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

by Usui Takumii

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

11. 101 to 110

Chapter 101: The Fifth Princess Consort

In the midst of a season when the biting wind and snow made it difficult for ordinary people to get fresh vegetables, the strawberries grown in An Qing's greenhouse became a sensation both inside and outside the palace.

First, she sent some to the Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi. Both praised the strawberries highly and even asked for more on the same day, showing how much they loved them.

This was within An Qing's expectations. In winter, when it is bitterly cold outside, people generally stay indoors where the warm stoves and heated floors keep things cozy but also make the air dry and stuffy.

At such a time, enjoying a cool, sweet, and tangy strawberry is simply delightful.

In her previous life, An Qing's favorite winter activity was eating delicious strawberries in a warmly heated dormitory room. She could finish a large bowl in no time, taking two bites for the larger ones and one bite for the smaller ones.

If not for her current condition, she would have indulged herself again.

As for Kangxi, An Qing naturally did not forget him. Coincidentally, when Little Xizi delivered the strawberries to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Kangxi was meeting with several missionaries.

The missionaries recognized the strawberries immediately, as they had brought the seeds themselves. However, seeing the strawberries grown from those seeds, they were amazed.

These strawberries were not only large and sweet but also juicy, far surpassing the ones in their own country.

"May I ask, Your Majesty, did the Fifth Princess Consort truly grow these strawberries from the seeds we brought?" one missionary asked, still incredulous.

Kangxi waved his hand confidently. "Indeed, these strawberries have never been seen before in our Great Qing."

The missionaries thought about it and realized that this fruit was indeed new to the Great Qing. So why was it so exceptional?

"Could there be a special cultivation method?" another missionary speculated.

Kangxi was unsure about any special methods. In fact, he had not known that An Qing had grown strawberries from the seeds he had casually given to the Agricultural Administration Department until recently, when the Fifth Prince had consulted various court physicians.

Logically, vegetables grown in greenhouses during winter usually do not match the quality of those grown in normal seasons. Yet, according to the missionaries, An Qing's strawberries were better than those grown in their home country during regular seasons.

Since Kangxi had nothing pressing at the moment, he became curious upon seeing the missionaries' puzzled expressions and decided to send someone to the prince's residence.

When Perilla reported that someone from the Palace of Heavenly Purity had arrived, An Qing had just finished her postpartum exercises with an official midwife. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and wondered what Kangxi wanted.

Could he also be asking for more strawberries?

"If His Majesty wants strawberries, you can have Cui Liu pick some more from the greenhouse," An Qing said.

Perilla shook her head. "My lady, it's Liang Gonggong who came. He didn't mention strawberries; he just said the Emperor has something to ask you."

An Qing raised an eyebrow. What did Kangxi want to ask her?

"Alright, bring Liang Gonggong in."

An Qing was still in confinement, so Liang Jiugong could only enter the outer room and speak through a screen.

After hearing Liang Jiugong's message, An Qing was momentarily stunned. Did she have any special cultivation method for the strawberries?

No, she used ordinary methods. She had previously consulted officials from the Agricultural Administration Department, and the missionaries' cultivation methods were similar to hers.

"I must admit, Liang Gonggong, I don't have any special methods. Perhaps it's just my natural talent. I've always had a knack for growing things better than others, even with the same methods and seeds," An Qing said, somewhat boastfully.

But it was true. Even in her previous life, she could grow almost anything effortlessly. Sometimes, she would scatter seeds randomly, and they would grow better than anyone else's. At the agricultural college, her plots consistently outperformed her seniors', despite using the same methods and seeds.

Her classmates often joked that she might have a farming system or a magical spring, but it was all in jest. She believed it was simply her connection with the land.

Throughout her pregnancy, An Qing managed the greenhouse herself, which resulted in a bountiful harvest.

Liang Jiugong was initially confused by her explanation but found it oddly reasonable.

However, reasonableness alone was not enough.

"Fifth Princess Consort, perhaps you could come up with a suitable explanation. The Emperor and the foreign missionaries are waiting in the Palace of Heavenly Purity," Liang Jiugong suggested gently.

The method itself was not important; what mattered was a convincing explanation that would enhance Kangxi's prestige among the missionaries.

An Qing understood Liang Jiugong's hint.

To boost Lao Kang's reputation among the foreigners, she pondered for a moment and then said, "Liang Gonggong, please tell His Majesty that I grew the strawberries following the missionaries' methods. There is no special technique. As the saying goes, 'One's environment shapes one's character.' In agriculture, water and soil are crucial. Our Great Qing is vast and rich, with beautiful mountains and clear waters, nurturing everything..."

An Qing elaborated, emphasizing that while the method was ordinary, the excellent water and soil of the Great Qing made the fruits exceptional.

Liang Jiugong's eyes lit up. This answer was perfect, highlighting the Great Qing's natural advantages. He immediately returned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to report.

An Qing did not think much of it, considering it a small favor to Kangxi. She did not expect that this incident would make her strawberries famous throughout the Imperial City.

Yinqi later told her that Liang Jiugong had relayed her words verbatim to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. When he finished, the entire hall fell silent.

The missionaries were initially bewildered but soon nodded in understanding.

Kangxi was delighted and boasted to the missionaries about the Great Qing's unparalleled agricultural prowess.

The ministers present also felt a surge of national pride, standing tall and proud.

Soon, the story spread throughout the Imperial City. Storytellers in teahouses even created new tales about the Great Qing's agricultural techniques impressing foreigners and divine blessings upon the nation.

An Qing was surprised by the exaggerated tales.

The consequence of this incident was that her strawberries became even more sought after.

She sent more to Kangxi and also distributed them to the Crown Prince and other princes. To make them look more appealing, she had small bamboo baskets specially crafted, similar to modern fruit baskets.

Previously, An Qing had only shared the strawberries with close friends, citing safety concerns. But now, with the missionaries and ministers having tasted them, that excuse no longer held.

Fortunately, the greenhouse covered a substantial area, and the strawberries were quite productive, allowing her to distribute them widely.

Besides sending some to her relatives in the Imperial City, An Qing also sent some to those who had married into or out of Mongolia. She had been living in the Forbidden City for nearly three years now, and although she wasn't very social, her parents had given her a list of relatives in the Imperial City, so she maintained contact with them and sent gifts during festivals.

After all, in a society that highly values family ties and kinship, it wouldn't do to be too independent. Social obligations must be fulfilled.

She also sent some to the relatives of Concubine Yi's family, which is Yinqi's maternal side. Although his maternal grandfather was in Shengjing, several of his uncles were officials in the Imperial City.

Additionally, she didn't show favoritism among her students at the agricultural school; she sent some strawberries to each of them.

Although strawberries are just fruit, they are as rare and special as watermelons were back then, and their novelty makes them a treat.

Thus, receiving strawberries became a matter of prestige in the Imperial City.

For Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi, she instructed Cui Liu to set aside a portion specifically for them. Her principle was to ensure a daily supply to Ningshou Palace and Yikun Palace throughout the strawberry season.

Every morning, people from Ningshou Palace and Yikun Palace would come to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to pick the freshest strawberries, which made many envious.

Of course, this treatment extended to the Palace of Heavenly Purity as well. As for Lao Kang, whether he ate them himself or gave them as gifts was his choice; she had done her duty by providing them.

An Qing also sent some strawberries to Dong Eshi's residence, the future consort of the Ninth Prince.

She never hesitated to extend kindness to her future sister-in-law, hoping for a harmonious relationship and sparing the beautiful mother-in-law any discomfort.

She hoped the future sister-in-law would understand her goodwill.

At Dong Eshi's residence, the person An Qing sent had just left, leaving the family staring at the basket full of strawberries, exchanging glances.

These were the famous strawberries that had become the talk of the Imperial City, personally delivered by the Fifth Consort.

Qi Shi, who happened to be off duty today, looked at his wife Jueluo and their daughter, Dong Eshi Wan Yun, who had been granted a marriage by Kangxi.

"Didn't you say you hadn't met the Fifth Consort when you went to the palace last time?" Qi Shi asked.

Jueluo replied, "Indeed, we haven't."

They had visited the palace during the New Year, where she led her daughter to pay respects to Concubine Yi. The Fifth Consort was busy with her pregnancy, so they didn't want to disturb her, hence they didn't meet.

Dong Eshi Wan Yun also said, "Yes, Father, neither Mother nor I have met the Fifth Consort."

Qi Shi nodded thoughtfully.

Having navigated the political landscape for years, he understood the Fifth Consort's gesture. As a sister-in-law, she was extending kindness, indicating a desire for a good relationship with their daughter. They couldn't afford to be ungrateful.

"Since she has shown such courtesy, Wan Yun, you must treat her with respect in the future," Qi Shi instructed.

Dong Eshi Wan Yun nodded slightly, "Father, don't worry, I understand."

After Qi Shi left, Jueluo had the basket of strawberries taken away. Though nominally sent to Wan Yun, their family always shared good things together.

Back in their inner quarters, Jueluo couldn't help but advise her daughter.

"Wan Yun, your cousin's words about the Fifth Consort aren't entirely accurate. She doesn't seem like the person she described."

Jueluo referred to the Third Consort, who had invited them after they paid respects to Concubine Yi. At the time, they didn't think much of it, but after meeting the Third Consort, both mother and daughter felt uneasy.

According to the Third Consort, the Fifth Consort was difficult to get along with—temperamental and domineering, prone to outbursts. Moreover, she was favored by Concubine Yi, making her a formidable sister-in-law.

Jueluo worried about her daughter's future.

But today, the Fifth Consort seemed different.

Especially the eunuch who brought the strawberries, reportedly the head eunuch of the Fifth Consort's household, treated them kindly and respectfully, reflecting the Fifth Consort's attitude towards them.

Seeing her daughter silent, Jueluo repeated her advice, "The Fifth Consort is your direct sister-in-law and favored by Concubine Yi. You must get along well with her after marriage."

Though all sisters-in-law, there were closer and more distant relationships. The Fifth Prince and Ninth Prince were siblings, so closeness was natural.

While the Third Consort was related, the families weren't close, and interactions were infrequent. The choice was clear.

Dong Eshi Wan Yun, deep in thought, was pulled back by her mother's words, "Mother, I'm not foolish. I never believed my cousin's words."

Though outside the palace, she knew of the Fifth Consort's contributions to agriculture. A person who cared for the people couldn't be as described by her cousin.

"I've already told you not to worry. My cousin's nature is known to us. Father often says not to judge someone based on others' words. I understand this," Dong Eshi Wan Yun said.

Seeing her daughter's genuine understanding, Jueluo felt relieved.

Dong Eshi Wan Yun looked at Jueluo and asked eagerly, "Mother, do you need anything else? If not, I'd like to read for a while."

Jueluo saw her daughter holding a book and waved her hand, "Go ahead, go ahead."

As she walked out, she couldn't help but glance back at her daughter, sighing silently.

Her daughter was excellent in every way, but her personality mirrored her father's—rigid and rule-bound, which some might find rigid.

Many in the clan called her a little stickler behind her back.

Sigh, marrying into the royal family, one could only hope for the best.

Due to the strawberries, An Qing's confinement period wasn't boring.

Moreover, Concubine Yi frequently visited her courtyard, as did the Eighth Princess and the Fourth Consort. She couldn't feel lonely even if she wanted to.

However, An Qing knew that Concubine Yi's visits were primarily to see Xiao Bao, whom she adored because he resembled the Eleventh Prince.

Because Concubine Yi visited so often, Kangxi found the palace empty several times when he tried to visit Yikun Palace during the day.

Spring returned to the earth, and all things revived. Xiao Bao finally reached his full month, and An Qing also emerged from her confinement.

Throughout the entire month, since she didn't have to breastfeed, and someone helped take care of the baby, her body was indeed well-restored, and her figure had improved significantly. An Qing put on her newly made clothes and examined herself in the bronze mirror, expressing great satisfaction.

Curves in all the right places, with flesh where it should be and slimness where needed. She couldn't help but marvel once again at the skills of the official wet nurse in the palace.

Her current success was largely due to the efforts of the official wet nurse.

Apart from An Qing herself, Yinqi was also very pleased with her current figure.

On the night she came out of confinement, there were five calls for water in the main courtyard. Every time they thought they would cease, something would spark again, and they would roll back together, continuing until dawn.

Of course, An Qing bore some responsibility too, as she had been craving intimacy after such a long abstinence.

During her pregnancy, their intimate encounters were quite restrained, mainly because Yinqi insisted on following the doctor's advice strictly. They engaged moderately during the middle trimester but completely abstained during the early and late stages. Sometimes, An Qing admired his self-control.

Now that the restrictions were lifted, they naturally indulged a bit more. It was only natural for young couples.

Given the grandeur of the washing ceremony, An Qing and Yinqi decided to keep the full moon celebration small, just a few tables.

Emperor Kangxi seemed to approve of their approach and did not send any particularly extravagant gifts on the day of the full moon ceremony. The Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi also kept their gifts modest, though they did make up for it behind the scenes.

Although they did not hold a large celebration, many people still sent gifts through intermediaries, both inside and outside the palace. These gifts were not particularly expensive, mostly items suitable for a child, which they could not refuse. So they recorded them, intending to return the favor someday.

However, regardless of the washing ceremony or the full moon ceremony, An Qing had all the gifts listed separately and stored away for the little one, to serve as his dowry in the future.

When An Qing reviewed the list, she couldn't help but feel envious. This little guy, so young yet so wealthy, truly enviable.

Not long after the full moon ceremony, Yinqi went to Emperor Kangxi to request a name for the child, which was set as Hong Zhi. The character "郅" (Zhi) signifies righteousness and brightness, indeed a good name.

"Father Emperor is well-versed and knowledgeable; his choice of names is impeccable," Yinqi smiled.

An Qing glanced at him, huffing. He was clearly mocking her naming ability.

"If you hadn't insisted on me naming him, I wouldn't have tried. I told you I'm terrible at naming, yet you still wanted me to give Xiao Bao a nickname. Now you're mocking me. You're really unfair!"

Yinqi helplessly rubbed his forehead, genuinely surprised by her lack of skill in this area.

The name "Xiao Bao" was simple enough and fine for a child, but for a boy growing up, it felt odd. He feared his son might blame him later, so he sought the Emperor's blessing for a name as soon as possible. Typically, in the imperial family, names were given only after the child's first birthday.

Children in the imperial family often had high mortality rates, so a name was usually given after the first birthday, signifying the child had survived.

People say children grow like the wind, and An Qing initially doubted it, but after raising her own child, she realized how true it was. Children truly change every day.

As the weather warmed up, An Qing began taking the little one out more often.

For convenience, she spent a considerable amount of money having the palace staff build a baby stroller according to her drawings. This made trips to Yikun Palace and Ningshou Palace much easier. She could push the stroller, and the little one could sleep comfortably without being disturbed.

After the beginning of summer, the Forbidden City started to heat up, and Emperor Kangxi led everyone to Changchun Garden.

Life in Changchun Garden was pleasant. An Qing loved her courtyard surrounded by water, enjoying its scenery and coolness. When bored, she could even fish.

This year, she no longer insisted on bringing Snowball over, as she now had her own child. While fishing, she would have Xiao Bao brought out in the stroller and placed in the shade, allowing her to fish and play with the little one simultaneously.

"Milady, Fourth Princess Consort has brought Little Prince Honghui," Perilla reported.

An Qing, who was fishing, quickly handed the rod to someone nearby and pushed the stroller back.

Upon entering, she saw Honghui looking around at the entrance. Seeing her, he ran over but stopped a few steps away to bow.

"Honghui greets Auntie."

An Qing smiled and waved him closer, "No need for formalities, Honghui is such a good boy."

Honghui stood up and peeked into the stroller's canopy, "Auntie, is my brother awake?"

After the initial disappointment, Honghui quickly accepted having a brother instead of a sister and now adored his uncle's son.

An Qing smiled, "He's awake. Let's go inside, and then we can let your brother play with you."

Honghui nodded obediently.

An Qing held his hand and led him into the room.

Fourth Princess Consort, seeing them enter, got up and approached. Seeing Xiao Bao playing with his hands in the stroller, she couldn't help but remark, "Hong Zhi is so well-behaved. He doesn't cry or fuss when awake. Honghui wasn't like that; he would cry hoarsely if not held."

Honghui, hearing his mother mention him, shyly said, "I'm not as good as my brother, making Mother work hard."

An Qing patted his little head, "That's not true. Our Honghui is also very good, knowing how to care for Mother."

Honghui, being a child with a thin skin, blushed upon hearing his aunt's praise, although he was secretly delighted.

Perilla took the stroller and brought Hong Zhi to a larger crib nearby, while Honghui sat beside it, playing with toys to entertain his brother.

An Qing and Fourth Princess Consort sat nearby, sipping tea and chatting casually.

Soon, Cui Liu entered to report that the chief eunuch from Fourth Princess Consort's courtyard requested an audience with urgent news.

Hearing this, An Qing turned to Fourth Princess Consort, "Fourth Sister, go attend to your matters. I'll watch over Honghui."

Fourth Princess Consort did not hesitate, rising and saying, "Thank you, Fifth Sister-in-law. I'll be back soon."

Chapter 102: The Fifth Princess Consort

The Fourth Princess Consort said she would be back soon, and indeed, she returned quickly.

An Qing had been by the cradle, playing with Honghui and their son. Seeing her serious expression, she hurried over.

"Fourth Sister-in-Law, are you alright?"

She didn't ask what had happened, fearing that it might put the Fourth Princess Consort in an awkward position if there was something difficult to discuss.

Unexpectedly, the Fourth Princess Consort shook her head and directly said, "Nothing. Just now, my father sent someone to inform me that during today's court session, Emperor Father directly ordered Minister Suoetu, the leader of the Imperial Guards, to retire from official duties."

An Qing was taken aback. Was this finally Kangxi's move against Suoetu?

Last year, Kangxi had warned both Ming Zhu and Suoetu at the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Ming Zhu, recognizing the situation, feigned illness and has not yet recovered, still recuperating at home and avoiding all contact with the faction supporting the Elder Brother Prince.

However, Suoetu clearly did not heed Kangxi's warning and continued his usual ways, maintaining close ties with the Crown Prince's party. An Qing and Yinqi had speculated that Kangxi might be waiting for an opportunity to catch him off guard.

Now it seemed that was indeed the case.

"Fourth Sister-in-Law, do you know the specific reason?" An Qing asked.

The Fourth Princess Consort nodded slightly and replied, "It is said that someone reported to Emperor Father that Minister Suoetu complained at home about Emperor Father neglecting the Crown Prince."

An Qing reached a conclusion. There was no real reporting; it was clear that Kangxi had the Sticking Rod Office keeping an eye on Suoetu, waiting to catch him in a misstep.

Tsk~ This Suoetu really was careless. Even at home, one must be cautious with words. To express dissatisfaction with Kangxi like that—did he want to live longer or not?

But it was normal for Suoetu, a military man, to lack the meticulousness of Ming Zhu. It made sense that he would slip up eventually.

Kangxi only made Suoetu retire from office, likely out of consideration for his past contributions. If Suoetu could truly understand Kangxi's intentions, he might enjoy a peaceful retirement at home.

Yet An Qing knew the historical outcome for Suoetu. He clearly lacked this understanding, or perhaps he had no choice.

Many people in later generations said Suoetu was not as smart as Ming Zhu, who knew when to step back. But in An Qing's view, this wasn't entirely true. Ming Zhu could make such a decisive choice because he had fewer ties to the Elder Brother Prince.

Ming Zhu and the Elder Brother Prince were not related by blood. Ming Zhu supported the Elder Brother Prince merely due to political alliances. In fact, Ming Zhu was not the Elder Brother Prince's maternal uncle; they had no familial connection.

In earlier years, Kangxi promoted Ming Zhu to balance Suoetu's influence in the court. Ming Zhu used this opportunity to rise from a common guard to a powerful figure in the government.

However, the Hesheri clan, backing Suoetu, was genuinely the Crown Prince's maternal family. Suoetu himself was the Crown Prince's great-uncle, making the Hesheri clan naturally part of the Crown Prince's faction, trusted by the Crown Prince.

