Madam Tong Jia stayed at Chengqian Palace until noon before leaving according to palace regulations. Before departing, she earnestly advised Consort Tong Jia to quickly send the Fourth Prince away.
“Your Highness, the old madam’s words aren’t without reason,” Chen Momo said after Madam Tong Jia had left, presenting a cup of ginseng tea.
Consort Tong Jia took one sip, found it too bitter, and set it aside.
“What? Do you also share such beliefs, Momo?” Consort Tong Jia asked indifferently.
According to ancestral rules established by previous dynasties, consorts below the rank of imperial noble consort were not permitted to raise children. However, many high-ranking consorts like herself had raised imperial princes without necessarily being childless themselves. Currently, most princes and princesses in the palace were raised by their birth mothers, except for the Crown Prince who was raised by the Emperor, and Yinzhen who was raised by her. She couldn’t see any particular pattern, so Consort Tong Jia remained half-convinced and half-doubting about the matter.
After all, Yinzhen was a prince she had raised since childhood—how could she simply send him away?
Having served Consort Tong Jia for a long time, Chen Momo knew she remained unwilling to send the Fourth Prince to be raised by Consort Xuan. She merely said, “This old servant’s family doesn’t hold such beliefs. But Your Highness, since this doubt has taken root in your heart, you’ll constantly worry about it. This puts you in a difficult position regarding the Fourth Prince. Moreover, I often hear the imperial physicians say that conception is closely related to a woman’s state of mind. How can you expect to conceive when you’re constantly unsettled?”
Consort Tong Jia felt as if her heart had been struck hard. Chen Momo’s words had hit right at the core of her concerns.
Regardless of whether her mother’s claims were true, she had indeed taken them to heart, affecting both her attitude toward Yinzhen and her own emotional state.
Seeing that her advice had made an impact, Chen Momo breathed a sigh of relief. Although she didn’t firmly believe like the Madam that the Fourth Prince was stealing the Noble Consort’s chance to have her own child, it pained her to see the Noble Consort distressed over this matter day after day. It would be better to simply set it aside. After all, the Consort was still young and would surely have her own children eventually.
Just as Consort Tong Jia sighed and was about to speak, Juyue suddenly entered.
“Your Highness, the Emperor has arrived.”
Chen Momo helped Consort Tong Jia to her feet, but Kangxi had already entered the inner chamber and quickly stepped forward to support her.
“I’ve told you before there’s no need for such formalities.”
Chen Momo glanced at the two masters and gestured for the palace maids to withdraw, leaving Kangxi and Consort Tong Jia alone.
At twenty-eight years old, Kangxi was in his prime. Having recently suppressed the Revolt of the Three Feudatories, he was riding high on success. Compared to his younger years, he now carried the calm confidence of one firmly in control of power. Dressed in black and gold informal robes today, he appeared particularly majestic.
Gazing at the tall, imperial figure of Kangxi before her, Consort Tong Jia couldn’t help but wistfully imagine that if her son had survived, he would have grown up to be as imposing as his Emperor Father.
Kangxi guided Consort Tong Jia to sit down, frowning when he saw her pale complexion. “Why do you still look so unwell? Are the imperial physicians not attending to you properly?”
“The imperial physicians are very diligent. It’s my own body that’s weak,” Consort Tong Jia replied, leaning against Kangxi’s chest with a faint voice.
“I heard your mother visited today. Why didn’t she stay?”
Consort Tong Jia answered, “Mother stayed for half an hour before leaving the palace according to regulations.”
Kangxi hummed in acknowledgment and continued, “If you miss your family, I permit your mother to visit the palace frequently to keep you company.”
Consort Tong Jia was visibly moved, tears welling up in her eyes. Seeing his cousin’s despondent expression, Kangxi felt a pang of sympathy. After a moment’s thought, he softly suggested, “Shall I have Yinzhen return to fulfill his filial duties by your side?”
Consort Tong Jia froze, her mind thrown into disarray. Noticing her silence and vacant stare at his robes, Kangxi chuckled and asked, “What are you looking at?”
Snapping back to attention, she casually remarked, “The sachet hanging from your waist is exquisitely embroidered.”
Kangxi glanced at it indifferently. “Consort De sent this a few days ago. You may take it to admire if you like.”
