Dreams of Qing surround the Jade Pool (with Empress Xiaoxian) 85 Grand Day of Great Marriage (Part 1)
In the seventh year of Yongzheng's reign, on March 25th, the fifth son of the emperor, Hongxiao, got married.
The Empress was in poor health, so all the wedding arrangements were handled by Xi Fei and Yu Pin. The wedding ceremony was grand but not extravagant, because the situation in the northwest was very good, so this marriage seemed especially joyful. Wu Zaku's family was also very satisfied, and as soon as the Fifth Prince returned, the Emperor promoted him to Beile, and after the wedding, he was granted residence in Qian Dong San Suo.
Qian Dong's three houses are located behind the Jingyang Palace where Yu Pin Geng Shi lives. This is a reward for her, and Yu Pin is delighted. In the future, it will be more convenient to get close to her son and daughter-in-law.
Xi Fei was depressed. No matter how she moved, it was still far from Qian Xi's two residences. It would be better to live in the Yongshou Palace as before, at least it was close to the Emperor's Qianqing Palace.
Yunzhu played an indispensable role as the elder sister-in-law at Hongxiao's grand wedding. For example, when Wu Zaku's relatives from the Five Blessings came to the palace with betrothal gifts, the Imperial Household Department set up a banquet to entertain them. However, Empress Dowager needed rest, so Yunzhu took charge of hosting the entire banquet. Although Xi Fei and Yu Bin were imperial consorts, one in charge of palace affairs and the other being the birth mother of the fifth prince, they seemed somewhat out of place in terms of etiquette.
Yu Pin is nothing, although somewhat disappointing, she's just a pin, how could it be her turn? Only Xi Fei Nian Gurulu looked at Yunzhu, dressed in the majestic and elegant attire of the imperial son's fu jin, with a calm and composed demeanor, warm and generous. Suddenly, a clear understanding emerged in her mind - if the Empress Ulanara fell, would the Emperor not possibly appoint her as the Huang Guifei or Empress to oversee the harem? Just like now, at all imperial ceremonies... he would directly let Yunzhu take charge.
It's highly likely, otherwise the Emperor wouldn't have let Yunzhu follow and learn at various ceremonies while the Empress was still around...
In that case, why bother to painstakingly calculate the empress? Hongli will inherit the throne in the future, and it is only natural for her to be the mother of the country. If not for this, she can just put her mind at ease and focus on palace affairs, enjoying the actual power without a name, isn't that good enough?!
The Emperor appointed himself as Xi Fei, letting himself be in charge of palace affairs. Doesn't this mean that he values himself highly? Although Hongli was the main reason for most of it, without the Empress, without the Year and Li clans... and without myself, doesn't the Emperor know that I've been waiting for him all along?
Perhaps, she thought coldly and with a shrinking heart that perhaps from the beginning, the Emperor had been guarding against her. So, he handed over Hongli to the Empress Dowager to raise him not only to elevate his status but also to prevent him from getting close to himself; so, he let Hongli live in Qianxi Hall after his grand wedding, far away from Jingren Palace and also far away from Chengqian Palace; so, he treated Yunzhu with great favor and raised her up, not only warning the Empress Dowager but also suppressing himself...
Is that so? No, he wouldn't be so cruel to her, would he? She's the birth mother of Hong Li, she has served him when he was ill, she is cautious with her words and actions, she has always been obedient and never offended him, hasn't she?!
It must be Fucha Yunzhu. As long as she is not there, everything will be different. Her fingernails pierced her palm, causing pain, her eyelashes drooped slightly, and her lips were tightly pursed. She wanted to see if it was really as she had guessed. If so... humph! Yunzhu was his daughter-in-law, could he still want to be Emperor Taizong of Tang? His Hongli liked this imperial concubine so much that with just a hint of unspoken suspicion, he would hate the two of them even more...
Yunzhu felt that Xi Fei's gaze towards her seemed somewhat dark and eerie, a kind of dangerous, cold feeling like being stared at by a snake crawled up her spine, she almost reflexively condensed her spiritual energy into a spear to stab at her brain.
"Ah!" Xi Fei felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck her head, and the intense pain exploded from the surface to the depths of her brain. Her eyes rolled back, and she couldn't withstand the agony, falling straight down.
Although I knew that there would be conflicts of interest with Xi Fei sooner or later, this woman should be smart enough. The empress has not fallen yet, and Hong Li has not ascended to the throne as emperor, is it reasonable to make a move on her daughter-in-law so hastily?
