Chapter 98 – Qing Transmigration Tale (7)
The carriage moved in bursts along the way. She did not know why. Had something happened? Because the children were here, she could not lift the curtain, fearing the cold wind would come in and freeze the children.
When they reached the gates of the palace, they could only go in. From afar, she saw some sedans moving forward. The snow had grown heavier.
Si Ye saw Lin Yu Tong look at the sedans in the distance and did not feel well. It was the princess consort of Commandery Prince Zhi and his daughters on the sedans. His princess consort likely envied them a bit.
Lin Yu Tong thought, this Commandery Prince Zhi was very attention-catching. He was the eldest son, and he had to appear different from the other brothers at all times. She never even thought of envy.
Just as she was thinking this, Si Ye said by her ear, “Ye will get you an even better one to sit on in the future.” The princess consort of a commandery prince sat on a sedan carried by four people. The consort of a prince of blood was carried by eight.
A princess consort of a beile was carried by two people. Such a poor sedan. No one dared to be like the Commandery Prince Zhi.
Lin Yu Tong nodded. “Of course.” She did not doubt him. In the future, she would ride the sedan of an empress, and then the cart of the empress dowager. She did not envy the sedan of a commandery princess consort at all.
Si Ye was amused by her matter of fact tone. “You truly think highly of Ye.”
Lin Yu Tong huffed at her exposed fingertips and said, “I must.”
Si Ye saw her fingertips exposed from her sleeve and reached out with a hand to cover them with his.
Lin Yu Tong did not feel very happy that Si Ye was warming her hand because no one was warmer than the other.
Over there, Third Prince turned to look. Oh! What did he see?
He had not known this! Four looked cold and aloof like everyone owed him two hundred taels of silver, but to his princess consort, he was very warm and gentle.
Su Pei Sheng was at the side, and did not dare to look up at Lin Yu Tong’s face. He said, ruining the atmosphere, “Ye, Third Prince has entered already.”
Si Ye gave back Lin Yu Tong’s hand and said to her, “You take Li-shi and Moyaqi to Yonghe Palace. Ye will take Hong Hui and Hong Yun. You do not have to worry about them.”
Lin Yu Tong nodded and looked back at Li-shi. Seeing Eldest Gege standing by herself, she said, “Have the granny carry you. You are young and your steps small, you will not be able to keep up.” She did not have to come to freeze. Why did she come?
Li-shi looked gratefully at Lin Yu Tong. Just now, she had seen that the gegeof the Third Prince’s Establishment were walking on their own.
If people were serious, they would say that this was propriety. But who truly cared about this? If the princess consort did not care, then it was fine.
The snow would be swept away just after they fell. But the ground was frozen hard. Wearing the flower pot shoes was truly a hardship. If people did not support her, she could not walk.
At the gates of Yonghe Palace, Granny Ping was waiting for them. Seeing Lin Yu Tong, she bowed and said, “Princess Consort, please enter quickly. Niangniang has not gotten up yet. Follow this old servant to the warm room.”
Such a day, how could the niangniang not have gotten up? It was just to let them get warm and neaten their attire.
“Eniang is to be thanked for her consideration,” Lin Yu Tong said with a smile.
Granny Ping asked, “Princess Consort did not bring the two a-ge to the palace?”
“They went with our ye to the front. Soon, their a-ma will send them here later,” Lin Yu Tong responded.
There was charcoal burning in the warm room. Lin Yu Tong took off her cloak and said to Li-shi, “Rub Moyaqi’s face. Just now, she was in the wind a long time.” She feared that the skin would be frostbitten.
When the thirteenth princess consort Joogiya and fourteenth princess consort Wanyan arrived, Granny Ping said that Niangniang had gotten up.
These two had gotten warm too, and followed behind Lin Yu Tong to go to the main hall.
Based on age, Consort De gave birth to Si Ye when she was nineteen. Si Ye was twenty-six now. Consort De was forty-five or so, but she looked to be thirty-seven or so, having aged very well.
In terms of appearance, she was a rare beauty. Otherwise, Kangxi would not have had six children with her.
They exchanged greetings. Then she pulled Wanyan-shi‘s hand and started asking about Fourteen’s daily life, and where his shu-daughter was doing well. She was even more warm to Thirteenth Princess Consort than to Lin Yu Tong.
But her gaze kept on heading for Eldest Gege. Lin Yu Tong notice milk cake placed in front of her. It was the only one. This did not look like it had came from the imperial kitchens. More likely, the little kitchen had been ordered to make this, fearing that the child did not get to eat after getting up early.
Lin Yu Tong suddenly felt sad. In reality, Si Ye’s emotions were introverted, and very similar to Consort De.
She waved to Moyaqi. Moyaqi had recently gotten familiar with Lin Yu Tong and was not afraid, getting close.
Lin Yu Tong whispered, “If you are hungry, eat the milk cake. It is fine. Niangniang ordered it just for you.”
