After the meal, Wen Shan spent some more time playing with Yinzhen and Yinsi. Since Yinsi was still an infant, he soon grew drowsy and fell asleep. At the hour of You, a young eunuch from the Hall of Mental Cultivation came to deliver a message: Kangxi was currently discussing state affairs with ministers including Mingzhu and Ma Qi, and would arrive later.
Wen Shan wished he wouldn’t come at all.
Kangxi’s late arrival gave Wen Shan time to put Yinzhen to bed. Fuqi lay in its small bed, its black bean-like eyes fixed on Yinzhen and Wen Shan.
Zhen Zhu carefully pushed the door open: “Mistress, His Majesty will be here soon.”
“…Understood.”
Wen Shan glanced reluctantly at Yinzhen a few more times before closing the door. Because Kangxi was coming that evening, the small kitchen remained busy at this hour. The dishes had been prepared in advance and needed to be heated just as Kangxi was about to arrive.
Finding the room stuffy, Wen Shan went to sit in the long corridor beneath the courtyard to pass the time.
The pomegranate trees planted in the courtyard were in bloom, a fiery red that was exceptionally beautiful. Yinzhen usually loved leading Fuqi to play beneath these pomegranate trees, and Bao Quan had specially built a small swing under them.
Now the pomegranate blossoms were lovely, and when autumn came and the pomegranates ripened, they could be picked to eat and used to make pomegranate jasmine tea wine.
By then, Yinsi would be older and able to eat some supplementary foods.
Just as Wen Shan was mentally planning how to thoroughly utilize these pomegranate trees, she heard footsteps at the entrance. Then a group of palace attendants surrounded Kangxi as he entered Xianfu Palace.
Wen Shan dutifully paid her respects. Kangxi, in good spirits today, smiled warmly and personally helped her up.
“Though spring has arrived, the weather remains cool. There’s no need to wait outside for me in the future.”
“…”
Emperors must be naturally confident.
“It is this consort’s duty to await Your Majesty’s arrival.” Wen Shan quickly switched to her gentle and virtuous persona. Fortunately, she had been interacting frequently with Consort Wei recently. While Wen Shan was pretending, Consort Wei was genuinely gentle and virtuous, so she had learned some tricks to put on a good show.
Kangxi took her hand and led her inside, his smile as warm as the spring breeze. “I’ll visit more often from now on, so there’s no need to wait.”
“…”
Was it too late to take back what she just said?
Having been verbally cornered twice, Wen Shan didn’t dare engage in further casual conversation with Kangxi, fearing he might deliver more unwelcome news.
“Where are Yinzhen and Yinsi?”
Wen Shan: “Both have already gone to sleep.”
Kangxi gave an acknowledging hum and didn’t mention the children further. Wen Shan was especially cautious not to bring up anything related to Yinzhen in front of Kangxi now.
Fortunately, Kangxi was hungry after working until now. As soon as they entered, Zhen Zhu led the palace attendants in serving the prepared dishes one by one. Kangxi’s appetite was whetted at the sight – his Imperial Grandmother had spoken truly. The dishes at Consort Xuan’s place were indeed different from those of the Imperial Kitchen.
Liang Jiugong served Kangxi a bowl of winter melon and barley with duck soup. After tasting it, Kangxi praised it highly.
“Consort Xuan’s culinary skills are truly remarkable. This soup is excellent.”
Kangxi assumed that all these novel dishes on the table were personally prepared by Wen Shan. The palace chefs couldn’t produce such dishes, and the two elders at Cining Palace often praised Consort Xuan’s exceptional cooking skills in his hearing. Most importantly, since he only visited Consort Xuan once every few months, she would naturally cook in person.
Wen Shan simply smiled and served Kangxi another portion of stir-fried seasonal vegetables.
Today’s table of dishes was prepared by the chef from the small kitchen of Xianfu Palace. Having assisted Wen Shan for so long, he had gradually absorbed her cooking methods and flavors, resulting in dishes that bore some resemblance to hers.
