Yinreng, completely bewildered, had no idea what his imperial father was imagining.
In fact, if it weren't for the fact that he wasn't used to sleeping without Tong Wanyan beside him, he would have slept very well last night.
However, upon further reflection, it was precisely because Tong Wanyan knew about his habit that she punished him in this way.
Hunting during the day is too physically demanding, and Tong Wanyan couldn't bear to subject him to any more of that kind of physical punishment.
Yinreng defended Tong Wanyan with a righteous air: "Father, Xiaoyan is very good to me. It was I who had insomnia last night."
All of Yinreng's explanations were seen by Kangxi as mere pretense to save face.
He's been through it all; he understands.
“If you say you have insomnia, then you have insomnia. No matter the reason, you need to rest for a while.” Kangxi didn’t argue with him over words.
In conclusion, this hunting expedition beyond the Great Wall was a win-win situation for the Qing Dynasty.
With his son showing off, his daughter-in-law demonstrating her abilities, and the strength of the Qing Dynasty being displayed, Kangxi felt happy in every way.
The only thing that gave him a headache was that he had taken in a Mongolian girl while drunk.
The young girl happily went back to the Forbidden City with him, but he couldn't give her a high rank.
Well then, if her temperament remains unchanged and she is as clear-headed as she was on the grasslands, he will ensure her a lifetime of peace and happiness.
However, how could someone who enters the harem possibly remain unchanged in their feelings?
She fought for love and for her family; there was no turning back.
After the half-month hunt ended, the first thing Kangxi did upon returning to the palace was to summon his ministers to deal with urgent political matters.
As the crown prince, Yinreng was conscripted to help him clear out the mountain of memorials that had piled up.
After Kangxi breathed a sigh of relief and had some free time, Liang Jiugong reminded him to give rewards to the princes who had accompanied him.
When he was in Mongolia, the rewards that Emperor Kangxi promised were just empty words.
Apart from Yinreng and Yinti, who received the jade pendant that Kangxi personally wore as a reward, the others did not receive any physical item; it was all just a verbal promise.
Kangxi pinched the bridge of his nose wearily, letting Liang Jiugong decide on the rewards and punishments himself.
Liang Jiuneng was very considerate in handling such a small matter.
Before long, more than a dozen groups of people from the Imperial Household Department came out and gave rewards to more than a dozen princes.
The most noteworthy is the Eighth Prince, Yinzhi.
Because of what happened at the beginning of the year, he incurred the displeasure of Emperor Kangxi and was depressed for a time.
This time at the hunting grounds, he shot quite a few prey. He truly lived up to his ancestors' reputation for mastering the Manchu horsemanship.
Overjoyed, Emperor Kangxi forgot his earlier scolding and praised him repeatedly.
The people in the Forbidden City are incredibly realistic.
Seeing that Yinzhi was receiving a stream of rewards, and that the items were all quite good and carefully selected, the eunuchs and palace maids, who were adept at tailoring their gifts to the recipients, became much more attentive to him and Consort Liang. The meals and monthly allowances they sent him were significantly better than before.
Another prince who received a large reward was Yinzhi.
After all, he had been frightened, and his riding and archery skills were no less than Kangxi's. He had also been concerned about Yinreng in the midst of danger. Kangxi had personally mentioned him, so Liang Jiugong understood and selected more famous calligraphy, paintings, and inkstones to send to Yinzhi.
In the brother's office, the two of them were the most popular.
Seeing Yinsi and Yinzhi grinning from ear to ear, Yintang handed over the gifts the emperor had bestowed upon him to his servants, instructing them to register and store them carefully.
Yin'e followed Yin'tang's example and did the same thing as him.
After they finished, Yinzhen held Yin'e's chubby little hand and said, "I heard that my mother is with the Consort today. Let's go together."
Yin'e happily agreed: "I waited so long in the princes' quarters so that I could receive Father's reward. Mother must miss us after not seeing her for so long."
“We are Mother’s precious children, and she must miss us. Let’s bet on how many clothes Mother has had made for us during this time,” Yinzhen said cleverly.
Yin'e waved his hand sheepishly: "No gambling, no gambling. Father Emperor said gambling is forbidden in the palace. Ninth Brother, do you have your eye on something of mine? Tell me, which one do you want, and I'll have someone send it to you right away."
If the attempt to take advantage is too obvious, Yinzhen will lose face.
He wasn't short of money; he just loved making money since he was a child and had plenty of cash.
“That dagger was quite nice. You’re too young to use a dagger. I’ll trade it to you for the jade carving you’ve had your eye on.” Yin Tang really wasn’t trying to cheat Yin E.
In terms of value, his jade carving is much more valuable than his unsharpened dagger.
Yin'e was deeply moved: "Ninth Brother, I am only a little over a month younger than you."
Yinzhen's face darkened, and he retorted, "Then am I your Ninth Brother?"
“Of course,” Yin’e said.
“Since I am your ninth brother, then if I say you are young, then you are young. If you don’t want to exchange it, then fine, the jade carving is yours,” Yinzhen said.
Yin'e said in a simple and honest voice, "I received a similar dagger last year. Ninth Brother, you can take it if you like."
The two talked all the way to the Imperial Concubine's palace, where the palace maids immediately knelt down to greet them.
Consort Yi and Consort Gui were going through the account books when they heard the sound of a palace maid bowing and paying her respects. They both closed the account books at the same time and stood up excitedly.
"My dear child, you've lost weight and gotten so dark." The Imperial Concubine's eyes reddened.
Yinzhen looked at Yin'e beside him blankly. His round belly and chubby cheeks showed no signs of thinning. He was clearly even fatter than before he left the palace.
Like the Imperial Concubine, Consort Yi removed the nail guards from her hands, pulled Yinzhen in front of her, and carefully touched and pinched him, as if she couldn't get enough of looking at him.
Yinzhen was a little embarrassed by Consort Yi's words. He changed the subject and said proudly, "Mother, I hunted a tiger cub this time and shot two deer with a short arrow. Father praised me for being amazing."
As soon as he mentioned it, Yin'e seemed to remember something and joined in, telling the Consort about the prey he had hunted this time.
"Mother, I hunted a white fox, a really big one, with beautiful fur. Once the Imperial Household Department has cleaned it up, I'll send it to you. Then you can make a fox fur coat for me, which will be both beautiful and warm in winter." Yin'e said happily, raising his head and hugging the Consort's waist.
The child's innocent heart warmed the hearts of Consort Yi and Consort Gui.
All the suffering and exhaustion they endured in the power struggles within the palace was worth it in an instant.
"Oh my, my good children!" Consort Yi and Consort Gui hugged their respective sons, praising them incessantly.
This unique affection is far more gratifying than Emperor Kangxi showering people with a dozen or so gifts at once.
After Yinzhen finished his sweet and affectionate flirting with Consort Yi, he said indignantly, "Father Emperor gave Eighth Brother a lot of things. It's not that I'm envious of his things, it's just that he's not much better off than me and Tenth Brother. Some of the game he hunted was given to him by Fifth Brother. I can't stand seeing him like that."
"That's right, the Eighth Brother is such a hypocrite. The Fifth Brother pinned the prey down with an arrow before he shot it dead. When they were retrieving the prey, he thanked the Fifth Brother. But when Father Emperor was counting the last of the prey, he didn't mention the Fifth Brother once. That's outrageous!" Yin'e added indignantly.
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