As people get older, they tend to reminisce about the past.
There were some things that the Empress Dowager could not tell Tong Wanyan, much less the Kangxi Emperor's concubines, and even less the Kangxi Emperor himself.
Now Yinreng is sitting here, behaving very obediently, and the Empress Dowager has been talking to him for quite a while.
When it was time for dinner in the evening, the Empress Dowager was still talking as if she hadn't finished.
The Empress Dowager looked at Yinreng with affection: "I've said too much, just listen. You've been with me for so long, you should go back and be with Xiaoyan. That child is definitely waiting for you. I forgot the time and delayed the time you two could spend together."
Yinreng smiled shyly, his eyes filled with genuine joy: "Xiao Yan dotes on her grandson and always waits for him to eat together."
"This is a good thing. I am happy to see you children living happily and harmoniously, with loving people caring for you," the Empress Dowager said.
Yinreng decided to go to Xiaotangshan, and his subordinates had to start preparations overnight.
Unlike the estate I took Kangxi to last time, which we didn't stay at once every three years.
The estate chosen this time was one that Yinreng visited many times a year. The houses there were cleaned every day, and the bedding and clothes were scented and aired out daily.
The servants in the manor were all servants left behind by Empress Hesheri, and they were loyal and trustworthy.
Unless Yinreng visits, they live a self-sufficient life, neither going out nor allowing outsiders to enter.
The estate is vast; this location was originally reserved by Sony for his granddaughter as part of her dowry. Even the imperial family today doesn't have such a prime location and such a large area.
The next morning, as dawn broke, Yinreng and Tong Wanyan carried Hongzhao and Tana, first taking the sleeping little chubby boy to Ning Shou Palace.
The Empress Dowager woke up early, and when they arrived, it was breakfast time, so they managed to sneak in some food.
Upon receiving the news, Emperor Kangxi rushed over immediately.
It was as if Yinreng wasn't going to Xiaotangshan for a few days, but rather that father and son hadn't seen each other for decades.
After Tong Wanyan and Yinreng got into the carriage and left the palace gate, Tong Wanyan nestled in Yinreng's arms and said, "The way His Majesty looked at you just now, he really seemed reluctant to part with you."
Yinreng said proudly, "Father loves me the most, and I know that in my heart."
The carriages used for long journeys were built like small houses, with everything you could need.
Tong Wanyan took out food and drinks herself, set up a chessboard, and started playing chess with Yinreng.
There's no need for a life-or-death struggle, but the time on the road flies by as everyone uses their wits and courage to outmaneuver each other.
The road to Xiaotangshan was well-maintained and very smooth.
More than an hour later, the carriage came to a stop, and the steward of the estate was already standing outside the gate to greet them.
Ling Putian came here before dawn to give the estate a final safety check.
"This servant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Consort."
After the carriage curtain was lifted, a chorus of salutes rang out.
Yinreng called for them to get up. Tong Wanyan glanced at Chunque, who then stepped forward and gave the stewards several purses containing a few gold ingots, which were quite substantial.
"Thank you for your hard work," Yinreng said to Lingpu.
Lingpu smiled and said, "It's my duty. I estimated that we would arrive around this time, so I put breakfast on the stove. It's chicken porridge made from the old hen from the estate."
After a bumpy ride, the meager breakfast at Ning Shou Palace wasn't enough to satisfy my hunger.
Tong Wanyan asked, a little hungry, "How long did you stay up?"
"I've been simmering it over a low flame since last night. The side dishes are all your and Master's favorites, refreshing and appetizing, to help relieve the fatigue of the carriage ride." Ling Pu often heard Ling Mama's admonitions, and his respect for Tong Wanyan was mixed with a touch of affection.
Yinreng patted his shoulder: "You're becoming more and more like Granny Ling now, remembering even such small things."
“No matter how small the matter is, it’s no small thing,” Ling Pu said seriously.
He turned to the side and led the way.
I haven't been to this estate for almost half a year. The flowers in the estate have been newly planted, and they are a bit different from before, but they are more beautiful.
Yinreng surveyed his territory with a contented expression: "Xiao Yan, I specially had Lingpu find these flowers from Southeast Asia. Do you like them?"
Tong Wanyan followed behind him, taking very slow steps. Yinreng walked halfway and stopped halfway, keeping pace with her pace.
"I am very happy." Tong Wanyan looked up and gave Yinreng a beautiful smile.
No woman dislikes flowers; she is no exception.
When Tong Wanyan is happy, Yinreng is happy.
Upon arriving at the house, Deshun and Chunque each led their two masters to the other side.
Although we came by carriage, the journey was dusty, so it would be more comfortable to freshen up.
The main house had underfloor heating, which the steward had set on fire beforehand.
The water for washing is drawn from the hot spring pool; it's piping hot, so you're guaranteed not to catch a cold.
Just as Lingpu said, the food Zhuangzi prepared suited Tong Wanyan's taste perfectly.
After reading it, Yinreng kept it in mind and said to Lingpu, "Did the chef change? The skills are good. After finding out the origin, send it to Yuqing Palace."
Since noble people rarely visit the village, they usually don't keep a cook on their own.
When Yinreng came to stay for a while after leaving the palace, he brought Wang Yan with him.
Lingpu summoned the steward and inquired about who had prepared this table of dishes.
This question actually yielded some interesting results.
The steward stammered for a long time before finally saying, "The person who made this breakfast is my wife."
“Since she’s your wife, what’s there to hide?” Ling Pu laughed.
He knew that the steward had married a second wife last year. He had never met her, but his identity had been checked; she came from a respectable background and was neither a spy nor a rebel.
Aside from the fact that she's a bit older and has never been married, which is a little strange, everything else is perfectly normal.
Tong Wanyan recalled what Yinreng had just said: "Are you worried that I will take your wife to the palace and separate you two?"
The manager immediately blushed, clearly realizing that his thoughts had been guessed.
He wasn't like this with his first wife, but since meeting his current one, he truly loves her to the core. He does his best to give her the best he can within his capabilities.
"This servant wouldn't dare. It's just that this servant's wife grew up in the mountains and isn't very familiar with etiquette," the steward said.
Yinreng said, "I am not an unreasonable master. Since that's the case, then stay at the estate. Prepare the dishes well these next few days; if the concubine enjoys them, I will reward her handsomely."
The steward chuckled foolishly, "This servant thanks you, sir."
There was a racecourse on the estate. After eating until we were half full, everything on the table was cleared away.
I had changed into my riding gear before the meal. Since the wind wasn't strong and the weather wasn't cold today, it was quite nice to ride a horse for a few laps.
Both Yinreng and Tong Wanyan were dressed in royal blue riding attire, and from a distance, it was clear that they were a perfect couple.
When Lingpu led the horse over, his eyes inexplicably stung.
He'll dress like that with his wife tomorrow; after all, everyone has a wife.
They're all lovey-dovey all day long, and everyone else standing around looks like a superfluous stone pillar.
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