The imperial decree for the arranged marriage had not yet been issued. Apart from Emperor Kangxi and Yinreng, a few members of the Tong family were aware of the situation, but even Princess Wenxian herself was unaware.
Yinzhen looked at Tong Wanyan in surprise: "Was it Second Sister-in-law who arranged this?"
Tong Wanyan was equally bewildered: "This matter has nothing to do with me. The princess's marriage is also a political matter, how could I possibly arrange it?"
Yinreng explained, "It's not entirely unrelated. Do you remember last time at Grandma's, when Father asked you how you thought Wenxian should be raised?"
"Just because I said 'okay'?" Tong Wanyan clicked her tongue.
She didn't believe that a single word she uttered could make Kangxi so biased.
“There always has to be a princess who marries into the Tong family. The Tong family has few girls, and now they only have you, so naturally they favor you. You said Wen Xian was good, so they chose Wen Xian. This is to support you, and it's also to do you a favor,” Yinreng said.
"That's quite a coincidence." Tong Wanyan smiled, not taking it too seriously.
It was originally supposed to be Wen Xian's marriage, but after all the twists and turns, it still ended up on her head. This must be fate.
Yinzhen and Wenxian had a good relationship. Although they didn't see each other often, they exchanged quite a few gifts.
Knowing that his younger sister had found a good husband and that she came from a close and good family, Yinzhen's face lit up with a bright smile.
"I will go see Wen Xian after the imperial decree is issued. I have prepared some of her dowry," Yinzhen said.
"She won't suffer any loss. Father Emperor dotes on the Tong family and won't let Wenxian's dowry look bad," Yinreng reassured him.
"Consort Wuya was truly a good mother to Wenxian and the Fourteenth Prince. She was docile and forbearing. Although Father Emperor would no longer favor her, she was still better to Wenxian and the Fourteenth Prince," Yinreng remarked.
After he finished speaking, he realized something was wrong; he had just hurt Yinzhen's feelings.
Yinreng pursed his lips and glanced at Yinzhen. Yinzhen smiled reassuringly at him, his eyes showing no trace of distress, but rather calm and clear-headed.
“I only have one mother. So, I’m not a good son to Consort Wuya either. We’re even.” Yinzhen was very open-minded.
Now that he has Tong Eniang, it would be too greedy of him to want his birth mother's love as well.
Not long after, the imperial decree ordering Princess Wenxian to marry into the Tong family was officially issued.
The selection of the site and construction of the princess's residence were personally supervised by Yinzhen.
For a time, Yinzhen was so busy that he had no time to take care of his own Fourth Prince's residence, but he devoted himself to the Princess's residence.
The residences of the Left and Right Princes can still be renovated in the future, but the Princess's residence is unlikely to undergo major changes.
Princess Wenxian doesn't need to worry too much about the wedding preparations. She just needs to enjoy the last year or so of her life in the palace and be a happy and filial princess.
While things were joyous on one side, things were not good for the Thirteenth Prince.
His mother, Consort Zhangjia, did not survive after being bedridden for several months.
She entered the palace for more than ten years and bore one son and two daughters for Emperor Kangxi. The thirteenth prince was greatly favored by Emperor Kangxi, but she was always given the title of concubine and was never officially conferred a title.
After her death, Emperor Kangxi seemed to realize something and gave this gentle woman a dignified end.
Emperor Kangxi ordered the Ministry of Rites to issue an edict: "Consort Zhangjia was of gentle and virtuous character, skilled in domestic affairs, and served the palace for a long time with a reputation for respect and prudence. Now that she has passed away due to illness, we are deeply saddened. She is hereby posthumously honored as Consort Min. The Ministry of Rites shall observe the prescribed rites and conduct them accordingly."
However, Minfei's three children would rather remain the children of a concubine.
Emperor Kangxi had many children, but Consort Min was the only mother to the three of them.
Having witnessed countless deaths and deaths, Emperor Kangxi, aside from bestowing some rewards, was unable to spare much time to spend with the Thirteenth Prince and his companions.
After discussing it, Tong Wanyan and Shi Xiuzhu brought the Thirteenth Princess and the Fifteenth Princess to Yuqing Palace to accompany the two young girls through this difficult period.
The thirteenth prince lived in the princes' quarters, and Yinzhen (the Yongzheng Emperor) would set aside time to take care of him.
When Kangxi came to his senses and felt guilty looking at his much thinner thirteenth prince, he loved his two sons, Yinreng and Yinzhen, even more.
He loved his brothers and cherished his sisters; his son should have been so filial and fraternal.
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