After the Dragon Boat Festival, the weather turned extremely hot. Emperor Kangxi issued an imperial edict that the autumn festival would be held three days later, and everyone had been preparing for it for nearly half a month.
"Mother, summer is coming. Shouldn't we prepare more cooling things to take with us?" Yiken'e, like Yinzhen, was very sensitive to the heat.
By mid-April, summer had already arrived for Yinzhen and his two sons, Yiken'e and Hafeng'a.
“When we get there, we definitely can’t use too much ice, the road conditions absolutely won’t allow it.” Qingyan wasn’t going to make an exception this time; she would follow the rules.
Yiken blinked her phoenix eyes, as if making a helpless plea, hoping that Qingyan would agree.
“No, your father said you’re going to the Imperial Chariot. They don’t have ice basins there anymore. If you say it there, how will your Grandfather deal with it?” Qingyan asked Yiken’e.
Yiken'e's face turned somewhat unpleasant. It turned out that he still had to go to the imperial carriage. Kangxi would definitely not use an ice basin so early. Even if Yiken'e was afraid of the heat, at most he would only have a cup of iced tea.
"Mother, I hope I can use it, at least to make it more comfortable in our own carriage," Yiken said, bowing her head.
Qingyan ultimately couldn't refuse Yiken'e and thus agreed.
“Alright, just this once, and I’ll have to tell your father.” Qingyan said, looking at Yiken’e.
As the sun set, Yinzhen returned from the Ministry of Revenue. Yiken'e watched him enter the courtyard and immediately rushed over, not only with a fawning smile, but also by serving him tea and water.
Yinzhen had Su Peisheng help him wash and dress, and then changed into casual clothes. After sitting down, Yiken'e quickly asked Yinzhen if he could have some ice when he left.
"What will you do once the imperial carriage arrives?" Yinzhen asked Yiken'e.
Yiken'e recounted the story truthfully, and Yinzhen's face showed helplessness. He had to use ice to recover even in his own carriage.
"Little darling, get some ice ready. Can we ask the Yuelai Inn to provide some along the way?" Yinzhen compromised. "We're taking Hafeng with us. The little guy definitely won't be able to stand the heat."
Qingyan sighed. The father and son had placed all their burdens on Hafeng, and in the end, the younger son became the excuse.
"You two have discussed it and agreed that if I need to get ice from Yuelai Inn, I will inform them in advance." Qingyan decided not to get involved; if she did, the father and son would definitely waver.
Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen had no desire to pay any attention to Yiken'e anymore. Previously, Yiken'e had even tried to instigate Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen to speak.
The three-day preparation time was very short. Just after midnight, the carriage convoy began to move, and the princes' convoys began to leave their respective residences one after another.
Yinzhen carried Qingyan out of the inner chamber, with a cloak covering her so she could sleep more comfortably.
He gently placed Qingyan on the chaise longue, covered her with a quilt, and then leisurely walked out. He went to the children's room and saw that Yiken'e had already gotten up and was quietly directing the servants to pack their things, while Batubuhe was helping out.
Yinzhen walked in, and Yiken'e and Batubuhe greeted him together.
"You two go to the carriage first. I'll bring Hutulifengshengzhalafen and Hafeng'a over in a bit," Yinzhen said in a low voice.
“Yes, Father, Batubuhe is in the last carriage, and Hutulifengshengzhalafen and I are in the second carriage,” Yiken’e and Yinzhen said.
Yinzhen nodded: "Alright, you can go out first."
In the inner chamber, Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen was still sleeping under her small blanket. The tortoiseshell maidservant who served her wanted to wake the princess, but hesitated because she was afraid of Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen's bad temper when she woke up.
After Yinzhen went inside, he quickly waved his hand, telling the two to leave immediately. He quietly walked over, picked up Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen, and then had Daimao bring him a cloak. He wrapped the cloak tightly around himself and carried her to the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Yiken'e had already made the bed. After Yinzhen went in, he gently placed his daughter on the chaise longue, covered her with a quilt, walked around the screen, and saw that Yiken'e had already arranged the calligraphy practice books. He then began to practice calligraphy under the lamplight.
"Go take a nap," Yinzhen said, looking at Yiken'e.
“Father, I will watch over my sister.” Yiken shook his head. “I need to finish my schoolwork on the way back, otherwise I won’t have time to play.”
Yinzhen's face showed helplessness; his son had already arranged everything.
"Alright, I understand. You stay here with your sister. I'll head over now. If anything happens, call Bayan. He's on duty to your left." Yinzhen had placed Bayan next to the children in advance so that Bayan could help them immediately if needed.
Yiken smiled and said, "Okay."
Yinzhen got off the carriage and returned to the first carriage. Only then did Su Peisheng order the caravan to set off. Their caravan was two quarters of an hour later than usual.
As they approached the garden's main gate, they heard the guards outside saying that the imperial carriage had emerged from Changchun Garden, and Yinzhen could only follow behind.
Yinzhen didn't speak. The princes rarely went to the city gate early, but Kangxi came out an hour early today.
Emperor Kangxi was shocked to learn from his imperial carriage that Yinzhen had not yet left the palace, as Yinzhen rarely wasted time.
At this moment, Yinzhen did not send anyone to disturb him, as he knew that Kangxi would definitely not allow his mother to be in his carriage.
Just after dawn, Qingyan sat on the chaise longue, stretching lazily. Yinzhen had already gone outside the screen to deal with the matters at hand. Breakfast was already prepared, waiting for Qingyan to wake up.
"Master, please have some warm water first." Su Lan brought in a copper basin from outside. Qing Yan took the teacup, poured himself a cup of warm water, and walked around in the carriage. He was indeed more tired than at home.
"Breakfast has been prepared. Have the children gotten up yet?" Qingyan asked Sulan.
According to Su Zhu, the young masters have already had breakfast. Young Master Ha Feng has just woken up and is playing with the master. Su Lan and Qing Yan reported.
Qingyan had a smile on her face. Whenever he went out, Yinzhen spent the most time with the children, so they all enjoyed this interaction.
After washing up, Qingyan walked around the screen and saw Yinzhen holding Hafeng and teaching him to speak on the cushion.
"Mother... Good morning." Qingyan laughed heartily when she heard Hafeng say something new again.
Qingyan looked at the smile on Yinzhen's face and praised Hafeng, saying that he was indeed clever and that they should follow his example.
"I've already had Su Peisheng bring breakfast. You'll be able to eat it in a little while!" Yinzhen liked these peaceful mornings, free from the strife outside, where he could spend quiet time with his children.
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