Yinzhen froze, then began flusteredly comforting his younger brother.
“Don’t cry, don’t cry. Brother won’t tease you anymore.”
Yinsi’s crying grew even louder.
The moment Wen Shan entered the palace gates with Fuqi, she heard her youngest son’s loud wails.
Yinsi was truly an angelic child – he ate well, slept soundly, and rarely made fusses, especially crying fits. So when Wen Shan heard him crying as if the sky was falling, her first reaction was curiosity about what could have upset him so much.
Yinzhen turned to look at her: “Mother…”
He hadn’t expected to make his brother cry right after returning.
Wen Shan picked up Yinsi while also patting Yinzhen’s head affectionately. She asked the palace servants what had happened. Fei Cui replied while suppressing a laugh: “The Eighth Prince was sucking his thumb when the Fourth Prince saw him and pulled it out.”
Yinzhen nodded: “Mother, I didn’t mean to make brother cry.”
Yinsi had already stopped crying while nestled against Wen Shan’s neck, though glistening teardrops still hung from his eyelashes, making him look pitiful. With his back to Wen Shan, he glared fiercely at Yinzhen.
Yinzhen: “…”
His brother had glared at him.
Heartbroken.
Wen Shan explained to Yinzhen with mixed amusement and exasperation that thumb-sucking was normal for children at this age, and they just needed to make sure he didn’t do it for too long. She even showed Yinzhen Yinsi’s pacifier.
It was understandable that Yinzhen didn’t know these things, having never seen such a young child grow up step by step. After comforting Yinsi, Wen Shan showed Yinzhen the dog cage that the eunuchs behind her were carrying.
“Look, Mother brought Fuqi back for you.”
Fuqi had grown much thinner, lying listlessly in the cage with little energy. His fur was matted and looked dirty. This condition didn’t seem like something that could happen from just two days in the dog kennel – Wen Shan estimated he hadn’t been properly cared for even back in Chengqian Palace.
When Fuqi saw Yinzhen, he let out a weak whimper. Yinzhen grew anxious and wanted to open the cage to check on him, but Wen Shan stopped him.
“Fuqi is fine, he just hasn’t eaten properly for a long time. Let’s give Fuqi a bath and some food first, then you can see him later, alright?”
When Wen Shan arrived at the dog kennel, the staff had been planning to leave Fuqi to fend for himself. If she had been a few days later, Fuqi might have truly starved to death. Since the dog kennel had veterinarians on standby, Wen Shan had one examine Fuqi immediately. Fortunately, he had no external injuries or illnesses, just weakness from not eating for too long.
Yinzhen looked at Fuqi reluctantly several times before Wen Shan urged him to go rest inside.
Bao Quan carried him into the side hall where he had previously lived. Even after he left, Wen Shan had still ordered it cleaned daily, with all the furnishings kept exactly as they were. The books Yinzhen loved to read, his favorite toys, Fuqi’s dog bed and several small outfits were all still in their places.
The bedding on the bed was soft and warm, just like what he had used before.
It made Yinzhen feel as if he had merely gone to the Imperial Study and returned after two hours of lessons.
With the palace door left open, Yinzhen could faintly hear Wen Shan directing the palace servants in the courtyard to prepare ingredients, the warm sounds of conversation and laughter continuing as usual. The medicinal soup the imperial physician had prescribed for Yinzhen had calming effects, and returning to his familiar bedchamber made his drowsiness spread. Soon, he fell asleep.
Wen Shan and Zhen Zhu tiptoed in. Worried about Yinzhen’s injury, Wen Shan had taken advantage of his slumber to check on him again. Seeing the large bruise on his knee, Zhen Zhu couldn’t help but frown and whisper, “The Noble Consort has been too harsh.”
As the weather grew warmer, Wen Shan fanned Yinzhen, brushing the hair from his forehead. Gazing at his sleeping face, she said pityingly, “I wonder if Yinzhen knows that Consort Tong Jia believes he brought misfortune upon her child.”
Perhaps it was better if he remained unaware, sparing him much distress.
