Chapter 150: Fifth Princess Consort

Chapter 150: Fifth Princess Consort

When An Qing saw the two of them, she was momentarily stunned. Knowing they were busy seeing guests off, she and Yinqi had intended to leave quietly, but they unexpectedly ran into each other here.

This place happened to be a small garden, still some distance from the main gate, with few people around, making it convenient for conversation.

"Eight Brother, what is it?" Yinqi asked.

Eighth Prince turned to look at An Qing and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Fifth Sister-in-law, for today."

An Qing wasn't foolish; she immediately understood that Eighth Prince was referring to the earlier incident involving Eighth Princess Consort. Yinqi hadn't quite caught on, but An Qing lightly shook her head, signaling him to discuss it later.

"You're welcome, Eight Brother."

Eighth Prince smiled and said, "Fifth Brother and Fifth Sister-in-law have always been kind-hearted, always thinking of brotherly bonds. I feel ashamed."

An Qing lightly shook her head and replied, "Eight Brother, there's no need to feel ashamed. You've always cared for your Fifth Brother, and we've kept that in mind all these years."

Regardless of how Eighth Prince treated others, he had refrained from taking action against them back then and never secretly acted against them since. This was a debt they acknowledged.

Hearing this, Eighth Prince was taken aback but quickly realized something, a hint of self-derision crossing his eyes.

Back then, he had held back his subordinates from acting against his Fifth Brother first, but the deposed Crown Prince couldn't resist and made the first move. The outcome was clear, and they weren't fools; they wouldn't rush to court trouble again. But this was also because his Fifth Brother had never done anything against him, which was why he felt ashamed.

Eighth Prince had come over specifically to thank them after hearing about the earlier incident from Eighth Princess Consort. He knew well the consequences if those words reached Yongzheng's ears, so he was even more grateful.

After a brief chat, as they were about to part ways, An Qing hesitated for a moment before speaking up, "Eight Brother, do you think how many of those who support you do so purely because of you?"

Actually, she was asking more indirectly. What she really wanted to know was how many members of the Eighth Prince Party genuinely admired his abilities and would truly serve him.

In the struggle for succession, the Eighth Prince Party seemed formidable, but closer inspection revealed that most were military groups dissatisfied with the deposed Crown Prince, rallying around the Eighth Prince to form an anti-Crown Prince faction, known as the Eighth Prince Party.

After all, in the eyes of Manchu nobles, emperors in Qing history were elected by consensus, like Emperor Taizong, Shunzhi, and Kangxi.

The initial establishment of the Crown Prince was an exception, done during the Three Feudatories Rebellion to gain Han Chinese support and unify hearts. The Manchu nobles compromised and agreed to follow the Han Chinese tradition of establishing the eldest son as Crown Prince.

But after the war ended, their conflicts with the Crown Prince resurfaced, forming the political backdrop for the Eighth Prince Party.

Thus, many supported Eighth Prince not because he was wise or capable, but because he was easier to control.

If Eighth Prince had a better background, he wouldn't have been dealt this hand.

Within the Eighth Prince Party, Eighth Prince wasn't a traditional leader but rather a representative of an interest group. Even if he became emperor, he would be constrained by these ministers, much like Emperor Taizong and Shunzhi.

Kangxi likely saw this and ultimately passed the throne to Fourth Prince, unwilling to relinquish the centralized power he had worked hard to establish.

But when An Qing heard that Eighth Prince had restrained his subordinates from acting against Yinqi, she was surprised, knowing how difficult it must have been for him.

Eighth Prince was startled but understood An Qing's implication.

He smiled bitterly, knowing why the Manchu nobles chose him from the start.

As for why his father didn't choose him, he only understood this recently.

In his early years, especially after his mother's death, he couldn't understand why things had deteriorated so badly between him and his father. But eventually, he realized that the fundamental issue was that in the political struggle for imperial power, there could be no second authority, even if it was a son.

After the first deposition of the Crown Prince, when officials openly supported him, his father likely sentenced his political career to death.

So when his father announced in Changchun Garden that the throne would go to his Fourth Brother, he merely pondered for a while before accepting the reality without any extreme reaction.

Everything seemed predictable. Before the end, there was always a sliver of hope, but when faced with the truth, he could only sigh, "Indeed."

"Therefore, Fifth Sister-in-law, let me give you a piece of advice: know when to stop," An Qing said earnestly.

Eighth Prince paused, a hint of helplessness crossing his face. "Thank you for your kindness, Fifth Sister-in-law, but once one enters the game, there's no turning back."

When he chose this path, he knew it meant entering a no-return situation.

