Even if you don't understand, you should still welcome them.
Jia Yue got up, holding Bao Chun's hand as she waited. Yin Zhen quickly came in, and when he saw Jia Yue, a look of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
Her clothes were newly made; though simple, they were very elegant and perfectly suited his taste. Her jewelry was also complete. She was beautiful even without makeup, and the decorations in the room were arranged in a pleasing and orderly manner.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
"Get up, you're heavy, sit down and talk."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
With that, Jia Yue sat down.
The two had little to say to each other. In fact, neither she nor the original owner of the body were particularly familiar with Yinzhen.
However, she couldn't possibly expect an emperor to take the initiative to start a conversation.
"Your Majesty, why have you come? I haven't had a proper chance to greet you."
"I said I would come to see you and the child. How is the baby in your belly? Is there any discomfort?"
"Your Majesty, I have been taking the medicine on time as instructed by the imperial physician to ensure a safe pregnancy. Everything is fine. Thank you for your concern."
What do you usually like to do?
"I've heard that reading more books can make children smarter, so I read to my child on a regular basis and occasionally take a walk in Chuxiu Palace. These are all minor things."
"You take good care of the child. Let me go to your study to take a look."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Her study didn't have many books, after all, her dowry wasn't much. Some of the books were bought from the Imperial Household Department, mostly to better understand the customs of this dynasty.
Upon entering the study, which was actually quite small, there was only one bookshelf with a few scattered books. Yinzhen glanced through them briefly; they contained books for children's early education and a few travelogues, which, judging by their wear and tear, had been read many times.
Judging from the bookshelf, Yinzhen deduced that Jiayue lacked books to read.
Indeed, it's not easy for someone in the harem to have a constant stream of books to read without the hassle.
On the desk was a painting by Jia Yue, a landscape scene. It wasn't particularly good, but the brushstrokes were unique, allowing him to feel the artist's longing for nature.
In paintings imbued with emotion, technique becomes less important to some extent.
Yinzhen's impression of her improved; she was intelligent, meticulous, and a good painter.
"This painting is nice."
"I hope Your Majesty doesn't find my humble work embarrassing."
"It's not bad to look at. The mountains and rivers have a unique and elegant charm. Yuanmingyuan has mountains and rivers. When you go to Yuanmingyuan in the summer, you will be able to see more of it."
"In that case, Your Majesty, I thank you in advance. The Yuanmingyuan Garden is elegant and charming, and I look forward to seeing it for myself!"
"Haha, you speak more lightly these days, that's good. I see you enjoy reading, I'll have someone send you some later. Reading more is always good."
Jia Yue's face lit up with joy: "Thank you, Your Majesty. When I was young, I was confined to my room and could not go out. I was fortunate enough to enter Your Majesty's inner palace, but I have never seen real rivers and mountains, green hills and clear waters. I long for them. It would be good if I could read some travelogues and miscellaneous records."
"They are just some travelogues and miscellaneous notes. You are my concubine, so of course you can do that. Now that you are a concubine, you don't need to be so careful. If you need anything or feel uncomfortable, just send someone to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to tell me."
Jia Yue lowered her head: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I was too timid before. With Your Majesty's words, I am no longer afraid of anything. However, my knowledge is limited. If there are any books that I cannot understand, may I ask Your Majesty for clarification?"
The palace maids in the Qing Dynasty were mostly uneducated, since they were not allowed to read. If she wanted to learn something, she would need a teacher.
Furthermore, after what happened with Consort Nian, Jia Yue also understood that in the harem, to survive and thrive, one still needs the emperor's favor.
She's pregnant! Whether it's a boy or a girl, she'll need the love and care of her father, Yinzhen.
Therefore, vying for favor becomes inevitable.
Yinzhen was a diligent and studious person, and he would naturally not refuse intelligent people who wanted to improve themselves.
"Can."
The two chatted in the study for a long time. Yinzhen felt very relaxed. Jiayue was a good conversationalist and gave people a comfortable feeling. Even though the content of their conversation was nothing special, it was just different.
He ate dinner at Chuxiu Palace.
After dinner, he returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. He was still in mourning. Yinzhen had complicated feelings for Kangxi, but he also had filial piety towards him. He was serious about observing the mourning period.
At Shou Kang Palace, the Empress Dowager learned of Yinzhen's whereabouts.
"The Emperor has kept me for dinner at Chuxiu Palace. It seems he doesn't dislike Consort Jing. This pregnancy of Consort Jing's has not been easy either. I'll send her a nanny who knows about childbirth. My grandchildren always seem to have many misfortunes. I no longer have any hope for Consort Nian's health. I only hope that Consort Jing can do something to help her."
"Yes, Your Highness, but there is something I must say. The Fourth Prince of Consort Xi is very filial to Your Highness."
The Empress Dowager couldn't help but laugh. To be honest, she had seen too many children's little tricks of acting in her past life. The inner quarters and the harem were all the same.
“That child is young, but he is very thoughtful. It’s not that being thoughtful is bad, but I don’t like him using his thoughts on me. I am the Empress Dowager now, and I don’t need this kind of pretense.”
"Does Your Majesty mean that the Fourth Prince is not sincere? But the Fourth Prince is only five or six years old, how could that be?"
"How could that not be the case? Consort Xi interfered with Consort Jing's pregnancy. I only turned a blind eye because it was not appropriate for me to interfere after the Emperor's ascension to the throne. Who knew she would be so restless? As the Empress Dowager, it is the least appropriate for me to meddle in the dirty affairs of the Emperor's harem. If I can protect her, I will not be stingy."
Although she became Consort De midway through her life, her bloodline and memories are genuine.
She was both indifferent and kind towards Yinzhen's harem, remaining a sober observer and trying her best not to interfere, though she would occasionally lend a hand—a very contradictory attitude.
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