The duck soup was made from leftover scraps when Wen Shan prepared salted duck for Yinzhen in the afternoon. Rather than wasting them, she simply used them to make soup.
Due to the intricate and exhausting efforts involved in suppressing the Three Feudatories, Kangxi hadn’t had a proper meal in months. Today, however, at Wen Shan’s place, his appetite surged, and he polished off nearly all the dishes on the table.
This nearly moved Liang Jiugong to tears. He resolved that, if necessary, he would cling to Consort Xuan’s legs and weep to persuade her to send food to the Hall of Mental Cultivation from time to time.
After the meal, Kangxi’s smile grew even more evident. He pulled Wen Shan to the soft couch by the window to read together, but this was beyond Wen Shan’s expertise. Her current level of education was barely sufficient to tutor Yinzhen, let alone engage in conversation with Kangxi.
Upon realizing that his Consort Xuan was not well-versed in poetry and literature, Kangxi didn’t mind much. It was quite common for consorts from Mongolia to have little insight into Confucian classics and historical texts.
Wen Shan felt as if she were back in high school, called upon by the teacher to answer reading comprehension questions, with a sense of unease prickling her back. Seizing an opportunity to prepare tea, she quickly made her escape.
Kangxi, rarely seeing her so flustered and fleeing in panic, found it rather amusing.
This led to Wen Shan’s legs feeling weak the next morning as she rose to help Kangxi dress.
What normal person would ask her in bed about her insights on the “Two Capitals Rhapsody”?
Kangxi even solemnly declared, “Teach your children in the hall, and your wife by the pillow.”
Teach your grandmother’s leg!
Before leaving, Kangxi also casually took away two plates of pastries she had prepared for Yinzhen to take with him, causing Wen Shan’s blood pressure to spike.
“Consort Mother, why do you look unwell?” Yinzhen, having tidied up early, came to pay his respects to her and Kangxi. After Kangxi left, he stayed to have breakfast with Wen Shan.
“It’s nothing. I’m just not used to waking up so early today,” Wen Shan said with a smile.
Yinzhen nodded seriously. “Then Consort Mother should rest a while longer later.”
A few young eunuchs were already waiting at the door, holding packed belongings. Knowing she couldn’t delay any longer, Wen Shan had Zhen Zhu bring out another bundle from the inner room.
“These are some pastries I made for you, along with a few small clothes and toys I made for Fuqi,” Wen Shan crouched down to instruct him. “If you run out, send someone to let me know, and I’ll make more for you.”
Yinzhen nodded and glanced outside, where a young eunuch was holding the eagle kite he had made himself.
“I still haven’t flown the kite with Consort Mother.”
Since the start of spring, the weather had been consistently poor with little wind, so Wen Shan hadn’t had the chance to take Yinzhen kite-flying.
“When the weather improves, I’ll come to Chengqian Palace to take you kite-flying,” Wen Shan said with a smile. “Let’s pinky swear—I won’t break my promise to our Yinzhen.”
Even if it meant braving the Noble Consort’s cold glare, she would definitely go.
Yinzhen, mature for his age, had never been particularly fond of such childish games, but this time he pressed his lips together seriously and made the pinky promise with Wen Shan.
“I’ll go see my brother now.” Before leaving, Yinzhen glanced toward the west side hall where Yinsi lived.
Yinsi was usually still asleep at this hour. Wen Shan accompanied Yinzhen inside, where Yinsi was sleeping soundly in his cradle, the small dog toy Yinzhen had given him the day before resting by his pillow.
Yinzhen poked his younger brother’s little cheek, watching him smack his lips contentedly before withdrawing his hand. Finally, he walked with Wen Shan to the gate of Xianfu Palace, bowed deeply to her, and then departed.
Wen Shan remained standing at the palace gate until Yinzhen’s figure disappeared around the corner.
