An Linyu was in charge of overseeing the construction of the academy, so he was naturally very familiar with it. In addition, due to his background, he introduced the academy as if he were a real estate agent, which made Kangxi's mind race.
"...This area is used for student classes; there are fifty classrooms in total, each accommodating thirty students at a time..."
An Linyu said, pointing to the building in front of her.
After visiting the classrooms, the group arrived at a building that occupied an area of about four courtyards. Kangxi, seeing it, asked with some curiosity, "What is this for?"
An Linyu smiled and explained, "This hasn't been named yet; it's used to store books."
This building was added at Tong Cheng'er's request; it's a library.
It has four floors in total, with a cement foundation.
"Storing books? Tell me more."
An Linyu then began to explain in detail: "This was the idea of the Fujin (principal wife). She said that this academy would only accept students from poor families who were able to study. The academy could provide students with the Four Books and Five Classics, as well as writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for free. However, it was unable to provide other books. Therefore, this academy was built to store various books for students to borrow."
Kangxi understood, and then a smile appeared on his face. This was indeed a good idea.
"That's pretty good, but with four floors in total, can the base hold out?"
It's no wonder that Kangxi was suspicious. He had studied architecture, and with such a large area and a massive building as a whole, wouldn't there be safety issues?
Then An Linyu brought up cement and gave Kangxi a long recommendation, which caused Kangxi's focus to shift.
After An Linyu's introduction, Kangxi became interested in cement.
There happened to be a cement floor, and An Linyu gave a brief introduction, after which Kangxi's interest was completely focused on the cement.
Before leaving, Kangxi was all smiles. Yinzhen saw this and coaxed him to write an inscription for the academy, which was named Jiyuan Academy. The library was also named Shuxiangzhai.
Overall, I'm quite satisfied with the trip.
Yinzhen was summoned to the Qianqing Palace the next day.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
"Get up."
"Thank you, Father Emperor."
"I called you here today to ask you about the cement."
Yinzhen was not surprised at all. Cement has a wide range of uses. It is impervious to water and fire, and it is hard and strong. These are the characteristics that make it useful for building roads and constructing dams...
Both are excellent choices.
"Your Majesty, I was just about to say that the formula for this cement was developed by the Fujin (Prince Consort). She told me last night that she wanted to present the formula to Your Majesty. If this cement can benefit the people, it would be a great blessing."
Emperor Kangxi was very pleased to hear this. His son and daughter-in-law were so sensible; before he could even speak, they had already said the rest of the words.
“Your wife is a kind-hearted person who cares about the people. She is a good person.”
Then, Tong Cheng'er received many more rewards.
Yinzhen didn't publicize the cement matter. Kangxi thought there was no clue yet, so he didn't bring it up either, planning to hand it over to the Fifth Prince in a while.
Because the reward Tong Cheng'er received seemed rather absurd.
Inside Yuqing Palace, the residence of the Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess rubbed her head, looking quite tired.
"Granny, why does Father Emperor treat Fourth Brother's wife so differently? He wouldn't even treat the princess this way!"
Rewards were given every now and then, but she, as the Crown Princess, managed the Crown Prince's internal affairs and never received any rewards.
What's most unacceptable is that, despite both marrying, why was the Fourth Prince able to remain chaste and stay with only one person, while she married the Crown Prince, who was indeed noble, but had a harem full of women?
She spent her days dealing with trivial matters in the backyard, helping to take care of the Crown Prince's pregnant women, and also having to guard against being framed.
As time went on, and with someone else making comparisons, she started to break down.
"It's probably because the Fourth Prince did something to please His Majesty that he rewarded his wife."
That's worse than saying nothing at all!
She sighed, and before she could say anything, her head maid entered with a frown on her face.
"Your Majesty, Consort Tong is pregnant."
The Crown Princess was momentarily stunned upon hearing this: "How is she pregnant? How many months along is she?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it has been three months."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Princess frowned: "It's been three months. I remember that the imperial physician would come to check their pulses every now and then. Who is the imperial physician who checks her pulse?"
"Is it Imperial Physician Liu Wenqi?"
"He's not a member of the Li family, so why is he helping the Tong family?"
"This servant will investigate immediately."
The Crown Princess nodded: "Go and investigate!"
After the head maid left, she couldn't help but rub her head again; she really couldn't stop moving.
We had just finished dealing with this matter when the Crown Prince arrived.
The Crown Princess was startled.
"Greetings, sir."
The Crown Prince said calmly, "No need for formalities, Crown Princess, please rise."
The Crown Princess stood up: "Thank you, Your Highness."
After exchanging a few words, the Crown Prince began to get down to business.
"Ms. Tong is pregnant, please take good care of her."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Princess lowered her head and replied, "Yes, I will take good care of Sister Tong. By the way, Sister Tong is pregnant now, would you like to change her accommodations?"
Consort Tong, also known as Tong Xueyao, entered Yuqing Palace as a concubine, but after becoming pregnant and having a miscarriage, she became a Consort.
Now she's pregnant again, and the place she lives in isn't very nice, which isn't good for her pregnancy.
Furthermore, even if she didn't say anything, given Tong's personality, she would eventually make a scene anyway. She's pregnant, so if she spoke up, people wouldn't accuse her of mistreating pregnant women.
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