Yinzhen: ...

"That fourteenth one is seeing himself..."

Why do I suddenly feel a little embarrassed or ashamed?

Looking at his awkward manner, Yinreng couldn't agree more than once with Hongxi's words; the fourth prince was just an awkward person.

"Alright, alright, if you really feel bad, then give your older brother something practical. He doesn't just have one son, he also has four daughters. When they get married, it's better to give them more dowry than anything else."

Yinzhen smiled, a rare occurrence for him. "I'll remember this, I'll definitely do it."

Since Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang passed away, all her connections have been given to Empress Dowager Borjigit, and even Sumalagu and Zhao Lihe have been moved to Shou Kang Palace.

However, the Empress Dowager already had her own servants, and since Sumalagu was about the same age as her, she really wouldn't put on airs about this matter.

Thus, Sumalagu began her retirement life at Shou Kang Palace.

While she was bored, she suddenly thought of Zhuo Ling and Lin Yin.

These two had been almost forgotten because of the death of the Empress Dowager. Although they were brought to Shou Kang Palace, almost no one taught them the rules anymore.

But now that Sumalagu was really bored, she put the two of them together and started teaching them manners again.

Because the two were punished for plotting against someone, they were always resentful of each other. It was precisely because of this that, not long after the two got back together, Zhuo Ling mysteriously went to Su Mala Gu with a packet of medicinal powder.

“Aunt Su Ma, I found this under Lin Yin’s pillow.”

Zhuo Ling handed over the paper package, and Su Mala Gu opened it and smelled it. She immediately knew what it was.

His face immediately darkened. "Are you sure you found it under Lin Yin's pillow?"

Zhuo Ling nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, Aunt, I really didn't lie."

This matter was of great importance, and Su Mala Gu reported it directly to the Empress Dowager. When the Empress Dowager heard that Hongyu was involved, she immediately thought of the incident where Yinti smashed up the mansion and sent someone to inform Kangxi.

So when Kangxi arrived at Shou Kang Palace, he saw Lin Yin and Zhuo Ling kneeling in the main hall.

After Sumalagu briefly recounted the events, Lin Yin was terrified before Kangxi could even question her.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I promise I will not do it again."

Emperor Kangxi was furious.

I thought Lin Yin was just seducing Hong Yu because of her good looks, but I never expected that she would also drug him while talking.

Suddenly, I remembered the rockery incident. If Longqing hadn't knocked Hongyu unconscious, Hongyu probably would have already broken in.

When the deed is done, what else can you do but accept the consequences?

The more Kangxi thought about it, the angrier he became. He first summoned Mingzhu and gave him a good scolding, and then punished Linyin by sending her to a royal temple to be a nun for life, with no option but to die before she could leave.

Because of her meritorious report, Emperor Kangxi allowed Lady Guoluo to take Zhuo Ling back with her.

But now that the second wife has been exiled, and San Guanbao despises her, he directly asked Consort Yi to grant her a marriage so that she could be married off directly from the palace.

With the help of Consort Yi, Zhuo Ling was able to marry a royal bodyguard as her second wife.

Hongxi expressed his delight at Consort Yi's almost selfless act of sacrificing her own family for the greater good.

Autumn arrived in the blink of an eye, and Hongxi's birthday was just around the corner, but then he broke out in pimples.

Not only was Hongxi surprised, but no one in the palace was surprised that he, who was about to turn eight, would break out in smallpox at this time.

The ancients believed that if a child could successfully live to the age of eight, he was considered to have truly established himself.

If you don't get pimples before the age of eight, you're unlikely to get them again.

Unexpectedly, Hongxi's eighth birthday coincided with the outbreak of smallpox, which greatly worried Yinreng.

Inside a side hall of Yuqing Palace, three imperial physicians were anxiously busy, while Yinreng sat by the bedside watching over his beloved eldest son.

Seeing that he couldn't get rid of this troublesome person, the imperial physician had no choice but to ask him to wear a veil before allowing him to stay and take care of him.

Everyone else, including members of the Guarjia clan, was kept outside. Even when Emperor Kangxi came, he could only catch a glimpse of them from afar.

His main concern was Yinreng's safety. Fortunately, Yinreng had smallpox when he was a child, so he wouldn't be infected this time. But what if his silly son got sick from exhaustion?

Therefore, after court every day, Kangxi would come to the side hall and look at Yinreng from a distance.

Yinreng stayed by Hongxi's bedside to take care of him, while the imperial physicians and palace servants serving in the room felt immense pressure.

At this moment, Hongxi felt his whole body burning up, and he was completely dizzy from the heat.

In his previous life, he didn't remember whether he had smallpox, but now he felt like a small furnace.

He couldn't open his eyes, but he could hear his father's voice.

"Hongxi, you must get better. Your father doesn't want to lose you."

"Hongxi, your imperial grandfather has been waiting for you to recover in the outer palace."

No, Grandfather definitely came to see Father. He's probably worried that Father will fall ill from taking care of me.

Just moments ago, Yinreng had been looking heartbroken, but after hearing this complaint, he really wanted to shake the unconscious brat awake.

Well, the fact that I can still mentally complain means my brain wasn't damaged, and I'm probably not in any immediate danger.

Yinreng suppressed his dissatisfaction and flicked Hongxi's forehead with his hand. "Wake up quickly, Father will take you out of the palace to play."

Wow, it's so nice to be taken out of the palace by Father.

Yinreng summoned the imperial physician, "What is the Second Prince's condition now? Why is he still so hot despite using so much medicine?"

Imperial Physician Alexander said, "These are all symptoms of smallpox. If the Second Prince's fever subsides, it means that this crisis is over."

Yinreng thought for a moment, "Then why has he remained unconscious? Even if someone has a fever, they can still wake up occasionally."

"Your Highness, the Second Prince's coma is due to delirium caused by fever."

No, that's not it. My mind is perfectly clear. I just have heavy eyelids and can't open my eyes.

Yinreng took a deep breath.

"You may leave now." Yinreng waved his hand, and the imperial physician hurriedly left.

[It's probably still a fever that's making my eyelids so heavy. I wonder how my sister and brother are doing, and whether they might catch it.]

Yinreng chuckled. Even in his current state, this kid still thinks of his older brothers and sisters. He really is a good child.

“It’s really strange. Your older brother Hongyu and older sister Wenxi never had smallpox, but you did.”

Yinreng was thus answering Hongxi's question. He then sent word that Hongyu and Wenxi should not approach the side hall recently to avoid catching the infection.

Guarjia would come to inquire every day, but she couldn't come in, so she waited outside the palace.

She also had acne, so she wouldn't get infected if she came into the house.

But since Emperor Kangxi wouldn't allow it, she naturally didn't dare to disobey.

"Reporting to the Crown Princess, the Second Prince is still running a fever. His Highness the Crown Prince is taking care of him inside, while His Majesty is reviewing memorials in the outer hall. Everything is fine."

He Yuzhu replied respectfully.