The Daily Life of Farming in Time-Travel to Qing Dynasty

by Usui Takumii

not mine, asia novel dot net. Beware edited mtl.

4. 31 to 40

Chapter 31: The Fifth Princess Consort

When these words came out, Concubine Yi was stunned for a moment. "You, child... you really can say anything."

Even among the Manchu and Han Eight Banners, she had always prided herself on her beauty, but she never dared to make such bold claims.

If Concubine Yi had been daring in her youth, since entering the palace, she had seen too many beauties of all kinds. Her pride born from her looks had gradually worn off over the years.

People often said she was the most favored in the harem, but even during those years when she was most favored, the Emperor was not idle. First there was Lady Wei, then Lady Zhangjia Shi—each one a top-tier beauty.

Not to mention, in recent years, the Emperor favored Han concubines more, like Lady Wang and Lady Chen in the palace now, and the Han officials' daughters residing in the side chambers of the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Each one was beautiful and youthful, their freshness captivating to the eye.

However, Concubine Yi no longer cared about such things. In the past, she lacked support, but now she had both status and offspring, making the Emperor's favor less important.

But one thing the Emperor did well was that he didn't forget his old loves. He still cherished those who were once favored and bore him children.

Seeing An Qing's reaction, Concubine Yi couldn't help but find it amusing. Earlier, she noticed An Qing was captivated by Lady Wang, so she decided to tease her. She didn't expect An Qing to take it seriously; her reaction was quite entertaining.

She was already a grandmother, after all. Competing with young girls for beauty would be ridiculous. But it was heartwarming that this child thought to comfort her.

It was amusing, as Concubine Yi had long noticed that the fifth prince wasn't particularly concerned with appearance. She once privately complained to Lady Guo about his lack of discernment, but who would have thought he would end up with such a beautiful princess consort.

Sometimes Concubine Yi felt fortunate that she gave birth to a handsome fifth son; otherwise, she feared An Qing might have found him lacking.

To Concubine Yi's remarks, An Qing was unconvinced. What was wrong with saying it? Others had their own beauty, but Concubine Yi's beauty was unique.

For example, Lady Chen had the gentle beauty of a Jiangnan woman, every gesture like a painting come to life, captivatingly beautiful.

But Concubine Yi's striking beauty was irreplaceable.

Indeed, compared to Lady Wang, Concubine Yi lacked the youthful innocence of a young maiden, but she had a unique charm that Lady Wang could never match.

"Mother, beauty is a personal matter. Some prefer peonies, others prefer plum blossoms. What matters is our own confidence!" An Qing said earnestly.

Afterward, she put on an expression of 'I am the most beautiful, who can challenge us?'

Concubine Yi was amused by her expression but had to admit that it made sense upon reflection.

Many other concubines were surprised to see how close Concubine Yi and An Qing were.

Concubine Yi had always been flamboyant in the palace, and many concubines feared her, avoiding closeness. When the fifth prince married, they all thought the palace would gain another contentious mother-daughter pair.

But now, seeing them interact, it seemed they were closer than real mother and daughter.

As An Qing and Concubine Yi chatted, two concubines approached them.

"Greetings to Your Highness, Concubine Yi," they bowed respectfully.

Concubine Yi waved her hand lightly. "Rise."

Then, she introduced them to An Qing. They were Lady Wei, the mother of the eighth prince Yinzhi, and Noble Lady Ding, the mother of the twelfth prince Yintai.

An Qing quickly rose to greet them.

In later generations, these two were well-known among Kangxi's concubines. Lady Wei was known because of her son, the eighth prince Yinzhi, who was a contender in the succession struggle.

Noble Lady Ding was known not for her son Yintai but because she was the longest-living concubine in Qing history, living through the reigns of Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong, dying at the age of 97 in the twenty-first year of Qianlong.

Seeing them in person, An Qing couldn't help but muse. No wonder Lady Wei caught Kangxi's attention in the kitchen; her beauty was truly remarkable.

As for Noble Lady Ding, while her appearance was less impressive, knowing her historical fate made her seem blessed.

Despite learning their current ranks, An Qing was still surprised.

Lady Wei was a concubine without a title, ranking slightly below titled concubines. Noble Lady Ding was still just a noble lady, despite having sons nearing adulthood.

Kangxi was indeed stingy with titles in the harem, valuing lineage above all else.

Some entered the palace as concubines, while others spent decades reaching that rank.

Historically, though Kangxi favored Han concubines later in his reign, he was still stingy with titles. For example, Lady Wang, currently favored, waited over thirty years and bore three sons before being granted the rank of concubine late in Kangxi's reign.

After some pleasantries, under Concubine Yi's subtle prompting, the two revealed their purpose.

They had come specifically to thank An Qing for sending watermelons to the eighth and twelfth princes.

An Qing waved her hands, insisting it was nothing. "Your Highnesses, please don't mention it. Little Eight and Little Twelve are the Emperor's brothers; it was my duty. I'm glad they enjoyed it."

Lady Wei smiled warmly. "Yinzhi loved the watermelon. He usually doesn't eat much fruit, but that day he ate quite a bit. It was the first time I saw him do that."

"That's right. Yintai also brought me a watermelon, saying it was to honor me, but he ended up eating more than he gave." Noble Lady Ding laughed heartily.

Her laughter was cheerful, indicating she was a carefree person.

They genuinely appreciated An Qing, not because the melon was rare or delicious, but because she remembered their sons in the palace.

An Qing felt embarrassed by their sincere gratitude. She had only done it casually, not deserving such thanks.

Concubine Yi, noticing An Qing's discomfort, smoothly changed the subject. After a brief chat, Lady Wei and Noble Lady Ding left.

An Qing let out a breath.

Concubine Yi couldn't resist teasing her a little.

She realized that this girl, who was usually thick-skinned when joking around, was most uncomfortable when people thanked her sincerely.

But who is An Qing? In response to Concubine Yi's teasing, she immediately retaliated, "Mother, I think Consort Wei isn't as beautiful as you."

Seeing that she wouldn't let the topic drop, Concubine Yi laughed and pushed her lightly. An Qing, always ready to take advantage of any situation, promptly leaned into her.

As they playfully pushed each other, their closeness was evident.

Just then, Empress Dowager De entered and saw this scene.

Her expression stiffened momentarily before she subtly glanced at Princess Consort Si, her face seeming to darken slightly.

Princess Consort Si kept her head lowered, appearing very submissive throughout.

She sighed silently, envying how well Princess Consort Wu could get along with Concubine Yi. When she first married into the family, Princess Consort Si had also hoped to have a good relationship with Empress Dowager De, but things didn't work out as planned.

Due to the strained relationship between Empress Dowager De and their husband, Princess Consort Si wasn't favored either.

Sometimes, Princess Consort Si wondered why Concubine Yi could maintain a balanced relationship with Fifth Prince and Ninth Prince, while Empress Dowager De couldn't do the same with their husband and Fourteenth Prince.

Throughout history, sibling conflicts often stemmed from parental favoritism.

Princess Consort Si sometimes felt sorry for their husband, but Empress Dowager De, as a mother, couldn't treat everyone equally and always complained about their husband not being as close to Fourteenth Prince as he was to Thirteenth Prince.

But why didn't she consider how Thirteenth Prince treated their husband compared to Fourteenth Prince? When did Fourteenth Prince ever treat their husband like a real brother?

Empress Dowager De arrived shortly after, followed by Consort Hui and Imperial Concubine Rong.

With all four consorts present, everyone returned to their designated seats. An Qing also bowed to the three consorts and took her own seat.

The banquet was segregated by gender, but everyone was in the same hall, not far apart.

An Qing's seat was among the princes' consorts. When she arrived, the Crown Princess, Princess Consort Da, Princess Consort San, and Princess Consort Si were already seated.

Only five princes had married so far, including the Crown Prince, making An Qing the last to join them, completing the group.

This was the first time the sisters-in-law had met. Fortunately, the seating arrangement was clear, with the Crown Princess sitting at the head and the others arranged by seniority, ensuring An Qing wouldn't mistake anyone.

In recent days, An Qing had heard much about the others.

The Crown Princess was known for her virtue and frugality, highly regarded by Emperor Kangxi, who had recently appointed her to assist the four consorts in managing palace affairs.

Indeed, she wore the ceremonial robes of a Crown Princess but adorned herself only with a golden diadem, symbolizing her noble status, without any additional jewelry—a truly simple appearance.

Princess Consort Da, according to rumors, had been trying to bear a male heir for nearly a decade. After giving birth to four daughters, she finally had a son last year.

More strikingly, before her son's birth, Prince Da forbade any concubines from having children, showing his deep obsession with having a male heir.

An Qing, familiar with history, understood the root of Prince Da's obsession. As Emperor Kangxi's first legitimate son and eldest, he had always been overshadowed by the Crown Prince due to his non-royal birth. This thorn had likely been embedded in him since childhood, driving his insistence on preventing any concubines from bearing sons until his own male heir was born.

Of course, this son was Prince Da's bargaining chip against the Crown Prince, who had no male heir.

However, since giving birth to her son, Princess Consort Da's health had visibly declined, often bedridden due to exhaustion from continuous childbirth. Her heavily applied makeup barely concealed her fatigue.

An Qing was relieved that Yinqi didn't share this obsession; otherwise, she wouldn't have borne any children. Even if there were a throne to inherit, she wouldn't sacrifice her health for it. One pregnancy after another would be too much for anyone to endure. She wouldn't want to give birth and lose her life in the process.

Princess Consort San's extravagant appearance almost blinded An Qing with her numerous gold hairpins and jade combs. Such ostentatious attire was indeed high-profile, just as rumored.

Princess Consort Si appeared dignified and elegant, with a slightly round face and a fuller figure. She had given birth to a male heir for Fourth Prince earlier this year and hadn't fully recovered yet.

After bowing to each of them, An Qing sat down at her designated seat.

While she observed the others, they were also observing her. Given her growing reputation in the palace, she couldn't guess what they thought of her.

But she didn't care. It was merely a formal gathering, and after tonight, they might not see each other again for a long time. All she wanted was a peaceful evening.

Not everyone shared An Qing's mindset. No sooner had she sat down than Princess Consort San spoke up.

"Princess Consort Wu, how are you adapting to life in the palace?"

An Qing looked puzzled, sensing that Princess Consort San's sudden concern wasn't entirely benign. "Thank you, Third Sister-in-Law. I'm doing fine, quite adapted."

Princess Consort San nodded seriously. "That's good, very good."

Then she changed the subject. "Actually, although we haven't met, I've heard a lot about you, especially about those watermelons you grew. The whole Imperial City praised them, but unfortunately, I never got to taste one."

An Qing raised an eyebrow, guessing Princess Consort San's intentions.

"How could that be?" she feigned surprise. "Didn't Third Brother bring some watermelons back? Did he not share them with you?"

She made a face, implying that Third Brother shouldn't have done that.

Princess Consort San choked. "There were only two watermelons. Your Third Brother is filial and wanted to give one to Mother, so there wasn't enough to share."

Implying that An Qing and Yinqi were stingy for bringing too few.

An Qing responded, "Oh, but I heard that First Brother gave one to Consort Hui and even shared half with Princess Consort Da."

Clearly, it wasn't about quantity but willingness to share.

It was no secret that Princess Consort San and Third Prince had a strained relationship. Rumored to be obsessed with fair-skinned beauties, Third Prince had recently favored a concubine and brought the watermelon to her, causing a dispute with Princess Consort San. Everyone present knew about this incident.

The Third Princess Consort's face fell instantly, and she didn't bother with pleasantries anymore. She couldn't help but blame An Qing, "However, I heard that you sent watermelons to the Fourth Princess Consort alone. What, do you look down on us other sisters-in-law?"

An Qing glanced at her but didn't answer why she hadn't sent anything to others. Instead, she countered, "I heard that the Third Sister-in-Law received some excellent tea recently and even invited the Crown Princess Consort to taste it. Why wasn't I invited?"

As always, everyone lived in the princes' residences, so any movement was hard to hide. Just as the Third Princess Consort knew about An Qing sending watermelons to the Fourth Princess Consort, An Qing also knew about the Fourth Princess Consort sending peaches to her first.

The Third Princess Consort didn't expect An Qing to use this against her and felt flustered, "I, I thought the Fifth Sister-in-Law doesn't like tea."

An Qing shrugged, "What a coincidence, then. I thought the same about the Third Sister-in-Law not liking watermelons."

The Third Princess Consort was clearly angered by her words and was about to say something when the Crown Princess Consort sitting above silenced her with a glance.

An Qing didn't look up and thus missed their exchange, but the Elder Princess Consort, seated between them, saw everything.

The Elder Princess Consort lightly coughed, covering her mouth with a handkerchief to hide her sneer.

The Third Princess Consort truly is foolish. Judging from earlier, she was likely being used by the Crown Princess Consort without realizing it.

Over the years, the Elder Prince had been competing fiercely with the Crown Prince, so she had no deep relationship with the Crown Princess Consort. However, the Third Prince was close to the Crown Prince, making the Crown Princess Consort and the Third Princess Consort frequent companions.

But over the years, the Elder Princess Consort observed that the Third Princess Consort was no match for the Crown Princess Consort and often unknowingly became a pawn.

Today, it seemed the Third Princess Consort was challenging the Fifth Princess Consort, but in reality, it was the Crown Princess Consort who didn't want the Fifth Princess Consort to have an easy time.

The reason was clear; the Crown Princess Consort was likely upset that the Fifth Princess Consort had been outshining her in the palace lately.

Indeed, the Elder Princess Consort's guess was correct, but there was one thing An Qing didn't know.

The Third Princess Consort genuinely didn't know about the Fourth Princess Consort sending peaches to her, or even about An Qing sending watermelons to the Fourth Princess Consort until today.

She had been busy quarreling with the Third Prince recently and had no time to care about such matters. It was only before coming here that the Crown Princess Consort mentioned An Qing sending watermelons to the Fourth Princess Consort.

This led to her sudden confrontation with An Qing.

However, this incident didn't cause much of a stir. Soon, everyone's attention was drawn to the arrival of the Empress Dowager.

Everyone stood up to greet her, and only then did An Qing notice a lady dressed as a consort accompanying the Empress Dowager. The lady seemed very close to the Empress Dowager but treated the Four Consorts—Hui, Yi, De, and Rong—with less respect.

After a moment's thought, An Qing guessed the lady's identity. She must be Xianfu, Kangxi's consort from Horqin, known for making the women of Horqin notorious for their arrogance in the palace!

It was said that she had been under house arrest by Kangxi, but unexpectedly, she was released today.

But An Qing didn't pay much attention. She was Kangxi's consort and had little to do with her. Right now, she was more concerned about when the Mid-Autumn Feast would begin.

Ancient emperors had the tradition of "spring sacrifice to the sun, autumn sacrifice to the moon."

Therefore, in the royal architecture of every dynasty, there were sun and moon altars for the emperor's rituals. In the Qing dynasty, the emperor worshipped the moon deity at the Moon Altar.

When Kangxi returned from the Moon Altar with everyone, the Mid-Autumn Feast finally began.

Night fell, and lanterns lit up.

The first step of the Mid-Autumn Feast was Kangxi leading everyone in offering sacrifices to the moon in the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

After the rituals, Kangxi, as the leader, gave a speech. Then, everyone received the emperor's feast, wine, and mooncakes, and they all enjoyed the moon together.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, the feast finally reached An Qing's favorite part: the court dance performance.

As the music started and rows of women in flowing silk dresses appeared, An Qing felt like a mouse in a rice bin. Looking at their figures and faces, it was truly a feast for the eyes.

It was worth her anticipation all evening.

If An Qing was initially captivated by the dancers' postures, she was utterly amazed when they started dancing!

How beautiful! Such graceful movements could be described as "fluttering like startled geese, gentle as swimming dragons."

This was authentic classical dance, far different from the superficial performances in later times.

The dancers' movements unfolded gracefully, each gesture fluid and enchanting, a true visual delight.

She finally understood why ancient people loved watching dances so much. Who wouldn't be mesmerized?

In novels, protagonists often dazzled audiences with a single dance, but now she realized how absurd that was. No one could surpass these professionals!

An Qing's excitement was indescribable.

Back in Horqin, she had seen Mongolian dances, which emphasized the joy of singing and dancing around campfires. Though joyful, they couldn't compare to the elegance of court dances.

Ah, the ancestors' aesthetic was indeed high. This was her first time experiencing such refined beauty in two lifetimes.

Such performances were a supreme pleasure to watch. From now on, she decided to focus solely on enjoying the show tonight!

Yinqi was drinking with his brothers when he accidentally glanced at the Princess Consorts' table. Seeing An Qing, he was stunned and barely resisted the urge to hold his forehead.

All the ladies were either chatting quietly or sitting calmly, maintaining their dignified composure.

Only An Qing, with her hands supporting her chin, stared intently at the dancers, her eyes shining with fascination.

Her absorbed and entranced expression was truly... both amusing and exasperating!

Kangxi sat at the head, with the Empress Dowager beside him, followed by the Four Consorts, and then his sons.

After talking with the Empress Dowager, he turned to check on his sons and caught the Fifth Prince's astonished expression. Following his gaze...

Kangxi, being the center of attention, immediately drew everyone's eyes. They all turned to look in the same direction.

And thus, An Qing became the focus of the entire hall!

An Qing had no idea that she had become the focus of the banquet. She was thoroughly engrossed in the performance, whispering comments to herself. "The flexibility of the dancer in the center is truly professional. The one beside her did an impressive backbend."

In the end, it was the Fourth Princess Consort sitting next to her who couldn't help but call out softly, "Fifth Sister-in-Law."

However, An Qing, deeply immersed in the performance, didn't respond.

Everyone watching found this scene amusing. How absorbed must she be to not even hear someone calling her?

The Fourth Princess Consort, seeing this, called out a few more times.

An Qing, enjoying the show, suddenly heard someone calling her name. She instinctively responded with an "Ah" and then looked at the Fourth Princess Consort with confusion. "What is it, Fourth Sister?"

The Fourth Princess Consort could feel everyone's gaze without even looking up, feeling as if she were sitting on pins and needles. Why wasn't she the one being embarrassed, yet she was the one suffering?

"Fifth Sister-in-Law, look up," she whispered almost inaudibly.

An Qing was puzzled but obediently looked up. In the next moment, she met the gazes of several people!

Why... why were they all looking at her?!

An Qing was momentarily stunned before instinctively turning to Yinqi for an explanation. Yinqi helplessly glanced towards the center of the hall and then back at her.

At that moment, she somehow understood his abstract gesture!

Concubine Yi glared at her from across the crowd.

An Qing silently returned a pained expression. It wasn't like she was doing anything wrong; she was just watching a performance. Why were they all staring at her? The dance was far more interesting than she was.

Still, she knew herself well enough to realize that her usual behavior might have been a bit too enthusiastic. Compared to the other ladies present, who maintained their composure, she indeed seemed inexperienced.

Oh no, she was bringing shame to the imperial family.

An Qing immediately straightened her back and tried to adopt a dignified demeanor.

Though it might be too late to mend the situation, she couldn't just do nothing.

She also cautiously observed Emperor Kangxi's expression, but he was known for keeping his emotions hidden. However, she knew that Emperor Kangxi valued propriety above all.

If only she hadn't been so carefree. These days had been too smooth sailing, making her lose her basic sense of caution within the palace. This wouldn't do; she needed to learn from this experience.

An Qing silently repented while praying that her previous flattery and goodwill would serve her now.

As she felt uneasy, the reactions of those around her varied. Some worried about how to plead for An Qing if Emperor Kangxi reprimanded her, some looked down on her for her lack of decorum, and others hoped to see her publicly scolded.

Unexpectedly, when everyone was waiting for Emperor Kangxi's response, Empress Dowager spoke from her seat: "I also find this year's performance quite captivating. I was so engrossed that it seems the Imperial Music Bureau has put in great effort this year."

Her words caused a sudden pause in the room.

For a moment, everyone was bewildered. Wasn't the performance always like this every year?

But they weren't fools and quickly realized the Empress Dowager's intention—she was supporting An Qing.

By praising the performance and admitting she was equally captivated, she cleverly used the word "also." If anyone criticized An Qing later, they would indirectly criticize the Empress Dowager as well.

The crowd exchanged glances. Ah, the Empress Dowager was still as protective as ever.

This action stirred memories for many. When the Fifth Prince was mocked for his poor Chinese, she had summoned all the concubines to Ningshou Palace and sternly defended him, stating that no one dared speak ill of her children.

The princes still vividly remembered their mothers warning them not to mock the Fifth Prince.

Even now, the princes were accustomed to the Empress Dowager's blatant favoritism. Whenever the Fifth Prince faced any slight in the Imperial Academy, the Empress Dowager would summon Emperor Kangxi, and the culprit would face consequences.

With the Empress Dowager's support, Emperor Kangxi naturally had to give face.

He cleared his throat and said, "Mother, you are right."

Even if not for the Empress Dowager, Emperor Kangxi would still give An Qing a way out.

As everyone speculated about his reaction, Emperor Kangxi internally struggled.

But as An Qing had hoped, her previous flattery and goodwill played a crucial role. Initially, he thought her behavior was inappropriate, but he quickly found a reason for her actions.

"Fifth Princess Consort, you came from Horqin and must be bored here in the palace. It's good that you enjoy the performance. If you're ever bored, you can ask the Imperial Music Bureau to send performers."

To Emperor Kangxi, An Qing's excitement stemmed from her lack of exposure. Once she saw more performances, she would calm down. But he didn't realize how much his heart already favored her.

He then turned to Liang Jiugong and instructed, "Tell the Imperial Music Bureau to prepare more new performances."

Everyone was stunned.

Who in the palace wasn't confined here? No one else received such special treatment.

Especially Xianfu, who had just been released from confinement, looked at Emperor Kangxi in disbelief. She was also from Horqin but never received such treatment.

But since the Emperor had spoken, they dared not say anything.

An Qing was almost moved to tears. Had she escaped this ordeal?

Ahh~ This was the benefit of constantly seeking favor and flattering!

Chapter 32: The Fifth Princess Consort

In this world, one's true colors are always revealed when faced with adversity.

So-called favoritism isn't just about being liked more for your good behavior on a daily basis; it's about the blatant protection and favoritism shown when you make mistakes.

It must be said that after this incident, everyone's perception of An Qing's status in the hearts of Kangxi and the Empress Dowager was once again refreshed.

The Empress Dowager is one thing; she has always been fiercely protective of her own. But no one understands Kangxi's strict rules better than those present.

Especially the royal relatives who live outside the palace; they naturally have some lag in receiving news from within. They had only heard that the Fifth Princess Consort was favored by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, but seeing it firsthand today made them realize the depth of that favor.

The Crown Prince and the other princes were somewhat better off; they knew about the watermelon incident and had witnessed An Qing's interaction with Kangxi in the melon field, gaining a vague understanding of why their father favored the Fifth Princess Consort so much.

But the Crown Princess was unaware of these details. Since marrying the Crown Prince, she had always strived to be the top daughter-in-law in Kangxi's heart. Knowing that Kangxi values rules, she always spoke cautiously and behaved with dignity and composure. Knowing that Kangxi emphasizes filial piety, she served the Empress Dowager regularly and personally copied scriptures every first and fifteenth day of the month to pray for the deceased Empress Xiaochengren, the birth mother of the Crown Prince.

Later, seeing Kangxi practice frugality, she also adopted this as her standard, which indeed earned her recognition and praise from Kangxi. The Crown Princess became even more convinced that her path was correct.

Even when An Qing married into the family and gained special attention from Kangxi, and despite An Qing's recent prominence, the Crown Princess still believed that her approach was right, thinking that was what the Emperor wanted in a daughter-in-law.

But now, she felt a bit lost.

Compared to the Crown Princess's focus on Kangxi, the other princess consorts noticed Yinqi's reaction.

When they saw that Yinqi did not frown or show any displeasure at An Qing's actions, but instead wore a look of indulgent helplessness, they could not help but feel envious.

They had heard rumors about An Qing being the sole recipient of Yinqi's affection since their marriage, and now they realized there might be some truth to it.

Compared to their varied thoughts, An Qing was simply relieved to have escaped a disaster. She hurriedly got up to thank Kangxi.

