vrcanaries Chapter 439 Draft 2
Chapter 439 Draft 2
Yongzheng looked at his two eldest sons and said, "Both of these are good candidates. What do you think?"
You have already said it is good, what else can others dare to say!
Hongshi didn't care who was chosen as his wife. He immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty is right. Everything is up to you, Your Majesty."
Hongli's gaze fell on Fucha Langya, but after a moment, he quickly looked away.
This little action did not escape Zhen Huan's eyes.
"Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince has always been mature and prudent, and he devotes himself to his studies. This makes me feel bad. If he could marry a lively and cheerful wife, it would surely make his temperament more cheerful and his life more fun."
"You are right." Emperor Yongzheng nodded in agreement, but he had other plans in mind.
Hongshi was slightly inferior in knowledge and was also honest and dull. He needed a capable and well-connected wife to help him set up a household so that he could live as an idle prince and enjoy wealth and prosperity.
The Fourth Prince, Hongli, was a man of outstanding ability and meticulous thinking. If his wife's family background was too prominent, it was hard to guarantee that he would not have other ideas.
The answer is obvious.
"The Fucha clan granted marriage to the third prince as his legitimate wife, and the Xiluo clan granted marriage to the fourth prince as his legitimate wife."
A hint of disappointment flashed across Hongli's eyes, but he quickly adjusted his mood and knelt down with the others to express his gratitude.
Yongzheng looked at Shen Meizhuang and said, "Noble Concubine Hui, you, Noble Concubine Jing, and the Imperial Household Department will oversee their marriage and make sure it is treated with respect."
"The minister and concubine follow the order."
The draft continues.
Zhao Yingjiu continued to sing: "Sun Heyin, the niece of Sun Lianhe, the magistrate of Suzhou, is seventeen years old."
As soon as the words fell, a woman in a light blue Manchu dress gracefully walked out of the procession, knelt on the ground with great grace, and said in a clear and pleasant voice: "Your Majesty, your servant pays respects to you."
The Tongpan of Suzhou was a sixth-rank official, and her position was not high, but this woman's temperament was in no way inferior to those daughters of official families.
Yongzheng's gaze fell on Sun Heyin, and he said slowly, "Raise your head."
When Sun Heyin slowly raised her head, Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang could also see her face clearly.
She had curved eyebrows, affectionate almond-shaped eyes, a shimmering glint in her eyes, a graceful look, and a charming cherry mouth. This was a typical Jiangnan beauty, gentle and charming, and anyone who saw her would be attracted to her.
As expected, a barely perceptible look of satisfaction flashed across Yongzheng's eyes, and his originally stern expression softened slightly.
Zhen Huan had been paying attention to Yongzheng's expression. Seeing this, she smiled slightly. "Her eyebrows compete with willows for green, and her face competes with peaches for red. Jiangnan is full of beauties. This saying is indeed true."
Zhao Yingjiu was very perceptive. "Sun Heyin left a plaque and gave a sachet."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
As Sun Heyin spoke, she raised her head slightly and glanced at Zhen Huan.
Because the distance was too far, Zhen Huan couldn't see the look in her eyes clearly.
After choosing a satisfactory person, Yongzheng's mood became a little higher, and he selected a few women from humble family backgrounds.
Finally, three women walked in.
Shen Meizhuang said from the side: "Your Majesty, these are the beautiful girls sent by Prince Cheng's Mansion, Prince Heng's Mansion, and Prince Guo's Mansion."
Seeing that they were all pretty, Yongzheng showed a satisfied look: "They are thoughtful!"
As he said this, he looked at the three people carefully.
Zhao Yingjiu sang along: "Yu Chuji from Prince Cheng's Mansion, Cui Siyou from Prince Heng's Mansion, and Jiang Caiping from Prince Guo's Mansion."
The three of them bowed down.
Hearing Jiang Caiping's name, Hongshi on the side also looked at her curiously.
In an instant, a strange light appeared in his eyes.
