Indifferent to Buddhism, one expresses his true feelings
Traveling in late spring and early summer is a pleasant experience, especially when there are no people you dislike in your group but a few people you like very much.
Yinreng rarely had the opportunity to go out and have fun like this, and his mood reached a very high level. His third son shared the same feeling. He was a fat student and went out much less often than his father.
Kangxi looked at the two, one big and one small, with a smile. When Yinreng was still the same age as the fat boy, he had taken Yinreng out to play. He had the same curious eyes, and... the cheerfulness he suppressed while pretending to be an adult—to maintain good manners. Kangxi was very pleased that they had remembered his requirements even when they were little.
"I brought you out here to show you the people's livelihood. Come and see."
Once he was allowed to lift the curtain and look outside, the little fat boy was even happier than his father. He looked at Kangxi with sparkling eyes and said, "Can I look?" His little hands also pinched the edge of the curtain.
Kangxi suppressed his laughter and nodded. He couldn't open his mouth to agree, for he was afraid that he would laugh out loud if he did.
Yinreng feigned composure, glanced helplessly at his son, and then apologetically at Kangxi. Kangxi raised an eyebrow, feeling somewhat guilty about the Crown Prince being trapped in the capital. If he were to go on another tour this year, he might consider taking his grandson along, letting the fat boy represent his father. Presumably, the Crown Prince, left to toil in the capital, would be pleased and work diligently.
Glancing at his son, he felt even more strongly that his idea was a brilliant one. Feeling Kangxi's gaze, Yinreng smiled back. In this environment, he felt as if he had returned to the past. He didn't have to worry about the threat posed by the eldest prince, the twenty-year-long factional struggle, or the balance between crown prince and emperor. It was simply father and son.
Outside, the sound of horse hooves clattered. As accompanying princes, Yinzhen and Yinxiang had to ride horses, no question about it. Through the curtain, the fat student spotted his two uncles riding side by side, and greeted them warmly, "Hello, Fourth Uncle, Hello, Thirteenth Uncle." The two men shook their reins and nodded, and the fat boy smiled happily.
Curious eyes gazed at the green fields stretching out behind the carriage, and surprisingly, they spotted a live cow! Their eyes were glued to the cow, unable to be pulled away. Yinreng leaned over and peered out with them: "What are you looking at?" Hongdan lived in the Qianqing Palace, and although he could see him every day, now he couldn't even check his homework. He couldn't help but miss the days when father and son taught and learned from each other.
"Cow!" I couldn't help but chirp, "Is that a yellow cow or a buffalo?"
While Yinreng was carefully distinguishing, Kangxi had already calmly taken over the topic and leaned over to take a look: "Yellow ox. Didn't you see the picture I showed you last time?"
The little fat man's enthusiasm waned a little: "I've seen them, but I've never seen a live one. I don't know what the difference is. They're called water buffaloes, but they're not in water, and yellow cattle are too big..."
Kangxi laughed and scolded, "A water buffalo doesn't live only in water, nor is it a fish! Who says cattle can't grow big? This is a good year, so are you busy in the fields?"
The young eunuch who was huddled in the corner and waiting for orders cursed in his heart. The spring plowing season had passed, but the oxen were not being used to plow the fields.
Kangxi was halfway through his explanation when he noticed Yinreng still standing nearby, peeking out. He calmly sat up straight and said, "If you feel bored, go out for a ride with your brothers and stretch your legs. I'll be fine with Hongdan here."
Yinreng looked at his son and saw the clear words in his eyes: "Take me to play." He looked at Kangxi, whose hand was already resting on his grandson's round head. With a twitch of his lips, he urged his son, "Talk to Mafa and ask her to tell you about her experiences. Be good, and I'll take you out horseback riding in a couple of days..."
Kangxi gave him a sharp look and said, "If you don't leave now, we'll have to set up camp."
Yinreng shrank back and went to reconnect with his brothers. Satisfied, Kangxi pulled his grandson over and began a science lesson. The same incident repeated itself on the riverbank and in the fields. Yinreng's repeated attempts to talk to his son failed, and he grew bitter. He had no choice but to reconnect with his brothers after his father had taken his son away.
Brothers can also talk about good topics, such as Da Tiao.
Of course, Yinxiang would not show indifference in the face of Yinreng's concern. After a few polite inquiries, Yinxiang expressed his gratitude for the prince's concern. Yinzhen was more enthusiastic and asked Yinreng: "Does the prince know that this time, Khan Ama has given his thirteenth brother..."
All is implied.
