Chapter Ninety-Two

When Yinqi arrived at the main courtyard, there was no one there to greet him.

Yinqi didn't notice this and went straight in. He saw his slightly plump wife sitting there, smiling and stroking her belly, looking quite happy.

The dim candlelight did indeed bathe the Fifth Prince's wife in a thin, soft glow, as if it had elevated her entire being.

Yinqi had never seen the Fifth Princess Consort like this before; she was always gloomy and sarcastic.

That loving smile gave Yinqi a strange feeling.

The Fifth Prince's wife's resentment was always like that of a woman confined to her chambers, blaming herself for not being favored. Whenever she came over, the girl's gaze always followed her.

How could Yinqi not know? Of course he knew, but he didn't mind; in fact, he found her a bit annoying.

But now... I feel like something's... bothering me?

"Fujin." Yinqi suppressed the thoughts and ideas in his heart and called out.

Hearing Yinqi call out, Fifth Princess looked up. Her expression no longer held the resentment she once had. With a slightly faint smile, she rose and bowed to him, saying, "This concubine greets Your Highness."

"You're pregnant? Why didn't you let anyone inform the prince?" Yinqi glanced at the Fifth Prince's wife's belly. She didn't even tell him about this. She simply didn't respect him.

The Fifth Prince's Consort and others: ...I really forgot.

"Master, isn't this too much joy? Aren't you happy?" The Fifth Princess Consort had already become indifferent to the changing world. In any case, she wouldn't have another chance. Having such a child was a comfort in her lonely remaining years.

Therefore, she no longer treated Yinqi with the same caution as before.

Oh, it's not so much that I'm being overly cautious. Before, I was resentful, but now I'm at peace. The doctors, the nannies, and even the imperial physicians and female doctors all told me that I need to relax and keep a good mood so that the baby can be born safely.

Yinqi: I'm happy, how could I not be happy?

Yinqi sat in the main courtyard for a while, but the two were not a harmonious and loving couple to begin with, and the Fifth Prince Consort was not talkative, so she didn't say much.

Yinqi sat for a while, then left.

The old woman hesitated, hoping that the master and the wife could get along better, at least for the benefit of their future child.

For example... what if it were a prince born? What if the master later favors Consort Liu and makes the eldest prince the heir apparent?

The nanny, so worried, naturally whispered words of advice to the Fifth Princess.

"Granny, putting aside the question of whether the child in your belly is a boy or a girl, do you think that Father Emperor, who dotes on and values ​​His Highness the Crown Prince so much, would allow the young master to favor illegitimate children over legitimate ones?"

"Besides, shouldn't we try to improve our relationship with Yuqing Palace?" Fifth Princess Consort thought that by the time the child grew up, he might already be the Crown Prince.

But these words couldn't be spoken aloud, for fear that they would cause a great disaster if they got out.

But how could the old nanny who knew what the Fifth Princess Consort was thinking not understand what she was saying? "Princess Consort, the Crown Princess has given you such a good idea, you should thank her properly."

We're not trying to curry favor with Yuqing Palace; we're simply repaying a debt of gratitude! Understand?

As soon as these words were spoken, the Fifth Princess Consort understood what the old woman meant. She nodded and instructed the people around her to prepare generous gifts to thank the Crown Princess the next day.

The very next day, the Seventh Prince's wife came to see the Fifth Prince's wife early in the morning, personally presenting her with a congratulatory gift to celebrate her pregnancy.

At the same time... hehe, I'm also planning to secretly learn some techniques.

There was no other way; the Ninth Prince and the Tenth Prince had returned to the capital, and the Seventh Prince, Yinyou, who was in charge of training the navy and leading troops to kill Japanese pirates in Tianjin Bay, had also returned. It had been quite some time since then.

The Seventh Prince's wife originally thought that she would grow old like the Fifth Sister-in-law, living a solitary and aloof life, without favor or children, which was her destiny.

As a result, the unfavored Fifth Prince's wife got pregnant? How did she get pregnant? Didn't they say that Fifth Sister-in-law doesn't share a room with Fifth Brother... cough cough, well, this funnel-shaped main courtyard actually has quite a few people.

Sure enough, among the nannies bestowed by Consort Yi yesterday, there was one with exceptional skills who immediately cleaned up several servants and maids for her.

"Fifth Sister-in-law, congratulations, congratulations." After offering congratulations, she got down to business, "Fifth Sister-in-law, you know me, our master doesn't like me either. Even though we've been back from Tianjin Bay for so long, he hasn't come to my courtyard much. What do you think we should do?"

