Spring in the Hall of Paintings

After paying respects to the Empress Dowager, Yinti and Yun Wei left Ning Shou Palace. Yinti walked at a slightly slower pace, showing his care for Yun Wei. However, she still maintained a half-step distance behind him, following proper etiquette with perfect precision.

“Are you tired?” Yinti asked.

“Not at all. The Empress Dowager is very kind and loving.”

“That’s because you know how to be charming and speak well. That’s why the Royal Grandmother rewarded you.”

Yinti’s eyes held a hint of pride. After an imperial prince’s wedding, it was customary for the newlyweds to enter the palace to express gratitude for the marriage decree, and the Empress Dowager would often bestow gifts. Among the newly wedded princesses, the most generously rewarded had been Guo Luoluo Jing Zhu, the official wife of Ninth Prince Yintang. Before marriage, she had been talkative and lively, which greatly pleased the Empress Dowager. The Ninth Prince and The Fifth Prince Who was raised by the Empress Dowager since childhood, had the same biological mother, Imperial Concubine Yi, who was bold and forthright—traits well-suited to the Mongolian Khorchin origins of the Empress Dowager. As the granddaughter-in-law of the Empress Dowager, Guo Luoluo Jing Zhu was one of her favorites and had received the most lavish gifts during her wedding gratitude ceremony.

The Empress Dowager did not involve herself in court politics; instead, she granted favors purely based on personal preference. Emperor Kangxi never interfered with her choices. In terms of appearance, Yun Wei undeniably stood out among all the imperial daughters-in-law. However, Yinti had been concerned that her soft and gentle demeanor, resembling that of a Jiangnan woman, might not be to the Empress Dowager’s liking. Unexpectedly, Yun Wei managed to win her favor effortlessly. After just a few words, the Empress Dowager grew extremely fond of her, treating her as if she were her own cherished granddaughter. When Yun Wei presented her personally embroidered forehead cloth and cloth shoes, the Empress Dowager adored them and couldn’t put them down. She even invited Yun Wei to visit the palace frequently to keep her company. Her gifts to Yun Wei were even more generous than those given to the Ninth Princess Consort. The smiles of Imperial Concubine Yi and Imperial Concubine De, who were present, seemed a bit forced—they had originally been waiting to see Yinti embarrassed.

Imperial Concubine De had subtly hinted at her supposed remorse regarding Yinti, mentioning that Yinzhen’s side concubine, Lady Tong, lacked understanding. But Yinti had heard far worse comments before. He had grown up knowing that his lowly-born mother, Concubine Liang, had conceived him unexpectedly after receiving imperial favor. Even after giving birth to the Eighth Prince, Kangxi had not promoted her rank; she had remained merely a Noble Lady. Without a powerful maternal family to support him and without the wealth to keep his personal servants loyal, even the more privileged palace attendants had dared to gossip about him. Despite Imperial Concubine Hui’s protection, Yinti had endured many hardships in the palace as a child. Yet, everything had changed—Kangxi had begun to favor him, his mother had been elevated to Concubine Liang, and he had married Yun Wei.

At that moment, Yun Wei had merely lifted her head and given a gentle, radiant smile, instantly silencing Ning Shou Palace. It turned out that a beauty needed nothing more than a single smile. Her soft voice still echoed in Yinti’s mind:

“Thank you for your concern, Imperial Concubine De. I will serve the Eighth Prince well. His Majesty’s word is golden—only the best daughters-in-law are chosen for the imperial family.”

With graceful composure, Yun Wei had knelt in salute, embodying the sweet charm of a newlywed bride. From the side, Imperial Concubine Yi had laughed and added, “Isn’t that exactly what His Majesty said? Only the best legitimate consorts are chosen for the imperial family.”

Imperial Concubine Yi and Imperial Concubine De had always been rivals, their disputes both overt and covert. Yinti had heard of their ongoing feuds. Yet, with just a few soft-spoken words, his young wife had effortlessly diffused the awkward situation. His smile deepened. No wonder the Empress Dowager had whispered to him, “Don’t be fooled by Yun Wei’s gentle and slow manner of speaking—she may seem as soft as silk, but as a noble daughter from an elite Manchu banner family, raised by the esteemed Grand Madam Tong, she carries the spirit of the Eight Banners.”

