The grudges among the princelings

The grudges among the princelings

As the New Year approached, the atmosphere in the court became increasingly tense, and the signs that Kangxi was about to take action against Galdan became increasingly obvious. As a "woman", Shujia knew all this because Yinreng revealed it from time to time.

As the Crown Prince and his wife's relationship improved, Yinreng increasingly blurred the distinction between public and private matters, sharing any unsatisfactory matters at court with his wife. This, in turn, informed Shujia of Kangxi's recent major moves. Kangxi had appointed the renowned minister Yu Chenglong to oversee the transportation of grain and fodder for the Central Route, presumably the most important of these. Meanwhile, recent major changes had been largely military, from the appointment of generals to the deployment of troops, signaling the approach of war.

On this day, Yinreng returned with a solemn expression. Shujia went to greet him. Yinreng smiled a little when he saw his wife. He threw his hat to Eunuch Cui and walked into the house with his wife. "It's cold, and ice will form easily. Be careful." Shujia said, "I'm very careful. I have people checking the way every time I walk."

Seeing that his face looked a little off, she added, "What's wrong with you today? Is there something bothering you?"

Yunniu had already wrung out the hot towel. Yinreng took it, wiped his face and hands, and threw it back: "It's not a big deal. Please sit down." The two of them sat down, and the dinner tables were lifted up one by one, and they ate without saying a word.

After finishing their meal, washing their hands and rinsing their mouths, each holding a handful of tea, it was time to talk. Yinreng had already forgotten the scientific content of prenatal education. Perhaps some of the many rules left in the palace weren't all that reliable, His Royal Highness thought.

"Life always has its ups and downs, good and evil. We should know the beauty as well as the ugliness. It is not necessarily a good thing for children to be naive and ignorant." The Crown Princess said this when the Crown Prince couldn't help but complain and regretted affecting the mood of his wife and children.

Then, the Crown Prince could occasionally talk to the Crown Princess about his troubles, and listening to his wife's words of comfort relieved his psychological pressure. The Crown Princess also took the opportunity to learn some court affairs that women were not supposed to know, and was able to analyze some problems and put her mind at ease.

This time, Yinreng said, "Fei Yanggu is coming back."

"Which Fei Yanggu?" You can't blame Shujia for asking this question. Fei Yanggu is a common name for Manchu men. You have to ask clearly which surname and family it is to know who it is.

"The one from Dong'e," Yinreng frowned. This man was Empress Duanjing's younger brother, Shujia's neighbor, and in fact, the fourth concubine's cousin. This man was rare, very ambitious, truly loyal, filial, chaste, righteous, talented, and virtuous, earning him the esteem of Emperor Kangxi.

"What's wrong with him? What happened?"

"He's quite good," Yinreng said, organizing his words. For a crown prince, having such a useful and loyal minister should be a cause for joy. "He submitted a memorial last time, saying that he had heard that Galdan had occupied Bayan-Ulan, about 2,000 miles from Guihua City, and that we should gather troops and transport food, and attack in February of next year."

Shujia listened quietly, encouraging Yinreng to continue with her eyes. She also took the tea from Yinreng's hand, which had turned cold, and replaced it with a hot cup for Hongxiu.

Yinreng continued, holding a cup of hot tea, "What he said coincided with what Khan Ama had said. Khan Ama had told me earlier that after the first month of next year, the day of the Holy Heart's determination would come. His memorial has arrived, and Khan Ama asked me to go and discuss it with him. He knows all about the Mongolian situation, and his suggestions for the march are very good. Khan Ama was very pleased and appointed Fei Yanggu as the General of Fuyuan, with Ileshen as the Commander-in-Chief, Fei Yanggu and Warda as the Imperial Guard Commanders, Shuodai as the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, and General Shushu as the Military Advisor."

After a long conversation, Yinreng was talking about someone who performed very well, but his expression was not very pleasant. There must be something wrong. Either Fei Yanggu's reputation did not match his actual status, but he had made considerable contributions during the Three Feudatories Rebellion and the previous expedition against Galdan, so he must be a capable person. So... did he have a grudge against Yinreng?

No way! How did you make such a big enemy?

Yinreng rubbed the rim of the bowl with his thumb and said softly, "He's a good man. Khan Ama has already summoned him to the court and appointed him to lead the Western Route Army... But he and Prime Minister Suo don't get along well." He thought for a moment, "It's been more than ten years now, and things have been very cold between them."

The crown prince was troubled, not knowing how this feud had begun. He tried to hint at Soetu, who said, "Fei Yanggu is arrogant, has a high opinion of himself, and his reputation doesn't match his character." Yinreng, after all, had some insight. He felt that Fei Yanggu had survived the battlefield for so many years and remained unscathed, so it was unlikely he was just a traitor. He could only remain skeptical.

