Chapter 2 Yinzhen was only three years old, although he looked...
Although Yinzhen was only three years old and looked very small, he still had some weight to him. Wenshan picked him up from the snow, weighed him in her hands, and then, considering the distance between Xianfu Palace and Cining Palace, decided to have the eunuch Baoquan fetch a sedan chair.
She came here today thinking she would enjoy the snow scenery, but given Yinzhen's current condition, she can't let him walk back.
Baoquan went to fetch the sedan chair, while Wenshan carried Yinzhen to the corridor to wait. Yinzhen's forehead was now red and swollen from the bump, and his knees looked uncomfortable, perhaps from kneeling for so long.
"Pearl, go to the Imperial Hospital and summon the Imperial Physician to wait at Xianfu Palace," Wen Shan instructed, tightening the cloak on Yinzhen's body.
"yes."
Pearl curtsied and hurriedly walked out, but Wen Shan called her back: "You don't need to come over later. Go back to the palace, boil some hot water, and prepare some food."
Pearl nodded, and not long after she left, Baoquan returned in a sedan chair. Wen Shan's other personal maid, Emerald, helped Wen Shan carry Yinzhen into the sedan chair.
Yinzhen remained silent throughout, obediently letting her do as she pleased, his eyes drooping blankly.
Wen Shan sighed, patted his head, and said gently, "Go to Consort Xuan's place later and have the imperial physician take a look at you. Then take a bath, eat something, and go to sleep."
Yinzhen nodded and said sullenly, "Thank you, Consort Xuan."
Wen Shan didn't force the child to talk because he was in a bad mood; she just put her arm around him. The young master was injured, so the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair walked much faster than usual, and they arrived in no time.
Wen Shan originally wanted to carry Yin Zhen inside, but Yin Zhen struggled to get down from her arms and said seriously, "Your subject is fine, I can walk by myself."
Seeing the determination on his small face, Wen Shan went along with it. She squatted down and straightened his hat, which had been askew from being dragged on the ground while he was in the sedan chair. She took his hand and said with a smile, "Okay, let's go in then."
Yinzhen nodded and followed Wenshan into Xianfu Palace.
He had never been to Xianfu Palace before. This area was usually quiet, but now it was even more deserted after the snow. The vermilion palace gates were already open, and several palace maids and eunuchs were waiting at the door. When they saw them return, they hurriedly came to greet them.
"Your Highness, you're back!" Pearl greeted him and said, "Imperial Physician Zhang is already here and waiting in the hall. The hot water is ready, and I will serve the Fourth Prince his bath in a moment."
Yinzhen, holding Wenshan's hand, entered Xianfu Palace for the first time. Several trees were planted in the front courtyard, which were now bare, but many paper-cuts were hung on them, which looked like a patch of red plum blossoms from a distance. There were also many flower beds on both sides. A swing stood in the southeast corner of the wall, and several palace lanterns painted with koi fish hung under the eaves of the corridor. Several eunuchs and palace maids surrounded them and talked to Consort Xuan. Judging from their close expressions, it was clear that Consort Xuan usually treated them very well.
It's a beautiful place full of life.
Upon entering the room, a wave of warmth washed over them. Physician Zhang was already waiting there. He greeted Wen Shan and Yinzhen, and Wen Shan took off Yinzhen's cloak and carried him to the bed.
"Physician Zhang, please take a look at the Fourth Prince."
"Your Majesty is too serious. This is merely my duty." Imperial Physician Zhang bowed and stepped forward to take Yinzhen's pulse and examine the injuries on his forehead and knees.
Wen Shan asked anxiously, "How are you? Is everything alright?"
Physician Zhang stroked his beard, put away his pulse diagnosis, and replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, the forehead and knee are just superficial injuries. Apply some medicine and rest for a couple of days, and he will be fine. However, the Fourth Prince has a slight cold. I will prescribe two doses of medicine, and he should be alright after taking them."
Wen Shan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Pearl took Doctor Zhang out to get the medicine, while Emerald brought in freshly boiled ginger soup and fried milk that Wen Shan had made before leaving.
The fried milk was made for the two ancestors, but Wenshan, following the principle of "since it's already done," simply fried a lot more. She originally planned to have it as a snack while reading in the afternoon, but since Yinzhen was here, the children would probably like these desserts.
Yinzhen sat on the couch and noticed a lot of odds and ends on the table early in the morning, including several travel novels, a half-finished rattan rabbit, and a lifelike cat pillow tossed in the corner.
