After much anticipation, Emperor Kangxi finally arrived, much to the delight of Consort Hui.
Even with four granddaughters, Consort Hui still showed some shyness and affection in front of Emperor Kangxi.
Although Emperor Kangxi no longer had romantic feelings for Consort Hui, he still had the affection of family that had accompanied him for many years.
"Sit down, all of you. I've been dealing with some matters, and I've kept you all waiting on an empty stomach," Kangxi said.
Consort Hui hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is so busy with state affairs, yet you still managed to find time to come to my humble abode. I am already deeply grateful for your kindness. It was my fault that you rushed over and delayed your mealtime on the way."
"You have always been virtuous and understanding of me. I am very comfortable dining with you." Kangxi suddenly felt listless when he saw that Consort Hui had placed herself in such a lowly position.
Fortunately, Yinqi was close to Kangxi. He pulled Kangxi to sit in the main seat and chatted about any topic.
Somehow, the topic of Yinreng came up, and Kangxi felt rather uncomfortable hearing his eldest son suddenly praising his second son.
However, the fact that Yinti and Yinreng could be close brothers is something that Kangxi is now willing to see.
"I intend to bestow upon you the title of Prince after the New Year," Kangxi suddenly said.
Yinti's hand trembled, and the meatball he had just picked up from the bowl almost flew out.
"Father, isn't it inappropriate to promote your son so much all at once?" Yinti knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch.
The difference between a prince and a duke is only one step. It is estimated that if he wants to become a prince, he will have to wait until the second prince becomes emperor instead of crown prince before he can be granted such favor.
Therefore, the title of Prince is the highest rank he can currently obtain.
"Father, I want to rest a bit more. I'm afraid I can't bear such a high title you've given me," Yinti said.
Emperor Kangxi frowned. Consort Hui, sensing something was wrong, glared at Yinti and said, "His Majesty values you. Are you going to betray your father's heart?"
Emperor Kangxi raised his hand to signal Consort Hui to stop talking: "You are my eldest son. If you are not made a prince, what will happen to your younger brothers?"
Yinti thought about it and realized that it didn't seem wrong.
Emperor Kangxi had many sons; judging by this number, there must have been at least twenty princes. It wouldn't do to have a dozen or twenty princes all being Beile (princes), making all the brothers the same.
"Father, does the Crown Prince know about this?" Yinti, ever the cunning one, tried to trick Yinreng.
Kangxi didn't think too much about it. He said with great satisfaction, "It was Baocheng who took the initiative to tell me this. The burden on Baocheng and me is too heavy. It is what Baocheng and I hope that you can share more of the burden."
Yinqi never expected that he would come full circle and end up back where he started. He didn't want to work himself to death for the sake of the Crown Prince. It was simply not worth it.
"Olundai told me that you did very well in Fuzhou. This time when you return, you will go to the Ministry of War." Kangxi directly assigned Yinti his post.
Yinti, who had finally managed to take a bite of a meatball, choked.
The First Consort kept a close eye on Yinti. When he choked, she immediately handed him a bowl of soup.
Yinti didn't have time to apologize to Kangxi. He hurriedly swallowed the warm soup to wash the meatball stuck in his throat down.
After his breathing returned to normal, Yinti decided to ban meatballs from the table and never allow them to be seen again.
"Father, rest assured, I promise to do what you asked me to do and not cause trouble for the Ministry of War." Having lost face, Yinqi was too ashamed to say anything about shirking his duties.
No one knows a son better than his father. How could Emperor Kangxi not know the reason for Yinqi's inconsistent reactions?
"Even your fourth princess is more composed than you!" Kangxi teased him.
Yinti blushed and said embarrassedly, "I haven't seen Fourth Princess for several years, she probably wouldn't recognize me. I guess Third Princess is the same, they couldn't even speak properly when I left the capital."
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