According to An Qing, even after Ming Zhu withdrew, his family, the Nalan clan, did not completely step away from the succession struggle. For example, his son Kuixu was a core member of the Eighth Prince's party, indicating that even for the sake of the family, they couldn't fully extricate themselves from the succession conflict.

Nonetheless, Kangxi's action gave An Qing some comfort. After all, he showed a degree of leniency towards his former loyal subjects, which was reassuring.

Therefore, the more significant her contributions now, the more likely Kangxi would show mercy if she ever made a mistake in the future.

Of course, this was the worst-case scenario. An Qing hoped it would never happen, so she must continue to be cautious and prudent.

"Sister-in-law, the affairs of the front court and the harem are closely intertwined. With what's happening now, it seems the harem won't be peaceful either. Since our husbands are away, we must keep a close watch on the people in the courtyard and be more cautious in our actions," the Fourth Princess Consort reminded.

An Qing nodded slightly.

Last month, Yinqi and the Fourth Prince were sent by Kangxi to Shandong for disaster relief and have not returned yet. As women of the household, they always receive news about the front court more slowly, so they indeed need to be more vigilant. It would be troublesome if they inadvertently crossed the line.

The Fourth Princess Consort's father had someone come to pass her a message, likely for this reason, as the Fourth Prince is also absent.

"Thank you for your reminder, Sister-in-law. I will be more careful."

She understood the Fourth Princess Consort's good intentions; otherwise, given her typically cautious nature, she would not speak of such matters before her. After all, discussing front court affairs is strictly forbidden in the harem.

Speaking of which, the connections between people are truly remarkable. Although An Qing knew history, she did not want to get involved in these murky waters. Even though she knew that the Fourth Prince would eventually succeed in the succession, she had no intention of actively seeking his favor. Consequently, she had no plans to befriend the Fourth Princess Consort either.

However, after several tours, their relationship became unexpectedly closer, especially after the last southern tour. Sharing the same boat, they gradually got to know each other better during the journey. Upon returning to the palace, their bond remained strong, and their interactions became more frequent.

Especially during An Qing's late pregnancy when she was confined to bed rest, the Fourth Princess Consort often brought Honghui to her courtyard to keep her company.

"Mother, Auntie, my little brother is asleep," Honghui said softly, approaching them quietly.

Seeing him like this, An Qing couldn't help but smile. "Honghui, it's fine. We can talk normally; it won't disturb your little brother. That little rascal can sleep through anything."

Not only can he sleep, but he can also eat a lot. Four wet nurses take turns feeding him every day. Despite being only three or four months old, he looks very sturdy.

The Fourth Princess Consort glanced at the baby's crib, feeling envious. Being able to eat and sleep well without any illnesses is something many children in the palace cannot match. If her Honghui could be like that, she would have no other wishes.

Unfortunately, Honghui was born prematurely and has been weaker than most children since birth. She has been extremely cautious in taking care of him, but he still falls ill frequently, causing much concern.

Honghui felt a bit disappointed because his little brother was asleep and couldn't play with him.

He had come to see his little brother with great difficulty and was reluctant to leave, but he knew that babies need to sleep to grow, and he shouldn't disturb his little brother.

The Fourth Princess Consort patted his head and comforted him, "You should eat well and stay healthy. Then Mother can bring you to see your little brother more often."

Hearing this, Honghui immediately brightened up. "Yes, Mother, I will definitely eat well."

Looking at Honghui's thin face, An Qing couldn't help but feel a sense of pity. This child was too thin.

Normally, children his age have chubby faces, but due to frequent illnesses, Honghui remains thin and shorter than his peers.

As far as she knew, the historical record states that the Emperor Yongzheng's eldest son died at the age of eight from illness.

Previously, An Qing had asked Mai Dong to examine Honghui. He was born with some congenital deficiencies, making him weaker than most children, but there were no other issues. There might be ways to improve his condition.

"Sister-in-law, I think you should let Honghui exercise more. It will make his body stronger," An Qing suggested.

The Fourth Princess Consort thought she meant martial arts training and replied, "This child is like his father; he doesn't enjoy these activities. His father even found a martial arts instructor, hoping he could learn some skills to improve his health, but the instructor said the child is too young and may not be able to handle it."

After all, Honghui is only three years old, and starting martial arts training is indeed too early.

An Qing saw that she had misunderstood and quickly explained, "Fourth Sister-in-Law, you've misunderstood me. I'm not talking about martial arts training. What I mean is to get him moving more, like jogging a few laps in the courtyard every day or jumping rope. At first, don't make the exercise too intense; gradually increase it over time. Eventually, with persistence, the child's body will become stronger."

After saying this, she gave an example, "My eldest brother's son, Wuritu, was also premature. Before he was born, my eldest sister-in-law accidentally fell. The child was weak from birth and often fell ill. Later, we followed this method and slowly improved his health."

The Fourth Princess Consort's eyes lit up, "Really?"

She had seen Wuritu herself. Two years ago at Mulan, he was as strong as a little bull. Not only did he ride well, but she had even seen him wrestling with others on the wrestling field. Despite being younger, he still won.

An Qing smiled and nodded, "Absolutely true."

She paused and added, "Fourth Sister-in-Law, I may be speaking out of turn, but please don't take offense. In the palace, children are often raised very delicately, but on our grasslands, sometimes it's better to let them be a bit more robust."

The Fourth Princess Consort waved her hand, grateful, "Fifth Sister-in-Law, what are you saying? You care about Honghui. I understand."

How could she be offended?

Moreover, she knew that An Qing didn't raise her children like those in the palace. For example, today, she actually took her child to the lake to fish, saying that more sunlight was good for the child's health.

Although she had never heard of this before and thought it might be nonsense, the fact remained that Hong Zhi was indeed thriving. He was now three or four months old and hadn't fallen ill once.

At first, the Fourth Princess Consort wondered if it was just a coincidence, but hearing about Wuritu now made her realize it might be genuine experience. Thinking about it, Mongolian children were indeed very sturdy.

All she wanted was for Honghui to be healthy and safe.

"Alright, I'll try it when I get back, getting Honghui to move more," the Fourth Princess Consort said with a smile. "Fifth Sister-in-Law, do you have any other methods, like the ones you used for your nephew?"

She thought simply: since Wuritu was also premature and their situations were similar, she should ask for more advice.

An Qing didn't hide anything and shared some additional tips and dietary suggestions.

She looked at little Honghui, who was so well-behaved. She hoped he would grow up healthy and avoid the fate of dying young as history recorded.

The Fourth Princess Consort found everything she heard increasingly reasonable and couldn't wait to start implementing these methods with Honghui. Looking at her Fifth Sister-in-Law, she marveled at how knowledgeable she was.

Like the baby stroller, crib, and toys in the room—though they seemed strange, they were practical and the children loved them.

The news of Emperor Kangxi ordering Suoetu to retire from politics had caused quite a stir in the imperial court, and even affected the harem indirectly.

Suoetu was a core figure in the Crown Prince's faction, and his retirement had a significant impact. For some reason, the Crown Prince believed that the person who reported this to Kangxi was Elder Brother Prince, and thus retaliated against Elder Brother Prince's supporters in the court, bringing down many of his people.

Elder Brother Prince naturally wouldn't sit idly by and retaliated accordingly.

Both sides became increasingly hostile, making the court atmosphere murky, and Kangxi's mood grew darker each day.

An Qing couldn't help but shake her head. The more the Crown Prince showed concern for Suoetu, the less likely he would survive in Kangxi's eyes. After all, no emperor could tolerate such close ties between the crown prince and his in-laws.

To avoid being implicated, the other princes had been behaving more cautiously recently. This was evident not only in their own actions but also in the tranquility of their households, thanks to their princess consorts.

For example, the Fourth Princess Consort had been very concerned lately. With Fourth Prince away from the capital, she feared being used as a scapegoat and had been closely monitoring everyone in the household, leaving her no time to rest.

Fortunately, Yinqi's household was simple now, with only her and Guaerjia Shi in Changchun Garden, while Liu Jiashi was still confined in the eastern wing.

As for Baijia Shi, after she left confinement, Yinqi told her that Baijia Shi had 'died' on the estate. She didn't ask how exactly, knowing it was one of the royal family's methods.

Setting aside other matters, the royal family could not tolerate harm to its offspring. An Qing had guessed this from the beginning.

Yinqi might have spared Liu Jiashi for Hongsheng's sake, but she understood his plan. A person confined for years would eventually break.

An Qing didn't interfere, knowing it was inevitable once they decided to act against her.

But for now, with only her and Guaerjia Shi in the household, and Guaerjia Shi being obedient, things were simpler.

In the future, however, new people would come in, and conflicts of interest would arise. Not everyone could remain passive.

Well, enjoy peace while it lasts. Live in the moment, and deal with problems as they come.

Just as An Qing was feeling relieved, Perilla hurried in.

"Princess Consort, Guaerjia Princess is here to see you. She seems very anxious, something must have happened."

An Qing was taken aback. Could it be that trouble came right after she said things were peaceful? Was Guaerjia Shi in trouble?

"Bring her in."

Problems come and go; solve them as they arise.

Perilla soon led Guaerjia Shi into the room, who immediately knelt upon entering.

"Princess Consort, my family is in trouble. I beg you to help us!"

An Qing was surprised to hear it was about Guaerjia Shi's family. "What happened? Please get up and tell me slowly."

Guaerjia Shi then explained clearly. Her father had lost a considerable sum of money gambling and owed a large amount of high-interest debt. After he unexpectedly passed away, the lenders came to collect, taking her brother hostage and demanding ransom.

Her mother, having no other options, sent someone to seek her help.

An Qing listened and pondered.

It was high-interest debt again. Recently, the Crown Prince had used the issue of black gambling dens and high-interest loans causing deaths to bring down several of Elder Brother Prince's associates.

Given the sensitive timing, Guaerjia Shi's family facing this issue was hard to ignore.

Guaerjia Shi was Yinqi's princess consort. If someone was trying to use her family to cause trouble, it needed to be addressed.

"Did those people force your father to his death?" An Qing asked.

Guaerjia Shi shook her head, took a deep breath, and replied, "Princess Consort, no. My mother said that my father got drunk and fell into the river. She witnessed it and tried to save him, but it was too late."

An Qing heaved a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Good. If it were indeed due to loan sharks, she would find it hard not to connect it with the incident involving Elder Brother Prince and the Crown Prince.

"How can I help you?" An Qing asked.

After she finished speaking, Gu'erjia bowed down once more. "Madam, I am aware that my plea is out of line, but my brother's life hangs in the balance. I musters the courage to implore your assistance. Would it be possible for you to grant me an advance on my monthly stipend?"

An Qing was somewhat surprised when she heard that she wanted an advance on her monthly allowance. "How much do you need?"

Lady Gu pursed her lips. "Madam, two thousand taels."

An Qing raised an eyebrow. Two thousand taels—indeed a significant sum for an ordinary family.

She had previously been informed that Gu's father was a man of leisure, often found idling away his time. However, she was surprised to learn that he was also ensnared by the vice of gambling.

After uttering these words, Lady Gu lowered her head, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

She was just a Princess, receiving only five taels in monthly allowance after all other stipends. Asking for two thousand taels upfront meant borrowing over thirty years' worth of allowance. If not for dire circumstances, she wouldn't have dared to make such a request.

An Qing thought for a moment and said, "Saving lives is crucial. I agree to advance you the allowance."

As the official head of the household, it was her responsibility to oversee the affairs within, and Gu尔佳氏, being Yinqi's Princess, could not simply stand by and let someone perish.

In private, since Gu'erjia had been compliant ever since she entered the household, their interactions had been amicable. There was no justification for her to create any strife.

However, An Qing was equitable and righteous. The funds would be drawn from Yinqi's personal treasury. If Gu'erjia had requested a loan directly, An Qing could have granted it on her own accord, but since it was a prepayment of the allowance, it would naturally be sourced from Yinqi.

Upon witnessing An Qing's immediate consent, Gu'erjia was taken aback for a moment, then she conveyed her appreciation, "Thank you, Madam, for your benevolence. It is a favor I shall eternally hold in my heart."

An Qing waved her hand and said, "I've said before that you are the master's Princess and part of our household. If you encounter difficulties, you can always turn to me or the master."

Since she had made this promise, she intended to keep it.

But An Qing decided to go all out to help. She planned to personally accompany Gu'erjia back home with some people. After all, her father had passed away, and it would be appropriate for her to pay her respects.

Moreover, those who lend money at exorbitant rates are often unprincipled. Should the Gu family settle the debt and the creditors still withheld the person or sought additional payments, it would indeed be a predicament.

Most importantly, An Qing was still uneasy, fearing a connection to the Crown Prince and Elder Brother Prince. She wanted to investigate the situation firsthand.

An Qing always prioritized caution. If there were any issues, it was better to know early and prepare accordingly.

However, with Yinqi away, it wasn't easy for An Qing to leave. Fortunately, Yinqi had left Ma Xiang behind specifically for such occasions.

She first sent Perilla to find Ma Xiang and have him prepare a carriage and bring some guards to escort them.

As for herself, although Kangxi had granted her the privilege to leave the palace anytime, it was conditional on being accompanied by Yinqi. Since Yinqi was absent, she needed permission from the Empress Dowager.

Without the Empress Dowager's or Kangxi's decree, no one in the harem could leave the palace freely.

Getting this decree was challenging, but for An Qing, it wasn't a problem. The Empress Dowager immediately gave her the token to leave the palace after hearing her explanation.

To avoid gossip, she also sent two ladies-in-waiting from Ningshou Palace to accompany her.

"Hong Zhi, have you made proper arrangements?" the Empress Dowager asked.

An Qing was puzzled. What did Hong Zhi need to arrange? She was only going out for a short while.

The Empress Dowager glanced at her, exasperated. "You're quite heartless as a mother, leaving your child alone in the courtyard. Can you really be so carefree?"

She then looked at Wu Lan and said, "Forget it, take some people with you and bring Hong Zhi here."

An Qing scratched her head; she hadn't thought about it that way. Her plan was to take Cui Liu and Mai Dong, leaving Perilla and Chunxiao to look after the courtyard and Hong Zhi.

Besides, Concubine Yi and the Empress Dowager were in the palace, so there was nothing to worry about.

Of course, sending Hong Zhi to the Empress Dowager's palace was even more reassuring. It reminded her that in the future, if she needed to leave the palace, she could entrust Hong Zhi to the Empress Dowager or her mother-in-law, the Great Beauty.

Hehe, this way, she could feel more at ease when leaving.

Having completed all the necessary preparations, An Qing embarked on her journey with Gu'erjia from Changchun Garden. The carriage glided smoothly back to the Imperial City.

Chapter 103: The Fifth Lady

In the Qing Dynasty, there were Bannermen and civilians.

When the Qing army first entered the pass, both Bannermen and civilians lived together in the inner and outer cities. However, in the eighth month of the fifth year of Shunzhi's reign, to strengthen management, it was decided that Bannermen and civilians should live separately. The imperial decree ordered Bannermen to reside in the inner city, or the northern part, while civilians moved to the southern part of the outer city.

The Guojia family was an ordinary Bannerman household belonging to the Bordered Yellow Banner, residing in the southwestern part of the northern city.

At this moment, the Guojia residence was in chaos. White banners hung at the entrance, and the small courtyard was filled with people, all discussing something.

An elderly man sat in the main seat, with an old woman standing beside him. Next to her stood a middle-aged woman, accompanied by two young girls on either side. The older girl looked about ten years old, while the younger one appeared to be around seven or eight.

This middle-aged woman was Guojia's mother, Suochuoluo. The elderly man and woman were Suochuoluo's father and mother, and the two young girls were her daughters. The others in the courtyard were also her relatives from her maternal family.

In just a few days, Guojia's father had passed away unexpectedly, and her brother had been taken away by debt collectors. Some of their relatives, fearing trouble, avoided them.

However, Suochuoluo's family from her maternal side rushed over with fifty taels of silver they had barely managed to gather. Though it was a drop in the bucket, only true family would come to their aid in such dire times.

"Has anyone sent a message to Ruyue?" asked the elderly man in the main seat.

Ruyue was Guojia's maiden name.

Suochuoluo nodded. "We sent a message yesterday, but Ruyue is not favored in the Fifth Beile's residence. Her monthly allowance is usually sent home to support us, so she probably can't do much."

With that, Suochuoluo wiped away tears from her eyes. If it weren't for desperation, she wouldn't have wanted to burden her daughter. But they truly had no other options.

Everyone in the courtyard sighed. They were all Bannermen and knew that without favor, even being in a prince's household would be futile.

"Why don't we sell the house first? We need to save Buyantai," said Guojia's eldest uncle. He referred to Buyantai, Guojia's brother.

"But if we sell the house, where will they live afterward?" someone raised a concern.

Guojia's eldest uncle waved his hand. "We can't worry about that now. Let's save him first. Those gambling den people aren't kind; their methods are brutal. Buyantai might not survive."

"But even if we sell the house, it won't be enough," another person added.

Not nearly enough. The house was Guojia's ancestral property, but it was small. Selling it wouldn't cover the gambling den's two thousand taels.

Suochuoluo's mother couldn't help crying again. Her daughter had suffered so much, marrying an unreliable husband who squandered their family's wealth. She had worked hard to raise several children, hoping things would improve, but her husband left behind such a mess. Even in death, he continued to harm the family.

Hearing her brother's words and thinking of her son's frail body, Suochuoluo's eyes flashed with determination. "Let's sell the house. Whatever we get, we'll send to the gambling den to redeem Buyantai. We can repay the rest slowly."

If necessary, they could rent a place in the outer city. As long as everyone was safe, they would find a way to survive.

Everyone nodded. There was no other option. They hoped the gambling den would negotiate, but deep down, they knew it was wishful thinking. Gambling dens were notorious for forcing families to sell everything, even their children.

Suochuoluo glanced at her young daughters, filled with anger. Her deceased husband had harmed her children even in death. If they couldn't overcome this, she would never forgive him in the afterlife.

An Qing and her entourage arrived in a carriage, passing through the outer city and entering the inner city via Xuanwu Gate. Soon, they reached the Guojia residence.

The people in the courtyard, initially in a gloomy mood, were startled by the commotion at the gate. Suochuoluo's daughters huddled closer to her.

"Could it be those gambling den people again?" someone asked.

The elderly man in the main seat stood up with his cane. "Let's go see."

If it was the gambling den, they couldn't avoid it. They hoped for some leniency.

As they approached the gate, they saw Guojia descending from the carriage.

"Ruyue!" everyone exclaimed.

Guojia turned and saw her mother, sisters, and maternal grandparents.

She knew they must be here for her brother's sake.

After Guojia stepped down, there was a slight movement in the carriage. Everyone's attention shifted to the person inside.

Could it be the Fifth Beile?

It made sense; Ruyue was now a concubine of the royal family. She wouldn't be allowed out alone.

But wasn't she said to be unfavored? Why would the Fifth Beile accompany her?

Guojia whispered, "Grandfather, Mother, it's the Lady."

Everyone was stunned. They hadn't expected the Fifth Lady to visit a concubine's family.

Perilla lifted the curtain, and An Qing stepped out of the carriage.

Everyone bowed respectfully. "Servants pay respects to the Fifth Lady."

Both Guojia and Suochuoluo were Bannermen and addressed royalty as servants.

An Qing gestured for Perilla to help Guojia's grandfather stand. "Elderly sir, please rise. I am here to help."

She glanced at Guojia, signaling her to go inside and gather information. Time was precious.

Guojia understood and hurried inside to discuss the situation. It was crucial to resolve matters quickly and save her brother.

Inside the courtyard, An Qing was seated in the main position, where Guojia's grandfather had been sitting earlier. They didn't enter the house because it contained the spirit altar of Guojia's father.

Suochuoluo brought out their best tea, using cups that were still presentable, and served it.

"Fifth Lady, please forgive us. Our home is humble, and our hospitality is lacking. Please bear with us," Guojia's grandfather apologized.

