The First Consort didn't spell it out, but how could Yinti, as her husband, not know her answer?
Yinqi pulled his primary wife into his arms, took a deep breath, and made a decision: "Let's wait a few years before having children. It's not like we can't have them. Having them year after year is too harmful to your health. I want to spend the rest of my life with you!"
The smile in the First Princess's eyes instantly turned incredibly warm. Having met such a wonderful man, she was completely devoted to him.
The process of recovering outstanding debts has not been smooth sailing.
Some ministers, harboring侥幸心理 (a sense of侥幸, or a belief that they could get away with something) and self-important, insisted on playing dirty tricks against the Ministry of Revenue.
In families that could borrow huge sums of money, there were always several elderly ladies and gentlemen who were there to protect the household. Even the Minister of Revenue would feel obligated to personally visit them.
At this moment, Yinzhen went over, his little face stern, and he ordered someone to bring up the IOU without hesitation, thus earning a reputation for being stingy and meticulous.
Yinzhen didn't care about this; he didn't rely on his reputation for a living.
Even the silver that Yinzhen couldn't get back when he came to the door, he followed the advice of Tong Guogang and Orondai and asked the Empress Dowager to lower his wife's title. Those in the family who were going to take the imperial examinations were also stopped, and there were many big-character posters posted outside the city gates.
Not only that, but because most people were illiterate, Yinzhen specially asked Tong Qinian to transfer two soldiers from the army every day to take turns reading to people entering and leaving the city. They explained the family's ancestry up to the present day in great detail, completely exposing their shameful secrets.
No matter who you are, everyone cares about their reputation.
Yinzhen had completely offended this group of people; it's estimated that he was turned into dozens of tiny figures, with needles stuck in his body.
The resolute Yinzhen didn't care about any of this. He was surrounded by guards when he went out, and he wasn't afraid of anything happening to him.
Apart from those who lost their families, the rest gradually paid off their debts over the course of several months.
With the money, the flood damage has been temporarily mitigated. Another flood next year will surely cause further problems, but this time we've weathered it and have some buffer time.
After so much turmoil, things finally turned around for the Qing Dynasty. In the months leading up to the New Year, everything went smoothly.
Fortunately, it was peaceful; otherwise, it would have been another serious injury.
During the Chinese New Year, Tong Wanyan's belly was quite large, her face was round and full of joy, like a chubby dumpling.
Even though she's become fuller, she's still just as beautiful.
During the family banquet, the Empress Dowager insisted on pulling her to sit next to her and was reluctant to let go.
Tong Wanyan sat smilingly beside the Empress Dowager, looking incredibly well-behaved.
Even when Emperor Kangxi met her sweet, smiling eyes, he swallowed his words, wanting her to sit back in her seat.
The Empress Dowager was giving Tong Wanyan face, but she was worried that after the New Year, when the Crown Princess married into the Eastern Palace, others would look down on her.
It was rare for the old man to be willful, and Emperor Kangxi himself was biased; those below him were well aware of the prevailing sentiment.
The new year has passed, time flies.
The eighth day of the fifth month in the thirty-second year of the Kangxi reign was an auspicious day for all activities. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau measured the day again and again and could not find a single ominous sign.
The weather was better than ever before that day.
The south courtyard of Yuqing Palace was quiet and peaceful, a world apart from the festive decorations of the main courtyard.
Tong Wanyan's due date is around ten days from now, and she could give birth at any time.
She went for a walk in the yard, then went back inside to lie down properly.
Today, the groom, Yinreng, didn't even change out of his wedding clothes, and was completely focused on Tong Wanyan.
Tong Wanyan leaned against him and smiled easily: "The Crown Princess should be preparing to enter the palace by now."
Yinreng stared at her intently: "Deshun went to the small kitchen to bring you chicken soup wontons. After he brings them over, I'll feed you until you've finished eating, then you can deal with those other matters."
