Chapter 358: Chapter 358

On the first day back in the palace, after soaking in the bath for over two hours, An Ning finally felt much more comfortable.

The road conditions in ancient times were such that even riding in the most magnificent imperial carriage, one could only endure the journey in silent suffering.

With the imperial procession's return, both the front court and rear palace gradually became livelier. Especially as the military campaigns had concluded, the long-stalled imperial selection began preparations.

By early December, eligible young women from various regions had already arrived in the capital one after another.

Since there were quite a few imperial princes needing arranged marriages this time—aside from the crown prince, there were also the third and fourth princes below him—An Ning found herself genuinely busy for a while. Occasionally, various princess consorts would visit bearing gifts, while subtly probing for information.

If not for Consort Chen's well-known dislike of social interactions, the visiting cards at the Palace of Eternal Spring would probably have piled up beyond counting.

This afternoon, in the warm pavilion located due east of the Palace of Eternal Spring, a faint warm fragrance permeated the air.

Led respectfully into the inner palace by the head maid, Lu Xiang proceeded with great caution until she saw the main gate of the Palace of Eternal Spring, at which point her expression relaxed considerably. Especially when she spotted that familiar figure in the inner chamber...

With snow-white skin and flower-like beauty, enveloped in subtle fragrance, wearing a Xiangfei-colored jacket and skirt, simply sitting there could evoke all sorts of romantic thoughts in people.

No wonder, whenever people learned of her identity, their gazes would always first glance at her face.

"This servant pays respects to the Noble Consort..."

"Enough, there are no outsiders here, no need for such formality. Come sit."

"How has Baozhu been adjusting to palace life these past few days?"

After all the palace servants had withdrawn, An Ning finally lifted her gaze, smiling as she looked at the young girl before her.

A sixteen-year-old girl was just at the age when youth first blossoms, especially since Lu Xiang was naturally good-looking, with features that particularly resembled Eldest Sister Wei—her slightly raised sword-like eyebrows giving her a bright, vibrant demeanor.

In this way, she didn't resemble An Ning much.

But that was probably for the best, An Ning thought to herself as she gently sipped her clear tea.

"Aunt, please don't worry. With you here, whether it's the head maid or anyone else, certainly no one would dare make things difficult for me..."

Sitting down beside An Ning as instructed, Lu Xiang slightly raised her head, her tone particularly cheerful.

Oh, indeed as Elder Sister said—she has a straightforward personality, just like when she was little, An Ning couldn't help raising an eyebrow slightly:

"I presume Baozhu already understands why I called you here today. Some time ago when your mother entered the palace, I discussed your marriage arrangements with her. Your mother's opinion is that lifelong matters should consider Baozhu's own feelings."

"Anyway, anyone my younger sister selects probably won't be bad anywhere!"

Wei Yun had said with certainty at the time.

Seeing at a glance that this niece had her own ideas, An Ning simply stopped beating around the bush.

She informed her one by one about the several selected candidates, their family situations, and their temperaments.

These were all people who had been subtly testing the waters with her recently.

Second-class Guard Fucha Rongqing, from a collateral branch of the Fucha clan, orphaned early in life with only a younger brother in the family. Through struggling and climbing his way up, reaching his current position around twenty years old—one could say he was quite driven.

In short, he was quite career-focused. Despite insufficient family background, he could serve before Kangxi, this appearance-obsessed emperor, so his looks were naturally quite handsome.

However, unexpectedly or perhaps expectedly, Lu Xiang did not choose this person.

"Aunt, that second son of Prince Gong you mentioned—Manduhu, right? I think he's quite suitable."

Without even asking about the other's appearance, after a moment's consideration, Lu Xiang directly lifted her gaze, her slightly upturned almond-shaped eyes full of seriousness as she spoke.

