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

by Usui Takumii

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

7. 61 to 70

Chapter 61: The Fifth Princess Consort

Seeing that his master had been silent since he spoke those words, only bowing her head quietly, Ma Xiang couldn't help but feel uncertain. He tentatively called out, "Master?"

Yinqi seemed to come back to reality, lifting his head to look at Ma Xiang.

Ma Xiang cautiously asked, "Shall we go back?"

He instinctively glanced around; after all, they were not far from the Emperor's camp, and lingering too long was not ideal.

Yinqi lightly nodded, somewhat distractedly replying, "Let's go."

With that, he started walking away, but the direction he took...

"Master, you seem to be going the wrong way," Ma Xiang couldn't help but remind him.

Yinqi paused, first staring ahead in a daze, then looking behind him, as if finally coming to his senses before turning to walk back.

Ma Xiang breathed a sigh of relief seeing his master heading towards the Princess Consort's camp.

In fact, he had almost finished investigating this matter a few days ago but hadn't dared to report it. If not for their departure tomorrow, he wouldn't have brought it up today.

Following Yinqi, Ma Xiang watched his master's disheartened appearance and couldn't help but silently sigh.

But as an outsider, honestly speaking, it seemed no one was really at fault here.

The Mongolian tribes don't participate in the imperial selection process. When a girl reaches marriageable age, considering her marriage is perfectly normal.

Moreover, when a family has a daughter, many suitors come calling. Prince Muren's interest in the Princess Consort isn't wrong either.

Ma Xiang understood these points, and he believed his master did too.

But the issue was that over the past year, he could see how much the master cared about the Princess Consort. He feared his master might get stuck in a rut.

As they approached the camp, Ma Xiang couldn't hold back any longer and said, "Master, during my investigation, I found no inappropriate behavior between the Princess Consort and Prince Muren. From all the information, it seems Prince Muren's feelings are one-sided. The Duke of Deb and his sons hold the Princess Consort in high regard. If she truly had feelings for Prince Muren, the marriage would have been arranged long ago, rather than..."

Waiting for the Emperor's edict.

Ma Xiang knew his words were jumbled, but he tried his best, hoping his master would understand his meaning.

Yinqi understood his concern, fearing he might blame An Qing.

How could he? He wasn't that unreasonable.

During their time in Mulan, he could see that An Qing and Muren always treated each other with respect and never crossed any boundaries.

After learning about Muren's feelings for An Qing, saying he didn't care would be a lie, but he wouldn't take it out on her.

Moreover, Yinqi couldn't help but feel a bit envious of Muren.

Envious that he met An Qing so early, had the chance to become someone she liked, and...

Yinqi walked a few steps, then suddenly turned around and sternly instructed, "Keep this to yourself. Don't mention it to anyone."

Ma Xiang immediately assured him, "Sir, rest assured. I know what's important."

If word got out, it would harm the Princess Consort's reputation. He understood the gravity of the situation.

When Yinqi returned to the camp, An Qing was packing things. They were leaving tomorrow, and Chunxiao had already packed most of the large items earlier in the afternoon. Now, she was organizing some personal clothes and books.

"Back?" An Qing was folding clothes by the couch and casually asked, "Did you eat with Father Emperor? Should Chunxiao prepare something for you?"

Yinqi lightly nodded, "I ate. No need to trouble yourself."

An Qing responded with an "Oh." Seeing him somewhat distracted, she asked, "Is something wrong? You seem a bit down. Did something happen?"

It couldn't be Lao Kang causing trouble again, right? Being his son is exhausting.

Yinqi paused, a hint of an indiscernible expression flashing across his eyes, "Nothing. I just feel a bit tired, maybe from riding too long today."

Hearing this, An Qing didn't think much of it, assuming he was genuinely tired. She said, "Come rest for a while. After washing up, I'll have someone bring a basin of hot water for you to soak your feet and relieve your fatigue."

Yinqi didn't refuse, walking over and sitting on the other side of the couch.

An Qing finished folding the clothes and put them in a nearby chest.

Yinqi silently watched her back, his expression growing somber.

She said she wanted to marry someone who could be hers alone.

So, he was never part of her choice from the beginning. It might sound selfish, but he was suddenly grateful for Father Emperor's sudden decree.

Yinqi wasn't foolish; he understood what his repeated feelings meant.

Not because she was his Princess Consort or because of duty, but because he had fallen for her.

A man's affection for a woman.

Perhaps because of this affection, he became greedy, wanting her to feel the same way.

But now, Yinqi realized he might not even have the qualifications to make her like him.

Staring at the flickering candlelight, his expression grew increasingly lost...

Finally, the time came to depart. An Qing woke up early and rushed to her parents' camp before the main group set off, cherishing every moment with her family.

Inside the camp, only An Qing and Queen Naren were present.

An Qing looked at her mother's slightly red eyes, clearly the result of crying, and couldn't help but step forward to hold her arm.

"Mama, don't worry. Everything is truly fine for me in the Imperial City." As she spoke, she stood up and turned around, saying, "This time you've seen for yourself, haven't you? I'm fair and plump, showing that your daughter hasn't been neglecting herself at all."

Naren smiled and nodded, "Mama knows, Mama knows everything."

If An Qing had said these words before the autumn hunt in Mulan, Naren would have been skeptical. But after spending these days together, she could see that Yinqi treated An Qing very well.

Especially some of Yinqi's unconscious gestures revealed that he genuinely cared for her daughter.

As for Concubine Yi, this mother-in-law, she treated An Qing exceptionally well. Sometimes, even Naren felt a bit inferior when she observed from the side. She always thought she was good to her daughter-in-law, but compared to Concubine Yi, she still fell short.

Even Empress Dowager could be seen treating An Qing with genuine affection.

Naren was well aware of the complexities within the inner quarters, but with these three protecting her, An Qing wouldn't suffer any injustice, whether in the palace or in their own residence.

But knowing things were good was one thing; parting was another.

"If anything happens in the Imperial City, you must write to your father and me. Don't just report good news and hide the bad," Naren couldn't help but remind her.

She knew An Qing had always been the type to report only good news. That's why she worried even more when she first married away.

An Qing responded obediently, "Mama, don't worry. You and Father are my support in the Forbidden City. You don't know how much confidence I gain from having you and our Horqin Left-wing Rear Banner backing me. I practically strut around the palace."

After saying this, she mimicked a crab walking, making the scene quite comical.

Naren laughed heartily, "You naughty girl, you should tell your father that. He's been grumbling about not earning his title and instead benefiting from his daughter's achievements. He feels quite ashamed."

Hearing this, An Qing couldn't help but chuckle, "That stubborn old man. Why can't he accept his daughter's achievements? Who else does he expect to benefit from?"

Previously, her father refused to accept credit from Kangxi, and it took both her and Yinqi to persuade him through various arguments. Yet, he still felt uncomfortable about it.

Naren smiled, "You know your father's temper. He's just stubborn. Ignore him; he'll come around eventually."

An Qing understood her father's temperament and knew he was just struggling to adjust. Like her brothers, he felt uneasy about benefiting from her achievements.

Sometimes, she found it frustrating. After all, other princes' titles were often gained through their daughters' marriages to the Qing court.

Especially Wu Keshan's branch; during Emperor Huangtaiji's reign, Wu Keshan had no notable military achievements, but because his aunt was the Empress and his sisters were influential figures, he was still granted a prince's title. It was essentially due to women's influence.

Her father's title was earned through her own merits, without relying on Yinqi as a son-in-law.

"Well, if he's going to blame anyone, he should blame Mama," An Qing shrugged.

Naren didn't immediately understand and asked, "Blame me for what?"

An Qing raised an eyebrow, looking smug, "For giving birth to such a clever and capable daughter. Look, with just a little effort, I helped solve the government's urgent problems."

Naren chuckled, "Enough, I can tell you're just praising yourself."

An Qing hugged her mother's arm, "Hehe, I'm just saying it for Mama to hear."

Naren tapped her forehead, shaking her head helplessly, but thinking about the upcoming separation made her sad.

An Qing comforted her, "Mama, don't be sad. I'll write to you often, and we'll see each other again next year."

Naren didn't want her daughter to worry and softly agreed.

She glanced at An Qing's belly, hoping for good news next time they met.

An Qing knew what her mother was concerned about. Her mother was a traditional woman who valued offspring greatly.

Though An Qing didn't mind, she didn't want her mother to worry, so she reassured her, "Mama, don't worry. Your daughter has no health issues, and my relationship with my husband is good. Having children will happen sooner or later. Just relax."

Naren nodded but then added seriously, "While having children is important, take it easy. Follow your mother-in-law's advice. Don't take any risky medicines. Don't ruin your health."

She then gave an example of Da Furen, whose health had deteriorated from childbirth. The message was clear: while children are important, one's own health comes first.

An Qing agreed wholeheartedly. She wasn't the type to sacrifice her health for childbirth.

Outside the tent, on the grass, Deb looked at Yinqi with a hint of satisfaction.

After spending these days together, he genuinely approved of this son-in-law. Despite being a prince, Yinqi lacked arrogance and treated people with warmth and respect. His actions were measured and considerate.

Deb observed that among the princes present, Yinqi was the most agreeable. Elder Brother Prince was brave but somewhat rash, the Crown Prince was arrogant, and the Third Prince was overly scholarly. The Fourth Prince was too serious and stern.

Overall, Yinqi was the best match for An Qing, primarily because he treated her well.

Not just Deb, but Yideri and his brothers also came to genuinely approve of Yinqi.

Deb patted Yinqi's shoulder, saying earnestly, "I entrust Qing'er to you. Treat her well and protect her."

Yinqi readily agreed, "Father-in-law, rest assured. I won't disappoint you. Please feel free to give any instructions."

Deb nodded approvingly, "Everything else is fine, but we only hope for her safety and happiness."

Yinqi nodded firmly, smiling, "That's my wish too."

The journey began under clear skies, and the return trip was also blessed with bright sunshine.

An Qing sat in the carriage, watching the grasslands fade behind her, feeling a sense of loss.

However, regardless of the sadness and loss, life must go on.

On the way back, the carriage moved steadily, stopping at various palaces. Without needing to meet local officials, the return journey was faster, taking less than half a month to reach the Imperial City.

But when she returned to the palace, An Qing looked at the familiar courtyard and felt as if she had been away for an eternity. If she were to count carefully, she had stayed in Changchun Garden for quite some time before returning to the palace for only a short while, then went to the frontier. Indeed, she hadn't spent much time in this courtyard recently.

Perilla and the others couldn't sit idle; they led everyone in the courtyard to thoroughly clean it from top to bottom. Although someone normally cleaned the courtyard daily even when An Qing wasn't there, Cui Liu insisted that a thorough cleaning should be done regularly, which was beneficial.

However, after returning from the frontier, An Qing still felt listless for several days. What made her happiest was that Snowball, the ungrateful little thing, hadn't forgotten her. It seemed that because they had been apart for a while, he had become even more clingy with her.

"Madam, you wouldn't believe it, but during the first few days you were at the frontier, Snowball didn't eat or drink anything. He searched the entire courtyard for you, meowing all day long. I was so worried," Little Xizi said with concern.

An Qing was taken aback, "Really?"

Little Xizi replied, "I wouldn't dare lie. It's true. If you don't believe me, you can ask Princess Eight. She took Snowball back to stay with the big cat for two days before he got better."

"But even after he came back to our courtyard, he stayed in your room all day, not wanting to go anywhere else."

An Qing hadn't expected this. Snowball usually wasn't very clingy, so leaving him behind hadn't crossed her mind much. After all, Little Xizi and the others were always around.

Sigh... It was her oversight. Next time she went out, she would have to make arrangements for Snowball.

Feeling guilty towards Snowball, An Qing decided to make some cat treats herself. She asked Chunxiao to fetch some small fish from the Imperial Tea Kitchen and prepared to make some dried fish for the little one.

Cui Liu helped her clean the fish, while An Qing washed them nearby. The two worked together seamlessly.

"Madam, have you noticed that Master has been acting a bit strange lately?" Cui Liu said while working.

An Qing glanced at her, puzzled, "Strange? Where? I don't think so."

Seeing her mistress's obliviousness, Cui Liu couldn't help but sigh, "Madam, Master hasn't come to our courtyard for several days now."

Isn't that strange?

On the grasslands, they shared a tent and were together every day. But even when they were in Changchun Garden and briefly returned to the palace, Master used to rest in their courtyard every night. Even further back, it was rare for him to miss several consecutive nights.

If it weren't for the fact that Master had been staying in the front courtyard study these past few days, Cui Liu would have suspected that someone in the back courtyard had lured him away.

When An Qing heard this, she didn't take it seriously, "What's so strange about that? Master is just busy."

Yinqi had already received his title and was now handling matters related to household registration, property, and military records under his jurisdiction. He also participated in court affairs and had duties at the Ministry of Works, making him extremely busy.

What's so strange about that?

With Emperor Kangxi, who had boundless energy, they, as his sons, couldn't afford to be idle.

Cui Liu scratched her head, "That makes sense."

But she still felt something was off, though she couldn't pinpoint what exactly.

Forget it; maybe she was overthinking it.

Indeed, as An Qing thought, Yinqi had been quite busy these days. Many tasks had been delayed due to his absence on the frontier, but he wasn't so busy that he couldn't be seen at all.

The reason he hadn't visited the main courtyard for several days was partly due to his efforts to adjust himself and partly to avoid it.

One day, Concubine Yi suddenly summoned Yinqi to Yikun Palace.

"Mother, did you call for me?" Yinqi asked.

Concubine Yi nodded slightly but then hesitated, looking as if she wanted to say something.

Yinqi was confused, "Mother, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't worry about me."

Concubine Yi sighed silently, "Who am I worrying about?"

She waved her hand, "Actually, it's nothing major. Your father said that this year's selection of ladies for the inner court should include adding two more to your harem. I called you here to ask what kind of ladies you prefer."

"Adding people?" Yinqi was taken aback, a hint of panic flashing across his face. "Mother, no need. My harem already has enough people; we don't need any new additions."

After a moment, he added sternly, "Mother, why does Father suddenly want to add people to my harem?"

Could it be because he or An Qing had displeased him?

Concubine Yi understood his concerns immediately, "It's not what you think. Empress Dowager De said that the Fourth Prince's harem lacks heirs and wants to add two ladies during this year's selection. Your father thought of you."

No matter how sparse the Fourth Prince's harem might be, it couldn't compare to Yinqi's, who had only one child. It was no wonder Emperor Kangxi thought of him.

Yinqi frowned, "Mother, please help me decline. I don't want anyone."

Concubine Yi was taken aback, "What's the reason?"

Not a reason for her, but for Emperor Kangxi.

A thriving royal lineage symbolized the longevity of the Great Qing. This wasn't something that could be dismissed with a simple "I don't want it." It was the tragedy of being a royal descendant.

Emperor Shunzhi's infatuation with Dong Efei had caused chaos, leading to his eventual renunciation of the world after her death. This became a taboo throughout the palace.

Since Emperor Kangxi ascended the throne, he has been wary of any royal descendant showing favoritism to one person. He held himself to this standard and expected the same from his sons.

Yinqi thought for a moment and then said, "My harem doesn't have a son yet. Adding new people now wouldn't be appropriate."

Concubine Yi looked at him quietly, as if trying to confirm something. After a while, she sighed, "Fine, I'll handle it. I'll help you decline."

When Emperor Kangxi suggested adding two ladies to the Fifth Prince's harem, Concubine Yi felt uneasy, thinking it unfair to An Qing. Now that the Fifth Prince himself didn't want it, it saved her a worry.

With this settled, Concubine Yi assumed Yinqi would leave, but he remained seated without moving.

Concubine Yi frowned, "Fifth, do you have something else?"

Yinqi seemed to have finally made a decision, and he suddenly lifted his head. "Mother, do you have feelings for Father Emperor?"

Concubine Yi was taken aback, but seeing her son's distressed appearance, she suddenly understood something.

She turned around and waved at Xizhu, signaling her to take everyone cleaning outside the room and leave.

Xizhu did not dare to delay and quickly ushered everyone out of the house. Soon, only the mother and son were left in the room.

Chapter 62: The Fifth Princess Consort

With no one else around, Concubine Yi spoke more freely.

Did she have feelings for Kangxi?

A hint of melancholy flashed in Concubine Yi's eyes. How could she not? After all, no one is born with the ability to see everything clearly. That heart of stone was only forged through repeated disappointments and heartaches, until it became as calm as still water.

When she first entered the palace, she was immediately favored, receiving such lavish attention that within just four months of her arrival, she was promoted to the rank of a concubine without even bearing a child. Such favor was unparalleled at the time.

Faced with Kangxi's warmth, the young girl's heart fluttered, and she became completely devoted to him, dreaming of a life together like those in romantic tales. However, reality soon struck her hard.

She quickly realized that the emperor's love did not belong solely to anyone. While her heart was filled with him, his heart could accommodate many others. This realization once drove her to despair, leading to countless nights of tears and petty quarrels. But eventually, she understood that all these efforts were futile, and the only one hurt was herself.

She soon discovered that in the imperial harem, a woman who indulges too deeply in love and laments the passing seasons will inevitably face a bleak future.

Thus, during those tumultuous days, she chose a different path—seeking favor but not love.

She had been on this path for nearly two decades, and Concubine Yi still believed she made the right choice. As long as she did not crave that elusive affection, life in the harem was not unbearable.

Recalling those past experiences, Concubine Yi felt as if they belonged to another lifetime. But when her thoughts returned, she remembered Yinqi's question.

"Yes," she said softly.

If someone else had asked her, Concubine Yi would have insisted that her heart belonged only to Kangxi and had never changed. But for her confused son, she chose to be honest.

Yinqi was taken aback, looking at his mother in surprise.

"Yes," rather than simply "yes" or "no," implied something he understood well.

After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Why?"

If she had loved, why did she let go? Or what happened in between?

In Yinqi's memory, his mother had always been favored in the harem, and there seemed to be no discord between her and the emperor. He remembered that when he was young, staying at Empress Dowager's palace, Xianfu would often visit Ningshou Palace to cry, seemingly because of the emperor. At the time, he didn't understand and asked Empress Dowager why Xianfu cried. She sighed and said that Xianfu was foolish, unlike his mother.

This vague answer left Yinqi puzzled, but further questions were met with silence. She said he might understand when he grew up, or perhaps never.

Growing up and understanding was clear, as his teachers often said the same. But why would he never understand? Empress Dowager explained that it was because he was a man.

So, Yinqi vaguely knew that women and men might perceive things differently, especially matters of the heart. This was why he asked his mother today.

"Because your mother needs to protect herself," Concubine Yi said with a bitter smile, "and also protect you."

Kangxi could not separate favor from love, but she had to make that distinction clearly. For a woman in the harem, the two could not coexist. Only by doing so could she maintain her position and favor.

Yinqi seemed to grasp something, yet not entirely.

Concubine Yi smiled and shook her head, continuing, "If you demand someone to love you and not be jealous, it's contradictory. Ask yourself, can you do it?"

The world expects women to be virtuous and not jealous, while men want their wives to be devoted only to them. It's impossible. If a woman loves a man deeply, how could she not be jealous seeing him with others?

Yinqi lowered his head, feeling a bitter taste in his throat. He knew he couldn't.

Just seeing Muren's gaze toward An Qing had made him uneasy, and despite knowing it was wrong, he still had Ma Xiang investigate secretly.

This was precisely the knot he couldn't untie. Realizing he wasn't An Qing's choice, many things became clearer. She didn't care about Liu Jiashi's provocations, showed no reaction to Baijia Shi's attempts to gain favor, and never mentioned any of it to him. She never interfered with his comings and goings in the courtyard.

Like her mother striving to be a favored concubine, An Qing was being a good princess consort, regardless of whose consort she was.

Realizing this, Yinqi felt dejected, but after hearing his mother's words, he suddenly understood something.

So, An Qing was protecting herself too.

But the biggest difference was that his mother had once been deeply in love, only to be forced to face reality later, whereas An Qing recognized this from the start.

Indeed, she had always been wise and clear about what she wanted.

Seeing him like this, Concubine Yi sighed, "The world has different expectations for men and women. Men can take many concubines, but women must remain faithful. But there is one thing that remains the same."

She pointed to her chest, "The heart."

No matter how many constraints society imposes, each person controls their own heart. Love or lack thereof is determined by it.

Yinqi was stunned, murmuring, "The heart?"

Concubine Yi nodded, "Heart for heart. When you demand something from someone, think about whether you meet their expectations."

Hearing this, Yinqi seemed to realize something, his expression stiffening.

Yes, he didn't meet her expectations, so he had no right to demand anything from her.

Concubine Yi hesitated, then asked, "Is it An Qing?"

