The weather is sunny and bright today.
The palace servants laid out thick cushions in the courtyard of Chuxiu Palace and then placed the young prince on them.
Yinzhen was an exceptionally well-behaved child.
If you put him in the middle of the mat, he won't climb out; instead, he'll sit quietly and play with his toys.
For example, Granny Zhao once praised that she had taken care of or seen countless young princes, but none of them were as well-behaved and sensible as our young prince.
Ju Bai, on the other hand, believed that it was all thanks to his master.
After all, the huge backyard of Chuxiu Palace was filled with all kinds of toys, from tangrams to various kinds of Luban locks, and even small cars with four wheels—of course, this is what Consort Qi said.
With a critical eye, Yinzhen indicated that he did not acknowledge this bare object as a carriage. However, despite its rough appearance, it was made by Consort Qi herself, and Yinzhen, half-heartedly, took it and played with it.
There were also building blocks, walking bikes, rocking horses, and slides. Unfortunately, the yard was filled with toys, most of which were not suitable for Yinzhen to play with. He spent most of his time being held by Consort Qi, listening to her proudly introduce the toys.
On the contrary, it was Crown Prince Yinreng and Yinzuo who tried it first. The relationship between the two children is still very close to this day. Looking at Crown Prince Yinreng sitting on the wooden horse laughing and joking, it is hard to connect him with the person in my memory who treated his brothers better than the others.
Yinzhen felt that although he had not yet grown up, many changes had already taken place in his life. He was in a good mood, and his hands unconsciously fiddled with his toys, trying to build a tall tower with the blocks.
Granny Zhao and the palace maids clapped happily: "The prince is really amazing!"
Yinzhen's lips curled into a smile for a moment, then quickly froze. He took a deep breath, repeating his daily routine that he was just a child!
He's just an ordinary kid!
Being praised for building blocks should make one feel proud... right? Supporting Zhao Mama's legs, Yinzhen stood up shakily and, amidst the exclamations of the palace servants, placed the last block on top.
The cheers of the palace servants rang in his ears... No? Screams? Yinzhen was stunned for a moment, and the next second he found himself being lifted high by Zhao Mama.
The palace servants around screamed, "Rat!"
A nest of baby mice appeared out of nowhere and scurried around everywhere, their unruly behavior causing people to scream.
Chaos erupted in Chuxiu Palace.
Not only were the palace servants terrified, but even the two cats, Da Hua and Er Hua, were so frightened that they leaped up and darted to the treetops.
It screams "useless" from head to toe.
When Zhao Mama looked down, she saw the young master's pale face. Her heart ached terribly, and she quickly carried Yinzhen into the house.
Little did Granny Zhao know that Yinzhen suddenly remembered something he had forgotten.
July 28th, the 18th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.
A major earthquake struck Beijing!
Unfortunately, he was still a young child.
Yinzhen's nose was sweating, and he bit his lip tightly, unable to speak for a long time.
What should I do?
If you don't know it, of course you can let all of this happen without any scruples.
But I know...
The pale, bloodless face terrified Zhao Mama. She quickly called for a palace servant to fetch the imperial physician, which immediately scared Wan Anran, who had just returned, out of her wits.
Wan Anran's expression turned serious: "Rats running around?"
This is quite unusual, considering that Chuxiu Palace not only has a large supply of food but also houses Yinzhen, so Wan Anran is extremely meticulous about hygiene.
Catching rats is a daily routine for them.
How could there be so many rats? She wondered, "Zisu, have you asked the palace servants in charge of cleaning?"
"This servant has already inquired."
Zisu replied seriously, "We have questioned them several times, and the time and place given by both the palace maids and eunuchs are correct. Moreover, there are other palace staff who can testify on their behalf."
This is getting even stranger.
Wan Anran had some doubts, but she didn't question Zisu's answer.
If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them.
Wan Anran only instructed Zisu: "Have someone thoroughly clean the entire Chuxiu Palace again, especially those who have been in contact with rats. Make them wash themselves thoroughly and let them rest for a few days before taking their turn to work."
