Reading is a physical activity
As a father, Yinreng was quite qualified according to the standards of the era. Not only did he take care of the fat boy, but he also did not neglect or abuse his illegitimate son.
The family rules of the Qianqing Palace were to embrace grandchildren rather than sons, and to be stricter with sons. That was standard. A strict father and a kind mother, so of course a father had to maintain his dignity and set a good example for his son. Meanwhile, the Crown Princess also cooperated perfectly, with the couple playing the role of the good cop and the bad cop.
Of course he was happy when his illegitimate sons were born, but he himself was still a young man who was not very sensible. Expecting him to take care of the children was overestimating him.
According to the rules, the illegitimate sons were taken away and raised far away, not in Yuqing Palace. That was the palace's rules. There were wet nurses and nannies, so why would the crown prince need to look after his sons? This was a limitation of objective conditions, wasn't it?
It's so unrefined for a grown man to look after a baby! That's a woman's job.
You can't expect the Crown Prince to be a nanny. Even with the little fat boy whom he cares about more, he spends more time playing with his son, or to be honest, he spends more time playing with his son with his wife. It can't be said that he is taking care of the child. It is true that he makes things worse and makes the child cry, and it is true that he increases the workload of the nanny.
Furthermore, the little fat boy was the legitimate son, and he was raised in Yuqing Palace, so seeing him every day would inevitably make him closer. He copied the way Kangxi treated him to the little fat boy, and even felt that he had inherited his father's true teachings.
From this point of view, the Crown Prince had been tricked into a trap by the Crown Princess without realizing it, and he thought he had jumped in willingly to play.
Now the situation was different. His sons were in school, and it was time for him to fulfill his responsibilities as a father. Yinreng would also check his sons' homework every day, checking their memorization and commenting on their writing. He felt that this was part of his job.
The children's homework was very simple, and since they were just starting to learn, checking their homework every day wouldn't take up much of his time. It was possible that Yinreng squeezed out half an hour every day to check their homework, like squeezing toothpaste. Both children had IQs that were at least above average, and their handwriting was passable for beginners.
Yinreng naturally hoped his sons would be geniuses, but since their studies had just begun, he could only control his temper and take his time. On the first day, the teacher didn't dare give them too difficult lessons, but he couldn't make them too easy either. The example of Kangxi making things difficult for Geng Jie and the others was still fresh in his mind.
First, I taught them to hold a pen and write simple characters, then had them trace them. They were nothing more than "Shang Da Ren Kong Yiji" characters. The palace was rich in resources, and at least the Crown Prince's sons weren't being treated unfairly. After half a day, the results were quite impressive. I'd organize them first, and once the two children had adjusted to the learning process, I could begin teaching them the lesson.
Yinreng insisted on asking about his son's homework every day.
Shujia noticed it the second day he started following this routine. It must be said that the Crown Prince's schedule was quite tight. No one would notice if he lost five minutes, but if he took half an hour a day to do something else, the Crown Princess would notice immediately.
"Wu Mingli."
Eunuch Wu stepped forward and said, "Your servant is here."
"I seem to remember that the Crown Prince went to inspect the horses sent to the Imperial Court today?"
"Your Majesty, that's right. The prince was still muttering about it before dinner this morning."
"Well, go to the front and call Cui Yuzhu."
“Yeah.”
Eunuch Cui was brought in like this, entered the room, and kowtowed to pay his respects.
The Crown Princess was looking over the list. The first wife was about to give birth, and she had to prepare gifts for the third day bath, the full month, and the hundredth day. Next came the third and fourth wives, because they didn't know whether it was a boy or a girl, so they had to prepare gifts for both boys and girls.
Because Hongyang and Hongxi went to school, Shujia was inspired to think about early childhood education. She also planned to make some literacy cards with Yinreng when he came over, so that they could use them for the fat boy.
Before Eunuch Cui entered the room, Shujia heard footsteps and casually asked Yuniu to take the list aside. After Eunuch Cui kowtowed, she said, "Stand up."
