Chapter 143 Guilt Over Sending Flowers

To preserve the ambiance of white snow and red plum blossoms, the plum grove wasn't swept clean like other areas of the Ning Shou Palace where people walked. Thick white snow accumulated on the plum trees, and a thin layer of snowflakes covered the ground.

They asked the eunuch on duty for scissors, and Yin'e and his companions entered the plum garden. Their thick-soled boots crunched on the snow. Because they weren't cold at all, they found it quite amusing and even went out of their way to find areas with deep snow to tread on.

Among them, the Fifth Prince was the oldest, and having grown up drinking goat's milk and eating beef with the Empress Dowager since childhood, he was not just physically imposing. The Fifth Prince was tall and strong, and could be described as robust compared to his peers.

The Fifth Prince's height finally proved advantageous when picking flowers. Compared to Yin'e and the other two, he could always see the plum blossoms in full bloom higher up first, and he could also cut the plum branches more easily with small scissors—Yin'e and the Ninth Prince suffered greatly in terms of height.

"These branches are all quite nice." The Fifth Prince gathered the few plum blossoms he had cut together and held them in his arms, admiring them as he couldn't help but smile with delight. "They'll look beautiful in a vase, and Grandmother will definitely love them."

"Yes, that plain-colored jade vase will do. It perfectly matches the scene of white snow and red plum blossoms. It's very suitable."

After circling around several plum trees whose branches were weighed down by thick snow, Yin'e carefully selected a plum blossom after a long while.

Holding the plum branch in his left hand and the scissors in his right, Yin'e carefully cut the plum branch off the tree, trying not to touch the plum blossoms on the branch: "This branch is very beautiful, I'll cut this one."

Although it was Yin'e who suggested sending plum blossoms to the Empress Dowager, the most enthusiastic person was actually the Fifth Prince. The Fifth Prince was responsible for delivering enough plum blossoms for the Empress Dowager to arrange in a vase; the branch Yin'e picked was intended for the Imperial Concubine.

The Ninth Prince came out to have some fun; he wanted to build a snowman and have a snowball fight more than pick flowers.

The Imperial Study only has this one "statutory" holiday all year round, so the Ninth Prince naturally cherishes it. He doesn't want to waste his holiday, and he certainly doesn't want to be forced to endure the noise pollution from the Third Prince.

—The princes who study in the Imperial Study can have a day off on their own birthday and their mother's birthday, but those are separate days off. Only today is a day off for everyone, so they can legitimately gather together to play.

Because he wasn't very interested in picking flowers, the Ninth Prince didn't take any scissors from the eunuch guarding the gate when he entered the plum garden.

While Yin'e and the Fifth Prince were wandering around selecting plum blossoms, the Ninth Prince stood by with his hands in his pockets, watching. Only after Yin'e and the Fifth Prince had made their choices did the Ninth Prince casually pluck a plum blossom and say, "This one will do. I'll take it back to my Eleventh Brother."

Just as the three were about to go and look for the Seventh Prince on the other side of the plum blossom grove, they heard the sound of snow falling softly. Then, three steps away, the plum branches were parted, and the Seventh Prince walked over holding a bunch of red plum blossoms.

Meeting everyone's gaze, the Seventh Prince thought for a moment, assuming that Yin'e and the other two were curious about why he was picking flowers. He glanced down at the red plum blossoms in his arms and said calmly, "I'm giving them to Father Khan. I can't leave him out."

Yin'e, who had only picked a plum blossom for the Imperial Concubine, nodded in realization, his face showing an expression of "I've learned something."

Yes, even Emperor Kangxi had to be a master of diplomacy, and it's unclear whether he became one willingly or unwillingly. How much more so those of far lower status and position than Kangxi! In the Forbidden City, sometimes it really does take a bit more tact and diplomacy to navigate life.

