It was indeed Yinzhen's oversight. Lady Nian's confinement had only been lifted three days ago, and he probably forgot. A verbal order came back only telling the concubines to prepare, but he forgot that there were two concubines living in the garden.
So, no sooner had Qian Shengyan figured things out than Madam Nian arrived leisurely, dressed in an extremely gorgeous manner. The first thing Qian Shengyan did upon seeing her was to count the hairpins in her hair.
Good heavens, a full twelve! Even a peacock's tail feathers aren't spread out like that.
Ignoring why Nian Shi had suddenly come over, Qian Shengyan stared at Nian Shi's head, wondering if she really wasn't tired.
"Is this how you appear before His Majesty?" Madam Nian glanced at Qian Shengyan with disdain. "Isn't this an insult to the Prince?"
Qian Shengyan: ...
She was dressed in a beautiful palace gown, how could she be so shameful?
“Really…” Madam Nian frowned, “You stand back.”
Qian Shengyan: ?
No way! She even pulled Hongli and Foerguochun to stand at the very front!
Beside her were Geng Shi and Hong Zhou, who had been arranged to be seated. As for Nian Shi, sorry, she forgot to arrange her position.
This naturally angered Madam Nian. She stepped forward to say something, but was stopped by Granny Wei behind her.
Qian Shengyan coldly watched as Granny Wei whispered a few words to Madam Nian. Madam Nian then gave Qian Shengyan a smug smile, glanced at her dismissively, and walked to the other side of Madam Geng, as if she had given up on competing for anything.
The group waited quietly for the Emperor's arrival, but it seemed that Kangxi was really impatient. Soon, they heard the sound of whips being cracked to clear the way. Qian Shengyan looked up and saw Yinzhen riding a horse and leading the way.
Upon arriving at the gate, Yinzhen dismounted, turned around, and knelt to invite Kangxi into the garden. Qian Shengyan then led everyone to kneel as well, chanting "Long live the Emperor!"
Soon, Qian Shengyan heard many footsteps, followed by a slightly aged voice saying, "Get up, all of you. Fourth Prince, I came in a hurry this time, so there's no need for formalities. Where is the taro field you mentioned?"
Qian Shengyan had just stood up and hadn't even made a move when a magnificent figure darted out and stood beside Yinzhen in the blink of an eye.
...as if she were the mistress of the house.
So this was the plan that the Nian family had in mind.
Qian Shengyan found it amusing, but she noticed that Yinzhen was not looking at Nian Shi who was approaching, and even subconsciously pushed her away a little. Then he strode towards Qian Shengyan and said, "Let's go, take Father Emperor to see the taro you planted."
Qian Shengyan: ...Huh?
As Yinzhen moved, Kangxi naturally turned his gaze over as well. He was somewhat confused when he saw Qian Shengyan, but when he saw the child beside her, he showed a surprised expression: "This is... Hongli?"
Hongli was not intimidated at all. He stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Hongli greets Imperial Grandfather. Imperial Grandfather, this is Hongli's younger sister, her name is Foerguochun!"
Folgourchun wasn't very good at speaking yet, but she always learned by following her brother's example. So, she shakily clasped her hands in a respectful bow and said, "Folgochun greets, Imperial Father..."
"Hahaha, good, good, Fourth Prince, your son and daughter are quite good!" Kangxi happily called Hongli to his side, took his little hand, and patted Fuerguochun's head. "Good boy."
Folgour, still somewhat bewildered, revealed a bright smile.
Kangxi nodded, then looked at Qian Shengyan with a smile: "I remember you, you raised the child very well."
Qian Shengyan quickly curtsied and then glanced at Hongli discreetly.
"Grandpa, my mother can even grow taro!" Hongli said when he saw Qian Shengyan winking at him. "She cut the taro in half and planted it, and every single piece sprouted and grew! Grandpa, did you see the taro that your father took? Didn't it bear a lot of fruit?"
Qian Shengyan: ...
That's not how she teaches! Why is this child improvising on the spot?
"Yes, yes, Grandfather came to see the taro." Kangxi said with a smile, then glanced at Qian Shengyan. Qian Shengyan immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not take credit. This matter was mentioned when I was chatting with you. I had nothing to do on a daily basis, so I gave it a try. Fortunately, the results were quite pleasing."
"Alright, let's go take a look!" Kangxi waved his hand and, with Hongli in tow, followed Yinzhen towards the fields.
Qian Shengyan pulled Geng Shi along and followed. Although Kangxi didn't see Hongzhou at this moment, at least he had a chance to see the emperor's face, so it was good to be able to go along.
Before leaving, she turned back to look at Madam Nian and saw Madam Nian biting her lip with a resentful expression, but Madam Wei behind her was holding her tightly and kept saying something.
The nanny chosen by the Nian family is quite good.
Qian Shengyan calmly withdrew her gaze, ignored Nian Shi, and walked straight towards Huyun Manor.
Because it is closest to the fields, tonight's banquet has been arranged at Huyun Manor, but it is unknown whether Emperor Kangxi will stay for the meal.
Upon arriving at the fields, Kangxi was somewhat surprised to see the chicken coop and cattle and sheep pen in the distance. Hongli, with his little mouth, introduced a whole bunch of things to Kangxi. To be honest, it was really convenient to have a child take the lead at this time. Yinzhen couldn't say those self-praising things, but Hongli had no problem saying them.
He praised his father and then his mother, and finally he didn't forget to praise the two dogs, Baifu and Zaohua, which made Kangxi laugh heartily and like Hongli even more.
After the introduction, Yinzhen personally dug up a potato for Kangxi to see. This potato was particularly impressive, with twelve small potatoes growing from its long roots! Although it wasn't quite ready yet, the potato didn't look very big, but it still made Kangxi very happy.
"Good, good, good! Fourth Prince, in a few days when these potatoes are ripe, I will have people come and dig them up! I will personally watch them dig!" Kangxi was overjoyed. "Is it really true that six potatoes have grown into such a large area?"
"It's true, Grandfather! Hongli even helped Mother plant some!" Hongli spread out his soft, white hands for Kangxi to see. "He dug up a lot of soil! Oh, Grandfather, Hongli also planted some of the rice!"
"Good, good, our Hongli is really great!" Kangxi laughed heartily.
Hongli then took the opportunity to say, "When the rice ripens, can Grandfather come for a meal? Hongli would like to feed Grandfather the rice and potatoes that Hongli has grown!"
"Good, good, I will definitely come to eat on that day!" Kangxi replied with a smile.
Hongli was overjoyed. He didn't forget to pull his sister along, and when he turned around, he happened to see Hongzhou. He waved and said, "Brother, come here. You haven't met Grandfather yet!"
Hongzhou was somewhat timid, but he slowly walked over under Geng's shoving. He bowed and said, "Hongzhou greets, Grandfather."
"Grandpa, this is Hongli's sixth brother!" Hongli introduced happily. "He's still too young, he can't read yet, and he's not strong enough, so he digs too slowly!"
The child's innocent remarks amused Emperor Kangxi several times, but it was clear he wasn't particularly interested in the younger Hongzhou or the princess, Fuerguochun. He only chatted amiably with Hongli, then returned to the Summer Palace without even having a meal.
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