On the day of the baby's first birthday celebration.
The Fourth Prince's residence was bustling with activity because Emperor Kangxi had sent word in advance that he and Consort De would personally visit the residence to see their grandson.
Yi Hua, holding Hong Hui who was dressed in a festive red outfit, greeted the visiting wives and ladies of the imperial clan. Hong Hui sat beside Yi Hua, watching the beautiful aunts around him, who were all smiles and very respectful, not causing any trouble.
"Fourth sister-in-law, Prince Honghui is so well-behaved. My Hongqing is such a mischievous little monkey. I didn't bring him today, but I'll arrange for the two brothers to get together another day." Third Princess Consort Dong'e was envious of Honghui's well-behaved nature and coaxed him to call her "Auntie" while holding her hairpin.
"His Majesty has arrived! Consort De has arrived!" Upon hearing the eunuch's voice, the guests at the banquet scrambled to their feet, as they were an hour earlier than the agreed-upon time.
Kangxi sat in the main seat, looking at Honghui in Yihua's arms, and waved his hand: "Is this Honghui? Bring him here for me to see."
Honghui had met Consort De once before, and greeted her, "Hello, Grandma, Honghui has missed you very much."
After speaking, Honghui looked up at Consort De's hair and noticed that she had many more jewels and ornaments than when they last met. His eyes lit up, and Yihua knew what the child was thinking at a glance.
He liked delicate and bright things, and who knows how many of his own jewelry this child had secretly hidden away.
Consort De couldn't hide the smile in her eyes when she heard this. However, since Emperor Kangxi was present, she couldn't directly hug him. Instead, she instructed him, "Honghui, this is Grandfather."
After Consort De taught him twice, Honghui pronounced the words clearly and loudly. Emperor Kangxi was very happy to hear this and patted his little head, saying, "He's a good child. Fourth Prince, you must raise him well, lest he lose his cleverness as he grows up."
After saying this, he gestured for Liang Jiugong to take the child back, and then added many more rewards, making the Third Princess Consort somewhat envious. Hongqing hadn't been so conspicuous that day.
After the baby's first birthday celebration was arranged, Yi Hua placed Hong Hui on the table and gently patted his little bottom: "Hong Hui, go and get one you like."
This means, go get the jade pendant your father gave you, and then today can be a perfect ending.
Upon hearing this, Honghui crawled towards the target using both hands and feet. After successfully retrieving the jade pendant, he held it tightly in one hand and took a palm-sized jade peach in the other, tremblingly handing it to Kangxi.
When Kangxi saw the adorable little guy give him a gift, it was a first for him, and he happily accepted it.
Seeing that the gift had been successfully delivered, Honghui was satisfied and climbed towards Yihua with Yinzhen's jade pendant in his hand.
Yi Hua was already terrified by Hong Hui's actions. If Kangxi was in a good mood and cooperated with him, nothing would happen. But if Kangxi was in a bad mood and thought that he was too young to be obsequious, then Hong Hui's life would be ruined.
Thankfully, Yi Hua looked at Yin Zhen, who seemed somewhat at a loss. Yin Zhen shook his head slightly, signaling her to calm down.
Honghui has now become the absolute focus of attention. Everyone is secretly observing him. This child is only one year old, yet he has already mastered the essence of flattering the "dragon." He is not to be underestimated.
The Fourteenth Prince, Yinzhen, was intrigued and asked casually, "Of all the baby's first birthday celebrations I've seen, Fourth Sister-in-law's idea is the most original. I want to do the same when I have a son."
Upon hearing this, Yinzhen's face darkened again. He wanted to reprimand his younger brother, but the occasion was inappropriate, so he could only endure it.
"Fourteenth Brother, there's curling, archery, and lots of other things prepared outside. Why don't you take your masters out for a bit of fun, Eunuch Su?" Yi Hua didn't want to argue. If she could get everyone to shift their focus from Hong Hui to herself, that would be even better.
Upon hearing this, the others suddenly realized that it had been prepared in advance. They hadn't expected that while the Fourth Prince was incorruptible, his wife was shrewd and resourceful.
Consort De smiled upon hearing this. She knew that Yi Hua had privately taught Hong Hui how to choose his first birthday presents, and she even knew what he had chosen several times.
Since he already knew, Kangxi must have known even more clearly, which is why he was so happy and moved.
Although some people made sarcastic remarks during the banquet, it ultimately ended smoothly.
"Master, is Honghui too prominent today?" Yihua was still a little worried. "Although the Fourteenth Brother made it clear that it was my idea, I am still very afraid."
Looking at the sleeping Honghui, Yinzhen comforted Yihua: "Don't worry, he's still a long way from being able to go out and socialize. Let him rest in the manor for a couple of years, and after a while, no one will remember what happened today."
"However, Honghui cannot be left alone. Tomorrow, Your Majesty will find a sensible young eunuch to accompany him throughout the day." Yinzhen was also afraid that something unexpected might happen.
"yes."
***
Time flies, and in the thirty-seventh year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Honghui turned two years old.
Yihua devoted most of her energy to accompanying Honghui, leaving the affairs of the backyard to Chen Mama to handle according to regulations. She would simply listen to the servants' reports each day and that would be it.
No new women were brought into the household that year. It was probably because the palace felt that the two children in the household were still too young, and that the legitimate son was too precious, so no new women were bestowed upon them.
Honghui has recently taken a great liking to Yihua reading to him, listening from morning till night without getting tired of it. He also enjoys watching Yihua practice calligraphy, sometimes even dipping his finger in ink and making strokes that look quite skillful.
Yinzhen valued this child, who had shown extraordinary intelligence at a young age, more and more, and his affection and expectations for him grew visibly every day.
The temperature was just right that day, with a slight breeze, perfect for flying kites.
Yihua took out the prepared kite patterns and let Honghui practice tracing and coloring them.
Honghui loves tigers, while Yihua prefers beautiful women.
Holding a paper kite shaped like a tiger, Honghui painted large areas with black paint. Yihua was carefully outlining a beautiful woman's ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) when she turned around and saw a large, dark tiger, which startled her.
"Honghui, why is it all black?"
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