Yixing-Jiumin Yintan

Yixing-Jiumin Yintan is the youngest brother of Emperor Yixing-Jiumin Jinsen. Six years younger than the emperor, he is the only remaining brother of the emperor, the other two having died young as a result of illness in one case, and poisoning in the other. His mother was a low-ranking concubine (once a maid) of his imperial father, Yixing-Jiumin Kindan.   Although potentially a rival for the imperial throne of Senyon, Yixing-Jiumin Yintan has never shown any imperial ambitions, preferring instead to spend his time on his estate with his wives, consorts, and many children, enjoying his hobbies: poetry, painting, horseback riding, music, and other passive pastimes.   From a young age Yintan did not share his brothers' enthusiasm for the martial arts or even for books. He understood his position as the youngest of the imperial princes, and never wanted to compete for the throne of Senyon. Although taught by the best tutors to be found anywhere, and therefore, a competent archer, swordsman, and fighter, and well-versed in academic topics, he was basically an indifferent student. He studied and practiced just enough to avoid being scolded or grounded by his father and mother.   By the time he was in his teenage years, Yintan enjoyed the attention of many noble girls in Sendoshi. Considered handsome, and as an imperial prince, obviously a good potential match, many noble families began encouraging their daughters to befriend him and spend time with him. Since he enjoyed poetry, music, riding and other activities that girls and young women also often enjoyed, girls liked spending time with him. By the time he was 15 years old, Yantan had a coterie of beautiful and flirtatious young women accompanying him almost all the time, and it didn't take long for one of them to be pregnant.   The young woman, Sun Xiaoting, was the pretty Senmanne daughter of a relatively minor court official who was infatuated with Yintan, but also shrewd enough to understand that having Yintan's baby was the best way to ensure that she became one of his consorts, at least, and maybe his main wife. Rather than be forced into an arranged marriage with someone whom her parents wanted to find favor, Xiaoting thought having Yintan's baby would ensure her future happiness.   To cover up the scandal, Yintan was quietly forced to marry Sun Xiaoting, though she wasn't his favorite of the many girls that accompanied him. The Empress, Fuschiayan Shenlisa, furious with both Yantan and Sun Xiaoting, insisted that Xiaoting not receive a title and be given a position as low-ranked consort. Her father was also demoted and punished for not teaching his daughter properly. Soon after, a noble girl from an Azmasanmanne clan closely related to the imperial Yixing-Jiumin clan, Yixing-Sanwen Jianxin, was married to Yantan as his main wife. Sun Xiaoting's baby was a girl, and several months later, Yixing-Sanwen Jianxin gave birth to a boy, forever sealing the difference in status between the two young women. Though Sun Xiaoting's life was comfortable, and she was never abused, she and her daughter were mostly ignored and treated with indifference by the rest of the Imperial Family of the Great Sacred Empire.   After Sun Xiaoting and Yixing-Sanwen Jianxin, Yintan married several other wives and consorts, and is still taking in new consorts occasionally. At present, he has 23 children - nine sons and fourteen daughters. With so many children, he doesn't have much time for them individually, but he is a good father and enjoys spending time with his children, personally teaching them how to read and write and other subjects. His eldest son, Yixing-Jiumin Yinsong, though a few years older than Crown Prince Yixing-Jiumin Jinhai, was a childhood playmate of the Crown Prince, and someone that Crown Prince Jinhai looked up to when he was young.   Emperor Yixing-Jiumin Jinsen and Yixing-Jiumin Yintan get along well. The emperor is content to let Yintan enjoy his family and hobbies, rather than involve him in the governance and politics of Senyon, and Yintan is happy to be allowed to do so. He appears in the imperial court only when proper etiquette requires it, at official ceremonies and family occasions like weddings, funerals, and banquets. His nieces and nephews, the emperor's children, and the children of other nobility all regard them as their kind and happy uncle, and all enjoy his company.