Chapter 17: Establishing the Crown Prince

Chapter 17: Establishing the Crown Prince

"Why have you turned foolish?" Kangxi teased as he noticed Wuya Shi's (of the Wuya clan) dark, bright eyes fixed intently on him. No sooner had the words left his mouth than she suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around him. He held her by the waist in response and asked what was wrong.

"Your Majesty, can you be this good to me for my whole life?"

Hearing the phrase "for my whole life," Kangxi felt a pang of sorrow. He had once said those same words to the Empress, but her "whole life" had been far too brief. The Empress had been dignified, elegant, gentle, and serene—utterly different in temperament from Wuya Shi. Yet, both had stirred in him a desire to treat them well. He did not answer Wuya Shi's question, but instead lifted her chin and kissed her deeply.

"Your Majesty..." Wuya Shi murmured softly, her eyes shimmering with a mix of innocence and grievance. He laid her down on the bed and leaned over her.

Wuya Shi actively wrapped her arms around his neck, her body softening against his.

That night, Kangxi had initially intended to stop after once, but Wuya Shi, overcome with passion, drew him into a second round. Even afterward, she clung to him tightly, unusually affectionate that evening.

The next morning, the two woke almost simultaneously.

Kangxi told her that from then on, she could come to see him directly whenever she wished.

"Really? But I am only an Answering Attendant. Aren't there rules in the palace that Answering Attendants cannot casually come to the Qianqing Palace? I must follow the rules, or I'll be punished again."

Kangxi said nothing more and instead had Wuya Shi stay to share breakfast with him.

Two days passed, and Kangxi intended to summon Wuya Shi to attend him, but the eunuch from the Office of Imperial Affairs informed him that Wuya Shi was menstruating. He had no choice but to abandon the thought and flip another green plaque.

Fang Yu was not only menstruating but had also fallen ill. She wondered if she had caught the illness from the Emperor, but even if that were the case, she dared not blame him. She hadn't even dared to report her illness openly, only temporarily withdrawing her green plaque.

Sick, Fang Yu could only eat bland meals. The kitchen sent her a portion of red bean, barley, and taro soup. The taro was perfectly cooked, the sweetness of the sugar having seeped into it, and she drank two bowls in a row.

"Your Ladyship, you finally have an appetite."

In the previous days, Fang Yu had a low fever, with a sore and congested throat, and little appetite. She hadn't eaten much, worrying Pan Liu greatly. Today, she felt much better, her body lighter, and believed she would recover soon.

Not long after, the Imperial Household Department finally delivered the rosewood cabinet with compartments she had requested. After waiting three months, Fang Yu was very satisfied with the finished product and rewarded the servants from the Imperial Household Department with one tael of silver each.

With nothing else to do, Fang Yu began compiling an inventory list, recording all the rewards she had received in a ledger so she could keep clear account of what was there and what might be missing.

During Fang Yu's recovery, momentous news spread through the palace: the Emperor intended to establish Yin Reng, who had just turned one year old, as Crown Prince. He had already informed the Ministry of Rites, instructing them and the Imperial Astronomer to select an auspicious date for the Crown Prince inauguration ceremony.

Fang Yu was not surprised; historically, Crown Prince Yin Reng had been named heir apparent shortly after turning one. However, many in the palace were shocked, including Consort Wan, Niuhulu.Yu Wan.

Niuhulu.Yu Wan sat on the heated kang in her warm chamber, unable to contain her anger. She slammed her teacup down, sending tea splashing and shards of porcelain scattering.

The Emperor's decision to establish a crown prince seemed sudden, but she wondered when he had first conceived the idea. The child had just turned one, and the Emperor was already eager to name him crown prince.

Upon reflection, from the moment the Emperor publicly announced that he would personally raise Yin Reng, had he already intended to establish him as crown prince?

Even in death, Hesheli Shi overshadowed her. How fortunate she was to have died leaving behind a son who could become crown prince. With Yin Reng, just over a year old, becoming crown prince, the Hesheli family would enjoy generations of wealth and honor.

