Chapter 10: Lady Tongjia stayed in Chengqian Palace...
Lady Tongjia stayed in Chengqian Palace until noon before leaving according to custom. Before leaving, she earnestly advised Consort Tongjia to push the Fourth Prince out as soon as possible.
"Your Highness, what the old lady said isn't without reason." After Madam Tongjia left, Granny Chen brought over ginseng tea to serve.
Consort Tongjia took a sip and found it very bitter, so she put it aside.
"What, do you have such a saying where you're from, Granny?" Consort Tongjia asked casually.
It was a rule established by the ancestors that concubines below the rank of Pin in the harem could not raise children. Throughout history, there have been high-ranking concubines who raised princes like her, and it seems that they did have their own children. Nowadays, most of the princes and princesses in the palace are raised by their birth mothers. Apart from the Crown Prince being raised by the Emperor, even Yinzhen was raised by her, and it doesn't seem like anything special. Therefore, Consort Tongjia was always half-believing and half-doubting about this matter.
After all, Yinzhen was a prince she had raised since childhood; how could she just push him away like that?
Having served Consort Tongjia for a long time, Granny Chen knew that Consort Tongjia still did not want to send the Fourth Prince to Consort Xuan for upbringing. So she simply said, "This old servant's family does not have such a saying, but Your Highness, since you have this doubt in your heart, you will always be thinking about it. It is neither good nor bad for the Fourth Prince. Moreover, this old servant often hears the imperial physician say that pregnancy is closely related to a woman's mood. How can we help you if you are always so restless?"
Consort Tongjia felt as if she had been struck hard in the chest; Chen Mama's words had struck a chord with her.
Regardless of whether what her mother said was true or not, she did keep it in mind, both in terms of her attitude towards Yinzhen and her own feelings.
Seeing that she had persuaded her, Granny Chen breathed a sigh of relief. Although she did not believe as firmly as the Madam that the Fourth Prince had stolen the blessing of the Imperial Concubine's own child, she felt sorry for the Imperial Concubine who was so distressed over this matter, as she spent every day by her side. She thought it would be better to just let it go, since the Imperial Concubine was still young and would eventually have her own children.
Consort Tongjia sighed and was about to say something when Juyue suddenly entered.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived."
Just as Consort Tongjia was getting up, Chen Mama helped her up, but Emperor Kangxi had already entered the inner palace and stepped forward to support her.
"Didn't I tell you that you don't need to be so polite?"
After glancing at the two masters, Granny Chen dismissed the maids on both sides, leaving only Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tongjia alone.
At twenty-eight, Emperor Kangxi was in the prime of his life, having just quelled the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories. Compared to his younger days, he possessed a more composed and confident demeanor, as if he held great power and was in complete control. Today, his dark gold robe further accentuated his extraordinary bearing.
Consort Tongjia gazed at the tall, elegant Kangxi before her, his bearing both majestic and dignified. She couldn't help but think that if her son had survived, he would surely have grown up to be as imposing and dignified as his father.
Emperor Kangxi sat down with Consort Tongjia in his arms. Seeing that her complexion was still not good, he frowned and asked, "Why do you still look so bad? Is it because the imperial physicians are not doing their job properly?"
"The imperial physicians have been very attentive, but it is my own body that is weak." Consort Tongjia leaned against Emperor Kangxi's chest, her breath barely audible.
"I heard your mother came today, but I can't find her."
Consort Tongjia replied, "Mother stayed for half an hour and then left the palace according to the rules."
Emperor Kangxi hummed in agreement and then said, "If you miss your family, then you may have your mother come to the palace to keep you company from time to time. I grant your request."
Consort Tongjia was inevitably moved, and tears welled up in her eyes. Kangxi felt a pang of heartache seeing his cousin's utterly despondent state. After a moment's thought, he said softly, "How about I let Yinzhen return to your side to fulfill his filial duties?"
Consort Tongjia was startled, her mind a jumble of thoughts. Seeing that she was not speaking and was only staring blankly at his clothes, Kangxi smiled and asked, "What are you looking at?"
Consort Tongjia snapped out of her reverie and casually remarked, "I noticed that the sachet hanging from your waist is exquisitely embroidered."