Lao Kang is truly kind-hearted. It seems the watermelons weren't given in vain; he even arranged new performances for her entertainment. Her life in the Forbidden City would be more enjoyable now.

Her parents would no longer worry about her getting bored.

For the rest of the time, An Qing behaved properly until the banquet ended.

After the palace banquet, An Qing left with Yinqi.

Ma Xiang led the way with a lantern, and the two walked side by side on the pebble-paved path, their shadows elongated by the moonlight.

An Qing's steps were light, and she turned to Yinqi with a smile. "Thank you, my lord, for earlier."

Yinqi glanced at her and asked deliberately, "For what?"

What else could it be? Naturally, for his hint in the hall and for not blaming her for embarrassing him in front of others.

Regardless of whether she wanted to admit it, in the Forbidden City, she represented not just herself but also Yinqi. They were in the same boat, sharing both glory and disgrace.

"I'm sorry for making you lose face in front of your brothers," An Qing said.

She had seen the looks the other princes gave Yinqi before Kangxi spoke. Today, she had indeed caused him embarrassment.

But Yinqi shook his head. "We don't need to talk about that."

As An Qing thought, they were husband and wife, sharing both glory and disgrace. He accepted the glory she brought him, so there was no reason to blame her for the embarrassment.

Besides, Yinqi didn't really think An Qing's actions were a big deal. So what if she enjoyed watching a performance?

He sighed suddenly, saying, "Fortunately, you're not a man. If you were a man..."

He paused, unsure how to finish the sentence.

If she were a man, she would probably say something like, "Nothing to do today, let's go listen to music at the brothel."

Haha, she'd definitely be a spoiled son of a noble family.

"Everyone appreciates beauty," An Qing chuckled. "Isn't that beautiful?"

Fortunately, she still had a sense of self-preservation and added, "Of course, I can't be a man; otherwise, how could I marry you?"

Yinqi gave her a faint glance, knowing she was trying to placate him again!

Hmph! She was always good at soothing him, especially after causing trouble or feeling guilty. She could spout sweet words without any embarrassment.

But despite knowing she was placating him, he couldn't help but feel happy.

The lesson from the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet made An Qing reflect deeply. She concluded: people are not gods; making mistakes is normal, so there's no need to overthink it!

Cui Liu complained, "My lady, this is not reflection; it's just finding excuses for yourself."

"What excuses? I'm just not making things hard for myself," An Qing replied. "Besides, as long as the direction is right, some deviations are inevitable. You need to see the bigger picture, understand?"

She wasn't making excuses; she was being realistic. Trying to act dignified and composed would only last three days at most, and even then, she wouldn't do it well.

Through this incident, An Qing realized something. Since the Empress Dowager, Concubine Yi, and Yinqi didn't react negatively to her actions in the hall, it meant they had already accepted her true nature and chosen to be tolerant.

This might mean that Kangxi could also accept her this way. Since he didn't blame her and even understood her, it might mean he was starting to accept her too. Over time, he might become like the Empress Dowager, Concubine Yi, and Yinqi.

It's like desensitization therapy.

An Qing found this idea appealing. As for others' opinions, she didn't care. After all, Kangxi, Concubine Yi, the Empress Dowager, and Yinqi were the most important to her. Others could think what they want; it wouldn't affect her.

Cui Liu was a bit confused but, trusting An Qing's confidence, instinctively agreed with her theory.

"What is big and what is small?" she asked, puzzled.

An Qing looked at her with an expression that suggested she was teachable. Yes, this was the right question to ask.

"Small" referred to her minor flaws that couldn't be completely overcome in the short term, while "big" naturally meant clinging to powerful allies!

Whether it was Kangxi, the Empress Dowager, or Concubine Yi, An Qing had discovered that they all shared one common trait: protectiveness.

Of course, their levels of protectiveness varied. The Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi were openly protective, while Kangxi, being the emperor, would find excuses to justify his protectiveness.

From the current situation, it seemed she had temporarily found strong allies within the Forbidden City, but this didn't mean she could rest easy. She still needed to strengthen these relationships.

Regarding Kangxi, An Qing was passive; opportunities to curry favor were random and beyond her control, so she could set that aside for now.

But with the Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi, there were many more opportunities.

Especially since the Empress Dowager had just helped her out of a tight spot during the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, An Qing wasn't ungrateful. She decided to make some pastries that the Empress Dowager loved and visit to show her gratitude.

Of course, this wasn't solely about seeking allies; An Qing genuinely felt grateful from the bottom of her heart.

One should never take others' kindness for granted.

Sincerity begets sincerity, and only then can it last.

So, early the next morning, An Qing got up and started working on tiger skin cake rolls and croissants with Chunxiao's help.

These were new pastries, so Chunxiao didn't understand them, which meant An Qing had to do everything herself.

Why these two pastries? Through her observations, An Qing knew that the Empress Dowager preferred Mongolian pastries with a milky flavor but couldn't eat overly greasy or hard foods due to her age. Thus, the tiger skin cake roll was perfect for her.

An Qing decided to make two flavors: original and matcha.

As for the croissants, they were specially made for Yinqi.

In a way, Yinqi understood An Qing quite well. Whenever she felt guilty or had caused trouble, she always tried to make amends.

An Qing noticed that Yinqi liked crispy pastries but found the ones from the imperial kitchen too greasy. She thought the croissants would be perfect for him.

So, she decided to use the croissants to cheer him up.

"Cui Liu, go get some of the matcha powder we prepared earlier."

"Yes, my lady, I'll go get it right away."

"Little Xizi, keep stirring the cream, it's not done yet."

"Coming, coming..."

The entire courtyard was bustling with activity as An Qing directed everyone. Little Xizi and Lai Fu took turns stirring the cream, Cui Liu fetched ingredients, Perilla and Mai Dong took turns tending the fire, and Chunxiao assisted An Qing throughout the process. Many others stood by, ready to be called upon.

Despite not being a professional, An Qing had watched enough cooking shows in her previous life to have a general idea of how to make these pastries. With Chunxiao's help, after several failed attempts, they finally succeeded.

Encouraged by their success, they continued and managed to produce several batches of beautifully presented pastries by afternoon.

The courtyard was filled with the rich aroma of tiger skin cake rolls and croissants. The scent was so strong it could be smelled from afar.

Since many of the initial attempts had been unsightly, An Qing had Perilla distribute them among everyone.

Cui Liu, munching on a croissant, had crumbs all over her mouth, looking blissfully content.

Today was truly rare; usually, the lady was too lazy to bother with such things. Though her skills weren't as good as Chunxiao's, she had many creative ideas and often made things no one had ever tasted before.

Like these croissants, crispy and fragrant, they were delicious.

An Qing turned to see Cui Liu eyeing the croissants and quickly said, "Cui Liu, you can't eat any more croissants. We didn't make many, and there might not be enough to share."

Cui Liu responded with an "Oh." She wasn't unreasonable and knew the lady had important matters to attend to. She was just looking and hadn't planned to eat more anyway.

Besides, Chunxiao had learned how to make them, so she could ask her to make more tomorrow.

Next came the distribution of the pastries. An Qing divided them into five portions: one each for the Empress Dowager, Concubine Yi, and Yinqi. These three were obvious choices.

Another portion was for the Fourth Lady. After causing her embarrassment yesterday, An Qing felt guilty and wanted to apologize with pastries.

The last portion contained only tiger skin cake rolls, which weren't too sweet and suitable for children. She sent them to Nurse Feng in the front yard to give to Hongsheng in moderation.

Except for the Empress Dowager, whom An Qing would deliver to personally, the others were sent by Perilla's arrangements.

Everyone else was fine, except for Yinqi, who wasn't in the palace and required sending outside.

He worked at the Ministry of Works, essentially a rotation to gain experience, without a specific position. This was similar to a wealthy heir interning at their family company.

An Qing couldn't leave the palace, so she asked Little Xizi to find Ma Xiang or Nurse Feng in the front yard to arrange the delivery.

After making all the necessary arrangements, An Qing brought the pastries and a pot of pear soup to Ningshou Palace.

She timed her visit so that the Empress Dowager would be awake from her nap and could enjoy some tea and snacks.

Neither the Empress Dowager nor Nurse Wu Lan seemed surprised by her arrival. After all, she had become a frequent visitor to Ningshou Palace.

"Oh, Fifth Lady, what new pastries have you brought for the Empress Dowager this time?" Nurse Wu Lan remarked upon seeing the pastry box.

How did she know it was a new pastry without opening the box? Because every time An Qing brought pastries to Ningshou Palace, they were always different.

An Qing didn't keep them in suspense and opened the box of pastries. "Wu Lan, you know me so well. These pastries are ones I made specially for Empress Dowager today."

After saying this, she placed the platter with tiger-skin cake rolls and croissants in front of the Empress Dowager, then pointed at the tiger-skin cake roll with a smile. "Empress Dowager, try this one. I think you'll like it."

The Empress Dowager glanced over. The pastry did look fresh and different from what was usually served in the palace. However, she wasn't surprised; An Qing had brought many new treats to her palace before.

Without hesitation, she took a bite. Indeed, the pastry suited her taste perfectly.

Rich egg aroma, soft and delicate texture.

"What is this filling?" the Empress Dowager asked, puzzled.

It tasted somewhat like milk.

An Qing explained with a smile, "It's made from milk, Empress Dowager. You can call it cream."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly. The cream was indeed fragrant and not too sweet.

Due to her age, the Empress Dowager had developed a preference against overly sweet foods in recent years. Therefore, the sweetness level of the tiger-skin cake roll was just right, making it very palatable. She couldn't help but have another piece.

As for the croissant, she had a lukewarm reaction. But when she heard that An Qing had made it specifically for Yinqi, she seemed to remember something and nodded approvingly.

Yes, the fifth prince would definitely enjoy this.

Wu Lan was intrigued by the copper kettle An Qing had brought and asked, "Fifth Princess Consort, what's in this kettle? Is it milk tea?"

"Empress Dowager, I heard you were coughing yesterday. Are you feeling better today?" An Qing asked, looking at the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager was curious about the small copper kettle but was taken aback by An Qing's sudden question. "It's nothing serious, just an old problem. The air is dry in autumn, and I always cough for a few days during the seasonal change. Don't worry; the imperial physician has prescribed medicine, and I'll be fine after taking it for a few days."

Hearing this, Wu Lan couldn't help but complain, "That is if you actually take the medicine."

Thinking about it made her worried. In recent years, the Empress Dowager had become more childish, often refusing to take bitter medicine.

Just a few days ago, her seasonal cough returned, and although the imperial physician had prescribed medicine, she refused to take it. Most of the time, the medicine was left to cool and then discarded.

The Empress Dowager couldn't help but glare at Wu Lan for revealing this to An Qing.

But Wu Lan wasn't afraid and continued talking to An Qing, urging her to join in persuading the Empress Dowager.

Unexpectedly, An Qing smiled and said, "That's perfect. I've prepared a small pot of pear soup for Empress Dowager. It has cooling and cough-relieving properties. You should give it a try. If it works, you won't need to take the medicine."

She then made a helpless face at Wu Lan, "I also don't like drinking bitter medicine."

Wu Lan was taken aback, not expecting An Qing to 'defect.'

The Empress Dowager, however, laughed and looked at Wu Lan challengingly, as if to say, see, no one likes that bitter medicine.

Wu Lan sighed, looked at the Empress Dowager and An Qing, and resignedly went to pour the pear soup.

The Empress Dowager was thirsty and took the cup, drinking it immediately.

However, neither Wu Lan nor the Empress Dowager really believed in the efficacy of the pear soup. The palace maids in Ningshou Palace had prepared pear soup before, but it hadn't been effective.

But they appreciated An Qing's good intentions and didn't want to dampen her spirits.

To their surprise, after finishing the cup, the Empress Dowager suddenly looked at An Qing in amazement. "This pear soup... it tastes quite special."

Refreshing and unlike ordinary pear soup, it was sweet and sour, containing silver ear mushrooms.

More importantly, the pear soup made with silver ear mushrooms wasn't thick and gooey.

When someone's throat is uncomfortable, they usually dislike sticky drinks. This small pot of pear soup was refreshingly light.

Seeing the Empress Dowager enjoying it, Wu Lan poured her another cup, which she drank without hesitation.

Perhaps it was a coincidence, but after two cups, the persistent cough that she had struggled to suppress was gone, and the soreness in her throat had significantly reduced.

"What did you call it again?" the Empress Dowager asked. "Is it a folk remedy?"

An Qing replied with a smile, "Empress Dowager, it's called small pot pear soup. It's a drink from Zhaozhou in Hebei, suitable for those with sore throats and coughs."

However, this small pot pear soup has an interesting history.

In modern times, small pot pear soup is a famous beverage in Beijing, similar to plum juice, once sold by street vendors.

Its origin is quite interesting. It is said that Emperor Qianlong enjoyed visiting the south. During one of his trips to Zhaozhou in Hebei, he was thirsty and had a sore throat. Despite numerous prescriptions, none relieved his symptoms.

One day, while passing a tea stall near Zhaozhou Bridge, Emperor Qianlong drank a bowl of tea and felt refreshed, with his sore throat disappearing. That tea was the small pot pear soup.

Due to Emperor Qianlong's fondness, this pear soup became a palace drink, and its recipe eventually spread to the common people.

The name comes from the fact that it was sold in copper kettles, hence "small pot pear soup."

Seeing the Empress Dowager's reaction, Wu Lan knew it must be effective and asked An Qing for the recipe, planning to make it for the Empress Dowager in the future.

An Qing replied, "The method is simple, using common ingredients such as pears, silver ear mushrooms, longans, red dates, tangerine peel, preserved plums, rock sugar, and goji berries. The proportions are..."

Wu Lan was pleasantly surprised. "It seems similar to silver ear pear soup."

An Qing smiled, "There are differences."

The preparation of small pot pear soup takes less time than silver ear pear soup. The silver ear mushrooms are cooked until crisp yet tender, unlike the gelatinous texture of traditional silver ear soup.

Preserved plums are the key ingredient, giving the soup a refreshing and balanced sweet and sour taste.

As they chatted about the small pot pear soup, the conversation naturally drifted. Before they knew it, the small copper kettle was empty.

Both the Empress Dowager and Wu Lan enjoyed chatting with An Qing. She was lively and amusing, always able to make them laugh.

At that moment, a young palace maid suddenly came in to report that Consort Xianfu had come to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.

An Qing was taken aback; she had not expected to encounter Consort Xianfu here at all.

But then again, both of them were from Horqin and often visited Ningshou Palace, so it was only a matter of time before they met.

Just as the palace maid finished her report, a graceful figure entered. From a distance, An Qing couldn't help but be impressed.

Unlike the formal attire she wore at yesterday's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Consort Xianfu now donned Mongolian clothing. To An Qing, this was a first since coming to the Forbidden City, and it felt unexpectedly familiar.

However, this sense of familiarity vanished as Consort Xianfu approached.

The reason was simple: the haughty attitude with which she received An Qing's greeting and the slight tilt of her nose when looking at her were quite off-putting.

Still, An Qing didn't let it bother her too much. She decided to simply inquire more carefully before coming to Ningshou Palace in the future, to avoid running into Consort Xianfu.

It wasn't that she feared her, but rather that An Qing found it too troublesome. After all, the Empress Dowager was involved, and any tension would be awkward.

It was better to avoid such encounters altogether.

If An Qing's connection to the Empress Dowager was a distant familial one, then Consort Xianfu's relationship was much closer.

Both hailed from the Left Wing Banner of Horqin, and if An Qing's calculations were correct, they were actually of the same generation, even cousins.

Yet, one was now Kangxi's mother, while the other was his consort, making their generational difference quite stark.

This wasn't unusual in the Qing dynasty, where frequent marriages between the imperial family and Horqin had long muddled the generational lines. Even Huangtaiji had married both an aunt and a niece simultaneously.

With Consort Xianfu's arrival, An Qing couldn't leave abruptly, so she stayed and sat with them for a while.

However, while Consort Xianfu chatted with the Empress Dowager, she kept staring at An Qing, making her feel very uncomfortable.

Though An Qing kept her head down to avoid eye contact, she eventually could no longer bear the intense gaze and, judging that enough time had passed, politely excused herself.

The Empress Dowager did not stop her, giving a few simple instructions before letting her go.

What An Qing did not expect was that just as she stepped out of Ningshou Palace, someone called out to her in Mongolian.

"Wait!"

Chapter 33: The Fifth Princess

An Qing sighed silently in her heart. Truly, what she feared had come to pass.

She turned around and bowed respectfully, calling out, "Your Highness."

As they stood face to face, An Qing took the opportunity to carefully observe Princess Xianfu for the first time.

Xianfu had the typical Mongolian woman's appearance—round but well-defined facial features, deep-set eyes. She wasn't the most beautiful, but there was a natural charm about her.

Especially with the traditional Horqin attire, she looked quite distinctive.

Of course, Xianfu's looks were overshadowed in Emperor Kangxi's diverse harem, but her advantage lay not in her appearance but in her birth and family background.

Princess Xianfu was the daughter of Prince Darhan of Horqin, the granddaughter of the late Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's elder brother.

However, after entering the palace, she did not receive much attention from Emperor Kangxi, and for a long time, she remained unranked. Yet due to her noble birth, she enjoyed the privileges of a secondary consort, residing in the Xianfu Palace, known as Princess Xianfu.

It wasn't until Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's passing that this nameless Princess Xianfu was finally given the rank of Consort, though it was only an oral appointment by Emperor Kangxi, without a formal ceremony or title. Everyone in the palace referred to her as Princess Xianfu.

Clearly, despite being elevated to Consort, she still did not receive Emperor Kangxi's favor or attention. Her current position in the palace was indeed awkward—without favor, without children, and without a formal title, making her somewhat of a symbolic figure from Horqin in Emperor Kangxi's harem.

In fact, Princess Xianfu could be considered unlucky. Had she been born a few decades earlier, her noble birth would have ensured her prominence during the reigns of Emperor Huangtaiji or Emperor Shunzhi, even if she lacked favor.

Just like the current Empress Dowager, who, although never favored since entering the palace, has maintained her position and is now the Empress Dowager.

However, each emperor had his own court. By the time of Emperor Kangxi's reign, the court had stabilized and no longer needed to select consorts from Mongolia to strengthen ties. This explains why none of Emperor Kangxi's previous three empresses were of Mongolian descent.

On the contrary, Emperor Kangxi sought to reduce Mongolian influence on the Qing dynasty, leading to fewer marriages between the imperial family and Mongolian women in recent years.

This was also why An Qing had been puzzled before learning the true intentions behind Emperor Kangxi's betrothal of her to Yinqi.

While An Qing observed her, Princess Xianfu was clearly observing her as well.

"You don't look like our Horqin women at all," Xianfu concluded after scrutinizing her for a while.

An Qing: "?"

What was she talking about? She hadn't done anything, yet she was being stripped of her Horqin heritage?

No, she didn't have that right!

"Your Highness jests. I grew up in Horqin, absolutely genuine," she replied respectfully, maintaining a smile despite her inner frustration.

After all, regardless of her thoughts, she had to show respect to someone who was Emperor Kangxi's consort.

Unexpectedly, An Qing's seemingly perfect composure became an excuse for Princess Xianfu to lash out, "Hmph! Not only do you not look like us, but you're just as hypocritical as those women in the palace, always speaking in roundabout ways!"

She was hypocritical and manipulative?

An Qing really wanted to roll her eyes. Just because Princess Xianfu was lacking in sense didn't mean all Horqin women were like that.

Wasn't this unreasonable!

From what she knew, Princess Xianfu had been in the palace for quite some time. How could she still be so rash and ignorant, either because she hadn't learned enough lessons or simply lacked sense.

No wonder Emperor Kangxi often placed her under house arrest. With such a temperament, how many people must suffer in the palace?

Looking at Princess Xianfu's arrogant and unreasonable demeanor, An Qing suddenly felt a bit sorry for Emperor Kangxi.

Who said sitting on that throne meant having unlimited power? Look at Lao Kang; he still had to tolerate Princess Xianfu as a symbol despite disliking her.

Just as An Qing was at a loss for words, Princess Xianfu continued, "Also, Horqin women never admit defeat!"

An Qing widened her eyes and exclaimed, "Ah." What did this have to do with admitting defeat?

And who was she admitting defeat to, Emperor Kangxi?

If that was the case, then An Qing would gladly admit defeat. After all, she didn't want to be confined to the palace for over two-thirds of the year like Princess Xianfu.

"So, since we both come from Horqin, we should stand together and never bow down to others," Princess Xianfu said, chin raised arrogantly.

Her expression seemed to say, "It's your honor to be in my camp."

An Qing: "..."

This honor could go to anyone else; she certainly didn't want it.

But what was she talking about? An Qing couldn't understand Princess Xianfu's logic. Did she expect her to join her in opposing Emperor Kangxi?

Was she crazy?

An Qing had a feeling that whatever the answer was, it wouldn't be something she wanted to hear, but she had to ask, "Your Highness, please forgive my dullness. Could you speak plainly?"

Princess Xianfu looked at her as if she were stupid, "I heard that you are very attentive to Concubine Yi, always visiting her palace to curry favor."

An Qing glanced at her, guessing what might be coming: "Respecting one's mother is a duty, unworthy of Your Highness's praise."

Princess Xianfu gave her a look of disbelief, "Who praised you? What's wrong with you? Can't you tell good from bad?"

She was clearly mocking her.

An Qing looked at her quietly, saying nothing.

Impatience flashed across Princess Xianfu's face. Finally, she got straight to the point, "I dislike Concubine Yi, I despise her. So, you should stand with me!"

She couldn't stand Concubine Yi's seductive ways, using her looks to bewitch the Emperor. It was shameless!

An Qing looked at her with a puzzled expression. Was she okay? Could a normal person say such things?

Why would she stand together with her to hate her own mother-in-law? She's not crazy!

Also, who is she trying to impress by acting like a wife who dislikes her favored concubine? Come on, in the end, both she and Concubine Yi are concubines. It's all about their own abilities.

An Qing finally understood that someone like Xianfu, pretending to be foolish won't work. It's better to lay it out directly and not bother with her anymore.

But just as she was prepared for a confrontation, Wu Lan arrived.

"Palace Lady Xianfu, the Empress Dowager has asked you to come in. She has something to tell you."

Upon hearing this, Xianfu frowned. "Wait a moment, I still have something to say to Lady Yinfu. Please tell the Empress Dowager that I'll come in a bit later."

Wu Lan remained firm. "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager said to come immediately without delay. Don't make it difficult for me."

Xianfu had no choice but to glare at An Qing before turning to enter Ningshou Palace.

An Qing instinctively breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn't stupid; she could see that Wu Lan had come to help her.

"Thank you, Auntie."

Wu Lan waved her hand. "Lady Yinfu, you're welcome. Go back now; it's not a big deal."

She added, as if worried An Qing might overthink it: "Don't worry about the Empress Dowager. She can tell right from wrong."

With Wu Lan's reassurance, An Qing felt relieved and headed straight back to the Prince's residence.

Inside Ningshou Palace.

The Empress Dowager must have said something, as Xianfu looked surprised, then ran out while wiping her tears.

Wu Lan returned just as they passed each other, silently sighing at the sight.

"Lady Yinfu left?" the Empress Dowager asked Wu Lan.

Wu Lan nodded. "Don't worry. Lady Yinfu is wise and won't believe what Palace Lady Xianfu says."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand.

She wasn't worried about that. She knew An Qing's character well. That child is clear-minded and wouldn't easily believe others.

Wu Lan hesitated before asking, "Empress Dowager, should we send someone to check on Xianfu?"

Xianfu had run out crying, and she feared something might happen.

The Empress Dowager snorted. "No need to care. Let her cool off for a while. If she's confused, fine, but don't treat others as fools. She can do as she pleases, but I won't tolerate her causing trouble in Yinqi's household."

As soon as An Qing left, Xianfu also rushed out. The Empress Dowager didn't even react before she ran away. The Empress Dowager isn't stupid either; she knew what was happening and sent Wu Lan to intervene.

After bringing her back, she quickly found out the details. When she heard Xianfu wanted to incite An Qing against Concubine Yi, she scolded her harshly.

