Spring in the Hall of Paintings

According to tradition, when Emperor Kangxi granted marriage to his sons, the biological father of the prince’s primary wife was required to enter the palace to receive the decree and express gratitude. However, due to the situation with Yun Lan, Kangxi wished to avoid unnecessary complications. After all, by marrying Yun Lan as a side concubine to Yinzhen, there was already a sense of unfairness toward Yinti. Kangxi did not want to create a rift between the brothers. Therefore, he generously rewarded Yun Wei to demonstrate that it was always Tong Jia Yun Wei whom he had intended to bestow upon the Eighth Prince, Yinti, as his primary wife. Yun Lan had never been the intended choice—it was merely a misunderstanding caused by others misinterpreting the imperial will. To further emphasize this, Kangxi commanded the Imperial Household Department to ensure that the wedding of the Eighth Prince, Yinti, would be grand and ceremonious, symbolizing royal favor.

The announcement of Tong Jia Yun Wei’s marriage to the Eighth Prince shook the entire Forbidden City. Shortly afterward, Kangxi issued another decree, elevating the ranks of various princes and consorts. The First Prince was promoted to Zhi Junwang (a lower-ranked prince), the Third Prince to Cheng Junwang, and the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, along with the Fifth Prince, Yinqi, the Seventh Prince, and the Eighth Prince, Yinti, were all granted the title of Beile (a noble rank below Junwang). The Junwang titles were ranked before Yinzhen, while the Beile titles were positioned after Yinti.

Adding to the intrigue, Yun Lan was assigned as a side concubine to Yinzhen, while Tong Jia Yun Wei was designated as the primary wife of Yinti. This arrangement seemed unusual, sparking speculation among the idle nobles of the imperial clan. Though they held no official positions, they were well-informed due to their noble lineage. Emperor Kangxi was a ruler who valued his reputation, but Yun Lan’s defiance had embarrassed him. No matter how much Kangxi tried to conceal the truth and affirm that Yun Wei was always his intended choice for Yinti, he could not silence the whispers of the court.

Compared to Yun Lan, Yun Wei’s reputation was significantly inferior. However, those who were wise enough knew better than to bring this up in front of Kangxi, lest they provoke his wrath and face severe consequences.

Kangxi’s actions were ultimately an attempt at self-deception. Deep down, he was growing increasingly irritated with Yun Lan, to the point where he was tempted to send her directly into the Beile manor without even holding a wedding ceremony. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager intervened, gently advising him, “Your Majesty, wouldn’t that seem rather petty? Tong Jia Yun Lan, after all, is still a Legitimate side concubine. The wedding must take place.”

Her implication was clear—if Kangxi refused to hold a proper ceremony, wouldn’t that be an admission that the rumors were true?

Kangxi, holding his teacup, let out a cold scoff. “She’s getting off easy.”

The Empress Dowager soothingly patted Kangxi’s arm, a subtle smile playing on her lips. “Now that she has married into the imperial family, there will always be ways to handle her. I believe the Fourth Prince’s primary wife is quite capable—she will surely keep Tong Jia Yun Lan in check.”

Kangxi took a sip of tea, and the Empress Dowager, sensing his lingering frustration, smiled. “Right now, the Tong Jia girl is in her prime, and the Fourth Prince may dote on her for a while. But at the next selection, you can grant him two younger, more beautiful concubines. Engaging in a power struggle with Tong Jia Yun Lan only elevates her status.”

Realization dawned upon Kangxi, and he suddenly laughed. “Royal Mother is right. Why should I concern myself with the side concubine of a prince?”

Kangxi had always been an authoritative ruler, accustomed to absolute control. Yet, this minor figure—Yun Lan—had momentarily thrown him off balance, making him feel momentarily powerless. That was what truly unsettled him.

Recalling Yun Wei, Kangxi smiled. “It seems that fate has made the decision for me. I had intended to find the Eighth Prince a primary wife of noble birth and scholarly grace. Tong Jia Yun Wei is a perfect choice.”

“Your Majesty means… Tong Jia Yun Wei…” The Empress Dowager had never involved herself in the selection process, only learning about a few candidates through her care for the Fifth Prince. Since his lineage was thin, she had been preoccupied with finding suitable women to bear him heirs. Generally, the Emperor decided the primary consorts for the princes, while the selection of side concubines and concubines was left to the prince’s biological or adoptive mother—except for the Crown Prince, whom Kangxi personally oversaw.

“I am curious to see what the Eighth Prince’s consort will be like after their marriage. Once Tong Jia Yun Wei matures, she will astonish everyone. I have not wronged the Eighth Prince; in fact, I may have granted him the most outstanding and beautiful consort of this selection. Moreover, her family is honorable, loyal, and reliable. Having such an in-law is a blessing for him.”

“Your Majesty is right. The Lady of the Tong Jia family has raised an excellent child—I trust her upbringing,” the Empress Dowager agreed.

