Chapter 136 Princess Gulun came to the princess's residence, Mu Xue personally helped Kang...
When the emperor arrived at the princess's residence, Mu Xue personally helped Emperor Kangxi dismount from the horse and welcomed him to Jingyi Hall.
Kangxi saw that the princess's mansion was solemn and elegant, with a simple style, which quite pleased him. He sat down and rested, feeling more and more comfortable.
Officials and guards inside and outside Guihua City, as well as Khalkha princes and taijis, had already stood in line, waiting for Kangxi to take a seat, and then came in one by one to pay their respects and kowtow.
Kangxi greeted them with a friendly expression and noticed that the order of the Khalkha princes and taijis was all based on the Tushetu Khanate. Even the Chechen Khan and the Zasaktu Khan, when they wanted to sit down, naturally retreated to the position behind the Tushetu Khan, like vassals.
He originally thought that Dundobdorji was young and the two Khalkha Khans might not respect him that much. But now it seems that he is even more respectful than when Xiantushetu Khan was in power.
Kangxi remained calm, lowered his eyes, took a sip of tea, and continued to ask some gossip about family matters.
It is impossible to discuss important matters in such a crowded place. If we really want to discuss it, we should wait for the small meeting later.
After the lively welcoming banquet, Kangxi summoned several ministers and princes individually to listen to their reports and statements.
This was all done in private, and Kangxi did not summon other people to listen to the report.
To avoid suspicion, Muxue gave up the entire main courtyard for Kangxi to stay, and even withdrew the maids and eunuchs who served him, waiting for the emperor's orders in the corridor between the walls. The crown prince and other princes lived in the east courtyard, and Muxue herself lived in the west courtyard with Dorje and the little princess.
During these days, she never asked about the affairs of the main courtyard. She just acted like a good daughter when Kangxi summoned her. In her spare time, she took the little princess to play with these uncles she had never met.
The Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince did not accompany them this time. Although the other princes, including the Crown Prince, had lists of gifts for every festival, when one looked into it, there did not seem to be any deep friendship between them.
The eldest daughter of the Thirteenth Prince was about the same age as the little princess. She was cheerful and loved to hold the little princess and play with her. The little princess also liked the good-looking and talented Thirteenth Prince and was willing to take him to see her pony. Mu Xue therefore interacted with him more.
Besides, the Ninth Prince, born to Concubine Yi, could be considered to have a few more words to talk about. After not seeing him for a long time, Mu Xue could hardly recognize him. The Ninth Prince was much rounder, with a prominent double chin, and looked very wealthy. Looking closely at his facial features, one could see some similarities with Concubine Yi.
However, the Ninth Prince was a very generous person. When he saw the little princess, he immediately took off his jade ring and gave it to her to play with. He rewarded the servants in the princess's mansion with silver melon seeds. After a few handfuls of silver melon seeds were scattered, the servants in the princess's mansion smiled when they saw him, and were willing to compete to go to the Ninth Prince's residence to deliver gifts and do work.
Even when buying things on the street, the Ninth Prince never bargained. He only gave more and never less.
Seeing how generous he was, Mu Xue was a little surprised: "Giving so much reward money all at once, it's like Chinese New Year."
"What's the big deal? It's a rare opportunity to come here anyway," said the Ninth Prince nonchalantly. "I give out rewards in the capital in the same way. When I go back and see my mother, I'll have something to say. But Fourth Sister, you've done a really good job with Dashengkui. Can you tell me about the management strategy?"
Mu Xue understood that the Ninth Prince could make money and spend money, no wonder. She called Wang Xiangqing and asked him to explain to the Ninth Prince in a proper way.
Dorji went out to ride horses with the eldest prince and his friends. When he came back at dinner time, he said to Muxue excitedly, "Celeng came with us this time. He is now a guard in front of the emperor, which is great."
"Who?" Mu Xue was a little confused when she heard the name. Nowadays, there are too many Mongolian princes and taijis with the same name.
