Chapter 34: Wen Shan couldn't wait to go...

Wen Shan couldn't wait to meet the Concubine Mi, who would save her from danger. Of course, she was still a young girl who hadn't officially entered the palace.

Concubine Mi's surname was Wang. She was a Han Chinese woman, originally from Suzhou and raised there. Her family had moved to Suqian because her father had been transferred there as county magistrate.

She was also on the boat with a Manchu woman from the Guwalja clan, whose father also held a low position but was quite pretty.

These two women were carefully selected by the Suqian officials for their clean backgrounds and good looks. One Han and one Manchu were chosen specifically. Kangxi didn't have many Han concubines in his harem, so the officials who selected them wanted to take advantage of this and try something new. However, they couldn't have only Han women, otherwise Kangxi would have chopped off their heads first.

Isn't this a satire on Kangxi's obsession with women and his lust for pleasure? After all, while Han women in Jiangnan are renowned for their striking beauty, who knows who has lumped Han women with the image of beauty causing trouble, and Jiangnan with the image of a land of willows and mistresses?

As the saying goes, one should be wary of gossip, and the emperor, especially, should not be involved in such matters that undermine the royal dignity and reputation. This

goes without saying for an emperor like Kangxi, who was obsessed with appearances and championed the Manchus.

Wen Shan, under the guise of inspecting the inner chambers, wandered over to the two girls' location. Upon her arrival, a shrewd palace attendant informed her, and Wang and Guaerjia came out to greet her.

"Young ladies, please rise," Wen Shan said, helping each to their feet.

After carefully examining their appearances, she sighed, worthy of being carefully selected. Both their looks and figures were top-notch. Wang was more delicate, with a graceful, elegant demeanor. At first glance, she was Wen Shan's typical impression of a Jiangnan beauty: delicate and beautiful, well-educated and well-mannered. She bore some resemblance to Concubine Min, though Concubine Min possessed a touch more aloofness and arrogance than Wang.

Guaerjia, while also raised in Jiangnan, was more outgoing, lively, and endearing. Her appearance was also more childish. She was a very pretty and clever girl, somewhat reminiscent of Concubine Nianhulu when she first entered the palace.

Each had their own merits, and the more Wen Shan looked at them, the more she marveled at the privilege of being an emperor. Kangxi had so many such beauties in his harem.

How detestable! She, too, longed for so many beauties to care for her daily, to flirt and vie for her favor.

Once Yinzhen ascended the throne and Kangxi was gone, she would surely find a few more young and handsome men to mend the wounds she had endured over the years.

"When I was at home, I heard that the Imperial Concubine was a beauty of unparalleled beauty and grace. Seeing her today, I'm sure her reputation is well-deserved." Guarjia complimented Wen Shan sweetly, smiling.

Wen Shan smiled back, wondering if she'd misheard. There were two Imperial Concubines in the palace, and the term always sounded like it was referring to Imperial Concubine Niuhuru.

Wen Shan went inside and chatted with the two for a while, asking how old they were. Wang was sixteen, and Guarjia was a little younger, having just turned fifteen, making her only two years older than the eldest prince.

Wen Shan calculated her age in this body, which made her twenty-four. While still in the prime of youth, she couldn't compare to these fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girls.

Soon, Kangxi would have a concubine ten years younger than her... Wen Shan felt a little choked up at the thought.

An old cow nibbling at young grass, ugh!

Wen Shan didn't chat with them for long before leaving. Guarjia gazed at the magnificent and distinguished Imperial Concubine's procession with envy.

"The Imperial Concubine is so nice, kind and beautiful, don't you think so, Sister Wang?" Guaerjia hugged Wang's arm intimately and walked into the house together.

Wang was a quiet person and just nodded slightly when she heard it.

Imperial Concubine Xuan really looked very kind. When they boarded the ship, they happened to meet Imperial Concubine Rong. The way Imperial Concubine Rong looked at her at that time made Wang feel a little uneasy when she thought about it now.

And Imperial Concubine Xuan was gentle and peaceful. She looked at them like her younger sisters. She didn't have a sharp edge at all. She was a woman like soft and warm white jade.

Before she came, her father had told her that Imperial Concubine Xuan was the most honorable and favored person on the imperial ship. She must please the Imperial Concubine in order to seek protection. When she saw her today, she finally understood why Imperial Concubine Xuan was so favored by the Emperor. It would be hard for anyone not to like such a beautiful and peaceful person.