Kangxi’s mood improved significantly as he stood up to leave Cining Palace. Smiling, he said, “Once the Eighth Prince and his wife enter the palace to express their gratitude after the wedding, I want everyone to see the grace and elegance of the Eighth Prince’s consort. Only then will they understand that Tong Jia Yun Wei was always the one I intended for him.”

The Empress Dowager leaned back against a cushion embroidered with the Eight Immortals offering longevity and asked curiously, “Is Tong Jia Yun Wei truly that exceptional? From the way His Majesty speaks, she must be a rare beauty.”

“I wouldn’t know,” murmured the old maidservant massaging her legs. “But His Majesty is never wrong. Even Prince Qing’e, a man known for his aloofness, holds a high opinion of Tong Jia Yun Wei. I was thinking…”

“Enough, this matter must not be mentioned again.” The Empress Dowager cut her off sternly. “His Majesty already dislikes Prince Gong. Bringing up Qing’e again will only make things more difficult and might even upset the Eighth Prince. Can’t you see? His Majesty just visited Concubine Liang’s palace—or rather, we should now call her Noble Concubine Liang.”

The Empress Dowager was referring to the Eighth Prince’s birth mother. In his recent decree, Kangxi had elevated Concubine Liang to the rank of Noble Concubine, placing her just below the four senior concubines. “I hadn’t realized it before, but although Noble Concubine Liang came from a humble background, her imperial favor is unmatched. For years, she served His Majesty without a promotion, but now that the Emperor values the Eighth Prince, her status has risen accordingly. It just goes to show—what truly matters is whether a prince is promising.”

The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded meaningfully. “His Majesty has always treated Noble Concubine Liang differently. That’s why he bestowed Tong Jia Yun Wei upon the Eighth Prince. During the selection, who would have thought that Yun Wei would be matched with a prince? If the Emperor had given even the slightest hint, Imperial Concubine Yi would have chosen Yun Wei for the Ninth Prince.”

Meanwhile, at Yonghe Palace, Imperial Concubine De furiously smashed her teacup onto the floor. “Foolish! I’ve raised a foolish son!” she exclaimed. “Summon Yinzhen at once! I want to ask him personally—what is so special about Yun Lan that he was willing to sacrifice his Junwang title for her?”

“Your Highness, the Fourth Prince has already left the palace.”

Imperial Concubine De had initially been indifferent to the selection process, content to watch from the sidelines. But the unexpected turn of events had left her reeling. Yinzhen, usually composed and rational, had personally pleaded with Kangxi to marry Yun Lan. Not only had he lost his noble title because of it, but he had also embarrassed Imperial Concubine De. Worse still, it led to Noble Concubine Liang’s promotion.

Clenching her fists, Imperial Concubine De dug her nails into her palms. Though she herself had once risen swiftly from palace maid to consort, she had always found Noble Concubine Liang unfathomable. The woman appeared docile and weak, but any concubine who had survived in the palace long enough to give birth to a prince was anything but simple. Mere imperial favor alone was never enough to secure such a position.

“Yinzhen doesn’t even consider me his mother,” she said bitterly. “How could he make such a major decision without consulting me? One day, he will regret this.”

A mother’s status is often elevated by her son’s success, just as a son’s fortune can be shaped by his mother’s influence. If Yinzhen had been granted the title of Junwang, Imperial Concubine De’s position would have been even more secure. It also would have prevented Kangxi from using Yinti’s marriage as an excuse to promote Noble Concubine Liang. Now that Yinti’s wife came from a prestigious family, her maternal clan would feel even more honored.

Imperial Concubine De sighed, acknowledging Kangxi’s strategic brilliance. He had managed to satisfy both beauty and political loyalty without neglecting either. She thought of Rongxuan, the commander of the Fengtai military camp, and felt a pang of regret. Slamming the table, she muttered, “Yinzhen, why couldn’t you have chosen Yun Wei instead?”

The palace maid standing nearby lowered her head, struggling to suppress a smile. The Fourth Prince was no reincarnation of Pan An (a famously handsome man from history), yet Tong Jia Yun Lan had rejected the role of a primary consort just to become his secondary wife.

Meanwhile, Imperial Concubine Yi also harbored mixed feelings about Yun Wei’s betrothal to the Eighth Prince—an unspoken tinge of jealousy, though it was directed more toward Noble Concubine Liang than Yun Wei herself. Now that Liang had been elevated to a noble concubine, Imperial Concubine Yi clenched her fists so tightly that her nails nearly broke.

That being said, she was still quite satisfied with the match she had arranged for her own son, the Ninth Prince, Yintang. He had married a lady from the Guo Luoluo clan, whose noble lineage far surpassed Yun Wei’s. While the family lacked real political power, it had two distinct advantages: first, the bride was Imperial Concubine Yi’s own niece, and second, the Guo Luoluo family held a significant place within the imperial clan, something Yun Wei’s family could never rival.

