Chapter 157 I am different from Lao Ba. In recent years, Kangxi has become more and more...
In recent years, Kangxi has become increasingly unable to stay in the palace. Not only has he frequently left Beijing for tours, but even when he is not on tour, he spends more time in Changchun Garden than in the palace.
This time it was no different. On the third day of the New Year, he moved to Changchun Garden with the Empress Dowager, and all the ministers in the court followed him. After all, state affairs could not stop.
Those who owned estates nearby were better off; not only did they not have to leave early and return late every day, they could also eat hot meals. Those who didn't had to rely on the opening and closing times of the city gates, and sometimes, when it was too late, they had to shamelessly stay at the homes of colleagues.
Unfortunately, although Qi Buchen also bought a farm outside the city, it was quite far from Changchun Garden. In terms of distance, it was not as convenient as going there from the mansion.
There were many people in the same situation as Yinzhen. Except for Yinzhi, who took advantage of the newly built Changchun Garden in his early years and got a piece of land to build a garden, the other brothers were similar to him.
The brothers looked at Yinzhen with jealousy. I don’t know who proposed it first, but the brothers, who had not had a good relationship in recent years, suddenly united to submit a memorial, asking Kangxi to allow them to occupy land and build houses around Changchun Garden.
The reason is very simple. They want to be closer to the emperor and see him more often.
Perhaps moved by his sons' filial piety, Kangxi readily approved the land and allowed them to build a garden around it.
Qi Buchen was scrambling on her abacus, calculating how much it would cost to build a new garden. As she calculated, she became a little worried. Although she had made some money over the years, she also spent a lot and had not much left. Now that she suddenly had to withdraw a large sum of money to build a house, it seemed a little difficult to make ends meet.
"Oh." Qi Buchen sighed for the sixteenth time.
Yinzhen walked in and asked: "What problem have you encountered?"
"I'm back." Qi Buchen leaned back lazily in his chair and watched him clean himself up by the brazier. "Nothing, I'm just figuring out where to withdraw funds to minimize losses."
Yinzhen warmed himself up, walked towards her, leaned over and kissed her on the lips, and said with a smile: "You keep your silver, I don't need it."
"Eh?" Qi Buchen perked up, sitting up straight, and looked at Yinzhen with suspicion. "If I don't have to pay, how will you build the garden? The money in the public account is not enough. Are you hiding some private money?"
Yinzhen squeezed in with her and sat down on a chair. He put his right hand loosely around her waist, rested his left elbow on the armrest to support his chin, and raised his eyebrows: "Well, I do have some private money."
Qi Buchen's eyes immediately widened. "Great! Not only did you hide your private money, but you're also so fearless! I'm mad! Tell me the truth! Where did the private money come from? What are you planning to do with it?!"
"Heh." Yinzhen chuckled and rubbed her cat-like face with his left hand. "What if I don't confess?"
"If you don't tell me, I won't tell you..." Qi Buchen's eyes rolled around, "...If you don't tell me, you'll sleep on the floor tonight!"
"Pfft!" Yinzhen smiled and agreed readily, "Okay." He had never tried what it felt like to sleep on the floor.
Unable to calm him down, Qi Buchen whimpered, "I'm exhausted at home all day, and you still come back to bully me."
Yinzhen shuddered twice and covered her whimpering mouth: "Alright, alright, tell me."
"Old Five and the others asked me to draw the design. In exchange, they provided the materials for building the garden. We only need to pay for the labor, and the money in the account is enough."
Qi Buchen's eyes lit up: "Wow, how could you agree to this, old man?"
Yinzhen was really good at design, and his reputation had spread as early as when he was still working in the Ministry of Works. It wasn't that no one came to him to ask for designs, but he was very aloof and refused them all. He only designed things for his own use on a daily basis.
For example, many of the clothes and jewelry worn by Qi Buchen, as well as the bowls, goblets, and vases he used in his daily life, were designed by Yinzhen.
The aesthetics is really amazing.
"It's all for the sake of saving some money for my princess, so that she doesn't have to spend all the dowry. It will be hard to comfort her if she cries." Yinzhen shook his head and sighed.
