Concubine of the Eastern Palace (Qing Dynasty Time Travel)

Cheng Wanyun usually slept early and often woke up early as well. However, she enjoyed lingering in bed and sometimes even dozed off again, managing to sleep until noon.

Today, she woke up early once more. She instinctively nestled against the Crown Prince’s broad chest, about to close her eyes again, when the faint sound of a small animal whimpering outside caught her attention.

It was a soft, tender sound, so delicate it made her heart itch.

Listening intently for a moment, Cheng Wanyun couldn’t resist getting out of bed. Slipping on her shoes, she headed outside.

The Rehe Palace had mountains and scenic views. The courtyard assigned to the Crown Prince was situated on higher ground, built on a ridge surrounded by lush forests. The area was alive with the chirping of insects and birds, and the breeze here was cooler than elsewhere.

Encountering squirrels, wild ducks, roe deer, or mountain goats within the palace grounds was not uncommon. However, puppies were a rare sight.

When Cheng Wanyun stepped outside, she discovered a drainage ditch beneath the window of her sleeping quarters. It hadn’t rained recently, so grass had sprouted in the ditch. A mother dog had chosen this spot to give birth to a litter of fluffy puppies. There were about four or five of them in varying colors—white, black, and mottled. Their eyes were still closed, and they lay huddled together, occasionally letting out soft whimpers.

The mother dog was nowhere in sight. Wrapped in her robe, Cheng Wanyun stood watching for a long time, her heart melting at the sight.

Qingxing and Bitao exchanged worried glances before taking turns to persuade her:

“Miss, you’re expecting a child. How could you possibly raise a dog?”

“Miss, cats and dogs never get along. Besides, Mi Mi was bitten by a dog before. If you bring the puppies back, Mi Mi will surely be jealous, and they’ll end up fighting every day!”

“Exactly, Miss. Plus, dogs have a stronger smell than cats, they eat more, make more mess, and need to be walked. It’s a lot of trouble.”

Cheng Wanyun understood their reasoning. Her courtyard was already home to plenty of animals, including fish, turtles, and Mi Mi the cat. But these little puppies were just too adorable.

One puppy in particular caught her attention—the black one with two prominent yellow spots above its eyes, resembling a second pair of eyes. Its fur wasn’t entirely black either; its cheeks, chest, and paws were yellow. Cheng Wanyun had seen this type of dog before in the countryside, known as a “Four-Eyed Iron-Coated Gold” breed—very impressive dogs!

She recalled an experience during a field trip with colleagues when they drove along a bumpy mountain road and encountered a dog of this breed. It was chained by the roadside. As soon as their car rounded the bend, the dog stood up, fixing them with a vigilant and stern gaze. It only lay back down once their car had driven over a kilometer away, becoming a mere speck in the rearview mirror.

The poised and commanding presence of that dog left an unforgettable impression on Cheng Wanyun.

At that time, she didn’t have the time to care for a dog. However, she thought these rural dogs were far better than the toy poodles her friends raised. Those little poodles barely reached other dogs’ knees but still barked fiercely at any dog, big or small.

Back then, she decided that if she ever owned a dog, it would be one of these four-eyed dogs—beautiful, loyal, smart, and dignified! After crossing over to this world, though, she only saw ordinary yellow dogs or slender hunting hounds in the rural areas near She County, none quite like her “ideal dog.” So, she didn’t keep any.

But today, she encountered one—what a stroke of luck!

Her heart was itching with excitement.

Since fate had brought her here, she figured she might as well have both a cat and a dog.

Although reluctantly persuaded back inside, she couldn’t resist dragging the yawning Crown Prince—still dressed in his sleepwear—over to the window to peer down. She pleaded softly,

“Your Highness… can we keep a dog?”

Beyond her nostalgic attachment to the breed, Cheng Wanyun had read online that children raised with cats and dogs had lower rates of allergies, asthma, and nasal conditions. Growing up with animals also fostered responsibility and compassion, reducing the likelihood of depression.