Now that he represented this political authority, he was a threat to imperial power, regardless of his actions or who sat on the throne.

Even though his father was gone, the Manchu nobles and the new emperor still needed a target. Now, whether he wanted it or not, he had no choice and no way out.

As for the outcome, he had long anticipated it, sooner or later.

Watching An Qing and Yinqi leave, Eighth Prince felt a sense of dizziness. He wondered if given another chance, would he still make the same choice?

The answer seemed to be yes. Understanding certain truths doesn't mean one can act on them.

People in the palace are indeed strange, as if their fates were predetermined from birth.

On the carriage ride back, An Qing sat silently, feeling a deep sense of melancholy.

She had thought that if Eighth Prince could retire gracefully after being granted a title, he might have a relatively good outcome. But now she realized that once choices were made, many outcomes were beyond one's control.

*

Even if Eighth Prince wanted to withdraw now, the military and noble interests behind him wouldn't allow it.

For example, the political rumors spreading since Yongzheng's ascension—regardless of who started them—would be attributed to Eighth Prince, as he represented a threat to imperial power.

An Qing turned to Yinqi, unsure, and asked, "Do you think if Eighth Brother had seen through everything from the start, would he have chosen differently?"

Yinqi shook his head. "Eight Brother would have chosen this path anyway."

"Why?" An Qing asked, puzzled.

Knowing he would be constrained by the Manchu nobles and become a puppet even if he reached the top, why bother?

Yinqi replied, "His situation in the palace, his talents, and his dissatisfaction—all these factors intertwined, destined him to make this choice."

An Qing suddenly came back to her senses; she had been thinking too narrowly.

So what if he was a puppet? At worst, she could take this position first and then engage in a power struggle with the Manchu nobles.

Isn't that how all the emperors of the Qing dynasty have acted? Just like Kangxi, who managed to break through the political pressure of the four ministers during their regency.

As for Eighth Prince’s situation, his mother’s family was of low status, which meant he had no external support. This made it necessary for him to seek alliances with the Manchu noble factions, making it his best option.

Unless he was content to be an insignificant prince, ignored and idle, but given Eighth Prince’s abilities and ambitions, as well as the humiliations he and his mother endured since childhood, how could he possibly be satisfied with such a fate?

An Qing suddenly turned to look at Yinqi with a relieved expression.

"What is it?" Yinqi asked, puzzled.

An Qing smiled at him, feeling grateful. "Nothing, I was just thinking that it’s fortunate I married you."

In fact, there wasn’t much difference between Yinqi, Seventh Prince, and Eighth Prince. When Kangxi arranged their marriages, none of them were set in stone.

If Kangxi had chosen to marry her off to Seventh Prince, it would have been fine, but if it had been Eighth Prince... she would probably have had to focus on self-preservation.

Yinqi was taken aback for a moment, then understood, a hint of relief crossing his face.

He gently held her hand and smiled. "Yes, it’s fortunate that the one who married me was you."

*

A few days after the banquet at Eighth Prince’s residence, Ninth Prince’s residence also became lively, but unlike the banquet celebrating Eighth Prince’s enfeoffment, Ninth Prince’s event was a wedding feast.

Ninth Prince’s daughter was getting married to Prince Linbu of the Borjigit clan of Baling, a marriage arranged by Kangxi to strengthen ties between Manchuria and Mongolia.

On that day, Yalic got ready early to go to her uncle’s residence, but just as she was about to leave, she ran into Zhang Ruoai.

"Yalic, where are you going?" Zhang Ruoai asked.

Yalic slapped the back of his head. "Brat, call me sister."

Zhang Ruoai pursed his lips, stubbornly refusing to speak.

Yalic didn’t bother arguing further. Looking at the tall and handsome young man before her, she felt a bit discouraged. How did this kid grow so fast? He was now taller than her.

She missed the days when he was still a little boy, always following her around calling her sister.

"Have you been secretly eating something good?" Yalic asked.

Zhang Ruoai was momentarily stunned, not quite understanding.

Yalic huffed. "You’re taller than me now."

Zhang Ruoai smiled. "I’m a man, it’s normal to be taller."

Yalic pouted, thinking it was far from normal—he was three years younger than her.

Zhang Ruoai smiled, noticing her displeasure, and changed the subject. "Are you leaving the residence?"

Yalic nodded. "Yes, I’m going to Uncle’s place to spend time with Sister Talma. She’s going to Mongolia soon."

Zhang Ruoai nodded lightly. He had heard about the second daughter of Beile going to Mongolia; she would be the first princess to marry into Mongolia since the current emperor ascended the throne.