Thinking of Xianfu's unrepentant attitude, the Empress Dowager felt a headache coming on.

That child is stubborn and foolish. If not for her aunt Empress Xiaozhuang's request to look after her, the Empress Dowager wouldn't bother.

Forget it; as long as she doesn't meddle in Yinqi's affairs, let her do as she pleases. No one here is as naive as her, so she won't cause much trouble. Even considering the ties to Horqin, the Emperor won't take it seriously; he'll just keep her confined.

The Empress Dowager regretted pleading with the Emperor to release her under the guise of Mid-Autumn Festival reunion.

Back at the Prince's residence, An Qing collapsed onto the couch, feeling drained.

Today's socializing (clinging) is done!

A whole day of effort had exhausted her, but overall, except for the encounter with Xianfu, everything else was perfect.

Especially when Yinqi came over in the evening, An Qing felt it was all worth it.

Indeed, he was appeased by her croissants.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, An Qing sensed Yinqi wasn't angry, and he seemed magnanimous during their apology. But unexpectedly, he suddenly acted upset when they returned.

Why did she think it was an act? Because his acting was so poor, anyone could see through it.

Though unsure why Yinqi was doing this, she knew she needed to appease him. After all, she felt guilty first, which is why she made those croissants.

And there he was, completely different when he came back, exuding an air of peace.

Especially during dinner, he casually praised the croissants, as if afraid others wouldn't know he got better because of them.

An Qing couldn't help but smile inwardly. He's so easy to please.

Yinqi felt a bit embarrassed under An Qing's gaze. Actually, he was just in a playful mood yesterday, remembering how she used to appease her mother, wanting to see what she'd do.

He never expected she'd make such delicious pastries!

Yinqi silently decided to be harder to appease in the future.

Because of the incident with Xianfu, An Qing avoided going to the palace afterward. Even when she occasionally had Chunxiao prepare new dishes, she sent them to Ningshou Palace and Yikun Palace via palace maids.

First, she found Xianfu troublesome and didn't want any conflict. Second, she didn't want to give her family in Horqin any trouble. Xianfu is a princess's daughter, while his father is only a prince; rank matters.

Of course, being from different banners, they couldn't do much. Besides, his father is a Zasak overseeing the entire Horqin Left-wing Rear Banner. As long as they aren't too unreasonable, they wouldn't cause trouble over petty palace disputes.

Better safe than sorry.

So, from that day on, An Qing started living a reclusive life, eating and sleeping every day, visibly becoming more plump.

They say you should put on weight in autumn, and she had truly come to understand the meaning behind this phrase.

"I can't let this continue. Chunxiao, from now on, you're not allowed to make any more delicious food!" An Qing solemnly announced her decision.

Cui Liu said with a face full of grievance, "My lady, please don't. You can choose not to eat, but don't stop Chunxiao from cooking. This servant still wants to enjoy the food."

An Qing coldly refused, "That's not possible. I have weak willpower and can't resist temptation."

Joking aside, being able to see the food but not eat it was more painful than anything else for her.

Cui Liu pouted and then put on a pitiful expression as she looked at An Qing.

An Qing cursed inwardly, calling her a stinky girl who knew exactly how to manipulate her.

She turned her head away and said sternly, "Cui Liu, you can't eat it either. Look at your double chin; it's getting more noticeable these past few days."

But Cui Liu remained unmoved and insisted, "It's fine. This servant doesn't mind gaining weight. I don't care about myself."

An Qing glared at her, "But I do. I won't have a fat servant by my side; it's unsightly."

Then, she deliberately frightened her, "If you really get fat, I'll replace you and find a slim one to be my personal palace maid!"

Cui Liu exclaimed, "Ah," and was immediately scared. She feared nothing more than An Qing dismissing her, so she quickly declared that she wouldn't eat anymore.

Satisfied, An Qing patted her shoulder. "That's better. We share good times and bad together."

However, staying cooped up all day without eating left only lying around.

Even the most patient person would eventually grow restless, and An Qing finally couldn't take it anymore. She decided she needed to find something to do or some entertainment to pass the time.

Oh, right! Didn't Kangxi allow her to invite performers from the Imperial Music Bureau? Why hesitate? Today is as good a day as any.

But just as An Qing was about to send someone to the Imperial Music Bureau, Little Xizi suddenly rushed in with an urgent look.

"My lady, the Emperor just had a huge outburst at the Crown Prince in the Palace of Heavenly Purity and ordered the execution of three of his close attendants."

An Qing's heart sank, and she quickly stopped the eunuch heading to the Imperial Music Bureau. In such a tense situation, it was best not to add fuel to the fire.

She dismissed everyone else and then asked seriously, "Do you know the specific reason?"

Little Xizi shook his head. "This servant doesn't know. I overheard others talking about it outside and came back to report to you."

He added, "Should I go out and find out more?"

An Qing stopped him, "No, that's enough. Tell everyone in the courtyard to be cautious and not to gossip when they go out."

Little Xizi understood and hurriedly went to inform everyone.

For An Qing, this incident seemed sudden, but in reality, it wasn't entirely unexpected.

She stood quietly by the window, her thoughts drifting.

What was coming had finally arrived.

In the modern era, there was little doubt about when the drama of the Nine Princes' struggle for succession ended during Kangxi's reign, but opinions varied on when it officially began.

To An Qing, the real beginning of the Nine Princes' struggle was marked by the change in Kangxi's attitude towards the Crown Prince.

Kangxi once said: "I rely on Heaven above and solely on the Crown Prince below."

This showed his trust and affection for the Crown Prince.

When did this trust and affection start to wane? It began in the thirty-sixth year of Kangxi's reign, which was this year.

This year marked a turning point in Kangxi's attitude towards the Crown Prince. He publicly reprimanded him and ordered the execution of three close attendants.

Many scholars later referred to this as the first warning shot from Kangxi to the Crown Prince.

This warning also sent a signal to the other princes and officials that the position of Crown Prince was not unassailable.

The Crown Prince had many ambitious brothers skilled in political maneuvering. Even the slightest hint would spur them forward like beasts smelling blood.

These were men of great ambition and courage; why would they submit to others?

Moreover, this was not just a slight hint. For those who had witnessed Kangxi's extreme indulgence of the Crown Prince since childhood, this was a massive shock.

Surely, everyone present in the Palace of Heavenly Purity today, regardless of their outward demeanor, must have been deeply shaken.

Indeed, when Yinqi returned that evening, his face was clearly troubled.

After eating distractedly, he sat at the table and stared into space for over an hour.

At first, An Qing didn't bother him, but when she saw that he had been sitting for too long, she brought him a cup of tea.

Yinqi sensed someone beside him and instinctively looked up. When he saw it was An Qing, his expression relaxed.

"Did you hear about what happened in the Palace of Heavenly Purity today?" His voice was hoarse.

An Qing nodded and handed him the cup of tea. "I only heard a general idea, but I don't know the specific reason why the Emperor was so angry with the Crown Prince."

Yinqi took the cup and drank the entire cup of tea before slowly saying, "It was because of the servants around the Crown Prince. They tried to corrupt him with improper words and actions, and the Emperor found out."

An Qing nodded lightly. He gave a vague explanation but didn't elaborate on the specifics. However, she could guess.

Those servants weren't advisors; what could they possibly say to the Crown Prince? Most likely, it was flattery that crossed the line.

Words like "Emperor of the World" or "Ruler of All" would certainly infuriate Kangxi.

Yinqi stared blankly at the candlelight nearby, his thoughts drifting back to the events in the hall earlier that day.

Today, his father the Emperor flew into a great rage and publicly reprimanded the Crown Prince with harsh words. Many present were taken aback and even after knowing the reason, some still found it hard to believe.

He had known since childhood that the Crown Prince was different from them, not because of his status as heir apparent, but because he was raised personally by their father the Emperor, just as he himself was raised by the Empress Dowager. She treated him differently than she did the other brothers.

When the Crown Prince was young and contracted smallpox, the Emperor suspended court for half a month and personally cared for him. The Crown Prince's ceremonial robes were made to the same specifications as the Emperor's dragon robes, only differing in size. Everything the Crown Prince used—his food, clothing, and daily necessities—was according to the Emperor's standards. Such instances were countless.

Therefore, over the years, even though Eldest Brother and the Crown Prince had been fiercely competing in the court, he never thought Eldest Brother would surpass the Crown Prince, given that the Crown Prince had the Emperor's support.

But today, the Emperor changed his usual indulgence and openly humiliated the Crown Prince. How could this not shock everyone?

However, amidst his shock, Yinqi also vaguely sensed something else. The Emperor's anger today seemed to be due to those servants, but in reality, this anger had likely been building up for a long time.

Last year, when the Emperor personally led the campaign against Galdan, he left the Crown Prince to oversee the capital. During the expedition, the Emperor, missing the Crown Prince, wrote letters incessantly, but the Crown Prince did not reply to a single one, causing the Emperor to eventually write a letter filled with fury.

At that time, he, Eldest Brother, Third Elder Brother, and Fourth Brother were all present and witnessed the Emperor's anger and disappointment firsthand.

Yinqi couldn't understand how the Crown Prince could ignore the Emperor who was on an expedition, especially given the Emperor's deep affection for him.

Moreover, the Emperor was not just a father; he was also an emperor. Throughout history, didn't the Crown Prince know what emperors most feared?

Could it be that his Second Brother, who had read extensively about the dynasties, truly didn't understand this?

"How could the Crown Prince, Second Brother, be so foolish?" Yinqi muttered softly.

An Qing shook her head. She felt it wasn't foolishness but rather a habit formed over time.

The Crown Prince lost his mother at a young age and lacked maternal guidance. With Kangxi's extreme doting, he grew up like a spoiled child, believing everything he received was his due and showing little gratitude.

As for why, despite reading extensively about the dynasties, he still lacked political acumen, it was probably due to habit—habitually taking everything from Kangxi for granted.

He never understood that his greatest support as Crown Prince was Kangxi, and what he needed to do was maintain a good father-son relationship with Kangxi, preventing any suspicion or distrust from taking root.

This was something Yinqi understood well. Not only did he understand, but likely the other brothers, except for the Crown Prince, understood it too.

Perhaps this was what they called being blinded by one's own situation.

He sighed quietly and said, "I hope the Crown Prince, Second Brother, can wake up soon."

Then the court could stabilize, and the brothers wouldn't have to be at each other's throats, ending up in bloodshed like many brothers in history.

An Qing smiled and replied, "I hope so too."

But she knew the reality was not heading in that direction, and the Crown Prince had not woken up in time.

This was just the beginning, the start of over twenty years of bloody struggles for succession.

Chapter 34: The Fifth Princess

Kangxi's sudden attack on the Crown Prince caused a tremendous uproar both in the imperial court and the harem. The Crown Prince was confined to the Yucheng Palace for self-reflection, while the ministers in the court faced Kangxi's icy demeanor with extreme caution, all of them shrinking their necks like quails, trying not to draw attention unless absolutely necessary, fearing they might be implicated.

In the harem as well, if previously the concubines had been racking their brains to vie for Kangxi's favor, now they were all avoiding him as much as possible, behaving exceptionally obediently. Even those who usually enjoyed jealousy and provocation had quieted down. Everyone seemed to have made an unspoken agreement to stay within their own quarters without stepping out.

The entire harem exuded an eerie calmness.

Fortunately, Kangxi had no interest in summoning any concubine to his bedchamber, allowing everyone to escape this ordeal indirectly.

Inside the Yucheng Palace, the Crown Prince had locked himself in his study for three whole days, revealing a state of despair tinged with obvious unease and anxiety.

"Still can't send the message out?" the Crown Prince asked his personal eunuch, Zhang Dehai.

Zhang Dehai shook his head. "Master, the Emperor's men are guarding the Yucheng Palace, so our people have no chance to slip past them."

After saying this, he couldn't help but advise, "Please try to remain calm. Minister Suoertu must be thinking of a way. Let's not panic ourselves. Perhaps we should wait for Minister Suoertu to contact you."

Actually, Zhang Dehai wanted to persuade the Crown Prince not to stir up trouble at this critical moment, but knowing the Crown Prince's temper, he knew his advice would fall on deaf ears. He could only try to stabilize him.

The Emperor's direct execution of three close attendants around the Crown Prince had indeed terrified those serving him. If the Crown Prince acted out again, the Emperor would surely blame it on his attendants, putting their lives at risk.

Hearing this, the Crown Prince staggered a few steps and slumped into a wicker chair nearby.

"Everyone leave. I want to be alone," he said weakly, waving his hand.

Zhang Dehai hurriedly complied, closing the study door behind him before leaving.

The study instantly fell silent. The Crown Prince looked at the empty room, feeling increasingly anxious and fearful.

Why? Why is this happening?

The Emperor not only publicly berated him and executed his close attendants but also confined him in the Yucheng Palace. He truly didn't know what to do anymore. All he wanted was to seek help from his uncle, but he couldn't even step out of the palace gates.

He still couldn't understand why the Emperor suddenly became so furious with him, especially when he had always emphasized how highly he regarded him as the heir.

Moreover, when he spoke with those attendants, the door was closed. How did the Emperor find out?

The Crown Prince was aware that there were spies around him, but knowing this still sent chills down his spine.

As the saying goes, where there is joy, there is sorrow, and vice versa.

At the residence of the Elder Brother Prince,

If it weren't for the need to keep a low profile, the Elder Brother Prince would have invited people over for a three-day drinking spree.

The Elder Brother Prince took another swig of strong liquor, his face radiating sheer joy, indicating how elated he was.

Ha ha ha ha, how refreshing! After more than twenty years, he finally found an outlet for his frustration.

He was the Emperor's eldest son and brother, yet since childhood, he had to pay respects to the Crown Prince, his younger brother. How could he be content with that?

Who among his brothers genuinely believed in the concept of primogeniture?

Not just his brothers, but even the royal relatives and Manchu officials in the court didn't fully accept it either. They viewed the idea of a legitimate heir inheriting the throne as a Han Chinese tradition, which they didn't genuinely endorse. Thus, they didn't recognize the Crown Prince as the rightful heir.

The Manchus revered bravery and military prowess, believing that the throne should go to the most capable individual.

He believed he was equally capable as the Crown Prince. As a horseback-riding nation, his archery skills far surpassed those of the Crown Prince since childhood.

In the 29th year of Kangxi's reign, at nineteen, he served as a deputy general under the Emperor during the campaign against Galdan, winning the first battle and earning high praise from the Emperor. No other brother could achieve such a feat.

Last year, during the Galdan campaign, he served as the commander of the vanguard and military advisor, leading the army to victory. Upon returning, the Emperor appointed him to represent him in rewarding the victorious troops and consoling the frontline heroes.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince stayed in the Imperial City, supposedly overseeing the country, but essentially reaping the benefits of others' efforts.

Why? This question had plagued him for years.

Previously, Mingzhu had held him back, saying the time wasn't right. The Elder Brother Prince never knew what that meant until Mingzhu sent a message saying it was time to act. Only then did he understand the meaning of "the right time."

Did the Crown Prince really think his position was unshakable?

It seemed that might not be the case.

The Elder Brother Prince opened the door and called in his personal eunuch. "Send this letter to Mingzhu's residence."

This hard-won opportunity wouldn't be squandered easily. Since the opening had been created, it needed to be widened further.

If An Qing were here, she would have sighed heavily.

Indeed, compared to the Crown Prince's delayed reaction, the anti-Crown Prince forces were quick to sense Kangxi's change of heart.

Soon, secret letters accusing the Crown Prince would flood Kangxi's desk like snowflakes.

However, overall, the turmoil in the harem had little impact on An Qing. She had been staying in her courtyard anyway, and nothing had changed.

She tightened her control over the servants, even keeping Cui Liu, who loved visiting others, confined to the courtyard. In this sensitive period, caution was paramount.

Days passed slowly, but soon came an important seasonal event for her—the Cold Dew.

With the arrival of Cold Dew, it was time to sow winter wheat in her field!

"Little Xizi, have you prepared everything I asked for?" An Qing asked.

Little Xizi quickly replied, "Yes, Master. Everything is ready and stored in the rear room. I'll fetch it for you right away."

He turned and called two young eunuchs from the courtyard, and soon they carried something over.

This thing is quite cumbersome, mainly because it's so large. So with Little Xizi, it took four people to carry it over.

"Master, this is what the slave had someone bring in from outside the palace. Please see if it's the three-legged seed drill you mentioned." Little Xizi asked, slightly out of breath.

An Qing looked at the seed drill in front of her and lightly nodded. Yes, this was the three-legged seed drill she needed.

Seeing An Qing's reaction, Little Xizi knew he hadn't made a mistake and instantly felt relieved.

It was quite coincidental; this thing had only been delivered that morning. He had planned to find an opportunity to show it to the Lady in the afternoon, but she brought it up herself.

An Qing circled the three-legged seed drill once, then squatted down to personally inspect it. After confirming there were no issues, she announced they would go sow winter wheat that afternoon!

As for what a three-legged seed drill is, it's essentially an ancient seed drill, a multi-tube sowing machine composed of a seed box, seed distributor, seed tubes, furrow opener, and traction device. It is one of the more advanced animal-powered farming tools in ancient China.

The invention of the seed drill is a significant achievement in ancient Chinese agricultural technology.

Using the seed drill for sowing has many advantages compared to broadcasting seeds. For example, it ensures consistent row spacing and plant distance during sowing and allows for row cultivation.

Row cultivation not only facilitates drainage and moisture retention but also aids in hoeing and weeding. Therefore, the use of the seed drill also provided conditions for the invention of animal-powered hoeing.

In fact, the current three-legged seed drill is already quite advanced. Even in modern times, the latest seed drills can only perform four consecutive operations: opening furrows, sowing seeds, covering them, and pressing them down. The three-legged seed drill can accomplish the first three steps, leaving only the final step of pressing down to be done manually.

So, the wisdom of ancient Chinese farmers is truly remarkable.

"Master, what does 'moisture retention' mean?" Little Xizi asked, puzzled.

Drainage and weeding are relatively easy to understand, but moisture retention was something he had never heard before.

An Qing paused, realizing she had used a modern agricultural term, and explained, "'Moisture' refers to soil water content and field humidity. Moisture retention means maintaining the appropriate humidity in the soil for seed germination and crop growth."

This is a major concern for farmers in arid regions.

For An Qing, agricultural matters are never trivial. With everything now prepared and the planting season upon them, there was no reason to delay.

She changed her listless demeanor of recent days and became energetic. After lunch, she didn't even take a nap but immediately called everyone to start working.

Indeed, work (exercise) brings joy.

Yinqi's position in the Ministry of Works is a leisurely one. On most days, he would visit his fourth brother at the Ministry of Finance or go to the Ministry of War or the Ministry of Rites. Anyway, his father put them in these ministries for training, and learning more wouldn't hurt.

However, since the incident with the Crown Prince, everyone has been on high alert. Whether among officials or among the brothers, they have all been trying to minimize interactions to avoid suspicions of forming cliques.

So on this day, after Yinqi went to the Ministry of Works and found nothing to do, he returned to the palace.

Unexpectedly, just as he sat down in his study, Ma Xiang rushed in.

Yinqi glanced at him and asked, "What is it?"

Ma Xiang bowed and replied, "My lord, I saw Little Xizi from the Lady's courtyard. He said the Lady is preparing to sow seeds in the courtyard. Should I ask if you want to come and see?"

These days, the spirits of all the masters in the palace have been low, and their master is no exception. Ma Xiang has been worried seeing Yinqi frowning and looking dejected every day.

Previously, he noticed that their master seemed interested in the Lady's farming activities. Hearing that the Lady was going to work on the land again, he immediately thought of Yinqi.

Going to the fields might change his mood. It couldn't continue like this; otherwise, something worse might happen.

Yinqi, as Ma Xiang expected, was initially surprised but then showed interest, "Sowing?"

"Sowing what?"

Since the watermelons in An Qing's plot were harvested, he hadn't paid much attention to the plot. He didn't know what was going to be planted next.

Moreover, it was autumn, leading into winter. Could anything grow in such conditions?

In Yinqi's mind, sowing should be done in spring.

This question stumped Ma Xiang, who scratched his head and said, "I didn't ask earlier. Should I go check and report back?"

Yinqi waved his hand and said, "No need for that trouble. I'll go and see for myself."

With that, he got up and headed outside.

Ma Xiang saw his master's eager look and knew his plan worked.

When Yinqi arrived, An Qing was instructing Perilla to bring the prepared wheat seeds.

The three-legged seed drill had already been moved to the edge of the field.

Yinqi wasn't seeing a seed drill for the first time. He had seen one in the manufacturing warehouse at the Ministry of Works and heard that it was used for sowing.

"You're really sowing?" he exclaimed.

An Qing, without thinking much, casually replied, "Yes, it's already Cold Dew, so I thought I'd sow the wheat seeds."

Yinqi first caught the information about "wheat seeds," but then... Cold Dew?

"What does Cold Dew have to do with it?"

An Qing, still fiddling with the seed drill, said, "Of course it does. After Cold Dew, you can sow. Haven't you heard the saying, 'From Cold Dew to Frost Descent, don't rush to sow wheat.'"

Yinqi frowned. He had heard An Qing mention sayings before.

Sayings are the 'trade language' among farmers, guiding their agricultural practices. But the one she mentioned wasn't this one; she seems to know many sayings.

Finally, An Qing finished setting up the seed drill and waited for Perilla to bring the seeds. She could then move it into the field.

Lifting her head, she saw Yinqi, confused, and was momentarily stunned.

She had been so focused on the seed drill that she forgot to ask why he was there.

"Sir, shouldn't you be at the Ministry of Works? Why have you come back now?"

Yinqi finally came to his senses and waved his hand. "There was nothing today, so I came back early."

An Qing responded with an "Oh." Seeing the perplexed look on his face, she couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Is something not right?"

Yinqi hesitated for a moment but then raised his previous question. "When I accompanied His Majesty on a tour before, I saw someone sowing wheat, but it seemed to be spring."

Hearing this, An Qing waved her hand and said, "What you saw was spring wheat; this is winter wheat. They're different."

"What's the difference?" Yinqi asked again.

An Qing blinked, seeing the serious look on his face. She suddenly felt like she had been transported back to her days at the agricultural college.

Back then, groups of primary school children from the city would often visit their agricultural college for educational field trips. The college would arrange for them to explain and identify crops and other plants in the fields to the children.

Those children were adorable, always asking questions like they were from a book of ten thousand whys. For example, the difference between winter wheat and spring wheat had once been asked by a child.

Since coming here, she usually decided what to plant and how to plant it. Her family would sometimes ask how she knew these things, and she would simply say she read about it in a book or heard about it from someone else, and that would be the end of it.

It had been a long time since she experienced this feeling.

Hmm... What kind of feeling was it? Probably the pure joy of imparting knowledge and solving puzzles.

Thus, An Qing became enthusiastic and patiently explained the differences between winter wheat and spring wheat to Yinqi, covering aspects such as planting and harvesting times, growth cycles, and resistance to adverse conditions.

After listening, Yinqi still seemed somewhat confused, but he at least understood that these were two different types of wheat.

"Where did you see the spring wheat before?" An Qing asked.

Yinqi replied, "It was during one of the northern tours with His Majesty, somewhere north of Shengjing."

He didn't remember the exact place.

An Qing nodded, thinking that made sense. "Spring wheat is generally grown in regions north of Shengjing, where the winters are colder and crops can't survive the cold."

Hearing this, Yinqi finally understood—it was due to regional differences.

"Milady, the seeds are here," Perilla said, holding a small cloth bag.

An Qing nodded and hurriedly had people carry the three-legged seed drill into the field. Then she took the seeds from Perilla and poured them into the seed box.

Yinqi watched curiously. When he saw the wheat seeds, he couldn't help but ask, "Did you bring these seeds from Horqin too?"

An Qing nodded without much thought and casually replied, "Yes, I brought them together."

Unexpectedly, Yinqi's eyes lit up. "So these seeds are..."

An Qing was taken aback and quickly explained, "No, these are just ordinary wheat seeds, different from the watermelon seeds."

The watermelons were specially cultivated new varieties, but these were just ordinary wheat seeds.

