Fourth Prince, along with Lanqin and the wet nurse carrying Hongli, rode in a large carriage. Lanqin watched the sleeping Hongli the whole way, her heart filled with a mix of emotions and anxiety. Why is it that what others consider an immense blessing, when it truly falls upon her, makes Lanqin feel that there is no happiness greater than being with her child?
"The scenery inside Yuanmingyuan is excellent. Why don't we go and stay there for a while?" Fourth Master said, seeing Lanqin's sullen expression.
"Hongli is so young, I'm really worried about him. He wants me to go to the Yuanmingyuan with you, but my heart is in the palace," Lanqin said.
"Perhaps Father Emperor only made this decision on a whim. Maybe Hongli will be sent back after some time," the Fourth Prince comforted him.
"Hmm. I hope so." That was all Lanqin could think.
When they arrived at the palace gate, Lanqin first carried Hongli to Consort De's side, while the Fourth Prince went to court.
"Consort, you've arrived. And the little prince too!" The gatekeeper saw that it was Lanqin and her maid, with a wet nurse standing behind them holding a child, and knew that the Fourth Prince had just had twins. But why did he only bring one?
"This humble servant has come to pay her respects to Mother," Lanqin said with a gentle smile.
A clever palace maid had already gone in to report, and Consort De actually came out to greet her. She stood at the door watching Lanqin walk in step by step.
"This humble servant greets Mother!" Lanqin greets her mother.
"Get up quickly. This must be Hongli!" Consort De gently helped him up.
"Quickly bring Hongli to Mother for a look!" Lanqin hurriedly said to the wet nurse behind her.
Consort De took the baby handed to her by the wet nurse, looked at the chubby little dumpling with its pink and tender skin, and said happily, "It looks just like the fourth prince when he was a little over a month old!"
Lanqin imagined what that cold-faced man would look like a month later, and wondered if he could be as cute as her own Hongli.
Consort De turned and walked into the palace, and Lanqin and the others followed her into the room. After Consort De held her a few times and coaxed her a bit, she handed her back to the wet nurse.
"You're just reluctant to part with your child, aren't you?" Consort De looked at Lanqin, who was usually lively and talkative, and saw that she was as wilted as an eggplant today. She knew that Lanqin was reluctant to part with her child.
"My heart is breaking. Although it is a great blessing that Father Emperor values Hongli, I am truly heartbroken," Lanqin said.
“I completely understand what you mean. When the fourth prince was just a month old, the Emperor gave him to Consort Tongjia to raise. He said exactly what you just said, that it was a great blessing. Hehe, but only a mother knows what that kind of pain is like,” said Consort De.
"Yes, I know Mother will understand these feelings, which is why I spoke so disrespectfully to you just now. Mother, why has Father favored Hongli so much? I heard that Consort Mi's son is only a little over a year old. He is at a very lovable age," Lanqin said.
"To be honest, I really don't know why your father insisted on bringing Hongli into the palace to be raised this time. I even tried to gauge his attitude, and it was very firm. So, you can rest assured and let Hongli in. I will take good care of him for you," said Consort De.
Hearing this, Lanqin felt increasingly puzzled. It was impossible for Emperor Kangxi to have known for certain that Hongli would become the future Emperor Qianlong, so why did he value a mere infant so much? He claimed that having a child by one's side could bring good fortune and longevity, but why not just raise his own son? Why did it have to be Hongli?
But did Kangxi have any other plans for Hongli, or was there some unspeakable secret?
"Niohuru, you still have Hongzhou. Do you know how I felt at that time! It was as if someone had stabbed my heart!" Consort De said.
Lanqin nodded and said, "Mother is no ordinary woman, she is not comparable to ordinary women. That's why Mother has always been by Father's side and safely passed through the most difficult days."
Consort De smiled and said, "Actually, there's no such thing as being extraordinary. It's just about enduring hardship. I had no way out back then. Once a woman marries, there's no way out. She's tied to that man for life. If he's doing well, she'll be doing well; if he's not doing well, then she's truly not doing well. You're still young, and you've already given birth to four children for the Fourth Prince. You're very fortunate. You must cherish this blessing. Do you understand what your mother means?"
Looking at Consort De's gentle face and demeanor, Lanqin naturally understood the meaning behind her words. Could she truly be like Consort De? Submissive, gentle, tolerant, and virtuous?
"Thank you for your guidance, Mother! I will remember it," Lanqin said.
"Alright, then you may come with me to see the Emperor. To make Hongli more comfortable, the Emperor has specially cleared out two rooms in his Qianqing Palace. There are four wet nurses, four maids, and two eunuchs to keep him company. No one but the Emperor can see Hongli. So you don't need to worry. I will take care of him for you. He is my own grandson." Consort De knew what Lanqin was worried about. Kangxi's excessive attention to a baby was bound to cause resentment among some. For example, the newly reinstated Crown Prince, and Consort Hui, the mother of Prince Heshuo, and so on.
"Thank you, Mother. I know he will be alright," Lanqin nodded.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law talked until Kangxi finished his court session, and then they carried Hongli towards the Qianqing Palace.
"Hehe, this servant greets Consort De, the Secondary Consort, and the Young Prince!" Liang Jiugong was standing at the door. When he saw Consort De and Lanqin arrive, he immediately went to greet them.
"Eunuch Liang, I have brought the young prince here. He will be staying here from now on, and I will need your help in taking care of him," Consort De said with a smile.
"Oh dear, Your Majesty, you flatter me. The young prince is highly regarded by the Emperor, and I will certainly take good care of him. Please don't say you're troubling me," Liang Jiugong said.
After everyone entered the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Kangxi was talking to the Crown Prince, and the Fourth Prince was also present.
After exchanging greetings, the Crown Prince said to Hongli, whom Lanqin was holding, "These must be my fourth brother's twin sons. Let me see them!"
Fourth Prince nodded to Lanqin, indicating that she should show the piece to the Crown Prince.
Lanqin had never had a good impression of the Crown Prince, but at this moment she had no choice but to hug him and show him.
"Father, this child is truly blessed. His forehead is full, he looks very fortunate." The Crown Prince said as he held Hongli in his arms.
"Haha, come here, let me hug you." Emperor Kangxi also stood up from behind his desk and came out.
The Crown Prince handed Hongli to Kangxi, and Hongli suddenly laughed. He even grabbed Kangxi's beard.
"Oh dear, this little baby is really strong; he's gripping me so tightly it hurts a bit," Kangxi said with a laugh.
"Father, let me hold Hongli, so you don't tire yourself out," Lanqin said hurriedly.
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