Why is Kangxi here at this time?
Normally, Kangxi only visited Xianfu Palace once or twice a month, mostly urged by the Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager to check on the children, and he rarely stayed overnight. Although Wen Shan had a pleasant appearance and temperament, the problem lay in her overly gentle nature. While it was said that women should be gentle as water, Kangxi found her excessive meekness rather dull, so he had almost never summoned her for attendance.
To this, Wen Shan thought that as a modern-day corporate drone, playing dead when seeing superiors was a basic skill—automatically triggered at the sight of leadership.
Who could muster any enthusiasm when dealing with superiors?
Kangxi strode in and casually waved his hand to dismiss the kneeling crowd in the room.
“What’s going on here? So lively?”
Wen Shan offered Kangxi a freshly brewed cup of pre-rain Longjing tea and said with a smile, “Yinsi is learning to roll over. I and Yinzhen were just playing with him.”
Kangxi glanced at Yinsi lying nearby and, feeling a rare paternal affection, picked him up and weighed him in his arms. “Oh? He can roll over at just over a month old? Let Emperor Father hold you.”
Although Yinsi wouldn’t give Kangxi a pleasant expression, he didn’t kick or struggle either, remaining still as he was handled.
Wen Shan chuckled. “Yinsi’s body is still too soft to roll over properly, but for some reason, he’s stubbornly trying to learn.”
Even if it just looked like he was rubbing against the floor.
Why else, of course, but to gain control of his body sooner, Yinsi thought to himself.
“You’ve raised Yinsi well,” Kangxi said, stroking Yinsi’s little face. Yinsi squirmed uncomfortably in Kangxi’s arms. Wen Shan, noticing Kangxi’s awkward hold, quickly took Yinsi back, fearing he might burst into tears at any moment.
Yinsi breathed a sigh of relief—being held by Emperor Father was truly unbearable.
Kangxi took a sip of tea and continued, “You’ve also taken good care of Yinzhen. His temperament has improved quite a bit.”
Wen Shan didn’t know what Kangxi was here for and could only smile in response.
Yinzhen, however, had a vague sense of foreboding.
Kangxi was about to reward Wen Shan for her care of Yinzhen over the past few months and then smoothly send Yinzhen back to Chengqian Palace when his eyes fell on the Osmanthus Fermented Rice Cheese on the table.
“What’s this? I’ve never seen it in the palace before.”
Wen Shan handed Yinsi to Zhen Zhu to hold and moved to sit on the other side, smiling. “It’s a little snack I came up with in my spare time. Your Majesty, please try it and see how it tastes.”
Kangxi knew that his Consort Xuan usually enjoyed tinkering in the kitchen, and the Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager adored her creations, but he had never tasted her culinary skills himself.
This Consort Xuan was truly dense-headed—she spent all her time at Cining Palace and had never once sent any treats to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Kangxi nodded reservedly, picked up a piece, and tasted it.
“The flavor is indeed excellent. No wonder the Grand Empress Dowager often praises you.”
Kangxi wasn’t particularly fond of sweets, but this time he finished an entire piece in a few bites and even reached for a second one.
He ate three in a row before washing his hands. Only then did he remember his original purpose for visiting when he saw Yinzhen standing obediently to the side.
“Yinzhen, come to Emperor Father.”
Yinzhen looked up at Wen Shan, who smiled at him. Only then did he step forward with a stern little face and respectfully greet Kangxi.
Kangxi hummed in acknowledgment, twirling the thumb ring on his finger as he asked, “Have you visited Chengqian Palace recently to see your Noble Consort Mother?”
“Consort Xuan instructed me to go daily, but Noble Consort Mother claimed she was unwell and unavailable for visitors. Each day, I simply kowtowed outside the palace gates to pay my respects.”
Wen Shan thought to herself that having Yinzhen stop by daily was precisely to avoid giving anyone grounds for criticism during this sensitive period. Now that Kangxi had asked this question, it proved their efforts hadn’t been in vain.
Sure enough, Kangxi nodded with satisfaction and praised Yinzhen for his “pure filial piety.”