Mi Mi, their cat, was aloof and often disappeared until mealtime. Having a puppy to grow up alongside their child would surely be a good thing.

Though Cheng Wanyun had stopped dressing up much since becoming pregnant, her complexion was radiant, soft as a hibiscus flower after rain. Her hopeful, glistening eyes made it difficult for Yinreng to refuse.

Even so, his remaining rationality prevailed. With a light cough, he gently held her by her now-rounded waist and patiently explained,

“A Wan, that puppy is still very young. It needs milk for most of the day—how would we feed it? And you’re about to become a mother yourself. Could you bear to separate it from its mother? Imagine how heartbroken the mother dog would be if one of her pups was gone when she returned.”

Cheng Wanyun wavered.

“I didn’t think it through,” she admitted, nodding obediently. “Let’s wait for now.”

Since becoming pregnant, her maternal instincts had heightened, making her empathize with things she never understood before. Yinreng’s reasoning struck a chord in her heart.

She found herself sympathizing with the mother dog out searching for food. Then a thought struck her: once the pups were weaned, one could come to guard Yuqing Palace, essentially landing a secure position with food and lodging—a promising future. Surely the mother dog would be proud of such a successful pup!

Relieved, Yinreng quietly sighed. The dog seemed wild and possibly aggressive, not to mention unclean.

Seeing Cheng Wanyun still leaning by the window, Yinreng sighed softly. “Don’t look anymore. Once we return to the palace and you’ve safely given birth and recovered, I’ll have someone from the kennel select a good dog for you, all right?”

Cheng Wanyun shook her head, still gazing at the puppy. Her voice was soft but resolute, “No need.”

Yinreng thought Cheng Wanyun had given up on the idea of keeping a dog. He was about to offer comforting words when she pointed firmly at the chubbiest black puppy with “four eyes” in the litter and declared, “I don’t want any other dog. I just want this one.”

Yinreng: “…”

“Your Highness, could you instruct the palace attendants to take good care of this litter? When it’s weaned and grown a bit, can someone bring it to me?” Cheng Wanyun proposed a compromise.

After a brief moment of consideration, Yinreng nodded in agreement. Cheng Wanyun was so delighted she nearly jumped up in joy, startling Yinreng, who quickly caught her and pulled her into his arms. With a stern expression, he scolded, “Are you really putting a dog before our child? Do you think jumping around like that is a joke? I can’t trust you at all! I was going to take you to watch the Mongolian wrestling matches tonight, but seeing how reckless you are, maybe it’s better you stay indoors.”

Cheng Wanyun blinked in surprise. “I can go too?”

“Of course. Even the servants get to join in the fun. Why not you?” Yinreng chuckled. “There will be not just wrestling but horse racing and fireworks as well—it should be quite entertaining.”

“I want to go! Please, Second Master, you must take me!” Cheng Wanyun eagerly offered to massage his shoulders and back. “I’ll bring extra attendants and promise to behave. Please let me go.”

Yinreng had only intended to tease her, but seeing her enthusiasm, he pretended to ponder deeply. Cheng Wanyun grew anxious and, in a bold move, kissed him several times.

Pleased, Yinreng maintained his composure and nodded reluctantly. “Fine. I’ll let you go. I’ll send someone to escort you.”

Cheng Wanyun was thrilled and immediately began imagining the excitement of the wrestling matches. It had to be more entertaining than a theater show! She summoned Qingxing to open the wardrobe so she could pick out an outfit.

Yinreng thought she had finally forgotten about the dog—until she suddenly shouted, “Tianjin! Make sure you look after that litter!”

Tianjin rushed in, bowing. “Rest assured, Miss! From today onward, those are my dog grandparents! As long as I have food, they’ll have milk! If they lose even a bit of weight, feel free to punish me!”

Cheng Wanyun nodded in satisfaction. “Loyal and dedicated!”