This era is too focused on the Three Bonds and Five Constants, three obediences and four virtues, one's own identity determines that they must be "filial" and cannot disobey... Wanting to get rid of her would require relying on someone else's hands, it's too much trouble. Yunzhu somewhat misses the end of the world, the benefit of a collapsed social order is that killing people and monsters is exhilarating.
Yunzhu hummed softly, watching from a distance as the female official beside her hastily helped her up, while the eunuch rushed to the imperial hospital to summon the imperial physician. Someone else was busy getting warm water and towels... She didn't miss Yu Bin's momentary shock and the anger that flashed in her eyes afterwards. Satisfied, she curled her lips and walked over.
"What's the hurry? The Empress Dowager is unwell, shouldn't you hurry to support her back to Chengqian Palace to rest?" After waking up those few female officials and palace maids, she turned to Imperial Concubine Yu and said, "Imperial Concubine Yu, I think the Empress Dowager has been busy lately. Now that she's seen the fifth prince get married, she's overjoyed. What do you think?"
The three eastern halls were filled with colorful streamers and lanterns. All the princes, dukes, high-ranking officials, imperial guards, and officials above the second rank, as well as their wives and the bride's relatives, attended the banquet. Additionally, officials from the Ministry of Rites led the ceremony, while those from the Imperial Observatory reported the time. The banquet had reached its climax, with tea, fruit, and wine being served, when Consort Xi suddenly fainted. As the highest-ranking consort in attendance, having raised Emperor Xianfeng's son, her collapse caused a stir among the women in the inner chambers.
"You're right, Xi Jie has always been in good health. She must be really exhausted to faint like this." Yu Bin's face was filled with worry, and a hint of surprise flashed across her eyes at Yunzhu's calm demeanor before she regained her composure and helped to comfort the noblewomen at the banquet.
Xi Fei was escorted back to Cheng Qian Palace, and the palace maids quickly regained their composure under Yun Zhu's guidance and Yu Pin's attitude. The inner ladies-in-waiting were all perceptive and soon someone chimed in with a few words, restoring the festive atmosphere at the banquet.
The banquet is still going on, leaving Yu Bin to preside over the overall situation. Yunzhu took the two princesses and Eighth Brother to the new house to see the bride - the unfortunate Yongzheng, with too few children, the only two princesses left in the palace were raised by others, so they had to put on a show to make up for the numbers.
All five buildings in the East Dry area are three-entry courtyards with a south-north orientation. The front yard has a yellow glazed tile hip roof gatehouse in the center of the south wall, and inside the gatehouse is a wooden screen door. Both the front and middle yards have a "one main two wing" layout, with a well pavilion in the southeast corner of the middle yard. The rear yard is relatively shallow. In addition to the main buildings, each building also has some auxiliary houses, whose location and number vary depending on the specific situation of each building, resulting in an overall similar yet slightly different layout.
Hong Xiu, the empress and Yu Pin, had visited his new marital home before the grand wedding, arranging some furniture and potted plants. The staff of the Imperial Household Department were very responsible, and the entire Donggong Sansuo was renovated, with a layout that, although not as spacious as the rebuilt Xigong Erso, still had a sense of orderliness like a prince's mansion.
The new house was set up in the backyard of the main hall, with eunuchs and palace maids standing guard outside, while inside, the ladies-in-waiting were waiting for the hairpinning ceremony to begin. The leaders were Ruiqin Wang's Fu Jin, Fucha, and Chengqin Wang's Fu Jin, Dong'e. Seeing her elder sister was very exciting, but this occasion wasn't suitable for chatting. Yunzhu, as a junior, paid respects with a bow, the two princesses' consorts received half a bow, and returned the courtesy, Yunzhu also stepped aside. Next, it was the turn of the two princesses and Eighth Prince to pay their respects.
Yunzhu smiled as she looked at Wu Zaku sitting properly on the edge of the bed. Suddenly, she thought back to her own wedding day and how she had sat just like Wufu Jin was now...
"The bride is so beautiful, look at Fourth Aunt, she's staring blankly!" He Hui said with a smile beside her.
Yunzhu came back to her senses and remembered that she was in the new house. She glanced at the bride who was being stared at by herself, feeling a bit embarrassed. The thick bridal makeup couldn't hide her beautiful facial features and sweet smile. She couldn't help but say: "Fifth brother is so lucky!"
