If Yin Hui picked the wrong item, Jiujiu would frown, followed by a little smack.
Jiujiu never hit hard.
Fang He didn’t interfere; she even enjoyed this form of bloodline suppression.
After enough time, Yin Hui developed a conditioned reflex.
Seeing his sister Chunlai nod from her arms, he grunted, flipped over, and quickly climbed onto the table.
Children had poor memories and could rarely remember which item to pick amidst the dazzling array.
They chose what caught their eye.
After picking one item, Yin Hui would look up at his sister.
Seeing her frown, he immediately threw it aside and picked it again.
Kangxi naturally noticed this and even understood the secret transactions between mother and daughter, both barely tolerating Er Bao.
If Yin Hui picked the items Fang He wanted, Jiujiu’s hundred taels would double; if he chose wrong, it would be halved.
Jiujiu probably inherited her mother’s greed.
Calculating that if her brother picked wrong, it would be like losing 150 taels, she put more effort into rehearsing Yin Hui than even Fang He did.
Kangxi glanced at Fang He with a half-smile.
Seeing her wink back, he secretly chuckled.
These two were alike: seemingly shrewd but actually a bit silly.
As for the little prince crawling swiftly on the table, his ability to read expressions was truly fitting of the Aisin Gioro’s cleverness.
Yin Hui made his sister frown only three times before accurately picking the item Fang He hoped for: a jade plaque engraved with Mongolian script.
The crowd gathered closer to look.
Some did not understand what it was or what it signified.
The elder noble ladies’ expressions darkened.
They could barely read the jade plaque’s characters and understood even less of its meaning.
But when the emperor and Empress Dowager’s expressions changed, silence fell immediately.
Liang Jiugong shouted, “Fifteenth Prince has chosen the Grand Empress Dowager’s ‘Quà n Xué ShÅ«’ Jade Plaque. May you be diligent in your studies, with strength and gentleness guiding your bright future; may you walk the great path and enlighten all.”
The crowd gasped, instantly understanding the jade plaque’s significance.
This was the Grand Empress Dowager’s educational edict for the Manchu and Mongolian women after the Great Qing’s entry into the Central Plains.
Of course, it did not mean these women were to become literary scholars.
During the reign of the Shizu Emperor, the fusion of Manchu and Han was promoted, and talented women were favored.
Most Manchu and Mongolian women did not speak the Han language.
If they did not gain Shizu’s favor after entering the palace, the Han Banner consorts were more favored.
The Grand Empress Dowager, supporting Shizu’s Manchu-Han fusion policy, issued this Edict of Grace urging learning, intending to encourage consorts and palace maids, especially northern Mongolian ones, to strive forward and avoid hindrances in Manchu-Mongolian intermarriage.
Once issued, the edict was not presented as personal ambition but as a noble cause: even women should enlighten their minds to be virtuous helpers, assist civil and military officials, bring harmony to families and country, aid the emperor, and glorify the Great Qing’s prestige.
At that time, Manchu families invited teachers to instruct female members in Han language due to this edict.
Even northern Mongolian palace maids were influenced, and among the Mongolian tribes, the status of literate slaves rose.
This jade plaque was given by the Grand Empress Dowager to Shizu and preserved by Kangxi in the private treasury.
He hadn’t even noticed when Fang He took it.
Kangxi immediately turned to look at Fang He, who blinked innocently.
He often let her pick things from the private treasury, so naturally, she took useful items.
The eldest prince’s wife’s eyes reddened.
Rarely did she stand up and kneel before the Empress Dowager.
“Next month is the Grand Empress Dowager’s memorial. Since I entered the palace, I have always been cared for by the ancestor. Unfortunately, I lack the fortune to serve her closely. Every time I think of this, my heart feels unsettled.”
“I only wish to follow the ancestor’s will, learn more, think more, and assist the eldest prince in managing the household, bringing peace to the family. I ask the Empress Dowager to grant me several of the Grand Empress Dowager’s books so I may daily remember her kindness!”
The crowd was caught off guard by the sudden emotional outburst of the eldest prince’s wife.
“This is the first birthday ceremony, and you’re flattering and pretending to be filial. Why didn’t you warn us beforehand? We weren’t prepared!”
Consort Yin also wiped her eyes and knelt, choking back tears, “I also deeply miss the ancestor’s kindness. Without her care, Yinqi and Yin Tang might not be safe to this day. I also wish to request several of the Grand Empress Dowager’s books to inherit her will.”
Kangxi lowered his gaze and gently lifted the somewhat embarrassed Yin Hui, watching the jade plaque tightly held in his son’s hand.
The Empress Dowager’s eyes reddened as well, clearly recalling her first days in the palace when her aunt protected her.
Seeing this, many palace ladies became emotional.
If they delayed any longer, they’d miss the warmth of the occasion!
Immediately, elder noble ladies wept openly and knelt, recounting how the Grand Empress Dowager once guided them in learning Manchu and Han languages.
More followed suit, asking for the Grand Empress Dowager’s books, expressing their desire to learn, read, and reflect more so that she could rest in peace in heaven.
The Crown Prince and the imperial princes naturally joined, also kneeling before the Empress Dowager to make their requests.
The Empress Dowager, her eyes moist but unable to cry, thought: where did all these aunties’ relics come from for them to be so nostalgic?
The books left by the aunties were sent to Jingren Palace.
If so many were given out now, half of Jingren Palace would be empty.
What would the imperial family read afterward?
Fang He stepped forward at the right moment, supporting the Empress Dowager’s arm with a sincere expression.