Though she didn't know the details, she sensed something was off since their return from the grasslands. Today's unusual behavior made it easy to guess, but she wanted confirmation.

Yinqi didn't hide it, nodding slightly.

A hint of helplessness crossed Concubine Yi's mind.

As a woman herself, she could see that An Qing had little romantic interest in him. The girl was clear-headed and always knew what she wanted.

She hadn't felt anything wrong about it before. Treating each other with respect was already a good way for a couple to get along.

Concubine Yi sighed and suggested, "Perhaps you could try to be the best version of yourself first, and worry about the rest later..."

After leaving Yikun Palace, Yinqi seemed to come alive again. The gloomy aura that had been weighing on him dissipated.

He had been too fixated before.

Yes, he liked An Qing, so he should start by being the best version of himself.

Sincerity for sincerity. He couldn't change what had happened, but from now on, he would do his utmost to be the best he could be.

"Sir, are we going to the office?" Ma Xiang asked uncertainly.

Yinqi waved his hand with a smile, "No, there's nothing major at the office. Send someone to inform them."

Ma Xiang hurriedly agreed, "Where are we going then?"

Yinqi said cheerfully, "Back to the Prince's residence."

Then he added, "Let's go see how Fu Jin is doing."

Upon hearing this, Ma Xiang's face lit up. His heart, which had been hanging for days, finally settled.

Seeing his master in such spirits, it seemed he had figured things out. Or perhaps Concubine Yi had given some advice?

But whatever the reason, as long as his master was content, it was a great relief for Ma Xiang.

Ah~ these past few days, Yinqi had been struggling in love, and as a servant, he had been walking on eggshells, fearing any misstep might bring trouble. It had been a silent suffering.

It was wonderful; he wouldn't have to worry anymore.

Inside Yikun Palace.

After Yinqi left, Concubine Yi's face showed a rare trace of concern. She wasn't sure if she had done the right thing.

Knowing that path would be difficult, perhaps she should have discouraged him or even convinced him to give up the idea. But she couldn't bear to do so.

The fifth prince, unlike his father Kangxi, had always been stubborn since childhood. Once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.

They say the Aisin Gioro family fears the emergence of a passionate lover. In the past, Emperor Taizong for Hailan Zhu, and more recently, the late emperor for Dong E Fei—both caused upheaval and ended up hurting themselves.

But Concubine Yi wasn't afraid. Her fifth prince didn't want that position; all he wanted was to be a leisurely prince.

That wouldn't harm the state, surely it wouldn't be that hard.

But Concubine Yi knew her thoughts were useless; the key lay with Kangxi.

This time, she could find a way to avoid adding people to the fifth prince's harem, but what about next time? How could she refuse then?

Well, one step at a time.

Returning to the Prince's residence from Yikun Palace, Yinqi went straight to the main courtyard instead of the front yard.

When he arrived, An Qing was playing with a cat toy, chasing Snowball around the courtyard. Yinqi hadn't even entered when he heard her joyful laughter echoing through the yard.

"Oh, Snowball, you're so clumsy! Over here, run over here!"

"Hahaha, Snowball, are you stupid? How can you fall for it every time? You learn nothing!"

Standing at the door, Yinqi suddenly felt a pang of sadness, remembering his recent struggles. Yet An Qing seemed completely oblivious, and he shook his head helplessly.

Still, it was better this way. As he had said, he hoped she could live happily and peacefully.

With that thought, he stepped into the courtyard. Unexpectedly, something white flew towards him.

Yinqi instinctively raised his hand to catch it, feeling a soft, warm sensation in his hand.

"Snowball!"

"Miaow~"

Their voices echoed simultaneously, and he realized he was holding An Qing's cat.

The little creature seemed equally stunned, its paws resting on Yinqi's chest, staring at him with wide, blinking eyes.

In that moment, he found the cat's innocent look strangely similar to An Qing's.

Was this what she meant by the cat resembling its owner?

"Sir, are you alright?" An Qing rushed over anxiously. "Did Snowball hurt you?"

Yinqi shook his head, "No, it's very well-behaved and didn't scratch me."

Hearing this, An Qing breathed a sigh of relief, "Good, I'm glad it didn't hurt you."

Otherwise, she would feel guilty. If not for her sudden exaggerated movements, Snowball wouldn't have leaped like that. It was all her fault.

Fortunately, Snowball had a good temperament and didn't scratch him. Otherwise, it would have definitely scratched Yinqi's face.

An Qing reached out to take Snowball from Yinqi, but he instinctively pulled away. She was taken aback.

What did this mean? Was he planning to settle accounts with the little cat later?

But then, Yinqi weighed the cat in his hands and asked seriously, "Has it gotten fatter again?"

At his words, the previously well-behaved cat let out a meow, wriggled out of his hands, and ran away.

Before running off, it kicked Yinqi in the chest, seemingly in retaliation for calling it fat.

An Qing was stunned for a second. When she saw the cat paw prints on Yinqi's chest, she burst out laughing, doubling over.

No way, this little guy must be possessed, with quite a vengeful spirit.

Yinqi looked at An Qing with a resentful expression, as if silently saying, 'The cat's debt should be repaid by its owner.'

An Qing hurriedly stepped forward to pat away the cat paw prints on his chest, once, twice, three times...

Tsk~ This chest muscle, it feels just as good as ever.

It had to be said that this was one of the things An Qing appreciated most about Yinqi. He might not look like it, but he indeed had well-defined pectoral and abdominal muscles, truly an understated beauty.

Yinqi initially didn't pay much attention, but gradually realized something was amiss. When he looked down and saw An Qing's expression, a hint of helplessness flashed across his face.

She really... But in the next instant, he suddenly realized something, and a spark of joy flickered in his eyes.

He wasn't entirely without advantages. For example, she liked good-looking people, and he was decent enough. Moreover, she seemed to really enjoy his chest and abs, and perhaps even his body...

Yinqi grabbed her hand, which was causing mischief on his chest, and laughed, "What are you doing?"

An Qing cleared her throat, trying to cover up her actions, "Well, I don't know where Snowball got those dirty paws, but the dust is really hard to brush off."

Yinqi remained silent, looking at her with a half-smile, clearly thinking, 'You're taking advantage of me.'

An Qing couldn't help feeling a bit flustered, but then she thought, what's the point of worrying about taking advantage? In modern times, these muscles would be considered marital property.

The more she thought about it, the more justified she felt.

"Sir, why did you come back so early today?" An Qing asked casually.

Seeing her like this, Yinqi couldn't help but laugh. He suddenly understood the fun An Qing had when teasing him.

But he knew when to stop. After all, pushing too far could lead to trouble.

"There wasn't much to do at the office, so I came back early," he replied.

An Qing breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the topic was finally dropped. She was just pretending to be calm, feeling a bit guilty since her actions were akin to workplace harassment.

Sigh~ She couldn't keep being so careless; she needed to maintain some professional integrity.

"That's rare. You've been so busy lately, I thought you'd be occupied for a while longer," she said offhandedly.

Hearing her mention this, Yinqi couldn't help thinking about his recent intentional avoidance. A hint of discomfort flashed in his eyes, "I've been quite busy these days, but it will get better soon."

Then he asked, "What have you been up to recently?"

An Qing shrugged, "Not much, just playing with the cat in the courtyard, sometimes visiting Mother and Grandmother."

After a moment, she remembered something, "Sir, when are you free these days?"

Yinqi looked puzzled, "Is there something you need?"

An Qing nodded, "Father Emperor gave me that imperial estate, and I want to go check it out sometime."

The estate Father Emperor granted her was located in the western suburbs. After returning to the capital, Father Emperor had already sent over the deed and the indentures of the servants. She needed to visit and plan its layout.

Of course, the main reason was that she wanted to take a stroll outside the palace. Now that she had the freedom to leave whenever she wanted, it would be a waste not to use it.

Yinqi nodded lightly, thinking for a moment before saying, "Three days enough?"

An Qing's eyes widened, "Three days?"

Was it three days out or staying out for three days?

Yinqi explained, "As far as I know, the estate is quite large. Since it's your first visit, we should stay there for a few days. Once you're familiar with it, you can decide how to arrange things."

An Qing couldn't be happier, "That's plenty, plenty. So, when are we leaving?"

Yinqi replied, "How about tomorrow? It's better to do it sooner rather than later."

An Qing nodded vigorously, "Sure, sure."

Why not? She couldn't wait to go.

The next morning, An Qing went to inform Concubine Yi and the Empress Dowager.

Although Father Emperor had granted her the freedom to leave the palace, she still needed to report to the harem. With the four concubines managing the palace affairs, informing Concubine Yi was sufficient.

Yinqi also took a few days off after the morning court session. Due to the delay caused by the session and subsequent discussions with ministers, he returned late.

"Are we leaving now?" An Qing was surprised.

It was almost noon; shouldn't they eat first? Besides, they weren't in a hurry to return.

Yinqi nodded, "Yes, let's go. The carriage is ready outside."

An Qing responded with an "Oh."

Alright, though she didn't fully understand, she respected his decision. She could snack on some pastries if she got hungry on the way and eat properly once they arrived.

Unexpectedly, the carriage didn't head directly out of the city but toward the bustling downtown area.

Hearing the noise outside, An Qing lifted the curtain, surprised, "Where are we going?"

The estate was supposed to be in the western suburbs, not this direction.

Yinqi smiled, "I promised to take you to Qingfeng Restaurant for roast duck when the opportunity arose. It's lunchtime, so why not today?"

An Qing was taken aback, "When did you promise to take me to Qingfeng Restaurant for roast duck?"

Yinqi saw her reaction and understood that she had forgotten. He kindly reminded her, "On our wedding night, you said the roast duck from Qingfeng Restaurant that your Third Elder Brother brought was delicious."

An Qing finally realized what he meant; it was that day.

She remembered that they had mentioned it in passing at the time. She didn't expect him to remember it, thinking to herself that this man really had a good memory.

"Are you not in the mood for roast duck?" Yinqi asked. "If you want something else, we can go to another restaurant?"

An Qing quickly waved her hands. "No, no, I'm just surprised that you still remember."

Yinqi smiled in response. "Promises made must be kept."

Otherwise, one would become untrustworthy.

An Qing gave him an admiring look. "Your memory is truly remarkable."

Yinqi chuckled but didn't say anything more.

An Qing was soon drawn back to the commotion outside. She leaned against the carriage window, watching the scene with the excitement of a schoolchild on a field trip.

To think that this was the first time she was peeking out of the Forbidden City's curtains, thoroughly enjoying the bustling crowds and street vendors calling out their wares. It was quite lively.

However, it was different from the TV dramas of later times. The people here had a spirit that matched this era, giving off a unique feeling that immediately identified them as belonging to this place.

After traveling a short distance, the carriage soon stopped in front of a restaurant.

Yinqi helped An Qing out of the carriage, and Ma Xiang, who had been waiting at the door, came forward.

"Master, I have reserved a private room as per your instructions. It's on the east side of the second floor. The room is quiet, so you and Lady Fu Jin can go straight up."

An Qing was momentarily taken aback, realizing that Ma Xiang had come early to reserve the room.

No wonder she hadn't seen him when they left the palace.

As they entered, a waiter greeted them. It was dinnertime, and the tables on the first floor of Qingfeng Restaurant were all full. The business was indeed booming.

No wonder it was the top restaurant in the Imperial City.

An Qing followed Yinqi upstairs, but just as they reached the second floor, someone coming out of a private room blocked their path.

"Hengchen greets Fifth Beile."

The person was a young man in his mid-twenties, dressed in blue robes.

Yinqi smiled and raised his hand. "No need for formalities."

He then turned to look at the private room behind the young man and asked, "Hengchen, are you here with friends for dinner?"

The young man nodded with a smile. "Yes, I invited some friends over today."

Then, he looked at An Qing beside Yinqi, quickly deducing her identity from her attire. "Fifth Beile, are you here with family for a meal?"

Yinqi nodded slightly and pointed to An Qing. "This is my Lady Fu Jin."

The young man immediately bowed with clasped hands, smiling warmly. When he looked at An Qing, there was a clear hint of admiration in his expression.

"Lady Fu Jin, I often hear my father speak of you at home. It's an honor to meet you."

An Qing was momentarily stunned and instinctively turned to look at Yinqi.

Who was this person? She had never heard the name Hengchen before. Who was his father?

Yinqi introduced him with a smile. "This is Zhang Tingyu, the second son of Minister of Rites Zhang Ying, whose courtesy name is Hengchen."

An Qing stared at the young man in front of her. This was Zhang Tingyu?

A prominent official who served through the reigns of Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong, the only scholar-official in Qing dynasty history to be honored in the imperial temple, and the only Han Chinese official to receive such an honor.

Chapter 63: The Fifth Princess Consort

Encountering Zhang Tingyu at Qingfeng Tower was merely an interlude. After exchanging brief greetings, they parted ways.

An Qing didn't take it too seriously. While she was somewhat surprised to meet this renowned minister from history, it only caused her a momentary flicker of curiosity. She wasn't a history buff and didn't know much about Zhang Tingyu beyond the fact that he would be highly regarded in the late Kangxi era and become a key figure during the Yongzheng reign.

As for more detailed information, such as when he passed the imperial examinations or held what positions, she had no idea.

However, An Qing did learn from Yinqi that Zhang Tingyu had not yet taken the metropolitan examination and had not entered government service. It was said that he should have participated in the exam last year but had to avoid it because his father, Zhang Ying, was appointed as the chief examiner that year.

The metropolitan examinations in the Qing dynasty were held every three years, so Zhang Tingyu had to wait another three years. He was still just a provincial candidate.

From Yinqi's words, one could tell that he regretted Zhang Tingyu's inability to take the exam last year and admired his talents greatly.

"Are you close with him?" An Qing asked curiously.

Yinqi shook his head. "We're just acquaintances; we're not really close."

An Qing thought it made sense. Yinqi always kept a proper distance from court officials, and Zhang Tingyu, though not yet in the court, had a father who was a high-ranking official. To avoid suspicion, they wouldn't be particularly close.

So, Yinqi must simply admire Zhang Tingyu's talents.

As for the chance encounter with Zhang Tingyu, An Qing didn't dwell on it. It had nothing to do with her, and she had more pressing matters to consider, like the hundred and eight ways to enjoy roast duck.

That evening, at the Zhang residence.

Zhang Ying had finally been allowed to leave the palace by Kangxi. Upon entering his study, he saw his son Zhang Tingyu waiting for him.

"Hengchen, why are you here so late? Is there something you need from me?" Zhang Ying asked.

Zhang Tingyu nodded, seeing his father's fatigue and getting straight to the point. "I met the Fifth Beile and the Fifth Princess Consort at Qingfeng Tower today."

Zhang Ying was taken aback. Could the Fifth Princess Consort leave the palace?

But then he remembered something and a hint of understanding flashed across his face.

Of course, the Emperor had granted her special privileges to enter and leave the palace freely and visit the estate. She must have gone to the estate and stopped for a meal.

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Zhang Ying knew his son wouldn't come to him over such a trivial matter; there must be more to it.

Zhang Tingyu cautiously asked, "Father, do you think I could learn some farming techniques from the Fifth Princess Consort?"

Zhang Ying's eyes widened in anger. "Nonsense! I've told you countless times that as Han Chinese officials, we must be even more cautious, especially avoiding involvement in the succession struggle. We must never form cliques or get too close to the princes."

Seeing his father's anger, Zhang Tingyu was undaunted. "Father, you're overthinking it. Look at how the Fifth Beile conducts himself; he's probably even more afraid of getting involved in the succession struggle than we are."

Zhang Ying thought about it and agreed. Given the Fifth Beile's usual behavior of avoiding suspicion, it was clear he had no intention of getting involved.

This was something both ministers and the Emperor understood.

Seeing his father soften, Zhang Tingyu pressed on. "So, I just want to learn farming techniques at the Fifth Princess Consort's estate. It won't involve politics and will benefit my future career."

He paused and added, "Besides, you said to keep a distance privately, but what if it's done openly?"

Zhang Ying immediately understood his meaning and glared at him. "So, you want me to handle this for you?"

Saying it openly was just a way to ask him to seek the Emperor's favor!

Zhang Tingyu shrugged helplessly. "What can I do, Father? I'd love to handle it myself, but I don't have the means. After all, I haven't even taken the metropolitan examination yet."

He deliberately sighed heavily, feigning disappointment.

Zhang Ying was so frustrated he wanted to hit him. This brat was up to his old tricks again. Last year, he had to avoid the examination due to his appointment as chief examiner. Was that his choice?

He couldn't control such coincidences, but it was the Emperor's decree.

"Hmph! Don't act like passing the examination is guaranteed. Waiting three years might be better, so you don't embarrass your father by failing," Zhang Ying said.

Zhang Tingyu looked heavenward in exasperation. "Father, isn't that a bit unfair?"

Zhang Ying was speechless, unable to argue.

He fumed but couldn't do anything about it. Since he was appointed as chief examiner, he knew his son's abilities well. Zhang Tingyu could easily pass the metropolitan examination without wasting three years.

Zhang Tingyu knew when to stop pushing. Seeing his father's reaction, he realized the matter was likely settled.

"Father, I'm not being frivolous. I'm thinking that since I'm already grown, these three years shouldn't be wasted. Learning practical skills will help me when I eventually serve in local government."

This was genuinely what Zhang Tingyu believed, but he also had personal motivations. He wanted to achieve his political aspirations and do good for the people.

His interest in learning farming techniques from the Fifth Princess Consort wasn't a sudden whim. He had often visited the Agricultural Administration Department under his father's name, seeking advice from agricultural officials. He had heard about the Fifth Princess Consort's achievements, from treating 'green wind disease' to planting wheat and storing sweet potato vines.

He admired her innovative approach to farming and believed she could bring more surprises.

Seeing the Fifth Beile and the Fifth Princess Consort at Qingfeng Tower, he guessed they were heading to the imperial estate. It was said the Emperor intended to let the Fifth Princess Consort plan her experimental fields there.

During the previous tour of Horqin, Zhang Tingyu hadn't been eligible to join, but he had heard from agricultural officials that the Fifth Princess Consort's experimental fields truly impressed them. He was eager to see them himself.

Zhang Ying nodded thoughtfully.

He knew Zhang Tingyu's reasoning was sound. He, too, admired the Fifth Princess Consort, knowing her methods had saved many lives. Just the treatment for 'green wind disease' alone had prevented countless crop failures this year.

The Great Qing has always governed through agriculture. If she could learn some farming skills from her, it would undoubtedly be beneficial in the future.

However, how to handle this matter requires careful consideration. Simply sending Zhang Tingyu alone wouldn't be enough. As far as he knew, many officials from the Agricultural Administration Department and the Ministry of Finance also wanted to learn directly from Princess Consort Wu.

This matter needs to be brought up at an appropriate time with the Emperor. Moreover, there are gender norms to consider. As a member of the imperial family, it's uncertain whether the Emperor would allow Princess Consort Wu to appear publicly.

Fortunately, Manchus are not as strict about these customs as the Han Chinese, so it might still be possible.

After all, the Emperor has already easily approved the free entry and exit of female relatives into the palace, showing that he values talent and does not intend to confine Princess Consort Wu within the inner quarters...

The imperial farmstead is fully equipped, with servants for daily chores. Currently, it just changed ownership, but everything else remains the same.

Moreover, An Qing and Yinqi had sent people ahead to prepare everything before they arrived, ensuring that everything was ready for their immediate occupancy.

The imperial farmstead bestowed by Kangxi is located on the western outskirts of Imperial City, covering about three hundred acres of farmland, including both paddy fields and dry fields. The paddy fields will be planted with rice next spring, while the dry fields have already been sown with winter wheat.

In addition, there is a moderate-sized garden. Although it cannot compare to Changchun Garden, it has a large orchard with apple trees, peach trees, apricot trees, and grapes.

Behind the farmstead is a mountain. Hunting in the mountains during leisure time is secondary; more importantly, there is a hot spring at the foot of the mountain!

This is truly a comprehensive rural retreat.

During summer, one can enjoy the coolness in the front garden, and in winter, one can soak in the hot springs. It's incredibly versatile.

Initially, An Qing didn't think much of receiving the imperial farmstead, only seeing it as a place for experimental fields near Imperial City. She never expected such a pleasant surprise.

Well, she won't complain about Kangxi being stingy anymore.

After staying at the farmstead for three days, An Qing grew increasingly satisfied. Of course, she wasn't idle. Accompanied by Yinqi, she met with some managers on the farmstead and made preliminary plans for the farmland.

Especially for this season's winter wheat, since they missed the planting period when returning from the frontier, the experimental field for wheat couldn't start this year.

However, even if it's not an experimental field, scientific management methods should still be implemented. Her farmstead should no longer follow the old ways, but this needs to be done step by step.