It now appeared that Fei Yanggu was someone Kangxi relied on for military prowess, and it would be unwise to dissociate from such a figure at this time. But for some reason, Soetu was unwavering in his resolve and simply shook his head, ignoring the suggestion. Someone of Fei Yanggu's stature could be considered an enemy, if not a friend.

Shujia thought to herself, Suo Etu is really crazy. He offended such a person. Could it be that he is jealous of talented people? This is really not a good habit!

Just as he was thinking about how to comfort Yinreng, the Crown Prince recovered first. Most of the time, Yinreng just needed someone to talk to: "I've been rambling again, haven't I bored you?" As a Crown Prince, Yinreng was also pitiful. From childhood, he had been brought up to look down on the eunuchs and palace maids who served him, believing that these people were to be ordered around, not to be bothered with business. Although Kangxi was close to him and Soetu was in the same party, there were always concerns. But his wife, on the other hand, was absolutely one with him, and he could complain and say things like "the emperor has donkey ears."

After saying it, he felt much better. "Well, let's wait and see. The outcome will be clear after this battle. If Fei Yanggu really has the ability, he can show his ability to lead an army alone. When his ability is revealed, Suo Etu will no longer have any reason to ignore him."

Shujia said, "It's best to ignore everyone except Khan Ama about Fei Yanggu. The other day at Ningshou Palace, I heard them gossiping that everyone in Zhongcui Palace was worried that my eldest brother would accompany the emperor, and they were packing up all kinds of things they needed."

"Hmm? Hmm." That's right... Suo Etu had offended someone, and if Mingzhu was picked up, he would become the boss's helper. Why didn't Suo Etu get it? No, he had to pay attention.

The next day, Yinreng found an opportunity to meet with Suo-etu and revealed his intentions. Suo-etu simply twirled his beard and acted profound, saying, "Don't worry, Prince. I already know about this matter." Yinreng had always been quite trusting of him. "Since I've told you my intentions, and you've said you know it, and told me not to worry, then I won't worry either." He left, leaving Suo-etu with a sneer on his face.

Yinreng was in a good mood these days. Regardless of whether Fei Yanggu could stand on his side, as long as he and Soetu were not so hostile to each other, he would not choose to help Mingzhu and the eldest prince, while he would take the name of righteousness. Yinreng had a good opinion of Fei Yanggu, believing that as long as he did not make enemies with Soetu, this person would at least not oppose him.

Yinreng's next task was to try to fill the army with as many people who were favorable to him as possible. After being summoned, Soetu readily and clearly agreed to this: "Your Highness is wise, and I agree as well. Tong Bao is now the General of Ningguta and is also about to be conscripted. It's a good opportunity. I can have him write a petition requesting to lead more troops. Whether the Emperor agrees or not is one thing, but at least he will know that he is doing his best for the country..." He then explained some more of his plans before returning.

The prince was in a good mood, and this good mood was further enhanced when Kangxi appointed his guard Shi Wenying as deputy commander of the Manchu Bordered White Banner. Then, Fei Yanggu of the Dong'e clan arrived in Beijing, but Soetu did not respond. Fei Yanggu was then summoned and, after a long and private conversation, returned to lead his army, kicking off the war while the palace was preparing for the New Year.

Soetu's explanation for this was: "Fei Yanggu is entering the capital, and he is being watched by many eyes. If I take action now, I will inevitably be discovered. I will definitely accompany you this time, and we will all be at the front line. There is nothing I can't say." Yinreng habitually believed him.

Up to this point, the Crown Prince was in a good mood. Then, his mood began to sour. Heshuo Jian Prince Yabu requested to serve in the Western Route Army, but Kangxi ordered him to serve in the Central Route Army, that is, in front of the Emperor. Yinreng treated Yabu normally, but he was not so fond of Yabu's son Yaerjiang'a.

There was a grudge involved, but Yinreng couldn't quite remember it; the grudge ran deep. Shujia saw something was amiss. Under normal circumstances, it would have been fine, but with Mingzhu and the eldest prince teaming up to deal with Yuqing Palace, provoking a high-ranking official was unwise. She tried to smooth things over, saying, "Nothing really happened. Why are you guys so angry? There's a reason for all the hate..."

Yinreng said, "He looks disgusting (but he's actually quite decent), his behavior is disgusting (but he's quite capable), and even the way he walks is disgusting (but he's still very well-mannered)..."

Finally, Shujia simply asked: "Start from the beginning, when did you meet? What was it like at that time?" Yinreng finally remembered -

Although Yaerjiang'a wasn't particularly close to the current Kangxi family by blood, his family inherited the title of "iron-hat prince," giving them ample opportunities to interact with the imperial family. Consequently, Yaerjiang'a attended school alongside the princes as a child. Yaerjiang'a was only a few years younger than Yinreng, and although Yinreng had his own tutor and Kangxi's special support, the two still had plenty of opportunities to mingle.

