My mother came and went back
What will happen when the cheerful Crown Prince meets the Crown Princess who "doesn't take care of her body"?
According to common sense, the crown prince should be angry: "Why are you so dishonest?"
All of this presupposed that Yinreng needed to know what Shujia had done. Shujia had only said, "I went to Ningshou Palace this morning and heard a lot of dos and don'ts, and I still haven't figured it out." Yinreng, in a good mood and concerned about their future child, asked, "What did they say?" Ningshou Palace was filled with experienced women; perhaps they could help? Damn it, hadn't the maid from the Imperial Household Department been sent yet?
Shujia picked out a bunch of representative opinions and said a lot, also to give him a warning: "Everyone says something different..." Don't say I'm too nosy when the time comes.
Yinreng was in high spirits, his patience at full capacity. He discussed with Shujia: "So what do you want to eat now? Have you changed your mind?" Shujia thought about it seriously and said: "Not yet. Tell me, what if I start craving for strange things?"
Yinreng said indifferently: "As long as it's what you want to eat, I can get it no matter what!"
After a while, it was time for dinner, and Yinreng naturally wanted to see what Shujia wanted. Sure enough, it wasn't much different from before. Yinreng was torn between joy and worry. He wanted to say something, but it was all just polite, official language, devoid of any hint of thoughtfulness. He felt deeply frustrated. Back in the Qianqing Palace, Kangxi had always thought of everything, but here, besides a simple "Just tell me what you're thinking," there was no other way to show consideration.
For the first time, the Crown Prince felt a bit of a failure in socializing. He also realized that caring for others wasn't easy. He was touched by the meticulous planning of his life. However touched he was, and even more aware of his father's hardships, it couldn't offset the feeling of powerlessness within him. The Crown Prince, always pampered and flattered, and known for his own success, finally became stubborn!
Trying to recall, it seems his family had two pregnant women. Then I discovered he never formally visited their pregnancies. When Li Jiashi became pregnant, he excused her from work. He visited her twice, rewarded her with gifts, and let her rest. He then slept with Li Jiashi instead, avoiding contact with her. The reverse was also true. He had no experience, and his words were completely unconvincing; he only exploited the imperial physicians and pressured the Imperial Household Department.
It's true that the Imperial Medical Bureau is a veteran of such events. The last time a legitimate child was born to the emperor was over twenty years ago, and they were on high alert. But now, over twenty years have passed, and the old staff from back then are all gone. How dare these people say anything casually? Kangxi is still reasonable, but the Crown Prince, if he encounters any problem, he will really get angry!
The Imperial Household Department was also in a state of panic. While assigning a wet nurse was no problem, they were wary. It was said that the Crown Prince's reactions to pregnancy were even more intense than his wife's. If he were picky, someone would be in trouble. And the Emperor always believed, "Whatever my son does is right; if it's wrong, it's your fault." The Imperial Household Department had to be extremely cautious. They had compiled a list and dared not make a decision on their own. They had originally chosen a good-looking and healthy wet nurse for the Fourteenth Prince, but the Emperor disliked her background. Now... the Crown Prince's legitimate son... It was better to list many candidates and let the Emperor choose one.
At that moment, Xiluo Te arrived. She arrived earlier than the maids from the Imperial Household Department. The maids would have had to go through various checkpoints and handle various formalities, but she was alone and could make her own decisions. She packed her luggage, received her palace pass, and moved in directly.
The palace had a small courtyard reserved for women visiting their daughters. It stood out against a sea of yellow glazed tiles, its gray-tiled, red-walled structure standing out prominently. However, this privilege was reserved for concubines of high rank. As for the princes' wives, only the eldest wife's mother had visited their daughters for a day, while the two Li Jias only met their mothers briefly. The Crown Princess's case was an exception.
The mother and daughter were extremely happy to see each other, and before they knew it, tears were streaming down their cheeks. When Xiluo was still outside the door, Shujia had already stood up, and they faced each other, one inside and one outside.