Kangxi glanced at it and said dismissively, "This was sent by Consort De a few days ago. If you like it, you can take it and enjoy it."
Upon hearing Consort De's name, Consort Tongjia straightened up and scolded, "This is Consort De's heartfelt wish. If she knew, she would be heartbroken."
It was common for the concubines to embroider a sachet today and make a dress tomorrow. The Hall of Mental Cultivation was filled with such things, so Emperor Kangxi did not pay much attention to them.
Kangxi glanced at the golden dragon-shaped sachet again and casually said, "A few days ago, Consort De brought Yinzhuo to pay his respects. Yinzhuo is more lively than Yinzhen. Yinzhen has been staying with Consort Xuan these past few days, and I've noticed that his temperament has become much gentler."
Needless to say, Consort De has always been a thorn in the side of Consort Tongjia. Consort Xuan first raised Yinzhen and is now raising Yinsi, who was born just one day after her miscarriage. Although Consort Xuan is always gentle and obedient, Consort Tongjia still can't help but feel some resentment.
Hearing the names of these two people, Consort Tongjia felt even more choked up. She had to find something to overshadow them, so she forced a smile and said, "Consort Xuan is currently taking care of the Eighth Prince and is probably too busy. It would be good to let Yinzhen return to Chengqian Palace."
Kangxi had meant this all along. Seeing that Consort Tongjia had relented, he smiled and reassured her that Yinzhen would return to Chengqian Palace the next day.
At this moment, Wen Shan was completely unaware that Yin Zhen was about to return, and was watching with Yin Zhen as Yin Si practiced turning over on the bed.
Yinzhi, having been well cared for by Wenshan, was plump and healthy. He was dressed in a festive red auspicious robe, but his body was still too small. After moving around for a while, he felt weak in his limbs and simply lay down on the couch without moving.
After watching his younger brother roll over for a while, Yinzhen couldn't help but run over to Wenshan and say, "Mother Xuan, can I hug my little brother?"
"You can't carry him, you'll drop him again." Wen Shan laughed as she picked up Yin Si and straightened his clothes, which were a little messy from being smeared on the floor.
Yinzhi smiled sweetly at Wenshan, and Wenshan kissed his little face and turned him to face Yinzhen: "Little Eight, give your brother a smile."
Yinzhen looked on with anticipation.
Then he saw his little brother, who was just over a month old, change his expression in an instant, looking at him with a blank face.
"..."
Hmph, who would smile at him?
Yinzhen was not discouraged. He ran to the side and found a puppy toy, placing it next to Yinsi.
"Did Yinzhen make this?" Wen Shan picked it up and looked at it. It should be a rattan toy with a sewn little coat on the outside.
Yinzhen nodded: "I wove it, and Sister Pearl sewed the clothes."
"That's amazing!"
Since Yinzhi also came to Xianfu Palace, Wenshan has been particularly careful to treat everyone equally. She would kiss Yinzhen from time to time. Yinzhen felt that he was already a big boy and was very uncomfortable at first. Every time, he would pretend to struggle and then say with a red face that this was not in accordance with the rules, which made Wenshan laugh.
Later, he gradually got used to it after he discovered that Xuan'e's mother often kissed his younger brother, but he was still a little stiff every time.
Wen Shan, holding Yinzhi in one arm and the toy dog in the other, smiled and said, "This was specially made for you by your brother. Do you like it?"
Yinzhi glanced at it but pretended not to see it. Wenshan put Yinzhi down and placed the toy next to him. Yinzhi wriggled and adjusted his position, then kicked the toy away.
Wen Shan: "..."
Yinzhen picked up the toy and lowered his head in disappointment.
Does my younger brother not like me?
Yinzhen had asked this question countless times since Yinsi came to Xianfu Palace, and now even Wenshan felt that something was indeed amiss.
Yinzhi was indeed somewhat targeting Yinzhen.
Wen Shan patted Yinzhen's head and said to Yinsi very seriously for the first time, "Yinsi, this is your brother's intention, you can't do this."
Yinzhi also pouted. After kicking the toy away, he felt a little guilty, thinking that he had gone too far. He felt even more guilty when he saw his fourth brother's sad expression.
