The husband's IQ is very important
It's a joyous occasion for a newlywed couple to greet their parents in the morning. From a young age, they worried about their son's inability to grow up, about his poor academic performance, about his developing health problems. Now, not only is everything going well, he's even found a wife, and most importantly, they seem to be getting along. What a wonderful thing! The parents are filled with joy, feeling their son's growth.
When they got to Yinreng, the attention halved. The excitement immediately halved.
Silently, the Crown Prince and his wife went to Fengxian Hall. Fengxian Hall was right next to Yuqing Palace. The gate had already been opened and the interior was tidy, waiting for the Crown Prince and his wife.
Go up the stairs and go to the back hall.
The Fengxian Hall is divided into the front and back halls. According to the regulations, grand sacrifices are held in the front hall on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, the birthday of the emperor, the New Year's Day and major national celebrations; on the birthdays and death anniversaries of the emperors and empresses, the Lantern Festival, Qingming Festival, the Zhongyuan Festival, the Frost's Descent and New Year's Eve, incense is burned and ceremonies are performed in the back hall; all the events such as the granting of titles, enthronement, conferring titles, imperial lectures, plowing, visiting the tombs, imperial tours, returning to the palace and various celebrations are only held in the back hall.
It would be too grand for the two of them to go to the front hall, so they went directly to the back hall.
The rear hall wasn't too crowded, and the memorial tablets inside weren't too many. Yinreng made his way to Empress Renxiao's tablet with familiarity. Shujia, slightly behind him to his right, followed silently. The air was filled with a temple atmosphere, with rays of light filtering through the windows onto the inner walls. In summer, the sun's low angle prevented its rays from reaching deep inside. Each memorial tablet was furnished with a quilt and pillow, adding a touch of mystery to the room.
Shujia felt a strange feeling. It was impossible to imagine the situation without being there firsthand. Especially with the numerous tablets on display. Even with Yinreng by her side, even with the eunuchs and palace maids ready to take her orders, even with a dozen guards at her beckoning, she still felt uneasy.
There were eunuchs guarding the Fengxian Hall, and they had already prepared everything they needed. Yinreng knelt, and Shujia followed suit. She didn't know why, but she felt like... Yinreng didn't seem to want to come. Taking a deep breath of the air, which smelled of burning incense and candles, Shujia closed her eyes and prayed silently—
[I am your daughter-in-law. I heard that your son is not doing well... Well, I want to say that he is okay now... How about... let's discuss it...] Before she could finish her discussion, there was a rustling sound beside her, and Yinreng stood up.
Damn! I've only said half of what I was saying! Fengxian Hall isn't a place you can enter at any time! At least let me finish what I'm saying!
Second Miss, it's time for you to get up. According to the rules, you should only pay your respects for a while; you still have to see the Empress Dowager. According to the rules, you must see your elders in the morning to be considered respectful, right?
Shujia's face looked very bad, and she looked very pale compared to Yinreng.
After going out and breathing in the fresh air, I felt a little better.
Shujia felt deeply regretful and wanted to have a good chat with Empress Renxiao. It wasn't that she was superstitious, but things like transforming into a baby with memories had already happened. It was better to maintain a little respect for such things as strange and powerful gods. Especially since that one was Yinreng's biological mother, even if she missed her loved one, she should have communicated with her mother-in-law.
Shujia looked back and said, "Let's talk about this later. It would be so wonderful if you were still alive!" Turning back again, her eyes naturally swept over Yinreng's face, noticing that he still looked constipated. It wasn't until they exited the gates of the Fengxian Hall complex that Yinreng's complexion brightened again. Shujia sensed that Yinreng was in a very low mood, a bit like he was running away, or perhaps he couldn't wait to get out.
Shujia was confused. Didn't Yinreng want to worship his mother? Unable to figure it out, she planned to observe for a while and then, when the opportunity arose, to insinuate her feelings. Little did she know, the mystery in her heart would be solved that evening.