An Qing gently raised her hand and replied, "I understand. With the sudden misfortune befalling your family, this was a desperate measure."

After saying this, she gestured to Ma Xiang beside her and said, "This is the Beile's steward. Please tell him the specifics about the gambling den."

Upon hearing that he was the steward of the Fifth Beile, everyone felt more reassured. Then, Perilla's maternal uncle stepped forward and explained the situation with the gambling den.

The gambling den where Perilla's father had accumulated debts was Jincai Gambling Den in the western part of the city. It was quite large and one of the top establishments in the Imperial City. On any given day, it had over a hundred enforcers. Besides running the gambling den, they also lent money at high interest rates. It was rumored that their backing was very strong, and no one dared to provoke them...

After hearing the whole story, An Qing nodded thoughtfully.

From what she had heard, she concluded a few points: Perilla's father was a regular at the gambling den, and the two thousand taels of debt were not incurred overnight. Therefore, there was no possibility of being set up.

She turned to Ma Xiang, "Ma Xiang, take a few men with you and bring him back first."

Then, she had Perilla give Ma Xiang the banknotes and gave him a meaningful look, indicating that he should investigate who the owner of the gambling den was and whether this was an accident or intentional.

For Ma Xiang, this wasn't a difficult task. He had been with Yinqi for years, and most influential people in the Imperial City knew him. Moreover, he was bringing money to settle the debt, so no one could say anything against it.

Perilla's maternal uncle's face lit up with joy upon hearing this. With someone from the Fifth Beile's side involved, the other party wouldn't dare to cause trouble. Buyantai was saved.

His sister's family was saved as well.

In the end, Perilla's maternal uncle and cousin led the way, while Ma Xiang took several guards to the gambling den to redeem the debtor.

An Qing noticed the eager looks on Perilla's mother and sisters, knowing they wanted to talk to her. Indeed, since Perilla rarely left the palace, this rare meeting would naturally involve private conversations.

"Perilla, now that you're back, go inside and pay respects to your father and burn some incense."

Perilla understood that this was a chance for her to speak with her mother and sisters. Gratefully acknowledging the favor, she followed her mother into the house.

"Ruyue, what's going on?" Suochuoluo asked anxiously as soon as they entered.

A Fu Jin personally coming to help a Princess seemed too simple. Could it be that her daughter had agreed to something?

As for what, in the inner quarters, it usually involved gaining favor or causing harm.

Perilla patted her mother's arm, "Mother, don't worry. There's nothing like that. The Fu Jin is kind and the silver to save Buyantai came from my monthly allowance."

Suochuoluo remained skeptical, "Really?"

Perilla explained, "You must have heard of the Fu Jin's reputation. Do you think someone as capable as her needs anything from me?"

Though Suochuoluo was just an ordinary woman, An Qing's reputation had spread throughout the Imperial City. Even if she was uninformed, she knew enough.

Moreover, her daughter was in the Fifth Beile's household, so she had paid attention to the Fu Jin's affairs. This made her worry about her daughter, wondering if having such a capable mistress was a blessing or a curse.

But seeing the kind demeanor of the Fifth Fu Jin, she believed she wouldn't mistreat anyone.

"You're fortunate to have such a good mistress. I can rest easy now."

Perilla shook her head, knowing her mother still didn't fully believe her. She had sent word about her situation to alleviate her mother's worries, but it seemed her mother still doubted.

She didn't say more and instead squatted down to look at her sisters, "Elder Sister, Little Sister, do you remember me?"

The little girls clearly didn't recognize her and hid behind Suochuoluo, though it was understandable. Perilla had entered the palace five years ago when they were very young.

"This is your elder sister. Greet her," Suochuoluo urged.

The girls obediently called out, "Elder Sister!"

Perilla smiled and patted their heads, "Good."

"Mother, Buyantai and the sisters are growing up. Now that Father is gone, please take care of them. Buyantai does well in his studies; in a few years, he can try for the scholar's examination and see if he can get a degree."

In truth, Perilla thought it was better that Father was gone, as he would no longer drag the family down. But she knew such unfilial thoughts couldn't be spoken aloud. In her memory, her father spent his days drinking and idling, eventually leading him to the gambling den.

Her grandfather had left some ancestral property, but her father had sold most of it, leaving only the current residence. Otherwise, her mother and siblings would have nowhere to live.

With the large sum she had borrowed from the Fu Jin, she couldn't send regular allowances anymore. She wondered how they would manage.

Suochuoluo's expression changed when Perilla mentioned Buyantai's studies, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

She decided to let it go for now. Soon, Perilla would know.

While the mother and daughter talked privately, An Qing was drawn to the vegetable garden and flower pots in the courtyard. Despite the broken pots, the plants were thriving.

She could tell that whoever tended the garden and flowers had a good understanding of cultivation, evident from the neat rows of vegetables.

"Fifth Fu Jin, these are planted by Buyantai. He enjoys gardening," Perilla's maternal grandfather said.

An Qing was surprised to learn that Perilla's brother was indeed interested in gardening, as she had mentioned before.

Ma Xiang returned sooner than expected, bringing the debtor back. Perilla and her family hurried out upon hearing the commotion.

However, when Perilla saw her brother limping, she froze.

An Qing frowned and turned to Ma Xiang, wondering if the gambling den had used private punishment.

Ma Xiang approached and whispered, "Fu Jin, I inquired, and the gambling den only detained him without using force. Buyantai's leg has been injured for a long time, unrelated to the gambling den."

He then reported the findings of his investigation. While the identity of the gambling den's owner was still unknown, the other party had been courteous upon his arrival.

"Fu Jin, I will continue investigating the owner of the gambling den."

An Qing nodded, understanding the complexity of the matter.

"Fu Jin, there's one more thing. You said the debt was two thousand taels, but they claimed it was only five hundred," Ma Xiang added.

Five hundred taels?

An Qing was taken aback. There was no reason for Guerjia to lie, so the problem most likely lay with the gambling den. "Did you check the IOU?"

Ma Xiang nodded slightly. "This slave did. The IOU clearly states five hundred taels. Judging by their nervous reactions, the issue must be with the interest on the loan."

An Qing immediately understood. Loan sharking was an illegal form of private lending, not something sanctioned by law.

Loan sharking was a form of usury where lenders provided loans at exorbitant interest rates, and borrowers had to repay both principal and interest regularly.

Loan sharking had been prevalent since the early Qing dynasty. It was said that a few years ago, officials had reported to Kangxi the ten major social ills affecting people's livelihoods, and loan sharking was among them.

Thus, Kangxi had issued a direct order prohibiting it, stipulating that interest could not exceed the principal. However, the illegal activity continued to thrive in the countryside.

Yinqi had mentioned before that those engaged in loan sharking were mostly military officers who used their power and privileges to bully others. Local officials dared not intervene, rendering the decree ineffective.

The people at the gambling den must have recognized Ma Xiang as Yinqi's man and thus did not dare to provoke the prince, which is why the debt of two thousand taels was reduced to five hundred taels.

"Have you paid off the interest on these five hundred taels?" An Qing asked.

Ma Xiang replied, "Madam, rest assured. This slave has already paid the interest according to the market rate, and the repayment was made in public. They have also returned the IOU."

With that, he handed over the returned IOU and the receipt he had requested from the other party to An Qing.

Hearing this, An Qing felt relieved.

Meanwhile, when Guerjia saw Buyantai limping toward her, her first reaction was the same as An Qing's—she thought he had been beaten by the gambling den. She hurriedly called for someone to fetch a doctor.

"Sister, don't worry. You don't need to call a doctor; my foot has been injured for a long time," Buyantai said.

Guerjia was stunned. Injured for a long time?

Suochuoluo sighed silently, knowing she could no longer hide the truth. She told her daughter everything.

It turned out that Guerjia's urgent need for money at Changchun Garden two years ago was related to this. Despite their efforts, they couldn't cure it, and they hadn't told her the truth then to avoid worrying her.

The incident was caused by Guerjia's father, who, while drunk, nearly got hit by a passing carriage. Buyantai saved him but had his leg crushed by the carriage.

Guerjia's hatred for her father intensified. She asked, "Wasn't the doctor..."

Buyantai shook his head and smiled. "Sister, we consulted the best doctor in the Imperial City. He said the ankle bone was shattered beyond repair."

He patted Guerjia's hand. "Sister, really, it's fine. I can still work and support the family. It doesn't hinder me much."

Guerjia's eyes welled up. "But you've always loved reading and wanted to..."

She couldn't finish her sentence, knowing that with his disability, he would struggle to participate in the imperial examinations.

An Qing hadn't expected such a reason. She glanced at Maidong beside her.

Maidong shook his head lightly. With a shattered ankle bone, there was indeed nothing that could be done.

An Qing sighed silently.

But Buyantai smiled and shook his head. "Sister, you really don't need to worry about me. Life has many paths, and one doesn't need to pass the imperial examinations to succeed. I'm still young, and I'll find a way as I go along. I'll find a path that suits me."

Perhaps he wouldn't achieve great success, but he could still support his family. Since his grandfather's death, their financial situation had worsened. If not for his mother's insistence, Buyantai would have stopped studying long ago.

No matter how much he loved reading, family came first. Besides, he had other interests besides books.

An Qing raised an eyebrow upon hearing Buyantai's words.

She admired the thirteen- or fourteen-year-old boy standing before her. Despite his hardships, he remained optimistic and open-minded—a rare quality indeed.

Seeing her brother's positive attitude, Guerjia quickly recovered. Yes, as long as everyone was safe and sound, everything else could be managed. This incident was a perfect example.

After gathering her thoughts, she led Buyantai toward An Qing.

"Buyantai, this is the Fifth Princess Consort. You owe your safe return to her. Thank her, quickly," Guerjia said.

Before An Qing could react, Buyantai knelt down and bowed his head.

"Buyantai thanks the Fifth Princess Consort for her kindness!"

An Qing gestured for Ma Xiang to help him up and replied, "There's no need for such a formal bow. Your sister is part of the Fifth Beile's household, and helping you is part of my duty as the Princess Consort."

Though she said this, everyone knew it wasn't just a matter of duty. If she hadn't been kind-hearted, she could have ignored the situation without any repercussions.

An Qing pointed to the small vegetable garden nearby and asked, "I heard these vegetables were planted by you?"

Chapter 104: The Fifth Princess Consort

Buyantai looked in the direction An Qing pointed and scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed. "Princess Consort, these are just some vegetables I planted for fun. Please don't laugh at me."

The Fifth Princess Consort's expertise in farming was well-known among the people. Whether it was the watermelons and strawberries that once filled the Imperial City with their fame or her solutions to age-old problems like 'Green Wind Disease' and 'Ghost Wheat,' she had earned widespread admiration.

Compared to her skills, his little garden must seem trivial indeed.

An Qing smiled and continued, "I see your fields are quite well-kept. Did you come up with this arrangement yourself?"

Buyantai replied honestly, "Yes, I figured it out myself. Our courtyard is low-lying, so this makes irrigation and drainage easier."

An Qing nodded lightly. Although the method was still rudimentary, for someone without any agricultural knowledge, it was impressive.

At least he showed some aptitude and dedication in farming.

"You mentioned you usually go out to work. Where do you usually go?" An Qing asked.

Buyantai glanced at Guoerjia, not wanting to worry his sister, but feeling compelled to answer truthfully. "I... wash dishes at a restaurant."

Guoerjia's eyes flickered with concern upon hearing this.

An Qing understood the situation. At his age, and with his leg condition, finding other jobs would be difficult.

"Would you like to work on my estate?" she asked.

Buyantai was taken aback. Working on an estate would be better than odd jobs at a restaurant. However, he hesitated, glancing at his sister. She was the Fifth Beile's concubine and had already sought help from the Fifth Princess Consort today, creating a significant debt of gratitude.

"Thank you, Princess Consort, but I've already caused you so much trouble today. Buyantai doesn't..."

An Qing understood his concerns and interrupted him gently. "Don't worry. This has nothing to do with your sister. I simply noticed your talent in farming. My estate needs someone like you, but farming can be tough. Take your time to consider it and discuss it with your family."

Buyantai felt a surge of interest when he heard about working on the estate. For him, farming wasn't a hardship, especially on the Fifth Princess Consort's estate, where innovative methods were used.

"Oh, by the way, the estate is the Royal Manor granted by the Emperor. The conditions are good, and there's a farming school there. You can attend classes whenever they're held. Your sister is part of our household, and if you prove capable, the Beile can arrange a position for you," An Qing added. "As you said, life offers many paths."

She genuinely admired the boy's determination. If he truly had a talent for farming, she was willing to personally mentor him and give him a chance.

Everyone in the courtyard was stunned by An Qing's offer.

They had heard of the farming school, the only one of its kind in Great Qing, where students were either officials or nobles' children, even princes.

Such an opportunity was rare, and everyone looked anxiously at Buyantai, wishing they could accept on his behalf.

Moreover, this wasn't just a job; if he excelled, the Fifth Beile could secure him a position, ensuring a bright future.

Ma Xiang, understanding An Qing's intention to elevate Guoerjia's brother, chimed in, "Princess Consort, your estate's benefits are more than just good. If I weren't serving the master, I'd want to work there too."

He wasn't exaggerating. The estate offered excellent benefits, including monthly stipends, seasonal allowances, and a five-day workweek.

Buyantai was swayed by the prospect of attending the farming school, but before he could decide, Guoerjia pulled him down to kneel before An Qing.

"My brother and I thank you, Princess Consort, for your kindness."

Guoerjia was deeply grateful. If her brother could learn from the Princess Consort, his future would be secured, a debt she and her family would never forget.

With the matter settled, An Qing, seeing it was late, decided to take Guoerjia back. Despite her father's passing, palace rules applied.

Guoerjia understood and knew this visit was an exception. Without the Princess Consort's intervention, she wouldn't have been allowed to return.

Before leaving, An Qing called Guoerjia over and had Perilla hand her a fifty-tael silver note to give to her family.

"Princess Consort, this is too much. I've already borrowed so much and don't know when I'll repay it. How can I accept more money?" Guoerjia said, ashamed.

An Qing realized she hadn't told her about reducing the debt from two thousand taels to five hundred. She quickly explained the situation.

"Your father's debt, principal plus interest, was five hundred and fifty taels. Take this fifty taels to make it six hundred."

Without further ado, An Qing got into the carriage.

Guoerjia understood her kindness and looked at her impoverished home and young siblings. "Thank you, Princess Consort."

She took the silver note from Perilla and walked toward her mother. After some reluctance, Suochuoluo accepted the note.

Everyone stood at the door, watching the carriage until it disappeared from sight.

Once back in the courtyard, Guoerjia's elder uncle exclaimed excitedly, "Father, Third Sister, this is a stroke of luck for Buyantai!"

Everyone was startled by his sudden outburst. Guoerjia's grandfather frowned. "What luck? Explain clearly."

Guoerjia's elder uncle got straight to the point. "Father, you don't know how hard it is to get into the Fifth Princess Consort's farming school. Many officials try to get their children in, but it's impossible. Isn't this a stroke of luck for Buyantai? Even as a listener, it's something many dream of."

Everyone was surprised to hear this. They hadn't realized the farming school was so prestigious.

But they trusted Guoerjia's elder uncle, who worked for a high-ranking official and knew more than them. If he said it was true, it must be.

"I also heard that the Emperor values the Fifth Princess Consort's farming school greatly. Those recognized by her are given important positions."

Guoerjia's grandfather looked sternly at Buyantai. "Buyantai, remember, honesty is key. When you work on the estate, be diligent and avoid any tricks. The Fifth Princess Consort is a remarkable person who won't tolerate dishonesty."

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Losing it would be regrettable.

Buyantai promised solemnly, "Grandfather, rest assured. I will work diligently for the Fifth Princess Consort and never entertain any improper thoughts."

Grandfather Guojia was quite pleased as he nodded his head. Indeed, this child was different from her father; she had always been a well-behaved girl, truly someone to be at ease with.

An Qing and her party arrived at Changchun Garden in the evening. Fortunately, this time it turned out to be a false alarm, and there were no further incidents in the following days, allowing her to finally feel relieved.

However, after giving it some serious thought, she decided to write a letter to Yinqi. Regardless of anything else, it was best for him to know about the matter, so that he could be cautious if anything did happen.

Midsummer in June marked the season when winter wheat ripened once again.

Yinqi was delayed by some matters and couldn't return in time, so An Qing decided to go to the farmstead herself. Whether it was harvesting wheat or her agricultural classes, neither could be postponed.

But before heading to the farmstead, she needed to send Xiao Bao to stay with the beautiful mother-in-law. This trip would last at least half a month, and there would be too many things to handle there, leaving no room to take care of the child.

Besides, the child was still young, and it was better for him to remain at Changchun Garden.

In addition to Xiao Bao, An Qing also planned to send Hongsheng to Concubine Yi's place.

Since Hongsheng moved out of Liu Jiashi's courtyard last year, he had been living in the front yard under Yinqi's personal supervision. But with Yinqi away on official business, the responsibility of looking after Hongsheng naturally fell on An Qing, the Fu Jin.

However, with Nanny Feng, whom Yinqi left behind to look after the front yard, An Qing didn't need to worry too much. In the past, when she had no children, it was fine, but now that she had Xiao Bao, she sometimes needed to consider Hongsheng more carefully.

For instance, if she only sent Xiao Bao to Concubine Yi, people in the palace might gossip about how she doesn't care about non-biological children or suspect her motives for making only her own child close to Concubine Yi and the Empress Dowager. That would not be good.

Of course, such gossip from outsiders was one thing, but she was mainly concerned about not leaving any sense of unfairness in Hongsheng's heart. With just these two children in Yinqi's household, An Qing hoped they could get along harmoniously in the future.

"Hongsheng, come here. Your mother has something to tell you," An Qing called out to Hongsheng, who was sitting near the baby carriage, playing with toys to entertain his younger brother.

Upon hearing An Qing call him, Hongsheng quickly put down the toy rabbit and ran over, calling her hesitantly, "Mother."

An Qing smiled and nodded, then casually handed him a red bean pastry.

Hongsheng happily accepted it. He loved the red bean pastries from his mother, saying, "Thank you, Mother."

Previously, due to Liu Jiashi, Hongsheng had kept his distance from An Qing for a long time after moving to the front yard. Knowing the child was timid, An Qing didn't force herself upon him and only saw him during the first and fifteenth days of each month when he came to pay respects.

But later, when her strawberries ripened, An Qing sent some to Hongsheng. Surprisingly, the child loved strawberries, so she sent them more often. Since then, he became less afraid of her.

After she gave birth to Xiao Bao, Hongsheng visited more frequently. He seemed to really like his younger brother and would play with him for a long time whenever he came over.

Of course, it might also be because he had few playmates, and children naturally prefer playing with other children.

An Qing wiped the crumbs from his mouth with a handkerchief. "Hongsheng, I'm going to the farmstead tomorrow to harvest wheat. I'll send your little brother to your grandmother's palace. Would you like to go with him?"

Hongsheng was taken aback. Although he had met Concubine Yi, he wasn't very familiar with her. The thought of going to her palace made him nervous.

He gripped his clothes tightly and looked down without responding.

Seeing Hongsheng's reaction, Ruijuan couldn't help but remind him, "Little Prince Hongsheng, the Fu Jin is asking you a question."

Being urged, Hongsheng became flustered and looked up at An Qing, "Mother, I... I..."

An Qing quickly reassured him, "Hongsheng, it's okay. I'm just asking for your opinion. You can say yes or no, don't be afraid."

Hongsheng pursed his lips and, under An Qing's encouraging gaze, finally gathered the courage to ask, "Mother, can I go with you to see the wheat harvest?"

An Qing was surprised by his response, not expecting him to say that.

Thinking she disagreed, Hongsheng panicked, "Mother, if it's not possible, it's fine."

An Qing quickly clarified, "Sorry, I was thinking about something else. If you want to go, it's fine."

Hearing he could go to the farmstead, Hongsheng was overjoyed. He had never been outside before, "Will my little brother go too?"

