6 Time-Traveling to the Qing Dynasty (6)

The power struggle concluded at the end of the year.

The Heshiri clan’s bride was chosen.

The wedding date remained undecided. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau had just obtained the birth details of the emperor and the future empress, intending to match their horoscopes before setting a wedding date.

In truth, the matchmaking was merely a formality. Although the four grand regents of the court appeared harmonious on the surface, in reality, Sony was aging, Ao Bai had allied with Ebilun and had even adopted Ebilun’s legitimate daughter as his goddaughter. Only Suksaha remained, who was openly opposed to Ao Bai.

As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Suksaha was more supportive of the Empress Dowager and the young emperor. Even though Suksaha had no daughter competing for the empress’s position, he was busier than those who did. It was on his suggestion that Kangxi married into the Heshiri clan, aiming to gain Sony’s backing.

However, Sony was cunning. As long as the emperor had not formalized the marriage, Sony refused to offer his support. When Ao Bai sought a consort position for his goddaughter after the empress was chosen, Sony feigned illness and refused to appear, enraging the Empress Dowager to rage in the Cining Palace, cursing wildly without restraint.

Yet when dawn came, she still had to put on a smile and continue to win Sony over.

Kangxi, too, grew weary of Sony’s slyness. The empress’s position had been relinquished, yet Sony remained cowardly, unwilling to offend either Ao Bai or Suksaha, and even harbored resentment toward the future empress from the Heshiri clan who had not yet entered the palace. He was quite displeased.

The Empress Dowager also found Sony’s behavior absurd.

Though he managed to play both sides, he had offended the petty-minded grandmother and grandson. The Empress Dowager then arranged for two palace maids, Zhang and Wang, to attend the young emperor. But the boy, only eleven, had yet to show signs of puberty, so the two maids temporarily stayed in the side chambers, awaiting the day when the emperor would grow and remember them.

At least the attitude was there.

Sony knew well he had offended the pair, but he was confident he could win them back. His granddaughter, Heshiri Fanghua, was extraordinary in both appearance and demeanor. Though the title “Four-Perfect Lady” was self-promoted, if she had been lacking, they would not dare boast.

Now the emperor was in a difficult position. Once the empress entered the palace, the couple would support each other from humble beginnings.

As for the Empress Dowager’s thoughts… they were of no consequence.

To put it bluntly, the old lady was quite advanced in years.

Sony’s intentions were good, but he did not foresee that the Empress Dowager would live long enough not only to outlast him but also his eldest son Gabolar and his granddaughter Heshiri Fanghua.

At the year-end palace banquet, the four grand regents sparred with words repeatedly. Ao Bai was domineering, often disrespecting Kangxi. Suksaha confronted him head-on. At the last grand court assembly before the new year, Ao Bai proposed a land exchange involving the Bordered Yellow Banner and the Plain White Banner, but mentioned it only briefly. Apart from Suksaha’s strong reaction, no other officials seemed concerned.

The pit left by Dorgon eventually erupted in January.

At the first grand court assembly of the year, Ao Bai formally submitted a memorial requesting to exchange the Bordered Yellow Banner’s lands in Hejian and Baoding Prefectures with those of the Plain White Banner in Yongping Prefecture. If the area was insufficient, he asked for additional land.

However, since the third year of Kangxi’s reign, the emperor had decreed no more land could be enclosed from the civilian population. Ao Bai’s move forced the emperor to reverse his orders, causing an uproar among the court officials.

Suksaha and Ao Bai, already at odds, became bitter enemies.

Of course, the turmoil in court had nothing to do with the Tong family. They were not only part of the Han banners but belonged to the Plain Blue Banner, whose banner lord was from Dodo’s line. The previous banner lord was Dodo’s second son Doni, and after Doni’s death, most of the Plain Blue Banner fell under Yue Le’s control.

But Yue Le was not the banner lord, so when meeting Tong Guogang and others, there was no need for formal salutes.

“The emperor’s wedding date remains unset, which is fine. He is frail and not yet grown. Even entering the palace, he cannot attend to his consorts. I hope the Astronomical Bureau sets the date two years later so he can recuperate properly,” said Jueluo, kneeling in the Buddha hall, fingers continuously twisting a string of prayer beads.

The Empress Dowager believed in Tibetan Buddhism, having raised the emperor in the same faith, while Emperor Taizong believed in shamanism and Emperor Shizu in Taoism. Thus, it became customary for ministers’ families to set up small Buddhist halls, regardless of belief, and perform morning prayers daily.

Wenyao also twisted her beads, saying, “I don’t think the date will be set too far off. Lord Sony’s health is not robust.”

“Over sixty already, that’s a good age,” Jueluo sighed. “Your father has been worried to the point of sleepless nights. Several palace figures are displeased with the Heshiri clan.”

The land dispute implicated many. If Ao Bai’s wish was granted, it would affect not only officials from the two banners but tens of thousands of banner people, forcing them to abandon lands cultivated for decades and move to unfamiliar territories.

Though a soldier, Tong Guogang understood the harm this would bring to the banner people.

“This matter is best not interfered with,” he said.

Wenyao knew little of the land dispute but was aware of Ao Bai’s arrogant and autocratic nature during this period. It was evident Ao Bai would win the conflict. Knowing Ao Bai’s temperament, if Tong Guogang dared to speak out, he would suffer persecution.

The Tong family’s foundation was shallow, unable to compare with prominent Manchu clans. Even with the emperor as their relative, the young sovereign himself was insecure and powerless, unable to protect the Tong family.