“That’s not true,” Yun Wei protested earnestly.

“The Empress Dowager’s gifts were meant for both of us.”

She shook her head with a serious expression, and the tassels hanging from her hairpin swayed gently. Yinti caught her delicate hand, hidden within her sleeve—it was small, soft, and smooth. Having already tasted Yun Wei’s sweetness, Yinti knew that his wife was exquisite in every way, from head to toe.

“This isn’t exactly the right place for that,” Yun Wei murmured, slightly flustered.

A light pink veil covered Yun Wei’s face, and she hesitated, unsure if she should resist too much. Carefully, she asked, “Can you let go?”

“Just because we’re not in the palace, does that mean I can do as I please?”

“When have I ever not followed your wishes?”

Under her glistening, bright eyes, Yinti gently squeezed her hand twice before reluctantly letting go. Yun Wei, with her head slightly lowered, stole a glance at him and softly said, “It’s still early.” Yinti nearly lost his composure. To Yun Wei, it seemed like a casual remark, but to him, it felt as if her delicate hands had just lightly scratched at his heart, leaving him yearning to pull her into his arms and savor her unique beauty—one that belonged solely to him.

“Greetings to the Eighth Prince and Eighth Princess Consort.”

The chief eunuch outside Yanxi Palace led the servants in bowing to them. The palace maids and eunuchs on both sides followed suit, kneeling to show their respects. Yinti’s smile remained bright, but Yun Wei noticed a shift—he was no longer as intimately engaged as he had been with her just moments before. Understanding this, she signaled to her dowry maid, Lu Yi, who had been following closely behind her. Lu Yi stepped forward and distributed the prepared lucky money and small trinkets to the servants, ensuring that everyone received a fair share. The eunuchs and maids beamed with joy, their eyes crinkling with happiness, and they became even more diligent in their service to Yinti and Yun Wei. Observing them standing side by side, it was impossible not to think they were a perfect match—truly a pair made in heaven.

“Master, we’ve been waiting for you for quite some time. The servants have urged me multiple times—they’re eager to see the Eighth Princess Consort.”

“You and your silver tongue.”

Yinti, wearing a large, polished jade ring on his finger, lightly tapped the chief eunuch on the forehead. A palace maid lifted the beaded curtain, and Yinti ducked slightly as he stepped inside. Yun Wei took a quick glance around, instantly noting the layout and furnishings of Yanxi Palace. She respectfully stood behind Yinti, her posture impeccable.

Through the sheer curtain, the vague outline of a noblewoman reclining against a cushion could be seen. Yun Wei had encountered Imperial Concubine Hui before, having met her during the imperial selection. But now, seeing her again, she was different from what Yun Wei had remembered. Without hesitation, Yun Wei performed the full ceremonial greeting of a daughter-in-law, kneeling twice and bowing six times.

“Remove the curtain,” Imperial Concubine Hui ordered. “I raised the Eighth Prince myself—I must take a good look at his princess consort. All I hear is talk about how remarkable she is. Let me see for myself…”

The palace maids swiftly lifted the curtain.

“Hiss—” Imperial Concubine Hui took in a sharp breath, carefully examining Yun Wei. “No wonder. No wonder. Today, I’ve finally seen a true beauty.”

“Greetings, Hui Mother.”

Although Imperial Concubine Hui was not Yinti’s official mother-in-law, having raised him, she held a significant position in his life. Yun Wei treated her with utmost respect.

Imperial Concubine Hui straightened her posture and beckoned Yun Wei forward. “Come here, my child.”

Only after receiving Yinti’s nod did Yun Wei move to sit beside Imperial Concubine Hui.

“Hui Mother.”

“His Majesty truly arranged an excellent match,” Imperial Concubine Hui remarked, scrutinizing Yun Wei. “Such exquisite beauty—I’ve never seen one so outstanding.”

