Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Parenting
"Khan Father, why do you want to bring your sister back to the palace?" Yonglian asked while the little ones were crying loudly, pulling Qianlong's sleeve.
Qianlong: "Let her return to the palace to accompany your Royal Mama."
Yonglian: "But my sister doesn't want to go back, so don't take her with you."
Qianlong was so overwhelmed by the children's crying that he took his two sons aside and said, "You two should stop causing trouble. Khan Ama wants to adopt the little princess as his daughter and raise her in the palace."
This kind of thing happened during the reign of Emperor Kangxi and the previous emperor. Yonghuang had heard of it. After listening to Khan Ama's explanation, the young boy nodded in sudden enlightenment and said, "Son, I understand."
Yonglian's brows furrowed even tighter. "Why did you adopt my little cousin as your adopted daughter?"
Qianlong couldn't tell his son that he was reluctant to let Niu Lun marry far away in Mongolia, but he needed the princess to marry into Mongolia. He could only coax his son, "Of course it's because my father likes the little princess."
Yonglian tilted his head, "But Father already has a daughter? Don't you like Niu Lun anymore... Wow... Niu Lun is so pitiful!"
Qianlong: “…”
The little guy's cry startled Hongluo, Yongbi and the little princess who were not far away. They subconsciously stopped crying and looked over.
"Khan Ama is a bad Ama! I will go back and tell Niu Lun! Woo wa wa wa..." Yonglian howled at the top of his lungs.
Qianlong mentioned his troublesome son and slapped him twice on the butt. "Be obedient! Stop talking nonsense!"
Yonglian cried even louder, "Will Khan Ama also dislike little Yonglian in the future and adopt an adopted son from my uncle's family? Wuuwuwu..."
Yonglian was ignorant, and Qianlong was initially a bit angry, but after hearing the little boy say this, he felt somewhat helpless. He picked up his son and wiped his tears while saying, "It's not what you think. Don't talk nonsense. Why would I dislike you for no reason?"
Yonghuang also raised his little face to persuade his brother, "Yes, second brother, Khan Ama likes you the most."
"That's right..." Qianlong only realized it was his eldest son who said this after he finished agreeing. He hurriedly explained guiltily, "Khan Ama also likes Yonghuang. You are all my children and have done nothing wrong. Why shouldn't I like you?"
Qianlong suddenly began to reflect on himself, wondering if he had not been good enough to his children, which led to such misunderstanding.
"Woo woo? Really? Khan Ama really won't dislike Yonglian?" Yonglian hugged Khan Ama's neck tightly with his chubby arms, rubbing his little face against the crook of Khan Ama's neck. "If Khan Ama doesn't like Yonglian and likes other children, Yonglian will be heartbroken to death."
"No, no, how old are you? You're still acting like a spoiled child like this. Aren't you ashamed?" Qianlong said with disgust. His son was like a little puppy who was afraid of being abandoned. He was so obedient that it made people feel distressed.
Hongzhou and Yongbi came over to join in the fun. Hongzhou scratched his cheeks twice and said, "My little nephew is six years old and still wants his father to hold him. How shameful..."
Yonglian kicked his legs to express his dissatisfaction.
"Look, your sixth uncle is here to laugh at you." Qianlong patted his son on the back twice, "Get down, get down. Even Khan Ama can't hold you anymore."
Yonglian did not let go and asked tearfully, "Does Khan Ama still like Niu Lun?"
“I like it!”
Yonglian: "Then don't let your little cousin be your daughter, okay? Niu Lun will be heartbroken if he knows..."
Qianlong quickly interrupted his son, "Don't talk about dying of grief. It's unlucky." He looked helplessly at Hongzhou and his wife, "Yonglian is ignorant and only adds to the chaos. I won't bring my niece into the palace today. I'll explain everything to the children later and then come to pick her up."
Yonglian made a victory gesture in his heart. He thought that the longer he could delay, the better. Maybe Khan Ama would be shaken by the time he returned.
Wu Zaku was afraid that the emperor would go back on his word, so she quickly agreed. Hong Zhou was a little slow, but he was still happy thinking that his daughter could stay at home for a few more days.
Qianlong first ordered someone to send Hongzhou back to the Old Summer Palace, and then he took his two sons on the carriage back to the palace.
