Chapter 359: Chapter 359

In the thirty-first year of the Kangxi era, while the Eldest Young Master was still striving with all his might for a legitimate heir, the highly anticipated position of Crown Princess was finally settled.

Under the watchful eyes of countless people in both the Front Court and Rear Palace, it was originally thought that the soon-to-be-crowned Crown Prince would quickly establish his family. However, perhaps because there were no precedents for the grand wedding of a crown prince in this dynasty, the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites spent considerable time arguing over various specifications and ceremonial systems, constantly citing classical texts.

Kangxi himself, fearing even the slightest grievance for his treasured son, sometimes even personally intervened.

The result was that it dragged on until the Crown Prince was twenty years old, becoming the Qing dynasty version of an older unmarried youth, with this legendary wedding still on its way.

Witnessing this scene firsthand, An Ning felt utterly speechless. She especially noticed that when the wedding was mentioned again, the Crown Prince had gradually transformed from having a tiny bit of anticipation to feeling completely indifferent, and even showed a hint of annoyance when those around him brought it up...

However, the most frustrating part wasn't this.

With the Crown Prince's wedding procedures constantly delayed, his two younger brothers could only wait behind him.

Fearing his sons would feel aggrieved, as early as the first year, Kangxi had already generously added several Side Consorts of decent status and numerous ladies to Yuqing Palace.

In short, by the time the Crown Princess entered the household in the thirty-third year, Yuqing Palace already had two sons, meaning she became a mother immediately upon arrival.

In the thirty-first year, just as the Fourth Prince's marriage was also settled, news suddenly came from Yonghe Palace that Consort De was pregnant again.

With the addition of the Thirteenth Prince, who was not even half a year old, the so-called nine princes were finally complete.

Oh, so it was a probability issue!

As for Consort De, she was really pushing herself. The other party was already over thirty this year, and the number of times she saw the emperor throughout the year could be counted on one hand. Looking at the palace-dressed woman before her with slightly weary features between her brows, and recalling the faint scent of fertility-enhancing medicine she had detected on the other party before.

An Ning thought to herself, it seems the relationship between this mother and son was even worse than imagined.

However, upon second thought, An Ning understood much more. Even with the same circumstances, different experiences produced different effects.

Compared to being one of the original four consorts with deep imperial favor, the current Consort De had already fallen behind when Consort Shu stole her merit for protecting the emperor, causing her to miss the opportunity for individual promotion to consort status.

As the saying goes, one step late means every step is late. Until now, with Kangxi unwilling to make exceptions, she remained merely a low-ranking consort.

In such circumstances, a person's self-esteem and obstinacy often magnify several times over. Whether the Fourth Prince's actions that day were intentional or not, they would be interpreted by her as absolute disdain for her low-ranking birth mother.

Coincidentally, the Fourth Prince himself was quite stubborn at this time. With these two stubborn individuals piled together, it would be strange indeed if their relationship were good.

"Eh, that's strange. In the previous life, weren't the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Princes' birth mother that Consort Shu?"

And they were twins! There's been no news of that in this lifetime.

"Could it be that host, you took action against her?"

In her spiritual sea, the system asked curiously.

"How could that be? Why would I do that for no reason?"

An Ning rolled her eyes speechlessly. While she didn't mind incidentally causing trouble when the original person didn't require revenge, specifically targeting someone was unnecessary.

"No matter how capable Consort Shu is, she can't get pregnant alone, right?"

As the actual power holder of the rear palace, it could be said that aside from the empress's seal, An Ning already had almost everything in her hands, including the imperial bedchamber records.

As early as many years ago, there were no records of the other party in this regard.

But this was understandable. Since taking control of the harem authority, An Ning hadn't avoided investigating how the original body's health was destroyed by medicine.

However, no matter how she investigated, there were no clues regarding palace medication usage or personnel transfers.

As someone he had personally promoted, Kangxi naturally understood An Ning's capabilities. Yet even so, with her control over harem authority, there were still no clues.

But did this extremely suspicious emperor therefore believe she was innocent?

Quite the opposite—he would only think her methods were more covert and sophisticated.

Coupled with his own near experience of having his fertility destroyed, his suspicions would only multiply.

One only needed to look at the Eighth Prince's current pitiable circumstances to understand.

Frankly speaking, the fact that Lady Guargiya could still keep her life was already due to considerations of her family background, previous merit for protecting the emperor, and various factors related to the Eighth Prince.

Of course, most importantly, there was no concrete evidence linking her to the matter.

But with such great suspicion, given Kangxi's nature, how could he possibly give her another chance to become pregnant?

For an emperor to use drugs against a consort would be too undignified. In fact, simply not sleeping with her was the simplest and most straightforward approach.

If the emperor didn't come, no matter how great her golden finger was, she wouldn't dare to produce offspring! Let alone twins.

"Is she tired of her nine clans living too long?" An Ning couldn't help but complain.

Well... that's true! The system couldn't help but scratch its head awkwardly.

Time quickly arrived at the day of the Crown Prince's wedding.

Late into the evening, at Qianqing Palace.

Listening to the endless chattering about how Bao Cheng was as a child, An Ning decisively turned her back, lifted the quilt over herself, and firmly covered her ears.

Early the next morning, personally seeing this legendary Second Princess Consort who was said to have excellent manners, An Ning wasn't particularly surprised.

How to put it? Rather than selecting, Kangxi, this extremely controlling father-in-law, clearly preferred to cultivate them himself.

Just like Lady Guargiya's treatment in the previous life, as early as long before, there had been matrons personally providing instruction.

Now, every action and gesture was impeccably proper and disciplined, without the slightest flaw. Her appearance was also predictably delicate and dignified.

After the ceremony concluded.

Unsurprisingly seeing the satisfaction on his face, An Ning couldn't help but inwardly scoff twice, then lowered her head to sip some clear tea.

Hiding the visible tiredness in her eyes.

Damn it, she hadn't gotten up this early in a long time.

Instead, it was Lady Suochuoluo who, even after walking out of Qianqing Palace's main gate, still seemed somewhat unable to collect her thoughts.

"I never expected to see Noble Consort Mother here today."

This legendary Consort Chen was indeed as rumored—possessing breathtaking beauty and receiving extremely deep favor.

It's just, having grown up seeing such beauty, wouldn't looking at others feel somewhat...

Lady Suochuoluo instinctively turned to look at the Crown Prince beside her:

No wonder, after all this time, there hadn't been any news of which lady or Side Consort in Yuqing Palace being particularly favored or arrogant.

In fact, Yinreng's heart was also quite complex at this moment. Recalling the scene just now—the beautiful woman's coquettish expression, with three parts lazy drowsiness that was extremely eye-catching—it made him unable to help...

Then thinking of how the Emperor had previously sworn that virtue and appearance should prioritize the former, repeatedly warning him not to indulge in feminine charms.

The Crown Prince couldn't help but inwardly scoff twice.