Yinreng, who had some inside information, naturally revealed it to him: "The houses of the thirteenth, twelfth, and fourteenth brothers in Digandongwu are almost finished. Khan Ama seems to be arranging a marriage for them."
Speaking of his marriage, Yinxiang had to be seriously reminded: "My mourning period has not yet been completed." He hoped that the prince could remind the emperor.
Yinreng said, "Of course we should pay attention to this. I hope the Ministry of Rites won't be so confused. Just go back and tell them. This time it's just an arranged marriage, and we'll marry after the mourning period. Otherwise, by the time you're done with the mourning period, the next big selection won't be here yet. Wouldn't that delay you?"
Yinxiang then stopped objecting. Yinreng then asked Yinzhen, "When Khan Ama returns this time, I'm afraid he will ask the emperor's grandchildren to go to the palace to study. How are your preparations going? Have you learned anything in advance?"
Yinzhen attached great importance to this: "I also invited a teacher to teach me some of it."
"That's good."
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The tour, which lasted less than a month, had indeed brought Yinreng closer to Yinzhen and Yinxiang. Since they hadn't brought any female relatives with them, and the long nights and journeys had forced them to find other ways to pass the time, the bond between the three generations of grandparents and grandchildren quickly warmed.
Hongdan received a fan personally inscribed by his fourth uncle and an amber fan pendant provided by his thirteenth brother. The prince and the emperor became increasingly close, and the emperor confided in the prince many of his innermost thoughts, which, so far, only served to irritate the prince.
At the request of his brothers, Yinreng inquired with Kangxi about the arrangements for Yinxiang's marriage. Everyone knew that the position of the prince's consort had been decided before the grand selection. While the emperor hadn't yet determined who would be paired with whom, he certainly had a general guideline in mind.
When Yinzhen made this request to Yinreng, Yinxiang, though he didn't speak, remembered his mother's mourning period and his ears pricked up. Yinreng readily agreed: "Okay, I'll go ask. However, it may not be determined yet, I just know the general idea." He also wanted to know Kangxi's thinking.
That evening, Yinreng went to Kangxi's place. He read with him for a while and offered him a cup of tea. "The weather is getting hotter. I wonder how the Empress Dowager is doing. She loves to doze off on a day like this."
Kangxi said, "She has something to do, and I'm afraid she's in high spirits right now."
Yinreng pretended to think, then suddenly realized, "Is this the grand election this year?" Seeing Kangxi's expression didn't seem to care, he changed the subject, "We were talking about it earlier, but now I've forgotten it."
"Did you mention it during the day?"
Yinreng said very naturally, "We had nothing to do during the day, so we were riding and chatting, and we got to talking about Concubine De's mother preparing a marriage for my fourteenth brother."
"She too!" Kangxi said this and started drinking tea without saying anything else.
Yinreng smiled and said, "Of course a mother would be like this. Fourteenth brother is also lucky."
Kangxi thought he was lamenting about himself, but unexpectedly Yinreng added, "Although there are the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites, but... Thirteenth Brother's affairs still need someone to care and take charge. The same goes for Tenth Brother."
Kangxi narrowed his eyes, already having a plan in mind: "Don't worry about that. Leave the palace support matters to the imperial concubine."
Yinreng put his hand to his forehead and said, "That's right, it couldn't be more appropriate." He hesitated for a moment, wanting to speak but stopping himself before finally deciding to ask, "What kind of people would you choose for your tenth and thirteenth brothers?"
Kangxi noticed his expression and had already made his assessment: the Thirteenth Prince had probably consulted the Crown Prince. He was quite fond of both sons, and was happy to give them a break. He told them generously, "Even though their mother's children are gone, they still have me, their father. Naturally, they won't suffer any loss." Then he glanced at Yinreng and said, "Do you have any other questions? Ask them all at once."
Yinreng said, "Son, what do you have to ask? But is it useless to ask? Has Khan Ama decided on someone?"
Kangxi gave him a disdainful look. "You call that nothing to ask?" Considering that he was asking for Yinxiang's help, and out of brotherly affection, he told him generously, "I haven't made up my mind yet. Now that his mother has passed away, I must give him a good wife. I've decided to give Qishi's daughter to the Ninth Brother, and the Malhan daughter to the Thirteenth Brother."
Yinreng took the opportunity to inquire: "Thirteenth brother's mourning period has not yet ended. I wonder how old Thirteenth brother's wife is?"
"They are all from the same group, and they are all around the same age. What if they are two years older or two years younger? We can all wait."
"Khan Ama is right."
