Time travel is not a panacea
The chill of spring made travel difficult, and Shujia once again experienced the hardships of traveling. Despite the cold weather, the Crown Princess had a box of winter clothes and several dozen pounds of charcoal to burn each day. What made her suffer was the tediousness of the journey. First, the car was bumpy, then the boat changed, and she became slightly seasick.
There was no need to visit scenic spots. Emperor Kangxi wasn't particularly interested in the scenery near the capital. He had important matters to attend to along the way, including meeting with officials along the way and asking about water conservancy projects. As a woman, Shujia couldn't appear with the men, nor could she run around. Even if they came across something worth seeing, Kangxi would take his children and grandchildren to see the scenery, while Shujia had to stay in her own area.
Kangxi traveled without any important concubines, only two maids and maids. The Fourth Prince brought his concubine, Li, and the Thirteenth Prince brought his newly-acquired concubine, Guaerjia. The Crown Princess held the highest rank in the entire group, so she had to maintain presence and not wander around.
This was also in line with Kangxi's original intention: to show off his prince's happy family to the people in the south.
Shujia's journey was to meet with imperial edicts. She sat upright while being called out from below, reminding her of who was the wife of so-and-so, who was the mother of so-and-so. Shujia's primary job was to project the demeanor expected of a Crown Princess: calm, dignified, yet dignified. This was easy to achieve; sitting still and smiling was a fundamental skill for women in the palace.
The most challenging aspect of meeting the ladies was conversation. Shujia didn't know them all well, yet she had to be able to engage in conversation, avoiding the indiscriminate gossip she'd indulged in back in the palace. The Crown Princess, who had always found ease even with the most prestigious women in the empire, felt the pressure for the first time. Though her status surpassed those ladies, her current role was more like that of a candidate in an interview, her purpose to be judged, not the other way around.
The situation of the Crown Prince and his wife is a bit awkward.
On this issue, Yinreng's notebook was of great help. With the introduction of each husband, Shujia could say more: "Are you from Zhejiang? I lived in Hangzhou when I was a child. It's a really nice place." "Your son was a Jinshi in the 39th year of his reign, right? He is such a good parent." And so on.
After meeting him, they also exchanged small gifts. Shujia managed the scale of the gifts well. These ladies accompanied their husbands to greet the emperor, and Kangxi would eventually reward them. Many of those who came to see him offered filial gifts, ranging from local specialties to rare calligraphy and paintings to direct cash gifts.
Kangxi was aware of these matters, having accepted them himself. At Yinreng's suggestion, Shujia accepted these "filial gifts" and, crucially, instructed those around her not to solicit bribes from officials along the way. Yinreng also instructed Shujia to carefully record the amounts of each individual's gifts, preparing to compare them with local governance and livelihoods upon her return, and to make a comprehensive assessment of the officials.
In Henan Province, a not-so-small incident also occurred.
On this day, Shujia didn't have to meet anyone. Thinking that Xiluo's birthday was also in March, she took some time to do some needlework for Xiluo. Not long after she started, an alarm sounded outside: "There's a fire!" Shujia paused and almost made a needle hole on her left hand.
Xiao Man hurried out to take a look, then came back and said, "Master, there's a fire outside, but no one is injured. The Emperor has sent people to put out the fire, so we're all fine here."
Shujia had been startled, her needlework mood gone, but she had to feign composure and continued giving two more injections. "Got it. Tell our people not to go out and cause trouble unless necessary." She thought to herself, "I don't care if Kangxi lives or dies. What really matters is that nothing happens to my son and my husband." Hongdan is young. Would he be scared if there was a fire?
After two more injections, this time she pricked her hand. She paused, still holding her needle and thread, pretending to sit quietly. As the chaos outside gradually subsided, Yinreng sent someone to ask, "Is the Crown Princess frightened?" Shujia replied, "Everything is fine here. Is there any danger out there? How is the Emperor? How is the Crown Prince? Is Hongdan frightened?"
The outsider said, "My Lord, the flood is still far away from us. It has burned down several houses, but the Lords are not frightened."
Shujia felt relieved: "That's good."
After sending them away, Shujia put down her needlework and couldn't help but smile. The attendants around her also smiled. Shujia walked a few steps in the room and said, "Today, I finally got away with nothing."
Xiao Man said, "Masters, you are blessed with great fortune and are protected by the Bodhisattva. Of course, nothing will happen."
"You're just too sweet."
Shujia cursed with a laugh, and was in the mood to continue sewing. She sat down, picked up the work she had just done, looked down, and cursed inwardly - she had been pretending to be absent-minded just now, and her work was quite fast, but the embroidery was a mess. Now she had to take it apart and start over!