The bride's ears turned red, and the women in the house all burst out laughing. Yunzhu briefly introduced her to two princesses and Eighth Prince Wu Zaku. Hai Kuo Zhen stood up graciously to return the courtesy.
"The groom has arrived!" someone outside shouted.
Yunzhu said to the two princesses and Fu Hui, "Let's go back first." He led them out of the bridal chamber, as it was not suitable for them to watch the newlyweds' consummation ceremony.
……
She supported Gu Niangniang and Suwen back to Qianxi's second residence, where Lingzhu had already prepared hot water. Comfortably soaking in the bathtub, she closed her eyes and shifted her consciousness to Chengqian Palace, watching as Xi Fei hummed with a frightened expression, one palace maid massaging her head and another rubbing her legs... Qin Niangniang brought over a calming tea for her.
If Yunzhu could see her thoughts, she would probably burst out laughing.
Why was Xi Fei, who had just been awakened by the imperial physician's acupuncture treatment at Chengqian Palace, so frightened? She thought back to when "Shen Rui" descended upon the Fu Cha Mansion and felt a flash of lightning in her mind (completely an illusion), which caused her to be knocked unconscious. It was all because she had harbored malicious thoughts towards the person blessed by heaven's will (Yun Zhu) for that one moment...
She was so afraid that she didn't even dare to mention it to Qin Mama, and could only weigh it slowly in her own heart, but didn't dare to let out the hatred in her heart like she did at the banquet earlier, thinking of ways to send Yunzhu to her death.
"Master, are you feeling better?" Suddenly fainting, Qin Mama, who knew how healthy Xi Fei's body was, was very worried. In this imperial palace, if it wasn't a pretence, fainting only meant being "hit", or being poisoned, or being cursed... It couldn't be taken lightly.
"I'm fine." Xi Fei opened her eyes, took the tonic soup and drank it all in one gulp. "I must be fine." This time, she had really offended Geng Shi severely, after all, it was Hong Xiao's big wedding... Originally, the Empress Dowager not showing up was already a loss of face, and now even her own foster mother fainted at the wedding banquet, which was unlucky, to say the least. Putting aside Yun Zhu of the same rank, only Geng Shi, with the title of Pin, was left presiding over the banquet, it was really unacceptable! Those who didn't know would think that she had deliberately used this trick to suppress them, mother and son.
"Mother, go and add 20% to the red envelope I prepared for Wu Fu Jin, and then exchange that set of golden headdress for the ruby headdress the Emperor rewarded me last time."
"Yes."
The author has something to say: The following is the main body of the text:
In the seventh year of Yongzheng's reign, on March 25th, the fifth son of the emperor, Hongxu, got married.
The Empress was in poor health, so all the wedding arrangements were made by Xi Fei and Yu Pin. The wedding ceremony was grand but not extravagant, because the situation in the northwest was very good, so this marriage seemed especially joyful. Wu Zaku's family was also very satisfied, and as soon as the Fifth Prince returned, the Emperor promoted him to Beile, and after the wedding, he was granted residence in Qian East Three Houses.
Qian Dong's three houses are located behind the Jingyang Palace where Yu Pin Geng Shi lives. This reward is a delight to Yu Pin, and it will be convenient for her to get close to her son and daughter-in-law in the future.
Xi Fei felt depressed. No matter how she moved, she was still far away from Qian Xi's two residences. It would have been better to live in the Yongshou Palace as before, at least it was close to the Emperor's Qianqing Palace.
Yunzhu played an indispensable role as a sister-in-law at Hongxiao's grand wedding. For example, when the relatives of Wu Zaku, the fifth concubine, sent gifts to the palace, the Imperial Household Department set up a banquet to entertain them. The Empress needed to rest her body, but Yunzhu took charge of hosting the entire banquet. Although Xi Fei and Yu Bin were the Emperor's consorts, one in charge of palace affairs and the other the mother of the fifth imperial son, they were somewhat out of line with etiquette.
Yu Pin is nothing, although somewhat disappointing, she's just a pin, how could it be her turn? Only Xi Fei Nian Gurulu looked at Yunzhu, dressed in the majestic and elegant attire of the imperial son's fu jin, with a calm and composed demeanor, warm and generous. Suddenly, a clear understanding arose in her mind - if the Empress Ula Nara fell, would the Emperor not possibly appoint her as the Huang Guifei or Empress to oversee the harem? Just like now, at all imperial ceremonies... he would directly let Yunzhu take charge.
It's highly likely, otherwise the Emperor wouldn't have let Yunzhu follow and learn at various ceremonies while the Empress was still around...