“Master, why didn’t you accompany the Fourth Prince to Chengqian Palace?” Hupo couldn’t help but ask.
Wen Shan withdrew her gaze and slowly walked back. “The Noble Consort now sees me as a thorn in her side. Why would I perform some mother-son affection scene in front of her?”
Doing so would only make Yinzhen’s life more difficult in Chengqian Palace.
Meanwhile, Consort Tong Jia was also waiting in the courtyard for Yinzhen. The moment he stepped through the gate of Chengqian Palace, she smiled and went to greet him.
“Yinzhen, let your noble mother take a look at you.”
After examining him, Consort Tong Jia remarked, “You’ve grown taller and put on some weight.”
Yinzhen properly paid his respects to Consort Tong Jia and inquired, “I wonder if Noble Mother’s health has fully recovered now?”
At the mention of her miscarriage, the smile on Consort Tong Jia’s face instantly froze. She withdrew her hand and said indifferently that she had improved considerably.
Yinzhen had long grown accustomed to Consort Tong Jia’s fluctuating attitude and didn’t find it particularly unusual.
However, Consort Tong Jia felt that during these months apart, their already distant mother-son bond had grown even more estranged.
Unsure of what to say to Yinzhen, she looked up and noticed his personal eunuch holding a dog in his arms.
“Where did this dog come from?” Consort Tong Jia frowned, her expression full of disgust.
She had never liked cats or dogs, considering them noisy and dirty.
“This is my pet, named Fuqi,” Yinzhen quickly explained upon seeing Consort Tong Jia’s displeased expression, fearing she might forbid him from keeping it.
Consort Tong Jia initially wanted to order the dog thrown out, but seeing Yinzhen’s anxious expression and considering this was his first day back, she didn’t want to embarrass him too much. She could only say, “Then keep it in your quarters, and don’t let it run around.”
Yinzhen breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Noble Mother.”
Just as Consort Tong Jia was about to dismiss Yinzhen to settle in, she caught sight of a young eunuch holding a kite out of the corner of her eye. She immediately felt a headache coming on and sternly said, “Yinzhen, how is it that after just a few months at Xianfu Palace, you’ve brought back nothing but frivolous distractions? Is this how Consort Xuan teaches you?”
Yinzhen hurriedly tried to explain, “Noble Mother…”
“Enough,” Consort Tong Jia interrupted him, looking at the trembling eunuch holding the kite. “Open that bundle and let me see what’s inside.”
The bundle contained snacks and treats that Wen Shan had prepared for Yinzhen, along with clothes and toys for Fuqi, plus several outfits that Consort Wei had made for Yinzhen.
“Yinzhen, if you spend all your time indulging in pleasure, how will you ever become a pillar of the Qing dynasty and share your Emperor Father’s burdens?”
Faced with Consort Tong Jia’s stern scolding, Yinzhen could only kneel and admit his fault.
Consort Tong Jia let out a long sigh. “Very well, since you’ve returned to Chengqian Palace, rid yourself of these bad habits. Go back to your room now.”
“Chen Momo, burn all these things.”
Yinzhen suddenly looked up, crawling forward on his knees as he urgently pleaded, “Noble Mother, these things were prepared for me by Mother Xuan…”
“Yinzhen, I have raised you since you were young,” Consort Tong Jia looked at him, speaking each word clearly. “Only your noble mother truly has your best interests at heart. Do you understand?”
Yinzhen’s hand clutching Consort Tong Jia’s skirt gradually loosened.
With a wave of Consort Tong Jia’s hand, a young eunuch hurried forward and took the bundle away.
Watching Yinzhen’s retreating figure, Consort Tong Jia felt tightness in her chest. Chen Momo quickly supported her and advised, “Your Highness, the Fourth Prince is still young. There’s plenty of time to teach him properly. Since he has been brought back to us, he remains the prince of our Chengqian Palace.”
“Momo, it’s not that I’m being harsh. Yinzhen has already fallen out of the Emperor’s favor. If he doesn’t strive to improve himself, how can he have a promising future?”
