Although Yinzhen was only three years old and still looked like a small bundle, he had some weight to him. Wen Shan picked him up from the snow, tested his weight, and after considering the distance between Cining Palace and Xianfu Palace, she decided to have the eunuch Bao Quan summon a sedan chair.
When she had left earlier that day, she had planned to enjoy the snowy scenery and had come on foot. But in Yinzhen’s current condition, she couldn’t let him walk back with her.
While Bao Quan went to call for the sedan chair, Wen Shan carried Yinzhen to a covered corridor to wait. The bump on Yinzhen’s forehead was now a little red and swollen, and from the looks of it, his knees were also uncomfortable, perhaps from kneeling for too long.
“Zhen Zhu, go to the Imperial Hospital and summon an imperial physician to wait at Xianfu Palace,” Wen Shan ordered, tightening the cloak around Yinzhen.
“Yes.”
Zhen Zhu acknowledged the order with a curtsy and hurried off. Wen Shan called out to her again, “You don’t need to come back here afterward. Return to the palace, boil some hot water, and prepare some food.”
Zhen Zhu nodded. Not long after she left, Bao Quan returned with the sedan chair. Wen Shan’s other personal maid, Fei Cui, helped Wen Shan carry Yinzhen into the carriage.
Throughout the entire process, Yinzhen remained silent, obediently letting her move him about, his eyes downcast in a daze.
Wen Shan sighed and stroked his head, saying in a gentle voice, “When we get to Consort Xuan’s place, we’ll have the imperial physician take a look at you first. Then you can take a bath, have something to eat, and go to sleep.”
Yinzhen nodded and said sullenly, “Thank you, Consort Xuan.”
Seeing the child was in low spirits, Wen Shan didn’t force him to talk and simply held him close. With their young master injured, the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair walked much faster than usual, and they arrived in no time.
Wen Shan had intended to carry Yinzhen inside, but he struggled out of her arms and said with great earnestness, “Your subject is fine. I can walk by myself.”
Seeing the insistence on his small face, Wen Shan let him have his way. She crouched down, straightened the hat that had been knocked askew during the ride, and took his hand with a smile. “Alright, let’s go in then.”
Yinzhen nodded and followed Wen Shan into Xianfu Palace.
He had never been to Xianfu Palace before. This area was usually quiet, and the snowfall made it seem even more serene. The vermilion palace gates were already open, and several maids and eunuchs were waiting. Seeing them return, they hurried forward to greet them.
“Your Highness, you’ve finally returned,” Zhen Zhu said as she approached. “Doctor Zhang has already arrived and is waiting in the hall. The hot water is also ready. This servant will attend to the Fourth Prince’s bath in a moment.”
Holding Wen Shan’s hand, Yinzhen walked into Xianfu Palace for the first time. A few trees were planted in the front courtyard. They were bare for now, but numerous paper cuttings had been hung on them, making them look like a grove of red plum blossoms from a distance. There were also many flowerbeds on both sides, a swing set stood in the southeast corner, and several palace lanterns painted with koi fish hung from the eaves of the corridor. A group of eunuchs and maids clustered around them, talking to Consort Xuan. From their familiar expressions, it was clear that Consort Xuan usually treated them very well.
It was a very beautiful place, full of life.
A wave of warmth washed over them as they entered the room. Doctor Zhang was already waiting. He bowed to Wen Shan and Yinzhen. Wen Shan took off Yinzhen’s cloak and lifted him onto the couch.
“Doctor Zhang, I’ll have to trouble you to take a look at the Fourth Prince.”
“Your Highness is too kind. This is this humble subject’s duty,” Doctor Zhang said, bowing as he stepped forward to take Yinzhen’s pulse and examine the injuries on his forehead and knees.
Wen Shan stood by anxiously. “How is he? Is it anything serious?”
Doctor Zhang stroked his beard and put away his pulse pillow. “Rest assured, Your Highness. The injuries on his forehead and knees are superficial. Applying some medicine and resting for two days should be enough. However, the Fourth Prince has caught a slight cold. This humble subject will prescribe two doses of medicine, and he should be fine after taking them.”
Only then did Wen Shan breathe a sigh of relief. Zhen Zhu led Doctor Zhang out to get the medicine, while Fei Cui came in with freshly brewed ginger soup and the Fried Milk Wen Shan had made before she left.
The Fried Milk had been made for the two Dowager Empresses, but on the principle of “since I’m making it anyway,” Wen Shan had fried some extra. She had originally planned to have it as a snack while reading in the afternoon. It was a perfect coincidence that Yinzhen was here; children were supposed to like these kinds of sweet treats.
Sitting on the couch, Yinzhen had long since noticed the various trinkets scattered on the table: a few travelogues and novels, a half-finished woven rattan rabbit, and a lifelike kitten pillow tossed in a corner.
