After a detailed conversation with his grandmother, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, the slight panic that Kangxi himself had not even noticed was completely calmed down.
With an idea in mind, he became much more methodical in his actions, unlike his emotional outbursts some time ago.
Because of this unexpected turn of events, Kangxi carefully examined his children and ultimately focused his attention on his eldest son.
In the twenty-second year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, it was another year for the imperial concubine selection. The eldest prince, Yinzhi, was already sixteen years old. Everyone knew that the eldest prince's wife would definitely appear in this selection.
Families with such ambitions are putting in a lot of effort to send their daughters into the eldest prince's harem.
Sure enough, in Yunyi's Zhongcui Palace, more and more concubines from the harem came to visit her, and some of her close wives and consorts also handed over their entry tokens to see Consort Rong.
Yunyi refused all of them. She knew that Kangxi had already fallen for the trap, and now was a sensitive time. Of course, she couldn't be too conspicuous, lest she incur Kangxi's displeasure.
So she simply pretended to be sick and declined all requests to visit Zhongcui Palace.
Inside the palace, Yunyi leisurely sipped tea, flipping through the portraits of the newly selected ladies-in-waiting. She would first check who the ladies-in-waiting were, then select suitable ones and conduct further investigations. Only after her son was satisfied with the portraits would she request Emperor Kangxi to grant her a marriage.
It's only the 22nd year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. Among the imperial concubines, those from the Hesheli, Niohuru, and Tongjia families are considered to be of good standing.
The remaining clans, such as Wanyan, Xilin Gioro, Guarjia, Irgen Gioro, Fuca, and Dong'e, were of a lower rank.
According to Yunyi's wishes, the first-class candidates were all daughters of the Empress's family. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Yunyi planned to select from the second-class candidates.
In the end, she selected three women she thought were acceptable: the daughter of the Minister of Rites, a woman from the Xilin Gioro clan; the daughter of the Commander-in-Chief, a woman from the Wanyan clan; and the daughter of the Commander-in-Chief, a woman from the Irgen Gioro clan.
After selecting the three young women, Yunyi sent someone to investigate. Finding nothing wrong, she took the picture book to her eldest son.
Yinzhi was already sixteen years old; his father, Emperor Kangxi, was born at that age.
Although he was still a teenager and hadn't seen many girls, he showed no shyness when his mother came over with the picture book.
After looking at the picture album and learning more about the individuals involved, Yinzhi calmly chose the Xilin Gioro clan.
“Mother, this Xilin Gioro woman is quite good. Her father is the Minister of Rites, and she has been educated at home. She is a well-educated and reasonable girl, and she would be suitable to be my wife.”
Yun Yicai also thought that his son would choose a girl from the Xilin Jueluo clan. He had been exposed to Chinese studies since childhood and would definitely like a girl who could read and write and could share common language with him.
Both the Irgen Gioro and Wanyan clans were typical Manchu girls, bright and generous, lively and cheerful. Although they knew a few characters, they could not compare with the Xilin Gioro clan.
Knowing her son's thoughts, Yunyi understood, and when Kangxi came to ask her later, she told him the truth.
Emperor Kangxi was somewhat surprised that Lady Magiya had not chosen a lady from a more illustrious family, but instead selected a lady from a middle-class family, Lady Xilin Gioro.
But thinking about it, it makes sense. Lady Magia has never been competitive, and although Lady Xilinjueluo is not the best, she is the most suitable for Yinzhi.
He was very satisfied with Ma Jia's actions; she is a child-loving person, and that hasn't changed over the years.
So, right after the imperial selection ended, Emperor Kangxi issued an imperial edict, bestowing a marriage upon the eldest prince, Yinzhi, and a woman from the Xilin Gioro clan.
Emperor Kangxi had already discussed this matter with Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang beforehand, and she had many thoughts on the matter once the imperial decree was issued.
“Su Mo’er, you were right back then. Ma Jia is indeed a good person. Over the years, although she has given birth to five sons and one daughter, she has never become arrogant because of the emperor’s favor. She has always kept her true self, patiently educated her children, served the emperor wholeheartedly, and never sought any benefits for her family.”
"I'm overthinking it. She hasn't changed at all in all this time, and I'm just worrying too much. It was one thing before, but now that Xuan Ye has become like that, and her eldest son is being raised quite well, it seems..."
Su Mo'er listened quietly from the side, occasionally pouring a cup of tea for her mistress, without saying a word.
Empress Xiaozhuang was used to her mannerisms and simply sighed to herself, without letting her speak.
Having settled her eldest son's marriage, Yunyi is now facing new worries.
The original owner's younger brother, Ma Jiayunhu, is already twenty-four years old, but he is still unmarried.
Mrs. Ma was extremely anxious about her youngest son's marriage, but no matter how hard she tried to arrange it, her son wouldn't take any action.
For this reason, Ma Jia's wife complained to Yun Yi countless times.
Yunyi couldn't understand it either. People in ancient times got married very early. Ma Jiayunhu didn't get married until he was twenty because he wanted to focus on the imperial examinations.
After he passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi, so many matchmakers came to his home to propose marriage, and so many girls were introduced to him, but he didn't agree to any of them.
This unusual behavior led Yunyi to a bold guess: could there be something wrong with her younger brother?
However, she lived deep within the palace and could not see her younger brother. She could only send her eldest son to inquire why her uncle was unwilling to get married.
Not two days later, Lady Ma Jia visited Consort Rong at Zhongcui Palace again to tell her about her troubles.
Because of her sister, Wuya Yuyao was transferred back to Yunyi's side as a tea-serving maid.
At this moment, she walked over with tea in her hand and naturally heard what Mrs. Ma Jia said.
Feeling a pang of unease, she quickly withdrew after serving the tea.
Madam Ma Jia was completely unaware of anything amiss. She drank her tea and even smiled as she praised Yun Yi, "The palace maids here are truly exquisite, well-mannered, and their tea is exceptionally well-brewed."
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