Yonghuang and Yonglian rode in a carriage. After getting in, Yonghuang saw his brother's eyes were red from crying and his mouth was pouting, so he said, "Don't worry, brother. Khan Ama adopted my little cousin not because he didn't like Niu Lun, but because we need a few more little princesses in the palace."
Yonglian knew, of course, but he pretended not to understand, "But you can't snatch the daughter of your fifth uncle and fifth aunt. My little cousin must be very sad to leave my father and mother."
Yonghuang thought about it and it made sense. He had also seen how his little cousin was reluctant to leave her mother.
He knew too well the pain of a child being separated from their mother, and for a moment he felt a little sympathy for his little cousin.
"Then let's not tell Niu Lun about this when we get back, so as not to make her sad." Yonghuang said.
Yonglian nodded repeatedly: "...Yeah." Big brother is so easy to fool.
After returning to the palace, Qianlong sent his two sons back to the prince's residence and went to Changchun Palace to file a complaint.
"Yonglian is such a troublemaker. How can he think that I don't like Niu Lun from my intention to adopt a little princess..." This brat's train of thought was absurd yet also had a certain rationality. Qianlong felt guilty because of his crying.
But when he thought about it carefully, he realized that it was because he loved Niu Lun so much that he was reluctant to let her marry far away in Mongolia, and wanted to adopt a daughter to form an alliance.
The Queen did not expect that her own Yonglian would react so strongly. "Yonglian just loves his sister too much. I will talk to him later."
Qianlong: "These little brats are giving me a headache from crying."
"Let me help you massage it." The Queen immediately and gently massaged Qianlong's solar plexus.
Qianlong: "And that brat Hongzhou, what does this have to do with him? The little princess couldn't bear to see her mother cry, so he cried too."
The Queen said, "Children are like this. When one cries, the others are affected. This also proves that the two children have a good relationship. From now on, Hongzhou and the little princess will both live in Ningshou Palace and can play together."
"Hiss..." Qianlong frowned, "Hongzhou is not like our Yonghuang and Yonglian, who know how to give in to the little princess."
Besides, isn’t it inconvenient for uncle and niece to live in the same palace?
Qianlong was a little conflicted for a moment, "Why not let the imperial concubine raise the little princess?"
"The Imperial Concubine has a gentle disposition and will certainly raise the little princess with all her heart. However, the Emperor previously promised the Prince and his wife to let the Imperial Concubine raise the little princess, so that they could see their daughter more often when they came to pay their respects at the palace." The Empress said, "If the Imperial Concubine raises her, it would be difficult for them to see their daughter when they came to pay their respects at the palace."
Normally, the empress should support Qianlong in adopting the little princess. With one more adopted daughter, the chances of her own daughter Niu Lun being adopted by the emperor in the future would be reduced by 10%.
But she had a very good relationship with the Fifth Lady's sister-in-law and knew that she was reluctant to part with her daughter. Moreover, as a mother herself, she could naturally understand the Fifth Lady's feelings.
The Empress also fought for her sisters-in-law to let the little princess live in Ningshou Palace and be raised by the Empress Dowager and the Consort Dowager.
Qianlong thought for a moment and said, "That's right, and the imperial concubine is not in good health. I don't want to burden her with any more trouble."
"Why don't we wait until Sixth Brother grows up a little and lives with the prince, and then we bring the little princess into the palace. This way, Ningshou Palace will be more spacious, and the Empress Dowager and the concubines will only have to take care of one child, which won't be too tiring." The Queen suggested.
"That's good. In two years, the children will be sensible and won't make such a fool of themselves like today." Qianlong made the decision.
The Queen nodded. By then, the Fifth Lady might have other children, and if the little princess entered the palace, she wouldn't be so miserable.
There's only so much I can do.
At the same time, at Prince Heqin's Mansion, Hong Zhou and the Fifth Lady were also discussing this matter.
"Yonglian's fuss allows our precious daughter to stay a few more days." Hong Zhou said.
Wu Zaku said, "I really wish time could pass more slowly."
Hong Zhou sighed, "Our daughter entered the palace to enjoy life. You know that Fourth Brother likes our little princess. Fourth Sister-in-law is even more gentle and kind. With the Empress Dowager and the others taking care of her, she might live a better life than in our home."
Wu Zaku looked at her master and said, "You know, I'm not worried about my child having a bad life in the palace, I'm worried about her future..."
