Consort De was indeed adept at guessing the Emperor's intentions. From that day on, Honghui accompanied Yinzhen to the palace every day. During the morning court session, he would study on his own in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. After court, the Emperor would personally teach him whenever he had free time. His teaching methods were imaginative, and he would teach whatever came to mind, which could be considered his early enlightenment.
In the Qing Dynasty, princes and grandsons of the emperor formally entered school at the age of six. According to Yinzhen's previous plan, after Honghui turned six, he would move to the front courtyard to study, and he would then carefully consider hiring a tutor to properly cultivate Honghui's character.
Now that Kangxi has intervened, Yinzhen's teaching plan for Honghui has been completely disrupted. Now he can only take it one step at a time. As a father, he can only try his best to keep his son in the palace for as long as possible.
As Yi Hua saw Hong Hui and Yin Zhen off each day, she grew increasingly anxious. She was well aware of Hong Hui's current level of favor; even someone like Liang Jiugong bowed down before him.
Honghui is standing very high now, which also means that if he falls down one day, it will hurt a lot.
As a mother, she wanted to say that she could protect Honghui, but in the end, she was just a woman confined to her home, and her honor and disgrace depended on her husband and children, which made Yihua extremely frustrated.
She dared not show it in front of Honghui. Five-year-old Honghui was at the stage where he felt like an adult. He felt that it was a good thing that he was being treated specially by his grandfather, and that he could protect his father and mother on his own.
Honghui maintained a positive and optimistic attitude towards entering the palace.
Fortunately, Yinzhen noticed Yihua's unease. That day, after Honghui had rested, Yinzhen waved for the servants to leave, and he and Yihua sat side by side, eating a pomelo.
"Your Highness has lost a lot of weight recently, and your clothes don't fit you anymore."
Yi Hua opened her mouth slightly, moved her lips but didn't know what to say. Hong Hui being favored by Kangxi was generally a good thing for Yinzhen. Could he understand his own feelings?
Yinzhen fed Yihua a small piece of fruit pulp, which Yihua swallowed subconsciously, but then spat out, saying, "It's so sour."
Yinzhen smiled and said, "I know what you're worried about."
The couple looked at each other, saying nothing, yet it was as if they had said everything.
"If I can't even guarantee Honghui's safety, then what kind of Fourth Prince am I? I might as well take off my yellow sash and go guard the gate," Yinzhen suddenly said fiercely, his eyes shining with an astonishing light.
“Madam, Honghui is walking a tightrope right now, but you have to understand that this tightrope will choose its own people. It is his good fortune to be chosen. We cannot stop him because we are afraid.”
Yi Hua rested her head on Yin Zhen's shoulder, and the two spoke in very low voices, so that they could not be heard clearly if they were a little far away.
"I know, but... I'm just scared."
"I'm afraid too." Yinzhen stopped Yihua, and the two drew warmth from each other. "Let our fear become our motivation to move forward, my lady. This path is difficult, but I must take it!"
As Yi Hua listened to Yin Zhen's heartbeat in her chest, she also felt her heart racing. He was subtly expressing his longing for the throne.
"Yinzhen, I believe in you." Yihua blurted out. Ambitious men are charming, and if you add the qualities of a good family man, he's practically walking hormones.
"What did you call me?" Yinzhen asked, somewhat surprised.
Yi Hua realized that she had just called his name out of a trance, a right reserved only for the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Consort De.
"I misspoke..."
Yinzhen interrupted her: "No, just call me that."
He liked hearing the woman in front of him call his name. Yinzhen carried Yihua in a princess carry and placed her on the bed, using his strong body to soothe the woman's unease.
Nothing was said that night.
******
In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Honghui came to study that day and found an official dressed as a scholar.
The man had a long beard and an air of otherworldly elegance; even his official robes seemed too large for him.
Honghui glanced at the man's wrist, where the bones were almost visible, and subconsciously pinched his own chubby little hand. For the first time, he had self-doubt: should he control his weight?
Honghui's subtle movements were noticed by the man, who smiled kindly and beckoned to Honghui: "Brother Honghui, this servant is Zhu Shi, the tutor His Majesty has found for you. When His Majesty is busy, this servant will teach you."
Although young, Honghui understood the meaning of the word "sir." He immediately straightened his clothes, bowed deeply to Zhu Shi at a full ninety degrees, showing his sincerity: "Honghui greets sir."
Zhu Shi took an immediate liking to the intelligent and talented Prince Honghui. Despite his young age, he acted with propriety, and after talking with him, he felt that he spoke with substance and was indeed a rare talent. Zhu Shi then devoted himself to teaching him.
When Kangxi returned after handling state affairs, he was greeted by a harmonious and joyful scene. It seemed that Honghui liked this gentleman, which was very good.
After learning that Emperor Kangxi had found a teacher for Honghui, Yinzhen and Yihua specially chose an auspicious day to hold a belated apprenticeship ceremony for Zhu Shi, showing him full respect.
Honghui was only five years old when he started leaving early and returning late, becoming a fledgling eagle that had left the nest. Yihua inevitably felt a little bored when she had free time.
Having received an invitation from Lady Dong'e, the wife of Prince Cheng, and having nothing else to do that day, I gladly went to the banquet.
Dong Eshi personally greeted her at the door, and smiled as soon as she spoke: "Fourth Princess Consort is now a person of great honor. I, Third Sister-in-law, have sent out at least eight or ten invitations. I've been looking forward to your arrival."
"Your mouth is really sharp, sister-in-law," Yi Hua laughed. "To apologize to you, I've dug out all my best things."
Yi Hua gestured for Hong Xiao to take out the gift she had brought, which was an authentic calligraphy and painting from the Wei and Jin Dynasties.
Dong Eshi glanced at it and said, "I can't say for sure about this, but since Third Master likes it, you've passed the test."
The two went to the pavilion together, enjoyed the breeze, listened to the opera, and had a wonderful time.
"Your young master Honghui's name is known to everyone in your household now. I'm just giving you a friendly reminder: the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. There are many people in the palace, and many troubles. You have to be careful. Don't let your precious son get hurt or damaged, or it will be too late to cry." Although Dong Eshi was a little envious, she had liked Honghui since he was a child, so she said a few words of comfort.
"Third sister-in-law is right. Fortunately, the Empress is there to look after me in the palace, which makes me feel more at ease." Yi Hua still trusts Consort De.
After reminding her, Dong Eshi couldn't help but feel a little jealous: "Your Honghui is so lucky. My Hongqing just runs around aimlessly. His father is so angry that he wants to beat him every day. He just doesn't understand how to study."
"Fortunately, Hongsheng is intelligent. Although he is still young, he learns quickly. I hope this child will have the good fortune of Prince Honghui."
Yi-hua said sincerely, "I don't hope for those things. As long as the children grow up healthy, everything will be fine."
Dong Eshi nodded: "Hongqing is in good health, which is an advantage that no one else can match."
The two sisters-in-law exchanged pleasantries while listening to music, stealing a moment of leisure from their busy lives.
When Yihua returned to the mansion, she heard from a servant that the Third Prince was not feeling well and that the mansion doctor had been called.
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