The Crown Prince's Consort
This was truly an unexpected question from the Emperor.
Recalling how Yinreng never failed to pay his respects at Yikun Palace like clockwork, Kangxi raised an eyebrow slightly and replied calmly, "Why bring this up now?"
Had Baocheng said something to Xiuxiu?
Yunxiu took a sip of hot tea before smiling brightly. "This servant saw His Highness the Crown Prince today and suddenly realized—the child is no longer young. At his age, Your Majesty had already arranged a marriage for the Eldest Prince. This servant wishes to ask if Your Majesty has any plans in mind? The Crown Prince's Consort is the future Empress of the nation, worthy of Your Majesty's careful consideration. We must not be hasty."
That was certainly true.
A flicker of disappointment crossed his heart—where was the longing she had promised?
Though he thought so, since Yunxiu had asked, Kangxi saw no reason to hide it. He lifted the hem of his robe and sat beside her, speaking warmly, "Naturally, I am as concerned as you are. I’ve long had people gather information on noble maidens from prominent families and have settled on a few surnames. Now, after much deliberation, the choice for Crown Prince’s Consort is nearly finalized—an outstanding young lady, perfectly suited for Baocheng."
This "outstanding young lady," barring any unforeseen circumstances, was likely the daughter of Shi Wenbing from the Guargiya clan, the very one Kangxi had chosen in their previous life.
The late marriage of the couple had been due to external factors, not because the Emperor was indifferent. Yunxiu could guess Kangxi’s thoughts without much effort—his precious son’s wife was his precious daughter-in-law, the future Empress. How could such a decision be made lightly?
The temperament, upbringing, virtues, appearance, speech, and skills of eligible noble maidens were all meticulously compiled and scrutinized. Even after selecting a few exceptional candidates, it wasn’t enough—they had to be secretly observed for three to five years. The slightest dissatisfaction would disqualify them. To Yunxiu, even Kangxi’s own selection of imperial consorts wasn’t this demanding.
The wives of the earlier princes had all been personally chosen by the Emperor, yet none could compare to the Crown Prince’s Consort. For Yinreng, Kangxi had spared no effort, handpicking the most impeccable match.
Yunxiu nodded approvingly but didn’t ask who the chosen candidate was. Instead, she said softly, "In that case, when will Your Majesty issue the marriage decree?"
"No need to rush the decree," Kangxi waved his hand with a smile. "As Xiuxiu said, we must not be hasty. The choice should be reviewed by the Empress Dowager and my late mother, and Baocheng should meet her in person first."
No rush? Really?
The Crown Prince was already sixteen. If the marriage decree were issued now, even with the quickest arrangements, the wedding wouldn’t take place until next year. And if the Imperial Household Department dragged its feet, it was uncertain whether he’d even marry before turning eighteen.
Yunxiu gave him a knowing look. "What if Yinreng grows impatient for a wife?"
"Impatient?" Kangxi burst into laughter and replied without hesitation, "Then I’ll assign two noble ladies to Yuqing Palace. At the very least, I can grant him a concubine—it’s not as if I’d neglect the boy!"
In an instant, Liang Jiugong, standing nearby, felt a chill run down his spine.
Stealing a glance at the Imperial Noble Consort’s expression, the Chief Eunuch inwardly panicked, shrinking his neck as if trying to disappear.
Your Majesty, you’ve misspoken!
Though the Emperor valued the Crown Prince’s Consort—even more than his own daughters—he didn’t hesitate to make things difficult for her.
Before the Crown Prince’s Consort even entered the palace, Yuqing Palace already had a favored secondary consort, a brood of illegitimate children, and Hongxi, the Emperor’s eldest grandson raised under Kangxi’s personal guidance. Even if she had arrived full of hope, half her heart would have turned cold.
Under such circumstances, how could she and her husband foster affection?
Though Yinreng wasn’t the type to dote on concubines at the expense of his wife, the couple in Yuqing Palace were, at best, polite to each other—far from being loving.
Yunxiu had once met Mrs. Lijia, Hongxi’s birth mother. The Crown Prince’s Consort, having borne only daughters after years of marriage, grew increasingly gentle in the household, avoiding conflict. But Mrs. Lijia, inflated by favor, became disrespectful during palace visits. Back then, out of consideration for the Emperor’s grandson, the Crown Prince’s Consort had to speak kindly to her.
And it wasn’t just her—Hongxi, raised to be arrogant and intolerant of setbacks, once drew criticism even from Yintang, who muttered that the boy "didn’t seem like Second Brother’s son at all."
After a long pause, Yunxiu suppressed her cold smile and spoke even more softly, "Your Majesty’s arrangements are not without reason. But what if the first noble lady to enter the palace bears a son? Where would that leave the Crown Prince’s Consort?"
"..." Kangxi faltered, at a loss for words.
He valued legitimate heirs, having long ago designated the second prince—born of his first Empress—as Crown Prince. This had set a precedent among the courtiers, who then flocked to their wives’ chambers in hopes of producing legitimate sons.