Her voice choked as she spoke. Although the imperial court's deterrent power on the grasslands was growing stronger, the Mongolian prince consort would not neglect the royal princess.
But when she thought about her daughter going to such a far place and not being able to see her for two or three years, Wu Zaku was still reluctant to let her go.
Upon hearing this, Hong Zhou couldn't help but sigh. If there was any other choice, his royal brother would not let his own daughter go to Fu Meng.
"The Emperor is still young and will have many daughters in the future. Why is he in such a hurry to adopt a daughter?"
Emperor Kangxi raised Princess Chunxi because several children had died in the palace at the time, and seeing the healthy children of Prince Gong, he wanted to adopt one to ward off bad luck. The late emperor adopted Princess Shushen and others because his only adult daughter had married and died young when he ascended the throne. Without a daughter to raise, he could only adopt the daughters of his brothers.
The emperor is still young. Although he has had children who died young, he has also had healthy and strong children. There is really no need to worry.
Hong Zhou couldn't figure it out either. "Maybe it's just a precaution, just like when Khan Ama took his uncle's daughter Princess He Hui into the palace as soon as he ascended the throne."
"Princess Hehui is the Thirteenth Master's fourth daughter, but we only have one little princess now." The Fifth Lady couldn't help but burst into tears. She had given birth to four children for the prince, two of whom died young, and now she had to send another one away. This was undoubtedly a heartbreaking pain in her heart.
"We are still young. You can just give birth to more children for me in the future." Hong Zhou hugged his wife in his arms and coaxed her, feeling helpless.
No matter how relaxed he was in front of his brother, he had to listen to his brother on some matters and didn't even have the right to bargain.
When it comes to adopting a little princess, you can't show any dissatisfaction and must be happy. The emperor trusts you, so he adopted your daughter.
"By the way, the emperor has given a name to the third princess. Our little princess should also have a name when she enters the palace in the future." Hong Zhou said.
Although they cannot raise their daughter themselves, the name can be chosen by their biological parents.
Wu Zaku discussed it with Hong Zhou. She hoped that her daughter could grow up healthily on the cold prairie, so she named the little princess "Feiya", which means white birch.
The next day, Yonghuang and Yonglian went to school as usual, but Erdeng'e was a quarter of an hour late.
Ah Gui asked him why he was late, and Erdeng'e said, "My younger sister is sick at home, and I was worried, so I went to see her."
Ah Gui wanted to criticize Erdeng'e. If his parents were sick, it wouldn't matter if he was late or even asked for leave. His sister was sick and there were elders and servants at home to take care of her. How could he delay going to school because of this? And he made the two young masters wait for him.
Just as he was about to speak, he heard the second prince ask, "How is your sister's condition?"
Erdeng'er was prepared to be criticized, but unexpectedly, the second prince took the initiative to care about his younger sister's illness.
He hurriedly replied respectfully, "My dear brother, my sister had a high fever all night and it's still not gone away this morning. Mother went to get a doctor early in the morning."
The other three young boys in the room frowned in worry when they heard this.
Ah Gui swallowed back his criticism of Erdeng'e, smiled and patted him on the shoulder, "Don't worry, your sister will be fine with your mother taking care of her."
Yonglian said, "Yes, don't worry for now. When dinner is over, send someone home to ask about it. If it's still not better, ask the imperial physician to take a look."
Erdeng'e was flattered when he heard this. Although the Second Prince hadn't been as critical of him as he had been in the first few days and had encouraged him, he rarely spoke to him alone. He hadn't expected the Second Prince to be willing to hire a doctor for his sister.
He was about to kneel down to express his gratitude, but Yonglian quickly helped him up and said, "I hope your sister will be well by noon and won't need the imperial physician."
Erdeng'e: "..."
Erdeng'e was almost moved to tears. He was determined to tell his father about this when he got home and ask his father to write a letter of thanks.
Ah Gui was also somewhat touched. The Second Prince was truly a kind-hearted child. It would have been fine if he was kind to Mingrui, but he was also so considerate to the eldest prince's study companion.
No wonder the emperor favors the second prince. Who can not like such a sensible child!
Agui continued the class and found that Erden'e was absent-minded, but he did not criticize him.
