Unlike Geng Youran, Consort Xi Wanru truly fell in love with this emperor, whose personality was somewhat unpredictable, over the years. In Geng Youran's view, she even showed signs of being "love-struck".
"Don't be too anxious, the Emperor knows what he's doing."
It wasn't that Geng Youran didn't care; it's just that she had brought it up many times before, but Yinzhen always brushed it off. Over time, she simply stopped bothering to nag.
"Don't worry, I'll try to persuade them more."
But Geng Youran knew in his heart that most emperors throughout history had been pursuing the art of immortality.
Hongzhou had mentioned to her that Yinzhen had personally written several secret memorials in vermilion ink, specifically instructing some trusted officials in various regions to find people or Taoist priests who were deeply versed in cultivating their character and life, and to treat them with great courtesy and send them to the capital by carriage as soon as possible.
For this reason, Geng Youran had reminded Yinzhen not to trust Taoist priests too much, and was reprimanded by Yinzhen for it.
After Wanru sat for a while and left, Qianxue came over and said:
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has just issued a decree that Consort Ning has been promoted to the rank of Noble Lady."
"Hmph, she's quite hardworking."
Now that Geng Youran is a grandmother, her heart and soul are filled with her little grandson. As for who Yinzhen favors, she doesn't care as much as before.
"Just have someone keep an eye on her. As long as she behaves herself, I won't touch her."
"Yes. By the way, Your Majesty, I have some good news to tell you."
"What's up?"
"The Fifth Princess Consort is pregnant!"
"So fast?"
Qianxue smiled and said:
"It was the Fifth Prince who sent Wei Zhu to tell me."
"That brat, I told him last time that the Princess Consort's health should be rested for a while longer, but he didn't listen at all."
"Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince and his wife are very loving. You should be happy."
Geng Youran smiled:
"What you said makes a lot of sense. At least this brat is sensible and knows how to cherish his wife."
The master and servant were chatting in the study when Xiao Anzi came to the door and called out, interrupting their conversation:
"Your Majesty, the people from the Imperial Household Department have arrived."
"Tell him to wait in the main room."
"Yes, sir."
Then Qianxue helped Geng Youran to the main room.
"This servant greets Consort Yu."
"Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, the patterns you asked me to prepare have been drawn up. Please take a look, I wonder if there are any you like?"
These patterns were all prepared by Geng Youran for his grandson at the behest of the Imperial Household Department.
"No, I think some of the designs are from a few years ago. I want something new. Look at what you're trying to fool me with."
"Your Majesty, please calm down. This servant will go back and have someone redraw it."
"Okay. Listen carefully, I'll only give you three days. Also, send someone to Fifth Prince's residence later to take her measurements and draw up patterns for several sets of clothes. Also, make a few sets of headdresses. I have a few bolts of satin that the Emperor bestowed upon me; I'll have them made together and send them to Fifth Prince's residence."
"Yes, Your Majesty. This servant takes his leave."
"Your Majesty, those satins are the newest designs this year. The Emperor only bestowed them upon you. Why don't you keep them to make some clothes for yourself?"
“Those satins are too brightly colored and not suitable for me. They would be perfect for the Fifth Prince’s wife.”
Unexpectedly, three days later, after the designs were drawn and finalized, and the jewelry made for the Fifth Prince's wife was finished, Consort Ning intercepted it on the way.
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. The Imperial Household Department said they are working hard to make it even better than before."
"This Consort Ning is really bold, daring to snatch things from me."
"Hmph, isn't it all because she has the Emperor's favor? I heard that in the past few months, half of the Emperor's visits to the harem have been to Consort Ning."
"Let's ignore her for now. I'd like to see how long she can keep up her arrogance."
Perhaps because he felt guilty, Yinzhen came to Chengqian Palace that night.
"Look, this is a hairpin that I ordered the Imperial Household Department to make especially for you. See if you like it."
"Your Majesty, are you feeling guilty?"
"...You've got guts, saying whatever comes to mind."
In recent years, Yinzhen has become increasingly unable to understand Geng Youran.
One of the reasons he favored Consort Ning was to test whether Geng Youran would be jealous.
But the answer disappointed and angered him.
For this reason, he deliberately did not come to Chengqian Palace for three months.
Just when everyone thought that Geng Youran had fallen out of favor, a dessert from her lured Yinzhen back into his life.
"Your Majesty, you are now the Emperor's father, can you please stop doing such childish things?"
"You don't care about me."
...
Geng Youran thought to herself, "At such an old age, to say such cheesy things, they really have no shame."
"Alright, I like this hairpin, isn't that enough?"
"Then I'll put it on you."
Most women like to be flattered, and Geng Youran is no exception.
Ultimately, it wasn't a big deal, and Geng Youran didn't want to dwell on it any longer.
However, perhaps because Yinzhen warned Consort Ning afterward, Consort Ning behaved herself for a while in the following months.
In February of the eleventh year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, Yinzhen bestowed titles upon several of his sons, including his fourth son Hongli, who was granted the title of Prince Bao, and his fifth son Hongzhou, who was granted the title of Prince He.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! The Fifth Prince has been granted the title of Prince."
Geng Youran never expected that Yinzhen would bestow a title upon Hongzhou.
The reason for bestowing titles upon Hongli was for the future succession, so the most likely reason for bestowing titles upon Hongzhou was probably favoritism.
In fact, Yinzhen did treat his two sons quite differently.
On the one hand, Hongli was someone Kangxi valued and was the heir he had designated long ago.
Therefore, Yinzhen would dote on this son less and focus more on teaching him how to be a qualified monarch.
As for Hongzhou, Yinzhen would show him more favor. Hongzhou was not stupid, but he was free-spirited and undisciplined, so Yinzhen would discipline him more strictly, but he would also cultivate him to assist Hongli.
Perhaps because they only have these two sons at the moment, their treatment is not significantly different on the surface.
"Alright, you're so sweet-talking. This peach-colored hairpin is yours."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Alright. Go take out the steamed pastries and let them cool. Hongzhou will probably be here soon, so have him take them back to Fifth Princess Consort."
"Yes, this servant will go right away."
Many people in the court were dissatisfied with Hongzhou being granted the title of Prince.
For example, Yunzhi's son, Hongjing, was only a Beizi (a princely title).
Because his title of Prince Cheng was not hereditary, he could only be a Beizi, and Emperor Yongzheng never mentioned it to him, which made him very dissatisfied.
So he summoned some ministers and impeached Hongzhou for some of his undisciplined behavior in court.
However, Hongzhou didn't take these things to heart, and didn't care at all.
Hongli privately mentioned this to Hongzhou, asking him to restrain himself, but it didn't seem to be very effective.
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