Chapter 111 Extra 2 (Part 2)

Ning'an was young and had never met this imperial grandfather before, so she was curious. And because she had never met Kangxi, she was even less afraid of him.

Xiao Shunzi hurriedly came in, kowtowed, and said with his head bowed, "Reporting to the Emperor Emeritus, this is Princess Ning'an."

"Princess Ning'an?"

Kangxi frowned and looked Ning An up and down again, who was still looking at him with curiosity.

Ning An also greeted Emperor Kangxi respectfully: "Ning An greets Your Majesty."

After hearing her title and calculating her age, Kangxi concluded that anyone who could appear at the Chengde Mountain Resort at this time and had the title of princess must be either Yinzhen's or Yinsi's daughter.

Since it seems that Yinzhen has not had a daughter born in the past few years, it can only be Yinsi's eldest daughter, whom he has never met.

"Are you the eighth prince's daughter?" Kangxi asked, squinting his eyes.

Ning An nodded and said crisply, "Father said that Grandfather is ill, so Ning An came to pay her respects to Grandfather."

"Hmph, Yinzhi brought his daughter here and only came to pay his respects to me today. I'm afraid he didn't come to visit me."

Emperor Kangxi was already in a bad mood. Yinzhi had been there for four or five days, but this was the first time he had seen his granddaughter. It was obvious that Yinzhi had brought her there not to visit his grandfather.

Ning'an's eyes darted around, and she sensed the displeasure in Kangxi's tone, so she said, "I caught a cold as soon as I arrived here. Father was worried that I would pass on my illness to Grandfather, so he didn't let me come. I'm much better today, so I've come to pay my respects to Grandfather."

"You're just like your father, always having a lot of ulterior motives."

Kangxi could naturally tell that Ning'an was lying, but it was quite remarkable that someone so young could come up with such a story and answer so fluently.

"Come here."

Kangxi beckoned, and Xiao Shunzi immediately became nervous, fearing that Kangxi would vent his anger on Ning'an.

"Your Majesty, the princess has just recovered from a serious illness and it is probably not advisable for her to get too close."

Emperor Kangxi frowned and coldly rebuked, "When did it become your place to interfere with my words, you dog servant?"

What, would he really harm his own granddaughter?

Although her father was quite annoying, the little girl herself was quite likable.

Ning An shook his head at Xiao Shunzi and walked towards Kangxi.

"Grandpa, rest well. You will surely enjoy boundless happiness and longevity in the future, living to a ripe old age."

Kangxi smiled as he looked at the tiny figure in front of him, which was clearly made of brocade and jade.

"You little girl, you're quite the talker."

Emperor Kangxi beckoned: "Come closer, let me take a look."

Ning An obediently took a few more steps forward.

“You look just like your father,” Kangxi said slowly. “You also resemble your grandmother somewhat.”

Yinzhi already resembled Consort Liang somewhat, and Ning'an naturally inherited some resemblance to him in her features.

Ning An nodded and said, "My fourth uncle, thirteenth uncle, and grandmother all said the same thing."

The elders often said that Consort Liang was a beauty, and Ning'an, having grown up alongside Consort Liang, naturally became a beauty as well.

Consort Liang had been living in Yin Si's residence since Yin Zhen ascended the throne, and Ning An was raised by her, so Ning An was very close to her grandmother.

When Kangxi saw Ning'an, he was reminded of Consort Liang, and naturally he also remembered some of the things he had said back then, which he now realized were indeed a bit too much.

Lady Wei had served him for many years, and it was indeed inappropriate to hold her accountable for Yinzhi's transgressions.

At that time, he had also heard that Lady Wei had fallen seriously ill, but he was angry with Yinzhi and naturally had no intention of visiting her.

When Ning'an mentioned Yinzhen and Yinxiang, Kangxi thought for a moment and asked, "Was it Yinzhen who bestowed upon you the title of princess, and the title of Ning'an?"

Ning An shook her head: "Ning An is my name. My fourth uncle said he wants to choose a title more."