After the Manchu language class, he met Chen Dehua and told him about Erdeng'e's sister's illness. "He is also a good child who knows his friends and is kind. Master Chen, don't be too harsh on him if he is distracted."
Chen Dehua nodded. He found that Agui was a pretty nice person. Although he was young, he was very good at observing people's expressions and would share his discoveries with him without keeping anything to himself.
Young people like this will surely become great if they hone their skills for a few years.
After the Chinese class ended, Chen Dehua watched the four students practice writing for a while before leaving.
The companion student usually has servants and book boys to serve him at home, so naturally he cannot bring servants with him when he enters the palace.
Yonglian ordered Chen Fu, who was by his side, to go to Dong E's house.
The Second Prince sent the young eunuch out of the palace, of course he would not hide it from Emperor Qianlong, so Chen Fuxian went to the Yangxin Palace to report to the emperor.
Qianlong was discussing with several close ministers the matter of moving the late emperor's coffin next month. When he heard about Chen Fulai, he thought something had happened to Yonglian, so he asked him to come in and answer questions.
As soon as Chen Fu finished his report, Zhang Tingyu and Ortai started praising him. One said that the Second Prince was kind, and the other said that the Second Prince was sensible.
Yunlu was also there, and said with a smile, "I heard that Yonglian is very kind to the Third Princess. He wants to tell his sister everything he learns. Naturally, he can understand Erden'e's feelings."
Zhang Tingyu then began to praise the royal brothers and sisters for their brotherly love and fraternity, saying that they were role models for the subjects.
Only Nianqin did not speak, and glanced at Zhang Tingyu with disdain. This man could write documents and say nice words to coax the late emperor into allowing him to be enshrined in the Taimiao, and the emperor also respected him very much.
People like me who get things done don't rely on praising children to win the emperor's favor.
After Zhang Tingyu finished praising him, Prince Guo also praised the emperor for his good parenting. This was a summary of everyone's praise: no matter how good the second prince was, it was ultimately the emperor and empress who taught him well.
Qianlong had heard enough before waving his hand and telling Chen Fu to hurry up. "By the way, Yongchang is still on duty outside today. Let me tell him to go back and take care of his daughter."
Everyone knelt down again and praised the emperor's benevolence.
Qianlong was very proud, and the dissatisfaction he had felt because Yonglian did not allow him to bring the little princess back to the palace was completely dissipated. His son was so sensible, and he acted like that yesterday because he loved Niu Lun and sympathized with the little princess, and could not bear to see her separated from her mother.
I was also so soft-hearted when I was a child. The queen would even take care of a sick kitten herself. Naturally, their children are the most kind-hearted.
Yonglian was so kind to Yonghuang's study partner, which shows that he and Yonghuang had a very close brotherly relationship.
After all the ministers had left, Qianlong had his meal alone, and could not help but think about what Zhang Tingyu and others had said.
Although they knew that these people were deliberately flattering and exaggerating, if the prince did not have such kindness, the ministers would not be able to praise him even if they wanted to.
Even the usually serious Ortai showed a knowing smile when he heard about the Second Prince's kind act. It seemed that only Nianqin remained silent.
After all, he is young and arrogant...
Qianlong felt a little dissatisfied with Neqin.
This person still needs experience.
Yesterday, he promised Khan Ama that he would restore the Grand Council and implement unified service and taxation for officials and gentry. He had already hinted to E and Zhang, as well as Yunlu and Yunli, about the former. When the late emperor's affairs are completed next month, they should resign as Minister of Royal Affairs. Then he would try to retain them and restore the Grand Council.
The issue of officials and gentry serving as officials and paying taxes together is a tough nut to crack.
If Nianqin were to go, he would be unpopular in the court, and if he stayed in the Grand Council, other ministers would feel uncomfortable, and his duties would be restricted. If he went to the local government, his unwavering and unyielding character would be perfect for dealing with local officials and gentry.
The worst outcome is that if things go wrong, officials will put the blame on Nianqin.
Of course, no one wants to see that outcome. If Nianqin can't even pass this test, he's not worthy of succeeding Ortai as the leader of the Manchu officials in the court. It's not too late to train someone else sooner rather than later.
Yongchang was absent-minded during his shift today, worried about what might happen to his little daughter. A high fever could very well kill a child.