Although it looked messy and disorganized, it inexplicably made one feel a sense of happiness.
Wen Shan had intended to use the Fried Milk to coax Yinzhen into drinking the ginger soup and taking his medicine, but to her surprise, no coaxing was needed. Yinzhen picked up the bowl himself and drank it all down in a few gulps, not making a sound even as the bitter taste made his brows furrow tightly.
As expected of the Yongzheng Emperor, whose will was as firm as steel. He was a tough one, even from a young age.
However, Yinzhen was still very interested in the plate of fragrant, golden-brown Fried Milk. His eyes couldn’t help but drift toward it, but he was too shy to ask.
Amused, Wen Shan pushed the Fried Milk toward him. “Go on, eat. I prepared it for you anyway.”
Yinzhen pursed his lips. Although he really wanted to eat it, he first politely thanked her before picking up a piece of Fried Milk. His eyes instantly lit up.
Wen Shan rested her chin on her hand and watched him. “Is it good?”
Yinzhen nodded, his face slightly flushed, and said in a small voice, “It’s delicious.”
He had never had this dessert before. It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the milk smooth and slightly sweet, melting in his mouth.
Wen Shan was greatly satisfied. As expected, her cooking could conquer everyone from a sixty-year-old elder to a three-year-old child!
No one who ate it ever said it wasn’t good.
Yinzhen finished the entire small plate of Fried Milk before lowering his head in some shame. Had he shown himself to be too gluttonous?
But to his surprise, Consort Xuan was overjoyed, praising him for giving her face by eating it all.
Yinzhen felt a little happy from her praise, thinking to himself that anyone would surely finish everything Consort Xuan cooked.
After he took his medicine, Zhen Zhu led Yinzhen away for his bath. Wen Shan picked up the half-finished rattan rabbit. She had only been working on it for a moment when Bao Quan came in.
“Your Highness, Consort Tong Jia has sent someone over with some of the Fourth Prince’s things.”
About time they came, Wen Shan thought.
“Have them come in quickly.”
The person from Chengqian Palace was Consort Tong Jia’s personal mammy, whose surname was Chen. Mammy Chen curtsied to Wen Shan and said, “Consort Tong Jia has sent this old servant to deliver some of the Fourth Prince’s personal belongings, fearing that the Fourth Prince might not be used to a change of residence.”
Wen Shan glanced at the two young maids following behind Mammy Chen, who were holding some clothes and daily necessities.
Zhen Zhu took the items and brought over a chair.
Wen Shan smiled and said, “Please sit, Mammy.”
Mammy Chen was impeccably polite. She bowed and replied, “Thank you for your kindness, Consort Xuan. Consort Tong Jia has other matters for me, so this old servant must hurry back.”
“Consort Tong Jia is with child and has no time to care for the Fourth Prince. She is greatly comforted that Consort Xuan was able to lend a helping hand. However, Her Highness is truly unwell and cannot personally come to visit the Fourth Prince. She hopes that Consort Xuan can often bring the Fourth Prince to Chengqian Palace to fulfill his filial duties. When Her Highness has given birth and takes the Fourth Prince back, she will surely reward you handsomely.”
Wen Shan’s expression didn’t change as she listened to these barbed words. She only smiled faintly and said, “But of course.”
Only after Mammy Chen had left did Zhen Zhu say indignantly, “Your Highness, did you hear what she said? It’s as if she’s afraid we’ll snatch the Fourth Prince away.”
Fei Cui was also resentful. “She said so much but didn’t even ask to see the Fourth Prince. I really don’t know if she’s being sincere or not.”
“That’s enough,” Wen Shan interrupted them, instructing, “Don’t say these things in front of the Fourth Prince. Be more careful in the future.”
Zhen Zhu and Fei Cui nodded meekly.
“Since His Majesty and the two Dowager Empresses have entrusted the Fourth Prince to my care, we just need to do our best. When Consort Tong Jia has given birth, we will simply follow His Majesty’s arrangements.”
Although Wen Shan knew that the three-year-old little bean in front of her was the future champion of the renowned Nine Sons Seizing the Throne and the next emperor, she had no intention of deliberately getting close to him to curry favor.
She had been here for over two years and had never had any interaction with Yinzhen.
The reason was that the script she had been given was good enough for her to just lie flat.
Her status was prominent, and in history, Consort Xuan had lived a long and peaceful life into the Qianlong era. There was no need to get involved in these matters.
Therefore, she had a very ordinary attitude toward Yinzhen, treating him just like any other child.
“How many months pregnant is the Consort?” Wen Shan suddenly thought of something.
Zhen Zhu thought for a moment. “She’s four months along. It’s Consort Tong Jia’s first pregnancy, so it has indeed been quite difficult for her.”
Historically, Consort Tong Jia gave birth to a princess in the twenty-second year of Kangxi’s reign, but the child was premature and died.