Speaking of family matters, Yinreng tried hard to restrain himself from talking too much about the concubines, so as not to cause misunderstandings. He could only talk about his brothers: "Thinking back then, my brothers were still young, and in the blink of an eye, they are all about to get married."
This sentence aroused Kangxi's emotion and he discussed the problems of the princes in more depth. Yinreng seemed to have just realized: "My eldest brother is going to marry another sister-in-law. The Ministry of Internal Affairs must be very busy this year." Tell me who my eldest sister-in-law is!
Kangxi did not mention the prince's eldest sister-in-law, but instead praised the prince's eldest brother: "The eldest brother is a bit reckless and irritable, but he is a sincere and lovely person. You brothers should get closer to each other."
The prince was dumbfounded. Just because his wife died, he was praised so many times. Yinzhi, are you lucky or unlucky? He was now a friendly and good brother, so he had to follow Kangxi's words and praise Yinzhi: "Khan Ama is right. I will remember your teachings."
Kangxi sighed, "He is a man of affection and righteousness. He has indeed become quite haggard, but fortunately he is not sad, otherwise I would be worried. Please comfort him."
This is so fucking irritating! This guy either looks down on his brothers, wishes them bad luck, or treats them like his lackeys. Where is his loyalty? He just does what he's told, and does bad things. Last month, I went to the training ground with you all the time, riding a horse and drawing a bow, and I was so haggard. [Beep——]
How hypocritical! Who would believe it? He even said, "My son often talks to my eldest brother. Last month, I heard him say that he was even asking the monks at Baoen Temple to chant sutras for my eldest sister-in-law."
Kangxi’s letter!
Kangxi nodded and said, "He's doing very well. Reading some scriptures has helped to calm his temper and make him more indifferent. I think it's very helpful. He's become much more stable now."
Yinreng's jaw almost dropped.
It wasn't until I got back to my own place that I put it back on, holding my chin with my hands. I couldn't fall asleep, and in the middle of the night I suddenly realized, "Look at things more indifferently."
Kangxi's original intention was to take life and death lightly, and not be a sentimentalist. But for Yinreng, it seemed to have a deeper meaning: don't push yourself too hard, and bide your time! Indeed, the eldest brother's pretense of indifference to fame and fortune immediately boosted the Khan's favor towards him.
Yinreng thought that his small Buddhist temple should be built quickly. However, he did not intend to become a lay Buddhist right after returning home, but wanted to proceed step by step so as not to appear abrupt.
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The Crown Prince, having made up his mind, urged the Crown Princess to start work as soon as he got home: "Clean up that courtyard in the northwest."
Shujia hadn't expected Yinreng to be even more anxious than she was about decorating the Buddhist altar. They had originally agreed to set it up in the spring, but various matters had delayed it after the New Year. Thinking for a moment, Shujia immediately agreed, "Okay. Finding everything is easy, but there's one thing that's difficult."
"how?"
Shujia decided to tell Yinreng what she had discovered long ago: "There are more and more palace maids and eunuchs in our family now. We have to select them. Those who are reliable should be placed close to us, and those who are sneaky and cunning should be kept away. There are two palace maids guarding that courtyard, and I haven't decided where to put them yet."
"Didn't we rectify this two years ago?"
Shujia smiled bitterly: "Isn't there a new one? Besides, the old one——"
"What happened to the old one?"
"The old ones only checked to see if anyone broke the law, but they didn't care if they were gossiping or not."
Yinreng's face turned serious: "What news did you hear?"
"Nothing is clear, but we don't know how many times these people went through when they were allocated to us. Except for some old people who were chosen by Khan Ama, the rest are... as long as they have no bad records, we don't know. But who knows how much they know, and when they will say something, or what they will do." Shujia was sure that Yinreng's temper, extravagance, and chaos for a period of time were definitely inseparable from these people.
"First, transfer him to the empty courtyard next door to work. Let's get the Buddhist temple ready," Yinreng decided to take care of the current situation. "As long as the law is not violated, other things can be resolved. By the way, Hongdan will be back to pay his respects to you tomorrow."
"What time?"
"The latter half of the afternoon."
"Okay, I'll ask the kitchen to make his favorite food."
"After you've seen him, you should focus on building the small Buddhist temple. And then clean up a quiet room for me in that yard." If you're going to do it, you have to do it completely.
"I save it."
The next day, the student Pang arrived on time.
Lost weight again!
Shujia was very suspicious that Kangxi was withholding her son's food! Even if he ate Master Kong instant noodles every day, he wouldn't be so thin!
"Why are you so thin?"
