Yiqing was carried all the way in this warm embrace, her vision blocked by a red cloth. It was the depth of winter, and Empress Heseri would never allow the child to be carried back to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility without proper covering.
If she had been brought back like that, they would likely have had to summon the imperial physician the moment they arrived.
Even with all these careful precautions, Yiqing still felt a touch of coldness. It was only after the scenery around them changed and they entered the palace that the cloth covering her head was removed.
Is this the little princess? Zhao Fen stared at Yiqing with curiosity. She is such a lovely child.
Yiqing looked around with wide, curious eyes. The chambers were furnished with elegant taste. The display shelves held beautiful ornaments, and the two paintings on the wall were exquisite to behold.
Empress Heseri gently laid Yiqing down on the bed and gave her instructions. Go and bring the wet nurses here. The princess has been brought to a new place, and she may not adjust well these first few days. Everyone attending to her must remain vigilant and attentive.
Even before Yiqing arrived at the palace, Empress Heseri had already selected her attendants, most importantly the wet nurses, whom an infant simply could not do without. She had chosen four in total, who would take turns caring for the child.
Soon, several plump, healthy-looking women appeared before Yiqing. They all appeared to be in their twenties or thirties, with fair, rosy complexions that spoke clearly of their good health.
Having seen so many unfamiliar faces in one day, Yiqing began to feel drowsy. Children had limited energy, and she had been awake for quite some time—ever since she was carried into the carriage and brought here. Now, in this warm chamber, the urge to sleep washed over her naturally.
Empress Heseri was still speaking with the wet nurses when she turned around and saw that Yiqing had already closed her eyes. A sleeping child was the most endearing sight. Her small mouth was slightly parted, and her swaddled body rose and fell gently with every breath, stirring a deep tenderness in anyone who looked at her.
Seeing this, Empress Heseri could not help but smile softly. In the past, her son Chenghu had looked just as sweet when he slept. The thought of Chenghu brought a sharp twinge to her heart—not an overwhelming pain, but a slow, lingering ache that felt as though her heart was being pulled taut, a torment that went on and on.
Carry the princess inside so she may rest, Empress Heseri said gently. Keep the braziers burning steadily in her room, and leave the windows slightly ajar. There must always be someone watching over her while she sleeps; she is still too young to speak for herself, and so we must take extra care of her.
The wet nurses acknowledged her instructions promptly and carried Yiqing directly into the quarters that had long since been prepared for her.
Although the Grand Empress Dowager had only given notice three days prior that she wished to bring Prince Gong’s daughter into the palace, that was more than enough time for Empress Heseri to arrange a comfortable space suitable for a young infant.
Though the child had been put to bed, Empress Heseri could not yet rest. She was responsible for managing all matters, great and small, within the inner palace. For some time after Chenghu’s passing, her own health had declined, causing many duties to be neglected. Now that her strength had returned, she needed to review and attend to each and every one of these matters personally.
Empress Heseri bent her head and focused intently on her work, and when she finally looked up again, she realized that half an hour had already passed.
Has the princess woken up yet? Empress Heseri rubbed her temples and turned to ask Wei Zi, who stood beside her.
Wei Zi nodded slightly. She woke up a short while ago. The wet nurses and Dou Fen are playing with her to keep her entertained.
Is it time for her to be fed? Empress Heseri asked with a hint of hesitation as she rose to her feet and walked toward the side hall.
More than half an hour had passed since they returned from the Palace of Compassion and Peace, and counting the time it had taken for Prince Gong to bring the princess into the palace, it was certainly time for her meal.
No sooner had she stepped into the side hall than Empress Heseri heard the sound of heart-wrenching crying, which filled her with alarm and made her quicken her pace.
One wet nurse was walking back and forth across the room, holding Yiqing in her arms and patting her gently while murmuring soothing words. A second wet nurse walked alongside her, waving small toys in front of Yiqing’s face in the hope of calming her down.
Why is she crying? Empress Heseri frowned. Has she soiled herself?
The wet nurse shook her head. No, Your Majesty, she has not.
Is she hungry? Empress Heseri asked.
The princess refused to take any nourishment, the wet nurse replied, her face etched with worry.
Empress Heseri grew anxious. How could this be? Go quickly and summon the imperial physician.
What is the matter that requires summoning the imperial physician? Kangxi had just walked into the chamber and overheard her words.
Your servant pays her respects to Your Majesty. Taken by surprise, Empress Heseri immediately dropped to her knees to perform the ceremonial greeting. All the other attendants followed suit, with the exception of the wet nurse who was holding Yiqing.
Kangxi stepped forward personally and helped Empress Heseri to her feet. Are you feeling unwell?
I am in good health, Your Majesty, Empress Heseri replied, shaking her head. It is the princess who will not stop crying, and she refused to feed when the wet nurses tried to nurse her.
Kangxi’s expression grew grave. Setting aside the fact that she was his imperial brother’s daughter, this child had been brought into the palace precisely because she was said to possess great fortune. If anything were to happen to her while she was in their care, rumors and speculation were certain to spread.
Sent for Imperial Physician Zhang immediately, Kangxi commanded in a low, firm voice.
Yiqing did not stop crying until her voice had grown hoarse, and even then she continued to sob and gasp for breath. Perhaps because she was now inhabiting the body of a small child, her mind had also become simple and immature, and she found herself bursting into tears at the slightest discomfort or confusion.