He thought his little brother would want to go as well.

An Qing smiled and replied, "Your little brother is still too young and wouldn't understand. We'll take him when he's older."

Hongsheng responded with an "Oh" and nodded obediently.

Seeing him relax, An Qing took the opportunity to add, "Hongsheng, if you want to do something in the future, you can tell your father directly or me."

She felt that Hongsheng, being timid, also lacked initiative. She observed that he did whatever those around him told him to do, even if he didn't like it.

This needed to change. Fortunately, the child was still young, and she would discuss it with Yinqi when he returned.

Hongsheng hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly, "Okay."

An Qing praised him, "Good boy." Then she turned to Ruijuan, "Take the little prince back and pack some clothes for him. You'll be accompanying him this time."

Ruijuan promptly agreed.

Leaving the main courtyard, Ruijuan led Hongsheng towards his quarters.

Originally serving Liu Jiashi closely, Ruijuan was transferred to the front yard when Yinqi brought Hongsheng out. Initially distrustful of Liu Jiashi's people, Yinqi assigned Ruijuan, who had previously cared for Hongsheng, to ensure his comfort.

Initially, Yinqi didn't trust Ruijuan, fearing she might influence Hongsheng negatively. However, after observing her for a while, he found her to be trustworthy and allowed her to stay.

Moreover, Ma Xiang discovered that Ruijuan had often advised Liu Jiashi not to oppose the Fu Jin, which led to her being disliked and assigned to care for Hongsheng. This transfer ultimately saved her from being implicated in Liu Jiashi's later misdeeds.

Thinking about going out to play, Hongsheng jumped excitedly, "Aunt Ruijuan, you're right. Mother is very nice."

Not like what his mother said.

Previously, Mother sent him lots of delicious strawberries, and Aunt Ruijuan told him that Mother was very nice and encouraged him to thank her.

Ruijuan smiled, "Then you should visit your little brother more often."

Hongsheng nodded vigorously, "Okay, I like my little brother, and I like Mother too."

He seemed to cheer himself up as he spoke, bouncing around a few more times.

However, he suddenly stopped, remembering something. "Aunt Ruijuan, is my mother feeling better?"

Although his mother was often harsh with him, he still missed her. He hadn't seen her in a very long time. Aunt Ruijuan said that his mother was very ill and needed rest without any disturbances, even from him.

Ruijuan gently patted his head and softly said, "Little Prince, don't worry. She will get better."

But she knew deep down that the concubine might not recover. Still, it wasn't anyone's fault.

This time, An Qing went to the estate not only with Hongsheng but also with Guaerjia.

There were two reasons for bringing her along. First, Buyantai was working on her estate, and this visit would allow the siblings to see each other. Life was already hard for women, and visiting family after marriage was not easy, especially when part of the royal family. Given this opportunity, An Qing was willing to make things easier for them.

Secondly, Guaerjia could help look after Hongsheng at the estate.

Upon arriving at the estate, An Qing had to manage the wheat harvest and the agricultural school, as well as the continuous planting of winter wheat and summer corn for two crops a year. With the previous season's winter wheat, the fields had undergone three consecutive cycles of crops over a year and a half, and the results were very successful. The yield per mu was comparable to that of a single annual crop.

Since there was no reduction in yield, the two-crop system naturally produced twice as much food as a single annual crop. Kangxi was not foolish; he knew which method to choose.

Of course, she still needed to wait for the specific statistics on this season's wheat yield before she could submit a detailed report on the planting summary.

Moreover, the agricultural school had been running for about a year now, and the students had experienced the entire process of planting winter wheat and summer corn. When Kangxi decided to implement this in certain regions, the officials from the Agricultural Administration Department would be ready to take on their roles.

As for the officials' children and the princes, they were another story. Their level was so low that An Qing dared not let them graduate.

However, these were matters for later.

When An Qing arrived at the estate, the others had not yet come.

She stood by the wheat field, smelling the fragrance of the wheat and listening to the calls of the cuckoos, feeling herself relax.

After an unknown amount of time, she sensed movement nearby and instinctively turned to look.

It was Zhang Tingyu and Zhu Tai.

They bowed to An Qing first, a gesture of respect from student to teacher.

This was a common practice among everyone at the agricultural school due to its unique nature. Although An Qing did not allow them to call her "teacher," they always bowed to her upon meeting.

An Qing raised her hand slightly and then looked at Zhang Tingyu. "Minister Zhang, I haven't congratulated you on your success yet."

In the spring examinations this year, Zhang Tingyu lived up to expectations and passed the imperial examination, becoming a scholar in the Hanlin Academy, responsible for editing historical records.

Zhang Tingyu smiled and replied, "I have not disgraced you, Teacher."

An Qing smiled and then looked at Zhu Tai beside him.

Seeing this, Zhu Tai quickly waved his hands. "Fifth Sister-in-law, you don't need to congratulate me. I didn't pass."

He was never good at studying and had been forced to do so by his father since childhood. Not passing was normal. Sometimes he wondered why, as a member of the royal family with the Emperor as his uncle, he would still be pushed into the imperial examinations. His father finally stopped forcing him and told him to focus on learning farming from his Fifth Sister-in-law.

Seeing his "proud to be a slacker" attitude, An Qing couldn't help but laugh.

But she had heard Yinqi mention that Prince Changning often pressured his sons to study, not just Zhu Tai but his older brothers too.

An Qing guessed that Prince Changning must be similar to Kangxi, both being strict parents, though Kangxi was even more severe.

After they arrived, it wasn't long before everyone from the agricultural school gathered.

The number of students in the agricultural school had decreased significantly. Some of the officials' children had left due to the spring examinations, and among the princes, Xiao Jiu and Xiao Shi had started serving as attendants to the Emperor, learning state affairs.

The Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Princes, realizing they had no talent for farming, were sent back to the Imperial Academy to focus on their studies. Thus, only Xiao Shiwu remained among the princes.

It was said that Kangxi had asked him if he wanted to continue, and Xiao Shiwu firmly said yes, preventing the princes from being completely absent.

For An Qing, their absence was actually beneficial. She aimed to cultivate professional farmers, and even if they learned, Kangxi wouldn't send them to farm elsewhere.

An Qing didn't believe it either.

"Xiao Shiwu, come here. Fifth Sister-in-law has a task for you," An Qing said.

Hearing his Fifth Sister-in-law mention a task, the Fifteenth Prince became excited and ran over eagerly. "Fifth Sister-in-law, whatever you want me to do, just say it."

He puffed out his chest, looking proud to be given a task.

An Qing smiled and patted his little bald head, then had someone bring Hongsheng over. "Xiao Shiwu, this is Hongsheng, your Fifth Elder Brother's son and your nephew. Can you help me look after him?"

Xiao Shiwu was seven years old, while Hongsheng was four. Despite the three-year age difference, the generational gap was real.

The Fifteenth Prince nodded, excited about being an elder. "Sure, Fifth Sister-in-law. Leave him to me. I'll take good care of Hongsheng."

An Qing introduced Hongsheng to him. "Hongsheng, this is your Fifteenth Uncle. He knows this place well, so ask him if you have any questions."

Hongsheng nodded and called out politely, "Fifteenth Uncle."

The Fifteenth Prince patted his shoulder and replied in a childish yet firm voice, "Good boy."

An Qing couldn't help but laugh at his "good boy." Where did he learn that?

Chapter 105: The Fifth Princess Consort

The wind ripples through the wheat fields like waves, marking another year of bountiful harvest.

The golden wheat dances in the breeze, shimmering with the hard work of the farmers, as if the earth itself were flowing with gold.

An Qing did not rush everyone to harvest the wheat from their experimental plots but instead led them to a vast wheat field on the estate.

"Director Li and Director Wu, please assess whether these wheat stalks are ready for harvesting," she said, turning to the two officials from the Agricultural Administration Department standing beside her.

These two, Li Maosheng and Wu Daming, were the most outstanding students in An Qing's agricultural school this year.

Of course, this was largely due to the fact that they were already officials in the Agricultural Administration Department, possessing some foundational knowledge of agriculture. With An Qing's focused training over the past year, they had become capable of handling tasks independently.

Kangxi had hinted that the promotion of winter wheat and summer corn for a two-crop system in the northern regions would be entrusted to them.

Everyone seemed accustomed to An Qing's method of random questioning, and the two officials calmly walked to the edge of the wheat field to inspect it.

"Your Highness, we observe that the wheat is only nine-tenths ripe. Ideally, we should wait a few more days before harvesting," Li Maosheng bowed and replied.

Wu Daming added, "I concur with Director Li."

However, both were puzzled, noticing the laborers bustling nearby. These workers included the estate's servants and hired temporary hands, all seemingly prepared to start harvesting.

Was the Fifth Princess Consort planning to harvest the wheat now?

But it was only nine-tenths ripe, not fully matured yet.

An Qing nodded lightly. Indeed, the wheat on her estate was always harvested at nine-tenths ripeness every year.

"Today, I will teach you some wheat harvesting proverbs," she announced.

Hearing this, everyone perked up. After a year in the agricultural school, proverbs were no longer unfamiliar to them. An Qing often shared several proverbs off the cuff, and their notebooks dedicated to these proverbs were already filled with many entries.

The twenty-four solar terms, practical and easy to remember, along with the seventy-two climatic periods, were all part of nature's language, guiding agricultural activities.

However, they had never heard proverbs specifically about wheat harvesting before, so they all listened attentively, ready to take notes.

An Qing began, "For wheat harvesting, there is one important proverb to remember: 'Harvest wheat at nine-tenths ripeness; if you wait until ten-tenths, you'll lose one-tenth.' Another proverb is 'Nine-tenths ripeness means ten-tenths harvest; ten-tenths ripeness means losing one-tenth.'"

Both proverbs convey the same idea: harvesting wheat at nine-tenths ripeness yields a full crop, while waiting until ten-tenths results in a loss of one-tenth.

Everyone was taken aback, as this contradicted their previous understanding. Yet, no one doubted An Qing's words, instinctively believing her to be correct.

This was the power of authority. Having established herself as an expert, An Qing's agricultural insights were readily accepted without the need for repeated verification, as was necessary in the beginning.

This was true not only for the students in the agricultural school but also for Kangxi and the officials in the imperial court.

Recently, Shandong and Hebei provinces experienced severe storms, causing widespread lodging of wheat. In previous years, local authorities encouraged farmers to prop up the fallen wheat, but this approach was entirely wrong.

If wheat that has lodged is forcibly lifted, it can cause further damage to the stems and roots, leading to secondary harm.

When Kangxi consulted An Qing, she immediately advised against lifting the wheat, suggesting instead to let it recover naturally. She provided a series of remedial measures, such as using a 10% solution of wood ash water to promote growth and grain filling, minimizing yield losses due to lodging.

Additionally, to prevent common diseases like stripe rust and fusarium head blight in lodged wheat fields, she recommended regular spraying of traditional pesticides.

She wrote extensively on these measures, expecting Kangxi and the officials to request further evidence, but they adopted and implemented her suggestions directly.

The results proved her methods effective, salvaging many wheat crops and preventing significant yield losses or even total failure.

It was then that An Qing realized that her expertise in agriculture had been recognized by Kangxi and the officials.

While individual authority may not be ideal for scientific progress, it was beneficial for An Qing's current goals. She aimed to promote modern farming techniques across the Great Qing, and this recognition would ease her efforts.

As for future agricultural research, it was a long-term goal for the Great Qing.

Currently, there was a lack of standardized practices in farming. For example, the proverb "harvest wheat at nine-tenths ripeness; if you wait until ten-tenths, you'll lose one-tenth" was known to experienced farmers who had observed this phenomenon over generations.

However, such knowledge was limited geographically, making it essential to standardize basic agricultural knowledge throughout the Great Qing.

An Qing knew that several officials from the Agricultural Administration Department had been systematically compiling the proverbs she shared, intending to disseminate them widely. She found this approach commendable.

Even though everyone easily accepted the proverb, An Qing still explained the rationale behind harvesting wheat at nine-tenths ripeness.

Waiting until the wheat is fully mature leads to "dropping ears." This phenomenon occurs in two ways: first, when the straw turns yellow and becomes brittle, the heavy ears can cause the plants to topple, resulting in "dropping ears." Second, during manual harvesting, human error can also lead to "dropping ears."

This "dropping ears" accounts for the one-tenth loss.

Analyzing the wheat's growth stages also supports this. Wheat maturity is divided into three phases: milk stage, dough stage, and complete maturity. Harvesting during the dough stage is optimal, aligning with the proverb "nine-tenths ripeness means ten-tenths harvest; ten-tenths ripeness means losing one-tenth."

After explaining this, An Qing led everyone back to their experimental plots. As with the previous corn harvest, each person was responsible for their own plot, focusing on both harvesting wheat and planting the next crop of corn. The urgency here was the timing of the agricultural season.

Everyone worked enthusiastically. Although An Qing did not personally cut the wheat, she was busy grafting fruit trees in the orchard. It was summer, the perfect time for grafting, and she started with grape cuttings and then moved on to walnut buds. Over the past two years, she had spent much of her free time improving the orchard, making its fruits tastier than those elsewhere.

Despite the heat, which usually made people less inclined to move, An Qing was particularly active when it came to farm work.

This noon, after the rest period, she put on a hat and went to the orchard. She worked for more than two hours before finishing. However, she returned early, as everyone else was still busy in the fields.

An Qing came out after bathing, her hair half-dry, draped loosely over her shoulders as she lay on a bamboo chair. The evening breeze brought a coolness with it.

Chunxiao had started bustling about with the kitchen maids to prepare dinner. Just like last year, during the farming season, her students from the agricultural school mostly stayed at the manor, with both meals and lodging provided by the manor.

An Qing watched from a distance as they carried baskets of ingredients past the courtyard. Suddenly, she realized something: staying was fine, as the manor had enough space, and they always stayed in the front yard, which didn't cause much trouble. But all their food expenses were covered by the manor, right?

Although this Royal Manor was given to her by Kangxi, it was earned through her merits, so naturally, it belonged to her. That meant she was footing the bill!

This agricultural school was to cultivate talent for Lao Kang. Why should she pay? There's no such logic in the world.

An Qing suddenly felt like a fool, spending both money and effort.

No, she had to find a way to get some funds from Kangxi, perhaps as a special fund for the agricultural school.

As An Qing pondered how to secure the funds, a carriage suddenly stopped at the courtyard gate.

Hmm, where did this carriage come from, and why is it entering the manor?

An Qing couldn't help but get up to investigate. To her surprise, when she reached the gate, she saw Yinqi getting off the carriage.

When did he return?!

Wait, why did he come by carriage instead of riding a horse?

Yinqi also saw An Qing, but he didn't rush over. Instead, he turned around and lifted the carriage curtain, then carried a child out.

It was Xiao Bao!

An Qing was stunned and quickly approached, "Why did you bring him here?"

Xiao Bao was still asleep, so she spoke softly, afraid of waking him.

Yinqi showed a hint of helplessness and nodded towards the child, "Look at his eyes."

An Qing was puzzled; what was wrong with his eyes?

Oh, they're swollen like walnuts. Could he have been bitten by an insect?

Yinqi explained, "He wasn't bitten by an insect; he cried himself into this state."

An Qing exclaimed, "How could that be possible?"

The child was already four months old, and she had never seen him cry much. How could he have cried so much that his eyes were swollen?

At this moment, Xizhu also got off the carriage. She had been ordered by Concubine Yi to accompany the Fifth Beile and bring the child over.

"Fifth Lady, you don't know, the little prince was fine during the day when you left, but when he didn't see you by nightfall, he became upset and cried terribly. No one could soothe him, and he even refused to eat from the wet nurse that night..."

Concubine Yi was worried and held him for most of the night until he finally fell asleep, exhausted from crying. But when he woke up the next day, he was upset again.

Fortunately, Yinqi returned today, and Concubine Yi thought he might be able to calm him down. However, it didn't work, so they had to bring him over.

"Her Highness knew you had important matters to attend to, thinking the little prince might just need time to adjust. But three days have passed, and he still hasn't improved. He cries all day except when sleeping or eating. Her Highness is truly worried about him."

An Qing knew Xizhu wouldn't lie, but she still found it hard to believe.

She looked down at Xiao Bao, who was not sleeping soundly in Yinqi's arms. Was this child really so attached to her?

Ever since Xiao Bao was born, he had been very well-behaved. During the day, she would take care of him if she had time, but at night, he usually slept with the wet nurse.

When she visited the Guoja family, leaving him with Empress Dowager for a day didn't cause any issues. When she picked him up, Wu Lan said he was the most well-behaved child, not crying or fussing, and easy to soothe.

But this time, he had surprised her by crying so much that he was in this state.

Yinqi held him, but the child's brows were still slightly furrowed. An Qing felt heartbroken seeing his swollen eyes and tried to smooth his forehead.

Suddenly, the child woke up.

He opened his eyes drowsily and, upon seeing his father holding him, pouted and prepared to cry again.

An Qing quickly soothed him, "Xiao Bao, be good, don't cry. Mama is here."

She took the child from Yinqi and gently coaxed him.

Upon hearing her familiar voice, the child turned his head and, upon seeing An Qing, seemed momentarily confused. Then, once she held him, he suddenly burst into tears.

It was as if he was crying out all the hurt and resentment of the past few days, or perhaps accusing An Qing for leaving him.

An Qing panicked and looked at Yinqi for help.

What should they do now?

Yinqi was also at a loss. This was the first time he realized how much the child could cry. The journey had been exhausting due to his constant crying.

He tried to take the child, but the little one clung tightly to An Qing's clothes, refusing to let go.

An Qing had no choice but to awkwardly carry him around the courtyard, soothing him. After a while, he finally stopped crying.

Seeing the child's long lashes wet with tears, she felt guilty as a mother. If she had known he was so attached to her, she would have brought him to the manor earlier.

Xizhu saw that the little prince was finally calm and felt relieved enough to return and report back.

An Qing knew Concubine Yi was waiting for news, so she didn't keep Xizhu. She asked Perilla to pick some fresh fruits and vegetables from the manor for Concubine Yi to enjoy and to comfort her after these two stressful days.

Since arriving in An Qing's arms, Xiao Bao refused to let anyone else hold him. Even when Perilla thought the mistress might be tired and offered to take over, he wouldn't let go.

She held him all night long. It was only after much persuasion from Yinqi that she let him hold the baby for a while, but on the condition that An Qing couldn't leave his sight; otherwise, he would cry again.

While feeling honored and surprised, An Qing gradually realized the issue at hand.

This was probably about a child's sense of security.

Although Xiao Bao wasn't a clingy child, he had been in her womb for ten months and hadn't been separated from her for such a long time since birth. Xizhu also mentioned that when she left during the day, he didn't react much, but started crying when he didn't see her by evening.

Perhaps, in his understanding, there was a threshold for how long her absence was acceptable, and exceeding that duration was not okay.

It was her oversight. No matter how well-behaved or worry-free he usually was, he was still just a child.

After finally getting Xiao Bao to sleep at night, An Qing finally had a chance to talk with Yinqi.

"Weren't you supposed to return a few days later?" she asked.

Yinqi had just come out of the bath, relieved to see his son asleep.

"The mission went smoothly, so my fourth brother and I didn't stay longer and returned a few days early."

An Qing responded with an "oh," then added, "By the way, did you receive the letter I wrote to you?"

Yinqi nodded slightly, "Yes, I received it. I was preparing to return, so I didn't reply, thinking it would be clearer to explain in person."

An Qing didn't mind whether he replied or not, "Did you find out what happened?"

Yinqi patted her hand, "Don't worry, I found out. The gambling den is backed by someone from Elder Brother Prince's camp, who serves in the military. However, the incident with the Guojia family was just a coincidence; no one orchestrated it."

Hearing this, An Qing felt relieved. When Ma Xiang mentioned that most loan sharks in the Imperial City were military officers, she guessed that the gambling den must be connected to Elder Brother Prince.

After all, this was the Imperial City, where even a random strike could hit several royal relatives. If it were ordinary officers, they wouldn't dare do such things without significant backing.

