Emperor Kangxi has been in Mongolia for about half a month. He has done what needed to be done—to give those who needed to be disciplined and to appease those who needed to be appeased—and it's time for him to go back.
However, before returning, Kangxi issued an order regarding Mingshan: he ordered Mingshan and Bandi to marry in the capital and live there after the marriage.
This news surprised everyone, but considering that the imperial court's arquebusiers also had mother-and-child cannons, they dared not say anything.
The person most pleased by this is none other than Mingshan.
This was her first time in Mongolia. The sky was very blue and the grasslands were vast, but she still wasn't used to life here.
Now that Emperor Kangxi has ordered the marriage to take place in the capital and that she will reside there permanently, she no longer needs to worry about adapting to the customs of the Mongolian side. This is a great thing for Mingshan.
Therefore, Mingshan's attitude towards Bandi improved considerably. Bandi may not be considered a particularly talented young man, but he was chosen as a candidate for a marriage alliance between the Mongols and the Manchus, so his conditions were not too bad.
Mingshan didn't like him before, not because she disliked him as a person, but because she disliked marrying into Mongolia. She was unfamiliar with the place and would have no one to stand up for her if she was bullied. So many princesses and noblewomen in the past died within a few years of marriage, and she was afraid.
Now everything is fine, I don't have to worry about these things anymore.
In contrast to Mingshan's good mood, Bandi was not so happy. He liked Mingshan, but he was somewhat unhappy about living in the capital for so long.
He was from a prominent Mongolian family. Even if he went to the capital as a prince consort, he would still be a Mongolian and would not be given important positions. He would only be able to live a mediocre life, which was not what he wanted.
"Abu, why would His Majesty suddenly arrange a marriage in the capital?"
"The court is powerful, and we are weak. His Majesty is probably giving us Mongols a warning! Don't worry, just live a good life in the capital. Your marriage to Princess Mingshan is a major event. As long as you don't break the law in the capital, and His Majesty gives face to the Mongols, you can live a comfortable life."
"I know, but there's nothing I can do in the capital."
People, regardless of their abilities, all want to achieve something great, and Bandi was no exception. He was afraid of being idle in the capital.
"If you can't do it, you can't do it. Besides, what else do you want to do?"
Bandi was taken aback. He also held an official position, though it wasn't high. Such a position wasn't significant in the capital. If he went to the capital, he wouldn't be dismissed just because he got married. Now that he was here, it didn't make any difference. He had no intention of rebelling; he had misunderstood.
“Abu is right, son understands.”
Abu sighed: "If you get married next year, as long as you and Princess Mingshan live a good life together, there will be no problems."
"Yes, Abu."
On the other hand, Youqing rented a stall at a nearby market, specifically for buying and selling things.
There are actually quite a few merchants from the inland areas of Mongolia, but the things they sell are very unoriginal, and many are substandard products.
Youqing's stall mainly sells food, such as milk candy, beef jerky, and mutton jerky, made using recipes bought from the mall. The taste is not only popular with the local Mongolians, but also with inland merchants who come to do business.
The stall wasn't big, but business was good; in just a short time, Youqing had made quite a bit of money.
Before leaving, Youqing went with Kangxi to the house they had met on their last outing. She gave the family a recipe, which they could use to make some things to sell if they wanted.
The family was very concerned about the gift. That noon, Youqing and Kangxi ate roasted mutton again, and it tasted as delicious as ever.
After spending more than half a month in Mongolia, Kangxi finally decided to return.
On the way back, Youqing said, "This trip has been quite fruitful."
"You're quite something. I haven't shortchanged you anything, and you don't need anything yourself, yet you're so happy about those little things. How pathetic."
Youqing wasn't angry. She smiled and said, "You don't understand. Things you buy yourself are different from things you have someone else buy for you."
After Youqing returned, she bought a lot of things from Mongolia, including food and daily necessities.
It was already August when I returned to Beijing, and the weather there was no longer as hot as before.
After returning, Emperor Kangxi first checked his sons' studies and was quite satisfied. Just as he returned to his study, he heard Liang Jiugong say, "Your Majesty, Consort Wenxi has sent someone to inquire about when they will return to the palace."
Emperor Kangxi: "Send someone to tell the Consort that the estate was specially prepared by me, and that it is fine for her to stay a little longer."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
...
"Your Majesty, it seems inappropriate for you to send someone over as soon as His Majesty arrives."
"Granny, I know this is inappropriate, but I am becoming increasingly uneasy living on this estate."
Others might not know the situation and just assume that people come to the estate to escape the summer heat, but she is in charge of the inner palace and knows the estate best. These days, she feels that something is wrong with the estate. It has everything it needs, and the servants of the Imperial Household Department who are in charge of purchasing from the estate are practically treating it as their permanent residence.
"Why do you say that, Your Majesty?"
"I'm just panicking. His Majesty is no ordinary man; he's capable of anything. It would be best to return to the palace as soon as possible."
"The weather is still quite hot. Your Majesty might as well wait a little longer. His Majesty has just returned to the capital. I'm afraid Your Majesty will be angry if you send someone over in such a hurry."
Consort Wenxi said nonchalantly, "I am not afraid that His Majesty will be angry with me, since His Majesty has never cared. I am only afraid that His Majesty will really make up his mind to abandon this harem."
Before her sister left, she brought her into the palace. She never resented it. Having received the family's favor, she had to accept the family's arrangements. Her family had treated her well, and she could accept not being favored, but leaving the palace was unacceptable.
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