Spring in the Hall of Paintings

The imperial edict of Emperor Kangxi must not be defied, but Li Dequan only saw Yun Lan, who had left the palace a bit later. Yun Lan was going to be the side concubine of the Fourth Prince. Li Dequan did not dare to be negligent; he smiled at Yun Lan and motioned for her to wait a moment, then asked, “Where is Tong Jia Yun Wei?”

“Replying to the Lord, Tong Jia Yun Wei just left the palace,” the eunuch from the Shuxiu Palace said, not daring to delay. As he relayed the situation, he sent someone to fetch Yun Wei. Yun Lan had long prepared for the emperor’s summons, believing that Yinzhen would go to Kangxi to ask for a marriage arrangement. She decided to use a little trick by leaving the palace later. To be personally summoned by Kangxi as a side concubine was a prestigious thing, and Yun Lan didn’t want to miss the opportunity. She had already made plans on how to please Emperor Kangxi. However, Yun Lan hadn’t expected that Kangxi would summon Yun Wei as well. She gently asked, “Eunuch Li, is His Majesty summoning Sixth Sister?”

Yun Lan knew that Li Dequan, being a eunuch by Kangxi’s side, would not be after her wealth. She treated him just like an ordinary person and smiled, saying, “Don’t worry, Sixth Sister hasn’t left for long.”

Li Dequan nodded and glanced at Yun Lan, who was wearing an elegant, pale lotus-colored satin embroidered with multicolored flags, with a flower-shaped gold hairpin embedded with cat-eye stones. Around her neck was a dazzling red gold collar set with Hetian jade. This attire made Yun Lan even more radiant and enchanting, almost like a celestial consort. Even Li Dequan, who was accustomed to the beauties of the palace, couldn’t help but think Yun Lan was stunning. No wonder the Fourth Prince gave up his noble title for her.

“I dare not, it is my duty to wait for Miss Tong Jia,” Li Dequan said with respect.

Yun Lan could hear the respect in his voice for Yun Wei and was taken aback. What was happening? After a while, Yun Wei got out of the blue cloth carriage. Having stayed in the palace for almost two months, Yun Wei had been eagerly waiting to leave. She had arranged to leave the palace earlier, but Yun Lan intended to be the last to leave. However, Yun Wei had chosen to leave first. Just as she had stepped out of the red walls and glazed roofs of the Forbidden City, Kangxi’s edict called her back. Yun Wei couldn’t understand why Kangxi wanted to see her.

“Eunuch Li.” After getting out of the carriage, Yun Wei knelt before Li Dequan. Li Dequan quickly stepped aside. “No need, no need, Miss Tong Jia, His Majesty summons you.”

Li Dequan was the head eunuch by Kangxi’s side, someone whom Kangxi trusted. Even though he was a eunuch, he was highly regarded among the nobility and ministers, and no one dared offend him. Li Dequan’s careful treatment of Yun Wei attracted the attention of the observant people.

Yun Wei calmly nodded. “Thank you, Eunuch Li.” Yun Wei remained cold and composed, not trying to please Li Dequan nor fawning over him. She always believed that Li Dequan was just a servant by Kangxi’s side, and had little to do with her. The difference in status between Yun Wei and Yun Lan was fundamental. A servant was a servant, and being by Kangxi’s side didn’t change that. Yun Wei never made a show of being humble or acting deferential toward servants because, in her view, that would confuse the distinction between the nobility and the common folk.

Yun Lan and Yun Wei followed Li Dequan to the Eastern Warm Pavilion. Hearing Kangxi’s hearty laughter, Yun Wei paused and quietly asked, “Eunuch Li, is Father meeting with the emperor?”

“Truly, a father and daughter share a connection,” Li Dequan said with a chuckle. “Not only is Lord Tong Jia with His Majesty, but the Old Madam is also present.” He was not bothered by Yun Wei’s cold attitude. After all, which true daughter of the Eight Banners wasn’t like that? Li Dequan laughed lightly, “I will first congratulate Miss Tong Jia.”

Yun Wei’s small face flushed slightly, and a hint of shyness appeared in her eyes. The calm composure she had earlier was now replaced by the bashfulness of a young girl. Li Dequan was stunned. When he looked at Yun Wei again, she had returned to her usual self, as if everything that had just happened had been an illusion. Li Dequan instinctively rubbed his eyes, wondering if he had seen it wrong. Not thinking too much about it, he called out loudly, “Your Majesty, Tong Jia Yun Wei, Tong Jia Yun Lan has received Your Majesty’s edict.”

