From a very young age, Dorji realized that the more beautiful a thing was, the harder it was to obtain.
To tame a majestic eagle soaring across the sky, an Eagle Tamer of the tribe had to exhaust half his life to subdue that magnificent creation of the Eternal Heaven.
To become the master of the fastest and most agile steed galloping across the grasslands, one had to endure countless falls and be covered in dust.
The land with the lushest grass and most abundant water was surely won by the sons of the grasslands through trials of blade and blood.
Therefore, the Fourth Princess's pride was, in his eyes, perfectly normal.
As a descendant of Genghis Khan, the desire for conquest flowed in his very bones.
Before he came to the capital, some youths on the grasslands had joked with him: "Since they entered the Pass, the daughters they raise have become softer and softer. Your wife might just be a pretty little lamb."
The Fourth Princess of rumor was a quiet and virtuous noble lady.
Dorji understood the significance of this marriage very well and was happy to shoulder the responsibility he was meant to bear. The princess had traveled thousands of miles away from her home to the grasslands; no matter her personality, he would treat her well.
However… if she truly were the type of woman who had no opinions of her own and blindly followed her husband’s words, though he could treat her with the respect due to a consort, it would be somewhat boring.
But the moment he met the Fourth Princess, Dorji immediately overturned all the rumors he had heard.
What little lamb? This was clearly a little wolf cub pretending to be docile!
To have such a highborn and proud little princess be "tamed" by him—just thinking about it was interesting.
Even the way she was currently frowning, looking all puffed up with anger, was extremely adorable.
"This is the first time I have ever met someone as boastful as you!"
Muxue threw down those words and turned to leave.
The Matrons and maidservants behind her quickly followed.
Back in the main room, Muxue pulled out the silver knife. The blade was sharp; though she knew nothing of weapons, she could tell it was a precious blade.
His Eji had left it to him?
Before her marriage, she had learned a bit about Dorji’s background. Aside from the information she got from the Fifth Prince, the Empress Dowager had also sent someone to explain the connections between the various Mongolian tribes—which, in commoner terms, was like an emergency crash course on the husband’s relatives for a daughter about to be married.
Dorji's family relations were easy to clear up because there weren't many people left in his immediate line. The current Khan of the Tüsheet Khanate was Dorji's grandfather, who was currently guarding Mobei and had not come to the capital.
As for Dorji’s parents, they had died together several years ago when the Dzungars attacked the Khalkha.
He still had a biological uncle alive, but the Khan favored Dorji, his grandson of the primary line, as his successor. The Khan had specifically brought him to meet Kangxi during the Dolonnur Assembly. Later, after the Qing army’s great victory over the Dzungars, in which Mobei had contributed significantly, Muxue’s marriage to him was arranged.
Muxue lightly touched the red coral on the scabbard, her mind wandering slightly.
She was also someone who had tasted the pain of losing parents—after transmigrating, she could never again see the parents who had loved her with all their hearts!
In the first two years, she had practically wanted to die every day because she could no longer see her mom and dad. Especially during the New Year, amidst the lively imperial banquets where families reunited, she only wanted to cry.
The scene of a family of three celebrating the New Year together would never happen again.
Because of this, Muxue understood very well the weight of a mother’s keepsake.
Yet Dorji had forced this short knife upon her just like that.
This was equivalent to saying clearly: No matter what you think, I recognize you as my wife.
To be fair, based on their interactions over the past two days, Dorji was indeed a decent person. Even though the requests she made were difficult for people of this era to accept, he had agreed without a second thought and even gifted her his mother’s keepsake.
But why was he being so good to her?
Ever since she transmigrated to this godforsaken Qing Dynasty, Muxue had been in a state of high alert. Carefully considering the other party's attitude and motives was almost an instinctive survival mechanism for her. Kangxi had said she worried too much, and he certainly wasn't wrong.
The Matrons and maidservants were good to her because she was their master, capable of both punishment and reward.
