The fifteenth day of the sixth lunar month was an auspicious day for marriage and travel.
Inside the Forbidden City, and specifically within Yinzhen’s quarters, lanterns and streamers were everywhere. From the moment dawn broke, the atmosphere was bustling and festive. Red lanterns of all shapes and sizes—each one a masterpiece of craftsmanship—hung from the eaves of every courtyard. The eunuchs and palace maids had changed into brand-new sets of clothes; whether their joy was genuine or feigned, their faces beamed with smiles, and a sense of vibrant, high-spirited energy permeated the air.
At Li Wanran’s residence:
Yi-shi had come over after breakfast to join her in embroidering handkerchiefs. Today was the grand occasion of the Primary Fujin’s wedding. For minor concubines like them, their only role was to head to their designated small hall for the banquet when the time came. As for the rest of the day, their primary duty was to mind their own feet—staying put and not wandering around to avoid causing irritation.
They sat side-by-side beneath the window, their respective personal maids standing behind them. On the small table between them sat two cups of floral tea and several plates of sweet pastries.
Yi-shi seemed to have grown tired of embroidering. She set down her needle, rubbed her wrists, and picked up a piece of mung bean cake shaped like an apricot blossom. After taking a bite, she remarked, “Your mung bean cakes really do taste better.”
“If you like them, I’ll have someone pack a box for you to take back later,” Li Wanran replied, looking up with a soft smile.
She personally didn’t care for mung bean cakes. No matter how much the kitchen tried to refine the recipe, she always found the taste a bit odd. If it weren’t for Yi-shi’s fondness for them, mung bean cakes would never have appeared on her table.
Yi-shi didn’t stand on ceremony. She turned to Banxia and smiled. “Then I’ll be troubling our Banxia later.”
Banxia quickly returned the smile. “Mistress, please don’t say that. It’s a trivial matter.”
Though Yi-shi wasn’t favored, she was still technically a mistress. Most importantly, her own mistress was currently on excellent terms with Yi-shi. Therefore, Banxia would never lose her sense of propriety or act arrogantly before her; she wouldn’t dream of causing trouble for Li Wanran.
I should find time later to tighten the reins on Zhuqing and Xiao Yuzi, Banxia thought, lowering her gaze. This is a sensitive time. There are countless eyes watching us from the shadows, just waiting to catch a mistake to use as a ‘tribute’ to the incoming Fujin.
Yi-shi took a sip of tea to cleanse her palate and dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief. She suddenly turned her gaze toward the window, her gentle voice carrying a hint of envy that was hard to detect: “That lady is the daughter of Minister Fiyanggu.”
Li Wanran paused for a moment before realizing who she was referring to. The Primary Fujin did indeed have an illustrious family background; otherwise, the Kangxi Emperor wouldn’t have handpicked her to be his son’s wife. Just yesterday, the Fujin’s dowry had been carried into the newly renovated main courtyard, one chest after another in a seemingly endless procession. Anyone with a lesser family background could never afford such a display.
Li Wanran didn’t have much to say about Kangxi in other regards, but when he wasn’t being erratic, he treated his sons fairly well—perhaps to ensure his children didn’t grow up lacking fatherly affection as he had. Though, usually, that affection was mostly concentrated on the Crown Prince.
Li Wanran lowered her head to continue embroidering a silk tree flower. She chuckled, “Being born into the right family is a skill in itself. Envy won’t get us anywhere.”
Yi-shi was amused by this remark and spent a good moment giggling behind her handkerchief. Once her laughter subsided, a trace of worry clouded her face. She lowered her voice and said, “I only hope she is easy to get along with. Otherwise, our lives are going to be difficult.”
She glanced at Li Wanran, whose face showed no sign of concern, and sighed inwardly. Everyone has their own fate, she thought. Both were Gege, but with the Fujin entering the household, Yi-shi felt increasingly nervous. She feared meeting a mistress with a foul temper, and she dreaded being the one chosen as the “unlucky chicken” to be slaughtered to warn the monkeys. After all, who in the back courtyard was an easier target than her?
Li Wanran, on the other hand, had nothing to worry about. The Fourth Master favored her; no matter what happened, he would be there to protect her. She just had to control herself and not do anything foolish to stir up trouble.
What Yi-shi didn’t know was that Li Wanran was also feeling apprehensive; she just didn’t show it. Seeing how worried Yi-shi was, Li Wanran set down her needlework and comforted her with a smile: “The Emperor handpicked her for his son, so she must be excellent in every way. You don’t need to worry too much.”
She remembered that historical records spoke highly of this Fourth Fujin, describing her as a decent person. Whether true or not, she certainly wouldn’t be like the Eighth Fujin a few years down the line. Furthermore, if the Fourth Fujin truly were difficult, given Yinzhen’s temperament, he likely wouldn’t tolerate her the way the Eighth Prince tolerated his wife. At this thought, Li Wanran felt much more relaxed.
Yi-shi didn’t say more; she simply nodded with a smile and returned to her embroidery. From time to time, she leaned closer to Li Wanran to point out a stray stitch. The atmosphere between them was quite harmonious.
In contrast, the atmosphere at Song Gege’s quarters was the polar opposite.