Just as he was feeling worried, the eunuch in the imperial court came to tell him to go home and take care of his daughter. He was also told that the Second Prince had sent his eunuch to visit the sick at Dong E's mansion.
Yong Chang:!!!
Yongchang's tears suddenly welled up in his eyes. He knelt down and kowtowed in the direction of the Yangxin Palace before rushing home.
Yongchang currently has two daughters, and the sick one is only three years old this year.
Yongchang's wife, Jueluo, stayed by her daughter's bedside all night. Seeing that her daughter's fever had not subsided, she quickly invited a doctor from the capital who was good at treating pediatric diseases this morning.
The doctor came and prescribed medicine and gave acupuncture. It was almost noon when the child's fever subsided.
Jueluo never imagined that her daughter's illness would alarm the second prince and the emperor in the palace.
After sending Chen Fu away, she said to Yong Chang, "It seems our son is doing well in the Shangshufang."
If his son doesn't perform well, the second prince will certainly not care about his own daughter.
Yongchang nodded in relief. The first day Erdeng'e went to the Shangshufang, he was worried that the Second Prince would not like him. It had only been over a month, and the Second Prince was already so concerned about him. His son must have listened to him, and the Second Prince felt his loyalty.
Yong Chang said happily, "When the second girl recovers from her illness, I will definitely write a letter of thanks."
He had always admired the Emperor, and now he was even more grateful to him. He just felt that he was not talented enough to share the Emperor's worries.
With both parents by her side, the sick Erniu was very happy. After her fever subsided, she took a nap and felt much better by the evening.
Yongchang and Jueluo were waiting for their son to come back and ask him about what happened today, but unexpectedly Erden'e and Celeng came together.
"I heard my niece was sick, so I came to see her. By the way, my third brother's kid also had a high fever and cough last time, and they found a pill that worked after taking it twice. I've already asked someone to get it from my third brother's wife."
Upon hearing this, Yongchang and his wife thanked him again and again.
Celeng patted Yongchang's shoulder and said, "Why should we be polite to each other?"
Yonglian didn't realize that he was being praised by so many people just for casually showing concern for Erdeng'e's sister.
After school, he went to Changchun Palace to pay his respects to his mother and mentioned this matter casually.
"You are all good brothers." The queen smiled.
This is why Yonglian specially sent someone to visit Dong E's house. In these days, some families do not have close relationships between brothers and sisters.
It is rare that Erdeng'e cares so much about his sister, and it is worthy of encouragement.
Moreover, Yonglian also hoped that Erden'e could feel more of the royal grace. When he went to the battlefield, thinking of the warmth he had experienced in the Shangshufang, he would not stand idly by when Mingrui needed help.
Niu Lun wanted to go to the yard to see the kitten, so the queen asked Yonghuang to take his sister with him.
Leaving Yonglian alone, he said, "...Why did you make such a scene at the Prince's residence yesterday? Were you unable to bear the separation of the little princess and her mother?"
Yonglian was stunned. How did his mother know?
When the queen saw her son's eyes rolling around, she knew she had guessed right. She sighed softly in her heart. The fact that her son Yonglian was so soft-hearted was both a good and a bad thing. If he were an ordinary prince, a gentle and kind temperament would be a good thing, but as the crown prince, he had to adapt to the cruelty of the court.
At that moment, the queen still smiled and touched her son's head, "You are very kind and know how to use your brain to find a solution. Mother must praise you for this."
Yonglian's eyes widened, and he threw himself into his mother's arms, "Mother, you are so kind."
If Khan Ama wants to raise a little princess again in the future, he can ask E'ma to persuade him.
The queen rubbed her son's head, pushed him away, and put on a smile. "But don't ever say that your Khan Ama doesn't like you and wants to adopt another son. This is hurting his heart."
Yonglian wrinkled his nose. "That's just a hypothesis."
"Even assuming that won't work, your Khan Ama is very sensitive. He couldn't sleep most of last night, thinking about whether he was too strict with you brothers." The queen was a little helpless when she said this.
Because Yonglian usually behaved so well and sensibly, when he occasionally made a scene, the emperor would not think that the child was pretending, but would only think that he might have done something wrong.
Yonglian: “…”
The little fellow was touched, but said, "Has Khan Ama come to any conclusions from his reflection? Has he decided to reduce our homework?"