Wen Shan leisurely strolled outside, enjoying the sea breeze for a while before returning to her quarters. Yinsi was inside practicing calligraphy. Even though the other princes had joined her on the southern tour, they hadn't fallen behind in their studies, as their teachers, Zhang Ying and Gu Badai, had also come along. Although they were no longer in the Shangshufang, they still had to attend classes every day.

"Mother's back," Yinsi said, looking up at Wen Shan. He dropped his pen and jumped from his chair.

Wen Shan entered the room and surveyed the area. "Where's your fourth brother?"

Today was their last day in Suqian, and Kangxi had granted the princes a half-day holiday, a rare opportunity to let them out for a stroll.

"Fourth brother went out with the crown prince, third brother, and fifth brother," Yinsi said.

Wen Shan took off her cloak and asked curiously, "Why didn't you go out with them?"

Yinsi made a bitter face and pointed to the half-written words on the table.

"The Emperor gave me a special assignment: to rewrite the Lanting Preface ten times."

"Huh?"

Yinsi climbed onto the soft couch and sat next to Wenshan to complain, "The Emperor said my handwriting is good, but I need to practice more. I can't let my talent go to waste."

"..."

Wenshan shuddered. She'd been punished for something Yinsi had done wrong, but she hadn't expected him to be given extra practice just for his good handwriting.

But it did sound plausible.

"Mother, you need to make Fourth Brother practice more too," Yinsi began to tease. "Fourth Brother's handwriting is average, so he needs to practice even more." Wenshan

was at a loss for words: "Why don't you think of your Fourth Brother when there's something good going on?"

Yinsi fell silent, checking the time to avoid dinner, so he went back to his frantic calligraphy practice. It just so happened that Kangxi had been visiting Wenshan a lot lately, checking his and Fourth Brother's work whenever he could. Since this was Kangxi's order personally, Yinsi didn't dare to flinch and could only write each character carefully.

Wen Shan, tired after watching him for a while, said, "Yinsi, take a break and eat something."

Yinsi shook his head, "If the Emperor comes tonight, it'll be for an inspection."

At least for now, he had to pretend to be a studious and obedient son.

"Your Emperor won't be here tonight," Wen Shan said. "You've forgotten about the two new girls."

Yinsi saw that made sense, so he put aside the remaining three rounds and went to chat and eat snacks with Wen Shan.

"Mother, did you meet Wang and Guaerjia? What were your thoughts?"

Wen Shan thought for a moment. "They're both young and beautiful. Wang is quiet, Guaerjia is lively. I think they're both nice girls."

They probably aren't bad-tempered, neither are they scheming.

And they don't seem to be opposed to entering the palace to accompany the Emperor.

Wen Shan could see that Guaerjia, in particular, had some initial feelings of anticipation.

It's just that Kangxi should like Wang more. After she entered the palace, she also became one of the favorite concubines. On the contrary, Guaerjia was somewhat unknown. At first, Yinsi didn't even remember that there was another Guaerjia entering the palace with Wang.

As the two were talking, Concubine Min came to visit. Wen Shan was the only concubine accompanying her on the Southern Tour who had a good relationship with Concubine Min, and she would often chat with her when she got bored along the way.

Yinsi blinked, thinking that since the Emperor wouldn't be coming tonight, there was no need to rush the rest of the group. He immediately prepared to change his clothes and go find Yinzhen and the others. Wen Shan asked Baoquan and Xiaoshunzi to accompany him before letting Yinsi out.

"Mother, I'm not really a child, don't worry," Yinsi whispered helplessly as Wen Shan rambled on about Baoquan and Xiaoshunzi.

Wen Shan glared at him. "You're so small now, what can you do if you run into a bad guy?"

No matter how mature a soul is, it can't withstand a very young body. And since Yinsi was going out alone, Wen Shan was worried about not having more people with him.

After giving her instructions, Wen Shan began to shoo them away: "It's done, hurry up and leave! Mother wants to speak to Concubine Min, so don't stand around here."

Yinsi was hurried out. Concubine Min was waiting in the corridor. Yinsi politely bowed: "Meeting Concubine Min."

Concubine Min smiled at Yinsi, who was dressed in indigo-colored casual clothes. Although young, his features were delicate and dignified.

"Hello, Eighth Prince, are you leaving?"