Aside from this minor incident, the journey went relatively smoothly. Shujia simply met with people when she was available, memorized the notes Yinreng had given her, and occasionally chatted with Li and Guaerjia when she wasn't meeting with the ladies of state. These two had even less freedom of movement than the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess was, after all, the legitimate mistress. If she truly said, "I'm going out for a walk," as long as she didn't overdo it, she could still achieve her dream. Li and Guaerjia didn't even dare to say such words.
The Crown Princess summoned them, and they were happy to walk around and get some fresh air. Both Li and Guaerjia had a distinct, uh, "Kangxi family concubine look," with delicate and charming features. Guaerjia, on the other hand, had a bit more of the innocent, carefree nature of a young girl than Li.
Thirteenth Prince's court had only one legitimate female member, Guaerjia, whose words carried weight. The Thirteenth Prince's marriage schedule hadn't been officially confirmed, and Guaerjia hadn't yet felt the pressure of a legitimate wife. Seeing her like this, Shujia could only pick out some unimportant news to share with her.
Not long after Guaerjia entered the palace, Shujia began to ask her about safe topics like the current fashions outside the palace, such as clothing and jewelry. Guaerjia had been fine on the land, but once on the boat, she became seasick and vomited profusely. Today, she wasn't vomiting, and although her face was still a little pale, she was in good spirits. "What's the atmosphere outside the palace? How can it compare to the elegance of the palace? On the other hand, there are many secret techniques within the palace that people outside the palace are eager to learn."
Li was a few years older and had worked under the wife for several years. Although she was also a top figure in the Fourth Prince's mansion, she was more cautious than Guaerjia. She answered whatever was asked and rarely expanded on the subject. She said honestly, "Nowadays, people outside are combing their hair higher and higher, and wearing larger jewelry on their heads."
That was all they could say.
By the time she reached the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, the weather was warming, the scenery was becoming more beautiful, and Shujia had more people to meet. Since ancient times, the Celestial Empire had established administrative divisions not based on area but on population density. Regardless of whether a region covered a few square kilometers or dozens, as long as the population was the same, the administrative level was likely similar. The further south she went, the greater the population density, the more officials there were, and the greater the number of imperial edicts Shujia had to meet.
Because of such social engagements, Shujia even lost the mood to enjoy the scenery.
Instead of looking at the scenery, Shujia often wondered, "I wonder if Hongtong can adapt to school?", "Will Honggui still remember me after he goes back?", "Spring is here, should I tidy up the back garden?"
They continued on their journey. On the way, they received another piece of good news: Thirteenth Prince's concubine, Guaerjia, was confirmed to be pregnant. It turned out she wasn't seasickness, but morning sickness! Guaerjia was packed up and sent back to the capital to nurse her baby.
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Shujia's life became more boring because she had no one to chat with.
She gradually became less worried about Yinreng and Hongdan's behavior. While she couldn't observe what was happening, she could ask questions: the eunuchs accompanying Yinreng and Hongdan, and even call her son over to ask questions. If conditions allowed, Shujia would ask two or more different people about the same thing, thus reconstructing a more objective picture of the situation.
Every time Yinreng returned home, he would talk about the day's events. "The Duke of Yansheng, Kong Yuqi, has arrived." "The Governor of Henan is here. I stayed for a while and then left."
These were all commonplace matters, and even if she asked other people, they wouldn't come to the conclusion that the prince was performing poorly. Shujia consoled herself: Maybe he was just being reliable?
The Crown Prince is now very reliable.
Yinreng was a man with a desire to show off. Well, everyone has a desire to show off. Even a shy person will be enthusiastic in the areas he excels in or enjoys.
Yinreng had always been a center of attention, accustomed to performing under the spotlight. Over time, his every gesture acquired a certain theatrical quality—he had a habit of stealing the show. Stealing the spotlight while sharing the stage with the emperor was a suicidal act. Kangxi was a forgiving and indulgent son. Yinreng had behaved this way before without incident, but if he continued in this way, there was no guarantee of his safety.
After Yinreng realized this, he rationally restrained himself. The more he did this, the more he felt he was not doing enough, so he simply resorted to the tactic of "hiding." Hiding also has its own tricks. When Kangxi traveled south, he passed by Zhang Ying's hometown and took him with him. March was Kangxi's birthday, and Kangxi ordered Zhang Ying to respond to him and sing him a birthday song before returning.