An Ning wasn't particularly surprised by this, but still asked symbolically:

Lu Xiang's response was equally direct:

"The Lu family has humble social standing, and your niece doesn't possess devastatingly beautiful looks. The reason these people show interest is none other than because of your status as the Noble Consort, Aunt."

Perhaps also because of the considerable family wealth?

After all, with backing these past years, her mother's business had expanded greatly, with substantial annual income.

Thinking of these things, Lu Xiang's gaze grew even more determined:

"Aunt, Guard Fucha is indeed good, but he's clearly ambitious in official circles and lacks family support. Someone like him would necessarily marry someone who could provide maximum value. In the future, aside from your influence before His Majesty, there would also be various superiors and complicated official relationships."

"At that time, wouldn't my dowry, and even future social interactions, have to constantly serve his calculations?"

Lu Xiang unconsciously frowned, weighing pros and cons based on her upbringing in family business, clearly feeling this deal wasn't particularly cost-effective.

"But Aunt, imperial clansmen are different. All future honors and disgraces, even title promotions and demotions, basically depend entirely on His Majesty's whim."

"Connections with the imperial family are especially crucial. Particularly since Prince Gong's household hasn't been particularly favored by the Emperor in recent years, they probably wouldn't treat me poorly."

"Most importantly, Prince Gong's eldest son died young. Although Manduhu is an illegitimate son, he might not be unable to inherit the title someday. At the very least, he'd have a Duke of the State title."

With an official rank, she wouldn't need to bow and scrape to others.

As for Manduhu being dull-witted, his birth mother having ordinary background, and not being particularly liked by Prince Gong—wanting to marry her was probably calculated for future title prospects.

So what? Lu Xiang didn't mind. Without this status, see if she'd even glance at him.

In short, after careful calculation, the benefits outweighed the risks. She felt it was quite worth trying.

Well, one could see that her elder sister had indeed put effort into teaching over the years...

But, this wasn't bad either.

Looking at her niece who had already made up her mind, An Ning soon smiled and nodded:

"Whatever Baozhu decides is fine. In a while, I'll ask His Majesty to elevate your banner status..."

Good, another matter settled.

Not minding the other's clearly surprised gaze, sipping newly brewed plum wine, An Ning thought with pleasant satisfaction.

Though she said "in a while," actually that very night, An Ning brought this matter up with Kangxi.

Just an imperial clansman—Kangxi naturally had no reason to refuse. After all, she was the only younger generation An Ning cared about, so elevating her banner status wasn't unacceptable.

"The Lu family—that's your elder sister's daughter?"

"The Lu family has humble social standing, and your niece doesn't possess devastatingly beautiful looks. The reason these people show interest is simply because of your status as the Noble Consort, Aunt."

"I mentioned this matter to you before, Your Majesty!" Since this involved selecting imperial consorts, some rules still had to be followed. Having managed harem authority for years, An Ning naturally wouldn't make such mistakes.

"No wonder you've been so busy lately!"

Giving her a faint sidelong glance, Kangxi soon said:

"By the way, why haven't I heard you mention this niece before?"

"After all, she's my sister's only daughter!"

Playing with a jade bracelet in her hand, An Ning said casually.

The implication being that only if Baozhu did well would her own sister be happy. As for the person herself—just a niece she'd barely met.

As for personal affection? There really wasn't any!

Loving the crow for the rook's sake—that didn't exist for her.

Giving her a complex glance, Kangxi soon changed the subject.

The matter was thus settled.

The next day after the selection concluded, with several imperial decrees issued in sequence, aside from Baozhu, marriages were also decided for several princes including the crown prince.

But as for the crown princess...

"The daughter of the Minister of Revenue, Lady Suochuoluo?"

Well, not entirely unexpected.

Remembering how his eyebrows had faintly furrowed previously when Lady Guargiya was mentioned.

Sigh, one could only say that with creatures like emperors, loving the crow for the rook's sake wasn't certain, but hating the crow for the rook's sake—even transferring blame—was something they excelled at...