Currently, trusted individuals need to be appointed to manage the farmstead. Since she is often in the palace, though she can leave anytime, managing such a large farmstead requires dedicated personnel.

As for the candidates, Yinqi's help is needed, as An Qing doesn't have many connections in Imperial City.

Yinqi readily agreed. He has a group of people under him who may not have great governance abilities but are more than capable of managing a farmstead.

After returning from the farmstead, An Qing continued to be busy for several days, making multiple trips out of the palace and meeting the few people recommended by Yinqi. Eventually, she managed to settle most of the farmstead matters.

Time passed quickly, and before she knew it, December arrived.

Since returning from the frontier, An Qing had been focused solely on her farmstead, reminiscent of her days in Horqin, where busyness brought fulfillment.

However, during her busy period, several significant events occurred in the palace.

The first was the marriage of the Eighth Prince to his Princess Consort. Princess Consort Guoluo, born into a noble family, is the daughter of the current Duke Mingshang and the granddaughter of Prince Yuele. Her family background is prestigious, and she has been pampered since childhood.

It seems Kangxi intends to elevate this son's status. After all, everyone knows that Kangxi is obsessed with lineage. The mother of the Eighth Prince, Consort Wei, came from humble origins, weakening his maternal family's influence. By giving him such a prestigious wife, Kangxi has indirectly raised his social standing.

The Eighth Prince is already outstanding among the princes, and being the youngest to receive a title, he enjoyed considerable prestige. Now, with this marriage, he has gained a powerful wife's clan, laying the foundation for his later reputation as the illustrious Prince Baixian.

Some believe that Kangxi's emphasis on the Eighth Prince's marriage is a deliberate attempt to elevate his status and power, manipulating his sons to compete against each other to maintain balance.

However, An Qing doesn't see it that way. While Kangxi may not be a traditional good father, he isn't completely heartless either.

On the contrary, having lost his parents early, he deeply values family ties. He might subtly balance the princes' powers but wouldn't intentionally incite them to fight.

Even the brutal struggle for succession was likely not his intention.

If there was any mistake in Kangxi's parenting, it was his overly optimistic approach.

Typically, emperors establish the crown prince's authority after his appointment to prevent other princes from coveting the throne.

But Kangxi did things differently. He aimed to cultivate all his sons to be capable and support the crown prince, like Prince Fuquan.

This was Kangxi's idealistic approach, overlooking the fact that political games often lead to power struggles, even among princes.

Moreover, despite his dissatisfaction with the crown prince, Kangxi never intended to replace him with another son.

The crown prince was personally raised by Kangxi and groomed to succeed him. In a sense, the crown prince is not just a successor but also Kangxi's greatest political achievement, unmatched by any other prince.

This explains why the crown prince experienced two depositions and reinstatements.

An Qing sees this as the sunk cost fallacy—people find it hard to accept that previous investments have failed and continue to invest more until realizing it's futile.

Apart from the succession struggle and court politics, An Qing is familiar with the historical figure of the Eighth Princess Consort.

Due to her refusal to allow the Eighth Prince to take concubines, leading to a lack of heirs, she was criticized by Kangxi as jealous and domineering, and later dismissed by Yongzheng.

An Qing felt a sense of melancholy upon learning this history. While the Eighth Princess Consort might have been arrogant due to her background, being publicly criticized by two emperors was partly due to being caught in the crossfire.

Both Kangxi and Yongzheng criticized her when the Eighth Prince was displeased, using her to discipline him.

When she learned this, An Qing felt uneasy. If they wanted to discipline the Eighth Prince, why involve a woman?

But that's the harsh reality of imperial power struggles.

For Yinqi, the Eighth Prince's marriage provided some relief. Previously, due to An Qing's prominent background, he stood out among his brothers, attracting jealousy from the Elder Brother Prince and the Crown Prince. With the Eighth Prince now involved, the situation improved.

The second significant event during this period was the death of the Elder Princess Consort.

Upon hearing the news, An Qing was stunned for a long time. Just two months ago, they had toured the frontier together, and now she was gone.

She had been unwell since returning from the frontier, despite visits from several physicians. They said her health had deteriorated over the years, leaving her exhausted and frail.

Why was the deficit so severe? Everyone in the palace knew it was because they were trying to secure the position of the Elder Brother Prince as the legitimate son.

On the day of the funeral, An Qing attended as well. Looking at the young children of the deceased Grand Lady in front of the memorial hall, she recalled how the Grand Lady had faced off against Princess Naboqi on the grasslands. Suddenly, she felt a deep sense of unease.

But what chilled her heart even more was when Concubine Yi told her that Concubine Hui had already begun searching for a new Grand Lady for the Elder Brother Prince.

If the Grand Lady had known this would be the outcome, would she still have risked her life to give birth to a legitimate son for the Elder Brother Prince? Surely not.

So, women, no matter what, must always prioritize their own health. Men and heirs are secondary; if one's life is lost, everything else becomes meaningless.

As for the last piece of news, it was that the small selection by the Imperial Household Department had finally concluded.

However, "finally" might not be the right word, since An Qing had never known about this small selection from start to finish. The key point was that no one had mentioned it to her.

It wasn't until one day when Cui Liu rushed back to report that the results of the small selection had been announced.

An Qing was confused: "What results?"

"It's the quota for adding people to the households of the princes," Cui Liu replied. "I heard that this time, the small selection added two princesses to the households of the Crown Prince, Third Prince, Fourth Prince, and Seventh Prince."

Adding people to the household?

Yes, the small selection by the Imperial Household Department did have this function. Besides selecting palace maids, it also selected people to serve close to the Emperor and the princes.

"So, what about our household?" An Qing asked.

Hearing this, Cui Liu's face lit up with joy. "My lady, our household didn't get anyone or any quota."

An Qing's first reaction was, why not!

Everyone else got someone, why not them? But then she thought again, maybe it wasn't like that.

Sigh~ this inexplicable competitive spirit.

But An Qing couldn't help but wonder. It seemed that every prince's household except for the newly married Eighth Prince and the recently widowed Elder Brother Prince had received new additions. Why not their household?

What was Kangxi thinking? Was he treating them specially, or had Yinqi offended him recently?

Or perhaps this time, the ladies of the palaces were adding people for their sons?

That didn't seem likely either. If it were true, Concubine Yi should have consulted her.

Moreover, such an even distribution of people clearly indicated Kangxi's doing.

It wasn't surprising that An Qing thought this way. After all, for Lao Kang, adding concubines to his sons' households was a way of showing concern. Otherwise, he wouldn't have publicly criticized the Eighth Princess for not allowing the Eighth Prince to take concubines due to lack of offspring, despite some anger involved.

Thinking about this, An Qing became even more puzzled. Yinqi's household only had Hongsheng, making it the smallest among all the princes. Kangxi shouldn't have overlooked him this time.

Should she go ask Concubine Yi?

But then she reconsidered and decided against it. After all, she hadn't stopped anyone, so there was no reason to suspect her of jealousy.

Besides, these weren't things she should worry about.

Whether or not people were added to the household didn't affect her much. It just meant managing a few more people, which wasn't a big deal. Life went on as usual.

"Did you know about this small selection beforehand?" An Qing asked Perilla.

Perilla nodded slightly. "We heard some rumors, but I didn't want to worry you, so I didn't say anything."

Cui Liu had wanted to remind her mistress several times, but An Qing was always too busy. Every time she tried to bring it up, An Qing would change the subject.

An Qing understood Perilla's intention. Whether or not people were added wasn't something she could control, but she said, "Next time, don't keep such things from me. Knowing earlier allows me to make arrangements in advance."

After all, when people enter the household, they need to be accommodated somewhere, and other arrangements need to be made. It's better not to rush things at the last minute, which could disrupt her work schedule.

Besides, worrying about it was pointless. After all, it's normal for men to take concubines, just like rain falling from the sky.

Perilla dared not refuse and readily agreed.

Soon, it was the season when snow fell in the Forbidden City. An Qing decided to continue the tradition from last year and enthusiastically went out to enjoy the snow, admiring the Forbidden City under its blanket of white.

Last year, she mainly visited the city walls, but this year, she explored more areas, visiting various gardens within the palace.

One snowy day, An Qing leisurely left the prince's residence. Just after stepping out, she saw two familiar figures in a garden: Xiao Jiu and Tenth Prince. What were they doing?

She saw Ninth Prince pulling a eunuch, looking quite unhappy, while Tenth Prince scratched his head, hesitating to approach his brother.

Hey! They looked like the perfect pair of "Clueless" and "Unhappy."

An Qing's interest was piqued. She circled around with Perilla and approached them, curious about what they were up to.

To her surprise, when she listened in, she almost laughed in disbelief.

Xiao Jiu was actually extorting money from the eunuch!

Chapter 64: The Fifth Princess Consort

An Qing stood silently, finally understanding the whole situation.

It turned out that the eunuch was from the Imperial Household Department. He had mistakenly delivered the wrong type of red radish charcoal to Zhaoxiang, sending lower-quality charcoal instead of the superior grade. This mistake gave Ninth Prince Yin Tang the leverage he needed, leading to the current predicament.

"You give me fifty taels of silver, and I'll let you off. What do you say?" Yin Tang said, grabbing the little eunuch by the collar, feeling quite pleased with himself.

The little eunuch begged for mercy, "Ninth Prince, spare my life! I really don't have that much silver."

Yin Tang sneered and glared at the eunuch, "Don't try to fool me. Do you think I don't know that all of you in the Imperial Household Department are lining your pockets? Crying poor won't work on me!"

The little eunuch was almost in tears, "Ninth Prince, please understand. I'm just a lowly eunuch who runs errands in the Imperial Household Department. I really don't have..."

An Qing couldn't help but sigh, rubbing her forehead. At this moment, she suddenly felt a sense of reality about the infamous Ninth Prince from history.

Since she arrived in the Forbidden City, among all the princes, she had seen Ninth Prince Yin Tang and Tenth Prince Yin'e the most. She interacted with Yin Tang the most, as he was Yinqi's younger brother, and they often met when paying respects to Concubine Yi in Yikun Palace.

But she always found them to be like two little kids, unable to connect their behavior with historical records. She also subconsciously overlooked that they were two of the nine princes vying for the throne, core members of the powerful Eighth Prince faction.

Yin'e was born into great nobility; his mother was Noble Consort Wenxi, a sister of Empress Xiaozhao Ren. Behind him stood the entire Niohulü clan, an important force within the Eighth Prince faction.

If Yin'e relied on his strong maternal family to secure a position within the Eighth Prince faction, Yin Tang relied on money.

Anyone familiar with this period knew that Yin Tang was the undisputed financier of the Eighth Prince faction. Throughout his bid for the throne, he first supported the Eighth Prince and later the Fourteenth Prince. His actions were more political speculation than a genuine attempt to seize power.

However, his methods were simple and crude: throwing money around.

Where did his wealth come from? It was shameful to admit, but mainly through extortion and smuggling. Neither method was legitimate.

According to early records, Yin Tang once extorted eight hundred taels of silver from Manpi, the commander of the Zhenglan Banner. He even extorted 120 taels from the governor of Henan, Li Yanchen. This was hard to justify, showing no regard for royal dignity.

He also extorted six hundred taels from Chen Rubi, a known honest official and upright man. Bullying honest officials made him even more despised.

Most absurdly, during Emperor Kangxi's later years, Yin Tang's daughter married Yongfu, the grandson of Mingzhu. As a father-in-law, he coerced and tricked his son-in-law into giving him three million taels of silver. This was truly outrageous.

Thus, both Han Chinese and Manchu officials viewed Yin Tang poorly.

This was why officials generally looked down on him. Despite his attempts to buy loyalty with money, few responded positively due to his tarnished reputation.

As for smuggling, he exploited his father Emperor Kangxi's resources.

In the Great Qing, especially in the northeast, products like ginseng were managed by the Imperial Household Department, with profits going to the emperor's personal treasury. But Yin Tang set up what could be called a triangular trade within the Great Qing.

He took advantage of his maternal grandfather Sanguanbao's (Concubine Yi's father) position in Shengjing to send people to dig ginseng in northeastern Manchuria. They then sold the ginseng in Jiangnan for high prices, exchanged it for silk, and transported the silk back north for profit.

While this showed some business acumen, it was illegal in the Qing dynasty. Moreover, he was undermining his own father's interests, which explained why Emperor Kangxi increasingly disliked him.

Returning to the present, An Qing watched as Yin Tang still clung to the little eunuch over fifty taels of silver. So his extortion began so early.

"Xiao Jiu, what are you doing? Let him go!" An Qing couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward to stop him.

Yin Tang and Yin'e seemed surprised to see someone there. When they saw it was An Qing, Yin Tang's face flashed with guilt.

Seeing this, An Qing felt a silent relief.

At least he knew what he was doing was wrong, not yet completely shameless.

"Fifth Sister-in-Law," Tenth Prince bowed respectfully.

Yin Tang's eyes darted away, "F-Fifth Sister-in-Law, why are you here?"

He chose this secluded spot to avoid being seen. Who would have thought he'd run into An Qing on such a snowy day? He felt frustrated.

An Qing nodded slightly at Tenth Prince and then looked at Yin Tang, "Xiao Jiu, I saw everything. Why are you demanding silver from a little eunuch? This is unacceptable!"

Yin Tang, seeing An Qing expose his actions, became angry, "They disrespected me. Can't I punish them?"

He puffed out his chest, his face saying, 'I'm not wrong.'

An Qing tried to calm herself and reasoned with him, "If he failed in his duties, you should punish him according to the palace rules. Just inform the Imperial Household Department, and they will handle it accordingly."

The little eunuch, hearing An Qing's words, hurriedly kowtowed, "Thank you, Fifth Princess Consort. I am willing to accept punishment."

Eunuchs in the Imperial Household Department were ranked. A lowly eunuch like him, responsible only for running errands, had a fixed monthly stipend and rarely received rewards. Fifty taels of silver was beyond his means.

An Qing understood the basic situation of the palace servants and gestured for the eunuch to leave, "Go report honestly to your supervisor. Don't hide anything. I will send someone to the Imperial Household Department to inquire."

The little eunuch quickly agreed, knowing he deserved punishment for his mistake. He bowed and rushed away, fearing further trouble.

But Yin Tang was displeased. He glanced at the eunuch's retreating figure and then at An Qing, "Fifth Sister-in-Law, what are you doing? Don't I have the right to punish a servant?"

An Qing looked at him calmly, "Xiao Jiu, if you truly believe you're right, why did you choose such a secluded place to punish the servant?"

Yin Tang was speechless, unable to respond.

After a moment, he angrily said, "...Because I want to!"

He huffed and dragged Tenth Prince away, glaring at An Qing before leaving.

An Qing sighed, and if Perilla hadn't held her back, she might have rolled up her sleeves.

In her opinion, this troublesome child needed a lesson.

An Qing looked in the direction they had left and pondered for a while.

No!

She needed to find a way to deal with Xiao Jiu.

Without even mentioning other reasons, just for Concubine Yi's sake, she couldn't let him act recklessly as he did historically, ultimately dragging her beautiful mother-in-law into trouble.

So, An Qing stopped looking at the snow and turned around, heading back to the princes' residence with Perilla.

Once back in the courtyard, she immediately called Chunxiao and started ordering food: one portion each of fried chicken, hamburgers, and French fries, plus a warm cup of milk tea.

On this snowy day, having such warm, high-calorie foods was simply too delightful.

Chunxiao looked puzzled. Didn't her mistress go out to enjoy the snow? Why did she come back so soon and order these things?

It wasn't surprising that Chunxiao was confused. Ever since returning from the frontier, An Qing had officially started her weight loss plan and completely banned these oily, high-calorie foods.

An Qing didn't explain much, only gesturing for Chunxiao to prepare the food as requested.

Chunxiao didn't dare delay and immediately sent someone to fetch ingredients from the imperial kitchen.

She worked quickly, and since her mistress used to love these foods, it didn't take long to prepare them according to the instructions.

Looking at the neatly packed food on the table, An Qing called Little Xizi and began assigning tasks.

There were five portions to be delivered to Zhaoxiang Residence: one each for Princess Eighth, Tenth Prince, Twelfth Prince, and Thirteenth Prince, and even Fourteenth Prince, who rarely received any, got one. But she deliberately didn't send any to Yin Tang.

"Master, aren't we sending anything to Ninth Prince?" Little Xizi asked.

An Qing gritted her teeth. "No!"

Little Xizi was somewhat bewildered. This wasn't normal; usually, whenever they sent food, Ninth Prince always got some, and the others were included because they lived nearby.

Perilla, knowing the reason, worriedly said, "Master, is this okay?"

Sending food to all the princes living nearby but deliberately skipping Ninth Prince, who was also the master's brother, would clearly look like intentional targeting, which wouldn't be reasonable.

But An Qing waved her hand, smiling sarcastically. "What's not okay? I'm specifically leaving him out!"

Inside Zhaoxiang Residence.

Yin Tang had been sulking for a long time after An Qing exposed his actions. When he came to his senses, he realized he was hungry, but it wasn't yet mealtime, so he had some dry pastries to tide him over.

As he ate the dry pastries, he suddenly caught a strong, enticing aroma.

"What's that smell? Go check where it's coming from."

Hearing this, the little eunuch serving Yin Tang didn't dare delay and rushed out of the room. But soon, he hurried back.

"Master, it seems to be coming from Tenth Prince's courtyard."

Yin Tang frowned. "Tenth Brother's place?"

He and Tenth Prince lived next door, so without further thought, he got up to investigate.

When Yin Tang arrived, Tenth Prince was happily eating a fried chicken leg dipped in ketchup.

"What are you eating?"

Tenth Prince was surprised by his ninth brother's sudden visit but answered honestly, "Fifth Sister-in-Law's people said it's called fried chicken."

Then he pointed to the other items on the table. "These two are called hamburgers and French fries, and this is tomato sauce, which can be used for dipping."

Yin Tang looked at the food on the table, swallowed unconsciously, and then asked, "Did Fifth Sister-in-Law send this?"

Tenth Prince nodded. "Yes, Ninth Brother, didn't Fifth Sister-in-Law send anything to you?"

Yin Tang choked. He didn't believe it and turned to the little eunuch. "Go back and see if anyone came by when we were here."

The little eunuch hurriedly agreed and ran out.

Tenth Prince wasn't stupid and quickly understood the situation. Seeing his ninth brother's gloomy face, he held the fried chicken, unsure whether to eat or not.

Fortunately, the little eunuch returned quickly. "Master, Fifth Princess Consort didn't send anyone to our place, and..."

Yin Tang, already in a bad mood, snapped, "And what? Can't you speak properly? If you can't speak clearly, I'll send you back to the Imperial Household Department tomorrow. I don't need people who can't even talk properly around me."

The little eunuch hurriedly apologized. "Master, please calm down. When I went out, I saw someone from Fifth Princess Consort's courtyard leaving Fourteenth Prince's place."

"What?" Yin Tang looked incredulous. "Where else did they deliver?"

The little eunuch replied, "To Twelfth Prince and Thirteenth Prince, apparently."

Yin Tang stood up abruptly. So everyone got something except him.

He wasn't stupid and immediately connected it to the events earlier that morning. An Qing was definitely doing this on purpose!

Tenth Prince also understood but didn't know what to say. He scratched his head and said, "Ninth Brother, don't be angry. I have plenty here; let's eat together."

Though he said this, the amount An Qing sent wasn't much, and at their age, they had big appetites and got hungry easily. The food seemed enough for just one person.

Yin Tang seemed even angrier. "Who wants to eat her food? Do you think I've never seen such things before? She's doing this on purpose, with ill intentions!"

Tenth Prince frowned and, unusually, contradicted Ninth Prince. "Ninth Brother, you shouldn't say that about Fifth Sister-in-Law. She's always been kind to us. It's not fair to say that."

Yin Tang, still furious, couldn't bear to hear any more. "Hmph! A bit of food and you're bought off. Pathetic!"

With that, he stormed out of Tenth Prince's place.

Just as she returned to the room, Yin Tang grew angrier the more he thought about it. Looking at the leftover pastries on the table, he couldn't help but think of the fried chicken burgers and fries at the Tenth Prince's place, which made him even angrier.

No way!

This matter absolutely could not be left alone; he had to retaliate.

As for how to retaliate, Yin Tang clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, deciding that he would go to the Yikun Palace.

He was going to find his mother and complain!

At the Agege Residence, An Qing was leisurely drinking milk tea and eating a burger. It had been a while since she had eaten this, and it really was delicious.

Just then, Little Xizi rushed in anxiously, "Fujin, it's bad! The Ninth Prince is heading towards the Yikun Palace."

After delivering the items earlier, An Qing had asked him to keep someone there to watch, specifically to monitor the Ninth Prince's movements.

Hearing this, Perilla also became worried. What was the Ninth Prince doing at the Yikun Palace at this critical moment? He must be going to complain.