Although it looks messy and disorganized, it inexplicably makes one feel a sense of happiness.
Wen Shan originally wanted to use fried milk to coax Yin Zhen into drinking ginger soup and taking medicine, but she didn't expect that he didn't need to be coaxed at all. Yin Zhen picked up the bowl himself and gulped it down, his brows furrowed from the bitterness without making a sound.
As expected of the unyielding and indomitable Yongzheng Emperor, he was a ruthless person from a young age.
However, Yinzhen was still very interested in the plate of golden and fragrant fried milk, and his eyes kept glancing at it, but he was too embarrassed to speak up.
Wenshan found it amusing and pushed the fried milk towards her: "Eat it, it was originally prepared for you."
Although Yinzhen really wanted to eat it, he politely thanked her first before picking up a piece of fried milk. Then his eyes lit up immediately.
Wenshan rested her chin on her hand and looked at him: "Is it delicious?"
Yinzhen nodded, his face slightly flushed, and whispered, "Delicious."
He had never eaten this pastry before; it was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a smooth, slightly sweet milk flavor that melted in his mouth.
Wen Shan was very satisfied. Sure enough, her cooking skills could conquer everyone from sixty-year-olds to three-year-old children!
Everyone who ate it said it was bad.
Yinzhen finished the small plate of fried milk before lowering his head in shame. Had he been too greedy for food?
But to his surprise, Consort Xuan was overjoyed and praised him for being so considerate as he ate it all.
Yinzhen was pleased by her praise, thinking that anyone who came would surely finish the food prepared by Consort Xuan.
After drinking the medicine, Pearl took Yinzhen to take a bath. Wenshan picked up the half-finished rattan rabbit and had just finished working on it when Baoquan came in.
"Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine has sent someone to deliver some things for the Fourth Prince."
Judging by the time, it should be about time for them to arrive.
"Please come in quickly."
The person from Chengqian Palace was Consort Tongjia's personal nanny, surnamed Chen. Nanny Chen bowed to Wen Shan and then said, "Her Highness the Consort asked this old servant to bring some things that the Fourth Prince uses personally, in case the Fourth Prince is not used to living in the new residence."
Wen Shan glanced at the two maids following behind Granny Chen, who were carrying some clothes and daily necessities.
Pearl accepted the items and then brought over a chair.
Wen Shan smiled and said, "Please sit down, Granny."
Chen Mama was very polite, bowing as she replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Consort Xuan. But Your Highness has no further instructions, so this old servant must hurry back."
"Your Highness is pregnant and unable to take care of the Fourth Prince. Your Highness is very pleased that Consort Xuan is able to lend a helping hand. However, Your Highness is not feeling well and is unable to visit the Fourth Prince in person. We hope that Your Highness Xuan can often bring the Fourth Prince to Chengqian Palace to show your filial piety. We will be very grateful to Your Highness after you give birth and bring the Fourth Prince back."
Wen Shan remained unfazed by the barbed words, simply smiling slightly and saying, "Of course."
After Granny Chen left, Pearl said angrily, "Master, what did she say? She acted as if she was afraid we would take away the Fourth Prince."
Jade was also indignant: "After saying so much, she didn't even mention taking a liking to the Fourth Prince. I really don't know if she's sincere or not."
"Alright," Wen Shan interrupted them, instructing, "Don't say these things in front of the Fourth Prince. Be more careful in the future."
Pearl and Jade nodded hesitantly.
"Since His Majesty and the two matriarchs have entrusted the Fourth Prince to my care, we should just do our best. After the Consort gives birth, we will follow His Majesty's arrangements."
Although Wen Shan knew that the three-year-old little boy in front of her was the future champion of the struggle for the throne among the nine princes and the next emperor, she had no intention of getting close to him or trying to curry favor with him.
She has been here for more than two years and has not had any interaction with Yinzhen.
The reason is that the script she received was enough for her to be content with her current situation.
Given her illustrious status and the fact that Consort Xuan lived peacefully into the Qianlong era, there was no need for her to get involved in these matters.
Therefore, she treated Yinzhen with a very normal attitude, just like an ordinary child.
"How many months pregnant is the Imperial Concubine?" Wen Shan suddenly thought of something.
Pearl thought for a moment and said, "It's been four months. It's true that the Imperial Concubine's first pregnancy has been quite arduous."
Historically, Consort Tongjia gave birth to a princess in the 22nd year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, but the child died before reaching full term.