Eunuch Cui got up, still unsure of what the Crown Princess had called him for, so he could only remain there. After a long while, seeing that the Crown Princess hadn't spoken, he mustered up the courage to ask, "Master—I wonder what you want me to do?"
"The weather is getting colder, and the Crown Prince is running from Yuqing Palace to Qianqing Palace every day. Have you asked someone to bring a cloak?"
Eunuch Cui was puzzled. "Since last year, haven't you made it a rule to always remember to add clothes for the Crown Prince? You reminded me the other day, and I haven't forgotten." He immediately replied, "According to the master's instructions, the Crown Prince has already added a cloak to his clothes when he goes out. Because it is autumn, he doesn't need a full fur cloak. He will change to a fur cloak in October."
"Well, what has the prince been doing these days? Are you tired?" Slowly getting to the point.
Eunuch Cui thought carefully, "The Crown Prince has not been much different recently. He still gets up early to study, attend court, handle government affairs, receive the emperor's orders, and do things according to them... He comes back to our Yuqing Palace to have meals. The weather is getting cooler, so there is no need to take a break. He can sit with the master for a while, drink tea and chat, and look after our Third Prince. In the second half of the afternoon, he will continue to do business..." Ah! I remember now! The two little princes from Xiefang Palace will come over in the afternoon, and the Crown Prince will test their homework.
Oh no! How could I be so politically insensitive? I didn't report this to the Crown Princess right away! Oh my god! How could I have forgotten this?!
He quickly recalled and reported honestly: "At the beginning of the afternoon today, the prince summoned the two young princes to ask about their homework..." He even reported the tone and expression of the father and son at the time.
Shujia blinked at Eunuch Cui's report. She remembered yesterday afternoon, just as she was wondering about Yinreng's daily routine, Hongyang and Hongxi came to pay their respects. They said, "The sons are back from class, but the uncles still have another half-hour of horseback archery practice before they disperse." Hongxi also asked, "Mother, when can the sons stay a little longer with the uncles?" He ran over and shook Shujia's arm, "Can you please talk to Father for us?"
What did she say then? "Your uncle is holding back, afraid he'll challenge you when you, Mafa, return. Don't worry, just listen to your father. Your thirteenth and fourteenth uncles are several years older than you and taller, too. When you're as tall as them, you'll be just like them."
Hongxi thought about how his seat had been given up to the front row by his uncles Thirteen and Fourteen because of his height, and he instantly felt deflated, which made Shujia laugh. Then he sent them back: "I was going to take you out for fun, but now I can't. You have to study and review your lessons. Go ahead, go to bed early today, because you have to get up early tomorrow."
When Yinreng returned that evening, Shujia asked him, "What kept you busy today?" Yinreng didn't think that checking his son's homework was an extra burden. He replied, "As usual, starting tomorrow, I'll go pick out the horses and send them to the camp." He even said with a hint of pride, "Khan Ama trusts my ability to pick out horses."
Now that she thought about it, it was probably because Yinreng had finished examining their studies and asked them to come to the back to pay their respects. It was a crime they had committed. She couldn't bear to separate them, but now that they were so close, she, not their biological mother, felt a little uncomfortable.
Even with all the tangles and difficulties, now wasn't the time to be dazed. Eunuch Cui was still standing there. So Shujia calmly maintained her standard Crown Princess demeanor and whispered, "Are you done?"
Eunuch Cui was a bit foolish. Wasn't that all he had to say? Had he guessed wrong? Wasn't the Crown Princess asking about the illegitimate son? Which woman in the palace didn't value herself and her son more than her life, fearing that someone else's son would please their husband more? Well, the Crown Princess also had a son!
I had to respond, "That's all I know." But I was sweating in my heart. Just ask me directly what you want to ask. How could I dare to hide my thoughts in front of you?
