Chapter 54: Tong Jia's death as Empress...

Tong Jia's death as Empress was different from that of Imperial Noble Consort. Many of the funeral rites previously prepared could no longer be used.

Aside from Consort Rong, who was still under house arrest, the remaining concubines, along with Wen Shan, were all busy, working alongside Noble Consort Nianhulu. Even so, it was too hasty. After Empress Tong Jia passed away just one day after her enthronement, there was no time to prepare many things. Wen Shan and Noble Consort Nianhulu had no choice but to go to the Yangxin Palace to apologize to Emperor Kangxi.

"The late Empress passed away so suddenly. The Imperial Household Department rushed to prepare court robes, coffins, and other items. However, the Imperial Household Department prepared some funeral supplies according to the Imperial Noble Consort's regulations, and now we're really running out of time," Noble Consort Nianhulu said with embarrassment.

Noble Consort Nianhulu had been the busiest person in the two days since Empress Tong Jia's death. The sudden enthronement of Noble Consort Nianhulu at such a moment of death was a real pain. Most of the funeral rites previously prepared could no longer be used.

Concubine Nianhulu had been toiling day and night for the past few days, looking quite haggard.

Wen Shan and Concubine Hui were also often busy until midnight, and during the day they had to go to Chengqian Palace to mourn for Empress Tongjia. With the coffin about to complete its third day, and the next day commemorating the transfer of Empress Tongjia's coffin to the funeral palace, Concubine Nianhulu and Wen Shan discussed and counted some items, realizing they had no time to prepare them, so they came.

When they arrived, Kangxi was writing a eulogy for Empress Tongjia, and after hearing Concubine Nianhulu's words, he expressed sympathy.

"The Empress has passed away so suddenly. You have prepared so well and so hard. Please get up first."

Concubine Nianhulu breathed a sigh of relief and said kindly, "Your Majesty, doing everything personally is arduous. I believe the late Empress would be grateful for your grace if she knew."

Kangxi suspended court for five days and personally went to Chengqian Palace to mourn every day, each time she burst into tears and grief.

Concubine Niohuru hadn't expected Kangxi to express such grief. After all, Empress Tongjia's death wasn't sudden and sudden; she had been bedridden for three or four years. Kangxi hadn't actually paid much attention, only visiting occasionally. Otherwise, Empress Tongjia wouldn't have been so invisible in the palace before her death. After all, she was Imperial Noble Concubine.

Concubine Niohuru had long been implicitly respected within the palace; everyone knew the title of Imperial Noble Concubine was merely a formality.

Her sudden appointment as Empress the day before her death caught everyone off guard.

Kangxi sat down and gestured for the two of them to join him. He then looked at Wen Shan, who had remained silent, and asked, "How is Yinzhen? Is he feeling better?"

Yinzhen had been keeping vigil for Empress Tongjia for two days, day and night, refusing to eat or drink, and even fainting twice from crying. It was only after Yinsi and Yinxiang went to persuade him that he finally rested and ate.

"Yinzhen woke up and ate some lunch. The imperial physician examined him and said he fainted from excessive grief and a day without food or water. He was given some nourishing medicine, and just now he insisted on going to Chengqian Palace to observe the wake for the late Empress."

Wen Shan frowned slightly and said helplessly, "Your Majesty knows. Yinzhen is a stubborn child, and no one can persuade him."

Kangxi sighed, "Just take good care of Yinzhen. After all, the Empress raised him for several years, and Yinzhen should be filial."

That way, he wouldn't let Tong Jia down.

Noble Concubine Nianhulu's eyes flickered between Wen Shan and Kangxi. Because the incident of Tong Jia's enthronement and subsequent sudden death was so significant, many people hadn't paid much attention to the decree Kangxi had issued along with the empress's title. The Fourth Prince was now legitimately the son of Noble Concubine Xuan.

His name would be added next year, after the ancestral temple renovations were complete.