How exactly did you get pregnant? Tell me!

Fifth Princess Consort dared not speak, pursing her lips, "This was taught to me by my second sister-in-law, the Crown Princess. If you want to ask, you can directly ask the Crown Princess..."

"Good Fifth Sister-in-law, please tell me..." Seventh Princess Consort was too embarrassed to approach the Crown Princess, so she begged Fifth Princess Consort to tell her, "I've already swallowed my pride and told you this..."

Looking for the Crown Princess, everyone knows that she simply has a secret formula for conceiving easily, which has spread throughout the entire capital and everyone knows about it.

But there must be something about Fifth Sister-in-law that I don't know.

Fifth Prince's wife was not a hard-hearted person to begin with, and thinking about it... it didn't seem like something that should be hidden, it was just something that was a little difficult to say out loud.

So, when she finally heard what the Fifth Prince's wife said, the Seventh Prince's wife was completely dumbfounded. Huh? What?

Later, she left, her face flushed and dizzy.

The Fifth Prince's wife didn't care what the Seventh Prince's wife would think after hearing this; she was more focused on seducing... ugh, ingratiating herself with the Crown Princess.

When their own child is born, if it is a prince, he will follow his brother Hongyao... If not, he will follow his brothers Hongyang, Hongxuan, and Hongtun.

After regaining her senses, the woman no longer harbored resentment or blame. The things she could think of might not have been the most intelligent, but they were the best solutions she could do for her child.

In her view, following the Crown Princess, the future mother of the nation, and having her son follow the Crown Princess's son, he might still be the heir to the throne, or at least the younger brother of the heir to the throne—that would be much better.

So, carrying the generous gifts, they headed back to the palace.

They went to Yuqing Palace, and for several days in a row, they went there even more frequently than they went to Yikun Palace.

Meanwhile, the nanny beside her was worried that Consort Yi would be unhappy, so she whispered to Fifth Prince's wife that she should also go and visit Consort Yi. Consort Yi did not need her to come and pay her respects; she only needed her to stay at home and take good care of herself during her pregnancy.

Why go to Yuqing Palace? Are you bored?

Although she didn't scold him, she only asked a few questions, "I told you to stay in the mansion and take good care of your pregnancy, and not to run around. Is it because you feel that the baby in your belly is too safe?"

His words carried a hint of sarcasm, implying that the Fifth Prince's wife had become arrogant and that having a child meant she could disregard his care.

Fifth Princess Consort obediently agreed and stayed in the mansion to rest and recuperate. Her mother was right; she hadn't yet determined whether she was having a boy or a girl.

There's no need to rush to please the Crown Princess.

Jialuo of Yuqing Palace, of course, had no idea what the Fifth Princess Consort was thinking. Whether she came or not had no impact on Jialuo.

If you come, I'll treat it as someone coming to chat with my girlfriends; if you don't come, I have a lot of things to do.

"Mother, Mother." The chubby little boy was addicted to licking ice and kept pestering Jialuo to drink iced sugar water, but he was always refused, and little Hongyang felt wronged.

Upon hearing her chubby son Hongyang's shouts, Jialuo rolled her eyes helplessly, "Where is the Crown Prince?"

She turned to ask the maid beside her, hoping to get her little chubby boy to go find Yinreng and stop bothering her poor little self.

Unfortunately, no sooner had she finished asking than Xiao Hongyang's chubby little body appeared at the door and trotted towards her.

Within seconds, the chubby little boy hugged her leg and pleaded in a childish voice, "Mommy, have some sweet water."

"Yes, with ice!" he said in a very forceful tone, his determination tinged with a hint of longing.

"No, your father said we have to listen to him." Jialuo is shifting the blame, even if Yinreng isn't around, I can still pin the blame on him.

Little Hongyang sighed. His father was so mean. Suddenly, his clever little brain came up with a great idea. "Mother, let's keep it a secret from Father."

She looked at Jialuo with sparkling eyes, as if asking Jialuo with her expectant gaze, "Can I?"

Jialuo pretended not to hear anything, "By the way, where are your two younger brothers? Could it be that Hongxuan and Hongtun don't like playing with their older brother anymore?"

"No, that's not true. My brother said that once I get the ice bowl..." Upon hearing his mother's slanderous words, Hongyang raised his head indignantly to refute, but before he could finish speaking, he quickly covered his mouth.