"I'm asking you, has the Crown Prince ever said anything about anything related to the Gandongtou Office? Every time I ask him, he just gives me a vague response. Now that the day is getting closer, and the Khan and the eldest prince are not in the capital, what exactly is his plan for the First Lady?"
So that's what they were talking about. Eunuch Cui breathed a sigh of relief, and the smile on his face became even more sincere. He leaned forward, took the hot tea from Zichang's tray, and personally brought it over to exchange for the cold tea. "Don't you know what our master is thinking? When he said it was neither salty nor bland, it really was neither salty nor bland. Anyway, there's that one from Zhongcui Palace, so it can't be blamed on us." After saying this, he even smiled smugly.
They are all waiting to see the eldest prince make a fool of himself again, even with four daughters.
Shujia chuckled: "That's right, it can't be blamed on us anyway."
Eunuch Cui was rewarded with tea, giving him enough face. Eunuch Cui took a sip of tea, calmed himself, and his cleverness returned. The more normal it seemed, the more it felt amiss. After a little speculation, he felt that the Crown Princess was more concerned about the relationship between the Crown Prince and the illegitimate son. The eldest wife was just an excuse. With the Crown Princess's shrewdness, how could she not know how to deal with it?
But any wise person knows that words shouldn't be spoken out loud; they should be kept in the heart. As a legitimate mother, it's perfectly normal for the Crown Princess to show some concern for Shuxin's studies and their relationship with their father. Even Hongyang and Hongxi respectfully addressing her as "E'mother" is a mother's duty.
This master is incredible! After sighing, Eunuch Cui comforted himself, saying that the Crown Prince was controlled by the Crown Princess and had a son, so there was no hope of alienation. Fortunately, I surrendered long ago. Although it was forced, I don’t have to worry about standing on the wrong side. After comforting himself, Eunuch Cui once again put on a look of trepidation and took his leave.
What he didn't know was that less than a quarter of an hour after he left, the Crown Princess mentioned him again in a conversation with "her own people".
Wang Youde took the list that had been drawn up and said, "I'll go pick it out right away."
"There's no rush. I have nothing to do, so just talk to me." Bored people ask others to relieve their boredom, regardless of the fact that they have work to do.
Wang Youde had no choice but to stand with the list in his hand: "Master, what do you want to say?"
"In which year did you enter the palace?"
"I entered the palace in the 29th year of Kangxi's reign, and it has been six years now."
"It's not short." It's not long either. He was able to get here, so it shows that he is quite capable.
Wang Youde said softly, "Not very long. In this Yuqing Palace, half of them have more seniority than me."
"Oh? How do you mean?"
"Among my group of servants, Wu Mingli, Lin Sier and Li Zhongxing all entered the palace in the 29th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign. There are even earlier ones in the Crown Prince's side, and Chief Cui is the oldest. However, there are also new ones in the Crown Prince's side, all of whom are replacements." The predecessor was beaten to death, so it is safer here with the Crown Princess.
Shujia raised the corner of her lips and asked, "What is Cui Yuzhu like?"
How should he answer this question? Wang Youde said cautiously, "He...serves the Crown Prince very attentively..."
Before he could finish his words, he heard the Crown Princess laughing above him again: "When the water is too clear, there will be no fish; when a person is too strict, there will be no followers."
"I am a stupid servant. I don't quite understand." Wang Youde smiled foolishly and bent down to answer.
Shujia glanced at him and said, "A clear water pond doesn't have fish in it, so it's okay if it's a little muddy. But you can't let it become a muddy pond."
What did this mean? Was he dissatisfied with Eunuch Cui? Wang Youde's thoughts began to wander, and Wu Mingli and the others beside him also became more alert. Everyone could see that the Crown Princess now had a great influence on the Crown Prince. Furthermore, those with sons were very powerful, so the Crown Princess had to cling to her. Those who followed the Crown Princess around would be fools if they didn't take advantage of this opportunity to make a name for themselves.