Shujia was a protected animal, and the maids around her had never experienced such a situation before. They only knew one thing: treat her as if she had no ability to handle everything, and that was the only way to go. So now she was being supported by two maids, one on each side, with two eunuchs standing behind her. She held Hongxiu's hand, tears streaming down her face, and she forgot to wipe them away.
Women, aside from experiencing major changes during menstruation, do age slowly. However, Xiluo Te has been enjoying a comfortable life lately. Her family is reunited, and her daughter has married well. Prince Xin's wife, who came to pay her respects at the palace, reported that the Crown Prince and his consort are getting along well. Xiluo Te also has a rosy complexion and appears healthy.
Shujia took a step forward and was about to speak when Xiluo Te stepped in first and bowed. Shujia's mood suddenly dropped eight degrees of happiness. Hongxiu supported her, and seeing that she was stunned, she quietly increased her strength. Shujia took a breath and said, "Mother is here."
Xiluo Te was also crying, but she was happy. Shujia's marriage was definitely the best choice in this era. As a mother, she naturally hoped that her daughter could live a happy life with this excellent son-in-law. This involved many aspects, but the two most important ones were: first, the relationship between husband and wife, and second, their son!
The second one directly affects the first one.
Xiluotai had been worried that Shuxian hadn't gotten pregnant right after her marriage, and her two daughters-in-law had also taken a while to get pregnant. She was afraid her daughter would have the same experience. Now, she was pregnant! Xiluotai packed her things and went to see her daughter.
Upon entering, she was plump and fair-skinned, with rosy cheeks, a sign of excellent nutrition. She was smiling, a sign of good spirits. Even though Shujia would often wipe away tears mid-smile, Mrs. Xiluo could tell she was leading a comfortable life. She was happy, very happy.
No matter how happy she was, she had to pay her respects to her daughter. This gesture of respect dampened her daughter's good mood by half. Then, Shujia's group paid their respects to Xiluotai. Among them, Hongxiu and the other four were servants of the Shi family. Though now in the palace, they still couldn't forget their former master. They came first to kowtow, and Xiluotai hurriedly called out. With them leading the way, the rest followed suit, paying their respects in an orderly manner. They addressed her affectionately as "Old Madam."
Xiluo was very pleased and distributed red envelopes, which alleviated Shujia's discomfort.
The mother and daughter chatted about family matters. Shujia asked first: "What did you bring in your luggage, mother? Is there anything missing? Do you want to add anything? I have everything here." This was absolutely true.
Xiluo Te smiled and said, "I thought of this and brought everything that was convenient for me."
Shujia breathed a sigh of relief. "Is everything alright at home? Mafa and Ama are all good, of course. Even though my brothers are on duty in the palace, I can't see them and don't know how they're doing. Are my sisters-in-law alright? I wonder how my eldest sister is doing."
When Xiluo Te talked about this, her smile never faded: "Everything is fine at home. They all said that I should serve my master wholeheartedly..."
For the second time since her time travel, Shujia developed a physical aversion to the words "master" and "slave." She felt uncomfortable, her chest felt tight, and she felt like vomiting.
Seeing that her face was not right, Mrs. Xiluo Te hurriedly stood up and went forward: "What's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable? Every pregnancy is different. Some have smooth journeys, while others have discomfort... It's only been two months. Well, it's about time... What do you think?"
As soon as she said "you", Shujia felt better and forced a smile, "It's okay."
Mrs. Xiluo reached out and touched her forehead. Finding that the temperature was normal, she was in the mood to continue talking about some precautions for pregnant women.
In this way, those who wanted to complain that the Crown Princess continued to pay her respects on foot lost the opportunity. Shujia succeeded for the first time, and then... continued to succeed.
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Yinreng still gave his mother-in-law face. He made an exception and invited his mother-in-law to dinner that day. This meal made Shujia's pregnancy reaction come out again.