Hong Dan touched his face and said, "No, my son is much more energetic. Maybe he has become stronger after riding all the way."
"And he walks like a duck."
Hongdan blushed: "My son walked very properly."
Suspicious eyes: "What's wrong with you?"
Horseback riding...
The questioning revealed that the little boy, now not quite fat anymore, refused to comply, refusing to let his mother remove his pants to examine his injuries. Sometimes, a young man's dignity can be ignored, especially when it's his mother who's doing the talking. Several powerful maids swarmed over him, leaving the little boy feeling a chill on his legs and buttocks. He made up his mind: he would grow up, work hard, and seriously train in martial arts. At the very least, he wouldn't let a group of middle-aged women so easily remove his pants.
After ensuring that the wound had been properly medicated and bandaged, Shujia finally restored her son's dignity as a man. Then, the fat student seriously proposed that he would decline the Crown Princess's request for a night watch.
Yinreng also said, "Isn't it good that your mother loves you?" His face had already turned stern.
Shujia hid her face behind the round fan in her hand, and her shoulders shook with laughter, turning her plump face into a red apple. Everyone was wondering whether to laugh or not, but Yinreng immediately changed his tone: "Never mind, it's up to you." He would ask her again in the evening.
"Thank you, Ama, for your help."
Upon learning the truth, Yinreng remained silent for three seconds. When he first started learning, he had worked too hard and had experienced similar situations. However, because Khan Ama personally applied the medicine, he still felt very happy and comforted. Comparing his son's current state, he began to reflect on whether he had been too shameless back then.
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The prince's reflection was fruitless and he had to deal with another matter.
The Crown Princess told him that she was pregnant again and the imperial physician had just confirmed it, and she was more than two months pregnant.
Yinreng was delighted to have another child, but immediately thought of another question: "Why didn't I hear the Imperial Hospital report this month's health pulse?"
Shujia was silent for a moment, then whispered, "When the imperial physician came to take his pulse, I asked Hongtong's nanny to stretch out her hand to feel his pulse."
Yinreng was silent and listened.
Shujia paused, gritted her teeth and said, "A while ago, I had a tight chest. The imperial physician said it was from worrying. Wherever I went, there were people comforting me." Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I don't think my son can bear it this way. If others can do it, I can do it too. I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. I have to be well. I can't let anyone think that I don't want my son to be raised by Khan Ama."
Yinreng was silent, reached out, and gently embraced his wife in his arms.
"I felt something was wrong today, so I called the imperial physician and found out I'm pregnant." She gently pulled herself out of Yinreng's arms and slowly wiped away her tears. "I'm fine, and you shouldn't treat me as if I'm in trouble. I know the seriousness of the situation. I made a mistake in this matter, and there was nothing I could do at the time. If people think I'm 'sick' again, I don't know what I'll say."
He reached out and continued to hug him: "I know." The one who was taken away was also his son, and he felt the same way. He thought, he had to offer him up happily, and he couldn't let anyone find fault with him and spread rumors that would displease the emperor.
"If you have any problems in the future, don't keep them in your heart. Tell them after the incident is over, okay? I'm here for you."
"Yeah. What big things can happen in the future?" He raised his head and smiled through his tears. "Don't worry too much. You have enough troubles outside."
Why did he feel that a wife who didn't want him to worry about her made him want to worry about her even more? He patted his wife's back silently.
When he heard Kangxi's comments on the concubines, saying that he would first arrange concubines for the thirteenth and fourteenth brothers, Yinreng agreed and said, "They are indeed not young anymore. Let's first arrange someone to serve them. The thirteenth brother will be in mourning next year, which will be just right."
Kangxi had originally not intended to appoint a wife for him, as the Crown Prince already had two concubines and a host of maids. However, since the Crown Princess was pregnant, he still mentioned it out of courtesy.
Yinreng said decisively, "My son has to clean up the Buddhist temple and recruit staff. It's very busy and useless."
Firstly, he wanted to appease his wife. Secondly, he was convinced there were spies planted in the house, and they hadn't been discovered yet. If he took in another, he would have to hire more people to help him. If he brought in a few more, his life would be in vain. The eldest prince had already switched tactics from open to covert, from openly challenging him to playing various soft cards to gain closer ties with the Khan. There was always the possibility of something happening in the dark, and he needed to be vigilant. Anyone without obvious benefits would be kept out of the house to cause trouble. The Khan probably wouldn't like his son who was obsessed with women.
The author has something to say: In this building, if even one household changes a light bulb, the entire building will experience a power outage = =!
I'm so angry, the update was pulled into the draft box...
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