Translator: Jalyss
Editor: Odyssey
Chapter 8
Seeing that his comforting words had no effect, the crown prince yelled heavily, “Fourth younger brother!”
Yinzhen hiccupped and looked at him with teary eyes.
“Isn’t it good to have two mothers? Look at the orphan, the orphan’s mother left early!” The crown prince faintly understood the dispute between the imperial noble consort and Consort De. He wiped his face while regretting his idea. He then looked into Yinzhen’s eyes and said, “You are much better than second older brother.”
Yinzhen stood there dumbfounded.
The crown prince sighed. His handsome face was serious.
He said in a low voice, “Sometimes, don’t only listen to what you want to hear. It can be difficult to discern what is the truth.”
He didn’t expect his six-year-old younger brother to understand. He just needed to memorise it in its entirety. At such a young age, he was extremely serious. If there was a right and wrong to everything, then wouldn’t fourth younger brother be the one who was sad in the end?
Yinzhen stopped the tears and looked at the crown prince blankly. “Second older brother…”
The crown prince’s heart softened, and he touched Yinzhen’s bald head.
Fourth younger brother was sandwiched between his adoptive mother and biological mother, so his life would not be easy.
The more he thought about it, the more distressed he became. The crown prince made up his mind to go to Qianqing Palace to see Imperial Father.
***
Qianqing Palace, Xinuan Pavilion.
“Imperial Father.” The crown prince was a little awkward. He dallied for a long time before saying, “Your son has something to ask.”
The half-grown boy always regarded himself as an adult. He was mature during the day, so it was rare to see such a mood.
Kangxi was reviewing papers, He covered his smile and glanced at him calmly. “Speak.”
The crown prince gritted his teeth and told him about Yinzhen’s worries. After he finished speaking, he lowered his head and said listlessly, “Fourth younger brother has no appetite recently, and your son couldn’t… That’s why… then your son reported it to Imperial Father. Your son wanted to make fourth younger brother happier.”
The pavilion suddenly fell silent.
Liang Jiugong was startled. Crown prince!
Why did he need to get involved in the affairs of the harem and between the concubines?
It didn’t matter if this issue was considered large or small, but he shouldn’t come up with this. In case the emperor decides that you are going to the boss to speak ill of someone, this…
Kangxi put down his pen and looked at the crown prince calmly for a long while, which made Yinreng more anxious. He clenched his palms tightly and called ‘Imperial Father’ in a low voice.
Unexpectedly for Liang Jiugong, after a while, Kangxi raised the corners of his mouth, got up, and patted the crown prince on the shoulder. Kangxi said with a sigh, “Baocheng has grown up.”
The words were full of joy.
Kangxi ascended the throne when he was young and did not have his imperial father looking after him. After a few years, his biological mother left him. Kangxi was determined to be a good father, and what he wanted to see most was brothers and sisters respecting each other.
He loved the crown prince the most, but he also had a fatherly heart for the other princes and princesses.
For the sake of Yinzhen, Baocheng impulsively sought help from him, imperial father, knowing that he shouldn’t bother him about such things, but it was an important matter for him.
How could he not be moved by the care the crown prince had for his younger brother?
Good, good.
“Imperial Father knows.” Recalling Yinzhen’s sadness, Kangxi’s eyes darkened. When he looked at the crown prince, his temperature returned. “Baocheng, it is not for you to worry about these things. The important thing is to study. Do you understand? ”
After all, he would test the crown prince’s studies.
The prince quietly sighed in relief, a little happy. The nervousness he had previously of answering questions disappeared. His recitation was fluent and his explanations were clear.
Imperial Father praised him for the first time for growing up!
Was it because he helped his fourth younger brother?
In a daze, the little crown prince realised something, and he had an epiphany.
In the future, he just wanted to treat his younger brothers better.
***
“Consort, how could the emperor forget you? Tonight’s dinner is said to be served in Yonghe Palace…” Wet Nurse Wu laughed so hard that her face wrinkled. She quickly urged the palace staff to put on Consort De’s makeup.
Consort De smiled happily, touched her belly, and said softly, “Have you told the imperial dining room yet? Don’t neglect to go.”
During this period of time, she didn’t live very well.
