Hongzhao spoke softly, but unfortunately Yinreng still heard him.
Yinreng raised an eyebrow and said with unashamed pride, "Your mother is my concubine. As husband and wife, she naturally has to help me. If you're not satisfied, find another wife. Then, she'll protect you no matter what you say."
His words were casual and uninhibited, yet they revealed a warm father-son relationship.
Kangxi covered Hongzhao's ear with one hand, turned around and glared at Yinreng: "Hongzhao is still young, and you keep talking nonsense in front of him. Is this how I taught you?"
The reprimand had little deterrent effect. Yinreng grinned at Kangxi, who immediately turned back with a headache and continued to hold his beloved grandson.
Emperor Kangxi only had eyes for Hongzhao, while Yinreng only had eyes for Tong Wanyan.
Yinreng snuggled up to Tong Wanyan and walked alongside her, feigning pitifulness as he said, "Ever since Father Emperor had a grandson, he hasn't been as affectionate towards me. Little Yan, you're the only one I care about now. You don't need to worry about these chubby kids anymore."
His behavior was so funny that even the usually serious Emperor Kangxi couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Hongsheng smiled sweetly, blowing bubbles. He wasn't even a year old yet, so he couldn't understand such complicated words.
But Tana understands.
Seeing her father's ill-intentioned look, Tana stretched out her leg and kicked Yinreng in the chest, almost making him suffocate.
Yinreng said with a tightness in his chest, "You still know to avoid kicking me when you're kicking your brother. With those short legs, you're kicking my chest and it hurts. If something really happens, it'll be your mother who's heartbroken."
Tana was stunned. She opened her eyes wide and hugged Tong Wanyan's neck tightly, saying, "Father, is this a ploy? I'm still a baby. Aren't you ashamed to bully a child?"
“No.” Yinreng said succinctly and forcefully.
Tana was already used to it, and she casually pressed her face against Tong Wanyan's neck, saying, "Fourth Uncle is still the best."
It had been a long time since Kangxi had spent time with Yinreng's family like this. Although he saw Yinreng every day, the father and son only talked about politics, and even though they cared about each other, they were restrained and polite.
Unlike strolling through a park now, where you can say whatever comes to mind, this place is different. It's not appropriate to follow the rules, but people feel comfortable around it.
Knowing that Yinreng wanted to spend time with Tong Wanyan, Kangxi did not disturb the young couple's time together.
Kangxi, whose arm was a little sore, put Hongzhao down and took his hand, saying, "How about I let you study in the Imperial Study when the weather gets warmer?"
Hongzhao looked up in disbelief and said, "Grandpa, your grandson is only four years old."
"So what if you're four years old? You're much more promising than your uncles. Your father and I are both busy, so sending you to the Imperial Study is just right." Emperor Kangxi was unwilling to delay the development of his favored eldest grandson.
The downfall of dynasties throughout history has always been due to the presence of incompetent or tyrannical rulers.
Emperor Kangxi not only wanted to become a great emperor for all time and be praised by future generations, but also wanted the Qing dynasty to last for ten thousand years.
Now that the Crown Prince is competent, Emperor Kangxi also places high hopes on Hongzhao, the eldest grandson of the emperor.
Hongzhao, with his short legs, huffed and puffed, "According to the rules, princes and grandsons can only enter the Imperial Study when they are six years old. Grandfather, forcing growth will only harm the seedlings."
Emperor Kangxi chuckled, “You just want to sleep in, don’t you? I heard from your father that you study just as much as the tutors in the Imperial Study do every day.”
Hongzhao tugged at Kangxi's leg and argued, "Since you're not learning any less than those in the Imperial Study, aren't you doing just as well in Yuqing Palace? The other day, my tenth and ninth uncles said that since they entered the Imperial Study, they haven't had a single good night's sleep. They have to go to the study to study early every day at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), when it's still pitch black."
Tong Wanyan, who was eavesdropping, quickly tugged at Yinreng's sleeve.
It's your own son, you'll love him dearly.
What time is Yin Shi? It's only three in the morning, and even the roosters that crow are still sleeping in their cages.
Hongzhao is still a baby who hasn't been weaned for long. Isn't it exhausting for him to get up so early?
Thinking about the complaints Yin Tang and Yin E had about the lessons in the Imperial Study every time they came, Tong Wanyan panicked.
Yinreng patted the back of her hand. Kangxi had had this idea for a long time; he had been informed beforehand. However, knowing Tong Wanyan's maternal heart, he had never dared to speak of it.
Alright, this time Kangxi directly exposed her, leaving Tong Wanyan no time to react.
Yinreng secretly regretted not saying it sooner.
Hearing the expectant and pleading eyes of his wife and children, he stepped forward and said to Kangxi, "Father, Hongzhao and Tana are twins, and their physiques are naturally weaker than those of only children. It is thanks to Xiaoyan's careful care over the years that they are healthy. Physician Chang once advised that Hongzhao and Tana should sleep more when they are growing, as it will help them replenish their qi and blood."
“Your son knows that you value Hongzhao and don’t want him to waste his time, so you want him to learn more. But with his small body, he can’t even hold a brush with much strength. How about letting him sit in on the classes when they are held in the Imperial Study?”
The Imperial Study Room held classes at 5:00 AM (卯时), and usually, questions were asked first, followed by lectures. If Hongzhao was going to audit the classes, he only needed to arrive at 3:45 AM (卯时三刻).
Normally, this is when Hongzhao started studying; there's nothing wrong with changing places to study.
The tutors who worked in the Imperial Study were all highly talented, and even just observing their words and actions could cultivate one's character.
After Yinreng finished speaking, Tong Wanyan, Hongzhao, and Tana all stared expectantly at Kangxi.
The whole family is good-looking and usually very considerate.
Kangxi showed his leniency to these few people, and said with a loving smile, "This is a good opportunity that outsiders would kill for, yet you are so eager to push it away. Alright, do as Baocheng says. Actually, that's what I meant too. You fathers and mothers are allowed to love your sons, but I don't love my grandsons?"
Looking at Hongzhao's chubby little body, he really doesn't look like a four-year-old child who was born weak. If he were in the Imperial Study with the group of six- or seven-year-old princes, he might even look more robust.
Upon hearing this, Tong Wanyan immediately coaxed Kangxi, saying, "It is precisely because you know how much Father Emperor dotes on Hongzhao. The deeper the love, the stricter the discipline. Father Emperor loves Hongzhao so much that he treats him strictly so that he can grow into an outstanding person and not disgrace the royal family."
“Yuanbao’er is sensible.” Kangxi was most afraid that his children would not understand his intentions: “Spoiling a child is like killing a child. Hongzhao is Baocheng’s eldest son, and he bears a heavier burden than other princes and grandsons. I expect him to become the Crown Prince.”
Upon hearing Kangxi's words, Yinreng and Tong Wanyan immediately panicked and almost knelt down.
The position of Crown Prince is not yet secure, so it is best to remove him from the position of Imperial Grandson.
Kangxi chuckled: "Look how scared you all are. I was just saying that; the actual outcome depends on Hongzhao's abilities. If he is suited to be a subject, I will not choose the wrong path for him."
Yinreng and Tong Wanyan lowered their heads and remained silent. Did they really believe his nonsense? Could the Crown Prince's words be spoken so casually?
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