These two men, one the crown prince, the other the eldest son of an iron-hat prince, were true "Princelings" (a term used here to refer to the XN generation in terms of birth over two hundred years later, not the opposite of the "Eldest Princes' Party"). Both were raised with a silver spoon in their mouths. No matter how gentle and reasonable they appeared on the surface, they were undoubtedly spoiled and arrogant underneath. As long as Yarjiang'a survived and he and his father didn't make any major mistakes, their status would be no lower than that of ordinary princes. The princes could only be a Heshuo Prince, and that wasn't hereditary, but the title of Prince Jian was!

The problem is, the crown prince wasn't just any prince; he was the heir apparent, the future head of the Aisin-Gioro clan. Yinreng had been a truly excellent student since childhood. Under Kangxi's guidance, he viewed the empire as his family property and his fellow clan members as his relatives. Since we're all family, then since I'm older and hold a higher position than you, isn't it perfectly legitimate for me to treat you like a younger brother?

The young prince still yearned for brotherhood. The fifth and ninth brothers were different from the other brothers, and the other brothers' interactions with him were also different. On the one hand, he enjoyed the feeling of being superior, but on the other, he felt a little lonely.

The prince, who wasn't close to his brothers, couldn't help but be tempted to try a little, hoping to experience this kind of affection. He looked around, his own brothers out of the question, the eldest brother being a no-brainer, and the other brothers he wasn't close to either. Then, coincidentally, Yarjiang'a was over there. Comparing their height, weight, and proportions, he felt like he was treating this guy, who wasn't even close by blood, as his brother.

Feeling close, they acted a bit casually. If they really treated him like a younger brother, they wouldn't be as respectful and polite as brothers. The prince, hoping to enjoy some brotherly affection, unfortunately encountered an equally arrogant fellow and irritated him! I may not be the crown prince, but I'm the future king. Treating me like a waiter, how unkind of you!

The two princelings became enemies, treating each other with cold respect and rolling their eyes at each other.

When the Crown Prince heard that Prince Jian was going with him, he was furious.

Shujia said, "Prince Jian? Isn't he Ning Hui's father-in-law?" Ning Hui was the round-faced girl from the same clan as Guaerjia who had a good relationship with Shujia during the imperial examination.

Yinreng asked, "Is that the girl you mentioned?" When Ning Hui got married, Shujia gave her a very expensive gift, which Yinreng and Prince Jian had some complaints about. Shujia then explained that she had some friendship with Ning Hui, and Yinreng finally grumbled and stopped objecting.

When Shujia heard Yinreng repeatedly saying bad things about Yarjiang'a, she felt a strange feeling.

This... could it be the proverbial kindergarten kid who 'bullies you just because they like you'? Shujia smiled unkindly. Yinreng feigned indignation: "What are you laughing at? He's clearly ungrateful!" When the Crown Prince considers others, he always does some pretty awkward and silly things. With his subjects, he's perfectly capable of rewarding and praising them, but when it comes to those close to him, especially when it comes to relationships: family, friendship, love, he becomes overwhelmed.

Shujia said, "You and the one from Ning Hui's family are really enemies. He may not disrespect you, but I'm afraid he just doesn't know how to get along with others." They are all the same. That one's biological mother died early, and he also has a stepmother, who is also a weird kid.

Yinreng said, "You're still laughing."

"Okay, stop laughing." But he decided to mediate between them through Ning Hui. This constant tension was really not a good thing. Besides, the same action could be interpreted differently by different people. "There are a thousand Hamlets in the eyes of one person" probably means something like that. Regardless of their perspective, as long as they understood each other, or came up with an explanation that was acceptable to both parties and would save their reputation, and that was deeply rooted in their hearts, nothing would be a problem.

Yinreng muttered for a moment, then began to flip through the pages: "Read, study. I finally got half a day off today, so I'll stop talking about my worries." He flipped open the book and was about to read, feeling a bit indignant, when he suddenly coughed with a serious expression. It was the same book from that day, the one where Shujia had pressed a page. He casually flipped open the book and found 'Zheng Bo Ke Duan Yu Yan.'

It was a bit embarrassing. Shujia always sat very close to him, so she saw it and her face turned red.

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The festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year gradually intensified in the palace. The Crown Princess's belly grew even bigger. The heavily pregnant Crown Princess also had to celebrate the Lunar New Year and deal with the numerous tasks at Yuqing Palace. One of these tasks was preparing gifts for various places. This time, Shujia wasn't in a rush to earn money; the child was more important.

