To demonstrate imperial favor, in addition to the accompanying imperial physician, Shi Wenbing was also granted the presence of a eunuch from the emperor’s inner court to deliver the decree, suggesting a series of surprises awaited him.
Thinking of the repeatedly delayed marriage between the Crown Prince and the Guoluoluo family in her dreams, Yunxiu sighed softly—truly, fate played cruel tricks.
Shi Wenbing rushed to the capital but passed away within days. It was unclear whether Suo Etu had a hand in it. Recently, however, Suo Etu had grown increasingly hostile toward the Guoluoluo family, his incessant meddling becoming unbearable. As if Yinreng distancing himself from the Hesheli family and growing closer to her was an unforgivable offense—one that couldn’t be tolerated without his granduncle’s involvement.
The Emperor’s patience, no doubt, was nearing its end.
Closing and reopening her peach-blossom eyes, Yunxiu brushed aside her calculations. As the Emperor took her hand and she prepared to sit beside him, she chuckled softly at the mention of the term "father-in-law."
"The Crown Prince and Your Majesty’s chosen primary consort have yet to meet, and the marriage decree has not been formally announced. It seems premature for Your Majesty to speak of such matters."
After a pause, Yunxiu added, "Lately, princesses and noblewomen have been submitting requests for audiences, all eager to sing praises of other families’ daughters—each with their sights set on Yinreng’s inner court. The Empress Dowager has grown weary of them, so they’ve turned to pestering me from dawn till dusk. Even little Yinzi has started complaining."
While noblewomen could be turned away, those from the imperial clan could not be refused. Noticing the faint shadows under Yunxiu’s eyes and hearing her mention "little Yinzi," Kangxi pulled her into his arms and coaxed, "No one will be appointed until after the wedding. I’ve made note of it. You’ve been exhausted."
His tone lacked imperial sternness, their interaction resembling that of an ordinary couple.
Ruizhu quietly withdrew, harboring a rather rebellious thought.
She mused with satisfaction, "Nowadays, His Majesty’s methods of coaxing Her Ladyship have grown increasingly refined."
It was unclear how the Emperor had arranged matters, but by the next day, the Yikun Palace had returned to its usual tranquility.
Noble Consort Yi remained unaware of this.
Early that morning, the principal consorts of each palace seemed to have coordinated their movements, departing one after another for Changchun Garden. Yunxiu selected a deep purple Manchu gown and adorned herself meticulously. Seeing Yinzi sleeping soundly in the warm chamber, she instructed the palace maids to care for him attentively and to prepare a bowl of mung bean porridge upon his waking, forbidding him from eating lamb to cool his temper.
The nursing matron acknowledged the order with a smile.
The young master was particularly fond of lamb, insisting on it at every meal. The Emperor indulged him in every way, even sending a specialized imperial chef to the Yikun Palace’s kitchen. Concerned for his digestion, Her Ladyship occasionally forbade him from eating it, though she often relented.
As Yunxiu saw it, Yinzi was simply too well-behaved, his sweet words melting her heart—unlike Yintang, who seemed determined to turn the palace upside down. How could she not soften?
Before departing, she summoned Zhang Youde, the chief eunuch of Yikun Palace, and inquired leisurely, "How many days has the Fourth Prince been disciplining little Yintang?"
"Three days, Your Ladyship."
"Has the Crown Prince received word of this?"
"He likely knows by now," Zhang Youde replied in a hushed tone. "Yesterday, the Crown Prince visited the princes’ quarters but didn’t even catch a glimpse of the Fourth Prince."
Yunxiu was surprised. "Do the people I sent have such nerve?"
"Su Peisheng informed me that His Majesty personally gave the order. Guards were stationed outside the courtyard, instructed to block anyone attempting to intercede—even the Crown Prince’s face held no sway."
"..."
Yunxiu fell silent for a long moment before sighing. "A father’s resolve is truly unyielding."
Yet her tone carried a hint of amusement.
Changchun Garden, with its picturesque lakes and mountains, offered boundless beauty. However, the Crown Prince, summoned hastily by the Empress Dowager, arrived in a less-than-pleasant mood.
The Fourth Prince was strict with himself and even stricter with others, especially after Yintang’s recent misdeeds. Every day after lessons, Yintang was hauled off to the Fourth Prince’s courtyard, where they ate and slept together. With the Emperor being so merciless, would Yintang emerge unscathed?
The Crown Prince grew increasingly anxious.
He Zhuer sensed trouble.
Today was the day the Crown Prince was to meet his future consort. Chief Eunuch Liang had even quietly warned him that if anything went awry, he would be held accountable.
The thought made He Zhuer inwardly groan.
No matter how intimidating the Fourth Prince was, would he actually devour Yintang?
Hurriedly, he advised, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and all the consorts are waiting. As for the Ninth Prince, you needn’t worry. With Noble Consort Yi present, the Fourth Prince will surely exercise restraint. His Majesty simply wishes for his sons to excel."
"Excel?" the Crown Prince murmured darkly. "I don’t trust Yintang. Enough of that."
He Zhuer’s eye twitched in confusion.
Was His Highness concerned for Yintang or not?
The distraction lightened the Crown Prince’s mood slightly, though soon, a different tension took hold.
What kind of girl had the Emperor chosen for him?
Inside the hall, the air was fragrant with perfumes and alive with laughter. To meet the Emperor’s chosen future Crown Princess was no trivial matter, and the consorts had all dressed magnificently to show their respect.
Some were curious, others skeptical, and a few had taken their seats with the intent to nitpick. How could a future empress, hailing from the Han military banner, surpass the noble daughters of other families?