In this era, if a rat infestation led to the plague, he wouldn't even have time to cry. After all, penicillin wasn't available yet... Oh, right, Wan Anran remembered that penicillin seemed to be completely ineffective against the plague!
Zisu smiled and agreed.
After giving her instructions, Wan Anran walked towards the inner room. When Yinzhen saw her, he called out softly, "Mother, Mother."
Wan Anran felt extremely distressed.
Yinzhen had always been healthy since childhood; he had never been so pale as he was now, surrounded by a group of imperial physicians. She stepped forward and hugged Yinzhen in her arms: "Mother is here. Maotao, where does it hurt?"
Yinzhen's face darkened.
The urge to confide vanished in an instant; I had just forgotten the name, so why did it pop up again?
A hint of a smile flashed in the eyes of the imperial physicians.
Then, the head physician, Zhang, bowed and said, "Your Highness, the Eleventh Prince was frightened. He only needs two more doses of medicine, and he will be fine in three days."
Wan Anran breathed a sigh of relief.
As she sent the imperial physician away, she also put her arm around Yinzhen and comforted him, saying, "Our Yinzhen is not afraid, not afraid. You have Da Hua and Er Hua to protect you! What little wild mouse would dare to lay a finger on our Yinzhen?"
Granny Zhao couldn't help but say, "Master, Da Hua and Er Hua were so scared by the rats that they jumped up into the tree and haven't come down yet."
Wan Anran: ...
Where are the master mousers of the past? Why are you two starting to retire as soon as you arrive at Chuxiu Palace?
The palace servants outside were busy at work.
They brought a ladder and a net, and it took them a lot of effort to catch the two fat cats in the treetop.
However, the two large cats, with their ears pressed back, quickly scurried into their cat bed, a strange reaction that drew attention.
"Were Da Hua and Er Hua frightened?"
"How strange..." Wan Anran squatted in front of the cat's bed, completely puzzled. Could it be that our Chuxiu Palace has some kind of aura? Even the cats become timid and greedy when they come in?
Yinzhen's heart stirred slightly.
Before the burrow, the animals always had a different reaction. Animals can have babies…maybe some do? Yinzhen's chubby little hands gripped his mother's clothes tightly, and he cried out softly, "Mother…Mother…I'm scared!"
"Don't be afraid, Yinzhen." Wan Anran's thoughts immediately returned to Yinzhen. She hugged the little Yinzhen and felt a pang of heartache when she saw his pale face.
"What is Yinzhen afraid of?"
"Wobble, wobbly." Yinzhen waved his little hands, his round eyes filled with fear.
He tried his best to say more.
His mouth was so constricted that he spat out more saliva than he spoke. Yinzhen was both angry and anxious, and as a result, his words became increasingly difficult to understand.
“…Huh?” Wan Anran frowned, feeling that her Yinzhen was acting particularly strange today.
Hai Tao and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.
They hesitated, repeating: "To be good? To shake? A maid? Oh dear?"
For a moment, no one could understand what Yinzhen was saying.
Yinzhen was completely dejected; his last hope lay with his mother. Thinking of this, Yinzhen rallied, his eyes welling with tears once more, and looked pitifully at Wan Anran.
Their pale and weak appearance was heartbreaking.
Wan Anran, Granny Zhao, and Hai Tao gathered together, deep in thought.
A maid? Oh dear?
Is it okay? Shaking?
Wait a minute!? Wan Anran suddenly realized something.
Rats scurrying everywhere? Big Flower and Little Flower trembling in their cat bed? Her brow furrowed, and a thought slowly surfaced in her mind.
Wan Anran gripped the handkerchief tightly with both hands.
Sweat beaded on her nose, and she said in a trembling voice, "Could it be that what Yinzhen was talking about... is an earthquake... an tremor?"
Granny Zhao and the palace servants' expressions changed drastically.
It is known that unusual celestial omens were regarded by scholars as a sign of the emperor's inhumanity. In the previous dynasty, when there was an earthquake in the capital, the censor advised that the earthquake was related to the emperor's mistakes in governance and asked the emperor to issue an edict to reflect on his actions.
You can't just say that carelessly.