She was dressed in a deep red embroidered Manchu robe, layered with a silk vest. A golden phoenix hairpin adorned her neatly styled hair, radiating elegance without ostentation. On the heated kang table beside her lay a half-rolled book, its faint ink scent adding a scholarly touch to her refined presence. Yun Wei glanced at it briefly and immediately recognized the poetry of Nalan Rongruo.

Noticing Yun Wei’s gaze, Imperial Concubine Hui smiled and asked, “Do you like Nalan’s poetry?”

“I have read a few of his poems, but I wouldn’t say I’m well-versed in them.”

“Tell me then, which one is your favorite?”

Imperial Concubine Hui seemed genuinely interested. From Yun Wei’s demeanor and speech, she could tell that Yun Wei was not someone unfamiliar with literature—she had certainly read extensively. The gentle and refined scholarly aura that surrounded Yun Wei reminded Imperial Concubine Hui of someone from the past. That person shared a similar temperament with Yun Wei, and most of Nalan Rongruo’s poetry had been written for her.

Having experienced the ups and downs of palace life, Imperial Concubine Hui had long seen through the ways of the world. Yun Wei was not a woman who romanticized love merely because of a few sentimental verses. Her beauty was extraordinary, and her manners were poised and dignified. This alone proved that the upbringing of the Tong family was not as frivolous and impetuous as some rumors suggested. Tong Jia Yun Lan might have been an exception—every family had one or two mischievous and immature children.

“My preference is different from most. While I respect Young Master Nalan’s deep affection for his late wife, I personally favor the idea of cherishing the person before me.”

“Oh? That’s quite unusual. Many women are moved by Nalan Rongruo’s poetry and dream of being like his late wife, Lady Lu. Do you not long for such unwavering love, one that lasts until death?”

Yun Wei caught sight of Yinti standing nearby, quietly listening. Lowering her head, she softly replied, “I don’t know how Nalan’s late wife truly felt, but if it were me, I’d rather he forget me after my death. If one remains trapped in the past, there can be no happiness.”

Imperial Concubine Hui burst into laughter, patting Yun Wei’s delicate hands that rested on her lap. “Good, you understand. Yun Wei, you are a true kindred spirit of my cousin Nalan. He only came to this realization at the very end, but you have understood it far earlier than he did.”

“No, no,” Yun Wei shook her head. “I could never compose poetry like Nalan Rongruo. My teacher once said that I have no talent for poetry, unlike my female cousins.”

“I wasn’t talking about talent in poetry, but rather insight. If Nalan Rongruo had reached this understanding sooner, he wouldn’t have left this world so young.”

Imperial Concubine Hui sighed with regret. Had Nalan Rongruo lived, his father, Nalan Mingzhu, might not have been so easily removed by Emperor Kangxi, and Suoetu wouldn’t have dominated the court alone.

Emperor Kangxi’s visits to Imperial Concubine Hui were rare. As beauty faded, so did favor. No matter how well she maintained herself, she could not compete with the younger and more radiant concubines. Over the years, Imperial Concubine Hui had come to terms with this reality. As the birth mother of the eldest prince, no one dared to slight her. She devoted herself to poetry and painting, taking a detached approach to the emperor’s fleeting affections. Ironically, this made Kangxi visit her more often, as they would sit and discuss the poetry of Nalan Rongruo.

“Hui Mother, I received some fragrance recipes from my fourth sister—no, the Fourth Prince’s side concubine. I made some adjustments and started using them myself. Hearing from the Eighth Prince that you have trouble sleeping, I prepared a blend of sleep-aiding incense for you. You can light it before bed, and if you find the scent unpleasant, I will bring you another kind to try.”

Using the excuse of presenting incense, Yun Wei gently interrupted Imperial Concubine Hui’s moment of sorrow. Even the highest-ranked women in the palace were lonely. Nights spent alone in an empty bed—such solitude was the greatest torment for a woman, something that neither luxurious robes nor the finest delicacies could ever compensate for.

Yun Wei carefully placed the elegantly packaged incense before Imperial Concubine Hui. Intrigued, the concubine picked up each one and took a deep breath, savoring the scents.

“These are quite different from the ones in the palace. The fragrance is unique.”

