Songzhi said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, the underground heating in Furong Pavilion was started two days in advance."
"The palace maids and eunuchs who served the Fifth Prince were all brought to Chuxiu Palace by Huang Guiquan and personally selected by Consort Cheng."
"The things that the Fifth Prince uses are all the best selected and presented to him, just like the Third Prince."
Consort Hua nodded. "It's good that there are no problems. Although the Fifth Prince was not raised in the palace, not only does the Emperor dote on this youngest son, but Prince Zhuang and his wife do as well."
"Otherwise, how could such a good child have been spoiled like that?"
Before Sun Miaoqing proposed to raise the Fifth Prince, Consort Hua didn't care much about the Third Prince who was raised in the palace, let alone the Fifth Prince who was raised outside the palace.
All I know is that he is frail and sickly, and although he is young, he is very mischievous.
After learning that Sun Miaoqing wanted to raise the Fifth Prince, Consort Hua asked Zhou Ninghai to secretly inquire about it.
I never knew a two- or three-year-old child could be so unruly!
Unreasonable crying, tantrums, and screaming. Deliberately breaking things and taking pride in it.
Even clothing has requirements; if it doesn't meet your expectations, you have to take it off and start over.
Despite his poor health, he was quite fast. The palace maids and nannies who served him could not catch up with him for a while if they were not careful.
Not only did he hide in Prince Zhuang's room, making the people of the Prince's mansion search for him for most of the day, but he also urinated in the wardrobe.
They peed all over Prince Zhuang's court robes. Prince Zhuang went to the palace to apologize, and the chubby orange cat also felt quite guilty.
Out of curiosity about the lantern, he secretly took the candles inside to play with. Not only did he burn the braids of two eunuchs, causing them to roll on the ground many times before the fire was extinguished, but he also almost set the whole house on fire.
If she had known earlier that the Fifth Prince was like this, she would have advised Sun Miaoqing to choose the Fourth Prince.
Although he was a bit older and could remember things, because of his birth, he wasn't liked by the big fat orange cat and was raised in the Yuanmingyuan Garden, living a cautious and timid life.
But such children mature early and are easier to discipline. Unlike the Fifth Prince, who is neither too lenient nor too harsh, no matter what you do, it's not good.
If Sun Miaoqing were to discipline the Fifth Prince Hongzhou too strictly, causing him to fall ill, it would be harming the royal offspring.
People will say, "If they're not your biological child, they're not your biological child. How can they truly love a child?"
If she spoils and indulges the Fifth Prince, others will say that she has not fulfilled her responsibilities as a mother.
Consort Hua shook her head with a tsk-tsk sound, as if she could already see the chaotic scene in Chuxiu Palace after the Fifth Prince Hongzhou entered the palace tomorrow.
Songzhi said, "Your Majesty need not worry. Consort Cheng has many methods; surely she can control a mere child?"
"Besides, even if the Fifth Prince causes trouble, he won't be able to reach our Yikun Palace and won't disturb Your Majesty's peace and quiet."
"If all else fails, there's still the Emperor. This is his own son; can he really just sit idly by and be a figurehead emperor?"
"I really want to see how the Emperor can teach the Fifth Prince, since the Third Prince has been taught for so long with little success."
*
Outside the palace,
The main courtyard of Prince Zhuang's residence is Mingyue Hall.
Prince Zhuang sat on the bed in his pajamas, while his wife sat in front of the dressing table, having her makeup and hairpins removed by a maid.
After everything was tidied up, the maids quietly withdrew, leaving only the couple in the room.
Prince Zhuang said, "You've worked hard for over a year. Tomorrow, we'll send Hongzhou to the palace and hand him over to Consort Cheng in good condition. That will be the end of our responsibilities."
"This newly appointed Consort Cheng is truly a rare and wonderful person!"
"I was just wondering how to get rid of this hot potato. She took it from the Emperor herself. She's such a good person."
Princess Consort Zhuang sat down next to him and said with a smile, "You're so old, why are you still arguing with an immature child?"
"Is it still bothering you about Hongzhou hiding in your closet?"
The thought of that urine-stained court robe made Prince Zhuang furious. Thank goodness the Fifth Prince wasn't his biological son; if he were, he would have given him a good beating.
“I’m not holding a grudge, I’m just furious. He doesn’t fulfill his responsibilities as a father and leaves the child with us, my husband and me.”
“Hongzhou is weak, and we, as his uncle and aunt, cannot discipline him strictly. Your Majesty’s words imply that we have been too lenient with him, which is why Hongzhou has turned out this way.”
“That’s good. Send the child back to him. I want to see how well he can teach him.”
Princess Consort Zhuang reached out and gently covered Prince Zhuang's mouth, "You haven't even had a drink yet, how can you be drunk?"
"How dare you criticize the Emperor! If the Emperor finds out, do you think you'll have a good life?"
Prince Zhuang said, "I only spoke to you a few words at home. The servants have all been sent away long ago. Who would know and spread rumors about it?"
"I'm only worried about one thing now. After Hongzhou is sent back, Consort Cheng will get tired of it after two days and then urge the Emperor to send the child back to us."
"When you go to the palace tomorrow, keep an eye on things and have a good talk with Consort Cheng. Remind her to be careful and patient with the child."
"It's normal for young children to be a little naughty. They'll be easier to manage when they get a few years older and more sensible. Don't give up easily."
Princess Consort Zhuang rolled her eyes at her husband, making it sound as if he was the one who usually took care of Hongzhou.
Although Hongzhou was mischievous, he could also be genuinely adorable at times. He would jump on her and call her "Auntie," his voice so sweet it warmed her heart.
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