This reason was clearly an excuse. The real reason why Yinzhen did not grant Ning'an a title was that he was thinking of waiting until Ning'an was older and then using the pretext of the proposed title to elevate Ning'an's rank further, and directly confer upon her the title of Princess Gulun.

Ning'an suffered a lot with her parents when she was in Guo Luoluo's womb, so not only Yinzhi and Guo Luoluo, but also Yinzhen felt particularly sorry for this little niece.

If we close it now, it will likely draw criticism from both the government and the public, which would be troublesome.

Upon hearing this, Kangxi frowned in displeasure. Before he left, he had clearly left a character for Yinzhi, saying that if it was a daughter, she should be named Yu. This rebellious son was disobeying orders.

Seeing that Kangxi's expression was not good, Ning An tentatively asked, "Grandpa, are you feeling unwell?"

The concern in the little girl's eyes seemed genuine, and Kangxi had no reason to be angry with a child. He sighed and said, "Before you were born, your grandfather gave you the name Yu, which means 'beautiful and intelligent.' Do you like it?"

Ning An asked in confusion, "Is there only one word?"

The word sounds strange.

"Your imperial grandfather only gave you one character; the rest is up to your father and mother to choose." Kangxi patted the spot beside the bed, gesturing for Ning'an to sit down. "Your father doesn't take my words seriously at all; what kind of name has he given you?"

“Ning An likes this name,” Ning An said, pouting.

She was delighted to hear that Ping An and An Ning were sisters with Yi An.

Kangxi chuckled but said nothing. What would a child like her know?

Kangxi casually picked up a piece of pastry to amuse her. Ning'an took a delicate bite and then commented, "Grandmother's pastries are the best. I brought some that are easy to store, and I'll bring them to Grandfather tomorrow so he can have a taste."

After exchanging these few words with Kangxi, the quick-witted Ning'an realized that Kangxi was just a paper tiger. Although he looked intimidating with his cold face, her father was still the one in charge here. So she became much bolder in her speech.

When Ning An mentioned Wen Shan, Kangxi felt as if it were a lifetime ago. It had been more than four years since they last met after that day at the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Did your imperial grandmother treat you very well?" Kangxi asked.

Ning An nodded quickly: "Grandmother likes Ning An, and Ning An likes Grandmother too."

When Kangxi recalled Wen Shan's affection for Yi An, he felt that it was normal for Wen Shan to favor Ning An; it seemed that Wen Shan simply preferred girls more.

When Emperor Kangxi wanted to chat with people, especially when trying to elicit information, he was very approachable and skillful. In no time, he managed to coax Ning'an into revealing everything.

Knowing that Yinzhi now has another son, Yinzhen's concubine Ulanara has also given him a son, and Yinxiang's wife, who married two years ago, is also pregnant, it all sounds like a harmonious and happy family.

Kangxi subtly inquired whether Ning'an, Wenshan, and Yinzhen had mentioned him, and what they had said. Ning'an honestly replied that he hadn't heard the adults mention him much.

The child's innocent words dealt Kangxi another blow.

Unfortunately, Yinzhi was discussing important matters with his court officials. Upon learning the news, he hurriedly finished his business and rushed to Yanbo Zhishuang Palace. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Ning'an sitting cross-legged on Kangxi's bed, having taken off her shoes and socks. She was leaning on her head and talking to Kangxi with a smile.

"Father!"

Yinzhi quickly stepped forward, bowed, and picked up Ning'an.

"Father, please forgive me. Ning'an is still young and doesn't know proper etiquette. I hope you will be more tolerant."

Kangxi glanced at him sideways: "What, are you so nervous because you're afraid I'll eat her?"

Yinzhi held Ning'an tightly and said cryptically, "Ning'an had some conflicts with Father Emperor even before she was born, and now I'm afraid she might disturb Father Emperor's meditation."

Yinzhi was referring to the time when Lady Guoluo was pregnant with Ning'an, and how he had imprisoned Yinzhi and humiliated her in front of everyone.

Kangxi leaned back and said meaningfully, "Are you trying to get justice for your wife and daughter?"