They say the more a mother-in-law sees her son-in-law, the more satisfied she becomes. Xiluo Te, the mother-in-law, rarely had the opportunity to see her son-in-law, so this time, her wish was finally fulfilled. The Crown Prince was handsome; that was Xiluo Te's first impression. He was very stylish. His kindness was her second reaction. At this moment, Yinreng, smiling, asked her to stand up, offered her a seat, and said, "I don't really understand these things, and this is her first time. It's a good thing you've arrived."
Xiluotai hurriedly said, "I never thought of such graciousness." How could a married daughter's mother go to live with her husband's family for a long time when she became pregnant? Did she not trust her husband's family? She only visited once or twice from time to time. When Shuxian was young, Xiluotai showed concern only by sending people to check on her, and the same was true for the two daughters-in-law of the Shi family. Therefore, Kangxi's arrangement was still very respectful.
The banquet is here, please take a seat.
Xiluotai had attended many palace banquets, and each time she had never been able to eat well, the symbolism of attending a banquet outweighed the food's delicacy. This time, the food at Yuqing Palace was truly excellent, the temperature perfect, and the flavors were not bad. Xiluotai was multitasking, monitoring Yinreng's movements, checking for signs of early pregnancy in her daughter, and even paying attention to her dining manners.
Yinreng was always smiling, and only when he saw that his wife seemed unable to eat would he ask anxiously, "Don't you like these? What do you want to eat?" He also asked Xiluo Te, "What did the Crown Princess like to eat originally? Do you know? Just tell me."
Xiluo Te felt more and more at ease. The young couple had a good relationship. After dinner, Yinreng said, "You guys talk, I have things to do." He had to have some plans for the upcoming military deployment. Apart from anything else, if there were any discussions on this topic in the coming months, he would need to have his own opinions and plans. Furthermore, he also had to contact his own people and hold a small meeting.
Dinner was served early in the palace. Shujia looked at the small Western clock on the treasure chest and saw it was only around three in the afternoon. She nodded and stood up. "Don't worry too much."
After watching Yinreng leave, Shujia and Xiluo finally had some private time to talk. Shujia didn't want to sit down or lie down, but no one dared to let her go out. She simply said, "I'm too full to sit down. Help me walk." Is it okay if I don't leave the house?
This time no one stopped me.
As they walked around the room, they continued to talk to Xiluo Te. First, Shujia asked about the family situation. She wanted to ask directly, "Has that guy who just ate here been doing anything silly lately?" But she couldn't. She could only beat around the bush and ask about her father and grandfather's moods and whether they had encountered any difficulties.
Xiluo Te said seriously, "When I came here, my family also told me that everything is fine at home. You are in the palace, just take care of yourself, and don't ask the Crown Prince for anything for your family..." She sighed, "Your Mafa and your father said that you understand all this, but it's just a waste of time. They asked me to tell you that they all understand what you said at home earlier."
Shujia hummed softly.
Then it was Xiluo Te's turn to ask questions: "The imperial physician said it's been two months. Have you felt any discomfort recently?" All of them were about pregnancy-related matters. Then she asked, "What have you eaten in the past two months, especially in the past ten days?" Hongxiu knew her well and interrupted, "Madam, the master has eaten the palace's allotment. Since it's summer, there are more fruits and vegetables... and she also had some ice cream. Is that okay?"
Xiluo Te was stunned for a moment, then immediately said, "It's okay that you can't see it now, but you have to be more careful next time. It's autumn anyway, and you don't want to catch a cold..."
After a while, Xiluo urged Shujia to rest and followed her in. Seeing Shujia lying down, she sat down beside the bed. The eunuchs had already left, and Xiuniu and the others had also tactfully left, leaving Hongxiu and Lujin to watch over. Shujia knew that the main part of the play was about to begin.
Then Xiluo Te asked, "It's been a few days since the diagnosis of pregnancy. Where has the prince been resting these days?" It was common knowledge that the prince had a concubine.
Shujia blinked. "It's right here." That's all you're asking? Don't worry, he'll survive the winter.
Xiluo Te was anxious: "You are pregnant, how can you have sex? It's not good for the fetus!" Her voice was low and anxious. Why are you so dishonest?