After Kangxi had a few more words with Wenshan and dismissed them, the two of them were preparing to walk to Chengqian Palace without a sedan chair when Concubine Nianhulu suddenly said, "Although this may seem inappropriate, since it's just you and me here, congratulations to you on having a son."

Wenshan glanced at her and said, "It's indeed inappropriate. We're still in mourning."

The empress's death was subject to a nationwide mourning ceremony. The princesses and the wives of the ministers of the Eight Banners were to gather daily to mourn, and the concubines, even Kangxi, were to change their attire and observe mourning for ten days. With

such strict funeral regulations, it was natural that no one would mention Yinzhen's alteration of the imperial edict. It was inappropriate in any way, but it was just the right thing to do. Yinsi and Yinxiang also figured it would be best to slip away without attracting attention.

After all, the imperial decree had already been issued and could not be altered.

Concubine Niohuru clearly had no affection for Empress Tongjia. She'd exhausted her with the funeral, and while she appeared respectful, she didn't really take her seriously. So, she just smiled and turned the conversation back to Yinsi.

"Eighth Prince is really acting like a big brother now. Tenth Prince often tells me that Eighth Prince always looks out for him in the Shangshufang. Now that the other princes are all mourning for the late Empress, it's thanks to Eighth Prince that he's taking care of them. Otherwise, I'd be even more overwhelmed."

Concubine Niohuru truly liked Yinsi. She thought he was gentle, intelligent, and sensible. Most importantly, he cared about Tenth Prince, who often said he enjoyed playing with Eighth Prince. Concubine Niohuru's love for Yinsi extended to Yinsi, as well.

At that moment, Yinsi was indeed very busy in Chengqian Palace.

Not long after the Ninth and Tenth Princes were born, Empress Tongjia became bedridden and rarely left the house. Therefore, neither of them had even seen her many times, so it's hard to say they were deeply grieving. The Ninth Prince was a bit stoic, but the Tenth Prince was genuinely innocent. Although he knelt obediently, he kept making small movements. Yinsi, fearing Kangxi might arrive at any moment, had to keep a close eye on him, fearing any trouble.

Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince was also incredibly grief-stricken, so he had to keep a close eye on him, making sure he ate and drank regularly and didn't faint again.

The funeral exhausted Yinsi.

Fortunately, after Yinzhen fainted from crying, his emotions calmed down considerably. He still knelt for days without saying much, but at least he could eat.

While Yinsi worried about his brothers, he also sincerely prayed for Empress Tongjia and observed mourning, wishing her a peaceful and happy death.

Wen Shan had already told them about her conversation with Kangxi that day. Empress Tongjia's having her fourth brother registered under her mother's name was a significant relief, saving them from the turmoil of the previous court and harem.

She was gone, and one could only wish her a happy rest.

The funeral rites only came to a temporary end when Empress Tongjia's coffin was officially moved to the palace. The subsequent funeral rites were all held in the funeral palace.

After Empress Tongjia's death, Yinzhen was depressed for a long time before finally recovering. Yinsi and Yinxiang watched anxiously, but could do nothing to comfort her. Unsure how to console her, they could only silently accompany her.

However, after the end of mourning, Kangxi had lost his composure. The emperor, who had always treated his harem with equal care, had, unusually, begun favoring one person.

And that particular person was Consort Xuan of Xianfu Palace, who had just had a son.

After Empress Tongjia's funeral, few in the palace, save Yinzhen, were truly grieving. After the ceremony, everyone's gaze returned to Wenshan.

Even Concubine Ping, who had never interacted with Wen Shan and didn't care about Kangxi's favor, made sarcastic remarks about how things were different now. Concubine Xuan had a legitimate son, two adopted sons, and now, with Kangxi's favor, she was naturally incomparable to them.

Then, many concubines in the harem suddenly realized that Concubine Xuan had become a deeply entrenched and irresistible force in the palace.