Queen: “…”
The queen tapped her son on the bald forehead and asked, "Have you finished writing the 'Learning Chapter' fifty times?"
Yonglian: “…”
Yonghuang and Yonglian played in Changchun Palace for a while and then returned to the prince's residence.
After reviewing the memorial, Qianlong went to Ningshou Palace first and told it about Yonglian's concern for the families of his ministers. He then went to show off to Concubine Chun and told Yongzhang to learn from his second brother when he grew up.
Qianlong specially allowed Yongchang to take care of his daughter at home until his daughter recovered from her illness, and then he allowed him to return to take up his post.
Yongchang and his son Erden'e wrote two letters of thanks.
After Qianlong had approved everything, he casually mentioned it to Yonglian, "The memorial also specifically mentioned that you sent Chen Fu to visit the patient, and they were extremely worried."
He had originally thought the little fellow would be delighted and proud, but Yonglian frowned after hearing this, "Is this worthy of a letter of thanks?"
Qianlong: "Of course, if they don't even know how to thank you, then the Dong E family must be ungrateful."
"Khan Ama asked Yongchang to return home to take care of his daughter, which is indeed a favor he deserves. But I didn't help much, I just asked someone to ask." Yonglian said, "It's a very common thing."
Qianlong: "How is it normal? Why didn't your elder brother send someone? Erdeng'e was his study partner."
Yonglian: "...Because big brother is timid!"
Of course, Qianlong knew that Yonghuang just wanted to help Erdeng'e, and he didn't dare to say anything like "If the illness is serious, please call the imperial physician." The child knew his limits and would not make the decision directly like little Yonglian did.
Although this kid doesn't know that he is the prince, he really looks like a little prince.
"Khan Ama, you can't be angry with your elder brother because of this matter." Yonglian rubbed against Qianlong and tugged at his sleeve.
Qianlong: "I'm not angry, I'm not angry. This is how he should be."
For an ordinary prince, it is enough to be well-behaved.
Yonglian tilted his head in confusion. Qianlong didn't explain, but said, "Next month, your Majesty's coffin will be moved to Tai Mausoleum. You and your elder brother will go there too. You must learn the etiquette and procedures in advance. There will be many people on the road, so even if you hear your Majesty speaking, you must not respond to avoid arousing suspicion."
Yonglian agreed, "I really don't want to leave Huang Mafa!" He looked at Qianlong, "If I miss Huang Mafa in the future, can I still go to Tailing to talk to him?"
Qianlong: "Of course you can, but it's nothing serious. Don't bother your Majesty. He has been worrying about the court for so many years. After his death, you still want to bother him with court affairs."
Yonglian tilted his head innocently, "I don't tell the Queen about the affairs of the court."
Qianlong's words were of course meant to test his son, "But your Majesty is only concerned with the affairs of the court."
"No, the Emperor will definitely care about whether I have eaten and slept well, and what books I have read." Yonglian thought for a moment: "If he asks about matters in the court, I can only ask the Khan to answer."
Qianlong laughed and rubbed the top of his son's head. "You, I don't know when you will grow up."
Yonglian raised his chin and said, "You said last time that I would become a big boy after I entered the Shangshufang to study."
Qianlong: “…”
As the father and son were talking, the queen came in with little Niu Lun, who had just taken a bath and was smelling fragrant.
Qianlong held his daughter on his lap and casually tied two small buns on Niu Lun.
The queen was handing out hair ties.
Little Niulun was already used to it; it was obvious that this wasn't the first time Khan Ama had helped her tie her hair. She wiggled her little feet and showed off the poem she had just learned to her second brother.
"Western goods are all there, glass is crystal clear, fine and thick..."
Yonglian: ...
It sounded like a poem written by Khan Ama.
It is very suitable as an advertising slogan for glass windows.
Qianlong was delighted to hear his daughter reciting the poem he had written.
"Niulun is so smart that he can recite so many poems written by my father."
Niu Lun said proudly, "Niu Lun will memorize all the poems written by Khan Ama!"
Yonglian: "..." Sister, you don't dare to set your goals casually! Do you know how many poems Khan Ama has written in his life? Can you memorize them all?
Qianlong laughed heartily, "Okay, okay, our Niu Lun is so smart, he will definitely make it happen!"
Yonglian: ...
In order to help your sister achieve her goal more easily, why don’t you write fewer poems?
