Tana was unaware that her father had begun to resent her presence, and even if she had, she wouldn't have cared.
She has a fourth uncle, who will spoil her.
The chubby little dumplings, knowing their mother was going on a long trip, became clingy and affectionate.
Yinreng was unknowingly pushed aside and watched them snuggling in Tong Wanyan's arms, acting coquettishly.
The princes who accompanied the emperor, those with wives brought their wives, those without brought their concubines, and the younger princes brought their wet nurses.
Unfortunately, the First Princess Consort was pregnant and the pregnancy was not going well, so she had to stay in bed and rest at home and could not accompany them.
Tong Wanyan quite liked the First Consort. Putting aside the relationship between the two men, the First Consort was gentle and generous, and it was very pleasant to get along with her.
It's not that Dong E Hailan and Ulanara Fanghui are bad, it's just that they are still children in front of Tong Wanyan.
The princes all had wives and concubines accompanying them, and Emperor Kangxi would even choose two or three concubines to take with him.
Of the high-ranking concubines in the palace, only Consort Yi and Consort Gui were truly capable, and these two absolutely could not accompany him. Kangxi selected several young ladies-in-waiting and ladies-in-waiting who had entered the palace through the recent selection process to serve him personally.
On the day they left the border, the palace gates were wide open, and the guards and ceremonial procession was impressive, with a long, dragon-like formation that displayed the imperial majesty.
Tong Wanyan and other female relatives sat in the carriage behind, while Yinreng and other adult princes rode in front, accompanying Kangxi.
The carriages, hastily made by the Imperial Household Department, traveled on the flat main road without much of a bump.
Tong Wanyan was in very good health; she felt no discomfort whatsoever, even though Dong E Hailan and Ulanara Fanghui looked pale and sickly.
Seeing their listless appearance, Tong Wanyan generously gave them all the sachets and pickled plums that Xia Zhu had prepared to relieve dizziness.
However, before sending it away, she still had the imperial physician examine it to confirm that there were no problems. Better safe than sorry; Tong Wanyan didn't want to do a good deed and cause trouble later.
After hearing about this, Emperor Kangxi secretly pulled Yinreng aside and praised Tong Wanyan repeatedly.
This topic was very much to Yinreng's liking. He first modestly said that Tong Wanyan was just so-so.
Emperor Kangxi was immediately displeased. His maternal lineage was so excellent, how could he say that his little cousin was just average?
Kangxi forced Yinreng to follow his lead in praising him, so Yinreng boldly uttered a string of compliments without thinking.
One person wanted to praise the other, and the other forced the other to praise them along with them; they were a perfect match.
Once, Yinti happened to pass by and overheard Kangxi and Yinreng's conversation. He covered his mouth and walked away, his teeth aching with embarrassment.
Did Consort Tong cast a spell on her proud, peacock-like younger brother, the Crown Prince?
No, it was his father, the Emperor, who was also cursed.
These two used to look down on everyone, arrogant and finding fault with everyone they met. Now, in their eyes, Consort Tong is perfect in every way, a celestial being descended to earth.
Even if a master from Tanzhe Temple predicted that she would be blessed with both fortune and longevity, and bring good fortune to those around her, so what? How many women who marry into the royal family have bad fates? They are all exceptionally fortunate, one in a million.
Yinti was puzzled, but considering Tong Wanyan's family background, appearance, and ability to bear children, he felt no jealousy.
How can a man be jealous of a young woman?
He only fights with Yinreng, and his wife and daughters are spared from his misfortune.
Yinti had his own bottom line and was not so heartless and insane.
After rushing for more than a day, we finally arrived in Mongolia.
When Tong Wanyan stepped down from the carriage, looking at the lush green grassland, she immediately understood what it meant to "the wind blows the grass low, revealing cattle and sheep."
The guards quickly set up camp, with yurts springing up one after another.
"Second Sister-in-law, let me rest for a while, then I'll find you for a run this afternoon." As Ulanara Fanghui stood on the ground, a feeling of rebirth welled up within her.
Tong Wanyan smiled and said, "Great! You can't even walk fast in the palace. It's a rare opportunity to leave the palace, so you should stretch your legs. Did Fourth Sister-in-law bring riding clothes?"
"Yes, I brought it. Before I left, my grandfather told me that this trip was a rare opportunity, and I might not be able to leave the capital again for decades, so I must take this chance to have a good time." Ulanara Fanghui couldn't help but feel excited.
If it weren't for the palace maids and eunuchs serving her around, she might have jumped up and hopped around a couple of times.
Dong E Hailan watched with jealousy as Ulanara Fanghui and Tong Wanyan chatted and laughed. After exchanging a few words with Yin Zhi, she quickly moved closer to Tong Wanyan.
"What are you two happy things talking about, Second Sister-in-law and Fourth Sister-in-law? Oh, it feels so good to get down from the carriage and stand on the ground." Dong E Hailan was supported by her maid and was still a little dizzy when she came over.
Ulanara Fanghui said excitedly, "I told my second sister-in-law that we're going horseback riding later. The feeling of riding a horse on the grassland is definitely better than at home."
After she finished speaking, she seemed to feel that her tone was too lively and that it would damage the dignified and elegant image of the prince's wife.
To salvage her image, she quickly put on a dignified and elegant smile.
Seeing her like this, Tong Wanyan's eyes lit up with a smile.
Dong E Hailan hurriedly said, "Second sister-in-law, you mustn't leave me behind. Among us sisters-in-law, only you, me, and fourth sister-in-law have come. We have to go out together when we go out to play. Otherwise, I'll be so bored by myself."
Upon arriving in Mongolia, Emperor Kangxi would inevitably meet with the various princes.
As for princes like Yinreng, they would naturally follow Kangxi wherever he went, and they didn't have as much free time as the women.
Tong Wanyan kindly agreed: "It would be more fun to race horses together. I've heard that my third sister-in-law loves riding and hunting even when she's still in her boudoir. Now that she's on the grassland, she'll surely be in her element."
Suddenly praised, Dong E Hailan's fair cheeks flushed slightly: "Second Sister-in-law, you flatter me. Second Sister-in-law and Fourth Sister-in-law are both skilled in riding and archery, so please don't complain about me."
In Manchu families, unless a girl is born with a congenital deficiency or comes from an extremely poor family, she will raise a foal from a young age and learn to ride a horse and hunt.
The Manchu people, especially those with long-standing surnames, attach great importance to this.
A nation that conquered the world on horseback will never allow its descendants to forget the gifts of their ancestors.
Dong E Hailan and Ulanara Fanghui were still feeling a bit unwell, so after exchanging a few words, they went to rest in the yurt that had been set up.
Emperor Kangxi had already taken his sons to meet with the Mongolian princes.
Tong Wanyan followed Su Jixiang into her tent.
Don't be fooled by the simple exterior of the yurt; once you lift the curtain and step inside, you'll find it fully equipped.
Except for not living in a pavilion, the comfort of this place is not much different from that of living in the palace.
With the help of Chunque and Xiazhu, Tong Wanyan washed up and rested in bed.
The scent of fresh grass drifted into the tent on the breeze.
“No wonder the Empress Dowager always longs for the grasslands,” Tong Wanyan remarked.
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