Looking at Yalic, who was now fourteen, he wondered if her marriage would be arranged soon. He had heard his father say that according to royal customs, the marriages of princesses or county princesses bound for Mongolia were usually arranged several years in advance.

Even if she wasn’t going to Mongolia, once she reached adulthood, her Ama and Ema would start looking for a husband for her.

"Why do you have time today? Don’t you have classes?" Yalic asked.

He usually had classes and wasn’t free, and today wasn’t his day off.

Zhang Ruoai replied absentmindedly, "The teacher had something to attend to today, so we have the day off."

Yalic said, "Oh, that makes sense."

Zhang Ruoai thought for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Will you also be marrying into Mongolia someday?"

Yalic was surprised by the question but shrugged. "Who knows? It depends on Uncle Emperor’s decision."

"But probably, my grandmother says there’s no man in the Imperial City brave enough to marry me."

Because An Qing and Yinqi never constrained their children’s nature, Yalic had nothing to do with the traditional virtues expected of women in the Imperial City.

Of course, Concubine Yi added that the spoiled sons of Manchu nobles in the city weren’t worthy of her granddaughter either.

Zhang Ruoai looked at her, opened his mouth as if to say something, but after a moment, muttered softly, "Who said there isn’t?"

Yalic didn’t hear clearly. "What did you say?"

Zhang Ruoai took a deep breath, looked into her eyes, and said, "I said you’re so great, many men in the Imperial City would want to marry you."

Hearing this, Yalic laughed and patted his shoulder. "You don’t need to comfort me. Don’t worry, I don’t care about these things."

If no one dared to marry her, she wouldn’t want to marry anyway.

Besides, while others might fear marrying into Mongolia, she wasn’t afraid. There, she had loving grandparents and uncles and aunts who would protect her from any harm.

"Alright, I have to go. I promised to meet Sister Talma. Let’s go horseback riding in the suburbs another day when you’re free," Yalic said.

Zhang Ruoai nodded. "Let’s go together."

With her gone, staying here had no meaning.

Together, they left Prince Heng’s Palace. Yalic boarded her carriage and waved through the window. "I’m off. You should go back too."

Zhang Ruoai nodded slightly, watching the carriage gradually disappear into the distance. He then turned around, his mind heavy with thoughts, and climbed into his own carriage.

*

Inside the Forbidden City, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Yongzheng was at his desk, dealing with official matters, his brows furrowed tighter and tighter, indicating the numerous pressing issues he faced.

Su Peizheng entered to report, "Your Majesty, Prince Yixin requests an audience."

Without looking up, Yongzheng replied, "Admit him."

Soon after, the Thirteenth Prince walked in. After exchanging a few words, they began discussing state affairs.

Ever since Yongzheng ascended the throne, such scenes had become commonplace in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The ongoing military conflicts in the northwest, the depleted national treasury, the unstable court, and frequent disasters across the country kept the two brothers busy day and night, not daring to slack off for a moment.

After reading the report from Heilongjiang, Yongzheng and the Thirteenth Prince finally relaxed their furrowed brows.

"Thankfully, there is enough stored grain from the farms in Heilongjiang. The supply issue for the frontlines in the northwest is finally resolved," the Thirteenth Prince remarked.

Yongzheng nodded slightly, also letting out a sigh of relief.

The situation on the frontlines in the northwest was critical, and the supply of provisions could not be interrupted. But with the treasury empty, it was fortunate that the land reclamation efforts in Heilongjiang had been successful over the years, with more than fifty farms established, providing ample surplus grain. Otherwise, this problem would have been impossible to solve.

Thinking about it, Yongzheng knew he owed much to his fifth brother and sister-in-law.

Seeing that it was getting late, the Thirteenth Prince advised, "Fourth Brother, now that the supply issue for the frontlines is resolved, you should rest early tonight and take care of your health. We can handle the other matters gradually; we will find solutions eventually."

Yongzheng rubbed his temples and nodded lightly.

Hopefully so. Having just ascended the throne half a year ago, the court was already unstable, and it was a time fraught with difficulties. It could ill afford any more troubles.

However, what one fears most often comes to pass.

At that very moment, thousands of miles away in Jiangnan, several old farmers were sitting in the cracked rice fields, sighing heavily.

Such a severe drought, leading to poor harvests—this heaven truly leaves no room for survival.

One old farmer poked the ground with a stick, and suddenly a bug flew up. At first, he did not pay much attention, but when he saw a second one, he froze and looked closely.

That single glance left him trembling with fear—it was, it was... locusts!!