Chapter 188: Maintenance of Yinzhen At the end of the winter month, the north wind howled past,...
At the end of the winter month, the north wind howled and pedestrians on the road hunched their backs and struggled forward.
Qi Buchen opened the curtains a little and looked at the silent gate to the quarantine center. He caught a glimpse of Zhao Jiashi peeking in as well and complained, "I told you to wait at home, but you didn't listen. What else could you do out in this weather, with such a big belly?"
Zhao Jia's belly is almost five months old. Although the initial miscarriage was safe, she was still injured. In addition, the situation has been unclear these days, so her condition is not very good.
Zhao Jia silently smiled back, lowered the curtain and didn't dare to say anything. The fourth sister-in-law now spoke more and more like her mother-in-law.
Qi Buchen shook his head and just lowered the curtain when Lin Changqing's voice came from outside: "Master is coming out!" She hurriedly lifted the curtain again at lightning speed, and without paying attention to Zhao Jia's head sticking out next to her, she stretched her neck to look forward.
Two adults and five children were walking slowly towards them from a distance. They were all wrapped in thick cloaks, wearing scarves that Qi Buchen had specially sent for them, and wearing fur hats. From their appearance, they looked like seven bears that were not much different from each other, but Qi Buchen still recognized Yinzhen and the four children at a glance.
"You've lost weight..." Qi Buchen muttered to himself.
Zhao Jia's choked voice came from the side: "Our grandfather has suffered."
Qi Buchen, who was full of emotions, was speechless for a moment. It was outrageous enough that she had lost weight from the way he was wrapped up like a bear. How did Zhao Jia know that Yinxiang had suffered?
As soon as Yinzhen walked out of the gate, he saw several carriages parked not far away, and then he heard Lin Changqing's voice. As soon as the voice fell, the curtain of one of the carriages was lifted, and a head popped out from it.
"Isn't it cold?" Yinzhen muttered to himself, raising his hand and waving it over there, signaling her to lower the curtain. He couldn't go over to meet her yet. As usual, he had to be isolated for half a month after returning home.
He managed to control himself, but the children next to him were excited. They hadn't seen their dear mother for more than three months, and God knew how much they missed her.
"Mother!"
The triplets raised their legs and ran towards Qi Buchen. Even Honghui, who tried his best to remain calm, couldn't help but quicken his pace.
However, Hongchang, who was born to a concubine and was close to Zhaojia on weekdays, did not seem very excited at this time. He just struggled to keep up with Yinxiang's vainly quickened pace.
"Stop!" Yinzhen shouted at his sons who seemed to have broken free from their reins.
The triplets stopped in confusion and looked at their father, feeling a little aggrieved.
Honghui was the first to react. He remembered his father's previous instructions and felt a little guilty for a moment.
Yinzhen's face was expressionless: "Have you forgotten what I told you before you came out?"
The triplets then remembered that their father had said that their mother had never had acne, so even if they went out, they could not have contact with her and had to wait for half a month.
Another half month! The triplets instantly wilted like eggplants, following their father as he turned toward another carriage.
Qi Buchen looked at them eagerly, and only after Yinzhen repeatedly signaled her to lower the curtain did she reluctantly retreat into the carriage.
After saying goodbye to Zhao Jiashi across the carriage, the two families turned around and went home.
Although they still couldn't meet, Qi Buchen felt fulfilled and satisfied knowing that they lived in the yard just across the wall.
The days of waiting seemed particularly torturous. After half a month had finally passed, Qi Buchen couldn't wait to wait in the front yard.
Taking a bath to get rid of bad luck. Although I did it once when I just came back, it’s not too much to do it again.
After everything was over, Qi Buchen walked towards the man he had been thinking about day and night. His eyes were full of his thin cheeks. He said distressedly, "Why is there still no flesh?"
She has been putting a lot of thought into food these days.