How could she not be furious? Even if she were to bear a son in the future, her child would only be a prince, never as esteemed as the crown prince. How could she accept that?

It was her own fault for not bearing a son before Hesheli Shi. Now that the Emperor was determined to make Hesheli Shi's son the crown prince, he had likely already discussed it with the Hesheli family. There was probably no turning back.

Niuhulu.Yu Wan was so enraged her face contorted. Since the Emperor had established Yin Reng as crown prince, whom did he intend to make Empress? If only her own womb had been more reliable all these years, failing to produce a son.

With a son, her path to becoming Empress would have been much more legitimate.

"Nanny Gui, is Common Consort Zhang's fetus already eight months along? Do you think she carries a son or a princess?" Niuhulu.Yu Wan gradually calmed down. What she needed most now was a son, and currently, Zhang was the only one in the palace pregnant. If Zhang gave birth to a son, she could take the child and claim him as her own.

Nanny Gui, Consort Wan's wet nurse, immediately understood what her mistress was thinking. Hesitantly, she said, "Madam, you are still young. You will have your own children in the future."

Would she really have her own children in the future? Niuhulu.Yu Wan herself was uncertain. She was already twenty years old, and there were young madams in the palace aged fourteen or fifteen. Although she enjoyed the Emperor's favor, her womb remained still. Moreover, she felt that the Emperor's kindness toward her was largely due to her family background. His genuine affection for her might not be deep, perhaps even less than what he felt for that Wuya Shi. Since Wuya Shi began attending him, the Emperor's favor toward her had actually never ceased.

"Nanny, I have failed my father and the Niuhulu Family."

Nanny Gui hurriedly replied, "Madam, do not think that way. The Emperor's decision to establish a crown prince may have reasons behind it. Those rebellious feudal princes have raised troops in rebellion, already threatening the safety of our Qing Dynasty. The Emperor may only be seeking to reassure the people. With so few princes in the palace, the Emperor may have had no other choice."

Yes, there were only two princes in the palace, Yin Ti and Yin Reng. If choosing between them, Yin Reng, born of Hesheli Shi, was the only logical choice to be crown prince, especially with the backing of the Hesheli family.

Niuhulu.Yu Wan grew even more regretful. Why hadn't she been able to protect her own child back then? The imperial physician had said it was a boy.

Half a month after the Emperor announced the establishment of Yin Reng as crown prince, he declared preparations to bestow titles upon the harem. Niuhulu.Yu Wan learned that the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court had already begun drafting titles, writing enfeoffment documents, and creating ceremonial treasures. What concerned her most was the position of Empress. She did not know whom the Emperor intended for the role and could no longer discern his thoughts.

On the evening of June 10th, Niuhulu.Yu Wan was summoned to attend the Emperor. Afterward, she heard him speak.

"Yu Wan, I know you have suffered all these years. Thanks to your help in managing the trivial matters of the rear palace alongside the Empress Dowager, the rear palace has been orderly and well-run. You have always been virtuous, gentle, respectful, benevolent, and filial—a model for the six palaces. I intend to establish you as Empress. What do you think?"

Shocked, Niuhulu.Yu Wan rose from the bed and knelt directly on it, saying excitedly, "Your Majesty, this humble consort... thanks you for your heavenly grace. This humble consort will certainly abide by womanly virtues, diligently assist in managing the affairs of the six palaces, and live up to Your Majesty's trust."

Niuhulu.Yu Wan was helped up by the Emperor.

"Here, it is just you and me. There is no need for formalities. I have always believed in you. I am telling you in advance that the edict of appointment will be issued in a few days."

Tears welling in her eyes, Niuhulu.Yu Wan nestled in the Emperor's embrace, uttering an "Mm," feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from her heart.

After all these years, she had finally achieved her wish to become Empress. In that moment, Niuhulu.Yu Wan was grateful to the Emperor for not letting her hopes come to nothing.

The night deepened, and the Qianqing Palace grew quiet, but Niuhulu.Yu Wan, unable to calm her inner turmoil, did not fall asleep until the early hours of the morning.