Days passed, and more than a month later, Yinzhen finally recovered from his injuries and returned to the capital.
Honghui is still young, and having not seen his father for so long, he rushed over to him.
Yinzhen picked him up and bounced him around: "Honghui, do you miss your father?"
"Yes." Honghui clung to Yinzhen's neck, his eyes fixed on the thin man, not looking away for even a moment.
The eldest princess looked at Honghui with some envy and politely greeted her father.
After all, she was a young lady. Yinzhen patted the top of her head, gently asked a few questions about her daily life, and then had the nanny carry her back. He then took Yihua's hand and headed to the main courtyard.
Just then, a soft female voice rang out: "This humble servant greets the Princess Consort."
It was Li Shi, who had followed Yinzhen before. She carefully stepped on the flowerpot-shaped shoes and held her waist while bowing.
"Get up." Yi Hua understood, but looked at Yin Zhen with a questioning expression.
Yinzhen awkwardly avoided Yihua's gaze: "Li is pregnant, so she should rest well in the East Courtyard. She shouldn't wander around unless necessary. Please take good care of her, Madam."
Yi Hua gave an unnatural smile, her eyes looking at Yinzhen with some hurt: "This is a joyous occasion, and I will take good care of Consort Li and the child in her womb."
"But Your Highness should still take care of yourself while you're recuperating," Yi Hua couldn't help but retort. Her hurt expression was somewhat acted, but she was actually worried sick at home while he had beautiful women by his side. Just thinking about that scene made her heart ache.
Yinzhen inexplicably felt somewhat guilty, so he gestured for Li Shi to leave quickly, while he pulled Yihua back to the main courtyard.
“Fujin, this happened before the injury, Your Majesty…” Yinzhen wanted to explain, but didn’t know what to say.
It's only natural for him to favor his concubines, so why is he feeling guilty now?
Yi Hua knew when to stop and didn't dwell on the matter of Li Shi. Instead, she changed the subject and began to inquire about Yinzhen's health.
Yinzhen did not answer directly. He put Honghui down and played with him for a long time until Honghui was so tired that he could barely keep his eyes open. Only then did he go to sleep contentedly.
"Whether His Majesty is well or not, you can experience it for yourself, my lady." Under the burning candlelight, Yinzhen's eyes shone with an astonishing light. Yihua felt the intense heat within them and instinctively wanted to dodge away.
However, Yinzhen did not give her that chance, and picked her up by the waist and placed her on the bed.
Yu Xiao stood outside the door, listening to the long and short voices of her masters for half the night before finally stopping. Her face flushed red as she prepared water for them, not daring to look inside the room for even a moment longer.
******
The next day, Yihua brought gifts carefully prepared by Yinzhen to the palace to visit Consort De.
It was also to report to her on Yinzhen's health condition.
After last night's experience, Yihua could swear to heaven that the imperial physicians left by Emperor Kangxi were truly skilled, and that Yinzhen's health was even better than before.
She rubbed her aching lower back and walked toward Yonghe Palace.
Consort De was finally relieved after hearing her daughter-in-law's description.
Yihua also shared the good news of Li's pregnancy with Consort De.
Sure enough, Consort De smiled broadly: "Good, good, you're a good one. I remember that the eldest princess was also born to Lady Li?"
"Yes."
"She's a good mother." Consort De nodded, while comforting Yihua, "I know you are magnanimous and tolerant, and you are very well-mannered, Eldest Princess. Honghui is also clever and adorable. Although I am happy that Lady Li is here, I would be even happier if you could give Honghui a younger brother or sister."
"Your Majesty's teachings will be followed." Yi Hua maintained her smile. Hong Hui was only three years old, and she planned to wait until he went to school in the front yard before having another child.
Her top priority now is to ensure Honghui grows up healthy; as for everything else, she'll leave it to fate.
Consort De patted Yihua's hand: "The Fourteenth Prince is not yet married, so I will not be able to see his child for the time being. The Fourth Prince currently only has the First Princess and Honghui, which is still too few. I heard that the Fourth Prince sent Song to the small Buddhist hall, so I suppose he doesn't like her."
"Since that's the case, then I'll pick a few more suitable ones for him. Firstly, to continue the family line, and secondly, to share your burdens. What do you think of the fourth prince's wife?"
"However I see it," Yi Hua thought to herself, rolling her eyes, but immediately and respectfully replied, "I will leave it to Your Majesty."
Consort De got to the point: "Among this year's candidates, I have chosen two honest and dutiful ones. I have already informed the Emperor and bestowed them upon the Fourth Prince. They will enter the palace on an auspicious day."
"Don't worry too much, they are all princesses from humble backgrounds."
Yi Hua accepted the imperial decree and expressed her gratitude: "Your daughter-in-law thanks Father Emperor and Empress for their gifts. I will go back and immediately order the servants to tidy up the courtyard for the newlyweds."
"Yes, that's quite appropriate." Having achieved her goal, Consort De found Yi Hua more agreeable.
******
Sure enough, a few days later, the palace bestowed upon Wu and Geng the title of new princesses in the Fourth Prince's household.
Yu Xiao relayed a message that Princess Wu and Princess Geng had come to pay their respects.
Honghui was drinking milk tea when he heard this and asked in confusion, "Mother, does Honghui have a sister now?"
Yi Hua couldn't help but laugh out loud. The terminology used in the Qing Dynasty was indeed a bit confusing. No wonder the little one was so confused.
"No, she is Honghui's stepmother. Be respectful when you meet her in the future."
"Oh." Honghui already knew what a stepmother was. Li Eniang was his stepmother, and she was about to give birth to Honghui's little brother.
"Are they also going to have younger siblings for Honghui?"
"nature."
"Honghui doesn't want that!" Honghui suddenly got a little angry. He looked at Yihua and said, "Honghui only wants younger brothers and sisters born to Mother."
Upon hearing this, Yi Hua said seriously, "Hong Hui, this is not your business. All the children in this mansion are your father's children."
“Honghui, look, people’s fingers are of different lengths, but none of them are missing. There will only be more and more children in the manor. You just need to be the longest finger in your father’s heart.”
"You are the eldest brother, and as the elder brother, you should love and discipline your younger siblings."
“Honghui, this is your responsibility as the eldest son.”
Yihua looked Honghui in the eye and said very seriously, "Your mother wants to tell you that it's impossible for half-brothers to be completely without malice. You can't be too careful, but you must never have the heart to harm others. You may not understand what your mother is saying today, but you must remember it well. You can't tell anyone else what you just said to your mother, especially not to your father, understand?"
"Was Honghui wrong?" Honghui insisted.
What's wrong with a son feeling sorry for his mother? But in the royal family, some things can only be thought in one's heart and must never be spoken aloud.
Words can cause trouble, regardless of age.
“Honghui is not wrong, but he is not right either,” Yihua said after thinking for a moment. “You have to figure out the reasons for this yourself.”
"Honghui understands."
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