What the emperor says is a decision he has made, no matter how much discussion is needed.
The desire to establish Hongzhao as the imperial grandson is one thing, and the desire to completely lift the sea ban is another.
Despite his youthful appearance and outward demeanor of being a refined and modest gentleman, Yinreng possessed none of the youthful ambition and passionate drive that characterized him.
Yinreng made no attempt to hide his surprise and delight.
"Your son is willing to hand over all the ships in his hands to Father Emperor," Yinreng said without hesitation.
Kangxi laughed and said, "What do I need from you? Your fleet can continue to be used by the people, and you can bear the profits and losses yourself. You are the Crown Prince, and I spoil you. I won't feel at ease if your private treasury isn't full."
A few years ago, Emperor Kangxi was slightly displeased with Yinreng's extravagant lifestyle, but now he doesn't care at all. This was a bad habit he had fostered by spoiling his son; he couldn't let his son start picking on it now that he was grown up.
Yinreng said in a coquettish tone, "Father, you dote on your son. Actually, I can endure hardship, so it doesn't matter if my clothes and food are a little lacking. But Xiao Yan and the other chubby boys must be well taken care of and cannot be mistreated. Only when you raise children do you realize the kindness of your parents. It wasn't easy for Father to raise his son."
Kangxi was amused by his shameless behavior: "I think Yuanbao'er and Hongzhao are easier to take care of than you. Her brothers, Tong Guogang and his wife, have probably given her a lot of private money. In fact, you probably have more banknotes at your disposal than she does. Hongzhao has me, Tana has the Empress Dowager and Yinzhen, and even Hongsheng, a mere infant, has the Crown Princess to look after him. I think you won't have to put in much effort."
That makes a lot of sense.
Yinreng also felt that he had saved himself a lot of trouble. He said with utmost sincerity, "Father, everyone in our family is a good person."
Emperor Kangxi was covered in goosebumps: "I'm going back. Hongzhao, you must teach him well, I think he's very good."
Yinreng enthusiastically saw Kangxi off, and casually took the mutton-fat jade pendant that Kangxi had just put on his waist.
Fortunately, he still had the awareness of being a father and gave the jade pendant he had taken to Hongzhao.
He didn't lack these things; in previous years, he liked to plunder things from Emperor Kangxi to show off to Yinti. Now that Yinti was holed up in Fuzhou fighting river bandits, he had no one to show off to, so he might as well give them to his son as treasured heirlooms.
Those who lived in Yuqing Palace, regardless of generation, were always the most favored in the Forbidden City.
Hongzhao took the jade pendant, first thanked Yinreng sweetly, and then stuffed the jade pendant into Tana's hand.
“Sister, this jade pendant is beautiful, here you go,” Hongzhao said.
Yinreng sat to the side, dumbfounded: "Hongzhao, this jade pendant was worn by your imperial grandfather, it's priceless!"
Hongzhao looked up at him, his round eyes showing a hint of disdain: "Father, you only give the good things to my sister."
Hongzhao at least paid attention to Yinreng, but Tana completely ignored him.
“I don’t want the jade pendant, you wear it, little brother,” Tana said.
"Mother, are we getting new clothes made? Fourth Uncle said he'll take me out of the palace next month to see the fish he raises at his villa," Tana said, clinging to Tong Wanyan's leg and acting coquettishly.
Tong Wanyan pinched her chubby little face: "Go tell your father. Your father owns a silk shop, and I heard that he has recently created a new pattern."
"Is it even prettier than the ones from the Imperial Textile Bureau?" Tana's eyes started to dart around.
Tong Wanyan smiled and straightened her collar: "Of course. Most importantly, it's fashionable and unique, unlike anything else."
The pretty little girl immediately turned around and pounced on her father's leg.
"Oh my god, look how beautiful Tana is! Shouldn't she wear even prettier new clothes?" Tana said sweetly, as if she had been rolled in honey.
Yinreng deliberately kept a straight face, though he couldn't help but smile: "Oh, so my eldest princess has finally noticed someone else?"
“Father is handsome and dashing. My fourth uncle said that when he used to walk around the palace, all the palace maids would fall in love with him. With such a handsome father, Tana must only have eyes for him!” As Tana spoke, she even spread her arms wide and drew a big circle to show her sincerity.
Yinreng's brow twitched; he had a gut feeling something was wrong.
What does it mean that he took a stroll through the palace and won the heart of a palace maid?
Was this girl born specifically to sabotage him?
"Xiao Yan, I didn't." Yinreng covered Tana's still-smacking mouth and hurriedly explained to Tong Wanyan.
Tong Wanyan watched the father and daughter as if watching a show, blinking but saying nothing.
As expected, the chubby Tana forcefully pushed Yinreng's hands away with both of hers.
“Father, Tana wants to wear new clothes. She has to look beautiful when she goes out with her fourth uncle!” Tana said crisply, hands on her hips.
With its bulging little belly, head held high, and eyes shining brightly, it looked exactly like a little bandit.
Yinreng was extremely troubled. It was no wonder he didn't love his own children; they were all troublemakers.
"Wear it, wear it. I'll have someone bring in the new fabric this afternoon for you to choose from. It was made for you, how could it be given to someone else? You little rascal, you're so cunning, you're deliberately setting a trap for me, aren't you? When your fourth uncle leaves the palace to establish his own residence, I'll throw you out of the palace with him and have you live with him, just to trick him." Yinreng said, unable to afford to offend the little bandit.
Tana climbed up from the chair, threw herself into Yinreng's arms, and gave him a wet kiss on the cheek.
"Mother says I'm just as smart as Father!" Tana coaxed Yinreng. Father was really furious; her mother was going to beat her.
Yinreng said helplessly, "What you say makes sense. Let me make this clear: I only have your mother in my heart. Don't talk nonsense in the future."
"I know, Father and Mother are in love, they are a couple who will be together for life!" Tana knew a lot.
"You little imp," Tong Wanyan said to Tana with a playful smile, leaning against Yinreng's shoulder.
Tong Wanyan smiled, and the surroundings instantly brightened.
The vibrant Western flowers in the flowerbed behind her, even when all gathered together, couldn't compare to her beauty alone.
Tana sat on Yinreng's lap, her chubby little hands tugging at his waist, laughing foolishly.
She also said to Hongsheng in his swaddling clothes, "Little brother, your mother is so beautiful!"
The decision to make new clothes was made immediately, and the masters of Yuqing Palace, including the two princesses who lived peacefully in the west courtyard, all had spring garments made. Jewelry and rouge were also distributed.
The materials chosen by Tong Wanyan, Tana, Shi Xiuzhu, and the others are definitely the best.
The fabrics were brightly colored and the patterns were unconventional. Tong Wanyan and Tana couldn't resist making eight sets of clothes each, and also added six sets of jewelry.
It should be noted that the Imperial Household Department sends a considerable amount of clothing every month.
Fortunately, Yinreng was wealthy and generous, and in his eyes, such a small amount of silver was as if he hadn't spent any money at all.
He is happy as long as his wife and daughter are happy.
Shi Xiuzhu secretly asked Tong Wanyan to make her a men's outfit, not a Qing dynasty-style mandarin jacket, but a wide-sleeved long robe, full of Wei and Jin dynasty style.
Among this batch of fabrics, there was a piece in bamboo green, a light and cheerful color, and the fabric was thin and flowing, which suited her taste perfectly.
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