The previous dynasty was peaceful and harmonious, and the situation of the Qing Dynasty seemed to be getting better and better.
Tong Wanyan clutched her uncomfortable stomach, her face contorted with pain, unwilling to get out of bed.
Xia Zhu held the clothes, coaxing her patiently, "Princess, Yuqing Palace is not far from Chengqian Palace. The sooner you go there, the sooner we can come back, right? The Imperial Noble Consort is from the same clan as you. If she can take care of you, you will be better able to keep those ignorant servants in check in the future."
Tong Wanyan gave a listless hum: "I know, but it's a bit too early."
Xia Zhu was taken aback by what she said; it really wasn't early at this hour.
Now the position of Empress is vacant, and the Imperial Noble Consort holds the Phoenix Seal. The concubines have to pay their respects to her every three to five days. Back then, they had to get up much earlier than they do now.
She didn't know whether she should mention it to Tong Wanyan, wondering if this lady could endure the hardship of getting up early to pay her respects once the Crown Princess was born in Yuqing Palace.
Xia Zhu's thoughts were written all over her face. Tong Wanyan glanced at her and could tell that she wanted to say something but hesitated.
With a sigh of despair, Tong Wanyan resignedly buried her face in the blanket, mumbled something, and then raised her head again.
"Let's change!" Tong Wanyan said, enduring the discomfort in her abdomen.
The Imperial Noble Consort was able to recall Tong Wanyan simply because Emperor Kangxi casually mentioned her and asked her to take a look at her.
If she's a good person, she can be promoted to the position of Crown Prince's concubine to save face for the Tong family. If she's not sensible, she should be dealt with early on to prevent her from corrupting Yinreng.
Otherwise, given Tong Wanyan's current status, she wouldn't even have the chance to show her face in front of the Imperial Noble Consort.
The affected and pretentious Tong Wanyan became graceful and poised the moment she left the courtyard, her every move impeccable.
The bright orange-red cheongsam accentuated the dashing and proud demeanor of the Manchu noblewomen, making them stand out from the crowd.
The Imperial Noble Consort had just received several lower-ranking concubines and was annoyed by their numerous women.
When the Imperial Noble Consort saw Tong Wanyan approach, her eyes lit up. What a beautiful girl!
"This servant, Tongjia, pays respects to the Imperial Noble Consort." Tong Wanyan bowed gracefully, her clear eyes showing three parts intimacy and seven parts respect.
The Imperial Noble Consort was clearly pleased by her demeanor and beckoned to Tong Wanyan affectionately: "Princess Tongjia, get up quickly. I have never seen such a charming girl before. It is such a pity."
Tong Wanyan smiled shyly, and two blushes quickly rose on her fair face.
Her voice was sweet and clear: "The Imperial Noble Consort is like the bright moon in the sky. When I received your summons this morning, I almost thought I was dreaming!"
What woman doesn't like to be praised? The Imperial Noble Consort covered her mouth and laughed heartily: "You mischievous little girl, your lively nature reminds me of my childhood."
Tong Wanyan lowered her eyes shyly and remained silent, for it was not her place to comment on the Imperial Noble Consort's childhood.
Seeing this, the Imperial Noble Consort nodded secretly, thinking that she was a clever and shrewd person.
"You've been in Yuqing Palace for a month now. How has the Crown Prince treated you?" The Imperial Noble Consort, noticing the maid's wink, steered the conversation to the main topic.
Tong Wanyan tilted her head back with a silly smile, pretending not to notice the abrupt change of topic: "The Crown Prince is an extremely good person. It is truly a blessing that this servant was able to enter Yuqing Palace. Could the Imperial Noble Consort reveal a little about the Crown Prince's preferences? The Crown Prince is so good to this servant, I am afraid that this servant has not served him well enough and has wronged him."
Yinreng, who was eavesdropping outside the door, smiled smugly at Kangxi upon hearing this.
His smug little face made Kangxi want to whip him with a horsewhip.
Despite being glared at angrily by Kangxi, Yinreng wasn't intimidated at all. He was bubbling with sweetness; no wonder Kangxi cherished him so much, he really made him proud.
"Useless! You are the Crown Prince of the Qing Dynasty, yet you are merely a woman. What is there to be proud of?" Kangxi scolded in a low voice.
Yinreng's arrogant phoenix eyes curved into crescent moons with a smile: "My son's princess is the most beautiful."
That's true; when Kangxi saw Tong Wanyan's profile, he couldn't hide his amazement.
If she hadn't already been given to Yinreng, he would definitely have taken her into his harem.
Even though the harem was full of beauties, none could compare to Tong Wanyan's divinely bestowed beauty.
In that instant, Kangxi understood Yinreng's indulgence as a man.
Emperor Kangxi coughed lightly and straightened his expression.
The head eunuch announced in a high-pitched voice, "The Emperor has arrived! The Crown Prince has arrived!"
The people in Chengqian Palace knelt down in response, leaving only the Imperial Noble Consort smiling as she walked toward Kangxi.
"Your Majesty and the Crown Prince have arrived. I have become very fond of Princess Tongjia, and we have been chatting so much that we have lost track of time." After giving a half-bow to Emperor Kangxi, the Imperial Noble Consort nodded slightly to Yinreng.
Yinreng nodded in agreement, then fixed his gaze on Tong Wanyan.
Emperor Kangxi cursed under his breath, calling the concubine a "rascal," and then helped her up, saying, "Rise, all of you."
Tong Wanyan was not Kangxi's official daughter-in-law. When Kangxi came, she could only stand properly at the back.
But rules are one thing, and pampering is another.
Tong Wanyan came from an ordinary family, but her surname was extraordinary.
When Kangxi was peeking through the window, he gradually began to see Tong Wanyan's appearance superimposed on that of another person.
That person was Empress Xiaokangzhang, Emperor Kangxi's biological mother, and Tong Wanyan's great-aunt.
People who are related by blood or marriage must have some special qualities, especially those who resemble their mothers by about 60%.
Emperor Kangxi squeezed the Imperial Noble Consort's hand, and the Imperial Noble Consort smiled and said to Tong Wanyan, "Princess Tongjia, please come forward and sit down. There are no outsiders here in Chengqian Palace."
Tong Wanyan walked out with her head down and eyes downcast, only daring to sit on the front third of the chair, a posture that was more tiring than standing.
He doted on his own women, but when it came to his daughter-in-law, Kangxi valued her character and integrity even more.
After careful consideration and examination, Kangxi was quite impressed with Tong Wanyan and felt that he had not made a mistake in choosing her for the crown prince.
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