Shujia blushed: "We were just sleeping." We didn't do anything!
Xiluo Te blinked and chanted a Buddhist chant: "The prince really loves you," then hesitated and said, "But you have to feel sorry for him too." She hinted to Shujia that if the prince takes a concubine, she must not make a fuss.
Shujia agreed vaguely, but she also had a bottom line—if he didn't say anything, she wouldn't bring it up. Those two concubines were almost forgotten by everyone now. They couldn't show up in the early days after the wedding, though they still paid their respects. Later, when construction began on Xiefang Palace, they were simply confined. It was hard to even think of leaving. Since that was the case, I'd better stay put. I only have one husband, and anyone who gave in was a fool.
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And Yinreng actually came over for several days to "cover himself with a quilt and just chat." Shujia was full of doubts, but she was unwilling to speak up.
The truth she didn't know was this -
The Crown Prince was never one to compromise on material matters. If he needed something, he would always ask for it. He did this to give his wife face and to demonstrate his integrity. There was also another, more difficult reason to share: his sexual preferences were quite high.
Initially, concubines greatly satisfied the curiosity of young people about sex. However, the crown prince had high expectations for a high-quality and harmonious life. He loved excitement and disliked being restricted. Although he was raised in a cultured and educated environment, he enjoyed a life of material comfort, which cultivated his temperament—he sought to indulge himself in everything. Most women of this era were shy about sex.
For example, when it comes to eating, there are rules that prohibit eating too much. The Crown Prince can eat only enough to fill his belly, but the food he eats must be delicious and tasty. The same applies to sex: the concubines don't have to have too much, but they must be comfortable. As the Crown Prince's understanding of sex deepened, his sex life with his concubines became increasingly boring, and his original women were no longer able to satisfy this need. However, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess were highly compatible, and he didn't want to lower his standards to accommodate other women.
It's like asking someone used to fine food to eat the strange-tasting food in the cafeteria—it's impossible. As for sex, I imagine the prince wouldn't think of anyone else unless he was desperate. Food, sex, and sexuality are all connected. These two things are probably connected.
Besides, having sex with his concubine right after finding out she was pregnant was a bit rude. The prince nowadays still had some self-control.
Now, he wanted to talk to his wife more, to prove that he was... considerate and attentive when it came to socializing. Well, his wife was lovely, too. He was happy to talk to his wife, so who had any objections?
Since his mother-in-law was here, the topic naturally turned to her. When Yinreng spoke of other people's mothers, there was always a hint of sourness. If he was talking about Concubine Hui, he would have a slightly derogatory tone, but when it came to his mother-in-law, he was filled with envy and melancholy: "Are you happy to see your mother? You have family to accompany you for dinner. In this respect, you are better than me..."
Shujia pushed him and said, "You are talking about this now. You are still asleep and you are talking nonsense. Don't you have Khan Ama? When I was at my mother's house, I didn't have many meals with Ama. But you, you want to go whenever you want. Can Khan Ama chase you away? You are so eager." She glared at him and said, "I am already married. Ama doesn't want to see me anymore. Mother can only see me a few times now. Who is better? You actually go to Khan Ama's place to eat for free and come back to make me jealous."
Yinreng: ...It seems so...
Shujia wrinkled her nose and poked his forehead lightly with her finger: "I know, you are just here to tempt me. Tomorrow you will go to Ganqing Palace for a meal, and I will go to Ningshou Palace... I haven't had a mama since I was born..." So sad, "I must hold on to the Empress Dowager, grandmother, tightly and never let go." She smiled again.
Yinreng was thinking.
The next day, Kangxi, as usual, held court behind closed doors. Ministers from various ministries took turns presenting their reports. Yinreng sat in on the proceedings. When the matter was nearly finished, the Grand Secretary on duty brought forward the memorials that had been collected the previous day, signaling the end of the morning's conversation between father and son. Yinreng should have excused himself, but today, he refused to leave.
