Chapter 13: Old Ten's Ambitious Day (or "The Lazybones")

October 11th was Yin'e's birthday. On his first birthday, the entire palace sent gifts, and the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager also bestowed generous birthday gifts, greatly enriching Yin'e's private treasury.

However, the Imperial Concubine did not hold a grand first birthday banquet for Yin'e. She did not even hold a banquet, but simply had the kitchen send out longevity noodles to celebrate for Yin'e. The mother and son celebrated simply and that was considered the end of his birthday.

Consort Gui did not disregard Yin'e's first birthday. Although she did not hold a birthday banquet, she rewarded the palace servants of Yongshou Palace with three months' wages and gave each of them two new, thick winter clothes under the pretext of celebrating Yin'e's first birthday, with the aim of bringing good fortune to Yin'e.

The fact that she didn't hold a grand birthday banquet was indeed a deliberate attempt by the Imperial Concubine to keep a low profile. However, there was also the fact that the Golden Offering Festival was approaching, and the timing wasn't convenient.

Moreover, Emperor Kangxi was not in the palace on Yin'e's birthday.

Since the Emperor was not in the palace, it was impossible for him to attend Yin'e's birthday banquet in person; and since the lowly do not respect the noble, the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager could not attend either.

In that case, a grand birthday banquet wouldn't be very meaningful; it would be better for the mother and son to celebrate privately.

As early as the end of September, the Emperor had already set off from the capital. However, this trip was different from all the previous ones; the imperial entourage was not heading north, but south.

On September 28th of the 23rd year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the emperor embarked on his first southern tour, marking the beginning of his six trips to the south of the Yangtze River, including tours of the Yellow River to manage floods, rectify official corruption, and pacify the region.

After setting the date for the southern tour, Emperor Kangxi realized he would miss Yin'e's first birthday. So, he decided to hold a "first birthday celebration" for Yin'e before setting off.

Although Emperor Kangxi suddenly ordered that Yin'e's first birthday celebration be brought forward by more than half a month, Consort Gui was not flustered by the event.

The Imperial Concubine attached great importance to Yin'e's first birthday celebration and had prepared all the necessary items well in advance.

At this time, the baby's first birthday celebration was brought forward, but the Imperial Concubine did not lose her composure. She simply arranged everything in an orderly manner and soon completed the preparations for the ceremony.

The main hall of Yongshou Palace was cleared out by the palace servants, and a light purple carpet with fine stitches and an elegant and simple pattern was laid out.

Lanzhi and Lvyi stepped forward, carrying trays, and arranged the items prepared by the Imperial Concubine for the first birthday celebration.

The large blanket was filled with all sorts of items for the baby's first birthday celebration, leaving nothing out: seals, Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist scriptures, writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones, wooden weapons and armor, coins and account books, food and toys, rouge and jewelry, all neatly arranged, waiting for the baby's first birthday celebration to be chosen.

As Liang Jiugong, who was acting as the master of ceremonies, flicked his whisk and announced that the auspicious time had arrived, Yin'e's first birthday ceremony officially began.

The Imperial Concubine personally carried Yin'e to sit on the blanket, gently nudged his back, and gestured for him to go forward and pick up anything that interested him.

According to the rules of the first birthday celebration, the Imperial Concubine could not guide or give Yin'e any hints; Yin'e could only choose which item to pick.

The "first birthday celebration" is a ritual to predict a child's future and temperament, and of course, the child should make the decision himself; adults should not interfere.

Having evolved from crawling on four legs to walking upright, Yin'e didn't want to crawl around on the blanket. He used his chubby, white little hands to push himself up on the blanket and stood up on his own, supporting himself firmly in the center of the main hall.

After standing up, Yin'e's field of vision suddenly became much higher.

Looking down at the various items laid out on the purple blanket, Yin'e quickly made a decision after carefully examining each one, deciding what he would grab during his first birthday celebration.

Lifting his chubby little legs, Yin'e took a step and walked steadily on the carpet, moving firmly toward his goal.

Behind Yin'e, the Imperial Concubine, who had been intently watching his back, pursed her lips and nervously clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

Although Consort Gui valued Yin'e's first birthday celebration, as a mother, she instinctively hoped that her son would shine brightly in the ceremony and grab an item symbolizing a bright future.

But rationally, the Consort knew that the more mediocre Yin'e's performance was during his first birthday celebration, the better, and the worse the symbolism of the item he picked, the more reassuring it would be.

The Imperial Concubine really didn't want Yin'e to perform too well during the first birthday celebration.

Throughout the year, through her subtle guidance, encouragement, and coaxing in front of the Emperor, he began to regard Yin'e in a different light. Although he did not yet attach as much importance to the Crown Prince, he was already much more favored than the other princes.

The situation was very favorable, and the Imperial Concubine did not want to arouse Kangxi's suspicion at this time, causing him to become distant and wary of Yin'e, so that all her efforts over the past year would be in vain and she would fail at the last minute.

The Imperial Concubine's beautiful face held a gentle and serene smile, but beneath her joy and anticipation lay hidden worries.

Compared to the Imperial Concubine, Emperor Kangxi's feelings were much simpler and purer.

Kangxi was indeed wary of Yin'e's background, but Yin'e was too young and ten years younger than the crown prince, so he was not enough to arouse Kangxi's suspicion and vigilance. Kangxi's fatherly love for his son naturally prevailed, and he sincerely hoped that Yin'e would pick up an auspicious item during the first birthday celebration.

