Chapter 75 Old Ten's Daily Life: His Lazy Request...
On the way back from the banquet, Yin'e was somewhat silent.
Walking hand in hand with the Ninth Prince on the palace path, Yin'e kept his head down and didn't say a word to the Ninth Prince, far from the liveliness he had shown on the way there.
"Tenth Brother?" The Ninth Prince bent down and leaned in front of Yin'e as he walked, his brows furrowed as he looked at Yin'e with concern. "Aren't you ready yet?"
He ate most of a plate of dried fruit in one go, which startled his seventh and fifth brothers who were standing next to him. But it wasn't enough for the tenth brother to calm down and be soothed by the sweets.
His raven-black eyelashes, as dark as butterfly wings, slowly lifted, and Yin'e stared silently at the Ninth Prince for a moment with his dark almond-shaped eyes. He then raised his other hand and placed it on the Ninth Prince's shoulder: "Ninth Brother, will we always be the best brothers?"
"Of course!" The Ninth Prince's eyes widened, and he gave an affirmative answer without hesitation.
After a moment's pause, the Ninth Prince seemed to realize something. His long, narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes widened as he suspiciously looked Yin'e up and down: "Tenth Brother, you're still my closest friend, aren't you? Fifth Brother and Seventh Brother are ranked after me, right?"
Speechless for a moment after being asked by the Ninth Prince, Yin'e instantly snapped out of his sentimental reverie, nodded firmly, and said, "Yes, you are my best friend, we are the best brothers."
Glancing at the radiant smile blooming on the Ninth Prince's delicate and beautiful face, Yin'e once again strengthened his resolve not to get involved in the struggle for the throne, and he was determined to keep a close eye on the Ninth Prince, not giving him the opportunity to befriend the Eighth Prince or be led astray by him.
Yin'e didn't care whether his restrictions on the Ninth Prince's social interactions were wishful thinking, nor did he consider whether what he did for the Ninth Prince's good was what the Ninth Prince truly wanted.
Since the Ninth Prince hasn't gotten to know the Eighth Prince well yet, and hasn't established a deep brotherly bond with him, it can't be blamed on him arriving too early, stealing the Eighth Prince's thunder, and prying the Ninth Prince away from him ahead of time.
It's because the Eighth Prince arrived too late, and no one will stay in the same place to wait for him forever.
Yin'e estimated that the Ninth Prince and the Eighth Prince in history became familiar with each other and established a deep brotherly relationship at least after the Ninth Prince moved into the Princes' Residence at the age of six and studied in the Imperial Study.
Before the Ninth Prince was six years old, he lived with Consort Yi in Yikun Palace of the Western Six Palaces. The Eighth Prince first lived with Consort Hui in Yanxi Palace of the Eastern Six Palaces, and later moved to the Princes' Residence. Before the Ninth Prince was six years old, the Eighth Prince had hardly seen the Ninth Prince, let alone had any relationship with him.
Yin'e was different. He was close in age to the Ninth Prince and lived in Yongshou Palace, which was right next to Yikun Palace. Consort Yi was also on good terms with Consort Gui.
This is simply a perfect storm of favorable timing, location, and popular support. It's no wonder that he poached a future core member of the Eighth Prince's Party ahead of time.
However, thinking that he and the Ninth Prince would still have to move to the West Third Palace to live with the Eighth Prince two years later, Yin'e gently patted the Ninth Prince's shoulder with his left hand, stared into his eyes and earnestly advised, "Ninth Brother, you should be more careful."
Don't be so easily fooled!
Ninth Prince: ?
Looking back blankly at Yin'e, the Ninth Prince did not grasp the underlying meaning of Yin'e's words, but the tacit understanding they had developed over the years made him roll his eyes at Yin'e, his phoenix eyes turning into dead fish eyes: "Tenth Brother, are you talking badly about me to my face?"
Yin'e did not answer, but blinked his dark and bright almond-shaped eyes. His reaction was more eloquent than words, which made the Ninth Prince pout and complain, "You're saying strange things that are hard to understand again. You've been acting strangely many times today, Tenth Brother."
