3 Time-Travel to the Qing Dynasty (3)

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Wen Yao naturally agreed; after all, she was destined to live a frail life, so it was just a matter of laying the groundwork now.

Lady Jueluo left, her mind in turmoil.

Back in her own courtyard, she stationed people at the second gate, waiting until dusk before stopping Lan Xiu at the entrance. Without waiting for her to speak, she covered her mouth and took her away.

Lan Xiu and Luyi were each locked in separate rooms for interrogation.

Born into the Red Banner Jueluo clan, Lady Jueluo had many capable people at her disposal, even including the palace’s skilled maids, who were ruthless when it came to handling matters. It didn’t take long before the two young maids confessed.

Upon reading their testimonies, Lady Jueluo laughed bitterly.

Good heavens!

Except for a few lowly maids and Nurse Wen, everyone in Wen Yao’s courtyard had defected, merely waiting to secretly funnel money after entering the palace to cultivate supporters for Tong Wenyue.

As for Tong Wenyao, she was nothing more than a shield to protect Tong Wenyue.

Lady Jueluo was convinced that if Wenyao ever obstructed Wenyue’s path, she would be “sent to her death” just as Wenyao had said.

“After all, you are his own niece—how could you be so heartless?”

Two days later, Lady Jueluo returned to Tong Wenyao’s courtyard.

After a thorough purge, Wenyao’s surroundings were finally clean. The maid attending her now was a young palace maid personally requested from the Imperial Household Department by Lady Jueluo, from the Xiao Baoyi family. She had come early to serve Wenyao, effectively switching allegiance.

No matter how long Heshery’s reach was, it could not penetrate the Imperial Household Department; Lady Jueluo’s move effectively thwarted the scheming of the second wife’s faction.

Though the second wife’s side knew, they dared not utter a word; after all, Lady Jueluo’s Red Banner background gave her paths the Heshery clan could not tread.

“When compared to the benefits at hand, what is a niece?”

Wenyao held her tea bowl, licking the tea leaves off the lid before taking a sip, sneering coldly: “In recent years, Father’s reputation in the army has risen; many Eight Banner scions admire him. Three years ago, Father became a Grand Minister, but what of E’erqike? He remains only a guard.”

In truth, Tong Guowei could become a Grand Minister in a few years, but that didn’t stop Wenyao from boasting now.

“You grew up with the emperor, so your bond is different. Wenyue grew up in the palace—how can she compare to you? If you attain a high position, would you mistreat their branch?” Lady Jueluo ground her teeth, fingers tightening.

Clearly, she had been provoked.

“My cousin and I have only a few years of acquaintance, even if childhood friends. Once Tong Wenyue entered the palace, her face alone was enough. Father is upright, a military genius, but foolish in family matters. He treats E’erqike with utmost sincerity, even willing to risk his daughter’s life to pave the way for the second wife’s family.”

“Mother and Father’s bond is close, but it pales compared to the decades-long brotherhood. You have only two children—your daughter and E’erqike. E’erqike is spoiled and headstrong. Every time he causes trouble, Father grows weary. Yet Yeksu and Dekexin, though born of concubines, always receive gifts from Father when he returns from the city.”

Hearing Wenyao call E’erqike “headstrong,” Lady Jueluo choked.

“Your brother is like your father, quick-tempered but not unruly.” By the end, Lady Jueluo doubted herself and sighed, “That wretched boy, hit and scolded as he is, inherits Father’s stubbornness; they quarrel daily.”

“Then find a few martial instructors to wear him out. When he’s exhausted, he won’t have the energy to quarrel.”

Lady Jueluo was speechless.

Did she not know?

It was because she cared too much!

The family’s martial instructors were no mere flashy performers—they trained rigorously. When the boy caused a ruckus, she would likely be reluctant to see him disciplined.

“And Longkodo—whenever Father sees him, he wants to hold him. How many times has Father hugged E’erqike?”

Lady Jueluo’s heart sank.

E’erqike and Tong Guogang seemed born to clash. They had shared some affection in childhood, but since E’erqike could run and jump, Tong Guogang only tested and reprimanded him. E’erqike was stubborn; the more he was scolded, the less he changed.