Ever since she woke up, Song Gege had not smiled once. From morning until afternoon, she sat with a cold face, leaning back in a yellow pearwood chair with her hand to her forehead. She was in a small Buddhist hall located closest to the main courtyard. The air felt stagnant, making it hard for anyone entering the area to breathe.
Tinghe took a deep breath outside before forcing a faint smile. She carried a bowl of chicken soup on a tray and approached Song Gege, whispering persuasively, “Gege, please have at least a little. You haven’t eaten a single grain of rice since this morning. You’ll ruin your health at this rate.”
Song Gege’s eyelashes flickered. She sat up straight without a word, a gesture that signaled her agreement. Though she still refused to speak, at least she was willing to eat. Tinghe quickly blew on the soup to cool it before bringing it to her mistress’s lips.
After finishing the bowl, Song Gege’s complexion improved slightly. It seems her mood just gets worse the hungrier she gets, Tinghe speculated while dabbing her mistress’s mouth.
“Tell me… is the Fujin almost here?” Song Gege asked suddenly in a hollow voice.
Tinghe estimated the time in her head. “Based on the distance, she should be arriving soon.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, a commotion erupted outside. There were cheers and shouts, with the occasional cry of “The Bride!” from someone in the distance. Their eyes were drawn toward the window. So, she has arrived?
Tinghe immediately looked at Song Gege with concern, only to see her return to that dark, brooding state. After a long moment, Song Gege suddenly let out a soft laugh. Her eyes were unfocused, staring into the empty air.
“What do I have to fear now? It’s the others who should be afraid.”
Tinghe stepped behind her and began massaging her shoulders with steady pressure. She whispered, “You’re right. The most important thing for us is to take care of your health. Others will be the ones to worry about everything else.”
Whether it was the incoming Fujin or the favored Li Gege, they weren’t the ones who needed to be anxious.
The sounds of celebration lasted the entire day before finally quieting down.
Early the next morning, Yinzhen and his new Fujin went to pay their respects to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager before heading to Yongshou Palace.
As they reached the palace gates, they saw Mother Li waiting by the threshold. Upon seeing them, she hurried forward to pay her respects with a smile. “The Consort rose early today and is waiting for you both.”
The smiles on their faces grew noticeably warmer at those words. The Fourth Fujin, in particular, felt a great weight lift from her heart. After a few words with Mother Li, the couple entered the main hall.
Consort De was already seated in the place of honor. Below her sat the Fifth Princess and Yinti (the 14th Prince). Yinzhen’s eyebrows rose slightly; it had been a long time since he had seen the family gathered so completely.
As they entered, the eyes of the Fifth Princess and Yinti immediately landed on the new Fujin. They had seen her at the wedding the day before, but only in passing. Yinti, being young, looked away after a few glances. To him, playing was far more interesting. If his fifth sister hadn’t lectured him beforehand, he never would have sat there so properly.
The Fifth Princess stood up to help Consort De forward, leading the way with a friendly signal: “Greetings, Fourth Sister-in-Law.”
The Fujin nodded with a smile. “Greetings, Fifth Sister.” She then turned to Consort De with a bashful smile. “Mother.”
Consort De discreetly observed her new daughter-in-law and felt satisfied. Although she usually didn’t pay much attention to Yinzhen, she didn’t want him to fall behind his brothers when it came to his choice of wife. This girl not only had an excellent family background, but her rounded cheeks suggested she was a person of good fortune. She also appeared gentle and poised, possessing the true dignity of a primary wife.
The Consort nodded with a faint smile and signaled for the maids to serve tea. “Sit down. You must be exhausted after this morning’s events. Have something to eat.”
Yinzhen turned the white jade ring on his thumb. Although he was pleased by the importance Consort De was showing them, his face remained as stoic as ever. Not five words could be squeezed out of him.
“Thank you, Mother.”
Look at him, Consort De thought. Not a single word of appreciation can be prodded out of him. How can I not be partial to my youngest son, who is much more sensible and knows how to say sweet things to make me happy?
Consort De curled her lip in silent exasperation.
The Fourth Fujin, sensing the atmosphere was slightly off, quickly smiled and said, “I am grateful for Mother’s thoughtfulness. I truly did feel a bit hungry after the walk here.” She then picked up a piece of emerald bean cake and began to eat.
Seeing her eating heartily, Consort De’s mood improved, and she stopped focusing on Yinzhen. After all, he had been a “muted gourd” since childhood; it was a temperament that could never be changed.
The Fifth Princess, seeing the relationship between the mother and daughter-in-law improving, hoped this would eventually mend the relationship between her fourth brother and their mother. She interjected helpfully, “Sister-in-Law, you have no idea. Mother ordered the palace staff to prepare all of this last night. When I arrived this morning, Mother thought it was you and Fourth Brother arriving and even ran out excitedly to check.”
The Fujin looked at Consort De with surprise and felt even more bashful, but she stood up to offer her thanks.
Consort De glanced at the Fifth Princess. She didn’t contradict her and maintained a faint smile. “This is what a mother should do. There is no need for thanks. If you are sincere, just come to visit me more often when you have time.”
Yinzhen and the Fujin both nodded in agreement.
They chatted for a while longer. Consort De noticed her youngest son shifting restlessly in his chair and knew he was losing patience. She gave him a sharp look but used the excuse of having woken up too early to dismiss them all.
However, just as everyone was about to leave, she asked the Fourth Fujin to stay behind for a private word.