Qi Buchen said unhappily: "When have I ever cried for money?"
"Yes, I was wrong. My princess is the most generous." Yinzhen hugged her and shook her.
Qi Buchen chuckled and said, "Where did you get the honey from?"
Yinzhen leaned in closer and teased, "Princess, please try it to see if it's sweet."
The couple was about to spend some time together when they were interrupted by their furry child.
"Mother!"
"Mother!"
"Mother!"
Clap, clap, clap! Six little hands slammed the study door loudly, and the charming atmosphere was instantly destroyed by the three tenors.
Yinzhen gritted his teeth and looked up: "We must enlighten them, and you are not allowed to stop us!"
"No, no, no." Qi Buchen shook his head like a rattle, "Let's just clean up the yard and let them move out."
The triplets still lived in the side rooms of the main courtyard. They had originally planned to move out, like Honghui, when they turned six. But they were so weak when they were born, but they had become increasingly noisy in the past two years. As long as they were awake, the entire mansion could hear their shrill voices. Whenever Qi Buchen wanted to handle something in the study, he had to coax them into letting the servants take them away to play away from the main courtyard before he could find a moment of peace.
"Hurry up and open the door!" Qi Buchen pushed Yinzhen, saying with a headache, "If you don't open it now, there will be more noise."
Yinzhen went to open the door with a low pressure all over his body. If others had seen him like this, they would have hidden away long ago. Only the three little kids, after straining their necks to find out it was their father, were not afraid and even smiled with their teeth wide open. Hongyun hugged his thigh and said, "Father! I want to ride a big horse!"
Hongshi seemed to be tired of knocking on the door. After the door opened, he sat down on the threshold and grabbed his father's clothes and echoed, "Father, ride a big horse."
Unlike his brothers, Hongyu turned around and went around Ama and went straight to E's mother: "E's mother, why does my eldest brother have his own horse, but I don't! I want a big horse too!"
Who took them to the stable?!
Qi Buchen's forehead was throbbing with veins, but he still had to pick up the person who fell on her legs with a kind face, and said with a pleasant face: "Are you going to see the horses?"
"Hmm!" Hongyu said with a look of grievance, "Big brother won't let me touch his horse, I don't care, I want a horse too! My own!"
Qi Buchen said seriously, "You can have a horse, but not now. You have to wait until you are six years old and start learning riding and archery, then you can have your own horse."
Hongyan was puzzled: "Why? I can learn horse riding and archery right now. I don't care. I want the big horse and I want it now! Mother, you are biased! You only give good things to my elder brother and not to us."
Yinzhen came over, holding one of his sons in each hand, and said with a sullen face, "No reason, this is the rule." He then scolded, "You're already so old, and you still need your mother to hold you? Get down!"
Ama's anger was still very powerful. Hongyu pouted and got out of his mother's arms, muttering unwillingly, "Ama is also partial."
But I can't give the child the impression that I'm biased, Qi Buchen was about to explain.
Yinzhen pulled his three sons to stand in a row and began to lecture them: "Honghui said that your mother and I are partial to each other. Well, let me tell you, your mother and I are partial to your eldest brother because Honghui is more obedient, sensible, and can study better than you! What about you? Besides eating, drinking and playing, what else can you do? Do you still remember a few lines of the poems I taught you to recite? You still want a big horse? If you want it, you can recite a hundred poems first!"
Hongyu looked at his father with sparkling eyes: "Really? You can give me Malaysia just by memorizing a hundred poems? My father's words are as good as mine!"
It seemed that all the previous teachings were in vain. Yinzhen glared at him and said, "It counts!"
"Great!" Hongyu cheered, "Let's go, let's recite poems."
"Let's recite poems and ride big horses." Hongyun cheered and jumped to run.
Hongshi followed and began to recite, shaking his head: "I thought it was frost on the ground, I looked up at the bright moon."
"Stop!" Yinzhen's face turned black. "Did I let you go? Stand still! How did you knock on the door just now? Huh? Who taught you to knock like that? Do you have any manners or manners? Now, stand in the corner and don't move or speak for half an hour, otherwise you won't have dinner tonight!"