Moyaqi’s eyes widened in surprise, and she looked at Consort De. She curtsied and then sat back down, eating the milk cake and drinking tea. Consort De looked at her, and she gave a small smile to Consort De.
Lin Yu Tong saw that the lines of Consort De’s mouth gentled.
Joogiya-shi looked back and forth, and then looked down.
After talking for a while, it was about time.
“Niangniang, it is time to pay respects to the empress dowager,” Granny Ping reminded.
Consort De paused, glanced at Moyaqi and then said to Lin Yu Tong, “Have Li-shi take the eldest gege and stay in the palace.”
Lin Yu Tong acknowledged. This was out of worry that a marriage to the Mongolians would be mentioned, and said, “Moyaqi has eaten a lot of wind, and coughed on the way. Have her stay in the room to recover.”
Consort De nodded. This daughter-in-law had looked like she was made of wood, and was better now.
Li-shi and Moyaqi looked at Lin Yu Tong’s expression. They knew that she was not angry with her, and this was enough.
Right now, the wind and snow outside was strong. Consort De did not ask for a sedan. This was a person who had been careful and cautious in the palace for a lifetime. Her birth meant that she had a difficult time than others. Even now, being able to persist in her caution was very difficult.
A woman who was able to become one of the four consorts. Regardless of her birth, at least, she was a rare smart woman.
Lin Yu Tong went up to hold Consort De’s other side. She patted Lin Yu Tong’s hand, and lightly shook her head.
When they reached the gates of Yongshou Palace, Lin Yu Tong slowly released Consort De’s arm, and stood behind her.
Joogiya-shi looked up again, her eyes pondering.
Lin Yu Tong thought that Joogiya was a person who paid attention.
When they reached Yongshou Palace, it was not early or late. Consort Hui had just entered with Eldest Princess Consort and Eighth Princess Consort. She had met Consort Rong and Third Princess Consort. Looking back, Consort Yi was about to arrive with the fifth and ninth princess consort.
Lin Yu Tong had learned something new. They somehow managed to do this like they had agreed on it beforehand.
Only the fifth princess consort could hold a conversation with the old empress dowager. Lin Yu Tong could only get the general meaning. She only knew a bit of Mongolian.
Lin Yu Tong met the princess consorts of the imperial family.
She even paid attention to the birth mother of the Eighth Prince, Wei-shi.
A beauty like water. Anyone who saw her would fall in love.
Worshiping the ancestors on New Year’s Eve was not just a matter for the men. The women and the empress dowager also had to perform worship.
Luckily, she had practiced beforehand. Otherwise, she would have exposed herself.
When everything was finished, Lin Yu Tong was almost frozen stiff. She could not help but worry that Hong Hui would freeze.
After the ceremony, Si Ye called Su Pei Sheng to personally deliver the two children to Yonghe Palace.
Lin Yu Tong had just returned with Consort De. Seeing the two children, she touched them. “Are you cold? Are your knees cold?” she whispered the questions.
Hong Hui responded in a whisper, “This son’s prayer mat was warm, very warm all the time.”
Hong Yun nodded as well.
Lin Yu Tong thought of how Granny Ping had asked about the two children when the other met her. She looked at Granny Ping and nodded at her. Consort De must have sent someone to do this.
“Go greet Niangniang,” Lin Yu Tong patted the two children on the head and said.
Hong Hui saw Lin Yu Tong look at the granny on the side and knew what it meant. He nodded and agreed.
He pulled Hong Yun over. He was not courteous and just smiled and leaned into Consort De’s arms.
Consort De lovingly touched him and asked, “Are you much better now?”
“Better. This grandson is able to pull the bow that Fourteenth Uncle gave me,” Hong Hui said. He whispered by Consort De’s ear, “It was not cold at all back there, Grandmother.”
In the front, a banquet had started. Tonight, it was all the men of the imperial house.
The emperor only told Thirteen and Fourteen to hold the pots and pour wine for the princes of the imperial house.
On one side of the emperor was the crown prince. Sitting a bit further away on the other side was Commandery Prince Zhi.
Commandery Prince Zhi narrowed his eyes and looked at the liveliness below. He kept on feeling that his brothers kept on looking at him. He wanted to hit these people. What were they looking at? Who thought this position was easy to sit on, then come sit here! You feel that your big brother is not in big trouble already, and want the trouble to grow bigger?
This seat did not just bite his bottom, it could kill.
But what to do? Khan A-ma told him to sit, so he had to sit.It was easy to sit, but not easy to vacate. Even if Khan A-ma told him to leave the seat, the people around this chair would not be willing for him to vacate.
There was a situation that he and Khan A-ma could not control. He could even sense the danger of losing control now.
But the younger brothers below seemed very interested in this position. Charge! All of you, charge! When you get here, then you will know the kind of days that your big brother is living.
The crown prince poured himself a cup of wine and slowly savored it. Only he knew what the wine tasted like. He turned to look at Commandery Prince Zhi. Their eyes met and then moved away.
If anyone could know what they were feeling, it could only be each other.
The two brothers were fighting like roosters, but only the two of them knew what the other was feeling.