“A child hugged but no grandson…” Lady Jueluo felt there was still hope.

“What kind of rule is this? The late emperor even held Prince Rong. There are no such rules in the imperial family. Why would the Tong family’s rules be so strict?” Wenyao sneered, boldly disparaging the imperial family.

She was then struck.

But Lady Jueluo was careful not to harm her daughter.

“You speak without restraint.”

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“I’m just upset,” Wenyao’s voice softened. “Mother, these words have long been bottled inside me.” She crouched, resting her head lightly on Lady Jueluo’s knee, her voice tinged with loneliness. “I once thought the two Tongs should be inseparable, part of one family, sharing the same blood. But the maids in my courtyard grow less loyal by the day. E’erqike’s relationship with Father worsens, while the second wife’s maids flatter him, making Father treat them as his own.”

“My body is weak. If I enter the palace and survive, E’erqike’s prospects are assured. But if I don’t make it, the only thing I can do is speak well of Wenyue to my cousin before I die. What about E’erqike? I bring up Wenyue—what about him? E’erqike is my full brother.”

“Even if not close, blood is blood.”

“Wenyue has her own brother. Longkodo looks clever and sensible. Would Wenyue coldly neglect Longkodo for E’erqike?”

Lady Jueluo was silent but Wenyao knew she had taken the words to heart.

“Not to mention Yeksu and the others…”

“E’erqike is clever—he specifically chose the maids from the study as concubines. After bearing sons, they are sent to the manor, and Yeksu and the others are raised by the mistress, growing up no different from biological children.”

“In the future, these brothers will support each other in the former court, and with Wenyue in the harem, the second wife’s faction will be unstoppable.”

Lady Jueluo’s hand trembled slightly.

Indeed.

The first wife’s lineage was thin; if not for her Red Banner background, the rumors outside would have drowned her reputation, accusing her of jealousy and intolerance, possibly implicating her natal family.

She was reluctant to give her husband to another.

But childbirth was risky. When she bore E’erqike, she nearly died in labor, damaging her health. Though she had been recuperating for years, it was uncertain if she could conceive again.

Why not stop the fertility tonic for the concubines in the front courtyard’s study?

As Wenyao said, concubines were lowly. Even if pregnant, they had no right to be raised as formal wives. At worst, their children would be sent to the manor to be raised near her, growing up with E’erqike, ensuring natural closeness.

Seeing Lady Jueluo’s slight reaction, Wenyao cautiously added, “Our first wife’s line is still too thin.”

Lady Jueluo pushed Wenyao’s forehead playfully. “You brazen girl, daring to meddle in your father and mother’s affairs.”

“I’m only worried. My body is weak. If I go, E’erqike will truly be the only heir.”

Despite all precautions, Lady Jueluo had failed to prevent Madame Xu’s pregnancy.

Madame Xu bore the illegitimate son Tong Fahai, who was despised by the main family and raised by Tong Guogang near his birth mother in the front courtyard. All his life, he hoped Guogang would elevate his mother to official concubine status and bury her in the Tong ancestral tomb. But Guogang died early, and E’erqike resented them, never granting Xu that honor.

In the end, even though Tong Fahai rose to high office, Xu was buried outside the family grounds.

It was the greatest humiliation for Tong Fahai.

Blockage was less effective than drainage.

Better to loosen Lady Jueluo’s grip and stop the fertility tonic for the front courtyard concubines, giving them hope that if their sons prospered, they might earn grace to be brought out for care in old age—better than being abandoned once past their prime.

It would also allow Wenyao to have more brothers who could work hard for her in the former court, ensuring her worry-free life in the harem.

As for Lady Jueluo’s grievances?

A joke. She has already shared a bed—it’s just a matter of having more children. Without children, could she control Tong Guogang’s belt?

She was wronged—did the original mistress, unseen by her father and neglected by her mother, not suffer?

Lady Jueluo, being clever, left Wenyao’s side and went to the front courtyard. What was said there Wenyao could not overhear, but it was clear that before long, many new seedlings would sprout on the first wife’s land.

