Even though princes are more precious than princesses, such a blatant disparity in importance is truly displeasing.
Even Yinzhen couldn't help but wonder if Lady Nian meant that she was hoping for a prince.
Although all the women in the inner quarters hoped to give birth to sons, Nian's actions still chilled Yinzhen's heart. He even couldn't help but wonder if, if Nian gave birth to a princess, she would be sidelined and left to be raised by a wet nurse.
Is a princess raised like that still considered her child?
Thinking this, Yinzhen frowned and went into the inner room. Because he was in a bad mood, the eunuchs did not dare to announce his arrival. As a result, Qian Shengyan, who was breastfeeding, was caught red-handed.
Qian Shengyan: ...
Yinzhen: ...
Yinzhen had a headache. He worried that other women wouldn't care about the children, but this woman in front of him was far too protective of them! Couldn't she just loosen her grip a little?
But his furrowed brows relaxed in an instant; he was no longer annoyed, just helpless.
Watching Qian Shengyan awkwardly fasten her buttons, Yinzhen suddenly wanted to laugh. He helplessly reached out to help her fasten them, then pinched her slightly rounded chin and said helplessly, "Are eight wet nurses just for show, huh?"
Eight wet nurses were specially selected from the capital. Yinzhen was afraid that his wife would cause trouble, so he had his own people select servants with clean backgrounds, but she didn't use any of them.
Qian Shengyan handed the child to Qingxue and grabbed Yinzhen's hand ingratiatingly: "Have the wet nurse take care of her tonight, I won't be able to wake up..."
She felt a little embarrassed over such a small matter, and Yinzhen was also helpless. He wanted to say something to her but didn't know what to say, so he just sighed again.
"Perhaps it's because my health is too good..." Qian Shengyan was a little embarrassed. She glanced at Qingxue, signaling her to take everyone out, then moved closer to Yinzhen and whispered, "I always have engorgement, and if I don't feed Fuerguochun in time, it...it will overflow..."
"Really?" Yinzhen had never seen it before. He never went to see the women who were in confinement after childbirth, and they all drank medicine to stop lactation after their confinement, and they were all refreshed.
Qian Shengyan nodded shyly, then whispered something in Yinzhen's ear. Yinzhen raised an eyebrow slightly, asking again with great curiosity, "Really?"
Qian Shengyan nodded again, and this time Yinzhen couldn't resist and reached out to unbutton the buttons he had just tied himself...
A moment later, Granny Hu reminded from outside, "Master, it's time for the little princess to change her clothes."
After a moment, Yinzhen's voice came from inside: "Yes, come in."
As everyone filed in, they found Qian Shengyan's face flushed crimson, while Yinzhen sat contentedly on the edge of the bed, still holding her hand.
The servants dared not look too long, each silently busy with their own duties. Before long, the little princess fell asleep, and Yinzhen waved his hand to dismiss everyone.
Qian Shengyan twisted her body, unwilling to look at him. Yinzhen laughed and said, "What's wrong? Are you angry that your master ate the little princess's food?"
"Sir!" Qian Shengyan bit her lip and couldn't help but push him away a little. "The child is still here, please be serious."
Yinzhen laughed happily. He even said that since the little princess would be fed at night anyway, he would come to help Qian Shengyan with some breast engorgement problems after the little princess fell asleep in the evening. Qian Shengyan was both embarrassed and angry, and almost punched Yinzhen.
The postpartum period was tough, but the days passed quickly as she looked at her two children. However, before Qian Shengyan could finish her postpartum period, the Emperor arrived at the Summer Palace. Yinzhen, who had spent the winter idly in the Lion Garden, finally got busy.
He had spent the winter recuperating, but he hadn't regained much of the weight he'd lost from his previous illness. He still looked thin and frail, which made Kangxi feel sorry for him whenever he saw him. He also remembered that this was the only son who wasn't at the New Year's Eve banquet, yet he still sent letters to Kangxi from the capital every day to wish him a Happy New Year. Kangxi couldn't help but soften his heart. On the day they met, he bestowed upon him a large amount of rare jewels, as well as food and drink brought from the capital. He also told him to rest well, which showed how much he valued him.
Yinzhen naturally accepted it happily. After thanking Kangxi, he brought up Fuerguochun and mentioned that her birthday was the day before her brother Hongli's. Kangxi became interested, but the little princess was still too young, while Hongli was able to meet her.
For several days in a row, Hongli was forced to get up early every morning to go see Emperor Kangxi with his father. The little chubby boy almost lost weight. Fortunately, Qian Shengyan, who was in confinement after childbirth, did not forget to make all kinds of delicious food for her son. Hongli finally persevered and was forced to show his intelligence. Then, he officially began his early education.
The two-year-old chubby boy excitedly shouted and jumped in front of Qian Shengyan, overjoyed.
Qian Shengyan looked at Hongli, who knew nothing, with a pitiful smile. A child who hasn't yet experienced the hardship of learning is so easy to fool…
No one from Prince Yong's residence accompanied Emperor Kangxi, as there were few people in the residence and children to take care of. Originally, Yinzhen wanted Hongshi to come along as well, and his wife had agreed, but this time, no one was seen.
Yinzhen couldn't help but sneer as he looked at the two letters written by different people in front of him.
The letter from the Fujin was concise and to the point, consisting of only three sentences that conveyed the same message: Hongshi's birth mother wanted to keep Hongshi by her side.
Li's letter was three pages long, starting with "Hongshi is still young, and I am worried about him," and then going on about how pitiful Hongshi was when he returned to the capital last September. He fell ill as soon as he got back to the mansion and didn't recover until the end of October. Then she said a lot more, but in short, it all boiled down to one sentence: Hongshi didn't want to go, and I didn't want him to go either. Studying was too tiring and pitiful for the child.
After reading the letter, Yinzhen sat there for the time it takes to drink two cups of tea.
Two-year-old Hongli had already started getting up at 3:45 AM to study and learn to read, while eight-year-old Hongshi said that studying was too hard and he just wanted to play at home...
If it weren't for the fact that Hongshi is the eldest son of the current Prince Yong's mansion, Yinzhen would really want to give him away, to anyone, as long as he doesn't starve to death.
In mid-March, Qian Shengyan finally finished her postpartum confinement, and with the arrival of spring, the one-month-old baby, Foerguochun, was able to go outside to see the world. At this time, the baby had grown a bit and looked a lot like Qian Shengyan, except that his thin lips were often pursed, which was clearly inherited from his father.
As the weather gets warmer, not only children can come out, but even people who couldn't easily go out in winter can.
That day, Qian Shengyan was sitting in Qiushuijian enjoying the scenery. On one side was Fuerguochun, who was lying in his wet nurse's arms and sucking his fingers, and on the other side was Hongli, who was rarely out playing and spinning a top. She was enjoying this family bliss when she suddenly heard the sound of the little eunuch standing outside bowing.
Qian Shengyan was wondering why Yinzhen had returned so soon after going to Prince Cheng's residence. But when he came in, she remembered that there was another owner in the garden.
She quickly stood up and curtsied: "Greetings, Consort."
"No need for formalities, please sit." Madam Nian smiled and waved her hand, then sat down beside Hongli.
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