Chapter 31 Consort Hui and the Evil Emperor Kangxi
After dinner, the Imperial Household Department, as was their custom, served green-headed dishes.
Kangxi glanced at it, then remembered the joke Baoqing had made during the day, and waved his hand, "No need, go to Yanxi Palace."
He had some mischievous thoughts; Yunrui had told the ministers, and Baoqing should also tell his mother.
This time, the head eunuch of the Imperial Household Department was smarter. As soon as Kangxi raised his hand, he tactfully led the little eunuch carrying the tray away.
After taking only two steps, Kangxi gave another order, "Take those two crickets and Baoqing's shed teeth with you."
As the emperor's most trusted confidant, Liang Jiugong had to think of everything the emperor thought of, and even things the emperor hadn't thought of. Therefore, when Kangxi was coaxing the child, Liang Jiugong had already wrapped Baoqing's baby teeth in a handkerchief.
The two crickets were also well taken care of. There were many capable people in the Qianqing Palace, and many wanted to show off in front of Liang Jiugong, the Grand Eunuch.
In the end, it was an unknown eunuch who said he used to raise crickets and won the job, thus getting the opportunity to carry a bamboo cricket cage to Yanxi Palace.
-
As dusk fell and the sun slowly dipped below the horizon, the sky above the Forbidden City, square in shape, was beautifully tinged with the colors of the sunset.
Upon receiving news that Emperor Kangxi was coming, Yunyun's expression remained unchanged, as if she knew nothing about what had happened that afternoon.
Planting people is a clandestine activity. Although everyone has done it to some extent, those who know, know, but without an official source, it's best to pretend you don't know.
Therefore, when Yunyun saw the young eunuch place a bamboo cage on the table, she looked somewhat bewildered. "Your Majesty, what... what did you bring?"
She was truly bewildered.
After all, Emperor Kangxi would never allow the news of a prince being caught playing with crickets during class to spread and damage the prince's reputation. A lowly eunuch who was sweeping the room would have no way of knowing about it.
Kangxi seemed to be in a good mood, and a rare smile appeared on his face. "Consort Hui, why don't you open it and take a look?"
Yunyun was somewhat suspicious.
She always seemed to have a malicious intent towards Kangxi.
The people in the room had all left sometime earlier, and Liang Jiugong and Fuling were guarding the side room, waiting for their master to summon them at any time.
Yunyun carefully lifted a small corner of the bamboo cage lid.
She had just seen the bamboo cage move slightly; there was a living creature inside.
I glanced at them and saw two green insects hopping around; one of them even jumped onto the mouth of the bamboo cage, looking quite lively.
Yun Yun paused, then calmly closed the lid. "Why did His Majesty bring two insects to Yanxi Palace?"
She was most afraid of mollusks, and not so afraid of these caged insects.
but!
Which emperor would send insects to his concubines?
Do you think you're living too comfortably and want to hear screams?
Kangxi noticed Yunyun's little action, and his smile deepened. "These are grasshoppers that Baoqing caught himself in the flowerpots under the corridor of the Imperial Study. I promised Baoqing that as long as he finishes studying the Doctrine of the Mean within a month, I will allow him to see these two grasshoppers once a month."
"Baoqing caught them?" Yun Jun's eyes widened in disbelief. "You can catch grasshoppers in a flowerpot? And two at once?"
Why doesn't she believe it?
The flowers delivered from the flower shop to each palace were carefully inspected. Catching even one was considered extremely lucky. As for two?
There aren't that many crickets hiding in flowerpots.
In short, the punishment had already been imposed, and Kangxi was very calm, saying, "That's what Baoqing himself said."
He also briefly recounted how he discovered Baoqing playing with crickets during class, brought him to the Qianqing Palace, and Baoqing's confession.
Yun Yun's anger surged uncontrollably at the thought of how tense she had been that afternoon, only to find Bao Qing playing with crickets.
She didn't try to hide it; her brows furrowed, and she said directly, "His Majesty must have punished Bao Qing, right?"
No matter the era, no parent is immune to anger when they find out their child is daydreaming in class.