Yi Fei was good to her mostly for the sake of her deceased E'niang, perhaps even subtly seeing her as a continuation of her elder sister’s life or another possibility.
As for Kangxi, it was out of a father’s conscience and responsibility. And seeing that she wasn't stupid and had some intelligence, he was happy to give her a few pointers. After all, it was a good thing for him if the future Khalkha mistress from the Great Qing was smart.
But why Dorji?
Not only was his attitude toward her good, but… Muxue faintly felt that he was "fishing" for her.
She would never believe such nonsense as love at first sight.
So, most likely, he was willing to be patient and considerate during the honeymoon phase for the sake of her status as a princess. When they visited the palace nine days later for the return visit, Kangxi would be able to indirectly sense the Tüsheet Khanate's loyalty and respect for the Qing court.
But thinking of Dorji’s face, which carried a hint of innocence, she became uncertain again.
However… he looked very sincere?
Could it be that she was overthinking and assuming the worst of him? Perhaps he just had a good heart.
Unable to find an answer for the moment, she shook her head and stopped thinking about it.
Distance tests a horse's strength, and time reveals a person's heart.
The silver knife was carefully put away, and the maidservants attended to Muxue’s grooming.
In the rhombic mirror, Nanny Wu saw that Muxue’s expression was still somewhat displeased and asked tentatively, "Shall we serve the meal? Where should the table be set?"
Muxue’s eyes lit up. "Set the meal in the Main Hall."
It worked as expected, Nanny Wu thought. Lately, the Princess had been very interested in food, and since this was the first time she would be dining in the new residence, Nanny Wu intended to go check personally.
"Princess, then this servant will go check the kitchen."
"Go on. Matron, remember to carry a hand warmer; the weather is quite cold."
"Understood."
As she stepped outside the curtain, Nanny Wu suddenly saw Mother Zhao approaching with a maid. Nanny Wu curled her lip inwardly but put on a smile and stepped forward to greet her. "You’ve come."
Mother Zhao had a round face that looked festive. She nodded with a smile. "I heard the Princess is awake, so I came to pay my respects."
"Yes, she has been awake for a while," Nanny Wu said. "I was just about to go check the kitchen. The Princess’s palate has been picky since she was young; if I don’t watch them, I fear they will make a mess."
"That is true. With you here, everything is as steady as a rock," Mother Zhao said with a smile. "Then I shall go in first to pay my respects."
Muxue was having her hair combed when she heard Mother Zhao had arrived. She ordered a maid to bring a Palace Stool for her to sit on.
"Thank you, Princess, for the seat."
After paying her respects, Mother Zhao sat down.
Muxue looked at her through the mirror. "I was wondering why you weren't around just now."
"This servant kept watch for half the night, inspecting every part of the residence to ensure the candles were steady and everything was put away before going to rest. I intended to rush here the moment the Princess woke up."
Mother Zhao immediately stood up and curtsied. "Who would have thought that the maids would get so busy they forgot to come immediately. I have arrived late; please forgive me, Princess."
Hearing this, Muxue sensed a hidden meaning.
The nominal highest official of the princess's residence was the Changli appointed by the Imperial Household Department. However, the Changli usually had other substantive duties and, being male, rarely interfered in the daily operations of the residence. The Changli was mostly responsible for formal matters, such as wedding ceremonies, expressing gratitude to the Emperor, and requesting names after a child was born. Specific daily affairs were still handled by the Steward Matrons.
Originally, it was assumed that Muxue's wet nurse, Nanny Wu, would be the Steward Matron. Who knew that the Imperial Household Department would send another Mother Zhao? This Mother Zhao had great seniority, having served the Empress Dowager and even, rumor had it, the Grand Empress Dowager!
Because of this, she had actually surpassed Nanny Wu to become the "Head Stewardess" of the princess's residence. Nanny Wu had become the "Deputy Stewardess."
