A few days later, Qingyan went to Chenggan Palace to pay her respects as per custom. This was her first time entering the palace to pay her respects after her confinement period.
At three quarters past 1:45 AM that day, Qingyan got up with Yin, changed into a vermilion casual robe, and put on a five-jeweled gold hairpin. She also instructed the wet nurses to change the twins into swaddling clothes, preparing to take them into the palace.
When the baby was a month old, the Empress Dowager was unable to see the twins, so Yin went to Cining Palace to pay his respects. The Empress Dowager frequently inquired about the children.
"Little Darling, take the children into the palace, and make sure you stay with your mother!" Yin was worried about Little Darling taking the children into the palace, as all the concubines were keeping a close eye on the twins.
Qingyan ate breakfast while listening to Yin's arrangements.
"Mother sent Aunt Shu over, and with Granny Liu by the children's side, there definitely won't be any problems!" Qingyan had been hesitant about whether to take them with her. Children's lives are the most fragile, and accidents could happen if one is not careful.
Furthermore, Emperor Kangxi valued his two children, and Yin's adversaries were even more eager for the twins to run into trouble. At that time, Yin's status in Emperor Kangxi's heart would definitely decline considerably.
Before the court session, Yin specially sent a banquet to Chenggan Palace. When Consort Tong saw her son in court attire, she couldn't help but smile.
"Fourth Prince, how long has it been since you paid your respects to me before the Shang Dynasty?" Consort Tong couldn't help but make a small joke when she saw her son's cold expression.
As Yin grew older, his expression became increasingly cold.
"Yes, I will come to pay my respects to you from now on!" Yin understood his mother's interest and immediately began to rebel.
"No need, just follow your usual routine!" Consort Tong couldn't get up that early; she would only get up when Emperor Kangxi dragged her up to pay his respects.
Qingyan suppressed a laugh, no matter how much she looked up; the conflict between Consort Tong and Yin always made people want to laugh.
"You brat!" Consort Tong looked at the two swaddled babies behind Qingyan and completely forgot about her son. "Hurry up and go to court. Don't worry about your wife and children with your mother."
Shu and Shuzhu stepped forward and took the two swaddled babies. The twins had already opened their eyes and were curiously looking at everything in front of them.
"Let the two children rest first. It would be terrible if they were exhausted after going to Cining Palace!" The Empress Dowager had prepared rewards in advance when she heard that Qingyan had brought the children to the palace to pay their respects.
Qingyan sat in the lower seat, watching Consort Tong smilingly look at the two children. At the full moon banquet, Consort Tong could not show too much affection, as this would bring disaster to the two children.
“The young prince has a similar temperament to the fourth prince,” Consort Tong chuckled. “Yin’s temper is not good. The young princess is a good one.”
"Mother, the Prince and the young prince don't get along!" Qingyan complained to Consort Tong as soon as Yin left, "Sometimes, when he sees the Prince, he bursts into tears."
Pfft!
Consort Tong spit out her tea. Why does that sound so familiar?
"Your Majesty, back then, His Majesty and the Fourth Prince had a similar way of getting along. They really were father and son!" The nanny beside Consort Tong couldn't help but laugh.
Back then, Chenggan Palace was quite lively. When the Fourth Prince caused trouble, even Emperor Kangxi had to give way. To the point that Kangxi said that Yinzhi would have to be replaced sooner or later.
ah?!
Qingyan was stunned. Was Yin really going to torment Kangxi like this?
No wonder his face looked so grim when the young prince cried.
"Hehe, it seems Xuan Ye is very happy, Yi Ken'e has avenged Mafa!" Consort Tong covered her mouth and laughed. "Little darling, don't interfere in their father-son squabble, otherwise... it will be your fault!"
Consort Tong had too many experiences like this: directly disciplining her daughter-in-law; interfering too much in the struggles between father and son was a mistake.
"Yes, Mother, Hutulifengsheng Zhalafen is also restless, and he's spoiled rotten by the master!" It's a custom of the Eight Banners to pamper daughters, but it's rare to see someone like Yin who dotes on his daughter like this.
The son's clothes and swaddling clothes can be used a couple more times, but the daughter's clothes can only be used once. After being washed, they must never be used on the daughter.
"You'll get used to it. Noble ladies are all pampered. When you go to the Empress Dowager's place, the concubines will want to hold the twins. Just pretend you don't know!" Some of the concubines were restless, and Consort Tong had tried to dissuade them a few times, but it didn't have much effect.
Xiao Guai's appearance clearly gave them a chance to make their move.
"It's good that you didn't go to the third prince's house to watch the play. The situation outside is uncertain, so try to go out as little as possible!" Consort Tong couldn't explain too much to Qingyan, but it was good that she instinctively avoided the risks.
Soon, the imperial concubines arrived one after another, with Consort Hui, Consort Rong, and Consort Yi even bringing their daughters-in-law.
Apart from the Crown Princess, the other female relatives could only go to Cining Palace to pay their respects when led by Consort Tong.
"Your Majesty, has the Fourth Princess brought the twins into the palace?" Consort Yi was a straightforward person. Looking at Qingyan sitting there, she couldn't help but think of the twins that Tara had mentioned. They were truly blessed.
Fortunately, Qingyan wasn't a stingy person. He even let Tara hold the twins in the inner chamber for a while, hoping that this blessing would bring her good news.
Consort Yi is a grateful person. She is happy to reciprocate kindness when others are kind to her, as long as it does not harm her interests.
"Yes, the child is still too young. He will be seeing the Empress Dowager soon. I'll let them rest a bit more. The Fifth Prince's family has only been married into the family for a short time. Before long, you'll be a nanny. Don't be so impulsive!" Consort Tong glanced at the Third Prince's wife out of the corner of her eye and began to speak sarcastically.
Consort Rong and her mother-in-law had a multitude of tricks up their sleeves, not only deceiving many officials' wives, but also ensnaring Lady Tong Guowei.
It would be a miracle if Consort Tong treated them kindly; after all, they were her parents.
"Your Majesty, you should speak to Consort Rong first. I think she's even more anxious!" Consort Yi's family has also been targeted, and now, several concubines are all on the same side.
“Yes, I remember that the Third and Fourth Princesses married into the royal family around the same time,” Consort Hui chimed in. “If it weren’t for Baoqing being so stubborn, and my eldest son and I having no choice, we would definitely have wanted a boy! Songkri Yierha likes younger brothers and sisters, so he must have visited the Fourth Princess quite often.”
Consort Hui favored girls, and Songkelierha was loved by both Consort Hui and Yin from the moment she was born. Fearing that she would be wronged, they even postponed the time for having a legitimate son.
"Alright, I see it's almost time, let's go to Cining Palace first." Consort Tong glanced at Consort Rong and her daughter-in-law and was about to object, so she made up an excuse and shut them down.
After everyone stood up, Qingyan noticed that Consort Rong glared angrily at the Third Prince's wife, probably because she had really angered her.
At this moment, the Empress Dowager got up early and even ordered the incense in the main hall and inner chambers to be stopped. She also opened the windows to ventilate the room, fearing that it might endanger the child.
"Su Mo'er, how happy your aunt would be! The Qing Dynasty has twins!" The Empress Dowager couldn't help but think of the Grand Empress Dowager. If she were here, she would be so happy.
In truth, the two were somewhat relieved that she was gone. Otherwise, Qingyan might not have been able to give birth safely, and with twins in Yin's life, his status in the eyes of the Han people would rise, directly threatening the Crown Prince. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)
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