Hearing Consort De’s name, Consort Tong Jia straightened up and chided gently, “This was a heartfelt gesture from Sister Consort De. She would be saddened to know you gave it away so casually.”
It was common for consorts to embroider sachets or sew garments—the Hall of Mental Cultivation was piled with such items, so Kangxi paid them little mind.
He examined the sachet embroidered with a soaring golden dragon and remarked offhandedly, “A few days ago, Consort De brought Yinzhuo to pay respects. Yinzhuo is livelier compared to Yinzhen. Recently, Yinzhen has been under Consort Xuan’s care, and I’ve noticed his temperament has softened considerably.”
Consort De had always been a thorn in Consort Tong Jia’s heart, and now Consort Xuan—first raising Yinzhen and now caring for Yinsi, born just a day after her own miscarriage—stirred quiet resentment, despite Consort Xuan’s gentle nature.
Mention of these two women tightened Consort Tong Jia’s chest. Determined to overshadow them, she forced a smile and said, “Sister Consort Xuan is likely occupied with the Eighth Prince. It would be good to have Yinzhen return to Chengqian Palace.”
This was precisely what Kangxi had intended. Pleased by her agreement, he smiled reassuringly and promised Yinzhen would return to Chengqian Palace the next day.
Meanwhile, Wen Shan remained unaware of Yinzhen’s impending return, watching with him as Yinsi attempted to roll over on the couch.
Raised plump and fair by Wen Shan, Yinsi wore a festive red ruyi-patterned outfit. Still too small, he tired quickly after moving and lay still on the couch.
After observing his younger brother’s efforts, Yinzhen scurried over to Wen Shan and asked, “Mother Consort Xuan, may I hold him?”
“You’re not strong enough to carry him—you might drop him,” Wen Shan laughed, picking up Yinsi and smoothing his rumpled clothes.
Yinsi beamed at Wen Shan, who kissed his cheek and turned him toward Yinzhen. “Little Eight, give your brother a smile.”
Yinzhen watched eagerly.
Instead, his one-month-old brother instantly shifted to a blank stare.
“…”
Hmph. Why should he smile for him?
Undaunted, Yinzhen fetched a handmade toy dog and placed it beside Yinsi.
“Did you make this, Yinzhen?” Wen Shan picked it up—a woven rattan toy clad in a stitched fabric coat.
Yinzhen nodded. “I wove it. Sister Zhen Zhu sewed the clothes.”
“How impressive!”
Since Yinsi also came to Xianfu Palace, Wen Shan had been particularly careful about treating both children equally. From time to time, she would also kiss Yinzhen. Yinzhen, considering himself already a big boy, felt quite uncomfortable with this at first. Each time, he would put on a show of struggling before blushing and saying it was improper, which never failed to amuse Wen Shan.
Later, when he noticed that Consort Xuan often kissed his younger brother, he gradually grew accustomed to it, though he still remained somewhat stiff each time.
Wen Shan held Yinsi in one arm while holding the little dog toy in her other hand, smiling as she said, “Your elder brother made this especially for you. Do you like it?”
Yinsi glanced at it but pretended not to see. Wen Shan put Yinsi down and placed the toy beside him. Yinsi wriggled to adjust his position and then kicked the toy away with one foot.
Wen Shan: “…”
Yinzhen picked up the toy, hanging his head dejectedly.
“Does younger brother dislike me?”
This was a question Yinzhen had asked countless times since Yinsi arrived at Xianfu Palace. Even Wen Shan now felt that something was indeed amiss.
Yinsi did seem to have it out for Yinzhen.
Wen Shan patted Yinzhen’s head and spoke to Yinsi with unusual seriousness for the first time, “Yinsi, this is your elder brother’s thoughtful gesture. You shouldn’t act this way.”
Yinsi pouted slightly. After kicking the toy away, he too felt somewhat guilty, realizing he had gone too far—especially when he saw Fourth Brother’s sad expression, his guilt deepened.
Truth be told, during this past month at Xianfu Palace, Fourth Brother had genuinely treated him well. He was always calling him “little brother” and looking out for him, often being the first to notice when Yinsi was hungry or needed a diaper change.