Zhen Zhu thought for a moment. “That day in the pavilion when we met the Fourth Prince, judging by his demeanor, I fear he already knows.”
Wen Shan sighed and instructed Zhen Zhu, “Ensure everyone in the palace is careful not to mention this matter in front of Yinzhen.”
…
In Cining Palace, Kangxi had already been present for some time. The Grand Empress Dowager shook her head at his gloomy expression. “This isn’t such a grave matter. At worst, it’s merely the Tongjia clan’s lack of personal virtue. As for these theories of fate and misfortune, they shouldn’t spread as they damage the imperial family’s reputation. Just find some pretext to place the Tongjia clan under house arrest for spiritual cultivation.”
“She has just lost her child; we shouldn’t be too severe. In her grief, it’s inevitable she might act irrationally.”
Kangxi looked up. “Imperial Grandmother is unusually lenient toward the Noble Consort today.”
Everyone in the palace knew the Grand Empress Dowager disliked Consort Tong Jia, making it rare to hear her defending her.
“A seven-month male fetus is truly a pity. Wasn’t Your Majesty also planning to appoint her as empress to offer some comfort?”
The Grand Empress Dowager sat cross-legged on the couch, her temples now streaked with white hair, the wrinkles at her brow and eyes deepening. For the first time, Kangxi felt that the Grand Empress Dowager, who had witnessed three reigns, seemed to have truly aged.
“This grandson isn’t solely concerned about her lost child. Tong Guowei rendered great service in suppressing the Revolt of the Three Feudatories, and the Tongjia clan deserves rewards. The Noble Consort has served in the palace for years without any missteps until now. Since the Niohuru Clan passed away, the rear court has lacked a mistress. The Tongjia clan is indeed the most suitable choice.”
Kangxi spoke slowly, adding that he held considerable affection for Consort Tong Jia, so the appointment had been nearly certain.
The Grand Empress Dowager smiled. “Your plans are so thorough, I naturally have no objections. However, with this incident, establishing an empress likely won’t be possible.”
“Then let it be.” Kangxi didn’t dwell on the matter, instead saying, “But it was previously decided that by year’s end, the six palaces would be honored with titles. The Tongjia clan…”
Kangxi clicked his tongue, seeming greatly troubled.
“By then, she will have been under house arrest for half a year cultivating her mind, and this matter will be over. Granting her the title of Imperial Noble Consort should suffice,” the Grand Empress Dowager suggested.
Kangxi smiled. “Then let it be as Imperial Grandmother says.”
The Grand Empress Dowager stretched her limbs and looked at Kangxi, advising, “Although Consort Hui has her petty schemes, still reward her slightly to maintain appearances.”
“Does Imperial Grandmother truly believe it was Consort Hui who discovered this matter?” Kangxi asked with a faint smile.
The Grand Empress Dowager hummed in agreement, leaning forward slightly. “Is there more to this?”
Kangxi shook his head, smiling. “This grandson was merely speaking idly.”
“The hour grows late; I won’t disturb Imperial Grandmother’s rest. This grandson takes his leave.”
“Go ahead.” The Grand Empress Dowager added a final reminder, “It’s been hot lately—don’t indulge too much in the coolness.”
After Kangxi left, Sumalagu emerged from behind the hall. The Grand Empress Dowager sighed, “Sumala, the emperor has truly grown up.”
“Your Majesty, how can you say that? In two more years, His Majesty will be thirty—of course he’s grown up.”
“I’m not speaking of his physical growth,” the Grand Empress Dowager pointed to her head, “but of this.”
Sumala smiled without responding, thinking to herself that the Grand Empress Dowager’s words made even less sense. The emperor had personally handled state affairs for years, captured Ao Bai, pacified the Three Feudatories, and brought peace and prosperity throughout the Qing territory. Xuanye, whom the Grand Empress Dowager had once guided onto the throne, had long become a genuine emperor.
“I know what you’re thinking—that this old woman has become senile, isn’t that right?” The Grand Empress Dowager chuckled briefly before sighing, “In the past, even if the emperor didn’t tell me, I could roughly guess his thoughts. But today I realized I can no longer discern the emperor’s intentions.”