Yinreng: “…”

People said pregnant women often had poor memories, but Cheng Wanyun showed no signs of that. Fine, fine. Even the servants were going out of their way to humor her—how could he be the bad guy? If she cried, it wouldn’t do. Now that she was pregnant, tears were best avoided. Worst case, he’d arrange for the kennel staff to train the dog properly before bringing it back later.

Yinreng reassured himself and went to another room to freshen up. He dressed simply in a saffron silk robe rather than formal attire. Upon returning, he found Cheng Wanyun still getting ready. Standing behind her, he gently tucked a flower into her hair and smiled. “Father has official duties today, so I’m free for the day. I can spend it with you.”

Unexpectedly, Cheng Wanyun turned around sheepishly, stuck out her tongue, and said, “But I already agreed with Liu Gege and the others to go watch the monkey show at the market down the hill…”

Her voice grew softer under Yinreng’s incredulous stare until she finally fell silent.

“Can’t you reschedule?” Yinreng ground his teeth.

“It’s a monthly event. If I miss it, I’ll have to wait until next month. We’re leaving soon, and after entering the palace, who knows if I’ll get another chance to go out?” Cheng Wanyun explained quietly. “I haven’t seen a monkey show since entering the palace—it’s a rare opportunity.”

‘So I’m not as interesting as a monkey?’ Yinreng bitterly complained in his mind. ‘What do they have that I don’t?’

“I’ll go with you,” he finally said, forcing the words out.

Cheng Wanyun immediately declined. “That would be awkward. The ladies would be too nervous to enjoy themselves if you came along. Besides, men and women should keep a respectful distance. They wouldn’t even dare speak freely.”

Seeing Yinreng’s expression darken further, Cheng Wanyun quickly softened her tone. She hugged and kissed him, smoothing his ruffled feathers. “Don’t be upset. My chances to go out are limited, but I spend most days waiting at home for you. Just this once, could you wait for me instead? We’ll still watch the wrestling match together tonight.”

Yinreng crossed his arms and snorted. “You ladies will have a separate viewing area anyway. It’s unlikely we’ll even cross paths.”

Cheng Wanyun tugged on his hand and whispered, “Why don’t you go hang out with Fourth and Fifth Prince?”

‘A “Men Abandoned by Their Wives for a Day” gathering sounds fun too!’

“I don’t need you planning my day!” Yinreng huffed, his face puffing in annoyance. He pinched the new chubby flesh on her cheeks, kneading it a few times before storming out and letting the curtain fall behind him.

Qingxing hesitated as if wanting to speak, but Cheng Wanyun remained calm.

‘A promise to friends shouldn’t be broken for a man,’ she thought confidently. And from Yinreng’s dramatic exit, his attitude seemed more like “Today you ignore me, tomorrow you’ll regret it”—he wasn’t truly angry.

Besides, she really did want to watch the show. Since entering the palace, she hadn’t seen any performances in almost two years.

Back in She County, temple fairs were a highlight during festivals like Lantern Festival and Dragon Boat Festival. Every year, Master Cheng would take the whole family to join the fun. When the children were little, he would take turns lifting them onto his shoulders so they could see better.

After every fair, Master Cheng’s arms would be sore and strained, unable to hold a brush for days. It was tough on him, but the joy of the whole family being together made it worthwhile.

Now, Cheng Wanyun wondered if her father thought of her while taking her younger siblings to the fair.

Absentmindedly, she stroked her belly, feeling increasingly sentimental since becoming pregnant, especially when thinking of her family.

Despite his tough departure, Yinreng returned to his study feeling restless. Grabbing a book, he paced back and forth with a dark expression, making circles like a mill donkey.

His attendant He Baozhong felt dizzy just watching.

‘What’s the prince pondering so hard? Even a donkey turning a mill wouldn’t spin like this.’

After pacing for a quarter of an hour, Yinreng abruptly stopped, stroked his chin, and thought for a moment. ‘A Wan’s right—I need to go find Fourth and Fifth Prince. The debts of concubines must be repaid by the husband. It’s only fair.’

