Chapter 48: The fourth prince Fu Jin is very good, don’t I want to save face?

Kangxi now favors younger concubines more, and the four concubines no longer sleep with him, so when Kangxi goes to the four concubines' place, he usually just sits there, eats, and talks.

Imperial Concubine Tong Jia was younger than the other four concubines and was still old enough to serve.

But this Tonggiya clan member was obviously not as close to the relationship between Emperor Kangxi and Empress Xiaoyi as they had been in the past.

It's not that the current Tonggiya clan was born out of wedlock, but it depends on Kangxi's own thoughts.

After Empress Xiaoyi entered the palace, she had no children. She finally gave birth to a little princess, but the little princess died on the day of birth.

Empress Xiaoyi had been trying to get pregnant, but she got pregnant but didn't keep the baby. After repeating this several times, Empress Xiaoyi's health deteriorated.

The death of Empress Xiaoyi was largely caused by her inability to recover from her poor health.

Later, Kangxi realized that it was difficult to have a healthy child with his cousin.

When Concubine Tong Jia entered the palace again, Kangxi was no longer obsessed with having a child. Tong Jia also knew the reason.

Given the choice between wasting her body and eventually dying young or living a stable life as a childless concubine in the palace, Tong Jia chose the latter.

She is also Kangxi's cousin, so it doesn't matter if their relationship is not that deep. As a concubine, Kangxi will never forget her no matter what he does, and will not treat her unfairly. This is good enough.

This is also the reason why Concubine Tong Jia was young but rarely served the emperor in the bedchamber.

But everyone in the palace knew that even if she rarely slept with the emperor, Concubine Tong Jia could not be ignored.

Now that Defei has gained fame, she can just quietly recuperate. Yuyan and the others can't always sit in Yonghe Palace and not come out to see people.

During the first month of the year, each palace would hold gatherings, and there would be opportunities to invite Yuyan and the others to sit in other palaces.

On this day, it happened to be a family dinner hosted by Imperial Concubine Tong Jia. Because there were so many people, not only the female family members came, but also the princes and brothers were present. Therefore, this family dinner was held in the palace designated by Kangxi. It was a good opportunity for everyone to gather together and chat, and it was very lively.

No one would not come to the banquet hosted by Imperial Concubine Tong Jia, out of respect for her. It was only because Concubine De really couldn't walk that she excused herself from coming on the grounds of illness.

Even Kangxi went to visit her, and everyone in the palace knew that Concubine De had a foot injury and could not go out, but no one said anything.

Except for Concubine De, everyone else was there.

Yuyan has been keeping Thirteenth Fujin by her side these days, and when they got here, she let Thirteenth Fujin sit next to her. Thirteenth Fujin felt a little embarrassed, after all, according to the rules, the Fifth Fujin and the Seventh Fujin should sit next to Yuyan.

But the Fifth and Seventh Fu Jin were both good-tempered, and they knew very well that the Thirteenth Fu Jin was bullied. They knew that Yu Yan was protecting the Thirteenth Fu Jin, so after a few laughs, the two of them gave up their seats.

Yuyan was sitting with the women, and she saw the princes and other nobles coming.

Her eyes swept over Yinzhen, and before she had time to look at anyone else, the princes and brothers sat down.

Although it was a family dinner, there were still separate groups of male and female guests, with a screen in the middle and some distance between them. There were also many people, so it was not easy to see who was who.

But for some reason, Yuyan could see Yinzhen among the crowd.

It seemed that no one else attracted Yuyan's attention so much, but Yinzhen. It seemed that his tall and graceful figure, or the way he sat there, was different from others.

Yuyan wondered, was it possible that in her heart, Yinzhen was different from others?

The process of a family dinner is basically the same.

During these days, when attending palace banquets in various palaces, it was natural to have some new things to do. If there were no new things, it would not only be boring, but also fail to win the favor of Kangxi.

Therefore, there were some new things in Tong Jia's family banquet.

After three rounds of drinking, Kangxi smiled and asked, "You told me earlier that there were some new things at the banquet and asked me to take a look. Is it time to bring them out now?"

The noble concubine smiled and said, "Yes, I was just about to show it to the emperor."

Although the imperial concubine seldom slept with Emperor Kangxi, and Emperor Kangxi seldom stayed here overnight, and because of Empress Xiaoyi and the blood relationship in the family, it was impossible for the imperial concubine to have her own biological children. This was already an open secret in the palace.