How could Yinzhen not miss her? He had been sleeping on the bed in the isolation area for the past few months, and he didn't know how hard and cold it was. When he saw her again, he wanted to hug her tightly to comfort his longing for her.
Unfortunately, they are not the only two here, there are a few other people.
"Mother!"
The first one to take action was Hongshi, who was usually the laziest. He rushed up and hugged Qi Buchen tightly, burying his head in her waist and rubbing it.
"I missed you so much."
Then came Hongyan and Hongyun, each of them holding one of his arms. Although they did not act as coquettishly as Hongshi, they also looked at her with admiration.
Qi Buchen's heart melted. As they grew older, how long had it been since they acted like spoiled brats in front of her like this? She hugged the triplets one by one, patted their heads one by one, and said, "Mother misses you too."
Then she looked at Honghui who was standing aside. Honghui was almost as tall as her. He looked more mature after coming back this time. He was standing silently beside her. There was obviously expectation in his eyes, but he just watched his three younger brothers get close to their mother and did not move like them.
Qi Buchen felt a little sad. He was only thirteen years old, but he was already acting like an adult. She reached out her hand, pulled him over, and hugged him: "Our Honghui has worked hard. He is really amazing."
Honghui was a little shy and wanted to say that he had grown up and his mother shouldn't hug him like that, but he was happy in his heart. In the end, he didn't say it out loud. He just murmured, "Mother..." and then secretly glanced at his father.
Fortunately, although Ama looked at them straight, he did not scold them.
The sons stayed close to her all day, and it was not until the evening that the couple had time to spend some time together.
Yinzhen was very dissatisfied: "As expected, women always forget their husbands after having children. I am just a tool!"
Even when they were together in private, he rarely expressed jealousy so openly. Although he knew that this person was just playing with his feelings, Qi Buchen couldn't help but feel surprised and jokingly said, "Has the prince finally recognized his own identity?"
Yinzhen leaned over and bit her: "Even though you're just a tool, it's been so long, isn't it time for you to take care of yourself?"
Before Qi Buchen could even say a word, he was torn apart and swallowed by the passionate Yinzhen.
After the maintenance was finally over, Qi Buchen was too lazy to even move his fingers, his eyelids were drooping tightly, and he only hummed from time to time in response to Yinzhen's sweet words.
Yinzhen kept talking until the overflowing affection in his heart gradually calmed down. He lowered his head to look at his wife who was already snoring, pinched her waist lightly, and muttered, "You don't know how to cherish me." Then he fell into a deep sleep.
When Qi Buchen woke up the next day, he still had some vague memories of his last moments, and he couldn't help but feel regretful. It was so rare for this person to say sweet words, so why did he fall asleep?
Unfortunately, no matter how much she clung to him, Yinzhen was unwilling to repeat what he said that night.
There was not much warm time. Honghui returned to the study after a day of rest, and Yinzhen also immersed himself in the current situation.
After reviewing the events of the past few months in detail, Yinzhen remained silent for a moment before asking, "Has the date for Tuoheqi's execution been set?"
Lin Changqing bowed his head and replied, "Not yet. Prince Cheng and others submitted a memorial suggesting immediate execution by lingchi, but the Emperor has kept it in his possession and has not yet issued it."
"I understand. Go ahead."
After Lin Changqing left, Qi Buchen spoke again, "Since September, the Emperor has been going to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager every three days. Now, I also go to the palace every ten days."
In the past, the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month were the fixed days for her to visit the palace to pay her respects. Later, her relationship with Concubine De fell out, and Concubine De was too lazy to see her, so she asked her to visit during festivals. Now that the frequency had suddenly increased, she was initially worried that Concubine De would not see her. Fortunately, Concubine De was a smart person and knew that Kangxi wanted to see a harmonious family scene.
Yinzhen nodded slightly. He never worried about this. Although the problem between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law still existed, when it came to major issues, both the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had a good sense of the overall situation.
Recalling everything again, Yinzhen asked, "Which family does Hongsheng's wife have her eyes on?"
