter, but she doted on Wen Ke and Dun Ke since they were little. Every time she came over, she would bring them a lot of food and toys. This time was no exception. When Pearl took out the small cakes that Wen Shan had made, the two little princesses cheered and ran off to play.
Consort Min pulled Wen Shan to sit down, shook her head and said indulgently, "Xia Dunke's appetite has actually improved, and he eats more every day than Wen Ke."
"Being able to eat is a blessing. It's good that Dunke is still young and healthy," Wenshan said.
Consort Min also shared the same sentiment: "Many children in the palace suffer from illnesses. I only wish that Yinxiang and Wenke Dunke can grow up safely."
"Regarding the Seventh Princess's matter a few days ago..." Consort Min paused before saying, "They were all pitiful people."
As the saying goes, even tigers don't eat their cubs, and as a mother, she couldn't understand why Uya could be so ruthless.
Since the topic of the Seventh Princess was being brought up, Wen Shan took the opportunity to tell her about Emperor Kangxi's intention to have Consort Min raise the Fifth Princess.
After listening, Consort Min pondered for a while and said, "Since it is His Majesty's will, we can only accept the decree."
Consort Min and Lady Uya had no grudges or dealings, so she naturally wouldn't have any prejudice against her child.
She was told to raise the Fifth Princess and she would do her best to raise her until she got married.
“I haven’t met the Fifth Princess many times, but I vaguely remember her as a very beautiful child,” Consort Min said.
A palace maid served tea, and Wen Shan took a sip to moisten her throat and nodded.
"The Fifth Princess is bright and charming, and even the Emperor likes her very much."
Uya's appearance was actually gentle and graceful, but the Fifth Princess was born with an exceptionally bright and beautiful appearance, making her seem more like the daughter that Consort Wenxi or Consort Tong could have given birth to.
Humans are visual creatures, and emperors even more so.
Although she was not a concubine, Emperor Kangxi favored the Fifth Princess, who stood out at first glance, among his daughters.
Wen Shan also told Consort Min about Yinxiang's worries, and Consort Min laughed out loud when she heard it.
"Yinxiang is just worrying for nothing. How could he let Wenke and Dunke suffer injustice in Yanxi Palace?"
Consort Duan passed away a few years ago, and now only Consort Min lives in Yanxi Palace. She is the one who makes all the decisions, inside and out.
To put it bluntly, the Fifth Princess was living under someone else's roof, so how could she possibly turn around and bully Wen Ke and Dun Ke? Wouldn't that make her, as their mother, utterly useless?
"Is the Fifth Princess still living in Yonghe Palace?" Consort Min asked.
Before they got married, the princesses lived with their mothers. The fifth princess naturally lived in Yonghe Palace before the incident involving Uya.
Wen Shan nodded: "That's why His Majesty felt it was inappropriate; we can't let the princess suffer."
It is indeed inappropriate for the Fifth Princess to be confined to her quarters, as Uya is under house arrest and Yonghe Palace has been sealed off.
Consort Min sighed: "Children are innocent."
After Wen Shan and Consort Min talked for a while, Wen Ke came running over and said, "Mother, my sister and I want to wear the clothes that Consort Mi sent a few days ago!"
Consort Min smiled and patted her daughter's head: "What are your plans for tomorrow?"
"My fourth sister invited us to go admire the flowers!"
Wen Ke said crisply.
"Okay, I'll have Ruyi find it for you later."
Consort Min looked helplessly at her daughter, who had happily run back to eat snacks after her request was fulfilled, and said, "I really wish they would never grow up and could always be so carefree."
Wen Shan shared the same sentiment, wishing that Yinzhen and the others could continue to play carefree in Xianfu Palace like they did when they were children.
Wen Shan smiled as she recalled Wen Ke's words and said, "You seem to be getting along quite well with Consort Mi lately?"
It's been almost ten years since Consort Mi entered the palace. In the blink of an eye, that timid girl from Jiangnan has become an old-timer in the palace.
After entering the palace, Consort Mi did not become overly close to any of the other concubines. She lived her life quietly in her Chuxiu Palace. Fortunately, Emperor Kangxi always favored her. Although a few concubines were a little jealous, she managed to get through it all without any major incidents. Now she has her own child.
A while ago, Wen Shan went to give a gift at the sixteenth prince's full moon banquet. Judging from Consort Mi's appearance, she felt that her life was perfect and she had no other desires.
Minpin said, "Since Mipin finished her confinement period, she has come often. We get along quite well and often have tea and chat together."