Actually, during the month or so he spent at Xianfu Palace, to be honest, Fourth Brother treated him quite well. He called him "little brother" all the time, and sometimes Fourth Brother would notice when he was hungry or needed to urinate.
Yinzhi was caught in a struggle. Although his fourth brother had tried to kill him in his previous life, his current fourth brother was only three years old. Was it wrong for him to take his anger out on him like this?
Yinzhen patted the toy that Yinsi had just thrown on the ground, then pursed his lips and placed it next to Yinsi.
“Mother Xuan, please don’t blame my younger brother. He’s still young and doesn’t understand anything. I’m the older brother, so I should take care of him.”
Wen Shan carried Yinzhen to the bed: "Our Yinzhen is so sensible, he will definitely be a good older brother in the future."
Recently, Wen Shan has been thinking about the famous struggle for succession among the nine princes after they all grow up. Now that the two key figures have become intricately connected with her, it's impossible for her not to worry.
However, Wen Shan didn't want to interfere too much with their choices. She only hoped that whoever ascended to the throne in the future would leave the other some way out for the sake of their childhood friendship, and not let it become a life-or-death struggle.
Yinzhi stretched his legs and let out a soft cry. Although he still didn't show much interest in the toy, at least he stopped kicking it.
"Master, the chilled osmanthus-flavored rice wine soft yogurt is ready." Amber brought in a soft white dumpling sprinkled with a few osmanthus blossoms.
Wen Shan's eyes lit up. This was something she had just figured out yesterday, and she had even gone to the icehouse to get some ice to refrigerate it.
"Come and bring it over, let's see how it tastes."
Wen Shan gently broke one open, and the mellow aroma of fermented rice wine mixed with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus blossoms wafted out. The glutinous rice skin was soft, chewy, and sweet, with a rich milky flavor. Wen Shan gave one to Yin Zhen, who had always loved sweets, so Wen Shan had been making more of these desserts lately.
Yinzhi watched longingly from the side. He couldn't eat anything but milk, and to make matters worse, Consort Xuan liked to make delicious food. It was really making him miserable.
Yinzhen watched as Yinsi's mouth watered, and secretly took a piece of soft cheese and gave it to him to lick.
Yinzhi smacked his lips a few times and smiled at his fourth brother for the first time.
So sweet, so fragrant, so soft!
"Yinzhen!" Wenshan saw this and quickly pulled Yinsi away a little: "Your little brother is still too young to eat this. We'll give it to him when he's older."
Yinzhi stretched out his leg in protest, and Yinzhen obediently nodded.
Wen Shan looked at the two brothers helplessly. If things continued like this, who knew what kind of evil they would become when they grew up?
"By the way, hasn't Consort Wei arrived yet?" Wen Shan suddenly asked.
She had just sent Pearl to Yanxi Palace to invite Wei Yingluo over, but there was still no sign of her.
Since Yinzhi arrived at Xianfu Palace, Wei Yingying has never come once. Wenshan knows that she is deliberately avoiding suspicion, thinking that if she has less contact with Yinzhi, she can dote on him more.
Parents' hearts are always full of love and worry.
Wen Shan would often send things to Consort Wei or invite her to sit in Xianfu Palace, but Consort Wei declined twice out of three attempts.
Pearl brought in some finely crafted children's clothes: "Master, Consort Wei said she appreciated your kindness, but she is not feeling well today and cannot come. These are clothes that Consort Wei made for the Eighth Prince and the Fourth Prince, saying they are a token of her appreciation."
Wen Shan took it and looked at it. The stitching was fine and the material was good. Moreover, she had specially made several outfits for Yinzhen, which showed that Wei Shi was truly a thoughtful person.
Wen Shan placed the little clothes that Wei Ying had made next to Yin Si: "Little Eight, look at the clothes your mother made for you."
Yinzhi's heart felt as warm as if he were soaking in a hot spring. His mother and Consort Xuan both doted on him, and from his rebirth until now, he truly had no regrets.
Yinzhen also took the clothes and said, "I will take my younger brother to thank Consort Wei tomorrow."
Wen Shan smiled and nodded, then looked at Zhenzhu and said, "Send some of these freshly made osmanthus soft cheeses to Consort Wei."
"yes."
As soon as she finished speaking, Emerald entered from outside, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived."
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