Of course, her wheat seeds might yield more than ordinary seeds and be better at resisting pests and lodging, but that wasn't entirely due to the seeds themselves; it was also because of her scientific planting methods.

Yinqi responded with an "Oh," a hint of disappointment crossing his face.

For some reason, he felt that anything An Qing grew should be different from others'.

An Qing had no idea that Yinqi already had such a deep impression of her. At the moment, she was busy instructing Little Xizi to find someone to pull the seed drill.

Actually, operating the seed drill only required one person and one ox—the ox pulling in front and the person pressing behind. But there were no oxen available in the palace, so An Qing told Little Xizi to find a young eunuch to pull the cart in front.

Little Xizi wanted to take on the task himself, but An Qing thought he was too weak. So, he had to go find someone else in the courtyard.

"I'll do it, I'll do it, Supervisor Xizi. Look at my build, strong as an ox, full of energy."

"Forget it, you couldn't even lift a jar last time. Don't mess up Lady's work. Supervisor Xizi, let me do it."

"In terms of strength, I dare say I'm second to none in this courtyard. Let me..."

As soon as Little Xizi mentioned that Lady needed someone to pull the seed drill, the eunuchs in the courtyard burst into excitement, all vying for the opportunity.

Working for Lady was a good assignment they didn't want to miss. Though it was natural for servants to serve their masters, their Lady was generous. Every time they worked in the fields, she rewarded them extra.

Everyone instinctively glanced at the bread oven, where Lady's pastries were always delicious and unique to the palace.

Of course, they weren't just after the rewards; getting noticed by their master was the real goal.

Ma Xiang happened to pass by and, hearing this, his eyes lit up. "Stop arguing, let me do it."

Everyone was stunned, turning to look at Ma Xiang in disbelief, as if to say, "You, a trusted eunuch close to Sir, need to compete with us?"

Ma Xiang cleared his throat. Indeed, he did need to.

Though he was Yinqi's confidant, he also wanted to impress Lady. Besides, he hadn't missed that Chunxiao had started the bread oven earlier.

In the end, Ma Xiang insisted, and the matter was settled.

When Little Xizi brought Ma Xiang to An Qing, she was surprised and looked at Little Xizi in confirmation.

No, he should find someone more capable. Getting Yinqi's chief eunuch to do hard labor for her isn't quite right.

Little Xizi sighed silently and replied, "My lady, Chief Eunuch Ma said he wants to give it a try."

It wasn't that he found him; it was that the other party insisted on coming.

"Ma Xiang wants to try what?" Yinqi walked over, puzzled.

An Qing shrugged and pointed to the seed drill, explaining the situation. Then she turned to Ma Xiang and said, "This job is quite heavy. Let's get another young eunuch instead."

But Ma Xiang waved his hand and insisted, "Lady Fu, don't worry. Your servant has plenty of strength and will definitely finish this task well for you."

Seeing his persistence, An Qing didn't want to say anything more.

Fine, let him try. If he can't handle it, we'll switch people. Besides, the plot of land isn't large; a few trips back and forth should be enough, and it shouldn't be too tiring.

So, she led him to the seed drill and patiently explained the precautions for pulling it, such as how to control the direction and speed.

As for the person steering the seed drill, naturally, she would do it herself. After all, steering while sowing seeds requires some skill.

Ma Xiang confidently said, "No problem, Lady Fu. Your servant understands. Let's start."

With that, he went to the seed drill, ready to begin.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, Yinqi suddenly said, "I'll pull the seed drill."

Ma Xiang was taken aback and looked at Yinqi in surprise, as if he couldn't believe he was being replaced at the last minute!

"My lord, this absolutely won't do. What's your status? How could you do such work? Let your servant do it."

Yinqi frowned. "What's wrong with doing it?"

Seeing how detailed An Qing was when explaining earlier, he knew she must have done it before. If An Qing could do it, why couldn't he?

Ma Xiang's face fell, but he still tried to persuade, "My lord, your clothes aren't suitable for this. If they get dirty or torn, it would be a waste."

Yinqi glanced at him and said calmly, "Do you think I can't afford new clothes?"

Then he turned to An Qing and asked seriously, "You decide, who should do it, him or me?"

An Qing: "..."

In the end, Yinqi got his wish and started pulling the seed drill, while An Qing steered it from behind.

Surprisingly, he had a natural talent for it. He quickly mastered controlling the speed and direction, and the two worked together smoothly.

One pulled the seed drill, and one steered it, slowly moving forward in the field.

The seeds were placed in the seed hopper, which was connected to hollow seed legs. The seed legs opened furrows in the prepared soil for row planting, sowing three rows at once, evenly spaced and uniformly distributed.

After the seeds were sown, the other two seed legs covered the soil back into place.

Both working in the field were in high spirits.

Especially Yinqi. Seeing the sown rows behind him, the gloom of recent days vanished, and he felt instantly lighter.

Perhaps it was the simplicity and freedom of farm life that brought peace of mind, reducing worries and making one more open-minded.

And while farming, the body also gets exercised, leading to better health.

He thought, this must be the joy of farming.

Chapter 35: The Fifth Princess Consort

The effect of laboring all afternoon was quite noticeable. Yinqi, who had barely had an appetite these days, actually ate an extra bowl of rice that night!

Ma Xiang, delighted, almost jumped for joy on the spot, secretly applauding his own wisdom.

Perhaps influenced by the Empress Dowager, Yinqi had always been very mindful of his health since childhood. After meals, he usually wouldn't sit down immediately but would stand for a while.

On a day like today, when he felt a bit full, he knew he needed to walk around the room for a bit.

An Qing was being served by Perilla and others in the adjacent bathhouse. Although it wasn't hot anymore, after a busy afternoon of farm work, a bath was necessary for comfort.

Yinqi walked alone in the room, and suddenly his gaze fell on the huanghuali plank table by the windowsill. An Qing usually placed things she needed for the next day there, and the bag of wheat seeds was also there.

After sowing all the seeds in the field that day, a few handfuls remained. An Qing said she would scatter them in the small flower bed tomorrow.

Yinqi hesitated for a moment before walking over.

As soon as An Qing entered, she saw him standing with his hands behind his back, bending down and sniffing something near the table.

"What are you doing?" she asked, puzzled.

Yinqi turned around at her voice and pointed to the bag of wheat seeds, asking, "Is there a smell coming from these wheat seeds?"

It was slightly pungent but didn't seem spoiled. He had noticed the smell earlier but got distracted and only remembered now.

An Qing responded, "Oh, you noticed."

"That's the smell of lime water. These seeds were soaked in it and then dried. It's normal for them to have a smell."

This clearly touched upon Yinqi's blind spot. What was soaking seeds for? And what did it have to do with lime water?

An Qing didn't keep him guessing and explained, "Before sowing wheat, the seeds need to be treated. Sun-drying and soaking are two methods. The soaking uses lime water, which is why you can smell it."

Sun-drying and soaking seeds serve to sterilize them, remove poor-quality seeds, increase germination rates, and promote robust seedlings.

In modern times, chemical agents are often used for soaking, such as soaking in a 0.25% calcium chloride solution for 24 hours or in a 0.2% to 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution for 12 hours.

But here, An Qing used a 1% lime water solution for soaking, which effectively prevents common wheat diseases like fusarium wilt and leaf blight.

Yinqi raised an eyebrow and asked, "Lime water, made from quicklime and water?"

He knew about quicklime, commonly used in construction, but never thought it could be used in farming.

An Qing nodded, "Yes, but the ratio of lime to water must be controlled—1 part lime to 100 parts water. Otherwise, it will burn the seeds."

Yinqi nodded thoughtfully. He had always assumed An Qing's interest in farming was casual, but after recent experiences, he realized it might not be so simple.

"Did you learn this from the farmers in your tribe?" he asked.

An Qing looked into Yinqi's eyes, hesitated for a few seconds, and shook her head.

She had previously used this excuse when asked by others, but this time it wouldn't work. In this era, farmers would sun-dry and soak seeds but wouldn't add anything during soaking due to difficulty controlling the ratio.

Without additives, the effectiveness in preventing pests and diseases was significantly reduced, which is why many crops still suffered despite careful cultivation.

It was simply a lack of pesticide enhancement.

"No, using lime water for soaking was something I discovered through trial and error. I tried other methods too, some worked, some didn't," An Qing paused and continued, "I'm sure you've heard about my father leading our tribe in farming and reclamation."

Yinqi nodded, "Father and my brothers mentioned it."

The semi-agricultural model in Horqin Left-wing Rear Banner has indeed done well, surpassing other Mongolian tribes in farming and reclamation. His father praised it highly.

An Qing softly acknowledged, "But our people in Horqin have been nomadic for generations and aren't skilled in farming. We faced many problems, like natural disasters, which are beyond human control. Sometimes crops would wither overnight or suffer from sudden pest infestations, resulting in little or no harvest after months of hard work."

She sighed.

Yinqi, thinking she was upset, patted her shoulder silently.

An Qing smiled and shook her head, indicating she was fine: "So, I started experimenting. If humans can be cured when sick, why not crops? I read many medical books and set up experimental fields in different farms to try various methods. Think of experimental fields as similar to Father's Fengze Garden. Over time, I found some solutions, including lime water soaking and other plant-based pesticides."

Yinqi nodded subconsciously, realizing that if humans can be cured, crops can be too.

But... what were plant-based pesticides?

An Qing explained, "They are pesticides made from herbal medicines, formulated to treat crop diseases. You can call them herbal pesticides."

After arriving here, she discovered the limitations of lacking chemical pesticides but had studied plant-based pesticides in her previous life. The *Compendium of Materia Medica* lists at least 1,890 herbs, many of which can prevent and control pests and diseases.

The key feature of plant-based pesticides is their origin from plants. They use roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds processed in specific ratios to kill pests and bacteria while also providing some fertilization, like wood ash.

Yinqi was stunned, never imagining farming could be approached this way.

While she compared it to his father's Fengze Garden, he realized there were significant differences. He had never seen the farmers in Fengze Garden study these methods.

"What you're doing is very similar to how imperial physicians treat illnesses," he remarked.

An Qing smiled, "You can think of it that way. I'm a doctor for crops."

Their goals differ; doctors aim to heal people, while treating crops aims to improve yields.

Yinqi nodded, then suddenly said, "Since your soaking method works, why don't I report it to Father tomorrow and have the Ministry of Finance promote it? More farmers could benefit."

An Qing quickly stopped him, "Wait, please."

Yinqi looked at her, confused.

An Qing shrugged, explaining, "We need proof first."

Yinqi was taken aback, seeming to understand her intentions. "You want to present the harvest from your land to Emperor Father when it's ready?"

Just like planting watermelons last time.

An Qing nodded slightly, not denying it. "Also, growing crops isn't determined by a single step. To ensure good growth, besides selecting and cultivating seeds, we need to manage soil, fertilizers, pests, and diseases effectively."

Therefore, instead of trying to prove the effectiveness of a particular step, it's better to let the results speak for themselves. When the time comes, presenting everything together will be simpler and more credible.

But she didn't close the door entirely. "However, whether this season's wheat will achieve an ideal yield is still uncertain. If it does, I hope the farmers can benefit. But if it doesn't, how could I make Emperor Father falsely hopeful?"

Yinqi looked at her quietly, feeling as if he was meeting An Qing for the first time.

If the auspicious peony incident was an accident, then planting watermelons last time and now the wheat in the field were enough to show that An Qing's seemingly casual actions had deeper meanings.

Before, he thought she did these things simply because she liked them. Now, he realized he had underestimated her. Even though he didn't fully understand what she said, he knew each task would be difficult and laborious. Why would someone of her status bother with such things?

It could only mean she had a sense of righteousness.

"In the future, do whatever you want. If you need my help, just say so." Yinqi said solemnly. "When Emperor Father allows us to leave the Forbidden City and establish our own household, you can do whatever you want in our residence. You can cultivate as much land as you wish, and I won't stop you."

Hearing this, An Qing was stunned, momentarily at a loss for words.

She admitted that today's conversation had its own ulterior motives. She wanted to win his support, knowing that having him on her side would make things easier for her.

But she never expected Yinqi to say such things, which touched her heart.

Sometimes, An Qing felt very fortunate. In her previous life, despite being an orphan, her teachers and senior classmates treated her well, helping her in both life and studies.

In this life, she had loving and trusting family members, and a background free from financial worries. Even though she was suddenly betrothed and married into the unfamiliar Forbidden City, she met kind people like Yinqi, Concubine Yi, and the Empress Dowager.

Indeed, she seemed surrounded by kindness, and she wanted to repay it with her own acts of kindness.

Since deciding to plant wheat, An Qing had bigger plans. If possible, she hoped to use her efforts to help the farmers of this era.

Of course, this was all under the condition of ensuring safety, which was why she planted watermelons before, confirming Kangxi's attitude.

An Qing looked at Yinqi sincerely. "Thank you."

Yinqi was taken aback. Compared to her usual sweet talk, her serious demeanor made him feel uneasy.

"That... I think farming is quite interesting. No wonder you like it."

An Qing noticed his discomfort and smiled, going along with him. "Right? So, what do you find interesting about it?"

Yinqi thought for a moment. "Maybe it's because farming doesn't require much thinking, making it relaxing."

An Qing shook her head with a smile. Farming wasn't easy at all.

That was because they didn't have to worry about their livelihoods. They could experiment freely, but farmers couldn't. Their crops were their entire livelihood, and they couldn't relax until the seeds sprouted.

Yinqi didn't notice An Qing's change in mood. He was curious about her experiences at the Horqin estate.

An Qing was happy to share those memories, as they were precious to her.

Thus, they sat on either side of the couch, chatting away.

An Qing spoke with a light and lively tone, recalling those joyful times.

Yinqi became engrossed, feeling as if he was experiencing those moments with her.

The candlelight flickered inside, while the night wind rustled the tree branches outside.

Yinqi glanced up and saw her gentle smile in the candlelight, causing his heart to skip a beat...

After sowing the wheat, it took about six or seven days for the seedlings to emerge.

An Qing visited almost daily, feeling uplifted by the sight of the tender green shoots breaking through the soil. This was the power of life.

One day, when the outside world seemed calmer, she decided to go out for a walk.

She hadn't visited Concubine Yi in Yikun Palace for some time, so she decided to drop by, enjoying the company of her beautiful mother-in-law.

However, she didn't know that Yikun Palace was filled with gloom.

Concubine Yi looked worriedly at Lady Guo, who was crying, and Princess Fourth, who was slumped over.

"Sister, don't worry too much. Moyali is a princess of the Great Qing, and her marriage to Khalkha in Northern Desert is significant. They wouldn't dare mistreat her," she consoled.

Lady Guo, however, couldn't be consoled. "I know you mean well, but how can I not worry? Since Moyali was born, I knew she would marry into Mongolia. If she were to marry into Southern Desert Mongolia like Horqin, I wouldn't be so worried. But why must it be Northern Desert Mongolia?"

Concubine Yi sighed silently. Who could disagree?

Moyali's older sisters had all married into Horqin. How could it be that Moyali was betrothed to the newly-submissive Northern Desert Mongolia Khalkha?

Currently, Mongolia was divided into three parts: Southern Desert, Northern Desert, and Western Desert. Their attitudes towards the Great Qing varied significantly.

Southern Desert Mongolia had submitted to the Great Qing before the Qing entered the capital, and the tribes remained loyal. The Qing court had strong control over them, including the Horqin tribes.

Western Desert Mongolia, represented by Galdan's Dzungaria, was hostile to the Great Qing. Although Galdan was dead and Dzungaria had surrendered, the region remained unstable.

Northern Desert Mongolia, situated between Western and Southern Deserts, had been neutral for years. It only submitted to the Great Qing in the 27th year of Kangxi's reign due to attacks from Western Desert Mongolia.

To win over Northern Desert Mongolia, Kangxi arranged Princess Fourth Moyali's marriage to Khalkha in Northern Desert.

Moyali was the first Great Qing princess to marry into Northern Desert Mongolia.

However, given the recent submission of Northern Desert Mongolia, there was a significant risk. If they rebelled, Princess Fourth, as a Great Qing princess, would likely suffer first.

This was also Lady Guo's greatest concern. Ever since the Emperor granted the marriage, she had been so worried that she couldn't eat or sleep properly, and she was almost emaciated.

"Mother, you and Aunt don't need to worry about me. This is fate, and I accept it." Mo Yali's voice carried a stubborn choke.

After she spoke, seeing that Lady Guo's eyes were red again, she added, "However, to be honest, my luck isn't too bad. At least I'm not marrying into Dzungaria in the Western Desert."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Yi and Lady Guo exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of relief in each other's eyes.

There truly is no comparison without contrast. Compared to Southern Desert, Northern Desert can never measure up. But if compared to Western Desert Mongolia, Northern Desert Mongolia becomes a better option.

Now that Galdan is dead and the Dzungarian Khanate has surrendered to Great Qing, sending a princess there for marriage isn't impossible.

But Dzungaria in Western Desert Mongolia is a tough nut to crack. They have always been prone to breaking their word. Even though they've surrendered now, they might turn around and renege on their promise, making it a land of wolves and tigers.

Nowadays, every concubine with a princess in the palace is constantly on edge, all fearing that their daughter might be sent there.

Seeing their expressions, Mo Yali knew her words had hit the mark, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

These days, she had really been scared by her mother's crying. The wedding day was approaching, and she wanted to spend more time with her mother and aunt, not wanting them to worry about her.

But Lady Guo clearly wasn't swayed. She quickly regained her composure and said, "Don't try to change the subject. I asked you why you haven't been visiting your fifth sister-in-law recently, and you still haven't answered me."

Mo Yali tightly pursed her lips and replied, "Didn't I say before? I've been busy embroidering my dowry and can't find the time."

Lady Guo pointed at her, angry, "Don't try to fool me. I know your dowry is almost finished. And if you're so busy, why do you keep running over to the Eighth Princess's courtyard?"

Seeing that she couldn't get away with it, Mo Yali decided to lay her cards on the table. "Mother, why do you always want me to visit Fifth Sister-in-Law? Do you really think I haven't noticed your ulterior motives!"

That day, when she came to her mother's palace to pay respects, she heard her mother talking to a palace maid outside, saying that the reason she wanted her to befriend Fifth Sister-in-Law was so that Fifth Sister-in-Law would speak to her family back in Horqin to take care of her.

After learning this, Mo Yali went back and cried alone.

She really liked An Qing, her fifth sister-in-law. Ever since her fifth sister-in-law married in, she often visited her courtyard to chat, enjoy delicious pastries, drink fragrant milk tea, and even catch pests in the watermelon patch together. She genuinely enjoyed staying in her sister-in-law's courtyard.

Her fifth sister-in-law treated her wonderfully. Whenever there was something good to eat or play with, she would always send some over.

Take those watermelons, for example. As soon as they ripened, she sent a few over. After the watermelons became famous in Imperial City, her sister-in-law even sent more, saying she could share them with her friends or give them away.

Her fifth sister-in-law treated her so well, and she had always been sincere. But if she approached her sister-in-law with ulterior motives, she would look down on herself and feel guilty towards her sister-in-law.

So, she preferred not to visit her sister-in-law rather than let their friendship become impure!

Concubine Yi looked at Lady Guo and then at the stubborn Fourth Princess, unable to help but sigh inwardly.

She understood why her sister insisted on bringing Mo Yali here today. Seeing that Mo Yali wouldn't budge, she thought of asking her to speak to An Qing.

But Concubine Yi couldn't blame Lady Guo, her sister. They had grown up together, and she had watched Mo Yali grow up. After all, she had tacitly agreed to Lady Guo's plan from the beginning.

Now, however, Concubine Yi didn't know how to approach An Qing. The problem was that they hadn't been upfront from the start, which led to this awkward situation.

If they had explained everything from the beginning, it wouldn't have been an issue. Knowing An Qing, she likely would have agreed, as it was just a matter of looking after someone, not a difficult request.

But they took that misstep, leading to this current predicament. Looking back, Concubine Yi felt foolish.

"You, you stubborn girl! It's just asking your fifth sister-in-law to greet the family. Why won't you open your mouth?" Lady Guo pointed at her daughter, scolding angrily.

Mo Yali's eyes immediately welled up with tears, insisting, "I won't go. My fifth sister-in-law treats me so well. How could I do this? That would make me a villain."

With that, she seemed to make a decision. "Mother and Aunt, you mustn't go either. Otherwise, even if I marry and something happens, I'd rather die than seek help from Horqin Left-wing Rear Banner. You'll be wasting your breath!"

Hearing this, Lady Guo was stunned, pointing at Mo Yali, speechless.

Concubine Yi also looked at her in surprise. This child...

Amidst this eerie atmosphere, An Qing entered. She looked at the three of them, puzzled, not daring to breathe loudly.

What's going on here? Did they have a fight?

Chapter 36: The Fifth Princess Consort

"Mother, what is this?" An Qing spoke uncertainly, intending to ease the tension among the three.

The three women turned almost simultaneously. Upon seeing An Qing, their faces flashed with shock, and if one looked closely, there was also a hint of panic.

Concubine Yi even stuttered, "Y-you, how did you come here?"

An Qing was utterly confused by their reaction; it seemed they were not welcoming her.

She silently reflected for a few seconds, but she had not done anything out of the ordinary recently.

"I came to pay my respects to Mother. Is something wrong? If it's inconvenient, I can come back another time," An Qing said, already moving toward the door as if ready to leave at Concubine Yi's word.

Unexpectedly, before Concubine Yi could speak, Lady Guo reacted first, "There's nothing inconvenient, Fifth Princess Consort. You—"

"Mother!" The Fourth Princess suddenly interrupted Lady Guo, "Don't forget what I just said. You and Aunt know that I always keep my promises."

She then turned and bowed to Concubine Yi and An Qing, "Aunt, Fifth Sister-in-law, Moyali still has matters to attend to. Please excuse me."

With that, the Fourth Princess left Zhaokun Palace without looking back.

Though An Qing did not know what had happened, she guessed it might be related to her, "Mother, what exactly happened?"

Concubine Yi glanced at An Qing, hesitated, and waved her hand, "Go ask her yourself. If she wants to tell you, she will. If not... then let it be."

After leaving Zhaokun Palace, An Qing pulled Perilla and headed straight for the direction of the Fourth Princess, finally intercepting her halfway.

After much persuasion, she and Perilla managed to bring the Fourth Princess to the Prince's residence.

An Qing served some simple tea and snacks, then dismissed everyone else, leaving only herself and the Fourth Princess in the room.

"Sister, if you truly see me as your sister-in-law, don't hide things from me, okay?"

The Fourth Princess's eyes welled up with tears. She looked at An Qing, hesitating for a while before lowering her head and mumbling, "Sister-in-law, it's nothing. It's just that my wedding day is approaching, and Mother and Aunt are worried about me. I'm also worried about them."

Seeing her like this, An Qing couldn't help but sigh. This didn't seem like nothing at all.

Since she married into the Forbidden City, the person who visited her courtyard most often was none other than the Fourth Princess.

This girl was always straightforward and carefree, unlike Lady Guo, but rather more like Concubine Yi, with her spunk and freedom. But now, she was acting so timid, indicating she wasn't telling the whole truth.

But An Qing wasn't foolish. From the Fourth Princess's few words, she picked up on some key information.

It was about her marriage, specifically the Manchu-Mongol alliance. The Fourth Princess was to marry into the Northern Desert of Mongolia, and it was clear why Lady Guo and Concubine Yi were worried.

"Since you don't want to say, let me guess. Is it because your mother is worried that Khalkha is too far from the Imperial City and wants you to come to me?"

What she wanted from her was evident, even if unspoken.

The Fourth Princess suddenly looked up, surprised that An Qing could guess so accurately.

An Qing patted her shoulder and smiled, "Don't be so surprised. Remember, your fifth brother and I are also part of the Manchu-Mongol alliance. When I married, my parents had similar concerns."

During that time, her parents searched the entire grassland for connections and favors. Their tribe hadn't had any Manchu-Mongol alliances recently, but there were plenty in the Left Wing and other Mongolian tribes. They wanted someone to look after her in the Forbidden City.

A mother worries when her child travels far, and so does a father.

An Qing softly asked, "So, did you argue with your mother over this?"