Consort Min and Consort Mi are both people who don't like to compete for fame and fortune, so they do get along well.
"That's a pity. It's been so many years since Consort Mi entered the palace that you two have become close friends," Wen Shan joked.
Dunke ran over and tugged at Consort Min's clothes, saying she was hungry. Consort Min helplessly tapped her forehead: "You just had some snacks an hour ago, how come you're hungry again?"
Dunke blinked his eyes, looking at Wenshan and Minpin with a pitiful expression.
Wen Shan was completely captivated by her gaze. After thinking for a moment, she decided to borrow the small kitchen in Yanxi Palace and prepare to cook for herself, staying there to dine with everyone that evening.
"How can this be allowed?" Consort Min hurriedly stopped her, saying, "Your Highness is of noble status; this is unacceptable."
Although Wen Shan has sent a lot of homemade food over the years, it is still too improper to ask Wen Shan to cook in the small kitchen of Yanxi Palace.
"It's alright, it's almost dinner time anyway, let's not stand on ceremony." Wen Shan laughed heartily and ruffled Dun Ke's fluffy little head: "Go play with your sister, dinner will be served soon."
Dunke cheered and ran off.
Wenshan then asked Pearl to go to the Imperial Study to tell Yinxiang that he should come directly to Yanxi Palace after finishing his business.
Consort Min had no choice but to go with Wen Shan to the small kitchen to help her out.
...
After Yinzhen and Yinsi left, the palace was busy for a while. According to Kangxi's wishes, the funeral of the Seventh Princess should be held in a grand manner, so as not to implicate this poor daughter because of her mother's mistakes. Consort Tong was very busy, but there were too many old and new grudges between Wenshan and Wuya, so Consort Tong did not dare to ask Wenshan for help. She could only pull Consort Rong and Consort Ping to handle the arrangements.
Consort Yi now hates Lady Wuya even more, her teeth itching with hatred. Lady Wuya is currently confined to Yonghe Palace, and she can't touch the Fourteenth Prince in the Fifth Palace of Ganxi. So when she heard that the Fifth Princess was going to be sent to Consort Min, she went to find Wen Shan.
Wen Shan had just returned from Consort Liang's place when Consort Yi arrived.
"Why did you come here on such a hot day?"
Wen Shan had the palace maid bring two bowls of freshly brewed plum juice, which were also iced, making it the perfect drink at this time.
Consort Yi took a sip, her brow twitched, and then she finished the whole bowl.
They completely forgot that they had come to inquire about the Fifth Princess.
"May I have another bowl?"
Consort Yi and Wen Shan were familiar with each other and didn't care about such trivial matters. When she felt that there wasn't enough to drink, she asked for more.
Pearl served Consort Yi another bowl, and Wen Shan said with a smile, "If you like it, I'll have someone pack some for you to take back later."
Consort Yi readily agreed, as the weather this year was frighteningly hot; it was already hotter than the height of summer in previous years, even though it was only the beginning of summer.
Without these cooling items, it's really hard to stand the heat.
After drinking two bowls of plum juice, Consort Yi asked about the Fifth Princess.
"Your Highness, I have heard that His Majesty intends to entrust the Fifth Princess to Consort Min for upbringing?"
Wen Shan nodded: "His Majesty has already made the decision, and I estimate that an official decree will be issued in a few days."
It's a bit strange for Wen Shan, though. It wasn't really a big deal, but Kangxi never issued an edict, yet the news still got out.
"What's wrong? You don't seem very happy." Wen Shan could tell from Consort Yi's expression that she was not satisfied with Kangxi's decision.
Consort Yi: "Wuya conspired to frame me, almost causing me and my brothers Yintang to never recover. Although the Emperor punished her, it still cannot quell the hatred in my heart."
Consort Yi has never been a kind-hearted person. Perhaps it's because she hasn't taken the initiative much in recent years that people think she's easy to bully. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Since Uya showed her no mercy, she naturally retaliated in kind.
Consort Yi understood that Uya and Consort Hui were targeting her three children, so she would also have to tear out Uya's heart and liver to vent her hatred.
Since the Fourteenth Prince is not active, that leaves only the Fifth Princess.
Wen Shan was somewhat surprised when she heard this, but after thinking about it, she felt that it was quite in line with her understanding of Consort Yi.
“The child is innocent after all,” Wen Shan still advised. “You can do whatever you want to Wuya, but if you lay a hand on the Fifth Princess, what will happen if the Emperor finds out…”
Taking action against the imperial heirs was tantamount to crossing Kangxi's Achilles' heel.
