Upon returning to Qixiang Palace, Wang Shu was inspired to paint a picture of children starting school. It was an oil painting, rich in color and ink. After finishing the painting, Wang Shu still felt it wasn't enough, so she took the new painting to Qianqing Palace.
"Why has my beloved concubine arrived?"
"Your Majesty, today is Yinfu's first day in the Imperial Study. I am feeling anxious and reluctant to part with him, so I made a painting. Please take a look, Your Majesty. I also wish that Your Majesty would keep me company."
Kangxi took the painting and looked at it. It was a realistic oil painting. Wang Shu had painted the moment when Yin Fu turned back as he went in. She had put a lot of emotion into it, and the sense of reluctance was palpable.
It is the reluctance of the person holding the brush, and also the reluctance of the person in the painting.
Even those with little artistic talent can sense it, let alone Emperor Kangxi, whose artistic attainments were quite high.
As I looked at it, I thought of Yinfu. Although he didn't show as much affection for this child as he did for the Crown Prince, because he often went to Qixiang Palace and Wangshu often brought Yinfu with him, Kangxi's feelings for Yinfu were no less than those for the First Prince.
This is already very difficult.
Because the eldest prince was the first son Kangxi had raised, Kangxi's feelings for him were extraordinary.
As he looked at it, Kangxi also felt reluctant to part with it.
Then I realized that my son was just going to the Imperial Study to study, not leaving the palace. I could see him whenever I wanted, so why would I miss him?
Kangxi chuckled: "You've led me astray again. This painting is quite good, it's very evocative, I'll keep it."
Wang Shu looked reluctant: "Your Majesty wants my painting again."
"My beloved concubine's painting is outstanding; I will keep it to admire."
"That would be my honor. Your Majesty has asked for my painting, so you can't just leave me with nothing, can you?"
Emperor Kangxi laughed heartily: "You little money-grubber, Liang Jiugong, go to my private treasury and take three newly delivered jade bonsai from the Imperial Household Department to Consort Chun."
Wang Shu smiled and thanked the emperor: "Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty. I have been studying how to make jade bonsai recently! With the reward from Your Majesty, I will definitely present one to Your Majesty first."
"Only one pot?"
"Your Majesty, I don't have enough jade to make too many bonsai."
"That's easy, I'll give it to you."
When Wang Shu returned to Qixiang Palace, the three jade bonsai trees had already been delivered, along with many other jade stones of various colors, all exquisite and of considerable value.
In Chengqian Palace, Consort Tong listened to the nanny talking about what rewards Consort Chun of Qixiang Palace had received. As the nanny spoke, her voice gradually lowered.
"...Your Majesty, if you don't like listening, you don't have to force yourself to listen."
“I don’t dislike hearing this, Granny. I’m used to it. Ever since I forced myself to give birth to the princess last year, and the princess died young, the Emperor has become increasingly impatient with me.”
You tell me, how could Consort Chun live such an enviable life! This year, the Imperial Household Department sent ten jade bonsai to the Qianqing Palace, and the Emperor kept three of them for Consort Chun.
Even though I didn't see it with my own eyes, I know that those three pots must be the most exquisite. Consort Chun likes luxury and flowers in abundance, so the Emperor thinks of her first whenever he has something luxurious.
"When will His Majesty remember that I am only an Imperial Noble Consort? An Imperial Noble Consort is not as wealthy as a mere Consort. Now His Majesty won't even leave me any dignity. Nanny, tell me, did I make a mistake by giving birth to that child?"
The nanny also felt that she shouldn't have given birth in the first place, but she still had to comfort her.
"What are you saying, Your Highness? Your Highness is of noble birth and precious status. Why compare yourself to Consort Chun? Consort Chun can only ask the Emperor for what she wants. But Your Highness is different. Whatever Your Highness wants, the Imperial Household Department will send it to you immediately."
"You are the Imperial Noble Consort, acting as Empress. In principle, you are the Emperor's wife. Why compare yourself to Consort Chun, a mere concubine?"
"Is that so? But I am not the Empress after all."
"Your Majesty..."
"Granny, there's no need to say anything more. I understand. Take some things to the Prince's residence for Yinzhen. I neglected him a lot when I was pregnant. Yinzhen is a good boy, and I'm sorry for what I did to him."
"Your Majesty need not blame yourself; the Fourth Prince does not blame you."
“That’s because he’s sensible. I can’t pretend nothing happened just because he’s sensible. Nanny, I don’t have enough energy. Please take care of Yinzhen for me. That way I’ll feel a little better.”
Since giving birth to the princess, and the princess's untimely death, Consort Tong's health has been poor. She is sickly and frail, and since she still holds power in the palace, she often falls asleep in her study.
The imperial physician said she needed to rest, but how could she rest? She was an Imperial Noble Consort, and she knew she could never have the Emperor's favor. She was absolutely unwilling to lose the honor of being an Imperial Noble Consort.
Besides, the Tong family wouldn't allow her to lose it.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will take good care of the Fourth Prince. You should also take care of yourself."
The old woman's tone was worried; Consort Tong was in very poor condition.
On his first day in the Imperial Study, Yin Fu was greeted by the stares of his brothers as soon as he entered.
The eldest prince, the crown prince, and the third prince were the three older princes. Although they were also studying, they were not in the same place.
The five princes, from the Fourth Prince to the Eighth Prince, were close in age. Although their learning pace differed, they studied together.
Yin Fu arrived last.
"Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, Sixth Brother, Eighth Brother, you've all come."
Yin Fu greeted him calmly.
Yinzhen, as the eldest of the group, said, "Seventh brother is here. Quickly sit down! Our teacher will be here soon."
Yinfu found an empty seat and sat down. Zhou Zheng arranged his books and other belongings. As soon as he sat down, he heard the Fifth Prince's voice from the side: "Seventh Brother, I just heard that Consort Chun sent you here. Is that true?"
Yinfu nodded: "Yes, what's wrong?"
Fifth Prince Yinqi shook his head: "Nothing, I'm just a little curious, is Seventh Brother afraid of going to school?"
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