It's only the twentieth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, and Wen Shan estimates that Consort Tongjia's child was most likely miscarried before birth, otherwise there would be a record of it in history.
Then it shouldn't take more than six months for Yinzhen to be brought back.
Thinking of this, Wen Shan felt a little sad. Consort Tongjia had a difficult pregnancy and her next child died young. It's hard not to say that it was because she was related to Emperor Kangxi.
However, nowadays, marriage between cousins is perfectly normal.
When Chen Mama returned to Chengqian Palace, Consort Tongjia was taking a nap on the couch. She was sleeping restlessly and suddenly woke up to find that Chen Mama had already returned.
Consort Tongjia rubbed her slightly sore temples and sat up. The maidservant serving her quickly placed a soft cushion under her head and lifted the beaded curtain.
"The old nanny is back. What did Consort Xuan say?"
Seeing her mistress's tired expression, Chen Mama felt very sorry for her. She stepped forward and personally served her a cup of ginseng tea, saying, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. In my opinion, Consort Xuan is honest and upright and has no improper thoughts. Your Majesty's pregnancy is really difficult, so it is good to entrust the Fourth Prince to her."
Consort Tongjia took a sip of ginseng tea, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. She was frail and looked quite haggard.
"How is the Crown Prince? Has the Emperor said anything?"
This morning, someone reported that Yinzhen and the Crown Prince had a dispute. In a fit of anger, the Crown Prince kicked Yinzhen down the steps and fainted from anger. The Emperor was furious. When the Empress Dowager found out, she summoned the Emperor, and Yinzhen was also punished by the Emperor and made to kneel in Cining Palace.
Upon hearing this, Consort Tongjia was almost driven to despair. As someone who often accompanied the Emperor, she naturally knew how much the Emperor doted on the Crown Prince. This time, Yinzhen had made a grave mistake and was likely to incur the Emperor's displeasure.
Because she was pregnant, she thought it over carefully and, despite some concern, did not go to Cining Palace.
Granny Chen added another hand warmer for Consort Tongjia and said, "This old servant has inquired and found out that His Highness the Crown Prince has woken up and is alright. The Emperor knows that Your Highness is pregnant and has been through a lot, but he hasn't said anything."
"Then... why take Yinzhen away from me? Do you think I am an unkind mother?" Consort Tongjia's brows were full of worry. Only now did she realize that the Emperor thought she was being harsh to Yinzhen.
"Your Majesty is overthinking it," Chen Mama comforted her. "This old servant heard from Xiao Luzi of Cining Palace that His Majesty personally told the Fourth Prince that he is fickle and has no filial piety, and is not suitable to be raised in our palace for fear of disturbing your pregnancy."
"In my opinion, His Majesty is worried about Your Highness. It's good to send the Fourth Prince away now, so that His Majesty won't be angry when he sees the Fourth Prince in Chengqian Palace and then take his anger out on you."
Consort Tongjia was startled: "Did His Majesty really say such harsh words to Yinzhen?"
Granny Chen nodded: "It's absolutely true, His Majesty is furious."
Consort Tongjia's heart sank. The gender of the child in her womb was still unknown, and her adopted son was already disliked by the Emperor...
Seeing that Consort Tongjia looked unwell, Chen Mama assumed that she was still worried about not pleading for the Fourth Prince, so she comforted her, "Your Highness, don't forget that the Fourth Prince's birth mother on his jade tablet is still Consort De. Since she didn't plead for him, it can't be blamed on us."
When Consort De was mentioned, Consort Tongjia became even more depressed: "Consort De is now in a good position. She just had the Sixth Prince last year. With a new patron, she naturally avoids Yinzhen like the plague."
"So it's better for the Fourth Prince to be raised by Consort Xuan than to return to Yonghe Palace." Seeing that Consort Tongjia's thoughts had finally shifted, Granny Chen quickly pressed her advantage.
After speaking for a while, Consort Tongjia felt a little tired. She raised her hand wearily and said, "I can't worry about that now. You may all leave."
Granny Chen directed the palace maids to help Consort Tongjia to rest before leaving.
Meanwhile, in Xianfu Palace, Yinzhen, who had just finished bathing and changed into a snow-white nightgown, was staring at a pile of delicious dishes on the table, silently drooling. Wenshan rolled up her sleeves and personally brought in a bowl of yellow peach honey soup.
"Alright, all the dishes are ready, let's eat!"
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