Although Emperor Kangxi suppressed the matter for the sake of the Third Prince after Consort Rong was exposed, her status in the palace was greatly diminished from then on, and Emperor Kangxi clearly ignored her a lot.
Consort Yi naturally understood this principle, and said with a smile while waving her fan, "What are you thinking, Your Majesty? I would never lay a hand on a child. Even if he is not my own, it would still be a sinful act."
"..."
Even now, she still has to say those two sarcastic remarks about Wuya Shi. It seems that Consort Yi really hates her to the core this time.
However, after hearing what Consort Yi said, Wen Shan became a little curious as to why Consort Yi had come all the way to ask her about it.
"I was just thinking, what's the point of just raising them? Raising a child for Uya won't bring any good, and she might even hold a grudge against me," Consort Yi said sarcastically.
Wen Shan understood. Consort Yi wanted to directly alter the Fifth Princess's imperial genealogy, causing Uya to lose this daughter forever.
Consort Yi thought for a moment and then said, "The Fifth Princess is eleven years old this year and will soon be engaged. Having such a mother is a burden."
Wen Shan said helplessly, "You're becoming more and more unreserved when you talk to me these days."
That's too direct. Is it really appropriate to say these things to her directly?
Consort Yi raised an eyebrow, completely unconcerned: "Your Majesty and the Eighth Prince saved my son and my life this time, what's there to hide?"
Now that Consort Yi has accepted it, Yinzhen is wholeheartedly following the Eighth Prince. As for Yinqi, he has a good relationship with both the Fourth and Eighth Princes. Although Yinzhi is not as active and aloof as his two older brothers, as long as Yinqi and Yinzhen are around, he can be protected for life.
Since they can't escape the influence of the princes and princesses in Xianfu Palace no matter how they look at it, there's no point in hiding it anymore. They might as well just openly stand with Consort Xuan.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear what you said today," Wen Shan said. "The Emperor's intentions are hard to fathom, so don't go too far."
Although she sometimes couldn't understand what Kangxi was thinking, over the years she had developed a certain level of intuition. For example, Wen Shan always felt that Kangxi must be plotting something bad and was preparing to deal with anyone who jumped out.
It's best to behave yourself at times like this.
Especially since neither Yinzhen nor Yinsi were in the palace, it would be quite troublesome if anything happened.
The fact that Emperor Kangxi delayed issuing an edict despite the widespread rumors clearly indicated something was amiss.
Even Lady Wuya, who was confined to Yonghe Palace, knew that the Fifth Princess was about to be taken to Yanxi Palace.
Since Yonghe Palace was closed and Consort De was demoted, most of the palace staff have been laid off. However, none of the servants who served the Fifth Princess have been moved. But Yonghe Palace is no longer what it used to be.
Uya remained silent all day, leaning against the window, seemingly lost in thought. The Fifth Princess hesitated several times but dared not approach.
Only after hearing the news did she rush in, tears welling up in her eyes, and say, "Mother, I don't want to go to Yanxi Palace!"
She was not familiar with Consort Min or her two younger sisters. If she went to Yanxi Palace, she would definitely be living under someone else's roof and be looked down upon. She didn't want to go to Yanxi Palace, even if it meant staying in the dilapidated Yonghe Palace.
Uya glanced at her blankly, then looked away.
"Let's go. Remember to take care of your fourteenth brother after we get out."
A surge of hatred welled up in the Fifth Princess's heart: "Mother, why is your heart only for the Fourteenth Brother? Are my sister and I really nothing to you?"
It's impossible for the Fifth Princess not to be shaken by the fact that Uya personally killed the Seventh Princess.
If Mother could sacrifice Seventh Sister for Fourteenth Brother, could she also sacrifice Seventh Sister?
And now it seems the answer is yes.
Upon hearing this, Consort De stroked the Fifth Princess's hair, her tone tinged with pity.
"Little Fifth, your mother is beyond saving. Your only hope now is your Fourteenth Brother, understand?"
The Fifth Princess slowly loosened her grip on Wuya's clothes, wanting to refute but finding herself at a loss for words.
It's truly impossible for Mother to recover now; her son can no longer rise in status because of his mother. It seems her only hope lies with this younger brother, who shares the same mother.
But she felt a strange sense of helplessness.
Why should she be allowed to be sacrificed at will for the sake of the fourteenth brother and be required to depend on him?
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