"He is an old friend of mine. He was also a Khalkha nobleman. Later, when Galdan invaded his territory, the two brothers surrendered to the imperial court. When we got married, he also came to the banquet."
"I have some impression of him. He was the one you wrestled with, right?"
"That's him." Dorji said with emotion, "I haven't seen him for a long time, and his riding skills have not fallen behind at all. I heard that his eldest son is six years old. By the way, the Prince of Zhi is also very good at riding."
Mu Xue nodded: "Big brother's riding skills are indeed good. I remember that the second brother went out with you, right?"
"I don't know how he rode away on his own." Dorji came closer and lowered his voice, "It seems that he and the Prince of Zhi don't get along well."
"Just know it in your heart. Don't get involved in their affairs. It will cause trouble."
Dorji smiled and pulled her into his arms: "Okay, I'll listen to you. Muxue told me to go east, I dare not go west."
"You're just a chatterbox." Mu Xue slapped his troublesome hand away, "Stop it, Khan Ama will serve the meal soon."
Dorji laughed grimly and gently placed his head on her shoulder: "Nuomin always wants to sleep with me these days, and I can't get close to you."
Mu Xue also smiled: "There is nothing we can do about it. You just have to wait for a while. I estimate that Khan Ama will set off in a few days."
The couple was affectionate for a while, and then the maid outside the room whispered that the emperor's meal had been served and asked the princess and her husband to come over.
Muxue changed into a palace dress and went with Duoerji. The little princess was brought to the dining room by the Thirteenth Prince.
Emperor Kangxi always paid attention to health preservation, he ate two meals a day, and did not eat mixed food. This time he only ate mutton. Therefore, the dinner was also prepared by the people in the imperial kitchen, and the people in the princess's kitchen only helped.
After the meal, Emperor Kangxi said, "Fourth girl, please accompany me to the street for a walk."
Mu Xue immediately stood up and agreed.
Emperor Kangxi changed into an indigo blue robe. It was not luxurious and looked like an ordinary rich bannerman. Mu Xue also changed into a moon-white plain pattern cloak with only a pearl hairpin on her temples. It could be considered a secret tour.
As evening approached, the sunlight became much softer, not so bright that it blinded people.
The shopping street in front of the princess's mansion was originally closed for a few days because of the emperor's visit. When Emperor Kangxi learned about it, he said there was no need to disturb them and that everything should be done as it should be.
So the market was open as usual, except that there were many more guards at the end of the street, watching closely. Therefore, the street near the princess's mansion was still a little deserted, but it was lively outside. Some small vendors even pushed carts and carried loads to set up stalls in front of the princess's mansion where the huge entourage would camp.
"Take a look, take a look, this is Guihuacheng's specialty beef jerky."
"Mobei's milk skin, authentic milk skin, and ice-cold yogurt."
…
Listening to the hawking, Emperor Kangxi chuckled and said, "The liveliness of this street market is much greater than before."
After a few days of being summoned to listen to reports, he had a deeper understanding of the situation in Guihua City and Mobei. The governor of Guihua City did not dare to take credit for it, but only reported what he had done sincerely. As for the prosperity of the commercial street, the wool lawsuit, and the prosperity of the merchant post road, "all depended on the wisdom of the fourth princess."
What the other officials and garrison commanders said was basically the same, and they all showed great respect for the Fourth Princess.
Mu Xue heard Kangxi's words, thought for a moment and replied: "The reason why we are in this situation today is because Khan Ama personally won the last battle and returned victorious. Only with peace can we have the naturalization today."
"You have grown faster than I thought," Emperor Kangxi said. "You have made great contributions in listening to their reports these days."
"I can't say I have done anything meritorious, but I have done my job well." Mu Xue said, "Since I am responsible for the marriage between Manchuria and Mongolia, I will naturally do my best to ensure the stability of the people."