Yinreng, under the pretext of studying, took Zhang Ying to a corner while Kangxi took Hongdan to the stage to show off. Hongdan's acting skills were still immature and he could not steal the show from his grandfather. On the contrary, the two of them worked together seamlessly.
After Zhang Ying joined the Southern Tour team, he also found two other old acquaintances in the group: Mingzhu and Suo Etu. He was shocked: How did these two people get together?
Zhang Ying retired, and although he could still read the imperial gazette, he was no longer well-informed about news in the capital. He was still unaware that Mingzhu and Suo'etu had reconciled. Of course, few people in the capital could see that the two had reconciled. Suddenly, seeing a cat tickling a mouse was a strange sight that could blind anyone.
Yinreng smiled and said, "That's perfect. We're all acquaintances. I brought some good tea with me. Why don't you sit down with me? Khan Ama is busy reviewing memorials and meeting people, so he won't be sending anyone out right now."
Four men, four different identities. Mingzhu caught the fleeting surprise in Zhang Ying's eyes and took a sip of tea, slightly bitter, yet sweet. Clearing her throat, Mingzhu asked about Zhang Ying's health. In fact, Mingzhu was older than Zhang Ying, but Zhang Ying had retired due to illness, so Mingzhu asked about it.
Zhang Ying smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern. I am no longer worried about anything and feel much more relaxed."
Mingzhu also smiled and said, "That's right. The skillful are toiling and the wise are worried. The incompetent have nothing to seek. They are full and wandering around, floating like an untied boat, wandering in the void."
Zhang Ying clapped his hands and laughed.
Suo Etu twitched his lips. "He's obviously clever and intelligent, but he doesn't use his intelligence and ingenuity in eating and traveling."
"Aren't you anymore?"
The three of them laughed.
Zhang Ying was cautious and refused to talk about state affairs. His mind was already churning: How did the Crown Prince end up with these two old men? These two have been in power for half their lives. They must not lead the Crown Prince astray!
Teacher Zhang decided to have a talk with the two students.
Yin Yu Zhang Ying did not shy away from worrying about Mingzhu and Suo Etu: "They were personally chosen by the Khan to accompany me. Since I have met them, I must treat them with courtesy."
Zhang Ying pleaded earnestly, "Your Majesty, accompanied by Your Highness and Prince Hongdan, are on a southern tour to the prosperous Jiangnan region, a region renowned for its abundance and thriving population, and the emergence of numerous virtuous individuals." Lowering his voice, he continued, "Your Majesty is seeking to establish the Crown Prince's reputation. Why would the Crown Prince be so involved with us? The two Prime Ministers have held power for decades, and they are both your acquaintances."
Zhang Ying placed particular emphasis on the word "power." "As a crown prince, you're not trying to establish a good reputation, but you're trying to get close to two old men who've wielded power for decades. Isn't that inappropriate?"
Yinreng understood, but still had a question to ask: "Since Khan Ama ascended the throne, he has been admired by all the people in the country. The scholars in Jiangnan most want to see Khan Ama."
Zhang Ying lowered his head and thought for a moment. "Just follow the Emperor to meet the scholars. If you really have some free time, the Fourth and Thirteenth Princes are accompanying the Emperor. Why don't you chat with them? They'll understand."
In fact, Mingzhu and Suo'etu quickly realized the problem without Zhang Ying's reminder.
Mingzhu: The prince seems to be hiding from people and has even come to hide here with us.
Suo Etu: The prince is still so close to us, but isn't he neglecting others? The Southern Tour is a great opportunity to gain popularity nationwide!
In an era when information was not well developed, besides strong propaganda from the state, gossip from the masses, and tabloid writing by scholars, attending large-scale events was also a very important way to gain a good reputation.
Even after promoting his son as a cute figure, Yinreng was still caught between a rock and a hard place. When meeting with officials, Yinreng would first promote his well-educated son, suggesting that the crown prince's upbringing was good, and therefore that he himself was not bad. By creating a favorable impression, Yinreng would receive favorable comments even if he showed less—and because he appeared less often, the evaluations wouldn't be overly enthusiastic.
The further south they go, the worse the situation becomes. Hongdan, a child, cannot control the situation. If Yinreng continues to hide, Kangxi will be dissatisfied again - especially if Yinreng hides with a pair of old men.
The crown prince gritted his teeth and came out, standing at the bow of the ship with his father to enjoy the breeze.
The three old men's tea party had one more person: Gao Shiqi. It was just enough to fill up a mahjong table.