But her status as the emperor's cousin and all the favors Kangxi showed to the noble concubine besides staying overnight with him, including Kangxi's favor and heavy use of the Tong family, all showed that the noble concubine was still the number one person in the harem.

No one would be so blind as to provoke the imperial concubine.

And the imperial concubine has the support of the Tong family, so the things she brings out are always the best.

As soon as the imperial concubine said this, everyone's expectations were raised to the maximum.

I really don't know what kind of thing can make the knowledgeable imperial concubine think it is something new and fresh, and she firmly believes that this thing will definitely win the emperor's favor.

As the palace servants moved, everyone noticed that there was a faint curtain hanging on one side of the palace.

Yuyan did see it when she first entered the hall, but through the translucent gauze curtain, she could only see that it was the palace maid who provided background music for the family banquet, so she didn't pay much attention to it after seeing it.

Now after the curtains were drawn aside, what appeared before everyone's eyes were no longer the palace maids playing music, but actually a dozen embroiderers sitting in front of sewing looms, working very seriously and diligently.

Everyone was shocked, as they had never seen anything like this before. For a moment, everyone in the hall was whispering to each other.

Yuyan actually had much more knowledge than them and knew what this was.

But the crux of the problem was not this. The key point was that she had seen the sewing machine in Jiangnan just before the New Year, which had not yet been mass-produced. How could it appear at the imperial concubine's palace banquet during the New Year?

So now in Kangxi's eyes, whose idea was it? Was it Yinzhen?

It must be Yinzhen.

Yuyan looked over and quickly locked her eyes on Yinzhen who was sitting there across the crowd. However, Yinzhen didn't even look at her. He just sat there without even turning his head. No idea what his expression was.

Yu Yan snorted in her heart.

He is making trouble again.

"Fourth sister-in-law, what is this? Is this some kind of machine? But it doesn't look like a textile machine." Thirteenth Fu Jin whispered.

Nowadays, there are still some textile machines in the south, which are in the hands of the Textile Bureau. However, such machines are said to be very heavy, difficult to move, and cannot be taken out casually.

If it was already there, it was impossible for the imperial concubine to take it out and offer it as a treasure. But if it wasn't a weaving machine, then what was it?

It actually looks a bit like embroidery.

It’s just machine embroidery - Thirteenth Prince Jin was a little hesitant to say it.

She had heard Yinxiang mention that the emperor did not like machines to fall into the hands of the people. He also did not like such things to be mass-produced.

Yuyan's eyes lightly swept across to Yinzhen, and then she slowly said, "Don't be in a hurry. Take your time to look. Look, isn't that what the Imperial Concubine is going to introduce?"

Kangxi moved, stood up and went to see, and the imperial concubine followed him over. Naturally, everyone also stood up and slowly walked over to see.

This close look allows you to see more clearly than when you are sitting.

A dozen embroiderers were embroidering a large piece of precious red cloth with the word "Fu" (meaning "Fu") at the bottom. They then used these machines to trace the word "Fu" using gold thread.

The colorful border background next to it has been embroidered for more than half.

With so many people embroidering together, it only takes about a quarter of an hour to complete everything.

The more Kangxi looked at the word "Fu", the more familiar it seemed to him.

The third prince was quick to speak and said, "Isn't this the word 'Fu' that Khan Ama gave me the other day?"

Kangxi looked at the concubine.

The noble concubine smiled and said, "Yes, Third Prince has good eyesight."

The imperial concubine smiled and said, "It is indeed the word 'Fu' that the emperor gave me. I asked someone to copy it. I thought of embroidering it this way and showing it to the emperor. I wish you good fortune and longevity. This is my blessing to the emperor this year."

The embroiderers did not stop their work after receiving Kangxi's order.

However, working in front of the temple is still a test of the quality of each embroiderer.

However, the embroiderers who were selected still had this psychological quality. When Kangxi tapped lightly on the smooth surface of the sewing machine with his fingers, they remained calm and continued to work.

Kangxi smiled slightly and said, "Is this the machine that the Concubine wants me to see? What is it called? Is it another new item imported from the West?"

"It's called a sewing machine."

The imperial concubine smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wrong this time. This is not a tribute from the West. It was given to me by the Fourth Prince as a gift. I really like it very much, so I want to offer it to Your Majesty. I also want Your Majesty to see the Fourth Prince's filial piety."

"A gift from the fourth son?" Kangxi was really surprised this time.

