The palace selection proceeded smoothly, and Kangxi distributed candidates to the imperial family and important officials as if in wholesale.
During this time, Consort Hui and Consort Liang went to see Emperor Kangxi together once. After meeting the emperor, Consort Hui became tight-lipped and only pushed Consort Liang to speak.
Consort Liang never had a say in front of Emperor Kangxi. She would stammer as she tried to express her meaning, but Emperor Kangxi would only glance at her and neither agree nor disagree, before dismissing her.
Consort Liang was uneasy, but dared not complain that Consort Hui had not helped. She returned to her palace, chased everyone out, and cried her heart out before she was satisfied.
Lady Guoluo came to the palace to inquire about the progress. If the Empress is capable, the Eighth Prince's plans outside will go more smoothly.
Seeing Consort Liang's furrowed brows and hesitant manner, Lady Guoluo understood that the matter had not been resolved. She had always looked down on her mother-in-law and said, "Speaking of which, Consort Hui is an exception, and even Consort De was able to secure favors for Prince Yong. But it's the other way around here. Not only can you not help the princes, but the Eighth Prince has to consider your situation all the time."
"It's just a matter of asking for a concubine; Your Highness can speak to the Eighth Prince yourself."
Guo Luoluo found a long-lost sense of pleasure with Consort Liang and did not dare to stay any longer. She was certain that Consort Liang was weak-willed and would not say a word to the Eighth Prince, which was why she showed no mercy.
Consort De, whom the Eighth Prince's wife compared to Consort Liang, was also discussing the matter of bringing people into Prince Yong's residence.
Unlike his attitude towards Consort Liang, Emperor Kangxi took some time to visit Consort De at Yonghe Palace and had a few words with her.
"The Nian family is still quite useful. Their daughter is quite beautiful. I think it would be appropriate to leave her to the fourth prince since he doesn't have many children," Kangxi said.
Consort De smiled and replied, "Your Majesty is very thoughtful. I have met that child once, and he is very outstanding. However, judging from what Sister Hui said, it seems that she has taken a liking to him and wants to give him to the Eighth Prince."
"It's rare that the Eighth Prince has taken a liking to someone. It's not good for the Fourth Prince to compete with his younger brother for her. Why don't we..." Before Consort De could finish speaking, Kangxi interrupted her.
"A domestic pig can't eat fine bran. The daughter of the Nalan family was enough to be his primary consort, but a perfectly good person is gone. I think he doesn't need anyone else. He should stay with his primary consort and not ruin other people's good girls." Kangxi was obviously angry with the Eighth Prince. After all, she was the secondary consort bestowed by him, and she was gone without any explanation. Kangxi felt that his authority had been offended.
"Your Majesty, I will listen to you. What rank do you intend to give to the daughter of the Nian family?" Consort De continued, not stopping the conversation on the Eighth Prince.
“I remember that he is missing a concubine in his household, so this is the perfect opportunity to make up for it.”
Consort De thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, the fourth prince's wife has done an excellent job over the years. All three of her children are exceptionally intelligent, and she treats the children of her concubines with the same loving care. Now, there are still two children in the Prince's mansion who have not yet grown up. I am thinking that if a concubine were to enter the household at this time, it would easily cause instability in the inner quarters."
"Why not wait until this Miss Nian has given birth successfully before promoting her to a higher rank, whether she becomes a princess or a prince? We can't disappoint the elders. What do you think?" Consort De wanted to reduce the rank of Lady Nian.
After all, she was chosen by Consort Liang. Who knows what agreement they reached with the Eighth Prince's household? Such a person cannot be given the title of Consort and cause trouble in the household.
If it were a princess, then it wouldn't matter; she believed Yi Hua could handle it.
When Yi Hua heard the news that Lady Nian had entered the mansion as a concubine, she was somewhat surprised. Wasn't she supposed to be a secondary consort?
Liu Liu had met several of the princesses in the mansion, and she vaguely understood that someone was going to compete with her mother for her father's affections again.
Upon hearing the word "princess," the little wolf asked, "Mother, is the little wolf going to have another older sister?"
The little wolf really likes the eldest and second princesses, so he welcomes older sisters very much.
Yi Hua suppressed a laugh. She remembered that Hong Hui had asked her the same question when they were little. They were truly brothers.
Since she was a princess, there was no need to prepare much. However, Yihua was having some trouble choosing a courtyard. Now that Yinzhen was a prince, the mansion was being expanded, and the original courtyard was already a bit cramped. Currently, only Niohuru's place had an empty room.
However, although they had a house, the location was too remote, and since Yinzhen never went to Niohuru's place, living there would only make them innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.
Yi Hua didn't know if Yin Zhen would be infatuated with this young lady, but she should at least give her a fair chance to compete.
So she asked Yinzhen that evening.
Yinzhen was quite calm about having acquired such a beautiful woman: "Let her live there. It's better to keep her away from the children."
Yi Hua nodded and said no more. She knew that the Nian family had offended Yinzhen. Otherwise, given his personality, he wouldn't have treated them harshly even if he didn't like them.
******
At Nian Gengyao's residence
After learning of the Emperor's decree, the scene of their chance encounter resurfaced in Nian Sisi's mind, and she couldn't help but smile.
Nian Gengyao was deeply worried. If he had known that the Emperor had betrothed his younger sister to Prince Yong, he would not have tried to persuade the Eighth Prince in the first place. Prince Yong was unaware of their previous thoughts.
It's better if she doesn't know; if she does, I'm afraid my younger sister's life won't be easy.
"Second Brother, what kind of person is Fourth Princess Consort?" Nian Sisi was full of hope for her future.
Nian Gengyao didn't share his worries with his younger sister; with the overall situation already decided, it would only add to his troubles. Besides, he believed that with his sister's talent, beauty, and charm, she would definitely be able to change Prince Yong's mind.
Why are you asking this?
"The Fourth Princess Consort has been deeply favored by the Prince for many years, and her position is secure. She must have some extraordinary qualities. Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory. I would like to know Prince Yong's preferences." Nian Sisi's eyes gleamed with determination. She had a feeling that she would succeed.
Nian Gengyao had naturally inquired about her beforehand. He organized his thoughts and said, "To be honest, the Fourth Princess Consort isn't very famous, and she's never shown any outstanding skills in public. I guess she's just average in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. My second brother heard that she's quite lenient with her subordinates, and the ladies in the mansion are all doing quite well. The only outstanding thing about her is that she's very good at raising children. Prince Honghui is deeply favored by the Emperor, and the Prince has high hopes for this eldest son."
“That’s why my second brother wanted you to join the Eighth Prince’s residence in the first place.” Nian Gengyao sighed. “Prince Honghui is just too dazzling. He is unique in the Emperor’s heart. As long as he is well, the Fourth Princess Consort will remain in power. A mother’s status rises with her son’s success is not just a saying.”
Nian Sisi had just returned to the capital and didn't know much about Honghui's special circumstances: "Second brother is overthinking it. Favor is the least stable thing. Wasn't the crown prince favored? He was still deposed!"
"However, it is absolutely impossible to do without favor. I would like to trouble you, Second Brother, to inquire about the Prince's preferences. I must become the person he cherishes, so that our Nian family can also benefit."
Nian Gengyao nodded, feeling somewhat uneasy. In his eyes, his younger sister was perfect in every way, but Prince Yong was simply too stubborn to listen to reason!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
