The days passed pleasantly amidst these stark contrasts.
The Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, was diligently studying in the Imperial Study.
Duofu was happily sleeping in and playing at his brother's place.
Life shouldn't be too good.
It's just that I've been a lazy bum for too long.
Duofu felt that she was also struggling to keep up. Her whole body had gained weight, but she was still so cute. However, she didn't seem as agile as before.
Duofu was planning to take advantage of the nice weather today to sneak out for a stroll and maybe lose some weight.
Before he could even prepare to act, the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, who was always out early and back late, returned to the Princes' quarters.
Before Duofu could react, he was picked up by the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen.
He sounded anxious yet with a hint of joy.
"Duoduo, Mother is pregnant. I don't need to go to the study today. I'll go back to Chengqian Palace to keep Mother company."
"Duoduo, I'm going to be a big brother, a big brother."
"Mother, I've always wanted to have a little brother for me. Now that you're pregnant, you'll be so happy."
"Duoduo, I'm very happy too."
The Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, was so excited that he became somewhat incoherent.
Duofu felt like he'd been struck by lightning. How could this be?
The Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, is only 6 years old this year. How could Consort Tong be pregnant?
Could it be that she was pregnant but didn't give birth? There's no record of that in history.
It wasn't even written in unofficial histories.
Thinking of this, Duofu felt a little more at ease.
If it's just because of his butterfly effect that Consort Tong has given birth to a son, what will happen to the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen?
Consort Tong adopted the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, because she had no son.
If he had his own son, he might not want the Fourth Prince Yinzhen anymore. No one wants their own son to be stolen away by someone else's son.
In this palace, Emperor Kangxi's favor was limited; if one son received more favor, another would inevitably receive less.
Consort Tong would absolutely not allow such a thing to happen, although it seems so now.
Consort Tong seems to treat the Fourth Prince Yinzhen very well, but who can guarantee that she has her own biological child?
Can she still treat the Fourth Prince Yinzhen as well as before?
Duofu couldn't help but sigh when he saw the Fourth Prince Yinzhen grinning foolishly.
You're happy now, but wait until your mother doesn't want you anymore, then you'll be crying.
Duofu couldn't help but feel worried, if it was because of him.
A huge butterfly effect has occurred.
Will the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, be able to ascend the throne in the future?
This is a big problem.
Duofu thought for a while, but couldn't come up with a solution.
never mind.
The boat will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge.
Pregnancy is something like that.
It's not up to him to decide.
Just let things take their course.
He couldn't very well curse Consort Tong to miscarry her child, could he?
Anyway, the Fourth Prince Yinzhen is quite happy right now, though he probably doesn't know it yet.
He is not Consort Tong's biological child; we'll find out soon enough.
That silly, grinning face might turn into a puffy, crying face.
Just thinking about that scene made Duofu feel uncomfortable all over.
He still preferred the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, to be happy, his eyes sparkling.
That round face must look awful when it cries.
Duofu listened as the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, excitedly shared the good news of his mother's pregnancy, saying that he would definitely be a good older brother.
I will take good care of my younger siblings.
While I couldn't help but think again and again, was Consort Tong pregnant at this time?
All he knew was that when the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, was a teenager, Consort Tong became pregnant and then died from a miscarriage.
No matter how I think about it, I can't stop thinking about Consort Tong, who probably only got pregnant once.
Duofu couldn't help but hate himself. It's true what they say, you only realize how little you know when you need it. He should have been more serious when he studied history.
But it seems so.
History textbooks don't mention whether Consort Tong was pregnant or not.
While Duofu was lost in his own thoughts, the group had already arrived at Chengqian Palace.
However, Duofu was not taken to Consort Tong's palace, but to a side hall. Only the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, was taken into the inner hall by Consort Tong's head maid, Qingmu.
As the Fourth Prince Yinzhen walked towards the inner palace, his head maid, Qingmu, explained with a smile.
"Her Highness the Imperial Concubine seemed a bit more cheerful when she heard you were coming; she was just talking about the Fourth Prince."
"Your Highness, you've been working hard lately, which has made you a little weak. The imperial physician has diagnosed that you need to rest well. You're currently resting on a small couch. It's not appropriate to bring your pet, Duofu, to Your Highness at this time."
The Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, is currently preoccupied with his mother's desire to give him a younger brother or sister.
The look on his face suggested that he had long forgotten about Duofu.
"It's alright. Mother isn't feeling well, so it's not appropriate to bring Duofu in, lest he disturb Mother."
When the Fourth Prince Yinzhen quickened his pace and stepped into the inner hall, he saw Consort Tong lying weakly on a soft couch, but the smile on her face was impossible to hide.
Although she looked pale, Jing'er appeared to be in good spirits.
Consort Tong was looking at her belly with a tender expression.
That soft, boneless hand gently stroked her flat, unprotruding belly, as if it were the most precious thing in the world, and she was reluctant to use any force for fear of damaging it.
When the Fourth Prince Yinzhen saw how much his mother loved the unborn younger brother and sister in her womb, he felt a sudden sense of panic.
He hurriedly ran over, wanting to throw himself into Consort Tong's arms, but before he could make a move, he was stopped by the nanny beside him.
The old nanny, who had always been kind to him, looked serious today, and her tone was not as kind as usual, carrying a hint of warning.
"Fourth Prince, the Empress is currently pregnant and her body is delicate. She cannot withstand the impact of your illness."
When Consort Tong saw this, she didn't say anything to comfort him. She simply waved her hand casually, signaling the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, to come forward. The nanny, seeing the Empress's intention, then made way for her.
The Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, who was standing there, was also a little confused for a moment.
I can't figure out what's wrong with Granny today.
When she came to her senses, she came to Consort Tong's side. She saw Consort Tong reach out and touch the Fourth Prince Yinzhen's head, looking tenderly at her belly.
"Mother, now that I'm pregnant with your little brother, I can't hold you like I usually do. You're going to be a big brother. When your little brother is born, you have to protect him well."
"Now that you're a big boy, you can't act like a spoiled child like before. Your imperial mother likes ambitious children. You must study hard in the Imperial Study so that your imperial father can see you."
Fourth Prince Yinzhen couldn't help but rub his head against Consort Tong's hand. Before he could rub it for long, the warm hand left his head and returned to his flat stomach.
The Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Seeing that his mother's attention was entirely focused on the younger brother or sister in her belly, and she hadn't even spared a glance for him when he came in, his inner panic continued to grow.
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