Chapter 180 The Crown Princess
In the thirty-fourth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Guarjia Wenyuan, daughter of Shi Wenbing, the Han Chinese commander of the Plain White Banner and the General of Fuzhou, was made the Crown Princess.
Before the marriage, to avoid any objections from Yinreng, Emperor Kangxi specially summoned him.
In the warm pavilion, Kangxi looked at his tall and handsome son, his eyes filled with complex emotions, including earnest expectations and a touch of reluctance.
“Baocheng, you are getting older, and it’s time to settle your marriage. I have chosen Guarjia, the daughter of Shi Wenbing, the commander of the Plain White Banner Han Army and the general of Fuzhou, as your Crown Princess.”
Kangxi spoke slowly, scrutinizing Yinreng's expression, afraid that he might be displeased.
He had refused for many years before. Yinreng didn't really want to be a Buddhist monk who didn't get close to women. He just didn't want Kangxi to have a reason to abdicate.
But after much persuasion, his restless desire to abdicate was temporarily quelled, and with some interesting discoveries, Yinreng finally agreed this time.
"Your subject will obey Father Emperor."
Kangxi was initially relieved, but then felt a pang of unease. His son was growing up and would eventually have to get married. If he didn't let Baocheng get married, outsiders would misunderstand and think he had a problem with Baocheng.
Kangxi sighed softly and patted Yinreng's shoulder: "I know this comes suddenly, but I must explain the pros and cons to you. Shi Wenbing's daughter comes from the Guarjia clan, a family of founding heroes who were granted the Han surname Shi for their military achievements and enjoy high prestige among the Han Bannermen; her grandfather, Shi Huashan, was the son-in-law of Prince Yu, Dodo, and her mother was the second daughter of Prince Huaimin, Chang'adai, and their ties with the imperial clan are not weak; Shi Wenbing himself is skilled in both civil administration and military affairs, and is a capable minister..."
At this moment, Kangxi showed no imperial majesty. He pulled Yinreng aside and acted like an ordinary old father, rambling on and on about the reasons for choosing this daughter-in-law.
Yinreng smiled at him with gratitude, picked up the teacup and handed it over: "Thank you for your trouble, Father Emperor, in protecting Baocheng."
"You are my son. If I don't worry about you, who will I worry about?"
Kangxi smiled as he took the tea from Yinreng's hand, took a sip to moisten his throat, and looked at Yinreng with pride in his eyes: "Your Majesty, you are a man of great talent and beauty. Don't worry, the Crown Princess that your Father has chosen for you is no less than excellent."
Kangxi was aware of Bao Cheng's rare quirk of appreciating beauty. Among his other dozen or so sons, the ones Bao Cheng liked the most were Yinzhen, whom Bao Cheng practically raised himself; the exceptionally handsome Yinsi and Yintang; and the exceptionally lovely twins, the thirteenth and fourteenth sons.
Yinzhen initially attracted Bao Cheng's attention because of his good looks, right? He understood, he understood everything.
Therefore, when choosing a crown princess, in addition to family background, Kangxi also paid special attention to appearance. After all, Bao Cheng was so outstanding, and if the crown princess's appearance was average, they wouldn't be a good match.
Emperor Kangxi wanted to give Bao Cheng the best of everything, and the Crown Princess was no exception.
"Empress Dowager Guarjia has also been summoned. She is truly outstanding, bright and beautiful, with delicate features. According to the Empress Dowager, she is among the most beautiful young ladies. But looks alone are not enough. I had someone investigate her carefully. She is upright and generous, and acts with propriety. With such a woman managing the internal affairs of the Eastern Palace, everything will be in perfect order, and she will not cause you any trouble."
Kangxi didn't overlook either appearance or character. After investigating the young ladies from various families, only this Guarjia woman barely met Kangxi's standards.
Upon hearing Kangxi's words, Yinreng slightly curled the corners of his mouth. He believed in his appearance, but as for his character... one could only say that the Shi family was quite capable.
"With Father Emperor overseeing things, I have nothing to worry about."
With just one sentence, Kangxi felt that all his efforts over the past few years had not been in vain.
Thus, the Crown Princess was chosen, and the wedding was held soon after.
At Kangxi's request, the scale of the Crown Prince's wedding was second only to that of the Emperor's wedding to the Empress.
The Forbidden City was enveloped in a strong festive atmosphere, with red silk fluttering in the air and palace lanterns hanging high. Emperor Kangxi sat at the head of the table, looking at Bao Cheng, who was kneeling with the Crown Princess, and couldn't help but tear up, feeling both gratified and reluctant to part.