“Bring along all the books Father tested me on recently!” Yinreng commanded as He Baozhong packed about 30 pounds of books. Since Fifth Prince lived nearby, Yinreng stormed toward his residence with determined energy. “Also, send someone to drag Fourth Prince over so we can study together!”

Yinqi was leisurely having breakfast when the Crown Prince barged in. He still had half a bun in his mouth when the servants announced Yinreng had come to study.

Study… study what? It took a moment for Yinqi to process, but the realization hit when Yinreng entered and He Baozhong dumped a mountain of books onto the table. Yinqi gawked, his mouth agape as the bun dropped onto the table with a thud.

Why… why must they study? Filled with dread, Yinqi shakily opened a book.

From then on, Yinqi and Yinzhen were like two miserable old oxen, forced to toil under Yinreng’s watchful eye. They hunched over their desks, writing furiously from morning till night, their heads spinning with exhaustion.

Yinqi wore a bitter expression. He recognized the individual characters on the page, but once they formed sentences, they made no sense at all. These were questions crafted by Emperor Kangxi specifically to test the Crown Prince—complex and obscure beyond measure. Holding his brush, Yinqi was at a loss. He glanced enviously at Fourth Prince Yinzhen, who was diligently writing as if divinely inspired. Resigned, Yinqi pathetically copied the question several times over, unable to compose a proper response.

Distracted, Yinqi noticed that Yinreng also seemed absent-minded at times. Every couple of hours, He Baozhong entered to report something, though Yinqi didn’t know what. Curious, Yinqi perked up his ears to eavesdrop and caught snippets of a conversation:

“…After watching the monkey show, she even brought you a bag of candied chestnuts. It’s already prepared and on its way back.”

The Crown Prince, who had been sulking all day, immediately brightened, his expression clearing like the sky after rain.

‘Monkey show? What monkeys? Who’s performing?’ Yinqi scratched his head in confusion, but Yinreng suddenly spoke in a warm tone:

“Enough. You’ve done enough questions for now; your minds must be numb. Leave these books here and continue in a few days. Send your answers to me for review. That’s all—dismissed.”

Yinreng waved a hand and strode away, his steps light and cheerful.

Yinzhen, engrossed in his studies, only looked up after finishing a problem and asked blankly, “Where’s Second Brother?”

He had been so focused that he missed the conversation and only realized Yinreng was gone when silence fell over the room, leaving just him and Fifth Prince behind.

“Forget about that. Where did you leave off?” Yinqi grabbed Yinzhen’s paper. “Help a brother out—I need to copy your answers.”

—

Cheng Wanyun returned home laden with bags.

Though Yinreng had been outwardly displeased about her outing, he still arranged for many attendants to accompany her. Qingxing and Bitao stayed close by, while Dechu led another team of guards trailing behind.

Yinreng had even sent He Baozhong with a pouch of coins for her to spend.

Cheng Wanyun had a wonderful time, freely enjoying her shopping spree. Midway through, when she felt tired, they stopped at a teahouse for sweet drinks. Sitting in the gentle breeze, with a view of green mountains and an ancient road, her heart felt peaceful and content.

Liu Gege held her teacup and sighed, “I can’t remember the last time I felt so carefree. Once we return to the palace, I’ll surely miss this place.”

Cheng Wanyun felt the same way.

She didn’t even want to return to the palace.

But she knew that most of her remaining life would be spent there unless, by some miracle, her children could take her out to live elsewhere. After all, the third prince’s mother, Concubine Rong, was later granted such a privilege.

Still, she realized that might be unlikely. After the second deposing of the Crown Prince, even Yinreng himself lost his personal freedom. How much more restrictive would it be for his wives and children? It was said that in Emperor Kangxi’s final years, he hastily had the Zhengjiazhuang Palace built specifically to confine the Crown Prince’s family.

Yet in the end, Yinreng died in seclusion at Xian’an Palace before even setting foot in that place.

Cheng Wanyun didn’t know how long she would live, but she maintained a positive outlook. ‘Live for today, drink while the wine is still here—children will have their own paths and fortunes.’

