amaotonovel Chapter 108 Departure
Chapter 108 Departure
The Khalkha League was located east of Junggar. When the news reached the Junggar tribe, the old Khan, who was over sixty years old, stroked his chin and immediately sent someone to ask for the hand in marriage of the Qing emperor's legitimate princess.
Jiang Ruyin was a little panicked, not knowing whether her good intentions had led to bad results. The emperor had not come to Yongshou Palace for half a month.
Just like when he made a mistake in the past, he cried and asked his father for comfort, and then apologized to his mother after his emotions calmed down.
Jiang Ruyin still felt resentful about what happened at Jiang Zhe's residence. After calming down, Jiang Ruyin wrote a letter and had Shu Dong send it out of the palace.
Borjigit replied quickly, explaining in detail to Jiang Ruyin:
The Junggar League has always been powerful, so the Kolkha League to the east was called the Outer Four Tribes and also known as the Kolkha League.
The one who came to ask for marriage was the Dzungar tribe, the most powerful in Outer Mongolia. As time went on, the Dzungar League became stronger and more dissatisfied with its submission to the Qing Dynasty.
The previous emperor's daughter, Princess Kejing, married into the Tushetu Khanate of the Khalkha League. One of the reasons for this was that the Dzungar League was so powerful that it seemed to be using its neighbor to suppress its neighbor. However, Princess Kejing passed away in the second year of the Yongzheng reign.
The emperor's recent actions had spread widely, and the Dzungars were naturally anxious, fearing a repeat. Furthermore, Dolan had married into the neighboring Golkha League, so it was no surprise that the Dzungar Khan had sent someone: first, to test the emperor's intentions, and second, to ensure that if he could marry a legitimate princess, he could dominate all the Mongol leagues.
Don't worry, Inner Mongolia will not allow Outer Mongolia to expand. If Outer Mongolia really succeeds in challenging the Qing Dynasty, the first to suffer will not be the Qing Dynasty, but the Khalkha League or Inner Mongolia.
Inner Mongolia is peaceful and will not want to provoke war in the next few years. Moreover, there are constant disputes and frictions over pastures, livestock, etc. between Inner Mongolia and Outer Mongolia, making it difficult for them to join forces to fight against the Qing Dynasty.
Inner Mongolia would certainly intervene if the Dzungars took such action. The Kolkha League had long been marginalized by the Dzungars, and the Tushetu Khanate was the leader of the Kolkha League. The other tribes were also unwilling to see the Dzungar League rise to prominence.
The emperor emerged victorious from among nine other princes, so he must understand this principle. My son, just rest assured.
After reading these words, Jiang Ruyin finally calmed down.
Afterwards, Borjigit reminisced about several past events in the Tushetu Khanate. Between the lines, she remembered and admired Princess Kejing: the world only knew that Eji was well versed in etiquette, respectful, frugal and docile, but did not know that Eji had unique insights into politics and was courageous and resolute, so she was called "Haibang Princess", and "Haibang (Bo) means to consult and discuss matters in Manchu."
Borjigit never thought that Jiang Ruyin would marry into the royal family, so she never taught her Manchu.
For the first time, Borjigit revealed her true feelings: Her mother's life in the Tushetu Khanate was not all smooth sailing, and she had experienced the hardships in her early years. Her mother often told her about the culture and scenery of the Central Plains, which is why she has an infinite yearning for the Central Plains and wants to show her the vast land of the Qing Dynasty.
Borjigit recalled that when her mother learned about her idea, she was very supportive and gave herself a Manchu name "Sabifulguochun", which means winter jasmine.
On a warm spring day, the Borjigit clan left Mongolia with a group of guards after having lived there for fourteen years. After that, the existence of the Borjigit clan was erased, and no one mentioned it except Abu and his four brothers.
At the end of the letter, Borjigit's speech was already incoherent. She ended it hastily, and I wonder if she was secretly sad.
Jiang Ruyin sighed, longing surged up, and the intense emotions in her heart were beyond words.
After that day, Concubine Gong never slept with him again, and the trace of love that had just arisen at the Double Ninth Festival banquet disappeared without a trace.
She told Jiang Ruyin privately: If being unable to have children allows you to see your partner clearly, there is nothing wrong with that.
The emperor liked to visit the princes and princesses more and more, and Princess Lian Shuhe was sent back to Concubine Xin.
When the Dzungars first proposed marriage, the Emperor's preference was for Princess Chaogui. Zhen Huan had suggested that Concubine Wen prepare the arrangements for the princess's marriage, but Jiang Ruyin declined. It's unknown if Concubine Wen pleaded for Concubine Hua when the Emperor visited Wen Yi.
On the day before the first lunar month, all the concubines went to the Great Qing Gate to see her off. The emperor said, "As one of the highest-ranking officials in the palace, Concubine Hua naturally has to come."
So Concubine Hua also came wearing court robes and a crown. Jiang Ruyin nodded at Concubine Hua with a smile, and Concubine Hua turned her head away unnaturally.
Duolan rose early and began to dress. Her magnificent wedding gown was meticulously crafted by the Imperial Household Department, and every stitch and thread spoke of the extraordinary nature of this marriage. The material was the finest silk, shipped thousands of miles from the south of the Yangtze River. Its vibrant color yet elegant, it shone softly in the sunlight. It was delicately embroidered with auspicious designs in gold and silver thread, including a phoenix spreading its wings, symbolizing Princess Duolan's marriageable status.
Dolan stood in front of the mirror, looking at himself in his gorgeous attire, his eyes filled with complicated emotions.
Soon, she held the hand of the palace maid and measured the distance from Zhongcui Palace to Daqing Gate step by step. It was very far, but time was far greater than distance. No matter how reluctant she was, they had already reached Daqing Gate.
She slowly walked to the front of Concubine Gong, her eyes already filled with tears. Her lingering gaze seemed to want to deeply engrave Concubine Gong's appearance in her heart, and she did not move away for a long time. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she had a thousand words to say, but she did not know where to start. She just looked at Concubine Gong quietly, and the bits and pieces of their past interactions flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern.
Lady Gong's eyes were also red. She held back her tears, held Duolan's hand, and wanted to say some words of comfort, but her throat seemed to be choked by something. After a long while, she squeezed out a few words of advice, telling Duolan to take good care of himself when he got there and to think more about herself in everything.
As Duolan listened to these words, tears finally welled up in her eyes, streaming down her cheeks and wetting her delicate makeup. But she knew she couldn't afford to dwell on the sadness of parting any longer. She bit her lip, trying to calm herself, then turned and walked slowly and heavily towards the emperor and Jiang Ruyin.
The emperor, having received word of Duolan's arrival, set down his memorial and came forward, his expression dignified. Jiang Ruyin stood nearby, her head slightly bowed, her expression unclear. Duolan approached, slowly knelt in greeting, and, with a choked voice, bid farewell to the emperor and Jiang Ruyin. The emperor raised his hand slightly, motioning for her to rise. He then offered a few words of encouragement, essentially asking her to shoulder the heavy responsibility of fostering friendship between the two nations and not to disappoint the Qing dynasty.
Dolan agreed to all the requests, and then, under the gaze of the crowd, she took a slightly unsteady step towards the sedan chair adorned with dragons and phoenixes, which had already been waiting nearby. With each step, her reluctance to leave grew. When she reached the sedan, she took one last look back at the place where she had lived for so many years, finally steeling her resolve and stepping into it. The curtain fell, blocking her view and, as it did, the thought of a lifelong companionship with Tara. The sedan slowly lifted, heading off into the unknown distance.