He then added, “Since her miscarriage, your Noble Consort Mother has been deeply distressed. Now that her health has improved somewhat, she misses you dearly. Tomorrow, you shall return to Chengqian Palace and keep her company.”
Yinzhen abruptly lifted his head, while Wen Shan was caught completely off guard by this sudden separation. Although she had always known Yinzhen would eventually return to Chengqian Palace, the actual moment filled her heart with bitterness.
Even Yinsi, nestled in Zhen Zhu’s arms, raised his confused little face and strained to turn his head toward the commotion.
Was Fourth Brother leaving?
“What’s this? Can’t bear to part with your Consort Xuan?” Kangxi asked, narrowing his eyes.
Yinzhen couldn’t quite articulate the turmoil of emotions he felt. He merely clenched his fists and lowered his head in silence. Seeing this, Wen Shan quickly stepped forward and said, “The Fourth Prince is still young and has simply grown accustomed to staying with me lately. In truth, he constantly misses Noble Consort. Since Noble Consort has been despondent, it is only right for Yinzhen to return and bring her comfort.”
Kangxi was pleased with Wen Shan’s tactfulness. Moreover, Yinzhen’s reluctance to leave demonstrated how well she had cared for him. Observing their deep bond, his tone softened unusually as he patted Yinzhen’s head and said, “Consort Xuan has raised you for several months. You may visit her often in the future.”
Yinzhen replied gloomily, “Yes, I obey your decree.”
With the Revolt of the Three Feudatories recently quelled, Kangxi’s desk was still piled high with memorials awaiting review. Normally, he would have simply issued an edict for this matter, but he had come in person out of consideration for Consort Xuan, who was raising two princes, to show her due respect. Having settled this, he rose to leave.
Before departing, he glanced at Consort Xuan’s still gentle expression and said to Liang Jiugong, “No need to flip the consort plates tonight. I shall dine with Consort Xuan.”
She was obedient and well-behaved—she deserved some consolation.
Wen Shan, struck by two thunderbolts in quick succession: “…”
Damn it all!
She had been planning to prepare Yinzhen’s favorite dishes tonight and spend one last evening with him. Now, Kangxi had ruined everything.
Despite her inner turmoil, she forced a smile and expressed her gratitude gracefully.
As Kangxi left, he even took the Osmanthus Fermented Rice Cheese from the table with him, making Wen Shan’s heart bleed. There was no way to send it to Consort Wei now—she would have to make another dessert to deliver instead.
After Kangxi’s departure, the entire Xianfu Palace was shrouded in sorrow. Bao Quan, who had always been closest to Yinzhen, shed a few tears in his grief.
Though her own heart ached, Wen Shan mustered her strength to comfort Yinzhen: “Your Emperor Father said you may come to Xianfu Palace whenever you miss Consort Xuan or your younger brother. Don’t be sad.”
“Alright, if there’s anything you’d like to eat, Consort Xuan will make it for you now. Let’s have a meal before dinner.”
Yinzhen trudged over to Wen Shan and said glumly, “I want to help Consort Xuan cook.”
“Very well.”
In Zhen Zhu’s arms, Yinsi perked up his little ears upon hearing this and began waving his tiny hands, babbling eagerly.
He wanted to be with Consort Xuan too!
Wen Shan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she took Yinsi, who kept reaching for her, into her arms and tapped his little nose. “You can’t come along—the kitchen is too smoky.”
In the end, Wen Shan didn’t bring Yinzhen to cook with her either, leaving him in the room to play with Yinsi.
For once, Yinsi didn’t scowl at his Fourth Brother, instead blinking as he stared at him. Watching his carefree younger brother, Yinzhen couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.
Eighth Brother was rightfully raised in Xianfu Palace and could someday call Consort Yi “Mother,” while his own dreamlike few months had come to an abrupt end.
Unaware that he had become the object of Yinzhen’s jealousy and envy, Yinsi was also feeling somewhat downcast. What a pity that he wouldn’t be able to kick Fourth Brother a few times every day from now on.
