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The eve of the Lunar New Year in the sixty-first year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign finally arrived. The Kangxi Emperor held a banquet in the garden of Changchun Garden, where relatives and trusted ministers were invited. The Fourth Prince, accompanied by his fourth wife and Lanqin, along with Hongshi and his principal wife, Hongsheng, Hongli, and Hongzhou, went. The Thirteenth Prince, with his pregnant wife Zhaojia, also happily attended. The Third Prince, his third wife, and their eldest and second sons were also present. The Seventh Prince, with Xinyi and his second son, the Eighth Prince, his eighth wife, and his illegitimate son, the Ninth Prince, his ninth wife, the Tenth Prince, his tenth wife, and his illegitimate son, the Fourteenth Prince, his fourteenth wife, and their eldest and second sons, as well as the Seventeenth Prince and other younger princes, were also present.
The Fourth Prince knew that the Fourteenth Prince had returned. When they met at the banquet, they simply nodded to each other knowingly. The Fourteenth Prince, as usual, joked and laughed in front of Consort De, still acting like the same big boy he always was.
Lanqin knew that all of this was just a cover-up. The Fourteenth Prince was no longer the same as before, and the Fourth Prince also knew that Kangxi had chosen him, so his mind was more composed than before.
After Kangxi took his seat, everyone sat down in their respective places. Kangxi looked at the Fourth Prince and said, "Hongli, you've arrived. Come here, come here, come to your imperial grandfather."
Hongli then stood up amidst the attention and went towards Kangxi. Many people were watching him, as if trying to see through him. Hongli also knew that Kangxi's favor towards him had aroused jealousy in many people.
Lanqin glanced at all the relatives and ministers present, feeling a pang of sadness. This might be Kangxi's last Spring Festival family banquet. His death was scheduled for March after the start of spring.
Carrying the visibly aged but still sharp-eyed Emperor Kangxi, Lanqin felt quite sad. Kangxi had always been very good to her.
After the song and dance performance, all the princes, ministers and relatives went to pay their respects to Emperor Kangxi. Hongli sat next to him and said something that made him laugh heartily.
"Father, I wish you good health, boundless happiness, and longevity," said the Fourteenth Prince, raising his wine cup to Emperor Kangxi's desk.
"Good, Fourteenth Prince, it's good that you're back. Go sit with your mother so I can see you anytime!" Kangxi beckoned to the Fourteenth Prince. The Fourteenth Prince, as usual, sat down next to Consort De.
Lanqin clearly felt the Fourth Prince beside her stiffen, and she secretly reached out and tapped him a few times on the back. Lanqin felt that Kangxi was deliberately showing favor to the Fourteenth Prince in front of the court officials in order to distract the Fourth Prince.
Sure enough, after the Fourteenth Prince sat down next to Consort De, the expressions on everyone's faces changed slightly again.
Fourth Master seemed to understand what Lanqin meant, and turned to look at her.
A moment later, Hongli stood up from beside Kangxi and said to him, "Grandfather, you have promised your grandson. After the New Year, I will begin to take care of it."
"Hehe, you little monkey, this matter needs to be discussed with your father. You can only set off after he has made the arrangements, understand?" Kangxi said.
Hongli nodded, then looked at Consort De, only to notice that the Fourteenth Prince was staring at him.
"What is Hongli saying to Father Emperor?" Fourteenth Prince asked.
"This little monkey, he said he'd throw me a grand banquet for the elderly! He even said he'd invite the Five Perfections Elder to celebrate my birthday!" Kangxi said with a look of great satisfaction.
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