Seeing that Yin'e's legs were strong and he was walking very steadily on the carpet, Kangxi was quite surprised: "Yin'e can walk so steadily now?"

He's still half a month away from turning one year old!

With a dignified and graceful nod, the Imperial Concubine smiled and said, "Yin'e is quite robust."

In front of Emperor Kangxi, Consort Gui never used words like "healthy" or "well-off" to describe Yin'e. Instead, she always used words like "robust" or "sturdy," which sounded slightly subtle.

Consort Gui intentionally belittled Yin'e in front of Emperor Kangxi, both to gradually dispel his suspicions and to gain more favor and affection through a strategic retreat.

Just then, in accordance with the Consort's words, Yin'e started running with his short legs, rushed forward, grabbed something with lightning speed, and lifted it high.

He laughed so hard his eyes disappeared, and the clear, childlike laughter filled the main hall of Yongshou Palace.

Emperor Kangxi was only thirty years old this year, and his eyesight was still very good. He immediately recognized what Yin'e had picked up for the first time during the first birthday celebration – it was clearly the blood jade thumb ring that he had previously given to Yin'e.

For a moment, Kangxi was at a loss for words, unsure whether to be happy or annoyed.

Yin'e, a prince, should have chosen a book or a wooden sword during his first birthday celebration instead of a seal... even though that ring was a gift from his father, the Khan.

What does it mean to grab a thumb ring? Does it mean that you will become a wealthy and idle person in the future, living a life of luxury?

But Yin'e is a prince; how can his future be wasted like this?!

Emperor Kangxi was a father who hoped his son would become a dragon among men, and he always had high expectations for his son. No matter how much he secretly feared Yin'e's background, he did not really hope that his son would be unambitious and become a good-for-nothing playboy. He still hoped that his son could grow into a pillar of the state.

Yin'e didn't care how conflicted Kangxi was. He stuffed the blood jade ring into the small pocket on his stomach and headed straight for the next target.

With his left hand he picked up a nine-linked ring made of clear white jade, and with his right hand he held a plate of sweet and fragrant osmanthus cakes. Not stopping there, he also took the jewelry box that was full and the purse stuffed with gold and silver coins into his arms. He didn't miss out on eating, drinking, playing and having fun.

Liang Jiugong, who was acting as the emcee, lowered his head deeply, his body numb.

Faced with this scene and the ensuing spectacle, Liang Jiugong was truly at a loss for words. He was deeply shocked by Yin'e's actions and for a moment couldn't think of any auspicious words to smooth things over—Liang Jiugong never imagined that his career would suffer its first major setback here.

Seeing what Yin'e had grabbed, the Consort was slightly disappointed, but she breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Instead of expressing her relief, the imperial concubine exaggerated her disappointment.

Her eyes were slightly red, and she looked embarrassed and sad, but instead of seeking comfort from Kangxi, she bowed to him and apologized, saying, "It is my fault. I failed to teach Yin'e well, which is why he has no ambition and only thinks about eating, drinking and having fun."

The Imperial Concubine knelt deeply and wept, saying, "Although Yin'e is still young, one can see his future from childhood. I'm afraid his temperament is hard to change. I don't ask for anything else, I only hope that Your Majesty will not have too high expectations for Yin'e. If Yin'e is not good enough in the future, please do not be angry and blame him. If you must blame someone, blame your mother for being incompetent."

With a pile of food, toys, gold and silver jewelry in his arms, Yin'e pretended to be confused and opened his big, black grape-like eyes to look around. Amidst the concubine's sobs, he firmly suppressed the urge to rush over and comfort her.

Because of Emperor Kangxi's stroke of genius, the baby's first birthday celebration was held unexpectedly.

The Imperial Concubine hadn't had time to rehearse with Yin'e beforehand, and when the time came, Yin'e couldn't find an opportunity to discuss it with her. In the end, he decided to do it his own way, deliberately picking up items with unfavorable connotations during the first birthday celebration.

In fact, Yin'e did not inform the Consort before taking action because he feared that prior communication would leave loopholes. At the same time, Yin'e also trusted the Consort completely, believing that she could adapt to unexpected situations and make the most appropriate response.

Judging from the words of the Imperial Concubine at this moment, Yin'e's judgment was correct!

Yin'e deliberately grabbed food, toys, and gold and silver jewelry during the baby's first birthday celebration.

But he did this not only because he didn't want to compete with the princes and wanted to be a lazy bum, but also because... Yin'e really wanted to live and grow up peacefully in the palace.

He did not want to follow in the footsteps of Yin Yu.

Kangxi was indeed annoyed that Yin'e was only grabbing toys, but after hearing the Consort's complaints, he said unhappily, "The first birthday celebration is just a custom. How can you easily judge a child's character based on the result of the first birthday celebration? It's good to get a good meaning, but it's not a big deal if you don't."

After a pause, Kangxi knew that the Consort was only apologizing because she had a motherly heart, so he softened his tone and reached out to help her up: "I am not angry, my dear consort, you don't need to worry, and you don't need to belittle Yin'e in front of me."

Turning to look at Yin'e, Kangxi's disappointment vanished, and a genuine smile appeared on his face: "In my opinion, Yin'e is a blessed man. If he can be content with what he has, he will surely have everything he desires in the future."

A note from the author:

----------------------

Yin'e: I'm acting.

Imperial Concubine: I'm acting too.

Yin'e and the Imperial Concubine: But we didn't coordinate beforehand, it was all improvised!

Kangxi: ...I don't believe you for a second.