He looked to his side.

Yinzhen was not standing in the front, but a little behind.

When Kangxi looked over, the people in front of him automatically made way for him, and Yinzhen walked to the front.

"Khan Ama." Yinzhen saluted.

Kangxi smiled slightly and said, "Old Four, did you come up with this?"

Yinzhen said, "My Lord Khan, it was not my son who came up with this idea. It was my son's Fujin who came up with it."

As Yinzhen spoke, he took something out from his sleeve. It was a piece of paper. Yinzhen handed the paper neatly to Kangxi, who took it and took a look.

He couldn't help laughing: "What is this? Don't tell me that this was painted by your Fu Jin? Your second prince is ten years old, right? I think he paints better than this one."

Kangxi was in a good mood at the family dinner earlier, so he smiled a lot.

Although she was smiling when she saw the sewing loom, her smile had obviously faded a lot, which shows that Kangxi was not so sincere in her heart and Tong Jia was still a little uneasy at that time.

Kangxi's smile made it difficult to understand his thoughts.

But now, seeing this painting, Kangxi's smile suddenly became more solid, and he was even in a better mood than before, which showed that he was really amused by this painting.

The concubine's heart was settled.

The fourth brother really had a solution. The fourth brother was still reliable, so we just followed what he said.

Kangxi carefully examined the painting and asked, "This painting looks like a sketch of a sewing machine?"

Kangxi found it really funny. If he hadn't seen the real thing right in front of him, he would never have imagined that such a crude painting could be made into such a sophisticated machine.

Kangxi smiled and asked Yinzhen: "Don't tell me that you made this sewing loom based on this painting. I am not a child and I don't believe it."

Yinzhen said, "When I was a farmer, I made my own clothes to experience the life of farmers. But Khan Ama and my brothers laughed at me. I really don't know how to make clothes."

"At that time, I pierced several bloody holes on my fingers because I didn't know how to use a needle. Fu Jin felt sorry for me and suddenly had an idea to make something that could make clothes for me."

"In fact, Fu Jin had no idea, but he just drew it casually because of his wild imagination. Fu Jin drew a lot of them, but he didn't hide it from Khan Ama. The rest of the ministers couldn't understand it, but this one looked good. I couldn't bear to disappoint Fu Jin, so I asked the craftsmen to see if it could be made. It took more than half a year to finally make it."

"My Lady Consort injured her hand while embroidering a small garment for my eldest son. I have always remembered it, so I presented the finished product to my Lady Consort as a token of my filial piety."

Yinzhen explained the whole story.

This is actually a really wonderful answer. It is also really subtle.

Such a good thing was not given to Consort De, but to Consort Gui. And it was obviously Empress Xiaoyi who raised the Fourth Prince.

Everyone knows that when the eldest prince Honghui was still alive, Concubine De also gave many gifts. But the fourth prince only remembered the small clothes embroidered by Concubine Gui.

What does this prove? It proves that the things that Concubine De gave to her grandson were not embroidered by herself.

There is quite a lot of information in these words, and people are silently appreciating them in their hearts.

But looking at the emperor's expression, it was obvious that Yinzhen's words touched the emperor's heart.

The eldest prince Honghui died at the age of eight.

The eldest prince of the Fourth Prince's Mansion was by no means sickly like the second prince's children. He was a very good child, and Kangxi was deeply impressed.

In fact, Kangxi also had a very good impression of Honghui.

The fourth son made this thing because Fu Jin loved him, and he did not keep it to himself, but presented it to the imperial concubine out of filial piety. Now, in order to make him happy, the imperial concubine gave him such a good gift.

In fact, Kangxi was very happy.

Yinzhen's words immediately dispelled Kangxi's habitual doubts and suspicions.

This New Year, Kangxi was never happy.

I don't want to think about the prince's affairs anymore, just put it aside.

Anyway, the prince is under house arrest, so it’s okay if I don’t jump around in front of him.

But Kangxi always saw the Eighth and Fourteenth Princes, which made him very unhappy.

Since he could not deal with them openly, Kangxi kept it to himself and was naturally unhappy.

Yinzhen and the imperial concubine were really trying to make him happy. When everyone else was being cautious, they were the only ones who thought of doing something, not afraid of angering him, just thinking that he might be happier.

Kangxi's gaze fell on the painting in Yinzhen's hand again, and there was a little more smile in his eyes.

