Yinreng was vaccinated against smallpox at the age of four, which is the normal age for princes to be vaccinated.
Princes were usually vaccinated against smallpox between the ages of two and four, in spring and autumn when the weather was cool and easy to care for.
Yinreng was considered late in the process, while Hongzhao was Kangxi's darling, and Kangxi was even more reluctant to let him be vaccinated against smallpox earlier.
So it was delayed again and again, until now.
"I see that Yuanbao'er has raised the children well, and they are all healthy and strong, so there is no need to rush. Last month, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau sent over several auspicious days that are very compatible with the birth dates of Hongzhao, Tana, and Hongsheng. The three siblings can go to the Yuanmingyuan together, so they won't be lonely," Kangxi said.
The vaccination process had to be conducted in a dark room. To avoid light, the doors and windows of the room were covered with black and red felt. The inoculation was conducted for half a month until all the symptoms disappeared before the inoculation could leave the dark room.
Emperor Kangxi doted on his eldest grandson and worried that he would be lonely, so he delayed the trip and arranged for his siblings to go together so that he could have some company.
"I will follow Father's arrangements," Yinreng said.
"Don't you need to tell Yuanbao?" Kangxi sat down on the ground and played games with his three grandsons in an approachable manner.
Yinreng sat down, ignoring his own chubby children.
“Your son and Xiao Yan both believe in Father Emperor’s arrangements. What you say must be right, we will just listen to you.” Without thinking, Yinreng completely trusted his children and handed them over to Kangxi to manage.
Kangxi was neither moved nor able to scold him: "Am I here to take care of your son? You're such a grown man, already married and established in your own career, and you still can't take care of yourself. I ask you to review some memorials and you complain about being tired, you're even more spoiled than Hongsheng."
Hongsheng, who was playing with the wooden carving, stared blankly at Kangxi, not knowing why his grandfather had called him.
With her big, innocent, and bewildered little face, Kangxi looked at her with loving eyes.
A well-behaved grandson is much more endearing than a troublesome son.
Yinreng was displeased: "Father, it's one thing that you love Hongzhao more than your son, but now even Hongsheng is more favored than your son. You raised your son yourself. You can't just see the new favorites and ignore the old ones."
When Yinreng started to act cute, he was incredibly skilled; he was almost rolling on the ground.
Tana, her arms as thin as lotus roots, poked her face with her chubby fingers: "Father, be ashamed."
His own daughter wouldn't give him any face, and his father had fallen for someone else, forgetting his son after having a grandson. Yinreng hung his head dejectedly.
Yinreng acted like a child, and although Kangxi scolded him, he couldn't help but make plans for him in his heart.
A father is destined to raise his son for a hundred years and worry about him for ninety-nine. Yinreng was born without a mother, so if he didn't show favoritism, who would love him?
Not only was Emperor Kangxi extremely biased towards Yuqing Palace, but he also always found various reasons to justify his bias, making it seem perfectly reasonable.
"Alright, look, even your daughter is making fun of you. I can take care of you for a few years now, but decades from now, won't Hongzhao and Yuanbao still need your protection?" Kangxi said earnestly.
Yinreng's radiant smile and handsome, jade-like face dazzled Kangxi.
"Father, you are strong and healthy, in the prime of your life. Let your son enjoy himself under your protection," Yinreng said coquettishly.
Emperor Kangxi suddenly realized something was wrong: "Have I been sending you too many memorials?"
Why would the Crown Prince have the idea of quitting and not wanting to do his job?
Yinreng's posture was slouching, and upon closer inspection, he seemed less upright and serious than before.
Emperor Kangxi panicked.
"Father, please don't overthink it. I didn't mean anything by it. The Qing Dynasty is in a prosperous and enlightened era, and the court officials are mostly talented people. I am still young, so I'm sure you'll have to work harder," Yinreng said.
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