My father is Yongzheng, and I am Qianlong?

Chapter 120 The Trial Marriage Princess (Part 2)

When Hongli paid his respects to Consort Xi, the girls all hid behind the screen, each one shy and bashful, peeking at him with pursed lips.

It wasn't until Hongli and Lingzhu, along with other elders from his maternal clan, exchanged greetings, and Consort Xi began calling out the girls of his generation to come out and greet Hongli, that the girls gradually emerged.

Hongli dismissed the girls' formalities, but also glanced at them.

Well, generally speaking, they aren't very good-looking.

Even so, these cousins ​​were already carefully selected to be arranged to meet him.

Because Lingzhu was also afraid of bringing shame upon himself and displeasing Consort Xi and Hongli.

However, since the women of the Manchu Eight Banners were generally not as beautiful as those of the Han and Mongol Eight Banners or even the Han people, even those who were carefully selected were rarely exceptionally beautiful.

Being pretty is already quite rare.

This is related to the insufficient sample size of the ethnic group, which makes it even less likely that a stunningly beautiful woman will appear.

Moreover, the Manchu Eight Banners rarely intermarried with other ethnic groups, and even when they did, it was only with Han and Mongol people within the banner system.

Therefore, not many of Hongli's cousins ​​were pretty.

However, precisely because there are currently few good-looking cousins ​​from the Niohuru clan, some non-Niohuru cousins ​​from the maternal aunt's family were brought along.

He then discovered that one of his aunts' cousins ​​was quite beautiful, perhaps because her father was from the Fuca clan.

Because among the Manchu nobility, there were also surnames with surprisingly good looks, namely the Fuca and Nara clans.

Daughters often resemble their fathers, and given that the other cousins ​​standing next to her are generally not very attractive, she stands out even more.

However, Hongli already knew that this cousin from the Fuca clan was not the historical Empress Fuca, but belonged to the Gahari Fuca clan, not the Shaji Fuca clan.

Because his maternal clan originally had a low status in the banner system, belonging to the lower five banners, and the Fucha clan, to whom he married his aunt, was also a member of the Fucha banner with a relatively low status in the lower five banners.

After meeting his cousins, Hongli chatted with Consort Xi and Lingzhu.

However, officials from outside the capital cannot stay in the inner palace with their families for too long.

So, after chatting for a short while, Lingzhu and his maternal relatives took their leave.

After these maternal relatives left, Consort Xi smiled and said to Hongli:
"Your Majesty Guo Luo came to the palace today, partly to see me, but also to let you meet your cousins."

"Although you're not ready to be paired with a princess for trial marriage yet, we can let you get to know them first. If you have a cousin you feel you can keep by your side and have her become your princess in the future, then keep the needlework she made."

After Consort Xi said this, Hongli nodded: "I understand what Mother means, but firstly, I am still young, and secondly, I am afraid that Father and Mother will not like me having too many cousins ​​by my side in the future."

“I understand. I don’t want His Majesty and the Empress to be angry because of this. But it’s hard to refuse because of our family ties. Just choose one or two as a token gesture, so that they know you are willing to give them a chance.”

"In addition, I have already asked His Majesty and the Empress for permission to grant this favor, so you don't need to worry too much."

Consort Xi was not angry about this; instead, she smiled gently.

Hongli nodded: "Then I will choose one."

So, Consort Xi smiled and waved to the maids assigned to her: "Bring the needlework left by the Fourth Prince's cousins."

"Whoo!"

Not long after.

Hongli then saw a female official carrying a tray of needlework. The needlework items were either sachets or handkerchiefs, and each one had their name on it.

Hongli fiddled with the plate for a few moments and then chose a sachet.

This sachet is very well made; it was made by my pretty cousin.

Her surname is Gaharifucha, and her given name is Yuyan!
Consort Xi smiled slightly upon seeing this, secretly noted it down, and said nothing more.

