Sochuo Luo held her daughter's hand and said affectionately, "Ningning is a little wronged, which is why we family members should stick together, otherwise we would have been chopped up and eaten long ago."
Changning's third brother, Changxing, was also there. He had been traveling between the north and south for trade, but now that his wife had given birth to a son, he was staying in the capital for a while longer. He quickly said, "Don't worry, sister, your third brother will definitely support you! Your third brother has prepared a lot of rare things for you this time, some from the south, some from the west, and some from the West. They're all packed in boxes. Take your time to look at them when you get back."
Changning nodded. "I know all three of my brothers are good to me. We've been visiting each other often since then. Our children have all been born and are growing up. Our friendship has grown through these interactions. Alin'a is the same age as Fengsheng'e, and the Prince even said he wanted him to be Fengsheng'e's little bead. And my third brother's son is the same age as our Feiyang'a, so they can study together."
The Manchus called companions to children studying together "haha beads," and these were usually eligible young men from the mother's maternal family, or from official families. This was considered the foundation of the young princes, and they would be the best resources and right-hand men in the future, whether it was for handling affairs or seizing the throne.
Yinzhen had originally considered Xihui, but he was four or five years older than Fengsheng, which was somewhat inappropriate. The newborn sons of his second and third brothers were exactly the same age as the two young princes.
Changxing nodded hurriedly, "Of course, but why didn't you bring Fei Yang'a in today?"
"He's still very young, only two months old, and is being looked after by his wet nurse and Granny Zhang."
Changrong was easygoing and most like Bodel, with a martial spirit. "Children should see more of the world. Now that I'm in the capital, why don't I teach Fengsheng'e? I'll take him horseback riding, practice buk-ku (a type of Chinese martial art), and archery!"
After saying that, he lifted Feng Sheng'e off the kang (a heated brick bed) and bounced him around a couple of times. Seeing that the boy wasn't scared at all, he liked him even more, thinking, "Good boy, he's got guts."
Then he placed Feng Sheng's forehead on his own neck and ran around the room twice as fast.
Feng Sheng'e wasn't particularly excited, but Hu Tuli was overjoyed, clapping his hands and shouting, "Uncle! Second Uncle! I want it! I want it!"
Evergreen beamed with joy, "Alright, alright, come and carry our Hutuli right away!"
After saying that, he picked up the two children like he was holding chicks, one on each side of his arm, and quickly circled them several times like a tiger descending a mountain.
Changning was also pleased, chuckling to herself. She thought it wouldn't be bad to have her second brother teach the two children martial arts. Hutuli knew some kung fu, so even if she married into Mongolia, she wouldn't have to worry about being bullied by her husband like Princess Rongxian and Princess Duanjing, and suffering constant mistreatment.
That night, when she was lying with Yinzhen, Changning told him about her idea.
Yinzhen's gaze was a little strange. "You want Hutuli to follow your second brother too?"
Feng Sheng'e could understand; boys need to learn riding and archery, and he would have found a teacher for his son anyway. But why should a princess like Hutuli also learn?
The child suffers so much!
Besides, even if she marries into Mongolia, wouldn't it be enough for him to provide her with a group of guards? Why bother practicing martial arts himself? He'll never become a master no matter how much he practices. Having a group of skilled fighters under his command is enough.
Changning felt that those things belonged to others, and only what she learned was truly her own.
Yinzhen couldn't understand it at all.
Those in high positions do indeed need to learn a lot, but there are many more important things to learn. For the rest, a broad overview is sufficient; there is no need to specialize.
For example, why should royal princesses specialize in singing and dancing? As long as they can appreciate and listen, that's enough, since there are plenty of performers.
However, seeing Changning's expression, Yinzhen decided to go along with her.
"Alright, alright, I'll listen to you. But Hutu doesn't need to train too much, just enough to keep her healthy. For a young girl like her, good health is the most important thing. Yierha and Honghui also need to exercise more."
After saying that, Yinzhen smiled and said, "I just saw a Western watch at Honghui's place. He said it was a gift from you?"
Changning nodded. "Yes, I went to my eldest brother's house today, and they prepared a whole carload of things for me! My third brother packed a lot of Western stuff. Do you like it, Grandpa?"
Yinzhen laughed, "I have quite a few in my storeroom, but most of them are decorative items. The decorative items over there are too flashy and not elegant enough."
Changning nodded. "Indeed, but I still quite like that mercury mirror. It reflects people clearly, and you can even see the finest hairs! It's just that Zhuiyu and the others were startled."
Yinzhen held her in his arms, enjoying talking to her about everyday things. "There's a mercury mirror that's about half a person's height in the storeroom. If you like it, have Su Peisheng bring it to you tomorrow."
“There’s no need for such a big one. Besides, the two children come to my place all the time. Granny Zhang said it’s not good for children to look in the mirror all the time.”
Speaking of children, Yinzhen thought of Fei Yang'a. "How is Fei Yang'a today? Has he cried or fussed?"
Changning laughed and said, "He cried, but what do you know? As soon as Feng Sheng'e comes back, he starts laughing, and snot bubbles even come out of his nose!"
Changning was both amused and exasperated. She then realized that her youngest son was actually a brother-obsessed man!
Neither my father nor my mother can coax me; only my own brother can do it!
This became increasingly apparent as Fiyana grew older.
Before he knew it, Fei Yang'a was almost three years old. His short legs were like a radish, and he followed Feng Sheng'e around every day calling "Brother, brother."
Logically speaking, a child this age should already have their own courtyard.
Honghui and Fengsheng'e also moved to the front yard to live with Fourth Master.
But Fei Yang'a, that brother-obsessed guy, runs to his brother's place in the front yard every day and sleeps with Feng Sheng'e every night.
Hutu sometimes teased Changning, saying, "Mother, Feiyang'a is practically Fengsheng'e's little follower. He's the most personal eunuch! He serves Fengsheng'e food at mealtimes and even hands him toilet paper when he goes to the outhouse!"
Changning rolled her eyes at her. This brat, how could she say such awful things!
Thank goodness she has a sweet face! But her way of speaking is just like her second brother's unreliable manner! She doesn't act like a proper young lady at all!
Hutuli grinned and hooked her arm around Changning's, saying in a coquettish tone, "Mother, don't be angry~ I was just kidding. My two younger brothers get along so well, and as their older sister, I'm just jealous! When are you going to give me a little sister?"
Changning tapped her forehead. "Little girl, you little rascal! Why do you want a younger sister? You already have an older sister. If you want sisters, go to the main courtyard and play with Yierha."
Hutuli is five years old this year. Her round little face is rosy and her dimples are faintly visible. At first glance, she looks like a little angel. But Changning knows that this girl is simply a little firecracker from Northeast China!
The two younger brothers in the courtyard, Feng Sheng'e and Fei Yang'a, were both well-controlled by her!
Unfortunately, Yinzhen was biased and only thought his daughter was good, practically praising Hutuli to the skies!
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