Fang He also found this reasonable and enjoyed watching the drama.
Jiujiu, meanwhile, enjoyed the thrill and romance of sneaking dates with Fan Lianghan and was in no hurry to marry, often laughing with Liang Madam about Fan Lianghan’s occasional soulful looks.
Of course, whether Liang Madam’s laughter was for Jiujiu’s future tears behind the curtains or Fan Lianghan’s continued frustration at serving the Emperor, was a matter of opinion.
In any case, Fan Lianghan did not dare press his wife, so he spared no effort to please her.
Fortunately, he was clever enough to keep Jiujiu happier, now learning to use his charm to make Jiujiu want to be the one to propose marriage to Kangxi.
Jiujiu had long had the birds and bees talk from her mother and knew everything about the relations between men and women.
But knowing and experiencing were two different things; she trusted Fan Lianghan wouldn’t hurt her and was most curious now, not wanting the three brats to ruin her date.
Yet, her smiling and teasing look seemed arrogant and overbearing to Jixin.
The Fifteenth Prince, as the uncrowned heir, was heavily relied upon by the Emperor, always busy, even his walks to pay respects at court were brisk—how could he have time to accompany the Nine Princess to her amusements?
Moreover, even if the Nine Princess was his elder sister, her invitation to the Fifteenth Prince to attend a banquet was hardly polite, was it not just bullying him for being quiet?
With Sixteenth Prince Yinyu, Seventeenth Prince, and the Tenth Princess all so lively, why should Nine Princess not look after them herself, but leave it to the Fifteenth Prince…
Besides, he wasn’t even married yet; what man brings children along?
Jixin, though outwardly respectful, was inwardly quite unhappy.
She was not that foolish; she waited until the Fifteenth Prince was not at Danningju and tucked the invitation into the new robe she had made for him, delivering it together.
She even shyly explained to the gatekeeping eunuch, “This is an autumn outer robe I made for the Fifteenth Prince. Please, Eunuch Zheng, see if it suits him.”
The young eunuch, though on guard duty, had been warned by Zheng Yusheng not to let any lady officials inside and disturb the master’s peace—not even a palace lady had such privilege.
The young eunuch understood—the master was not so keen on Lady Tongjia, only showing proper respect for his future consort.
He accepted the gift with a clever smile and delivered it to Fue, who managed the master’s clothing.
Fue thought, since it was an autumn robe, there was no need to inspect it now.
She only glanced at the box and put it away.
Following the master’s orders, Fue carefully chose fine materials suitable for Jixin and sent them back in return.
A few days later, Jiujiu and Fan Lianghan took Yin Yu, Yinshi, and the excited Minbao, who loved riding outside, to find Yin Hui but only to find he was not there.
Fue was puzzled: “The Fifteenth Prince left for Yangliuqing yesterday before locking the gates, saying he was to inspect the imperial dragon boat for the Emperor. He didn’t say anything about going elsewhere.”
Yin Hui, remembering Fan Lianghan’s birthday, had no intention of joining the revelry.
He prepared a gift in advance and sent it to Tianya Inn, where Liang Madam received it.
Noticing Nine Princess’s displeasure, Fue hurried to explain.
Jiujiu frowned, “Didn’t I send him the invitation early? What’s the matter with him!”
Though she said so, she would not be upset with Yin Hui for attending to his duties.
She planned to blackmail him for gifts when he returned, to recover some of the silver she’d given away in the past.
That was all her dowry, after all~
Jiujiu didn’t mind at all, taking her three little tagalongs and walking off with Fan Lianghan.
When Yin Hui returned from the Yangliuqing shipyard, his face darkened.
“Who brought the invitation?”
Fue’s expression was complicated: “It was… Lady Tongjia.”
She had even inquired after it and was speechless.
“She said every time she delivered something, she would soon receive a return gift, and since the item was important, she dared not give it to a mere eunuch, believing that either the master or Zheng Yusheng would look at the clothes and find it…”
Well, such words might fool some ignorant gentlemen outside the palace.
If the gift were not important, why would Jixin so eagerly deliver it herself?
Worse still, even if she thought the master or Zheng Yusheng would inspect it, who gave her the right to place the Nine Princess’s invitation on the same level as her own gift?
Such clumsy logic wouldn’t fool even the palace maids, let alone Kangxi and Yin Hui, who had grown shrewd under Fang He’s tutelage.
Upon hearing of it, Kangxi’s face turned cold, “How did the Tong Family raise their daughter? She’s brought shame to her mother and to the Tongs!”