A niece becoming a daughter-in-law—Imperial Concubine Yi believed it would make for a harmonious relationship. As she prepared the betrothal gifts, she chuckled softly, “Jing Shu must be feeling shy, staying in the manor to prepare for her wedding. It was a wise decision to choose Jing Shu from the start. If I had set my sights on Yun Lan instead…”

Imperial Concubine Yi paused for a moment, uncertain whether the situation was good or bad. The Eighth Prince had married Yun Wei, which wasn’t a bad match by any means. She then asked, “Where is Yintang?”

“Your Highness, the Ninth Prince went with the Tenth Prince to find the Eighth Prince,” a maid replied.

“These two foolish children,” Imperial Concubine Yi sighed. “Until His Majesty issues an official decree, everything remains uncertain. Who can be sure of anything?” She placed an ornate hairpin into a gift box and continued, “The Eighth Prince has certainly gained a lot—his birth mother has been promoted to Noble Concubine, and he has married Tong Jia Yun Wei. What does he have to complain about? A woman’s true reliance isn’t her looks but her intelligence and the power of her family. Yun Wei may not be as beautiful as Yun Lan, but she is the legitimate daughter of Rongxuan. His Majesty has always held the Tong family in high regard. Among the many noble families of the Qing Dynasty, only the Tong family was granted an imperial decree recognizing their loyalty and sacrifice.

“I vaguely recall the palace elders saying that the old master of the Tong family once saved the Emperor’s life. Rongxuan personally protected His Majesty during an ambush. Kangxi has always been generous to his loyal subjects, and Rongxuan’s favor will likely last a lifetime. Look at how the Emperor summoned Yun Wei alone and later bestowed heavy rewards upon her—this clearly shows his satisfaction. With the support of her powerful family and the Emperor’s favor, Yun Wei will firmly establish herself among the imperial consorts. Who would dare to underestimate her?”

“Your Highness, the Eighth Prince himself was saved by Minister Tong. His Majesty even joked that he had saved his future son-in-law. The Eighth Prince is kind-hearted—how could he mistreat the daughter of the man who saved his life?”

Imperial Concubine Yi nodded. “That’s exactly why Yun Wei’s position among the imperial consorts is unparalleled. Just wait and see—her wedding will be second only to the Crown Prince’s. His Majesty values appearances above all else.”

“And what about the Ninth Prince’s marriage…?”

“It has to be moved forward—what else can we do?” Imperial Concubine Yi shook her head in resignation. “Would we let the Eighth Prince outshine us instead? I’ll personally plead with His Majesty to hold the wedding before Yintang moves out of the palace. That way, it will still seem reasonable. I won’t let Jing Shu feel wronged. We might as well arrange the Tenth Prince’s wedding at the same time—two imperial weddings should at least compare favorably to the Eighth Prince’s.”

The Tenth Prince’s main consort was the daughter of a Mongolian prince, and Imperial Concubine Yi calculated carefully. The Mongolian prince’s noble status would lend prestige to the match, ensuring that their side wouldn’t lose face in comparison.

—

“Eighth Brother, don’t overthink it,” Yintang consoled him. “In my opinion, Yun Lan is just a pretty face. Judging by how she handles things, she’s a fool. It’s actually better that you didn’t marry her.”

Yintang personally pushed a cup of freshly poured tea toward Yinti, whose face showed no sign of disappointment or frustration. In a quiet voice, he continued, “If you’re upset, just talk to me. Don’t keep it bottled up.”

The Tenth Prince slammed the table. “Fourth Brother went too far! I’m going to find him!”

Yinti said calmly, “Come back, Tenth Brother. This isn’t Fourth Brother’s fault.”

“Ninth Brother, did you hear that? Eighth Brother finally spoke up! We’ve been trying to comfort him until our throats are dry.”

The Tenth Prince stopped in his tracks. He wasn’t thoughtless—confronting Yinzhen now would only make matters more complicated and further embarrass Yinti. Worse, it might even provoke Kangxi, who had clearly already decided to suppress the situation.

“Ninth Brother, Tenth Brother, I appreciate your concern,” Yinti said. “But Father never explicitly said Yun Lan would be my primary consort—those were just others misinterpreting his intentions. To marry Tong Jia Yun Wei… I… I am quite satisfied. As the legitimate daughter of Rongxuan, she deserves to be treated well, both emotionally and logically. Besides…”

Yinti fell into deep thought as his birth mother, Concubine Liang’s words echoed in his mind:

“Yinti, my son, His Majesty promised to choose the finest maiden for you as your principal consort. He wouldn’t have assigned Yun Wei to you out of mere necessity.”

He vividly remembered the contemplative expression and faint smile on Concubine Liang’s face when she said this:

“Yinti, there’s something unusual about your wife. Her beauty and virtues are for you to discover yourself—perhaps you’ll find unexpected surprises. All I can tell you is that she has the potential to be a true beauty. In time, she will surpass everyone in elegance and charm—even me. Yinti, marrying Tong Jia Yun Wei is your blessing.”

“A blessing?” Yinti murmured, resting his chin on his hand. “Tong Jia Yun Wei… I look forward to the moment I lift your bridal veil.”

The Ninth and Tenth Princes exchanged bewildered glances. Was their Eighth Brother… a little too overwhelmed by all of this?