"I've never seen a groom like you before. Everything's been prepared, and you just go through the motions when it's time to get married," Tong Wanyan joked.
Chunque and Xiazhu waited outside the door, their hearts pounding and their expressions tense.
Everyone says that the timing of the princess's pregnancy is auspicious, and even the crown princess has to take the princess seriously and dare not neglect her.
Only they were very concerned, fearing that their mistress might be upset, which would be bad for her health and the fetus.
Yinreng touched her large belly with trepidation: "If the noise outside disturbs your delivery today, you must have Su Jixiang go to the front yard to find me. No one is more important than you, so please don't hold back."
Tong Wanyan smiled sweetly. Despite being a mother of two and carrying another child, she still had the air of an innocent girl.
"I know. Don't worry, Your Majesty, the child probably won't choose today. The clothes should be changed to avoid gossip." Tong Wanyan was completely at ease with Yinreng.
At the Shi family residence, the Minister of the Imperial Household Department led the Crown Princess's entourage, a large group of people, to welcome her.
The royal betrothal gifts were so generous that they were astonishing, leaving no room for even envious glances.
The Guarjia clan members who came to add to the dowry clutched their hearts, unable to breathe, as they looked at the betrothal gifts displayed outside.
So this is how you marry the Crown Princess!
While other people's weddings are joyous and festive, the wedding of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess is a solemn and dignified affair.
Shi Xiuzhu got up early in the morning, dressed in layers of formal attire, wearing a phoenix crown with 108 pearls, a gold lock on her chest, and strings of jade bracelets on her wrists. She looked like a walking jewelry rack.
The items made by the Imperial Household Department were all solid objects, which not only looked magnificent but were also very heavy.
Shi Xiuzhu, holding his breath, said to Shi Fujin, "Mother, can I eat something to fill my stomach?"
She had practiced martial arts since childhood and boasted that her fists could defeat four grown men. However, despite being adorned with such heavy jewelry, she swayed and was somewhat unsteady on her feet.
Shi Fujin stood reluctantly beside her, watching as Quanfu Mama combed her hair.
"Princess Consort, please bear with it a little longer. This is how it is for a wedding. After you and the Crown Prince drink the nuptial wine, you can eat something to fill your stomach." Although Consort Shi felt sorry for her, she did not think of making an exception to let her daughter secretly eat something.
Shi Xiuzhu was just saying it casually; she had already guessed that her mother, who valued rules, wouldn't let her eat snacks to fill her stomach.
It's just a lucky question, a few words, nothing serious.
The nanny who did Shi Xiuzhu's makeup was chosen by the Imperial Concubine.
The wedding was handled entirely by the Imperial Concubine and the Imperial Household Department, and it was done perfectly.
Two or three hours passed, and Shi Xiuzhu witnessed the transition from darkness to dawn, and then to the blazing sun and the sky filled with rosy clouds.
Shi Xiuzhu's delicate and noble face, covered with layers of rouge and powder, appeared even more dignified and imposing.
Those standing nearby glanced at it and inwardly praised Kangxi for his excellent judgment.
The Crown Princess is so dignified; she is a natural-born royal, without a trace of the spoiled nature of a young lady.
After the makeup was done, Shi Xiuzhu moved her facial muscles and felt the powder falling off in a swishing motion.
Madam Shi couldn't bear to watch any longer and signaled to the nanny to quickly cover her head with a veil.
I've said it a thousand times, ten thousand times: her daughter is wonderful in every way, except that she doesn't seem like a shy, demure woman.
"Please invite the Crown Princess out," said Granny Xi, her face beaming with joy.
Shi Xiuzhu's cousin entered the house from outside, bent down and carried Shi Xiuzhu on his back, all the way to the eight-bearer sedan chair parked at the door.
He was the strongest and most robust member of the direct line of the Guarjia clan. Even so, after walking for less than a quarter of an hour, he was already panting heavily.
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