She didn’t worry about her child either. Many of the Crown Prince’s children lived long lives. When the Fourth Prince ascended the throne, he showed leniency toward the former Crown Prince’s family despite ruthlessly suppressing the Eighth Prince’s faction. He even brought Yinreng’s four daughters into the palace to be raised by the Empress.

Cheng Wanyun returned home cheerfully, only to find the Crown Prince waiting in her chambers!

His resentful gaze made her shudder.

Quickly, she put on a bright smile. “My lord, I brought you a treat! These are wild chestnuts from here—small in size but incredibly sweet and fragrant when roasted. Let me peel one for you!”

Yinreng, sitting regally, enjoyed being served by her for a while before pulling her into his embrace.

Since she had gone out today, she wore common folk clothing—a silver-red jacket that contrasted beautifully with her snowy skin and cherry lips, standing out vividly against the autumn landscape.

“Are you tired?” he asked.

Cheng Wanyun shook her head vigorously, her eyes sparkling. “We rested frequently along the way. I’m not tired at all—I’m very happy.”

Yinreng smiled warmly. “That’s good to hear.”

Seated on his lap, Cheng Wanyun wrapped her arms around his neck and softly recounted the sights and experiences of the day. He listened quietly, the smile in his eyes growing with each story.

Her joy became his joy.

Outside the door, Qingxing watched as the silhouettes on the window merged into one. She clutched her chest and let out a long sigh. “Our lady is bold today.”

“You’re overthinking it,” Bitao said dismissively from below. “The Crown Prince adores our lady. He wouldn’t be upset over something this trivial.”

Bitao, crouched by a water channel, gathered the litter of puppies and lined the ground with a few old cloths before covering them with a small blanket. She dusted off her hands after settling the pups.

The mother dog watched cautiously from a distance beneath a tree. When Qingxing turned her gaze, the dog bolted in fear.

Qingxing frowned in concern. “Do you think that mother dog will come back?”

Bitao looked up, startled. “It shouldn’t be, right?”

Tonight, Emperor Kangxi was hosting a grand wrestling match between Manchu and Mongolian nobles. The preparations were extensive, and with this event taking place outside the palace, there weren’t enough eunuchs in the temporary residence to handle everything. Eunuchs from various courtyards were reassigned to assist, including Tianjin from their courtyard, leaving only Tianyin behind.

Thus, the responsibility of looking after the puppies fell to Bitao. However, having never taken care of dogs before, she only thought to provide warm, wind-blocking materials for them at night.

“I heard from the elders that wild dogs recognize scents. If a puppy is touched by humans, the mother might abandon it,” Qingxing said worriedly, frowning. “Look, the mother dog has already run off.”

Bitao’s hands trembled as she handled the puppies, her eyes wide with fear. “Tianjin never told me that!”

Since Tianjin used to work in the animal care division, he must have known. If he hadn’t mentioned it, surely it wouldn’t be a problem, right?

“He probably left in a rush and didn’t think of it,” Qingxing reassured her, keeping an ear tuned to the sounds from the house. “There’s nothing we can do about it now. We’ll have to wait until he gets back.”

Soon, Cheng Wanyun called for them. Qingxing and Bitao quickly wiped their hands and went inside to serve her.

The two efficiently helped Cheng Wanyun cleanse her face and change clothes. The Crown Prince had already finished getting ready and stood patiently behind the screen, waiting for her to complete her preparations.

Before entering the arena, Cheng Wanyun separated from the Crown Prince, who had eunuchs lead her to the section reserved for women. Perhaps worried she might be uneasy or lack attendants, he instructed his personal tea-serving eunuch, Hua La, to accompany her.

The arena in Rehe was vast, with Mongolian warriors from the Eight Banners lined up on either side, their colorful banners fluttering in the wind behind them.

Cheng Wanyun’s seat wasn’t near the front. She sat in a small corner with the Eldest Consort, Side Concubine Tian, and Liu Gege and Song, while Concubine Yi and other noblewomen occupied the foremost positions.

