Chapter 154 The Fifteenth Year of Kangxi

Spring of the fifteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.

Jiang Nan was 24 years old, and Kangxi was 22 years old.

Seven years have passed since Jiang Nan was established as emperor in the eighth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.

During these seven years, in order to avoid repeating the mistakes of Empress Hesheli and becoming the target of criticism from the previous dynasty's harem.

After Ma Jiashi lost her fertility due to a plot by the Hesheli family, Jiang Nan took the initiative to ask Chunlan to help with contraception and postpone having children.

Until the eleventh year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Lady Nara of Yanxi Palace safely gave birth to the second prince, who is now four years old.

He will be the eldest son in the future, Yinzhi, but he is not yet in the order of birth and has not been named.

Recently, after years of treatment, Ma Jiashi finally regained her fertility, and Jiang Nan then stopped using contraception.

However, this refers to the situation of children born to Emperor Kangxi's concubines during those seven years.

It subtly echoes the trajectory of history, as if an invisible hand is quietly at work.

Inside the Yongshou Palace's sleeping quarters, chaos and turmoil reigned.

Seven-year-old Prince Erhe brandished a small wooden knife meticulously crafted by the Imperial Household Department, displaying remarkable skill and power.

Using the brocade bench as a hypothetical enemy, they charged and caused a slight disturbance to the furnishings inside the hall.

Zhao Deyi followed behind this little tyrant, his heart pounding in his chest, repeatedly trying to persuade him.

"Oh dear, young master, please slow down and be careful not to bump into anything!"

Jiang Nan lazily reclined on the phoenix couch, looking at her son who was excessively energetic, and sighed inwardly.

This son is truly becoming more and more annoying, even dogs would dislike him.

Thinking back to how adorable and innocent he was from one to three years old, a picture of childlike beauty that could be easily manipulated, now only memories remain.

"Irkh!"

Jiang Nan spoke slowly, with a hint of mockery.

"You get up at the crack of dawn every day and practice diligently without stopping. Are you really determined to become a warrior of our Great Qing Dynasty and go beyond the Great Wall to drink from the vast sea?"

Upon hearing the sound, the little boy immediately dropped his wooden sword.

Like a little leopard, it pounced on the edge of the tatami mat and climbed up on its hands and feet.

She buried her head in Jiang Nan's arms, tilting her sweaty little face up, her eyes shining like stars.

“Empress Mother, I will master martial arts so that I can protect you in the future and drive away all the bad people who want to bully you.”

Jiang Nan was jolted by her son's bump and instinctively put her arm around his sweaty little body.

Her heart softened, but she pretended to be disgusted.

"Hmph, now that your mother is in the Forbidden City, apart from your imperial father occasionally putting on airs, who else dares to make me angry?"

Upon hearing this, Erhe's little brows immediately furrowed, and he clenched his little fists, his voice sweet but unusually serious.

“Then the son beat up his father, because he made his mother suffer.”

Jiang Nan was amused by his rebellious yet protective words and chuckled, pinching his rosy cheeks.

"With your tiny, bean-like size? Your father could pin you down with a single finger."

"My son can beat him!"

Erhe puffed out his little chest, brimming with confidence.

"Son, eat well and eat lots of food at every meal. You'll definitely grow taller and stronger than your father, and then you'll be able to protect your mother."

As he spoke, he gestured vigorously, as if he could already see himself becoming a towering figure in the future.

Amidst the laughter and playfulness of mother and son, Liang Jiugong's clear voice could be heard from outside the hall.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

As soon as the words were spoken, Emperor Kangxi, dressed in a robe with a dragon design, stepped in.

The twenty-two-year-old emperor had long since shed the last trace of his youthful naiveté and now stood tall and straight.

His brows furrowed with imperial majesty, and his demeanor exuded an unquestionable authority.

His gaze swept over the slightly messy interior of the hall and the mother and son laughing together on the couch.

His stern lips twitched almost imperceptibly, then he deliberately straightened his face and looked at his son.

"Erhe, I heard you shouting and killing from afar. You even want to attack your father, the Emperor? It seems I have been too lenient with you. The tutors in the Imperial Study all say you should have started your studies long ago. I think we really can't delay any longer."

Upon seeing Kangxi, Erhe immediately slid down from Jiang Nan's arms and stood properly.

With her little hands pressed tightly against the seams of her pants, her heroic spirit vanished instantly, and she transformed into a well-behaved child.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty, Your subject... Your subject dares not!"

The volume decreased by several decibels.

Jiang Nan found it amusing to see the stark contrast in her son's appearance before and after.

She was too lazy to get up and remained reclining on the couch, smiling languidly.

"Your Majesty, please don't frighten him. Do you really believe a child's nonsense? Erhe, go and right the stool you knocked over, then go with Zhao Deyi to wash your face. You'll need to be more attentive later."

Erhe felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly pulled Zhao Deyi to clean up the battlefield.

Kangxi walked to the edge of the couch and sat down. He naturally picked up the half-finished cup of warm tea that Jiang Nan was drinking and took a sip.