Besides, after analysis, money can't be earned overnight. Nowadays, small amounts of money are simply not enough to cover expenses. There are only two ways to make big money: one, novelties, and two, large quantities of strategic materials.

First, the Imperial Household Department can make glass, repair clocks, produce its own pancreas, make bonsai made of gemstones, various snuff bottles... and even imitate many Western toys. Second, we're going to fight Galdan, and now the Crown Prince is using people to resell strategic materials. This...

So the Crown Princess temporarily abandoned this idea. Earning money depends on timing. If the Crown Prince is short on cash, he can occasionally plunder the lower ranks, as long as it's appropriate. Meanwhile, Shujia's dowry land and farmland were unpacked. They were wearing badges and led by Hongxiu. The dowry parents were invited in to report, also meant to allow the families to meet.

The farm and the shop were profitable, bringing in 30,000 taels of silver, mostly from rent from the shop. There were also some local produce—rice, noodles, vegetables, meat—that the palace had plenty of. Shujia simply ordered a selection of unusual items to try. The rest was either sold or given as gifts.

This year was relatively simple. Although the festive atmosphere was strong, there was still a sense of tension in the city. The war with Galdan was no longer news; the troops had already set out. The emperor's intention to lead the army in person was also no news; the equipment for the expedition had been prepared two months in advance.

Shujia was quite worried: "Shouldn't this kind of thing be kept secret? How come you and I are both saying it? Everyone in the palace knows that we will set out north at the end of the first lunar month or the beginning of the second lunar month next year. What if this guy named Galdan finds out?"

Yinreng smiled. "Feiyanggudu has already set out. Khan Ama has already sent people to inform all the Mongolian tribes. If Galdan knew, he would have known it long ago. This is also a good move. Let them know that the imperial army is coming and will crush them with ease. Those who are still wavering will rebel against Galdan and join the imperial court when they hear that the imperial court is determined." He shook his head. "Don't worry. How many people can Galdan have?"

It would be strange if I wasn’t worried! The next day, Yinreng’s face looked like he was constipated, and he was very angry: “It’s really strange. Khan Ama is so wise and powerful, why did he fall for that monkey Qi Shi?!”

It turned out that today Kangxi transferred Qi Shi, the Mongolian commander of the Zhenghong Banner, to be the Manchu commander of this banner.

Shujia couldn't help but reach out and touch his bald scalp: "Don't be angry, just go, what can he do is still unclear, he is not worth your anger. If you are in that mood, think about it, Khan Ama has gone north, what can you do to reassure Khan Ama."

Only then did Yinreng's expression slowly change.

It was New Year's Eve, and quite a few people came to the Crown Princess's place. Shujia would show up each time, sit for a moment, giving everyone a bit of face, then say she was tired and needed to rest. After all, she wasn't the proper mother of the state, so it wouldn't be appropriate to talk too much or act too graceful and approachable. Buns were a good excuse.

During this time, people from Prince Jian's palace also arrived. Prince Jian Yabu's second wife, who was not much older than Ning Hui, was a member of the Borjigit clan. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law entered the palace together. The Empress Dowager kept the wife to talk, and Shujia happened to invite Ning Hui to visit Yuqing Palace.

Ning Hui's life was pretty good, and her complexion was good. Seeing the Crown Princess's bulging belly, she felt quite envious. Shu Jia was wearing a mink coat today, and she took it off as soon as she entered the room. Ning Hui said, "Even though it's warm in the room, can't you be more careful?"

Shujia said, "I'm not afraid of the cold now. The mink fur you gave me earlier was really good. I had them pick it up and make it into a coat." She raised her chin, pointing to the coat Hongxiu had just taken. "I often wear it when I go out. I tell you, ever since I got pregnant, I've been able to withstand the cold."

Ning Hui said, "It's better to be careful."

"Um."

Ning Hui felt a little embarrassed. Yarjiang'a didn't know why he was at odds with the Crown Prince. In his words, the Crown Prince was too arrogant and annoying. Ning Hui figured, the Crown Prince was the future Emperor, so of course he had to be a bit arrogant. If you weren't getting along with him, what good would come of it?

Yarjiang Ayi curled his lips and said, "We'll talk about the future later." He added in his mind, it's still unclear what will happen to him in the future. Soetu and Prince Yu have already started to get along, tut tut.

Ning Hui was a new bride, so she didn't know the real situation, but Yarjiang'a's attitude really worried her. It was inevitable that she would have to prepare a little more when sending a gift to the Eastern Palace. Yarjiang'a pouted, "Why bother? Just don't find fault with it." According to him, there was no need to go all the way to Yuqing Palace. They could just go with the flow, meet the Crown Princess, and come back, saving themselves the trouble of that arrogant fellow.