Although the Manchus were becoming increasingly Sinicized, Manchu women were not as strictly bound by etiquette as Han women. Many rode horses and drank alcohol, and all of them had unbound feet. They were not particularly averse to men and women meeting or interacting in certain ways.

However, it still carries a special symbolic meaning for a man to accept a gift from a woman.

After Hongli took the sachet, it meant that he was willing to take his cousin into his room as a trial marriage princess.

Of course, whether Hongli is willing or not is not the final result, but there is not much uncertainty.

Neither Emperor Yongzheng nor the Empress would refuse to give Consort Xi and Hongli this small favor.

After all, Hongli only chose one cousin to make it seem like he hadn't forgotten his mother's clan. No one would be so ungrateful as to only care about their mother's clan and disregard the bigger picture.

Moreover, she was only to be a trial marriage princess, not to become Hongli's future primary or secondary wife.

However, before Emperor Yongzheng explicitly decreed that he would be a trial marriage princess, Hongli could not announce it to the outside world.

Strictly speaking, before the emperor issued a clear decree, all eligible Manchu women selected for the imperial concubine selection had the potential to become the emperor's women.

To Hongli's surprise, not long after he had chatted with Niohuru, Yongzheng suddenly sent someone to summon him to Changchun Palace.

However, Changchun Palace was the residence of Consort Nian.

This surprised Hongli.

However, Hongli didn't think much of it and followed the eunuch Zhao Jun, who came to deliver the imperial decree, to Changchun Palace.

When Hongli arrived at Changchun Palace, he saw Yongzheng and Consort Nian sitting side by side on a heated couch, with an official standing beside them.

Emperor Yongzheng, dressed in casual home clothes and wearing a warm hat, still held a string of Buddhist prayer beads in his hand. However, he did not look at the memorials. When he arrived, he smiled at Consort Nian and said, "He's here."

Consort Nian smiled gently, though her face looked somewhat haggard.

Hongli knew that this was related to Consort Nian's miscarriage and the birth of the ninth prince, Fupei, which had caused Consort Nian's health to deteriorate significantly.

But Consort Nian was still very beautiful.

According to what Hongli had heard, the Nian clan was generally known for their good looks.

Consort Nian's favor with Emperor Yongzheng was not solely due to her relationship with Nian Gengyao; it was also related to her own exceptional beauty.

Even though Consort Nian's illness was now undeniable, she was still quite beautiful, and even possessed a unique charm characteristic of a sickly beauty.

Upon arriving, Hongli immediately paid his respects to Emperor Yongzheng and Consort Nian.

After exempting Hongli from the formalities, Yongzheng said, "I brought you here for no other reason than to let you meet a very beautiful and intelligent younger sister. She is the niece of the Imperial Concubine and is about your age. You can show her around the palace."

Consort Nian smiled again.

Hongli was even more surprised. He hadn't expected that Consort Nian would also introduce one of her nieces to him.

However, it should be noted that because of him, Emperor Yongzheng had just had Deng Chengwei, a eunuch planted by Nian Gengyao in the Jingling Mausoleum, beaten to death!

No matter what, everyone in the family would guess that this matter must be related to them!

Because this happened only after I returned from Jingling.

However, the Nian family did not hold a grudge against him at this time. On the contrary, Consort Nian herself wanted to introduce her niece to him.

This made Hongli quite impressed with Consort Nian and her family's political wisdom.

In fact, apart from Nian Gengyao himself being somewhat arrogant, and becoming even more arrogant during the Yongzheng era, Consort Nian and Nian Gengyao's father, Nian Xialing, were both very low-key and peaceful people.

As for Nian Gengyao himself, his arrogance was related to the fact that he passed the imperial examination very early, was repeatedly promoted and given important positions during the Kangxi era, and was praised extensively by the Yongzheng Emperor in the early Yongzheng era.

Consort Nian herself was, in many ways, even more cautious than her father, Nian Xialing.