The legendary domestic power struggle. However, Muxue was the one in power watching others struggle, and she was still a bit unfamiliar with it.
This matter was likely a small trap set by Nanny Wu. But Nanny Wu was, after all, the wet nurse who had served her since childhood. Back when Muxue had transmigrated and was suffering from smallpox, Nanny Wu had cared for her without even undressing to sleep; even when she fell ill herself, she had forced herself to stay by her side.
To humiliate someone over such a small thing… Muxue truly couldn't bear it.
She decided to play dumb and said, "It doesn't matter, sit down. Rong'er, brew some tea."
Come to think of it, it was thanks to these two head stewardesses that Muxue’s previous minor eccentricities—like hiding candy in her sleeves or not allowing people to listen at the door during the wedding night—had been quickly granted.
After all, both Matrons wanted to please her.
Thinking about it more closely, the Emperor probably found the friction between two factions of officials quite useful as well, as long as it stayed within reasonable bounds.
Mother Zhao thanked her and, after sitting down, picked a few important matters to discuss.
The first was the follow-up ceremonies of the wedding; they still had to go Worship Deities and Ancestors later. Starting tomorrow, they had to prepare banquets and invite close families for drinks. After all, the wedding ceremony was tedious, and the Princess had been busy with various rituals and had no time to see relatives and friends.
Now that she had some free time, she had to invite them over for a seat as a way to return the favor.
Mother Zhao said, "For places like Prince Yu's Mansion, Prince Gong's Mansion, and the Mansion of Heshuo Kechun Princess, we must have the Changli draft invitations and invite them personally. The Senior Consort of Prince Gong's Mansion hasn't been feeling well lately; it would be best to include some good medicinal herbs like ginseng when sending the invitation. Your dowry list happens to have one. The Side Consort of the Commandery Prince at Prince Gong's Mansion recently gave birth to a little lady; you could bring a gold or silver collar. Heshuo Kechun Princess hasn't been in good health these years and likely won't come, but she cannot be omitted. The Gorolo Clan is your maternal family, so their mansion must also be treated with courtesy. The wife of the Fifth Prince, from the Tatala Clan, must also be sent an invitation…"
She spoke a long string of names in one breath.
At first, Muxue tried to distinguish who these people were, but eventually, she gave up entirely, hearing only this Consort or that Side Consort. It was enough to give one a headache.
"I have just left the palace and don't understand much, so I fear there might be oversights," Muxue said, pressing her temples. "I'll have to trouble Mother Zhao to look after things more. If money needs to be drawn, just check with Nanny Wu."
Since Mother Zhao had the confidence to bring these matters before her, she must have the ability to handle them well.
Sure enough, Mother Zhao showed no sign of difficulty; instead, she said with a smile, "This servant will certainly do her best."
As they were talking, Nanny Wu entered the room leading the servants with the meal.
The first breakfast in her capital residence was extremely lavish, filling three whole tables.
One table clearly didn't look like the usual palace breakfast; it surprisingly featured golden deep-fried dough sticks and soy milk, along with tofu pudding and various condiments. Muxue had been craving this for years!
"Where did this come from?" Muxue asked in surprise.
Nanny Wu introduced, "This servant sent someone outside early this morning to buy it, thinking you might like a taste of something fresh. It only cost five copper coins; it’s truly a bargain."
"Very good, very good." Muxue was just about to reach for a dough stick when Mother Zhao asked, "Should we invite the Consort to join you for breakfast?"
On the first day of marriage, it was only right to invite him to eat. Muxue nodded. "Send someone to invite him."
But the dough sticks wouldn't taste as good once they got cold.
After a moment of hesitation, she still reached out and pinched a dough stick, hurriedly putting it into her mouth.
With a crunch, her mouth was filled with the crispiness of the dough stick.
Muxue’s eyes crinkled with a smile. Leaving the palace to open her own residence was simply too wonderful!