The brothers Yinreng and Yinzhen smiled sinisterly. After Kangxi finished reading a memorial, he couldn't help but sneeze.
Liang Jiugong stepped forward and gave him a cup of hot tea with ginger slices in it.
“Your Majesty, it has been raining continuously and the weather has suddenly turned cold these past few days. Please drink some ginger tea and take care of yourself,” Liang Jiugong said.
Kangxi leaned wearily against the back of his chair, his head tilted back: "In these turbulent times, things are only getting worse."
Liang Jiugong stood silently in the corner, only occasionally glancing at the inkstone beside Kangxi to see if there was enough ink and whether the tea needed to be changed.
After resting for a while, Emperor Kangxi continued to write and revise the memorials.
The memorials submitted recently are all of great importance, and he cannot simply circle and modify them arbitrarily; he must respond to each one carefully.
Before they knew it, it was getting late, and Liang Jiugong called someone in to light the candles in the hall.
After a while, Liang Jiugong estimated the time and reminded him, "Your Majesty, which concubine will you be visiting tonight?"
"There's no need to put up any plaques for a while. Have someone tell the Imperial Concubine so they don't overthink things." Kangxi was exhausted and didn't want to put his body through any more trouble.
Liang Jiugong sighed and went out to let his young apprentice relay the message.
When the master is in a bad mood, the servant must be even more careful in his/her actions.
The palace maids serving in the Qianqing Palace were all on high alert, serving Emperor Kangxi with even greater dedication.
Kangxi knew they had put in a lot of effort, and in his spare time he mentioned it, doubling the monthly allowance for all those serving in the Qianqing Palace.
The matter that Yinzhen and Yinreng discussed that day was put aside for two days and was still not brought up.
Old debts are the hardest to collect, especially when the court is in need of talent. Getting the ministers who borrowed money to repay it willingly is a difficult task.
They need to finalize the plan before submitting it.
Although Yinzhen was in charge of this matter, he was young and inexperienced, so the real decision-making was still made by Yinreng.
With worries weighing on his mind, Yinreng quickly lost weight, keeping pace with Kangxi.
When Emperor Kangxi saw that his crown prince was getting thinner and thinner, he felt both worried and happy.
He was worried that Yinreng was losing weight too quickly and that he was unwell. He was also pleased that Yinreng, like him, was concerned about the country and its people and had worked hard for their welfare.
Emperor Kangxi, who held Yinreng in very high regard, would occasionally have Liang Jiugong select items to send to Yuqing Palace to demonstrate his respect and care for Yinreng.
Yinti was so angry that he jumped up and down at home. The scheming Crown Prince, who only knew how to cater to his father’s preferences all day long, was really not a man of honor.
Yinreng, who was unexpectedly praised by Emperor Kangxi, continued to do his own thing calmly, but his heart was burning with anxiety, and two bubbles even appeared at the corners of his mouth.
When Yinzhen came over and saw this once, he secretly encouraged Tong Wanyan to arrange more bitter melon feasts for Yinreng, because he held a grudge.
"Sigh." Sitting in the courtyard, he sighed deeply at the Christmas cactus.
Tong Wanyan, who had heard him sigh countless times, walked over with a plate of fried chrysanthemums.
“Ever since the chrysanthemums in the garden bloomed, Wang Yan went to the Imperial Hospital to consult with them and selected several edible chrysanthemum varieties to try making new dishes. This is what I just made today. I coated the cleaned dragon claw chrysanthemums with egg white and flour, deep-fried them, and sprinkled them with powdered sugar. I just tasted a piece, and it was delicious.” Tong Wanyan sat down next to Yinreng.
Yinreng quickly took the white porcelain plate from her hands and helped her sit down.
The light purple and yellow dragon claw chrysanthemums, arranged on a simple white porcelain plate, look quite beautiful.
The sweet aroma of frosting sugar paired with the cool fragrance of chrysanthemum is a perfect match.
Yinreng took a bite: "A reward."
De Shun smiled and told someone to show the snacks to Wang Yan as a reward. The Crown Prince hadn't been eating much these past few days, and it was rare for him to have any snacks he was willing to eat. Wang Yan should reward him.
In the small kitchen, Wang Yan, who received rewards every few days, had a face full of joy on his chubby, round face.
He had initially thought that going from the First Prince's residence to Yuqing Palace was like entering a dragon's den or a tiger's lair. Now, after so much time, it was practically paradise on earth. There was plenty of food, drink, and rewards; he could use all sorts of ingredients as he pleased—it made the cook incredibly happy.
"Master has lost a lot of weight recently," Tong Wanyan said with concern.
Yinreng ate a few pieces of dragon claw chrysanthemum, put the plate aside, and put his arm around Tong Wanyan.
The warm fragrance emanating from Tong Wanyan added a touch of gentle tenderness to this autumn.
Holding his beloved in his arms, Yinreng's expression became much more comfortable.
The servants around them consciously stepped back several feet, not wanting to disturb their masters' private time.
"My fourth brother wants to petition Father again to have the ministers who borrowed money from the national treasury repay their debts. But neither he nor I have a good idea of how to do it. We are in dire need of capable people right now, and some of them are greedy for money or power, yet they do have outstanding abilities. This makes things difficult." Yinreng scratched his head, feeling that his hair was falling out much faster than before.
Tong Wanyan thought for a moment: "Is it because the water conservancy project is short of funds?"
"It's not just that! Whenever money is needed, the national treasury is always empty. Those taxes are said to be reduced for the people, but in reality, they deplete the national treasury and enrich some people," Yinreng said angrily.
Tong Wanyan glanced at him with a half-smile, a smile that made him feel uneasy.
Yinreng hurriedly explained, "When I was young, I didn't know the hardships of the people. I turned a blind eye to the greed of Suo'etu and the others. Maintaining servants costs money, and I couldn't mistreat them. Now that I know how hard it is for the common people, haven't I gradually distanced myself from them?"
Tong Wanyan's eyes crinkled with laughter, looking as sweet as honey: "I didn't say anything, please don't misunderstand, sir."
"You, how could I not know what you're thinking? Suo'etu has repeatedly offered me his niece and distant nieces, and I've refused them all. With a fairy by my side, how could I possibly be interested in ordinary flowers and weeds?" Yinreng once again pledged his loyalty.
Tong Wanyan was happy to let him misunderstand that Suo'etu was too ambitious and had a high opinion of himself, even making Yinreng, who had been assimilated by him, so arrogant.
In youth, they are described as having the bearing of an emperor, and being arrogant and spoiled; as they grow older, they become haughty and difficult to get along with.
Fortunately, Yinreng and Suo'etu distanced themselves in time, and even though they did something that drew criticism, it was nothing serious.
"You little jealous pot, always calling me a piece of aged vinegar. Alright, with Xiao Yan caring for me, I don't feel tired at all. I want to give you and our child the best!" Yinreng's eyes shone and his smile was dazzling as he said this.
With a husband like this, how can I know I am fortunate?
Tong Wanyan suddenly stood up and then forcefully pulled Yinreng up from the chair.
Her sudden movement startled Yinreng, who dared not struggle as she followed her force, fearing that if he applied the wrong amount of force, he might accidentally cause her to fall.
"Oh dear, my little ancestor, you'd better watch out!" Yinreng said in a panic.
Tong Wanyan said nonchalantly, "Sir, I have an idea, do you want to hear it?"
Yinreng helped her into the house. It was cold outside, and he couldn't bear to let her get cold.
"My darling, are you trying to share my burdens? I'm listening, I'm listening."
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