In Chengqian Palace when she paid her respects, she made a mistake by offending Consort Yi, and Consort De regretted it. In addition, Kangxi did not come to the Yonghe Palace for four or five days. She was worried that the emperor would hate her. It was only now where she finally felt relieved.
“Consort should relax. Who dares to be negligent?” Wet Nurse Wu was busy tidying up the area. “Because of the sixth prince and the little prince in your stomach, everyone should respect Consort.”
These words reached Consort De’s heart.
Yinzuo was smart and clever, and the emperor liked him very much. Didn’t the word “zuo” reflect the emperor’s expectations?1 Thinking of her youngest son who came to pay her respects just now, Consort De’s smile deepened. She had kindness on her face.
As the sky darkened, Kangxi’s sedan chair stopped in front of Yonghe Palace.
Consort De was dressed in light green clothes, with some light makeup. It made her look even more elegant. Although she was not as beautiful as Consort Yi and didn’t have her natural beauty, in the harem, her appearance was among the top .
As soon as she saw Kangxi, Consort De looked aggrieved, her eyes red. “Your Majesty, your concubine made a mistake a few days ago. I have been introspecting for a long time in front of the jade ruyi you rewarded…”
Kangxi stood with his hands behind his back. He looked at her lightly, and after a few breaths, his face softened. “Get up.”
After all, she was his concubine who had two sons. She was also pregnant now, so it was good to teach her a little lesson.
Consort De raised her eyes and gratefully acquiesced.
After entering the inner room, she stood aside and served Kangxi to eat. It was as if she had become the gentle and considerate Noble Lady Wuya back then.
When Mrs. Wuya was a noble lady, she always served meals in this position. It had been so many years!
Kangxi recalled the past. His complexion became more relaxed.
Consort De was overjoyed. The emperor still remembered the past…
The atmosphere was just right. She pursed her lips and smiled. She was about to say something when she saw Kangxi point to the dining table. He put down the bowl and chopsticks and said casually, “Yikun Palace’s eight-treasure duck tastes better.”
Consort De’s smile froze.
Yikun Palace’s duck tasted better?
He was used to the tribute dishes from the imperial kitchen. After eating it for so many years… For him to suddenly say it was not good… Could it be that the small kitchen in Consort Yi’s Palace was much more delicious than other places?!
Consort Yi, Mrs. Guo Luoluo! She really haunted her.
Consort De took a heavy breath, forced a smile, and agreed in a warm voice. “What the emperor said is true. Next time, your concubine will let the cook in the imperial dining room improve.”
Kangxi paused. When he looked up, Consort De smiled gently, without appearing to be forced at all.
He hummed, feeling uneasy.
If this meekness passed, it would appear fake.
If it was Xiuxiu, wouldn’t she lose her temper with him?
Thinking of this, Kangxi knocked on the dining table. He cut directly to the point. “The imperial noble consort is getting closer to the due date, and I’m afraid she won’t be able to take care of Yinzhen. We were thinking of letting Yinzhen go back to Yonghe Palace to live…”
Consort De never expected that the emperor would tell her about this!
Because she was unprepared and was shocked, her face showed no joy, but a trace of repulsion.
How could this be?
How could the imperial noble consort agree?
Although it was a subconscious reaction, Kangxi saw it all.
Consort De quickly shifted her expression into a surprised smile. Her expression soon became flawless…
But it couldn’t hide the truth of that moment.
Kangxi closed his eyes. He tapped his fingers faster and faster. His eyes were cold and he said with a smile, “We were just joking with you. Cousin loves Yinzhen, so she absolutely refused.”
Because one was standing and the other was sitting, no one saw the coldness in the emperor’s eyes.
Consort De was anxious for a while, but was soon distracted by the title of ‘cousin’.
Her nails were deeply embedded in her palm, covering up her unwillingness and hatred.
That’s right. The emperor and Mrs. Tongjia were cousins. Their love was inherently different from others. If Mrs. Tongjia did not let go, the emperor would never return Yinzhen to her care.
If that was the case, then what was the emperor’s intention in saying this? Was he trying to test her?
Could it be that the nail she planted was discovered by the imperial noble consort, and she made whispers, saying that she coveted Yinzhen?
“Since Yinzhen has been brought up by the imperial noble consort, how can your concubine disregard the rules and snatch him away?” Consort De thought things over again and smiled softly. “I just miss him often, and occasionally send someone to Chengqian Palace to inquire about him… It’s all your concubine’s fault. Please forgive your concubine…”
After thinking about it for a while, this is what she went with.