The Fourth Princess looked ashamed but chose to confess everything, "I'm sorry, Sister-in-law. My mother and I have wronged you."

An Qing was taken aback. She hadn't expected such complications, which explained why Concubine Yi had looked apologetic earlier.

At the time, she thought she might have misread the expression, but now she understood.

However, An Qing didn't think it was a big deal. Relationships always involve some self-interest, as long as one maintains the necessary boundaries.

For example, since coming to the Forbidden City, whether befriending Concubine Yi or seeking favor with the Empress Dowager and Kangxi, she had her own motives.

If everyone were expected to be completely pure, it would be unreasonable and unfair.

One can have ulterior motives, but as long as one doesn't act on them maliciously, it's fine.

"Silly girl, there's no need to feel guilty. Since I married your fifth brother, we're family. No need for apologies," An Qing said, smiling and holding the Fourth Princess's hand.

"In fact, even if you hadn't mentioned it, I've already discussed this with your fifth brother. Before your wedding, I'll send a letter to Horqin."

Given the relationship between the Fourth Princess and Yinqi, ancient customs emphasized familial ties, and noble families maintained long-term mutual support. Even if she and the Fourth Princess weren't close, she would still do this.

Besides, An Qing genuinely liked the Fourth Princess. She was lively and considerate. In the early days, this girl visited her frequently, keeping her company and sharing stories about the palace, which provided her with much-needed comfort.

Hearing that her fifth brother and sister-in-law had already planned this, the Fourth Princess felt even more guilty, tears streaming down her face.

An Qing quickly handed her a handkerchief to wipe her tears, somewhat exasperated, "Stop crying. Sister-in-law asks you, if someday my family needs help and requires the assistance of your princess guards, would you help?"

The Fourth Princess answered without hesitation, "Of course I would."

An Qing shrugged, "Then what's there to worry about?"

The Fourth Princess paused, suddenly understanding An Qing's point. She realized she had been overthinking it.

Yes, Sister-in-law's family could look after her, and if they needed help, she could assist them too.

Of course, the Fourth Princess knew her princess guards were limited compared to the Mongolian cavalry, but she wasn't one to refuse kindness. She would remember Sister-in-law's favor and not reject it, as it would betray her good intentions.

An Qing was unaware of the Fourth Princess's thoughts. If she knew, she would certainly say that it wasn't necessarily so.

The Fourth Princess, after all, was a princess of the Great Qing, and her status was clear. When facing the nobles of Mongolia, she had more prestige than her father, who was merely a banner chief.

Of course, in terms of actual power, she couldn't compare to the local nobles of Mongolia.

After the Fourth Princess understood this, she no longer felt conflicted. She interacted with An Qing as casually as before.

"Five Sister-in-Law, what do you think will happen when I marry into Khalkha?" She leaned on the table, tilting her head to look at An Qing. Her tone and expression conveyed confusion and unease.

"I've known since childhood that the fate of Great Qing princesses is to pacify Mongolia. I've seen my sisters get married, and I've thought about my own future, but I never expected to be sent to the Northern Desert."

In fact, the concerns of her mother and aunt were also her own.

Compared to the frequent marriages between Manchu and Mongolian nobles in Southern Mongolia, she was the first princess to marry into Northern Mongolia. Would the people there welcome her as an outsider? How could she integrate herself?

All these questions left her feeling lost and uneasy.

As her wedding day approached, her anxiety grew worse. She tossed and turned every night, often having nightmares about a rift between Northern Mongolia and the Great Qing, leaving her caught in the middle.

But she dared not show these fears, fearing that her mother and aunt would worry. Only in front of An Qing did she dare to reveal some of her anxieties.

An Qing was taken aback, looking at the anxious and helpless young girl before her, realizing what she had overlooked.

The Fourth Princess usually seemed carefree and had never mentioned these worries to her. She only occasionally asked about life on the grasslands. An Qing had assumed that the Fourth Princess was prepared for her marriage, just like she had been.

But An Qing forgot that the Fourth Princess was different from her. With two lifetimes of age and experience combined, she couldn't compare to a sixteen-year-old girl who had lived her entire life within the palace walls.

Moreover, An Qing knew history and had some understanding of the situation, which made the Fourth Princess's uncertainty and unease completely normal. Yet, she had assumed too much.

Although An Qing was familiar with the history of Kangxi's reign, her knowledge was limited to the princes involved in the succession struggle. As for Kangxi's princesses, she didn't know much.

However, she vaguely remembered that the Fourth Princess had a good ending in history. She recalled that after the Yongzheng Emperor ascended the throne, he elevated the Fourth Princess from a "Heishuo Princess" (a lesser princess) to a "Gurun Princess" (a higher-ranking princess), based on her influence and reputation in Northern Mongolia.

For a princess to be elevated by the new emperor in Imperial City based on her influence in a foreign land was unique among Kangxi's princesses, indicating that she must have lived well in Mongolia.

This was why An Qing hadn't been too worried about the Fourth Princess initially.

But now, it seemed that while the Fourth Princess might live well in the future, her current anxiety and unease remained. An Qing thought for a moment and decided to help her understand.

"Mo Yali, let's analyze the current situation in Mongolia."

The Fourth Princess was startled, unsure why An Qing suddenly brought this up.

Shouldn't the situation in Mongolia be a concern for the Emperor and his ministers?

An Qing smiled and explained, "You're worried about what might happen after marrying into Khalkha, right? Let's analyze the situation and see if we can gain some clarity."

The Fourth Princess nodded obediently, still somewhat confused.

Without hesitation, An Qing posed a question, "Do you know why Northern Mongolia chose to submit to the Great Qing?"

The Fourth Princess softly replied, "I know a little."

An Qing gestured for her to continue.

The Fourth Princess organized her thoughts. "Nine years ago, Northern Mongolia was attacked by Galdan of Dzungaria. The nobles of Northern Mongolia fled south and submitted to our Great Qing."

The prince she was to marry, Dunbudorji, was one of those who fled south.

An Qing nodded lightly.

At that time, Kangxi granted titles to the nobles of Northern Mongolia who fled south. Among them was Dunbudorji's father, who passed away in the thirty-first year of Kangxi's reign, leaving Dunbudorji to inherit his title.

Dunbudorji was only three years older than the Fourth Princess, making him a suitable match.

"Why did the nobles of Northern Mongolia choose to submit to the Great Qing rather than surrender to Dzungaria?" An Qing continued.

The Fourth Princess pondered for a moment and replied, "The people of Dzungaria are cruel. If they surrendered, they would lose their land and people. But by submitting to the Great Qing, they could rely on its strength to reclaim their homeland."

An Qing smiled. "That's true. This year, the Emperor defeated Galdan and reclaimed Northern Mongolia. They were allowed to return home."

"But what if they change their minds later?" the Fourth Princess asked, worried.

An Qing didn't answer directly. Instead, she asked, "What was the attitude of Northern Mongolia before?"

The Fourth Princess replied without hesitation, "Neutral."

An Qing shrugged. "So, they were neutral before. Why would they rebel now?"

The Fourth Princess nodded thoughtfully, seeing the logic.

When they were attacked by Galdan, they submitted to the Great Qing because they couldn't resist. Now that Galdan has been defeated, they wouldn't dare to rebel.

An Qing continued, "Moreover, the Emperor always treats the Mongolian tribes well. They aren't foolish; they understand the benefits of relying on a strong ally. That's why they chose to submit to the Great Qing."

The Fourth Princess suddenly saw the light. Indeed, whether in terms of military strength or benefits, Northern Mongolia had no reason to rebel against the Great Qing.

"Five Sister-in-Law, I understand," she said, smiling like a child, her worries halved.

Seeing that she had grasped this point, An Qing moved on to the next issue.

"Good. You said you don't know how to position yourself after marrying into Khalkha?"

The Fourth Princess nodded. "To them, I'm not one of their people, so I'll always be an outsider."

"Mo Yali, if you see yourself as an outsider, how can others easily accept you?" An Qing shook her head and said earnestly, "Since Northern Mongolia has submitted to the Great Qing, it is part of the Great Qing. As a princess of the Great Qing, married to their prince, you should not distance yourself. You need to integrate as a lady of the house."

Being a lady of the house is an attitude; integration is a mindset.

The Fourth Princess frowned slightly, as if still somewhat confused.

An Qing pondered for a moment and said, "I guess Emperor Father must have talked to you about your marriage."

The Fourth Princess replied, "He only recently granted the marriage and did speak to me once."

An Qing said, "Then you should now understand Emperor Father's intention in marrying you off to Khalkha. Think about that intention, and it will become clear."

Hearing this, the Fourth Princess turned to look at An Qing with surprise, not expecting her to have guessed even this!

An Qing smiled but didn't elaborate further.

Unlike marrying a princess to Horqin in Southern Mongolia, sending a princess to Northern Desert Mongolians like the newly-subjugated Khalkha also carries the intent of monitoring their princes.

Emperor Kangxi's intentions are not hard to guess, and he would certainly explain them to the Fourth Princess.

With An Qing's guidance, the Fourth Princess suddenly felt as if clouds had cleared, and many things became clearer.

Indeed, she is a princess of the Great Qing, Emperor Father's daughter, and her marriage is a political union between Manchu and Mongol, a matter of state. Why should she confine herself within her own world?

If she helps Emperor Father monitor the Mongolian tribes in the Northern Desert, she will be useful to the Great Qing and gain his special regard, securing her future.

And the Fourth Princess knew well what it meant to receive special attention from Emperor Father.

When she was five years old, she contracted smallpox, a disease most people found hard to survive. Not only did she recover, but she did so in just three days.

Understanding the significance, in the imperial family, surviving smallpox is seen as a sign of divine protection, worthy of grand celebration. Emperor Father was overjoyed and treated her differently, ordering her celebration to follow the standards set for princes and elevating her mother's rank from a minor consort to a noble consort.

If she can live up to Emperor Father's expectations, wouldn't her mother's life in the palace also improve?

Regarding the Fourth Princess's bout with smallpox, An Qing had heard her mention it before. It's undeniable that such a quick recovery was due not only to the skill of the imperial physicians and luck but also to her own resilience, indicating a strong will to live.

This shows that the Fourth Princess has always been a resilient person, which explains why she stood out among the many Manchu-Mongol princesses in history.

Suddenly understanding her direction and motivation, the Fourth Princess became excited.

An Qing looked at her and couldn't help but remind her, "But remember, Dondubdorji is your husband. As a couple, you are one. With his support, whatever you want to do will be much easier."

The Fourth Princess exclaimed, "Ah," clearly not understanding why An Qing would say this.

Given Emperor Father's intention to have her monitor the Mongolian princes in the Northern Desert, they are naturally in an adversarial relationship, making harmony between them unlikely.

Thinking about this, the Fourth Princess felt a hint of disappointment. When her eldest sister returned for a visit, she saw how lovingly her sister and brother-in-law interacted, wishing for the same with her future husband.

But now... it seemed like a fantasy.

"Perhaps not," An Qing said softly. "If I can guess it, do you think Dondubdorji and the Mongolians in the Northern Desert don't know Emperor Father's intentions?"

They are all politically astute men; their awareness cannot be lower than hers.

"Marrying into the Mongols is a mutual need. So, think about what Dondubdorji wants from this marriage..."

The Fourth Princess left the prince's residence with a frown on her face. After returning to her courtyard, she locked herself in her room for the afternoon, repeatedly pondering her fifth sister-in-law's words.

What does Emperor Father want? What do Dondubdorji and the Mongolians want? And what can she do?

After repeated contemplation, many things became clearer.

After some time, the Fourth Princess suddenly stood up from her chair, her eyes shining with light.

She understood!

Indeed, as a princess married to bridge the gap between the Great Qing and the Mongolians in the Northern Desert, she needs to understand both Emperor Father's and the Mongolians' intentions. By doing so, she can mediate and align their interests, fulfilling her role.

Realizing this, the Fourth Princess understood An Qing's final words and felt genuinely grateful.

She was worried about remembering Emperor Father's instructions while forgetting that she would also be Dondubdorji's wife, a relationship that needs nurturing.

As her fifth sister-in-law said, if they work together, many things will be easier.

As for how to nurture the relationship, the Fourth Princess smiled. Growing up in the imperial harem, she had seen many ways women attract men and no longer needed to deliberate on it.

In Yikun Palace.

Throughout the afternoon, Lady Guo anxiously peeked out the door many times.

Concubine Yi helplessly consoled her, "Sister, don't worry so much. The messenger reported that Mo Ya Li appeared calm after leaving the Fifth Princess's residence. There shouldn't be any issues."

Lady Guo couldn't help but fret, "That naughty girl left without sending a palace maid to inform us, causing unnecessary worry."

Concubine Yi waved her hand and said, "Don't worry. Mo Ya Li is a sensible child. She must be preoccupied with something. Once she's free, she'll come to see you."

Just then, a palace maid announced the arrival of the Fourth Princess, who entered the hall.

Her expression relaxed, her steps light, showing none of her previous dejection.

Upon entering, the Fourth Princess apologized to Concubine Yi and Lady Guo for the earlier incident and explained the plan An Qing and Yinqi had discussed regarding sending a letter to Horqin.

Concubine Yi and Lady Guo exchanged glances, both showing surprise and guilt.

"Well, now you can rest easy," Concubine Yi said.

Lady Guo wiped away tears, saying, "Yes, yes, I feel relieved. I acted petty. I will apologize to her another day."

Concubine Yi shook her head helplessly.

Seeing this, the Fourth Princess felt a pang of guilt. Her mother's actions were driven by concern for her.

Suddenly, she remembered An Qing's words. Indeed, her mother and aunt were worried about the instability in the Northern Desert. She could relay her fifth sister-in-law's words to reassure them.

Thus, the fourth princess pulled the two of them and recounted the words An Qing had used to advise her.

Of course, she knew her limits and only spoke about the current situation in Northern Desert Mongolia and their analysis that there would be no rebellion. She left out the rest, fearing it would only cause more worry for them.

After hearing this, Concubine Yi and Lady Guo were silent for a moment before both showed expressions of great joy, clearly convinced by the arguments.

Seeing this, the fourth princess silently exhaled, feeling even more impressed with her fifth sister-in-law.

If not for her fifth sister-in-law's analysis today, she might have remained confused for much longer.

Since that day, after clearing the fog, the fourth princess returned to her usual energetic self, often visiting An Qing's courtyard. Sometimes she came alone, sometimes with her beloved cat.

Indeed, the fourth princess kept a Persian cat, which was very beautiful. An Qing, having learned about it once, frequently asked her to bring it over so they could pet it together.

The cat had a very gentle temperament, and An Qing often held it without letting go.

"Fifth sister-in-law, this is a dress my mother made for you with her own hands. She asked me to bring it to you as a token of gratitude." The fourth princess handed over a small bundle from behind, scratching her head sheepishly and mumbling, "I told her that there's no need for such formality between you and me, but she wouldn't listen."

An Qing placed the cat on the nearby soft couch and smiled as she took the bundle from the fourth princess, then opened it to look inside.

The fabric was high-quality Shu brocade. Given Lady Guo's low rank, obtaining such material must have been difficult. The craftsmanship of the dress was also exquisite, showing that much care had gone into it.

She held the dress up against herself and said happily, "Then I won't be polite. Please thank your aunt for me and tell her I really like it."

With that, she carefully put away the dress and instructed Perilla to wear it when she went to pay respects at Yikun Palace the next day.

Seeing An Qing's reaction, the fourth princess felt a wave of gratitude. She appreciated how An Qing valued her mother's gesture and referred to her as "aunt."

By protocol, given her mother's low rank, her fifth brother and sister-in-law should simply call her "mother." But privately, her fifth sister-in-law always called her "aunt," treating her mother as a true family member rather than just another concubine of the emperor.

After putting away the dress, An Qing immediately ran to the soft couch and picked up the fourth princess's cat again.

Seeing the little creature's aloof yet beautiful appearance, she couldn't help but inhale deeply.

As Cui Liu would say, "When the mistress pets the cat, she looks like a pervert."

Indeed, the term "pervert" was taught to her by An Qing, so this time, she had truly hoisted herself with her own petard.

Seeing An Qing do this, the fourth princess couldn't help but laugh. "Fifth sister-in-law, since you love cats so much, why don't you get one yourself?"

An Qing waved her hand. "No, I've never raised one before, and I don't know how to take care of it."

Her fondness for cats was similar to her fondness for children—she could hold others' pets or children, but if she had to raise one herself, she feared she wouldn't have the patience.

The fourth princess was unconvinced. "What's the big deal? You don't have to raise it personally; just find a servant who knows how to take care of cats."

An Qing thought about it but still didn't agree. She believed that whether it was a child or a pet, if you took responsibility for raising it, you should do it properly, not just hand it off to servants.

This was also why she had never kept a cat despite her fondness for them.

The fourth princess, unaware of An Qing's true thoughts, continued to persuade her. "Think about it, once I get married and take this cat with me, you won't have any cat to hold anymore. Don't you want one at all?"

An Qing hesitated, then hugged the cat tightly and inhaled deeply. "Then I'll have to make the most of these days and enjoy it thoroughly."

Fourth Princess: "..."

She refused to believe she couldn't convince her!

"My eighth sister's cat gave birth to several kittens last month. They're all very cute. Fifth sister-in-law, don't you want to take one?"

An Qing was taken aback. "Eighth Princess?"

She vaguely remembered her, the younger sister of Prince Yinxiang, whom she had seen from afar during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The fourth princess nodded. "Yes, my eighth sister loves cats too and has a wonderful personality. How about this: if you really don't want to keep one, I can introduce you to her. When I get married, if you feel like playing with cats, you can visit her."

She was trying hard to persuade her fifth sister-in-law to keep a cat, partly because she saw how much An Qing loved them, but also because she worried her fifth sister-in-law might be lonely in the palace after her marriage.

The fourth princess suddenly realized she could introduce her eighth sister to her fifth sister-in-law. Eighth Sister was a kind person, and she believed they would get along well.

An Qing naturally understood the fourth princess's intentions and felt warm inside. This girl was truly considerate; she wasn't a child anymore and wouldn't suffocate herself.

The fourth princess grew more convinced her idea was good and, after pushing An Qing to keep a cat, began promoting her eighth sister.

"Fifth sister-in-law, my eighth sister is incredibly beautiful. You'll definitely like her." She winked at An Qing with a knowing expression.

An Qing: "..."

What was with that expression? It made her look like a pervert.

Chapter 37: Princess Wu's Visit

One could only say that Fourth Princess understands An Qing well. Despite her repeated claims that she isn't so shallow, the next day when she brought Eighth Princess to visit, she was promptly proven wrong.

Fine, being shallow is being shallow; it's not a big deal.

At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet last time, due to the distance and the darkness of night, An Qing hadn't really seen Eighth Princess clearly. But now, upon seeing her, she couldn't help but think, "Wow, truly worthy of being Thirteenth Prince Yinxiang's younger sister."

Eighth Princess is just eleven years old, yet she has already grown into such a graceful young lady. If she continues to develop, she'll be something else entirely.

So it's true what novels say about teenagers being capable of captivating the nation.

Seeing An Qing's reaction, Fourth Princess couldn't help but look at her with a teasing gaze. But who is An Qing? Her face is thick enough to smile back as if nothing happened.

"Five Sister-in-Law, this is a small token of my appreciation for your first visit. Please don't reject it." Eighth Princess shyly handed over a purse, seemingly embarrassed by its simplicity and lowered her head.

Fourth Princess quickly came to her aid, "Five Sister-in-Law, Eighth Sister's embroidery is excellent. Even Father loves the things she embroiders."

An Qing took the purse in surprise, "Eighth Sister, your hands are too skilled. This purse is beautifully embroidered."

She wasn't being polite; Eighth Princess's purse was truly exquisite. The pink purse was embroidered with a magpie perched on a branch using gold thread, especially the magpie, which looked incredibly lifelike.

Though An Qing wasn't skilled in embroidery, she had spent some time in the sewing room with her mother, and she could recognize various stitching techniques.

The embroidery on this purse was clearly difficult-to-master Suzhou embroidery.

Seeing An Qing's appreciation, Eighth Princess was delighted, "I'm glad you like it, Five Sister-in-Law."

An Qing sincerely replied, "Like it, I do."

Holding the purse, she examined it closely and murmured, "Eighth Sister, at your young age, how did you learn such fine embroidery?"

Eighth Princess smiled shyly, "I learned from my mother since childhood. I don't deserve such praise; Mother says I still have much to learn."

Upon hearing this, An Qing understood immediately. It seemed that Concubine Zhang, Eighth Princess's mother, must be an expert in embroidery.

Having received the gift from the young girl, An Qing naturally prepared a return gift. She presented a white jade bracelet, which matched Eighth Princess's youthful charm perfectly.

Seeing the greenish-white jade bracelet, Eighth Princess hurriedly declined, "No, Five Sister-in-Law, this is too precious. I can't accept it."

How could she exchange a simple purse for such a superior jade bracelet?

Seeing her blushing face and determined refusal, An Qing couldn't resist teasing her, "Eighth Sister, this is my heartfelt gift. If you don't accept it, I'll be sad."

She even put on a pained expression, as if her feelings were hurt.

Eighth Princess, unused to such situations, thought An Qing was genuinely upset and turned to Fourth Princess for help.

Fourth Princess knew An Qing was joking, "Five Sister-in-Law, Eighth Sister is shy. Don't tease her."

Turning to Eighth Princess, she added, "Eighth Sister, don't refuse. Accept the gift from Five Sister-in-Law."

Eighth Princess hesitated, then accepted the bracelet and bowed to An Qing, "Thank you, Five Sister-in-Law."

After chatting for a while, they were still standing. An Qing invited them to sit down, and Perilla brought in tea and snacks.

The snacks were cookies and croissants baked by Chunxiao, and the tea was pear soup.

The autumn in the Imperial City is dry, and drinking more pear soup soothes the throat.

As they ate and chatted, despite it being their first meeting, An Qing and Eighth Princess didn't feel awkward thanks to Fourth Princess's lively presence.

However, most of the conversation was between An Qing and Fourth Princess, with Eighth Princess speaking very little. She mostly listened quietly.

Observing them, An Qing noted that Fourth Princess and Eighth Princess had completely opposite personalities. Fourth Princess was outgoing and vivacious, while Eighth Princess was shy and gentle. It was unclear how they became friends.

Eighth Princess was indeed a delightful person, easily blushing and charmingly innocent.

An Qing noticed that she loved the cookies Chunxiao baked and had eaten several pieces, her eyes brightening with each bite. Yet her mannerisms remained graceful and endearing.

Suddenly feeling a gaze on her, Eighth Princess looked up and met An Qing's eyes.

Initially startled, she realized she had eaten several cookies and felt embarrassed.

Five Sister-in-Law must have noticed; it was so impolite. Eighth Princess bowed her head lower, wishing she could disappear.

Fourth Princess saw this and sighed, "Five Sister-in-Law, tone it down. You're making Eighth Sister uncomfortable."

An Qing, having observed carefully, understood why Eighth Princess reacted this way. She quickly defused the situation, "Eighth Sister, don't mind. Your Five Sister-in-Law here simply adores beautiful people. How could I resist with someone as lovely as you?"

Eighth Princess blushed again but felt relieved that An Qing wasn't offended.

Fourth Princess seized the opportunity to tease, "Five Sister-in-Law, I'll tell Auntie that you find someone prettier than me."

An Qing glared at Fourth Princess and said seriously, "Nonsense, Mother is the most beautiful in my heart."

Eighth Princess couldn't help smiling at their banter.

She had heard from Third Elder Brother about Five Sister-in-Law, saying she was a good person. She had given him watermelon, which her mother and sisters enjoyed, finding it very sweet. Her mother also said Five Sister-in-Law was a rare good person in the palace.

But today, she found that Third Elder Brother and her mother's description was incomplete. Five Sister-in-Law was not only a wonderful person but also very interesting.

Just as Eighth Princess was watching them intently, An Qing suddenly turned to her, "Eighth Sister, you're second."

Eighth Princess exclaimed, "Ah," confused. What did "second" mean?

Then she remembered An Qing's earlier comment about Concubine Yi being the most beautiful and understood the meaning of "second."

"No, no... I, I can't accept it." The Eighth Princess hurriedly waved her hands in denial, her face flushing red all the way to her ears.