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Such a hard life was somewhat less severe in Shandong, the hometown of Confucius and a culturally rich province, so Yinreng could endure it for a while. Once they entered Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Yinreng would have to be constantly by Kangxi's side. When the Manchu army marched south, the brutality in Jiangsu and Zhejiang was most severe, and this was also the area Kangxi focused on. In Shandong, the descendants of Confucius did not resist shaving their heads very strongly; after several arguments, their family finally shaved their heads.
When Shujia heard she had entered Jiangsu, she was eager to see the legendary Jiangning Weaving House, but her plan hadn't allowed her to stop there until she was on her way back. She could only pass by Jiangning, then head straight to Zhenjiang, and then, after visiting Changzhou, Suzhou, and Hangzhou, she finally stopped by Jiangning on her way back.
Jinshan Jiangtian Temple, Suzhou Tiger Hill, Hangzhou West Lake...
Hongdan was so excited about everything that he could barely contain himself. Yinreng, who accompanied Kangxi on his travels, would remind him from time to time. After being prodded twice by his father, Hongdan became anxious, and the child, who had been calm for a long time, felt like crying.
Yinreng had no choice but to pull him over, lean over and coax him softly: "Why are your eyes red? Although the scenery of Jiangnan is beautiful, just look at it, but don't be too obsessed with it." From then on, he held his son's hand and explained to him where this place was and what stories there were.
Kangxi's journey south went smoothly. He was accompanied by four old comrades, Mingzhu, Suo'etu, Zhang Ying and Gao Shiqi. Among these four people, except Zhang Ying who was relatively taciturn, the other three were all smart people. They had practiced Taoism for so long that their skills were even more advanced, which made Kangxi feel elated.
A few old men were chatting about cultural relics and anecdotes. Kangxi was in the mood to popularize knowledge for his grandson. As usual, he reached out and found that he had lost his grandson: "Where is Hongdan?"
Wei Zhu stepped forward and replied, "Prince Hongdan is over there with the Crown Prince."
Kangxi looked in the direction Wei Zhu stretched out her arm and saw Yinreng five steps away, holding his son with one hand and pointing at the scenery with the other, explaining something.
The four old men flattered him fiercely. Mingzhu said, "The father is kind and the son is filial. I congratulate the master and there will be a successor."
As soon as he opened the mouth, the others followed suit, making Kangxi smile with joy. He shouted, "Why did you two run so far? Come back."
Yinreng came over with his son and said: "The scenery in Jiangnan is so beautiful, the mountains and rivers are full of spirits."
Hongdan reported his achievements to Kangxi: "I often read the poems of Su Shi and Bai Juyi, and I know that they served in government, but I didn't know that they also did practical work."
Kangxi coughed and pulled his grandson over: "Of course. Apply what you have learned..." He started teaching politics again. Hongdan listened obediently, while the rest of the people exchanged glances and shut up.
When Yinreng came back in the evening, he said to Shujia, "Hongdan is just a child after all, and he still loves to play."
Shujia said, "How fresh! You just realized he's still young, right? Kids love to play and see new things. Even adults like to take a look at things they haven't seen before. If they're not curious, they won't be interested in learning, right?"
"Well, well, well, I've brought all of you here with just one word. What do you think of these imperial edicts you've seen today?"
"I can't tell how deep a relationship is after just one meeting. Everyone only says a few words to me," Shujia put down the willow branch she was looking at. "Women's affairs are nothing more than trivial matters."
Yinreng reached out and picked up the branch: "Don't move. If you hold it like this, I'll see that it looks like a Bodhisattva."
Shujia raised her hand and pulled it away: "You are making fun of me. It's okay to make fun of me, but you even made up a story about the Bodhisattva."
Yinreng clasped his hands together again and said, "It's a sin, it's a sin, so I'm being beaten."
Shujia's hands shook with laughter, and the willow branch fell to the carpet, making it difficult to pick it up. Yinreng saw her shaking with laughter and stepped forward to hug her: "How can you beat her like this?"
"Even if I'm defeated, it's not considered a skill. I heard there's going to be a martial arts performance later. It would only be considered a skill if you win the prize then."
Yinreng picked him up and said, "Step by step—"
River crab, river crab.
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Shujia could clearly sense that Yinreng was in a very good mood. On the way south, Yinreng's moods had changed quite well. By "perfectly," she meant that Shujia could sense them. After nearly ten years of marriage, Shujia had a good grasp of Yinreng's moods, and her conclusions were essentially identical to Yinreng's true state.
Yinreng left the capital with melancholy, not wanting to draw attention. The Crown Prince sought safety, and keeping a low profile was the best path. Forced by circumstances, he emerged, filled with anxiety. Ultimately, it was Kangxi's actions that healed him. Meeting with commoners and scholars, Kangxi flanked his son and grandson, with the Fourth and Thirteenth Princes seated slightly closer to Hongdan.
