Lady Zhao was taken aback, and Qian Shengyan realized she had misspoke: "No, it wasn't the Prince giving the lesson, it was..."
"Sister-in-law, there's no need for further words. It's just that the children are idle at home all day. Thank you, Your Highness and Sister-in-law, for thinking of them!" Wanyan replied gratefully before Qian Shengyan could finish speaking.
What does it matter who teaches? Could the people chosen by Prince Yong be any worse than a mere commoner prince who is not favored by the current emperor?
Besides, these past few years, the children in the manor have been confined to the house because of the adults. Now that they can go out and have some fun, isn't that a good thing?
Qian Shengyan breathed a sigh of relief, and the two started talking about their children again. Zhao Jia had just given birth to her third son and had just finished her postpartum confinement. Zhao Jia's eldest son, Hongtun, was more than half a year older than Hongli, but he had not yet started his formal education.
"She'll be six years old this year, but all she does all day is run around and play, which is really getting on my nerves," Zhao Jia said with a smile. "With your words, Fourth Sister-in-law, it couldn't be better."
“Alright, and Hongjiao too. I remember he was born in the 52nd year of the Kangxi Emperor’s reign, right? He’s the same age as our Fourth Princess. Now that the children in the household are all grown up, it would be good to have Hongjiao come and play with us.” Qian Shengyan invited, and Zhao Jia naturally agreed.
The two then talked about their children. It turned out that Yinxiang had been confined to the mansion for many years, which hadn't prevented him from having children. Now, the mansion had four sons and three daughters, three of whom and one of whom were born to Lady Zhaojia.
The eldest son, Hongchang, was already ten years old, but he was born to a concubine, Lady Guarjia. Originally, Yinzhen had not considered this issue and had only mentioned two children to Qian Shengyan. However, Lady Zhaojia did not mention it at all and only spoke of Hongdun, so Qian Shengyan could not say anything.
Yinzhen didn't talk to Yinxiang for long. Soon after, a eunuch came to call Qian Shengyan. Lady Zhaojia saw Qian Shengyan out and watched her get into the carriage and leave before going to see Yinxiang.
By this time, Yinxiang had wiped away his tears, but his red eyes showed that he had just cried bitterly. Lady Zhaojia walked over, put her hands on his shoulders, and just as she called out "Master", tears also flowed down her face.
“It’s all in the past, it’s all in the past…” Yinxiang held her hand, wiping his eyes as he tried to comfort her. Heaven knows how he had survived these past eight years.
After the two calmed down, Lady Zhaojia talked to Yinxiang about letting Hongdun start his studies with Hongli. She thought it was a great thing, but to her surprise, Yinxiang shook his head.
“I usually stay in the manor and don’t go out, but I do know about the fourth brother’s son…” Yinxiang said, feeling like he was reciting a tongue twister. He chuckled and continued, “His name is Hongli, right? He is five years old this year, but he started his education at the age of three. Now he has read more books than Hongchang.”
"What?" Zhao Jia hadn't expected this.
"Moreover, the person who is now giving Hongli his education is... personally chosen by Father Emperor. Our Hongdun is illiterate, so let's not make a fool of ourselves," Yinxiang said with a wry smile.
Over the years, he's been teaching children to read, but he knows the truth in his heart.
Because of his depression and frequent illnesses, Yinxiang didn't have much time to care for the children. Now that the children in the mansion have grown up, it's almost entirely thanks to Lady Zhaojia.
"These years, I have been so grateful to you." Yinxiang sighed, holding Zhaojia's hand. "You don't need to worry about Hongdun's early education. After all, he is my legitimate son. As for the future... well, let's not talk about that far ahead. I will start his education after his birthday in May."
“Okay,” Zhao Jia replied compliantly.
Inside the carriage, Yinzhen was also saying to Qian Shengyan, "The thirteenth prince has suffered too much these past few years..."
"Things will get better later," Qian Shengyan advised, but she knew in her heart that Yinxiang's glory was not in this reign, but after Yinzhen ascended the throne. At that time, the thirteenth prince was the real close minister of the emperor and a favorite of the emperor.
However, because of his eight years of confinement, Yinxiang remained fearful and apprehensive despite the emperor's high regard for him, which is why Yinzhen trusted him even more.
“Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise. Now, the Thirteenth Prince’s fortunes have turned around,” Qian Shengyan advised. “Your Highness should think of a way to treat the Thirteenth Prince’s leg.”
"You're right, the thirteenth prince's leg, sigh!" Yinzhen was also worried when he thought about it. He was worried about it all the way back. When he got back, he wrote a letter and asked his confidants to search for famous doctors. Anyone who was good at medicine could be sent to the capital.
For three consecutive days, Emperor Kangxi sent imperial physicians to Yinxiang's residence to examine his leg. Three days later, the other princes, except for Yinzhen, also came to visit him one after another.
At the end of February, Yinzhen received an imperial edict from Emperor Kangxi, instructing him to continue experimenting with planting in the capital and not to accompany him to the border regions. So, on the last day of February, Yinzhen moved his entire family to the Yuanmingyuan Garden.
"It's still more spacious staying in the garden." Yinzhen sat in the main hall of Peach Blossom Village, still somewhat dissatisfied. "Why not just go to Wanfang Anhe?"
"Master..." Qian Shengyan said helplessly. She really didn't want to attract attention anymore. Besides, the peach blossoms in Peach Blossom Village were just beginning to bloom in March, and the scenery was beautiful. She liked it very much.
Yinzhen didn't care. If she didn't go to Wanfang Anhe, he could come to Taohuawu. It didn't matter where they lived anyway.
With no rush to Rehe, they suddenly had a lot more time. Qian Shengyan and Fuerguochun picked a lot of peach blossoms and made some peach blossom desserts. Meanwhile, Yinzhen welcomed Fucha Fumin, the teacher who would enlighten Hongli.
From that day on, young Hongli began a life of getting up at four o'clock every morning, first practicing boxing, then reading, and finally eating. After a short rest, he would continue reading.
Qian Shengyan felt sorry for him, but Hongli was happy to do it. Once, when he was having dinner with Qian Shengyan, he said that he had more and more time to read now and could read more books. It was really great.
Qian Shengyan: ...
In May, Yinzhen was summoned to Rehe and accompanied Kangxi to visit the fields in the Lion Garden. Although Qian Shengyan did not go this year, with her past planting experience, the eunuchs tending the fields were already quite adept, and this year's harvest from the Lion Garden was very good.
The fields in the Yuanmingyuan were also being cultivated. Fearing that her son would become dull from studying all day, Qian Shengyan simply let Hongli rest for a morning every three days to do some farming, sweat it out, and run around, which could be considered a physical education class. However, she soon realized that she had worried too much, because as soon as the weather warmed up, Hongli's riding and archery lessons were also arranged.
Seeing that her son, who was not even as tall as a horse, could already ride a horse, Qian Shengyan couldn't help but feel envious and also had the idea of riding a horse. Yinzhen, who had already returned, specially prepared a gentle mare for her, but Qian Shengyan was still afraid. She practiced all summer and could only ride the horse for a short while, and that was only when someone was leading the horse.
In September, Emperor Kangxi returned to Luan, but halfway there he issued an imperial edict to Yinzhen, asking him, "Did you send someone to visit the Eighth Prince when he was ill?"
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