He Zhuo patted his big-headed son. At only nine years old, he already displayed a composure and maturity unlike his peers. While other nine-year-olds were still playing wildly, these children, starting at six, had to get up at 3:45 AM and stay in the palace for five hours—ten hours in total—before returning. They had an hour and a half for meals in between, returning at 3:00 PM. From time to time, they would practice calligraphy and complete homework. They only got a break every ten days.
This is like an elementary school student doing high school stuff, plus dealing with all sorts of backstabbing and infighting. How can they not grow up?
Hongyu saw the loving look in his mother's eyes and snuggled up to her. Hezhuo hugged his eldest son and kissed his little face.
Hongyu's face turned bright red: "Mother, your son is all grown up now. If you want to kiss me, you can kiss Xiao Liu, Xiao Qi, or Xiao San."
Seeing her son so shy, like a boiled shrimp, she teased him even more: "You little rascal, you're only nine years old, what's so big about that? No matter how old you get, you'll still be my son."
He Zhuo saw that he only struggled slightly, his face was red, but his eyebrows were raised. This was a typical case of saying no with his mouth, but his body was very honest.
He Zhuo cupped her face and kissed her son, making him stomp his feet in exasperation. "Mother!"
He Zhuo finally stopped and took the box: "This is the private money your father and mother gave you. It was originally intended to be given to you when you got married. Now that it has been given to your sister, and you are nine years old now, and you are becoming more and more mature as you study in the Imperial Academy, you can keep the land deeds and house deeds in this box."
Hongyu looked at the box, then at his mother: "What about my second brother, third brother, and the others?"
He Zhuo understood what he meant: "As long as they are children born to Mother, they are all the same. However, they are still young. In a few years, Mother will keep their private money for them. You and your sister can take it for now."
He Zhuo patted his son's head, saying, "Since he went to study in the Imperial Study, my son and I have rarely been together. Before, we were together every day."
ε=(′ο｀*))) Alas, children always have to grow up, and fledglings always have to fly on their own.
“When you’re resting, you can go and see these properties yourself. This shop is on Gulou Street, the same street where your mother’s dowry shop is located. The other five shops are connected in the east of the city, where commoners and ordinary Manchus gather. There are also two estates in the suburbs. One of the estates is connected to the small hill behind it, which we also bought.”
"The crops on the estate have just been harvested. Before, I sold all this rice and grain at my own dowry shop or used it to brew wine. You can decide what to do with it yourself. Also, I had some elm trees planted on that mountain. In twenty or thirty years, they can be used as timber to make clamps and such."
"These shops are for you. The one on Gulou Street is in the best location. It cost 5,000 taels when I bought it. It's a pretty big shop, two stories. It's been rented out, and the contract is in there. The contract is for 10 years. It was rented in the 34th year of Kangxi's reign, and the annual rent is 350 taels."
He Zhuo spoke softly to Hong Yu, who knelt beside her, his head resting on his mother's lap.
"Yes, thank you, Mother." He Zhuo looked at her eldest son's adoring eyes and couldn't help but kiss him again.
Watching her son wipe the drool off his face with a look of disgust, yet with deep affection in his eyes, she couldn't help but see his complicated little thoughts.
He Zhuo pressed his head down on his lap and continued to speak to him in detail: "These other five shops are connected and are now rented out, but the lease term is not that long. They are only rented for five years, starting in the 34th year of Kangxi's reign, and the lease ends next year. You can decide for yourself whether to rent them out or do something with them yourself."
"When you have time, go to the shop and tell the manager about these changes. From now on, their rent will be sent to you. The management of the estate is all handled by my people. You can decide what to do. You can replace them with your own trusted confidants or keep it as it is."
He Zhuo gently stroked Hong Yu's little nose.
"Thank you, Mother, for thinking so thoughtfully of your son." Looking at her son's slightly red eyes, He Zhuo lovingly patted his head and joked with him.
"You are your mother's eldest son. Your mother will depend on you to take care of her in her old age. Are you going to abandon your mother?"
"How could that be? A son will always take care of his son. Besides, your mother isn't old; she's young and beautiful."
……..
The two joked around and then left the side room.
The family enjoyed a lively meal together.
In the blink of an eye, the 38th year of Kangxi's reign passed in this lively atmosphere.
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