Their only recourse was to develop quietly, gather strength, and rely on both the previous dynasty and the harem.

Jueluo understood this well. “Your father’s mouth sometimes makes me wish I could sew it shut. ‘Unrestrained speech’ is a compliment to him.”

Wenyao was silent. Who could deny it? Erundai had inherited this trait fully.

As mother and daughter spoke, Erundai came running in. The chubby-faced boy with bright eyes was adorable when silent, but unfortunately, he was quite talkative.

He wore a pouty expression, clearly upset, but politely greeted first before saying, “Mother, please send that wet nurse away. She’s so annoying.”

“What is it this time? This is the fourth this month,” Jueluo groaned. Erundai’s wet nurse, Wan Liuhashi, was excellent and doted on him, known for her upright character. Because of Erundai’s ties to Tong Guogang, she often admonished him. But Erundai was not one to take advice quietly; when annoyed, he would complain to Jueluo, demanding Wan Liuhashi’s dismissal.

“She always praises Father, and I suspect she’s been bribed.”

Erundai clenched his fists, his face tight and eyes reddened, clearly furious.

Jueluo was troubled by their father-son relationship. She massaged her temples. “What did your father do? You haven’t seen him these days. Your wet nurse is only looking out for you; you should learn to be more polite.”

“She…” Erundai was reluctant to accept it.

“Enough. Mother’s morning prayers aren’t finished. You go rest outside. When I’m done, we’ll deal with this.” Jueluo hoped Erundai would calm himself and forget the matter.

Erundai understood the delay tactic and stomped away in a huff.

Wenyao grew impatient and rose. “Mother, I’ll go check on Erundai.”

“Go ahead.”

After leaving, Wenyao saw Erundai sitting obediently in a chair, still scowling but waiting for Jueluo to finish prayers and ‘deliver justice.’

Hmm?

This child’s temperament was amusing.

He was not as stubborn and rebellious as Jueluo described, nor as unruly as Tong Guogang had judged. Rather, there was a strange… naivety.

“Erundai,” Wenyao called.

He immediately jumped down and saluted, “Big Sister.”

“Mother’s morning prayers will take some time. Sitting still is dull. Why not come with me for a walk?” Wenyao invited.

“Big Sister, are you strong enough?” Erundai bluntly expressed concern.

“I’ve been taking medicine prescribed by the imperial physician, and the court doctor checks my pulse daily. I’m much better,” Wenyao replied, extending her hand again.

Erundai took it and accepted the invitation.

Wenyao couldn’t help but squeeze his small hand. The child had only recently begun schooling and not yet started martial training, so his hands were soft and smooth.

Erundai, rarely led by the hand, followed Wenyao closely, his ears slightly flushed.

They didn’t go far, just to a small garden inside the main courtyard.

“Is studying tiring after starting lessons?”

“No, the master said the emperor’s cousin in the palace studies like this too,” Erundai straightened his back and answered energetically. “I even told Father I want to find a martial arts teacher to train hard and become a great general like him.”

So he admired Tong Guogang after all?

“Good ambition. If so, you must train hard, eat well, and drink plenty of milk. Then you can grow tall and strong like Father,” Wenyao praised, giving a thumbs up.

Erundai pouted. “Hmph, I don’t want to be like him.”

“I’ll be taller and stronger than him someday.”

“Why don’t you like Father?” They sat in a pavilion where tea and snacks were ready. Wenyao was tired and took a sip.

It was salty milk tea—quite delicious.

Erundai moved to the other side, hugged his tea bowl, gulped it down, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and said, “It’s not that I don’t like him.”

“But you’re lying. Mother said you always fight when you’re with Father.”

“He’s the one at fault. He always compares me to Yeke Shu and Dek Xin, who are a few years older and started schooling earlier. Father always elevates them and belittles me. They’re all commoners; Father is humiliating me.”

His face flushed again.

Erundai’s mother, Jueluo, came from a far nobler lineage than Tong Guogang’s secondary consorts. Father’s favoritism humiliated not only Erundai but also his mother.

Feeling protective of his mother, Erundai resented Tong Guogang more.

“And Wen Yue. They all think Big Sister is frail and won’t live long after entering the palace. Father is busy with her but never visits you, Big Sister. I’m so angry…”

Wenyao was stunned—not expecting this involved her.

Yet she felt warmth and a tinge of sorrow for the original owner. Someone in the family still cared for her, but Erundai spoke too late; she could no longer hear it.

“Father was just deceived by Eqi Ke’s sweet words,” Wenyao said, rubbing Erundai’s fuzzy head. Since it was not yet the first month, he couldn’t have his hair cut, so his head felt like a kiwi.

“How is that possible?” Erundai was skeptical but, despite his protests, still held an imposing image of Tong Guogang in his heart.

“Look at me now. Do I look frail? I’ll enter the palace safely and live a long life. Father can’t even see this. He’s the one who’s been deceived,” Wenyao said gently, avoiding calling him “foolish.”

“Hmph.”

Erundai didn’t believe it but no longer argued.

He looked up, eyes fixed intently on Wenyao’s face, studying her carefully. After a moment, he clapped excitedly.

“Big Sister, you must take good care of yourself. I’ll train hard and support you when I grow up. Then I’ll make Father understand he was a big fool.”

Wenyao was speechless.

Her mother was right—Erundai’s mouth was quite something indeed.