Now that Tong Jia was gone, Concubine Xuan and Concubine Niohuru were equally respected in terms of rank. Although Concubine Niohuru still managed palace affairs, Concubine Xuan had also assisted in the management of the six harems for many years, without any problems.

In terms of offspring, the Fourth Prince was now a son, just like Concubine Nianhulu, but Concubine Xuan also had two adopted sons.

The Eighth Prince was gifted and intelligent, and the Emperor had publicly praised him numerous times. Although young, the Thirteenth Prince bore a passing resemblance to the Emperor, and the Emperor doted on him. All three of Concubine Xuan's sons were quite impressive.

Not to mention Concubine Xuan's background, which was comparable to that of the noble Niuhulu clan.

Therefore, everyone felt that Concubine Xuan's position was even more secure than Concubine Nianhulu's.

However, Wen Shan's temperament remained the same: she didn't meddle in other people's affairs, nor did she interfere with the palace affairs, which were firmly under Concubine Nianhulu's control. Previously, the palace officials had always considered her good-tempered and easygoing, but now, they were somewhat jealous.

With her position, son, and now favor, she seemed so cheerful and carefree, seemingly free from any worries.

In reality, Wen Shan, the woman involved, had no idea why Kangxi had suddenly been staying with her for over a month. While he didn't come every day, the only place Kangxi visited during that month was Xianfu Palace, and the other concubines had gradually grown indifferent.

Consort Nianhulu had even begun to consider bringing in new concubines to liven up the palace, but the mourning period for the Empress Dowager and Empress Tongjia hadn't yet ended, making it difficult to implement, so she had to put it on hold.

"Mother, Tong Guowei and the Emperor are in the Yangxin Palace discussing matters concerning the

Dzungar Khanate today. I don't think they'll be here." Wen Shan's devoted son, Yinsi, would help her keep tabs on Kangxi's whereabouts daily.

"Really?" Wen Shan was genuinely overjoyed, excitedly preparing to make them some fruit. Yinsi coquettishly suggested sweet and sour fish, and Wen Shan happily agreed, happily preparing the treat.

Yinsi shook his head helplessly, still a little puzzled: "Why does Mother bother the Emperor so much?"

As people born and raised in ancient times, Yinsi and the others were actually a little puzzled.

It was obvious that the other concubines longed for the Emperor as much as they longed for rain. Although the Emperor had three concubines and six courtyards and could not be loyal, he was also the lifelong support of these concubines.

Every time the Emperor came over, Mother sighed, as if she was back in the days of the Southern Tour. At that time, Yinsi could still pull out Wang Shi to make up for it. But now, although the emperor did not need to mourn for the empress, and mourning for the Grand Empress Dowager only required 27 days, which did not prevent the Emperor from favoring the concubines, it was still not appropriate to bring in new people.

Yinxiang was making toys for the little princess born by Concubine Min. He and Wenshan learned a trick and prepared to make some wicker bunnies and cats to entertain their little sister. Yinzhen, who had a rare free day today, lent a hand.

Yinxiang, intently stroking the kitten, casually remarked, "Perhaps Mother had a childhood sweetheart before entering the palace, and now that they're forced to part, she can only think of him from afar, so naturally, she doesn't care much about the Emperor."

"..."

"Thirteenth brother, don't let Mother tell you those outlandish stories from now on," Yinsi said sternly.

Thirteenth brother's mind was drifting further and further away.

Instead, it was Yinzhen, the most prim of the brothers, who said something reassuring: "There are countless couples in the world who appear to be together but are actually apart. It's probably just the way it is, even though they're meant to be. Mother never makes mistakes when it comes to the rules, so why force her feelings?" "

Fourth brother, you actually said that?" Yinsi marveled. "No wonder Mother loves you the most. Your thoughtfulness surpasses me and Thirteenth brother!"

Yinxiang, struggling with the cane, looked up in confusion. Why was he dragged into this again?

Mother clearly loves him too!