She hoped her father, the prolific seed sower, would be reliable and not fail.

**

The rivalry among the four daughters for the position of Empress simmered down only by October.

The Tong family kept the lowest profile, never contending or grasping. Wenyao’s reputation was inconspicuous; the only titles she mentioned were “Emperor’s Cousin” and her frail health.

She posed no real threat.

The Borjigit clan had lost hope. Last month, while riding, she fell and suffered a long gash across her face, likely leaving a scar.

How could the Empress Dowager allow her to be disfigured?

Thus, she was eliminated.

Now, the fiercest battle was between the Heshery and Niohuru clans.

Heshery had Sony; Niohuru had Ebilong and Aobai.

Anyway!

The young emperor had to choose one among these two girls.

The emperor was still young and had not yet taken power, so he had no say. The Empress Dowager was merely a figurehead—though the emperor’s birth mother, she could barely speak Manchu, let alone meet the external consorts of the two clans. The final decision rested with the Grand Empress Dowager.

But the Grand Empress Dowager was in a dilemma!

As for the young emperor…

He hoped his cousin Wenyao would become his empress. After all, she was gentle and attentive, especially kind to him. Most importantly, her slender, delicate figure and striking beauty were exactly his preference.

But it was impossible.

The Grand Empress Dowager would never allow him to make his cousin empress.

Not to mention the Tong family’s shallow foundation, insufficient to rival the four regents, the fact that the Tong family was Han Banner meant they could never rise to such a position.

Kangxi gritted his teeth; one day he would elevate the Tongs to the Tunggiya status!

Finally, in November, after the lock-up period, the Grand Empress Dowager quietly summoned Sukesaha.

Soon, the Heshery girl gained the reputation of the “Four Perfect Qualities” overnight, spreading throughout the capital. The Grand Empress Dowager was surprised and intrigued, summoning the girl.

The young lady was poised and dignified; her every movement exuded grace. The Grand Empress Dowager was pleased and praised her highly.

The tide turned in favor of Heshery.

Yet, puzzlingly, two days later, the Grand Empress Dowager summoned the Niohuru girl. With her fair, round face, the Grand Empress Dowager immediately praised her as “one with a blessed countenance,” so fond that she had her stay briefly in Cining Palace.

Now the entire court was confused.

So who did the Grand Empress Dowager truly favor?

Could she just give a clear answer?

The dowry was prepared, just waiting to be sent.

While everyone’s eyes were fixed on Heshery and Niohuru, Tong Wenyao quietly entered the palace.

There was no choice—her beloved imperial cousin had recently suffered sleepless nights, plagued by nightmares and convulsions. In just a few days, his cheeks turned pale. The once lively child was wilting, which distressed the Grand Empress Dowager deeply. She immediately sent for the remedy expert, Tong Wenyao, to bring her into the palace.

Wenyao wore a red satin qipao and styled her hair in a single braid befitting an unmarried girl, entering the palace in lighthearted fashion.

The original mistress preferred plain colors for subtlety in the palace, but Wenyao was different. She liked to showcase her beauty. Though frail and pale, her striking features suited bright colors best.

After greeting the Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager, Wenyao was taken to the Qianqing Palace to meet the young emperor.

“Today, this Tong family princess looks very beautiful,” the Empress Dowager whispered in Manchu to the Grand Empress Dowager.

“Indeed, much more pleasing to the eye than before.”

The Grand Empress Dowager nodded. Dong Eshi liked plain colors and was frail; Wenyao’s previous dull attire had stabbed at both their hearts.

Wenyao was unaware of their thoughts. Following the old nursemaid into Qianqing Palace, she saw the child on the imperial throne, dressed in bright yellow emperor’s robes.

He rested his cheek on one hand, holding a vermilion brush in the other, listlessly drawing something. Beside him lay only a small stack of memorials.

An emperor who had yet to rule was indeed idle.

“Your servant greets Your Majesty. May the emperor be auspicious.”

Xuan Ye heard the familiar voice and suddenly looked up. Seeing the girl in red, his eyes lit up. He tossed the brush aside, his voice full of joy:

“Cousin, you’re here!”