"Let Baoqing face the wall and reflect on his actions for a quarter of an hour," Kangxi nodded, knowing he wouldn't reveal the misunderstanding.
Seeing that Consort Hui was also angered by Bao Qing, Kangxi had to admit that he felt a little better.
After all, he was rendered speechless by Baoqing's crying during the day, and it was also a novel experience to have his son vomit blood from being yelled at by the child.
The anger he felt from witnessing Baoqing playing with crickets during class remained unabated, but now that someone else shared that anger with him, Kangxi felt relieved.
However, he wasn't there specifically to annoy his concubines.
Emperor Kangxi changed the subject, "Baoqing lost his baby teeth in the Qianqing Palace. I had the imperial physician examine him, and it was a normal process. The baby teeth that fell out are in his handkerchief."
There's a folk saying that you should put your upper teeth down and your lower teeth up, supposedly to promote the growth of new teeth.
Yunyun first put away the tooth wrapped in the handkerchief, intending to have Baoqing throw it onto the roof of the side hall when he returned to Yanxi Palace.
Or he could take it and throw it on the roof of the East Third House.
With Baoqing as a common language, Yunyun felt much more at ease when she was with Kangxi, peeling loquats herself.
Emperor Kangxi sat imposingly on a rosewood chair. “My Qianqing Palace is frequented by ministers, so it’s not suitable for keeping crickets. Fortunately, Baoqing will be returning to Yanxi Palace for a day next month for the Dragon Boat Festival, so these crickets can be temporarily kept in Yanxi Palace.”
Yunyun took the loquat she was going to feed Kangxi and put it into her own mouth.
Kangxi continued, "I have also prepared a eunuch to raise crickets. Just let him keep an eye on them; you don't need to do it yourself."
Everything was ready, what else could Yunyun do?
The only option is to raise them.
It also needs to be taken good care of.
After all, her son caught them himself, and he'll probably have to study hard to see these two.
If she were to die, Baoqing's tears would flood Yanxi Palace.
——
Time flies, and the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, is just around the corner.
Originally, the palace would hold banquets such as the Zongzi Banquet and the Calamus Banquet during the Dragon Boat Festival for the emperor and his officials to enjoy together. However, now that the empress has passed away less than 100 days ago, the Imperial Household Department has not only canceled the banquets, but also the special supply of realgar wine that was originally provided for the Dragon Boat Festival. The Zongzi are now only filled with vegetarian red bean paste and jujube paste, and the supply is very limited.
Fortunately, Baoqing was given a day off and was able to return to Yanxi Palace.
Ever since he was caught playing with crickets, Baoqing has been incredibly well-behaved in the Imperial Study. He even passed Kangxi's test. It's worth mentioning Yunrui, who, although he stumbled over his lessons, at least passed.
At the entrance of Yanxi Palace.
Knowing the exact time of Baoqing's return, Yunyun calculated the time and waited at Yanxi Gate.
Bao Qing was dressed in simple clothes, with only a simple five-colored rope tied around her right wrist. When she saw Yun Jun, she instinctively wanted to grin.
Then he shut his mouth the next second.
Since losing her baby teeth, Baoqing has spoken much less, and she only dares to smile with her lips pursed.
When answering questions from his master and Emperor Kangxi, he tried to be as concise as possible and maintain a serious expression.
Yunyun already knew from Kangxi that Baoqing had lost her baby teeth, and she had also heard her unscrupulous father mocking Baoqing. Baoqing was proud and had a strong sense of self-respect, so Yunyun didn't say much.
She simply held Baoqing's hand and touched the top of his head where stubble had sprouted.
Hmm, it prickly.
It's not easy to get started.
However, since the Empress's mourning period was not yet 100 days, the princes were not allowed to shave their heads.
Seeing Bao Qing's upright and serious appearance, Yun Jun smiled gently, "How are your studies in the Imperial Study going? Are you eating well? Are you sleeping well?"
Baoqing held Yunyun's hand tightly, speaking softly to keep in mind that he was losing his baby teeth. "I have finished studying the Doctrine of the Mean, and Father Emperor even praised me. Granny Sun has taken good care of me, and Mother Mother sends food to me from time to time. I am doing well, so Mother Mother doesn't need to worry."