Ning Hui couldn't force it, so she could only say, "The Crown Princess is quite nice. We got along well during the selection..."

Yaerjiang'a frowned: "She's okay." It's a pity that such a good person was given to that guy, the prince. Yaerjiang'a thought: The prince is a stupid bully, a bully. The prince's wife has a hard time. I think I'm doing a good deed and let my wife take care of her.

Ning Hui couldn't speak directly about these matters between husband and wife, and her suspicion that her husband was dissatisfied with the Crown Prince. However, she was also worried and had originally wanted to ask the Crown Princess to help persuade him. After all, she was a lady from a wealthy family, so she kept her composure and didn't bring it up right away.

The two of them just talked about the business of being a daughter-in-law. Shujia didn't have a proper mother-in-law, and Ninghui's mother-in-law was Yaerjiang'a's stepmother. Their relationship was also very subtle, but they did have some common language. Shujia felt that Yinreng and Yaerjiang'a should have some common language. The brothers below all had concubines and sons, and Yaerjiang'a, the eldest son, was not yet the crown prince, which was a bit subtle.

Who knew these two just wouldn't get along?

Of course, after understanding the second-in-command theory, Shujia no longer wanted to force Yinreng into any faction or clique. He was already deeply implicated in the factional struggle and didn't need to seek death like this. She just wanted to open up some doors. After all, one doesn't have to be too popular, but one can't offend everyone, right?

Starting with the daughter-in-law's experience, she talked about her husband. Shujia said, "Sometimes they are like children. They get angry for no reason, and then they get better without knowing why."

This just touched Ning Hui's heart: "That's right." The one in my family still dislikes the prince. Isn't it just a child with a bad temper who doesn't know the seriousness of the matter?

"Speaking of this, do you know that our prince is still angry with the one in your family?" Shujia began to set a trap.

"Ah?" Ning Hui didn't expect Shujia to speak first.

Shujia smiled and explained what happened: "He's really like a little kid. I told him he doesn't really understand these things. He's really been spoiled by his brothers... On weekdays, his brothers just listen to what he says. I never thought your guy is also stubborn... I told him, if you want to be nice to others, you have to be nice to them. If you want them to notice you, you can't always flirt with them..."

Ning Hui hadn't heard Shujia's recounting of the beginning of the feud between Yinreng and Yarjiang'e. She only heard Shujia say, "Once people get angry, nothing seems right to them. The more they look at something, the more they dislike it. And doesn't this kind of dissatisfaction just accumulate over time? For example, if something wasn't right before, it will seem intentional, and one thing leads to another..."

Ning Hui nodded. She thought to herself that she would ask again when she got back. Although the Crown Princess was a good idea, she also wanted to verify it. If it was true, she would also mediate. Less trouble is better than more, and one less enemy is always better.

After returning, Yaerjiang'a was not willing to ask what happened in Yuqing Palace. He just asked Ning Hui: "Did Concubine Ji talk to the Empress Dowager?"

Ning Hui said, "The Borjigit clan has some relatives with them, so it's normal for them to talk. There are also several wives and wives of Borjigit clan members. They are talking together, and I don't want to get in the way, so I went to sit in Yuqing Palace for a while..."

As expected, Yarjiang'a began to wrinkle his nose, looking like a sullen child. Ning Hui said with a smile, "Why are you so at odds with the Crown Prince?" She was also trying to soothe her husband.

Yarjiang'a was somewhat similar to Yinreng: "It's not that I can't deal with him, it's just that he's so arrogant!" He still remembered the whole thing, "Since he was a child, he has looked down on others and acted superior..."

"That's exactly what the Crown Princess said. So that's what happened. Is it worth it for something like this from childhood? Have you ever seen the Crown Prince treat others like this? It's certainly rude, but also affectionate." No matter what, there are differences between the high and the low. Although unwilling, it's better for her to submit first. This is Ning Hui's idea, and it's probably what most people think. That's the Crown Prince!

"What the hell is intimacy!" Yarjiang'a cursed. "To be intimacy is to point at my notebook and say my handwriting is bad? To say I'm stupid?" Then he imitated the tone of the young Yinreng, "You are so stupid, you have to write this stroke down! You recited this sentence wrong..."

After finishing the study, he took a breath and said, "Tell me, is there such an intimate relationship?! His eighth brother's handwriting is worse than mine, why doesn't he say it?!"

"..." Ning Hui, after all, had a preconceived notion about what Shujia had said. Furthermore, Shujia's description was lively and interesting, with a hint of teasing in her tone and a friendly demeanor. Compared to the Crown Princess's calm objectivity, Yarjiang'a was like a frantic cat or a sulking child. Ning Hui was even more convinced that the Crown Prince and her husband didn't have any major conflicts. And, "Sir, are you mistaken?" Everyone knows that the Eighth Prince's handwriting is terrible. You're using him as a lowly example? What about your future?