Yinsi nodded: "Mother is waiting for you inside. I will be leaving first."

Concubine Min watched Yinsi leave and thought to herself, "If only I could have a child as gifted and beautiful as the Eighth Prince. "

Wen Shan waited for a while, but when Concubine Min did not come in, she went out to check and saw Concubine Min staring blankly into the distance.

"Sister, what are you looking at? Why are you so lost in thought?"

Concubine Min woke up with a start, and after coming to her senses, she said, "I just met the Eighth Prince. The Empress has brought him up so well."

Wen Shan thought that if it was said that Yinsi and Yinzhen grew up strong, it was indeed her credit, but she did not dare to take credit for their temperament, conversation, and interpersonal skills.

The two sat down to chat. Wen Shan mentioned that she had just met the two girls who had boarded the ship that morning. Concubine Min, unaware of this, raised an eyebrow slightly. "If the Empress says they're good, they must be good people."

Wen Shan smiled faintly. "There's a girl named Wang who's also well-read. She seems like she'd get along well with you, my dear."

"I used to study to learn about etiquette, but now it helps me pass the long nights in the palace. As for making friends through books, that's not necessary."

Wen Shan said helplessly. "What's wrong with you lately? You don't like going out or interacting with people anymore."

Concubine Min used to have a somewhat aloof personality, often a bit of a talent, but she was still very gentle and had a good relationship with everyone in the harem. But since last year, for some reason, she's suddenly become a bit aloof.

Concubine Min just smiled and said nothing, then turned to mentioning the two people's ages.

"Your Majesty just said these two girls are fifteen or sixteen?"

Wen Shan nodded, sighing slightly. "They're about the same age as the eldest princess. The eldest princess's wedding is almost ready, and the Emperor wants to keep her for a few more years."

Wang and Guaerjia, who were the same age as the eldest princess, were about to enter the palace.

Concubine Min also lamented, "It's a shame they're entering the palace at such a prime age, but they probably didn't have a choice."

"Hmm... I just thought about it. We were all around the same age when we entered the palace," Wen Shan said, her chin resting on her hand. "It's just that the Emperor wasn't too bothered by it then, since we were about the same age."

Wen Shan felt a little uncomfortable with Kangxi taking a fifteen-year-old concubine when he was just over thirty. She couldn't help but think that if Kangxi were still in his forties or fifties and still had young girls entering the palace, she'd think these two girls were lucky in a sense.

But even entering the palace itself was bad luck.

This thought had a certain bittersweet humor to it, and Wen Shan laughed out loud at the thought.

Concubine Min was a bit puzzled: "Why is the Empress so happy all of a sudden?"

"Nothing." Wen Shan took a sip of tea. "I was bored on the road. Come over and talk with us often to cheer me up."

Hearing this, Concubine Min joked: "The Emperor is often at the Empress's place. Would it be convenient for me to come over?"

"..."

It would have been fine if she hadn't mentioned it. But she got annoyed when she did.

Fortunately, Concubine Mi had finally arrived after all her anticipation. Kangxi should have stopped torturing her.

Concubine Min sat for a while and then left. Wen Shan was thinking about embroidering a sachet. Just as she finished the sketch, Yinzhen and Yinsi returned.

"Why are you back so soon?"

Yinsi said with a sour face: "I ran into my fourth brother and the crown prince as soon as I went out."

He hadn't even taken a few steps when he was dragged back.

Yinsi had originally thought that since they had missed each other, he would go out for a walk on his own, but Yinzhen was worried about him going out alone and forcibly brought him back.

Yinzhen was carrying a bunch of things, and the eunuch behind him was also carrying a bunch of things.

Wen Shan quickly took it and asked, "What did you buy?"

"They're just some local Suqian trinkets. My son bought them because he thought they were interesting." Yinzhen separated them one by one. "I've got one for Mother, Empress Wuku, Empress Grandmother, Empress Mother, and Empress Wei."

Yinsi's expression softened slightly when he heard that Yinzhen had also brought something for Concubine Wei.

No wonder he bought so much. Wen Shan looked at the pile of gifts and pearls, and they busied themselves for a while before putting them away.

Seeing that Yinsi still looked a little unhappy, Wen Shan said, "After dinner, I'll report to your Emperor and take you out for a walk, okay?"

Wen Shan pinched Yinsi's cheek and said, "Okay, don't be so unhappy."