When they heard that there was no food to eat, the three hungry little kids immediately drooped their heads and looked at Qi Buchen in unison, saying coquettishly: "Mother~"
Qi Buchen picked up the account book: "I will listen to your father."
Yinzhen was a little satisfied, and turned to face his son and the headmaster again: "Why don't you go quickly!"
The three little kids walked slowly to the corner, stood there with their backs hunched and shoulders hunched, exchanged glances with each other, and kept their hands busy making small movements.
Yinzhen, thinking he had to teach them a lesson today, walked over and slapped one of them on the butt: "Stand up straight, or you'll be punished with a ruler."
A ruler is much more effective than anything else. The triplets have made mistakes since they were little. Sometimes if they don't listen or don't understand what they are told, they will be spanked with a ruler. To them, the ruler is probably like the devil.
The little kids immediately stood up straight and didn't dare to make any more small movements.
Yinzhen finally came back satisfied and continued to squeeze into a chair with Qi Buchen. Qi Buchen pushed him and whispered, "It's not like you don't have a chair."
Yinzhen came forward and said vaguely, "Those three little scoundrels ruined everything, and I have to make amends."
"The child is still here, you... um..." Qi Buchen could only try his best to keep the noise down so that the child wouldn't notice.
After being properly disciplined, the triplets behaved well for a few days. Before they could make trouble again, Yinzhen invited a teacher back for them. Qi Buchen also cleaned up the yard and moved the triplets out of the main courtyard regardless of their cries.
The triplets’ study (shou) and (ku) career officially began.
The gardens of the princes were also built one after another.
Somehow, the news of Yinzhen designing a garden for his brothers reached Kangxi's ears. No one knew what Kangxi was thinking, but he actually issued an edict saying that the fourth prince, Prince Yong, was good at construction, and ordered the eighth prince, Yinsi, to take over the repair, defense and dredging of the Huai and Yellow Rivers.
Although Yinzhen himself wanted to get rid of the mess of the Ministry of Revenue's debt, and the river engineering affairs were indeed of his interest, Kangxi's decree was too abrupt, and replacing Yinzhen so suddenly made others think that he was dissatisfied with Yinzhen's work ability in the Ministry of Revenue in the past two years.
What's more, the one who took over was Yinsi. Doesn't this mean that Yinzhen is not as good as Yinsi?
Although the two families lived next door to each other, Yinzhen was always rude to Yinsi, and his dislike for him was even greater than that for Yinzhi, with whom he had always been at odds.
In Yinzhen's words, "Though the Third Brother is a bit pedantic and his words are offensive, he is also honest and upright. The Eighth Brother and his wife, ah, are treacherous in their hearts."
Qi Buchen was a little worried when he was packing for him: "You have to be careful when you go to hand over the things today, and don't look too bad."
"Am I really that simple-minded in your eyes?" Yinzhen laughed lazily, "I don't want to waste my energy on this. Just treat it normally."
Of course you are cunning, but boss, your expression is usually not very good.
Qi Buchen shut up. Well, it's ugly anyway. How much uglier can it be?
When Yinzhen came back in the evening, Qi Buchen saw that he was calm and knew that nothing unpleasant had happened today, so he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Are you that worried about me?" Yinzhen noticed her little action and pinched her nose in amusement before saying with a slightly more serious tone, "But this matter is not that simple. Judging from the look on Old Eight's face, something must be going on in the palace."
Within two days, Qi Buchen knew what was happening in the palace.
Kangxi issued an edict to promote Liangpin to be a concubine.
This was not a festival or an anniversary, nor was it a grand promotion of concubines in the harem. It was rare for Kangxi to suddenly promote a concubine alone. What he liked most was to promote concubines in bulk.
So the reason why Concubine Liang was promoted alone must be for other reasons.
At the enthronement ceremony, Qi Buchen looked at today's protagonist. Concubine Liang was dressed very formally today. Compared with the New Year's banquet not long ago, she looked much more calm. Although her attitude towards other concubines was humble, she was not subservient.