“Come in.”

Yun Wei had only seen Emperor Kangxi once during the selection process, and she instinctively held a deep respect for him. She was very nervous. Yun Lan was also nervous, but she had met Kangxi many times before and was confident that her talents would be appreciated by the Emperor. She gave a reassuring smile to Yun Wei and said, “Sixth Sister, don’t worry. You’ll be fine with me.”

“Mm.” Yun Wei smiled faintly, also not thinking that the Emperor had called for her specifically. She was merely an accessory. “This servant pays respects to the Emperor.” Yun Lan and Yun Wei curtsied in unison, and Kangxi looked at the two young women before him and said, “No need for formalities.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Yun Wei stood next to Yun Lan, obediently lowering her head as if counting the ants on the ground. Several curious gazes fell on her, making her heart race. What was going on? Shouldn’t everyone be focused on Fourth Sister?

“Tong Jia Yun Wei, lift your head.” Kangxi commanded, having understood that as long as he didn’t issue a decree, Yun Wei would never look up out of curiosity. He amusedly glanced at Rongxuan, who was standing with his head lowered in silence. Father and daughter really had the same temperament.

“By your command.” Yun Wei took a quiet breath and reminded herself to stay composed, lifting her head to look at Emperor Kangxi. Her gaze carried respect, and a faint smile curved her lips. She was a gentle, graceful girl, clear and pure, yet not as striking as Yun Lan. Kangxi, with his hands resting on the imperial desk, observed her: her attire was clean and neat, though not extravagant. She wore a lake-blue embroidered flag robe that fit her delicate frame. The cat-eye chrysoprase earrings she wore caught the light, and the subtle blue glow made her seem like a serene, graceful presence. Although she was not as dazzling as Yun Lan, Yun Wei possessed a different charm. Kangxi found himself thinking, her features were exquisite without any hint of seduction. He couldn’t help but wonder, how would she look when dressed in more formal attire? Could she still maintain this pure and clear aura, like a clear pond of water?

“Rongxuan, this daughter of yours…” Kangxi paused for a moment before smiling. “No, my daughter-in-law, I made the right choice. No matter how slippery you are, Rongxuan, you can’t go against destiny.”

“Your Majesty, aren’t you destiny itself?” Rongxuan smiled innocently. “In fact, it is destiny’s favor that Yun Wei, with her willow-like figure, is marrying the Eighth Prince.”

The Eighth Prince? Yun Wei was stunned. How could it be the Eighth Prince? She instinctively looked at Rongxuan and then at the old madam. Yun Lan was even more shocked. She almost blurted out two words: “No way.” Would Yun Wei be the Eighth Prince’s first wife? Wasn’t history going to be messed up? What if, in the future, Yinti divorced Yun Wei? Yun Lan didn’t want Yun Wei to face such a fate. She had promised to protect Yun Wei.

“What’s wrong? Are you both surprised by my decree?” Kangxi asked, looking at Yun Wei with interest. It was clear she hadn’t expected to marry the Eighth Prince. The initial shock in Yun Wei slowly faded, and with the situation decided, she resigned herself to it. A shy smile appeared on her face as she bent in gratitude, “This servant thanks His Majesty for the grace.”

In just a moment, she was able to regain his composure. Kangxi became increasingly convinced that the arranged marriage was the right decision. Although Yun Wei might not be as intelligent and dazzling as Yun Lan, her steady and pure demeanor, careful respect for elders, calmness in unexpected situations, and meticulous nature made Kangxi value her even more.

In contrast, Yun Lan was still in shock. Kangxi felt displeased—did she still hope to captivate both of his sons? If he hadn’t known for certain that Yun Lan had never had any private relations with Yinti and had not even met him, he would not have assigned Yun Lan solely to Yinzhen.

“Kangxi’s voice was icy as he asked, ‘Miss Tong Jia, do you have any objections?'”

Yun Lan, dazed and uncertain, shook her head and replied, “I… this servant would not dare.”

“I imagine you wouldn’t dare,” Kangxi said, his voice heavy with authority. “I am fulfilling Yinzhen’s wishes by giving you to him as his side concubine. Miss Tong Jia, you must remember to properly serve Yinzhen and his primary consort. If you dare to cause any unrest in Yinzhen’s inner household, I will not spare you. Do you understand?”