Yinsi wrestled with his thoughts. Although in his past life Fourth Brother had shown him no mercy, the current Fourth Brother was only three years old. Was it right to hold a grudge against him now?
Yinzhen patted the toy that Yinsi had thrown to the ground, pressed his lips together, and placed it beside Yinsi again.
“Consort Xuan, please don’t blame younger brother. He’s still small and doesn’t understand anything. I’m the elder brother, I should take care of him.”
Wen Shan lifted Yinzhen onto the couch. “Our Yinzhen is so sensible. You’ll surely grow up to be a wonderful elder brother.”
Lately, Wen Shan had been pondering the famous historical event known as the Nine Sons Seizing the Throne that would occur when they grew up. Now that two key figures were intimately connected to her, it was impossible not to worry.
However, Wen Shan didn’t want to interfere too much with their choices. All she hoped was that, regardless of who eventually ascended the throne, they would remember their childhood bond and leave each other some room to retreat—avoiding a fight to the death.
Yinsi stretched his legs and babbled. Though he still showed little interest in the toy, at least he didn’t kick it away again.
“Master, the chilled Osmanthus Fermented Rice Cheese is ready.” Hupo entered carrying white, soft dumplings sprinkled with osmanthus flowers.
Wen Shan’s eyes lit up. This was something she had just perfected yesterday, having specially fetched ice from the icehouse to chill it.
“Bring it here quickly, let’s see how it tastes.”
Wen Shan gently broke one open. The rich aroma of fermented rice blended with the fresh sweetness of osmanthus wafted out. The glutinous rice skin was soft, chewy, and sweet, with a strong milky fragrance that filled the mouth upon tasting. She gave one to Yinzhen, who had always had a sweet tooth, which was why Wen Shan had been making more desserts recently.
Yinsi watched eagerly from the side. Apart from milk, he couldn’t eat anything yet, and it frustrated him to no end that Consort Xuan loved preparing delicacies.
Yinzhen watched as Yinsi nearly drooled, then secretly gave him a bite of soft cheese to lick.
Yinsi smacked his lips a few times and, for the first time, gave his Fourth Brother a smile.
So sweet, so fragrant, so soft!
“Yinzhen!” Wen Shan quickly scooped Yinsi farther away. “Your brother is still too young to eat this. Wait until he’s older before giving him any.”
Yinsi kicked his legs in protest, while Yinzhen obediently nodded.
Wen Shan sighed helplessly at the two brothers. If things continued like this, who knew what trouble they’d stir up together when they grew up.
“By the way, hasn’t Consort Wei arrived yet?” Wen Shan suddenly asked.
She had earlier sent Zhen Zhu to Yanxi Palace to invite Consort Wei over, but there was still no sign of her.
Ever since Yinsi came to Xianfu Palace, Consort Wei had not visited even once. Wen Shan knew she was deliberately keeping her distance, thinking that by reducing her interactions with Yinsi, she could allow Wen Shan to dote on him more.
Such is the heart of a parent.
Wen Shan often sent gifts to Consort Wei or invited her to Xianfu Palace for a visit, but Consort Wei declined three out of every five invitations.
Zhen Zhu entered, carrying several exquisitely crafted children’s outfits. “Mistress, Consort Wei thanked you for your kindness but said she isn’t feeling well today and cannot come. These are clothes she made for the Eighth Prince and the Fourth Prince—a token of her affection.”
Wen Shan took them and examined them. The stitching was fine, the fabric was of good quality, and she had even thoughtfully made several outfits for Yinzhen. It was clear Consort Wei was a considerate person.
Wen Shan placed the small clothes beside Yinsi. “Little Eight, look—your mother made these for you.”
Yinsi’s heart felt as warm as soaking in a hot spring. Both his mother and Consort Xuan cherished him. From the moment he was reborn until now, he truly had no regrets.
Yinzhen also took the clothes and said, “I will take my brother to thank Consort Wei tomorrow.”
Wen Shan smiled and nodded, then turned to Zhen Zhu. “Bring some of the freshly made osmanthus soft cheese to Consort Wei.”
“Yes.”
Just as she finished speaking, Fei Cui entered from outside, bowed, and said, “Mistress, the Emperor has arrived.”