This person is completely born in his own aesthetic sense.
Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang were also looking at Jiang Caiping.
Her appearance is not as good as Sun Heyin's just now, but she has a calm temperament, and there is even a bit of Shen Meizhuang's look between her eyebrows.
Sure enough, Yongzheng also noticed this: "The person sent by Prince Guo's Mansion has some of the style of Concubine Hui in my opinion."
Shen Meizhuang smiled slightly: "Your Majesty, now that you mention it, I also feel that it is a bit similar to me. However, this is not a good thing. People like us are really too boring, alas!"
Your Majesty, this person is very boring, you'd better not choose her!
"You are too modest. You are prudent and manage the palace well, so I can handle state affairs with peace of mind."
"The emperor has rewarded you."
Seeing that Yongzheng was thinking of taking her into the harem, Hongshi, who was standing by, unconsciously took a small step forward.
Noticing his movements, Yongzheng asked, "What's wrong?"
Hongshi then realized what he had done and knelt down hurriedly, saying with deep fear and trepidation, "My son is rude, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
At this time, Yongzheng had already seen Hongshi's thoughts and said in a gentle tone: "Is there something wrong?"
Hongshi was even more frightened, his voice trembling: "My son is fine!"
Seeing how afraid he was, Yongzheng felt a little angry.
Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang looked at each other.
Shen Meizhuang stood up, walked to Hongshi, helped him up, and said gently: "Third brother, the emperor is not angry, you get up first."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Concubine."
"Although the Emperor is the ruler of a country, he is also your father. If you have anything to say, you can tell him. If what you say is wrong, he will slowly teach you a lesson."
Feeling Shen Meizhuang's kindness, Hongshi felt a little relieved. He looked at Yongzheng and quickly lowered his head.
Shen Meizhuang continued to encourage him: "Don't be afraid!"
"Father Your Majesty, when I heard her name, I was reminded of a poem from the Book of Songs: 'Where can I pick apples? By the banks of the southern stream; where can I pick algae? By the ravines.' That's a bit disrespectful."
Seeing that he was getting bolder, Yongzheng calmed down and asked, "Then what's your solution?"
Hongshi gathered himself and took a step forward. "In reply to your Majesty, this poem superficially depicts the meticulous preparation of offerings for a young girl's wedding. But I feel that beneath these seemingly simple and beautiful lines lies a deeper meaning. It captures a glimmer of spirituality in the life of an ordinary woman."
The girl's piety and yearning for a better life as she prepared the offerings embodied this glimmer of hope. This wasn't just her adherence to traditional customs; it was also her hope for her future, a pursuit of spiritual enrichment amidst ordinary life.
Yongzheng never expected that his son, who didn't like reading, would have such different opinions.
"You said it well! In that case, I will give this woman to you. I wait and see if you can protect her spiritual light."
Hongshi was overjoyed: "Thank you, Father."
"That being said, Fucha is the wife I bestow upon you, so you must treat her well."
Hongshi knelt down and said solemnly: "I will never let down the teachings of the Emperor."
Yongzheng pointed at the first concubine and asked, "What's your name?"
The woman stepped forward and said, "I am Yu Chuji."
"The rain has just stopped, and I am alone, wandering around the winding stream. What a good name! Since you are from Prince Cheng's mansion, you must be well-educated. The Fourth Prince loves reading, so you should go and serve her!"
Prince Cheng was the most learned of all his brothers.
Years ago, because Prince Cheng Yunzhi asked Su Keji for a bribe, Yongzheng punished him for not being a subject, stripped him of his title, and imprisoned him in his own residence. Later, when he heard that he sincerely repented, he restored his title.
Prince Cheng's actions were nothing more than a show of loyalty to Yongzheng. Yongzheng didn't want to offend him, but he was unwilling to keep her by his side, so he casually sent her to the Fourth Prince.
The woman quickly knelt down to express her gratitude.
There is only one person left.
"As for you, write down your name and keep it for future use!"