Qi Buchen replied: "Nothing has been decided yet, but I heard that my third sister-in-law has taken a fancy to Marseille's eldest granddaughter."
Yinzhen frowned slightly and asked, "Is he confused?"
Marseille, Tuhai's grandson, was only a third-class duke, but he was granted this title for his military achievements, a rare and powerful title. Marseille himself was also quite talented. He was currently the Minister of the Imperial Guard and in charge of the Imperial Guard, and was a favorite of the emperor.
It’s not that the eldest son of Prince Cheng is not worthy of the granddaughter of the third-class duke, but Marseille is involved in military power. At this time and in this situation, how could Kangxi let anyone get involved?
Qi Buchen shook his head and said, "It's just a rumor. Besides, it's not up to the Third Sister-in-law to decide on this matter."
Yinzhen curled his lips and asked, "Have many people been asking about Honghui's marriage recently?"
"Yes." Qi Buchen looked like he had a headache. "I told you there's no need to rush, but no one believed me."
Yinzhen laughed: "What do you think?"
Qi Buchen said firmly, "It's too early. I want to wait until the 55th draft."
"That's fine." Yinzhen thought thoughtfully, "The situation should be clear by then."
The matter was settled, and the two of them turned around to do other things.
Kangxi took his men on a tour a month ago, and the capital was much calmer at this time, which also gave Yinzhen time to get familiar with the situation. During this period, Yinxiang and Yin'e also came twice, but they didn't stay long and left in a hurry.
On the 27th day of the 12th lunar month, Kangxi's imperial carriage slowly returned to Beijing, and only then did the court and the harem relax and feel in the mood to celebrate the New Year.
The first month of the 52nd year was no different from previous years. Qi Buchen sat in Ningshou Palace, but he was thinking about Yinzhen and his sons, especially the children. These little boys had gathered together to learn how to drink from their fathers since they were six or seven years old.
"Fourth sister-in-law, fourth sister-in-law? The Queen Mother is asking you a question."
"Hmm?" Qi Buchen suddenly came back to her senses and found that everyone in the room was looking at her. She quickly stood up and apologized to the Queen Mother, "My grandson's daughter-in-law is rude. Please forgive me, Queen Mother."
The Queen Mother's face was still kind and gentle: "It's okay."
The Tenth Concubine came to the rescue and said, "Fourth sister-in-law, the Queen Mother asked if you have chosen a suitable concubine for Honghui?"
Qi Buchen glanced at the Third Lady sitting above her and knew that the topic probably came from her.
Kneeling and bowing, Qi Buchen smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Queen Mother. Our master feels that Honghui's studies are not yet complete and it is not appropriate for him to be distracted. Let's think about it in two or three years."
The Queen Mother's expression remained unchanged: "Alright."
The Third Lady laughed and said, "Fourth brother, you are a little too strict. Honghui is already fifteen this year. If we wait another two or three years, it will be too late."
What fifteen? He's obviously only thirteen. Qi Buchen spitted in his heart, but smiled on the surface: "Third sister-in-law, you worry too much. Is it possible that our child can't marry a concubine?"
The Third Lady curled her lips and said, "That's what I said."
Coincidentally, Yinzhen also faced questions from Kangxi when he was toasting.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. However, Honghui has not yet completed his studies. I think it would be better to wait until he has achieved some success before making any further comments."
Kangxi nodded and did not comment.
After Yinzhen left, Yinzhi raised an eyebrow and said, "Fourth brother, you are only allowing the county officials to set fires, but not allowing the common people to light lamps. Think about it, when you married your wife, weren't you also Honghui's age? Besides, our children don't need to take the imperial examinations, so why are you still following the rule that scholars can't start a family without establishing a career?"
Yinzhen replied calmly, "Third brother, you're overthinking it. I just hope Honghui can keep the family business in the future."
"Haha, fourth brother really has a kind heart like a father." Yinzhi raised his glass to Yinzhen with a meaningful smile.
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