"So you still remember it?" He smiled, looking childish and adorable. It was indeed childish and adorable. The Crown Princess was right. How old were you then? You still remember it. Men are so boring. When I was a kid, my brother bullied me, and I didn't even remember it~ (Are you sure? Didn't you forget it?)

Ning Hui had a round face, which was a great advantage. She was a pleasant person, so people didn't get angry with her easily. The same was true for Yaerjiang'a. If he wasn't angry with her, he would continue to criticize the prince: "That's fine, but he'll always find fault with me when I'm doing things!"

Well, this fits in with the Crown Princess's theory of accumulated contradictions, and Ning Hui felt relieved. It's always easier to get a lot done in a relaxed environment. That's why Chinese people prefer to discuss things over a drink rather than a negotiation table. Ning Hui said, "It's like when my brother met our father when he was little. The more afraid he was, the stricter he got, and the stricter he got, the more afraid he became. As for me, I'm not afraid of my father's stern face, and he can't do anything to me, so he becomes better and better to me."

Yarjianga: ...

On the other side, Yinreng also frowned when he heard that Ning Hui had arrived.

Shujia propped up her chin and said, "Why do you have that expression? Ning Hui is a good girl."

Yinreng said impatiently: "I didn't say she was bad." Yinreng thought to himself: It's a pity to give her to Yarjiang'a, this ungrateful guy!

"Do you still remember that the eldest prince of Prince Jian's family was not a good person? How long has it been like this?"

"How long? He was talking back to me just two days ago!"

here we go again……

"You've been like this since you were little. You seem like enemies."

Yinreng started to get angry when he heard the word "enemy": "Who is his enemy?"

"Isn't it? Who have you ever quarreled with like this? The eldest brother was neither positive nor negative, and the third brother started to be respectful and distant. Be content, it's not bad to have someone to quarrel with. It shows that you don't think the other person is so hateful, right?" On the contrary, it was a little too similar, which made it weird.

"Who...I just think he is hateful!" Although he said this, his expression relaxed.

Shujia breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn't expect Yinreng to listen to everything she said, but at least a little touch and change of heart would be good. "He's several years younger than you. Can't you just slowly and carefully teach him a lesson? Be more gentle, that's what shows your ability. What a waste of emotion to be so angry? Can't you tame him?"

The phrase "waste of feelings" sounded fresh and quite fitting. Yinreng laughed. Being angry all the time was indeed a waste of feelings. It was useless work and a waste of time.

As the years drew to a close, the number of royal family members entering the palace increased. Yaerjiang'a was one of them. He also wanted to follow Kangxi to earn some points for himself, hoping to be named a prince as soon as possible. Now, the two princelings met.

In the past, Yarjiang'a would have just greeted him and acted expressionless, leaving Yinreng with no reason to complain and feeling aggrieved. Yinreng, on the other hand, would have just raised his hand and ignored him, leaving Yarman'a feeling aggrieved as well.

Now, Yarjiang'a, having been brainwashed by his wife, didn't think the Crown Prince was really targeting him, did he? Anyone else would have thought this was a gesture of goodwill, an attempt to win him over, but the Crown Prince, who knew what it meant to be submissive and show goodwill? Besides, they had just had a fight a few days ago, so now wouldn't be the time for him to be won over.

It seemed the Crown Prince was always like this. Was I wrong? Was he just getting angry for nothing? Yarjiang'a's expression brightened slightly. He glanced at the Crown Prince a little more, a little embarrassed, pursed his lips, and lowered his head.

Just like commercials, no matter how much you hate commercials in TV dramas, if you see them enough, you'll remember them and then pick up something like that at the store. In short, after Yinreng heard his wife say twice that Yarjiang'e wasn't so hateful, he felt that Yarjiang'e wasn't so hateful anymore.

So Yinreng said to Yarjiang'a for the first time: "You're here? Get up. Khan Ama is busy right now, so I guess it will take a while for him to come."

Seeing Yarjiang'a looking a little flustered, Yinreng felt quite proud. Hmm, Yarjiang'a, being nice to him also has its benefits? Why didn't he appreciate my kindness to him before? Clearing his throat, he said, "What do you want to talk to Khan Ama about? Khan Ama has been very busy with Galdan's affairs recently. If it's not relevant, don't mention it for now."

Was he reminding me? That arrogant fellow? Did he take the wrong medicine? But when Yarjiang'a was in urgent need, he wanted to go to the battlefield, wanted to show off, wanted to be the crown prince. No matter what the spoon is made of, if it can't scoop up anything, you will still starve.