He was referring to the Xiaokang Empress and the Imperial Noble Consort Tongjia.
Kangxi wanted to promote his in-law’s family, but he cared even more for Yin Hui to have a wise and virtuous helpmate, so he looked at Yin Hui and said, “The imperial marriage edict hasn’t been issued. You can still change your consort now.”
Yin Hui thought for a moment, then shook his head and replied, “Forget it, perhaps she thinks too highly of herself, or perhaps I’ve been too distant. I’d like to wait and see a bit longer.”
The former was a common flaw among the Tongs, the latter was girlish thinking—not a major issue, and a new consort might not be better.
Yin Hui was more inclined to solve problems rather than eliminate those who caused them.
He believed that as long as people were used appropriately, they each had their worth.
Afterwards, Yin Hui had Cui Wei privately instruct Jixin not to be so rash.
Thereafter, whenever Jixin sent something over, Yin Hui would have Zheng Yusheng personally inspect it before returning a gift.
Cui Wei, having long understood how shallow many girls’ outlook was, said gently yet firmly to Jixin, “No matter if it’s the Emperor, Mistress Consort, or the Fifteenth Prince, they all prefer those who follow the rules. Lady Tongjia, you must remember propriety.”
“In the future, you’ll be in the palace for a long time, and you must never act on your own whims—always consider the Fifteenth Prince.”
Jixin inwardly retorted, ‘Give me a break!’
Yuan Zhen Imperial Noble Consort had become Imperial Noble Consort using Empress authority, emptied the harem, monopolized favor, and would even throw the Emperor out of Zhaoren Hall—she and the Emperor were the most unruly of all.
It wasn’t that Jixin was foolish; in the Tong Family, girls were taught only to manage husbands and raise children, with even household management self-taught.
Because of her status as a concubine’s daughter and interference from Lisi’er, Jixin had scarcely attended the Girls’ Academy.
But when she saw that the Fifteenth Prince now treated her with a bit more consideration, she was clever enough to take Cui Wei’s last words to heart.
She must have struck a chord with the Fifteenth Prince to win such closeness.
In the future, she would surely put him first.
One day, the Nine Princess, Tenth Princess, Sixteenth Prince Yin Yu, and Seventeenth Prince all came to Chunhui Hall.
Jixin was delivering tea to the main hall when she overheard them lively choosing their own titles before Fang He.
She was startled— ‘was the Emperor about to grant new titles to the princes?’
‘Were the Sixteenth Prince and Seventeenth Prince to receive titles even before attending court?’
She delivered the tea, then immediately swapped duties with another Teahouse maid and hurried off to Danningju.
Cui Wei, noticing, frowned and went to report to Fang He.
Fang He shook her head and clicked her tongue, “I thought the Tong Family would finally produce someone clever. All those gifts for nothing.”
Everyone present could guess what Jixin was up to.
If Yin Hui were to marry someone so shortsighted, even resentful of Jiujiu and the others, then he might as well forget about being Emperor.
Laughter broke out.
Sure enough, when Yin Hui invited the very serious Jixin to Danningju and listened to her report that the Emperor was about to bestow new titles, he nearly laughed.
The matter of granting titles to his brothers had been his own suggestion to the Emperor, mainly to spur… cough, foster closer ties among the brothers.
‘This woman really…’
Suppressing his annoyance, he asked gently, “What does Lady Tongjia want to say?”
Jixin was dazzled by Yin Hui’s smile.
He resembled Fang He, though he rarely smiled.
Without his gentle temperament, he would rival Yinzhen in severity.
But when he smiled, two small tiger teeth showed, and his slanted phoenix eyes grew even more alluring, giving him an uncharacteristically charming air.
Jixin suddenly blushed, lowered her head, and shyly said, “I think, now that the country is at peace and the princes have no particular merit, promoting them now… will only add trouble for the Fifteenth Prince in the future.”
“If His Majesty grants more titles, then junior princes will become Prince of the First Rank, and what will the Fifteenth Prince be then? Too many iron-cap princes will surely affect the court, no?”
“And if Sixteenth Prince Yin Yu and Seventeenth Prince receive titles, as sons of the Imperial Noble Consort, the ministers will support them and the Fifteenth Prince will face more obstacles.”
She believed her thoughts were clear and all for the Fifteenth Prince’s sake, so she continued, “Sixteenth and Seventeenth Princes are still young. I deeply believe the Fifteenth Prince should be cautious, emulating His Majesty and Prince Yu and Prince Gong, who received titles only after the Emperor’s accession.”
