Before arriving at the Suzhou-Hangzhou dock, Emperor Kangxi issued an imperial edict, ordering the imperial concubines and princes on their tour to stay obediently on their respective boats copying Buddhist scriptures and not to wander around.
With the imperial edict issued, Qingyan felt much more relaxed, no longer having to face the Empress Dowager, which felt wonderful.
That day, Yin got up early and sat with Yiken'e on the carpet, building Yiken'e's blocks. These were specially made by Linglong Pavilion, which would greatly help Yiken'e develop her intelligence.
"Hehe, this feels so good. It would be nice to live such an easy life in the future." Qingyan liked having Yin by her side.
These past few days, Qingyan has been listening to gossip about the constant arguments between the Crown Prince and Yinzhi on the ships.
Having too many women can also be a burden.
Yin believed this and decided to stay away from the women to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation.
"Fourth Brother, why aren't you listening to the opera with Third Master and the others?" Qingyan asked.
Yinzhi hired actors on the boat, saying it was for entertainment, and even sent out invitations to several princes. As it turned out, all the princes except Yinzhi and Yinzhi went.
There was no indication of any punishment from Emperor Kangxi, which only made the bills for the gentlemen who were watching the opera even bigger.
After that day, Qingyan heard that the Empress Dowager was ill, and that Imperial Physician Yuan had personally diagnosed her.
Qingyan couldn't help but grin. Imperial Physician Yuan was Kangxi's confidant, so of course he spoke according to Kangxi's wishes.
Even Su Mo'er didn't appear outside. That night, Yin was still sighing from the window that he had no regrets in this life for having a loyal servant.
"I won't listen. I'm not interested in those things." Yin disdained associating with Yin Zhi, and the allure of beautiful women was not great to him.
Instead of wasting time, you'd be better off playing with your children.
Hutu Lifengsheng Zhalafen sat next to Qingyan, playing with a Barbie doll in her hand, a smile on her little face.
"Father, house!" Yiken'e and Hutulifengsheng Zhalafen spoke Manchu in front of their parents, Mongolian in front of the Empress Dowager, and Chinese in front of Feiyanggu and his two sons.
They were taught three languages at the same time, and even Emperor Kangxi was amazed by their excellent memories.
In fact, the two little ones have caused quite a few laughs. Yiken often mixes up three languages: the first is Chinese, the second is Mongolian, and the third is Manchu.
When Kangxi first heard this, he couldn't help but burst into laughter. Yin was about to mention Yiken'e when Kangxi stopped him, saying that Yin hadn't been as quick to learn as Yiken'e back then.
In an instant, Yin's father's authority vanished, and Yiken'e could only stare at Yin with wide eyes.
"Hmm, what else can Yiken'e build with this?" Qingyan specially had some diagrams drawn to encourage Yiken'e to use his brain and see how these diagrams could be used to build something.
Similar to the tangram puzzle, if both building blocks and tangrams are placed in front of Iken, Iken will still choose the former.
"A boat!" Yiken'e pushed down the house and began to arrange it into the shape of a boat.
Hutu Lifengsheng Zhalafen looked down at her brother. She wasn't interested in these things, but rather in the jade. The little girl had loved warm jade since she was a child and had acquired many fine items from Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong.
“Father, jade…” Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen remembered that Yin had bought a piece of Xinjiang Hetian warm jade at the pawnshop in the county town. Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen had always wanted it, but Yin refused, saying that after returning to the capital, he would find a craftsman to carve it for her.
“We had an agreement.” Yin looked at Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen.
Both father and daughter were stubborn. The daughter wanted the jade, but Yin wanted her to understand the meaning of the promise.
Yiken stopped building with blocks and watched his mother and sister argue.
Qingyan picked up Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen and placed her on the thick carpet. She also kicked off her flowerpot shoes and sat cross-legged on the ground with Yin and their children.
At this moment, there was no one in the cabin where they were playing around. Otherwise, the servants would have been surprised, as both Yin and Qingyan were very particular about etiquette and would never lose face in front of outsiders.
“Mother…” Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen said coquettishly.
She not only became cheerful, but Yin, who disliked his daughter's coquettishness the most, remained silent this time, indicating that he was truly determined not to compromise.
"Hutu Lifengsheng Zhalafen, we made a promise, and we must keep it." Qingyan also shook his head and refused.
Originally, Qingyan wanted to help Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen. What difference would it make if he gave his daughter a small piece of warm jade? But Yin disagreed. In the future, his daughter would have to shoulder the heavy responsibility of a mansion. Without rules and doing whatever she wanted would make her future life difficult.
For the sake of Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen's future, Yin hardened his heart and had no choice but to refuse his daughter.
"Alright, Father said he'll give it to you after we return to the capital!" Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen finally compromised, her little face pressed together, looking like she was thinking of Yin's best interests.
Yin chuckled and hugged his daughter tightly, giving her two big kisses. His daughter was truly his little darling.
"Fourth!" Qingyan felt a pang of jealousy watching Yin interact with his daughter, so she pouted.
Yin smiled. Qingyan and Hutulifengsheng and Zhalafen were the women he cared about most. He would be upset no matter who got their hands on them.
"Father... boat!" Yiken'e, however, remained calm and had already set up the boat while everyone was not paying attention.
Yin patted his little head with satisfaction. A warm and cozy family life was very good.
"Yiken'e is really great!" Qingyan didn't hold back his praise. Yiken'e always received strict fatherly education from Yin and was often criticized by him.
"Mother is so good!" Yiken'e walked into Qingyan's arms. Yin rarely held Yiken'e; his arms were always reserved for his daughters.
Yin's face darkened. Wasn't Qingyan the one who unconditionally spoiled Yiken?
"My dear, children live in different environments." Yin said directly to Qingyan, and she just looked at Yin with a smile.
“We’ve divided the work!” Qingyan understood that the children were still young and needed to receive praise and encouragement; otherwise, Yiken’e would lack self-confidence.
Yin sighed. Yiken'e was a clever little devil. He had only ever received praise in front of Kangxi and was rarely criticized. In addition, Consort Tong protected him very much. If Kangxi's expression was even slightly unpleasant towards him, Consort Tong would simply take him away.
Emperor Kangxi had mentioned him several times, and he had to admit that Yiken'e was simply the nemesis of him and his son.
“Okay, Yiken’e, show your sister another pattern.” Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen looked at him with admiration, which boosted Yiken’e’s confidence. Hearing Yinzhen’s request, he quickly pushed the boat over and tilted his head, thinking about what pattern he should use to win over his sister.
Qingyan felt a warm feeling in her heart as she watched the interaction between the brother and sister.
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