Time flew by, and it came to the thirtieth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.
Many important events have occurred in the palace in recent years.
In the twenty-sixth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the Empress Dowager fell critically ill and passed away on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month at the Cining Palace.
Her posthumous title was Empress Xiaozhuangrenxuanchengxiangongyiyitianqishengwen, or simply Empress Xiaozhuangwen.
In the 25th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the eldest prince, Yinzhi, married his primary consort, Lady Irgen Gioro, and had already left the palace to establish his own residence.
Because he secretly wanted to surpass the Crown Prince and produce the eldest grandson of the Emperor, Yinzhi and his wife worked very hard. However, the wife had given birth to two daughters but no sons. Now she is pregnant again, and it is unknown whether she will be able to fulfill her wish.
Crown Prince Yinreng has also been betrothed to a woman surnamed Shi (also known as Guarjia), the daughter of Shi Wenbing, a third-class earl and commander of the Plain White Banner Han Army. However, the wedding has not yet taken place because an elder in the woman's family has passed away and she needs to observe mourning.
The Third Prince Yinzhi and Yunyi's son, the Fourth Prince Yinzhen, are about the same age, one being fourteen and the other thirteen this year. Next year is the year for the imperial concubine selection, and they will reach the age to be chosen as wives and get married.
"Your Highness, the Fourth Prince has finished his studies and come to pay his respects. Young Master Forgon is also with him."
At this moment, Yunyi was practicing calligraphy when Ruoqin walked up to her and whispered her report.
Setting down her brush, Yunyi beamed with joy, washing her hands as she said, "Quickly, summon them in!"
After saying this, he turned to Ruoqin and instructed, "Ruoqin, go to the small kitchen and see if the food is ready."
"Yes! This servant will go right away." Ruoqin agreed with a smile and turned to leave.
Yinzhen was a filial son. Even after he reached the age to move to the residence of the princes, he still came to pay his respects three times a day, morning, noon and evening, without fail, rain or shine.
Forgon is the young master of the Tong family, the original nephew of Tong Yunyi, and now a companion to the Fourth Prince Yinzhen. Sometimes he would come with Yinzhen to pay his respects to Yunyi, so she was not very surprised when she heard Ruoqin mention him.
Yinzhen and Fergun entered the main hall and respectfully bowed to pay their respects.
Yunyi smiled and told the two children to get up. After saying a few words, Buyechuk and Hutulinga walked in.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Yunyi instructed the palace maids to set out the meal, and everyone moved to the dining table.
The palace rules dictate that one should not speak while eating or sleeping, but Yunyi, being a modern person, was not used to these rules. Over the years, under her subtle influence, these rules were not observed in Chengqian Palace.
Everyone present was either an imperial concubine, a princess, or a prince—all members of the royal family. Only Fergon was a subject, and by rights, he shouldn't have been allowed to dine with everyone.
However, Forgon was Tong Yunyi's nephew. He had come to Chengqian Palace with his mother when he was a child, and later became the Fourth Prince's study companion. He also frequently entered and exited Chengqian Palace. With Yunyi's permission, he was also there.
During the meal, Hu Tuling kept chattering away. She was the most lively one, and her words made everyone laugh. The meal was extremely enjoyable.
While listening to her youngest daughter talk, Yunyi also called on her three children to eat more, keeping herself busy and happy, but she did so with great pleasure.
He was so engrossed in listening to his youngest daughter that he didn't notice the strange expressions on the faces of two people at the dinner table.
After the meal, Hutu Ling'a clung to Yunyi and acted coquettishly. Buyechuk left first, and when Yinzhen saw this, he quickly took his leave as well.
Because they hadn't been apart for long, Yinzhen spotted his sixth sister as soon as he stepped out of the gate.
He understood perfectly, glanced at his cousin, and secretly encouraged him.
Volgon returned a grateful look, then hurried after him and stopped Buyechuk.
What the two said is unknown to outsiders. All that is known is that when Folgon returned, he had his head down and looked dejected, indicating that the conversation did not go well.
Seeing this, Yinzhen knew what was going on. He was very puzzled, but he didn't know what to say.
On the way back, the two remained silent until Folgon broke the silence by speaking first.
Looking at his cousin, Forgon was very disappointed: "Cousin, no, I mean the Sixth Princess. The princess said that he has no feelings for me and told me not to bother her."
"This..." Judging from the scene just now, although Yinzhen had already guessed this outcome, he still felt a little strange.
Judging from their daily interactions, Sixth Sister should have feelings for Cousin, so why would she say that?
Yinzhen patted his cousin on the shoulder and comforted him: "Cousin, don't be sad. Sixth Sister may not have realized it yet. You are not married yet, and Sixth Sister is not married yet either. You still have a chance, so don't rush."
"Alas! I hope so, and I take my cousin's good wishes with me." The young man, experiencing the first stirrings of love, defied societal norms and confessed his feelings to the girl he loved, only to be cruelly rejected. Forgon was devastated and felt somewhat disheartened.
But as Yinzhen said, it's too early for the man to be married and the woman to be married; there's still time for everything.
Encouraging himself, Forgon told himself not to give up, that his sincerity would eventually move the Sixth Princess.
Seeing his cousin's transformation from dejection to spirits, Yinzhen felt somewhat relieved; it seemed his cousin had regained his composure.
Putting aside his cousin, he planned to find an opportunity to see his sixth sister and ask her what had happened today.
Meanwhile, Buyechuk, back at his residence, was questioned by his personal maid, Mingyu.
"My lady, I don't understand. Don't you also like Young Master Folgon? You've been deliberately avoiding him these past two years, so why did you say those things today?"
Mingyu poured a cup of tea, and looking at her master's expression, asked with some confusion.
Mingyu had served him since childhood and knew a great deal about his affairs. Buyechuk was quite lenient with her. When she asked him this question, he pondered for a moment and then gave his reasons.
"Forgon is my mother's nephew, from the Tong family, a prominent family. We grew up together as childhood sweethearts, and we have a good relationship. I also have some feelings for him..."
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
