This startled the matrons attending the Empress Dowager, and Yiqing’s wet nurse standing behind her was also taken aback.
The Empress Dowager quickly leaned back, unable to suppress the smile spreading across her face. “Oh dear, hurry—bring towels and water at once to wipe the Princess clean.”
Kangxi and Empress Hešeri turned their attention to the scene, smiles tugging at the corners of their lips as they watched.
“It’s most unusual. Normally, our Yiqing shows no interest in meals at all,” remarked the Grand Empress Dowager in surprise. “When we dine, little Yiqing always insists on going to the side hall to play, and if we try to keep her here, she bursts into tears. What made her grab food with her hands today?”
The moment her fingers closed around the slick, tender meat, Yiqing snapped back to her senses and felt a sudden flush of embarrassment. She had acted completely out of character just now, as if guided by some unknown force. But since the deed was done, she was determined to taste the braised pork—at least then her moment of shame wouldn’t be for nothing.
She stuffed the piece of meat into her mouth, savoring its flavor even in that small bite.
While the nurses rushed about busily, everyone else burst into laughter, filling the hall with warmth and cheer.
Once Yiqing’s hands and face had been thoroughly cleaned, she gazed longingly at the dining table, which had been moved further away. The Empress Dowager had carried her a safe distance from it to prevent her from reaching for more food.
Consort Jin watched the scene unfold, glancing from person to person. Only when she saw that neither the Emperor, the Empress, nor the two Dowagers showed any trace of displeasure did she relax and join in the laughter. The heavy worry that had weighed on her heart finally lifted a little. As long as these most powerful figures in the palace treated her daughter with kindness and tolerance, the child would surely grow up happy and well cared for.
“It seems our Eldest Princess is eager to grow up and eat the same food as adults,” smiled Imperial Concubine Nara, taking advantage of the joyful mood. “Whenever I pay my respects at the Palace of Compassion and Peace, I always find her so composed and dignified. Sometimes she hardly seems like a child at all, but rather a little adult. Today, though, she has shown us her childish side—and what a lovely sight it is, far better than how Baoqing behaves.”
“Baoqing is a fine child too,” the Empress Dowager said with a warm laugh. “The siblings get along beautifully day by day.”
“Indeed,” added Imperial Concubine Magiya with a smile, eager to join the conversation. “When I bring the Second Princess to pay our respects, the three of them play together most harmoniously. Even at such a young age, our Eldest Princess already has the grace and kindness of an elder sister, always looking after her younger brother and sister.”
A faint smile appeared on Kangxi’s face as he listened. He was always pleased to hear such words—after all, what parent wouldn’t be glad to know their children treated one another with love and respect? Even though they were still so small, such reports never failed to delight him.
This small incident did nothing to mar the atmosphere of the birthday celebration. Everyone present was in high spirits, with the sole exception of Yiqing herself, who was disappointed that she had not been able to enjoy more of the delicious food.
It was only after the guests had departed that Yiqing cheered herself up.
I may not be able to eat all these things now, but I will one day, she told herself. When I was first born, all I could have was milk; now I already eat vegetable purées, rice porridges, and minced meat dishes. As I grow older, there will be more and more foods I can try. One day, I will taste every single dish from the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast.
Originally, it had been agreed that after Yiqing turned one year old, she would return to live with Empress Hešeri in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. But having cared for the child for several months, the Empress Dowager found it very difficult to part with her. Furthermore, as the Empress was now pregnant again, it was decided that Yiqing would remain in her care until the Empress had given birth and fully recovered her strength.
And so, even after her first birthday, Yiqing continued to make her home in the Palace of Compassion and Peace.
Things were different for Baoqing, however. Four months later, when he too turned one, Imperial Concubine Nara first cautiously broached the subject with Kangxi, then spoke of it gently to the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager. In the end, she succeeded in bringing her son back to live with her in the Palace of Lasting Spring.
As she carried him back to her quarters, Imperial Concubine Nara could not contain her joy. She looked down at her son’s soft, fair little face, her heart brimming with happiness.
Although traveling from the Palace of Lasting Spring to the Palace of Compassion and Peace meant crossing the entire Six Eastern and Western Palaces, she had made the journey every two or three days without fail, terrified that if Baoqing went too long without seeing her, he would grow distant from his own mother. Now that he had reached his first birthday healthy and strong, and was even beginning to speak simple words, she could finally keep him by her side to raise him herself.
Thinking of the years ahead, when she would be able to look after him personally, a soft smile spread across her face. Imperial princes were only permitted to live with their mothers for a few short years before being moved to the Princes’ Quarters to begin their education. She intended to cherish every moment while Baoqing was still small enough to remain close to her.
Yiqing did not notice at first that Baoqing had been taken away. To avoid upsetting the children with tears and fuss, the Empress Dowager had arranged for Imperial Concubine Nara to collect him very early in the morning. All of Baoqing’s belongings had already been sent to the Palace of Lasting Spring two days prior, and his nurse had gone along with them.
When Yiqing woke up and did not see her brother, she felt nothing out of the ordinary. It was not until lunchtime, when the mischievous little boy was still nowhere to be seen, that she realized something was amiss.
She crawled over to the Empress Dowager, wrapped her small arms around the older woman’s legs, and said earnestly, “Little brother.”
Her pronunciation had become quite clear by this time. While she could not yet form long sentences, she could address people correctly, and her words no longer drew amused smiles from those around her.
The Empress Dowager, who had been reading a storybook, was suddenly embraced around the legs. She looked down to see Yiqing gazing up at her with a serious expression, clearly asking after her brother. A warm smile immediately lit up her face, and she lifted the child to sit upon his lap.
Yiqing was a beautiful child, with large eyes as clear and shining as black agate. When she looked at someone with such earnestness, it was impossible not to smile back. She was especially endearing when she tried to act with the solemnity of an adult, a quality that made the Empress Dowager dote on her all the more.
“Your little brother has gone back to the Palace of Lasting Spring with Consort Nara,” the Empress Dowager explained gently, her voice soft and kind. “He will be living with her from now on. Do you miss him?”
Yiqing hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. They had only been separated for a short while, and she was not truly a small child who would pine for someone so quickly.
The Empress Dowager chuckled. “In a few days, when his mother brings him here to pay his respects, you will see him again.”
For the first few days, Yiqing found it strange not to have her brother around. Before this, as soon as she woke each morning, her nurse would carry her to Baoqing’s side so they could play together. Even though he could be quite tiresome at times, she still found herself missing him now that he was gone.
Fortunately, though she could not see her brother, she still had her younger sister, Yardan, for company.
Yardan had recently begun learning to speak. She adored her older sister and would constantly call out for her in front of Imperial Concubine Magiya. At first, the consort had felt a twinge of jealousy, but seeing how much her daughter loved Yiqing, she could only bring her to the Palace of Compassion and Peace to play, though not without a sigh of resignation.
In this way, Yiqing was never truly lonely.
While life within the inner palace remained relatively peaceful, the situation at the imperial court had descended into chaos. After Kangxi issued the order to abolish the regional feudal kingdoms, Wu Sangui killed Governor Zhu Guozhi and raised a rebellion. When news of this reached the capital, it sent waves of panic and unease throughout the entire city.