Kangxi was puzzled, but he still smiled encouragingly, "What do you have to say? You're so hesitant. That's not like you." His son had always been sharp-witted and articulate, always having a strong case for anything, whether it was requesting benefits or accusing someone of something wrong. It was completely different now. His expression, as if his age had been rounded off to a fraction, was truly... nostalgic!
Immediately, Kangxi was even happier. His prince, Baoyu, had been asking for a free meal. Kangxi's eyes, originally small, were now wide open, then narrowed into a smile. He was delighted and approved the request: "Okay, okay, that's perfect. Let's see what they said together," pointing to the memorial on the table, "you come and read it."
Was this... a windfall? Kangxi's care and education for his son were comprehensive, including advice and hands-on experience in government affairs. Yinreng felt that Kangxi's exceptional attentiveness seemed to have deepened the relationship between father and son.
The long, autumnal sunlight streamed in through the south window, and time seemed to have gone back more than a decade, to when Yuqing Palace was newly completed and he had just moved out of Qianqing Palace, feeling a bit out of place. During the day, Kangxi made a point of spending more time with him, picking out memorials or a book for him to read while his father listened.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was breakfast time. Seeing his son actually show up for dinner, Kangxi felt a surge of warmth, a near-intoxication. He'd assumed Yinreng had stayed to discuss something, but what happened? He'd spent two hours working alongside him, acting as his secretary, saying nothing more than simply showing concern for his father. Oh my, my son is truly perfect!
Kangxi enjoyed the meal very much. He was so happy that he started talking a lot. "Has Madam Shi arrived? Have you sent the maid from the Imperial Household Department? I'm afraid you'll be staying in Beijing this time. It will be hot and stuffy. Don't let yourself suffer..."
Yinreng listened to Kangxi's nagging, which was all about his concern. He noticed that his Khan Ama would say, "Bring this to the Crown Prince," and then, "The Crown Prince doesn't like that, change it." The look in his eyes was not much different from the way his mother-in-law cared about his wife, and he felt very satisfied.
Curling his toes in his boots and pressing against the soles, Yinreng put in an effort and said to Kangxi, "Khan Ama hasn't eaten much himself yet, so don't just focus on your son." Recalling what his wife had always said to him, as well as the interactions between his wife and mother-in-law, he continued a little awkwardly, "It's hot right now, so you might not have an appetite. Eat more vegetables to refresh yourself. Anyway, there are a few snacks to make up for it, so don't worry about being hungry. Eating too much greasy food will hurt your stomach."
After listening to Yinreng's words, Kangxi barely dared to speak. He had noticed Yinreng's hesitation earlier, wondering: Was the Crown Prince asking for something difficult? Unexpectedly, he was moved to tears by such a caring response. His son wasn't ignorant, but he had never said such thoughtful words before. The Crown Prince's words at this point were mostly expressions of gratitude, or... simply nothing at all. Surely, only after raising a child can one truly appreciate the kindness of their parents?
After Yinreng finished speaking, he felt awkward, lowering his head to chew a piece of watermelon. Suddenly, he realized that the palace was too quiet. Did I... say the wrong thing? Damn it! I knew it, such nagging words don't seem like what I should say. It's a bit shameful. Will it make Khan Ama angry and disappointed? He looked up and was stunned. This... is Khan Ama's eyes... red?
Oh, this... Yinreng swallowed his saliva, this...
Kangxi sniffed loudly. Wei Zhu handed him a handkerchief with a tactful look and added, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince is right. It's good to eat more refreshing food. Please wipe your mouth and rinse your mouth. The strong smell of meat and vegetables overwhelms the flavor of melons and vegetables, making it difficult to taste."
This ladder fits perfectly! Kangxi took a handkerchief and pretended to wipe his mouth. After hearing what Wei Zhu said, the eunuch offered him mouthwash. Hmm, clever! Kangxi quickly adjusted his expression and watched his son eat with a smile.
There is a warm and loving relationship between father and son in the Qianqing Palace.
Shujia was very happy to have dinner with her mother and enjoy her mother's care.