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To save time, the two men rode on a sedan chair to the Ningshou Palace. When they reached the long alley in front of the palace, Yinreng stopped and dismounted. Shujia followed, holding Hongxiu's hand, and stepped forward, their shoulders brushing against his. Yinreng waved Hongxiu away and approached, holding Shujia's hand.
Shujia's ears twitched. Yinreng smiled and then whispered, "Going to the Empress Dowager's is different from going to Khan's father. Khan's father can handle it, and I'm here too. After all, this is the inner court, so I can't stay long. The concubines are probably all here, and maybe there are more... Sister-in-law, be careful. Others are fine, but you should just listen to half of what Concubine Hui says."
Shujia smiled at him from the side and squinted her eyes: "Okay, I'll listen to you."
Yinreng was filled with regret. "Don't smile so foolishly," he said. "This is a serious matter, don't you know? If I had known last night... oh no, this morning, I should have told her about this serious matter." Others were fine, but he was just worried that Concubine Hui would embarrass his wife. While it wasn't excessive, if he handled it poorly, it would have been timid.
Shujia thought, what could Concubine Hui do to me? Besides the Empress Dowager, everyone in the world knows Yinzhi and Yinreng are at odds. If she did something, who wouldn't know why? Even if she did say something, I can handle it. As long as she doesn't cause a rift, who knows who will win.
Shujia looked at ease, and Yinreng's mouth twitched. When he wanted to raise her, he hoped she would be a blank slate, but sometimes, it wasn't good for his wife to be too ignorant of the dangers of the world.
By the time they arrived, the place was already packed. With the exception of the Empress Dowager, all the prominent members of Kangxi's harem were present. Also present were Shunzhi's Consort Shuhui and Consort Duanshun, both of the Borjigit clan, and Shunzhi's concubine, a Muktu clan member whom Kangxi called "Semukenmu Fujin." They had been excluded from the selection of wives for the princes and had never appeared before. They were childless or had lost both their children, and had always depended on the Empress Dowager, residing in the side halls of Ningshou Palace, chanting Buddhist scriptures. Now, they were there to join in the celebration.
The eldest wife, Irgen Jueluo, had also arrived. Her face was thin and heavily powdered, but even from her exposed hands, one could still see a dull, sallow complexion. Shujia's face didn't show any signs of this, but she was deeply puzzled. She had met Irgen Jueluo before, though only a few times. Back then, she had been a graceful and elegant lady. Her demeanor was once calm and composed, but now... even if she straightened her back, she looked exhausted.
There were also all the princesses and ladies present. The princesses wore court robes, while the ladies had no prescribed uniforms, just formal attire.
The eldest wife followed the other concubines and stepped aside, waiting for Yinreng and his wife to finish their ceremony. The Empress Dowager, beaming, waved at the two, calling them over, each holding her hand: "Great, what a perfect match!" With another pull, they sat perfectly, one on her left and one on her right.
The Empress Dowager looked left and right, smiling as she watched, "I've been looking forward to this day," she said, glancing left and right again. "That's great! I'm waiting for your good news!" Shujia was stunned for a moment before realizing what she was talking about. She pulled her hand away uncomfortably, but it stopped and she blushed. Yinreng said calmly, "You're always right."
The Empress Dowager smiled even more triumphantly and discussed with Yinreng: "Your wife will stay and talk to me. If you have something serious to do, go and do it. Wait a minute, I will send it back to you in its original state, okay?"
Yinreng smiled and said, "I'll do as you say." He then said to Shujia, "You go talk to the Empress Dowager. I'll be leaving now." He then stood up and bowed to the Empress Dowager. Shujia quickly stood up and was about to see him out. Yinreng stopped her in a low voice, "No need. Please stay with the Empress Dowager for me." He gritted his teeth and said, "If you don't understand something, just ask the Empress Dowager what it means."
Shujia was confused. How could I not understand what they were saying?