Yinsi's smile returned and he began pestering Wen Shan to order the food again. Xiao

Shunzi, standing nearby, thought to himself that the Eighth Prince only acted like a child in front of the Imperial Concubine. He never acted like this around other people.

As they were talking, a voice suddenly came from the doorway. Kangxi had arrived.

Wen Shan was stunned. What was going on? Why were they here again?

As soon as Kangxi entered the room, he saw the mother and her two children all neatly arranged. After calling them up, they casually sat down on the couch. Wen Shan had been here so often recently that he was already familiar with her.

"Yinsi, have you finished the calligraphy I asked you to practice?"

"..."

Mother, didn't you say that the Emperor wouldn't be coming?

Receiving Yinsi's resentful look, Wen Shan quickly tried to smooth things over: "The Emperor has just returned from the river and must be tired. Let him have some tea and some cakes first."

Then she covered for Yinsi and told him to hurry up and finish his homework.

Yinzhen knew something was wrong when he saw his mother and brother exchange glances. He was afraid that Yinsi wanted to go out and play and hadn't finished practicing the calligraphy that the Emperor had asked him to do.

Kangxi took a sip of tea, glanced at Yinsi, and said leisurely, "Yinsi, come here."

Yinsi looked up at the sky in silence. He hadn't checked the almanac today. He'd been caught by the Emperor for not finishing his homework, and he hadn't even gotten to go out for fun. It was truly a loss to his wife and his army.

Yinsi honestly admitted that he still had three more to go. Kangxi hummed and asked what he'd done.

Wen Shan tried to save him: "Your Majesty, Yinsi felt a little unwell today, so I asked him to rest for a while."

Being sick was the universal formula for requesting leave.

But it was obvious that Kangxi did not believe it. He just looked at Yinsi and said: "Yinsi, tell me yourself, is it your mother who said you were sick?"

Yinsi sighed in his heart and could only tell the truth that he had gone out to play.

Kangxi glanced at Wenshan: "A loving mother often spoils her son."

Wenshan: "..."

It's obviously you who are too pushy!

Fortunately, Kangxi did not scold Yinsi, but only told him to make up for it after dinner.

Then he began to test Yinzhen's homework. Yinzhen has always been diligent in studying, and it can be said that he can answer questions fluently. Kangxi was quite satisfied.

"When I was young, I had to read through the book for more than 120 times before I could understand the meaning of the text. Now you should study hard in the Shangshufang, and you can't just read it hastily."

Yinzhen and Yinsi both answered obediently.

Kangxi was very pleased with his two sons. Yinzhen was conscientious and disciplined, while Yinsi was intelligent, gentle, and close to the Crown Prince. With proper training, they would surely become his right-hand men.

Wen Shan listened to Kangxi's beautiful vision, mentally identifying it as his final fantasy before his death.

These two men couldn't even dream of being Kangxi's right-hand men, especially since Yinsi was constantly plotting how to help his fourth brother ascend the throne early in this lifetime.

After dinner, Yinzhen and Yinsi departed, leaving Wen Shan and Kangxi alone in silence. After much

deliberation, Wen Shan tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, two new sisters have arrived today. Won't you go and see them?" Kangxi,

leaning back on his couch reading, glanced up at her and said, "What? Are you unhappy that I'm here?"

"Of course not! I'm overjoyed," Wen Shan said with a fake smile.

Kangxi chuckled, then returned to his reading, ignoring her.

Wen Shan's hair was falling out with worry. Why did it seem like being a newcomer wasn't having any impact? Spending every day with Kangxi was truly stressful for her! Normally,

by this time of day, she'd be reading a storybook, enjoying a midnight snack, and gossiping with Zhenzhu Feicui.

Those beautiful days hadn't returned for over half a month.

"I heard you went to see them today," Kangxi asked, noticing Wen Shan's daze again. He slowly turned a page and spoke again.

Wen Shan wasn't surprised Kangxi knew. She simply nodded and said, "I went to see them out of curiosity."

"How was it?"

Wen Shan perked up at Kangxi's question. She had been sitting across from him, now straightening up and leaning forward excitedly. "They're both young, beautiful girls. Wang is gentle and quiet, while Guarjia is lively and playful. I like them both."

Her face was filled with the thought, "Your Majesty, go see these two beauties. "

Kangxi, without even looking up, uttered a single "oh.