After the enthronement, a banquet was inevitable. Although Concubine Liang was promoted to concubine, she still lived in Concubine Hui's palace, so the banquet was also held at Concubine Hui's place. In addition, Concubine Hui raised the eighth child, so when the banquet was held, Concubine Liang insisted that Concubine Hui sit at the main seat together.
Eating, drinking and watching plays, Qi Buchen just treated himself as a supporting role and never let his mouth be idle.
Today is a great day for Concubine Liang. If something she says hurts Baya's lungs and makes her angry, that would be too embarrassing.
But she acted cautiously, while others were determined to blow up the powder keg.
Concubine Hui laughed heartily at the head of the table and said, "Sister Liang Fei has endured for so many years and now she has finally made her mark. The Eighth Prince is so filial. I don't know how many good days are waiting for you in the future."
Concubine Liang smiled and said, "I would also like to thank Concubine Hui for taking care of me over the years."
"We're sisters, why are we being so polite?" Concubine Hui patted Concubine Liang's hand, her expression akin to a sister's affection. "It's just that I still feel a little regretful. Yinsi is already twenty-six years old, but he still has no children. He's so lonely, and I'm worried."
There was a moment of silence in the hall, and then it quickly returned to its bustle, making people think that the silence was an illusion.
Qi Buchen saw the smile on Concubine Liang's face froze, and then he quickly glanced in the direction of Baya, and then smiled at Concubine Hui: "They have their own fate, so I won't worry about it."
"Alas, you can't think like that." Concubine Hui disagreed. "These children, despite their age, sometimes have very immature ideas. As elders, we have to remind them from time to time."
"It just so happens that there's another talent show in May. When the time comes, come with me and have a good look. Pick out two good-looking ones for Old Eight. Next year, you'll have grandchildren."
Concubine Liang almost stopped laughing: "Why bother my sister with so much trouble?"
"It's nothing to worry about. It's okay."
The voice at the head of the table faded. Qi Buchen glanced at her table. Baya looked calm, not as furious as she had imagined. She wondered if she had pinched her palms where she couldn't see. The others continued chatting normally, but they were clearly distracted, their words sometimes tangling.
Qi Buchen looked at his nose and his heart, and continued to be a vase in silence.
After the banquet, everyone left in twos and threes, except Baya. Although it was reasonable for her as a daughter-in-law to stay and congratulate her mother-in-law, after what happened with Concubine Hui, everyone was itching to stay and listen to what the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law would say.
The conversation between the two will be forever buried in the long river of history.
All we know is that Yinsi hurried into the palace the next day and met Concubine Liang.
Half a month later, Yinzhen suddenly received a note written by Yinsi himself.
He was going to take a concubine, Zhang, the daughter of Zhang Zhibi, the prefect of Qingzhou.
Yinzhen came to Qi Buchen with the post. After reading it, Qi Buchen was stunned for a while.
"What are you thinking about?" Yinzhen hugged her.
Qi Buchen leaned against him and murmured, "Should I be glad that I can still give birth?"
If there had been no triplets, and only Honghui, would she have been unable to escape Baya's fate? Four sons was not a small number. Even Yinzhen's brothers, who had many women, did not have four sons. Was this why the palace ignored Yinzhen's decision to only have her?
"I knew you'd let your imagination run wild." Yinzhen pinched her face, "Have you never taken seriously what I promised you?"
"What?" Qi Buchen's mind was blank at this moment and he couldn't think of anything.
Yinzhen pinched her chin and said seriously, "If you can't give birth, just adopt one from the royal family."
Qi Buchen remained silent. Anyone would say something nice. He could only make such an assumption because she had given birth to four sons for him. If she really was like Baya and could not give birth for ten or eight years, who knew whether he would still remember the promise by then.
"Oh, you're stuck in a dead end again." Yinzhen knew what she was thinking as soon as he saw her like that. Over the years, Fu Jin's awkward look has never changed.
"Old Eighth and I are different. Do you think he took a woman in simply to show filial piety to Concubine Liang and fulfill her wish of having a grandson? Putting aside whether Concubine Liang wanted a grandson, let's just say that it was such a short time. Qingzhou is thousands of miles away. If it wasn't premeditated, how could he have reached an agreement with Zhang Zhibi to take his daughter into the palace? Old Eighth is not as unambitious as he appears to be."