In that case, why bother to painstakingly calculate the empress? Hongli will inherit the throne in the future, and it is only natural for her to be the mother of the country. If not for this, she can just put her mind at ease and enjoy the actual power without a name.
The Emperor appointed himself as Xi Fei, letting himself be in charge of palace affairs. Doesn't this mean that he values himself highly? Although Hong Li is also the main reason, but without the Empress, without the Year and Li clans... and without myself, Your Majesty, don't you know that I have been waiting for him all along?
Perhaps, she thought coldly and with a tightened heart that perhaps from the beginning, the Emperor had been guarding against her. So, he handed over Hongli to the Empress Dowager to raise him not only to elevate his status but also to prevent him from getting close to himself; so, he let Hongli live in Qianxi Hall after his grand wedding, far away from Jingren Palace and also far away from Chengqian Palace; so, he treated Yunzhu with great favor and raised her up, not only warning the Empress Dowager but also suppressing himself...
Is that so? No, he wouldn't be so cruel to her, would he? She's the birth mother of Hong Li, she has served him when he was ill, she is cautious with her words and actions, she has always been obedient and never offended him, hasn't she?!
It must be Fucha Yunzhu. As long as she's not around, everything will be different. Her fingernails dug into her palm, causing pain, her eyelashes drooped slightly, and her lips were pursed tightly. She wanted to see if it was really as she suspected. If so... humph! Yunzhu is his daughter-in-law, could he still want to be Emperor Taizong of Tang?! How much does Hongli like this imperial concubine? With just a hint of unspoken suspicion, he will hate the two of them even more...
Yunzhu felt that Xi Fei's gaze towards her seemed somewhat dark and eerie, a kind of dangerous, cold feeling like being stared at by a snake crawled up her spine, she almost reflexively condensed her spiritual energy into a spear to stab at her brain.
"Ah!" Xi Fei felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck her head, and the intense pain exploded from the surface to the depths of her brain. Her eyes rolled back, and she couldn't withstand the agony, falling straight down.
Although I knew that there would be conflicts of interest with Xi Fei sooner or later, this woman should be smart enough. The empress has not fallen yet, and Hong Li has not ascended to the throne as emperor, is it reasonable to make a move on her daughter-in-law so hastily?
This era is too focused on the Three Bonds and Five Constants, three obediences and four virtues, one's own identity determines that they must be "filial" and cannot disobey... Wanting to get rid of her would require relying on someone else's hands, it's too much trouble. Yunzhu somewhat misses the end of the world, the benefit of a collapsed social order is that killing people and monsters is refreshing.
Yunzhu hummed softly, watching from a distance as the female official beside her hastily helped her up, while the eunuch rushed to the imperial hospital to summon the imperial physician. Someone else was busy getting warm water and towels... She didn't miss Yu Bin's momentary shock and the anger that flashed in her eyes afterwards. Satisfied, she curled her lips and walked over.
"What's the hurry? The Empress Dowager is unwell, shouldn't you hurry to support her back to Chongqing Palace to rest?" After waking up those few female officials and palace maids, she turned to Imperial Concubine Yu and said, "Imperial Concubine Yu, I think the Empress Dowager has been busy lately. Now that she's seen the fifth prince get married, she's overjoyed. What do you think?"
The three eastern halls were filled with colorful streamers and lanterns. All the princes, dukes, high-ranking officials, imperial guards, and officials above the second rank, as well as their wives and the bride's relatives, attended the banquet. Officials from the Ministry of Rites led the ceremony, while those from the Imperial Observatory reported the time. The banquet had reached its climax, with tea, fruit, and wine being served, when Empress Xi suddenly fainted, causing a stir among the women in the inner halls.
"You're right, Xi Jie has always been in good health. She must be really exhausted to faint like this." Yu Bin's face was filled with worry, and a hint of surprise flashed across her eyes at Yunzhu's calm demeanor before she regained her composure and helped to comfort the noblewomen at the banquet.
Xi Fei was escorted back to Cheng Qian Palace, and the palace maids quickly regained their composure under Yun Zhu's guidance and Yu Pin's attitude. The inner ladies-in-waiting were all perceptive and soon someone chimed in with a few words, restoring the festive atmosphere at the banquet.
The banquet is still going on, leaving Yu Bin to preside over the overall situation. Yunzhu took the two princesses and Eighth Brother to the new house to see the bride - the unfortunate Yongzheng, with too few children, the only two princesses left in the palace were raised by others, so they had to put on a show to make up for the numbers.