" Wen Shan pouted, feeling deflated again.

Kangxi found her scowl amusing. Wen Shan always had that habit of pretending only halfway before giving up, her entire expression clearly visible on her face.

Kangxi had originally summoned her to accompany him, hoping to tease her, but after a few days, he felt comfortable being with her. Wen Shan was even-tempered; Kangxi had never seen her get angry with anyone. She was also innocent and straightforward, the kind of person Kangxi could see through at a glance.

Previously, Kangxi had found Wen Shan's bland nature uninteresting, but it was only during this southern tour, with the opportunity to spend extended, private time with her, that he began to appreciate her more. He

also began to enjoy teasing her more and more.

When she was angry, she looked like a timid cat, too timid to even bark or show her teeth, just sulking silently.

Wen Shan didn't know Kangxi had already set a pink bubble filter on her. If she had known, she would have been terrified and would have patted Kangxi's head to make sure he wasn't delirious.

At this time, the brothers Yinzhen and Yinsi, who were in the side hall, each had their own concerns. Since it wasn't as convenient to go out as it was in the palace, Yinzhen and Yinsi lived in the same room, not in separate halls.

Yinsi was still writing the remaining few strokes of the pen with deep resentment, while Yinzhen read a book nearby and couldn't continue.

Yinsi knew from his expression that he was worried about his mother. People in the palace always praised Yinsi for his intelligence, but in fact, only Yinsi knew that his fourth brother was the one with the sharpest mind.

He had experiences from his past life, and no matter how hard he tried to hide it, he still seemed smarter than the other children. But Yinzhen was indeed a six or seven-year-old with a mind beyond his age.

And he didn't show it.

The longer he interacted with Yinzhen, the more Yinsi had to admit that he had deserved his defeat in his past life.

No one could see through his fourth brother.

"Brother, don't worry about mother. The emperor won't do anything to her." Yinsi didn't even raise his head and continued to do his homework.

Judging from the current situation, the emperor was obviously interested in mother. He was in high spirits at the moment, and the previous offenses naturally became a matter of interest.

Yinzhen naturally noticed Kangxi's abnormal behavior during this period. Mother had always had little presence in the eyes of the emperor. This sudden favoritism was not right no matter how you looked at it.

Yinsi shook his hands and finally finished writing the ten versions of the Lanting Preface. He got down from the chair and walked to the table to pour himself a glass of water. There were no servants in the room to serve, only the two brothers.

Yinzhen sighed and said, "I know."

"But mother is unhappy."

Yinzhen understood clearly that Wenshan really had no interest in the favor. It was not just a pretense, but she was really resistant.

The Emperor's favor was a burden to her. Her mother's family background and the favoritism of her two ancestors were enough to ensure her a life of peace and prosperity in the palace, as long as she didn't commit treason. Now that she was supporting him and his younger brother, she could be said to have a lifeline for the rest of their lives. At this point, the Emperor's favor was truly meaningless.

It could even bring her trouble.

More importantly, her mother was genuinely unhappy.

Yinzhen had seen Wen Shan sigh more often recently than in all the previous years combined.

"We should find a way to get the Emperor's attention away from her mother," Yinzhen said after a moment's hesitation.

Yinsi agreed: "I have an idea. Is it okay, brother?"

...

The next morning, Wenshan dressed Kangxi and hurriedly sent him away. Zhenzhu came in with water and said with a smile: "Master, wash your face first."

After Wenshan finished washing, she asked if Yinzhen and Yinsi were awake. Zhenzhu said that the two princes had woken up early and left early, saying that they had gone out to buy some local breakfast for Wenshan to try.

Sure enough, her son was thoughtful.

Yinzhen and Yinsi returned soon. Seeing Wenshan's exhausted appearance, Yinsi said, "Mother, the Emperor probably won't be here tonight, so you don't have to wait any longer."

Wenshan perked up: "What's going on?"

Yinsi and Yinzhen exchanged a glance, then shook his finger mysteriously: "I have a clever plan."

Yinzhen offered Wenshan a steamed dumpling: "Mother, please eat first. Don't worry about this."

With Yinzhen and Yinsi's words, Wenshan truly let the matter go. The fact that they could say that meant they were confident.

Sure enough, Kangxi didn't come that night.

The next morning, the imperial decree came down, and Wang was given the title of Consort.

Wen Shan was shocked . This starting point is really high.