The thing she feared the most had happened.

An Qing responded with an "Oh," showing no surprise on her face, as if everything was going according to plan.

She stood up, clapped her hands, and declared, "Well, let's go then. We should go take a look."

Then, An Qing suddenly turned to Cui Liu, "Did you finish breaking those willow branches?"

Cui Liu nodded, "I found them, my lady. What do you need them for?"

In this cold winter, what use were these bare willow branches?

An Qing smiled slightly. What else could they be used for? Of course, to discipline naughty children.

Inside the Yikun Palace.

When An Qing arrived, Yin Tang was still complaining to Concubine Yi. However, despite his efforts, Concubine Yi looked at him disbelievingly.

"Mother, am I still your son? Why don't you believe me!" Yinqi said angrily.

Concubine Yi slowly picked up her teacup, took a sip, and calmly replied, "If anyone else told me this, I would believe them."

But he was talking about An Qing, which made it impossible for her to believe him.

Yin Tang was almost exasperated: "Mother, you still don't believe me? Send someone to Zhaoxiang Residence to check if what I said is true, whether everyone else received gifts except for me!"

Concubine Yi waved her hand, "No need to check. Even if it's true, you should explain why you offended your Fifth Sister-in-Law. Otherwise, there's no reason for her to do this."

Yin Tang instantly felt guilty: "Well, how would I know? Maybe she just doesn't like me."

Concubine Yi knew her son well. Seeing his reaction, she suspected something was off and was about to ask more when An Qing walked in.

"Mother, let me explain."

Seeing An Qing, a hint of panic flashed across Yin Tang's face, "What are you doing here?"

An Qing rolled her eyes, "Why can't I come?"

Yin Tang licked his lips and insisted, "This is my mother's palace."

An Qing smiled, "Also my mother."

Yin Tang: "..."

Concubine Yi watched the two glaring at each other like fighting roosters and couldn't help but hold her forehead, "How old are you both? How childish can you get? Why are you fighting over your mother?"

She had been a mother for nearly twenty years and had never experienced being fought over. Today, she finally did.

"It was Fifth Sister-in-Law who started it; she's the childish one," Yin Tang insisted.

An Qing didn't back down, "I'm just correcting you; you're the childish one!"

"Enough, enough," Concubine Yi, annoyed by their bickering, looked at An Qing and said, "What were you going to say?"

Yin Tang immediately tensed up upon hearing this.

An Qing ignored him and explained the whole situation without any concealment.

After listening, Concubine Yi slammed her hand on the table and glared at Yin Tang, saying, "You've truly disgraced me. As an Agege, you extorted servants. Aren't you afraid others will laugh at you?"

An Qing nodded vigorously; it was indeed disgraceful.

She added fuel to the fire, "Indeed, it's good no one saw it."

Yin Tang glared at her and couldn't help but defend himself, "Mother, don't make it sound so bad. It wasn't extortion; it was punishment."

Concubine Yi sneered, "Do you think everyone is stupid?"

How did she end up with such a troublesome child!

Yin Tang fell silent.

Concubine Yi took a deep breath and said, "If you needed money, why didn't you come to me? And what have you been doing? You spend all day in the palace; why would you need money?"

Yin Tang mumbled, "Mother, I haven't done anything, and I don't need money."

He simply liked money.

Besides, why should the servants in the Imperial Household Department be richer than him, the master!

Not needing money yet extorting servants—was he out of his mind? Concubine Yi was even more furious upon hearing this and scolded him thoroughly.

An Qing saw that Concubine Yi had nearly finished her scolding and spoke softly, "Mother, just scolding him won't do any good. Look at him; he's probably not listening anyway. If this were my brother, my mother would definitely give him a proper lesson. Otherwise, how will he ever learn?"

Concubine Yi already had a good impression of Naren, and thinking about how An Qing's three brothers had all turned out well, she asked, "How would your mother teach them?"

An Qing cleared her throat and called out to the outside. Then Cui Liu came in holding a willow branch.

Concubine Yi: "?"

"Mother, as the saying goes, 'Spare the rod, spoil the child.' I think there's some truth to it," said An Qing. "We don't need to use anything too heavy like a stick, but this willow branch is just right. After all, it won't hurt anyone if you hit their bottom."

She added, "None of my three brothers escaped the willow branch. My mother says they learned their lesson after one beating and promised never to repeat their mistakes."

Concubine Yi hesitated, looking uncertainly at An Qing.

Really hit him? Xiao Jiu isn't a child anymore; that wouldn't be appropriate.

Yin Tang stared wide-eyed at An Qing, gasping, "You, you..."

An Qing gave him a forced smile, "What is it!"

Then she exaggerated, "Mother, look, he doesn't even call me Fifth Sister-in-Law anymore. How can this be allowed to continue?"

Yin Tang truly didn't expect her to encourage his mother to hit him with a willow branch, talking about hitting his bottom. How outrageous!

He suddenly stood up, pointing at An Qing, "You're too cruel! I'll tell my Fifth Brother and have him divorce you..."

Concubine Yi was already getting a headache from listening to their argument and had been hoping to mediate, but before she could say anything, she heard Yin Tang's words.

In the next moment, she got up and grabbed the willow branch from Cui Liu, striking Yin Tang's bottom swiftly and scolding him.

"How dare you speak so disrespectfully! This is your Fifth Sister-in-Law, and you dare to be disrespectful to her! I'll beat some sense into you today!"

Chapter 65: The Fifth Princess Consort

The sound of Yin Tang's wailing echoed throughout Yikun Palace.

Concubine Yi was so enraged that she disregarded her image and chased after Yin Tang around the room, causing him to run around while clutching his rear end.

He had intended to escape, but An Qing stood blocking the doorway, leaving him trapped inside the hall.

"Mother, I was wrong. Please stop hitting me; I truly know my mistake," Yin Tang pleaded as he ran, forced to admit his fault by the burning sensation on his buttocks.

Concubine Yi was genuinely exhausted from the chase. She rarely engaged in such physical activity, and her hair ornament had become askew. Leaning against the table with one hand on her chest, she caught her breath.

Seeing this, An Qing hurried over to help soothe her back.

After catching her breath, Concubine Yi pointed at Yin Tang with an unfriendly expression. "Tell me, where did you go wrong?"

Yin Tang stood beside her, rubbing his sore behind and grimacing, yet he had no choice but to confess. "I... I shouldn't have disrespected the Fifth Princess Consort and spoken rudely."

Concubine Yi snorted. "How has your Fifth Princess Consort treated you? You clearly don't understand the gravity of your actions."

Yin Tang reluctantly agreed, saying, "I promise never to do it again."

However, Concubine Yi wasn't about to let him off easily. "Is that all?"

Yin Tang hesitated, a hint of shame and annoyance crossing his face. He knew what his mother wanted to hear, but glancing at An Qing, he couldn't bring himself to admit it.

Seeing his lack of remorse, Concubine Yi's anger flared up again. She slammed a willow branch onto the table, producing a loud crack that reverberated through the hall.

Yin Tang shuddered, feeling a sharp pain in his rear even though the branch didn't hit him. Realizing he had no choice, he gritted his teeth and admitted, "I was wrong. I shouldn't have extorted money from that eunuch!"

Concubine Yi's expression softened slightly. Taking a deep breath, she said sternly, "Xiao Jiu, listen carefully. From now on, someone will be watching you. If you ever do something like this again, regardless of your age, I will punish you as long as I live. If you don't care about your reputation, then try it again!"

Yin Tang, truly frightened, promised not to repeat his mistake.

He knew his mother's temper well; once she made a threat, she would follow through. This time, he wouldn't dare do it again.

Satisfied with Yin Tang's reaction, An Qing nodded.

Good. At least for now, he seemed to have learned his lesson. Hopefully, this beating would deter him from his future path of extortion.

Over the past year, An Qing had come to understand Yin Tang's character—a spoiled child who needed a good scolding to learn his lesson. That's why she had encouraged Concubine Yi to punish him, hoping to instill fear and gradually guide him towards better behavior.

She couldn't bear to watch him meet his historical fate—imprisoned at the young age of 43, the shortest-lived prince among the Eight Prince Party.

Concubine Yi had always treated her kindly, almost like a daughter. Even if An Qing didn't believe she could change history, she had to try, at least to prevent Concubine Yi from experiencing such heartache.

Moreover, Yinqi, being so emotionally invested, would suffer greatly if he saw his younger brother meet such a fate.

Emotions grow stronger over time, and An Qing's thoughts had shifted since entering the palace. She felt compelled to do something, to try her best and accept whatever fate awaited them.

Today's incident was based on her understanding of both Concubine Yi and Yin Tang.

While Concubine Yi loved Yin Tang, she wouldn't overly indulge him. When it came to discipline, she was firm. That's why she could control him.

If it were the Fourteenth Prince and Empress De, An Qing wouldn't have acted this way. The Fourteenth Prince seemed spoiled, and Empress De allowed him to speak ill of his Fourth Brother without reprimanding him.

If Yin Tang dared to speak ill of Yinqi, Concubine Yi would have punished him immediately.

Initially, An Qing didn't understand why Concubine Yi and Empress De were so different, given their similar situations. However, she later learned that Concubine Yi had another son, the Eleventh Prince, shortly after Yin Tang, which might explain why she didn't spoil him as much.

Empress De, on the other hand, lost her Sixth Son at the age of six before having the Fourteenth Prince two years later. Thus, she doted on the Fourteenth Prince, fearing any mishap, leading to favoritism between her sons.

This bias likely contributed to the strained relationship between the Fourth and Fourteenth Princes.

Back in Yikun Palace, after making numerous promises, Yin Tang was finally allowed to leave.

Watching him limp away eagerly, An Qing almost laughed.

Concubine Yi, not fooled, glanced at An Qing. "Xiao Jiu must have fallen for your trick."

It was too coincidental that An Qing arrived just when Yin Tang was complaining. Clearly, there was more to it, especially since she had prepared the willow branch beforehand.

Even sending things to Zhaoxiang Palace while excluding him was intentional, meant to provoke him into complaining first.

An Qing chuckled and held Concubine Yi's arm. "Nothing gets past Mother."

"It's just that Xiao Jiu is too disrespectful. A prince extorting a small eunuch is shameful."

Concubine Yi glared at her. "Why didn't you tell me directly? Are you afraid I'd be biased and not punish him?"

An Qing smiled. "I trust Mother, but you know how cunning Xiao Jiu can be. If you called him, he'd act perfectly well, losing the impact."

Concubine Yi agreed, realizing that without his final outburst, she might not have disciplined him.

An Qing added, "Mother, while Xiao Jiu's love for money isn't a major flaw, he needs to earn it honestly. If he starts down this path, think of the consequences. As a prince, he could extort anyone, not just palace eunuchs. If he gets a taste of this, imagine the impact on his future in the government."

Concubine Yi understood. "You don't need to explain further. I know today's actions were for Xiao Jiu's benefit."

She knew An Qing usually avoided meddling, but today, she went to great lengths to teach Xiao Jiu a lesson, risking his resentment. It was truly heartfelt.

After leaving Yikun Palace, An Qing felt refreshed, her steps lightening involuntarily.

Cui Liu, however, was puzzled by her actions and scratched her head. "My lady, why did you do that? I saw how Ninth Master left just now; it seems like you've really made an enemy of him."

An Qing, however, was unconcerned. "It's fine. If we're going to have a grudge, so be it. I'm not afraid of him."

Since she dared to act, she certainly wasn't afraid of having a grudge with Yin Tang. Moreover, whether this grudge would continue in the future depended on whether he could mend his ways.

The news that Ninth Master had been whipped by Concubine Yi with willow branches in Yikun Palace quickly spread throughout the imperial harem. After all, Yin Tang's pig-like screams during the whipping and his limping departure couldn't be hidden from anyone.

As for the reason, it was said that Ninth Master had offended the Fifth Princess Consort, and the willow branches were brought to Yikun Palace by her herself, seen by many people along the way.

Everyone couldn't help but sigh. Previously, some thought Concubine Yi's kindness towards An Qing was merely for show, to create an image of a good mother-in-law. Now, they had to believe it was genuine.

After all, whipping her beloved youngest son for the sake of her daughter-in-law was something that couldn't be faked.

Yinqi had been busy outside all day and only heard about it when he returned to the prince's residence in the evening. Upon hearing the news, he immediately went to the main courtyard.

"What did Xiao Jiu do to you?" he asked as soon as he entered.

An Qing, who was petting a cat, was taken aback. "You've already heard about it?"

Yinqi nodded. "Ma Xiang reported it to me just now, giving me a brief overview."

An Qing didn't hide anything and vividly recounted the entire incident, including how she accidentally caught Xiao Jiu extorting a eunuch and how she set up Yin Tang to get beaten.

When Yinqi heard about the extortion, his brows furrowed so deeply it seemed they could crush a fly. When he heard about An Qing's scheme, a mix of exasperation and amusement flashed across his face.

"Did Mother really whip Yin Tang with willow branches?" Yinqi was genuinely surprised.

Although he knew his mother didn't spoil Xiao Jiu excessively, he had never seen her physically punish him before, at most threatening him verbally.

An Qing nodded vigorously. "Yes, you should have seen it. Mother whipped him hard. Honestly, I didn't expect her to go that far."

She was indeed surprised. She had anticipated that Concubine Yi might give a few whips, but instead, she chased Yin Tang around and gave him over twenty lashes.

"But he deserved it. He called me vicious and even suggested you divorce me. Mother had to teach him a lesson."

Yinqi hadn't taken it seriously until he heard this and his expression darkened. "He really said that?"

An Qing nodded emphatically. "Absolutely. Many people in Yikun Palace heard it."

After all, their marriage was a Mongol-Manchu alliance decreed by Lao Kang. It wasn't a game.

Cui Liu, fearing her mistress would be misunderstood, chimed in. "Ninth Master did say that, and I can vouch for it."

Yinqi believed An Qing completely. He slammed the table and said coldly, "Xiao Jiu is getting out of hand!"

He needed a proper lesson.

An Qing observed Yinqi's reaction silently and nodded in satisfaction. She hoped he would go and teach the culprit a lesson.

After all, Xiao Jiu was a troublemaker who needed a good scolding.

True to An Qing's expectations, the next day after court, Yinqi summoned Ma Xiang.

"Where is Xiao Jiu now?"

Ma Xiang replied hurriedly, "Ninth Master didn't go to the study today. He's resting in his own courtyard."

Yinqi nodded lightly and headed out. "Let's go to Zhaoxiang Residence."

Indeed, Yin Tang was in his courtyard. After returning from Yikun Palace yesterday, he didn't want to make a fuss, but unexpectedly, Concubine Yi sent a physician.

There was no hiding it then, so he let the physician examine him. The physician said it wasn't serious, just some bruising, and prescribed some medicine for blood circulation.

Yin Tang felt miserable. His mother didn't hold back at all. He had run away hastily and got hit on the arm, which left a nasty mark.

He couldn't face his brothers, being whipped by his mother at his age.

He couldn't go to the study today.

Just as Yin Tang lay on his bed feeling sorry for himself, Yinqi walked in. "How's your butt?"

Yin Tang was startled. "Fifth Brother, why are you here?"

Yinqi sat down on the bed. "I came to check on you."

He took out a small bottle of medicine and tossed it on the bed. "This is excellent medicine for bruises. Have a eunuch apply it later; it'll help heal faster."

Yin Tang looked at the bottle and then at his brother. Was his Fifth Brother here to bring him medicine?

"Fifth Brother..."

He felt incredibly wronged. Indeed, his Fifth Brother cared for him.

But he had to take this opportunity to complain about An Qing. With Mother now completely on her side, he had no one else to turn to but his Fifth Brother.

However, before Yin Tang could speak, Yinqi interrupted. "I heard you disrespected my wife."

Yin Tang exclaimed, "Ah!" He was confused. His Fifth Brother's expression seemed off. Had An Qing beaten him to it?

"No, Fifth Brother, let me explain. There was a reason. It was because of your wife..."

Yinqi raised his hand and said coldly, "Regardless of your reasons, I came here to warn you. If you ever disrespect my wife again, I'll personally whip you, without needing Mother to do it!"

Yin Tang was speechless.

So, his Fifth Brother wasn't here to see him but to warn him and support his wife!

Ah, ah, ah, what a miserable life he has! His mother doesn't love him, and his brother doesn't care for him. This life is truly unbearable!

Seeing that Yinqi didn't respond, Yin Tang assumed he was still being stubborn and reached out to grab his arm, which had been hit with a willow branch by Concubine Yi the day before.

Yin Tang couldn't help but cry out, "Fifth Brother, be gentle! It hurts, it hurts!"

Yinqi frowned and pulled up his sleeve, seeing the faint bruise. He glanced at him coldly and said, "You're a man; you can't even handle this little pain? How can you be so delicate?"

Yin Tang looked at his Fifth Brother with a grievous expression. What did he mean by "a little pain"? He didn't know how much it hurt when the willow branch struck him—it hurt far more than the paddling in the study.

"Did you hear what I said just now?" Yinqi asked sternly.

The Fourth Prince had reservations about the Fourteenth Prince because of Empress De's favoritism, but Yinqi treated Yin Tang differently. He had always disciplined Xiao Jiu since they were young. In recent years, he had tried to respect his dignity and hadn't scolded him as much.

However, he could not tolerate any disrespect towards An Qing.

Seeing his Fifth Brother's demeanor, Yin Tang dared not say anything more and obediently agreed.

After all, he had always been afraid of his usually amiable Fifth Brother when he got angry.

After lecturing him, Yinqi didn't stay long. He still had to go to the office; otherwise, he would have already arrived there.

Yin Tang watched his Fifth Brother leave without a backward glance and buried his head in the quilt, struggling for a while.

Fine, fine, he conceded.

But what he didn't know was that this wasn't over yet.

That night, Kangxi unexpectedly summoned Concubine Yi. No one knew what they discussed, but the next morning, a eunuch from the Palace of Heavenly Purity came to Zhaoxiang Palace and announced Kangxi's decree to Yin Tang.

"What?!" Yin Tang exclaimed in surprise, "Father, you've confined me to the palace to copy books!"

Who could save him? Copying books was the last thing he wanted to do!

When An Qing heard the news, she was also taken aback. The matter had reached Kangxi's ears.

Did he also learn about Xiao Jiu extorting the eunuch?

Kangxi demanded perfection in everything, especially from his sons. Unlike Concubine Yi, he wouldn't tolerate such flaws. If he found out about Xiao Jiu's misconduct, it would be disastrous.

But then she thought again. Since Kangxi only punished Xiao Jiu with copying books, he probably didn't know about it. Moreover, he had summoned Concubine Yi the other night, so perhaps she had helped cover it up.

After Xiao Jiu was beaten in Yikun Palace, An Qing and Concubine Yi both understood the gravity of the situation and decided to keep the extortion a secret. They instructed the servants who knew about it accordingly.

An Qing also sent Perilla to the Imperial Household Department to give some gifts to the eunuch who was extorted, half-threatening and half-bribing him to keep quiet.

With this, An Qing felt relieved. Concubine Yi had served Kangxi for many years and knew him well. With her help, the matter would be covered up properly.

As expected, Concubine Yi had indeed helped cover up the incident before Kangxi. When he summoned her, she anticipated he might ask about it.

After all, the incident of her beating Xiao Jiu with a willow branch had caused quite a stir in the palace. Kangxi always paid close attention to palace affairs, so he must have known about it.

As Concubine Yi predicted, Kangxi casually mentioned it during their meal. She explained the situation, excluding the part about Xiao Jiu extorting the eunuch. She told him about Xiao Jiu's arrogant remarks against An Qing, which made Kangxi believe her and explained why she was so angry and whipped him.

This led to Kangxi's decision to punish Xiao Jiu by making him copy books.

Thus, the matter involving the Ninth Prince gradually faded away in the palace.

As the New Year approached, preparations began throughout the palace.

With the festive atmosphere growing stronger, An Qing knew her annual ordeal was about to begin.

However, this was her second New Year in the palace. Without the initial excitement, she was more experienced and handled things more smoothly.

Overall, the New Year passed relatively peacefully, with no major incidents in the palace.

Peace was good.

Soon after the New Year, the calm of the palace was disrupted by a piece of news—Kangxi was going on another southern tour!

Hearing this, An Qing was stunned. "Is this news reliable?"

Little Xizi replied, "My lady, the news is absolutely true. It spread throughout the palace today from the Palace of Heavenly Purity."

Upon hearing this, An Qing immediately stood up excitedly. Kangxi's southern tour meant he was going to Jiangnan, a place she had never visited.

In her previous life, An Qing had seen many dramas about Emperor Qianlong's southern tours, but she knew very little about Kangxi's tours, except that he had done it six times.

