The war lasted for nearly a year.
It didn't end until the summer of the 53rd year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.
Once the first month of the lunar calendar was over, He Zhuo took Xiao Ba to Qinyuan Garden. In July, news came that the prince had won a battle and was coming back.
He Zhuo sent Hongyu's wife back to make arrangements, while he himself leisurely stayed in Qinyuan Garden. He didn't return from the garden until two days before Yinzhi's return, when Xiao Ba was also brought back from his sixth brother's place.
After Yinzhi went to war, Hezhuo packed up Xiao Ba and gave him to his sixth brother for training.
He Zhuo, along with everyone from the Prince's Palace, greeted them at the entrance.
"The Prince has arrived!" It had been a long time since we'd heard Liu Bajin's shrill voice.
"Fujin, the master is back." Yinzhi dismounted and helped his wife up.
He Zhuo noticed that his face was covered in stubble, clearly indicating that he had been rushing back and looked exhausted.
"Please wash up first, Your Highness. The meal is ready." He Zhuo greeted Yin Zhi as he entered the house.
"Well, I just need to wash up, I don't need to eat, I have to rush to the palace."
"Alright then, I've prepared some snacks for you, Master, so you can have something to eat on the way. Are Hongyu and the others coming along too?"
Yinzhi pondered for a moment: "Let's go together."
He Zhuo: "That works.
Turning to her sons, she said, "Your father said he's going to the palace to see your imperial grandfather later. Wash up and come out now. Your mother will prepare some snacks for you to eat on the way. We'll have a proper meal together when we get back."
Hongyu: "Thank you, Mother. I've been craving the food from your yard lately."
Hongfang: "That's right. The beef jerky that Mother sent over wasn't enough for us brothers. We had to share it with Fifth Uncle and Seventeenth Uncle."
Hongwei: "I've been craving Mother's honey water for ages. Look how dry my skin is! I don't even look human anymore."
He Zhuo tapped Hongwei's third son's head: "Alright, stop whining. We have everything. We'll prepare dried meat and honey for you brothers later. Take them back with you when you come for dinner. We've also prepared some fruit wine for you. It won't make you drunk. Take it all."
Hongwei tugged at Hezhuo's sleeve and said coquettishly, "It's still Mother who thinks of me."
His eyes caught sight of his father's tightly furrowed brows, so he quickly let go of his mother's hand, said, "I'm going to get ready," and ran off in a flash.
After seeing his father and son off, Khoja did not wait for them to return for their meal. When they returned, the lanterns were already lit, and he ate with Emperor Kangxi in the palace.
The weather was hot, so on the second day after returning to the mansion, arrangements were made for Rangdu to go to Qinyuan Garden to escape the heat. It was also close to Kangxi's Changchun Garden, making it convenient for both attending court and visiting Consort Hui in the palace.
A few days later, He Zhuo summoned all his sons to his side.
When the sons arrived, they saw their father there and looked at each other, wondering what their father and mother were up to.
After exchanging greetings and formalities, He Zhuo gestured for Yin Zhi to speak.
Yinzhi coughed lightly, "I called you all here today because I have something to tell you. You are all my legitimate sons, and except for the Eighth Prince, you have all come of age and are married. When the Seventh Prince got married last year, I and your brothers went to the battlefield in Tibet and couldn't attend. Your father has found you a job; go to the Ministry of Works to report tomorrow."
Xiao Qi: "Thank you, Father."
It was He Zhuo who suggested sending Xiao Qi to the Ministry of Works.
This child loved to destroy things around the house since he was little, but gradually Zhuo discovered that he could also put things back together by himself.
A typical researcher, right?
If he had more spiritual roots, He Zhuo would have trained him to become a weapon refiner.
Yinzhi waved his hand: "Alright, that's all I can do for you. You need to grow up too. A fledgling eagle will never grow up if it hides under its mother's wings. Your father and mother have discussed it and decided to let you all go out."
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