I have woken up, she thought between gasps. Why am I still here? Where is the mother who has cared for me all these past two months? Has she abandoned me? Could it be that I have been stolen and sold away?
Seeing her in such a state stirred deep compassion in Empress Heseri. The child was not only beautiful to look at but also had a gentle, endearing nature.
Let me hold her, Kangxi said suddenly. Empress Heseri turned to him, astonished. This was something unheard of. Kangxi had always held to the principle that he would hold his grandchildren but never his own children. Of all the children born within the imperial household, he had never once taken any of them into his arms. Even Chenghu, whom he had loved most dearly, had only ever been shown to him while being held by his wet nurses.
Taking Yiqing from the nurse’s arms, Kangxi looked down at the little girl as she continued to sob. Remembering how he had seen wet nurses comfort infants, he tried to imitate their actions, patting her swaddled body in an awkward, unskilled manner.
The sudden patting made Yiqing startle, and she even forgot to cry for a moment. Up until now, both the wet nurses and Empress Heseri had held her with great gentleness, for they were all well-practiced in the art of caring for infants. Even the man who had held her earlier, though he had not been particularly comfortable to be held by, had only been a little too forceful. But this man held her with far too much strength, in an awkward and uncomfortable position, and his pats were heavy and rough.
Yiqing felt as though she were a beef meatball from Chaoshan, being pounded and kneaded relentlessly.
Waaah—waaah—
The child in his arms broke out into fresh, piercing cries. Kangxi froze instantly, staring down at her in disbelief. He had gone out of his way to show her favor by holding her, something he rarely did, and this was how she repaid him?
Empress Heseri quickly took Yiqing back into her own arms and began to pat her gently to soothe her.
Now resting once again in this comfortable embrace, Yiqing settled down and returned to soft sobbing.
Your Majesty held her in a way that made her uncomfortable, Empress Heseri said with a helpless smile, and your pats were far too forceful. It hurt her.
Kangxi looked down at his own hands. Was that really too much strength?
Fortunately, Imperial Physician Zhang entered the room at that moment. After carefully examining Yiqing’s pulse, he spoke with some hesitation. The princess is in excellent health.
The Grand Empress Dowager had insisted on bringing this child into the palace to raise, and she would certainly have had her health thoroughly examined beforehand. Having lost so many young lives within the palace walls, she would only choose to bring in a child who was strong and healthy.
If she is healthy, Kangxi asked with a frown, then why does she continue to cry?
She has only just been brought to the palace today, Imperial Physician Zhang replied. It is likely that she is unsettled by the change of surroundings. She will most likely adjust within a day or two.
Yet she refused to feed earlier, Empress Heseri pointed out.
Imperial Physician Zhang turned to look at the wet nurses. May I be permitted to examine their pulses as well?
After checking each of them in turn, the physician could offer no further explanation. All four women were as strong and robust as oxen; their health could not possibly be the cause of the problem.
Seeing that even the imperial physician could offer no clear reason, Empress Heseri grew increasingly anxious. Nothing must be allowed to happen to this child while she was under their care.
Prepare some goat’s milk, Kangxi said suddenly.
Empress Heseri turned to look at him, her eyes wide with surprise.
I have heard it said that some children are particular about their food from the moment they are born, Kangxi explained. You may also prepare some cow’s milk. Offer both to her and let her choose what she prefers.
The imperial kitchen quickly brought over warm goat’s milk. When fed to her with a spoon, Yiqing drank it eagerly and quickly. She had truly been hungry, but she had also been completely unable to tolerate the method of feeding they had used earlier. When she had been too weak to protest, she had simply endured it; but now that she had recovered some strength, she felt compelled to make her feelings known and demand a change.
Seeing that the princess was finally eating, everyone present let out a collective sigh of relief.
It seems that only Your Majesty truly understands the princess’s nature, Empress Heseri said with a soft smile. You two must surely share the bond of father and daughter.
Kangxi looked over at Yiqing, who was being fed by the wet nurses, and found his mood inexplicably lifting. Though the little girl could be troublesome at times, she did not seem so bad after all—perhaps she was worthy enough to be called his daughter.
Well then, he thought to himself. Now that she has been brought into the palace, she is my daughter in every sense.
Meanwhile, Yiqing had no idea of the thoughts running through the mind of this new, honorary father of hers. Following the simple natural rhythm of an infant’s life, now that her hunger was satisfied, she once again began to feel sleepy.
The princess does not even make a fuss when she is tired, the wet nurse holding her remarked with satisfaction. Most children become difficult and restless when it is time to sleep and require a great deal of coaxing before they finally settle down. Even the Second Prince, who was considered an exceptionally well-behaved child, had his moments of trouble during his infancy.
Seeing that Yiqing had fallen asleep, Kangxi felt the urge to try holding her once more.
Empress Heseri, however, stopped him. Your Majesty, she said gently but firmly, the princess has only just arrived in a new place and is feeling insecure and unsettled. Let her rest while she can. If Your Majesty wishes to grow closer to her, there will be plenty of time to do so later.
Kangxi cleared his throat lightly, pretending that he had never intended to pick up the child at all.
The wet nurse carried the princess into the inner chamber, and Yiqing remained fast asleep even as she was laid down upon the bed. The nurse felt even more pleased with her charge; it was clear that this was a child who was easy to care for, and for those who served in such roles, a young master or mistress who was easy to manage made their work far more pleasant and less burdensome.