"My lady, the last time the Emperor went on a southern tour was ten years ago. This rare opportunity will surely spark competition among the palace residents," Cui Liu said.

An Qing thought to herself, of course, this kind of chance to travel, especially to the prosperous Jiangnan, would make everyone in the palace vie for it.

She, too, wanted to go.

However, unlike the previous year's tour to Mulan, where she and Yinqi were certain to be included due to their connection to Horqin, this time, whether she could go depended on whether Yinqi's name was on the list.

Kangxi always liked to balance things out, and his past travel lists showed that if he took one group this time, he would take another group next time. Since Yinqi had already gone on the previous tour, it seemed unlikely that they would go this time.

No way!

She had to find a way. An Qing silently pondered.

She really wanted to go. Being cooped up in the palace all day was driving her mad. This rare opportunity for an official trip couldn't be missed. She had to try her best.

After all, this was the famous southern tour that became so renowned in later generations. How could she be content without seeing it with her own eyes?

Chapter 66: The Fifth Princess Consort

An Qing finally understood the feelings of everyone in the palace after the last tour to the frontier. Without a doubt, everyone was striving to be at the forefront again, and they had all started sending tea to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

But sadly, she was a daughter-in-law, and she didn't even have the chance to send tea to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

The women in the palace began to use all their tricks for the southern tour. The competition was much fiercer this time, but it made sense; after all, it was the picturesque and charming Jiangnan, incomparable to any other tour.

It was said that those who accompanied the Emperor on his tour in the twenty-eighth year of Kangxi's reign praised it endlessly upon their return, boasting about it for years, and even now, they still spoke of it with longing.

An Qing also asked Yinqi about the chances of him accompanying Kangxi on this southern tour. After a moment's thought, he said, "Fifty-fifty."

What a pointless statement. Before the list came out, everyone's chances were fifty-fifty. It was as if he hadn't said anything at all.

Since the news of the southern tour spread, An Qing struggled for several days before finally accepting reality. Relying on Yinqi was hopeless; it seemed she would have to rely on herself.

Not being able to seek Kangxi's favor didn't mean there was no way at all.

Although the list for the southern tour hadn't been released yet, one thing was certain: the Empress Dowager would definitely be on it.

She had to admit, Kangxi was indeed quite filial. Whenever he went out, as long as conditions permitted, he would take the Empress Dowager along, allowing her to relax and enjoy herself.

So, An Qing decided to take a different approach and go through the Empress Dowager.

One day, she got up early and made some pastries that the Empress Dowager loved with Chunxiao. But when they arrived at Ningshou Palace, she realized that she wasn't the only one who had thought of this idea.

According to Aunt Wu Lan, it was only morning, and the four consorts—Hui, Yi, De, and Rong—had already come by.

An Qing: "..."

She silently muttered to herself, "Aww... dear beautiful mother-in-law, I'm sorry, but this time I'll have to join the competition too."

You're a favored consort; you should go through Kangxi instead. Sending soup to the Palace of Heavenly Purity is a good option since that path is truly closed to me.

Realizing how fierce the competition was, An Qing became even more determined. She had to stand out among the competitors.

"Grandma, please try these almond cheese pastries. They're made by your granddaughter-in-law," An Qing eagerly offered the plate of pastries to the Empress Dowager.

Without much thought, the Empress Dowager picked up an almond cheese pastry, tasted it, and nodded instinctively. "Not bad, just the right sweetness, not too cloying."

After receiving praise, An Qing's smile grew brighter, and she became even more attentive.

Even if the Empress Dowager was slow to notice, she couldn't help but ask, "Is there something you need?"

"Grandma, you're wise," An Qing chuckled and said, "I actually don't have any other matter, just wondering if you're going on the southern tour with Father this time?"

The Empress Dowager glanced at her, a hint of confusion crossing her face. "Yes, your father came over a few days ago and confirmed it with me."

Kangxi's intention was that the southern tour wouldn't be rushed, so taking her along would allow her to relax. The Empress Dowager was naturally pleased.

Hearing this, An Qing's eyes lit up. "Grandma, I guess during the long journey, you might need someone to keep you entertained. Today, I'm shamelessly volunteering myself. How about me?"

The Empress Dowager was taken aback. "You want to come along?"

Her surprise was genuine; she hadn't expected An Qing to seek her help for this.

Unlike the four consorts—Hui, Yi, De, and Rong—the palace never interfered with matters of the front court. Now that the princes had received their titles, their affairs were also considered front court matters.

This seemingly simple matter of accompanying the southern tour was, in fact, a carefully balanced decision by Kangxi, conveying a message to the outside world.

An Qing always knew the boundaries and never overstepped them, so why today...

The Empress Dowager didn't beat around the bush and said straightforwardly, "You know, the emperor decides which prince to take along, and I can't interfere."

An Qing quickly waved her hands and said, "Grandma, you misunderstood. Whether he goes or not is Father's decision, but if you want a caring companion, I'm sure Father wouldn't object."

She smiled in a rather flattering manner.

The Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned, then suddenly understood An Qing's plan.

Aunt Wu Lan looked surprised. "Fifth Princess Consort, you want to leave Fifth Beile behind?"

That's absurd.

An Qing hurriedly defended herself. "No, it's not like leaving him behind. It's not as serious as you think."

At most, it's just not taking him along. Besides, it's not her fault; she didn't want to, but Kangxi was so difficult to deal with.

The Empress Dowager finally recovered and couldn't help but laugh and cry. "If the grandson doesn't go, what would it look like for the grandmother to take the granddaughter-in-law out?"

An Qing replied earnestly, "Grandma, I'm just here to serve you on behalf of my husband."

Empress Dowager / Aunt Wu Lan: "..."

Do you really think we believe that?

An Qing knew this wouldn't fool anyone, so after pretending for a moment, she revealed her true intentions.

"Of course, I do have selfish reasons. Everyone says Jiangnan is picturesque and bustling. I've never seen it before, and I really want to experience it."

The charm of Jiangnan was too tempting for her.

"But if you go, who will manage Fifth Beile's household?" Aunt Wu Lan asked.

An Qing was clearly prepared and confidently replied, "Grandma, Aunt Wu Lan, don't worry. I'll leave two maids behind, and besides, there's still my husband."

With Yinqi around, could anything happen in his household?

Absolutely not!

The Empress Dowager and Wu Lan exchanged a glance, both their thoughts complex. What was this girl thinking, coming up with so many strange ideas every day?

On this southern tour, which prince or princess consort wouldn't want to go? But who would think of such an unconventional approach like hers?

Leaving her husband behind to travel alone—how did she even come up with that idea?

"Grandma, please, take me with you," An Qing pleaded, tugging at the Empress Dowager's sleeve with a pitiful expression on her face.

From that day on, she began to visit Ningshou Palace every day without fail. Besides cooking various dishes for the Empress Dowager, An Qing also gave her shoulder rubs and back massages, using every trick in the book to win her favor.

This relentless persistence was hard for anyone to resist.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before the Empress Dowager couldn't bear it anymore and finally summoned Kangxi to Ningshou Palace.

"Your Majesty, did you need something?" Kangxi asked after taking a sip of tea.

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, "Emperor, have you finalized the list for the southern tour?"

Kangxi wasn't foolish; he immediately understood her intention. "Mother, is someone from the harem trying to influence you?"

He guessed it was probably Princess Consort Xianfu.

After all, this had happened before. In the imperial harem, the only person who could make the Empress Dowager speak to him was Princess Consort Xianfu, who shared the same origins in Horqin.

A hint of helplessness flashed across the Empress Dowager's face. "There were quite a few, but most were manageable. Only one person has been pestering me relentlessly, causing quite a headache. That's why I had to call you here."

Kangxi became even more certain of his guess. The only person who could pester the Empress Dowager to this extent was none other than Princess Consort Xianfu.

However, since the Empress Dowager had spoken, he decided to give her the courtesy. Taking one more person along wasn't a big deal; it would be like bringing an extra attendant for the Empress Dowager.

"Mother, don't worry. If you find her suitable, we can take one more..."

But before he could finish, the Empress Dowager raised her hand to stop him. "Emperor, wait. Let me finish before you decide."

Kangxi was taken aback. Was there more to this?

The Empress Dowager didn't keep him guessing. "The person pestering me is Princess Consort Yinqi."

Kangxi was initially confused, then instinctively frowned. "Is she asking you to include Prince Yinqi?"

The Empress Dowager knew he would misunderstand and waved her hand. "She's only asking for herself. She said whether to bring Prince Yinqi is your decision, but she wants to be included."

Then, she recounted An Qing's peculiar reasoning and her persistent behavior over the past few days.

Kangxi was speechless.

Seeing Kangxi's surprised reaction, the Empress Dowager thought, see, it's not just her being unreasonable. An Qing's ideas were truly unconventional.

"This Princess Consort Yinqi, isn't she being ridiculous!" Kangxi was equally bewildered.

The Empress Dowager sighed heavily. "Indeed, how can someone leave their grandson at home and take only their granddaughter-in-law out? So, I thought about discussing with you if we could also bring Prince Yinqi."

Without waiting for Kangxi's response, she continued, "In your proclamation for the southern tour, you mentioned inspecting rivers and promoting agriculture. Since promoting agriculture is a key objective, taking that girl might actually be useful. As for Prince Yinqi..."

She paused, sighed silently, and then said, "Just consider him accompanying Princess Consort An Qing."

Kangxi nodded in agreement with the first part, not seeing any issue. Before this, he had considered the same thing.

This southern tour was different from the previous ones. The main purpose this time was promoting agriculture, especially in the prosperous regions of Jiangnan, achieving another important goal. Of course, that was a matter for later.

But when he heard the latter part, Kangxi looked at the Empress Dowager in surprise.

He really wanted to ask, do you think this is appropriate? Prince Yinqi is still a royal prince, and now he has to rely on his princess consort's favor to join the tour.

The Empress Dowager felt helpless too. How else could she say it? She couldn't interfere with court matters, yet she wanted Kangxi to agree to bring Prince Yinqi. This was her only option.

As long as only they knew and didn't spread it, it wouldn't harm Prince Yinqi.

An Qing soon learned about the Empress Dowager summoning Kangxi to Ningshou Palace. Although the Empress Dowager hadn't given her a definite answer, her demeanor suggested that her chances of joining the southern tour were high.

Upon hearing this news, An Qing almost jumped for joy.

Ah, traveling to Jiangnan with Kangxi—this was nothing like modern-day tourism in the south.

So elated was she that she remained giddy even into the evening. When Yinqi arrived, he noticed her excitement and became curious.

"Why are you so happy today?" he asked.

An Qing had been looking for someone to share her joy with. Hearing Yinqi's question, she grinned like a cat who had stolen cream. "I have good news! Father may include me in the list for the southern tour."

Yinqi was taken aback. "Did Grandma tell you that?"

An Qing nodded. "Sort of. Grandma didn't explicitly say it, but she hinted at it."

Yinqi responded with an "Oh." Though he found it odd that the list hadn't been announced yet, he remembered that Kangxi always respected the Empress Dowager and would likely share some details if she asked.

"In that case, I'll have Ma Xiang start packing some things for me tomorrow," Yinqi said.

An Qing was momentarily stunned. He seemed to have misunderstood something.

"Actually, you might not be going," she said hesitantly.

Yinqi: "?"

What did she mean? She was on the list, but he wasn't?

Isn't this absurd? I've never heard of anyone going out with just their daughter-in-law and not their son!

An Qing immediately explained, "I'm not following you, Your Majesty. I'm going to serve the Empress Dowager."

Yinqi was stunned for a moment, then he connected it with her frequent visits to Ningshou Palace recently and immediately understood.

"So, you only sought a favor for yourself?" he said in disbelief.

An Qing pursed her lips and defended herself, "You know very well that the imperial harem is not allowed to interfere with matters of the front court. Even if I wanted to seek a favor for you, there's nothing I could do."

Yinqi silently processed this for a while, then suddenly laughed in frustration, "So this is your reason for leaving me behind!"

An Qing exclaimed, "Ah," thinking that the term 'leaving behind' was too severe.

Although she knew what she did wasn't quite right, she had her reasons.

"Look, you've been to Jiangnan on official business before, but I haven't. It's different for me," she said pitifully.

Yinqi smiled sarcastically, "Indeed, as the ancients say, they never lied to me."

An Qing was taken aback, "Indeed what?"

What did the ancients say?

Yinqi looked at her with a resentful gaze and said, "The ancients say, 'Husband and wife are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, each flies away.'"

An Qing widened her eyes, "It's not that serious, am I? I just want to go to Jiangnan, how can it be elevated to this level?"

She had never been so unfaithful.

However, An Qing also felt that her actions were indeed somewhat unfaithful and damaging to unity, so she started to defend herself.

"Don't take everything the ancients say seriously; sometimes they exaggerate. We should read books without becoming rigid. Each situation is unique, like mine..."

Yinqi watched as An Qing rambled on in explanation, finding it amusing. He knew she didn't mean it that way; he had said it to tease her.

But he couldn't deny that it was still disheartening. After all, this southern tour would last several months, and she had left him without hesitation.

Yinqi felt a bitter smile cross his face, knowing he couldn't force anything.

Over these days, he had come to understand some things. His mother had told him to be true to himself. He could keep her in his heart, but he couldn't keep only her by his side.

In the future, whenever his father added more women to his household, he would find excuses to refuse them. However, the few existing women in his household were not something he could easily discard.

As concubines of the royal family, they had limited choices. Apart from death, they would always be part of the royal family.

This world was inherently unfair to women, and since they had served him without fault, taking care of them was his responsibility.

But Yinqi knew this had nothing to do with An Qing.

He couldn't force her to abandon her principles, nor did he want to.

Thus, he was left with one path: to maintain the status quo.

He wouldn't insist that she understand his feelings. Even if An Qing didn't love him, it was enough that he loved her. They were already married, after all.

Perhaps over time, she might be moved.

Even if she wasn't, living together for the rest of their lives was already a fortunate thing.

But regarding this southern tour, Yinqi couldn't let her go alone.

This trip would take at least three months, and while she could leave him, he couldn't bear to let her go.

So, the next day after morning court, Yinqi appeared in the East Warm Pavilion of the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Without beating around the bush, he stated his intention clearly.

At first, Kangxi was confused, but eventually, he understood.

It seemed that the Fifth Prince thought he was only taking An Qing and not him on the southern tour.

But who told him that? At Ningshou Palace, he had already agreed with the Empress Dowager. Where did the information go wrong?

Seeing that Kangxi didn't respond, Yinqi thought he still didn't want to take him along and decided to push harder, "Your Majesty, if you don't let me go, people will mock me, and that won't reflect well on you either."

Kangxi was speechless.

He had intended to tell him directly but changed his mind.

"Stop dragging Me into this. What does your embarrassment have to do with Me?" Kangxi acted as if it was none of his concern.

Yinqi became anxious, but he had no experience with such situations. Usually, his father's word was final, and they didn't persist.

But this time was different; he really needed to go.

Just as Yinqi was at a loss, he remembered how Yideri had acted like a brat to Deb to get permission for horse racing and decided to try the same.

"Your Majesty, please, take me with you this time." He mimicked Yideri's tone, pleading softly, "If you don't agree, I'll come and beg you every day."

Kangxi chuckled, seeing his son acting like a brat and found it both amusing and exasperating.

No, he wouldn't give in so easily.

Of course, Kangxi didn't keep Yinqi waiting too long because the departure was imminent, and the list needed to be finalized.

For this southern tour, apart from the Empress Dowager, the high-ranking concubines included De Concubine and Concubine Yi, along with a few recently favored consorts and ladies-in-waiting.

As for the sons, the final selection included the Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, Eighth Prince, Ninth Prince, Tenth Prince, and Fourteenth Prince.

When this list of attendees was released, there was an uproar both in the imperial court and the harem, with everyone speculating about Kangxi's intentions.

Among the Concubines Hui, Yi, De, and Rong, it was clear that Concubine Yi and Concubine De were the biggest winners; not only could they join the entourage, but their respective two sons were also on the list.

Moreover, the Crown Prince and Elder Brother Prince, who had always been favored by Kangxi, were notably absent from the list, which raised many eyebrows.

After seeing this list, An Qing had a vague idea. Last year during the autumn hunt in Mulan, she had heard from her father and Yinqi about the underhanded actions taken by Elder Brother Prince, the Crown Prince, and the Third Prince behind the scenes.

She had thought the matter would be forgotten since Kangxi hadn't taken any action upon her return, but it seemed he had been waiting for this opportunity.

However, this didn't affect An Qing much. Whether they went or not, it wasn't her concern. With the list finalized, she felt relieved.

To prepare for the southern tour, both the imperial court and the harem became busy. The harem was relatively easier to manage; those confirmed to join the tour simply needed to pack their belongings.

The situation was different in the imperial court, where every detail of the arrangements for the southern tour had to be perfect.

Kangxi's decree stated that the purpose of the trip was to inspect river works and encourage agriculture, so the first stop was set to be Tianjin Prefecture in Zhili Province to inspect agricultural conditions.

Due to the implementation of An Qing's methods for protecting wheat last year, reports from various regions indicated that the freeze damage to wheat had decreased by at least eighty percent. Kangxi was naturally delighted.

Tianjin Prefecture, being one of the major wheat-growing areas in the Great Qing and situated along the route of the southern tour, was chosen as the first stop.

However, as Kangxi's departure for the southern tour drew near, a significant event occurred in Tianjin Prefecture.

One day, local officials gathered in the government office. The senior official asked, "Are you sure it's ghost wheat?"

The officials below immediately replied, "Yes, sir. The old farmers from the office have personally inspected it, and it is indeed ghost wheat."

"The Emperor will be here soon. What should we do now that ghost wheat has appeared?"

"Indeed, after enduring the winter and avoiding frost damage, why must ghost wheat appear now? It's worse than frost damage."

Panic spread among the officials.

Suddenly, one official spoke up, "Sir, perhaps we should keep this a secret. The Emperor's southern tour is announced to encourage agriculture. If our region spoils the auspicious start, we cannot bear the blame."

This suggestion brought silence to the room, but many began to seriously consider it.

"Ghost wheat" has always been considered an ill omen, especially in farming, and the timing was particularly bad.

Of course, the main concern was that if this disrupted Kangxi's southern tour, their careers would truly be in jeopardy.

Chapter 67: The Fifth Consort

After all the preparations for the southern tour were completed, Kangxi set off with his harem and key officials from the previous dynasty on the third day of the second month. They embarked at Datong Bridge and sailed south.

An Qing, along with the Fourth Consort and the Eighth Consort, boarded a two-story boat. The vessel was spacious, allowing them to sit at the bow during the day and enjoy the scenery and local customs along the riverbanks.

To her surprise, she did not experience seasickness in this life, despite having suffered severely from it in her previous one.

Before departure, An Qing had prepared herself for a long journey filled with seasickness, even gathering various snacks like ginger, mint candies, dried plums, and hawthorn slices to alleviate the nausea. She feared that she might be unable to eat anything due to constant vomiting.

However, since boarding the ship, she had remained perfectly fine, feeling energetic and enjoying her meals heartily. During lunch, she even had an extra bowl of rice.

It seemed that fate was truly kind to her this time, sparing her from both carriage sickness and seasickness, making future travels much easier.

Nonetheless, the anti-seasickness snacks she had prepared would not go to waste, as both the Fourth Consort and the Eighth Consort were suffering terribly from seasickness.

They had been lying in bed, unable to eat or drink, and were so weak from constant vomiting that even the imperial physicians' remedies had failed to help. They were still lying in their cabins.

"Perilla, is this amount enough?" Perilla asked, pointing to the snack packages on the table.

An Qing approached and nodded. "Yes, are there two sets?"

Perilla replied, "Yes, my lady. I divided them myself."

An Qing softly acknowledged. She planned to visit the Fourth Consort and the Eighth Consort soon, as they were on the same boat, and it would be inappropriate not to check on them given their condition.

"Maizhong, bring two bottles of the seasickness pills you made."

Maizhong quickly agreed and went to fetch them from a nearby chest.

For this trip, An Qing only brought Perilla and Maizhong to serve her personally, while Chunxiao and Cui Liu stayed behind in the palace. Ideally, she wanted to bring all four, as this was a rare opportunity to visit Jiangnan.

However, Kangxi had emphasized the need for a reduced entourage, so she reluctantly left Chunxiao and Cui Liu behind.

When deciding who should come and who should stay, An Qing initially suggested drawing lots, but the four immediately rejected the idea, insisting that such matters were too serious to be decided lightly.

In the end, they decided that Perilla and Maizong would accompany her on the tour. Their reasoning was that Perilla was meticulous and reliable, providing peace of mind, while Maizong's medical skills would be useful for the long journey.

An Qing could not refute their logic, though she still felt a bit disappointed about missing out on the opportunity.

