Dong E Hailan's "old sow theory" was only said in private and did not reach the ears of outsiders.
She was focused on managing Yinzhi's inner quarters. While she couldn't manage anything else, she kept her own courtyard under tight control, ensuring that no one could find out anything about her.
However, Consort Rong's actions were significant, and unsurprisingly, all the words she used to reprimand Dong E Hailan reached Emperor Kangxi's ears.
Emperor Kangxi sighed inwardly, wondering how he could have been so blind to have favored such a fool as Consort Rong.
No, that's not right. Back then, Consort Rong was cautious, quiet, and gentle, which pleased him quite a bit. It's only because she's been living a good life these past few years, with both a son and a daughter, and no longer has to compete for favor with the younger concubines, that she has the time to act like a mother-in-law to her daughter-in-law.
It's not that Consort Rong couldn't expect her daughter-in-law to be filial to her, but everything has its limits.
Take Consort Hui for example. She watched helplessly as the First Consort gave birth to four daughters, and forbade her son from having a concubine to have a son born out of wedlock. Did she feel happy about that?
Even though she was dissatisfied with the Grand Consort, she understood that the Grand Consort's role was not merely to bear children for Yinti. She also had to manage the inner court and interpersonal relationships for Yinti, allowing him to focus on the court without having to deal with trivial matters.
Therefore, at most Consort Hui would reprimand the First Princess Consort a couple of times, and occasionally ask her to serve her meals, which was considered a sign of her anger.
Emperor Kangxi, as was his custom, instructed Consort Rong to spend more time chanting Buddhist scriptures in the small Buddhist hall, and also bestowed upon her two Buddhist sutras. The pretext he used was rather elegant: to pray for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. This way, Yinzhi wouldn't be disgraced because of Consort Rong.
The dim-witted Yinzhi genuinely believed that Emperor Kangxi valued Consort Rong, which was why he sent her to chant Buddhist scriptures.
It was because Emperor Kangxi neither reprimanded Consort Rong nor scolded him.
Immersed in the library and busy with the repair of the Confucius Temple, Yin Zhi's mind was filled with classical Chinese texts, making him less astute in the power struggles of the harem.
This perfectly suited Kangxi's mindset; he didn't want to raise a son who would spend all his time scheming and fighting among women in the harem.
His son should broaden his horizons and look towards the Qing Dynasty.
Without Consort Rong's supervision, Dong'e Hailan would often drag Ulanara Fanghui to Yuqing Palace.
The men around her were all busy, and Tong Wanyan had been instructed by the Empress Dowager to stay home as much as possible, so she couldn't go to Ning Shou Palace.
As sisters-in-law, they were younger than Tong Wanyan, making it the most convenient for them to visit her.
Dong'e Hailan was also very self-aware; she knew she wasn't as popular with Tong Wanyan as Ulanara Fanghui. Thinking about the foolish things she had done in the past made her feel very uncomfortable, and she grew increasingly resentful of Consort Rong and Yinzhi.
With Ulanara Fanghui by her side, Dong'e Hailan talked with Tong Wanyan every few days, feeling extremely happy.
Tong Wanyan endured a month of morning sickness and developed an unusually large appetite, causing her face to become noticeably rounder.
They are chubby and very cute, but they don't look bulky or clumsy.
Even if she's plump, she's still a lovable plump beauty, and she has a unique and captivating charm.
As the days passed, Tong Wanyan's belly began to show.
After receiving Yinreng's instructions, Tana and Hongzhao obediently stopped trying to pounce on Tong Wanyan's legs.
The two little ones were very sensible, earnestly instructing the palace maids to take good care of their mother.
When Yinreng happened to see that serious little face, he drew the scene and presented it to Emperor Kangxi and the Empress Dowager. Emperor Kangxi and the Empress Dowager laughed heartily, praising the child for being filial and capable, truly worthy of being a son of the emperor, and extraordinary from a young age.
In mid-November, Tong Wanyan's belly began to swell slightly, and she could no longer fit into the clothes that used to fit her.
With his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, Yinreng looked like a celestial prince as he walked along the bluestone path, holding an umbrella.
Tong Wanyan leaned against a pillar under the eaves, smiling gently as she watched Yinreng walk through the rain.
"Please come inside, Master. There has been an unusually heavy rainfall this year. You've worked hard on the water conservancy project," Tong Wanyan said.
Yinreng's cold expression immediately softened when he saw Tong Wanyan.
He walked into the corridor, handed the oil-paper umbrella to Deshun, and helped Tong Wanyan into the house.
“If it makes my life easier for the people, then it’s worth it. But water conservancy is a complex matter that goes down through the ranks, and in the end, it’s the people who rely on the heavens for their harvest who suffer the most,” Yinreng said.
After saying that, he turned to look at Tong Wanyan's clothes: "It's windy and cold outside, why don't you wear a thicker cloak?"
"I heard from Su Jixiang that Master is back. I've only seen Master a handful of times these past few days. It's rare for you to come back so early, and you won't even let me greet you outside and catch a few more glances at you," Tong Wanyan said sweetly.
She wasn't bored or aggrieved; she just missed him.
They slept together every day. When Yinreng went to rest, Tong Wanyan was already asleep. When he got up the next day, Yinreng had already gone to court.
As a result, they did see each other less often.
Yinreng helped her sit down, then took his own cloak and Tong Wanyan's cloak and put them on a clothes rack to the side.
"Things will get better after this busy period. I bought you some delicious food from outside the palace today. I'll bring it over to you once the kitchen has heated it up so you can have a taste." Yinreng stroked her head, coaxing her like a little girl.
Suddenly, his gaze fell on her slightly protruding belly: "Why do I feel that your belly is bigger than when you were pregnant with Hongzhao and Tana?"
Tong Wanyan looked down slowly, stunned for a long time, and then said with tears welling up in her eyes, "Didn't you say I was too fat?"
Yinreng panicked. He didn't mean it that way at all: "My darling, please stop crying. Your crying is breaking my heart."
"Master, tell me honestly, have I gained weight? Am I not pretty anymore?" Tong Wanyan sniffled pitifully, a stark contrast to her previous virtuous demeanor.
Yinreng pursed his lips, thought seriously for a moment, and carefully replied, "My darling looks the best right now. Didn't Mother Emperor just praise your face as a sign of good fortune a few days ago?"
He touched her waist with his own hands, feeling the soft, smooth flesh: "I love the feel of this, it's so comfortable to touch. Even sleeping with you in my arms in winter feels warmer."
Tong Wanyan's expression changed, and she stood up, hands on her hips, and said to Yinreng, "Does Your Highness mean that I used to be too thin and skinny, and not good-looking?"
Yinreng gazed at her full, protruding chest.
He swallowed hard: "Xiao Yan, my darling, don't seduce me. I've been holding back for over three months, and I can't take it anymore."
Yinreng's eyes gleamed with hunger, like a starving wolf that hadn't eaten meat for months.
Tong Wanyan timidly moved to the side, and Yinreng's eyes followed her.
"My lord, you must bear with it. The imperial physician said the baby isn't stable yet," Tong Wanyan said, clutching her belly.
She had a temper that came and went quickly, and her expression was lively and adorable. Even when she put her hands on her hips and acted like a shrew, Yinreng still loved her to the core.
"Silly girl, am I that kind of person? Come here and sit down properly, I have good news for you!" After silently reciting the Heart Sutra, Yinreng's eyes were devoid of desire, only filled with warm love.
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