Elder Brother Prince's influence has always been within the military, making it easy to guess.

However, this was also something An Qing had been worried about. Recently, the Crown Prince had removed many of Elder Brother Prince's people over this issue. So, she suspected if the Crown Prince might be using them as pawns against Elder Brother Prince.

If that were true, it would be troublesome, indicating that the Crown Prince was targeting them too, which wasn't good for their current stance of self-preservation.

Fortunately, it was just a false alarm.

"You mentioned in your letter that you gave a job to the Guojia family's younger brother at the estate?" Yinqi asked.

An Qing nodded. She briefly mentioned it in the letter but didn't go into detail, "I saw that he had a talent for farming, so I let him try working at the estate."

She didn't hide her intentions from Yinqi, telling him that if Buyantai truly had talent, she planned to personally mentor him.

Yinqi was somewhat surprised, "Are you planning to take him as a disciple?"

The students at the agricultural school were merely considered students, not disciples.

An Qing paused, taking him as a disciple?

She hadn't thought that far. At most, it was about recognizing talent.

"Whether he becomes a disciple or not doesn't matter. Farming isn't some secret martial art passed down only to disciples. My goal has never been to preserve a lineage."

Of course, if she ever found someone with potential in agricultural research, she might consider taking a disciple. But she wasn't sure if Buyantai had that kind of talent.

An Qing suddenly laughed, "By the way, I made a promise on your behalf, so don't forget to keep it."

Yinqi raised an eyebrow, puzzled, "What promise?"

An Qing repeated what she said at the Guojia family's home, "So, if Buyantai does well, you must give him a job."

Otherwise, she would lose face.

Yinqi wouldn't deny her, "Don't worry, your promise is mine. I won't let you lose face."

An Qing thought that was fair enough. She had boasted once, and it would be embarrassing if it weren't fulfilled.

If Yinqi didn't help, she would find another way, even going to Kangxi if necessary. As a respected teacher at the agricultural school, he should give her that much face.

They chatted casually, but somehow, the conversation took a different turn.

Well... this probably started when Yinqi climbed into bed.

He had been away on a mission for two months, and as the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. So, it was natural for there to be some excitement.

However, just as Yinqi's hand touched An Qing's waist, she stopped him urgently.

"No, Xiao Bao is here."

Yinqi froze, turning to look at their son sleeping soundly, a hint of frustration crossing his face.

Seeing the slightly swollen eyes of the little one, he pondered for a moment, his voice hoarse, "Let's have him sleep in the next room."

That last bit of paternal love didn't stand a chance against his desires.

An Qing licked her lips, hesitating, "But... that's not right, is it?"

He'll cry.

Yinqi said seriously, "It's fine. He's a boy, and suddenly sleeping with us might make him uncomfortable."

An Qing: "..."

How could he say that? Did his conscience not hurt?!

"Alright, then go get someone."

It turned out that her meager maternal love wasn't much better, and indeed, her conscience didn't hurt at all!

Thus, the pitiful Little Prince Hong Zhi was left in the care of their heartless parents, who dumped him next door while he was still asleep.

Yinqi went quickly and returned just as swiftly. After leaving their son with the wet nurse, he came back to the room.

The candlelight flickered, igniting passion, enveloping the room in a seductive atmosphere.

After tossing and turning for half the night, An Qing barely felt she had slept when she was suddenly awakened by cries growing louder from afar.

After two seconds of confusion, she realized it was her own son's crying.

Yinqi was clearly woken up too.

An Qing looked at him with a face full of grievance. "Is this what you meant by... no problem?"

Yinqi couldn't help but rub his forehead. Amidst the escalating cries, he had no choice but to awkwardly put on his robe and go outside to fetch their suddenly clingy little one.

Chapter 106: The Fifth Lady

Yinqi hurriedly opened the door. It was still dark outside, and he saw Nursemaid holding Xiao Bao, who was crying uncontrollably, at the door, with Perilla beside her holding a palace lantern.

"Beile, please forgive me. Just like the past few days, Little Master woke up in the middle of the night and wouldn't stop crying. This servant really had no other choice but to bring him to you and Lady An Qing," said Nursemaid, trembling with fear.

If it weren't for this, she wouldn't dare disturb their rest in the middle of the night.

Yinqi glanced at his son, who was crying uncontrollably in Nursemaid's arms, and helplessly took him over. "Has Little Master had his night feed?"

Nursemaid immediately replied, "He just had it. He woke up because he wanted his night feed, and this time he should be able to last until morning."

Yinqi lightly acknowledged with a 'Hmm' and carried his son back into the room, instructing the two outside to close the door.

An Qing had already gotten up and was sitting on the bed, watching Yinqi carry the still-crying little one inside.

When father and son reached the bedside, the little one suddenly reached out to her when he saw his mother, as if asking for a hug.

An Qing quickly moved over and reached out to take her son. As soon as the little one was in his mother's arms, his crying gradually subsided.

He pouted and stared at her with his wet, big eyes, looking aggrieved, as if accusing her of abandoning him again.

Feeling somewhat guilty under her son's gaze, An Qing quickly shifted the blame to Yinqi. "Xiao Bao, listen to Mama. This isn't Mama's fault. It was Baba who took you away. Mama tried to stop him, but couldn't."

She then put on a pained but helpless expression, hoping to get away with it.

Yinqi couldn't help but rub his forehead. She sold him out so easily without any hesitation.

"You're talking to someone who can't understand you."

But he understood every word clearly.

Yinqi meant to remind An Qing that her behavior not only failed to shift the blame but also offended him unnecessarily, which wasn't wise.

However, An Qing didn't catch his implication and waved it off nonchalantly. "It's okay. Some things need to start from childhood. With constant exposure, he'll understand everything without needing to be taught when he grows up."

Yinqi: "..."

What kind of exposure?

Exposure that anything bad is always done by Baba and never by Mama?

Indeed, in some ways, Yinqi was right.

An Qing smiled ingratiatingly. "Isn't it said that mothers should be kind and fathers strict? I'm helping you. Besides, you're the head of the family, and your authority needs to be established in front of the child."

Yinqi didn't want to say anything more. Who would be the head of the family if they were always blamed?

An Qing felt she made a good point and believed they had reached an agreement on the child's future education. So, she started playing with her son.

The little one giggled, his red-rimmed eyes slowly fading. Truly, a child's face changes in an instant.

After a while, both mother and son yawned simultaneously.

It was indeed late, and Xiao Bao soon fell asleep on An Qing's lap, his small hand tightly gripping her inner robe, as if afraid of being sent away again by his heartless parents.

An Qing was too tired to stay awake. After all the fuss and lack of sleep, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Yinqi glanced at the little one between them, feeling quite resentful.

His mother was right; sons are indeed trouble!

After Xiao Bao was sent to the estate, he became the quiet child he used to be, but he grew increasingly clingy—specifically to An Qing.

In the first few days, he cried whenever he couldn't see her. Gradually, the intervals lengthened from an hour to two hours... Eventually, he returned to his previous self, though he could only manage a full day before needing her again.

An Qing breathed a silent sigh of relief. At least he hadn't become overly clingy. He was still too young to take to the fields.

During wheat harvesting, the dry stalks caused chaff to fly everywhere, making it unbearable even for adults, let alone children.

Fortunately, the orchard and vegetable garden were far from the wheat fields, providing fresh air suitable for children.

An Qing would often take Xiao Bao, Hongsheng, and Little Fifteen there, strolling around and picking vegetables and fruits. Little Fifteen and Hongsheng especially loved coming here.

Summer harvest and planting continued seamlessly, bustling with activity despite the exhaustion. Everyone wore smiles of joy.

After half a month of hard work, they were returning to Changchun Garden.

Before leaving, Guerjia came to bid farewell to her brother Buyantai.

"Older Sister, don't worry. I'm doing well here. I mainly look after the experimental fields now. The overseer is very kind and assigned an old farmer to teach me. Although I attend classes at the agricultural school as a listener, Lady An Qing has given me my own experimental field to work on with the others," Buyantai said excitedly, clearly delighted.

Here, he could earn money for the family while learning valuable skills. For the first time since his leg injury, he saw a bright future ahead.

Guerjia was genuinely happy seeing her brother like this.

When she entered the palace for the selection, Buyantai was already eight years old. She watched him grow up and knew his character well. Because of their father, Buyantai had always been responsible and diligent in his studies. She knew he had always dreamed of improving his family's life through his efforts.

So, Guerjia was deeply worried when his leg problem arose. Buyantai was a sensitive child who kept everything inside. Though he seemed to have accepted it, she feared he might be struggling internally.

Now, Guerjia felt completely relieved. She took one last look at the estate, her eyes filled with reluctance.

These days were the happiest she had experienced since entering the palace. She could see her brother daily, and her mother and sisters visited frequently.

Guerjia knew this was due to Lady An Qing's kindness and was truly grateful. She silently vowed that if Lady An Qing ever needed her help, she would do anything in her power.

Spring turns to autumn, and the fruits of labor abound. In the blink of an eye, it's once again the busy harvest season.

The Agricultural Academy has seen a turnover in its staff; several agricultural officials have left, and Kangxi has sent new ones in their place. The children of officials have also come and gone, but about half of the previous students have stayed on.

Given the varying levels of progress, it was clear that they no longer suited being taught in one large class. Thus, An Qing divided the students into two groups, allowing for better individualized instruction.

This division, however, added to her workload, making her days busier than ever, and she lost quite a bit of weight from the effort.

An Qing had learned from her experience during the summer harvest not to leave Xiao Bao behind in the palace, so this time, she brought him along. Or rather, since that incident, whenever she needed to be away for more than a day, she couldn't bear to leave the little one behind.

She truly feared another episode like that, and Concubine Yi clearly shared her concern.

According to Concubine Yi's account, the usually well-behaved child had turned into a little tyrant, causing her considerable distress. For a long time afterward, even a slight pout from him would send Concubine Yi into a panic.

Thinking about this, An Qing shook her head, then glanced at the seemingly innocent boy nearby, finding it hard to connect him with the little monster he had become.

The little one is now nine months old and hasn't started walking yet, but he crawls quite skillfully. He can utter some simple sounds, though anything complex is still beyond him.

Noticing his mother watching him, Xiao Bao smiled happily and raised his chubby hand, saying, "Mama, fruit, eat."

Seeing his sticky little hand and the bitten apple, An Qing said, somewhat reluctantly, "Good boy, Mama isn't hungry. Give it to your Baba instead."

The apples in her orchard have recently ripened, and after years of grafting, their taste and quality have improved significantly. Xiao Bao loves these apples and enjoys them immensely.

Xiao Bao immediately turned to Yinqi, "Ah, Ma!"

He then held up his chubby hand, the meaning clear.

Yinqi, who clearly found his son's gesture less appealing, responded tactfully, "Baba doesn't want it. You can eat it yourself."

The little one didn't understand any reluctance. After offering the apple to both his parents and seeing neither wanted it, he put it in his mouth, taking a bite with his tiny teeth, savoring it.

"Tomorrow we're heading back to the palace. Is there anything you want to bring?" An Qing asked Yinqi.

Yinqi replied, "Don't worry, Ma Xiang has already packed everything."

An Qing nodded, satisfied that everything was taken care of.

Their situation this time was unique. When Kangxi returned to the palace from Changchun Garden in August, they didn't go back but went directly to the estate. They did return a few times but always came back shortly after.

Thus, they spent many scattered days here, accumulating more and more things, making packing a bit of a hassle.

An Qing preferred staying at the estate and would have liked to stay longer if not for the necessity of returning.

However, the Empress Dowager's birthday was approaching, and they needed to be back in time.

This year marked the Empress Dowager's sixtieth birthday, and Kangxi had been preparing for it early. A grand banquet was planned in the palace, inviting officials and royal relatives to celebrate her longevity.

The next morning, the couple brought Xiao Bao back to the palace. After settling down at the residence, An Qing took Xiao Bao to Ningshou Palace to pay respects.

The Empress Dowager adored the little one, and it had been a month since their last visit. She must miss him dearly.

Coincidentally, when An Qing and her son arrived, Ningshou Palace was bustling with activity. The four consorts—Hui, Yi, De, and Rong—were present, and surprisingly, Consort Tongjia was there as well.

Consort Tongjia is the daughter of Tung Guowei, the late Empress Xiaoyiren's sister, and Kangxi's maternal cousin. She entered the palace in the thirtieth year of Kangxi's reign, initially as a Princess, ranking below the four consorts. However, just last month, Kangxi elevated her to the position of Noble Consort, placing her above the four consorts and making her the de facto leader of the harem.

Similar to Empress Xiaozhaoren and Noble Consort Wenxi, Consort Tongjia was admitted to the harem shortly after the end of Empress Xiaoyiren's mourning period, ostensibly to maintain ties between the imperial family and the Manchu aristocracy and honor Empress Xiaoyiren's legacy.

An Qing found this confusing. How could elevating someone's sister to a concubine be considered honoring her memory?

In her view, it might not be what the deceased would have wanted.

But there was no choice. Royal favor could not be refused, and one had to appear delighted regardless.

An Qing and Yinqi had rushed back to the palace from the estate to attend Consort Tongjia's investiture ceremony.

At the time, An Qing thought Concubine Yi might be upset, given that she had been in her position for years without advancement.

However, Concubine Yi waved it off, appearing unperturbed. "My background limits me. Being a consort is already the highest I can achieve. I don't aspire for more."

Years ago, she might have harbored ambitions, but she had long since seen through the politics. Kangxi valued lineage, and the other three consorts, like herself, were of low birth compared to the Manchu nobility.

Still, An Qing wondered why Consort Tongjia, who had been relatively low-profile and not particularly favored, was suddenly promoted.

"Tung family is the Emperor's maternal kin. The Emperor has always favored the Tungs, and elevating Tongjia to Noble Consort was only a matter of time," Concubine Yi explained.

Tung Guowei was Kangxi's maternal uncle, and with his mother having passed away early, Kangxi sought to compensate by favoring her family. This included appointing Tungs to important positions in the government and elevating their status in the harem.

Upon entering Ningshou Palace, An Qing first bowed to the Empress Dowager seated above, then greeted Consort Tongjia and the four consorts.

Seeing Xiao Bao, the Empress Dowager's smile widened. As soon as An Qing finished paying her respects, she eagerly spoke.

"Quickly bring Hong Zhi over so I can see him properly."

An Qing smiled, took her son from the nursemaid, and placed him gently on the soft couch behind the Empress Dowager.

The little one had grown heavier, and holding him for too long would tire her arms. It wouldn't do to tire the Empress Dowager either.

"Grandma, this little one has gained weight recently. Don't carry him; let him crawl around there," she said with a laugh.

Xiao Bao, suddenly set down, looked at his mother with wide, innocent eyes, seemingly confused.

An Qing smiled and said to him, "Son, come on, give your Uku Mama a smile."

In terms of seniority, the Empress Dowager is Xiao Bao's great-grandmother, and in Manchu, a great-grandmother is called Uku Mama.

The chubby baby listened obediently to his mother and immediately flashed a big smile at the Empress Dowager, revealing several tiny milk teeth. The sight was both funny and adorable.

Everyone was amused, and the Empress Dowager scooped him up into her arms. The little one thought Uku Mama was playing with him and giggled happily.

A child's laughter is infectious, and everyone became even happier.

Even Hui Fei and Imperial Concubine Rong, who usually did not get along with Concubine Yi, couldn't help but feel envious looking at her grandson. This child was just too endearing.

Concubine Yi, as a grandmother, adored him immensely. To be fair, although Xiao Bao looked very much like Little Eleven, their personalities were completely different. Little Eleven had always been a bit shy, but Xiao Bao was fearless around anyone. When Kangxi held him before, he even pulled on his grandfather's beard.

Because of this, An Qing had teased him for a long time, saying he dared to pull a tiger's whiskers, truly having the courage of a leopard.

"Royal Grandmother, Yinqi and I have decided that for your birthday this year, we will present this little guy as a gift," An Qing said with a smile.

Xiao Bao saw An Qing point at him and thought she was playing with him, so he called out, "Mother."

The Empress Dowager pinched his cheek and laughed, "Oh, silly boy! Your mother is about to give you away, and you're still smiling!"

Xiao Bao clapped his chubby hands and repeated, "Smile!"

Everyone was amused by his silly behavior. Although the little one didn't understand why they were laughing, he joined in, laughing along with them.

Concubine Yi looked at An Qing and teased, "You boasted last time that you would give your Royal Grandmother a special gift, something none of us had ever seen before. Are you now resorting to giving away your son because you can't think of anything else?"

Hearing this, An Qing turned to the giggling Xiao Bao and said gleefully, "Hong Zhi, your grandmother doesn't want you anymore."

Concubine Yi slapped her lightly, "Stop stirring up trouble between us. When have I ever disliked Hong Zhi?"

"Just now," An Qing said matter-of-factly, "Mother, don't try to deny what you just said. The Empress Dowager and Mother Tong heard it too. You said I'm using Hong Zhi as a substitute, which means you dislike him."

After delivering this convoluted logic, she quickly hid behind Noble Consort Tong, making it impossible for Concubine Yi to slap her again.

Concubine Yi glared at her, conveying a 'wait until we get home' look.

Noble Consort Tong shook her head helplessly at An Qing, who was still acting like a child despite being a mother herself.

However, she genuinely liked An Qing's personality. Over the years, though, she had become reclusive and had little interaction with her.

When Noble Consort Wang brought Little Fifteen to pay respects, she often heard Little Fifteen mention Fifth Sister-in-law. Anyone a child likes so much must have good character and temperament.

Noble Consort Tong glanced at Concubine Yi; she truly had the blessings of children.

After causing a commotion, An Qing sat down and said cheerfully, "Royal Grandmother, wait until your birthday banquet. My gift may not be valuable, but it's guaranteed to be fresh. I promise you've never seen anything like it before."

Everyone became even more curious upon hearing this.

However, An Qing maintained an air of mystery, making people even more eager to know.

The birthday of the Empress Dowager was known as the Wan Shou Festival, and it was celebrated with great pomp and ceremony. The Emperor would first send officials to offer sacrifices at the imperial ancestral temple, followed by officials presenting congratulatory messages. The Emperor would also present his own congratulations.

On the day of the Empress Dowager's banquet, it was clear that Kangxi had put considerable effort into it.

At the beginning of the banquet, Kangxi led the princes and officials in offering greetings to the Empress Dowager. Then, Noble Consort Tong led the other concubines, princesses, and noble ladies in presenting their respects. Only then was the banquet officially announced open.

At the start of the banquet, Kangxi specially arranged for the imperial kitchen to prepare a dish made from ten thousand grains of rice, calling it the "Ten Thousand Nations Jade Grain Rice." The Empress Dowager was delighted and had the rice distributed among everyone.

An Qing and Yinqi received some, as did Hongsheng and Xiao Bao. Each person had a small portion in front of them, but the gesture was meant to bring good fortune rather than satisfy hunger.

Next came the gift-giving ceremony.

Kangxi, as a son, naturally took the lead in showing filial piety. The gifts were presented one by one, dazzling An Qing with their opulence.

First came a screen inscribed with the Emperor's poem "Wan Shou Wu Jiang," followed by a pair of cranes and turtles symbolizing longevity. Then came a self-sounding clock, a jade sculpture of immortals celebrating longevity, a thousand-year-old mirror, a hundred-flower mirror, pearls, coral, amber, and many other precious items.

Additionally, there were 99 pieces of carved official kiln antiques.

Of course, these were only a small part of the gifts. The eunuch reading the list of gifts went on for a long time.

An Qing couldn't help but marvel that the Empress Dowager had truly received a substantial amount of gifts.

After Kangxi, it was the turn of the princes, including the Crown Prince, to present their gifts.

As grandchildren, they could not match Kangxi's grandeur. They aimed to show thoughtfulness rather than extravagance.

For example, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess presented a golden Buddha statue blessed in a temple. The Elder Brother Prince and his consort gave handwritten copies of the Sutra of Immeasurable Life and the Sutra of Amitabha Buddha.