The top eunuch in Yuqing Palace is Eunuch Cui. But as everyone knows, upon arrival, the Crown Princess quietly accepted many of Cui's lucrative assignments, a sign of dissatisfaction with him. At least, she doesn't consider him one of her own. But we're different. We were assigned to the Crown Princess's position upon arrival. Isn't that perfect?
...That's a good job!
Closely unite around the Crown Princess, with the goal of enriching everyone's pockets and the means of making the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess comfortable. Eunuchs, work hard!
The four of them, faced with the external enemy, Eunuch Cui, communicated with each other through eye contact and instantly became more united than ever. They decided to hold a small meeting during their evening break. The central topic was how to file a complaint against Eunuch Cui and bring him to justice!
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They all misunderstood the Crown Princess's original intention.
Shujia believed that Eunuch Cui had already been denounced by the eldest prince, and that he would soon face misfortune. She didn't want to remind Yinreng to protect him because... Yinreng needed to be wary of those around him using his influence as a pretext to damage his reputation. Shujia was just trying to use this opportunity to remind Yinreng to clean up his surroundings.
Eunuch Cui exploited his position as the chief eunuch to extort money and oppress the good, and I'm afraid all of this will ultimately be blamed on Yinreng. This is a perfect opportunity to squeeze out a problem, punish Eunuch Cui, and pin the blame on him (which he certainly did; Yinreng, the idiot, doesn't have the energy to do that), allowing Yinreng to escape unscathed. It's also a way to show Kangxi that your son is immature and has flaws, posing no threat to the throne. He's still second in command, and his leadership skills aren't as good as yours. Look, someone close to you is in trouble, right?!
It’s just a pity that the family had to work very hard to take control of Eunuch Cui’s private residence.
Eunuch Cui was no good, but he was already enjoying a good meal. Wang Youde and the others, on the other hand, were still waiting for more. If they made another fortune, the reputation of Yuqing Palace would be ruined. She was warning them: when it's your turn, don't go too far!
At the same time, it's also a hint. If you have a chance, show me what you can do! For example, after all these years in the palace, do you have any good connections who can get the inside scoop on the Gan Dongtou? I'll have to decide what errands to assign to you based on your 'ability'. Sometimes, palace maids really aren't as convenient as eunuchs in handling things.
You don't need to help Eunuch Cui step down. What you need to do is to show yourselves!
A group of foolish eunuchs were misguided, desperately searching for Eunuch Cui's faults. They weren't inherently evil, and were diligent in their work, neither loyal nor treacherous. They were skilled in serving their masters. A frown from you, and they knew if you were thirsty or hungry. A pout from you, and they knew if you liked what they were saying or if you were dismissive. They were also excellent at gathering information, knowing who had grudges against whom, who had done whom a favor, and who was from the same hometown. They were chosen to serve the Crown Princess because they were capable of serving others without being evil.
These people could easily live a comfortable life outside the palace, but they chose to become eunuchs!
This is what it's like to be a eunuch. In the Ming Dynasty, you could still have the eunuch Sanbao as your idol and work hard to be remembered forever. But in the Qing Dynasty, in order to prevent the emergence of the Jiuqiansui, eunuchs were severely suppressed, so you had no choice but to work hard for your personal future.
Besides, Eunuch Cui is really not a good person!
Wu Mingli finally discovered: "He also helped He Ergui, who worked for Gan Dongtou! He must be a spy!"
You're a spy! That day, Chief Cui had just received a red envelope of two hundred taels, and he was in a good mood. When he saw a little eunuch being slapped in the face, he just said a few nice words.
The Crown Princess could only comfort herself: At least, with their IQ, it would be difficult for them to cause me any big trouble!
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After learning about Yinreng's new plan, Shujia had to accept it no matter how conflicted she was. Yinreng was right. She was just being hard on herself.
Yinli, on the other hand, was worried. On the fifth day, Yinreng came to complain, with a touch of paternal pride and a bit of hope for his son's success: "Hongxi is fine. The teachers said he is as good as anyone else. It's hard for me to mention Hongyang."
