On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, Qingyan got up early and sat in front of her dressing table. Today, Emperor Kangxi invited the princes to dine together at Changchun Garden, and the princes' children also went along.
At 3:45 AM, before dawn, snowflakes drifted in the dark night sky. The little Suras in the courtyard were busy shoveling snow. Soon, the masters would be going to Changchun Garden to pay their respects. The road from Yuanmingyuan to Changchun Garden was bustling with activity.
After washing up, Qingyan held a cup of jujube tea and sat upright in the main hall. Looking up, the entire hall was covered in red. Every year, Qingyan would spend the Spring Festival in the palace or his residence. This was the first time he had spent the New Year in the garden.
"Little darling, are you ready?" Yin was dressed in a golden prince's court robe with a bright yellow belt around his waist, while she wore a royal blue court robe and a crown with the title of Fujin (Prince Consort) on her head. The black sable collar made her look exceptionally elegant and noble.
"Hmm." Qingyan put on his court beads but not his nail guards. The children were still there, and nail guards would hurt him.
Two small balls, wrapped up very tightly, were held in the arms of Su Lan and Su Zhu. Yin stepped forward to take Hu Tu Li Feng Sheng Zha La Fen, and looked down to see that the little girl was still fast asleep inside the cloak. Today, the two children were the earliest to get up.
The couple, each carrying a child, walked towards Changchun Garden. Su Peisheng and Su Lan held an oil-paper umbrella behind them. Snowflakes drifted down, and she looked to both sides, which were already covered in a white blanket of snow.
A timely snowfall promises a bumper harvest!
For ordinary people, snow during the Lunar New Year is a sign that a good harvest is coming.
"Little darling, slow down, be careful not to slip." Yin felt uneasy as he watched Xue walk faster and faster down the slope.
Qingyan nodded. Changchun Garden was right in front of them. The snow here was obviously much thicker than that in Yuanmingyuan. It seemed that the servants here had not done a good job of cleaning.
Upon arriving at the entrance of Changchun Garden, Shu's people carried two sedan chairs over. Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong specifically instructed that the twins must not be allowed to catch a cold.
Changchun Garden was considered the emperor's residence; even the crown prince was not allowed to enter by sedan chair.
"Greetings to the Fourth Prince and Fourth Princess. His Majesty has instructed the master to allow you two to enter together with the young masters in a sedan chair."
Qingyan's mouth gaped slightly. This... isn't against the rules, is it?
"Granny Shu, we can walk over there!" Qingyan said somewhat embarrassedly.
"Madam, the master said that the two young masters are the youngest. It would be bad if they caught a cold in such a heavy snow." Shu looked at Qingyan with concern, wondering if she was in a difficult position among her sisters-in-law.
"Alright, I'll listen to you, Granny." Yin nodded and walked directly to the sedan chair in front. Su Peisheng lifted the curtain, and he and his daughter sat inside.
Seeing Yin's actions, Qingyan had no choice but to follow suit.
The sedan chair was carried all the way to Consort Tong's courtyard. Many court ladies had already arrived, and seeing the two riding in the sedan chair, they all had their own thoughts.
After Qingyan led the children in to pay their respects, she looked up at the opposite side and saw that the Crown Princess and Lady Dong'e both looked terrible.
"Little darling, let Shu and Shuzhu carry the children into the inner chamber first. It's too early now, and the children are probably not fully awake yet." Consort Tong saw that the two little round balls were not moving, and she knew in her heart that the children were probably still asleep.
Qingyan handed the child to Shu, and Sulan handed Yiken'e to Shuzhu before taking their seats.
Yin Genjue Luo moved slightly closer to Qing Yan, and her complexion improved considerably.
"Sister-in-law, where is Songkelierha?" Behind Dong Eshi stood two concubines, each holding two slightly listless princes in their arms, but Songkelierha was not in the hall.
"They're sleeping in the inner chamber. Noble Mother said the children got up too early," said Ingenjueluo in a low voice to Xiaoguai.
Qingyan's eyes were fixed on the two children. The concubine held the children tightly. Their little faces were a little yellow, unlike Yiken'e's pink and tender face.
"Third Prince's wife, let the concubine take the children back first. The royal family isn't so heartless; they won't let the children have a tiring New Year." Consort Tong glanced at Shu Zhu, who came out of the inner chamber.
Soon, Shu Zhu returned from the inner chamber, carrying a mahogany tray with three red envelopes inside.
"This is for the two children and the illegitimate daughter," Consort Tong stated directly.
Both the concubine and the princess loved the child dearly. After the prince gave the order, they could not refuse and could only delay behind the scenes.
"Thank her," Shu Zhu said to the two women behind Dong E.
"Thank you, Your Highness!" the two concubines said gratefully to Consort Tong.
Lady Dong'e wanted to use the New Year's banquet to ruin the health of her two children.
Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong clearly did not want to bear the blame; at the very least, they did not want their two children to fall ill now.
"Go back." Dong E squeezed out three words through gritted teeth. Qing Yan wore a faint smile, thinking that Dong E had schemed and plotted, but in the end, she still ended up being disliked.
After the side room was vacated, the main hall became lively again.
The ladies present all had children or had cared for children, and they all understood that it was taboo to make loud noises when children were tired, as it would easily startle them.
"Consort Rong, you also raised several princes and princesses. Don't you understand why the third prince's family is so ignorant?" Consort Tong directly challenged. Fortunately, it's not the New Year yet. If the children in the third prince's household get sick because of the New Year, wouldn't that bring bad luck to the entire royal family?
As Emperor Kangxi grew older, he became increasingly convinced of these things.
Consort Rong quickly rose and bowed to Consort Tong to apologize.
"Your Highness, the young prince has woken up and is looking for the Fourth Prince's wife," Shu whispered to the Imperial Concubine as she came out of the inner chamber.
"Little Darling, go and take a look!" Consort Tong also wanted to get Qingyan inside.
After Qingyan got up, he quickly went into the inner chamber. Yiken'e was sitting in the yo-yo carriage, her little face puffing out.
When he saw Qingyan come in, he immediately stretched out his chubby little hand.
Having spent many years with Consort Tong, Shu noticed Consort Tong's attitude towards her from behind the screen in the inner chamber, and quickly made an excuse to let Qingyan in.
"Madam, you should comfort the young prince first. I need to go outside to serve my mistress!" Shu quickly said.
Qingyan nodded, got up and saw Shu off. She sat on the chair next to the chauffeur and took Yiken out of the chauffeur.
"Little one, you saved your mother." Qingyan whispered in his ear.
The atmosphere outside was somewhat oppressive. Dong Eshi would be punished, probably because she had gone too far this time.
Yiken leaned on Qingyan's shoulder, her little mouth constantly blowing bubbles.
The sounds from outside drifted in intermittently, and Qingyan listened intently. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