After the grand banquet for the Golden Festival, Yin'e and his entourage left the Hall of Preserving Harmony and entered the passageway between the Palace of Preserving Harmony and the Western Six Palaces through the Moon Flower Gate next to the Gate of Preserving Harmony. Following the narrow palace path straight ahead, and then passing through the Longfu Gate, which faces the Hall of Union and Harmony behind the Palace of Preserving Harmony, they returned to the Western Six Palaces.
Longfu Gate is right next to Yikun Palace. Just two steps from Longfu Gate is the gate of Yikun Palace. The Imperial Concubine and Yin'e bid farewell to the Imperial Concubine Yi and the Ninth Prince here. They had to turn around and walk back a bit before they could return to Yongshou Palace, which is right next to Yikun Palace.
Of course, if they didn't care about rules and etiquette, and if the Consort and Yin'e wanted to slack off, they could enter Yongshou Palace through the side gate in the back courtyard, without having to go around to the main gate in front.
"Tenth Brother, see you tomorrow. I'll come visit you again tomorrow." The Ninth Prince waved to Yin'e, saying goodbye with some regret, but also agreeing that the two brothers would meet again tomorrow.
The Ninth Prince wanted to go to Yongshou Palace with Yin'e, but when they returned from the grand banquet for the Golden Festival, which was supposed to be held at noon (Kangxi was late), it was already late. Even if he went to Yongshou Palace, he wouldn't be able to stay for long, so he regretfully gave up the idea.
Yin'e nodded, and was about to reply when his gaze suddenly drifted towards the direction of Yikun Palace.
At the high threshold of the main gate of Yikun Palace, a little dumpling, already wrapped up like a big fur ball in late autumn and wearing a mink hat, struggled to climb out of the threshold, leaving a row of wet nurses behind, and ran towards the Ninth Prince.
The little fluffy ball, who looked about the same height as Yin Tao, who was half a year younger than him, but was thinner, ran along and called out in a timid, childish voice, "Brother, you're back."
Facing the direction of Yikun Palace, Yin'e, who was the first to see Yinzhi, reminded the Ninth Prince, who had his back to the gate of Yikun Palace: "Ninth Brother, it's Yinzhi. He's come out to greet you and Consort Yi."
Subconsciously pursing his lips, the Ninth Prince's features contorted as he gave Yin'e a strange wink before turning to face Yin'e, who was running towards him. He muttered, "What's your hurry? Don't run, walk slowly, or I won't help you up if you fall!"
Just as Consort Yi said on the day of Yinzhi's third-day celebration, Yinzhi's features were not as good as those of the Ninth Prince. His appearance was more refined and dignified, unlike the Ninth Prince's handsome and delicate features, which were ambiguous in appearance.
Moreover, unlike the Ninth Prince, who was not good-natured, a little tyrant, sharp-tongued, arrogant, and awkward, Yinzhi was a bit soft-hearted, even shy, and not quite like the forthright and generous Consort Yi.
At this moment, Consort Gui finished saying goodbye to Consort Yi. Yin'e then trotted over to Consort Gui, took her hand, and smiled at Consort Yi opposite him: "Mother Yi, my mother and I will go back first."
Consort Yi smiled kindly at Yin'e. Since Yin'e had run out of Yikun Palace, she didn't have the mind to say much to Yin'e. She only gave a final nod to the Noble Consort before hurrying towards the Ninth Prince and Yin'e.
Yin'e was holding the Consort's hand as they prepared to return to Yongshou Palace. They could still hear Consort Yi saying to Yin'e with concern behind them, "Why did you run out? It's so cold outside. You should stay in the room and wait for us."
Yinzhi's health was weaker than average from birth, and being some distance away, Yin'e couldn't hear Yinzhi's soft reply. He only heard Consort Yi respond repeatedly, "Okay, okay, do you want to play with your brother? Mother will have your brother take you to play!"
"Yin Tang, did you hear me? Yin Zhi wants to play with you. You take good care of your younger brother and don't cause any trouble!"