Everyone is happy.
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Xilute experienced the royal life up close, and people in the palace got up very early. After having breakfast in the yard, she went to Yuqing Palace. At this time, the prince and his wife had also eaten, and Yinreng was going to work - Kangxi was about to tour the frontier, and he began to adapt to taking over government affairs. His work became increasingly busy, which was also one of the reasons why His Royal Highness the Crown Prince temporarily forgot about his XXOO life.
Then, Xiluo Te accompanied her daughter to Ningshou Palace. As they continued walking, Hongxiu took the opportunity to complain, "Madam, the path through this palace is so long, yet the master keeps walking like this, not afraid of getting tired." She also wanted to ask, what if something unexpected happened on this long journey?
Shujia said bluntly, "Do you want me to sit and walk with you?" No matter how high-ranking Xiluo was, she couldn't afford to ride in a sedan chair in the palace. "Besides, more exercise is good for your health. When we were in Hangzhou, my mother also walked back and forth like this. Look how well Guanyinbao has grown."
Whatever you say is what it is. Don't be so proud, or you will be upset again soon.
Shujia walked, and Xiluotai didn't object much, remembering that she'd taken walks when she was pregnant (are you sure this girl wasn't the one who instigated it?). Shujia was worried she couldn't walk such a long distance, but then she saw that Xiluotai was wearing the kind of shoes with gold-plated soles common among middle-aged and elderly women, which weren't too high, and she felt relieved.
They arrived at Ningshou Palace without much conversation, at a leisurely pace. The Crown Princess was always the first to arrive, a matter of course. Both mother and daughter paid their respects to the Empress Dowager, who granted Xiluo a seat and then summoned Shujia to sit beside her in the "Crown Princess's usual seat," allowing the Crown Princess to continue experiencing the throne of a granddaughter-in-law.
Sirut’s thoughts: That’s great, I still have to rely on the elders to take care of me.
An old lady and a not-so-old lady began to talk about child-rearing. Before they had said a few words, the concubines also arrived.
Shujia realized that her mother couldn't stay in the palace much longer—there were so many people in the palace who dared to accept the Crown Princess's courtesy that they couldn't even count the number of slaps she'd received, but the Xiluo family's master had to take off so many socks. Watching her own mother pay such great tributes to people of lower status than herself, it was a real feeling...
Although the Empress Dowager remained benevolent and the concubines remained polite, Shujia's expression remained unsettled. She felt that Concubine Hui's expression was a bit cold and arrogant. You can't expect Concubine Hui to be unusually friendly to Xiluo Te when her daughter-in-law hasn't had any news and the Crown Princess is pregnant. If she's too friendly, everyone will suspect she's scheming. Concubine Hui, she's just unhappy.
Maybe it’s because of her pregnancy, Shujia’s mood has been fluctuating a lot recently, and her ability to suppress her emotions has become weaker, and she feels like her head is buzzing.
Xiluo Te kept an eye on her daughter, and almost immediately realized something was amiss. The Empress Dowager was second, and then… Ningshou Palace erupted in an uproar. Concubine Tong asked, "Hasn't the Imperial Household Department chosen a Nanny yet?" This reminded the Empress Dowager, "That's right, even though we have our biological mother, we can't treat her like a slave. What is the Imperial Household Department doing?!"
After this little incident, in the afternoon, people from the Imperial Household Department arrived—the maids they had chosen had arrived. There were four of them, all neatly dressed women, and from a distance, you could smell the same aura as the aunts from the Shi family: dignified, well-behaved, and not a single mess.
Xiluo Te smiled and said, "That's great. We are just some country folks. With the help of the maids, there will be no more omissions."
After the maids paid their respects and kowtowed, they began directing the process of burying chopsticks in the courtyard of Yuqing Palace. Breaking ground required permission. Yinreng was puzzled, "What are they doing?" Eunuch Cui, a gossipy man, knew all about it: "Your Highness, think about it! Chopsticks! Chopsticks! Have a baby soon!" Yinreng, amused, said, "Show me the chopsticks." They were a pair of red lacquered wooden chopsticks.