Oh no, how could you say such a thing?

Mother heard this. Mother, will you punish my two younger brothers the same way?

"Mother, Mother, it's all because I wanted to drink it. If you want to hit me, hit me instead." With that, she plopped down on Jialuo's lap, sticking her little bottom up. "Mother, if you want to hit me, hit my bottom instead. I, I, am a brave Baturu."

Hongyang didn't want his mother to beat his two younger brothers. As the older brother, he should know how to protect them.

After saying that, she covered her eyes with her two small, chubby hands. The courage she mustered could sweep over her entire little body. I, I'm not afraid at all.

However, the longer he waited, the more uneasy Xiao Hongyang became. Mother, is Mother...?

She quietly let go of her hand, raised her head slightly, looked at her mother, and found that her mother did not intend to hit her.

He breathed a sigh of relief and quickly got up to hug his mother. Hehe, his mother still loved Hongyang and couldn't bear to hit him.

"Mother, Mother, hug me." Hongyang felt he needed to coax his mother more so that she would forget what he had just said, so that his younger brother wouldn't be punished.

The two short, stocky boys squatting at the door peering inside were too ashamed to look at their second brother's foolish behavior.

"Second brother is so stupid, it seems we can't count on him." Hongxuan sighed and patted his younger brother's shoulder. His childish voice, which sounded like he was trying to be mature, made Hongtun purse his lips.

"Don't be afraid, let's go find Grandpa Emperor." Hongxuan remembered that Grandpa Emperor was the most powerful and doted on them the most, always granting their requests, so he would definitely agree.

"Mm." Hongtun nodded, subconsciously obeying his brother's words. He was quiet and not very talkative, and a little shy.

Hongxuan leaned on the threshold, peering inside, his brow furrowed in distress. "Why isn't Second Brother coming out yet? If he doesn't, I'm going to go with Fourth Brother."

"When do you think Second Brother will come out? Should we wait for him?" Hongxuan asked anxiously, turning to his younger brother for his opinion.

"Yes," Hongtun replied in a childish voice. She couldn't abandon her brother. Worried that Hongxuan would really run away alone, she reached out and grabbed Hongxuan's clothes. "Wait for second brother, third brother won't leave."

Helpless, Hongxuan could only call out inside, "Mother, second brother, second brother, come out quickly."

As she spoke, she anxiously waved her little hand at Hongyang, signaling him to come out quickly.

Hongyang looked towards the door. His two younger brothers had already been exposed. He was worried and quickly gestured for them to go back. His second brother would be able to appease their mother soon.

"Mother, Mother, we want to go find Grandfather." Seeing that Hongyang didn't understand what he meant, Hongxuan had no choice but to tell Jialuo.

Sigh, there's nothing I can do. Of the three of them, the older brother is too simple-minded, the younger brother is too shy, and I'm the only one who can support them.

"Going to see the Emperor? Missing the Emperor? Good, good..." Since her son said he missed his grandfather, Jialuo couldn't refuse. If word got out, people would think she was deliberately preventing them from having any grandfather-grandson relationship with the Emperor.

Besides, going to the Qianqing Palace isn't like going anywhere else.

However, before seeing them off, he gave instructions to those around him and asked Xiaoqing and Xiaochenzi to personally escort them to the Qianqing Palace.

Hongyang was still a little reluctant to leave, but seeing that his mother really didn't seem to have any intention of hitting his two younger brothers, he quickly grabbed his brother's hand and ran outside.

Hehe, Mother forgot.

I'm leaving, Wuhu...

"Little brothers, little brothers, don't worry, your second brother will protect you. Mother was about to hit you just now, but thanks to your second brother's efforts, Mother didn't want to punish us anymore." Although he paused for a moment, the proud little cutie Hongyang didn't mind, and he held his head high and puffed out his chest, expressing his master's pride.

Hongxuan, my little cutie: My second brother is such a silly goose. I don't know how my mother and father, who are both so smart and clever, could have given birth to such a silly older brother.

Hongtun: We should give my second brother face.

So, chubby little Hongtun immediately stretched out his plump little paws and clapped his hands vigorously, "Second brother is great!"

With a soft, sweet voice, and the admiration of his younger brother, Xiao Hongyang proudly raised his head like a victorious rooster, "Of course! Second brother originally wanted Mother to give us ice bowls, but Mother wouldn't allow it. She said that only Father's permission would allow us to eat them."