"Where is the fourth prince Fujin?" Kangxi asked.

Yuyan really didn't expect that she would be involved in this drama.

I didn't expect Yinzhen to be so bold, telling lies without thinking, and being absolutely lawless.

But he could do whatever he wanted, but how could he take such abstract paintings of hers and present them to Kangxi for him to see?

[Don’t I have any dignity? ! ! ]

Yinzhen heard the roar in Fujin's heart, the corners of his lips curled up slightly, and he was in a particularly good mood.

Face and the like, isn't Fu Jin's reputation important?

Now everyone knows that the sewing machine was invented by my grandfather Fu Jin.

How wonderful.

Everyone's eyes fell on Yu Yan.

The princes and nobles naturally did not want to stare at Yu Yan, so they just glanced at her and then looked away to show respect.

But the look he gave towards Yinzhen was no longer so cautious.

How could the fourth brother have such a good fortune?

This thing is unprecedented and will never be surpassed. After it was made, it became famous among the imperial concubines and was approved by the emperor. Everyone knows that this thing has a proven track record.

How much can be done in the future?

Especially Yinzhen, his eyes were sparkling.

It’s all silver, it’s all silver!!

Doesn't this make more money than women's things?

Fourth brother has such a good thing, why didn’t you tell me earlier!

Some people think of plundering. Some people think of win-win situations. Some people think of jealousy and hatred.

Yinzhen was very angry.

Such a good thing, but Yinzhen didn't want to honor his mother, but used it to honor his concubine.

The Empress Xiaoyi who raised him is already dead, so why is he still clinging to the Tong family?

The fourth child is a snob.

But snobbery is snobbery. Why would you step on your mother to promote the reputation of your Fu Jin and Gui Fei?

Yinzhen's heart was filled with new and old hatreds, and he kept thinking about when he could give Yinzhen a good beating, make him fall down and bleed, so that he would know how powerful he was.

The fourth son worked so hard, maybe he was still thinking about going to Jiangnan to make up for his losses after the New Year? Yinzhen's mind raced, and he began to think about it.

Yuyan walked to the front, looking at the female relatives with an open mind.

Yinzhen has already set up the stage, so she definitely can't let down her guard. No matter what, she has to continue the show.

Jian Yuyan, who has seen the world, has a clear conscience.

For now, let's just assume that this sewing machine was her idea.

When Kangxi saw the fourth son's wife, he recalled the scene when he went to Jingcheng Garden last year. At that time, it was the fourth son Fu Jin who arranged everything.

The fourth son, Fu Jin, is generous and decent, and has such clever ideas. Although this painting is not that good, the thought behind it is really great.

Kangxi thought again of the hard work Yinzhen had gone through when he was farming last year. The two children actually had good intentions and were good children who knew how to be filial.

Kangxi, who was inevitably disappointed with the crown prince and others, found a little comfort from Yinzhen.

Kangxi looked at Yuyan with a smile: "The fourth prince is doing well."

After receiving a compliment, she received countless more. Soon after, the imperial concubine also gave Yuyan many rewards.

Because this idea was thought up by Yuyan, Kangxi approved of it, which was the first among the princes, and even among the princes.

When Yuyan returned to Thirteenth Fujin, he looked at her with sparkling eyes: "Fourth sister-in-law is so amazing!"

While no one was paying attention, everyone was admiring the completed huge painting of the word "Fu". No matter what everyone thought in their hearts, they all wanted to brag about it in front of Kangxi and the concubine.

Yu Yan frowned and said to Thirteenth Prince Jin, "Isn't it amazing? The Emperor said that my paintings are not as good as those of the Second Prince in our mansion."

Thirteenth Fu Jin laughed.

The Five Blessings and the Seven Blessings were also smiling there.

They were close enough to hear it, and Yuyan's voice was not loud, so no one else could hear it except them.

Kangxi was very happy about what happened today, so he returned home late today. After hearing that the children were fine, Yinzhen went back directly with Yuyan.

Even if it is late today, you still have to get up before dawn and go to the palace as usual tomorrow. This cannot be late no matter what.

So I have to seize the time to sleep now.

But after washing up, Yuyan seemed to be the only one who was thinking about sleeping.

She was almost falling asleep when Yinzhen picked her up.

When she was half asleep and half awake, she heard Yinzhen mumbling to her, "Are you going to sleep like this? Don't you have anything to say to me?"

Judging from his tone, he seemed quite aggrieved.