He Xue discovered that most of the young ladies selected this time were aiming for Emperor Kangxi. This year was the thirty-fourth year of Kangxi's reign, and Kangxi was forty years old, the age of no confusion, mature, steady and charming.
Moreover, Kangxi held the reins of power over the entire country. If he were selected to enter the palace, he would not only enjoy great favor but also bring glory to his family. Therefore, compared to others, Kangxi was the first choice.
After all, apart from the eldest prince, the other princes have just gotten married and it's unlikely they'll add anyone to their households. It's even more impossible for the crown prince to do so, as the crown princess position already belongs to He Xue. The crown prince hasn't even gotten married yet, and it's even less likely that anyone will enter Yuqing Palace. So, it seems that Kangxi is the best candidate right now.
Of course, not all princes' residences are no longer accepting people. I heard that Consort Liang is preparing to select one or two people for the Eighth Prince.
Inside Yonghe Palace, the Eighth Prince respectfully said to Consort Liang, who was seated in the main seat, "Mother, I have just gotten married, and it is really not appropriate for anyone to enter the mansion!"
"The Wanyan clan woman I chose for you this time is someone whose father is likely to take over Suhetai in the future, which will be helpful to you."
"I never expected the Emperor to betroth Hexue to the Crown Prince. If I had known, I shouldn't have let that fool Ninth Princess intervene. I should have acted directly and maybe I could have stopped Hexue from marrying the Crown Prince!" Consort Liang regretted her actions as she mentioned this.
"Mother, what do you mean by this?" the Eighth Prince asked in surprise. Could it be that the affair with Xue was his mother's idea?
"I sent someone to tell the Ninth Princess that the Emperor had intended to send He Xue to Mongolia for a political marriage, but He Xue climbed up to the Crown Prince in order to avoid marrying far away!" Consort Liang said disdainfully, looking at the Eighth Prince's surprised expression.
“Mother, He Xue is innocent. We shouldn’t drag her into this!” the Eighth Prince said, dissatisfied.
After hearing what the Eighth Prince said, Consort Liang looked up and examined him, noticing the worry in his eyes.
"You haven't taken a fancy to He Xue, have you?" Consort Liang asked.
The Eighth Prince lowered his head and did not answer.
Looking at the Eighth Prince's expression, Consort Liang understood everything.
"No wonder you pleaded for her back then. I didn't expect you to hide your true intentions so well!"
However, I advise you to give up on this idea. You are already married, and she is to marry the Crown Prince. There is no possibility between you two!
I can tell you definitively that even if she weren't betrothed to the Crown Prince, I would never make her my daughter-in-law, simply because she belongs to Tongjia Qingyao! Mentioning the Imperial Noble Consort Liang always evokes a feeling of gritted teeth.
"If I find out you ruined our plans because of her, don't blame me for being ruthless towards her!"
"You know I have plenty of ways to make someone die silently!" Consort Liang said fiercely to the Eighth Prince.
"Mother, don't worry, I won't!" the Eighth Prince assured him.
"That would be best!" Consort Liang replied with satisfaction. "Yin Si, once you sit on that throne, you'll have no woman you desire! But remember, you must not let any woman influence you!"
"Your subject understands!"
"You should try your best to give birth to a legitimate son first. This will be the Emperor's first grandson! The Emperor will definitely pay attention to him!"
"These are medicine packets for your wife to prepare her body, so that she can get pregnant soon!" Consort Liang said, pointing to the medicine packets next to the Eighth Prince.
"Thank you, Mother!" the Eighth Prince said to Consort Liang as he stood up.
"It's enough that you understand your mother's good intentions!"
"Understood!" The Eighth Prince replied with a bitter smile. He felt pathetic for himself, unable to do anything as he pleased, and unable to even protect the person he loved.
Now, he has the most people in his backyard. He feels that he didn't marry them, but rather that he sold himself to them because their fathers and brothers helped him. Sometimes he feels that he is no different from a prostitute in a brothel.
When the imperial concubine selection was nearing its end, Emperor Kangxi waved his hand and handed the selection over to Consort Hui and Consort Rong, and the affairs of state to the Third and Fourth Princes. He then left the palace with the Imperial Noble Consort, the Crown Prince, and He Xue.
He Xue was still confused even after she got into the carriage leaving the capital. Just a moment ago she was participating in the imperial concubine selection in the palace, how did she end up in a carriage now?
"Aunt, where are we going?" He Xue asked the Imperial Noble Consort.
"Your imperial uncle is planning to go to worship Buddha!" The Imperial Noble Consort was quite speechless at Kangxi's sudden, unpredictable decision.
"Worship Buddha?" He Xue felt that the royal family had always been quite sensitive about monks and monastic life. Why did Kangxi suddenly want to worship Buddha? And why did he want to bring her along?
"Where does Auntie go to worship Buddha?" He Xue asked curiously.
“Mount Wutai!” the Imperial Noble Consort said.
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