Qianlong was so happy that he immediately wrote another poem about his daughter's determination to memorize all his poems, and also included Yonglian in the poem.
Yonglian opened his eyes wide, "I didn't say I had to memorize all the poems my father wrote!"
Qianlong: "You didn't tell me that I wrote you into my poem. You should thank me."
Yonglian: “…”
The Empress knew that the Emperor was a great poet. She heard that the recently revised "Collection of Essays from the Leshan Hall" had more than forty volumes, which included poems and essays written by the Emperor when he was a prince.
She thought that after the emperor ascended the throne, he would be busy with state affairs and the number of poems he wrote would decrease, but that was not the case.
At this rate of creation, the emperor will be able to publish another 40-volume collection of imperial poems in a few years.
The empress knew too well the emperor's level of poetry writing. It would be enough to let the child recite one or two of these poems to appease his father, but it would be useless to recite too many.
Although the emperor was a little dissatisfied with Yonglian's lack of enthusiasm for reciting the imperial poem, the empress did not interrupt and ask Yonglian to change his words.
Qianlong didn't actually expect his children to memorize all his poems. Niu Lun was fine; he didn't need to read the classics, but memorizing his own poems could demonstrate the father-daughter bond. But forget about Yonglian; he should have saved his energy for memorizing the Four Books.
In October, the entire court was preparing for the relocation of the late emperor's coffin. Yonghuang, Yonglian and others stopped classes for half a day to learn the etiquette procedures from officials from the Ministry of Rites.
When the time comes, the sedan chair carrying the coffin will leave from Zhaotai Gate. The emperor and princes and ministers must follow on foot, crying all the way to Anding Gate. Only after the officials have persuaded them, the emperor can get on the carriage, and the princes and ministers can also ride on horses or in carriages.
The officials of the Ministry of Rites were a little worried that the two young princes, Yonghuang and Yonglian, would be unable to walk or cry. After all, it was not just this short distance. They still had to walk several miles to reach Tai Mausoleum.
It was originally planned that the two younger princes did not need to go, but in August the emperor suddenly changed his mind. The eldest and second princes were to go to see them off. However, the younger prince Hongzhou, the son of the late emperor, did not have to follow the etiquette because of his young age. He would ride in the carriage with the empress dowager and the concubines.
The Empress Dowager also didn't want her two grandsons to follow the Emperor. Not only would they have to walk but they would also have to cry along the way, and the weather was cold. What if the two children got sick from the exhaustion?
But Qianlong insisted on having his two sons attend, and in fact, he wanted Yonglian to attend. The fact that this child could communicate with the Khan's Ama's spirit proved that he and the Khan had a special bond, and he should cry and say farewell according to the ritual system.
But it seemed too special to let Yonglian send off the coffin alone, so Yonghuang had to take the trouble as well.
Two days before the relocation, everyone set off for Yonghe Palace. The Empress Dowager lived in the east side hall of Yonghe Palace, and Hongzhou lived with the Empress Dowager.
Qianlong simply let Yonghuang and Yonglian follow him to prevent the two children from being scared in an unfamiliar environment.
Yonghuang was initially a bit scared. After all, he had never lived in the Lama Temple, and not far from the palace was the coffin of the Empress Dowager. He had few opportunities to spend time with the Empress Dowager, and he was more in awe of her than close to her.
Hearing that he could live with Khan Ama and his second brother, Yonghuang felt relieved. He was also a little excited, as this was the first time he had experienced living in the same room with Khan Ama.
Yonglian had no time to be excited. Khan Ama went to offer wine in front of the coffin and took him with him, and asked him to listen to what else the emperor had to say.
Yongzheng had said almost everything he could say in the previous few times. There were some things he wanted to say but could not.
He simply talked to Yonglian about his way of employing people and his knowledge of dealing with the world.
Yonglian selectively relayed these to Qianlong, who knew that these were Khan Ama's lifelong experiences, some of which he had also shared with him.
Now I want to pass it on to Yonglian.
Qianlong said to the coffin: "If you tell Yonglian these things now, he may not understand. When he grows up, I will let him go to Tai Mausoleum to listen to your teachings."
After Qianlong finished speaking, he glanced at his son. He almost let the cat out of the bag just now. Could it be that this kid found out?
Yonglian and Khan Ama looked at each other innocently, he heard nothing!
