Chapter 394 New Foster Mother

The candlelight flickered inside the hall, and Lady Tongjia leaned against the couch, her face looking slightly haggard.

Seeing Kangxi enter, she forced herself to rise and bow, but Kangxi quickly stepped forward and gently pressed her down, saying, "Cousin, you are not feeling well right now, there is no need for such formalities."

A hint of gratitude flashed in Lady Tongjia's eyes as she softly said, "Your Majesty, this pregnancy has been incredibly difficult for me, and lately I've felt particularly exhausted. Thinking about taking care of the two princes, I'm truly afraid of neglecting them, so..." She paused slightly, a trace of hesitation and worry in her eyes.

Kangxi twirled the thumb ring on his thumb, a complex emotion flashing through his mind. Although he and the Empress Dowager had previously disliked the news of Tongjia's pregnancy.

But having already conceived, and knowing how much his cousin valued this pregnancy, Kangxi had many thoughts running through his mind, but on the surface he remained as composed as ever: "Cousin, please speak freely."

Lady Tongjia took a deep breath and slowly said, "I would like to move the Eighth Prince out first and have him raised by other concubines."

Kangxi raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "Where do you plan to move Yinzhi?"

Lady Tongjia sat up slightly, her expression serious, and said carefully, "There are quite a few concubines in the palace who are suitable to raise princes. I have been thinking that since Yinzhi's birth mother, Lady Wei, lives in Yanxi Palace, I plan to entrust the Eighth Prince to Consort Hui for upbringing."

Seeing that Kangxi's expression was normal, Lady Tongjia paused for a moment and softly explained her reasons.

“Consort Hui is gentle and kind. The First Prince is strong and healthy under her care, and perhaps she can also help nourish the Eighth Prince’s body. Besides, with his birth mother around, the Eighth Prince shouldn’t be afraid even if he’s in a different place. Your Majesty, what do you think?”

Kangxi listened quietly, his gaze lingering on Tongjia's face for a moment before he nodded gently: "My cousin has considered everything carefully."

After Kangxi finished visiting Lady Tongjia and left Chengqian Palace, he casually asked halfway there, "Liang Jiugong, have Yinzhen and Yinsi not been to Yuqing Palace during this time?"

Liang Jiugong nodded subconsciously and replied respectfully and tactfully, "Yes, the two princes are filial. They have not left the palace since the Imperial Noble Consort became pregnant."

Kangxi didn't comment much on this, but as they walked, he suddenly asked, "You said Baocheng, does he prefer Xiao Si or Xiao Ba?"

A chill ran down Liang Jiugong's spine. Sensing danger, he hunched over and answered with difficulty, "This...this servant..."

Without waiting for his reply, Kangxi paused, as if talking to himself: "I think it's Xiao Ba."

Liang Jiugong followed closely behind, his face pale, silently mourning for Consort Tongjia's actions today. The Consort was usually quite intelligent; how could she, while pregnant, have done so many things that crossed the Emperor's bottom line?

The previous decision to confine the two princes in the palace was already considered a misstep due to the difficulty of conceiving, and now they want to move the eighth prince out as well.

Is this because they are unable to take care of the Eighth Prince, or are they wary of the Crown Prince?

Before her belly even started to swell, she'd already trampled on three princes. Trampling on the Fourth Prince was one thing, but she even dared to implicate the Crown Prince.

Liang Jiugong couldn't help but shake his head. If the Emperor had gotten angry, this matter would have been fine. But the Emperor had agreed to everything. In his opinion, this pregnancy might not be a blessing or a curse.

...

Meanwhile, by the time Yinzhen learned that Yinsi was moving out, everything was already set in stone.

When he finally broke free from the watchful eyes of the maids and rushed into Yinzhi's room, he found it unusually lively. A whole host of palace maids and eunuchs had gathered around to help him move things, as if they were eager to see him off.

Yinzhi sat alone on the soft couch, head bowed, with no one to care for him. None of his usual toys were left. In Yinzhen's eyes, he looked pitiful, and his eyes welled up with tears.