Yin Hui lowered his gaze, hiding his mixed feelings of amusement, disappointment, and faint distaste.
She wasn’t even Empress yet, and already wanted to meddle in state affairs… his mother would say he must be blind.
He only nodded gently, “Very well, I understand. Thank you, Lady Tongjia. But in the future, you must be careful with news from the Emperor’s presence, never relay it through others.”
Jixin’s face turned pale.
She had only thought of the Fifteenth Prince’s interest and forgotten how grave it was to leak imperial secrets.
Thinking he was only worried for her, she hurriedly agreed, “I’ll remember, and will not speak out of turn again.”
Yin Hui nodded with a smile, “Good. I won’t keep you. In a few days, Lady Tongjia should be able to leave the palace.”
Jixin’s eyes brightened, thinking this was his reward and a sign the marriage decree was coming.
She nearly floated back to Chunhui Hall but that very night, she was quietly sent back to the Tong Family, personally escorted by Liang Jiugong, who carried a handwritten letter from Kangxi to Tong Guowei.
It contained only a few lines from the Supervisory Division’s records, clearly stating how Jixin had disrespected the princess, leaked palace secrets, and tried to sow discord between the Fifteenth Prince and his siblings.
Even the dates and times were recorded, sealed by the Imperial Household Department, and signed by the relevant officials, leaving no room for evasion.
Liang Jiugong said meaningfully, “Originally, His Majesty wished to fulfill the Imperial Noble Consort’s wishes and draw closer to the Tong Family, but unfortunately, Lady Tongjia’s birth chart conflicts with the Fifteenth Prince’s. There is simply no fate… what a pity.”
Tong Guowei and Longkodo turned ashen and quickly knelt, declaring they did not dare protest.
Tong Guowei trembled, “It’s the Tong Family’s misfortune. Please, sir, persuade His Majesty not to take this to heart.”
Longkodo followed up, “When she was a child, a Shaman from Shengjing placed a lock on her, saying she had to marry in Shengjing to unlock her fate. I forgot—let me request punishment from His Majesty immediately.”
Liang Jiugong exchanged a few polite words and left.
No sooner had he gone than the once-expectant Jixin was slapped hard by Tong Guowei.
“Fool! You dream of the Empress’s seat? You’ve brought shame to the Tong Family!”
As for how Jixin wept bitterly, suddenly realized her error, and was sent out of the capital that very night—let’s set that aside.
With the Fifteenth Prince’s consort settled no more, Kangxi and Fang He now had to find a better match for him.
Previously, Fuca Shulan, who had received many flower tokens and came from a family with an open-minded upbringing, had a stellar reputation in the Girls’ Academy even before entering the palace.
Her father, Ma Qi, was Kangxi’s most trusted chief steward.
Though Yin Hui had not chosen Shulan, Kangxi would not treat her unfairly and planned to bestow her in marriage to Prince Jian Yabu as a secondary consort.
Now that Jixin was out of the running, the couple summoned Yin Hui to Chunhui Hall to ask for his thoughts on Fuca Shulan.
Yin Hui still did not wish for Ma Qi’s daughter to be Empress.
If the Fuca family became imperial in-laws and received the title of Duke, Ma Qi and Ma Wu’s ambitions might not lie with supporting the future emperor.
He was not confident enough to think he could always outmaneuver these two old foxes, so he still would not choose the daughter of such a powerful minister as Empress.
Nor did he intend to launch another grand selection for a consort; the Tong Family was still useful, and he had to leave some face for Tong Guowei and Longkodo.
After pondering, he said simply, “I already have someone in mind. I’ll look into it, and once I’m sure, I’ll ask Father to grant the marriage.”
“Ah?” Fang He was caught off guard.
“Who is it?” Jiujiu came in from outside, asking for her mother, and Fang He nodded.
“When did you meet her?” Sanbao poked his head in, also asking for his mother, and Fang He nodded energetically.
“Was it when Lady Tongjia was still around?” Minbao raised an eyebrow, asking for her mother, and Fang He did the same.
Minbao puffed her cheeks and snorted, “Bad brother, eating from your bowl while looking at the pot!”
Fang He gave Kangxi a meaningful smile and asked, “Tsk, tsk, whose son is this? Didn’t someone once select the Empress by bringing both Hesheri and Niohuru clans into the palace for the selection?”
Kangxi immediately turned to Yin Hui and asked, “Tell me, who do you take after?!”
He would not take the blame for this!
Yin Hui: “……”
He really hadn’t done anything!