Actually, there weren't any strict requirements for the dowry of a concubine. For example, the Third Prince was Concubine Tian, and the Fourth Prince was Concubine Li; a dowry of three or four thousand taels was quite substantial. However, they were both made concubines because of their merit in bearing children, which is different from this situation.
Eight thousand taels is actually quite a generous sum. If He Zhuo hadn't married Yin Zhi, her family would have only contributed 5,000 taels as dowry. However, compared to Consort Nalan, their family wasn't too bad off.
After Emperor Kangxi bestowed the marriage upon them, their household did indeed become more lively, with many people coming to give gifts. However, they were too timid to accept them, as those who gave large gifts all had something to ask for, and he couldn't get anything done with them.
The imperial decree for the marriage was issued at the end of September, almost October, so there's definitely no time for the wedding to take place this year.
However, the capital was still very lively, with many members of the imperial clan rushing to get married before the end of the year. After each imperial election, the capital would be abuzz with excitement for a while. There was no way around it; Manchus had to go through a selection process before they could get married, and most of the imperial clan members also had to be married off by imperial decree. Even if it wasn't bestowed by Emperor Kangxi himself, it was still arranged by him through the Empress Dowager's imperial edict.
In mid-October, the two princesses entered the mansion with their bags packed. However, everyone was in the Qin Garden. He Zhuo, the primary consort, should have gone back, but she was too lazy to go back. No one could say anything about it, so they just left her hanging.
She simply conveyed the message, instructing the head matron of the household to make the arrangements.
The head maid stays behind every summer, but He Zhuo gives her ice as a reward, and there is also a maid who follows her, supposedly to take care of trivial matters, but in reality, she has to serve her.
Actually, this made things easier for the head nanny, since everyone was no longer in the mansion, and her workload was reduced by more than half.
In "Qinyuan", the work of these senior maids was handed over to Granny Shi and Liu Bajin, who were by He Zhuo's side.
Emperor Kangxi did not return to the palace until the twelfth lunar month, and everyone else returned to their residences.
When Yinzhi and Zhuo returned to the mansion, the two princesses, Gao and Wang, had been waiting there for two months, and they were getting anxious.
It's clear that Yinzhi felt uncomfortable and awkward about being compensated by Kangxi by being given a woman; otherwise, he wouldn't have stayed away from his residence.
Furthermore, he paid no attention to the family of the concubine whom he was betrothed to. It should be noted that after the betrothal to the concubine Nalan, Yinzhi visited the Nalan residence several times, possibly to see Mingzhu, but also because of the concubine Nalan.
During the grand court session, upon seeing the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, who was also his prospective father-in-law, he merely nodded and refused to utter a single word.
However, this troublemaker, the third son, still went to provoke Yinzhi and say sarcastic things.
"Father is so good to my eldest brother. He already has eight sons and has been given a concubine. We don't have that kind of luck."
"Didn't Father Emperor just bestow the title of Consort Tian upon your household?" The third son, Yinzhi, was speechless.
Actually, this was Kangxi's compensation for sweet potatoes, and everyone knew it. But the third prince, being such a troublemaker, wanted to provoke Yinzhi.
"Madam, Lady Shumulu has arrived," reported Granny Shi.
"What's she doing here?" He Zhuo asked, looking at Granny Shi.
"Madam, Lady Shumulu has come to deliver New Year's gifts, and also to measure the house."
"Oh, I understand. Let her in. Have someone wait in the reception room. Bai Xia, you stay here and keep an eye on Xiao Ba."
"Sumei, help me with my hair and makeup. You and Sulan will be going with me to see Madam Shumulu in a little while. Just a simple updo will do."
He Zhuo was originally going to sleep with her youngest son and didn't want to get out of bed, but now she can't stay in bed anymore, so she got up to do her hair and makeup.
"Madam, this rose-red qipao is newly made, embroidered with white plum blossoms. It was just delivered yesterday. Please take a look." Su Lan presented a set of clothes to He Zhuo.
"Okay, this set will do."
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