The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

During the period when Kangxi was away, the palace remained peaceful. Since Yihuan had also been taken away by Kangxi, Qingwan usually spoke to Ningyin and Jingyu, who had later finished her postpartum confinement.

As for Fuling, ever since she had the eldest prince, she has devoted herself entirely to him, especially after Xiying left the palace a few days ago.

Mingxin, on the other hand, has been visiting the main house more frequently. Qingwan understands Fuling's thoughts, but she doesn't mind; she has her own reasons.

Emperor Kangxi returned to Beijing at the end of September as usual, and at this time the Empress Dowager and the concubines from Changchun Garden also returned to the palace.

Kangxi's return to the palace meant that the palace was about to become lively again.

When October came, it was the Empress Dowager's birthday. Although she was not Kangxi's biological mother, Kangxi was an extremely filial emperor. Every time he returned from leaving the capital, the first thing he did was to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.

Therefore, the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration was bound to be a grand and lively affair.

Early that morning, everyone went to the Ning Shou Palace, where the Empress Dowager resided, to offer their birthday greetings.

After everyone had arrived, the Empress Dowager and Emperor Kangxi were the last to arrive. The concubines offered their birthday wishes, while Qingwan and the other princes' wives sat at the end of the table, smiling politely.

Kangxi, having discussed something with the Empress Dowager, suddenly addressed Yinxiang: "Yinxiang, Moyaqi has been brought."

Yinxiang stood up and said with a wry smile, "Replying to Father, a child of Moyaqi's age might start crying at any time, so I dared not bring her, for fear of disturbing the Empress Dowager's mood."

Qingwan frowned at Yinxiang's words, somewhat puzzled, and looked nervously at Kangxi. Unexpectedly, Kangxi just smiled.

"Of course I know that the Crown Prince was a crybaby when he was young, and sometimes even his wet nurse couldn't soothe him. Only I could.

There was nothing I could do but hold him in my arms, coaxing him while reading the memorials.

"I never imagined that the Crown Prince would reach the age of becoming a grandfather." Kangxi's face showed a hint of nostalgia as he finished speaking.

The Empress Dowager then asked, "Moyaqi? Is that the child who shares a birthday with the Emperor?"

"Yes, it's just that we share the same birthday, nothing serious. Your Majesty, you don't need to worry about it. I was just asking casually when I thought of it," Kangxi replied.

The Empress Dowager simply said, "He is a blessed child," and said nothing more.

Aside from Yinqi and Wenxian, whom she raised by her side, she didn't really care about anyone else, let alone her granddaughter who was not related to her by blood.

Hearing Kangxi and the Empress Dowager's conversation, Qingwan slowly relaxed her stiff body. She did not want Kangxi to treat Moyaqi too specially.

The Crown Prince then stood up at the opportune moment: "Father, at least you have Mama and all of you. Leave your son some secrets in front of your brothers."

Hearing the Crown Prince's words, Kangxi glanced at him meaningfully, but said gently, "Since we've brought up the matter of you becoming a grandfather, let's settle Hongxi's marriage."

You've met Duanjing and Garzang's daughter before; she's your niece, and I know her inside and out.

"Hongxi." The Crown Prince called out, and Hongxi stepped forward from the last seat. "Grandson thanks His Majesty the Emperor for bestowing this marriage upon me."

"Get up. Now that you're married, you're an adult. I'll give you lots of advice and guidance in the future."

"Yes." Hongxi secretly glanced at the Crown Prince's expression before responding to Kangxi's words.

The Crown Prince still wore a smile, making it impossible to tell whether he was dissatisfied with Kangxi's words or something else.

"Hmm." Kangxi nodded slightly and then asked, "What is the name of Duanjing's child?" This question was directed at the Crown Prince. Since he had already spoken with the Crown Prince beforehand, the Crown Prince must have already inquired about it.

"Her name is Ya Ruo. The princess said it means 'moon'." Unexpectedly, it was Consort Bu, Princess Duanjing's birth mother, who answered first.

As she spoke, most people's eyes fell on her. She had been out of favor for many years and was of low rank, so she was inevitably a little flustered, but she still tried her best to keep her voice steady and answered Kangxi's question.

