The Fourteen Clans

Having one more child in the courtyard didn’t significantly affect Yu Yan; she rarely saw the consort, let alone the child raised by her. By late September, nearly early October, Yin Zhen’s official duties had mostly settled, and he finally had time to teach his daughter how to ride a horse.

The chestnut steed she had chosen had grown considerably taller over the past two weeks. Compared to the horse, Yu Yan’s own height hadn’t sprouted as quickly. She watched the now-taller steed thoughtfully.

“Come, E Linzhu, Father will ride with you for a lap,” Yin Zhen said.

He had never intended to let her ride alone. Yu Yan was still too young and not very tall. Although these horses were well-trained and docile, there was always a worry that an animal might act up and throw the child off—and Yin Zhen had no place to cry if that happened. For safety, he had also reduced the size of the riding area to minimize accidents.

Yu Yan nodded. With a firm hand, Yin Zhen lifted her steadily onto the horse.

For the first time, she realized her view was so expansive. Is this what they mean by “standing tall to see far”?

Yin Zhen’s horse was much taller than the chestnut steed. Sitting atop it, Yu Yan could see the eaves of the Southern Third Residence in the distance. He had no intention of letting her gallop wildly across this small ground. To him, no palace grounds were large enough. One day, when he established his own residence outside the palace or when he accompanied the emperor on an inspection to the frontier, he would bring E Linzhu to truly experience galloping across the vast, boundless grasslands.

“Father, can’t we go a little faster?” Yu Yan looked at him with disappointment. The horse she was astride was walking leisurely, as if on a casual stroll. This was nothing like the thrilling ride she had imagined! She cast a small, sulky glance at Yin Zhen.

He chuckled lowly. “You can’t expect to run before you’ve learned to walk. Father is letting you get a feel for riding first. Once we leave the palace, I’ll take you to a bigger place to gallop.”

Such a promise was big, round, and sweet. Yu Yan reluctantly agreed.

“Fourth Brother, why are you suddenly in the mood to take your little niece for a ride today?”

Yu Yan turned toward the voice and saw Eighth Prince Yin Li standing not far away. Behind him stood two girls about thirteen or fourteen years old.

Yin Zhen quickly dismounted with Yu Yan, tidied their somewhat disheveled clothes, then stepped forward and pressed his lips together, greeting, “Eighth Brother.”

Yu Yan’s gaze shifted to the girls behind Yin Li. The girl on the left had long brows and phoenix eyes, wearing a thin, bright red embroidered cloak patterned with lotus flowers despite the chill of September—her graceful bearing inviting Yu Yan’s appraisal. The girl on the right had delicate clear water eyes, her gaze tender and affectionate, and she kept glancing at Yu Yan’s father.

“This one is Lady Guo Luoluo, granddaughter of Prince An,” Yin Li said, glancing at the frail-looking girl beside her. “And this one is Lady Nian, eldest daughter of Governor Nian from Huguang.”

“Today, Governor Nian just happened to return to the capital to report on his duties. Father wants to meet the young woman who discovered the smallpox vaccine, so Lady Nian brought her to the palace,” Yin Li explained. “My cousin was already at Ningshou Palace chatting with the Empress Dowager. They hit it off immediately. The Empress Dowager thought the elder ladies’ conversations might bore the girls, so I was asked to bring them around the palace while I delivered books to Fifth Sister.”

“And Fifth Aunt?” Yu Yan asked eagerly. “Why isn’t she out playing?”

“Fifth Sister isn’t feeling well today, resting in Yihe Pavilion.”

Fifth Princess was frail, often plagued with minor ailments during seasonal changes, compounded by monthly pains that sometimes kept her bedridden. Usually, Yu Yan didn’t have to go to Ningshou Palace for lessons during those days because Fifth Princess simply couldn’t get up, let alone teach her. Yu Yan understood her aunt’s condition but had never experienced such pain herself, nor did she know any herbal remedies beyond having the palace maids brew brown sugar ginger tea and making Fifth Princess drink plenty of warm water. There was little more they could do to ease the discomfort.

Yu Yan nodded quietly, her gaze shifting from Lady Guo Luoluo to Lady Nian.

So this was her fellow native?

“Fourth Brother, will you take your little niece around with us?” Yin Li asked, smiling.

Yin Zhen shook his head, lifting Yu Yan again. “I’m just sneaking out for a bit with E Linzhu. Father still has much unfinished business, and it’s time to head back.”

“I have long heard that Fourth Beile buries himself in paperwork day and night. Truly a role model for us all,” Lady Nian suddenly spoke, her moist, affectionate eyes fixed intently on Yin Zhen. Everyone present could see the thoughts behind her gaze.

“You flatter me, Lady Nian,” Yin Zhen replied calmly. “It is my duty to help the Emperor.”

He lifted Yu Yan and turned to leave, leaving Lady Nian standing dazed, gazing after his retreating figure.