Chen Momo assisted Consort Tong Jia back to her chambers. Juyue brought over some bird’s nest soup and added, “It must be because Consort Xuan always indulged the Fourth Prince’s whims. Don’t worry, Your Highness. The Fourth Prince listens to you most of all. He’ll come around in a few days.”
“Hmph, Consort Xuan.” Consort Tong Jia sneered coldly. “Just yesterday she managed to lure the Emperor to her palace again. Using Yinzhen to gain favor, while Yinzhen still clings to her memory.”
Chen Momo’s eyes shifted thoughtfully as she whispered, “Your Highness, Lady Niohuru and Consort Rong have just been released from confinement. They must be quite displeased as well.”
Especially the Niohuru Clan – those Manchu noblewomen have never been intimidated by Consort Xuan’s background.
“We only need to sit back and watch the tigers fight.”
After Yinzhen returned to Chengqian Palace, Consort Tong Jia employed the same tactic again, claiming poor health and requiring Yinzhen’s constant company. Except for attending the Imperial Study, Yinzhen was practically confined to Chengqian Palace, making it impossible for Wen Shan to see him even if she wanted to.
After Yinzhen had been gone for several days, Xianfu Palace felt empty and desolate. Even Yinsi wasn’t as playful and lively as usual, nor did he fuss about learning to roll over anymore.
Wen Shan held Yinsi in the corridor while admiring flowers. Yinsi rested his head on Wen Shan’s shoulder, thinking indifferently that Yinzhen was still the same cold and heartless Fourth Prince after all. He hadn’t come back to visit Mother even once since leaving, despite Mother missing him so much.
Next time he sees him, he’ll definitely give him two hard kicks.
That evening when preparing for bed, Yinsi panicked upon discovering that the woven vine puppy Yinzhen had left him was missing.
The wet nurse anxiously sought out Wen Shan, reporting that the Eighth Prince was crying uncontrollably for some unknown reason and couldn’t be soothed.
Wen Shan rushed over to find Yinsi crying so hard he could barely catch his breath, looking utterly wronged. She quickly picked him up.
“What’s wrong with our Yinsi? Are you hungry?”
The wet nurse replied, “We tried feeding him milk, but the Eighth Prince refused to drink. We’ve checked everything else and found nothing amiss.”
Yinsi had only wanted to make some noise to get them to help find his toy, but none of the wet nurses understood his meaning. In his anxiety, he could only resort to loud crying to attract Wen Shan’s attention.
Indeed, in his current state, crying was his most effective weapon.
Mother was so clever – she would surely understand what he meant.
Watching Yinsi sob while waving his little hands and pointing toward the pillow, Wen Shan suddenly had an inspiration. “Is Yinsi looking for the little puppy your brother gave you?”
Wen Shan had always believed her little Yinsi was exceptionally intelligent and could understand human speech. Like now, when he immediately stopped crying and just looked at her with tear-filled eyes.
Wen Shan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “The toy was taken to be washed and is drying outside. You’ll get it back tomorrow when it’s dry.”
She gently touched his little face. “When your brother gave it to you, you kicked it away. Now you treasure it so much. Do you miss your brother?”
Yinsi turned his face away in embarrassed annoyance. Who would miss that Fourth Prince!
Another strange thing happened these past two days. Ever since Kangxi came to Xianfu Palace for a meal, he would occasionally drop by to share a few more meals. But whenever he intended to stay overnight, the Niohuru Clan would always find some excuse to invite him to her palace instead.
Zhen Zhu and Hupo were so upset they shed tears, while Yinsi secretly gritted his teeth. Only Wen Shan was as cheerful as a little bird, holding Yinsi’s hand and saying that the Niohuru Clan was truly a good person, sacrificing herself to save others from distress.
Yinsi gazed up at the sky speechlessly.
It seemed his mother’s way of thinking really was different from that of the other consorts.