Yinsi said pretentiously, "Alas, now Fourth Brother is Mother's legitimate son. Thirteenth Brother and I can't even compare to Fourth Brother."

Yinzhen smiled helplessly and gently tapped Yinsi's head with the book in his hand. "What are you talking about?"

But people can be so strange. Before Kangxi's official decree, Yinzhen had always believed that it didn't matter whether the Imperial Genealogy was changed or not. He had raised Wenshan with him for many years and had long since accepted her as his Mother. Whether she had that title or not made no difference.

But when it finally came true, he realized it was completely different.

In the ancestral temple, his and Mother's names would be engraved together, passed down through the generations, forever and ever, closely linked. Centuries from now, others would see them as blood-related mother and son.

This feeling filled him with joy.

Yinsi and Yinzhen finished their joke and continued their previous conversation.

"The Emperor has never been one to indulge in sentimental relationships, but why do I feel as though he truly treats Mother differently?" Yinsi pulled Yinzhen and Yinxiang aside to discuss the matter.

Honestly, Yinsi had never expected that something as serious as the alteration of his fourth brother's imperial edict would be so easily dismissed by the Emperor. The three of them remained peacefully in Xianfu Palace, untouched.

Although Wenshan had relayed Kangxi's words to them that day, as if he had finally, for once, remembered that he was their father, these words might have fooled Wenshan. Yinsi and Yinxiang had both personally experienced Kangxi's ruthlessness, and the saying that there were no fathers and sons in the imperial family was no joke.

And let alone their Emperor, who would begin to torment them severely in a few years. He had nearly driven the Crown Prince insane, let alone them.

So, after much deliberation, Yinsi finally came to the same conclusion he had reached when the Thirteenth Prince was brought to Xianfu Palace.

The Emperor seemed to have a different opinion of Mother.

Of the three, only Yinzhen was truly eleven years old, and had no say in these matters of love. The Thirteenth Brother, rubbing his chin and pondering for a long time, unexpectedly agreed with his eighth brother.

"Mother is such a good person. If the Emperor doesn't like her, then he's blind."

"..."

Wen Shan came in a moment later and said she had cooked two extra fish for Yinsi and Yinxiang to take to Liangpin and Minpin, as they hadn't seen Empress Tongjia's funeral in a while and it was time to go and see her.

Yinsi and Yinxiang agreed and got off the couch, dragging Yinzhen out for a walk. The three brothers walked through the Imperial Garden, just to relax.

Winter had already arrived, and New Year's Eve was just over a month away. The red plum blossoms in the Imperial Garden were in full bloom, their reflections radiant like a rosy glow. Yinxiang, feeling inspired, suggested picking some for his mothers. As Yinzhen and Yinsi followed him, they heard the sound of footsteps on the snow. Turning back, they saw Concubine De and the Fifth Princess, Wenxian, passing through the plum grove.

The Fifth Princess, now six years old, was a lovely sight, dressed in a crimson cloak, its edges adorably decorated with velvety white feathers. Concubine De had clearly not expected to encounter Yinzhen here. She approached, hesitated for a moment, and then paused.

The Fifth Princess, led by Concubine De, also looked over curiously.

Yinsi, reacting quickly, immediately pulled Yinxiang over, and the two of them greeted Concubine De.

"Greetings, Her Majesty the Virtuous."

Yinzhen was startled for a moment and soon bowed slightly: "Greetings, Her Majesty the Virtuous."

The Virtuous was slightly distracted. Yes, she was no longer Yinzhen's mother, so he could only call her Her Majesty the Virtuous.

The cold winter wind blew, bringing with it a scent of plum blossoms and a chilly air. After a moment of silence, the Fifth Princess called out "Mother" with some grievance.

The Virtuous finally woke up from her dream and loosened her grip on the Fifth Princess's hand.

"I still have to take Wen Xian back to Yonghe Palace, so I'll leave first."