When An Qing arrived at the Fourth Consort's cabin, she found her lying on the bed, pale and with a basin nearby, ready for another bout of vomiting.

"My lady, the Fifth Consort has come to see you," the Fourth Consort's personal palace maid announced upon An Qing's arrival.

Upon hearing An Qing's name, the Fourth Consort opened her eyes and tried to sit up, but lacked the strength and fell back onto the bed.

An Qing hurried to support her. "Fourth Sister-in-law, be careful!"

The Fourth Consort managed to sit up with An Qing's help and the assistance of the palace maid, who helped her lean against the bed.

She smiled weakly, a hint of apology in her eyes. "I'm sorry to have troubled you."

An Qing waved her hand, consoling her. "Sister, don't worry about it. Your health is more important."

The Fourth Consort nodded slightly.

"I heard the imperial physician prescribed some medicine. Has it helped?" An Qing asked.

The Fourth Consort shook her head weakly. "Not really. The physician said the medicine can only provide temporary relief; ultimately, it depends on one's own resilience."

An Qing nodded, understanding the situation.

Seasickness was indeed difficult to manage, and neither medication nor snacks could fully alleviate it. One had to endure it, especially since most of the journey would be spent on the boat.

Of course, there was always the possibility of getting used to the motion over time, adapting to life on the ship.

Seeing how severely the Fourth Consort was suffering, An Qing did not want to disturb her further. She instructed Perilla to give the snacks and pills to the Fourth Consort's palace maid.

"These are some snacks I prepared before leaving to help with seasickness, and there are also some seasickness pills. I'm not sure if they'll work, but please use them as needed."

The Fourth Consort looked surprised. "You've prepared so thoroughly?"

An Qing smiled. "I wasn't sure if I would get seasick, so I prepared everything just in case."

The Fourth Consort envied An Qing's good fortune. "You're so thoughtful. I didn't prepare anything and ended up like this."

An Qing did not linger, giving a few words of encouragement for the Fourth Consort to rest before leaving.

The Fourth Consort finally relaxed, reaching for the basin and vomiting again. The palace maid hurried to help her, distressed by her condition.

Once the nausea subsided, the Fourth Consort lay back down, her face paler than before.

"My lady, why not try some of the snacks the Fifth Consort brought?" the palace maid suggested.

Since boarding the ship, the Fourth Consort had not eaten anything except water. This was unsustainable.

The Fourth Consort closed her eyes and nodded. "Find something sour, please. I need to settle my stomach."

The palace maid found a pack of dried plums and offered them to her. The Fourth Consort accepted, and the sweet and sour taste helped ease her discomfort.

It really worked.

So, she ate a few more sour plum slices, careful not to overindulge for fear of acid reflux. Finally, after chewing on a piece of ginger, the tumultuous feeling in her stomach gradually subsided, and she felt somewhat better before slowly drifting off to sleep.

The palace maid, seeing her mistress sleeping soundly, felt a surge of joy and carefully put away the package An Qing had given her.

It was still Fifth Consort who had the means. Her mistress had been lying in bed, dazed and restless, but now she was finally sleeping soundly. It must mean she wasn't feeling as bad anymore.

After leaving Fourth Consort's cabin, An Qing returned to her own, picked up the items for Eighth Consort, and stepped out again.

However, this time, she arrived at an inopportune moment. Eighth Consort had just fallen asleep, and she ran into Eighth Prince, who had just finished taking care of her.

Looking at the elegant and courteous Eighth Prince before her, An Qing couldn't help but marvel once again. Despite Lao Kang's appearance, he had managed to produce such handsome sons, which was quite remarkable.

It made sense, though. After all, the concubines in Kangxi's harem were all exceptional, improving the genes of their offspring.

History often described Kangxi as someone who valued beauty, evident from his favored concubines and close sons. He indeed preferred those who were good-looking.

For example, Eighth Prince had inherited his mother Wei's best features, and combined with his humble and polite demeanor, he exuded a gentle and refined air that set him apart from other princes.

"Sorry, Fifth Sister-in-Law, she just fell asleep, so it might not be convenient to invite you in," Eighth Prince said apologetically, glancing back at the cabin.

An Qing smiled and shook her head. "No worries, I understand. With seasickness being so uncomfortable, it's rare to get some solid sleep."

Eighth Prince bowed slightly. "Thank you for your understanding, Fifth Sister-in-Law."

An Qing responded, "No need for formalities, Eighth Brother. How is Eighth Sister-in-Law doing? Has the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician helped?"

A hint of concern flashed across Eighth Prince's face. "She has improved somewhat, but she's still very dizzy."

An Qing nodded lightly and handed over the items, repeating what she had told Fourth Consort earlier, explaining her intentions.

Eighth Prince thanked her profusely upon receiving the items.

An Qing waved her hand, indicating there was no need for gratitude. They exchanged a few more words before she returned to her cabin.

Back in her cabin, Perilla couldn't help but remark, "Those rumors about Eighth Prince in the palace are true. Talking to him really does feel like a breath of fresh air."

An Qing smiled without saying anything.

She knew exactly what the rumors were. Ever since entering the palace, she had learned that Eighth Prince was renowned for his virtue, both within the harem and in the court.

Since his ennoblement last year, Eighth Prince had gradually built a reputation in the court. It was said that he was diligent in his duties and had been praised multiple times by Kangxi. More impressively, everyone who had worked with him, whether civil officials or Manchu military aristocrats, spoke highly of him.

Undoubtedly, this laid the foundation for the powerful political group known as the 'Eighth Prince Party.'

Honestly, An Qing didn't have any negative impressions of Eighth Prince. In the struggle for succession, success and failure were common occurrences, and they didn't define one's character.

On the contrary, she admired him. Rising from humble beginnings to gain widespread support was no easy feat, and he had achieved it through humility and diligence, improving his mother Wei's status in the harem. Eighth Prince had done exceptionally well from a young age.

However, in the matter of the succession, many things were unpredictable. Sometimes, having too much support could be detrimental, especially for Kangxi, who was wary of such popularity later on.

Of course, none of this mattered to her. Neither she nor Yinqi intended to get involved in the succession struggle. There were too many variables and uncertainties, so everyone had to rely on their own abilities.

Having visited the two major patients on the ship, An Qing considered her task complete. During the day, Yinqi was mostly with Kangxi on the imperial barge, only returning at night. Now, she had plenty of free time.

Traveling on water wasn't as convenient as riding in a carriage to the frontier, so she couldn't easily visit other ships. Instead, she found her own way to entertain herself—sitting at the bow of the ship and enjoying the scenery.

The ship had only just left Imperial City, and the landscape hadn't changed much, but the atmosphere of cruising was soothing.

The ship sailed smoothly on the water, and gazing at the distant scenery brought a sense of tranquility.

Enjoying dried fruits and snacks while watching the sunset and evening sky was a rare and delightful experience.

Of course, it would be even better if Maidmaid weren't nagging her.

In the evening, after finishing his duties with Kangxi, Yinqi came over in a small boat.

As soon as he stepped onto the deck, he saw An Qing sitting at the bow, enjoying the breeze. His brows furrowed. "It's so windy. Why aren't you staying inside the cabin? What are you doing out here?"

It was February, the coldest time of the year. She was actually coming out to catch a cold. Was she trying to prove how strong she was?

An Qing hadn't expected Yinqi to return so soon and was taken aback. "The cabin is stuffy. I came out for some fresh air. I haven't been out long."

"Mistress, you're lying!" Maidmaid seized the opportunity to complain. "My lord, she's been out here for almost an hour. I tried to persuade her, but she wouldn't listen."

An Qing: "..."

Great, a traitor among her!

Who did this little girl belong to?

Yinqi's frown deepened upon hearing this. Without a word, he pulled her towards the cabin.

"It's not cold at all. Look, I'm wearing thick clothes, and Perilla even gave me a windproof veil," An Qing protested as she was dragged along.

Yinqi ignored her and instructed Maidmaid to prepare some concentrated ginger tea.

At the mention of ginger tea, An Qing's face twisted. "Why do I need to drink ginger tea when I'm perfectly fine?"

That stuff was so spicy; who would want to drink it willingly?

Yinqi, always direct, pointed out, "If you catch a cold today, I'll request His Majesty to take you back to the palace tomorrow when we dock at Big Willow."

"If you want to go back, go back yourself. I'm here to serve Empress Dowager, and technically, we're not on the same path," An Qing stubbornly retorted.

Yinqi's lips curved into a faint smile. "You said you're here to serve Empress Dowager. If you catch a cold, how can you serve her? It would be a perfect reason to return to the palace."

An Qing: "..."

Sure, a hero doesn't suffer a loss right in front of them; she'll drink it.

Isn't it just a bowl of ginger soup? How could that be more important than the southern tour? Besides, it's indeed necessary to prevent catching a cold. If she were to get sick, she wouldn't be able to enjoy the trip properly.

After settling the matter of drinking the ginger soup, An Qing suddenly realized something. He had mentioned earlier that the ship would dock when passing by Great Willow tomorrow. What was going on?

Yinqi explained, "Tomorrow, when we pass by Great Willow, we will stay there for two days. Emperor Father plans to lead the officials to inspect local agriculture. This is the first arrangement of our southern tour."

An Qing responded with an "Oh." So that was it.

She didn't know the specific itinerary of Kangxi's southern tour; she only knew roughly that they would sail south from Datong Bridge and pass through certain areas. She had assumed the ship would travel south without stopping. It turned out there were other arrangements along the way.

However, An Qing didn't take it too seriously, thinking it was indeed consistent with Kangxi's style.

Historically, although Kangxi had toured the south six times, unlike his grandson Qianlong, who mainly went for sightseeing, Kangxi always had a purpose: primarily to manage the Yellow River and examine the governance and welfare of the people.

Therefore, during the southern tours, Kangxi often paid attention to the living conditions of the people along the way, gaining a better understanding of their situation.

This is why, despite both Kangxi and Qianlong touring the south six times, Qianlong was criticized while Kangxi was praised in later generations.

"Are you feeling alright today? Did you experience seasickness?" Yinqi asked.

Seeing her prepare so many remedies for seasickness back in the palace, he thought An Qing might be prone to it. During the day, he sent someone to check on her several times, and each time they reported she was fine. Seeing her now, he finally felt relieved.

An Qing waved her hand and said proudly, "Don't worry. With my physical condition, I'm completely fine!"

After saying this, she even did a couple of spins on the deck, looking rather smug. Luckily, the Fourth and Eighth Princess Consorts, who were suffering from seasickness, weren't around to see it; otherwise, they would have given her a glare.

So what if she doesn't get seasick!

The next day, the imperial fleet docked at Great Willow as planned. According to the itinerary of the southern tour, Kangxi led everyone to stay at the Tianjin government office.

With so many people, most stayed on the ships since the local government office couldn't accommodate everyone. An Qing, as a companion to the Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi, was fortunate enough to be brought ashore to rest.

Of course, the Fourth and Eighth Princess Consorts, who were severely seasick, were also allowed to go ashore to recover. It was said that as soon as they entered the government office, they fell asleep.

Kangxi always traveled frugally, and staying at government offices instead of palaces wasn't unusual. Everyone around him was used to it.

Although the local government office was somewhat humble, it had everything needed. An Qing found it quite comfortable and slept soundly that night.

Her peaceful sleep was in comparison to the previous night on the ship. Being on land was naturally better than being on a ship. Even if the ship sailed smoothly, it still rocked slightly, which could be amplified at night.

Thus, although An Qing didn't get seasick, she still woke up several times during the night on the ship.

It was a rare good night's sleep, and she overslept. When An Qing woke up in the backyard of the government office, Yinqi was already gone, having been taken by Kangxi to inspect agriculture in the suburbs early in the morning.

Kangxi was truly dedicated to his work. Impressive, impressive indeed.

But Yinqi was a bit unlucky. He had come out for a trip but was dragged into extra work. Tsk tsk. Fortunately, she was here for tourism and didn't have to be pulled into mandatory overtime.

After a simple meal, An Qing began to think about what to do during the day. Great Willow was a famous ancient town in Tianjin, and since she was here, she decided to explore it.

After all, the main purpose of traveling was to experience the local customs and culture.

First, An Qing went to the Empress Dowager to ask if she wanted to go out for a stroll. She expected the Empress Dowager to decline, but surprisingly, she agreed enthusiastically.

Then, she asked Concubine Yi, who also readily agreed. Excellent, it seemed everyone had a clear goal for this trip.

Having such like-minded travel companions, An Qing was very satisfied.

After a quick preparation, they set out with some guards and left the government office.

Meanwhile, Kangxi and the officials arrived at the outskirts of the city, where the nearby fields were planted with wheat.

After An Qing presented her wheat cultivation manual last year, Kangxi selected several places as experimental sites, including Great Willow in Tianjin.

The methods described in the manual were compiled by officials of the Agricultural Administration Department and distributed to the experimental sites, with strict orders for local officials to supervise the farmers and ensure they followed these methods for planting winter wheat.

After a harsh winter, it was proven that An Qing's methods were highly effective. The local government reported that the freeze damage to the wheat was reduced by ninety percent.

This was why Kangxi chose this place as the first stop of his southern tour to encourage agricultural development. Seeing is believing.

Since it was about encouraging agriculture, not only Kangxi and the officials were present, but also the local villagers were called over.

Surprisingly, many people from other regions had also come to see Kangxi inspect the fields, hoping to catch a glimpse of the emperor. However, they were kept far away by the soldiers.

Seeing this, Kangxi was pleased and ordered them to move closer, ideally to see the fields that had escaped freeze damage.

"Your Majesty, no, we cannot. We cannot verify the origins of these people, and your safety comes first," the governor of Tianjin protested.

However, a hint of unease flashed across his face. With so many people, what if someone managed to reach those fields?

As soon as the governor spoke, other local officials echoed his concerns.

Clearly, they had something to hide. After all, the field with the strange wheat wasn't far from here. They had tried to divert Kangxi's attention elsewhere to avoid exposing the issue.

But they hadn't anticipated so many people coming from other regions. If they let them in, it would be beyond their control.

Kangxi, however, dismissed their concerns, waving his hand. "No problem. There's plenty of space here. Just keep them at a distance."

The accompanying guards would ensure security around Kangxi. Normally, only officials accompanying him could approach him closely. Even the villagers summoned to meet the emperor had to kneel a few meters away.

Kangxi pointed to an open area nearby. "Let those people from other regions go there. They've come a long way, surely wanting to see the wheat that survived the freeze."

In fact, apart from the designated experimental sites, many other areas still suffered from freeze damage to wheat this year.

The reason Kangxi didn't implement An Qing's methods universally was twofold: first, to ensure safety by testing them for a year, and second, because new farming techniques faced skepticism among the farmers, who feared they might harm their crops.

The governor of Tianjin looked in the direction Kangxi pointed and paled.

Kangxi, known for his golden words, had spoken, and his commands were immediately carried out. Even before the local officials could react, the common folk had already been admitted.

The crowd of people knelt down and kowtowed in Kangxi's direction, expressing their gratitude.

Kangxi waved his hand, signaling them to rise.

With everything now in place, it was time to proceed with the promotion of agriculture. Just as Kangxi was about to personally take up the plow to demonstrate imperial farming, a sudden cry erupted from the nearby crowd.

"Ghost wheat!"

Chapter 68: The Five Princesses

With this exclamation, the crowd of nearby civilians erupted into chaos.

Kangxi and his entourage, unsure of what had happened, turned to look. They saw the civilians bend down to confirm something, then, as if encountering something ominous, they all panicked and retreated backward.

Some even stumbled but didn't bother getting up, instead crawling away in fear.

Kangxi's brows furrowed deeply. Though he didn't know what had occurred, the scene was unsettling. He pointed at a guard and said, "Go and see what's happening."

The guard hurriedly complied and moved toward the chaotic crowd. Not long after, he rushed back, his face clearly troubled.

"Your Majesty, some civilians discovered ghost wheat in the fields."

What? Ghost wheat?!

Everyone's hearts sank, and the scene grew more chaotic.

Even Kangxi felt a chill. While he anticipated something bad, he never expected it to be ghost wheat.

The common folk have always believed in ghosts and spirits, and this 'ghost wheat' has been something they dread.

Why did it have to be ghost wheat, and why now, during his agricultural inspection? Such an ill omen could be exploited by those with malicious intent, leading to unimaginable consequences.

Something is not right. If the civilians could discover it so easily, there should have been signs before. Plus, the local officials seemed to be deliberately diverting them elsewhere...

Kangxi immediately grasped the situation and looked at the local officials, including the governor of Tianjin Prefecture. Seeing their evasive eyes and pale faces, he understood everything.

Clearly, they knew about it beforehand but chose to hide it, hoping to deceive him. This had led to the current predicament.

Fuming, Kangxi knew this wasn't the time for retribution. The priority was to resolve the issue with the ghost wheat.

He gave a nod to the minister in charge of the guards, who immediately understood and led the guards and local officials to maintain order and control the crowd.

Kangxi and his ministers hurried to a nearby official residence to discuss a solution.

Upon entering, his face darkened as he looked at the local officials and said sternly, "I will give you one last chance. If you do not report truthfully, you will bear the consequences!"

The officials immediately knelt and begged for forgiveness.

Seeing the situation, the governor of Tianjin Prefecture knew he couldn't evade it any longer. Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he recounted the entire incident.

After discovering the ghost wheat, they decided to conceal it for their own careers. Their plan was to divert Kangxi and his entourage elsewhere, which they thought would work since they had prepared everything themselves.

However, they never anticipated the presence of outsiders or that Kangxi would allow them into the field with the ghost wheat.

After hearing this, Kangxi sneered, "So it seems it's my fault, then?"

"My lord, we dare not!" everyone responded in unison.

Kangxi berated them, "It seems there is nothing you dare not do! You have committed such a grave offense, what else can you not do?"

He wanted to execute the governor and others on the spot. Had they reported the discovery of ghost wheat immediately, things wouldn't have escalated to this point.

"Your Majesty, please forgive us; we deserve death!"

They deserved death, and Kangxi wouldn't spare them, but he knew this wasn't the time for anger. Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm himself.

At that moment, the minister in charge of the guards arrived, "Your Majesty."

Kangxi gestured for him to rise, "What is the situation outside?"

The minister replied, "Most of the civilians have been temporarily pacified, but some who hadn't entered heard about the ghost wheat and fled. By the time I arrived, they were already gone."

Hearing this, everyone's faces turned grim. It was clear that the news couldn't be contained.

Kangxi's expression was grim, and the ministers held their breath.

Zhang Ying and Ma Qi exchanged glances, both seeing the gravity of the situation.

Others might not understand, but these close ministers knew that Kangxi's southern tour had another important purpose—winning over the Han scholars of Jiangnan.

Jiangnan was a prosperous region, and its governance directly affected the revenue of the Great Qing. Additionally, it was crucial for the stability of the Qing dynasty.

In recent years, remnants of the Southern Ming had been active in Jiangnan, trying to rally local forces. Although they hadn't caused serious issues, they remained a destabilizing factor.

Thus, Kangxi intended to win over the local Han scholars to eliminate their anti-Qing sentiments. Without their support, the remnants of the Southern Ming would be powerless.

Including agricultural inspections in his tour was part of this strategy. An Qing's method for treating 'green wind disease' had made a significant impact in Jiangnan, and the experimental wheat plots had also shown promising results.

Agriculture being the foundation of the nation, Kangxi wanted to demonstrate to the Han scholars that the Great Qing was the rightful ruler.

However, the appearance of ghost wheat had ruined his plans. The news would spread quickly, undermining his efforts.

"How much do you know about this ghost wheat?" Kangxi asked the Agricultural Administration Department officials accompanying him.

They exchanged glances and spoke frankly, sharing all they knew.

In fact, they knew little about ghost wheat. They only knew that it appeared unexpectedly at various stages of wheat growth. During the seedling stage, the wheat would turn yellow and wilt without warning. Mature wheat plants would show severely curled leaves and swollen, twisted stems. At harvest, the grains would take on strange, insect-like shapes.

This phenomenon was unpredictable and inexplicable, making it highly mysterious.

Worse still, fields where ghost wheat appeared would continue to exhibit these symptoms even after lying fallow for two to three years.

For this reason, the common folk considered it an ominous sign, believing it to be the work of ghosts and spirits.

"Your Majesty, please forgive us. We have searched through ancient and modern agricultural texts, but found no solution. The only method is to uproot all the wheat in that field and leave it fallow for many years before attempting to plant again."

If the ghost wheat does not reappear, it would prove that the spirits have left. If it still appears, we can only continue to wait.

Kangxi had previously known only that the ghost wheat was an ominous presence, unaware of the sinister background behind it. No wonder those villagers earlier were so fearful of it.

He looked at Zhang Ying and other high-ranking officials and asked, "What do you think about this?"

