March of the third year of Yongzheng's reign
"Mother, are you really going to bestow Yu Yi upon Hong Yan as a secondary consort?"
Hutu came secretly to gather information.
This month, Changning was busy selecting female officials, bestowing marriages upon Honghui and Nianzhiyi, handling Yierha's wedding, bestowing gifts upon the pregnant Li Suitan, bestowing a concubine upon Hongyan, and also finding time to deal with Hutuli's various questions.
"Yes, what other ideas do you have?" Although Changning was holding account books and the various palace ladies were constantly replying, she still managed to spare a bit of attention to chat with her daughter.
Hutu chuckled, "I just wanted to ask, I think Yuyi is a pretty good person."
Changning rolled her eyes at her: "Who do you think is bad?"
Hutu rolled her eyes: "It seems like everything is fine. Oh dear, Mother, I heard that my cousin's wife is pregnant. That's so fast! They just got married last November! I want to go out of the palace to see her."
Changning waved his hand helplessly: "Go ahead, go ahead, I'm already so busy, you can make your own decision."
Hutu happily kissed Changning and ran away.
Changning let out a long sigh and shook his head.
Sigh, still acting like a child.
Hongyan has already married a concubine, and Yinzhen has chosen two more concubines for him and Honghui to serve him, but Hutuli is still thinking about playing all the time!
However, the thought of Hongyan's two princesses gave Changning a headache.
Honghui chose a girl from the Ulanara clan as his secondary consort, which was understandable given her maternal lineage.
Another princess was Lin, chosen by Yinzhen. She came from the Imperial Household Department and was said to have always served Honghui. They were childhood sweethearts.
As for Hongyan, Yinzhen chose a woman from the Shumulu clan, who was a fourth-rank official, and another woman from the Sujia clan.
It's the family of Changning's second sister-in-law, the girl named Hezhuo.
Changning also remembered He Zhuo; she was a pretty girl with a sweet smile.
Changning had always treated Hezhuo as a junior member of his family and never intended for her to marry his son. However, they ended up meeting during this talent show.
She summoned her second sister-in-law to the palace, wanting to ask her family's opinion. Her second sister-in-law hesitated, but finally nodded, saying it was Su Jia's idea.
Since that's the case, Changning couldn't possibly refuse her second sister-in-law's request.
However, before her son married his concubine and the princess entered the mansion, Changning called him over to give him a few words of advice.
“Hongyan, you are still young, so there’s no rush to have children. Your concubines and princesses are not yet fully developed and are not suitable for childbearing, so you can wait a little longer and don’t need to worry about having offspring.”
Furthermore, Yu Yi is pure of heart and may not be able to manage the household affairs well. You'll need to be careful to prevent her from causing any scandals.
Although Hongyan was about to get married, he wasn't excited at all; his mind was still full of studying and running errands.
Now, Yinzhen is no longer satisfied with just letting him study and understand the people's conditions. He has begun to entrust him with the affairs of various departments, not only to train his political skills but also to train him in how to use people.
For Hongyan, this was the perfect opportunity for his father to value him, so he couldn't let him down. He was focused on doing his job well and paid little attention to matters in the inner quarters. Whether he married one woman or several, it made no difference to him.
So he cupped his hands in greeting and replied, "Your son understands, Your Majesty, please rest assured."
Looking at her eldest son who still hadn't figured things out, Changning sighed.
In May, Yierha got married to Fashan of the Guarjia clan.
In July, Honghui and Nianzhiyi got married.
In September, Hongyan welcomed his concubine into the household.
The sudden completion of three children's weddings that year left Changning feeling as if she were still in a dream.
Especially when Yierha was holding her pregnant belly and smiling sweetly and happily, Changning forgot to drink the tea.
"It's been more than two months already? Then we have to take good care of her. We can't use these cold things anymore. Chuixue, get another cushion."
Changning quickly took care of Yierha, while Consort Mao was overjoyed: "You silly child, you didn't tell me you were pregnant sooner."
Yierha blushed, somewhat embarrassed: "I only had the imperial physician bring her out yesterday, and I've come to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager and Mother today."
Consort Mao's face was full of smiles: "That's good. You can have a peaceful pregnancy and give birth to the baby. Then everything will be perfect. Your mother won't have to worry about you anymore."
Yierha touched his belly and nodded shyly.
Changning looked at the little girl who used to be so weak and clingy, now pregnant and about to become a mother, and felt a sense of unreality.
Time really flies...
Hutuli was even more excited.
"Oh my god! Big sister! Am I going to have a niece?" She grinned broadly, showing her big teeth. "My cousin's wife gave birth to a son the other day. I went to see him. He's so chubby and cute. I bet your baby will be just as cute!"
Yierha smiled gently: "I hope so, as long as he can stay healthy."
Changning raised an eyebrow: "How has Fa Shan treated you?"
When this topic came up, Yierha smiled even more shyly, nodded, and her sweetness was obvious to everyone.
“He treats me very gently and is considerate in everything he does.”
Consort Mao and Changning exchanged a glance. The mother almost burst into tears. Finally, her suffering had come to an end, and her daughter had finally found a good home. Consort Mao felt that even if she were to die now, she would have no regrets.
Hutuli chattered away with Yierha, making Yierha feel embarrassed.
Changning coughed twice, telling her to be quiet and that she could take Yierha to the side hall to rest.
Hutuli pouted, but still obediently followed orders and helped Yierha to the side hall.
When only the two of them remained in the inner palace, Consort Mao knelt down before Changning and kowtowed several times.
"Yierha's success today is entirely due to Your Majesty's kindness. Your concubine is deeply grateful for Your Majesty's great kindness and virtue."
Consort Mao spoke sincerely, and Changning was slightly moved, so she quickly told her to get up.
Just as the two were talking, Tingfeng came in, his steps slightly hurried.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened. Zhao Fuhai just came to report that the First Prince and Hongqing are fighting."
"Huh?" Changning was genuinely surprised.
Honghui and Hongqing have always had a good relationship, so what could have caused them to become enemies?
Moreover, Honghui is currently in the Forbidden City, while Hongqing has long since left the palace and is no longer in the Imperial Study.
Changning quickly asked, "What happened? Where are they now?"
"At the South Third Palace. Prince Hongqing came this morning and was talking to the First Prince. Just now, for some reason, they suddenly started arguing, and then things were thrown inside. When the eunuch went in to take a look, the two of them were fighting fiercely."
"Outrageous! Honghui is so weak! How could he withstand Hongqing's punches?!"
Changning roared angrily.
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