The eldest princess over there laughed and said, "Oh my, they are inseparable in such a short while. The young couple is really as sweet as honey. Don't worry, Prince, I will send the person back to you in a while." She was the adopted daughter of Kangxi, and Yinreng had a good impression of her. He smiled and left.
As soon as Yinreng left, the Empress Dowager asked Shujia to sit next to her again: "Come here, we are finally family."
Now that Imperial Concubine Wenxi had passed away, the four highest-ranking concubines—De, Yi, Hui, and Rong—were clearly Kangxi's favorites. However, everyone knew that Tong Jia was now the most favored, her status effectively equivalent to Imperial Concubine status. She was clearly waiting for the right moment, the perfect time for her canonization. So, she was the first to respond, "Your wish has been granted."
Concubine Yi smiled and said, "That's right. I've been talking about it for two years."
The Empress Dowager waved, "You haven't seen her yet, have you? Take a look. Isn't our Crown Princess very pretty and blessed?" Concubine Shuhui, Concubine Duanshun, and Lady Muktu also examined her carefully and said, "She is indeed blessed." Concubine Shuhui moved closer to the Empress Dowager and said, "You have excellent taste."
The Empress Dowager was delighted. "It's not just me who has the final say; the Emperor's opinion is also fine. Now it's settled. I'm relieved to hear this. Oh, it's just as I thought."
Concubine Duan Shun said, "Looking at the Crown Princess's appearance, she seems a bit like she came from our grasslands." The Empress Dowager clapped her hands and said, "Indeed, her mother is Xiluo Te."
Princess Rongxian laughed and said, "The Empress Dowager is really something. She didn't even tell us who the Crown Princess is, and just told us to watch."
The Empress Dowager blinked: "Oh, I forgot!" She introduced them again, "This is Concubine Shuhui... Princess Balin, you have met her... You have also met several concubines' mothers, right? This is your Concubine Hui's mother... This is your eldest sister-in-law, and this is the eldest girl..." She introduced them personally.
Shujia stood up immediately. Honestly, of all the people in the room, only the Empress Dowager was worthy of her respect. The others... those of the same generation weren't as respected as her. As for the elders... to put it bluntly, if they were outside, they'd be like a curtain hanging. While she sat, they had to stand. While she ate, they had to watch. But after all, they all had official titles, certified by the imperial court.
They acknowledged each one, but none of them performed a full bow, merely bowing. Even then, no one dared to sit upright; some leaned sideways, some returned the greeting. The elders also received gifts, mostly jewelry, all made in-house. Some presented bracelets with five bats, others with gourd pendants, and some with pomegranate hairpins. The Empress Dowager was also pleased to present two bracelets with eighteen beads.
Zichang and the others had arrived early, carrying large trays filled with Shujia's needlework. A new bride always had to give gifts to her in-laws. The rules were similar inside and outside the palace, and any differences lay in the timing of the gifts. Shujia smiled and said to the Empress Dowager, "I've gotten a great deal today. I've received so many gifts. Can I come again tomorrow?"
The Queen Mother pretended to be stingy and said, "I will come tomorrow, but the things will be gone."
Princess Chunxi smiled and said, "We've taken advantage of this. They might have to wait until tomorrow to come and see the Crown Princess, but we've caught up."
Shujia smiled back, "I'm taking advantage of this. I've gotten to know everyone first, so I won't be afraid to meet people tomorrow. If I were to meet strangers all at once, I'd be timid too." She hugged the Empress Dowager's arm and said, "I already knew the old ancestor, and now he's introduced me to someone else. Now I feel relieved."
The Empress Dowager was overjoyed: "That's right, you don't have to be afraid to meet people tomorrow. It's hard for you to meet so many people at once, so talk to your sisters and sister-in-law." That expression showed real worry and surprise, as if she went home for the Spring Festival and found that all the train tickets had been resold by scalpers, and then suddenly, a classmate said, "Oh, I bought an extra ticket and gave it to you."