Yongzheng laughed and scolded: "You are so lazy, it is your responsibility as a father to teach Yonglian, why are you putting it on me?"
Yonglian delivered the message word for word and patted Khan Ama's arm, "You are not allowed to be lazy. You have to teach me yourself!"
Qianlong smiled and said, "Of course I will do my best to teach Yonglian, but I am not as talented as Khan Ama. There are some things that you can explain more clearly."
Qianlong's mind was opened again at this time. It would be even better if Yonglian's soul could still communicate with Emperor Kangxi. Three generations of emperors taught Yonglian.
Even if Yonglian was a dullard, he could be educated to be a wise ruler, not to mention that his precious son was already very smart.
Yongzheng: "Some truths are useless to hear. You have to experience and see them to understand them. When Yonghuang and Yonglian grow up, you can let them do the work, just like the Emperor Kangxi trained us."
Yonglian: "The Queen Mother said that since we are old enough, we should go on business trips..."
Qianlong agreed, but couldn't help but complain inwardly, "Back then, you were afraid that my fifth brother and I would interfere in the New Deal, so you never let us go on important missions, and you didn't let us associate with officials other than our teachers in the Shangshufang. Why have you changed your mind about your grandchildren?"
When Yonghuang and Yonglian grew up, Qianlong would of course let them do their work. Those who should go to the battlefield would go to the battlefield, and those who liked to write would go to edit books. But Yonglian wanted to stay by his side and learn how to govern the country from him.
The father and son stood in front of the coffin for a long time. Prince Lu Yunlu came to discuss tomorrow's procedures with Qianlong, and then Qianlong took Yonglian back to the East Study where he was staying temporarily.
Yonglian ran to find his elder brother. Yonghuang was just alone in the room. He could still smell the scent of incense, candles and paper money. He felt a little scared. His younger brother was finally back.
He really admired his younger brother, "You stayed in front of the coffin for so long? Aren't you afraid?" Last time, his younger brother heard a strange crying sound. Although he later explained that he had misheard, he still felt a chill on his back every time he thought about it.
"What's there to be afraid of? The one lying in the coffin is the Emperor! The Emperor was so kind to us in the past."
Yonghuang: "...I know, but I just..." The young boy sighed, "Don't tell Khan Ama."
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I'm brave and I will protect my elder brother." Yonglian patted his chest and said. He almost suspected that his elder brother didn't show enough grief at the queen's funeral in history because he was frightened by the atmosphere.
From now on, my eldest brother must not be allowed to take over the job of my twelfth and sixteenth uncles, nor can he help out. This job is not suitable for him.
After washing up, the two children lay down on the bed, agreeing to tell each other a story to put the other to sleep. Yonglian fell asleep before he finished listening to his eldest brother's story. Yonghuang lay there for a while, staring at the ceiling of the tent, but couldn't fall asleep, so he got up and read a book.
After Qianlong finished his current tasks and made sure that all procedures for the next two days were arranged, he finally had time to visit his two sons who were said to have retired.
Then I saw the second son lying on the bed with his arms and legs spread out, snoring softly, while the eldest son was sitting under the lamp reading a book.
Qianlong entered the room, snatched the book from Yonghuang's hand, and scolded him in a low voice, "You have to get up at yin hour tomorrow, why don't you go to bed early? Why are you studying hard now?"
Yonghuang: "My son can't sleep."
"How come you have this problem at such a young age?" Qianlong frowned, thinking that he would have to let him continue taking medicine when he got back. His own poor sleep only started after he was fifteen or sixteen years old, and this kid was only eight years old!
Yonglian promised to protect his brother, but he did not sleep well. When he vaguely heard voices, he opened his eyes and jumped up.
"Eh? Khan Ama, big brother, what are you doing?"
"Your elder brother is staying up late at night and studying hard here." Qianlong raised the book in his hand.
Yonglian was shocked: "What? Big brother, you brought books with you when you went out!"
"We will be out for several days. We can read along the way." Yonghuang said. They would have to stay in the Lama Temple for two days. They had nothing to do during these two days, so they could read books in the house. It would also take two or three days to go back to the city. It would be too boring to sit in the carriage without reading.
Qianlong glanced at his second son who was stunned. "Look at your eldest brother, then look at yourself..."
Yonglian: “…”
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