Sigh, everyone in Yuqing Palace has to listen to their father.

"Second brother, so we need to go find Grandfather." Hongxuan nodded. Father would definitely disagree. Last time when Father and Mother were eating, they wanted a sip, but Father wouldn't let them. "Father, we must listen to Grandfather."

“Yes, Grandpa Huang is the best.” Hongyang’s face was filled with admiration when he talked about Grandpa Huang, and he nodded vigorously. “Grandpa Huang will definitely give us food.”

We must listen to what Grandpa says; he will definitely give us ice bowls.

The so-called "ice bowl" is sugar water with shaved ice. It's chilly in the summer, and to little babies, it must be delicious because adults love it.

What do you mean by "weak spleen and stomach"? If you say that to a three- or four-year-old toddler, they won't listen; they'll just say, "I want to eat."

“Yes.” Hongxuan and Hongtun both nodded, and the three of them walked even faster, setting off from Yuqing Palace towards Qianqing Palace in a swarm. Everyone gave way to them wherever they went.

Xiao Qing and Xiao Chenzi next to them: ...Three princes, is it possible that the Emperor doesn't agree to you eating?

Upon arriving at the Qianqing Palace, the young imperial grandson, feeling somewhat tired, wanted to rest and eat some iced food, but was also feeling a bit hot. He shouted towards the palace, "Grandpa, Grandpa, Hongyang (Hongxuan, Hongtun) is here."

Without waiting for anyone to inform her, she strode over with her short legs, and when she crossed the threshold, she had to hold onto it and climb over.

This threshold is really quite high.

The guards tried to carry them over, but they refused, saying that they were now Baturu and had to rely on themselves.

When Emperor Kangxi heard this, he laughed heartily and decreed that next time they came, they should be allowed to step over it themselves.

Emperor Kangxi summoned his two sons inside. Whether it was the pearl powder he had bestowed upon them or not, their skin did indeed become a tiny bit whiter, just a tiny bit, but it was more noticeable because they had been unusually dark before.

Upon hearing the voices of the three little ones outside, Yinzhen and Yin'e both knew that these were their second brother's three little ones.

"Father, we've been back for so long and haven't seen the three little ones yet. We don't even know if they remember us." Just thinking about it makes one realize how fast time flies, especially when they see the three chubby little ones come in, who look like they're already three or four years old.

"Second nephew."

"Nephews, your tenth uncle is back. Do you remember your tenth uncle?"

Yinzhen and Yin'e had already run over and opened their arms to hug their three nephews. However, when they saw the two dark-skinned men running over, the three short, stocky boys stopped in their tracks in fright.

The next second, she screamed and took short strides past the two of them, running in a zigzag direction towards Kangxi, shouting, "Grandpa Emperor, Grandpa Emperor, bad people, bad people!"

Yin'e was a childish boy, and upon hearing his little nephew say this, he burst into laughter and stopped the three of them, "Yes, that bad Uncle Ten is going to take you away to Uncle Ten's Prince's residence..."

I'm drooling! How can my second brother's little nephew be so adorable? He's so chubby and cute. No wonder he's my second brother; he's even better at raising kids than others.

The main reason was that the children were cute, especially the shy and refined Hongtun, who received special treatment from Yin'e, and this treatment was reserved for him alone.

How could a little baby's short legs possibly outrun Yin'e's long legs? In no time, little Hongtun was caught by Yin'e, who lifted him up and laughed like a villain, "I've caught you."

The two older brothers, who were originally rushing towards Kangxi, widened their eyes and ran towards Yin'e in the next second. When they arrived in front of him, they grabbed his legs and started punching him repeatedly.

The tiny, pink fists posed no threat whatsoever, and Yin'e laughed even more unrestrainedly. Only Hongtun, who was lifted up, was so frightened that he burst into tears with a "Waaah!"

Emperor Kangxi was initially quite pleased to see his son and grandson playing together. Although the grandson wasn't the son of his ninth or tenth son, he was still his grandson, and they were family. The harmonious and joyful scene was what the emperor loved most.

But who knew that Yin'e would be so reckless as to make Hongtun cry? With a stern face, Yin'e scolded, "Yin'e, put Hongtun down immediately."

The three young imperial grandsons were easy to recognize. The eldest resembled Bao Cheng and Hong Yao, the middle one, who was more clever, resembled the Crown Princess, and the descendant who resembled him the most... was indeed a shy and timid child.

