Chapter 151 Leaving the Palace
Inside the warm pavilion, sunlight, like scattered gold, gently blanketed the floor. Three-year-old Bao Cheng, with his exquisitely sculpted face, was full of anticipation. His big, dark eyes gazed at Emperor Kangxi, who was reviewing memorials at his desk. He sidled up to Kangxi, pursed his lips, looking a little shy. After hesitating for a long time, he finally reached out and gently tugged at the hem of Kangxi's bright yellow robe.
While seemingly focused on reviewing memorials, Emperor Kangxi was actually secretly observing Bao Cheng's every move. He was almost charmed by Bao Cheng's adorable actions. When he finally saw Bao Cheng tugging at his robe, he couldn't wait to pull Bao Cheng into his arms.
"Baocheng, what's wrong?"
His voice was so soft it seemed to drip water, completely unbecoming of his status as emperor, but the palace servants around him were already used to it.
After all, the emperor is only a doting father to the crown prince; at other times, he is an incomparably dignified emperor.
"Father, are you leaving the palace?"
Bao Cheng sat obediently in Kangxi's lap, a dot of vermilion between his eyebrows making him look remarkably like a child under Guanyin's seat. Of course, Kangxi didn't like this comparison.
Therefore, when speaking to outsiders, he always describes Bao Cheng as his son, mainly to emphasize that Bao Cheng is his son, not some Buddhist disciple with a connection to Buddhism.
But because of this, he was labeled as "narcissistic" by many people.
Upon hearing Bao Cheng's question, Kangxi smiled knowingly. When he and Fuquan were discussing leaving the palace, Xiao Wu had been left on his table, and it was likely that Xiao Wu had told Bao Cheng.
Outsiders only knew that Bao Cheng was popular with animals, but they didn't know that he could communicate with small animals. Only Emperor Kangxi and Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang knew this, and both of them tacitly kept it a secret from the public.
Such a miraculous event was so great that Kangxi feared he could not retain Baocheng as the "Crown Prince" and that "public opinion" would force Baocheng to become a "Buddhist disciple" for the sake of so-called well-being.
Each time he sensed this miraculous power, Kangxi couldn't help but feel anxious, fearing he would lose Baocheng. Therefore, he treated Baocheng even better and kept a closer eye on him.
So, suppressing his unease, Kangxi smiled and nodded: "Yes, Father will be leaving the palace in a few days."
“Then…” Bao Cheng looked up expectantly, “Father, can I take Bao Cheng with me? I’ve never been out before.”
Kangxi teased him, "Leaving the palace is not as carefree as staying in it. If you get hurt, Grandma Wukuma will be very worried."
"Baocheng will be careful, and with Father Emperor by his side, he will definitely be fine."
Seeing Bao Cheng's trusting and dependent gaze softened his heart, and he was filled with joy.
In fact, Kangxi was already prepared to agree the moment Baocheng uttered his first sentence. This was because it was the first time Baocheng had ever wanted something.
This was actually something that made Kangxi very uneasy. Everyone praised the Crown Prince for being intelligent, well-behaved, and sensible, but he did not want the Crown Prince to be so sensible, so sensible that he had no desires, as if nothing in the world could hold him back and he would leave at any time.
Looking into Bao Cheng's ever-clear, lustrous eyes, Kangxi felt both pride and worry. Therefore, he always wanted to provide Bao Cheng with the very best, hoping only to gain a little favor from him so that he could stay.
"Alright, then Father Emperor, take Bao Cheng to see the capital and your future subjects."
Kangxi didn't see anything wrong with this statement. His throne was merely a means to preserve Bao Cheng's rule, and he wouldn't give it to anyone else but Bao Cheng.
The others in the hall had heard similar words many times before, and they didn't even flinch; no one doubted the Emperor's sincerity towards the Crown Prince.