Emperor Kangxi nodded and said thoughtfully, "You are right. The nobles of Mobei also praised you highly. I heard that you and Tushetu Khan were in harmony and in harmony?"
Mu Xue didn't expect him to ask this, so she smiled and said, "We can be considered harmonious. He treats me very well."
She peeked at Emperor Kangxi's face and saw that he was just smiling but not saying anything. She was a little uneasy and added, "Everyone in the Tushetu Khanate, from the Khan and Living Buddha to the ordinary herdsmen, are grateful for the grace of the court. If the court hadn't sent troops to fight, how could they have returned to their homeland, and how could they have been so prosperous today."
Emperor Kangxi looked away and said, "The Tushetu Khanate is indeed prosperous. It used to dominate the northern desert. Now, the other two tribes are even more far behind."
These words were full of profound meaning. Mu Xue's heart skipped a beat. She wanted to explain that Dorji was loyal, but when the words came to her lips, she felt something was wrong. In the eyes of Emperor Kangxi, was this too biased?
While he was hesitating, Emperor Kangxi asked about something else: "The post station you supervised to build looks very good, and it doesn't require any extra funds from the local government. Please file and compile your plans into a book, which may be used as a reference."
"Yes, my daughter will ask someone to sort it out when she gets home."
Dusk fell and the last trace of sunset glow in the sky disappeared.
After Emperor Kangxi finished his walk, he returned to the Princess's Residence. Mu Xue stayed by his side and served him until Emperor Kangxi was ready to rest.
Back in the west courtyard, the little princess went to bed early because she was tired from playing. Duoerji watched her sleep. When he heard the familiar footsteps, he raised his eyes and whispered, "This girl is having too much fun. The Thirteenth Prince took her directly to the grassland to ride horses."
"No wonder you sleep so deeply."
Muxue moved closer to take a look at the little princess' sleeping face. Children always look very relaxed and carefree when they sleep.
She pursed her lips, went outside to wash and change clothes, blew out the candle and went to bed.
But I can't sleep.
The two people, one big and one small, beside the pillow had fallen into a deep sleep. Mu Xue opened her eyes amid the sound of long, steady breathing.
What is Khan Ama thinking?
The word "checks and balances" is extremely important to the mind of an emperor. When he visited the sparsely populated areas outside the Great Wall, he would definitely bring the eldest prince along with him.
But now among the three tribes in northern Mobei, the Tushetu Khanate has the most prominent status.
I thought about it for half the night before falling into a drowsy sleep.
The day for Emperor Kangxi's departure was set, and the day before, a small Nadam was held on the grassland near the Tumed tribe in Guihua City.
At the banquet, Emperor Kangxi suddenly said: "The fourth princess is very talented and has made great contributions to educating the people and opening up trade routes since she came to Khalkha. I hereby confer the title of Princess Kejing Gulun on you and give you a golden book."
Promoted to Princess Gulun?
Mu Xue's eyes widened slightly, she came to her senses, and stood up to express her gratitude.
Everyone present congratulated the Fourth Princess and Tushetu Khan. The couple was one, and being promoted to a Gulun Princess was also a glory for Tushetu Khan's tribe.
Emperor Kangxi smiled and said, "It is indeed a happy event. It would be even better if there were two of us."
He glanced at everyone and asked, "Is Celeng here?"
Celeng in the crowd was surprised and immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, Celeng is here."
Emperor Kangxi said: "It has been many years since you left your hometown of Sayin Noyan and came to the capital. You were still young when you came here, but now you have grown up. I remember that you don't have a legitimate wife yet."
"Replying to Your Majesty, it is indeed so."
"My Sixth Princess is young and pretty. I am going to arrange a marriage between you and her." Emperor Kangxi said with a smile, "After that, you will be the Prince Consort. In addition, I will grant you the title of Beizi. After the marriage, you will return to your hometown in Mobei to herd and garrison."
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