He Zhuo chimed in, "Sixth Brother is already a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examinations). He can register for the exams again next year and become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations) or Jinshi (a successful candidate in the metropolitan-level imperial examinations). The martial arts exams are much easier than the civil service exams. I have confidence in Sixth Brother. He is a master of martial arts. Who knows, maybe in two years I will be the mother of a Zhuangyuan (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). Then we can talk about marriage, and the options will be much wider."
Grandmother: "We Manchus marry early. I've heard that Han Chinese in the south, even the sons of noble families, only marry after they have achieved official rank. It's those who are useless in their studies who marry early."
He Zhuo: "That's true. Many of the Han Chinese scholars who passed the imperial examinations in this dynasty did so after they reached adulthood. Marrying too early would distract them and affect their studies."
Lady Irgen Gioro murmured, "So that's how it is."
Hezhuo added another bargaining chip: "Mother, in our large family, when people get married, they all have to marry girls from the Banner. It's been more than a year since the selection ended last year, and the good ones have long been taken. How could someone like our sixth brother choose from the leftovers?"
Grandmother: "When the 33rd year of Kangxi's reign comes, there will be a new batch of imperial concubines. Wouldn't it be better to choose then? But we have to choose from the leftovers."
In this way, the grandmother and grandson worked together to persuade Madam Irgen Gioro to temporarily put aside her plan to find a wife for her sixth son.
Because Hezhuo was close to her sixth brother since childhood, neither Lady Irgen Gioro nor her grandmother felt that Hezhuo was trying to interfere in her maternal family's affairs.
………
A maid in the grandmother's courtyard lifted the curtain: "The eldest aunt has brought the Ninth Prince to offer birthday wishes."
My grandmother's eldest daughter was the wife of Sanguanbao, the mother of Consort Yi in the palace, Lady Guoluo.
Everyone rushed out to greet him. In the courtyard, they saw Yinzhi. Yinzhi glanced at his wife, his eyes saying: You lost!
"Elder brother, elder sister-in-law." Ninth Prince Yinzhen stepped forward and bowed.
Yinzhi: "Ninth Brother, are you also here to attend Old Madam Irgen's birthday celebration?"
Ninth Prince Yintang: "Lady Irgen is my great-grandmother, so naturally I have to come and offer my birthday wishes."
After some pleasantries, the birthday banquet began.
Grandmother's birthday banquet was a very lively affair. The Irgen Gioro family was at the height of its power, and although they had originally prepared ten extra tables, they later added more than ten more to make do.
At the banquet, Father was beaming, Mother was offering her birthday wishes, and the Empress Dowager sent a gift—though it was a private gesture, it was still a gift nonetheless. The Emperor's two sons also came to offer their congratulations. His daughter had given birth to the Emperor's eldest grandson, and he himself would continue to serve as Minister of Revenue.
It's so beautiful.
The doorman was so busy receiving gifts that his hands were sore from carrying them.
The commotion lasted for a long time. On the way back, Xiao Zhenbao fell asleep because he was traveling with the Ninth Prince, and He Zhuo gave him two jars of fruit wine.
The couple took a short rest on their way back; everyone was tired after the birthday banquet.
The next day, the grandmother brought her mother to the palace to express their gratitude.
Although her grandmother was from the Borjigit clan, she was not actually related to the Empress Dowager; she was merely a member of the same clan.
The Empress Dowager was lonely in the palace, so she was kind to these Mongolian noblewomen who had married into the capital. She kept the grandmother with her for a while and they reminisced about their hometown.
Yesterday, Consort Hui also presented a red gold hairpin with five bats holding a longevity symbol. My grandmother came to express her gratitude, so she came to Consort Hui's palace again.
Considering that her grandmother was old and it would be tiring for her to kneel and worship in the palace, He Zhuo stayed with Consort Hui. Hong Yu, the Second Prince, and Xiao Zhenbao also stayed there to wait.
Grandmother: "This servant greets Consort Hui. May Consort Hui be blessed."
Consort Hui: "Madam, please rise quickly."
Consort Hui was pleased to see her grandmother wearing the hairpin she had given her.
You're still in good health.
After exchanging pleasantries, I found that the Empress's charm was as undiminished as ever.
Grandmother and mother suddenly knelt down and kowtowed to Consort Hui. Consort Hui tried to stop her from kowtowing, but Grandmother insisted that she had to, since she was Consort Yi's maternal grandmother. Consort Yi and Consort Hui were of the same rank, and it would have been fine if it were just a normal greeting.
The grandmother said: "Thank you Consort Hui for taking care of my granddaughter. The fact that the Grand Princess was able to give birth to two princes safely is all thanks to Consort Hui's care."
His tone was earnest and sincere, which moved even Consort Hui.
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