After saying this, he hurried away.

Yinxiang didn't pick the plum blossoms either. He felt that it was an unfortunate day to come out. If he had known that he would run into Concubine De, he would not have dragged his fourth brother along.

Yinzhen no longer had any connection with Concubine De, either in terms of status or daily upbringing. Especially after experiencing how Empress Tongjia still worried about him before her death, the little bit of loneliness that Yinzhen had hidden in his heart for many years gradually faded away.

He was raised in Xianfu Palace with his eighth and thirteenth brothers. Each of them had their own biological mother, but Concubine Liang and Concubine Min still loved Yinsi and Yinxiang as before. Only his mother, whether Concubine De or Concubine Tongjia at that time, did not like him.

It is impossible to say that he did not feel disappointed.

That's why Wenshan always cared about Yinzhen especially at that time. Yinsi and Yinxiang would sometimes say that she was partial to the fourth brother.

But these words were just jokes. Yinsi and Yinxiang were both mature and they knew why their mother loved the fourth brother more after a little thought.

Aren't they the same?

When the brothers returned from delivering the sweet and sour fish to the various palaces, they discovered Kangxi had returned.

For a long time, Yinsi stood at the palace gate in silence.

"Fourth brother, let's go to Ganxi Wusuo to spend the night together."

Yinsi looked up at Yinzhen with a rather pitiful expression.

It was over, it was over. He had told Mother that the Emperor wouldn't be coming!

Now, wouldn't that mean he'd lied about military intelligence?

Yinzhen laughed. "We have to go in and pay our respects to the Emperor and Mother."

They couldn't just walk in and run away.

Yinxiang, with a look of anticipation, followed the unusually dejected Yinsi into the house.

Kangxi and Wenshan had already begun dinner.

Yinsi's heart sank even more when he saw that the Emperor had unceremoniously devoured half of the sweet and sour fish he had personally ordered.

Wenshan had estimated that the others would soon be back, so she had already prepared the meal and prepared it for the children. But then Kangxi strolled in.

He'd been coming here so often lately, and he didn't treat her like a stranger. He took off his cloak and casually tossed it to Liang Jiugong before sitting down at the table.

"It seems I've come at the perfect time today, with so many dishes prepared."

Wen Shan was speechless. What else could she say? She could only smile and urge him to eat more.

Fortunately, Kangxi wasn't hungry enough to eat right away. He washed his hands first, then warmed them over the charcoal stove. He chatted with Wen Shan and asked where the children were.

Wen Shan said she had some free time today, so she made some extra food and asked them to give one each to Concubine Liang and Concubine Min.

Kangxi nodded thoughtfully and said, "You are very generous. You allow Yinsi and Yinxiang to visit their biological mother often. Many concubines who adopt children avoid their biological mothers as much as possible." "

Women go through the hardship of pregnancy for ten months, so they should be grateful. Yinsi and Yinxiang are both good children. Why can't we concubines get along with each other in the harem?"

Kangxi sighed, "If only everyone in the harem was like you, I would have a lot more peace of mind."

Wen Shan glanced at Kangxi and said nothing.

She naturally knew what Kangxi was talking about.

Recently, Noble Concubine Nianhulu, Concubine De, and Concubine Hui had been arguing over the princes' studies.

The cause of this was that the prince's marriage was about to end.

Ever since Kangxi appointed Yinreng, son of Empress Yuan, as Crown Prince, in accordance with Han Chinese custom of appointing the eldest son as heir, Han officials at court had been urging Kangxi to follow Han tradition by removing the Crown Prince from the imperial court and allowing him to marry and receive instruction from Han officials. This initiative was first proposed in the eighteenth year of Kangxi's reign, when the Crown Prince was only five years old. Despite Kangxi's emphasis on Manchu-Han ties, he could not accept his own Crown Prince being controlled by Han officials, so he defied all opposition and postponed the Crown Prince's marriage. It wasn't

until two years ago, when Minister of Rites Shen Quan again petitioned Kangxi, that Kangxi finally agreed.