Kangxi also looked at Consort Bu, thinking of Duanjing's memorial submitted through the Court of Colonial Affairs. Since it was not a major matter, it wouldn't hurt to agree.

After pondering for a moment, he said, "Duan Jing submitted a memorial to me, wanting Ya Ruo to come to the capital ahead of time to await marriage. I have agreed. After that child arrives in the capital, she can live with Consort Bu."

This last sentence was addressed to Consort Gui and Consort Hui, who were in charge of the inner palace.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured that I will make the arrangements."

Consort Bu was not expected that Emperor Kangxi would say such a thing. After being stunned for a moment, she quickly expressed her gratitude and sat down with tears in her eyes.

After the banquet, everyone went to Changyin Pavilion to watch a play.

During the journey, Consort Liang stayed with Consort Hui the whole time. For some reason, Consort Liang kept smiling and her face was flushed, clearly showing that she was extremely excited.

Even Consort De, who had always been on good terms with her, lagged behind and couldn't help but ask, "What good thing happened to you today?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Qingwan, Jingyu, and the others all perked up their ears to listen.

Consort Liang was a very low-key person in the palace. Even her title of Consort was only due to her son's status. When he was young, Yinzhi was still very favored by Emperor Kangxi.

Later, when people in the harem talked about her, it was mostly because of her affair with the Eighth Prince's wife. Her behavior today was truly unexpected.

Speaking of this, Consort Liang's smile became even more undisguised: "One of the concubines in Yinzhi's household was found to be five months pregnant."

I was just talking to Sister Hui, and if she can give birth to the prince safely, I'll ask her to be made a concubine.

Five months? Qingwan and Ningyin exchanged a glance. Wouldn't that be the time when the Eighth Prince's wife enters the palace to attend to his illness?

Later, after the Eighth Prince's wife left the palace, she did send a maid from Yinzhi's household back to the palace, saying that she had learned a unique massage technique. Was it all for the sake of this child?

Did the Eighth Prince's wife know about this? Qingwan went to look at the Eighth Prince's wife and saw her standing there, her face turning pale and then red, her eyes bloodshot, biting her lip tightly. When she realized someone was looking at her, she lowered her head.

Qingwan met Ningyin's gaze again and saw the reluctance on the other's face.

After sighing, Qingwan walked in front of the Eighth Prince's wife to block her view, and also to shield her from the pitying or mocking gazes of others.

The same action was taken by the Tenth Prince's wife, Borjigit, who had never been very close to the Eighth Prince's wife.

With the arrival of the Tenth Prince's wife, the two of them effectively shielded the Eighth Prince's wife from behind.

Even the Ninth Princess, Quejing, who had always been at odds with the Eighth Prince's wife, stepped forward and took the Consort De's hand: "Oh dear, let's hurry up and go, otherwise we'll have to keep Father and the others waiting."

Quejing did not take refuge in Mongolia and lived in the capital after her marriage. She was raised by Consort De since childhood, so Consort De naturally had no objection to her saying this.

He led everyone away.

Although Qingwan and the Tenth Prince's wife shielded the Eighth Prince's wife behind them, they did not speak to her.

The Tenth Prince's wife said to Qingwan, "Sister-in-law went to Mongolia before, and I thought she would go again this year."

Qingwan smiled and said, "The child is too young, I can't bear to leave him."

The tenth princess said nostalgically, "I haven't been back for many years. What do you think of it over there, sister-in-law?"

"It's a different kind of scenery from the capital. After coming back, I miss the scenery there. No wonder the Emperor goes to Mongolia every year."

Of course, Kangxi's trip to Mongolia was more for political reasons, but these were common knowledge and did not need to be spoken aloud.

The Tenth Princess chuckled. If it were really that good, why wouldn't all the princesses and noble ladies want to marry into it?

It's just that no matter how good it is, it can't compare to the capital. It's just that the princesses in the capital are unwilling to marry into Mongolia, and the Mongolians may not really want to go to the capital either.

It's a pity that Yinzhi didn't accompany the emperor as frequently as Yinxiang, so she didn't have the chance to go back and see her parents and siblings.