Because he was in confinement after childbirth, Yinzhen did not meet with Nian Yunrong, but even through the curtain, Nian Yunrong could hear Yinzhen's affection for the little prince.
In addition, Yinzhen specially named the child 'Fuhui', a name filled with his expectations for the child.
However, the palace was somewhat dissatisfied with Nian Yunrong's childbirth.
"This fourth son really spoils the Nian family rotten; even the child's name is so conspicuous. And why is there still no news about Huixue's pregnancy?"
“Your Majesty, Consort Nian is Nian Gengyao’s younger sister, so it’s normal for the Fourth Prince to dote on her. As for Princess Wuya, she has only just entered the mansion and will need time to mature.”
Consort De's eyes were gloomy. The Emperor had already issued an edict ordering the Fourteenth Prince to return to the military camp in April, but the matter of the Crown Prince had not yet been decided, which made her uneasy.
Could it be that the Emperor really values the fourth prince?
"I've heard that the Emperor is now keeping Hongli by his side and personally raising him?"
"Yes, I heard that Prince Hongli is exceptionally talented and is deeply favored by the Emperor."
"Oh? Is that so? In that case, I must see this clever grandson. Go, send someone to inquire when he may have time to summon Hongli so I can take a look at him."
"Yes, sir."
However, Consort De's thinking was too simplistic, or rather, her purpose was too strong. Before Hongli could reply, Kangxi came to Consort De's palace and gave her a warning.
"I've heard that you've been inquiring about Hongli lately?"
"Your Majesty, I have heard that the fourth prince's children are attending classes in the palace, so I would like to meet them."
Emperor Kangxi smiled silently. This Consort De was really getting worse as she got older, even coming up with such a lame excuse.
Most of the princes moved into the princes' quarters after the age of six. Now she was thinking about the fourth prince's sons, as if she was afraid no one would know her thoughts.
"Consort De, I warn you, your return to the rank of consort is not because I pity you, but because you have borne me two fine sons. Don't think I don't know what you're up to. I've said my piece; the rest is up to you!"
Emperor Kangxi left Yonghe Palace without paying any attention to Consort De, who was slumped on the ground.
That night, Consort De had a nightmare about eating people.
For the next two weeks, Consort De claimed to be ill and did not see anyone.
Because he was about to leave the capital, the Fourteenth Prince, Yinzhen, wanted to go to the palace to see his mother, but Emperor Kangxi refused, citing illness.
"A true man should prioritize the affairs of the state. As for your mother, I will have the imperial physicians and your fourth brother take good care of her."
"Your subject understands."
The next day, Emperor Kangxi issued an edict ordering the Fourth Princess Consort to enter the palace to serve Consort De.
“Mother’s illness is almost cured. This is what your fourth sister-in-law brought from the palace.”
One day after court, Yinzhen specifically called out to the fourteenth prince and handed him the letter that his wife had asked him to give to the fourteenth prince.
"Be careful when you go back to preside over the negotiations with the Dzungar Khanate. He is cunning, so do not cause any more trouble."
"I know, brother. Thanks for the reminder, fourth brother."
On the day the Fourteenth Prince left the capital, Consort De stood at the gate of Yonghe Palace and watched for a long time.
At the end of the month, Nian Yunrong finished her postpartum confinement, and Yinzhen went to her place that evening with gifts.
"Your Highness..."
As Nian Yunrong watched Yinzhen mature day by day, she felt her love for him growing ever deeper.
The petite and charming Nian Yunrong satisfied Yinzhen's patriarchal tendencies to some extent, and the two spent a long-awaited, complete night together.
The following day, a stream of gifts flowed into Nian Yunrong's residence.
Meanwhile, Nian Gengyao also performed well on the front lines and received commendation from Emperor Kangxi.
Suddenly, the Nian family became the new target of flattery within the imperial court.
In the spring and summer of the 61st year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, a severe drought occurred, mainly affecting counties such as Jiaxing, Haiyan, Haining, Tongxiang, and Shimen. These areas suffered from drought, epidemics, and famine, which greatly worried the Kangxi Emperor.
"Fourth Brother, prices of goods and grain in Haining and other places are soaring. Reports from below indicate that 'a bushel of rice costs a thousand coins' in the area."
“I already know about this matter. I have ordered people to transport grain from the surrounding areas to that place to try to balance grain prices and ensure that the people have food to eat.”
However, this method did not work, and a large number of disaster victims still fled in all directions.
Countless people starved to death in the area, and even diseases that could be transmitted from person to person emerged.
Late at night, Yinzhen was still trying to find solutions to the disaster.
At this moment, Gao Wuyong brought over a bowl of ginseng soup:
"Sir, this was sent by Lady Geng. Please drink it while it's still hot."
Yinzhen was stunned for a moment:
"when?"
"Just now. It was Xiao Anzi who brought it. He said that Geng Gege knew that she had been busy with the disaster relief efforts lately and must not have been sleeping well at night, so he specially made ginseng soup and brought it over. Also..."
"what else?"
“Gege Geng asked Xiao Anzi to pass on a message, saying that when she accompanied the Fujin to Guanyun Temple to offer incense some time ago, she found that there were many more people than before.”
Yinzhen was puzzled; why was Guanyun Temple being brought up out of the blue?
Guanyun Temple...Guanyun Temple!
He quickly understood what Geng Youran meant, and after drinking the ginseng soup in his hand, he wrote a memorial to his father, the Emperor, that very night.
In addition, after court the following day, he and Yinxiang privately summoned the Imperial Observatory.
After the people from the Imperial Observatory left, Yinxiang frowned and asked:
"Fourth Brother, are you sure about this? After all, even the Imperial Observatory can't guarantee that it will come true completely."
“You’re right. I’ve already had Li Wei send people to check on several disaster areas. I estimate we’ll have an answer in two days at the latest.”
As expected, the day after Li Wei led his men to inspect several disaster areas, he wrote a secret letter to Yinzhen.
Upon reading the contents of the secret letter, Yinzhen felt much more confident.
Seeing the gate of the Hall of Mental Cultivation not far away, Yinzhen straightened his clothes and walked in resolutely.
"Yinzhen, do you know that holding such a grand ceremony at this time is a waste of resources and manpower?"
"Your Majesty, I believe this is the opportune moment to hold the grand ceremony. Furthermore, I have already resolved the expenses for the ceremony."
Yinzhen then handed the memorial in his hand to Liang Jiugong.
Liang Jiugong handed the memorial to Emperor Kangxi. Kangxi opened it, read it carefully, and then smiled.
"Fourth brother, so you came prepared today."
"Father, you flatter me. I was merely doing what I should do. The people are suffering, and our court officials should naturally show compassion for them. These donations were all made voluntarily by the officials."
Kangxi smiled but did not expose Yinzhen's words.
Others may not know, but doesn't he? In the years that the fourth prince has been in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, although he has offended many officials, he has also indirectly enriched the national treasury. It's quite possible that this so-called 'donation' will be recouped piece by piece.
Kangxi looked down at Yinzhen again and nodded in satisfaction.
"Since you've already made up your mind, then go ahead and do it."
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