A Qing Dynasty Tale: Laid-Back Days in the Fourth Prince's Household

[Complete] [Occasional revisions]

After Yi Yan died suddenly from working overtime, she transmigrated to the Qing Dynasty and became Shu Mulu Yi Yan.

She arrived just before the imperial consort selection. As far as she remembered, none of the princes had a Shu Mulu woman in their households, so Yi Yan calmly waited to be rejected and sent home to live as a proper wife.

Who knew that, because of a feud between the Four Consorts during the selection, she would somehow end up assigned to Fourth Prince's household?

At the time, Fourth Prince Yin Zhen was only twenty-one. Did that make her an early investor?

That meant that once he ascended the throne, she would be guaranteed a consort rank without having to fight for it.

So why bother trying? She might as well lie flat.

Question: What's it like to enjoy retirement at such a young age?

Something like this:

When you're bored, order a whole stack of storybooks!

When you want to watch the drama unfold, grab a handful of melon seeds!

When you're in the mood for an elegant afternoon tea, have a table full of pastries!

And that's not all.

She can read storybooks while enjoying afternoon tea.

She can listen to Jiangnan folk tunes while enjoying afternoon tea.

Ah, retirement is just so delightful.

But Yi Yan discovers that the more she slacks off, the more Fourth Prince seems to seek her out.

What's more, she's uncovered a secret: Future Emperor Yongzheng, you're really quite a secret romantic!

Little bonus scene

Yin Zhen sent over a dog to keep the child company.

On a whim, Yi Yan drew a cute cartoon of the child playing with the dog and hung it on the wall.

One day, Yin Zhen strolled back and forth in front of Yi Yan, holding the dog. The next day, he held the child in front of her while petting the dog.

Later, Yin Zhen stood in front of the picture, holding the child in his right arm and the dog in his left.

Yi Yan: ...

If you wanted me to draw a picture of you too, you could've just said so!

In the end, Yin Zhen happily took his own cartoon portrait away.

Reading guide: This is a lighthearted story about everyday life.

[Note]: At first, the heroine really does try to slack off. Later, she will be the hero's one and only.

The heroine is extraordinarily beautiful, and her looks will be mentioned repeatedly. Please don't read if that bothers you.

P.S. This is an alternate-history Qing Dynasty, not historically accurate, and includes many original details. [History buffs, please don't read.]

(Blurb written on June 26, 2022)

My completed novel: The Salted-Fish Consort Duan of the Qing Dynasty

You can check it out too, my lovelies!

Coming next: After I Transmigrated to the Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Won Me Over by Cunning Means

Please add it to your collection. Here's the blurb:

Tao Ning, a veteran actress known for playing scheming sweethearts, died suddenly on set and unexpectedly transmigrated into the Qing Dynasty as a widow.

What's more, Tao Ning discovered that the younger sister in her new identity was none other than Kangxi's beloved consort, Consort Yi.

Well, having a beloved consort for a sister to back her up didn't sound too bad.

But before Tao Ning was ready to marry, a prospective match appeared at her home. He claimed that his wife had died in childbirth, leaving him with only their young son, and said that was why he had come to meet a potential bride.

Tao Ning found him refined and handsome, with an extraordinary bearing. Since she was a widow in this new life, she decided to see where things went.

Gradually, Tao Ning realized that there was more to this prospective match than met the eye. But just as she was about to reject the marriage, her sister in the palace suddenly summoned her.

Only after entering the palace did Tao Ning realize that everything was far beyond what she had expected.

The future Consort Yi didn't seem particularly fond of her older sister, and the man she'd met as a prospective match turned out to be Kangxi himself.

Worst of all, she discovered that she was Guo Luoluo Guiren from history.

Tao Ning: ...

Faced with Kangxi's designs on her, Tao Ning declared that she was done being Guo Luoluo Guiren.

She hurried out of the palace and immediately fled south.

But after falling asleep, she opened her eyes to find Kangxi's refined, faintly smiling face before her. He reached out and wiped the vivid red rouge from her lips, slowly rubbing the stain between his long, bamboo-joint fingers.

"Ningning... You have been quite a challenge to find."

Tao Ning: ...

P.S. This is an alternate-history Qing Dynasty, not historically accurate.

Theme: Always love life and always look forward to the future.