Little Hongyang’s experience tells us a profound truth: studying is a physical activity.
Hongyang was in poor health and started school a little later. He studied with his younger brother, and although he was able to cope with the situation intellectually, he was somewhat lacking in physical and mental qualities.
Waking up early every day isn't a big deal, as long as my body clock is adjusted and I can go to bed earlier at night. The problem is the heavy homework that comes next. Reading a sentence 120 times is exhausting after reading half a page. Writing again 120 times makes it hard to lift my thin arms.
The teachers didn't dare to reduce his lessons, as this was the only way Kangxi had taught him. They had no choice but to ask Yinreng for instructions. Yinreng was both worried and annoyed. He was dissatisfied, extremely dissatisfied. How could this be his son?!
Then he asked, "Where is Hongxi?"
This was an easy answer. He was smart, studious, and in good health. Teachers would prefer such a student to his brother. This promise made Yinreng feel a little better. Finally, he said, "Let Hongyang learn the same thing as Hongxi. He is the older brother, several years older than you. He is weak, so you can let him go a little on riding and shooting, but you can't skimp on books! If he is weak in body, does that mean he is weak in brain too?"
Even death is not disgrace. This is the principle. The man insisted strangely.
The masters dared not say a word, but just your words are enough.
In Hongyang's eyes, going to school with his younger brother and doing the same as him academically was already a bit off. After a few days of classes, he also learned that around the age of six, all imperial children of appropriate age had to apply to attend school. There were regulations for the princes: they were admitted at the latest when they turned six. Those close to the imperial family could apply, and if the emperor was pleased, they would be allowed to attend.
As for the emperor's grandson, since there had been no regulations (this was the problem with the new dynasty, many things were not remembered until the last minute and could be implemented accordingly), and he was the first one, he was in poor health, so he did not apply. In other words, because of his poor health, his father did not apply, and his grandfather did not think of stipulating how the emperor's grandson should be admitted to school.
Then, when it came to studying, he and Hongxi were making the same progress. However, as the older brother, he wasn't as good as his younger brother, and the young man began to feel uncomfortable. When it came to riding and shooting, he, the eldest brother, was just as good as his younger brother. He was even the same height as his younger brother!
I can't compare physically, so I have to study harder, so that I can be worthy of being your brother! My foundation is weak, and the harder I work, the more it will hurt my body. God knows where this little kid got this determination, he has to be better than his brother before he is satisfied.
If Shujia were his biological mother, she might have offered some counsel, but she was still a distant relative and couldn't let her illegitimate son "lose his ambition." She could only watch Yinreng fret and then ordered Hongyang's wet nurse and nanny to monitor his diet and ensure he was on time, including going to bed at 8 p.m. And getting up at 5 a.m.! For a child in kindergarten or first grade, nine hours of sleep isn't much.
It would be better to leave this matter to Li Jiashi. He brought Li Jiashi over and gave her a good warning: "It's good to study hard, but you must not harm your health. As long as there is life, there is hope."
Li Jia nodded anxiously, sweat already beading on her forehead. "I'm at my wit's end. He won't listen no matter what I say." Children's language and brain circuits differ greatly from those of adults, leading to severe mother-child communication problems. Li Jia, lacking any knowledge of child psychology, could only nag her daily, "If you get sick again, I'll be heartbroken." "If you work so hard and get sick again, won't that delay your studies even more?"
Hongyang, on the other hand, couldn't think rationally about what she was saying (how old was he?). Only his innate competitive spirit kept him going, and he refused to listen. In his mind, he wanted to retort, "I don't want to be sick."
Shujia didn't dare take on this task. Given the failure rate of Qing imperial princes and the precedent of Yinreng's two deceased daughters, she couldn't avoid such a hot potato. You couldn't blame her for being cold-blooded. Looking at the child's condition, who would be held responsible if something happened? Li Jia had cared for her own son for so many years, and the child was still alive. If she intervened, and the child died (though she didn't want to), she would be in tatters. In this palace, being a mother to someone else's child required not only kindness, but also courage and luck.