Zhen Zhu and Hupo accompanied Wen Shan as she busied herself in the small kitchen. Kneading the dough, Zhen Zhu couldn’t resist saying, “Fourth Prince has been in Xianfu Palace for these few months. Now that he’s suddenly leaving, this servant truly can’t bear to part with him.”
“Neither can I,” Wen Shan replied, glancing at her with a bitter smile. “After all, Yinzhen was raised by the Noble Consort. He must return to Chengqian Palace eventually.”
Seeing Wen Shan’s despondent expression, Hupo thought to change the subject and steer the conversation elsewhere. Shifting her tone, she said, “His Majesty is unexpectedly visiting tonight. Will you be cooking personally, mistress?”
Wen Shan: “…”
Hupo had truly touched a sore spot. Mentioning Kangxi only made her more frustrated.
Zhen Zhu and Hupo watched as their mistress, face cold, picked up a cleaver and chopped a marrow bone in two with a sharp crack, making them shiver.
“This consort is tired. Let the small kitchen handle the preparations.”
Seeing that the mood was still off, Hupo thought for a moment and said, “This servant heard an interesting piece of news today. They say Consort Yi and Lady Guoluoluo went to visit Sixth Princess and ran into the Eldest Princess on the way. From their conversation, it seemed His Majesty is already considering potential husbands for the Eldest Princess.”
“Oh?” Wen Shan exclaimed in surprise. “The Eldest Princess is only ten this year, and they’re already considering husbands for her?”
The Eldest Princess was not Kangxi’s biological daughter but the eldest daughter of his brother, Prince Gong, and had been raised in the palace since childhood. Truth be told, the Eldest Princess was quite fortunate. In the early years of Kangxi’s reign, several princes and princesses in the palace had died young one after another. To “ward off bad luck,” the Eldest Princess was brought into the palace to be raised. Coincidentally, since her arrival, most of the princes and princesses born afterward had survived to adulthood. Delighted, Kangxi doted greatly on this adopted daughter.
The Eldest Princess had been raised successively by Empress Hesheri and Niuhulu Empress. After Niuhulu Empress passed away, she had lived in the Princes’ Quarters. Though young, the Eldest Princess was exceptionally poised and had always been a model for the other princes and princesses in the palace.
Zhen Zhu said with a smile, “His Majesty dotes on the Eldest Princess so much—of course he would start considering matches early. I wonder which talented young man has caught his eye?”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to tell you, mistress,” Hupo said mysteriously. “I heard he has his eye on your maternal nephew, the young master of the Borjigit clan from the Khorchin tribe.”
Marriage alliances between Manchus and Mongols were common. Wen Shan vaguely remembered that Kangxi had several daughters who married into Mongolia. It was just a pity that by the time she transmigrated, she was already in the Forbidden City. Though she had inherited the original host’s memories, life on the Khorchin grasslands and her relatives there remained rather blurry.
If this marriage were to take place, she and the Eldest Princess would become even closer relatives. That was why Hupo had eagerly shared the news with her—it was, after all, a happy occasion and a way to cheer Wen Shan up.
Zhen Zhu and Hu Po deliberately tried to cheer Wen Shan up. After working for an hour, the mistress and her servants had the meal ready. When Wen Shan entered the room, she saw Yinzhen and Yinsi sitting together in a rare moment of tranquility.
Yinsi lay quietly in the rocking crib, unusually facing his Fourth Brother directly. Yinzhen, holding a book, was telling him a story.
“It’s ready. Yinzhen, come and eat first.”
Wen Shan called out with a smile. Yinzhen put down the book and came over. The palace maids had already brought the dishes to the table one after another, and Yinzhen saw that they were all his favorites.
“Tomorrow morning, Mother will make some more of your favorite pastries for you to take back. If you run out, just send word, and Mother will have more delivered to you.”
Yinzhen’s eyes welled up. Wen Shan served him some food and said with a smile, “Hurry up and eat.”
Yinzhen nodded without saying a word, burying his head in the meal.
Nearby, Yinsi, being fed milk with a spoon by Zhen Zhu, also felt somewhat unsettled inside.
Hmph, it wasn’t that he was reluctant to part with Fourth Brother—it was just that he couldn’t enjoy the delicious food made by Mother that made him upset!