As a princess, she should have been the most precious and noble person in the world, enjoying all the comforts of the world, but she also had to bear the responsibilities of the world.
Changning didn't understand at first. He sent his concubine to secure the country, but he didn't know where to find a general.
But now, truly stepping into history, into the royal court, into the heart of this vortex of power, Changning realizes that saying it this way is really too narrow-minded.
When a Qing princess marries into Mongolia, she does not rely on her frail body or a thin marital bond to maintain the relationship between the two sides. Instead, she comes to a corner of the Qing Dynasty as an envoy of the emperor and with the honor of being a daughter of the royal family. She participates in politics, wields power, and firmly holds Mongolia in the hands of the Qing imperial family.
In other words, the Qing princess's pacification of Mongolia was more of a political undertaking, an effort made for national unity and border stability, much like the establishment of supervisory offices in border regions.
From this perspective, a princess's nobility lies not in her bloodline, but in the freedom she possesses to break free from the constraints of womanhood and to wield power just like men.
Take, for example, the Fourth Princess, Princess Kejing. Princess Kejing's reputation was even known in modern-day Changning. This was simply because she was exceptionally outstanding, practically the benchmark for princesses of the Qing Dynasty.
Princess Kejing's mother was Consort Yi's younger sister, Noble Lady Guoluo. Because her birth mother's rank was not high, she married Borjiginchi, a Khalkha prince named Dundobdorji.
The Khalkha tribe was located in a remote area with a harsher environment than other places. However, Princess Kejing quickly established herself and later took control of the entire Khalkha tribe's political affairs, wielding immense power in both southern and northern Mongolia.
Princess Kejing's residence was an independent kingdom within Guihua City. Not only was it not subject to local jurisdiction, but generals and commanders had to kneel and pay their respects to her.
She also had the power to participate in politics and the obligation to oversee the country. It can be said that she was like an empress in Khalkha, truly realizing the life of a powerful female leader.
And what about the husband of such an outstanding princess?
Historical records describe him as mediocre and incompetent.
Changning looked at Consort Rong, who was sitting in a high position. Due to her anxiety and hard work over the past few days, she seemed to have aged more than ten years in an instant. Compared with Consort De, who was chatting and laughing beside her, they looked like they were from two different generations.
Changning wondered to herself, "Does Emperor Kangxi really not know about Princess Rongxian's current situation? Has he not received the letter?"
They simply considered it a trivial matter. Compared to maintaining relations with Mongolia and controlling the economic and military lifeline of the Bairin tribe, what was taking a concubine?
If Princess Rongxian were any more lucid, she would have followed Princess Kejing's example and placed her hopes for a better life on the Qing Dynasty.
You must understand that men are unreliable, and your husband's family is even more unreliable. Your own family, which you can use to your advantage, is the real source of support. Keep true power firmly in your own hands.
Perhaps Consort Rong knew this in her heart, but she still hoped that her daughter could live a simple and happy life.
The pursuit of power and freedom is not the dream of every woman in the world.
Perhaps they believe that marital harmony is the most important thing.
And so, Changning's mind was in turmoil all night. After returning home, she quickly arranged for the children to sleep, and then she felt a little better.
As usual, the Crown Prince and Hongxi were the focus of attention on New Year's Eve this year, followed by Prince Zhi.
This year there were a few more imperial grandsons, but only the twins received more praise from Emperor Kangxi, which made the Third Prince say sourly, "Having a good son is truly a blessing, don't you think, Fourth Prince?"
Yinzhen didn't even bother to acknowledge him: "Yes, Third Brother. I wish you the same good fortune, and that many more people like Hongqing will have it."
"You!" The Third Prince's face turned red. Someone like Hongqing was better off not having at all!
Fourteen was overjoyed; he loved seeing his older brothers make fools of themselves, laughing so hard he was doubled over: "Hahahahahaha!"
The Third Prince was immediately displeased, his eyes wide with anger. The Fourteenth Prince was laughing at him to his face. Did he still have any dignity as an older brother?
"Fourteenth Brother! What are you laughing at?!"
"I wasn't laughing at you, Third Brother, hahaha, really!" Fourteenth Brother couldn't stop laughing, laughing until his stomach hurt. He even had the eunuch next to him rub his stomach while laughing, "I really wasn't laughing at you, Third Brother."
"If you didn't laugh at me, then you've committed a breach of etiquette in front of the Emperor, and Father Emperor is still here!"
The third brother was really accusing someone of something serious; he was so angry that he spoke without thinking.
The fourteenth brother's laughter stopped abruptly, and he looked like a goose whose neck had been grabbed, his stomach twitching.
Yinzhen was slightly displeased. After all, he was his own younger brother, and he wanted to say something on his behalf, but the Eighth Prince beat him to it.
He smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "Why should Third Brother and Fourteenth Brother take it to heart? He's always been a cheerful child, still a kid at heart. If he's bothered Third Brother, I'll apologize on his behalf."
After saying this, the Eighth Prince picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.
Seeing this, the fourteenth prince wanted to say something, but after being glared at by Yinzhen, he stopped talking.
Seeing that the Eighth Prince had given him a way out, the Third Prince couldn't say anything more. He wasn't the type to label or accuse his brothers.
After leaving the palace gates, everyone got into their own carriages, but the Fourteenth Prince couldn't help but go to the Eighth Prince to thank him.
"Thank you, Myna, for speaking up for me earlier."
The Eighth Prince smiled gently and kindly: "Fourteenth Brother, there's no need to say more about our relationship. Besides, Third Brother is our brother after all, and he didn't mean to make things difficult for you."
Brothers?
He does have a fourth brother who shares the same father and mother, but where was his good brother hiding when he was being bullied by the third brother?
He didn't dare stand up for himself, only glared at his own younger brother; the fourteenth brother said goodbye. Who cares about this lousy older brother?
The thirteenth prince said he wanted this brother.
In fact, after returning to his residence, Yinzhen sent Su Peisheng to select two boxes of treasures left to him by his mother, Tong Eniang, and deliver them to the Third Prince's residence as New Year's gifts.
The Third Prince could tell at a glance that the Fourth Prince was apologizing on behalf of the Fourteenth Prince.
Sigh, the fourth brother still values ​​brotherhood! If he had a younger brother like the fourteenth, he would have thrown him away long ago. It's a good thing he's the fourth; he's really good at enduring things.
However, thinking of his siblings, he was also very worried about his older sister, Princess Rongxian.
His sister was having a hard time, so of course he had to stand up for her. However, his father's attitude was quite clear: the old man didn't want to get involved.
It wasn't that Emperor Kangxi didn't love his daughters, but rather that he felt a Qing princess shouldn't be preoccupied with romantic love. If she were constantly thinking about how to win back her husband's heart, where would she find the energy to manage the grasslands?
However, they cannot be left unattended, otherwise the Bahrain tribe will feel that the Qing Dynasty does not value this princess, and it will be difficult for the princess to regain power.
In fact, Yinzhen was also thinking about this question. So when the Third Prince came to him, he said, "Mulan Hunting Ground."
Hearing the music, he understood the meaning behind it. After returning home, the Third Prince requested permission to hold a spring hunt at the Mulan Hunting Grounds in March.
The spring hunt was a minor matter; what was more important was that Emperor Kangxi met with various Mongol tribes, including the Balin tribe in southern Mongolia, where Princess Rongxian resided.
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