Chapter 2: The Cautious Tenth Brother's Determination to Be a Lazybones

Green Willow followed the Imperial Concubine out of the warm pavilion. Seeing the unconcealed weariness in the Imperial Concubine's eyes, Green Willow held back for a moment, but finally couldn't resist the urge and spoke up for the Imperial Concubine in a slightly harsh tone: "Your Highness shouldn't be taking on these palace affairs. These are clearly the responsibilities that the Imperial Noble Consort should fulfill."

Pouting, Greenie's eyes reddened with grievance, and she complained in a low voice, "The Imperial Noble Consort has a good plan. She has people doing things for her without giving her any power. Where in the world can you find such a good deal? She's just relying on the Emperor's favor."

In the nineteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Consort Niohuru entered the palace with the treatment due to a concubine. According to the rules, she was allowed to bring two maids from her household into the palace. Consort Niohuru brought her personal maids Lanzhi and Luyi, who had served her since childhood.

According to palace rules, a concubine could have six maids under her name. Consort Niohuru brought Lanzhi and Luyi with her, and the remaining four were filled by the Imperial Household Department. The following year, she was promoted to Noble Consort and was assigned eight maids according to the rules. The Imperial Household Department then sent two more to Yongshou Palace.

However, after three years in the palace, Lanzhi and Luyi, the two maids she brought from her own home, were the most trusted and valued by the Consort. They were her confidantes and her right-hand women in the deep palace.

Lanzhi and Lüyi had served the Consort since childhood and had a deep bond with her. Seeing her exhausted from palace duties right after her confinement period, they naturally felt sorry for her. However, Lüyi was more impatient and blurted out things she shouldn't have, lacking a bit of caution.

The Imperial Concubine frowned slightly, and without responding to Luyi's words, she simply shook her head slightly at Luyi, signaling her not to say anything more.

Consort Tongjia was the Emperor's own cousin, and from the moment she entered the palace, she held a superior position, which could not be compared with others.

If it weren't for the fact that Lüyi offended the Imperial Noble Consort so much in Yongshou Palace, even if Consort Niohuru wanted to protect her, she would have had to punish her to save face for the Imperial Noble Consort.

As for the indignation that Lüyi felt on her behalf, the Imperial Noble Consort did not feel aggrieved like Lüyi: Firstly, the Imperial Noble Consort had a reason for distributing the palace affairs, and did not intend to make things difficult for these high-ranking concubines who had the right to assist in the management of palace affairs.

Secondly, as for power, Consort Niohuru had never had any ambition since entering the palace, and after having a son, she cared even less about that damned palace power.

The story of Consort Tong is truly heartbreaking. She had been in the palace for several years, enjoying the emperor's favor, yet she was unable to bear a child. When she finally became pregnant, her daughter died less than a month later.

It was the early death of the eighth princess that served as a wake-up call for Consort Niohuru. Although she was acting as empress, she had the power of an empress, the trust and favor of the emperor, the support of the Tong family, and the respect and awe of all the concubines in the palace. Yet, even so, Consort Niohuru still could not protect her only daughter.

Having learned from the example of the Imperial Noble Consort, the Consort was naturally extremely cautious about her son's safety. She was willing to give up anything and do anything to ensure her son's safe upbringing.

Lan Zhi frowned slightly and glared at the indignant Lu Yi. As she went to help the Imperial Noble Consort to rest on the soft couch, she said in a low voice, "It seems that the Imperial Noble Consort's condition has improved. After the New Year, Your Highness will be able to relieve yourself of your burdens and relax a bit."

The eighth princess died in the intercalary sixth month. The child she had longed for for several years was gone before she was even a month old. The grief-stricken imperial concubine fell ill before she had even finished her postpartum confinement.

For the past few months, the Imperial Noble Consort has been bedridden with recurring illnesses, her health has deteriorated significantly, and she has been listless and unable to muster the energy to handle palace affairs. As a result, many palace matters have had to be delegated to Noble Consort Niohuru and the four Consorts Huirong and Yide.