Kangxi even specifically ordered Yinreng to meet more often with the famous scholars in Jiangnan: "These people have both backbone and sourness, and are both lovable and hateful. Dealing with them is not easy. You can't ignore them forever. Take this opportunity to meet them and have a chat."
It was clearly still the emperor father who taught him how to write, analyzed each event for him, and taught him how to handle state affairs!
Yinreng truly felt Kangxi's protection and love, his restless heart calmed down, and his actions became more natural.
The Crown Prince was in a good mood, and so was the Crown Princess, and everyone was in high spirits. The only discordant factor in the entire group was the couple—their sense of crisis was so strong that it made them a little paranoid. The Crown Prince finally regained his composure before the grand review.
Hangzhou had a large garrison of bannermen, and their battalions had been conducting exercises since the previous year, preparing for an inspection by the emperor. But Kangxi, a leader known for his display, actually brought his own children and grandchildren to perform! They even demonstrated archery in front of professional soldiers!
From this point of view, stealing the show when sharing the stage with Kangxi is really asking for trouble! Yinreng restrained his desire to perform and focused his attention on his son, guiding him on horseback riding and showing him the essentials of getting on and off the horse. It was not until Kangxi hit the target with his archery and the crowd cheered "Long live Kangxi" that Yinreng let go of his son: "Look, let me show you how to ride."
It's the Crown Prince's turn.
Yinreng's archery and horsemanship were quite proficient, so much so that, under Kangxi's strict assessment, he was even better than some of the slacking professional soldiers. Another perfect score.
Next, Kangxi ordered the Fourth Prince and the Thirteenth Prince to perform archery, and they also performed very well.
As a biased old man, Kangxi put his own grandson at the finale.
Hongdan was still young and small in stature, so the horse he rode was also smaller. Even so, he still wore a small set of armor and was fully armed with a saddle, a bow and arrow, and even a water bottle hanging on the side.
He rode his horse up to Kangxi and asked for permission. After receiving the permission, he dismounted, drew his bow and drew his arrow.
"Bang!" It hit the target! Well, it was just a little off, the tip of the arrow piercing the edge of the bull's eye.
Hongdan was slightly disappointed; he'd always managed to hit the bull's eye when practicing archery in the palace. A little sweat formed on his palms, and he quietly wiped the sweat off as he shifted the bow from his left hand to his right. He looked up, first at Kangxi and then at Yinreng, and received encouraging glances from both. Kangxi even raised his hand, signaling for another shot. "I brought you here to show you how to do it," he said.
Meanwhile, Shujia was still anxiously waiting at the station. Like every parent waiting for their child's exam, she was even more nervous than the actual test-taker. Parents accompanying their children to take exams were allowed to circle outside the walls of the examination hall, but the poor Crown Princess, despite her noble status, wasn't even allowed to see the walls of the examination hall.
This was Hong Dan's debut performance. If the performance wasn't satisfactory, it would be hard to say when he would be able to redeem himself. If the performance went badly, it would easily leave Hong Dan feeling frustrated.
As they waited, they seemed to hear deafening sounds coming from the direction of the parade ground from afar, including the drums and music of the emperor's procession, the beating of war drums, and the sound of people chanting to the gods.
Shujia got nervous and picked up her half-finished needlework, only to put it down after two stitches. Couldn't we make a big scene? What if the child got scared?
After waiting and waiting, finally——
"Mother!"
Shujia stood up suddenly, so suddenly that her vision went dark for a moment.
Yinreng brought his son over and said, "He's really been in the spotlight today."
Hongdan's face flushed, his eyes sparkling: "Mother, I shot three arrows today, uh, and hit two and a half."
As they talked, they took off their somewhat bulky clothes.
Shujia asked in surprise, "How do you say 'half'?"
Hongdan felt embarrassed and scratched the back of his head, causing his thin braid to twitch. Yinreng made a mocking noise nearby, and it was as if Hongdan had activated a voice control switch. He dropped his hands and scurried behind Shujia, making a face of grievance at Yinreng.
Shujia looked at Yinreng and said, "Go ahead."
Yinreng coughed, lifted the hem of his robe, and sat down on the embroidered cushion. "The first arrow he shot hit the edge of the bull's eye, but the last two arrows hit it."
Hongdan jumped out and pulled Yinreng's sleeve unwillingly: "Father, Father! We agreed that I would say it myself." Hum, hum, hum.