In the blink of an eye, the children he raised had all grown up and started their own families, which made Kangxi feel a little lost. But thinking that he might soon be able to hold his grandson, he couldn't help but feel happy again.
After the ceremony, Emperor Kangxi did not linger at Yuqing Palace, but instead went to chat with the memorial tablet of his first wife.
As for the rest of the princes, not to mention that few of them dared to force him to drink, even the reckless Orondai had the help of older princes like Yinzhi and Changquan to fend off the drinking.
Therefore, Yinreng quickly escaped and entered the bridal chamber.
Amidst everyone's anticipation, Yinreng slowly lifted the veil from Lady Guarjia's head.
The flickering red candlelight illuminated her face, revealing skin as white as snow with a faint blush, making her radiant and captivating. Her eyes, like pools of clear spring water, were full of lively charm as they rippled, slightly different from the dignified and composed image she was rumored to have, yet uniquely vibrant. Her nose was straight and delicate, her lips naturally red, and the slightly upturned corners of her mouth carried an innate, charming smile.
Lady Guarjia was not afraid of strangers. She looked up at Yinreng with an open and generous manner. Looking at Yinreng's outstanding and extraordinary appearance, her eyes curved into crescents, and she affectionately called out, "Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The sound was clear and crisp, like a silver bell under the eaves.
Her emotions were easy to read; you could see right through her. Looking at the satisfaction and joy in her eyes, Yinreng slightly curved his lips. Guarjia Wenyuan, what an interesting soul—
A female official beside him served them a toast, and Yinreng and Guarjia drank the toast together.
After the ceremony concluded and everyone had left, Guarjia Wenyuan boldly tugged at Yinreng's sleeve and sweetly called out, "Your Highness—"
Yinreng chuckled, "Please wait a moment, Crown Princess."
Having said that, he turned and walked to the window, reaching out to gently knock: "I'll count to three. Whoever is still outside the window after three counts must hand me ten large characters tomorrow. Three..."
"Fourteen, you're running too fast!"
"Aren't you going to run and wait to be punished by copying characters? I don't want to copy big characters!"
"I already told you, Second Brother will definitely find out!"
"It's all Ninth Brother's fault!"
"Now it's my fault, don't follow me!"
...
Before Yinreng could finish counting, a group of young princes came from outside, shouting and arguing as they ran away and tried to shirk responsibility.
After Yinreng slowly finished counting, he opened the window, but they were already out of sight. It just goes to show how afraid everyone was of copying large characters.
Yinreng smiled and shook his head, then turned around to see Guwalgiya Wenyuan looking at him with bright eyes: "Your Highness—"
"What, is that all you can say?" Yinreng couldn't help but ask.
Guarjia Wenyuan shook her head, mainly because she hadn't expected the historical deposed crown prince, Yinreng, to be so handsome.
Guwalgiya Wenyuan came from several decades later. Although she was also from the Guwalgiya lineage, her father, Guwalgiya Emin, was from a collateral branch. However, because of her meritorious service in assisting Emperor Yongzheng in eliminating Nian Gengyao, she was originally supposed to enter the palace.
Ambitious to rise to a high position, Wen Yuan dreamt of the tragic fate that awaited her in the palace the day before she entered. In the dream, she saw that she had chosen the wrong person to denounce Consort Xi, resulting not only in her own tragic death but also in the downfall of her family. Wen Yuan was terrified.
Somehow, she ended up in the Kangxi era and became the daughter of Shi Wenbing, the commander of the Plain White Banner Han Army and the general of Fuzhou.
Although Wen Yuan was unaware of the situation, she knew that Shi Wenbing's daughter would be the Crown Princess, and that the Crown Prince would be deposed and reinstated twice. She was initially afraid, but after hearing about the Crown Prince's extraordinary abilities, she became more accepting of the situation.
In her view, she must be a favorite of the heavens to have such a wonderful encounter, and the crown prince must also be blessed by the heavens because of his supernatural abilities.
If she can become Shi Wenbing's daughter, it's not impossible for the Crown Prince to successfully ascend the throne!
Wen Yuan, inexplicably brimming with confidence, readily accepted becoming the Crown Princess, even filled with anticipation. It wasn't that she particularly liked the Crown Prince, but she loved being the Crown Princess, the future Empress—she loved the prestigious position and bringing glory to her family!
Now, seeing the Crown Prince's appearance, Wen Yuan was even more satisfied. Who wouldn't want their husband to be good-looking? And she was even more certain of her guess: with the Crown Prince being so outstanding, who else but him would ascend the throne?
She, Guarjia Wenyuan, is indeed a favorite of heaven!
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