Chapter 158 The First Birthday Ceremony Causes Trouble
After hearing some stories about the outside of Kunning Palace from the servants, he knew that this life had changed. Although he did not know what the change was, he knew that his mother was still alive.
So he remained immersed in joy.
As time went on, he felt that all these changes might be happening to him, because he had been reborn.
Although many things were different from what he knew, he did not think it was a bad thing.
Thinking of how his brothers all had their own mothers to protect them in his previous life, he often cried in bed, asking God why he didn't have a mother.
It wasn't until the fourth prince passed away that he slowly found solace, because at least there was someone like him who didn't have a mother's love.
This is why the fourth prince was able to join his ranks later, and it is also the reason why he was willing to use his last strength to promote him to the top.
He was willing to be imprisoned, even though the fourth brother might not be able to release him.
Having been given a second chance at life, his greatest regret was made up for by heaven, so he would naturally prefer to live in this life.
As he grew up, he also discovered the difference between his mother and his elder brother, because he also obtained a spirit called Long Ling.
He learned some royal secrets from it, which made him understand what he had been given in exchange for his rebirth.
That was a petition from the Qing Dynasty in later generations. Emperor Yongzheng won the hearts of the people, but his successor was stubborn and self-willed, which led the originally powerful Qing Dynasty to decline.
His rebirth is a petition from future generations, and he will not let them down.
Therefore, in this life, he must rule the world as soon as possible and no longer hesitate because of his feelings for his father.
His mother and elder brother were Heaven's compensation to him, so he was blessed by the Eternal Heaven.
No matter how different they were, in his eyes they were his elder brother and his mother.
He knew all too well what his father, the Emperor, wanted regarding the baby's first birthday celebration.
Therefore, private seals must be seized, but the imperial seal must not be touched.
That was the Emperor's taboo, and also his bottom line.
If he doesn't touch it, as long as he doesn't touch it, the father-son relationship between him and his father, the Emperor, can last a little longer in this life.
Fanghua had no idea that her most cherished son had come to her side; if she had known, she would have laughed her head off.
Before we knew it, it was time for Chengren's first birthday celebration.
The little guy was woken up early in the morning and dressed in the most noble attire, wearing the auspicious robes of a prince. Because he was still half asleep, he had a dreamy look on his face. The person who should have been dignified became very cute and adorable at this time.
The Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince arrived together, and all the court officials, relatives, and concubines who came to participate in the first birthday celebration stood up to pay their respects, creating a truly magnificent scene.
It's only because the Qianqing Palace is big enough that it could hold so many people.
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Empress!"
"Greetings, Your Highness, may Your Highness live a thousand years!"
Emperor Kangxi took the Empress's hand and slowly led her to sit down beside the dragon throne.
Yes, today the Emperor and Empress sit together on the dragon throne, and of course, Chengreng, the current Crown Prince, is also being held in their arms.
In the center of the hall, a magnificent and heavy felt carpet was laid out, and on the mat was a table for the baby's first birthday celebration (usually a low table made of sandalwood or rosewood), covered with bright yellow silk.
The items for the baby's first birthday celebration were carefully arranged on the table.
The Four Books and Five Classics / Manchu and Chinese primers: symbolizing civil administration, profound learning, and mastery of the ways of sages. Required option.
The Kangxi Dictionary/Imperial Poetry Collection: Emphasizing cultural orthodoxy and the emperor's expectations.
The Four Treasures of the Study: Imperial brush, ink, and inkstone, symbolizing literary talent and wisdom required for governing the country. Vermilion ink and seal paste: auxiliary stationery, signifying the writing of history and the wielding of power.
Small bow and arrow (inlaid with gemstones), miniature sword/dagger (unsharpened): symbolizing martial prowess, territorial expansion, and the martial spirit of defending the homeland (reflecting the fundamental nature of the Manchu people). Required.
Small armor or whip: Represents command of the three armies.
Symbol of power: Small jade seal/stamp (often engraved with "Crown Prince's Treasure" or auspicious characters): One of the most important items, symbolizing divine mandate and supreme power. The item the emperor most hoped the crown prince would grasp.
Court beads (miniature or genuine): Representing status and official rank.
Abacus/Coins: Gold abacus, gold ingot, jade ruyi: symbolizes good financial management, a full treasury, great wealth, and good fortune.
Musical instruments: small chime bells, jade flutes, and qin models: symbolizing mastery of rites and music, educating the world, and cultivating character (Confucian governance philosophy).
Agricultural crop model (five grains): symbolizes the importance attached to agriculture and sericulture and concern for the common people.