"Perhaps taking a concubine is a trivial matter for many people, but it's definitely not for Zhang Zhibi. The Qingzhou prefect, even if he is Han Chinese, it wouldn't be difficult for his daughter to find a good marriage partner to become his principal wife. Moreover, for them, Han Chinese people value reputation the most. Sending their own daughter as a concubine is, to put it bluntly, tantamount to clinging to the powerful and wealthy, and would be despised by scholars. Without Zhang Zhibi's personal approval, how could his family dare to make such a decision on their own?"
"So, Zhang Zhibi must have agreed to this because she could gain greater benefits from it." Yinzhen narrowed his eyes. "You're so smart, I don't need to explain what those benefits are, right?"
Qi Buchen murmured: "Then why not big brother?"
Yinzhen rested his hand on her forehead and said, "Who doesn't know how much my elder brother values Hongyu? Rather than being lost in the crowd, it's better to be unique."
Qi Buchen was silent and hugged Yinzhen tightly.
Yinzhen patted her on the back and said, "So, don't let your imagination run wild. I, your master, am considered a loser in the eyes of others. No one would bother to burn a stove like mine."
His hand wandered around Qi Buchen's waist, and he deliberately teased: "As long as you serve me well, I promise that you will have the final say in the Prince Yong's Mansion. How about it?"
Qi Buchen's mood was shattered. He twisted his waist unhappily and said sarcastically, "Then how do you want me to serve you, Master?"
Yinzhen smiled like a playboy: "Come, let me taste your sweet little mouth first."
…
Qi Buchen didn't go on the day of taking a concubine, but Yinzhen, contrary to his usual behavior, went to congratulate him in person.
Even hiding in the room, they could still hear the noise from next door. Qi Buchen pounded his pillow in frustration. Lan Hui and the others looked at each other, wondering why the Eighth Prince was so angry about taking a concubine. The Eighth Lady hadn't even made a fuss.
Yes, Baya did not make a big fuss as everyone thought. In fact, the whole process was unusually quiet. The sisters-in-law who had come to watch the show originally felt a little pity for her.
No matter how much they hated Baya, all the wives naturally stood on the same side when it came to men taking concubines.
"It's just a Han girl, just marry her quietly." The Third Lady spoke first, "Old Eighth is making such a big fuss, I wonder if he thinks she's some fairy."
"That's right!" Ninth Lady, who was also from the Dong-E clan, echoed, "She's not some concubine, just a maid. That's a bit too much praise. I'm telling you, Eighth Sister-in-law, you shouldn't agree to this."
"Some people just can't be respected. Once you give them a chance, they become arrogant. I'm telling you, Eighth Sister-in-law, this banquet is done, but you can't be kind to Zhang later. You have to show them some power!" Fourteenth Lady said angrily, "If you don't have experience, I'll teach you!"
Fourteenth had two concubines whom he particularly favored, and his wife had a lot of experience.
The Third Lady also said, "If it doesn't work, come to me again." She had more experience.
Baya had been silent the entire time, and only now, with a blank expression, did he simply say, "Thank you, everyone."
Seeing that she was no longer as lively as before, the sisters-in-law looked at each other and sighed in their hearts. Their previous dissatisfaction turned into resentment towards the man.
"There is no good man!" Borjigit drank a glass of wine, slammed the glass on the table, and said loudly.
Others echoed: "Yes!"
"That's right!"
Thirteenth Lady suddenly said weakly, "Isn't Fourth Brother doing well?"
The air was silent.
"Hey, why is the singing so quiet?"
"Fifth sister-in-law, that thing you said that day..."
Everyone tried to shift their attention as if nothing had happened.
Borjigit leaned forward slightly, looked at the somewhat embarrassed Thirteenth Lady, and said, "I'm not saying anything, but you really don't know how to speak according to the situation, do you?"
The Thirteenth Lady smiled awkwardly and muttered to herself, "Well, what I said was the truth. Fourth Brother is just a very good person."
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