His gaze followed his son's retreating figure, and his tone turned serious as he spoke to Jiang Nan.

“Nannan, Erhe is already seven years old, no longer a child. The tutors at Hongwen Academy, Anda, have already prepared for him to go to the study. He cannot be late any longer. To be confined to the hands of women all day, playing and frolicking, is not the way to raise a prince. I have made up my mind on this matter.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan sighed softly to herself.

She knew this day would eventually come, as a mother.

She secretly hoped that her child could enjoy a few more carefree years of childhood by her side.

But as Empress, she knew even better that the education of the eldest prince was crucial to the foundation of the nation, and Kangxi's decision was beyond reproach.

It even reflects the affirmation and importance placed on her son's status.

She remained silent for a moment, then looked up at Kangxi with clear and calm eyes.

“Your Majesty is right. It was my womanly compassion that made me think he was still young… Since Your Majesty has made the arrangements, I have no objections. However…”

She changed the subject slightly, her tone becoming earnest.

"Erhe is a free spirit. If he is restrained too much at once, he may rebel. I hope that Your Majesty and his tutors will proceed gradually in the beginning and allow him a period of adjustment."

Seeing that Jiang Nan was so understanding, Kangxi's eyes showed a look of satisfaction, and he took her hand.

"I know you love your son. Don't worry, Erhe is also my brother, how could I not love him? I know my limits. But at the very beginning of his education and the establishment of rules, we must not indulge him."

At this moment, Erhe, who had just finished washing up, ran back and looked at his parents with curiosity.

Kangxi pulled him to his side and said in a deep voice.

"Erhe, starting tomorrow, you must go to the Imperial Study to study and practice martial arts every day. You must no longer be as carefree as you are now. To become a true and upright Baturu, brute force alone is not enough. You must know that both literary and martial arts are fundamental. Do you understand?"

Erhe seemed to understand but not quite, but seeing his father's serious expression and his mother's silent nod, he obediently replied.

"Your subject understands."

Erhe opened his mouth and tilted his little head to look at Kangxi.

"Father, will my younger brother and Sister Ruixue also go?"

Kangxi responded, his tone becoming more gentle.

"Sister goes. Brother will have to wait another year, and he can be with Erhe next year."

Erkh sighed helplessly and said in a mature tone.

"Oh well."

Jiang Nan looked at him and spoke.

"You're going to study, not to play. Who are you trying to impress with this act?"

She then suddenly remembered that the princes and princesses of the Qing Dynasty would get up at three in the morning to review their lessons.

Morning reading begins at 5:00 AM.

Was this decided by Emperor Kangxi?

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but want to curse Emperor Kangxi.

Is this person crazy?

How can you treat your son like this?

She spoke directly, her tone clearly showing dissatisfaction.

"Your Majesty, does studying in the Imperial Study require getting up at three o'clock and starting early at five?"

Kangxi looked at her, seemingly finding her anger somewhat inexplicable.

"What's wrong, Nan Nan? Are you feeling sorry for her?"

Jiang Nan couldn't help but roll her eyes.

“Even if it weren’t for Erhe, I would still feel sorry for him. You must know that the child is growing, and if he doesn’t sleep well, his body will become weak. I’ve been trying to stop Erhe from going early so that he can get stronger before you go to all this trouble. But the time you’ve set is something that even you yourself might not be able to endure over time, let alone a seven-year-old child. If he breaks down, can you give me a healthy Erhe in return?”

Kangxi was scolded by her in a series of words. He felt somewhat guilty and embarrassed, so he responded.

"I...I have already spoken these words, and these rules have been established. It is not easy to take them back."

Jiang Nan continued to curse him as an idiot in her heart, but on the surface, she remained resolute.

"Please change it for me. He can go to school at six o'clock. I promise he will go to bed early at night and will not miss any classes."

Emperor Kangxi was in a dilemma.

"Nannan, this...this might not be in accordance with the rules, right?"

"It's settled then!"

Jiang Nan didn't back down at all, and even said with a hint of threat.

“Otherwise, Erhe won’t go to the study. If you ask me, what’s the point of Erhe learning so much? What’s the use? If he becomes too clever, you’ll have to worry about him. Why bother?”

Emperor Kangxi was both amused and somewhat helpless by her absurd reasoning.

"Nannan! You just agreed so readily, and why do you think of me so much? More than anyone else, I hope he can be successful and outstanding, so that he can share my burdens in the future!"

Jiang Nan remained unmoved, secretly thinking, "Isn't it all because of your past record as the emperor?"

The more outstanding a son is, the more ruthless he becomes in causing trouble?

"Six o'clock, no discussion."

She looked at little Erhe, who was still confused, patted his head, and became even more determined.

Kangxi looked at his son's puzzled expression.

Looking at Jiang Nan, who was not giving an inch, he finally seemed to give in, nodding with a hint of indulgence and compromise.

"Okay...okay, whatever you say, six o'clock."

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This book is terrible; I'm planning to start over.

I refuse to believe that I can't even get one up!