Even if Lady Guoluo didn't mention Yinzhi, she knew that her pregnancy with Ning'an must have been extremely difficult during that time.

Although she had her mother, fourth brother, and fourth sister-in-law to take care of her, some things were unavoidable, and the ridicule and mockery were ever-present.

Yinzhi's resentment reached its peak when he heard that Emperor Kangxi had publicly shown disrespect to Consort Guoluo, who was six months pregnant and about to give birth, during his birthday celebration.

After Yinzhen ascended the throne, he purged many people. Anyone who stood out at that time was dealt with one by one. But the real culprit was the person sitting in front of him.

He once opened up to Emperor Kangxi while drinking and chatting under the moon, saying that he and Emperor Kangxi were probably enemies in their previous lives, and that they were reborn as father and son in this life to torment each other.

Ning'an didn't know what had happened between her father and grandfather. She hugged Yinzhi's neck timidly and said, "Father, don't be angry. Ning'an will never run away again."

She could sense that Yinzhi was in a bad mood.

Yinzhi softened his expression and said softly, "Ning'an did nothing wrong. You see, your grandfather is a filial child."

After saying that, he handed Ning'an to Xiao Shunzi and asked him to take Ning'an out first.

Kangxi watched Ning'an leave before saying, "I was angry about what happened back then and went too far with Consort Guoluo and Consort Liang. However, you did commit a treasonous act, and I have never felt that I have wronged you."

With his eyes lowered, Yinzhi said, "I have never defended what I have done, nor have I ever regretted it."

"The victor is king, the loser is villain; one should never care about the means to achieve one's goal."

Kangxi smiled and said, "Indeed, you are the one who is most like me among all my brothers. If it weren't for you planning and doing things for Yinzhen, he would probably have had a long time to get to this position."

Yinzhi didn't respond and didn't seem to want to continue talking to Kangxi. He turned to leave, but Kangxi suddenly called out to him.

“Yin Si, Father Emperor was too harsh in the past.”

"Go back and tell your mother that I have never looked down on her because of her birth, and that she should stop worrying about it."

Yinzhi was shocked; he hadn't expected Kangxi to say such a thing.

"Fourth Brother has already raised my mother's entire family to a higher social status, and she is no longer a lowly woman from the Imperial Household Department."

As Yinzhi spoke softly, he took a few steps forward to Kangxi's bedside. Kangxi, unsure of what he was about to do, even made some defensive movements.

Yinzhi bent down and picked up Ning'an's shoes and socks, holding them in his hands.

Kangxi continued, "Whether you believe it or not, I have never looked down on you or your mother. Today, after seeing Ning'an, I suddenly realized that what I said back then was indeed inappropriate and hurt your and your mother's feelings. Don't blame your father."

Yinzhi stood up, but never looked up at Kangxi.

"Father, take care."

After saying that, he left without looking back.

Upon exiting the Yanbo Zhishuang Palace, Yinzhi saw Xiaoshunzi holding Ning'an and waiting outside.

“Master, the princess insists on waiting for you to come out,” Xiao Shunzi said.

Ning'an also reached out her arms for Yinzhi to hug her.

Yinzhi smiled and picked Ning'an up.

"Father, don't be sad. Grandfather is a bad person. He bullied you, didn't he?"

Yinzhi pinched her little face: "Where did you hear all this from?"

Ning An pouted: "Ning Ning figured it out herself. Father doesn't like Grandfather, and Ning Ning doesn't like him either."

"It's not that your father dislikes your grandfather, but often there are more than just likes and dislikes, understand?"

These words were a bit profound for Ning An, and she didn't quite understand them.

Yinzhi chuckled, then had Xiaoshunzi put shoes and socks on Ning'an before putting her down.

"Ningning, kowtow to your royal grandfather. We won't be coming anymore."

Ning An obediently kowtowed towards the Yanbo Zhishuang Palace from afar.

"Have someone pack our things, let's go back to the capital," Yinzhi said to Xiaoshunzi.

Xiao Shunzi: "Back to the capital already? Didn't Master say we'd stay a few more days?"

"I won't wait any longer; my heart's desire is fulfilled."