Everyone was helpless. The Empress Dowager was here again. Was she really stupid or was she just pretending to be stupid? No, she was really stupid! Everyone had to follow suit and say that the Crown Princess was really lucky.
However, the Crown Princess gave a good impression. The other concubines had seen her during the grand selection. She had everything, and she seemed gentle and tolerant. People don't like those who appear aggressive; that naturally makes them defensive. Even if you are as warm as the rising sun, you can't be the scorching summer sun.
The Crown Princess had a dignified appearance, not the kind of person who would play tricks (are you sure?). She spoke gently, treated everyone with reason, and wasn't overly proud of her status. Even if she had some shortcomings, they treated her as a newlywed, still young and inexperienced, which was normal. She was like a gentle spring breeze, comforting and soothing.
Unfortunately, Concubine Hui and the First Lady were playing badminton outdoors, and they felt that the slanting breeze was really annoying.
These two weren't exactly mean-spirited people, but after spending so long in the harem, they'd been tortured by the strange forces that had distorted their minds. Especially since these strange forces were somehow connected to Yinreng. One was the eldest prince's mother, the other his wife. They'd certainly suffered greatly.
Concubine Hui thought: Like attracts like, for every Empress Dowager there is a silly Crown Princess! Such a silly smile!
Irgen Jueluo was in far greater pain. Back when she and Yinzhi were newly married, their marriage was as harmonious as honey. But then, after giving birth to daughters one after another, now four, her health was ruined, and she couldn't help but feel miserable. She had been pampered, too, and now, looking at a happy, radiant bride...how could she not be upset?
Just then, everyone was talking about the hardship of the Crown Princess. Defei said, "You'll have to take care of a lot of things in Yuqing Palace from now on, and it's going to be hard work. You have to take good care of your health. This is especially important when you're young, otherwise when you're our age, you won't have the energy."
The Queen Mother also agreed: "That's right, you are absolutely right."
Then everyone arrived to join in the fun, using the excuse that Yuqing Palace was overwhelmed with work to praise the Crown Princess's heavy responsibilities and high status. Rong Fei was saying, "There are many maids and eunuchs in Yuqing Palace. Originally, there was only the head eunuch in charge, but I didn't dare to make decisions on important matters, and I had to trouble the Crown Prince. Now that the Crown Princess is here, things are much easier..."
Irgen Jueluo thought about it later and realized she was really out of her mind when she said, "Yes, I heard that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is selecting a wet nurse for the Second Prince of Yuqing Palace. Has the Crown Princess heard about this? Do you want to choose one yourself?"
Shujia was stunned for a moment. She really didn't react. The second prince of Yuqing Palace, she almost thought it was Yinreng. She was still thinking, Yinreng hasn't been weaned yet?
Tong Jia was trying to smooth things over. The Crown Princess's face showed surprise, not anger or embarrassment, but... what the eldest daughter-in-law said was inappropriate. Tong Jia wanted to hit someone, but the eldest daughter-in-law was not usually like that. Although they didn't meet often, she knew the etiquette.
Whether or not one knows etiquette depends on the comparison and the context. In the past, after all, she was the only prince's wife in the entire Forbidden City, and no one would say anything if she behaved slightly better. Furthermore, Irgen Jueluo had always behaved well, so today was a real surprise.
Irgen Jueluo regretted her words the moment they left her mouth. She was simply provoked. Last night, Yinzhi had lost his temper, and he was talking about the Crown Princess: "She's clearly your brother's wife, and you're giving her a courtesy... bulabula..." Irgen Jueluo insisted, "She's the Crown Princess by right."
This stirred up a hornet's nest. Yinzhi remembered that there was something he had not told her, so he began to lecture her: "Even if you have to pay your respects, you must not be timid, but be magnanimous... act like the eldest sister-in-law... keep silent and outshine the second son's wife." Irgen Jueluo was dizzy and confused by what she heard. Who was being nagged like this, and what she was being told was something she did not like to hear? She was so angry that she could not sleep well, and her temper was not good either.
