"Father, it's absolutely true! The imperial physicians at the Imperial Hospital have all confirmed it!"
When Emperor Jingning heard that He Xue was pregnant with her third child, he was terrified. He worried that He Xue's already weak body could not withstand it, but the imperial physicians said that if they forced an abortion, it would cause even more harm to He Xue.
So now he lives in constant fear, hoping that He Xue can give birth safely.
"Good, good, good!" Kangxi said happily three times. "He Xue is a blessed person. No wonder the Living Buddha said that you two were a match made in heaven. It is indeed true!"
[I'd rather not have this kind of blessing!] Emperor Jingning thought to himself, "I should thank Father Emperor for betrothing He Xue to me, otherwise I might have been destined to grow old alone, instead of having both a son and a daughter like I do now!"
"Bestowing marriage upon you and He Xue was the best thing I ever did!" Kangxi said proudly.
Although Emperor Jingning's illness needed to be concealed, and even if those women were merely decorations, how many women would willingly be decorations?
In case they plotted something, Kangxi wasn't entirely at ease with Hexue. If either Hexue or the child fell into a trap, Emperor Jingning would probably go mad. Fewer women meant fewer troubles in the harem, especially since Hexue was currently pregnant. So, Emperor Jingning didn't care whether or not new women entered his harem.
"This pregnancy with He Xue is extremely important. For the sake of He Xue and the safety of the child, you may do as you please!" Emperor Kangxi relented.
"Your son thanks Your Majesty for your understanding!" Emperor Jingning said to Emperor Kangxi.
"However, Bao Cheng, the imperial concubine selection not only fills the harem, but also allows members of the imperial clan to get married. If you don't hold the selection, the members of the imperial clan won't be able to get married. They've all come to Changchun Garden, so the selection still needs to be carried out."
"Let your mother, Tong, return to the palace to help with the selection of concubines!"
"Yes, it was my oversight. I will have to trouble Mother Tong with this matter!" Emperor Jingning had indeed overlooked this point.
"Father, do you want to add more people to the selection this time?" Emperor Jingning asked. He did not want Kangxi to hold another selection, not because he was worried that Kangxi would give birth to more brothers, but mainly because he had told Xue that Kangxi was old enough to be the grandfather of those girls. He also felt that Kangxi should not take advantage of those young girls.
The reason he asked the question was to dissuade Kangxi from the idea, since Kangxi couldn't just tell him directly that he wanted to hold a talent show.
"No need, I'm very busy right now. I'm too busy to keep up with Hongchen's wits every day. Hongchen is indeed intelligent, but he's also unruly. I have to be on my guard, otherwise I'll easily be fooled by him!" Kangxi spoke highly of Hongchen.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!"
“Hongchen is much smarter than you were when you were a child. I have already sent Li Guangdi to the capital to teach Hongchen!”
"Everything is up to Father Emperor!" Emperor Jingning never imagined that one day he would be disliked by Emperor Kangxi.
"Grandfather, your grandson is back!" Hongchen's voice came from outside.
"Hongchen went hunting today!" Kangxi said, getting off the kang (heated brick bed) and shuffling his shoes towards the door.
When Hongchen entered, he saw that Emperor Jingning was also there. After paying his respects to Emperor Kangxi, he also bowed to Emperor Jingning. "Father, did Mother and Sister come with you?"
"No!" Emperor Jingning always maintained the image of a strict father in front of Hongchen.
"Your Majesty, I hunted a fox today. The pelt is just right to make a scarf for Mother and Sister!" Hongchen then turned to Kangxi and said, "Grandfather, let's have a barbecue today. I've already asked the kitchen to prepare it!"
"Alright, I'll do whatever you say!" Kangxi replied with a smile.
Hongchen turned his head and saw that Emperor Jingning was still there, so he said, "Father, why haven't you returned to the palace yet? You'll miss lunch!"
"Yes, Bao Cheng, hurry back!" Kangxi also gave Emperor Jingning an order to leave.
Emperor Jingning was speechless. Were these two, grandfather and grandson, worried that he would stay and steal their roasted meat?
"Father, I'm going back to the palace now. I'll come to see you another day!"
"Go!" Kangxi waved his hand and said.
Emperor Jingning felt that today was a day he was being disliked.
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