"younger brother!"

Yinzhen rushed forward and hugged Yinsi tightly.

Yin: All the treasures are safely stored away. Finally, some time alone. The sun is so nice, perfect for a nap. Si: "..."

“Little brother, don’t be sad. I’ll go and beg Mother to let you stay.”

Not sad, Yinzhi gently patted Yinzhen's shoulder: "Fourth Brother, let me go first." (He was about to strangle him!)

As soon as Yinzhen stood up, Yinsi's eyes reddened instantly. "Fourth Brother, forget it. Father has already agreed to this matter."

"younger brother……"

Yinzhen was extremely sad. Except when it came to Yinsi, he wasn't stupid. Of course, he knew that this matter couldn't be changed, but he really didn't want to be separated from his younger brother.

Especially at this time when he felt surrounded by enemies and utterly helpless, losing his younger brother, who had always been there for him, was undoubtedly plunging him into an abyss of despair.

"It's alright. I'll have to leave sooner or later. The sooner I leave, the happier others will be. If you miss me in the future, Fourth Brother, just come to Yanxi Palace to find me. If you have another good younger brother, that's fine too."

"How could that be!" Yinzhen hurriedly explained, "I like my eighth brother the most, there won't be anyone else."

"really?"

"really."

Yinzhi smiled slightly and turned to comfort Yinzhen: "Fourth brother, don't talk about me. You don't need to be sad. It's just a matter of moving palaces. It's not like we'll never see each other again."

“My brother is right.”

Yinzhen forced a smile. He knew that with two separate palaces, things could never be the same as before. But he didn't want his younger brother to continue being sad, and since his brother had rarely comforted him, he naturally had to give him face.

Next, despite the obstruction of the nannies serving him, Yinzhen escorted Yinsi all the way to Yanxi Palace.

Consort Hui, of the Nara clan, was waiting in the main hall when she saw the Fourth Prince and the Eighth Prince arrive together. She raised her eyebrows slightly, then put on a smile and greeted them gently.

Yinzhen, holding Yinsi's hand, walked steadily towards them. When they got closer, Yinzhen spoke first, his voice clear and respectful: "Greetings, Consort Hui."

After saying this, she pulled Yinzhi along and respectfully bowed to Consort Hui.

Consort Hui quickly reached out to help them up, her face full of gentle smiles, and said, "You two princes, there's no need for such formalities, please get up."

Yinzhen straightened up, his expression serious, and looked at Consort Hui, saying solemnly, "From now on, I will entrust my eighth brother to Consort Hui's care. I hope Your Highness will take good care of him. My eighth brother has always been well-behaved and sensible, and he will certainly not cause Your Highness any trouble. But if anything happens, please inform me, Your Highness. I will be eternally grateful."

Consort Hui was slightly surprised, not expecting that Yinzhen cared so much about Yinsi.

However, she maintained a gentle demeanor and said softly, "Since His Majesty has entrusted the Eighth Prince to me, I will naturally take good care of him. The Eighth Prince is so lovely and charming; I am overjoyed."

Afterwards, the two sides exchanged a few more polite greetings.

Yinzhen would occasionally look down at Yinsi beside him, his eyes filled with concern and reluctance.

Finally, knowing he could not delay any longer, he bowed to Consort Hui again and said, "Then I will trouble Your Majesty. Your subject will take his leave." With that, he left Yanxi Palace, turning back every few steps.

After seeing Yinzhen off, Consort Hui turned to look at Yinsi. Although the child was slightly thin, his eyes were clear and his expression was natural, just like a newly sprouted bamboo shoot, making people unable to resist loving him.

"He is indeed a child of the royal family," Consort Hui thought to herself, smiling as she spoke to Yinzhi, "Eighth Prince has just moved in, and he must be tired. Your room has been prepared, so go and rest. We will have plenty of time to talk later."

Yinzhi raised his head, his eyes full of politeness and understanding, and said in a clear voice, "Thank you, Your Majesty." Then, led by a palace maid, he walked towards his residence.