Kangxi waved his hand and stopped her words. He left Consort De there, got up, and left immediately.
The palace people knelt down on the ground. Before Consort De had time to salute, the emperor disappeared.
She was shocked and her face suddenly turned pale.
When Wet Nurse Wu hurried into the palace, Consort De took her hand and asked eagerly, “The emperor has returned to Qianqing Palace?”
Wet Nurse Wu opened her mouth, and said with difficulty, “This old servant listened and heard that it was driving to… Chengqian Palace.”
Chengqian Palace! The residence of the imperial noble consort!
Consort De felt dizzy all of a sudden…
***
Since returning from Cining Palace, Consort Yi had been in a good mood. Living in peace, raising the baby in peace, teasing the fourth princess Yi’erha from time to time, and chatting with Noble Lady Le, Yikun Palace was peaceful.
As night approached, the bedroom was lit with candles. In front of the bronze mirror, Yun Xiu removed the beaded hairpin. Her black hair fell straight down, carrying a burst of fragrance. A strand of hair brushed over her rosy cheeks and finally stayed on her red lips.
Pushing aside the loose hair as she looked in the mirror, Yun Xiu suddenly realized that she had eaten and drank well recently. It was as if she had gained some flesh… Except for the increasingly protruding lower abdomen, everything else had grown to where it should.
Wet Nurse Dong laughed and said, “When Consort was first pregnant, Consort often felt ill and ate less, so Consort lost some weight. Now, it’s just right!”
She was telling the truth.
Wet Nurse Dong had been in the palace for so many years. What beauty had she never seen? Only Consort Yi could be called the beauty among beauties.
Apart from her stunning appearance, she would not lose to anyone in terms of her slender figure. Even if she was pregnant, her demeanor remained undiminished.
Yun Xiu nodded at her, smiled, and was about to answer. Rui Zhu lifted the curtain and came in, gave her greetings, and said softly, “The emperor had dinner in Yonghe Palace first… It took less than half an hour. Then, the emperor went to Chengqian Palace.”
“Less than half an hour?” Wet Nurse Dong was surprised. “Did Consort De offend the emperor?”
This could be regarded as a slap in the face. It was enough to make the consort unable to hold her head up!
“Yonghe Palace, Chengqian Palace.” Yun Xiu’s focus was completely different from that of Wet Nurse Dong.
She was thoughtful. “…The emperor went for the sake of the fourth prince.”
The only thing that could involve the two palaces was the matter of the fourth prince, Yinzhen.
Speaking of the fourth prince, Yun Xiu recalled the dream. Yinzhen ascended the throne as emperor, and after that…
She, Little Five, and Little Nine all had a bad ending.
Yun Xiu closed her eyes and said nothing, curling her fingers slightly.
Complaints? Naturally, she felt resentment.
But who she blamed was the new emperor in her dream, not the six-year-old fourth prince. She wouldn’t be so tasteless to deal with children of Yinqi’s age.
What’s more, if he was in the position of the new emperor… Little Nine was indeed guilty of treason, and there was nothing to wash away. At most, the methods were more brutal!
Winners and losers had been like this since ancient times.
Forget it. It was good for it to be out of sight.
She had already said that Mrs. Wuya could not be the empress dowager. Yun Xiu smiled slightly, touched her lower abdomen, and whispered softly, “If mother helps the crown prince ascend the throne…”
After thinking about it, the possibility of her being the empress dowager was very, very small.
Yinqi had already lost his position. As for Yinzhen?
According to his personality in the dream, he became the new emperor, and the Qing Dynasty fell to ruin.
Little Eleven, Yinxuan, had been in poor health since he was a child. If he could maintain a healthy life in this life and compete, then he may not even be successful. Which of his brothers was not a human being?
The safest way was to support the crown prince.
Let him be free from the constraints of his mother’s family, not be threatened by party struggles, and avoid the rift between father and son…
In the new dynasty, no matter what, she could safely become a consort dowager. If she was lucky, she could even add a noble consort dowager!
Yun Xiu held her chin and smiled lightly.
1.(祚) Zuo: The Zuo in Yinzuo means ‘the throne’ or ‘blessing’.↩
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