Shujia laughed. When he was in the palace, Hongdan acted like a grown-up. But when he was outside, his personality was liberated. She asked them to change their clothes.
"Okay, you're all tired and sweaty, change your clothes quickly to avoid getting hurt. Don't let it be cold when you come here, but you might catch a cold on the way back."
It's time to return. Hangzhou is the end point of this southern tour.
And Shujia is about to see the Jiangning Weaving House from more than 300 years ago.
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At the end of February, the emperor disembarked at Jingkou and traveled by land to Jiangning Prefecture. He stayed in Jiangning City and was welcomed by the common people on their knees.
Shujia's car went straight into the inner house, and Cao Yin's mother, Sun, led a group of female relatives to greet them at the door.
When the curtains were lifted, Shujia saw an elderly woman with silver hair standing at the front of the procession. She knew it was Sun. Her husband, Cao Xi, held the title of Shangshu, and she herself, counting from her husband's rank, was a first-rank lady. In the Yimao year (the 38th year of the Kangxi reign), Emperor Kangxi stopped here during his southern tour. Not only did he inscribe "Xuanrui Hall" as a gift to the Cao family, he also addressed Sun directly, saying, "This is my elder."
Shujia didn't dare to act arrogantly. She got off the car steadily. Seeing the women of the Cao family bowing, she quickly ordered Sun to be helped up. A smile spread across her face: "Madam, you are an old servant of Khan Ama. How can I bear your courtesy?"
Sun was over seventy years old, but she was still in good spirits. Ever since Kangxi grew up, she had returned home. The Cao family was also a family of officials, and she was like an old feudal lord, with a group of servants waiting on her. She lived a very comfortable life, and every wrinkle on her face showed her comfort.
He personally asked Shujia to sit in the main room, and Sun accompanied her.
Shujia politely inquired about the identities of the women in the Cao household. Sun carefully introduced them: Cao Yin's step-wife, Li, and his eldest daughter, Da Niu. Cao Yin's eldest son, Cao Yong, was fifteen years old and still unmarried. There weren't many women in the Cao household at the moment.
Shujia knew that Li was Li Xu's cousin, and she casually brought up the Suzhou incident. She was more interested in the eldest daughter of the Cao family. She knew this girl: Cao Xueqin's aunt, the future wife of Prince Ping. She was still a ten-year-old girl, already growing her hair, and dressed in a soft pink Manchu dress, clutching a handkerchief, standing quietly behind her grandmother.
Sun was a little proud when she found that Shujia was more interested in her: "This is my granddaughter. I am a young woman who has never seen the world."
Shujia saw that the little girl's cheeks were flushed and she was a little dissatisfied, but she smiled and said, "It's hard to say, maybe it's just a matter of luck." She called her over and took a closer look. The little girl had beautiful eyebrows and eyes, with the gracefulness of a water town, and her behavior was not frivolous.
Shujia asked her about her age, what books she had read, etc., and Da Niuniu answered them one by one. She was very eloquent and very likable.
Shujia glanced at the women in Cao's family: "It's better to have a daughter. She's as pretty as a flower, and it makes you feel comfortable. Bring it here." She had prepared a lot of rewards before she left. The Cao family was Kangxi's trusted spies in Jiangnan, so they were well prepared.
In addition to Sun's first prize, Shujia also gave Da Niuniu a complete set of headgear and said, "I feel close to her when I look at her."
It would be inappropriate to try to establish any relationship with the Cao family, as they were Kangxi's people after all, so Shujia chose this as a breakthrough point. It was also because she was extremely curious about this girl!
Before I traveled through time, I just memorized some cultural knowledge to prepare for the exam, and I didn't think there was anything special about it. But now, after traveling through time, I finally understand the meaning. A bondservant became the wife of a royal concubine, and her son inherited the title. Most importantly, she and her husband are living happily and have children!
Worth watching.
It’s a pity that Cao Xueqin, the one who deceived his readers, has not been reincarnated yet, otherwise she really wants to watch it too.
The meeting with the women of Cao's residence went smoothly and the atmosphere was very harmonious. After a short break, the women of Cao's residence invited the Crown Princess to visit the garden.
Shujia had just that in mind. From the moment she entered the weaving house, she sensed a difference between it and the palace. While the palace was stately, this place was exquisite. Perhaps for the emperor's sake, the furnishings had been meticulously crafted, and many of the furnishings, in Shujia's opinion, would be considered first-rate in the palace. The foundation of the Eastern Palace, after all, was a legacy left by the crown prince during his extravagant era; there had never been any inferior goods.
When I entered the garden again, I found that it was not as big as the palace, but it was just as prosperous and beautiful.