Watching his departing figure, Consort Hui's maid, Magpie, helped her walk back and couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, why did the Imperial Noble Consort send the Eighth Prince out? Is it really because the pregnancy is unstable?"

Consort Hui gazed at the branches extending over the palace wall and sighed softly, "I don't know if the Imperial Noble Consort's pregnancy is stable, but her heart is truly unsettled. An unsettled heart is prone to making mistakes. However..."

Consort Hui glanced in the direction of the side hall where Yinzhi resided, her eyes narrowing slightly. "For me and Yinzhi, this is a good thing. It doesn't make sense that only the Crown Prince is fraternal and respectful..."

Led by palace servants, Yinzhi walked steadily along the winding corridor towards his new residence. Soon, he spotted the figure anxiously waiting at the door.

It was a woman with a graceful figure. Even from a distance, her captivating beauty was undeniable. She exuded a cool and aloof aura. She was none other than his birth mother, Lady Wei.

As Yinzhi approached, Wei's eyes were filled with tension and unease. Her gaze darted away, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from Yinzhi. Her lips trembled slightly, and she stammered, "Ah...Brother, Consort Hui asked me to help you tidy up your room. Look, do you like it?"

Yinzhi walked quietly into the room, his gaze slowly sweeping over the elegant yet dignified furnishings. Everything in the room was arranged in an orderly manner, and every detail showed meticulous care.

He nodded earnestly, then reached out his little hand and took Wei's hand, his voice clear and sincere: "I like it very much, thank you for your hard work, Mother."

Upon hearing the word "Mother," Lady Wei's eyes instantly welled up with tears. She hurriedly turned her head away, dodging left and right, afraid that Yinzhi would see her tears. She forced back her emotions, her voice trembling slightly as she said, "It's good that you like it, it's good that you like it..."

Without saying a few more words, Lady Wei hurriedly instructed, "Brother, please rest well." After saying that, she turned and left in a hurry.

After Lady Wei had walked a distance, the palace maid beside her couldn't help but ask softly, "Your Highness, why don't you talk to the Eighth Prince a little longer?"

Lady Wei paused, her gaze drifting towards the direction of Yinzhi's residence, her eyes filled with longing and helplessness. She said softly, "Being able to see him this close is already very good. Yinzhi is now being raised under Consort Hui's care; too much contact with me wouldn't be good for him..."

Inside the room, the wet nurse frowned and advised, "Prince, I know you are soft-hearted, but once you enter Yanxi Palace, you must understand that Consort Hui is your mother. You should get closer to her."

Yinzhi sat on the soft couch, playing with the nine-linked rings he took out of the box. Without raising his head, he said casually, "Granny, you should know that once you leave Chengqian Palace, who is your master?"

The wet nurse looked up in disbelief, and when she realized that Yinzhi hadn't even glanced at her, fear gradually filled her eyes. She knelt down with a thud: "It's this old servant's fault... this old servant misspoke..."

"Your Majesty, the bedchamber is ready. Please rest now."

Zifeng, the head palace maid beside Yinzhi, lifted the curtain and came out from the inner hall, leading Yinzhi inside. Throughout the process, neither of them paid any attention to the wet nurse.

Before the wet nurse could continue speaking, Du Juan, who was usually quiet, walked over with a smile: "Nanny, look at you, why are you so clumsy? The master's room isn't ready yet, why don't you get up quickly?"

"Yes, yes, this old servant will get up now."

The old woman was so amused by her laughter that she broke out in a cold sweat. She hurriedly got up to pack her things, her back completely soaked. She was never very brave to begin with, and just because she was in a new place, she thought she was the most senior person in the house. Before she could even put on airs, she realized that she was the dumbest person in the house.

She couldn't see through any of them, whether they were princes or palace maids and eunuchs.

For the sake of her own life, she should go back to being the cautious and honest old nanny she used to be.

Du Juan, who was watching her out of the corner of her eye, slightly curled the corners of her lips and continued arranging her mistress's collection. Thankfully, Zheng Mama was perceptive; otherwise, an accident so soon after arriving at Yanxi Palace would have been a huge hassle.