Kangxi was not asking for their opinions on the ghost wheat itself, but rather how to resolve the current situation.

The appearance of the ghost wheat at the site where he was promoting agriculture could lead to disastrous consequences even without any malicious intent spreading rumors. Anyone hearing about it would likely make unfavorable associations.

Everyone felt a sense of urgency. This incident had occurred too suddenly, and they had just realized the gravity of the situation; they had no good solutions yet.

After exchanging glances for a while, Zhang Ying paused, then stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, the only way now is to solve the issue with the 'ghost wheat.'"

Everyone: "..."

That's obvious, but who can actually solve it? This problem has remained unsolved for thousands of years. Who could possibly come up with a solution now?

At this moment, everyone thought of one person: the Fifth Princess Consort!

Though they knew the chances were slim, she was their only hope. After all, the Qingfeng disease, another millennium-old problem, had been solved by her!

Kangxi also thought of An Qing. He took a deep breath and looked at Liang Jiugong, "Where is Prince Beile now?"

Liang Jiugong hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, all the princes are waiting outside."

Kangxi nodded slightly, "Go find him and bring the Fifth Princess Consort here quickly."

Liang Jiugong did not dare delay and immediately went out to inform Yinqi.

Yinqi understood the urgency and without hesitation, rode his horse toward the city gates. However, when he rushed back to the office, he was told that An Qing, the Empress Dowager, and Concubine Yi had gone shopping.

With no choice, he began searching the streets.

When Yinqi found An Qing, she was at a sugar figurine stall, having the vendor make a figurine based on her face. Turning to see Yinqi, she was taken aback.

"Why are you here?"

Wasn't he supposed to be accompanying Kangxi on the agricultural inspection? How could it be over so soon?

Yinqi's expression was serious, "An Qing, Father Emperor wants to see you."

An Qing was stunned. She wasn't foolish; Kangxi's urgent summons and Yinqi's demeanor meant something serious must have happened.

"What happened?" she asked.

Yinqi said, "It's a long story. I'll explain on the way. Right now, you need to come with me."

An Qing understood the urgency and immediately turned to instruct Perilla and Maidong to inform the Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi about Kangxi's summons, so they wouldn't worry.

She then followed Yinqi directly.

The Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi were sitting by the window on the second floor of a nearby restaurant and saw An Qing and Yinqi leaving from afar.

When Perilla and Maidong hurried back to the restaurant, Concubine Yi immediately asked, "What happened? Why did the Fifth Prince suddenly come?"

And why did he take An Qing away?

Perilla quickly recounted the situation. After listening, Concubine Yi was stunned, "Why did the Emperor summon An Qing?"

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment and replied, "It must be related to today's agricultural inspection."

They exchanged glances, both guessing that something must have happened outside the city. For the Fifth Prince to rush over so urgently, without even greeting them, the matter must be significant.

The Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi lost interest in shopping and returned to the office, hoping to get some news there.

Meanwhile, An Qing, to save time, didn't take a carriage but rode a horse alongside Yinqi, galloping along the road outside the city.

On the way, Yinqi briefly explained the situation.

When An Qing heard about the ghost wheat, she was momentarily stunned.

Something was off. She knew the fields Kangxi visited were the experimental plots using her wheat cultivation method. If they followed her notes precisely, the ghost wheat shouldn't appear.

Seeing her reaction to "ghost wheat," Yinqi wondered if she didn't know what it was.

If that were true, Father Emperor would be disappointed.

"Do you know what the ghost wheat is?" he asked.

An Qing nodded, not thinking much of it, and replied, "Yes, I've encountered it before."

The ghost wheat, or wheat nematode disease, was something she learned about in class. Initially, she thought it referred to black smut of wheat due to its name, but later she understood the origin of the term.

Indeed, before the ancient people found the real cause, the name was quite fitting.

Wheat nematode disease, also called "grain nematode disease," is commonly known as 'wandering seeds,' 'radish seeds,' 'chili seeds,' or 'mallow seeds.' It is caused by wheat nematodes.

Seeing her reaction, Yinqi guessed she might have a solution, but given the urgency, he did not press further. His Father Emperor was indeed in dire need.

The two rode their horses all the way to the official residence outside the city. When An Qing entered, everyone in the room looked at her with hopeful eyes.

"Your humble daughter-in-law greets His Majesty, may His Majesty live long and prosper..."

Kangxi immediately raised his hand to stop her from bowing. "No need for formalities, An Qing. Did Yinqi explain the situation to you on the way here?"

An Qing nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. He has told me about the ghost wheat."

Kangxi lightly acknowledged with a "Hmm." "Then you understand why I summoned you. However, there's no need to rush. I can give you some time to find a solution."

Just like the Qingfeng disease last time, it could be tackled gradually, perhaps finding a method eventually.

Although everyone thought this way, they also knew deep down that ghost wheat was different. If it truly was caused by spirits, no amount of trying would help.

An Qing paused, then waved her hand. "No need, Your Majesty. I know about the ghost wheat. We encountered it before when planting wheat in Horqin."

Kangxi was taken aback, about to ask if she had a solution, but An Qing spoke first.

"Your Majesty, your humble daughter-in-law has a question. Could we bring the villagers from the area where the ghost wheat appeared? I have something to ask them."

Her words left everyone stunned. What could the villagers possibly know?

Though Kangxi was puzzled, he did not ask further and sent someone to fetch the villagers.

Soon, the villagers from the affected area were brought in.

Without beating around the bush, An Qing asked directly, "Have you seen any cases of ghost wheat in your fields in previous years?"

The villager, overwhelmed by the presence of the Emperor and the officials, was terrified. Hearing An Qing's question, he panicked. "No, Your Majesty. There has never been any ghost wheat in my fields. I dare not lie."

An Qing nodded, understanding that such matters were significant to the ancients. If it had happened before, it would not have been hidden.

Seeing the villager's panic, she reassured him, "Uncle, don't worry. I just want to ask some questions. I'm not accusing you of hiding anything."

Once the villager calmed down, An Qing continued, "Last year, before sowing, did you follow the instructions to soak the wheat seeds?"

Hearing this, the villager stiffened, his face filled with fear. But knowing he could not hide the truth, he knelt and confessed everything.

Indeed, he had not followed the instructions to treat the seeds with 1% lime water, fearing it might ruin the crop. He had lied to the inspectors, claiming he had done so.

An Qing confirmed her suspicions. The wheat nematodes spread through contaminated seeds, fertilizers, or soil. If the seeds had been treated properly, this should not have happened.

After the villager was taken away, everyone looked at An Qing in surprise. Though she had only asked two questions, they sensed she knew more.

Kangxi was momentarily speechless.

Thinking they were frightened, An Qing reassured them, "Your Majesty, don't worry. The ghost wheat is not as mysterious as people say; it's just a type of wheat pest."

Everyone was stunned. Ghost wheat was a pest?

Could it be true?

"But no pests were found in the ghost wheat fields," an official from the Agricultural Administration Department pointed out, looking at the 'ghost wheat' seedlings brought over by Kangxi. There were no signs of insect damage.

How could it be a pest?

An Qing walked over to the ghost wheat, picked one, and turned to Yinqi. "May I borrow your dagger?"

Yinqi handed her the dagger without hesitation.

An Qing used the dagger to carefully cut open the root of the wheat plant, revealing a small worm wriggling inside.

Relieved that there were adult worms, she explained, "This is wheat cyst nematode disease, an internal parasitic nematode. The entire infestation occurs within the roots, which is why there are no visible signs above ground."

Moreover, these nematodes are highly resistant and adaptable. Even after special treatment, the cysts in the soil can survive for decades in dry conditions and up to a few years in moist soil.

Thus, untreated land will continue to be infected, leading to recurring cases of ghost wheat.

"An Qing, since you understand ghost wheat so well, do you have a method to ensure its eradication?" Kangxi asked hopefully.

An Qing understood the gravity of the situation, having heard from Yinqi about its severity. She replied honestly, "Your Majesty, I've tried many methods, but none guarantee absolute success. The best method is to treat the seeds with a soaking solution."

Even in modern times, prevention is key for wheat nematode disease. The soaking method she suggested, developed through extensive trials, can prevent black scab and wheat nematode disease with an efficacy rate of 98-100%.

That's why she was initially puzzled by the appearance of ghost wheat in the field.

Of course, there are treatments, but no method guarantees complete eradication.

Kangxi understood her implication and nodded. "Then use the most effective method you've tested."

An Qing agreed and asked for pen, ink, and paper, listing everything she needed.

Knowing the urgency of the situation, she chose a mixed herbal pesticide instead of a single-plant solution. She wrote down the required proportions of plants like Euphorbia, Sambucus, Sophora leaves, and Paulownia leaves, to be mixed and applied as a root drench.

Everyone was taken aback when they saw the paper, but then they quickly understood and looked at An Qing in surprise.

This... it really is just like she said before, treating sick crops. If someone didn't know better, they might think this prescription was for treating humans.

Of course, although everyone was surprised, they had great faith in An Qing's abilities. Kangxi didn't even look at the paper and immediately instructed someone to prepare the items on the list.

However, these items might not be found quickly, and even if the wheat is treated with the medicine, the effects won't be immediate. Therefore, the most urgent task is to give an explanation to the people outside.

The people are clearly terrified by this 'ghost wheat.' If not handled properly, it could cause panic, spreading rapidly and becoming uncontrollable.

Fortunately, there is An Qing's method of cutting open the wheat stalks. Now, we can go out and demonstrate to the people that it's not ghost wheat but a pest infestation.

"Your Majesty, let me go. These insects are very small before they mature and are almost invisible to the naked eye," An Qing said.

So, we need to pick carefully. If we randomly pull up a wheat plant and don't choose well, we won't be able to explain it, let alone dispel the rumors publicly.

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood what An Qing meant.

Kangxi also nodded slightly and instructed the leading guard minister beside him, "Make sure to protect Fifth Furen well."

Chapter 69: The Fifth Princess Consort

Accompanied by Yinqi and the Minister of the Imperial Guards, An Qing arrived at the field where the ghost wheat had appeared. Zhang Ying and Ma Qi, two ministers, also joined them.

At that moment, a group of villagers was being held back by guards and local officials around the perimeter of the field. From a distance, one could see fear and concern etched on their faces.

Before proceeding, the Minister of the Imperial Guards reminded them, "Fifth Beile, Fifth Princess Consort, the backgrounds of these villagers have not been thoroughly investigated. When you approach them, be cautious."

Both understood the implication. Yinqi gave a light nod and instructed the Minister of the Imperial Guards, "Don't worry about me; your main task is to protect the Fifth Princess Consort."

He had practiced martial arts since childhood and could defend himself. His primary concern was for An Qing's safety.

An Qing, however, didn't take it too seriously. She had met many farmers of this era and could tell at a glance that they were ordinary villagers.

Of course, she understood the need for caution. Better safe than sorry.

The group moved towards the crowd, with the Minister of the Imperial Guards leading a team of guards to clear the way. An Qing and Yinqi were in the center, while Ma Qi and Zhang Ying followed behind.

"Move aside! Everyone move aside! No commotion!"

Upon seeing An Qing and her companions, the villagers took a few steps back, their fear intensifying.

Without delay, An Qing walked forward and, under the guidance of the Minister of the Imperial Guards, headed straight for the field with the ghost wheat.

Due to their fear of the ghost wheat, the villagers kept their distance. Seeing An Qing and her party approach, gasps spread through the crowd.

Then, everyone watched as An Qing squatted down to examine the wheat, seemingly about to pull out a stalk.

"Miss, don't!" an old man with a white beard stepped forward and called out to An Qing, "That's ghost wheat. Don't touch it; it brings misfortune."

Hearing this, An Qing turned around and explained, "Elder, don't worry. This ghost wheat is nothing serious; it's just a wheat pest. It's harmless."

Wheat pest?

How could that be? This was clearly ghost wheat, which they all recognized!

The villagers began whispering among themselves. Many had seen the ghost wheat firsthand and did not believe An Qing's explanation.

An Qing smiled and, without further explanation, took Yinqi's dagger and cut open the swollen nodes of the wheat stalks, then had the guards display them to the crowd.

Despite their fear of the ghost wheat, the villagers couldn't resist their curiosity and gathered around to look.

Indeed, there were pests inside!

The crowd erupted in astonishment.

To ensure no one doubted her, An Qing pulled up several more stalks and showed them one by one.

As the pests became visible, the villagers' initial skepticism gradually turned into belief.

An Qing also selected some stalks without adult pests and explained that these were still immature and invisible to the naked eye but would eventually grow into the same pests.

"So, this so-called ghost wheat is simply wheat infested with pests in its roots. We can treat it with medicine, and it's not a supernatural occurrence. You can rest assured," An Qing reassured them.

The crowd nodded in understanding. "So it's these pests causing the trouble."

But then another concern arose: "But how can we get rid of pests inside the wheat roots?"

After all, dealing with pests within the roots of crops was unprecedented.

There was no way to remove the pests without damaging the wheat itself.

An Qing smiled and said, "This afternoon, I will apply medicine to the infested wheat in this field. Within two or three days, you'll see the results. If you're interested, you can stay and witness it."

She then added, "Of course, if you prefer not to stay, you can go home and come back whenever you like."

An elderly farmer asked anxiously, "Honored lady, can we leave? We are from out of town."

His question drew attention from others nearby.

An Qing understood their concerns. The appearance of ghost wheat during the Emperor's visit to encourage farming was ominous, and they had been detained by officials. Even though they were just ordinary villagers, they feared the implications.

"Lady, do you have the authority to make such promises?" the old farmer who had warned An Qing about the ghost wheat asked uncertainly.

He was named Chen and had come from out of town with a few fellow villagers. They had heard about new farming techniques promoted by the local government, claiming these methods could significantly reduce winter damage to wheat. Last year, the village of Dayangliu had implemented these techniques, so they decided to come and observe.

However, they coincidentally encountered the Emperor's visit and the appearance of ghost wheat.

Their group had discovered the ghost wheat first, and one young villager had shouted out in alarm. A few years ago, their village had faced a similar situation, resulting in several years of crop failure and many deaths.

The young villager, whose family had been reduced to only a few siblings, reacted strongly upon seeing the ghost wheat again.

But afterward, seeing the other detained villagers, he regretted his actions, thinking they might face severe consequences. Now, they saw a glimmer of hope.

Given their perception, An Qing's words seemed less convincing compared to those of the officials.

Ma Qi, having dealt with farmers extensively in his role at the Ministry of Finance, quickly understood the situation.

Before An Qing could respond, he stepped forward and explained, "Elder, this is the Fifth Princess Consort. Her word is binding."

The Fifth Princess Consort?

That meant she was the consort of a prince, a member of the royal family!

Upon hearing An Qing's identity, the crowd grew instantly respectful. The old farmer, standing closest to An Qing, instinctively bowed.

An Qing quickly supported him, "No need for formalities. Rest assured. If you wish to stay and witness the treatment, you are welcome. But if it's inconvenient, it's fine. You haven't done anything wrong. The government won't restrict your freedom; you can leave whenever you want."

She turned and gave a subtle nod to the eunuch guard standing nearby. He immediately understood and instructed the guards to step back. Soon, the officials and guards cleared a path, signaling everyone to move freely.

Some of the commoners cautiously took a few steps out. Seeing that the officials did not stop them, they gradually relaxed and then ran off as if the wind was at their heels.

While some left, others hesitated, fearing that if they stayed, something might happen later, making it impossible to leave.

Yet, they were also eager to stay and see if this "ghost wheat" could truly be cured. After all, they had spent their entire lives working the land, and their attachment to it and their crops ran deep in their bones.

Ma Qi, noticing this, stepped forward and said, "Have you heard about how the 'green wind disease' in rice was cured last year?"

The more people who witnessed the cure for the ghost wheat, the better, especially those who had seen the ghost wheat firsthand.

Upon hearing "green wind disease," Old Chen's cloudy eyes suddenly lit up, and he nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes! I've heard about it!"

His relative lived in a village south of their county, where the fields were all paddy. Last year, the rice there unfortunately suffered from green wind disease. They had lost all hope until the officials brought them some leaves from the Triad Tree, made a medicine, and sprayed it on the rice several times. Miraculously, the rice recovered.

When they heard about it, they went to see it with their own eyes. The fields that had been affected by the green wind disease did not suffer any reduction or failure in yield.

After Old Chen spoke, many others chimed in, agreeing with him.

The most talked-about event among the commoners last year was undoubtedly the cure for the green wind disease.

It was understandable; for the current commoners, the land and crops were their livelihood. Any matter related to these two would naturally draw their attention.

Of course, this was also due to Kangxi's special efforts to spread the news. Otherwise, given the poor transportation, it would have been unrealistic for the news to spread solely through word of mouth.

Ma Qi smiled and raised his hand, gesturing for everyone to listen. "In fact, the method to cure the green wind disease in rice was discovered by Lady Wu Fu."

The crowd fell silent at these words.

Everyone turned to look at An Qing, their faces filled with shock, admiration, and reverence.

An Qing always dreaded such scenes, but she knew Ma Qi was doing this to build her reputation, attracting more people to stay and witness the event.

So, she maintained a graceful smile and braced herself against the numerous gazes that made her want to hide in a mouse hole.

"Good, good, good," Old Chen said excitedly. "I never thought an old man like me would have the chance to witness the cure for ghost wheat. Of course, I'll stay."

Many others agreed, saying that if this really worked, it would be something they could boast about for the rest of their lives.

Everyone was thrilled, but a young man next to Old Chen scratched his head. "Uncle Chen, where will we stay?"

Many of the people present were from other regions. Some, like Old Chen, had coincidentally come across this scene, while others had specifically come to see Kangxi encourage farming. Undoubtedly, they had planned to leave after watching.

After all, they were ordinary folks who couldn't afford the inns in the city, even if they could, they wouldn't want to spend the money.

An Qing had mentioned that it would take two or three days to see results, meaning they would need to stay for that long...

An Qing understood their difficulties and looked at Ma Qi, who had been sent by Kangxi to assist with this matter. It was his responsibility to handle the situation.

They wanted to keep these outsiders to witness the event, which would help dispel rumors later. Therefore, they couldn't just let them go without assistance.

Ma Qi understood this logic. Since Kangxi had entrusted him with this task, he could make arrangements for the accommodation of these outsiders.

Before he could speak, a farmer suddenly stood up.

"Oh, brother, what's the big deal? If you want to stay, come to our house. We live nearby, and we have spare rooms."

"That's right. Our house is fine too. We're in the neighboring village, not far."

"And my house and my brother's house. You can stay with us..."

Thus, the local villagers spontaneously invited the outsiders to stay in their homes, even assigning them one by one. Before long, everyone was settled.

Ma Qi was initially taken aback but quickly realized this was the best solution. If the government had arranged accommodations, it might seem like confinement to outsiders.

He also proposed sending food and meat to the villagers' homes, as the commoners were very hospitable. In their minds, guests staying at their homes should be fed.

But since no one had abundant food, this gesture would show the government's goodwill.

When he heard that the villagers had settled everything, Kangxi breathed a sigh of relief. Now it was up to An Qing.

With Kangxi's orders, everything An Qing needed arrived swiftly. That afternoon, she brought the items to the field.

The villagers who had gathered earlier greeted her warmly when they saw her.

An Qing smiled and greeted everyone before getting to work. She hadn't prepared the medicine beforehand at the government office but instead brought all the herbs and tools needed to make the medicine right there.

At first, the villagers were curious, seeing her set up with herbs and a mortar and pestle, thinking she was going to treat someone.

But when they saw An Qing openly making the medicine in front of them and instructing the officials to measure specific amounts, they wondered...

"Sir, maybe we should step aside," Old Chen said, stepping back, his demeanor reflecting the simplicity and honesty of a farmer.

Others also moved away.

An Qing smiled and waved her hand. "No need to worry. Our Emperor is benevolent and intends to share this method with all farmers in the Great Qing. There's no need to keep it secret. You'll know eventually."

The crowd was initially stunned but then praised Kangxi as a wise ruler.

Ma Qi and the other officials joined in the praise.

An Qing couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

Goodness, she had just acted out of habit, praising Kangxi even though he wasn't present. She silently glanced at Ma Qi, hoping he would convey her words to Kangxi, even though he wasn't there.

Actually, making this mixed potion was not much more difficult than the previous single-component potions. After all, she knew the ingredient ratios and could simply mix them with water according to those proportions.

Soon, An Qing completed the mixed formula for treating ghost wheat, a kind of local pesticide. Then, she personally went into the fields to irrigate and treat the wheat roots.

After seeing An Qing's method, Ma Qi and others proposed that they, along with the guards and officials nearby, join in. Chen Lao Nong and others also volunteered to participate.

