Yinreng was naturally distracted; he felt utterly helpless at the moment.

With his mother gone and Kunning Palace forced to close, he was all alone and helpless. He thought his father could take care of him, but he didn't expect that his father also had so many children, and he was just one of them. It was impossible for everything to go smoothly... In short, Yinreng, who was already somewhat awkward, became even more stubborn. He would even be affected by a casual remark from someone else.

Just now, the Empress Dowager's words of reminder were more of a message telling him not to overthink things, but Yinreng interpreted them as a warning from the Empress Dowager not to cause trouble for others.

After finishing his dinner in a sullen mood, Yinreng got up and went to the side hall with Sumalagu.

Because Cining Palace was not Yinreng's permanent residence, the decoration and layout of the side hall have always retained their original style, which is understated, elegant, and relatively simple.

Normally, Yinreng wouldn't have noticed these things, but things were different now. Yinreng forced himself to watch Sumalagu leave, and then angrily slammed his fist on the bed twice to vent his frustration.

Hmph! Everyone bullies him and doesn't respect him at all!

Neither the Empress Dowager nor the Emperor felt that he was the most important person.

"Why did my mother leave me?" If only my mother were still here, only she was the best to him, only she loved him.

Muttering to himself and muttering to himself, Yinreng acted very neurotically, even giving the impression that he was about to have a relapse.

Elsewhere, when the Empress Dowager saw Sumalagu return, she asked, "Still causing trouble?"

Sumalagu nodded, "Seeing that you're furious, I'll arrange for palace servants to guard the door. They'll report to me immediately if anything happens."

"Alas, I truly do not know whether establishing a crown prince too early is a good thing or a bad thing."

Yinreng's personality is the kind that seems alright when you don't get to know him, but becomes annoying after you do. How old is this child? He's not even likable at times like this. Do you expect the tutor in the Imperial Study to change him?

The Empress Dowager's worries were unknown to Kangxi. At present, Kangxi had finished dealing with the remaining political affairs and had already arrived at Qixiang Palace with his entourage.

Xiu Ning had anticipated that Kangxi would come, so she had already coaxed Yin Yi to calm down and brought over Yin Lu, who was full and well-fed. She was just waiting for Kangxi to enter the palace, where he would be greeted by his two happy, chubby sons.

With one hand holding him and the other carrying him, Kangxi laughed so hard his eyes disappeared at the sight before him.

Xiuning waved for Chunyu to go and prepare dinner, then went to the bedside to serve tea and water to the father and his two sons.

"Don't rush, sit down and rest."

Kangxi pulled Xiuning aside, and then couldn't help but hand over the restless Yinlu from his arms.

"Lu'er is happy to see the Emperor, so why does the Emperor seem to dislike our Lu'er?"

Xiu Ning turned her beautiful eyes slightly and faced Yin Lu, whom she was holding, towards Kangxi.

Kangxi smiled wryly, thinking to himself that his scalp was in great pain and he dared not continue holding him.

Perhaps it was because he ate too much on weekdays, but apart from being in Xiuning's arms, Yinlu was not very well-behaved when held by anyone else.

Especially since this child is sturdy and strong, wherever his little hands grab, it hurts.

"Yinyi, why don't you speak to me?" Kangxi turned to chat with Yinyi, who was sitting inside.

Yin Yi smiled broadly, holding up the toy in his hand to show off to Kangxi.

Seeing that his third son did not look aggrieved, Kangxi breathed a sigh of relief. He was indeed a little worried, after all, he had other considerations for taking the child to the Qianqing Palace to accompany Yinreng.

Unfortunately, Yinreng's actions caused him to lose face. Although Kangxi has not yet shaken Yinreng's position as crown prince, in the long run, Yinreng's position will be insecure.

However, these are all things for later. Right now, Yinreng is still a little kid, and adults are generally more tolerant of children, rarely holding grudges.

Because of Xiu Ning's instructions, Yin Yi did not mention Yin Reng and the side hall of Qianqing Palace during their subsequent interactions. He simply pulled Kangxi to play with toys with him, and when dinner was ready, he obediently went to the Eight Immortals Table to eat.

Thanks to Xiuning's deliberate efforts, Kangxi was in a good mood at Qixiang Palace.

After a pleasant night's stay, Kangxi returned to the Qianqing Palace feeling refreshed and instructed Liang Jiugong to deliver a reward promptly.

"Look how easy it is to win someone's favor. So, don't always think about confronting things head-on. The right way is to use gentleness to overcome strength."

Xiu Ning instructed Chun Yu to take the gifts that had been delivered to the storeroom for safekeeping, then turned around and explained the principles she had been working on all night to Yin Yi.

Although Yin Yi was a boy, before he came of age and entered politics, he was no different from the empress and concubines. Their honor and disgrace depended entirely on the emperor. However, the empress and concubines never had the ability to get rid of the emperor (unless the emperor died), while the princes could rely on various forces to accumulate their own abilities. Therefore, before that, the wisest thing to do was to act in a way that maximized their own interests.

...

In mid-May, the Emperor suddenly issued an edict from the Qianqing Palace, stating that he would spend the summer at the Summer Palace this year.

Upon hearing the news, Xiuning asked Chunyu, "Do you know who went?"

With so many concubines in the harem, but the summer palace couldn't accommodate them all, some would definitely stay in the palace.

Chunyu shook her head, "I heard it was arranged by Consort Tong, but there's no definite news yet."

However, the Empress Dowager and other high-ranking officials will definitely be going.

That's for sure; if none of the other concubines go, these ladies will all go.

In other words, having finally made it to the top, why not enjoy it now instead of struggling in the harem?

The news of the emperor's departure to the summer palace caused quite a stir in the inner palace. The main concern was that the emperor would be away from the palace for at least two or three months. If the emperor were to be lucky enough to gain favor, it would be better than staying in the inner palace and being forgotten by the emperor.

Everyone started trying all sorts of ways to squeeze themselves into the summer vacation list.

If possible, beg the Emperor, Empress Dowager, or Grand Empress Dowager; if not, beg Tong Jia Rongyue. In short, as long as there is a glimmer of hope, we cannot give up.

Xiuning wasn't worried about not being on the list; she had several children, which gave her confidence.

After the storm of controversy surrounding the list subsided, the selection of the candidates was finally settled.

Among them was Xiu Ning, and Consort Jia was also on the list. However, Tong Jia Rong Yue was not on the list because she had to stay in the palace to manage affairs.

"Among the seven concubines, apart from Consort Jing and Consort Duan, the rest will be leaving the palace. There will also be a few people from the Noble Ladies, Attendants, and Ladies-in-Waiting. There are quite a few people at the summer palace this time."

Xiuning touched the back of her hand, finding the list quite interesting.

If Tong Jiarong hadn't stayed in the palace for a month, she would have forgotten that Wuya Chenglin was already pregnant.

It seems that Tong Jia Rongyue is very determined to raise the imperial heir, and she is not giving Consort An any chance at all, choosing to send Consort An away directly.