As soon as she arrived, Liu Gege enthusiastically waved at her, immediately putting Cheng Wanyun at ease.

Settling in, she whispered, “There are so many people.”

Liu Gege’s eyes sparkled as she replied, “Yes! I was nervous just walking over here.”

Cheng Wanyun nodded in agreement. Looking around, she saw the arena surrounded by dense crowds, stretching far into the distance. At the center, Emperor Kangxi and the Crown Prince sat on a raised platform, the emperor’s bright yellow robes glowing vividly under the light of hundreds of torches.

As soon as the emperor and Crown Prince took their seats, the Manchu Eight Banners soldiers and Mongolian tribes knelt and shouted “Long live the Emperor!” The deafening roar reverberated through the arena, leaving Cheng Wanyun deeply moved.

She glanced at the Crown Prince, standing beside Kangxi. The distance was so vast she couldn’t make out his face—just a vague, elevated figure receiving the homage of countless subjects. A strange melancholy swept over her. So this was what it meant to wield imperial power, to be above all yet isolated from the world.

That realization dampened her enthusiasm for the wrestling spectacle that followed.

As Cheng Wanyun subconsciously searched for his figure, Yinreng absentmindedly sipped from his wine cup, his gaze drifting aimlessly across the crowd. He knew where the women were seated, but the distance was too great—he couldn’t see A Wan.

The Mongolian Duke of Duoling from the Khalkha Tribe, accompanied by his younger son Garzang, approached Kangxi to offer a toast. During the previous Battle of Ulan Butong, the Khalkha tribe had actively dispatched troops to support Prince Yu, making a significant contribution. Kangxi naturally showed them extra warmth, even speaking to Garzang in a paternal tone, encouraging the brawny young man who resembled a small mountain.

Yinreng cast a glance at Garzang, his heart sinking.

His third sister, born only three days after him, had already turned sixteen this year and remained unmarried…

Thinking about the Qing dynasty’s tradition of princesses marrying into Mongolian tribes, Yinreng felt a tremor run through his hand holding the wine cup. Though he rarely saw his third sister, he had received handmade sachets and shoes from her. Her mother, Lady Zhao of the Jaojia clan, was a once-favored consort who had fallen from grace. With only one daughter, she relied on sewing gifts for Kangxi and all her siblings to secure a better life for herself and her child.

Yinreng lost all interest in the wrestling match.

Elsewhere…

Cheng Wanyun had only taken Qingxing with her when she went out, leaving Bitao to stay behind. Bitao, distressed, sat anxiously by the window, occasionally looking outside, hoping to catch sight of the mother dog. However, even by the time Cheng Wanyun returned, there was no sign of it.

Bitao was in a complete panic.

Since she didn’t have night duties, she had stayed by the puppies all day. Without the mother dog’s care, the newborn pups—eyes still unopened—were unlikely to survive. These were the dogs that Cheng Wanyun had been longing to bring back to the palace!

Later, when the arena events wrapped up, Tianjin returned exhausted, only to find Bitao flashing him a guilty smile as she broke the bad news. His thin frame nearly toppled to the ground.

That morning, he had boasted confidently to Cheng Wanyun, claiming that as long as the mother dog nursed the puppies, all he needed to do was keep an eye on them and occasionally flatter Eunuch Zheng to get a few bones to feed the mother. Yet within just a few hours, the mother dog had disappeared without a trace!

“What do we do now?” Bitao asked, crouching beside the drainage ditch with him. “Before the lady notices, we need to come up with a solution! You worked in the animal care division before—you must have a way.”

Bitao had no intention of troubling Cheng Wanyun, who was pregnant. The Crown Prince had repeatedly warned them to perform their duties carefully and never cause the lady any stress—she should always remain cheerful.

“I’m thinking, aren’t I?”

In a fluster, Tianjin knocked on his head.

“I’ve got it! Hurry! Go find Eunuch Zheng!”