Report only good news, not bad news.
Yunyun took Baoqing's hand and stepped over the threshold, deliberately saying, "Mother has a surprise for Baoqing."
It seems that Baoqing is unaware that Emperor Kangxi gave her the crickets to raise.
He gave Fuling a look.
When Yunyun led Baoqing into the main hall, a bamboo cage was placed neatly in the center of the table.
Baoqing realized something.
Yunyun released Baoqing's hand and pushed him, "Go open it and see, this is the reward your father promised you."
Baoqing became even more certain.
He hesitated for a moment before reaching out, his face gradually turning rosy.
Upon closer inspection, two crickets were hopping happily inside the bamboo cage.
"Mother!" Baoqing never expected that her father, the Emperor, would be so wicked.
He had clearly asked his father not to tell his mother.
Father Emperor broke his promise!
Baoqing's face turned bright red, and the tips of her ears were also flushed, perhaps from anger.
Father Emperor is so annoying!
Yunyun smiled and poked Baoqing's cheek. Kangxi had told her everything, including Baoqing's last request.
She showed Baoqing the wickedness of adults, "Your father has already told your mother everything, and Baoqing's last words, the emperor said, Baoqing was just making a request, but he didn't agree."
Yunyun guarantees that the last "oh" is also Kangxi's original tune.
That's really infuriating.
Baoqing experienced the wickedness of human nature at a very young age.
Father Emperor is petty!
After teasing Baoqing a bit, Yunjun didn't want him to be unhappy since he had only come back once in a while. She patted Baoqing's head comfortingly and said, "Alright, a reward is a reward. That matter is over, and your mother doesn't blame you. Baoqing is only six years old. It's only natural for him to be a little naughty sometimes. Your mother still loves Baoqing the most."
After a string of rapid-fire words, Baoqing grasped the key points.
Mother still loves him the most!
He became happy again.
As the blush on Baoqing's face gradually faded, Yunyun sighed inwardly.
She's so easy to coax.
-
Although the Dragon Boat Festival cannot be celebrated in a grand manner, the Imperial Household Department still sent green bamboo leaves, glutinous rice, red bean paste, and jujube paste to various palaces so that those who wanted to eat zongzi could make them themselves.
The Imperial Household Department sent a lot to Yanxi Palace, and Consort Nara also received quite a lot.
After he served the emperor a few days ago, the people below turned their attention back to him.
Knowing that she had not been disliked by the Emperor and might even have curried favor with the Imperial Concubine, the quality of the items sent by the Imperial Household Department this time was raised to a higher level.
Noble Lady Nara was elated. Coincidentally, there were still two jars of Jiangnan rice wine left over from the Imperial Household Department's gift last year. With a wave of her hand, she ordered all the white wine jars to be opened.
Bai Lan thought that Consort Nara wanted to drink during the mourning period, so she quickly dissuaded her, "Your Highness, it's not even the hundredth day since the late Empress's death. Even the Imperial Household Department didn't provide realgar wine for the Dragon Boat Festival. Let's be careful."
“I know,” said Consort Nara, who had been in the palace for so many years and knew the basic palace rules. “I’m just opening it to smell the aroma, and I’ll be happy even if I don’t drink it.”
Bai Lan still looked at him with distrust.
However, as a palace maid, she could not go against Lady Nara's wishes and could only console herself.
The Emperor will definitely not choose a concubine today. Consort Hui is probably reuniting with the Fifth Prince and his mother, and has no time to pay attention to them.
While thinking, Bai Lan deftly opened a jar of Jiangnan rice wine.
Of course, these actions were all carried out secretly in the room, without being seen by the other palace maids and eunuchs.
Noble Lady Nara savored the aroma of rice wine.
For some reason, she's been wanting to drink a lot lately.
But why does this rice wine smell a little nauseating?
Noble Lady Nara gagged.
Thinking of Nara's recent unusual behavior, Bai Lan suddenly remembered something in a flash. She quickly sealed the whole jar of wine again and moved it to the storeroom.
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