The prince, who was used to fine things, was dissatisfied: "Can't you find another pair of chopsticks?" He ordered the pair of gold-plated chopsticks he used for eating to be brought out, "Use these."
After this was done, the maids discussed the taboos with Xiluo Te and trained the palace maids on how to care for pregnant women.
Pregnant women had many taboos these days, starting with diet. Besides the foods that were officially forbidden by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), such as hawthorn, persimmon, longan, and dried jujube, there were also some that were previously considered safe, such as Job's tears. Then there were the medications. Any prescription Shujia took had to be reviewed by experts and approved by Emperor Kangxi before it could be taken.
Xiluo Te brought a trusted doctor's advice from outside the palace and told her daughter to be extremely cautious when using foods like astragalus and ginseng, and it's best not to use them at all! The same goes for tonics like deer antlers; excessive use can easily lead to miscarriage.
In addition, they are not allowed to eat rabbit meat because they are afraid of giving birth to a baby with a cleft lip.
The maternal, radiant scenes you see on TV are unlikely to happen with Shujia. Sharp objects like knives and scissors are not allowed to be touched during Chinese New Year, and even better, during pregnancy. The larger the family, the more important these are. Even the Crown Princess, who is protected like a panda, is best left alone and put away.
It is said that the arrival of the maids put many things on track. As Xiluo said, she did not know too many taboos in the palace.
However, with them around, Xiluo Te began referring to herself as "slave" to avoid being picked on. Shujia's mood worsened. And just like that, the arrival of her mother-in-law had triggered early pregnancy symptoms in the Crown Princess, who had previously shown no signs of pregnancy. She couldn't eat, felt chest tightness, and felt nauseous... She was completely overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, Shujia's early pregnancy symptoms were becoming strange. The morning sickness wasn't too severe, just dry heaving in the mornings and a few moments of discomfort during the day. Her diet was much more bizarre. They say sour food for boys and spicy food for girls, but the Crown Princess...
Today she wants to eat sour apricots, tomorrow she wants to eat spicy chicken, and the day after tomorrow she wants to eat hot and sour soup!
Is it a boy or a girl? The Queen Mother studied it seriously. The Queen Mother’s greatest pleasure now is to study the Crown Princess’ pregnancy reaction and to deduce clues from it. If she can’t figure out the reason from the diet, today it’s a boy, tomorrow it’s a girl, then she starts to study something else. Kangxi’s wet nurse, Lady Fengsheng Park, once said when she was alive: If a daughter-in-law in the family is pregnant, the family members will have a special dream, which is a fetal dream, and they can deduce whether it is a boy or a girl. The Queen Mother would chant before going to bed every day: "Buddha, let me have a dream today."
As for Yinreng, it seemed that he devoted all his time, from the moment he woke up in the morning, to his Khan-Ama. He attended court and ate with him until dinner was over and the emperor was about to turn over the cards. Only then did the father and son bid farewell and each took his wife away.
Shujia heard Yinreng say, "Khan Ama is in a good mood today... When the eldest brother said something mean to me, I was thinking about how to persuade Khan Ama to eat more and take a break at breakfast so as not to get too tired. Before I could say anything back, Khan Ama scolded him for me."
Shujia: You're the one in a good mood, aren't you? She smiled gently and said, "Yes, Khan Ama is wise. Khan Ama is wisest when he loves our prince. It seems that being idle for a while is good, isn't it? I saw you were in a daze at that time, and Khan Ama couldn't stand you being criticized, so he stood up for you. You're really bad... You didn't move, so Khan Ama did... Tell me honestly, did you do it on purpose? You took advantage of Khan Ama's love for you. I guarantee that Khan Ama stood up for you and still felt sorry for you because you're a good person and didn't argue with Big Brother."
Yinreng: My wife's smile is like a little fox that stole a chicken! However, what the little fox said seems... to be the case.
Shujia: You should at least come to your senses!