All five buildings in the East Dry area are three-entry courtyards with a south-north orientation. The front yard has a yellow glazed tile hip roof gatehouse in the center of the south wall, and inside the gatehouse is a wooden screen door. Both the front and middle yards have a "one main two wing" layout, with a well pavilion in the southeast corner of the middle yard. The rear yard is relatively shallow. In addition to the main buildings, each building also has some auxiliary houses, whose location and number vary depending on the specific situation of each building, resulting in an overall similar yet slightly different layout.
Hong Xiu, the empress and Yu Pin, had visited his new marital home before the grand wedding, arranging some furniture and potted plants. The staff of the Imperial Household Department were very responsible, and the entire Donggong Sansuo was renovated, with a layout that, although not as spacious as the rebuilt Xigong Erso, still had a sense of orderliness like an imperial prince's residence.
The new house was set up in the backyard of the main hall, with eunuchs and palace maids standing guard outside, while inside, the ladies-in-waiting were waiting for the hairpinning ceremony to begin. The leaders were Ruiqin Wang's Fu Jin, Fucha, and Chengqin Wang's Fu Jin, Dong'e. Seeing her elder sister was very exciting, but this occasion was not suitable for conversation. Yunzhu, as a junior, paid respects to them with a bow, the two Wang Fu Jin received half a bow, and also returned the courtesy, Yunzhu then stepped aside. Next, it was the turn of the two princesses and Eighth Prince to pay their respects.
Yunzhu smiled as she looked at Wu Zaku sitting properly on the edge of the bed. Suddenly, she thought back to her own wedding day and how she had sat just like Wufu Jin was now...
"The bride is so beautiful, look at Fourth Aunt staring blankly?" He Hui said with a smile beside her.
Yunzhu came back to her senses and remembered that she was in the new house. She glanced at the bride who was being stared at by herself, feeling a bit embarrassed. The thick bridal makeup couldn't hide her beautiful facial features and sweet smile. She couldn't help but say: "Fifth brother is so lucky!"
The bride's ears turned red, and the women in the house all burst out laughing. Yunzhu briefly introduced her to two princesses and Eighth Prince Wu Zaku. Hai Kuo Zhen stood up graciously to return the courtesy.
"The groom has arrived!" someone outside shouted.
Yunzhu said to the two princesses and Fu Hui, "Let's go back first." He led them out of the bridal chamber, as it was not suitable for them to watch the newlyweds' consummation ceremony.
……
She supported Gu Niangniang and Suwen back to Qianxi's second residence, where Lingzhuo had already prepared hot water. Comfortably soaking in the bathtub, she closed her eyes and shifted her consciousness to Chengqian Palace, watching as Xi Fei hummed with a frightened expression, one palace maid massaging her head and another rubbing her legs... Qin Niangniang brought over a calming tea for her.
If Yunzhu could see her thoughts, she would probably burst out laughing.
Why was Xi Fei, who had just been awakened by the imperial physician's acupuncture treatment at Chengqian Palace, so frightened? She thought back to when "Shen Rui" descended upon the Fu Cha Mansion and felt that the lightning (which was purely an illusion) in her mind was a result of her having evil thoughts about the person blessed by heaven (Yun Zhu).
She was so afraid that she didn't even dare to mention it to Qin Mama, and could only weigh it slowly in her heart, but didn't dare to erupt with hatred like she did at the banquet earlier, thinking of ways to send Yunzhu to her death.
"Master, are you feeling better?" Suddenly fainting, Qin Mama, who knew how healthy Xi Fei's body was, was very worried. In this imperial palace, if it wasn't a pretence, then fainting only meant "being hit", or being poisoned, or being cursed... It couldn't be taken lightly.
"I'm fine." Xi Fei opened her eyes, took the tonic soup and drank it all in one gulp. "I must be fine." This time, she had really offended Geng Shi severely, after all, it was Hong Xiao's big wedding... Originally, the Empress Dowager not showing up was already a loss of face, and now even her own foster mother fainted at the wedding banquet, which was unlucky, to say the least. Putting aside Yun Zhu of the same rank, only Geng Shi, with the rank of Pin, was left presiding over the banquet, it was really unacceptable! Those who didn't know would think that she had deliberately used this trick to suppress them, mother and son.
"Mother, go and add 20% to the red envelope I prepared for Wu Fu Jin, and then exchange that set of golden headdress for the ruby headdress the Emperor rewarded me last time."
"Yes."