Buddhist scriptures/ritual implements (such as small stupas): symbolize the cultivation of both blessings and wisdom, and the protection of the Buddha (the Qing imperial family was a devout follower of Tibetan Buddhism).
Seeing that everything was prepared, the emperor glanced at Wei Zhong beside him.
Wei Zhong immediately understood that the auspicious time had arrived.
Chengren was then carried to the table by his personal eunuch.
A wet nurse was waiting nearby, just in case the prince started crying unexpectedly and needed to be comforted.
Fanghua wanted to hold him herself, but Kangxi stopped her.
With so many court officials, noblewomen, and imperial relatives watching, the Empress must not lose her composure.
Fanghua was very annoyed, but fortunately Chengren did not disappoint her. He cooperated very well throughout the process and clapped his hands on the table with a smile on his face.
What should have been a serious scene was transformed into a moment of complete relaxation for everyone.
As the officiant shouted, the first birthday celebration officially began.
The Crown Prince's first birthday celebration was different from that of other princes; even Cheng Hu's celebration was not as grand.
It wasn't that the emperor was biased, but rather that people of different status and position naturally received different allowances.
Even though Chenghu was the eldest son of the legitimate wife, his first birthday celebration was still inferior to that of Chengreng.
However, compared to Chenghu, the other princes' first birthday celebrations were incomparable to his.
Chenghu happily gathered around his younger brother, watching him grab whatever he liked.
The first thing Chengreng took was the personal seal that Kangxi had placed on it.
The announcer immediately shouted auspicious words. When Kangxi saw that Chengren was holding his own things, he immediately laughed loudly and shouted "Good!" three times. Everyone also congratulated the emperor.
Fanghua didn't think there was anything wrong with this. After teaching him for so long, Chengren was a smart boy. If he couldn't even satisfy Kangxi in this respect, then all the spiritual spring water she had given him would have been in vain.
The first birthday celebration doesn't involve picking just one item. Chengren picked three: a seal, a book, and then a bow and arrow.
After getting the three items, he could no longer hold anything else. He then toddled over to the dragon table, stretched out his little hands, and called out to his father and mother.
Of course, the sentences aren't very clear.
But it can still be deciphered.
Kangxi happily stepped forward, took the things his son handed him, and then picked him up in a hug.
"Haha, as expected of the Crown Prince of my Great Qing, he has seven or eight out of ten of my qualities."
Such praise shocked everyone.
Even Fanghua didn't expect him to say that.
Amidst the congratulations of his courtiers, Chengreng completed the first major event of his life.
After that, it was all about eating and drinking, and it was quite lively.
Fanghua also received many congratulations and well wishes from the concubines and noble ladies, all of whom praised her for raising the Crown Prince very well.
Chenghu had already taken his Haha Beads to play with the children of the imperial relatives and ministers.
Children's happiness is always simpler than adults'.
Of course, they might have had more fun without the obstacle of prayer.
By the time Fanghua received the news, something terrible had already happened to the children.
When they exited the Qianqing Palace, Li Changfu was already waiting at the gate.
"What's going on?" Fanghua frowned deeply, her brows furrowed so tightly they could kill a fly.
"Your Majesty, it was the Second Prince who led men to block the path of the First Prince and his entourage, which led to this accident."
Li Changfu dared not conceal anything and quickly explained the matter in detail.
Fanghua never expected that Chengdao would cause all this trouble.
"Go and summon Consort Hui to me."
Anyone who dares to bully her son will be in for a beating.
Fanghua naturally wouldn't wait for her there. After giving an order, she immediately rushed to the Imperial Garden.
Because of the large number of people today, the Imperial Garden is open to the public.
Fanghua had long ago instructed the lower-ranking concubines not to go out and wander around, lest they encounter a man and it become difficult to explain.
Unless someone is courting death, no one will go out today.
I thought the biggest troublemaker was locked up, but I never expected Cheng Dao to pull this stunt on her.
The eldest son of the Suojia family—this is quite a problem.
If things go wrong, it could very well lead to the Revolt of the Three Feudatories. Everyone knows that the Revolt of the Three Feudatories is currently at a critical juncture, and this Sogia clansman happens to be one of the generals leading the troops.
Not only that, he was also the first Feng'en General to be conferred the title after Kangxi ascended the throne.
This shows how important this person was in the emperor's eyes. Although he was not among the eight ministers of state, his position was hereditary.
This is the Emperor's grace, and it also demonstrates the Emperor's high regard for General Suojia.
Now look what happened! At the Crown Prince's first birthday celebration, his eldest son was pushed into the pond, but fortunately Chenghu rescued him.
Even so, if Consort Suojia insists on seeking justice for her son, Chenghu will be the one who suffers, since he is the most important person among the group and is the emperor's eldest son, so he should bear this responsibility.