The Crown Prince then left the Shangshufang and went to the Wenhua Hall to attend lectures from Han officials. Kangxi's years of pedagogy proved effective. When the Crown Prince arrived at the Wenhua Hall, the Han officials tasked with lecturing on Confucian classics stared blankly at each other, seemingly at a loss for words.

The Crown Prince had memorized every word of the Confucian classics.

Kangxi even attended several lectures given to the Crown Prince at the Wenhua Hall, remarking that the Prince had memorized all of these things by heart before he was even ten.

The Han ministers who attended the lectures were sweating profusely.

The Emperor practically pointed at their spines and said, "Is that all? You

think you can teach my Crown Prince with such a low level?

I can teach him much better myself."

Thus, the Crown Prince's marriage had only lasted for about two years.

The Crown Prince would soon return to the Shangshufang. Now that he was almost fifteen, he would be able to attend court in two years. So, upon returning to the Shangshufang, Kangxi intended not only for the Crown Prince to receive instruction from Zhang Ying and Gu Badai, but also for the current head of the Niohuru family, Concubine Niohuru's younger brother, the Grand Secretary, Aling'a, to instruct him on current affairs.

While these were supposed to be lectures, they were merely conversations after school to familiarize the Crown Prince with court affairs.

After the news spread, Concubine Hui also wanted the eldest prince to attend the class. Wasn't the emperor's arrangement just to push the Niohuru family to the prince's side? Of course, Concubine Hui was not happy.

But after asking Kangxi for help, Kangxi avoided the question and deliberately fooled Concubine Hui.

So after thinking about it, Concubine Hui could only ask Concubine Niohuru for help. After all, he was Concubine Niohuru's younger brother.

Concubine Niohuru was not a fool. She didn't even think of pushing her own son Yin'e to be with the prince, so how could it be the eldest prince's turn?

Concubine Hui's temper was the same as the eldest prince. She became more and more arrogant in the past two years. She believed that her son was the only prince who could compete with the prince. Now that the prince's biological mother, Empress Hesheli, has passed away, shouldn't she be the most honorable woman in the harem because of her son's status?

She didn't care at all about Concubine Xuan's incompetence. While Concubine Nianhulu had a son, he was still young and looked older than a child. The Tenth Prince was clearly untalented, so according to Concubine Hui, she was the true leader of the harem.

After the Emperor's death, wouldn't all the women have to respect her?

Naturally, this presupposed that she had already tacitly accepted that the eldest prince could overthrow the Crown Prince and ascend the throne. Concubine Ping

also fanned the flames, and Concubine Nianhulu had long since reached her limit of patience with Concubine Hui, so the two began to overtly and

covertly sabotage each other. Originally, this matter had nothing to do with Concubine De, but since they had previously collaborated, she was unwittingly drawn into the fray.

Kangxi ignored the matter. Even if the harem was a mess, as long as it didn't involve state affairs, he wouldn't bother to intervene. He saw their commotion as petty, harmless women's quarrels, insignificant, and unnecessary.

But ignoring it was one thing; being annoyed by the noise was another.

Wen Shan rolled her eyes at Kangxi's complaints. "I think the Emperor is quite enjoying this."

Otherwise, Kangxi would have settled the matter with a single word.

Kangxi didn't get angry, pulling Wen Shan to the table to sit down and prepare for dinner.

"Noble Consort Niuhulu and Consort De are both sensible and won't cause any major trouble." Wen Shan: "..."

Kangxi already assumed that Consort Hui, the only one not mentioned by name, was unwise.

"Your Majesty, Yinzhen and his brothers will be back soon, why don't we wait for them for a while?"

How come the two of them started eating before the children came back?

Unexpectedly, Kangxi was already eager to eat first.

"Those brats eat at your place every day. I finally come here and I have to wait for them?"