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As if heaven had heard the Crown Princess's heartfelt wishes, he gave her a rare favor. Yinreng seemed to have truly come to his senses, and his relationship with his father was incredibly sweet. During this time, the eleventh prince, Yinzhen, born to Concubine Yi, died. At his wife's persuasion ("Why argue with the dead? You won't appear petty. Besides, Khan Ama has always been a loving father, so he naturally cherishes our brotherly love. Just treat him as Khan Ama."), Yinreng diligently accompanied his father through his grief. Kangxi was deeply comforted, and the pain of his loss eased somewhat.
Time passed into August. After enjoying a long moment of parent-child interaction with Yinreng, Kangxi patted his back and fled to the outer reaches of the Great Wall. He left his sons, who had been spending every day with him, behind in the capital to look after the family. He ordered his eldest son Yinzhi, the third son Yinzhi, the fourth son Yinzhen, the fifth son Yinqi, the seventh son Yinyou, the eighth son Yinsi, the ninth son Yin'er, and the tenth son Yin'e to accompany him.
On the one hand, Yinreng felt that Kangxi trusted and valued him, but on the other hand, he was unhappy. With a tone so sour that it could make you sweat, he said, "They all followed the Khan, and I'm so far away that I can't say anything." Shujia said, "If you have something to say, why not write a letter? Don't they have to send memorials to the camp by express horse every day?"
"Khan Ama works hard day and night, how can I let him bother to read my gossip?"
Shujia wanted to slap him: "Maybe Khan Ama loves to read your gossip? Loves to hear you ask him if he's eating well, sleeping well? To avoid tiring him, just write less, spread it out, a small paragraph every day. Even if you reply, you don't have to say a few words, and the father and son's longing for each other will be fully expressed. How wonderful is that? Back then... when my Ama was in Fujian, I wanted to write, but there was no one to deliver the letters. Ama came back and said that he was exhausted at that time, and the most comforting thing was to read a letter from home, and he really forgot all the hardships."
Yinreng only heard the last sentence: "Did your father really say that?"
Shujia nodded firmly!
Yinreng began writing to his Khan-father. Kangxi, eagerly awaiting his son's little note, smacked his lips every time he finished reading it. He wrote back earnestly, "I'm well. I'm deeply relieved to know all is well in the capital. Since leaving the capital, the weather has grown cooler. Reading the Crown Prince's letter, I suddenly felt warm... It's just that there aren't enough words." He carefully placed the note in a box and tucked the key around his waist.
The Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching. Shujia had been eyeing this day for the most part. Coincidentally, Xiluo Te had been at the palace for nearly a month, and her morning sickness was gradually easing. Mid-Autumn Festival was the perfect excuse to bring Xiluo Te home, saving her the hassle of formalities and even kowtows to those of higher rank. No matter how fragile a pregnancy was, or how much she longed to see her mother, she couldn't have her kowtow at the expense of everyone. That would have been even more painful.
Xiluo Te's understanding of this was that the palace had strict rules, and she felt embarrassed to stay here all the time, as it would seem she was worried about the people there. After a month of observation, she saw that Shujia was indeed doing well, and she felt relieved. She also needed to go home during the Mid-Autumn Festival to report to her family that she was safe and to tell them about Shujia's current life.
Yinreng’s understanding was: his wife is so considerate.
The world is big, but pregnant women are the biggest. Anyway, in the end, this proposal was passed.
However, this also meant that she would be reunited with Yinreng's concubines and illegitimate sons, admiring the moon and flowers.
this……
The author has something to say:
A very long chapter, right? Ten thousand words more ^0^
That... the next chapter... is over!
I'm going on a business trip to Nanjing and I have to work part-time as a tour guide. My boss is asking me to do two different jobs for one salary. It's even more tiring than Lao Kang...
I can only wait until Monday to update again. If there are not many updates by then, don't be disgusted. Three thousand words is still a lot, and it will take me several hours to write. Covering my face, I am stuck in the writer's period. The next chapter... The plot is very tense, and I will write slowly TT
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