On the Lantern Festival, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Changchun Garden opened its side gate early, and Emperor Kangxi hosted a banquet for everyone inside.
When the children entered the yard, each of them was given a lantern. The twins' lanterns contained luminous pearls for illumination, which would not harm the children and would allow them to have a great time.
Qingyan, dressed in heavy court robes, walked in front of Yin, while Sulan and Suzhu followed behind, carrying the twins.
Yin turned his head slightly and could see Qingyan moving cautiously.
Changchun Garden was shrouded in lanterns of various colors, all emitting a hazy glow.
She examined them closely. The lanterns, specially dried by the imperial workshops for the royal banquets, were all exquisitely crafted, intricately designed, and rarely showed any novelty.
The twins each held a glutinous rice ball with a bite taken out of it; Yiken'e's was sesame-filled, while Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen's was rose-filled. Along the way, they received countless envious glances from other children.
Yiken straightened her little chest, hugged the lantern tightly, determined not to let it fall into the hands of others.
"Yiken'e knows how to protect his things now." Yin heard Yiken'e humming, looked back, and saw Yiken'e's little face puffing up.
Qingyan smiled and said that Yikene had been keeping a close watch on his things, and no one else could touch them except Yin, Qingyan, and Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen.
"Fourth Prince, you've arrived early." The Crown Prince and his wife arrived early and waited at the gate for Kangxi's summons.
An awkward atmosphere filled the air between the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. After returning home, Shulu felt slightly feverish and didn't recover until the fifth day of the new year. To save face, the Crown Prince didn't even call the imperial physician when Shuyun was ill. Instead, he accompanied the Crown Princess to her maternal home, where the physician from the Guarjia clan's residence examined her.
On the evening of the second day, after learning of this news, Emperor Kangxi sent Li Dequan to the Crown Prince's villa to reprimand him.
For several days in a row, the Crown Prince came to pay his respects to Emperor Kangxi every day, but was refused each time.
When the court officials heard this, they all used the excuse of the New Year to discuss Kangxi's intentions.
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Emperor Kangxi held a grand banquet for his officials at Changchun Garden, and everyone was watching the relationship between Kangxi and the Crown Prince closely.
When Yiken'e reached the door, she waddled down to the ground and took small steps up the steps. While the adults were talking, she ran straight into the garden.
"Mafa, Yiken'e is here!" Yiken'e's voice rang out. Qingyan turned around and found that Yiken'e had run off on his own. Suzhu stood helplessly to the side. She had to obey the little prince's orders.
Kangxi's loud laughter rang out, and Yin's face darkened even more. Yiken'e had actually entered the restricted area without even announcing it.
"Fourth brother, we need to talk to this child about his manners!" Yiken'e is said to be 3 years old, but he is actually 2.
Yin was clearly making things difficult for her. Even Emperor Kangxi had repeatedly emphasized that the rules for Yiken'e were to be personally taught by him.
"Fourth Prince, just listen to what the Crown Prince says. Father Emperor personally instructed Yiken'e." Yin walked up from behind and happened to hear Yireng's words.
Yin retorted sarcastically, "Kangxi's imperial edict has been issued. Yin instructed Yiken'e on the rules. Isn't that disobeying the imperial edict?"
"Oh, really?" The Crown Prince looked confused. Qingyan stared intently at Yin's expression. Even after Yin spoke, the Crown Prince's gaze did not change.
She marveled at how thick-skinned Yin was—no, it should be said that he wore the prince's mask into real life.
"His Majesty invites you." Li Dequan came out and saw the Crown Prince confronting Yin.
Li Dequan's young apprentice reported to the Crown Prince early on that Yiken'e was suitable. He went inside and quietly informed Kangxi.
Yiken'e was held in Kangxi's arms, playing with Kangxi's nine-dragon jade pendant in his hand. Kangxi did not care, but only protected Yiken'e from falling.
Yinjiu then took Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen and went inside with the Crown Prince and Yinjiu's families.
Shuru was brought to the waiting room. Songkriyirha preferred to play with Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen rather than pay attention to the older Shuru.
After bowing, Shu came out and led the women and princesses to the inner chambers.
Consort Tong smiled more as she looked at the three little princesses. Only during the New Year could the princesses of the royal family go out with their parents; on ordinary days, they mostly went out with their nannies.
Shu took Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen from Qingyan's arms and carefully placed her in Consort Tong's arms.
"Grandma Guima, this Sachima is delicious!" Songkelierha ate the dessert and thought that the glutinous egg Sachima was softer, sweeter and more fragrant than the ordinary one.
"This was sent by your fourth aunt. If you like it, go to your fourth aunt's garden to get it." Consort Tong watched as Songkelierha ate with great relish, Shulu's eyes filled with longing, but he dared not take a bite.
"Shulu, come here to Grandma Guima." Consort Tong took a piece of Sachima from her plate, broke off half and ate it, and put the other half into Shulu's hand.
The little girl watched as Consort Tong ate, then delicately ate her Sachima with her small hands.
Shulu's reaction embarrassed the Crown Princess. She wouldn't let Shulu eat random things in public, fearing that he might be harmed by someone.
“The Crown Princess’s teachings are correct. The children cannot eat food from outside, but they can eat it without worry in front of His Majesty and here with me,” Consort Tong said directly, without even glancing at the Crown Princess.
After he finished speaking, the Crown Prince's voice came from inside the hall, apologizing. Consort Tong, carrying Hutulifengsheng Zhalafen, led the female relatives over.
Upon entering the hall, he saw several princes kneeling inside. Yiken'e blinked his big eyes, stood on the dragon throne, and hid behind Kangxi.
Emperor Kangxi didn't pay any attention to his sons; he simply carried Yiken'e on his back and let his grandson play happily.
"Xuan Ye, what's wrong now?" Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen was brought over, and Kangxi's face showed a gentle smile.
"Your Highness, kneel down. Yin, Yin, get up." Kangxi said directly. Songkri Yierha thought he was grown up and wouldn't compete for attention with the twins. Shulu was different. She longed for Kangxi to look at her like he looked at Hutu Lifengsheng Zhalafen. However, with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess still kneeling on the ground, she shrank back.
"Li Dequan, go and fetch Imperial Physician Yuan," Kangxi said to Li Dequan. "Shulu, come to Grandfather's place."
Shulu turned to look at her parents, then shuffled over. Yiken was very generous, lying on Kangxi's broad back. Shulu first bowed respectfully, and Kangxi waved his hand, telling the little girl to get up.
Songkelierha and Shuru were about the same age, but now Shuru looked like a little adult.
"Grandfather, are you feeling unwell?" Songkrilha got along very well with the twins, and Kangxi was often brought to his side by the little maid.
Therefore, she could ask the question openly without worrying that Emperor Kangxi would be angry. (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.)
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