An Qing and the Fourth Princess exchanged a glance before both burst out laughing at the same time.

It had to be said that when it came to teasing the Eighth Princess, these two sisters-in-law had a bit of a mischievous streak in them.

Ever since the Fourth Princess brought the Eighth Princess over, she had clearly become a frequent visitor to An Qing's courtyard.

But whenever they came, they often brought their respective cats along, making An Qing drool with envy. *Whimpers* Having cats is so impressive; does that mean someone without a cat isn't worthy of playing with them?

Every time this happened, the Fourth Princess would enthusiastically encourage her to get a cat, praising how adorable the Eighth Princess's kittens were.

Under this double pressure, An Qing eventually gave in.

The Fourth Princess threw her head back in laughter. "Hahaha, I always said no one could resist the allure of being a cat owner."

An Qing glared at the Fourth Princess indignantly.

"Hmph, if she were in a later era, she'd definitely be a top salesperson."

However, before adopting a cat, An Qing still wanted to make some preparations. The most urgent task was to find someone in the courtyard who would take care of the cat daily. Upon Little Xizi's recommendation, Lai Fu was chosen for this role and sent to the cat and dog quarters for specialized training for over half a month.

Of course, since she had decided to adopt a cat, An Qing didn't intend to be a hands-off owner. She consulted extensively with the Fourth Princess and the Eighth Princess about their experiences and tips on raising cats, even having Chunxiao learn to make food for the cat.

Once everything was ready, the Eighth Princess's kittens had also reached the appropriate age. Despite others wanting to adopt them, the Eighth Princess held back, insisting that An Qing should choose first.

An Qing was deeply moved and immediately gave her a big hug.

However, before officially bringing the cat home, there was one last step.

"Cat dowry?" The Eighth Princess asked, puzzled.

An Qing nodded. "Yes, it's the dowry I'm giving for the kitten."

In ancient times, people placed great importance on rituals when adopting cats, especially during the Song Dynasty, where there was a well-established process for adopting cats, including the dowry as one of the steps.

The dowry typically consisted of everyday items like food and fabric, symbolizing the owner's generosity and respect for the cat.

The Eighth Princess was initially stunned but then quickly waved her hands. "No need, Fifth Sister-in-Law, you can just take it if you like it. Why do you need a dowry?"

In the palace, adopting cats usually meant simply taking them from the cat and dog quarters or directly from friends after their cats had kittens. There was no need for a dowry.

It sounded almost like taking advantage of someone.

But An Qing insisted, "That won't do. This is a ritual for the cat, showing my respect for it. Eighth Sister, wouldn't you feel bad rejecting my gesture?"

The Eighth Princess looked troubled. "Then I'll give a dowry for the kitten too."

An Qing: "..."

She was adopting a cat, not marrying it, why would there be a dowry?

The Eighth Princess asked, "If you're giving a dowry, there should naturally be a dowry in return. What's wrong with that?"

She genuinely didn't know about the concept of a cat dowry but felt that if there was a dowry, there should be a return dowry.

"Eighth Sister, there's no such rule," An Qing patiently explained the origin of the cat dowry. "Although we don't follow this custom in the palace, it's still practiced among common folk."

However, the current rules weren't as strict as in the Song Dynasty; a simple gesture would suffice.

"So, Eighth Sister, think about what you want. Otherwise, I won't take the kitten."

Seeing her insistence, the Eighth Princess was at a loss. After a moment's thought, she said, "Fifth Sister-in-Law, there is something I want, but I don't know if it's convenient for you."

She quickly added, "If it's not convenient, it's fine. Don't force yourself."

An Qing nodded gently. "Sure, tell me what it is."

The Eighth Princess pursed her lips, seeming a bit embarrassed. "My mother has been coughing a lot recently. The small pear soup she had last time was very good. If it's convenient, could you give me the recipe? I want to make it for my mother."

Hearing this, An Qing immediately agreed. "Of course, no problem!"

Thus, the matter of adopting the cat was settled.

After returning, An Qing checked the almanac and found a suitable day to bring the dowry and visit the Eighth Princess's residence to choose a kitten.

Besides the recipe for the small pear soup, she had Chunxiao prepare some fish treats for the mother cat and brought a few pastries for the Eighth Princess, all of which she loved when visiting.

The Eighth Princess thought the dowry would only be the recipe, but when she saw the other items An Qing brought, she refused to accept them.

An Qing explained, "These are just some snacks for you and the mother cat. Even if it wasn't for the kitten, I couldn't come empty-handed."

The Fourth Princess also chimed in, and seeing that the items were indeed just food, the Eighth Princess reluctantly accepted them.

An Qing then eagerly went to pick out a kitten. The Eighth Princess's cat was a Persian, and the kittens were also Persians. She immediately chose the one sleeping by the side of the nest and picked it up.

Thus, the sleeping kitten was chosen.

After selecting the kitten, An Qing didn't stay long. Just as she was about to leave, a palace maid rushed over.

She whispered something, and the Eighth Princess looked surprised. "Fifth Sister-in-Law, you..."

An Qing silently sighed. Well, she was caught.

She had hidden a wild ginseng root among the snacks, hoping it wouldn't be discovered until she left, but she was a step too late.

"No, Fifth Sister-in-Law, wait, I'll have someone bring the ginseng." The Eighth Princess pushed the palace maid to retrieve the item.

An Qing quickly stopped her. "Eighth Sister, don't rush, let me explain."

The Fourth Princess chimed in, "Yes, yes, let's hear what Fifth Sister-in-Law has to say first."

An Qing glanced at the two of them and whispered, "I know that Concubine Zhang is unwell. That wild ginseng was meant as a tribute for her to nourish her health, but you should also understand that I can't make this public. So, I used the pretext of the kitten's betrothal gifts to send it over. This is my heartfelt gesture, Eighth Sister; you mustn't refuse me."

The Eighth Princess suddenly understood something and her eyes welled up with tears. "Fifth Sister-in-Law, did you hear about it?"

An Qing didn't deny it and nodded slightly.

A few days ago, Cui Liu had heard from her visits that the Eighth Princess's mother, Zhangjia Shi, had fallen seriously ill again. The Thirteenth Prince had been searching everywhere for aged wild ginseng to help his mother recover. An Qing happened to have some on hand and thought of finding an excuse to send it over.

She had grown quite fond of the Eighth Princess during their recent interactions and wanted to lend a helping hand.

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Princess looked at the Eighth Princess with reproach. "No wonder you've been distracted these past few days. Why didn't you tell me?"

The Eighth Princess shook her head. Aged wild ginseng was rare even in the palace. Their mothers' positions were not high, and they were currently out of favor. There was no way to get such resources, so telling her would only add to her worries.

The Fourth Princess disagreed. "I could ask Aunt."

The Eighth Princess remained silent, clearly not wanting to trouble her. Concubine Yi was only her aunt, and if the Fourth Princess needed help, Concubine Yi wouldn't hesitate. But asking her for the Eighth Princess's sake wasn't appropriate.

An Qing sighed inwardly. This was probably why so many people in the palace were desperate to climb higher.

The economic sources for the palace concubines were mainly threefold: monthly allowances directly tied to their rank, the Emperor's rewards linked to his favor, and support from family members, which included children and relatives.

However, Zhangjia Shi's current position was low, and she had been bedridden for years without any favor. Her children were still minors, and her family background was humble. She had none of these advantages.

So, obtaining wild ginseng for her health was indeed challenging.

"Fifth Sister-in-Law, thank you so much for your kindness, but it's not necessary. My Thirteenth Brother found some for Mother a few days ago," the Eighth Princess said gratefully.

An Qing patted her hand. "Wild ginseng is for nourishing the body, so having more is better. Keep it."

Then, she added, "Actually, I need a favor from Eighth Sister. I was thinking of bribing you so you wouldn't refuse."

The Eighth Princess quickly responded, "No need to bribe me. If you need anything, just tell me."

An Qing pointed to the kitten in Perilla's basket. "When this little one grows up a bit, could you make some toys for her?"

The Eighth Princess understood immediately. Making toys for kittens was simple; any palace maid who knew how to sew could do it. There was no need for her Fifth Sister-in-Law to specifically ask her.

But she didn't refuse her Fifth Sister-in-Law's kindness and agreed.

Seeing this, the Fourth Princess was delighted and tried to lighten the mood. "Fifth Sister-in-Law only cares about Eighth Sister now. Looks like I'm out of favor."

She then looked at An Qing with mock sadness. "I never thought Fifth Sister-in-Law would be so fickle, just like those heartless men in stories."

An Qing laughed and pinched her cheek. "Naughty girl, don't worry. I'm not a heartless man. When you get married, I'll give you a proper dowry..."

The three of them laughed and joked around for a while before An Qing left Zhaoxiang Palace.

The Eighth Princess stood there, watching her back, realizing something. No wonder her Fifth Sister-in-Law had insisted on giving the kitten betrothal gifts. It was all for this reason.

Understanding this, the Eighth Princess couldn't hold back her tears and turned to cry in the Fourth Princess's arms, feeling deeply grateful for her Fifth Sister-in-Law's kindness.

The kitten An Qing brought back was a pure white Persian cat. Its gentle nature melted everyone's hearts. An Qing decided to name it Snowball, fitting for its fluffy white appearance.

Hooray, she now had a cat!

From then on, An Qing pampered the kitten, ordering fresh milk from the imperial kitchen every day and urging Chunxiao to research various cat foods and snacks.

She even drew designs and sent Little Xizi with silver to the Office of Works to make cat toys, climbing frames, and even a cat villa. For a kitten barely a month old, this level of pampering was extraordinary.

Yinqi couldn't help shaking his head, silently deciding that when they had children, he would have to keep a close eye on things. She had the potential to spoil their child into becoming the most notorious wastrel in the Forbidden City.

An Qing was unaware of Yinqi's thoughts, but even if she knew, she wouldn't stop. After all, she was in the peak of her cat-loving phase.

But it couldn't be denied that the kitten's presence brought a lot of joy to her courtyard.

As her enthusiasm cooled down, An Qing began to get busy.

Her wheat field was about to enter the tillering stage, a crucial time for management.

Tillering is a term in plant science referring to the growth of branches from the base of cereal crops. Wheat tillering typically begins 15-20 days after germination, signaling the start of branch formation near the ground.

This is a critical period for wheat growth and yield. More tillers mean more ears and fuller grains, leading to higher yields. Proper management during this period directly affects the wheat's growth and harvest, as well as its ability to survive winter.

Over the years, An Qing had been researching ways to increase wheat yield during the tillering stage. She had tried various methods, but the results were not ideal, though she had gained valuable experience.

She took out her notebook titled "Wheat Planting Experiments and Practical Guidance" and reviewed the records from last year's experimental fields. Fertilization, irrigation, weeding, controlling excessive growth, and preventing frost damage...

These methods had proven effective, so she planned to refine them further, incorporating new ideas she had developed.

Chapter 38: The Fifth Princess Consort

The key to managing wheat during its tillering period lies in the scientific application of fertilizer and water.

And by "fertilizer," we naturally mean organic manure.

In her previous life, to achieve good crop yields, chemical fertilizers were indispensable. However, they were not available in this era. Fortunately, An Qing could make her own organic fertilizers.

Back then, her research on this topic was driven by the increasing use of chemical fertilizers, which led to depleted soil and declining crop quality, as well as frequent pest and disease outbreaks. Using homemade organic fertilizers could effectively address these issues.

She spent considerable time studying both domestic and international literature. After arriving here, she scoured ancient texts such as Chen Jun's *Agricultural Book* from the Song Dynasty, *Shen's Agricultural Book* from the Ming Dynasty, and *Qimin Yaoshu*. Combining her knowledge from both eras, she developed several efficient methods for making fertilizers.

Of course, making organic fertilizers must be adapted to local conditions and seasons. For instance, using compost made from human and animal waste would not be suitable within the palace.

Similarly, the simple fertilizers like wood ash used previously for growing watermelons were no longer appropriate. After a season of planting, the soil had lost much of its fertility. Additionally, when flowers were planted in that area, their fallen petals enriched the soil over time, making it easier to grow watermelons.

This time, An Qing planned to make mixed fertilizers. She had dried the leftover vines from the watermelon and tomato plants, turning them into plant stalks to use as part of the raw materials for making fertilizer.

Why only part? Because the most crucial ingredient was the sludge from the nearby pond.

Little Xizi had once asked if they should fill in the small pond to create more farmland, but An Qing vetoed the idea. She left the lotus flowers growing there untouched, and after a summer, the sludge in the pond proved useful.

The sludge contained rich organic matter that could be broken down by microorganisms, providing high nutritional value. With proper treatment, it could serve as an excellent fertilizer.

One day, while the Fourth Princess visited, An Qing was supervising the digging of sludge from the pond. They discovered many lotus roots, perfect for the season, allowing Chunxiao to prepare various dishes like stuffed lotus root, lotus root soup with pork ribs, pan-fried lotus root cakes, honey-glazed lotus root, and sweet and sour lotus root strips.

"Five Sister-in-Law, why are you personally overseeing the digging of lotus roots? Let the servants handle it," the Fourth Princess said, puzzled. An Qing was dressed in light clothing suitable for work, making it seem like she might join in the digging.

An Qing waved her hand. "The lotus roots are secondary. I have important tasks to attend to today and won't have time to play."

The Fourth Princess felt a bit helpless. She was no longer a child, yet everyone still treated her as one.

"What are you busy with today, Five Sister-in-Law?" she asked, squatting down beside An Qing.

An Qing pointed to the nearby wheat field. "I need to make some fertilizer. My wheat needs winter fertilizer."

There is a saying among farmers: "Winter fertilizer is gold, spring fertilizer is silver; apply winter fertilizer, and silver turns to gold."

Fertilizer applied before or after winter is called winter fertilizer, and it is best applied around the Winter Solstice or Minor Cold.

The Fourth Princess nodded, understanding that her sister-in-law was going to make fertilizer.

This interested her greatly. When they planted watermelons, she enjoyed following An Qing around, finding everything she did fascinating.

Sometimes, the Fourth Princess truly admired her sister-in-law. Born into a good family, beautiful, kind-tempered, and knowledgeable, An Qing seemed to have a treasure chest of surprises in her mind.

Sigh~ Another day where she felt her brother didn't deserve his wife.

Yinqi, who was working at the Ministry of Works, suddenly sneezed several times, alarming Ma Xiang, who rushed to check on him.

"My Lord, are you feeling cold? Should we return to the palace and summon a physician?"

Yinqi frowned and glared at him. "Don't be so alarmist."

After checking his surroundings and seeing no one around, he breathed a sigh of relief.

As a prince, he was treated like royalty in the ministries, and he didn't want any unnecessary complications.

Although his job at the Ministry of Works was quite idle, Yinqi didn't want to just pass the time aimlessly. Since he was here, he intended to learn as much as possible, justifying his father's decision to send him there.

He planned to review all the archives of the Ministry of Works, at least to understand the procedures thoroughly. He would take it step by step, as An Qing always said, "Steady progress is essential; trying to do everything at once is unrealistic."

Ma Xiang realized his overreaction and subconsciously touched his nose.

Growing up serving his master, he had developed a reflexive response, knowing that even a minor illness could be fatal in the palace. Everyone who served the royal family had to be vigilant.

Lowering his voice, he asked, "My Lord, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Yinqi seriously assessed himself and found nothing wrong. It was strange how those sneezes came out of nowhere.

Little did he know that his beloved younger sister was talking about him behind his back.

After finishing the digging, An Qing got busy. Her courtyard was limited in space, so she couldn't compost in the front yard. The pond became the ideal location.

Though she wasn't using manure, composting still produced some odor, especially since the sludge had been accumulating for a long time.

Fortunately, behind her courtyard wall was a river, and across the river was a bamboo grove rarely visited by anyone, making it a convenient spot.

An Qing used a simplified version of composting, stacking various organic waste materials to produce organic fertilizer through natural fermentation.

During the process, she needed to monitor temperature, humidity, and the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of the materials. She meticulously recorded every step.

Agricultural research was inherently complex and time-consuming, but An Qing was accustomed to it.

Finally, after completing the last step by sprinkling some homemade activated charcoal to eliminate odors, she finished the task.

To her surprise, when she turned around, the Fourth Princess hadn't left and was squatting near the wheat field, deep in thought.

"What's so captivating in my wheat field? Are there hidden treasures?" she teased.

The Fourth Princess looked up, still a bit dazed. "Five Sister-in-Law, you're done?"

An Qing smiled and nodded, extending a hand to help her up. "What were you thinking about?"

The Fourth Princess took her hand and stood up. "Actually, nothing specific. I was just wondering... Five Sister-in-Law, what do you think about leading the local herdsmen in Khalkha to farm after I marry there?"

An Qing was taken aback and looked at the Fourth Princess with some surprise. "Why did you suddenly think about this?"

The Fourth Princess shook her head and replied, "It wasn't sudden. Since you talked to me that day, I've been thinking about what the Emperor wants and what Northern Desert Mongolia needs. I've also figured out some things. Since the Emperor encourages farming in Mongolia, he must support it. As for Northern Desert Mongolia, if farming can provide them with food and help more people survive, they have no reason to refuse."

What's important is that she must do something after marrying there. After all, only by gaining respect and recognition locally can she better balance both sides and maximize her value as a marriage envoy.

Moreover, since her sister-in-law's Horqin Left-wing Rear Banner has done so well in farming, it clearly shows that this method benefits the herdsmen.

"The Fifth Sister-in-Law said to integrate as the mistress of the house. If I am to be the mistress, then I should also take on the responsibility of bringing peace to the local herdsmen," the Fourth Princess said.

In the past, whether it was the Emperor, her fifth brother, or her mother and aunt, when they mentioned Mongolia, they mostly talked about how joyful it was to hunt on the grasslands. Only An Qing spoke differently, focusing on the lives of the herdsmen.

Her sister-in-law once said that status comes with responsibility. The Fourth Princess didn't fully understand this before, thinking their responsibility was simply the Manchu-Mongolian marriage alliance.

But now, she had a clearer understanding. No wonder her sister-in-law liked to ponder farming so much.

An Qing quietly watched the young girl and gave her a thumbs up.

True to being Kangxi's daughter, her mind is indeed sharp. She could figure out so much in just a few days, truly showing the makings of a politician.

No wonder she became a unique presence among the Manchu-Mongolian marriage princesses in history.

"But Fifth Sister-in-Law, you should also remember that Mongolians have lived by herding for generations. Changing their habits won't be easy," An Qing said.

She could lead the herdsmen of Horqin Left-wing Rear Banner through such a significant lifestyle change because of her father's support and their family's longstanding reputation among the locals.

The Fourth Princess understood her point and nodded. "Fifth Sister-in-Law, don't worry. I understand. You've said before that we need to focus on the main issues first. I won't rush things."

After marrying, she would first build a good relationship with her husband Dünbodorji and the local Mongolian nobles, and then consider the next steps.

Just like her sister-in-law, who, although not overtly visible in the Forbidden City, managed to win over the most important people: her fifth brother, her aunt, the Empress Dowager, and the Emperor.

Only then did she start doing what she wanted, like planting wheat and composting in the courtyard. Regardless of whether these actions were out of line, no one in the palace dared to challenge her because she had powerful backing.

The Fourth Princess realized she had learned a lot from her sister-in-law, things she hadn't learned from anyone else in the palace, including her mother and aunt.

Thinking about this, the Fourth Princess took a step back and bowed deeply to An Qing.

An Qing was startled by her action and hurried to support her. "What are you doing?"

The Fourth Princess avoided her help and insisted on completing the bow before standing up. "Fifth Sister-in-Law, thank you for your guidance. Without you, I might still be lost and confused. In Khalkha, I would probably be like a headless chicken, unable to live well."

She didn't say more, as it might sound overly sentimental, but she firmly decided that if her sister-in-law ever needed her help, she would repay her with everything she had.

An Qing shook her head, feeling unworthy of such gratitude.

"Don't worry, Mo Yali. You're a smart girl; you're just momentarily confused. Even without my advice, you would eventually figure things out. You'll be fine."

After all, historically, the Fourth Princess lived a good life. An Qing didn't want to take credit for everything.

Seeing her sister-in-law's reaction, the Fourth Princess smiled but didn't say anything more.

Her sister-in-law always underestimated her own importance, like when she gave the ginseng to her eighth sister.

But she didn't realize how significant her actions were to those who benefited from them.

Back in the courtyard, the Fourth Princess followed An Qing like a little tail, making her chuckle. But she knew it was because her wedding was approaching.

Soon, she would leave, unsure when she'd return to the Forbidden City, much like when An Qing left Horqin.

Feeling a lingering smell from the composting, An Qing had prepared a bath early and went straight to the bathroom upon returning.

The Fourth Princess couldn't follow her inside, so she turned to watch Chunxiao prepare food and then played with the kitten Snowball nearby. Being in her sister-in-law's courtyard was never boring.

When An Qing came out, Chunxiao had just finished making pan-fried lotus root cakes and honey-glazed lotus root. They sat in the courtyard, eating and chatting.

An Qing tasted a piece of honey-glazed lotus root, finding it too sweet, so she quickly drank tea to balance it. The Eighth Princess loved sweets and would have enjoyed this dish, but An Qing preferred the pan-fried lotus root cakes.

"Why didn't the Eighth Sister come with you today?" she asked.

These days, whenever the Fourth Princess visited, the Eighth Princess usually came along, sometimes even bringing Snowball's mother for a brief reunion.

The Fourth Princess, who clearly favored the pan-fried lotus root cakes, had already eaten several pieces. "The Eighth Sister's mother's illness worsened again. She's attending to her."

An Qing was surprised. "How did it worsen? Didn't they say she was almost recovered?"

The Fourth Princess sighed. "It's because of the Dzungarian marriage proposal. Concubine Zhang is worried the Eighth Sister will be sent to Dzungaria for the alliance."

An Qing was stunned. Was there such a thing?

Recently, she had been busy with her own affairs and hadn't heard much news, especially about the court, as she had forbidden her servants from inquiring about it.

"Fifth Sister-in-Law, why don't you analyze it? Do you think the Emperor will allow a princess to marry into Dzungaria?" the Fourth Princess asked expectantly.

Now, she trusted An Qing implicitly, believing she could see through any situation.

An Qing: "..."

Don't put her on such a pedestal; she's not that capable.

However, if she had to guess, An Qing thought Kangxi wouldn't approve the Dzungarian marriage proposal.

From watching the TV series "The Reign of Kangxi," she remembered the scene where Kangxi married his daughter Lan Qi'er to Galdan as a temporary measure. But later, she found out from historical records that this was fictional; none of Kangxi's daughters married into Dzungaria.

Besides, Galdan was dead, and Dzungaria had surrendered. There was no reason to send another princess there.

"In my opinion, he won't," An Qing said.

The Fourth Princess's eyes lit up, urging her to continue.

An Qing had no choice but to clear her throat lightly and began her performance.

"Emperor Kangxi personally led three campaigns against Galdan. He understands better than anyone the ambitions of Galdan and Dzungaria. How could he possibly believe that a marriage alliance would truly pacify Dzungaria? Moreover, now that our Great Qing has returned victorious, as the victors, why would we send our daughter as a hostage at this time?"

If a princess were really sent to marry into Dzungaria and they rebelled again, regardless of how much Emperor Kangxi cares about his daughter's safety, he would still need to maintain face. Otherwise, how could he silence the world's criticism and maintain the morale of the frontline soldiers?

That would truly place him in a difficult position. Emperor Kangxi is not foolish; would he not understand this?

If it were for surveillance, that makes even less sense. Dzungaria, located in Western Mongolia, is different from Khalkha in Northern Desert. The Western Mongolians have a long-standing enmity with the Great Qing. Even sending a princess there would hardly serve any purpose, as they would keep a tight watch on her.

The Fourth Princess found An Qing's reasoning increasingly convincing. Indeed, the current situation favors the Great Qing, so why would her Emperor Father send a princess for an alliance?

Thinking that her Eighth Sister wouldn't be sent to Dzungaria for a marriage alliance, she felt relieved.

However, the Fourth Princess suddenly hesitated and asked, "Fifth Sister-in-Law, do you think Emperor Father worries about me too?"