However, Consort Yi gave birth to the seventeenth prince in August, Consort De gave birth to the ninth princess in August, and Consort Gui gave birth to the eighteenth prince in October. Their energy was mostly taken up by the newborns, and they had little energy left to devote to palace affairs. Only Consorts Hui and Rong were able to handle palace affairs with all their might, but with the New Year approaching, they were busy with many things and naturally seemed a bit overwhelmed.

But it's only been a busy few months. After the New Year, things will be less hectic, and with the Imperial Noble Consort in charge, even the most chaotic matters can be sorted out.

Consort Niohuru sighed: "Even the Imperial Noble Consort has her difficulties."

Although she had no personal relationship with the Imperial Noble Consort, they were both mothers, so she could naturally understand the sorrow in the Imperial Noble Consort's heart.

After sighing for the Imperial Noble Consort, Consort Niohuru rebuked Luyi, saying, "The New Year is approaching, you must not cause trouble at this time."

Green Willow is cheerful and lively, but also a bit impulsive. The Imperial Concubine was afraid that she would leave a trace outside Yongshou Palace and attract the attention of the nobles, which would bring trouble upon her. So she gave her a few words of advice in advance to teach her a lesson.

Before the pouting Green Willow could answer, Lan Zhi glanced at Green Willow and replied first, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant knows what she's doing and will keep a close eye on Green Willow."

Consort Niohuru smiled, and was indeed relieved.

Luyi is lively and cheerful, but somewhat impulsive, while Lanzhi is steady, meticulous, and extremely cautious. Since Lanzhi has said so, the Imperial Concubine is relieved and no longer harbors any hidden worries.

It was already noon. Consort Niohuru had been busy all morning dealing with most of the palace affairs assigned to her. She wasn't in a hurry to finish everything and wanted to rest first.

After eating some steamed buns and pastries with warm milk, Consort Niohuru changed her clothes with the help of Lanzhi and Luyi. Lanzhi then loosened her hair before she lay down on the chaise longue to rest. Her dignified and beautiful face showed a hint of weariness and drowsiness.

Green Willow threw half a stick of calming incense into the incense burner, and Orchid Wipeed Her Hands with a Warm Handkerchief and said softly, "Your Majesty, let me give you a massage."

The imperial concubine nodded slightly and closed her eyes for a short rest.

Lanzhi, who had specially warmed her hands with a warm cloth, sat down on a small stool at the end of the chaise lounge and gently massaged Consort Niohuru's temples with both hands.

Seeing this, Lü quietly left the inner room, gave a few instructions to the other palace maids, telling them not to disturb the Consort's rest unless necessary, and then went to the backyard to check if the nourishing tonic she had prepared for the Consort was ready.

The Imperial Concubine's health suffered during childbirth, and although she recovered well after giving birth, she still developed some health problems. Now that winter has arrived, the cold is intense, and snow has fallen, so she needs to take extra care of herself, or her health will suffer.

Before long, the Imperial Concubine fell into a deep sleep. Lan Zhi quietly withdrew and found Luyi, who was in the backyard overseeing the brewing of medicine. After dismissing the maid in charge of brewing the medicine, she frowned and said to Luyi, "I've told you several times, you need to change your impatience. The palace is the place where you need to be the most cautious."

Green Willow shrank back, timidly hooking her arm around Lan Zhi's and pleading, "Good sister, I know I was wrong." Pouting, Green Willow's voice suddenly dropped eight octaves, "I was just speaking up for Her Majesty! Her Majesty only finished her postpartum confinement last month, and she's already working so hard. Her health is about to be ruined!"

“You shouldn’t offend the Imperial Noble Consort so rudely.” Lan Zhi’s expression softened slightly, but she still warned Lu Yi in a serious tone, “Remember this: never gossip about your mistress in the palace, or even Her Highness won’t be able to protect you.”

Lan Zhi felt the same way about the Imperial Concubine, but there were certain things she knew she absolutely could not say. Once she did, she would become the subject of gossip, and no one knew what the consequences would be.