It was currently only the twentieth year of Kangxi’s reign. Wen Shan estimated that this child of Consort Tong Jia’s would most likely be miscarried before birth; otherwise, there would be no reason for it not to be recorded in history.
In that case, she probably wouldn’t even have to wait six months before Yinzhen could be taken back.
Thinking of this, Wen Shan felt a bit wistful. This pregnancy was difficult for Consort Tong Jia, and her next child would die young. It was hard not to attribute this to her and Kangxi being close relatives.
But in this era, marriage between first cousins was all too common.
When Mammy Chen returned to Chengqian Palace, Consort Tong Jia was taking a nap on the couch. She was sleeping restlessly and woke with a start, seeing that Mammy Chen had returned.
Consort Tong Jia rubbed her sore temples and sat up. A maid at her side quickly placed a soft cushion behind her and drew back the beaded curtain.
“Mammy, you’re back. What did Consort Xuan say?”
Seeing her mistress’s weary expression, Mammy Chen’s heart ached. She personally offered a cup of ginseng tea and said, “Rest assured, Your Highness. From what this old servant saw, Consort Xuan is honest and dutiful and has not harbored any improper thoughts. Your Highness’s pregnancy has been very difficult this time, so it is for the best that the Fourth Prince has been entrusted to someone else.”
Consort Tong Jia took a sip of the ginseng tea, her fine brows furrowed. Her body was weak, and she had grown much more haggard.
“How is the Crown Prince? Did His Majesty say anything?”
Early this morning, someone had reported that Yinzhen and the Crown Prince had gotten into an argument. In a fit of anger, the Crown Prince had kicked Yinzhen down the steps and then fainted from his own rage. The Emperor was furious. When the Grand Empress Dowager heard about it, she summoned the Emperor, and Yinzhen was also punished by the Emperor to kneel in Cining Palace.
Upon hearing this news, Consort Tong Jia had almost fainted from anxiety herself. She often accompanied the Emperor and naturally knew how much he doted on the Crown Prince. This time, Yinzhen had made a grave mistake and would most likely incur the Emperor’s displeasure.
And since she was currently pregnant, after much deliberation, she had not gone to Cining Palace, despite her worry for Yinzhen.
Mammy Chen placed a hand warmer in Consort Tong Jia’s hands and said, “This old servant has made inquiries. His Highness the Crown Prince has already woken up and is fine. His Majesty knows that Your Highness’s pregnancy is difficult, so he didn’t say anything.”
“Then… why was Yinzhen taken from my side? Does he think I am an unkind mother?” Consort Tong Jia’s brow was clouded with worry. Only now did it occur to her to worry that the Emperor might think she was harsh with Yinzhen.
“Your Highness is overthinking,” Mammy Chen comforted her. “This old servant heard from Little Lu-zi at Cining Palace that His Majesty personally told the Fourth Prince that his temperament is unstable and he lacks any sense of filial piety or brotherly love, making him unsuitable to be raised in our palace for fear of disturbing your pregnancy.”
“In this old servant’s opinion, His Majesty is concerned for Your Highness. It is better to send the Fourth Prince away at this time, lest His Majesty comes to Chengqian Palace, sees the Fourth Prince, and directs his anger toward you.”
Consort Tong Jia was shocked. “Did His Majesty really say such harsh words to Yinzhen?”
Mammy Chen nodded. “It is absolutely true. His Majesty was furious.”
Consort Tong Jia’s heart sank. The gender of the child in her womb was still unknown, and her adopted son was now disliked by the Emperor…
Seeing Consort Tong Jia’s poor complexion, Mammy Chen thought she was still worried about not having pleaded for the Fourth Prince and offered further comfort, “Your Highness, don’t forget, the Fourth Prince’s birth mother on the jade register is still Consort De. Even she didn’t go to plead for him, so naturally, no blame can fall on us.”
At the mention of Consort De, Consort Tong Jia became even more depressed. “Consort De is in favor now. She just had the Sixth Prince last year. With a new support to rely on, she naturally wants to avoid Yinzhen at all costs.”
“So it is for the best that the Fourth Prince is being raised by Consort Xuan. It’s better than him returning to Yonghe Palace,” Mammy Chen said, striking while the iron was hot, seeing that Consort Tong Jia’s train of thought had finally shifted.
After talking for a while, Consort Tong Jia felt tired again. She raised a hand and said wearily, “I can’t be bothered with so much right now. You may all withdraw.”
Mammy Chen directed the maids to help Consort Tong Jia rest before she withdrew.
Meanwhile, in Xianfu Palace, Yinzhen, who had just finished his bath and changed into a snow-white nightgown, was silently drooling as he stared at the table laden with delicious dishes. Wen Shan, with her sleeves rolled up, personally brought in a tureen of yellow peach honey soup.
“Alright, all the dishes are here. Time to eat!”