The Fourteenth Prince carefully opened the purse, which contained several pastries that smelled quite delicious. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, he quietly slipped two pastries into the purse.
Then he choked and coughed twice, which made the princes in front turn around to look.
Fourteen was incredibly quick; he hurriedly hid the purse, gave a sheepish laugh to cover his embarrassment.
After finishing the pastries, the Fourteenth Prince finally recovered and quietly asked, "Fourth Brother, why did you hide pastries in your purse? I didn't notice."
Fourth Master remained expressionless, though the tips of his ears subtly turned red, while his face maintained an extremely serious demeanor: "Su Peisheng stuffed it in."
Ahem, this morning I saw some nice-looking pastries on the little girl's small table, so I asked Su Peisheng to take a few pieces.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that Su Peisheng was responsible.
Fourteen looked at Fourth Master with disbelief, snorted, and was not really convinced.
If it had been any later, Fourteen's legs would have gone limp from kneeling.
Just then, Liang Jiugong came out and respectfully told the princes to disperse, but... told the Crown Prince to continue kneeling.
The Fourteenth Prince then called the Fourth Prince to go back to Yonghe Palace for dinner, and also invited the Thirteenth Prince to join them.
However, the Thirteenth Prince refused. He was thinking about Consort Zhangjia and wanted to secretly go and see her.
Upon returning to Yonghe Palace, Consort De was waiting at the palace gate. Seeing her two sons return, she breathed a slight sigh of relief.
"Fourth Prince, why are you here too? It's getting late, you should have gone back to the manor earlier. It must be Fourteenth Prince who's been bothering you. Anyway, you two must be hungry too, go in and have your dinner first." Consort De said reproachfully.
The Fourth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince both agreed.
Once inside, the food was still hot, presumably because Consort De had kept it warm.
Although the Fourteenth Prince had eaten pastries, he was still hungry again; children are always easily hungry.
The Fourth Prince, however, wasn't particularly hungry at this point, and chatted with Consort De on the side.
Seeing this, Consort De felt even more heartbroken: "You've all suffered today..."
The Fourth Prince looked at the Fourteenth Prince, who was wolfing down his food, and smiled: "Mother is overthinking it. Brothers are one, so it's only right that he is punished."
Consort De felt a pang of unease, but she couldn't bring herself to complain about the Crown Prince. She could only say softly, "It's good that you think this way, but... some things aren't as simple as they seem. Your mother is afraid that there might be villains plotting against us behind the scenes..."
The Fourth Prince felt a warmth in his heart. His mother would always remind him that every time he entered the palace, she had different reasons to give him.
But every word he spoke benefited the Fourth Master greatly.
"Your son has learned a lot, thank you for your guidance, Mother."
Consort De glanced at the Fourteenth Prince, then turned to the Fourth Prince: "Don't think your mother is being too talkative. It's just that your mother is thinking that the Crown Prince wasn't always this muddle-headed..."
What Consort De actually wanted to say was that Consort Hui was probably behind this, but she was afraid that saying it would hurt the brotherly relationship and the feelings of the Fourth Prince, so she didn't dare to speak up for the time being.
As soon as the incident occurred, Consort De ordered an investigation. The palace maid who committed suicide was originally a maidservant of Lady Wei.
Lady Wei, the birth mother of the Eighth Prince.
Moreover, if a palace maid commits suicide, she will be punished, and her family members will not be spared.
That palace maid... she wouldn't be so distraught if there were no reason... the only explanation is that someone was behind her.
Consort De sighed softly, her brow furrowing slightly.
The Fourth Prince wasn't stupid; he could guess a bit of what was going on: "There are too many people and too much gossip in the palace. Mother should take better care of herself. I know that."
Consort De repeatedly said, "Mother is well..."
"Fourth Brother, Fourth Brother, this pastry is better than the one you have in your purse. Fourth Brother, come and try it..." The Fourteenth Prince interrupted the mother and son, speaking indistinctly.
Fourth Master immediately turned and glared at Fourteenth Master.
Consort De paused for a moment, seemingly surprised that her son would have pastries in his purse. She smiled and said, "Look at the way you eat. It's as if Yonghe Palace has mistreated you. Even a meal can't shut you up."
Turning to the Fourth Master, she asked, "Was it prepared for you by your servants?" She then smiled again.
Fourth Master's face immediately turned red, and he turned his head away to glare fiercely at Fourteenth Master.
The mother and her two children ate dinner in a harmonious atmosphere, or rather, watched Fourteen eat dinner alone.
Since it was inconvenient for the Fourth Prince to stay in the palace, Consort De ordered two eunuchs to light the lamps, gave them instructions for a while, and then watched the Fourth Prince leave.
Watching the Fourth Prince's departing figure, Consort De smiled with satisfaction. The Fourth Prince has grown up.
...
Emperor Kangxi fell ill and remained ill until the 13th of August. Just when he seemed to be getting better, Consort Zhangjia in the harem passed away.
Sometimes, a person who has no reputation or status in life only enjoys honor after death, and this was the case with Lady Zhangjia.
When Emperor Kangxi, who was ill, heard this news, he was stunned for a while, and suddenly thought of Empress Hesheli.
During his illness, he thought too much and even posthumously conferred the title of Consort Min upon Lady Zhangjia. He also ordered Liang Jiugong to personally oversee the Imperial Household Department and instruct them to properly handle Consort Min's funeral arrangements.
On the thirteenth day, Emperor Kangxi announced the posthumous conferment of the title of Minpin on Lady Zhangjia. The next day, Emperor Kangxi remembered something else and changed the posthumous conferment to the title of Minfei.
The thirteenth prince, born to Lady Zhangjia, was quite favored by Emperor Kangxi for a time. However, the thirteenth prince was saddened by Lady Zhangjia's departure and did not care about anything else.
Inside Yonghe Palace, Consort De listened to the commotion outside and couldn't help but sigh, a hint of melancholy appearing on her gentle face: "What use are these titles after I'm gone?"
Upon hearing this, the attendant, Granny Zhao, quickly dismissed the palace maids and whispered, "Your Highness, why did you say such things..."
Consort De looked at the sky outside: "Your Majesty is not someone who is easily moved by emotions..."
Granny Zhao, having served Consort De for many years, roughly understood what Consort De meant: "You mean... the fifteenth..."
Consort De nodded slightly: "A marriage alliance with the Mongols!"
This move is merely to elevate the Fifteenth Prince, a superficial gesture to save face. How much of this truly reflects the Emperor's sincerity? Ha…
Mongolia is quite restless these days. The thirteenth prince is already betrothed to a Khalkha prince, but the fifteenth prince is not yet betrothed...
Having served the Emperor for many years, Consort De was far better than the other four consorts at understanding his intentions.
Do you really think that you rose from a lowly palace maid to one of the four imperial concubines because of your looks or your offspring?
ridiculous.
Consort De shook her head slowly and said with a sigh, "Fortunately, Wen Xian did not go to marry a foreign ruler, otherwise... it would be a pity for the thirteenth prince. Tomorrow, you should go to the fourth prince's residence and let him understand. He and the thirteenth prince have always been close, so ask him to comfort the thirteenth prince. Now, acting impulsively will only harm himself."
Once this storm passes, who cares about the Thirteenth Prince anymore...
It would be better to use the Emperor's last bit of pity to gain some sympathy, otherwise, how will they survive without their mother?
The tenth brother is a perfect example.
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