The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

Then Yi'an said, "This is the fate of the women of our Aisin Gioro family, and it is a sacrifice we must make for the sake of the Qing Dynasty. It is a tacit rule that the princesses and noblewomen of the Qing Dynasty must marry into Mongolia, and no one thinks there is anything wrong with it."

Because we are princesses, even though we are also the children of the Khan, we cannot compete with the princes for the same things.

From the square-shaped imperial palace to the square-shaped princess's residence, being able to take over the affairs of the Mongolian banner like my second and fourth sisters is probably the best we can do.

It's a pity, things are different now than before; some things can't be obtained through struggle.

When they first met, Yi'an was lively and cheerful, but after the wedding date was set, she became quiet and reserved. When Yinxiang and Yihuan were not around, the melancholy on her face made Qingwan's heart ache. Today, after hearing these words, she felt even more so.

After a moment of silence, Qingwan asked, "Did the princess and the thirteenth prince say these things?"

Yi An shook her head: "No, and there's no need to say it. My brother does love my sister and me very much, but even if I told him these things, he might not understand."

Qingwan nodded, agreeing that it was indeed true and had nothing to do with Yinxiang's character.

She then comforted him somewhat helplessly, saying, "The Emperor's daughters have returned to the capital to visit their parents quite often. In the future, when the princess is pregnant, she will be able to request permission to return home. Moreover, the Emperor is a man who can't sit still. He goes on inspection tours every year and takes your brother with him every year."

When the Mongol princes come to pay their respects, the princess will naturally be able to see them as well. The Emperor has also visited Princess Duanjing's residence several times, and he may very well visit yours in the future. But even she herself knew how pale these words of comfort were after she finished speaking.

Yi An smiled nonchalantly: "That's true. In the future, when Father Emperor goes on a tour of the border, not only will you be able to meet my brother, but you might even be able to meet Yi Huan as well."

Yi settled down and laughed, "Look at me, I've gone off-topic. We were just talking about my brother."

My brother had his own thoughts, and I could only vaguely sense them. But on the second day after the wedding, I told him to let him observe further and not to rush into a conclusion.

I also wanted to say this to my sister-in-law today, and I asked her to wait a little longer.

I don't know if my sister-in-law and I will ever see each other again. I hope my brother is doing well, and I also hope you are doing well, sister-in-law, even if not just because you're my sister-in-law, but also because of the friendship we've built over the years.

Qingwan thought of Yinxiang. Yinxiang had actually treated her quite well. Just as Yinxiang had said before, he had given her the respect and authority of a primary wife. But intuitively, she felt that there was always something awkward about Yinxiang towards her, and she couldn't explain where this awkwardness came from.

If Yinxiang had a favorite woman in his harem, she could understand, but Yinxiang didn't.

After a moment, she came to her senses and said while resting her chin on her hand, "Actually, this is quite good. At least your brother won't do anything like favoring a concubine to embarrass me. And he's even thinking of taking me with him on this trip."

Anyway, the monthly allowances for the princes' wives and concubines all come from your brother's salary. As long as your brother can afford it, I don't mind having ten or eight.

"Haha." Yi An also laughed out loud without any regard for her image, and the joy in her voice made Yin Xiang and Yi Huan on the other side unable to help but lean over to look.

After Yi An finished laughing, she said, "Brother is still a man of principle at heart, he wouldn't do such a thing."

Besides, my brother is still being supported by Father Khan, and Father Khan's Imperial Household Department is not short of money. Even if he isn't, do you really think my brother relies solely on that meager salary, sister-in-law?"

Qingwan certainly wouldn't think that way, but she was sure that the tributes from below would be substantial, and besides, Yinxiang might have other ways to make money.

Yi An added, "But sister-in-law is being too optimistic. How could she have such thoughts at such a young age?"

Yi An's laughter broke the tense atmosphere between them, so she leaned back in her chair and said casually, "The Thirteenth Prince's studies don't include romance or love affairs, and neither do the things I've learned. Otherwise, how could I be a good wife to a prince?"

Yi An imitated her, resting her chin on her hand and looking out of the palace gate, and said leisurely, "Yes, why bother ourselves with this?"

Qingwan, who was focused on the swing next to her, did not see the dejected look on Yi'an's face when she said these words.

In a flash, Yi An composed herself and laughed, "You just told me like that? Aren't you afraid I'll tell my brother tomorrow?"

Hearing the laughter in her words, Qingwan took a leisurely sip of tea before saying, "What can we do then? If your brother is unhappy, then I can only be his lifelong nemesis."

Yi An helplessly shrugged: "Then I'll just have to listen to these words myself and not let it get to my brother."

The two exchanged a smile. Qingwan was indeed not worried that Yi'an would tell Yinxiang these things. Firstly, the three siblings, Yinxiang and his sister, had a very good relationship, and Yi'an would not deliberately cause trouble, lest she act like a petty person.

Secondly, both Yi'an and she knew that this was already one of the best possible outcomes.

The two chatted and sipped tea while watching the brother and sister on the other side. Although Yi'an was talking to Qingwan, her gaze never left Yihuan.

Until he saw Yi Huan tugging at Yinxiang's sleeve and saying something, Yinxiang swayed his body in response to Yi Huan's pull.

Yi An shook his head helplessly, then turned to Qing Wan and smiled, "I wonder what this girl is trying to get my brother to do this time. Judging from your expression, I'm afraid you don't agree."

But as he spoke, a look of worry appeared on his brow.

Qingwan noticed her change and asked, "Is the princess worried about the Thirteenth Prince and the Tenth Princess?"

Yi An first shook her head, then nodded: "I'm not worried about my brother, he's always been decisive. I'm only worried about my sister."

Although the three of us had different adoptive mothers, my younger sister was extremely dependent on my brother and me from a young age, especially me.

She lived in Consort Rong's Changchun Palace, but with the Emperor's indulgence, she spent more time with me.

During this time, she simply didn't show it on her face because she didn't want me to worry.

She turned her head and looked at Qingwan seriously, saying, "So this is the only thing I want to ask of you, sister-in-law."

Qingwan looked at Yihuan, who was smiling brightly beside Yinxiang, and said, "Princess, don't worry, I will take care of the Tenth Princess."

Yi An shook her head and chuckled: "My sister-in-law lives in the outer palace, which isn't particularly convenient. Besides, she has her own palace servants, so I don't need to ask my sister-in-law for that."

After I get married, I'm afraid Yi Huan will cling even more to my brother and sister-in-law. But my brother is busy with his own things and is also being taken around by my father.

So all I hope is that my sister-in-law will spend more time with her and talk to her more.

Qingwan nodded. She understood that it was called taking care of her, but in reality, there was nothing she could do. Not to mention that Yihuan had her own adoptive mother, even Yihuan's status as a princess meant there was nothing she could do.

The most worrying thing is Yi Huan's marriage. Even Yinxiang might not have a say in it, let alone her, an "outsider".

Yi'an recounted the funny stories of the three siblings' childhood, while Qingwan listened attentively, her head turned to the side, until the swing was finished.