If they went out to pick flowers and didn't include Kangxi, who knows what he would think, and how he would react. They had already made a mistake, so they couldn't afford to anger Kangxi before the matter was forgotten.

Yin'e didn't know if the Seventh Prince, who had been neglected since childhood, harbored any resentment or genuine admiration for Kangxi. However, Yin'e learned one thing from the Seventh Prince: regardless of what they thought in their hearts, they could not be lacking in filial piety and respect for Kangxi on the surface.

It's one thing to avoid getting close to Emperor Kangxi or vying for his favor, but it's quite another to offend him and incur his dislike. No matter how difficult it is to get close to Emperor Kangxi, one shouldn't become a negative example in his eyes and be frequently brought up for reprimands.

The four of them returned to the main hall of Ning Shou Palace together. Yin'e, the Ninth Prince, and the Fifth Prince all stopped at the door, hesitating and not daring to go in immediately.

If they could sneak in like they did when they came out, without alerting the group in the main hall, there would be nothing they wouldn't dare to do. But to actively approach the two powerful figures and present flowers to the Empress Dowager and Emperor Kangxi would be a real test of their mental fortitude.

—The Fifth Prince was so enthusiastic and excited in the plum garden just now, eager to immediately cut the plum blossoms, put them in a vase, and send them to the Empress Dowager for her enjoyment. Now that he's standing at the entrance of the main hall of the Ning Shou Palace, isn't he so nervous that his legs are weak and he can't move?

At such a critical moment, we still have to rely on the Seventh Prince. He is actually the most reliable and capable person among the four.

He glanced at the three men, Yin'e, who had stopped and were no longer moving forward. The Seventh Prince was the first to take a step, his lips moving slightly as he spoke in a voice as low as a mosquito's buzz: "It's alright, I'll lead the way."

The Fifth Prince gritted his teeth and followed. Once his legs weren't so weak anymore, he quickened his pace and overtook the Seventh Prince, walking to the front—he couldn't let his younger brother, the Seventh Prince, lead the way while he shrank behind.

This time, instead of sneaking along the wall, the group walked openly through the spacious passageway in the middle towards the center of the hall. Even while talking to his eldest son, Emperor Kangxi, who was sitting high on the throne, noticed his sons who had been "missing" for a while.

Pausing his conversation, Kangxi watched his four sons approach step by step, a half-smile gradually appearing on his face, his expression unfathomable, displaying the majesty of an emperor.

The Fifth Prince didn't dare to look up at all, and with his head down, he stammered out his story about picking plum blossoms for the Empress Dowager to put in a vase.

Finally, the Fifth Prince suddenly had a brilliant idea and found a good reason for himself: "The Empress Dowager once said that the plum blossoms were already in bud the day before yesterday and should be in bloom today. So I went to the plum grove with my Seventh Brother and the others. Sure enough, the plum blossoms were in full bloom. The white snow and red plum blossoms were extremely beautiful."

The Empress Dowager had already smiled when she saw the Fifth Prince, and she was even happier after hearing what he said. She smiled from ear to ear and said with even more kindness and gentleness, "Yinqi is really filial. You have remembered what I casually said the day before yesterday."

Once she reached the position of Empress Dowager, material possessions like rare treasures and gold and silver jewelry could not move her at all; she neither lacked them nor cared about them. What truly moved her and pleased her was sincere affection, especially since the Fifth Prince was her favorite grandson, and his filial piety made her even happier.

"Quickly, bring it up so I can see it. It's been a month since it was moved to Ning Shou Palace, and finally it's blooming!" The Empress Dowager was both happy and excited, and for a moment she lost her composure, mixing Mongolian and Manchu in her speech, using both languages ​​in one sentence.

Fortunately, only a few of the principal consorts in the hall did not speak Mongolian, while the others had some knowledge of Mongolian and could understand the Empress Dowager's Manchu, which was mixed with simple Mongolian, so it didn't cause any problems.