Sumalagu was taken aback, “Your Majesty, what do you mean?”
“He never intended to make a member of the Tongjia clan empress. He was just using bait to fish!”
“Both the rear palace and the imperial court—all those who harbor ambitions for the positions of empress and crown prince have revealed themselves.”
The Grand Empress Dowager said leisurely, “Consort Hui, Noble Lady Ping, the Hesheri family, the Niohuru family—he likely understands all their intentions perfectly well.”
After a moment’s thought, Sumalagu also understood the underlying scheme. The Grand Empress Dowager said with relief, “Good, with the emperor like this, I can finally give an account to the ancestors of the Aisin Gioro clan.”
Yinzhen woke around noon. The injury on his knee looked serious, but after applying medicine, he could actually walk, though with an awkward limp.
Bao Quan wanted to continue carrying him, but Yinzhen refused, insisting on walking by himself.
Wen Shan had consulted the imperial physician and, after confirming no bones were injured and movement was permissible, allowed him to get up and walk around.
For lunch, Wen Shan personally cooked a large spread of Yinzhen’s favorite dishes. His bowl was piled high with food she had served him.
“Eat more, you’ve lost so much weight,” Wen Shan looked at Yinzhen with maternal affection.
Yinzhen obediently nodded and buried himself in eating.
Watching from nearby, Yinsi giggled happily. He stretched out his little feet and made soft sounds. Wen Shan picked him up, adjusted his tiger-head hat, and Yinzhen glanced at him while eating, observing for a moment before saying, “Younger brother has grown so much.”
Having been away for over two months, his brother had grown nearly half again in size.
“Yes, your brother is almost five months old now and can already roll over,” Wen Shan said with a smile.
That afternoon, while Yinzhen and Wen Shan were making a kite on the couch, they truly experienced how powerful Yinsi’s rolling ability had become.
With the recent improvement in weather, Wen Shan had intended to fulfill her promise to take Yinzhen kite flying. However, after a long silence, Yinzhen finally told her that the previous kite had been burned by Consort Tong Jia. Wen Shan smiled and said it was alright, then brought him to make a new kite together on the couch.
Since learning to roll over, Yinsi no longer liked staying in his cradle. Wen Shan placed him on the couch too, which was specially padded with thick bedding to prevent him from getting hurt.
Yinzhen was concentrating on making the kite when he suddenly felt someone touch his leg. Looking down, he saw Yinsi had somehow wriggled next to him and was stretching his little legs to kick him.
“…”
Yinsi’s kicks lacked strength and didn’t hurt at all—they felt soft and quite comfortable.
Yinzhen set down the half-finished kite in his hands and tried to pick up Yinsi. Yinsi widened his eyes and flailed his limbs in protest. Wen Shan found the scene amusing: “Yinsi, stop squirming. If your brother loses his grip, you’ll fall.”
Since there were no safety hazards with the two brothers roughhousing on the couch, Wen Shan let them be. Besides, Yinzhen always knew his limits.
Using all his strength, Yinzhen finally managed to lift Yinsi and settled him on his lap, encircling him with his arms. “Little brother, let me teach you how to make a kite,” he said. “How about a puppy kite? When you’re older, I’ll take you to fly it.”
Yinsi felt utterly resigned. If the Ninth and Tenth Princes ever found out he’d been cradled by the Fourth Prince while making a kite together, they’d laugh themselves to death.
It was all too surreal.
In the end, Kangxi acted decisively. Though no official edict was issued to punish Consort Tong Jia, she voluntarily requested seclusion to cultivate virtue and pray for the Qing dynasty. Kangxi approved, temporarily entrusting the management of the inner court to the Niohuru Clan. Yinzhen was placed under the care of Consort Xuan, while Consort Hui and the Eldest Prince received imperial rewards—thus the matter was superficially resolved.
While Consort Tong Jia’s downfall and the Niohuru Clan’s rise as de facto rulers of the inner court represented a dramatic shift for other consorts, Wen Shan’s recent headache was Yinsi’s teething. He now wanted to bite everything in sight.
The worst victims of this were Yinzhen’s hands and arms.