On that day, her Fifth Sister-in-Law mentioned that her parents worried about her being alone in the Forbidden City. She was certain that her mother and aunt were concerned about her, but she wasn't sure about her Emperor Father.

After all, she is the first princess to marry into Northern Desert. Could her Emperor Father really feel no remorse?

An Qing was taken aback and didn't know how to respond.

Emperor Kangxi is a father, but more importantly, he is an emperor. He cannot be compared to her father, but he should still have some feelings.

Perhaps, compared to his empire, his daughters must come second, but that doesn't mean he lacks affection for them. After all, he is also a father.

So, she thought, Emperor Kangxi might indeed feel some guilt towards the Fourth Princess, the first one to marry into Northern Desert.

After returning to Zhaoxiang Palace, the Fourth Princess immediately went to the Eighth Princess's residence. She first gave her the honey-glazed lotus root that An Qing had sent, then relayed An Qing's analysis, hoping to ease her mind.

The Eighth Princess was delighted and grateful to both the Fourth Princess and An Qing, especially her Fifth Sister-in-Law, who knew she loved sweet foods and had sent the honey-glazed lotus root.

Seeing the Eighth Princess's reaction, the Fourth Princess felt reassured. She still needed to visit her mother's palace, so she didn't stay long.

"My lady, I think what the Fourth Princess and Fifth Lady said makes sense. Don't worry too much. You've lost weight these days," the palace maid advised.

The Eighth Princess smiled and nodded, but tears welled up in her eyes.

These days, she had been very worried about being sent to Dzungaria. Emperor Kangxi had personally led three campaigns against Dzungaria, making the entire palace view Dzungaria as a land of beasts.

Though this was just her Fifth Sister-in-Law's analysis, the Eighth Princess felt genuinely comforted by it. Her Fifth Sister-in-Law was the most reliable person she had encountered in the palace, and her words carried weight.

"Let's go to Mother's palace. She must have just taken her medicine. This honey-glazed lotus root will be perfect for her."

When the Eighth Princess arrived, Zhangjia Shi had indeed just taken her medicine and was resting on the bed, with Prince Yinxiang present.

Seeing the Eighth Princess, Zhangjia Shi couldn't help but scold her, "Child, didn't I tell you to rest? Why did you come back?"

The Eighth Princess took the food box from the palace maid and brought out the honey-glazed lotus root that An Qing had given her. Smiling, she said, "Mother, Fifth Sister-in-Law sent this dish called honey-glazed lotus root through the Fourth Sister. It tastes delicious, so I brought it for you to try."

She then placed a piece near Zhangjia Shi's mouth. She had warmed it before coming, making it ready to eat.

Zhangjia Shi reluctantly tasted it. "Mmm, it's good—soft and sweet without being cloying. Very tasty."

Seeing her mother enjoy it, the Eighth Princess offered more.

Zhangjia Shi waved her hand. "No more. I just took my medicine and can't eat anymore. You eat it yourself."

Seeing her mother's lack of appetite, the Eighth Princess didn't insist and instead offered a piece to her Thirteenth Brother.

"Thirteenth Brother, try this honey-glazed lotus root. It's from Fifth Sister-in-Law's kitchen, and it's delicious."

Yinxiang didn't refuse and ate it with a smile.

"Me too, Eighth Sister! I want some too!" A little girl rushed in from outside—it was the Eighth Princess's younger sister, the Tenth Princess.

The Tenth Princess was still young and hadn't moved to Zhaoxiang Palace yet. She usually stayed with Zhangjia Shi.

Seeing her run in with a sweaty forehead, the Eighth Princess wiped her face with a handkerchief and fed her a piece, reminding her, "Little Ten, eat slowly."

The Tenth Princess's eyes lit up after tasting it. "Wow, it's so yummy! Eighth Sister, did Fifth Sister-in-Law give this to you?"

Previously, the Tenth Princess had eaten plenty of the pastries that An Qing had sent to the Eighth Princess.

The Eighth Princess smiled. "Yes, Little Ten. Your taste buds are sharp. You recognized it right away."

The Tenth Princess giggled and demanded more, sharing it with everyone else.

Before long, the entire dish of honey-glazed lotus root was finished.

The Tenth Princess, tired from playing earlier, fell asleep next to the Eighth Princess.

Zhangjia Shi noticed and instructed the palace maid to take her to another room to sleep.

Finally, the Eighth Princess had the chance to share her Fifth Sister-in-Law's words. Zhangjia Shi became instantly excited.

"Is this true? Did your Fifth Sister-in-Law really say that?"

The Eighth Princess nodded vigorously and reassured her, "Mother, don't worry. I think what Fifth Sister-in-Law said makes sense. Emperor Father probably won't agree to Dzungaria's proposal."

She then turned to Yinxiang for support. "Thirteenth Brother, you know more. Tell us, does Fifth Sister-in-Law's reasoning make sense?"

Yinxiang, who had been thinking, snapped back to reality.

He hesitated, looked at Zhangjia Shi, and said, "Mother, I also think Fifth Sister-in-Law's reasoning is sound. Our tutors in the Grand Study Hall taught us that Dzungaria harbors ambitions that cannot be controlled by a single marriage. I believe Emperor Father understands this too."

Hearing her son agree, Zhangjia Shi believed it even more, repeating, "That's good, that's good."

Perhaps due to her excitement, she started coughing violently.

Yinxiang and the Eighth Princess hurried forward to pat her back, finally managing to stop her coughing.

The Eighth Princess couldn't help but tear up again. If her mother hadn't been worried about her, her illness wouldn't have worsened.

"Mother, you should also use that wild ginseng Fifth Sister-in-Law gave you; it will help you recover."

Zhangjia Shi's face turned even paler, and after resting for a while, she said, "It's fine. The one Thirteenth Brother sent is still not finished. Don't worry, Mother's body is fine; it was just too much excitement earlier."

At the mention of the ginseng, she couldn't help but think about where these two wild ginseng roots came from. The one Thirteenth brought was given to him by his Fourth Elder Brother. Honestly, she wasn't too surprised; Thirteenth and Fourth had always been close, their friendship almost like that of real brothers, which Zhangjia Shi knew well.

However, the ginseng An Qing sent was something she never expected. Moreover, she sent it as part of a cat's dowry, showing how thoughtful she was.

Zhangjia Shi looked at her son and daughter with satisfaction and said, "You two are fortunate. Thirteenth met your Fourth Elder Brother, and Little Eight met your Fifth Sister-in-Law. They genuinely care for you both, but we must remember their kindness in our hearts."

The Eighth Princess quickly agreed, "Daughter remembers."

Yinxiang nodded heavily, "Mother, don't worry; son remembers too."

They stayed a little longer, but since Zhangjia Shi had just taken her medicine and was very tired, they left together.

A palace maid came over to help Zhangjia Shi lie down, but she waved her off, "No need, I want to sit a bit longer."

Zhangjia Shi leaned on the couch, staring out the window in silence, lost in thought.

Seeing this, the palace maid feared she would tire herself further and advised, "Your Highness, you should rest. You didn't sleep well last night. If the Eighth Princess and Thirteenth Prince find out, they'll worry again."

Zhangjia Shi sighed deeply, "In the end, it's because of me, their mother, that they suffer."

If she were gone, perhaps they would be more at ease.

"Your Highness, you mustn't think like that. You must take care of yourself and recover soon. Our princes and princesses are still young. Without their mother's protection, life in the palace would be even harder," the palace maid said.

Zhangjia Shi smiled and shook her head, saying nothing more.

She knew her condition well; there was no hope of recovery.

She understood the imperial physician's words. He suggested finding some wild ginseng, implying that there was no cure, only prolonging her days. Only the naive children, Little Eight and Thirteenth, believed it.

But even if death was near, she needed to make sure her children were settled before she could rest easy.

Thirteenth was a prince, so there was less concern. After he came of age, the Emperor would provide for him, though the extent might vary. Being a man, he could carve out his own path.

But Little Eight and Little Ten were princesses, and it was different.

This time, Dzungaria requested a marriage alliance, and she was extremely worried. Although Little Eight is still young, there was no guarantee she wouldn't be betrothed now and married later.

Recently, despite her illness, she heard that Empress Dowager De somehow convinced the Emperor to keep the Fifth Princess in Imperial City for marriage, intending to match her with a descendant of the imperial family, the Tonjiashi clan.

Among the unmarried princesses, besides the Sixth and Seventh Princesses, there was her Little Eight.

Zhangjia Shi acknowledged she lacked the influence and ability of Empress Dowager De. Though she held the rank of a concubine, she had no title and was not a principal consort. In essence, she was merely a concubine enjoying the benefits of her rank.

Therefore, she didn't expect to keep her daughters in Imperial City. She only hoped to marry them to the loyal Mongolian tribes in Southern Mongolia.

As for how to achieve this, Zhangjia Shi leaned against the bed and closed her eyes silently.

That year, beneath the rose bushes, she first encountered the Emperor. She was graced with his favor and enjoyed his affection for many years.

But at that time, she did not understand that the emperor's love would never belong exclusively to one person, and as a result, she was consumed by this obsession for a long time, eventually falling out of favor.

However, so many years have passed, and she no longer cares; she has long since let go of those things.

It's just that... now she must use this obsession to make every arrangement for her children before her end.

Chapter 39: The Fifth Princess Consort

After Yinxiang left Zhangjia Shi's palace, he first sent the Eighth Princess back to Zhaoxiang Palace. Then, hesitating for a moment at the entrance of the princes' quarters, he finally decided to go to the Fourth Prince's residence.

"Did your fifth sister-in-law really say that?" A hint of surprise flashed across Yinzhen's face.

Yinxiang nodded slightly, "The Eighth Sister said it, so it should be correct."

He had heard what the Eighth Sister said in her mother's palace just now, but he couldn't judge its accuracy. However, to reassure his mother, he chose to agree with her, even though he still felt uneasy.

These days, not only his mother and the Eighth Sister were worried; he was also troubled by this matter, unable to eat or sleep well. But he didn't want to disturb his Fourth Brother, so he had been dealing with it alone. This time, however, he couldn't hold back any longer and decided to come to the princes' quarters to see if he could find his Fourth Brother, and unexpectedly, he was there.

Yinzhen looked thoughtful, completely absorbed in what Yinxiang had just said, without noticing his brother's expression.

In recent days, the issue of Dzungaria seeking a princess from Great Qing had caused quite a stir both in the imperial court and the harem. Yinzhen had been discussing this matter with his advisors, but they had yet to reach a conclusion.

He found An Qing's words quite reasonable. It was clear that Dzungaria's rebellious intentions had not died down, and now that Galdan was dead and Dzungaria had surrendered, there was no reason for Great Qing to send a princess.

However, she overlooked an important point: the past two years of warfare had greatly strained Great Qing's resources. As someone working in the Ministry of Finance, Yinzhen knew how tight the national treasury was. If another war broke out, they might not be able to bear it.

Given this situation, it was uncertain whether his father would approve Dzungaria's request for marriage, as it could provide a temporary respite and allow Great Qing some time to recover.

Still, it was understandable that his fifth sister-in-law, being a woman confined to the inner chambers, did not consider these factors.

"Fourth... Fourth Brother, is something wrong?" Seeing his Fourth Brother's reaction, Yinxiang's heart sank further.

Yinzhen looked up and noticed the anxious look on Yinxiang's face. He silently blamed himself for neglecting his brother's concerns these past few days.

Indeed, Thirteenth Brother had two sisters, and he must have been very worried.

"Thirteenth Brother, your fifth sister-in-law comes from Mongolia, and her perspective on this matter makes sense. Don't worry too much. I also believe the Eighth Sister will be fine," Yinzhen said.

However, the reason he believed the Eighth Princess would be safe was different from An Qing's. On the contrary, he thought their father might approve the marriage. But why did he think the Eighth Princess would be safe? Because there were still the Sixth and Seventh Princesses ahead of her. Even if their father decided to send a princess, the Eighth Princess would not be the most likely candidate.

This was why his mother had been so eager to arrange the marriage of his Fifth Sister recently. The order of princess marriages always followed the eldest to the youngest, and there was no reason to skip anyone unless there were special circumstances.

Yinxiang's eyes brightened, and his worries faded away.

His Fourth Brother never spoke without basis, so if he said it, there was nothing to worry about.

Time flew by, and the day of the Fourth Princess's wedding finally arrived.

At the end of November, the Fourth Princess, now titled "Princess Heshuo Kejing," married Dunbudorji of Khalkha. On this day, the princess's procession left the Forbidden City, heading towards the Mongolian grasslands.

An Qing's initial guess had been correct. Kangxi felt guilty about sending his first daughter to the Northern Desert, evident from the lavish dowry and grand wedding arrangements. In the end, he even sent the Seventh Prince and Tenth Prince to escort their Fourth Sister north.

This was unprecedented honor, even surpassing that given to his favorite daughter, the Second Princess Rongxian.

An Qing and the Eighth Princess stood on the wall of the Forbidden City, watching her departure. From a distance, they saw the corner of the carriage window carrying the Fourth Princess gently lifted, revealing someone looking back at the imperial city where she had lived for over a decade.

According to tradition, a princess who marries into Mongolia usually returns home only once every ten years, making this farewell truly a long goodbye.

A wave of melancholy washed over An Qing. She had been in the Forbidden City for so long, deliberately avoiding thoughts of Horqin. Even when she did think of it, she consciously ignored her feelings. But at this moment, she admitted to herself that she missed home, her parents, and her brothers.

In her previous life, she had no family, and the orphanage where she grew up had been demolished after she went to college. Although a new one was built, it was no longer the same. After college, she never returned, only occasionally contacting the former director, but since the director had her own family, An Qing didn't want to intrude. Throughout her undergraduate and doctoral studies, her home was the dormitory.

But this life was different. She had everything she dreamed of in her previous life, yet fate had brought her to the Forbidden City, where she couldn't return home or see her family.

At this moment, her desire to go home reached its peak.

"Five Sister-in-Law, are you alright?" The Eighth Princess patted An Qing's arm, looking concerned.

An Qing was startled and came back to reality, "Don't worry, I'm fine. I just feel a bit sad about your Fourth Sister."

The Eighth Princess comforted her, "It's okay, Five Sister-in-Law. We'll see her next year during the Mulan Autumn Hunt."

An Qing smiled. Yes, they would see each other next year during the Mulan Autumn Hunt. Her parents would surely attend, and they could meet again.

Besides, Mulan was not far from Horqin Left-wing Rear Banner, so she might even get to visit.

However, An Qing was surprised by the Eighth Princess's reaction. She had expected the Eighth Princess to be more upset about the Fourth Princess's departure, but she seemed calmer than An Qing.

The Eighth Princess explained with a smile, "I'll marry into Mongolia in a few years, so I'll have plenty of time to see my Fourth Sister."

Moreover, she and her Fourth Sister had agreed that while she stayed in the Imperial City, she would spend more time with Empress Guo. So, she felt like she was fulfilling a promise, which made her less sad.

Thinking of this, the Eighth Princess glanced at An Qing. They had also agreed to take care of her parents in Mongolia.

Their Fifth Sister-in-Law was such a good person, and no one could dislike her.

Seeing the girl who used to be full of sorrow at the thought of marrying into Mongolia now speaking so calmly about her own marriage, An Qing genuinely felt happy for the Eighth Princess.

She had intentionally tried to console her, and it seemed to have worked.

Ultimately, they were all pawns in the Manchu-Mongol alliance, destined to accept their fate and strive to live better lives.

Not just them; everyone in this era was a mere ant under the emperor's power, but ants could still carve out their own little world.

What An Qing didn't know was that her kindness would bring a surprising reward to her and Horqin Left-wing Rear Banner in the future.

Of course, that was for later.

An Qing looked at her and said, "You need to practice more. When we go to Mongolia next year, we'll ride horses across the grasslands, and you can't lag behind."

Then, she turned to the palace maid beside the Eighth Princess, "Has your princess been practicing kicking shuttlecocks regularly?"

The palace maid, seizing the opportunity to report, excitedly replied, "Fifth Princess Consort, the mistress has not been kicking two hundred shuttlecocks daily as you instructed. She often kicks for a day and rests for three, and she always tries to bargain. Kicking a hundred is already good."

Hearing this, An Qing looked disapprovingly at the Eighth Princess. She had suggested kicking shuttlecocks to help her build strength, but it seemed she had been doing it half-heartedly.

Is this still the obedient Eighth Princess she knows?

"Little Eight, you're slacking off. That's not good."

The Eighth Princess didn't expect to be caught and her face turned red, but she quickly promised, "Sister-in-law, I'll definitely be good from now on and never slack off again."

An Qing had underestimated the impact of Fourth Princess's marriage on herself. After returning to her residence, she felt listless and often lost in thought. She didn't even notice Snowball rubbing against her leg, begging for attention.

"Master, Master..." Perilla called out several times, but An Qing didn't respond.

Perilla and Cui Liu exchanged glances, both knowing that their master was homesick.

"Meow~ Meow~ Meow~"

Perhaps because it was the first time being ignored by An Qing, Snowball grew restless and even jumped onto An Qing's lap.

An Qing was startled and looked down at Snowball on her lap, gradually coming back to her senses.

Perilla worriedly said, "Master, if you miss the Prince and Princess Consort, why don't you write them a letter?"

But An Qing shook her head.

She sent letters home every month, and she had just sent one a few days ago. If she wrote another one now, her parents would worry that something was wrong.

She took a deep breath and said, "It's fine. I'll find something else to distract myself."

With that, she picked up Snowball and rubbed it vigorously before handing it to Cui Liu, instructing her to play with the cat for a while using a toy.

Snowball had been in her courtyard for some time now and was growing rapidly. Compared to when it was just a newborn kitten, it had grown significantly and was very active, requiring daily playtime.

However, An Qing's current state clearly wasn't suitable for playing with it. Small animals are sensitive to human emotions, and Snowball seemed agitated in her arms, sensing her unease.

To distract herself, An Qing had a simple method: work. She entered her study, took out paper, and began drawing and writing with a charcoal pencil.

Yinqi arrived as she was working in the study.

After an afternoon of focused work, An Qing believed she had fully recovered from her listless state. However, Yinqi still saw through her.

After dinner, they each went about their own business in the room as usual.

Suddenly, Yinqi asked, "Are you feeling homesick?"

An Qing exclaimed, "Ah," and instinctively wanted to deny it, but seeing the concern in Yinqi's eyes, she nodded, "A little bit."

Yinqi silently sighed. He noticed that An Qing tended to hide her worries and always appeared cheerful when interacting with others.

Today, if he hadn't observed closely, he might have been fooled by her outward demeanor.

But what could he do? Yinqi felt helpless. They couldn't leave the capital without permission, and Mongolian nobles couldn't enter the capital unless summoned. Even knowing An Qing was homesick, he could only offer verbal comfort.

"I'm sorry," Yinqi's voice was hoarse, but then he realized something and laughed bitterly, "I seem to always say these two words to you."

Seeing him like this, An Qing felt exasperated, "Really, it's nothing. It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself for everything."

Her situation wasn't his doing, so there was no need for him to apologize.

However, An Qing wasn't foolish and noticed that Yinqi's mood was also off tonight. He seemed dejected and sad.

Let her guess what happened...

She heard that Kangxi did not summon any princes after today's morning court session, and Yinqi had spent the whole day at the Ministry of Works before returning home. These were things they mentioned during dinner.

Given this, there was only one possible reason: it had to do with Fourth Princess's marriage.

"Are you feeling down because you couldn't escort Fourth Sister to the Northern Desert?" An Qing asked.

Yinqi stared at her, surprised that she had noticed or confirmed her observation.

In her calm eyes, he saw that she truly understood.

Indeed, she was always perceptive and insightful, just not vocal about it.

Yinqi didn't deny it and nodded slightly.

He was indeed quite dejected today, or rather, sad. But his sadness wasn't about not being able to escort Moyaeri; it was about his father's attitude.

Sending a prince to escort the bride was a last-minute decision by his father. Logically, considering the closeness between brothers and Moyaeri, he and Xiao Jiu should have been the ones chosen.

Since Lady Guo, Moyaeri's aunt, held a low rank and couldn't raise her, Moyaeri was placed under the care of his mother, strengthening the bond between him and Xiao Jiu with Moyaeri.

Yet, his father chose Seventh Brother and Tenth Brother instead, revealing his intentions clearly.

His father was wary of them, especially him!

Raised under the Empress Dowager, Yinqi understood early on his connection to Mongolia, which deepened further with his marriage to An Qing. His father feared he might use Moyaeri's relationship to connect with the Mongolian nobles in the Northern Desert.

But he had no such intentions.

Over the years, he had tried to distance himself from other princes to avoid getting involved in their factions, yet it had come to this.

An Qing also sighed inwardly. The imperial family has always been like this.

She thought Yinqi understood this, especially after the incident with the Crown Prince, but now she realized that understanding is one thing, acceptance another.

Actually, Kangxi's intention wasn't hard to guess. The Qing court's approach towards Mongolian tribes has always been a balance of courting and restraining, constantly vigilant against the nobles and princes forming alliances.

After all, the iron cavalry of the Mongolian tribes represents real military power. If this were to be involved in the struggle for the throne, it would undoubtedly harm the foundation of the country, which is something he could never tolerate.

To some extent, An Qing understood Kangxi. He was a feudal emperor, inherently sensitive and suspicious. Taking precautions might just be his instinctive reaction, not necessarily a sign that he distrusts his son Yinqi.

"Would you be disappointed in the Emperor?" Yinqi asked, looking at An Qing.

After all, the precautions also included Horqin Left-wing Rear Banner, her father and brothers.

An Qing replied, "No, the Emperor has his reasons."

After saying this, she felt it sounded too official, like a cliché, so she added, "This is the truth. I'm not saying it because you're the Emperor's son."

This was indeed her true feeling.

Yinqi softly acknowledged, "I know, I don't doubt you."

An Qing smiled and asked, "Are you still upset?"

"A little," Yinqi nodded and said, "In this regard, I can't match you."

An Qing shook her head.

There's no question of matching or not. For me, Kangxi was always an emperor from the start. Or rather, I've never had any expectations of him.

Yinqi is different. He first had a father-son relationship with Kangxi, and only later did he have to see him as an emperor before acknowledging their familial bond.

But deep down, he still harbors expectations of Kangxi, the expectations of a son for his father.

Looking at Yinqi now, she felt he seemed about to shatter, so she couldn't bear it and silently reached out her hands, wanting to give him a hug to comfort him.

Yinqi, who was still lost in his sadness, was taken aback by her gesture and didn't quite understand what was happening.

Is she... asking me to carry her to bed?

His ears turned hot. Though they had already... An Qing had never been this proactive before. But isn't this a bit too sudden? Weren't we discussing serious matters just now?

Forget it, since she...

Seeing Yinqi's lack of response, An Qing frowned, stood up, and gave him a big bear hug.

"Come on, here's a hug. Don't be sad anymore."

Yinqi: "?"

So, she just wanted to comfort me!

An Qing, unaware of Yinqi's rich inner thoughts, held him for a while and then decided it was enough. She planned to shift his focus.

After all, dwelling in sadness only makes one sadder. The best way is to move on.

"That's enough. Let's not talk about these unhappy things anymore. Wait a moment, I need your help with something."

With that, An Qing withdrew her embrace and walked away, looking quite casual.

Yinqi stared at his empty arms, feeling both amused and exasperated.

Her method of comforting people is a bit too hasty. Just when he finally reacted, she pushed him away.

And that misunderstanding earlier...

But he had to admit, after this mix-up, he didn't feel as bad anymore.

A short while later, An Qing returned, holding a piece of paper.

"Here."

Yinqi subconsciously took it but looked puzzled when he saw what was on the paper. "What did you draw?"

An Qing waved her hand grandly and replied, "I call it a Wheat Pressing Machine."

This was what she accomplished this afternoon, from conception to design, drawing, and detailed annotations. It was incredibly thorough.

Of course, it couldn't compare to modern wheat pressing machines. This was simply a modified stone roller, but even so, it made her feel accomplished.

As for what the Wheat Pressing Machine does, it's quite simple—it's used for pressing wheat.

Pressing wheat is a crucial step in managing wheat during its tillering period. By rolling the machine over the wheat fields, it temporarily suppresses the growth of the above-ground parts of the wheat plants, controlling excessive growth.