Time flew by, and Kangxi, dressed in a low-key moon-white casual robe, looking more gentle and refined, accompanied Baocheng, who had changed into a lake-blue brocade robe and looked more like the beloved young master of the family, and Prince Yu, Fuquan, quietly went out of the palace for an inspection.
"Second Uncle."
"Baocheng is so good."
Fuquan looked at Baocheng, who was obediently greeting him, and wished he could snatch him from the Emperor's hands and hug him tightly.
Unfortunately, Kangxi was a stingy man, and he leaned to the side to avoid Fuquan's outstretched hand. "I'll carry Baocheng. Second brother, you're too old, so I won't trouble you."
Fuquan was so angry his nose almost crooked. Fine, he wouldn't let him hold his son, but why did he have to slander him? He was in the prime of his life, and his eldest son was only two years old! If Xuan Ye weren't the emperor, he would have really hit his younger brother.
Seeing Bao Cheng leaning on Xuan Ye's shoulder, tilting his head and smiling at him, Fu Quan's heart melted. Little Bao Cheng was just too cute. He couldn't steal him back. Maybe he should bring Chang Quan to meet Bao Cheng. That way, Chang Quan might grow up to be a little better looking. He didn't need to look much better, just a little bit like Bao Cheng would be fine.
After inspecting the lives of ordinary people in the capital, Fuquan wanted to bring Baocheng back to his residence.
Before he could speak, Bao Cheng suddenly asked a question: "Father, do I have an older brother who is being raised outside the palace?"
Kangxi paused, and Fuquan, who was standing next to him, could clearly see his displeasure, but he still suppressed his anger and spoke softly to Baocheng.
"Baocheng, who told you that?"
Emperor Kangxi was furious and suspected that someone was gossiping about Bao Cheng.
He never told Bao Cheng about Bao Qing's existence. How did Bao Cheng find out? Was it because Nara was being unruly? Or was someone else trying to sow discord between father and son?
Bao Cheng pursed his lips, glanced apologetically at Fu Quan, and, remembering what Wu Kuma and the Emperor had said, leaned close to Kangxi's ear and whispered, "It was Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu heard it when he was flying around in the palace."
Kangxi then barely managed to put aside most of his suspicions, patted Bao Cheng on the head, and expressed his appreciation for his actions, saying, "So that's how it is."
It's unclear how Xiao Baocheng found out, but judging from Xuan Ye's relaxed demeanor, he seems to have overcome his anger. Fu Quan, however, paid no attention to the father and son's whispered conversation; he too vaguely sensed something different about the young crown prince.
However, seeing how sensible the little prince was, and how he would apologize to him when whispering, Fuquan liked him even more, but he couldn't help but worry that Baocheng was so well-behaved, would he be bullied by others?
After all, Xuan Ye had so many concubines and would have many more children in the future. Fu Quan, looking at the adorable little Bao Cheng, made up his mind. He was different from Xuan Ye. Xuan Ye could be the father of many people, but he would only be Bao Cheng's second uncle from now on!
"Father, may we go see my brother?"
Bao Cheng looked at Kangxi expectantly. How could Kangxi bear to refuse? He immediately agreed: "Alright, then Father will take you to see it."
The group soon changed course and went to the home of Garu, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department.
After Kangxi's first four sons died young, Baoqing was immediately sent outside the palace to be raised after his birth. Later, when Baocheng turned one year old, he was named Crown Prince and received the name Yinreng. Kangxi also ordered that all princes should be born with the character "Yin" in their names.
Baoqing, who was raised outside the palace, also received the formal name of Yinzhi when she was three years old.
As a prince raised in the home of a courtier, he was naturally pampered and had everything he wanted.
Now five years old, Baoqing lives a carefree and leisurely life at the Garu Mansion, playing with cats and dogs, but he also has the troubles of growing up.
Watching Garu's children play together, he couldn't help but feel a little envious. He wished he had a younger brother to play with, or even a sister—his sister would definitely be prettier than Hatu's!
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