Soon, it was Yinqi and An Qing's turn.

They carried a beautifully decorated tray covered with a red cloth, adding to the mystery.

Kangxi, seated at the head, smiled and said, "An Qing, I heard that you and Yinqi have prepared a unique gift for your Royal Grandmother. You claimed that it's something none of us have ever seen. Is that true?"

Chapter 107: The Fifth Princess Consort

When Kangxi spoke those words, An Qing was taken aback.

She couldn't believe that even Kangxi knew about this. She hadn't intended to exaggerate so much.

Hearing Kangxi's words, everyone became intrigued and leaned forward to see what was beneath the red cloth. They were curious about what could make the Fifth Princess Consort speak so confidently.

Seeing the expectant looks on everyone's faces, An Qing felt cornered. When she had made that statement, she hadn't included Kangxi and the others; she had only been joking with Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi.

With a pleading look, she turned to Yinqi beside her, wondering what to do now.

Yinqi's lips curved slightly as he gently shook his head, signaling her not to worry.

As if sensing her confusion, he leaned closer and whispered, "Father has never seen it."

An Qing paused for a moment before realizing he was right. Yinqi had mentioned earlier that he had never seen what she had prepared, which meant Kangxi hadn't either. If Kangxi had seen it, he would have shown it to his sons.

She didn't believe anyone else here had seen it either.

It was like the Emperor's new clothes—she felt more confident now.

With newfound assurance, An Qing appeared more composed but still maintained her humility. "Your Majesty, I did say those words, but I wouldn't dare deceive you. There was indeed some exaggeration in them."

Everyone was initially stunned by her admission but then burst into laughter.

Often, when someone is honest and relaxed, others tend to perceive it as less serious.

In this case, if someone else had accused An Qing of exaggerating, it would have been negative, but since she admitted it herself, it lost its sting.

Kangxi laughed and teased her, "Why, losing confidence already? That doesn't sound like you."

An Qing waved her hand and quickly started flattering him, "Losing confidence in front of Your Majesty is perfectly normal."

Kangxi, accustomed to her flattery, couldn't help but laugh and scold her playfully.

The guests at the banquet were used to this interaction between An Qing and Kangxi, given how favored she was by him.

Empress Dowager stepped in to ease the tension, "Don't be nervous, child. Your father is just joking with you. For my birthday, whatever you bring, I will be delighted."

She then looked towards the direction of the Crown Prince and Elder Brother Prince, adding, "You all have good intentions."

With Empress Dowager's words, the atmosphere became warm and familial, as if they were an ordinary family gathered around their grandmother.

Empowered by Empress Dowager's support, An Qing gestured to a nearby eunuch, who approached the gift.

All eyes were drawn to the eunuch as he lifted the red cloth from the tray, revealing the gift.

It was... apples!

A large tray held two rows of apples neatly arranged. Someone silently counted them: one, two, three... sixteen, a total of sixteen apples.

Everyone was momentarily confused. What was so special about these common apples?

"Grandma, these apples were grown and picked by Yinqi and me. We chose the biggest and sweetest ones for you," An Qing said with a smile.

She then glanced at Yinqi.

Yinqi nodded in understanding and recited the rehearsed lines together with her, "Grandson/Granddaughter-in-law wishes Grandma longevity and happiness, a joyful face always, and peace and joy!"

Their voices rang out clearly in the hall, as expected during a birthday celebration.

Unexpectedly, just as An Qing and Yinqi finished speaking, a small voice chimed in.

"Happy! Happy! Happy!"

Turning their heads, everyone saw Xiao Bao, held by his nursemaid, clapping his little hands enthusiastically, supporting his parents' words.

An Qing couldn't help but cover her forehead. This was unexpected; it wasn't planned. Xiao Bao was in the learning phase and would eagerly join in whenever he recognized a word.

He had learned the word "happy" a few days ago in Empress Dowager's palace, and now he was seizing the opportunity to use it.

But it added a charming touch.

Seeing his mother looking at him, Xiao Bao proudly patted his chest, seeking praise: "Mom, Bao, good!"

This was a habit between mother and son; whenever Xiao Bao learned a new word, she would praise him, and over time, he learned to seek compliments.

An Qing, somewhat helpless, silently gave him a thumbs-up.

Xiao Bao, receiving his mother's praise, became even happier and continued clapping and saying "happy."

Everyone in the hall couldn't help but laugh.

Indeed, Xiao Bao's spontaneous addition livened up the atmosphere.

Tongjia Noble Consort, standing beside Kangxi, smiled and said, "Oh, our Hong Zhi is so smart. He knows to wish Empress Dowager a happy birthday even at such a young age."

Empress Dowager was delighted and beckoned the nursemaid to bring Xiao Bao closer.

Xiao Bao, recognizing Empress Dowager, called out "happy" again.

Empress Dowager happily scooped him into her arms, responding, "We'll follow Hong Zhi's advice and be happy every day."

Kangxi also smiled broadly, "That little guy can talk now. Last time I saw him, he could only say 'ah.'"

Xiao Bao, hearing Kangxi's voice, turned to look at him with big, round eyes. After staring for a while, he grinned at Kangxi, showing off his tiny baby teeth.

Kangxi looked at his chubby little grandson and couldn't help but feel delighted. However, considering this was a state banquet, he couldn't bring the little one over, which left him somewhat regretful.

The Crown Prince and Elder Brother Prince couldn't help feeling a twinge of jealousy.

They all couldn't help but marvel in their hearts, wondering what kind of luck Beile Yinqi had for his young son to earn such praise from the Emperor.

After this interlude, everyone's attention in the hall returned to the apples.

It turned out that these apples were personally grown by Beile Yinqi and his wife. While it showed dedication, it still didn't align with what An Qing had said earlier.

Could it be that the apples grown by Beile Yinqi's wife were different, much like the watermelons? Though they were all watermelons, those grown by Beile Yinqi's wife were incomparable to ordinary ones.

These apples were indeed larger than usual.

But something still didn't add up. Weren't they supposed to have never seen anything like this before? Regardless, these apples still looked like regular apples. What was so special about them?

Seeing An Qing and Yinqi's calm demeanor, Kangxi felt there must be more to the story. He raised his hand, signaling Liang Jiugong to take a closer look.

Liang Jiugong hurried forward. Initially not paying much attention, he suddenly exclaimed "Ah!" as he approached.

Everyone's curiosity was piqued. Could there be something unusual about these apples?

Liang Jiugong finally saw clearly and reported back to Kangxi, "Your Majesty, there are words on the apples from Beile Yinqi and his wife."

Kangxi raised an eyebrow and looked at An Qing and Yinqi standing in the hall. "Did you write words on the apples?"

Before An Qing could respond that they weren't written, Liang Jiugong interjected, "Your Majesty, these words don't seem to be written; they appear to be part of the apple itself."

He then tried wiping the words lightly, but they remained unchanged.

Kangxi turned to An Qing.

An Qing smiled and replied, "Your Majesty, the words are indeed part of the apple. They can't be washed off and don't affect consumption."

Words growing on apples!

Everyone gasped. They understood each word individually, but together, it made no sense. How could words grow on apples?

Everyone knew Beile Yinqi's wife was skilled at growing things, but how did she achieve this?

Kangxi's interest was piqued. He gestured for someone to bring the apples closer.

When Liang Jiugong presented the tray of apples to Kangxi, the emperor promptly selected one. It was marked with the character '福', signifying 'blessing'.

Indeed, the words were not written or carved; they were part of the apple.

Although he didn't know how An Qing managed it, Kangxi recognized Yinqi's handwriting. He examined each apple: "Blessings of Fortune and Longevity," "Longevity as Enduring as the Mountains," "Joyous Laughter Always," "Peace and Happiness"—the very same blessings they had just read aloud.

"Mother, please see for yourself; the words are indeed part of the apples." Kangxi gestured for Liang Jiugong to bring the apples to the Empress Dowager.

Hearing this, everyone was astonished. The words really were part of the apples.

As the apples were placed before the Empress Dowager, Concubine Tongjia and the other consorts gathered around.

"Heaven! These words are truly part of the apples," exclaimed Concubine Tongjia. "Mother, look, these words form the blessings from Beile Yinqi and his wife."

The Empress Dowager was fascinated. She recognized Yinqi's handwriting and knew An Qing must have devised this method.

"I am very pleased with this gift. You two have shown great thoughtfulness."

After saying this, seeing everyone craning their necks to get a better look, she chuckled and gestured for the apples to be passed around.

A nearby eunuch complied and carried the tray down.

An Qing's apples were large and red, making the words particularly clear.

Given that these were gifts for the Empress Dowager, few dared to touch them directly. Only the princes dared to pick them up, handling them carefully to avoid any damage. The ministers and imperial relatives were even more cautious, but all marveled at the sight.

The words were truly part of the apples.

An Qing was delighted by everyone's reaction. A common trick from her past life had amazed the ancients.

Kangxi looked at An Qing and asked with a smile, "Tell us, how did you do it?"

An Qing replied, "Your Majesty, I used sunlight to imprint the words onto the fruit."

In truth, imprinting words on apples is quite simple. Cut out the desired characters on wax paper and place them on the unripened apples. Due to the difference in sunlight exposure, the characters will appear, exactly as cut.

Yinqi, after seeking Kangxi's permission, explained the method in detail to him.

Kangxi understood immediately and said, "You certainly have your ways when it comes to growing things. Well done."

Hearing this, everyone's curiosity grew. They wondered how it was done.

An Qing ignored their eager looks, maintaining the mystery. She had other plans.

The gift-giving continued, but undoubtedly, An Qing and Yinqi's gift stood out among the rest.

For a long time afterward, both inside and outside the palace, people discussed how the words appeared on the apples, creating quite a stir.

After the Imperial Longevity Banquet, An Qing was once again completely idle. Her days were spent mostly in the courtyard playing with her child or pushing the baby carriage around to visit others. Apart from going to Yikun Palace and Ningshou Palace, she also frequently visited the residence of the Fourth Princess Consort and occasionally dropped by the Eighth Princess's place.

But she visited Yikun Palace the most often, not only to stroll with the baby but also to see her beautiful mother-in-law, achieving two goals at once.

One day, she arrived at Yikun Palace again, just as Concubine Yi was about to visit Empress Noble Consort Tongjia for some discussions. Ever since Empress Noble Consort Tongjia was promoted to her current position, she managed the imperial harem with the assistance of the Four Consorts.

So, Concubine Yi pushed her beloved grandson out for a visit, but An Qing stayed behind. Lately, the little one had become quite talkative, showing signs of becoming a chatterbox.

His little mouth never stopped, causing headaches, so she left the child with Concubine Yi and stayed in Yikun Palace to enjoy some peace and quiet with tea.

However, before she could even finish her tea, Ninth Prince walked in with his head drooping.

"Fifth Sister-in-law, where is my mother?" he asked listlessly.

An Qing replied, "She went to the palace of Empress Noble Consort. She should be back soon."

An Qing glanced at him and said, "Why do you look so down? You're getting married soon, aren't you happy?"

His marriage to Dong Eshi was set for the end of the month, and Concubine Yi was discussing the arrangements with Empress Noble Consort today.

Ninth Prince waved his hand and slumped in a chair, saying weakly, "It has nothing to do with the wedding."

Seeing his demeanor, An Qing became curious and deliberately asked, "Then what's wrong? Did you get into trouble in the front court and come here to seek help from your mother?"

Unexpectedly, Ninth Prince did not react angrily but instead lowered his head and said, "Don't worry, I haven't caused any trouble."

An Qing raised an eyebrow. If he hadn't caused any trouble, why was he acting like this?

"Fifth Sister-in-law, do you think I'm useless?" Ninth Prince murmured softly.

An Qing was taken aback. This kid usually acted like he was the coolest guy around, but today he seemed to have taken on a melancholic tone.

Judging from his appearance, he must have encountered something that shook his confidence.

Tsk~ Young people often realize they are not invincible when they step into society.

"Why do you feel that way?" she asked.

Ninth Prince sighed lightly. Since learning state affairs under the Emperor, he realized how truly incompetent he was. While Eighth Brother could easily understand the Emperor's intentions, he struggled to grasp them.

Once, twice, three times... after repeated failures, he began to doubt himself, wondering if he really was useless.

"You can't compare yourself like that. Everyone has different strengths. You just haven't found what you're good at yet," An Qing said, trying to console him.

Without mentioning other aspects, just consider their upbringing. Eighth Prince grew up in a situation where he had to rely on others, gradually developing keen observational skills—something Ninth Prince couldn't match.

"But I'm not good at martial arts either. Even my archery skills are worse than Thirteenth Brother's," Ninth Prince said.

And Thirteenth Brother was smart too, younger than him, and often quicker to understand the Emperor's words.

Being inferior to both older and younger brothers was indeed disheartening.

"Fifth Sister-in-law, what can I actually do?" Ninth Prince looked at An Qing with pleading eyes.

Back when they were in the agricultural school, his Fifth Sister-in-law had talked to him once. He had performed poorly on exams and ranked last in class, expecting a scolding. Instead, she encouraged him, saying it was okay not to excel in farming and to find something he was good at.

But even after all this time, he still didn't know what he could do.

Was he destined to be a failure forever?

An Qing paused, not rushing to answer. Instead, she asked, "Xiao Jiu, what do you really like?"

Something you genuinely love.

Ninth Prince was taken aback. Although he didn't understand why his Fifth Sister-in-law suddenly brought up this topic, he thought seriously about it. What did he really like?

He seemed to recall something and glanced at his Fifth Sister-in-law hesitantly, saying weakly, "Fifth Sister-in-law, promise you won't scold me or tell Mother to punish me. I'm about to get married."

If he got punished now, it would be even more embarrassing when his princess consort came in.

An Qing frowned, sensing something was off. "Fine, go ahead."

Ninth Prince pursed his lips, still hesitant. "Promise?"

An Qing scoffed and threw a piece of orange peel at him. "Say it or don't!"

Making her promise, huh?

Ninth Prince quickly relented. "Fifth Sister-in-law, don't, don't, I'll say it."

He rubbed his hands nervously. "Well, I still like silver the most."

Hearing this, An Qing felt a mix of surprise and expectation. "Liking silver isn't bad. As long as you earn it honestly, there's no problem!"

The last time she suggested his mother punish him, it wasn't because he loved silver; it was because he had been extorting money.

Ninth Prince thought about it and agreed. He had long stopped those actions. Over the past few years, he had seen many things while staying with his Fifth Brother and Fifth Sister-in-law, realizing how inappropriate his previous behavior was.

But how could he earn money?

An Qing matter-of-factly replied, "By doing business, of course."

What better way to make money than through commerce, aside from illegal means?

Ninth Prince waved his hands. "Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants—the status of merchants is the lowest. How can royal descendants engage in business? That's too undignified."

An Qing rolled her eyes. "Cut it out. There are so many shops in the capital. Do you know how many of them are secretly owned by royal descendants?"

Seriously, did he think royal descendants didn't need money? The Crown Prince and Elder Brother Prince had plenty of such businesses, just registered under their servants' names. Otherwise, how could they afford to support so many retainers with their annual stipends? Commerce was one of their main sources of income.

Moreover, why are merchants considered the lowest of the low? Commerce provides jobs for society.

Ninth Prince still hesitated. "The Emperor wouldn't allow it."

An Qing lifted her chin at him. "Look at me, a farmer. Has the Emperor said anything about that?"

Not only has he not said anything, but he's also been very supportive. And why is that? Because she truly excels in farming.

So, every profession has its top performers. As long as you achieve something significant, others' opinions will naturally change.

Moreover, do other people's opinions really matter that much? More than your own desires?

Ninth Prince thought about it and realized it was true. In the past, how could the Emperor have allowed a prince's consort to go out and run an agricultural school?

But Fifth Sister-in-law did just that.

An Qing wasn't good at giving advice, especially regarding the worries of the wealthy. So, she suggested he talk to his Fifth Elder Brother. Yinqi likely had a lot of experience in this area.

Ninth Prince nodded, somewhat understanding.

Seeing his reaction, An Qing knew that some things can't be understood simply by hearing them from someone else. Besides, what he's worried about is quite far off; he might not even be suited for business.

He needs to try it first.

"I have a decent business opportunity on hand. Are you interested in joining me?"

Chapter 108: Fifth Princess Consort

When Ninth Prince heard this, his eyes lit up. "What kind of business?"

His Fifth Sister-in-law's business must be profitable!

If Ninth Prince had not known much about An Qing before, after spending so much time at the agricultural school, he was genuinely impressed.

Although she always seemed cheerful and carefree, like other noblewomen, those who had interacted with her knew that her insights were truly remarkable. She often pointed out problems directly and effectively.

Even someone like Zhang Tingyu, whom his father praised repeatedly, said he learned a lot from his Fifth Sister-in-law.

This was probably what the scholars meant by "great wisdom appears as simplicity." And it was precisely because of this that he could talk to his Fifth Sister-in-law about his concerns without any reservations.

Of course, the most important thing was that following his Fifth Sister-in-law would bring no worries. Ninth Prince had realized that in the palace, his Fifth Sister-in-law had far more support than they did.

An Qing didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point. "The apples with words on them that I gave to Empress Dowager during the birthday banquet, I still have quite a few."

When preparing the birthday gift for the Empress Dowager, she and Yinqi had marked every apple tree in the orchard, but the words were different. The Empress Dowager's gift was unique.

Upon hearing about the inscribed apples, Ninth Prince suddenly understood. "No wonder you and Fifth Elder Brother were so secretive during the banquet. It was all for this!"

After the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, everyone was extremely curious about how the words appeared on the apples. Even his brothers were intrigued, but no matter how much they pressed Fifth Elder Brother, he remained tight-lipped. Now he knew why.

An Qing smiled but didn't say anything.

She hadn't revealed it then precisely to maintain an air of mystery, which was necessary.

However, the inscribed apples had gained some fame at the Empress Dowager's banquet. Now, all the nobles and officials in Imperial City were interested in these apples. If they were launched now, there would definitely be no shortage of buyers.

Ninth Prince also thought about this. Not only would there be no shortage of buyers, but these inscribed apples were the highlight of the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. Just for that reason alone, many people would be eager to get their hands on them.

He began to plan. "We should set the price high and sell them to the nobles, officials, and wealthy merchants. They have plenty of money, and we won't have trouble selling them."

An Qing glanced at him. This kid has a good business sense; his market positioning is clear.

"By the way, Fifth Sister-in-law, how many apples do you have left? Are the words the same as the ones for the Empress Dowager's gift?" Ninth Prince asked.

An Qing held up three fingers. "There are about 3,000 apples left. The Empress Dowager's gift was unique. The ones we're selling will have the same word on all of them."

"What word?" Ninth Prince asked.

An Qing replied, "'Fu.'"

At the time, she was lazy and simply stamped all the apples with 'Fu,' just like New Year couplets where sometimes one 'Fu' encompasses everything.

With the New Year approaching, if they launched these apples, it would be perfect for bringing good luck.

Of course, besides the 'Fu' gimmick, her apples tasted great due to her grafting efforts. Compared to current fruits, they were much better. Her Xiao Bao loved these apples.

"'Fu' is great," Ninth Prince rubbed his hands excitedly. "With the New Year coming soon, eating 'Fu' apples will surely bring good fortune. What a good omen."

Then, he added regretfully, "It's just a shame there are only 3,000 apples. Why didn't you and Fifth Elder Brother make more?"

An Qing rolled her eyes. She had only done it on a whim when preparing the Empress Dowager's gift. There weren't many apple trees in the orchard, so what could she and Yinqi do?

"Never mind, rarity makes things valuable. If we handle the sale properly, we'll still make a good profit." Ninth Prince looked at An Qing, thinking of something.

"Fifth Sister-in-law, since the inscribed apples were your and Fifth Elder Brother's gift to the Empress Dowager, will she mind if we sell them?"

If the Empress Dowager became displeased with his Fifth Sister-in-law and Fifth Elder Brother over this, it would be a real loss.