“Ruo Chu, could your beloved be Fourth Beile?” Guo Luoluo asked curiously.

Ruo Chu pressed her lips, whispering her response with a near breathless tone.

She was a transmigrant—initially nervous upon discovering she had crossed into the Qing Dynasty, an era when imperial autocracy was at its height. Her family seemed to be bannermen, so she expected to be selected for palace service. But as she grew, learning more, and after having a younger brother named Nian Gengyao, Ruo Chu finally realized exactly which period she had landed in.

Historically, Imperial Noble Consort Dunsu would be her younger sister in this lifetime, only six or seven years old now.

Since middle school, Ruo Chu had loved Qing transmigration novels—never missing titles like Dreaming Back to the Qing or Scarlet Heart—immersing herself in tales of love and betrayal between the heroine and the princes. After actually transmigrating, she knew the romantic entanglements depicted were unrealistic, but she still hoped to marry the ultimate winner, Fourth Prince Yin Zhen. There was some maneuvering space for that.

The cold-faced prince... thinking of the handsome face she saw today made her cheeks burn. If she could make such a cold-hearted man love her, what would that feel like?

Unfortunately, she was only twelve this year, too young for this round of palace selections. Making a good impression on Yin Zhen was already fortunate. She regretted her parents hadn’t had her a year earlier, so she could enter the residence sooner and nurture a relationship with Fourth Prince.

On the way back to the Southern Third Residence, Yu Yan finally couldn’t help but tug on Yin Zhen’s sleeve.

“Father, does that Lady Nian want to be your consort?”

“Lady Nian’s father is Governor of Huguang and made a great achievement in discovering the smallpox vaccine. His career will surely be successful. Why would his daughter come to the prince’s residence as a consort?” Yin Zhen smiled.

“That’s uncertain,” Yu Yan said with a wink. “My fellow native’s eyes are practically glued to you.” She recalled that Noble Consort Dunsu’s family name was also Nian, but wasn’t she betrothed to Prince Yong during Emperor Kangxi’s fiftieth year? The ages didn’t seem to match.

For Yu Yan, the matter of Lady Nian was just a minor episode. Her main focus remained on studying with Fifth Princess and playing with Hongfu after school. As Hongfu grew day by day, his vocabulary expanded. Now he could fluently call her “sister” and follow her around, not crying or fussing when she pinched his cheeks or arms, but smiling sweetly and reaching out to be held—allowing Yu Yan to fully indulge in the role of a big sister.

“Once winter solstice arrives, the weather will be even colder. Outside, the ice will form long icicles everywhere,” Li, sitting on the heated kang, said, watching Yu Yan absorbed in a book of stories she had somehow obtained. Li herself disliked reading but was captivated by the passionate tales of love and heartbreak in Yu Yan’s storybook. Since Pearl and Maruo studied slowly, Li decided to learn to read alongside her daughter, finding it easier to hold the book herself.

“It’s cold in winter, but we still have to study,” Yu Yan protested. “Father started going to the study room every day from age six, through summer heat and deep cold without missing a day. Why can’t I?”

“You know your father began at six,” Li said, setting the book aside and pulling her daughter close. “How old are you now?”

Li had read many such stories—children born clever and wise, much like E Linzhu. Yet these bright children often met tragic ends in the tales, with the authors adding, “Great wisdom brings sorrow; deep feelings do not last.” Li, deeply empathizing, worried about her own daughter’s fate and thought it might be better if her children were a little less gifted. After all, they were born to noble lineage; as long as they stayed out of trouble, they would be safe all their lives.

Yu Yan fell silent, flipping through the book. By Qing reckoning, she was only five years old.

“E Linzhu’s eagerness to learn is good.”

Yin Zhen entered from outside, not going into the warm chamber but standing behind the beaded curtain to shake off the chill. When the brazier warmed him through, he stepped into the chamber, picked up Hongfu, who called him “Father,” and drew near to Li and Yu Yan.

“But this year is colder than usual. You’re still too young. If you catch a chill from studying, it would be counterproductive.”

Li nodded in agreement. Yin Zhen then shifted topic: “I’ll speak to Zhalafen. When spring arrives and the weather warms, you can continue studying with her. For now… since Father has some free time, you and Xingde can study together in my study at noon, when the sun is highest. It’ll be good company for you.”

“Xingde?”

Yu Yan couldn’t remember who that was at first, only vaguely recalling a boy the consort had brought from the Ulanara clan.

Yin Zhen nodded. “He’s about your age. I don’t know how the Ulanara lady educates her children. He hasn’t learned as many characters as you yet.”

This was no surprise. Li’s face showed nothing, but she understood perfectly. The boy’s mother had died early, and his father was indifferent. For the Ulanara lady to provide him with food and raise him as an honorable son of a noble family was already fortunate. No one was planning an early education for him.

With the matter laid out, Yu Yan didn’t insist on going to study with Fifth Princess. After some thought, she agreed that studying with her father might not be so bad.

Thus, she nodded in assent.