The combination of cabbage and pork led Shi Xiuzhu to order a down-to-earth dish for lunch—stir-fried cabbage with pork cracklings.
When the cooks in the Yuqing Palace kitchen received this order, they were completely taken aback.
A noble lady from the palace, wanting to eat commoner food all day long, is she just bored?
At lunchtime, the round table was set with plates of exquisitely presented dishes, but the pork cracklings and cabbage were placed in the very center, exuding a unique charm.
Yinreng said to Shi Xiuzhu with disdain, "I haven't mistreated you. You even have a key to the storeroom. Do you really need to do this?"
"Heh. I just wanted to see what it would be like to eat cabbage with pork." Shi Xiuzhu picked up a piece of cabbage with his chopsticks and said disdainfully, "It doesn't look very appetizing."
Tong Wanyan interrupted, saying, "Your Highness, please try it. It tastes really good."
“As expected, daughters always side with outsiders,” Shi Xiuzhu choked out.
After lunch, Yinreng did not give Shi Xiuzhu a chance to get close to Tong Wanyan. He directly coaxed Tong Wanyan to go to Ning Shou Palace to accompany the Empress Dowager after her afternoon rest.
It just so happens that Tana was staying in the Empress Dowager's palace these days. The little girl dressed in colorful clothes entertained her, making the old lady, who had just recovered from her illness, full of energy.
In the afternoon, before Yinreng could go to the Qianqing Palace, Kangxi sent someone to summon him there.
For no apparent reason, Tong Wanyan said, "We're on the same wavelength."
Yinreng laughed and said, "It was just a coincidence. Father Emperor must not have come to see me about the Crown Prince."
Kangxi's meeting with Yinreng was certainly not about the yet-to-be-discussed incident of the Crown Prince requesting an official title.
He understood his son's temperament very well; he was incredibly calm and composed, without the slightest hint of irritability or temper—truly a refined and noble man.
"After the New Year, everyone else has gained weight, but you've lost weight." Kangxi was referring to the Ninth and Tenth Princes who had gained weight.
Yinreng proudly rolled up his sleeves: "During the New Year holiday, my son taught Hongzhao and Tana to ride horses and shoot arrows, and even lifted Hongsheng up high. He was exhausted from morning till night, and not only did he lose weight, but his muscles also became more toned."
When Kangxi heard Yinreng mention Hongzhao, he couldn't help but look kind and suggestive, saying, "Hongzhao is more promising than you and me. He has surpassed his predecessors, and the Qing Dynasty's golden age will surely continue."
"Father Emperor has created a prosperous era. If your son and your grandson cannot maintain it, wouldn't we be letting you down? It's just that boy Hongzhao who keeps calling me 'Grandpa Emperor' all day long. None of my words matter." Yinreng openly praised Kangxi, and his already uneasy heart became even more at ease.
He said, "Respond to all changes by remaining unchanged." Since he himself had no intention of usurping the throne, there was no reason for him to be removed from the position of crown prince, and no one could threaten him.
Besides, he's my own son, not an adopted one. No father would spend all his time thinking about ruining his son.
Yinreng smiled easily, without a trace of worry.
Emperor Kangxi was helpless when he saw him like this.
Kangxi took off the jade pendant from his waist and casually tossed it into Yinreng's arms: "I'll raise your son for you, so don't act innocent after getting the benefit. Take this jade pendant back to Hongzhao. I told him to give it to him last time, but he forgot to take it with him."
"Thank you for the gift, Father Emperor." Yinreng stuffed the jade pendant into his purse and bowed with a grin.
"Let's get down to business. I've bestowed titles upon Baoqing and the others; it's a reward from me. Baoqing already has a residence outside the palace, but your other brothers who were also granted titles don't. As the elder brother and the Crown Prince, the task of choosing the positions is entrusted to you." Kangxi truly lived up to Yinti's constant accusations of favoritism.
Even something as simple as choosing a site for the new residence was entrusted to Yinreng through favors; it was as if they wanted to pave the road for him perfectly.
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