Seeing that he wasn't blinded by money and cared about her and Fifth Elder Brother, An Qing felt relieved.

"Don't worry, I've already talked to the Empress Dowager about it, and she doesn't mind."

Hearing this, Ninth Prince relaxed.

Indeed, given how the Empress Dowager favored Fifth Elder Brother and Fifth Sister-in-law, she wouldn't really be angry with them.

"Fifth Sister-in-law, one last question." Ninth Prince hesitated, afraid of annoying An Qing. "I'm not doubting you, but can these apples last until the New Year? We don't want them to spoil."

An Qing was losing patience. "Of course, I have a way to preserve them. You don't need to worry about the supply. I'll ensure the quality is good. You handle the sales and pricing. When we sell them, we'll split the profits fifty-fifty. Are you up for it?"

Ninth Prince slammed the table, confidently saying, "Absolutely! This business looks very promising. Only a fool would turn it down."

"But we need to agree that you won't use your status as a prince to force sales. We need to do legitimate business," An Qing warned.

She was wary of his past antics, including creating a Qing version of the triangular trade. She feared he might take unconventional routes.

Ninth Prince looked indignant. "Do you think I'm stupid? Do we need to force sales? Ridiculous! I promise you, we'll have more demand than supply!"

He knew his Fifth Sister-in-law was looking out for him. Otherwise, why would she share such a profitable business?

"I really want to earn money, but I also want to see if I'm suited for this path," Ninth Prince said seriously.

"Fifth Sister-in-law, thank you."

An Qing waved her hand. "Don't thank me, thank Fifth Elder Brother. He wrote all the words on the apples."

She only came up with the idea; Yinqi did all the work. She hadn't put much effort into it.

Ninth Prince suddenly visualized Fifth Elder Brother following Fifth Sister-in-law around at the agricultural school, claiming to be her assistant.

He hesitated, then asked, "Fifth Sister-in-law, can I ask you a personal question?"

An Qing glanced at him and said, "Depends on how personal it is."

Ninth Prince pursed his lips and stammered, "Don't you really think my Fifth Elder Brother... isn't as good as that?"

Even though he was his own brother, to be honest, his Fifth Sister-in-law was indeed very excellent. In comparison, his Fifth Elder Brother paled in comparison. It wasn't that he was bad, just rather mediocre.

Just like him, he couldn't match up to Eighth Brother above him, nor could he surpass his Thirteenth Brother below him. How could it be any different for his Fifth Elder Brother?

An Qing wasn't foolish; she immediately understood from his hesitant words what he truly wanted to ask.

To be honest, she didn't find Yinqi mediocre at all. In many things, he even saw through them more clearly than her, who had the advantage of historical foresight. The reason he didn't act like other princes was because he was deliberately hiding his true abilities.

Of course, this was also because he knew exactly what he wanted.

"I think your Fifth Elder Brother is just fine."

"What's good about him?"

"Everything is good."

"..."

After dinner, An Qing washed Xiao Bao and then carried him to bed, entering their nightly bedtime routine with the child.

Of course, this time was mainly reserved for Yinqi. After all, she had plenty of time during the day, but Yinqi, as his father, only had this time in the evening to spend with him.

The father and son played with building blocks on the bed. These blocks were something An Qing had designed out of boredom during her pregnancy, and they unexpectedly became one of Xiao Bao's favorite toys.

Children go to bed early, and before long, Xiao Bao started yawning. An Qing put him to bed, gently patting his back while singing his favorite lullaby, and soon he fell asleep.

Yinqi tiptoed over and carried him to the next room, handing him over to the wet nurse for care.

"How is he? Did he wake up?" An Qing asked.

Yinqi, while taking off his outer robe, replied, "No, he's sleeping soundly."

An Qing nodded lightly, relieved.

Ever since the incident at the country estate, the little one insisted on sleeping with them every few days. But now that he was getting older, they decided to have him sleep in his own room.

So far, the little one seemed to be adapting well.

"By the way, today at Mother's palace, I met Xiao Jiu. We talked, and I plan to give him the remaining apples from our estate to sell," An Qing said.

Yinqi was taken aback. An Qing had mentioned selling the apples from the estate before, but he hadn't expected her to collaborate with Xiao Jiu.

"Why did you choose Xiao Jiu?" he asked.

An Qing didn't hide anything from him and explained Xiao Jiu's situation, "Last year at the estate, Xiao Jiu talked to me once. I think he's quite interested in business, so I thought I'd give him a chance to try it out."

She paused and added, "It's better than getting involved in the succession struggle."

Yinqi suddenly understood something. No wonder she suddenly wanted to sell the apples. Previously, whether it was the habit or the strawberries, she had never shown any interest in business.

Perhaps those apples were always intended for Xiao Jiu.

Indeed, Yinqi was right. When An Qing had those apples stamped, she had this intention in mind.

As for business, she had never considered it, neither in her previous life nor in this one. She simply wasn't cut out for it. Everyone has their strengths, and she preferred sticking to farming.

Yinqi also understood what she meant by "better than getting involved in the succession struggle."

Since being taken under the Emperor's wing to learn state affairs, Xiao Jiu had half-stepped into the imperial court. Recently, he had been getting closer to his Eighth Brother. This wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the fact that Eighth Brother was now very active in the court. Since receiving his title, he had become the youngest Beile among all the princes and was gradually making a name for himself in the government. The Emperor had entrusted him with several important tasks, which he handled excellently.

In recent years, everyone who worked with Eighth Brother, whether civil officials or military nobles from Manchuria, praised him highly. He was known for his virtue among the officials.

Recently, Eighth Brother's mother, Noble Consort Wei, was officially promoted to Consort Liang due to her son's achievements.

In contrast, both Elder Brother Prince and the Crown Prince had become increasingly irritable in the court, often scolded by the Emperor.

What worried Yinqi the most was that Eighth Brother had started to build alliances with ministers. The Manchu nobles who were already dissatisfied with the Crown Prince were beginning to gather around Eighth Brother.

So, naturally, he didn't want Xiao Jiu to get involved with Eighth Brother. It wasn't a good thing.

Finding something for him to do would be better. Although business isn't a respectable pursuit for a prince, it's certainly better than getting entangled in the succession struggle.

An Qing shared the same sentiment. Giving him something to do would help divert his attention from the succession struggle.

Ninth Prince's wedding was set for late December. As his elder sister-in-law, An Qing couldn't be idle on that day. When she got married, Concubine Yi had sent Fourth Princess to accompany her after the ceremony.

Now, since Fourth Princess wasn't in the palace, An Qing took over that role.

This was An Qing's first "meeting" with Ninth Prince's wife. Of course, she couldn't see her face due to the red veil, but it was their first interaction.

After a brief conversation, An Qing got a sense of her new sister-in-law's character. She was quiet but very disciplined, evident from her proper posture.

However, she didn't seem difficult to get along with. When An Qing gave birth to Xiao Bao, Dong Eshi had sent handmade shoes and socks for the baby, showing great care. Even Fourth Princess praised her embroidery skills.

Later, Dong Eshi sent clothes for the baby a few times, and An Qing reciprocated with gifts from her parents in Mongolia and fruits from the estate. They interacted well.

Her initial worry about discord between sisters-in-law seemed unfounded for now. As long as everyone treated each other sincerely, their relationship would only improve.

A harmonious family brings prosperity, and An Qing was quite happy about this.

On the second day of Xiao Jiu's wedding, he would bring his new wife to Yikun Palace to pay respects. As his sister-in-law, An Qing would be present.

She woke up early, dressed carefully, and brought the festively dressed Xiao Bao and Hongsheng to Yikun Palace.

Concubine Yi and Lady Guo had already tidied up early and were sitting in the main hall sipping tea.

The moment the mother and son stepped through the door, they both yawned simultaneously, clearly still half-asleep.

Seeing the two of them, Concubine Yi found it both amusing and exasperating. They truly resembled each other in every way.

Of course, this resemblance wasn't about looks but behavior.

For instance, sleeping was something An Qing excelled at. She always needed at least eight hours of sleep or she would be lethargic all day. Xiao Bao was no different; he also loved to sleep.

Therefore, when Yinqi returned from court, it was common to see the mother and son lying side by side, catching up on their sleep. Even their sleeping postures were eerily similar.

An Qing brought Hongsheng and Xiao Bao to pay their respects to Concubine Yi and Lady Guo.

"Mother, why did you get up so early? You didn't stay awake all night worrying again, did you?" she said with a smile.

Concubine Yi gave her a look, knowing full well that An Qing was poking fun at her for not being able to sleep the night before her marriage to the Fifth Prince.

It was all Mo Yali's fault for being so unreliable and loose-lipped. Ever since she became friends with An Qing, she couldn't keep anything to herself.

Seeing her mother-in-law's disapproving glance, An Qing quickly changed tactics, using Xiao Bao as a shield and placing him in Concubine Yi's arms. Then she turned and pushed Hongsheng toward her as well.

"Come, didn't you miss your grandmother? Go and spend some time with her."

Ever since Xiao Bao was born, Hongsheng had been visiting Yikun Palace more frequently and getting closer to Concubine Yi. However, due to his personality, he still felt somewhat restrained during these visits.

Xiao Bao played along enthusiastically, "Miss Grandmother, kiss!"

With that, he planted a kiss on Concubine Yi's cheek.

The little one was now eleven months old and speaking more fluently. He could stand and walk a few steps holding onto a chair, though he still wobbled.

Concubine Yi, who hadn't been angry to begin with, broke into a wide smile, "Our Hong Zhi is such a good boy, hmph~ better than your mother."

Xiao Bao repeated, "Mother, good!"

Concubine Yi tapped his nose, "No, your mother isn't good."

The little one parroted back, "Mother, not good!"

Concubine Yi laughed, "Right, not good, not as good as our Xiao Bao."

Xiao Bao, hearing his name, clapped his tiny hands proudly, "Bao, good!"

Lady Guo watched the interaction between the grandmother and grandson and couldn't help but laugh along.

An Qing glanced at her silly son and shook her head helplessly.

Concubine Yi didn't neglect Hongsheng either and turned to talk to him for a while.

An Qing sat down and hadn't even finished her tea when Ninth Prince arrived with his wife Dong Eshi to pay their respects.

Finally, An Qing met her ninth sister-in-law, who was quite pretty, with a delicate charm and graceful manners, clearly a well-bred noblewoman.

After the new bride paid her respects and served tea, Concubine Yi, as the mother-in-law, presented Dong Eshi with a phoenix hairpin adorned with jade and pearls, similar to what she had given An Qing, but with a slightly different design.

As a close sister-in-law, An Qing also presented her gift, an early-prepared jade bracelet. Lady Guo, as the aunt, gave her a jade hairpin.

After receiving the gifts, Dong Eshi also presented presents for Hongsheng and Xiao Bao. The gifts showed how thoughtful Dong Eshi was; although different, they were equally valuable, showing no favoritism despite Hongsheng being a concubine-born son.

"Quick, thank your Aunt Ninth," An Qing smiled.

Hongsheng bowed politely, "Hongsheng thanks Aunt Ninth."

Xiao Bao, the silly boy, was too engrossed with his gift to hear his mother's words.

An Qing couldn't resist pinching his cheek.

Xiao Bao looked up innocently with his big, blinking eyes, "Mother?"

An Qing pointed at Dong Eshi, reminding him, "You little money-grubber, you forgot what Mother taught you. When you receive a gift, you should thank Aunt."

The little one seemed to remember and immediately turned to Dong Eshi, "Thank you, Aunt. Bao likes it!"

He held up the small gold lock in his hands, grinning widely, revealing all his baby teeth.

Dong Eshi, seeing Xiao Bao's adorable face, grew fond of her nephew and spent a long time playing with him next to Concubine Yi. Lady Guo, noticing her affection for children, teased her about having many in the future.

Unsurprisingly, Dong Eshi blushed deeply.

Taking advantage of the moment, Ninth Prince began discussing the apple sales during the New Year with An Qing.

An Qing, who had no interest in business, dismissed the topic, "Xiao Jiu, you don't need to discuss this with me. Since I entrusted it to you, take full responsibility. I trust you."

Seeing An Qing's trust, Ninth Prince expressed his gratitude and promised not to disappoint her.

As the New Year approached, the palace bustled with activity.

One day, Kangxi summoned Yinqi, who hurried to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

"Your Majesty, what do you need from me?" Yinqi asked.

Kangxi had just finished reviewing several memorials and casually tossed one aside upon Yinqi's arrival, "Nothing major, just wanted to ask how the construction of your residence is progressing."

Hearing his father mention the residence, Yinqi replied without much thought, "It's almost complete. It should be finished before the New Year."

Not only was his residence nearing completion, but those of his elder brothers—his First, Third, and Fourth Brothers—were also nearly done. After the New Year, they would choose auspicious times to move out of the palace.

Speaking of this mansion, over the past year, he and An Qing have visited it frequently, nearly wearing out the estate map, but the results so far look good; at least everything is proceeding according to their plans.

Kangxi nodded, but then suddenly changed the subject, asking, "How is Liu Jiashi in your courtyard these days?"

Yinqi was taken aback. Kangxi had known about Liu Jiashi and Baijia Shi conspiring to harm An Qing, and he had tacitly approved of the punishment for both of them. After all, those who plotted against the imperial offspring and had ill intentions could not be spared.

But to save face for Hongsheng, he also endorsed Yinqi's approach.

"A few days ago, the imperial physician went to check on her and said she probably won't last much longer," he replied truthfully.

Kangxi lightly acknowledged with a "Hmm," pondered for a moment, and then said, "Once Liu Jiashi passes away, you will only have one Princess left in your courtyard. It's still too empty."

Chapter 109: The Fifth Princess Consort

Yinqi silently sighed. What was coming had finally arrived.

He had always known this day would come. Previously, his mother had used the excuse of not having a legitimate son to shield him once, and when they were in Jiangnan, he himself had used An Qing's busyness as an excuse to avoid it. But he knew deep down that these were only temporary measures.

When his father mentioned Liu Jiashi just now, Yinqi realized there was no escaping today.

If he couldn't escape, then he wouldn't. Since he had already made up his mind, this day would eventually come.

Yinqi took a deep breath and spoke, "Father Emperor, your son believes that things are fine as they are and does not wish to add anyone else to the inner court."

Kangxi's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Do not wish to add anyone?"

Yinqi nodded slightly, his expression firm. "Father Emperor, your son indeed does not want to add anyone. Not now, and not in the future."

With these words, the hall fell into a silence so profound that one could hear a pin drop.

The eunuchs serving tea nearby even held their breaths, and Liang Jiugong looked at Yinqi with surprise.

Having served Kangxi for a long time, he knew very well that this was how Kangxi expressed concern for his sons. Everyone understood this, which is why none of the other princes or the Crown Prince had ever refused Kangxi before. Today, the Fifth Beile was breaking this precedent.

Kangxi quietly observed his son standing below, not speaking for a long while, lost in thought.

His reaction was surprisingly calm, as if he had anticipated Yinqi's answer. However, everyone present could sense an impending storm beneath this calmness.

In truth, if Kangxi wanted to know, nothing in the palace could be hidden from him. Ever since Yinqi's marriage to An Qing, he had never set foot in any other woman's quarters, and this fact had spread throughout the palace. How could he not know?

Initially, he did not intervene because he thought the newlyweds' situation would not last long. Later, as An Qing contributed more and more to farming, he respected her efforts and did not want to interfere, using the lack of children under An Qing's care as an excuse to delay action.

In Kangxi's view, this was a way to show favor to An Qing, who had done so much for the Great Qing.

Thus, whether it was Concubine Yi's gentle refusal on behalf of the Fifth Prince or Yinqi's excuses in Jiangnan, Kangxi merely went along with it.

But now that they had a legitimate son, Kangxi had no reason to continue indulging them. Moreover, with the loss of a Princess and a secondary consort in the inner court, the number of women had become embarrassingly low, leading to today's situation.

"Yinqi, do you know what you are saying?" Kangxi said coldly.

Yinqi met his father's scrutinizing gaze without fear. "Father Emperor, your son knows."

Kangxi pondered for a moment, then asked sternly, "Is this because An Qing does not want it?"

If An Qing did not want it, she would be seen as intolerant, and the label of jealousy would be hard for her to bear.

Yinqi remained calm, bowing respectfully. "Father Emperor, this has nothing to do with her. It is entirely my decision."

As a son, Yinqi understood his father well. This matter had nothing to do with An Qing, and his father knew it. As for whether he would blame her...

"Father Emperor, An Qing has often told me that in her heart, you are a rare sage ruler. She says it is her honor to help alleviate your worries."

Kangxi was silent.

He was not foolish and could discern the underlying meaning behind these flattering words.

Whether An Qing had actually said this, Kangxi could not verify, but he knew clearly that Yinqi was indirectly reminding him that An Qing had helped solve many problems for the Great Qing. If he blamed An Qing for this, it would not only be unbecoming of a wise ruler but also would not satisfy the officials and the people.

"Very well. Since this is the case, it is your problem. Yinqi, have you reflected on the matter of Liu Jiashi and Baijia Shi? If you had been fair, An Qing would not have been placed in such danger," Kangxi said.

Ultimately, it was his own fault for showing favoritism, causing unrest in the inner court.

Yinqi replied calmly, "Without others, everything would be fine."

That was why he did not want to add anyone else to the inner court.

"You..." Kangxi looked at his stubborn son and felt a surge of anger. He had never encountered such a situation before. "Ridiculous! Having multiple wives and concubines is a common practice among men, and it has always been so."

"Father Emperor, do you truly believe that? Then why have you never bestowed concubines upon the imperial sons-in-law of the Great Qing?" Yinqi countered.

At this point, he had nothing to lose. At worst, he would face his father's displeasure, which was not a big deal.

Kangxi was taken aback, as if slapped in the face.

Indeed, if he truly believed it was nothing, why had he never bestowed concubines upon his own sons-in-law, even those least favored?

Embarrassed and enraged, Kangxi grabbed a teacup nearby and threw it at Yinqi.

Yinqi did not dodge or retreat; the teacup struck his forehead, leaving a visible bloodstain.

"Father Emperor, please calm down. Your son is at fault!" He did not tend to his wound but knelt immediately to plead guilty.

Kangxi could see that despite his confession, Yinqi remained stubborn, clearly unwilling to change his stance.

Knowing further discussion would be futile, he waved his hand dismissively, sending Yinqi away.

Exiting the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Yinqi stood at the door, head bowed, unmoving for a long while, lost in thought.

Ma Xiang approached silently. Though he did not know what had happened, seeing the injury on his master's forehead, he guessed something. After all, apart from the Emperor, no one dared harm a prince.

"Master, let's go back quickly. We need to treat your wound," Ma Xiang urged anxiously.

Yinqi seemed to finally snap out of it, looking up and softly replying, "Let's go."

With that, he walked away.

Ma Xiang watched his master leave, puzzled. That direction was not toward the princes' residence.

Inside the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Kangxi drank several cups of tea before finally calming down.

"Can Beile Yinqi return now?"

Although his wound doesn't look too serious, it's still on his face, so it needs to be treated promptly.

Liang Jiugong hesitated for a moment and replied, "This servant saw him heading towards Empress Dowager's Ningshou Palace."

Kangxi was taken aback, as if he understood something: "Has his head wound been treated?"

Liang Jiugong answered truthfully, "Your Majesty, it has not been treated."

Kangxi suddenly laughed in anger, "This brat, how old is he now? He's still running to his grandmother to complain just like when he was a child!"

Back when he first went to the Imperial Academy, every time Kangxi scolded him, he would inevitably run to Ningshou Palace. It wasn't exactly complaining, but he always looked pitiful. The Empress Dowager doted on him, so she couldn't bear to see him like that.

Therefore, the Empress Dowager would always send someone to invite him to Ningshou Palace for tea.

It's been years since then, and as Yinqi grew older, this stopped happening.

Who knew he would resort to the same trick again. Kangxi snorted; this time, he had miscalculated.

Other matters might be easier to handle, but this one, the Empress Dowager definitely wouldn't help him.