If word gets out, everyone in Chuxiu Palace will be in big trouble! Ju Bai shook her head repeatedly, her voice trembling: "Master, we didn't feel anything!"
“Children are naturally more sensitive than adults. Maybe Yinzhen was frightened by the earthquake rather than by the rats.” Wan Anran thought about it and became increasingly convinced of this. She frowned and instructed Ju Bai, who was the most well-informed, to go outside and inquire. At the same time, she held the tearful Yinzhen and asked, “Was it an earthquake?”
Yinzhen feigned ignorance.
He pointed his chubby little finger at the ground: "Wobble, wobble."
Wan Anran became increasingly certain of her thoughts.
Especially after Ju Bai turned around and discovered that many things had happened in the palace, her expression became increasingly serious. Wan Anran stood up abruptly: "Let's go, we must report this matter to Her Majesty the Empress."
The Empress was busy flipping through the list of candidates for the imperial concubines.
There were many rumors circulating about the imperial concubines, some fueled by malicious gossip, others stemming from ill intentions. The Empress had divided the register into several large stacks, intending to carefully review it again from beginning to end, when she heard the news of Consort Qi's arrival.
Consort Qi never forgot Kunning Palace when she had something delicious to eat or fun to do, but she rarely visited in person. The Empress, curious, put down what she was doing and, with a smile, ordered someone to invite Consort Qi in.
The moment Consort Qi entered, the Empress's heart sank. Consort Qi was usually such a cheerful and outgoing person, so why did she have such a serious expression today, her brows furrowed as if she were hiding endless thoughts?
The Queen stood up.
She helped Consort Qi, who was about to perform the curtsy, and couldn't help but ask with concern, "Consort Qi, what happened? Tell me and I will help you!"
She'd like to see who dares to bully Consort Qi!
Of course, after a pause, the Empress added, "Or did you quarrel with the Emperor again?"
Wan Anran was both amused and exasperated.
She tugged at the Empress's sleeve and pleaded, "In Your Majesty's eyes, is this how I am?"
The Empress was quite inclined to nod.
But thinking about the delicious food and fun things delivered to Kunning Palace every day, she smiled and changed the subject: "Then tell me, what brings you here?"
"I'm fine..."
"You never come to my palace unless there's something wrong." The Empress stared at Consort Qi with a half-smile.
Wan Anran felt guilty for a moment.
She still put on a serious face and told him her guesses in detail.
The Empress's upturned lips drooped slightly.
Her expression was solemn, with a faint hint of worry in her eyes.
There are many unusual things happening in the palace today.
The water in the palace wells was sometimes available and sometimes not; sometimes the water was clear and sometimes it was murky and had an odor. Not only in Chuxiu Palace, but also in several other palace rooms, rats were rampant. Furthermore, when Consort Jing and her entourage passed through the garden, they were swarmed by bees and fled in panic.
The Imperial Household Department was busy all afternoon.
These messages were naturally delivered to the Empress immediately, and for some reason, she believed them to some extent.
Wan Anran said in a low voice, "I once read in a miscellaneous book that earthquakes are often preceded by several small movements, which are then followed by the real earthquake."
The Empress frowned deeply.
After a long while, she shook her head. Seeing the disappointment in Consort Qi's eyes, she took her hand and sighed, "Consort Qi, Consort Qi, Yinzhen is just a child now. How many people would believe it if word got out? I told the Emperor that it's fine to send people to make preparations... But have you ever thought about the consequences if Yinzhen is just mistaken...?"
If a major conflict were to erupt without an earthquake, the gossip and slander would fall on the Eleventh Prince. The Eleventh Prince is still just a baby; the Empress knows without a doubt that if the earthquake hadn't occurred, all the blame would have fallen on Consort Qi.
The Empress explained in detail.
With eyes full of worry, she gently advised, "Don't even mention promotion, I'm afraid you might not even be able to keep your concubine status by then."
The Queen's words came from the bottom of her heart.
Wan Anran was well aware of the worry in his words, but fearing the worst, she bit her lip and whispered, "Your Majesty, it would be good to make some preparations."
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