“If Hui Mother likes them, I will bring more next time.”

Yun Wei carefully explained the ingredients used in each packet of incense, ensuring that none were omitted. She was well aware that incense and similar items could not be casually gifted, as they were highly susceptible to tampering. Thus, she exercised extreme caution, thoroughly considering every detail. Having studied numerous books on the subject, she made certain that no foreign substances were mixed in, preventing any unintended consequences. Anything she presented had been meticulously thought through.

Palace intrigue was complex, and Mama Yang had privately warned her about many hidden schemes. The incense brought into the palace was all properly registered through the Imperial Household Department, leaving no loophole that could be used against her. Yun Wei would never allow even the slightest misstep that could bring trouble upon Yinti.

Imperial Concubine Hui understood the care and thoughtfulness behind Yun Wei’s actions. She sighed and said, “A few days ago, the Fourth Prince’s newly accepted concubine, Lady Tong, paid her respects to Imperial Concubine De. She certainly has a way with words—she managed to make Imperial Concubine De laugh with joy.”

Seeing that Yinti showed no reaction, Imperial Concubine Hui felt relieved. Perhaps she had been overthinking things. With Yun Wei’s beauty, temperament, and noble lineage, how could Yinti still have lingering affections for Yun Lan? Comparing the two, the world would only envy Yinti’s good fortune.

“Lady Tong is indeed eloquent. It’s quite enjoyable to be in her company,” Yun Wei said with a hint of admiration in her tone.

Imperial Concubine Hui nodded. “Yes, but she is almost too lively. Someone like me, who enjoys peace and quiet, finds it overwhelming. So, were these incense formulas her idea?”

“I refined them by studying numerous texts and enhancing the recipes.”

Yun Wei had no intention of taking credit for Yun Lan’s contributions, but she was now the legitimate wife of the Eighth Prince, while Yun Lan was only a concubine. Their statuses were distinct. What belonged to Yun Wei, she would no longer yield. She was no longer the timid Tong Jia Yun Wei who had once hidden in Yun Lan’s shadow.

Imperial Concubine Hui chuckled. “I haven’t heard that Imperial Concubine De received any sleep-aiding incense, which suggests that Lady Tong wasn’t focused on such matters. Instead, she has been preoccupied with pleasing Imperial Concubine De and helping to mend the rift between her and the Fourth Prince. She doesn’t realize that when the time comes, Imperial Concubine De will—”

She trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid. Yun Wei was not one to pry into palace secrets. As Yinti’s principal wife, she had no concern for the affairs of the Fourth Prince. How Yun Lan got along with Yinzhen was none of her business. Besides, Yinti’s and Yinzhen’s residences were quite close, and Yun Wei and Yun Lan were cousins. Yet, Yun Wei was careful to avoid suspicion. As the primary wife, she would never assist a concubine in vying for favor, even if that concubine was her own cousin. The status of a principal wife was unshakable.

Imperial Concubine Hui turned to Yinti and advised, “Yinti, you must cherish Yun Wei. If you neglect such a wonderful wife, you’ll regret it later.”

She glanced at the gilded Western clock and said, “I won’t keep you any longer. Go and see Concubine Liang—she’s surely been waiting anxiously.”

Yun Wei rose and gracefully curtsied. “Hui Mother, your daughter-in-law takes her leave.”

Imperial Concubine Hui took Yun Wei’s wrist and said gently, “Yun Wei, I have only two sons— the Eldest Prince and the Eighth Prince. They are both my children. I will cherish you just as I cherish my eldest daughter-in-law. Since her health has been poor after childbirth, I don’t wish to burden her. When you have free time, come visit me often and keep me company.”

“Yes, Hui Mother. Your daughter-in-law will come frequently to seek your guidance—please don’t tire of me.”

Imperial Concubine Hui laughed warmly. “With such a lovely demeanor, who could ever tire of you?”

As Yinti and Yun Wei left, Imperial Concubine Hui sighed, murmuring to herself, “Cherish the one before you… Nalan, my dear cousin, you have finally found a kindred spirit. The emperor made the right choice in selecting Yinti’s principal wife.”