An Qing readily agreed. The method was not complicated; anyone could learn it by watching, especially experienced farmers like Chen Lao Nong who had been farming their entire lives.

Initially, everyone was a bit reserved, but gradually they relaxed and began chatting while working. The villagers were genuinely happy, after all, who would have thought they'd be farming alongside high-ranking officials and a royal Fu Jin?

Of course, what they didn't know was that there was also a prince among them. To avoid making everyone feel constrained, Yinqi did not reveal his identity from the start. However, people weren't fools; once they saw how close An Qing was to him, they guessed something, but no one said anything.

It must be said that the field infected with ghost wheat was not small, but they had plenty of people. In about two hours, they finished the task.

Seeing that it was still early, An Qing started chatting with Chen Lao Nong and others about farming. She always enjoyed these conversations, considering it a mutual learning experience.

However, as they chatted, the topic veered off course, eventually turning into her giving advice on wheat cultivation and even offering a free Q session.

"Fifth Fu Jin, last year, some wheat in our field was about to form ears, but suddenly rust-colored spots appeared on the leaves and stems, which also swelled up. Do you know why?" Chen Lao Nong asked.

Thinking about it made him sigh. Because of this, the wheat yield in that field was severely reduced last year. Fortunately, only that one field was affected; otherwise, the whole family wouldn't have known how to survive.

The others nearby echoed his concern, having faced similar issues before. Could this also be due to internal pests like the ghost wheat?

An Qing had a hunch. "Uncle Chen, please describe the situation in more detail."

Chen Lao Nong did not hesitate and recounted everything in detail, including when the symptoms first appeared, what they were initially, and how they changed later.

After hearing his description, An Qing nodded lightly, confirming it was wheat rust disease.

Wheat rust, also known as yellow rust, is a fungal disease. According to Chen Lao Nong's description, the infection in his field was stem rust.

"Old man, do you have willow trees in your village?" An Qing asked.

Chen Lao Nong immediately nodded. "Yes, we have many willow trees in the village."

An Qing nodded. "Good. If you encounter this again, don't panic. Just pick some willow leaves and use the liquid extracted from five times the amount of willow leaves to spray the infected parts of the wheat leaves and stems."

Chen Lao Nong was stunned. "That simple?"

An Qing smiled. "Yes, that simple. I've tried it before, and it works well. You can try it if it happens again."

Everyone responded in unison, agreeing to try it.

Next, everyone eagerly asked about the problems they had encountered. These questions were not difficult for An Qing; they were common issues in farming, and she patiently answered each one.

She also recommended suitable solutions based on their individual situations.

On a nearby ridge, Ma Qi and Zhang Ying stood side by side. They were not bodyguards assigned to protect Fifth Fu Jin, so they could take a break here.

"Having Fifth Fu Jin is truly a blessing for the people of Great Qing," Zhang Ying suddenly said.

Ma Qi nodded instinctively. Indeed, he knew little about farming compared to the officials of the Agricultural Administration Department, but he understood that the methods Fifth Fu Jin provided were not simple despite appearing casual.

For example, the solution she gave to Chen Lao Nong—using willow leaves to make a potion to spray the infected areas—had puzzled many officials who couldn't find a solution.

"So, tell me, why did you suddenly ask the Emperor to come along this time?" Ma Qi asked.

As Minister of Finance, it was natural for him to handle this matter, but Zhang Ying, a Grand Secretary of the Ministry of Rites, insisted on assisting him, which seemed suspicious.

Moreover, Zhang Ying was known for his cunning and foresight. This time, he must have an ulterior motive.

Zhang Ying chuckled. "As expected, nothing escapes your eyes, Brother Ma."

Ma Qi glanced at him, clearly not swayed by his flattery.

Zhang Ying didn't keep him guessing. "What do you think about proposing to the Emperor that Fifth Fu Jin open a farming school?"

He gestured towards the crowd. "Look, the villagers are benefiting greatly. Clearly, Fifth Fu Jin is an excellent teacher."

Ma Qi thought so too. Teaching illiterate farmers was no easy feat, yet she managed it effortlessly.

Zhang Ying continued, "Besides, as far as I know, both the officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Agricultural Administration Department often seek advice from Fifth Fu Jin through Beile Yinqi."

"So, wouldn't it be better to have a formal opportunity to learn from her?"

Ma Qi understood the benefits but hesitated. He looked at Zhang Ying and said, "Stop beating around the bush. What's your real intention? Otherwise, don't expect me to fall for your tricks."

Zhang Ying smiled. "What trick? It's mutually beneficial."

"So, what's your real reason?" Ma Qi pressed.

Zhang Ying revealed his true purpose. "You know, Hengchen has always been interested in the Agricultural Administration Department."

Ma Qi paused, his expression becoming serious. "Are you...?"

Zhang Ying shook his head with a hint of deeper meaning. "Don't worry, I'm not that foolish. I just think knowing some farming skills will be beneficial in the future."

Ma Qi quickly understood. If he had other intentions, he wouldn't openly request the Emperor to establish a farming school.

And Zhang Ying's point about future benefits was clear: officials who understand farming can achieve more when posted to local positions.

Ma Qi pondered this. He had a son too. If possible, he could also ask the Emperor to send him to the farming school.

"But will the Emperor agree?" he asked.

Zhang Ying glanced at him. "The Emperor is a wise ruler; he will understand the benefits of this."

Pausing for a moment, he added with a meaningful tone, "Besides, how can we know if we don't give it a try?"

Chapter 70: The Fifth Princess Consort

Two days after An Qing led everyone to spray the homemade pesticide on the field with ghost wheat, there was indeed a noticeable improvement.

On that day, An Qing and the farmers who had stayed behind to witness the event returned to the field. Many curious onlookers had also gathered, creating a sea of people, which was quite a sight to behold.

After spraying the pesticide, soldiers guarded the field day and night for safety reasons. People could only observe from afar but were not clear about the specifics. Despite some preparation, seeing the results firsthand still left them in awe.

The previously withered and shriveled wheat plants now showed signs of vitality, and their severely curled leaves began to unfurl.

Undoubtedly, the wheat was recovering and growing healthily. They were saved.

The 'ghost wheat' actually had a solution!

A villager squatted down and exclaimed, "Heavens above, they really did save it."

"Thank goodness. If this ghost wheat appears again, we won't have to worry anymore."

"Who would disagree? This is ghost wheat after all..."

The words of the nearby farmers spread quickly. The onlookers outside the crowd first expressed surprise, then stretched their necks to see what was happening.

The guards withdrew, and the crowd surged into the field. Upon witnessing the recovery firsthand, they couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

Soon, cheers echoed across the fields. Many farmers had tears in their eyes, rejoicing at the reduced risk for the future.

Someone started shouting, "Long live Great Qing! Long live the Emperor!" Everyone joined in, and the echoes of "long live" reverberated through the hills, lifting everyone's spirits.

Emperor Kangxi was present that day, though he stood at a distance with several officials, observing the scene.

When he heard the villagers' cheers, he was initially stunned but then a hint of joy flashed in his eyes. He then turned to Ma Qi and asked, "Did you arrange this?"

Ma Qi was taken aback and hurriedly clarified, "Your Majesty, I did not arrange this. It was a spontaneous act by the villagers, reflecting their genuine sentiments."

Even if he had arranged it, he wouldn't admit it now. Besides, he hadn't done it.

Ma Qi paused, then added, "It might be due to what the Fifth Princess Consort said that day."

He noticed that the person who started the cheering was among the inner circle, which consisted of the farmers who had witnessed the event. Thus, he made this deduction.

Emperor Kangxi responded with an "oh," clearly intrigued by what An Qing had said. "What did she say?"

Ma Qi didn't withhold any details and recounted An Qing's impromptu praise.

"When the farmers wanted to leave, the Fifth Princess Consort casually mentioned those words. Later, while working together, she chatted with everyone about Your Majesty's Fengze Garden and how you personally cultivated rice. It seems they took it to heart."

He added, "To be honest, Your Majesty, I was also deeply moved by her words."

Emperor Kangxi was surprised to learn this. The girl had often praised him indirectly as a wise ruler, which sometimes made him wonder if she was just flattering him. But now, he realized she genuinely believed it.

At that moment, Emperor Kangxi's fondness for An Qing reached unprecedented heights, especially with the villagers' praises still ringing in his ears.

An Qing had been near the field, but as the crowd surged forward, she retreated to the outskirts under Yinqi and the guard minister's protection. When she saw Emperor Kangxi from a distance, she exchanged a glance with Yinqi, and they went over to greet him.

After performing the formal greetings, An Qing reported the progress of her work, knowing that Emperor Kangxi must be concerned about the matter.

"Father, I observed the field just now. I estimate one more application of the pesticide should do it. We will spray the field again once the crowd disperses."

The pesticide was already prepared and stored in a carriage nearby. Once the crowd dispersed, they could start immediately.

Emperor Kangxi nodded in satisfaction. "I trust your work."

An Qing didn't take it too seriously. In her past life, bosses often used such phrases to motivate employees. Although she hadn't become a corporate worker, she had heard similar words frequently during her graduate studies.

Her senior colleagues always said that their mentor understood the power of appropriate encouragement and praise, which was more effective than empty promises, especially for hardworking students like them.

Just when An Qing thought Emperor Kangxi would stop praising her, he continued to lavish compliments on her in front of the ministers.

Initially, An Qing didn't think much of it, but as Emperor Kangxi kept going, she became bewildered.

What's going on? When has he ever praised someone so enthusiastically before?

Hmm... This makes her feel a bit uneasy.

According to the original plan, Emperor Kangxi intended to stay in Dayangliu for only two days but extended his stay by five days due to the ghost wheat incident.

The southern tour was a significant event, and after resolving the ghost wheat issue, Emperor Kangxi decided to continue southward.

Although the tour was delayed by a few days, Emperor Kangxi was in high spirits. The ghost wheat situation had turned out well, and it inadvertently marked a successful start to the southern tour.

In recent days, he swiftly dealt with the officials in Tianjin Prefecture. Their failure to report the ghost wheat was one offense; another was their negligence in supervising the wheat cultivation last year.

Emperor Kangxi knew that new policies would not be easily accepted, especially regarding crops. Therefore, he issued explicit orders requiring local officials to supervise each step closely.

From the villagers' words, it was evident that the officials had not fulfilled their duties, leading to the current situation. Thus, they deserved severe punishment.

Of course, Emperor Kangxi's actions also served as a warning. Since An Qing's method had proven effective, it would be promoted nationwide in the fall, giving officials a heads-up.

On the night before leaving Dayangliu, Emperor Kangxi summoned several key officials for a meeting. Afterward, Zhang Ying and Ma Qi were retained.

They stood respectfully below, while Emperor Kangxi sat at the table, holding their memorials regarding the handling of the ghost wheat incident.

"Having read your memorials, let's discuss. What do you think about the last proposal to have Empress Wu start an agricultural school?" Kangxi asked directly. "Ma Qi, why don't you start?"

Ma Qi couldn't help but inwardly curse Zhang Ying. It was his idea, so why was he the one being called upon?

"Your Majesty, when my colleague and I saw Empress Wu answering questions in the fields, we thought it would be beneficial. After discussing it, we both agreed it was feasible and submitted the memorial together."

Zhang Ying also bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, that is correct. Both Ma Qi and I believe that with Empress Wu's abilities, starting an agricultural school would be a great boon for the Great Qing and its people."

Ma Qi silently breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, this old man didn't falter at the crucial moment. If he had tried any tricks, Ma Qi would have severed ties with him.

Kangxi glanced at him and then at Zhang Ying, seeing their earnest expressions and putting aside his doubts.

Indeed, both officials had served for many years and always kept themselves clean of factional disputes, maintaining distance from the princes. They wouldn't act foolishly now; they were simply discussing the matter objectively.

In fact, Kangxi had considered this before. With An Qing's abilities, her impact was limited. Training more people skilled in agriculture would undoubtedly be beneficial.

This was why the government sought talented individuals. One person could not achieve as much as a group, especially given the vast territory of the Great Qing.

Especially in agriculture, timing is crucial. Any delay can miss the opportunity. Having knowledgeable officials spread throughout the regions would clearly bring benefits.

However, Kangxi had concerns.

If An Qing were to run the agricultural school, he would need to send the Fifth Prince to assist her. As a woman, it would be inappropriate for her to interact openly with men without the Fifth Prince's support.

But sending the Fifth Prince would inadvertently strengthen his influence.

"You may withdraw. This matter involves many aspects, and I need more time to consider it."

Both officials responded with "Yes" and left.

Once they were far enough from Kangxi's residence, Ma Qi sighed heavily. "See? The Emperor won't easily agree."

Zhang Ying smiled and replied, "No worries. We didn't expect immediate success. Let the Emperor consider it further."

Knowing Kangxi, he is an ambitious emperor who understands the importance of agriculture. He will see the value eventually.

It's just a matter of time.

The next morning, Kangxi led everyone aboard the ship to continue southward. They had already been delayed by five days, so they would only stop for necessary supplies.

On board, the Fourth and Eighth Princesses continued to suffer from seasickness. However, after about seven or eight days, the Fourth Princess seemed to adapt and finally felt better, adjusting to life on the ship.

The Eighth Princess also improved, no longer vomiting and able to eat light meals, though she still spent most of her time lying down, saying she felt dizzy if she opened her eyes.

An Qing, having experienced seasickness in her past life, knew that even if someone feels less dizzy, lying down with closed eyes is often more comfortable.

With the Fourth Princess feeling better, An Qing found a companion on the journey south. As they sailed, the scenery along the riverbanks changed visibly.

Green mountains and clear waters, with spring sunshine.

As the weather warmed, An Qing enjoyed viewing the scenery from the deck. On this day, the Fourth Princess visited her, and they went to the deck together.

The Fourth Princess seemed distracted, as if troubled.

"Fourth Sister-in-Law, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" An Qing asked with concern.

The Fourth Princess snapped back to reality and shook her head. "No, I was just wondering where the Emperor is now."

An Qing responded with an "Oh," realizing she was thinking about the Fourth Prince.

A few days ago, while the imperial barge passed through Sangyuan, Kangxi met with the governor of Zhili, Li Guangdi, to discuss the management of the Yellow River. On the 23rd of this month, two days ago, Kangxi decided to make a detour to inspect the flood defenses at Gaojiayan and Guirendi south of the Yellow River.

Accompanying him were several officials responsible for river management, as well as the Fourth Prince, Eighth Prince, and Yinqi.

"He should have arrived by now. The Emperor is traveling light, only taking one boat, and moving day and night, so he must be faster than us," An Qing said.

The Fourth Princess nodded lightly, but her worry remained unchanged.

As the boat approached a ferry, An Qing's attention was drawn to the scenery along the riverbanks. They had entered Jiangsu, unmistakably in the south, where the customs and landscapes differed significantly from the north. She found it all very intriguing.

The Fourth Princess hesitated, looking at An Qing.

She had heard that inspecting rivers could be dangerous. Many officials involved in river management had faced accidents. If there were any breaches, the consequences could be dire.

For the past two days, she had been extremely worried, not just for herself but also for the Eighth Princess, who, despite her seasickness, had been asking about news.

Seeing An Qing seemingly unconcerned, she couldn't help but ask, "Fifth Sister-in-Law, aren't you worried about the Fifth Prince?"

An Qing responded with an "Ah," initially confused. Worried about what?

Seeing the Fourth Princess's concern, she realized what she meant.

An Qing reflected for a moment, realizing she might seem indifferent compared to them.

But truly, she wasn't worried. After all, they were with Kangxi, and they wouldn't be sent to dangerous areas during the inspection.

However, saying this would sound insensitive and dismissive of their concerns. So, she chose to join in.

"To be honest, Fourth Sister-in-Law, I am worried, but worrying won't change anything. It only adds to our distress. Instead, we should try to put it aside. After all, we shouldn't burden the princes with our worries while they are working."

The Fourth Princess paused, immediately understanding An Qing's point.

Yes, when he left, he also told her not to worry, but she still couldn't help it.

"Five Sister-in-Law is right. I was too fixated. This is something I need to learn from you," said the Fourth Princess Consort sincerely.

An Qing waved her hand guiltily.

On the twenty-eighth, Kangxi and his entourage arrived by boat at Qingkou, where they awaited the Empress Dowager's ship to join them, reuniting everyone.

In March, Kangxi continued his southern tour with everyone. After passing through Gaoyou, they entered Yangzhou directly. After staying there for a few days, the fleet continued southward, heading for Su Zhou.

An Qing had reviewed the routes of Kangxi's previous two southern tours. It was easy to see that the main purpose of those tours was to manage the Yellow River and Huai River.

This made perfect sense, as these two major rivers were crucial for river transport and people's livelihoods, making them top priorities.

However, this third southern tour was clearly different from the previous ones. The biggest difference was that although they still inspected the rivers, they went directly from Gaoyou into Yangzhou, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Jiangning—prosperous provinces in Jiangnan—aiming for culturally rich areas rather than focusing solely on the two major rivers.

It was evident that this tour had another important objective.

From Yinqi's words, An Qing had also perceptively picked up some clues that Kangxi's current southern tour seemed to have a larger political agenda, related to matters left over from the Ming dynasty.

But she didn't delve into specifics. For one, she wasn't interested in political affairs. Secondly, she firmly believed that knowing too much wasn't necessarily a good thing, so she kept her curiosity in check.

After this journey, An Qing had to admit that Kangxi was indeed a capable emperor. Everywhere he went, he would summon local officials to assess governance and personally inspect the conditions of the people.

Upon discovering that rice prices were soaring in flooded areas, he retained 100,000 shi of grain for disaster relief in Gaoyou, Baoying, Taizhou, and Yancheng. He then retained another 10,000 shi to be stored in Yangzhou and Huai'an, and exempted taxes in Jiangsu and Anhui.

The people along the route praised him as a sage ruler.

Whenever Kangxi was busy with state affairs outside, An Qing took on the task of entertaining the Empress Dowager.

She could always find the best food and entertainment first, then take the Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi out to enjoy themselves thoroughly. Sometimes, the De Princess Consort, the Fourth Princess Consort, and the Eighth Princess Consort would join them as well.

Of course, most of the time, it was just An Qing, Concubine Yi, and the Empress Dowager.

There was no helping it; they were the only three who didn't get seasick. They could disembark without needing rest and remained energetic throughout their outings.

Speaking of enjoyment, the Empress Dowager had a lot to say about this trip.

To be honest, this wasn't her first time traveling with the emperor, but none of the previous trips had been as enjoyable as this one. There seemed to be new and exciting things every day, unlike before when she mostly stayed in the imperial palaces or took brief walks.

Even Kangxi, when he occasionally visited, remarked that the Empress Dowager looked more spirited than usual.

But the Empress Dowager couldn't help wondering, looking at An Qing: "This is your first time in Jiangnan, how do you know everything?"

Wherever there were special delicacies or scenic spots, even which teahouse had the best storytelling, she seemed to know.

An Qing chuckled and confessed honestly, "I must admit, I did my homework beforehand."

In her past life, whenever she traveled, doing research was something deeply ingrained in her. This time was no exception.

Before leaving the palace, she asked Yinqi about the route and had Cui Liu gather information from the palace maids and eunuchs in those places. She wrote everything down.

Of course, that was just the first step. Upon arriving locally, she sent Perilla and Maidong to the best restaurants to ask around, whether from waiters, managers, or customers, with a little bit of silver.

The final step was to compile and filter the information, selecting the best routes for their outings. Then she played the role of director, leading them out.

A strategy?

The Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi exchanged glances, both showing a hint of confusion. What was this?

An Qing didn't keep them guessing and explained the whole process of her travel strategy, even showing them her notes.

As they flipped through the thick notebook, they thought she was truly thoughtful.

"You're full of clever ideas," Concubine Yi smiled.

But it had to be admitted that this method worked well. At least their overall experience was excellent.

The Empress Dowager also smiled, "We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, but you must be tired."

An Qing waved her hand, "Your Majesty, what are you talking about? I'm here because of your grace. This is all I should do."

She hadn't forgotten that she had initially sought permission to serve the Empress Dowager. Besides, she didn't feel tired since she was enjoying herself too.

"So, I'll make sure you eat well, play well, and have a good mood. As for accommodations, we don't need to worry about that," she said confidently.

Concubine Yi barely managed to suppress a roll of her eyes upon hearing this.

She had learned later that during a conversation on the boat, An Qing mentioned competing with her for the spot on this southern tour with the Empress Dowager.

At the time, Concubine Yi hadn't said anything, but the ungrateful girl had boldly accused her of not seeking favor with Kangxi, which was unreasonable.

Concubine Yi had almost laughed in frustration but had no way to deal with An Qing, eventually sending her back to her own boat to avoid further annoyance.

The fleet maintained a steady pace, finally reaching Su Zhou on the fourteenth of March.