Si Ye held a cup in his hand and turned it round and round, but did not drink.
Suddenly, the emperor said, “Four, you are not able to drink. Get some honeyed water for Four.”
Si Ye’s heart jumped. He did not want to go up. But he had to stand up and thank for the favor. “Khan A-ma, thank you for the grace.”
Sensing that the gazes from his brothers were about to burn him, he suddenly heard Fourteen say, “Only Fourth Brother like to drink such girly things. Khan A-ma, none of the baturu of the Manchu like to drink honeyed water. Eighth Brother looks weak, but Eighth Brother’s tolerance among us brothers is……” He made a thumbs up.
Everyone laughed. Si Ye still looked the same, so people could not see if he was happy or not.
Kangxi started to ask about Eight.
Si Ye wanted to shove Fourteen back into his mother’s belly, but in the end, by accident, he had managed to escape.
It seemed that the other was very eager for Eight. Eight had cunning and goals. Fourteen, you jump around, what did you want?
The fifth prince sat next to Si Ye, and raised his cup in sympathy to Si Ye. Having such a terrible younger brother was worthy of sympathy. Nine liked to be around Eight, but was not so unreliable.
Si Ye nodded, and drained the wine in his cup. Then he felt better.
The third prince sat above him and whispered, “Four, you look so cold, this older brother never knew you are one who is so tender and protective towards women.”
Si Ye was stunned for a moment. He raised his eyebrows and said, “Third Brother, your words are without reason.” If people did not know, what would they think he had done outside?
Third Prince said, “Today, at the palace gates……”
Si Ye thought for a whiled and realized, “Are you my older brother? You talk about everything.” He pointed at Third Prince’s cup. “You have to drink! Three cups.”
Third Prince hit his own mouth. You had to say that. Then, he drained three cups.
Thirteen came over with a smile and sat by Si Ye’s side. “I will toast Fourth Brother.”
Si Ye gave him face and drank. In terms of likability, Thirteen was much more likable than Fourteen.
Nine was sitting on the other side, and saw this. He shouted, “Thirteen, you are not good. What do you mean to only toast Four? You look down on me, your older brother?”
The fifth prince wanted to stuff Nine’s mouth. For no reason, why did you have to offend people?
Si Ye looked at Nine out of the corner of his eyes. He snorted inside, and noted this down.
Thirteen laughed and said, “Fourth Brother is drinking honey water and does not fear getting drunk so this younger brother came over. If Ninth Brother does not mind getting drunk, then this younger brother will go pour for Ninth Brother.”
Nine grew stiff. Dang! How come he forgot this?
Ten laughed secretly and muttered, “Ninth Brother, why did you do that? Thirteen will target you today. Fourth Brother is also paying attention to you. Fourth Brother is petty. Wait for him to sort you out.”
Nine hit his mouth. Why talk too much, now karma was coming.
Deserved! Five looked at what Nine did and thought.
Commandery Prince Zhi and the crown prince were seated above and could see the situation below clearly.
Ever since Nine started to speak, Five narrowed his eyes and pretended to be drunk. Seven took Fifteen and Sixteen to the side, and did not get close to these troublesome persons.
Other than these two who were not worrisome, none of the rest were easy to get along with.
After midnight, this New Year Eve banquet finished.
The children were sleepy, but could not sleep in the palace. The grannies held them in their arms and they fell asleep.
Si Ye waited at the palace gates for Lin Yu Tong’s group.
“It is late, return on the carriage. Do not ride,” Lin Yu Tong whispered. The road was covered in snow. While they were cleaned in time, it was the middle of the night.
“It is fine! You get on the carriage first.” Then he started to walk ahead.
How could this person be so stubborn?
Who would see him deep in the night? The Third Prince had been walking by himself just now, but after leaving the palace, he needed people to support him, pretending to be drunk.
He was harsh on others, and even more harsh on himself.
Returning to the courtyard, Lin Yu Tong had people bring hot water. “Ye, go and soak. I will see if the children are settled.”
Strong ginger soup was put into the bathing water to drive away the cold.
When Lin Yu Tong came back from seeing Hong Hui and Hong Yun, Si Ye had finished by the time she entered the room.
“It is good to soak for longer,” Lin Yu Tong said. “Ye, you look like you did not drink a lot.”
“I did not drink. The emperor called to switch out honeyed water for Ye,” Si Ye said with disappointment.
“Only for Ye?” Lin Yu Tong stopped taking her jewelry off and asked.
“It is fine! Fourteen disrupted it,” Si Ye turned around on the bed and said.
“How come Fourteenth Brother is so smart?” Lin Yu Tong said in disbelief.
Si Ye felt his anger burn when thinking about it and said coldly, “Him?”
- Grafting Life Chapter 97 – Qing Transmigration Tale (6)
- Grafting Life Chapter 99 – Qing Transmigration Tale (8)
- Grafting Life Chapter 100 – Qing Transmigration Tale (9)
Leave a Reply to IDCancel reply