This left Emperor Kangxi somewhat helpless.

Even though he felt helpless, he saw that Yin'e deliberately made Hongtun cry, which was definitely because he wanted to embarrass him. Who didn't know that the fourth son of the Crown Prince's family looked the most like him?

Yin'e, who was scolded, had no choice but to put Hongtun down. The most important thing was that he was good at playing with children, but not at coaxing them, especially when they were crying loudly.

I'd better give it to Father Emperor. I'm just a rough man who's not good with words, so I won't bother with such a trivial matter.

After putting her down, she carried her directly to Emperor Kangxi and then bid him farewell, saying, "Father, I will take my leave now."

After saying this, he turned and ran away quickly without waiting for Kangxi's approval. Yinzhen saw this and quickly followed, lest his father punish him alone when he wanted to punish someone later. Wouldn't that make him seem too innocent? He wasn't going to be the scapegoat for the tenth prince.

Seeing the ninth and tenth princes run off in a flash, Kangxi, annoyed, didn't want to pay them any attention. He hugged Hongtun in front of him and said, "Alright, Grandfather is here, don't cry."

At this moment, the chubby little boys Hongyang and Hongxuan, with their short legs, ran over and hugged their grandfather. "Grandpa, Hongtun needs to eat an ice bowl so he won't cry."

Upon hearing Hongxuan's words, Hongyang nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, Hongtun will only stop crying if he eats an ice bowl."

Kangxi knew what they were up to as soon as he heard it. He glanced at Liang Jiugong, who immediately understood.

An ice bowl? Impossible, but without ice... that's barely acceptable.

Why doesn't it feel cool? Because it's hot, and when it was brought over, it was exposed to the sun from such a distance.

With Kangxi's intelligence, wouldn't it be easy for him to fool three little babies?

The three chubby little kids, who had been fooled, thought that their grandfather was indeed the best. They huddled together and whispered, "I told you, our grandfather will definitely give us food. Father and Mother will listen to our grandfather."

"I... I'll come back to see Grandpa again next time..."

Although the voices of the three little babies were soft, they had already reached Kangxi's ears.

Kangxi smiled without saying a word, accepting the offer despite the fact that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had risen to power on their own merits.

The weather was gradually getting cooler. Because the wedding dates of the twelfth and thirteenth princes were close together, the thirteenth prince's wedding would follow in the autumn. Even the seventh prince, Yin You, was not transferred to the navy to fight the Japanese pirates.

Instead, he made a fool of himself by being pinned down by the Seventh Prince's wife... cough cough, but the Seventh Prince refused, and the two even started fighting in the room.

This also made Kangxi notice the harems of his sons. There were not many offspring. Starting with the seventh son, well... the fifth son's wife was pregnant, so let's give birth to a legitimate son first.

The seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, twelfth, and thirteenth princes were each given two princesses.

For some reason, Kangxi noticed that his sons had recently become exceptionally filial and clingy, coming to pay their respects to him every few days. These included his eldest, seventh, ninth, tenth, and twelfth sons…

Could it be that because he bestowed two princesses upon them, they felt that their imperial father truly cared for and loved them?

For a moment, Kangxi felt quite happy. His family was harmonious and joyful, and he was at an age where he could enjoy the happiness of family life.

The imperial grandsons were born one after another, and the crown prince got along very well with his brothers. The Aisin Gioro clan will become more and more prosperous.

In the future, when the Qing Dynasty is handed over to Bao Cheng, he can rest in peace.

Of course, the one who overlooked all of this was Yinzhen. Knowing that he would one day seize Baocheng's position, Kangxi didn't know how to face it.

He wasn't unaware that Yinzhen's residence was currently in a mess without a primary wife and secondary wives managing the household affairs, but he still felt a subtle sense of resentment towards him.

Sometimes when I'm going to sleep at night, I'll ask myself, "How come I'm the fourth one?"

If you can't figure it out, you can only force yourself to ignore it. Once you ignore the fourth prince, you won't think about that awful thing. See? All the Guarjia clan's words are nonsense. All of Aisin Gioro Xuanye's sons are good.

until--

Just after the New Year, Liang Jiugong received the news and knelt down nervously to report, his voice trembling slightly:

"Your Majesty, Prince Zhi, Prince Cheng, the Seventh Prince, the Ninth Prince, the Tenth Prince, and the Twelfth Prince... have gone out to sea again..."

(End of this chapter)