Just as Kangxi was certain of this, a small eunuch rushed in hurriedly, "Your Majesty, Wu Lan from Ningshou Palace has come. She says the Empress Dowager wishes to invite you for tea."

Kangxi was stunned; how could the Empress Dowager... But then he thought of something and suddenly felt relieved.

"It has indeed been a long time since I visited Ningshou Palace to have tea with my grandmother. Let's go."

Inside Ningshou Palace.

When Kangxi arrived, Yinqi had clearly already left. The Empress Dowager had the tea replaced, and mother and son sat facing each other, sipping tea.

"Grandmother, how is your health recently? A few days ago, I heard the imperial physician say you were coughing. Have you improved?" Kangxi asked.

The Empress Dowager waved her hand and replied, "I'm fine; it was just a minor cold. After taking some medicine, I'm better. This little matter shouldn't trouble the emperor with worry."

Kangxi smiled, "Grandmother, you're saying that. Caring for you is what a son should do. Speaking of which, I feel ashamed for not visiting sooner."

The Empress Dowager smiled back, "The emperor is busy with state affairs; they are more important. Don't worry about me here. The consorts often come to keep me company."

After some pleasantries, the Empress Dowager got straight to the point.

"Yinqi came to see me, and I've had the imperial physician treat his forehead wound. You can rest assured."

Kangxi replied, "It's my fault, making Grandmother worry."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand and said, "This isn't the emperor's fault; Yinqi was indeed careless."

She took a sip of tea, put down her cup, and looked at Kangxi, "Emperor, let's not beat around the bush. Today, I want to plead on Yinqi's behalf, hoping you'll grant his wish."

Kangxi's hand holding the teacup paused, completely surprised by the Empress Dowager's words, looking at her incredulously, "Grandmother, why..."

The Empress Dowager knew why Kangxi reacted this way. He was raised by the Empress Dowager, who instilled in him the belief that the Aisin Gioro lineage must not indulge in love, as it was cowardly and detrimental to the ruler. Over the years, she watched him adhere to these teachings.

It's often said that the imperial family is the most heartless, yet some say the Aisin Gioro lineage produces lovers. From Emperor Taizong to the previous emperor, both caused turmoil due to their love for a woman.

During Emperor Taizong and Hailan Zhu's time, the Empress Dowager wasn't in the palace, but she heard stories about the emperor from her elders. He was known to be extremely cold-hearted, even divorcing his childhood sweetheart for the throne and forcing another consort to remarry. Yet, after meeting Hailan Zhu, everything changed. His love for her spread across the grasslands.

Many women dreamed of becoming Hailan Zhu, including the Empress Dowager. But when she entered the palace, she realized the previous emperor was like Emperor Taizong, but Hailan Zhu was Dong Efei.

Both pairs of lovers met similar fates. Both emperors made their beloveds' sons crown princes, but neither survived. The women died young, and the emperors soon followed, heartbroken.

As the previous emperor's empress, she witnessed the love between him and Dong Efei. The way he looked at Dong Efei was unlike anything she'd seen. She felt resentful but ultimately accepted reality.

If anyone hated the phrase "the Aisin Gioro lineage produces lovers," it was the Empress Dowager. She saw her husband and son fall into the same trap, so she educated Kangxi extensively to prevent him from following suit.

Kangxi knew his grandmother's hatred for Hailan Zhu and Dong Efei and assumed the Empress Dowager shared this sentiment, given his father's attempts to replace her with Dong Efei.

The Empress Dowager knew Kangxi's thoughts but didn't hate Dong Efei. She never defended herself because of the Empress Dowager's hatred, leading everyone to believe she resented Dong Efei.

While she didn't know much about Hailan Zhu, she knew Dong Eshi was kind and virtuous, never disrespecting her despite the emperor's favor.

When the previous emperor tried to depose her, Dong Eshi threatened her life to stop it. Regardless of her motives, the Empress Dowager was grateful.

"Grandmother, the ancestral rules..." Kangxi tried to persuade.

The Empress Dowager raised her hand, interrupting him, "I know the ancestral rules. A prosperous imperial lineage symbolizes the longevity of Great Qing."

Great Qing is a minority ruling over a vast Han population, so these rules are essential.

"Emperor, you've done well in this regard." The Empress Dowager said, "That's why I can ask this of you today."

With fifteen princes in the harem, the imperial lineage is secure. Losing Yinqi won't affect it.

Kangxi was speechless for a while before quietly saying, "Grandmother, I know you love Yinqi, but have you heard the saying 'deep love rarely lasts long.'"

Whether it was Emperor Taizong or his father, if they hadn't loved so deeply, things wouldn't have ended as they did. He feared Yinqi would...

The Empress Dowager looked at Kangxi, seemingly understanding something, and sighed silently.

Deep love rarely lasts long. In Kangxi's view, both Emperor Taizong and the previous emperor's misfortunes stemmed from their deep love. If they hadn't loved so deeply, they wouldn't have died young after losing Hailan Zhu and Dong Efei.

But he never considered why Hailan Zhu and Dong Efei died so young. While she didn't know the specifics about Hailan Zhu, she knew about Dong Efei.

Dong Efei became the enemy of the entire harem due to the previous emperor's favor. The Empress Dowager despised her, and the emperor's attempts to depose her only worsened Dong Efei's situation. Those days, Dong Efei lived in constant fear.

Finally, after enduring the pain of losing her child, the emperor's decision to depose her, and the strain in her relationship with her mother-in-law, Dong Efei ultimately exhausted herself and could not hold on any longer, passing away soon after.

Of course, there was no shortage of the Empress Dowager's influence in this matter.

As for Hailanzhu's situation in the harem at that time, it must have been equally challenging. The Empress at that time was the Empress Dowager's own aunt, and the two of them, seeing Hailanzhu as a threat to their status, would certainly have retaliated.

But these words, the Empress Dowager could not say. No matter what, the Empress Dowager had been kind to her.

Moreover, Kangxi's thoughts were not easily changed, and her purpose today was not to alter his mind. She wanted to fulfill the fifth son's wishes.

The Empress Dowager had noticed the fifth son's feelings over the past few years, especially on the day An Qing gave birth. She saw how flustered he was, much like she had seen in the late emperor when Dong Efei gave birth.

However, in the Empress Dowager's view, the fifth son was different from the late emperor, and An Qing was different from Dong Efei. The fifth son's desire to keep no other women in his household could be seen as a form of protection for both of them.

Liu Jiashi and Baijia Shi were clear examples of this. Thanks to An Qing's quick wit, they did not succeed.

Just as the fifth son said, without others around, there would be no need for such concerns.

The Empress Dowager fell silent for a moment before suddenly speaking, "Emperor, back then, you pitied my loneliness and sent the fifth son to Ningshou Palace. I know that at that time, you had given up on him, didn't you?"

Kangxi looked up sharply, surprised, as if trying to discern the meaning behind her words.

The Empress Dowager smiled and continued, "In Manchuria, we do not have the tradition of establishing a crown prince; those are Han customs. Although the crown prince has indeed performed well in recent years, when you established him as the crown prince, you must not have been entirely certain."

Kangxi was taken aback but could not refute her words.

To be honest, establishing the crown prince back then was indeed due to circumstances. At that time, the crisis of the Three Feudatories was ongoing, and Wu Sangui had already taken half of the Great Qing. To unite the people and gain the support of the Han population, Kangxi decided to follow the traditional Han political practice of establishing Yinzeng, the eldest son, as the crown prince.

Although it was uncertain whether the crown prince could inherit the throne, Kangxi knew that to free the Qing court from Mongolian control, another prince with Mongolian ties could not succeed.

So, sending the fifth son to Ningshou Palace effectively cut off his future prospects.

Over the years, Kangxi had suspected that the Empress Dowager understood his intentions, but out of mutual understanding between mother and son, they never spoke of it. Who knew that the Empress Dowager would bring it up today?

The Empress Dowager sighed and said, "Emperor, although I have never spoken of it, I understand your predicament and the importance of the state. What you did was not wrong, but I feel guilty towards the fifth son. If it weren't for this old woman, he wouldn't have..."

Kangxi quickly interrupted her, "Empress Dowager, please don't think that way. For the fifth son to grow up under your care is his fortune. Rest assured, I will never neglect him."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, "I trust you, Emperor. I have never worried about this matter. So, why not fulfill the fifth son's wish? It won't affect the Great Qing's stability."

Since he was destined to be excluded from that position, why not let him live freely?

"I also understand your paternal concern, fearing he might follow the late emperor's path. But An Qing seems very healthy and blessed with longevity. Moreover, tying her down with household affairs might not be beneficial for the Great Qing, given her talents..."

Kangxi stayed in Ningshou Palace for a long time before leaving. The Empress Dowager had dismissed everyone else, and no third party knew what was discussed between mother and son.

Once Kangxi left, Wu Lan hurriedly entered and asked with concern, "Mistress, did the Emperor agree?"

Holding her prayer beads, the Empress Dowager took a long moment before softly saying, "Yes."

"Send someone to inform the fifth son at his residence. Tell him it's done and that he should live his life well from now on."

Wu Lan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Earlier, Beile Yinqi had come to Ningshou Palace alone and knelt before the Empress Dowager, asking for a favor.

Wu Lan felt deeply for him, having watched him grow up under the Empress Dowager's care. She genuinely wished for his happiness.

"Very well, I'll send someone immediately. I'm sure the fifth Beile is anxiously waiting for news."

When the messenger arrived at Ningshou Palace, Yinqi was sitting alone in his study, just as Wu Lan had said, waiting for news.

Upon hearing the eunuch's words, his tense shoulders relaxed instantly, and a genuine smile spread across his face.

Clearly, he had made the right move.

Chapter 110: The Fifth Princess Consort

Yinqi had always known that his Father Emperor's mind was difficult to change. Having held a high position for years, he was accustomed to everyone's obedience and submission. Yinqi himself didn't mind, but this matter had dragged on too long, and he feared it would eventually involve An Qing.

Without further ado, if his Father Emperor directly chose someone and then went to An Qing, she would have no choice but to comply.

Therefore, the best solution was to resolve the issue quickly. Since everything was already out in the open, they should strike while the iron was hot.

In fact, before this, Yinqi had been thinking about how to handle it if it ever came to this. His mother knew of his feelings for An Qing, but she couldn't persuade his Father Emperor. The only person who could convince his Father Emperor was likely his Grand Empress Dowager.

His Father Emperor respected his Grand Empress Dowager, but more importantly, she understood him well.

What made Yinqi hesitant was whether his Grand Empress Dowager would stand by his side.

Everyone in the palace knew that the late emperor, due to his exclusive affection for Dong Efei, once intended to depose his Grand Empress Dowager. Therefore, many said she hated Dong Efei and despised those who let their emotions cloud their judgment.

Even his mother, after learning of his feelings, warned him not to reveal anything to his Grand Empress Dowager, as it would do neither him nor An Qing any good.

But having grown up under his Grand Empress Dowager's care, Yinqi could sense that she wasn't like the rumors suggested. He vividly remembered her mentioning the late emperor and Dong Efei when he was young, and her reaction was quite calm, without saying anything negative about them. Her tone even hinted at... admiration and longing.

Thus, Yinqi admitted that taking this step involved a gamble—both on his Grand Empress Dowager convincing his Father Emperor and supporting him.

Moreover, from a personal standpoint, his Grand Empress Dowager was one of the most important people in his life, and he didn't want to deceive her. So, in a way, this step was inevitable.

His thoughts drifted back to the scene at Ningshou Palace earlier.

Yinqi walked from the Palace of Heavenly Purity to Ningshou Palace. When the Empress Dowager saw him, she was initially happy, but upon closer inspection, she immediately noticed the wound on his forehead.

"Old Five, how did you get that injury?" she asked anxiously.

Yinqi knelt before the Empress Dowager and said with a somber expression, "Grand Empress Dowager, I have a request."

The Empress Dowager was taken aback; she had never seen him like this before. Without guessing, she knew something must have happened. "Regardless of what you're asking for, we need to treat that wound first."

She then turned to instruct Wu Lan to summon the imperial physician.

As for Yinqi's injury, the Empress Dowager wasn't foolish; she guessed it was done by Kangxi. After all, the only person capable of injuring a prince in the palace was his father.

"You can speak after you get up," the Empress Dowager said.

Yinqi shook his head, insisting on speaking while kneeling. The Empress Dowager didn't force him and allowed him to recount what had happened at the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

"Grand Empress Dowager, I truly don't want to add anyone else to my household. Please grant me this wish."

The Empress Dowager frowned, looking at her kneeling grandson and asked, "Is it because of An Qing?"

Yinqi knew what she wanted to ask and didn't hide it, nodding slightly. "Yes, I have no grand ambitions and don't fear being disowned by my Father Emperor. I just want to live with her."

The Empress Dowager looked at him quietly and asked, "Do you think I will grant your wish?"

Yinqi's eyes showed no evasion, and he replied honestly, "Grand Empress Dowager, I don't know if you will grant it, but I want you to know about this and don't want to hide it from you."

Hearing "I want you to know and don't want to hide it from you" made the Empress Dowager's heart ache. This child, raised by her, had grown into the person she hoped he would be.

After entering the palace, she was never favored by the late emperor, living without children or affection for years. Though seated as the empress, she spent her days in fear and loneliness.

Later, when Kangxi ascended the throne, she became the Empress Dowager, but much remained unchanged. As they were not blood relatives, she had to maintain a certain distance. For years, she had learned to turn a blind eye to matters both in the court and the harem, which was her survival strategy.

To put it bluntly, there was no blood relation in the entire palace, so why bother meddling? Turning a blind eye often made things easier.

The Empress Dowager had always been like this, towards Kangxi and Yinqi.

Even with Yinqi, whom she had raised since childhood, she chose to pretend ignorance of his feelings for An Qing.

She thought it was best for everyone, but until Yinqi said "don't want to hide it from you," she realized she had expectations too.

"Haven't you heard the rumors in the palace?" the Empress Dowager asked.

Yinqi nodded slightly. "Grand Empress Dowager, I have heard them."

The Empress Dowager responded with an "Oh" and asked, "Aren't you afraid I'll take it out on An Qing?"

Yinqi smiled and shook his head. "You won't, just as you understand me. I grew up by your side and understand you too."

A hint of satisfaction flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes.

Everyone in the palace thought she hated Dong Efei and those who let their emotions cloud their judgment, including Emperor Kangxi. But Old Five saw through it.

Indeed, this child she raised had not disappointed her.

With the matter resolved, Yinqi felt the clouds over his head dissipate, as if a ray of light had shone down, filling his life with hope.

He paced around his study several times, trying to suppress his indescribable excitement, but he couldn't help opening the door and rushing out.

Ma Xiang, who was guarding the door, was startled to see his master run out, fearing something had happened. Upon seeing he was heading to the Princess Consort's courtyard, he relaxed.

In the main courtyard, An Qing was in the yard with Xiao Bao, watching the snow.

It was the season when snow fell in the Forbidden City. The snow started last night and continued throughout the morning. Once it lightened, An Qing took Xiao Bao out to build a snowman.

Little Xizi, upon hearing they were building a snowman for the little prince, quickly gathered the eunuchs in the yard. Cui Liu and the others also joined in, making the courtyard lively.

Even Snowball, seeing everyone outside, brought its family out for a stroll, leaving small paw prints resembling plum blossoms on the white snow.

Xiao Bao could now stand steadily and wobble a few steps. An Qing placed him next to a snow pile, crouched down, and grabbed a handful of snow for him to touch.

This wasn't the first time Xiao Bao had seen snow. The Forbidden City had experienced several snowfalls already. During the last heavy snowfall, An Qing had taken him to view the Forbidden City's snowy landscape from the city walls.

"Mama cool, snow gone." The little one stretched out his chubby hand, wanting more snow from An Qing.

An Qing pinched another small handful and placed it in his palm. Before long, the snowflakes slowly melted again in the warmth of his hand. The mother and son were having a great time.

Before long, Little Xizi had finished building the snowman. When the little one saw the snowman, he instantly became excited.

"Snowman, snowman!"

He suddenly broke free from An Qing's hand that was supporting him and wobbled towards the snowman.

The snowy ground was already slippery, and with the little one not walking steadily, he fell flat on his face after just a few steps.

The little one was dressed very warmly, wearing a fluffy hat with ears. As he struggled to get up on the ground, it looked quite comical.

An Qing suddenly felt playful and quickly stopped the palace servants who were about to help. She walked over herself.

"Mama, help me," the little one said obediently, reaching out his hand for a hug.

An Qing picked him up and then gave a mischievous smile. "Xiao Bao, shall Mama play and build a snowman with you?"

The little one blinked, thinking Mama wanted to carry him to see the completed snowman. He happily replied, "Sure, sure, build a snowman..."

Before he could finish speaking, An Qing pushed him back into the nearby snow pile and joyfully buried him in the snow.

"Xiao Bao, don't worry, Mama will turn you into a snowman!"

The little one didn't react at first but after a few seconds, he started struggling hard. "No, Mama, Xiao Bao is not a snowman, no..."

An Qing held him down, not giving him any chance to resist.

Isn't having a child for fun? This silly son was quite entertaining indeed.

When Yinqi arrived, he saw this scene: his son being pressed to the ground by his heartless mother, who was piling snow on him.

The little boy seemed to want to get up and was kicking his legs, but he was too small and weak to match his mother's strength.

The servants nearby wanted to help but dared not, so they could only watch anxiously.

"My lady, please don't torment the young master; he might catch a cold," Perilla urged anxiously.

An Qing waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry, he's wearing so many layers, and the fur coat is waterproof. It's fine."

Xiao Bao, pinned to the ground by his mother, couldn't move. He looked up and saw his father not far away. He waved his hands and shouted, "Father, help me!"

Everyone turned around, including An Qing.

When she saw Yinqi, she felt a bit guilty, realizing that their son wasn't hers alone.

Yinqi stepped forward and finally rescued his son from his mother's clutches.

"Father, Mama is bad, humph! She pushed me!" the little one complained to his father.

An Qing touched her nose guiltily. "Hey, didn't you agree to play? Why are you complaining now?"

What about martial virtue!

Yinqi glanced at An Qing speechlessly but still turned to his son and warned, "Don't speak ill of your mother; she's playing with you."

Xiao Bao, seeing his father wasn't siding with him, pouted, looking very aggrieved.

Seeing Yinqi support her, An Qing straightened her back. "Exactly, you ungrateful brat. I'm playing with you, and you call me bad. Watch out, or I'll spank you."

After threatening her son, An Qing decided to stop, but when she looked up, she noticed a wound on Yinqi's forehead and paused.

"What happened to your forehead?"

Yinqi was taken aback and then realized she was referring to the wound.

"It's nothing, just an accidental injury."

An Qing frowned instinctively. An accidental injury?

Looking at the position of the wound, how careless would one have to be to hurt themselves there?

"Did it happen in the Palace of Heavenly Purity?" she asked tentatively.

Yinqi knew she was always perceptive, but he didn't expect her to guess right away. "Don't worry, it's not serious."

Seeing his reaction, An Qing realized he didn't want to elaborate further and didn't press the issue.

"Have you treated the wound?"

Yinqi nodded slightly. "The imperial physician has seen it and applied medicine. We just need to be careful going forward."

"Father, blow, it doesn't hurt." Xiao Bao hugged Yinqi's neck and, imitating An Qing, blew on the wound on Yinqi's forehead.

Yinqi smiled and patted his head. "Xiao Bao, good boy, Father isn't in pain anymore."

He looked at An Qing and then at his son, feeling a sense of relief.

Earlier, rushing out of the study, he had been eager to share the news with An Qing, but on the way, he saw Guoerji, realizing it wasn't the right time yet.

Yes, there was still Guoerji between them. Guoerji had always been well-behaved in the household, and he had been contemplating how to arrange things for her.

Although he had some ideas, it wasn't the right time yet, and he didn't know what Guoerji thought. So, whether this would work out was still uncertain.

However, Yinqi also realized that he could take his time. Fortunately, they had a lifetime ahead of them, and one day she would understand his feelings.