Shujia smiled and said, "One should look at the gardens of Jiangnan." But in her heart, she thought, the Cao family's deficit was no lie. Looking at the preparations for the emperor's welcome, Shujia didn't think these were just props rented for a hundred yuan an hour and returned once the emperor left.
How am I going to live my life from now on?
When he talked about this with Yinreng that night, Yinreng laughed and said, "Khan Ama uses him, so he trusts him. When their family really can't make ends meet, Khan Ama will do what he wants. Why should you worry about them?"
Shujia raised her eyebrows: "Who cares about this?" I'm worried about Cao Xueqin...
Yinreng tossed his braid back and said, "Yeah, who cares about that! Let's think about what to do when we get back. According to the calendar, the Emperor's birthday will be three days after we return to the palace." This year was Kangxi's fiftieth birthday, so of course it had to be grand. So, they had to go on a southern tour that year, and they had to bring the Crown Prince and his family along for the tour.
The Crown Prince and his wife were in great distress. A 50th birthday was a major event, one that required a grand ceremony, and they should have personally overseen it. But Kangxi was using them for a face-saving project, so they couldn't be there! The celebrations would begin upon their return to Beijing, and even if they discovered something wrong with the birthday gift, it would be too late to replace it!
Shujia said, "There's no point in worrying about the needlework. We've collected quite a bit along the way. How about you come pick some up and add them to the collection on your way back?"
"That's fine. Don't worry about the needlework. I told Ling Pu about it before I left. He's reliable for things like this."
"Then I'll bring the list over. Would you like to take a look first?"
"good."
The Crown Prince and his wife had another task on their way home. Kangxi asked Hongdan, "I haven't seen your father lately. What has he been doing in the back?"
Hongdan answered seriously, "Father and mother, let's read together."
"Well, it's an elegant hobby." Kangxi was too embarrassed to say in front of his grandson that his son and daughter-in-law had such a formal way of bonding...
In fact...the prince and his wife were discussing which of the gifts they received as bribes was more valuable and presentable.
Ahem, it’s better to let the truth be buried in the long river of history.
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In order to return to the palace before his 50th birthday, Kangxi refused the earnest pleas of the people of Jiangning, and when the planned time came, he led a large group of troops back to the capital on time.
The date was calculated very precisely. On the first day after returning to the capital, he stayed in Nanyuan. On the second day, he returned to the palace to meet the Empress Dowager. On the third day, he checked the procedures of the Wanshou Festival again, and then the actual day of the Wanshou Festival arrived.
When Shujia returned to the Eastern Palace, her first order of business was to see her son. Kangxi had returned to check on Hongxi and Hongtong, who were supposed to be checking on their studies, but they were unable to attend. Shujia summoned Honggui immediately, and the little one seemed to have grown a bit bigger than before Shujia left Beijing, still as fair and tender as ever.
Seeing Shujia, the little guy opened his mouth and spread his fat arms to ask for a hug, calling out, "Mommy, Mommy, hold me."
Shujia was very relieved. She held him in her arms and thought about him several times: "It's heavy again, little pig. Bring me the package I brought from the south."
She pulled a small dough figurine from the box, tempting Honggui to reach forward and grab it. Shujia laughed heartily, her face full of wickedness. Hongxiu stepped forward and said, "Master, the clothes are ready. You should go see the Empress Dowager." Shujia said to Li Jiashi and Li Jiashi who had come to greet her, "Wait for me when I come back. I have something for you."
After that, he brought a large bag of fresh toys to play with the Empress Dowager. Her expression when she saw the toys was not much different from Honggui's. In one hand, she clutched a small figure filled with mercury that tumbled from top to bottom, and at the same time, she consoled the Crown Princess for her hard work: "You've worked hard, and you brought these to me."
Shujia knew that she would like these things: "I didn't go there myself, I asked people down there to find them. If the old ancestor likes them, I will give you all I brought."
"Oh my, how can I do this?" The Queen Mother touched the new toy, staring at it intently, and declined. "Didn't you bring anything for your concubines?"
Shujia looked at these toys from the south and thought they were not worth much money. They were just brought here for novelty. The actual gifts had been packed separately on the way and were now delivered to various palaces. Even here in Ningshou Palace, the formal gift list was taken to Lu Yun for inventory.
"Don't worry, I won't forget this."
The eunuch from Ningshou Palace hurried in and said, "Master, the Emperor is almost here. I saw him on East Second Long Street. I was afraid we might not have heard him because of the hustle and bustle here, so I came to inform you first."
Kangxi arrived, and Shujia quickly retreated: "Grandfather, I have to go back and give gifts to the concubines."