If even the Emperor was like this, how much more had the Crown Prince, a legitimate heir himself, suffered because of illegitimate elder brothers?
These implications didn’t need to be spelled out.
Kangxi felt somewhat embarrassed, unsure if Yunxiu was subtly rebuking him. She continued coolly, "As an Imperial Noble Consort and mother to princes, this servant should not overstep. But putting myself in her shoes—if noble ladies were assigned to the palace, neither the Crown Prince nor his future Consort would be pleased. And if a concubine bore the first son, ambitions might stir, leading to unrest in the Eastern Palace. Your Majesty, don’t you agree?"
"If you won’t cherish Yinreng’s future wife, I will." Yunxiu shot him a pointed glance. "This servant hopes someone will remove the blinders, lest history repeat itself and harm Yinreng."
As Liang Jiugong listened, cold sweat trickled down his forehead. He didn’t dare breathe too loudly.
Blinded by ambition—who exactly is she referring to?
Thinking of the Eldest Prince, who had grown increasingly disrespectful toward the Crown Prince while assisting his father in court, and of Consort Hui in Yanxi Palace, whose schemes never ceased, Liang Jiugong forced a smile uglier than tears.
How is this any different from scolding His Majesty to his face?
"If Your Majesty insists on sending women to Yinreng before his marriage, this servant naturally cannot stop you," Yunxiu said icily, rising slowly. "After all, I am not Consort Hui, who bore Your Majesty’s first son. My only concern is ensuring the future wives of the Fifth, Ninth, and Eleventh Princes are treated fairly."
Kangxi’s face cycled through shades of green and white. Just as Liang Jiugong braced himself, fearing the Imperial Noble Consort would face reprimand—
The Emperor coughed lightly and asked in a low voice, "Are you angry?"
His tone carried a hint of appeasement, leaving Liang Jiugong utterly speechless.
Yunxiu remained silent. Why would I be angry?
She wasn’t Consort Hui, who, after the Eldest Princess Consort bore a daughter and became pregnant again, had swelled with pride, as if announcing to the world that the imperial grandson was growing in her daughter-in-law’s belly. The sight was almost laughable, especially with her relentless efforts to select a secondary consort for the Eldest Prince.
With a quiet sigh, Yunxiu thought, The poor Eldest Princess Consort—so young yet saddled with such a mother-in-law.
And the root of all this? None other than the Emperor before her, who now sought to make life difficult for the Crown Prince’s Consort.
Kangxi took one look and knew—this is bad. A wave of anxiety washed over him.
"Xiuxiu?" he called guiltily, but she ignored him, engrossed in examining a bolt of fine southern silk.
"..." He was at a loss.
Kangxi sternly dismissed the attending servants, preparing to humble himself and coax a smile from the Imperial Noble Consort, when a noise came from the inner chamber—a childish voice piping up, "All of you, stay here. Don’t follow me."
The Eleventh Prince, Yinzi, rubbed his sleepy eyes, his clothes still askew, his round cheeks bearing the faint red marks of sleep.
Stumbling and swaying, he made his way into the inner chamber, tilting his head up to tug at Yunxiu’s sleeve. With a well-practiced motion, he said sweetly, "Mother, don’t be angry with Father Emperor."
His voice was soft and tender, his gaze cautious as he peeked at Yunxiu before adding, "If you’re really upset, don’t scold Father Emperor. Yinzi will scold him for you, okay?"
Yunxiu couldn’t help but laugh, her expression softening instantly. She knelt down, brushing her fingers over her youngest son’s cheeks, where the faint sleep marks still lingered.
As she carefully straightened his clothes, the sweet milky scent surrounding him melted away her anger, and her eyes sparkled with warmth. "Alright, I’ll listen to our little Yinzi. Mother won’t be angry or scold anyone. You can help me instead."
Yinzi nodded solemnly, his adorable face turning serious as he wobbled over to Kangxi’s side. By now, the drowsiness had faded from his mind, and after a moment’s hesitation, he boldly glared at the emperor. "Father Emperor is bad!"
The moment Yinzi had spoken, Kangxi had let out a quiet sigh of relief, his earlier worries vanishing as he fought the urge to kiss his youngest son.
Looking down, he saw tiny hands clutching his robe, and the soft, accusing voice in his ear made his lips curl into a smile—his heart felt drenched in honey.
Bending down, Kangxi scooped Yinzi into his arms, rubbing his carefully trimmed beard against the boy’s soft cheeks before planting a kiss.
Then, coaxingly, he said, "Yes, Father Emperor is bad. I won’t make Mother angry again, alright?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Yunxiu, clearing his throat meaningfully. "Yinzi has spoken so earnestly..."
Yunxiu sensed something odd but couldn’t quite place it.
Still, it didn’t matter.
After a long silence, she finally spoke. "The Crown Prince’s wedding..."
"Should be arranged soon," Kangxi quickly added. "I won’t send anyone to him before his marriage. Xiuxiu, you can rest assured."
"..." Yunxiu paused, then replied gently, "Your Majesty is wise."