According to Emperor Yongzheng's own words in history: "The Consort was always sickly and weak, with a gentle and virtuous nature, and she was prudent and cautious in her conduct. When I was a prince, I was extremely respectful and cautious in my affairs, and I was careful and respectful in front of the Empress. I was kind and gentle in governing my subordinates, and I was truly able to assist in the administration of the country."

Consort Nian was indeed cautious!
Her miscarriage was related to the fact that when she was pregnant with the ninth prince, Emperor Kangxi and Empress Dowager Renshou passed away.

During these two periods of national mourning, she refused to take leave due to her pregnancy and miss various grand ceremonies that required the participation of the emperor and his concubines, which led to criticism that she had failed in her filial duties.

The national mourning rites are complicated and arduous, often requiring long periods of kneeling, which even adult men cannot bear, let alone a pregnant woman.

Ultimately, Ms. Nian suffered a miscarriage due to exhaustion, which severely impacted her health.

Seeing that Hongli looked dazed and unlike his usual quick-witted and composed self, Yongzheng felt not anger, but rather a deep sense of shame. He knew that Hongli was not as spirited as usual because he did not want to have a relationship with Lady Nian.

After all, he believed that with Hongli's wisdom, he would guess that Nian Gengyao's personality would not end well in the future.

But Emperor Yongzheng! Right now, he needs Nian Gengyao to serve him loyally in the Northwest.

Coincidentally, Consort Nian asked him to let one of her daughters of marriageable age become Hongli's future trial marriage princess, so as to show that Consort Nian wanted to get close to Hongli and did not have any dissatisfaction with Hongli because of Deng Chengwei.

Therefore, Yongzheng had no choice but to grant Consort Nian's request and even allowed her to summon her niece, who was brought into the palace by her brother Nian Xiyao, to chat with her and meet Hongli. This was to make it seem as if he hoped Hongli would take the initiative to accept the Nian family's daughter as a trial marriage princess.

In this way, he would also have to make Hongli appear to like accepting the Nian family girl as a trial marriage princess.

Emperor Yongzheng naturally felt that he was putting Hongli in a difficult position and making Hongli feel wronged.

Despite feeling ashamed, Yongzheng still instructed Consort Nian after saying this, "Let Yirou come out."

"Whoo!"

Consort Nian smiled with delight, and after giving an order to the eunuchs in her palace, her face flushed slightly.

Before long, Hongli saw a girl come out. Although she was still a budding flower, she was already a stunning beauty.

Although she resembled Consort Nian in some ways, unlike Consort Nian's sickly coquettishness, Hongli discovered that this girl possessed a natural, innate allure!

Especially her pair of bright, phoenix-shaped eyes, which give one a glimpse into the fact that this woman will definitely be a femme fatale in the future.

However, Hongli was able to keep his composure and knew that Yongzheng certainly did not want him to lose control of his lust for beauty. He was only forced by the current situation to show great favor to Lady Nian, which was why he made the gesture of wanting to have a relationship with Lady Nian.

Therefore, Hongli didn't look at it for long and quickly turned his attention to Yongzheng.

Emperor Yongzheng nodded slightly and said to Hongli, "Her maiden name is Yirou. Do you think Yirou is pretty?"

"pretty?"

Hongli forced a smile.

Emperor Yongzheng then asked Hongli with a playful smile, "Then how about next year, I'll have her be your trial marriage concubine, to stay by your side?"

"Thank you, Father! Your son is very willing."

Hongli still forced a smile as he replied.

Upon seeing this, Yongzheng was pleased that Hongli was quite resistant to such alluring women, but at the same time he felt that this might not be related to his youth.

Meanwhile, seeing Hongli forcing a smile, Yongzheng felt even more guilty.

So, Yongzheng forced a smile and nodded.

However, Hongli was actually very happy. He wished that his harem had more beauties, so that his future harem life would be more colorful.

Yongzheng stood up and instructed Nian Xiyao, who was standing to one side, "Yungong, let's go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to talk about your trip to Guangdong. Don't bother your sister for too long. She is weak and needs more rest. Let Hongli take your daughter around the palace."

"Whoo!"