"Why control the growth of wheat?" Yinqi asked, confused. "Isn't it better for crops to grow vigorously?"

Because of An Qing, he had gained some understanding of farming, especially recently, when he consulted officials from the Agricultural Administration Department about planting wheat. However, he hadn't heard anything about pressing the wheat.

An Qing tried to explain as simply as possible, "Right now, the wheat roots aren't stable. If the above-ground parts grow too quickly, the root system won't develop well. Without stable roots, how can the crop grow properly?"

This is a common misconception. People think faster-growing wheat is better, but in fact, overly vigorous growth before winter is detrimental.

Overgrown wheat stems are tender and store less nutrients, reducing their frost resistance. Many winter wheat crops suffer from frost damage in winter and are more prone to leaf death and tiller death in spring, sometimes even freezing the young spikes. Even if they survive winter, they are more likely to fall over in the middle and late stages, affecting yield.

Pressing wheat helps solve this problem. Rolling the wheat makes the soil more compact, enhancing water absorption by the roots, thus conserving moisture, preventing drought, and reducing lodging. It also promotes tillering and strengthens the stalks, effectively controlling excessive growth and promoting healthy growth.

Therefore, pressing wheat before winter serves two purposes: controlling growth and increasing frost resistance.

This conclusion was derived from repeated experiments by agricultural colleges in later times.

Hearing her explanation, Yinqi found it reasonable. "So, you want me to help you build this thing?"

An Qing nodded vigorously. "Can you?"

Mainly because this thing is too large, and it's impossible to make it in the palace, so she had to ask Yinqi for help.

Yinqi lightly responded with a soft "mm." There was nothing wrong with it. Looking at the blueprint, it didn't seem particularly difficult. He could find a few people from the Ministry of Works to get it done.

Worried that An Qing might need it urgently, Yinqi brought the blueprint drawn by An Qing to the Ministry of Works the next day and went straight to the Construction Office.

The people in the Construction Office, upon seeing that it was Fifth Prince's request, handled it promptly. In less than three days, they completed the project according to the blueprint.

However, the object turned out to be quite large. Yinqi had to use a cart to transport it back to the palace that day, attracting quite a bit of attention along the way, naturally causing a stir.

Everyone was puzzled, wondering why Fifth Prince would bring back a stone pillar.

At this moment, inside the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Kangxi had just finished meeting with officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Agricultural Administration Department to discuss the wheat situation across various regions.

Recently, important wheat-growing provinces such as Shandong, Henan, and Shaanxi had submitted reports stating that the rainfall over the past few months had been good, leading to promising growth of wheat in many areas. They expected a bountiful harvest next year.

Hearing this, Kangxi was in high spirits. Nothing could be more joyful than a good harvest.

After the officials left, Liang Jiugong entered with tea, serving him.

As he replaced the cold tea on Kangxi's table, he said, "Your Majesty, you asked about what Fifth Princess Consort planted on her land, didn't you? I had someone inquire about it earlier."

Kangxi was momentarily taken aback before remembering his casual question. He hadn't expected Liang Jiugong to actually follow up on it.

"Oh? What did she plant?"

In this freezing weather, surely she couldn't be planting fruits and vegetables again.

Liang Jiugong replied, "Fifth Princess Consort planted wheat on her land, Your Majesty."

Kangxi was somewhat surprised to hear that An Qing had planted wheat. "She actually planted wheat. It seems she wasn't just talking casually when she mentioned wanting to try growing my imperial rice."

However, he didn't give much thought to An Qing planting wheat. After all, growing watermelons was different; her success with watermelons was simply due to finding a sweet variety by chance.

But growing crops was another matter. Whether it was his Fengze Garden or the efforts of the Ministry of Finance and the Agricultural Administration Department, countless people worked on improving wheat cultivation every year. A young lady from the inner quarters couldn't compare.

Liang Jiugong smiled and said, "Indeed, I heard that the wheat on Fifth Princess Consort's land is growing quite well."

Kangxi waved his hand and laughed. "There's nothing unusual about that. With good rainfall this year, it's natural for the wheat to grow well. But surviving the winter is the real test."

Thinking about this, he recalled that the Ministry of Finance had mentioned several effective methods used this year to help wheat survive the winter, claiming they would definitely increase wheat yields.

Hopefully, the wheat yields across the regions would surprise him next year.

Chapter 40: The Fifth Princess

Around the time of the Winter Solstice, An Qing finally finished applying manure and pressing down the wheat on her plot of land. The work for managing the wheat during its tillering period before winter was now officially done.

She had done everything she could; now it was a matter of waiting to see if any issues arose, so she could address them promptly.

Fortunately, after entering the winter period, the wheat seemed to be doing well with no signs of frost damage. It looked like they would get through the winter safely.

An Qing was quite pleased. At least it proved that all her measures were effective, giving her more confidence in increasing the wheat yield next year.

Not long after, Imperial City welcomed its first heavy snowfall.

This year's heavy snow came a bit later than usual. Normally, it would have fallen before the Winter Solstice, but at least it wasn't too late.

When An Qing woke up and saw the white landscape outside, she immediately ran to the backyard to check on her wheat. Seeing it covered with a thick blanket of snow, she couldn't help but smile widely.

"Milady, please be careful. It's freezing out here. Put on this cloak first, or you'll catch a cold."

Perilla hurried over with a red cloak and quickly draped it around her.

Cui Liu also ran over with a hand warmer, frowning and nagging, "Why do you act like a child? Running out as soon as you see snow. What if you catch a chill? You really don't make things easy for us."

An Qing chuckled and said, "You don't understand."

A good snowfall foretells a bountiful harvest—a moment of great joy for farmers. The winter snow kills pests and pathogens that threaten the wheat during the winter, damages weeds in the fields, and the thick layer of snow protects the crops from frost damage. When the snow melts in spring, it provides water for the crops, preventing drought. With a little more care, a bountiful harvest is almost guaranteed.

Cui Liu huffed and raised her head, "Milady, you underestimate me again. What's there to not understand? It's just 'three layers of snow cover the wheat, and next year we'll sleep on steamed buns.'"

An Qing laughed, surprised by Cui Liu's knowledge. "Cui Liu, you've been learning a lot lately. Good job, I'll add an extra chicken leg for you today."

Cui Liu was delighted and forgot about her earlier nagging, becoming quite boastful.

An Qing smiled slightly, noticing how Cui Liu was increasingly adept at nagging like Mai Dong. Perhaps she had learned some tricks in private, but An Qing knew Cui Liu well enough to handle her easily.

Good news brings good spirits. After breakfast, An Qing felt inspired and decided to take a tour of the Forbidden City in the snow.

In her past life, whenever it snowed, the Forbidden City always trended online. Covered in snow, it was breathtakingly beautiful, drawing countless visitors to capture the moment.

Coincidentally, although she studied in Beijing in her previous life and visited the Forbidden City, she never got the chance to see it during a snowfall. Now, she had the perfect opportunity to follow this trend, despite the different era.

Moreover, the Forbidden City at this time was even more ancient and elegant than its modern counterpart.

Wearing a red cloak and holding an oiled paper umbrella, An Qing walked through the palace alleys with red walls and green tiles, her eyes taking in the stunning scenery.

As snowflakes fell, the red walls, eaves, corners, and steps, dotted with splashes of red, merged with the white snow, creating a captivating painting of the Forbidden City.

The white snow against the red walls, every step revealing a new scene, the pavilions and eaves all covered in silver, were majestic and awe-inspiring.

An Qing finally understood why her senior sister in her past life always went to the Forbidden City when it snowed. Back then, she thought seeing it once would be enough, but now she realized that such beauty could never be tiring!

From that day on, An Qing added another fixed activity to her winter routine—whenever it snowed, she would go out and stroll around the Forbidden City to enjoy the snowscapes.

After that heavy snowfall, several more snowfalls followed before the New Year. Regardless of whether it was light or heavy snow, she made sure to go out every time.

One day, after returning from viewing the snow on the city walls, An Qing entered the warm room, shedding her snow-covered cloak.

She couldn't help but call out, "Perilla, please get me a warm towel. My face feels frozen."

"Why go out if you're so afraid of the cold?" Yinqi emerged from the inner chamber, looking at her with a helpless expression. "Why do you love watching the snow so much?"

Seeing Yinqi in her quarters, An Qing was initially surprised but then replied, "Yes, I love watching the snow now."

Yinqi shook his head helplessly. Just then, a palace maid entered with hot water and a towel. He dismissed her and personally wet the towel, handing it to An Qing.

An Qing took the warm towel from Yinqi and pressed it against her face, feeling revitalized.

Sigh~ the snowscapes were beautiful, but the cold was unbearable. Each time she went out, she felt like she wasn't herself anymore.

Indeed, one cannot have both fish and bear paws.

After tossing the towel into the basin, she hurried to the nearby brazier.

Yinqi followed her, his tone laced with amusement, "Others write poems when they view the snow. Don't you want to write one?"

An Qing couldn't help but glare at him.

Hmph~ She noticed that Yinqi had become increasingly mischievous lately, even teasing her now!

But mentioning poetry reminded her of her embarrassing incident.

During the last heavy snowfall, she went out as usual and, by chance, encountered Kangxi leading a group of princes from the Imperial Academy to admire plum blossoms and compose poems.

Since she met them, she had to greet Kangxi. Unexpectedly, he asked her what she felt after viewing the snowscapes.

What feelings? It was just about composing poems, but as a science student, she had no idea how to do that.

So, she had to improvise, looking at the beautiful snowscapes and saying, "Today's snow is really heavy, beautiful, very beautiful. No wonder Father Emperor came out too."

An Qing still remembered Kangxi's slowly cracking expression. He probably remembered that women from Horqin weren't skilled in literature and didn't press her further.

The princes present struggled to hold back their laughter, and An Qing pretended to be clueless. Kangxi only asked about her feelings, not explicitly asking for a poem.

Thinking the incident was over, she prepared to leave, but Xiao Jiu laughed out loud, causing a chain reaction of laughter, making her wish she could find a hole to hide in.

It really showed him up!

Everyone else wasn't laughing, but he was, which infuriated her. The next day, she went to the Concubine Yi's palace to complain.

Normally, someone as thick-skinned as An Qing wouldn't care too much about such situations, but the key point was that everyone present that day were young princes, with the youngest being only six or seven years old.

Oh my God, she had truly embarrassed herself in front of everyone.

Very well, very well, she would remember this grudge against Xiao Jiu!

She didn't dare to look back on those memories and didn't want to think about it anymore. After glaring at Yinqi, she decisively changed the subject: "Why did you come back so early today? Was there nothing to do at the office?"

Before the New Year, all the ministries were extremely busy, especially the Ministry of Works. Recently, they had been working together with the Imperial Household Department on the Spring Festival couplets and door gods for each palace.

The Ministry of Works first determined the size and style of the couplets based on the rank and scale of each palace. Then, their subordinate workshops provided the materials, and finally, the Imperial Household Department's Office of Manufacturing completed the work.

Given the numerous palaces in the Forbidden City, this was a very tedious task that couldn't afford any mistakes. Therefore, this time of year was the busiest for the Ministry of Works.

Yinqi smiled and said, "You forgot; I told you two days ago that today is the day when all the ministries seal their seals."

An Qing was taken aback. Yes, she had indeed forgotten about it.

In the Qing dynasty, government offices had a 'sealing the seal' system, which meant that all offices would start their holidays, usually from late December to mid-February, lasting about a month.

However, princes like Yinqi couldn't actually take real vacations. After all, the imperial New Year holiday lasted only about ten days. According to regulations, all cases that needed to be resolved within the year had to be concluded by the 25th of December. On the 26th, the Emperor would 'seal his brush' and stop handling routine state affairs.

Therefore, adult princes who hadn't yet received their titles would still be occasionally summoned by Kangxi.

But for princes like Yinqi, the worst was just staying put in their residences and waiting to be summoned by Kangxi. However, Kangxi himself didn't have it easy.

When Kangxi 'sealed his brush,' it only meant stopping the handling of ordinary state affairs. In case of major military or national matters, immediate action was required, especially if it involved the frontlines.

So, being an emperor wasn't easy. One slip could lead to serious consequences, and if one wanted to do a good job, it was even more exhausting.

Without going into distant examples, Yongzheng died due to overwork, according to many historians.

Indeed, on the 26th of December, Kangxi bathed, changed clothes, burned incense, and solemnly 'sealed his brush.'

Fortunately, before sealing his brush, Kangxi ultimately rejected Dzungaria's marriage proposal. This matter, which had caused turmoil in both the court and the harem for months, finally came to an end. Everyone in the harem breathed a sigh of relief, knowing they could now have a peaceful New Year.

Compared to modern times, the festive atmosphere during the agricultural era was much stronger. As the New Year approached, the palace became busier.

That afternoon, while An Qing was playing with a cat in the courtyard, people from the Imperial Household Department arrived to hang the Spring Festival couplets and door gods in her courtyard.

Unlike the pasting of couplets in modern times or among the common folk, the palace couplets were hung on the gates of each palace. This was why the Ministry of Works had to determine the sizes beforehand.

The hanging of the palace couplets began after the Emperor sealed his brush, starting from the rear palaces such as the Palace of Heavenly Purity and spreading outwards. Now it was the turn of the princes' residences.

This was the first time An Qing had seen the palace couplets, and she found them fascinating.

Unlike the red paper couplets used by the common folk, the palace couplets were written on white silk. This was mainly to create a color contrast with the vermilion pillars of the Forbidden City, making them easier to see.

Also, ancient people considered white to be noble.

It was said that the writing of these couplets was done by highly educated and skilled calligraphers from the Hanlin Academy.

Although An Qing's calligraphy was average, she could still appreciate the beauty of the flowing script on the couplets. She couldn't help but marvel at how good the handwriting was.

Before the New Year, this was one of the busiest periods for An Qing. First, there was the matter of sending New Year gifts. Even if she didn't interact much with other princess consorts, normal gift exchanges were still necessary to avoid giving anyone a reason to talk.

Second, there was the matter of managing Yinqi's household. Although the allowances and monthly stipends of the people in the prince's household were handled by the Imperial Household Department, it was still customary to give year-end bonuses. Fortunately, Yinqi had given An Qing the keys to his treasury long ago, so she didn't feel too bad about distributing the rewards.

Finally, there were the people in her own courtyard. Since she had been married into the Forbidden City for half a year, except for the incident with Man'er, everyone in her courtyard had been loyal and diligent. Therefore, she wouldn't hesitate to give them generous year-end rewards.

As for what the rewards were, it was naturally silver. After all, in the palace, having silver always made things easier. Even if other items were given as rewards, most people would try to exchange them for silver, leading to some loss. Thus, giving silver was the most practical option.

Just like year-end bonuses in modern times, cash was the most reliable.

When the servants in the courtyard received their generous rewards, everyone was stunned. They had expected some rewards, but never imagined they would be so substantial.

Little Xizi observed everyone's reactions and lightly coughed, saying, "These are special rewards from the Princess Consort. She wants us to have a good New Year. It shows the kindness of our master, who understands the hardships of us servants. But we must not forget our master's kindness and must serve diligently in the future. Did everyone hear that?"

Everyone responded in unison, "Yes, Supervisor Xizi. We will not forget our master's kindness."

"Of course not, we would never betray our master."

"Indeed, the Princess Consort treats us well. Many outside envy us for serving under her."

"..."

Everyone in the courtyard spoke sincerely.

After finishing all the pre-New Year tasks, An Qing finally welcomed the New Year's Eve.

What she didn't know was that this was when the real exhaustion began. Being part of the imperial family meant adhering to countless customs and rules, and mistakes during the New Year were unacceptable. If anything went wrong, it could be disastrous.

On New Year's Eve morning, An Qing was dragged out of bed by Perilla. They had to go to Ningshou Palace to accompany the Empress Dowager in performing rituals to honor the gods and ancestors.

Then, along with all the female members of the imperial family, they gathered in the main hall, arranged according to their ranks, led by the four concubines, to pay respects to the Empress Dowager—a ritual known as bidding farewell to the old year.

Afterward, they couldn't return home. Instead, they spent the entire day accompanying the Empress Dowager until the New Year's Eve vigil. Only after everyone had eaten the first meal of the New Year—dumplings—could they finally rest.

But rest was short-lived, as they had to get up early on New Year's Day and rush to the Empress Dowager's palace. When she woke up, they would offer her several trays of food, each containing auspicious items like apples and green fruits.

For example, apples symbolized peace, while green fruits represented longevity.

After the Empress Dowager finished her morning routine, everyone would congratulate her on the New Year. Only then would they go to their respective mothers-in-law to offer their New Year greetings.

The first day of the lunar month was also spent in the palace, accompanying the Empress Dowager to watch plays and entertain herself.

On the morning of the second day of the first lunar month, the Empress Dowager would ascend to the hall to pay respects to the God of Wealth, and they, as palace attendants, were also required to follow along.

Thus, for the first five days of the New Year, the palace attendants' daily routine was to serve the Empress Dowager and amuse her.

Sometimes An Qing wondered if this was truly showing respect to the Empress Dowager or if it was more of a torment.

She, an elderly lady who loved peace and quiet, had to see so many people every day and force a smile to deal with various situations. It must be exhausting for her.

If it were her... never mind, she certainly wouldn't have the life of an Empress Dowager in this lifetime.

Of course, she didn't want that life either. She preferred to be out in the fields weeding and fertilizing rather than being trapped in the palace enjoying the envy of others.

However, under the condition of having her basic needs met, An Qing admitted she was still quite worldly. After all, while she enjoyed farming, she also desired wealth and glory.

In short, this was the most exhausting New Year An Qing had ever experienced in both her past and present lives.

After these few days, her back ached, and her knees hurt from kneeling so much.

As for the palace banquets, there were indeed several. There were two large family dinners on New Year's Eve and the first day, followed by a few smaller banquets.

But just as Concubine Yi had predicted, attending the palace banquet for the first time felt novel and exciting, but after a few times, it became nothing but a burden.

Indeed, this New Year was miserable.

However, as the saying goes, happiness is relative. Seeing Yinqi, who was even worse off than her, made An Qing feel better instantly.

To put it simply, An Qing's busy schedule lasted only about five days, after which things became much quieter.

Yinqi, however, had been busy since the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, handling various sacrificial ceremonies and banquets for officials. Emperor Kangxi kept his sons occupied without a moment's rest.

This holiday was truly exhausting, perhaps even more so than usual. At least Yinqi's idle job at the Ministry of Works wasn't as demanding.

Fortunately, the New Year finally passed. With the reopening of government offices on the twentieth day of the first lunar month, everyone started working again, and Yinqi could finally rest in his idle position.

However, just as An Qing was reflecting on this, not long after the New Year, Yinqi's idle job was about to come to an end because—Emperor Kangxi was going to grant titles to them.

This news caused another stir throughout the court and the palace.

Logically, princes like Elder Brother Prince, who were already adults, should have been granted titles long ago, but Emperor Kangxi had held back for years, leaving everyone puzzled. Now, he had finally decided to grant titles.

Everyone was speculating how many princes Emperor Kangxi would grant titles to. The consorts with adult sons began to scheme, each using their own methods.

After all, no one wanted their son to remain a mere untitled prince.

However, expectations for the number of titles were low. First, Emperor Kangxi had withheld titles for his sons for years, and it seemed unlikely he would suddenly grant many now. Second, his stinginess with positions in the palace contributed to this skepticism.

Nevertheless, An Qing knew that Emperor Kangxi was indeed granting many titles this time, from Elder Brother Prince to the Eighth Prince, seven princes in total.

It was quite generous.

"Madam, do you think our master will receive a title?" Cui Liu had been worried about this since hearing the news.

An Qing smiled and replied, "I don't know."

Cui Liu sighed, "I hope he gets a title. According to tradition, once an adult prince receives a title, he can 'establish a separate household' and move out of the palace. Then we could move out too."

An Qing glanced at her, thinking that this wish might not come true.

Tradition was one thing, but Emperor Kangxi was an exception. With so many sons and limited funds, they would likely stay in the palace for a few more years.

Moreover, the next few years might not be as peaceful.

If the previous struggle for succession was a hidden turmoil beneath the surface, it was now slowly coming to light.

With the princes receiving titles, they could participate in state affairs and command their own troops, forming their own factions.

Furthermore, granting titles to princes meant weakening the Crown Prince's power, presenting him with a significant challenge. But this was a test he had to endure, as his brothers couldn't remain untitled forever.

Emperor Kangxi wouldn't allow it.

However, the next issue was that the older princes, now with power and influence, would inevitably intensify their conflicts with the Crown Prince. Their factions would target the Crown Prince and his supporters, making him a living target.

An Qing knew that Emperor Kangxi's sudden granting of titles was also a warning to the Crown Prince.

If publicly scolding the Crown Prince and executing his close attendants was the first blow, this was the second.

The real storm was yet to begin.

In the thirty-seventh year of Emperor Kangxi's reign, in March, he granted titles to several adult princes, including Prince Yinti as Doroi Zhi Jun Wang, Prince Yinzhi as Doroi Cheng Jun Wang, Prince Yinzhen, Prince Yinqi, Prince Yinyou, and Prince Yinsu as Doroi Beile.

The entire palace was filled with joy, except for the Crown Prince's residence, Yuqing Palace.

However, what An Qing didn't expect was that the first conflict after the granting of titles didn't arise in the court but in the palace.

One day, Cui Liu rushed back, looking anxious. "Madam, it's bad, it's bad!"

An Qing's heart sank; she feared bad news at such a critical time.

"Don't worry, tell me slowly." She handed Cui Liu a cup of water.

Cui Liu gulped it down and began recounting the situation.

It turned out that a new trend of filial piety competition had emerged in the palace. For some reason, her sisters-in-law had started frequently visiting the palace to display their filial devotion.

It was said that this began with the Crown Princess, who started paying respects to the Empress Dowager twice daily, earning a reputation for her filial piety and virtue. People said the Crown Prince had chosen well.

Now the other wives of noblemen could not remain seated. How could it be? They were all daughters-in-law of the royal family; had they been married off in error?

The senior wife and the third wife began to follow closely, not only did they go to the Ningshou Palace, but they also visited their respective mothers-in-law. Eventually, the fourth wife and the seventh wife, who had just been married at the end of last year, were also compelled to join them.

It can be said that among the princes who have taken their wives, except for An Qing, all have joined this inexplicable competition.

"What should we do, master? We're already late now, shouldn't we hurry to catch up?" Cui Liu said anxiously.

Ever since she was ennobled, An Qing has taken measures to avoid any complications, not only in her own courtyard but throughout the entire harem of Yinqi, imposing stricter rules to prevent gossip. Cui Liu, being close to An Qing, naturally leads by example, and it was only by chance that she went out to handle some affairs today and came to know of it.

"My lord, should we follow? Other matters can be discussed, but this involves the principle of 'filial piety.' We must be cautious, lest you alone be accused by the palace officials of being unfilial. That would be a heavy burden indeed," Perilla was also very anxious.

An Qing also understood why they were so anxious, after all, the ancients have always valued filial piety. If one were to really bear the label of 'unfilial', then in the palace it would truly be very difficult to move forward.

But she always felt that there was something fishy about it. No, it's times like these when one must remain calm.

An Qing raised her hand to signal the two to hold their tongues for a moment, allowing her to gather her thoughts and carefully sort through the matter at hand.

This implies that the matter originated with the Crown Princess, who thereby gained a good reputation. Subsequently, others could not remain indifferent and joined in, either out of rivalry or perhaps as a form of compelled defense.

Whether it was a deliberate rivalry or an enforced participation, if it were under normal circumstances, this matter, at its core, would simply be a subtle competition among the women.

However, one thing must not be overlooked: these are not ordinary times. At such a sensitive moment, who can guarantee what others might think, especially Kangxi?

What's the rush for a good reputation if there's nothing at stake? There must be some ulterior motive.

As for what is being sought...

For some reason unknown, her expression suddenly turned grave: "Perilla, you personally go to Ningshou Palace and The Palace of Assisting Femininity to inform them that I am not feeling well, and I will temporarily not visit Grandma of the Emperor and Mother's palaces for the time being..."