Hongxi was so startled that he stumbled and almost fell.
Fortunately, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang reacted quickly and picked up Hongxi. Then she looked at Emperor Kangxi with a reproachful expression and said, "Look at your voice, you almost scared Hongxi."
Kangxi touched his nose, somewhat embarrassed.
"Grandpa, hug me."
Fearing that Kangxi would hold a grudge against him, Hongxi quickly revealed his best trick.
How could Kangxi resist such a sweet smile? The last time he saw Hongxi, he could only occasionally utter the word, but this time he could clearly call him "Grandfather".
"Wow, my little Hongxi can call me Imperial Grandfather now, that's amazing..."
Before Kangxi could finish speaking, he received a sweet kiss from Hongxi, who said, "I miss my imperial grandfather."
Kangxi was slightly taken aback, then his eyes reddened, and he kissed Hongxi's little face hard.
"Oh my, what a sweet little darling."
Ah, old people are so easy to coax; a kiss and they're completely charmed.
Yinreng almost tripped as he stepped into the palace.
You brat, what nonsense are you spouting again?
"Father, this brat is heavy." Yinreng tried to take his son from Kangxi's arms, but the emperor dodged him.
"I'm not old yet, and I can't even hold a child?"
[Oh dear, Grandpa is always afraid people will think he's too old and useless. Father has really touched a nerve.]
Yinreng's eyes darted around and he immediately said, "Father, it's no problem for you to carry Hongxi, but this child is particularly good at taking advantage of situations, and who knows what kind of trouble he'll cause later."
Kangxi looked at the chubby little guy in his arms with surprise, completely disbelieving his brat son's words.
[My father is trying to clear his name by falsely accusing me. Should I help him out?]
Yinreng glanced at Hongxi and, seeing his thoughtful expression, didn't want to make things difficult for a child, so he changed the subject.
"Grandfather has just issued an imperial edict that a banquet will be held at the Qianqing Palace tonight."
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was delighted to hear about the banquet. "I knew you were coming back today and I had already arranged for a banquet. I just didn't expect that Yinzhen and the others would also come back. This is a double celebration, and we should celebrate even more."
Kangxi smiled and nodded, "Not only should we celebrate, but we should also reward them for their merits. The Ninth Prince and his men have achieved great things in Suzhou and have even received a letter from the people."
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was very surprised.
Throughout history, only those who wholeheartedly serve the people and do things that resonate with them will receive a petition written spontaneously by the people.
The Qing Dynasty has never had a petition for the people since its founding.
"Has the petition for the people been brought? Let me see it."
Yinreng took the petition from He Yuzhu and handed it to Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang. “Your Majesty, look, it shows the people’s gratitude to the court for its relief of the disaster victims and for its proper handling of the situation. In particular, our Xiao Jiu has received a lot of praise in the local area.”
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang looked closely and saw several words of thanks to Yinzhen written on the paper. She immediately and happily ordered Sumalagu to bring Consort Yi to her.
At the palace banquet that evening, the concubines abandoned their previous low-key demeanor and all attended in their finest attire, with Consort Yi dressed in an exceptionally elaborate manner.
Emperor Kangxi first rewarded the government for its decisive and successful handling of the disaster relief efforts in Suzhou.
Yinzhi was promoted directly from Beizi to Beile, Shi Wenbing and Faka were both given 100 taels of gold, Zhang Tingyu was transferred from Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Yinqi was promoted from Beile to Prince Heng.
For a moment, the way the concubines in the harem looked at Consort Yi changed.
Consort Yi was naturally overjoyed. How could she not be happy that her two grown sons were so outstanding? As for the eleventh prince, she didn't expect him to become a talent; she only hoped he would grow up safely.
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang smiled as she looked at the people receiving their titles, then smiled at Emperor Kangxi, "Your Majesty, Yinzhi and Yintang are so outstanding, it is all thanks to Consort Yi's excellent upbringing. Consort Yi has conceived three sons over the years, yet she has always remained dutiful, which is truly remarkable."
Kangxi recalled Wei Zhu's report about Princess Niohuru of Yuqing Palace and realized that the Empress Dowager intended to use the promotion of Consort Yi to suppress Consort Wenxi.
“What Grandmother says is true. Consort Yi is indeed a rare gem in the harem.” Kangxi smiled as he looked at the flattered Consort Yi. “Consort Yi is dignified and elegant, and she knows how to conduct herself properly. Today, on the occasion of the palace banquet, she will be promoted to Noble Consort Yi. The investiture ceremony will be held next month.”
Before Consort Yi could receive the imperial decree and express her gratitude, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang said, "Now that Consort Yi has become a Noble Consort, I will bestow this nine-tailed phoenix hairpin upon you as a congratulatory gift for your promotion."
As soon as she finished speaking, Su Mala Gu walked towards Consort Yi with a smile on her face, holding an exquisitely crafted nine-tailed phoenix hairpin in both hands.
Consort Yi dared not presume, and immediately knelt down to express her gratitude. Su Ma La Gu then placed the phoenix hairpin on her headdress.
For a moment, the concubines present openly offered their congratulations, but no one knew the bitterness in their hearts.
The position of empress remained vacant, and it seemed that Emperor Kangxi did not intend to appoint another empress.
The vast harem was then managed by Consort Wenxi, who was more powerful than the empress.
But now that the Emperor has promoted Consort Yi to Imperial Noble Consort, and the Empress Dowager has personally bestowed upon her a nine-tailed phoenix hairpin, it's impossible not to have wild speculations.
Consort Wenxi suppressed her frustration and bitterness. It was all Yuhe's fault; not only was she dead, but she had also caused her so much distress.
When Faka returned, he heard about his daughter's situation. He was still saddened by Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's ruthless methods, but now, through the matter of Consort Yi's promotion, he realized just how much trouble his daughter had caused.
He now only hopes that the Emperor will consider his meritorious service in protecting the Emperor along the way and not hold him accountable for past transgressions.
Why.
Yinreng was pleased to see the lively scene. After a few rounds of drinks, he said, "Father, Shi Wenbing was brave and resourceful during this trip to Suzhou and made great contributions. His son Guanyin also made a great contribution in protecting the capital."
When Kangxi recalled Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's decision to confine Lady Guarjia, he realized that the Crown Prince was asking for compensation from his wife.
You brat.
"Shi Wenbing is both brave and resourceful, and is hereby specially appointed as the General of Fuzhou. He will travel to Hangzhou to take up his post at a later date. His son, Guanyinbao, has made great contributions in guarding the capital, and is hereby promoted to the position of Commander of the Plain White Banner of Mongols."
Shi Wenbing and his son Guanyinbao exchanged a joyful glance, then knelt down together to receive the imperial decree and express their gratitude.
Lady Guarjia couldn't help but look at Yinreng with gratitude, only to see that he simply smiled calmly.
Seeing his father and mother's reactions, Hongxi, nestled in his arms, couldn't help but mentally complain.
[Father clearly saw Mother looking at him with gratitude, yet he refused to even glance at her; how pretentious.]
Yinreng: Shut up.
[The poor mother's joy was wasted on the dog.]
Yinreng couldn't resist and gave Hongxi's buttocks a hard slap.
Lady Guarjia thought Hongxi had gotten into trouble and immediately reached out to take the child away, but Yinreng refused with a smile.
"It's nothing, I just want to slap him."
Hongxi glared with his big eyes and silently smacked his lips.
Are you sick?!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