She could only say, "Just as I said, tell him to rest more. You're his mother. Give him some advice, don't force him. Children tend to be stubborn."
Even this won't work. Children who have been ill for a long time are sometimes very sensitive. The more careful you are with them, the more they will feel that you are looking down on them through tinted glasses, and the more they will become stubborn.
Li Jia was so anxious that two of her hairs turned white.
Little Hongyang's hard work cast a shadow on Mrs. Li Jia's joy over her son's studies.
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While Yuqing Palace was in both pain and joy, the eldest wife, who had lost hope and no longer had any interest in whether she would give birth to a boy or a girl, finally gave birth at the end of September.
Since it was night and everyone was asleep, Shujia had to get up again after hearing the news. Yinreng was still half asleep, mumbling, "It's nothing new." Shujia pushed him and said, "You can't go. I have to go. If we disturb the Ningshou Palace, someone will have to persuade her to stay out of the fun. I say, why don't you move aside?" Yinreng slept on the outside of the bed, blocking the road.
Yinreng let out a breath, frowning deeply. He sat up with all his might: "I'll go with you! I still have to write a memorial to Khan Ama to report this matter and give my good brother the good news." He said this with gritted teeth. Doing something that went against his will really made him unhappy.
He dressed hastily and looked up. It was four o'clock in the morning! No wonder Yinreng was so unhappy. It was still an hour before he got up, the time when he least wanted to open his eyes.
In the chilly wind of late autumn and early winter, wrapped in a large cloak, Shujia rushed to Gandongtouso. Yinreng, on the other hand, had to run outside to help out. He couldn't witness the birth, but who could blame him for being the male heir? It was his job to consult the imperial physician.
When Shujia arrived, she saw that the labor pains had just begun. The first wife was experienced and felt something was wrong in her sleep, so she called for help. Now everyone came and the pain stopped after a while.
Normally, only the first child would be difficult, with subsequent births becoming easier. However, the eldest wife's frequent births damaged her health, and surprisingly, her life was no better than her first. A crowd gathered outside. After a while, the Empress Dowager woke up. Seeing that the Crown Princess hadn't come to pay her respects, she inquired and learned that the eldest wife had given birth, and she wanted to join in the fun.
Her arrival made the place even more lively. Yinreng was so frightened that he almost flew away. He had been preparing to meet the court officials, but now, how could he leave? The old lady was old and not strong enough. Even with her thick clothes, she was still shivering with cold. He had no choice but to step forward and stop her: "It's okay, it's really okay, the concubines are all here."
After a lot of effort, in the afternoon, the eldest wife finally gave birth to the child safely.
A boy, whose grandfather had already prepared a name for him, was born. Hongyu, the legitimate son that Yinzhi had longed for, was born.
Yinreng gnashed his teeth. He had already dealt with the affairs of the previous dynasty and came back to announce, "Khan Ama has already chosen a name for the child: Hongyu." It was a shame that he couldn't see the joke. He then ran to Ningshou Palace to report the news to the Empress Dowager. Seeing her face wrinkled when she smiled, he dragged his wife back to catch up on some sleep, saying, "The grandson is leaving now. I haven't slept all night and I'm not feeling well."
He even looked at his wife's eyes with great distress: "Your eye circles are dark."
When the Empress Dowager heard this, she hurriedly urged them to go: "Hurry up! Go and rest. Oh, you've been busy all day."
Shujia: ...Can't you see he's just using me as an excuse? But she's really tired. Not only does she have to keep an eye on the First Lady, but she also has to give commands via remote control, send someone back to Yuqing Palace to watch the fat boy, have the wet nurse feed him, and deal with all the concubines in the palace. She really needs a break.
Well, I'll check the things I need for the third day bath when I get back, as I still have to attend.
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