Therefore, Yaerjiang'a just accepted Yinreng's goodwill: "Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. I would like to ask for permission to accompany you."

"Well, that's it," he told the truth. Since he told the truth, I can do him a favor. "Khan Ama will be happy, but since Khan Ama has agreed to Uncle Prince, do you want to discuss it with Uncle Prince first?" Now that he was in a good mood, Yinreng had to consider him more.

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After several brief encounters between the Crown Prince and Yarjiang'a (mainly due to Yarjiang'a being a bit impatient), the Crown Prince's relationship with Yarjiang'a improved considerably, with Yinreng promising to speak up for Yarjiang'a. Yarjiang'a, in turn, was very grateful, and the Crown Prince seemed less rude.

Yarjianga: My wife is right, he is not that arrogant.

Yinreng: My wife is right, he is not that annoying.

Coincidentally, Kangxi, in addition to arranging many matters before leaving for the expedition, also took the time to guide the Crown Prince in his studies (in government affairs). That day, seeing the memorial submitted by Yarjiang'a, Kangxi shook his hand and threw it to Yinreng to read.

The memorial was filled with heartfelt sentimentality, saying things like, as a noble, one must serve the country and not just take a salary for nothing, how a son couldn't bear to see his father go to the battlefield at such an old age, and how Khan Ama (he actually wrote this in the memorial, and Kangxi wasn't angry at all) had summoned him to the palace since he was young to teach him to be worthy of Khan Ama...

After reading it, Yinreng raised an eyebrow and said, "He does have a conscience. Prince Jian is indeed not young anymore."

Kangxi looked at Yinreng with a half-smile: "Don't you and the eldest son of Prince Jian's family have a bad relationship? Why do you seem...?"

Yinreng said, "It's not that we don't get along... well, it's just that we had some bad tempers at the beginning, and now we're at odds. That doesn't stop me from telling the truth. I actually think he has a good temper. Having someone I can get along with makes life less boring."

"Really? Didn't he beg you for mercy?" Emperor Kangxi still knew something.

"Ah?" Yinreng laughed. "Not really, it's just that I'm a little envious of him. He can fight alongside his father, father and son, while his son... Since his son can't go with his father this time, letting someone else go with him as a father and son makes me feel better. In that sense, he's a filial son. His son can empathize with him now, so he doesn't mind it so much."

In the afternoon, Yarjiang'a received the reply: approved.

In the afternoon, Yabu was comforted: "I have brought your son to my side, so don't worry. Don't be angry with him. This child's filial piety is truly commendable."

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Shujia has been thinking about one question: Is what she is doing right?

The Crown Princess was understandably displeased with the Crown Prince's closeness to his concubines. However, she couldn't bring herself to prevent him from meeting his sons, even though their opportunities to see each other were rare. She also wanted to forget the fact that Yinreng had concubines and illegitimate sons, but the daily expense reports reminded her of the group of people in Xiefang Palace.

The concubines aside, the son still needed a father. Every day, the concubines and the illegitimate son came to pay their respects. Li Jiashi was ill, and her condition worsened in the winter, so she was spared the trips. The only ones left were Li Jiashi and her son. Shujia's emotions were mixed. On the one hand, she worried that Yinreng's favor for the illegitimate son would deprive her of his care, but on the other, she felt sorry for the illegitimate son, and was torn between them.

The eldest prince of the Yuqing Palace had a pale face and looked unwell, so Li Jiashi's gaze mostly rested on him. The second prince was a bit more lonely, turning his head to be more attentive to Shujia. He was still very young, held by his wet nurse, in the stage of clearly distinguishing between those who treated him well and those who treated him well, and he didn't really know his biological mother. Because Li Jiashi had already struggled to get permission to see her eldest son, she didn't have the energy or authority to see her second son.

Shujia, on the other hand, always entertains him with toys whenever they see him. This mother-son pairing is harmonious. However, it seems like she's driving a wedge between them. But if I ignore him, it also seems like I'm neglecting my illegitimate son. It's a dilemma.

At this time, Yinreng arrived. It should be said that the eldest son had once been a very happy existence for him, but he was born weak and not very good-looking. He was afraid to give him a name for fear that he would not be able to support him. For the crown prince, who needed others to take care of him, it was too much trouble. Therefore, he only glanced at him. On the contrary, the second son was healthier, and hearing him call "Ama" was more touching.

Now it’s great, father and son are having a happy time together, Shujia wants to bite her fingers.

"It's just right. I have something else to say. Our eldest prince will be five years old next year. Is it time for him to start learning?" Shujia asked Yinreng.