Yin'e paused for a moment, sighed silently, and then continued walking with the Imperial Concubine toward Yongshou Palace.
Consort Yi turned to the side and touched his head with her other hand, which was not being held by Yin'e, and said softly, "I know you and Ninth Prince have a good relationship, but don't think too much about it. It's not that Consort Yi doesn't love Ninth Prince."
“…I know,” Yin E replied softly.
Consort Yi certainly didn't dislike the Ninth Prince. If that were the case, she wouldn't have needed to send so many thank-you gifts to Yongshou Palace over the past few years.
While the Imperial Concubine Gui is indeed of high rank, Consort Yi is favored by the Emperor, has a son, and enjoys abundant imperial favor. There's really no need for her to fawn over the Imperial Concubine Gui so much. Consort Yi's constant gift-giving to the Imperial Concubine Gui is ultimately for the sake of the Ninth Prince.
Consort Yi was simply... just like Emperor Kangxi, unable to treat everyone equally.
This seems to be the fault of Consort Yi's favoritism, but it also seems that we can't be too demanding. After all, even Emperor Kangxi was not immune to favoritism, so it's not surprising or hard to understand why Consort Yi couldn't treat her three sons fairly.
Back at Yongshou Palace, Yin'e eagerly raised his chin and opened his arms, letting his wet nurse, Granny Wang, take off his crisp python robe and change into comfortable, soft everyday clothes.
Taking the warm honey water from Lan Zhi, Yin E gulped down a large cup in one go.
With a long, contented sigh, Yin'e climbed onto the soft couch, lay down with a thud, and leisurely swung his little feet to relieve the fatigue from attending the grand palace banquet that day.
The Ninth Prince stayed in Yikun Palace and did not come to Yongshou Palace, so Yin'e did not return to his side hall but stayed in the inner room of the main hall.
After resting on the soft couch for a while, Yin'e lazily turned over and faced the Consort sitting near the couch: "Mother, can I move out of Yongshou Palace a few years later?"
Holding an embroidery frame in her hand, the Imperial Concubine, who was embroidering a purse for Yin'e, smiled slightly, but refused without looking up, saying directly: "No, according to the rules of the palace, a prince must move to the Prince's Residence when he is six years old."
Pouting, Yin'e looked unconvinced: "No way! Fifth Brother is already eight years old this year, and he still lives in Cining Palace. He hasn't moved to the Princes' Residence yet!"
There were skilled seamstresses in the palace, so Yin'e didn't ask the Consort to do things for him personally. The Consort would only occasionally sew a few stitches and embroider a purse for Yin'e, and the number of finished products produced throughout the year was not large.
Yin'e was still young, and his purse was usually filled with snacks such as candy, beef jerky, and pastries.
He was reluctant to use the purses made by the Imperial Concubine herself to carry his snacks; he only wore them on important occasions. Sometimes the purses contained a safety lock that the Imperial Concubine had ordered to be made for him, which he could no longer wear, and sometimes a jade pendant with a bat pattern, symbolizing good fortune.
Using gold thread to carefully trace the character "礻我" on the embroidery cloth, the Consort Gui's fair and beautiful face held a faint smile. She chuckled and said with a hint of reproach in her voice, "I think you don't want to move out of Yongshou Palace, you just don't want to study in the Imperial Study."
That's why they say no one knows a son better than his mother. With just a few simple words, the Imperial Concubine saw through Yin'e's little scheme, making him blush and too ashamed to argue. He honestly admitted, "Seventh Brother has been working very hard since he started studying in the Imperial Study. I saw him with dark circles under his eyes today."
The Seventh Prince was born with a leg ailment, which hampered his physical development. If he wanted to catch up with the other princes in riding and archery and not be inferior to them, he would have to put in more sweat and effort.
Among the princes currently studying in the Imperial Study, the Seventh Prince is the most diligent and studious. Due to his childhood experiences, he is more able to endure hardship and loneliness than others.
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Author's Note: Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 11:57:10 and 19:00:20 on March 20, 2023!
Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: 1 bottle of millet worms;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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