“Empress Dowager, although the Grand Empress Dowager passed three years ago, her image and smile remain in our hearts! I believe no one can forget her contributions to the Great Qing, and the longer she’s gone, the more we remember.”
“In that case, I propose that every year in April, a memorial ceremony be held in her honor, so all under heaven remember the ancestor’s enduring spirit!”
Everyone: “…………”
In terms of flattery, the Noble Consort was unmatched.
No wonder her favor never waned; her compliments were truly breathtaking.
The Empress Dowager felt Fang He’s suggestion hit the heart of the matter.
She also did not want the world to forget her aunt and wished more to know of her lifelong dedication to the Great Qing.
She glanced at Kangxi, whose expression was unreadable.
“The Noble Consort’s suggestion is reasonable, but… this memorial is a royal affair. Auntie would not want the emperor to trouble his ministers just to honor her.”
Kangxi gave Fang He a half-smile.
The stage was set, but it wasn’t his turn to sing.
Although all eyes were on him, Kangxi had no intention of stealing his rouge’s thunder.
“Does the Noble Consort have a plan?”
Fang He gave Kangxi a thumbs-up and clapped softly, smiling, “To honor the Grand Empress Dowager, we must not go against her original intention.”
“Coincidentally, there are now thirty women’s academies in the capital.”
Yinreng suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing.
The Noble Consort had been silent about the satirical poems and slanders outside, waiting here all along!
He clenched his palm tightly, listening as Fang He cheerfully said, “I have had the Grand Empress Dowager’s sayings compiled. You could have all the Manchu, Mongolian, and Han Banner maids, and even the women of the world, inherit her will and learn from the Grand Empress Dowager’s teachings.”
“Even if they learn only one ten-thousandth of what the ancestor knew, our Great Qing sons need not worry about disorder in their households!”
“Every April thereafter, a test will be held, and the results presented before the ancestor’s ancestral tomb to comfort her spirit in heaven.”
Yinreng lowered his eyes, hiding the coldness beneath.
He had underestimated this woman’s tactics.
The Empress Dowager nodded repeatedly, her eyes brightening.
She followed Fang He’s words with approval and asked the others,
“What do you think?”
Who could say no?
Who would dare say they did not want to honor the Grand Empress Dowager or refuse to inherit her will?
Hearing unanimous agreement, the Empress Dowager nodded with satisfaction, “Good. Today, I will have an edict issued. The initial selection of palace maids has just ended, so they can all enter the women’s academies to learn the Six Arts and honor the Grand Empress Dowager’s life.”
“This will also encourage them to learn from the Imperial Mother, fulfilling her expectations.”
She looked at Kangxi, “If I may speak frankly, the final selections should be held in the Women’s Academy. This will serve as the anniversary memorial proposed by the Noble Consort, saving great trouble. Only those who pass the final selection will offer incense to the Imperial Mother.”
Kangxi smiled and nodded, “Imperial Mother’s proposal is good. I will have the Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Revenue, and Court of Dependencies draft regulations.”
Fang He smiled and added, “Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, if only the Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Revenue, and Court of Dependencies are involved, it may cause trouble for the court. Since the Women’s Academy is all women, if they handle it, there could be inconveniences.”
“Why not invite venerable outside noble ladies and palace consorts to serve as teachers for the academy’s students? They know the Grand Empress Dowager best.”
The elder noble ladies who had frowned at sending their daughters to study now brightened.
If they managed this well, they could become teachers to all their daughters and receive palace recognition and praise.
When these palace maids married, whether in the capital or elsewhere, their family networks would expand.
For the powerful and wealthy, prestige and connections were far more valuable than riches or tangible gains.
They immediately agreed with Fang He’s words and praised her as wise and understanding.
The Empress Dowager looked at Kangxi again.
After a moment’s thought, Kangxi smiled, “Still let the Ministry of Rites and Shuntian Prefecture take the lead. As for the academy’s regulations, the Noble Consort should submit them to me, and I will consider.”
Yinreng’s face darkened.
If Father said “consider,” it meant approval.
Fang He’s sudden move put him in a difficult spot after all his previous attempts to tarnish her reputation.
Once the edict was out, no one—commoners or nobles—would regard the Women’s Academy as filthy.
Instead, many would be eager to join.
Fang He raised the Women’s Academy’s status so high that the girls attending would not be looked down upon.
No one was foolish; everyone wanted to be part of it.
He had to immediately instruct Suo’etu to withdraw all the slander and clean up the mess to avoid people using it as disrespect to the Grand Empress Dowager.
The Noble Consort’s move was ruthless!
Yinreng sneered inwardly.
Even if the Noble Consort could cause a stir in the palace, if she wanted to make a name outside, she was dreaming!
At night, Fang He first soothed the excited Jiujiu and Er Bao to sleep after counting the gifts.
Returning to her chamber, she saw Kangxi flipping through the plan she had placed on the low table.
This was the execution outline she and Geng Shuning had repeatedly revised, combining Geng Shuning’s proposals with the work logs she had made in the inn.
Hearing Fang He enter, Kangxi looked up, his gaze like he was seeing her for the first time.
His growing doubts could no longer be hidden, nor did he wish to hide them.
“Guoguo, who exactly are you?”
Fang He feigned confusion, her face blank as she walked over and sat beside Kangxi.
“I am your Guoguo, who else could I be?”
Kangxi lowered his eyes to look at Fang He pressed against him, stroking her nape, slowly drawing her closer.
Their eyes met, their noses so close they could feel each other’s breath.
Kangxi: “You’re not Xu Fanghe. Tell me, who are you?”
Fang He suddenly held her breath.