A Survival Guide for the Fourth Consort (Transmigrating to the Qing Dynasty)

(Blurb updated 2023.2.3)

Yu Wei was transmigrated into the body of Fei Yanggu's legitimate daughter during the Kangxi era. From childhood, she was doted on and lived a carefree, comfortable life.

She thought she would continue to grow up smoothly, but when she was eight, the Imperial Noble Consort fell gravely ill. Hoping to bring his beloved consort good fortune, Kangxi decided to arrange a marriage for the Fourth Prince. After considering countless candidates, he settled on Yu Wei.

She was to be married off at such a young age, and would never again enjoy her parents' affection at home. The news struck like a bolt from the blue, and Yu Wei suddenly remembered her past life. So she was none other than the legitimate wife of the Fourth Prince, the girl who had married him while still a child: the Ulanara clan's daughter.

The day before the imperial edict arranging the marriage was issued, Yu Wei was summoned to the palace to visit the Imperial Noble Consort and lift her spirits.

Unexpectedly, after meeting Yu Wei, the gravely ill and drowsy Imperial Noble Consort began to recover. Even the Eighth Princess, who had barely eaten for days, enjoyed an unusually hearty dinner.

The Imperial Noble Consort was convinced Yu Wei was a bringer of good fortune. She insisted on keeping her by her side and having her serve as the Eighth Princess's companion and study partner, to be raised in the palace from then on. The marriage that had not yet come to pass was quietly abandoned.

Yu Wei was relieved that the marriage had fallen through. The historical Fourth Princess Consort could hardly be called a winner in life.

She lost her son young and had no more children. First there was Li, then Nian, and then the famous Niohuru. As a member of the Ulanara clan, she was neither Yinzhen's favorite nor the one who had the last laugh.

Besides, the Fourth Prince, who always looked so stern around her, hardly seemed like someone who would easily fall in love.

Yet in the end, it was Yinzhen who asked Kangxi to issue a new edict arranging their marriage.

Later, she stayed by his side as they overcame every obstacle, step by step, until he ascended the throne. She herself became empress.

Joined in marriage, they would love and trust each other without doubt for all their days.

Yinzhen also kept the promise he had made, for the rest of his life.

*

At first, Yinzhen felt nothing in particular toward the little girl his mother considered a lucky star. He only knew she had eyes that curved like crescent moons when she smiled, and cheeks as soft and round as snowballs, the sort one longed to pinch.

Later, he learned that she had once nearly become his wife.

Life in the palace was long and dull, but ever since she had come to stay by his side, Yinzhen suddenly felt that the rest of his life might be full of fun.

For Yinzhen, who had followed the rules since childhood, the boldest and most outrageous thing he did in his youth happened one afternoon when he was sixteen. As usual, he went to pay his respects to his mother, only to find a little girl fast asleep beneath a window in a side hall of Chengqian Palace.

A breeze passed, and pear blossoms drifted like snow. Unable to help himself, he slowly lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek.

*

Reader's Guide:

1. This is an alternate-universe Qing dynasty setting with many original changes. Please don't nitpick historical details.

2. The timeline has been greatly changed. Imperial Noble Consort Tong and the Eighth Princess will both live in good health.

3. This is a long novel. The protagonists are young when they first appear, and their romance begins when they are older.

4. The protagonists are a one-on-one couple, both sexually inexperienced.

Theme: One partner for a lifetime.