This is for external audiences.
But if it's all outwards, what's the point internally?
Fanghua would never allow anyone to tarnish her son's reputation, which is why she rushed over.
When she arrived, Lady Suojia was already there.
This person's background is also unusual; although he is outside the Five Blessings, he is still surnamed Aisin Gioro.
Fanghua felt a headache whenever she saw her.
Because she knew that this woman only had one child and didn't even have a daughter, which showed how much she valued the child.
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived."
As Li Changfu shouted, the crowd made way for him.
Lady Sogia also knelt on the ground with her son to pay her respects to the Empress.
"Your Majesty, you must do justice for my son!" She had already found out the reason, and that was why she felt indignant.
"Please rise quickly, Consort Suojia. The young master is still wet. Would you like the princess to change her clothes first?" Fanghua personally stepped forward to help her up. "I will certainly give you and your son justice for what happened today. Don't worry."
After helping the person up, Fanghua made a firm promise to her.
Even if she doesn't say it, she will make a point, because it concerns her son.
Fanghua immediately instructed Li Changfu to take the person away to change clothes.
Then he took the hand of Lady Suojia and sat down on the chair brought by the servants.
"When I arrived, this servant relayed this matter to me. I do not listen to one side or believe one side. Today, all those involved, come forward to me."
Having been Empress for many years, Fanghua possessed an inherent majesty that even Chenghu was intimidated by his mother's imposing presence.
After all, the Empress Dowager would never speak to him like that in private.
The two groups traveling together took a step forward under the Queen's imposing presence. Someone was so frightened that they burst into tears and knelt down on the ground with a thud.
The others didn't care about anything else and knelt down first.
Chenghu followed suit, grabbing his Haha Beads and kneeling on the ground, not caring whether the ground was so hard on his knees that it hurt.
Only Cheng Dao stood there dumbfounded, his face still showing a hint of resentment.
Fanghua ignored him, glanced at him, then looked away and turned to the person on her right.
She realized that the group on the right had some connection with her son.
Because she saw several familiar juniors inside.
"Let's start with you then."
With a gentle gesture, a jade-like hand pointed, and a eunuch stepped forward to remind the child on the far right.
The man was also scared. Perhaps it was because of the good upbringing he received from his elders, but even though he was scared, he didn't cry. However, his eyes turned red, which showed that he was indeed afraid.
"Your Majesty, this servant, Mahaqi, said that today we were planning to come with the First Prince to see the beautiful scenery of the Imperial Garden. We had just entered the Imperial Garden when we encountered the Second Prince leading a group of people."
The little guy was quite stubborn; he stammered as he recounted everything he knew from the beginning.
Lady Suojia also sat there listening, wanting to see who was trying to harm her only child.
Those who can enter the palace today are all legitimate sons and second legitimate sons, not a single illegitimate son. After all, it is the Crown Prince's first birthday celebration, and not just anyone is qualified to come.
It's very simple.
Chengdao wanted to show everyone that he was more favored than Chenghu, since Chenghu, as the older brother, always yielded to him.
He wanted to lead his own people through this road first. Although Chenghu gave way to his younger brother in front of the Emperor, he did not intend to embarrass his mother, the Empress Dowager, in public.
So he didn't allow it.
It was precisely this remark that angered Chengdao. The boy, spoiled by Emperor Kangxi, was somewhat oblivious to the situation. So, at the slightest displeasure, he pushed Suojia Shi Ke'er, who was standing on the far side, off the stage.
This was meant to give Chenghu a warning.
The story is roughly told from right to left.
Faced with the Empress, Cheng Dao's companions dared not lie, and the matter was thus clarified.
Fanghua looked at Chengdao, "Second Prince, do you know your mistake?" Fanghua had no intention of giving this man any face. He dared to do such a murderous thing. If he wasn't disciplined, who knew what he would do in the future.
Before Cheng Dao could reply, a voice came from the back of the crowd, "Your Majesty, please wait."
Along with the voices came a figure exuding an air of nobility.
It was none other than Consort Hui.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."
The others bowed to Consort Hui upon seeing her.
"Get up." Fanghua glanced at her casually, then gently raised her hand to wake her.
Consort Hui did not dare to act arrogantly and immediately told those who were bowing to her to stand up.
"Your Majesty, I am late. Please forgive me," Consort Hui said, putting on airs.
Fanghua knew what she was thinking and didn't intend to give her any face, because she knew what kind of person she was.
"What's so strange about that? I was just about to punish the culprit. Consort Hui, you've come at the right time. Take the Second Prince back and teach him a lesson. If he dares to do such a cruel thing again, I will not forgive him."
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