Yet when the young lady in pale blue emerged, supporting the Empress Dowager, even Consort Hui was momentarily stunned into silence.
The girl had a slightly downturned gaze, an oval face, arched brows, and exceptionally fair skin. Her features, while not breathtaking, were elegantly refined. At fifteen, she should have been overshadowed by the pale blue hue of her attire, yet she wore it with effortless grace, the color complementing rather than overwhelming her. Small pearl earrings accentuated her jade-like complexion, her overall appearance strikingly harmonious.
Her demeanor exuded steadiness, her manners impeccable, devoid of any trace of frivolity.
Ordinarily, excessive steadiness might come across as rigid, even wooden. Yet hers was perfectly balanced—neither too much nor too little—while retaining a gentle femininity that made her instantly likable, inspiring no ill will.
Noble Consort Wen, seated to the left, silently admired her poise, which overshadowed her looks. Even beside the pampered Consort Hui, she held her own—perhaps even outshone her.
For a moment, the hall fell quiet.
At a mere glance, it was clear that the Guoluoluo girl was fit to be the future empress.
Surveying the room, the Empress Dowager patted her hand with a smile, though her advanced age and prolonged illness made the gesture seem labored.
The girl quickly adjusted her posture, supporting the Empress Dowager as she slowly sat down. With a soft smile, she asked, "Grandmother, is this more comfortable?"
Her voice was smooth and gentle, not particularly delicate, but soothing, like flowing water.
Judging by the Empress Dowager’s pleased expression, the consorts understood.
Someone sighed inwardly—truly, this was the woman the Emperor had handpicked after meticulous consideration.
The Empress Dowager beamed, her eyes warm with affection, as if revitalized. "Yes, much better. Jingchu, greet the consorts. They’ve been waiting impatiently."
Jingchu complied softly, paying her respects to each consort in turn.
For reasons unknown, Consort Ping had invited Concubine Liang and Concubine Jing to sit in higher positions, disrupting the original order of precedence. Yet Jingchu addressed each by their correct titles without error, her every movement a picture of grace.
Yunxiu wore a faint smile at her lips. After Jingchu finished paying her respects, Yunxiu slipped off the red coral bracelet from her wrist and said gently, "Good child, this is the only thing of value I have on me. Take it for your amusement."
Before Jingchu could respond, Noble Consort Wen glanced at her and chuckled, "Don’t listen to her nonsense about it being 'of some value.' Noble Consort Yi simply adores you. Accept it without hesitation."
A delicate blush tinted Jingchu’s cheeks, but she accepted the gift with graceful composure, fastening it carefully around her wrist. "Thank you for your kindness, Noble Consort Yi."
Such poise was truly pleasing. Yunxiu’s smile deepened.
In her dreams, the universally praised Crown Princess had rarely interacted with her beyond the occasional delegation of palace affairs. But now, seeing the youthful innocence in Guoluoluo Jingchu’s demeanor, Yunxiu’s mind flashed through countless scenes, finally settling on the 57th year of Kangxi’s reign.
The deposed Crown Princess and Princess Consort of Prince Li had passed away. The Ministry of Rites dared not propose a memorial, yet the Emperor overruled all objections, decreeing, "Bury her with the honors of a Crown Princess."
From beginning to end, the Emperor had cherished this daughter-in-law.
Snapping back to the present, Yunxiu felt a faint sting in her nose, though it vanished as quickly as it came.
She smiled at Jingchu. Now was the perfect time—the regrets of her dreams would not repeat.
Earlier, while supporting the Grand Empress Dowager, Jingchu had spotted Noble Consort Yi at once.
Her awe lingered as she recalled her mother’s teachings: "With the central palace lacking a mistress, Noble Consort Wen holds authority, while Noble Consort Yi remains ever-favored by the Emperor. The Grand Empress Dowager holds her in high regard; the Emperor’s devotion has lasted decades. The Crown Prince alone calls her 'Yi E’niang' and never misses his daily greetings. How could she be the arrogant, domineering figure of rumors? Respect and serve her sincerely—never with half-heartedness. She is a Noble Consort now, but in the future, who can say?"
Jingchu thought she hardly needed her mother’s advice. A beauty so radiant—if she were Emperor, she’d lay all the treasures of the world at her feet, content only when she smiled.
When Noble Consort Yi smiled at her, Jingchu’s fair cheeks flushed again, though barely noticeable, and she returned the smile.
Consort Rong, standing nearby, observed this closely and couldn’t help but laugh. Even such a composed young lady could display such charming shyness.
Just as she was about to tease her, an announcement echoed from outside the hall—
"The Crown Prince has arrived."
With a hint of nervousness, the Crown Prince stepped in, his gaze immediately drawn to the young woman in cyan, her face alight with a genuine smile.
Along the way, He Zhuer had prattled on about how Jingchu, chosen by His Majesty, was the epitome of grace and virtue—a perfect match for the Crown Prince. As the eldest sister to two younger brothers, she would surely replace the Eldest Princess Consort in Ninth Prince Yintang’s heart.
The Crown Prince let him ramble, though a trace of worry crept in. Grace and virtue were essential traits for a Crown Princess—after all, Yi E’niang embodied them. But what if she turned out to be a rigid rule-obsessed bore?
Only at the mention of "younger brothers" did his eyes flicker with interest.
Younger brothers?
Excellent. Truly excellent.
By the time he entered the hall, his unease had eased—just as Jingchu turned and their eyes met.
The Crown Prince’s heart settled firmly.
The Guoluoluo girl was smiling at him.
A smile so sincere, not a mask of politeness, but one that warmed the soul.
In an instant, his nervousness melted away, and the Crown Prince’s cheeks tinged faintly pink.