Nian Xiyao then followed Emperor Yongzheng.

Seeing that both Emperor Yongzheng and Emperor Hongli were very willing to accept the Nian family, Consort Nian smiled happily and rose to greet them, saying, "Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off!"

Hongli then took Nian Yirou on a tour of the palace.

However, Hongli found Nian Yirou to be rather shy, so they didn't have much to say to each other.

Since Hongli is still being raised by Empress Ulanara, he continues to reside in Yongshou Palace.

After taking Nian Yirou for a stroll in the inner palace and sending her back to Changchun Palace, he returned to Yongshou Palace.

But when Hongli returned to Yongshou Palace, he happened to run into a middle-aged man leaving the palace and also bumped into a young girl.

The girl blushed and stood still.

"This humble servant, Wuge, greets Fourth Master."

This middle-aged man was none other than Wuge, the fourth brother of the Ulanara clan.

As was customary, Hongli quickly helped the five men to their feet, saying, "Uncle, please get up quickly!"

Then, Hongli bowed deeply to Wuge, saying, "Greetings to my uncle!"

"Slave dare not!"

Wu Ge immediately returned the greeting.

Then, Wu Ge looked at the girl beside him and said, "This is my daughter Minxuan, who is twelve years old. She was granted special favor by imperial decree to accompany this servant into the palace. Quickly pay your respects to the Fourth Master."

"Greetings to Fourth Master!"

The girl replied.

Hongli nodded: "Cousin, no need for formalities!"

At the same time, Hongli couldn't help but sigh inwardly that the Nara clan was indeed known for producing beautiful girls. This girl named Minxuan was quite attractive, though not quite as beautiful as Nian Yirou. However, among the Manchu Eight Banners, she was already considered to be one of the most outstanding beauties.

"Thank you, Fourth Master!"

Next.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Wu Ge, Hongli returned to Yongshou Palace.

But as soon as he returned, the Empress summoned him and asked him with a smile, "Who did you see just now?"

Hongli immediately understood the meaning behind the Empress's words and guessed that his bumping into the Empress's niece was not an accident, but a carefully arranged event by the Empress.

In this regard.

Hongli naturally wouldn't expose him, and simply nodded, saying, "Your Majesty, I just saw my fourth uncle and his cousin."

The Empress smiled and asked again, "Where did you go last year?"

"went."

Hongli replied that since his meeting with Lady Nian involved Yongzheng, he did not take the initiative to report what happened after the meeting.

He knew that if those in power didn't ask at this point, it meant they didn't necessarily want to know.

The Empress nodded in satisfaction and continued to ask Hongli, "Did you see your cousins ​​at your mother's place?"

"Saw."

Hongli replied.

The Queen asked, seemingly in a casual, motherly tone, "Of all the girls you met today, who do you like the most?"

Hongli replied without hesitation, "Naturally, she is my fourth maternal uncle's cousin."

The Empress became increasingly satisfied.

That evening, the Empress told Yongzheng about Hongli's answer: "He didn't say what happened when he went to Lady Nian's place. I asked him who he liked, and he said Minxuan."

“He has always been cautious and steady. I hope he will be the same when he grows up, and not lose his self-control because of Yi Rou that year.”

Yongzheng replied.

After hearing this, the Empress asked, "So, will Nian Yirou really stay by the Fourth Prince's side in the future?"

"Let's see how Hongli and Nian Yirou perform!"

“Nian Xiyao and Consort Nian are different from Nian Gengyao. They are still loyal and prudent in their dealings. As long as Hongli is not blinded by beauty in the future, and Nian Yirou is also dutiful and respectful, it would be good to let her stay by Hongli’s side as a concubine of low status and have a son or daughter.”

"This is also a test for Hongli. Even without Nian Yirou now, he will inevitably encounter such beauties in the future. If he can withstand the test brought by Nian Yirou, I believe that other beauties will not be able to disturb his mind."

Emperor Yongzheng began to speak solemnly.

(End of this chapter)