Li Jiashi then remembered that the eldest prince had reached school age and had hurriedly looked at Yinreng. A mother's concern was always for her own flesh and blood. Yinreng said, "He's still young and not in good health. If he gets exhausted, it'll be hard to recover. Right now, we're busy with the war. Next year, when Khan Ama returns victorious and he's fully recovered, I'll report to Khan Ama."

Li Jiashi hurriedly pushed the eldest prince to Xie Ama. Yinreng was a little dissatisfied: "Didn't the Crown Princess ask you to take care of the child? Why is he still like this now?" Unhealthy. Li Jiashi lowered her head in silence, feeling sorry for her eldest son and blaming herself. She always felt that she was sorry for her son for not giving birth to a healthy one.

Shujia said, "Okay, don't be so stern when you meet. Don't scare the child." Being a legitimate mother is really hard! She regretted letting Li Jiashi take care of the child herself. Wouldn't it be better to follow the rules? However, now that she has her husband, she would feel bad if she didn't let him enjoy the joy of mother and child.

Yinreng temporarily relieved her, saying, "It's alright, let's all go. Since the child isn't well, take him home and let him rest. Don't tire yourself out." That was all he knew. The prince's medical research was still at the maternal stage, so it would probably take several more months before we could see any results on infants and young children.

Li Jiashi hurriedly left with her sons. The Second Prince was still holding onto Shujia's sleeve, a little reluctant, and Yinreng glared at him. Shujia turned her head away, pretending to play a rattle to avert her eyes.

Once children are born, getting along with each other in the family becomes a big problem.

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Although this year's New Year is lively, it is also simple.

A series of activities revolved around the personal expedition, and Yinreng also offered sacrifices to the gods.

After returning, Yinreng was a little anxious. There were many people from the eldest prince's line on the list of soldiers. It was no wonder that the eldest prince had been on the expedition in 1939. However, there were not many people from the crown prince's line. He hoped to have more.

In reality, the Crown Prince was currently enjoying great fortune, all his wishes coming true—except for his father-in-law, who had been chosen by Emperor Kangxi to accompany him to the army. The Shi family father and son accompanied the Emperor, while Qingde and Huashan remained in Beijing. Huashan was too old, and Emperor Kangxi feared he would be unable to return. He felt Qingde was a reliable child, and his presence could help persuade Huashan a little. It was only fair to say that Qingde was a master of disguise.

Yinreng was about to vomit blood. His father-in-law was in poor health. What if he died of exposure to the elements? His son wasn't even born yet. It would be unlucky if he didn't see his grandfather. What if his wife got sick from worrying about her father-in-law? He was relieved when he heard that he was the military advisor and would be accompanying the emperor.

Shi Wenying and others also led a team to participate in the military campaign, and he was assigned to Sabusu's unit. The Shi family had many sons and daughters, so Shi Wenbing also sent a number of them along. He was thoughtful and submitted a report to Emperor Kangxi, which was clearly documented. Emperor Kangxi also praised him, saying, "He is deeply loyal to his country and behaves like a minister."

In this way, on the 28th day of the first lunar month, Kangxi set off with a group of people.

Shujia was extremely anxious. Her father was not in good health. Yinreng was helpless and still tried to persuade her: "Khan Ama has his own ideas. It is better to obey his orders in the imperial tent than to fight on the front line."

Shujia: "My uncle is on the front line!"

Yinreng: ...

For this matter, Shujia prepared a lot of portable things. Yinreng was devastated when he saw them: "We Manchus are about to conquer the world, and we bring the most practical things. These things of yours... are useless..."

Shujia was not convinced and held up a purse-shaped object made of soft leather: "What about this?" She originally wanted to make it into a wallet-shaped one with a layer, but failed, and ended up making it a purse.

"This... looks a bit strange, did you make a mistake? When we were outside the Great Wall, we used deer calf wool instead of gold thread sleeves..." The speechless husband.

"I'll give it to my father!" said the wife, who was so embarrassed that she got angry.

"Give me one too. I'll tell them to do the same, give one to Jinhan Ama and one to Yarjiang A, so that Yarjiang A can help take care of my father-in-law." Seeing his wife's eyes turn red, the husband finally realized his mistake.

"Hmph!" A wife who is very easy to coax.

As for how Emperor Kangxi admired his son’s sensibleness after receiving the purse, how he planned to wear it on his body to show off during his journey north, and how he thought his son was adorable and planned to return the gift, that is a story for another time. [1]

The author has something to say: Yesterday Xia Xiaohei only gave me a massage up to my waist...

Hmm, Baozi will be out in the next chapter, so that’s fine.

[1] The Empress Xiaoxian of Emperor Qianlong made a purse out of deer velvet. I searched for it for a long time but couldn't find the original, so I guessed it was made of deer velvet. If anyone has researched this, please let me know.

Ahem, this has been changed, thanks for reminding me.