In the mornings, Irgen Jueluo's hands trembled as she applied powder. Just like when you suspect you've gained weight, no matter how you weigh yourself, you feel heavier, and no matter how you wear clothes, they feel tighter. Irgen Jueluo's complexion was already unpleasant due to her physical condition, and she felt that no matter how much powder she put on, it couldn't hide her unsightly complexion.
Then I met the Crown Princess, with her innocent smile and a happy and full-bodied look. She was a peach, and I was an old eggplant! ... This is when Irgen Jueluo exploded.
The others couldn't sit still any longer. The concubines, both older and younger, in the room knew the Crown Princess was the future Queen Mother, and the Crown Prince was a bit reserved. Wouldn't it be dreadful not to build a good relationship with her? Furthermore, no one was optimistic about the eldest prince. After all the fussing, the women could see he was hoping for a legitimate son. But who knew that all the daughters would force the Crown Prince to give birth to a son? Such intelligence... such luck... such stupidity... such idiocy! Is His Majesty treating Prince Yu well enough? As long as you don't make a fuss, there's precedent. So... what exactly are you trying to stir up?
Think about it, half of the people in Kowloon are still little kids. The Crown Prince is favored by the Emperor and has just married a wife whose family is spread all over the country. The mothers of the princes cannot yet have the ambition to become the Holy Mother Empress Dowager - except for Concubine Hui who is in a dilemma.
Shujia blinked. Thanks to years of special training, she was able to hold her nerve. She was practically furious, but her face held only a hint of surprise. Her thoughts raced, and she said, "Is that so? Oh, if my sister-in-law hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known! What else could my sister-in-law know? I'm new here, so I don't know much."
The expression was so sincere that Shujia was already grateful to the First Lady. Although she had been mentally prepared, no one had mentioned it since entering the palace, and she had almost forgotten it. If she hadn't been reminded by her, it would have been bad if she, as the "mother", hadn't adjusted her state of mind when she was about to see her son.
His tone became more sincere. "If I can, I will definitely go. Isn't our Second Prince my son? I just don't know if this matter has been decided. Is it the Ministry of Internal Affairs that has decided it and doesn't let us take care of it?"
Everyone's mood was turbulent, and they were just beginning to worry when the Crown Princess suddenly said something like this. Yes, that made perfect sense. Especially... the expression on her face, as if to say that Heaven is above and Earth is below, so natural. In fact, this was also something that everyone thought was natural, completely in line with her status.
Before everyone fell silent, the Empress Dowager spoke up, "The Imperial Household Department has already made the selection. I happened to overhear them choosing a wet nurse for the Crown Prince. It's like this..."
There are two mistresses in the palace... what's the point? One speaks earnestly, the other listens attentively, and even discusses things. One is fine, but the other, at such a young age, doesn't seem so sophisticated. Comparing their expressions, both are genuine. Even with the Empress Dowager playing her true colors, there's no way the Crown Princess seems to be faking it.
Shujia, on the other hand, had her own calculations: Seeing how close the fourth child was to the Tong family, she knew having a bastard son wasn't such a bad thing. Li Jiashi wasn't high-ranking, but she had more than one son, didn't she? She wasn't trying to alienate the two children from their biological mother; at least they could have a good relationship with her.
The Empress Dowager was delighted. "Ah, what a good grandson's wife, she's dignified and completely meets the requirements. Look, look, I've got someone I like and someone I agree with. I've got her, right?"
Shujia is also very happy. Look at how comfortable the Empress Dowager is living. This is the best way to live, isn't it? I'm unhappy, but no matter what... I can't make you happy, right?
The author has something to say: As of now, the opponent is not that difficult to deal with = =
JJ is really smoking today, I don't know if he came out, but he is backstage...
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