Emperor Kangxi chuckled and watched with a cold eye the deep affection between the Fifth Prince and the Empress Dowager.

Emperor Kangxi knew the Fifth Prince quite well, knowing that his son was honest, simple, and straightforward. However, considering the Fifth Prince's timid appearance when he entered the palace, Kangxi would only believe half of what he said at most—and that was only because the Fifth Prince was not good at lying. If it were anyone else, he wouldn't believe even half of it.

Kangxi genuinely cared about the Empress Dowager, and it's true that he went to the plum garden to pick plum blossoms, but he absolutely refused to believe that the Fifth Prince's sneaking away was simply to surprise the Empress Dowager.

It wasn't that the Fifth Prince didn't respect the Empress Dowager, but rather that he simply lacked the cunning to do so.

With a half-smile, Kangxi glanced at the Fifth Prince, who was gradually calming down and no longer trembling with fear. Just as he was about to make a few comments, the Seventh Prince stepped forward at the opportune moment.

Holding the plum blossoms in his hands slightly higher, the Seventh Prince, with a calm and composed expression, said frankly and generously, "Father, thanks to Fifth Brother's idea, I also want to offer you a few plum blossoms from the plum garden in Ning Shou Palace."

"Your son presents these plum blossoms to you for arranging in a vase. When you are tired from reviewing memorials in the Qianqing Palace, you may take a break and look at the blooming red plum blossoms. I think it will make you feel better."

Looking down at the Seventh Prince, Kangxi swallowed back the words that were about to be sarcastic to the Fifth Prince, and instead smiled and said, "It is very good. Although the plum garden in Ning Shou Palace was only built in the last two years, those plum trees are all century-old trees that were specially transplanted. When they bloom every year, it will be a magnificent sight."

Emperor Kangxi felt much pity and guilt towards the Seventh Prince.

The reason for the pity was that the Seventh Prince was born with a disability, but he did not give up on himself. Instead, he caught up with others through his own efforts. In the Imperial Study, he was no less than the other princes in terms of academic studies or riding and archery. This made Emperor Kangxi both proud and honored to have this son.

Leaving aside his academic studies, Emperor Kangxi, a master of archery and horsemanship, knew all too well how much effort and sweat the lame Seventh Prince would have to put in to catch up with the other princes. While marveling at the Seventh Prince's perseverance and tenacity, Kangxi couldn't help but feel a great deal of pity for him.

The guilt stemmed from two reasons. First, when the Seventh Prince was born, his disability led to rumors in the palace that it was divine retribution. At the time, the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories was raging, and the Seventh Prince's disability seemed like a stain, causing Emperor Kangxi to be somewhat resistant and distant towards him.

Secondly, four years ago, Emperor Kangxi made a blunder that implicated the Seventh Prince, and the aftermath of that incident has not yet ended. Back then, the Sixth Prince suddenly died, and Emperor Kangxi, having lost a son, impulsively brought the Seventh Prince, who had been sent out of the palace to be adopted by Prince Chun, back to the palace.

At that time, the Seventh Prince had been living in Prince Chun's residence for more than a month, and had gotten along well with Prince Chun's wife. He accepted the arrangement to be adopted by Prince Chun. Prince Chun's wife also submitted a memorial requesting that the Seventh Prince be formally adopted and made the heir apparent of Prince Chun's residence.

Just then, Emperor Kangxi suddenly went mad and took the Seventh Prince back. This commotion made the relationship between the Seventh Prince and the Prince Chun's Mansion complicated and awkward, leaving both sides at a loss. If Kangxi hadn't been the emperor, anyone else who did such a thing would have been criticized so much that even their own mother wouldn't recognize them.

Even now, although the Seventh Prince has not been adopted out, his relationship with the Prince Chun's Mansion remains intact. It's difficult to be too close to either side, but also not too distant, leading to awkwardness in their interactions. The originally harmonious relationship was completely ruined by Kangxi's stroke of genius.