She was also worried about Lüyi. If Lüyi dared to offend the Imperial Noble Consort this time, wouldn't she dare to criticize the Emperor next time? The 22nd year of Kangxi's reign was a turbulent year. If she accidentally caught the Emperor's eye, Lüyi would be in serious trouble, if not dead.

Despite Emperor Kangxi's numerous trips to Mount Wutai and the northern frontier this year, he was actually quite busy, with many major events taking place in the court.

Putting everything else aside, there have been several wars. First, there was the war with Russia. After defeating Russia, they captured Penghu. Finally, there was the [unclear - possibly a place name]. The wars came one after another. Although there were many victories, the war never stopped. It's hard to say whether the emperor was in a good mood or a bad mood.

Lan Zhi's words made her expression serious. Lv Yi nodded emphatically and said firmly, "Don't worry, sister, I've remembered this. I will never do it again next time."

As she spoke, Greenery nudged Orchid again: "I'll keep an eye on things here, sister. Don't linger here. Go and attend to other matters. Her Majesty needs us to share her burdens right now."

Lan Zhi nodded gently, turned around and left the small kitchen in the backyard, returning to the main hall.

She didn't disturb the Consort who had just fallen asleep, but instead went into the warm pavilion to visit the young prince. As the Consort's most trusted confidant, Lanzhi knew that the young prince was the Empress's lifeblood. Before the prince was truly established, nothing else mattered compared to his health.

As soon as they entered the warm chamber, the wet nurse stood up and whispered, "The little prince has been awake for a while, but he's probably not hungry yet. When I was feeding him, he turned his head away and refused to drink. I was thinking of waiting another quarter of an hour before trying again."

Lan Zhichong, the wet nurse, nodded slightly, leaned closer to the cradle, and looked into Yin E's round, bright black eyes.

Upon seeing someone familiar, Yin E blinked his big eyes, grinned, and gave Lan Zhi an adorable, toothless smile.

The baby's bright and cheerful smile filled Lan Zhi with joy, but also with a slight regret: the little prince had woken up, but the empress had just fallen asleep, so it was not good to wake her. It was just a pity that the empress would not be able to see the little prince so lively and energetic.

Seeing Yin E's bright smile, rosy complexion, and energetic movements, Lan Zhi felt much more at ease.

Last month, Consort Guo Luoluo gave birth to the nineteenth prince. I heard that the nineteenth prince has been sickly since birth, and I don't know if he will survive or be included in the imperial family. Although the little prince (the eighteenth prince) has always been healthy, he must be carefully cared for until he grows up and becomes an adult. There can be no carelessness whatsoever.

With his half-baked Manchu language, which he had learned on his own, Yin E listened to the conversation between Lan Zhi and the wet nurse, guessing and piecing things together.

Yin E didn't take Lan Zhi's instructions and warnings to the wet nurse to heart, but a question arose in his mind: another prince was born in the palace last month, the nineteenth prince of Kangxi, could it be... the eleventh prince?

But Yin E remembered that the eleventh prince and the ninth prince in the order of birth were both sons of Consort Yi. Consort Yi gave birth to the seventeenth prince in August, so it was impossible for her to give birth to the nineteenth prince in November.

So, his younger brother, who was only a month younger than him, died young and didn't make it into the order of birth?

Yin E was momentarily stunned. Although he wasn't surprised—Kangxi had lost quite a few children—his heart still felt heavy, and he couldn't quite describe the feeling.

Yin E felt neither sadness nor regret at the possible early death of his half-brother whom he had never met. However, this was the first time he had directly experienced the fragility of life, which made him feel somewhat heavy-hearted and a little bitter.

After being given a new lease on life, Yin E only wants to live, grow up safely, and cherish his new life. But now it seems that realizing this simple wish is not an easy thing.

Closing his eyes, Yin E slowly exhaled: He should take this as a warning and must not let his guard down. This was not making a mountain out of a molehill, but rather the necessary caution to survive.

A note from the author:

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I'm begging to be taken care of!

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