After returning to the East Palace and finding out that the gifts had been sent out, Gao Sanxie said, "The servants opened them and carefully examined them again. Only those that were not damaged were sent away. Only one piece of Su embroidery that was sent to the Yikun Palace was not good, so the servants exchanged it for another one."
"Okay, I trust you guys to do the job. How's life been these past two months? How are you guys doing?"
"Everything is fine at home. Since my master left, the servants have been guarding the door tightly and not talking to outsiders. Ningshou Palace and Chengqian Palace send people to visit every few days. Master Tong sometimes invites Prince Hongtong to come over for a visit. Apart from that, there is nothing else to do."
"How are Hongtong and the other two doing? Look at their faces. Do they look more happy or more unhappy?"
"Everyone around our Fourth Prince is fine, except for you and the Crown Prince. But with Master Tong, the Empress Dowager, and our Second Prince, he'll be fine after a while. He still has homework to do."
Speaking of homework, Shujia perked up: "Is his homework notebook still here? Let me see it."
While Gao Sanxie went to get her notebooks, Shujia changed her clothes again, this time into casual clothes, which was quite convenient. She took off her hair and sat in front of the dressing mirror to let Qiao'er comb it. Just as she had tied her hair into a bun, Gao Sanxie came back.
Shujia took the notebook and flipped through it. She saw that Hongtong was writing very seriously. In just two months, he had accumulated several notebooks. She once again cursed the perverted teaching requirements in the palace.
Putting down the notebook, Shujia said, "That's fine. The Emperor's Birthday gift is the most important. How much have you received?" She felt that her itinerary after returning to the palace was like a war, and she had to deal with various affairs every minute.
Gao Sanxie reported back one by one: "We have everything. The servants have counted and everything is in good condition. To prevent loss, we have left an extra portion as a backup."
Shujia finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this: "I understand. You've all worked so hard, and after the Wanshou Festival, I'll have a reward."
The Emperor's birthday is imminent, so it's not appropriate to give out rewards now. If we do, you get this, I get that, and there's all this chatter, which will only disturb the mood. It's better to dangle a carrot in front of the rabbit now, tempting it to run faster.
Everyone knew the Crown Prince and his wife had brought a lot of things from the south, and as they moved boxes of things into the warehouse, they were all eager to perform well and win awards after the festival. The Eastern Palace was truly orderly during the Wanshou Festival, and everyone worked with great enthusiasm.
Shujia leisurely dismissed those who had come from various palaces to express their gratitude, and then distributed the gifts for Li Jiashi and Li Jiashi. In the evening, she also distributed the gifts for Hongxi and Hongtong. She also mentally drafted the rewards for everyone in the palace and prepared the gifts for Shi's family and other places. One third of the gifts brought from the south had already been used up.
Fortunately, there is no need to add anything from these things for the Longevity Festival gift, and the rest is the net profit from the business trip.
Shujia told Yinreng about this idea, and Yinreng laughed at her: "This year, Khan Ama wants me to go to the frontier with him, and we can make a fortune again."
"You're still going with me?" Was Kangxi possessed? Why did he always take Yinreng with him? Is handing over the government to another prince? Is this an attempt to decentralize the government? Shujia's thoughts were wavering wildly.
You have to think about this from the other side. Kangxi's steps in training a successor were: develop your abilities, and when you're considered capable enough, build up your popularity. Otherwise, if you just support a fool, everyone will say he's a good prince, but in fact he has no knowledge of government. No matter how popular he is, he's still a failure.
Shujia's guess and analysis were way off the mark. Time travel isn't a surefire way to be ordinary before and exceptional after. Unless you're traveling from a top-tier high school to, uh, a regular school with abysmally poor admission rates. So, Crown Princess, just be a backdrop for once.
Well, just go, it's not up to me anyway. Shujia asked about the departure date, and after the Wanshou Festival was over and the rewards were distributed, she started preparing clothes for the trip north.
The Crown Prince and his wife were unable to make the trip.
The Crown Princess was diagnosed with pregnancy again. Everyone inside and outside the palace was numb to this news.
The crown prince was ill again, and this news shocked everyone inside and outside the palace.
The author has something to say:
I'm so depressed! I was supposed to be back at work on the 28th, but... there's no ticket for the 28th! Damn, I had to grab a ticket for tomorrow! Damn, I missed two days of spending time with my parents!
Also, I want to expose the Prince of Zhi today. I have been writing and writing to expose him, but I still haven't finished it. I am so tired...
Countdown to Hate 3
See the Lord heal.
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