Yun Lan felt a sense of grievance rise within her. Whether in the modern world or in the past, no one had ever treated her this way. Kangxi’s contempt made her feel like a disposable pet. Yun Lan bit her tongue, maintaining her composure. She could not back down. She lifted her head, looking at Kangxi, and confidently smiled. “Your Majesty, this servant will take good care of Fourth Prince.”

Under the pressure of Kangxi’s gaze, Yun Lan stubbornly stood her ground, her pride as a modern woman in the body of a Qing Dynasty woman fueling her resilience. After a long silence, Kangxi, with a hint of amusement, finally spoke. “I don’t know whether to say you’re smart or foolish. You can be proud and confident, but it doesn’t suit your position. Miss Tong Jia, you are Yinzhen’s side concubine, and you must show respect to the primary consort and follow the rules accordingly.”

“Yinzhen, do you agree with what I said?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Yinzhen stepped forward, bowing deeply. “I will remember my father’s lesson, and I will never allow Yun Lan… Miss Tong Jia to disrupt the rules of the household.”

“The sons I raised, how could they be so entranced by a woman? This is something I trust in you, Fourth Son.”

Emperor Kangxi had never doubted that Yinzhen would be distracted by Yun Lan for too long. In his eyes, she was just an interesting woman placed around his son. Kangxi’s fondness and regard for Yun Lan had dissipated along with the affair of the marriage arrangement. The fact that it had been Yun Lan who caused him to lose face made Kangxi now feel nothing but disdain for her ungratefulness. She had already captivated Yinzhen before the selection, and besides, Yun Lan was only a side concubine. Kangxi would carefully choose appropriate primary consorts for his sons, but he had no interest in the side concubines.

“Miss Tong Jia, you may leave now and wait outside. I have something to ask Yun Wei.”

Yun Lan’s heart sank with a sense of sorrow. She instinctively looked at Yinzhen, but he didn’t glance at her. Yun Lan felt a pang of disappointment, though reason reminded her that this was Yinzhen, the reserved Fourth Prince. He was acting this way to avoid angering Kangxi. Since things had come this far, she had to firmly hold onto Yinzhen’s heart and become the woman he cherished the most. In the future… in the future… she could also persuade Yinzhen to show mercy to Yun Wei. Even if Yun Wei were to be divorced, she would support her and never let her face a life of abandonment.

Yun Lan forced a smile, then bent her knee to Kangxi and said, “As you command.” She turned and left, leaving behind a strong and determined back. Kangxi shook his head and sighed inwardly. He thought it was a pity for Tong Jia Yun Lan. The most unnecessary thing for a side concubine was dignity.

Kangxi then turned to ask Yun Wei questions in a kindly tone. With each question and answer, Kangxi’s smile grew broader. Yun Wei, though lacking the creativity of Yun Lan, was intelligent, quick-witted, and had a solid literary foundation. She was well-read without being pompous or shallow, speaking and acting with proper manners, grace, and respect. She exuded the demeanor of a woman from a noble family, combining gentleness with strength. Her eloquent and fitting remarks made Kangxi laugh heartily.

“Good. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a talented young lady like Yun Wei. My Eighth Prince is fortunate,” Kangxi said to the old lady. “The granddaughter you raised is truly impressive.”

The old lady smiled proudly, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. Seeing Yun Wei succeed made her happier than anyone else. Since Yun Wei was destined to marry into the royal family and become a prince’s consort, she could no longer act like before, hiding her charm. To gain Kangxi’s favor and act flawlessly was the only way for her to establish her position within the royal family. Once favored by the emperor, no one would dare to underestimate Yun Wei. The old lady was most pleased by how quickly Yun Wei had composed herself in the face of such a sudden change. She had carefully thought things through and subtly transformed her previously modest image, which was why Yun Wei could display such composure.

After a while of chatting and laughing, Kangxi presented Yun Wei with two piculs of pearls, a pair of jade ruyi, a pair of jadeite bonsais, several boxes of gemstones, and a set of lake brushes, before allowing Yun Wei and the others to leave. As they departed the palace, the imperial edict announcing Yun Wei’s engagement to the Eighth Prince, Yinti, was officially proclaimed to the world.