When Kangxi walked in, he overheard what Harigana said, and he knew that Jiaojiao had the best temperament.
Fortunately, he has already started preparations, and before long, his darling will be able to stand by his side legitimately.
"Xuan Ye!"
Harigana's eyes lit up, and she stood up, walked over to him, and took his arm: "Are you done with your work?"
The Empress Dowager took a deep breath. Although the two looked very well-matched, she had the unsettling feeling that her own cabbage had been eaten by a pig.
Especially that cabbage seemed to really enjoy being rooted up by the pig, it actually eagerly went up to it.
"Yes, I'm done. Your Majesty!"
Kangxi's greeting was extremely perfunctory; after speaking, he turned his gaze back to Harigana.
"I'll head back now!"
Not wanting to see the two of them being so lovey-dovey, I stood up and walked outside.
If we continue like this, the emperor, with his petty nature, will surely hold a grudge.
"Mother, why don't you stay for lunch?"
Harigana tried to let go of Kangxi's hand, but was pulled into his arms and couldn't move.
The Empress Dowager immediately refused: "I had a meal prepared when I left, so I won't eat here."
Before even saying she should stay, Kangxi was already clinging to her and wouldn't let go. If she really did stay, the petty emperor would probably find an excuse to send her back to the palace tomorrow.
It's not worth it, it's really not worth it.
"Jiaojiao, the person has already gone far away, why are you still looking?"
Kangxi turned her around, put his arm around her waist, and stopped her from looking at the doorway.
Harigana noticed that recently, he seemed to have become more clingy.
At least they used to put on a show in front of outsiders, but now they don't avoid suspicion at all.
"Xuan Ye!"
The voice carried a warning tone, and Kangxi immediately became obedient, daring not to act recklessly again.
However, the person's arms remained tightly around him, showing no sign of letting go.
Harigana chuckled softly, tiptoed, and kissed him on the corner of his lips: "Good boy!"
Kangxi followed her momentum and lifted her up, letting her legs wrap around his waist like he was holding a child, and carried her back to the inner palace.
After eating the dog food, the Empress Dowager sat at the table and drank a large glass of water, which made Qigen chuckle to himself.
"Qi Gen, tell me, why are people so different?"
They're both women, but the men they meet are different.
They're both men, but they handle problems differently.
If it weren't for Emperor Kangxi, she would have thought that men of the Aisin Gioro clan were very devoted.
But now, after watching Kangxi, I understand what the difference truly means.
"Your Majesty, what would you like to eat for lunch?"
She was just a maid, and although she was the Empress Dowager's personal maid, she couldn't really gossip about the Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort along with her mistress.
Seeing her awkward attempt to change the subject, the Empress Dowager chuckled and said, "You decide. It's hot, and I don't have much of an appetite. Something simple and refreshing will do."
"Yes! This servant will go right away!"
The news that a birthday banquet would be held for the Crown Prince the next day shocked many people.
They have been keeping an eye on Harigana's movements lately, and some have even secretly started preparing gifts to give to the twins at their 100-day celebration.
Unexpectedly, instead of the 100-day celebration, the Crown Prince's birthday banquet arrived.
Even Yinreng was somewhat shocked, let alone others.
Although he was released and taken to the Summer Palace, he was still not in a good mood.
If it weren't for Yinzhen's frequent visits to accompany and enlighten him, he might have continued to oppose Kangxi.
At worst, I can just give up being the crown prince.
Even a loyal minister like Songgotu, who risked his life for him, was beheaded. Whether he could remain the crown prince depended on the emperor's mood.
Now, his position is in jeopardy, so there's no point in paying attention anymore.
But Yinzhen is right. Why should he not want what belongs to him? Why should he give it away to others?
Therefore, he listened to Yinzhen's words, restrained his temper, and did not cause trouble.
At least from now on, when those two bastards see him, they'll have to bow and greet him respectfully.
Harigana was unaware of his thoughts, and even if he had, he wouldn't have cared.
However, Emperor Kangxi had placed secret guards around Yinreng, and even his personal eunuchs were people that Kangxi specifically asked Li Dequan to find.
So, even though Yinreng and Yinzhen thought they were speaking very quietly and even pretended to go under the covers to discuss these matters, Kangxi knew everything.
After utter disappointment, all that's left is indifference.
Yinzhen's jade tablet was always under the name of Wuya.
In fact, at the beginning, Kangxi had considered replacing him, but later he found that the boy was surprisingly cunning at such a young age. If it were by chance, he really wouldn't believe that a five-year-old child could persuade a ten-year-old Yinreng.
Moreover, the ten-year-old was quite serious about it, and even respected him above all others.
When he heard this, his first reaction was not anger, but rather a laugh of anger.
That's utterly absurd.
Therefore, he altered Yinzhuo's jade tablet and placed it under Guoluo's jade tablet.
She even specifically asked Li Dequan to remind her not to have any improper thoughts, otherwise she would lose all her children.
Lady Guoluo had no intention of doing anything, and immediately told Li Dequan that Yinzhuo would be a leisurely prince in the future.
"Father!"
At the banquet, Yinreng knelt in the center, staring straight at Kangxi without giving Harigana a single glance.
"Yes! Baocheng, get up!"
Kangxi showed no sign of it on his face, but anyone who looked at him could tell that the emperor doted on Yinreng.
"Father, I thank you for the birthday banquet. You have worked hard, Father."
After Yinreng finished speaking, he turned slightly and bowed to the Empress Dowager: "Baocheng, thank you, Grandmother, for your trouble."
Kangxi's expression was becoming increasingly tense. There were three people sitting at the head of the table, and his act of leaving Harigana behind was simply to embarrass her.
Before he could speak, a small hand slipped into his palm and gently grabbed him.
With just that one gesture, he made Harigana's meaning clear.
Turning my head, I saw that she was laughing happily and didn't seem to take the matter seriously.
"It's alright, don't be upset!"
The few silent words from Harigana only fueled Kangxi's anger.
But in this kind of situation, one really can't afford to lose face.
It wasn't that he was afraid Yinreng would lose face, but rather that he was afraid he might say something that would embarrass Harigana.
He took a deep breath and didn't make a sound, but just gripped the hand in his palm tightly.
The Empress Dowager was also well aware of the situation. She glanced at Kangxi and Harigana and immediately understood.
"It's alright. Bao Cheng is a year older now, and he'll be a man from now on. He should learn to share your father's burdens."
"Get up. Today is your birthday. Your grandmother has prepared a gift for you, which will be sent to your palace later."
Yinreng immediately stood up, said a few words of thanks, and returned to his seat.
He glanced at Harigana casually, his eyes full of provocation.
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