Throughout his life, only his mother, Tong Eniang, was kind to him.
But her kindness towards him carried a hint of strictness and awkwardness, along with other emotions that the young Yinzhen couldn't decipher.
Later, when he became sensible, he learned about his origins and hoped to meet his biological mother. However, Consort De already had young children and her attitude towards this eldest son who was raised by someone else was very strange.
From a young age, Yinzhen became very sensitive to the emotions of outsiders. He could clearly sense whether someone was kind or unkind to him.
This was the first time a stranger had shown him kindness, and he knew very well that there was nothing else involved in this kindness, which moved him.
Is this what it means for husband and wife to be one? The young Yinzhen began to understand this.
His expression softened, a rare occurrence for him. He patted Ulanara's hand and comforted her, "It's alright. I didn't mean to blame you. You did a great job. I'm very... satisfied."
The word "like" was too heavy for the reserved Yinzhen to say; he simply said "satisfied."
But Yunyi understood Yinzhen's personality, and this word "satisfied" was already a very high compliment for him.
"I'm glad you're satisfied, Master. Please eat quickly, we still need to pay our respects to Father and Mother later!"
Yunyi and Yinzhen, the newlyweds, seem to have a good relationship so far, but it's hard to say what will happen in the future.
After they had a simple meal, they packed up and headed towards the palace.
The two first went to the Qianqing Palace to pay their respects to Emperor Kangxi. However, Ulanara was still very young, and Emperor Kangxi was her father-in-law, so it was not appropriate for him to say anything else. He only said some polite words to help the couple get along well, and then sent the young couple to see other people.
After leaving the Qianqing Palace, the two went to the Ningshou Palace, the residence of the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager was delighted to see her grandchildren and bestowed gifts upon them. After exchanging a few words, she concluded the audience.
Afterwards, the young couple went to the Chengqian Palace of Imperial Noble Consort Tongjia. Tongjia had been bedridden for a long time, and she knew what Kangxi meant by bestowing marriage upon Yinzhen at this time.
She was happy to see her adopted son get married in her lifetime, but she felt somewhat guilty towards Yinzhen's wife, Ulanara.
If it weren't for me, Ulanara could have stayed at home for a few more years and wouldn't have had to marry into the royal family at such a young age.
Yinzhen, familiar with the place, led his young wife into the gates of Chengqian Palace. The head maid, Zhou, looked at the couple with a loving expression.
Like Granny Zhong, Granny Zhou had followed Lady Tongjia into the palace from the Tong family and was also an old servant of Lady Tongjia. Granny Zhong was assigned by Lady Tongjia to serve Yinzhen, but Granny Zhou remained by Lady Tongjia's side.
Seeing Granny Zhou come to greet him, Yinzhen took a few steps forward with his young wife and asked with some concern, "Granny, is Mother feeling better today?"
Suppressing the sadness in her eyes, Granny Zhou was unwilling to make the Fourth Prince sad on this auspicious day, so she forced a smile.
"Don't worry, young master. You are doing well. Yesterday, when you got married, I was so happy that I ate most of a bowl of rice. You and your wife should go inside quickly. When you see that you have started a family, I will be even happier."
How could Yinzhen not notice Zhou Mama's unusual behavior? But there was nothing he could do but pretend he hadn't noticed anything and "happily" led his wife inside.
Because Lady Tongjia was unable to get up, Yinzhen and Yunyi went to the inner room to pay their respects to her.
"Is that Yinzhen and Yunyi? Come quickly and let your mother see them!"
Before even seeing the person, Yunyi heard Tongjia's voice. Because of her illness, her voice was somewhat weak and not as "full of energy" as the host's.
The young couple arrived hand in hand, a thirteen-year-old boy and a ten-year-old girl, dressed in the formal attire of princes and princesses, giving the impression of children wearing adults' clothes.
Upon seeing this, Tongjia couldn't help but smile.
When the two approached, Tongjia carefully examined Ulanara and was satisfied; she was a good child.
She reached out her somewhat thin hand, grasped Yunyi's hand, and patted it: "Good child, now that you and Yinzhen are married, you are family. From now on, you two must support each other and walk together well!"
Yinzhen's eyes were a little red, and Yunyi's heart skipped a beat. She quickly nodded and agreed, "Mother, don't worry, your daughter-in-law and the Fourth Prince will be fine."
Seeing that Ulanara nodded, Tongjia took off the bracelet from her wrist and put it on her wrist herself.
Tongjia's eyes were filled with maternal love. She was already a dying woman, and her only worry was her adopted son, Yinzhen.
She asked the Emperor to grant Yinzhen a marriage, knowing that Consort De disliked this son and feared that Yinzhen would suffer mistreatment if he returned to his birth mother's home.
Only when his adopted son gets married can he be considered an adult and live independently, and even then, he will be less influenced by Consort De.
At this time, her kindness towards Ulanara was also out of a mother's heart, hoping that Ulanara would treat Yinzhen better because of her goodwill.
Yunyi fared well in Chengqian Palace and did not encounter any difficulties, but once she left Chengqian Palace, Yunyi knew that her real test had begun.
Judging from the original owner's memories, Consort De didn't dislike her daughter-in-law, but she didn't particularly like her either. On the way to Yonghe Palace, Yunyi felt unusually nervous.
Perhaps sensing the young princess's nervousness, Yinzhen stopped walking and whispered to comfort her, "When we get to Yonghe Palace later, don't say too much. I'll take care of everything."
Yunyi forced a smile, indicating that she understood: "I know, Your Highness. With you here, I am not nervous."
The scene was completely different from what I had seen at Chengqian Palace. There were no maids waiting at the entrance, only two ordinary eunuchs.
Upon seeing the arrival of the Fourth Prince and his wife, one of them went inside to report, while the other respectfully bowed.
Yinzhen did not go in directly, but waited at the door with his wife.
The eunuch who went to report quickly returned, and Yinzhen was then allowed to enter.
Yinzhen kept his head down the whole way, lacking the ease and familiarity he had shown in Chengqian Palace. Seeing this, Yunyi dared not try to curry favor and behaved extremely properly.
The two entered, and Consort De sat at the head of the table. When she saw her son and daughter-in-law enter, her expression did not change.
"Greetings to Consort De!" Yinzhen did not address Consort De as Mother, but only coldly called her Consort De.
Consort De, seated at the head of the table, said in a calm tone, "The fourth prince has arrived. You and your wife don't need to stand on ceremony, please sit down!"
Yunyi bowed to Yinzhen and then sat down with him.
After a few awkward pleasantries, Consort De instructed her maid to bestow the gifts upon them and then subtly ushered them out.
Yinzhen did not refuse and tactfully took his wife back to the prince's residence.
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