Yin You still insisted on going to the Qianqing Palace every day to accompany Yinzhen in his studies, undeterred by wind or rain, even more diligent than Yinzhen, the actual student.
Kangxi’s time for teaching the children was actually quite limited. With his busy political affairs, he sometimes needed to meet with court officials, sometimes review memorials, and sometimes handle matters related to the imperial clan…
Thus, most of the time, Yinzhen studied alone in the side hall of the Hongde Hall, either reviewing what Han Ama had taught or practicing calligraphy by copying model scripts.
During these times, Yin You would seize the opportunity to slip into the courtyard to play.
He found endless amusement even on his own—watching ladybugs crawl back and forth on leaves, counting the spots on their backs, observing a group of ants struggling to carry food many times their own weight, admiring the flowers blooming in the courtyard in autumn, and picking up fallen leaves of various shapes…
At such times, the young eunuch named Zhao Cheng would always attend to him, worrying that he might be thirsty, tired, or hungry, or that he might fall, showing even more meticulous care than Li Xi.
Of course, Yin You’s favorite activity was seeking out Cao Yin and Nalan Chengde. These two also enjoyed teasing him, feeling that the Seventh Prince was quite different from the other imperial sons—especially fun to tease.
Usually, Nalan Chengde liked to casually teach him to recite some poetry. At this age, children were at a stage for exercising rote memory, and Yin You seemed more intelligent than most, able to memorize after just one or two listens.
But he didn’t enjoy reciting poetry; his heart was set on practicing martial arts.
Since Rongruo and Ziqing were both imperial guards protecting Ama, their martial skills must be excellent.
After reciting a couple more Tang poems, the little fellow grew impatient. Clinging to Nalan’s arm, he looked up at him with his bright, sparkling eyes: “Rongruo, Rongruo, I don’t want to recite poems. I want to learn martial arts. I want to become a Baturu!”
Nalan Chengde was exceptionally handsome, with the innate pride of a noble young master. However, due to the many upheavals in recent years, he carried an added air of melancholy.
He patted Yin You’s head and sighed, “But even a Baturu must study and learn to read and write.”
Yin You tilted his head to look at him and asked curiously, “What’s the use of studying and learning to read and write?”
Nalan pondered for a moment, then revealed a helpless, bitter smile, as if asking Yin You or perhaps himself, “Yes, what is the use of studying and learning to read and write?”
Cao Yin, sitting on the other side, shot him a glare. “You’d better not let the one inside hear you say that.”
Nalan then sat quietly, saying nothing more.
Yin You looked left and right, unable to understand the cryptic exchange between the two.
At that moment, Cao Yin pulled out an oil-paper package from somewhere, reigniting the Seventh Prince’s curiosity. Before even seeing what was inside, the little fellow sniffed the air and caught the enticing aroma.
Cao Yin unwrapped the oil-paper package, revealing triangular dough pieces with a golden hue and the fragrant scent of scallion oil—a food Yin You had never tasted before.
Cao Yin held the package out to him, coaxing, “Try it.”
Yin You extended his chubby little hand, but before he could touch the treat, Cao Yin pulled it back. “On one condition—after eating, you must recite poems seriously.”
Propping his chin with one hand, Yin You spoke like a little adult, “Then… after reciting poems, I’ll learn martial arts.”
Yin You applied what he learned on the spot. As soon as Cao Yin finished speaking, he began negotiating terms of his own.
“Deal!” Cao Yin pushed the oil-paper packet back over. “Try it quickly—crispy and delicious, so fragrant that adults and children in the capital are drooling.”
As he spoke, his eyebrows danced with enthusiasm, like a vendor hawking at a food stall.
Yin You picked out the largest piece but didn’t eat it.
Just as Cao Yin was about to say, “Go on, take a bite—you won’t forget it once you do,” the little one turned around and, without hesitation, held the treat up to Nalan’s lips, gazing at him earnestly. “Rongruo, you eat it! After you eat it, don’t be unhappy anymore.”
“…”
The two adults beside him were momentarily stunned, not expecting a child under three to be so perceptive of others’ emotions.
Nalan and Cao Yin exchanged a glance, then looked down at Yin You. The child tilted his head up, his eyes filled with scattered sunlight, his innocent smile possessing a heart-melting charm.
As if under some spell, Nalan opened his mouth and took the fried triangle from the child’s small hand.
“Tsk, tsk~~” Cao Yin remarked sourly from the side. “Seventh Prince only likes Rongruo, not Ziqing. Fine, fine, I’m the extra one here. I’ll just leave.”
“Ziqing, don’t go!” Yin You stood up, wrapped his arms around Cao Yin’s neck, and stuffed one into his mouth as well. “I like Ziqing too.”
Nalan finally broke into a bright smile, reaching over Yin You to give Cao Yin a light shove. “When did you buy this? It’s not even crispy anymore.”
Cao Yin chewed a couple of times and nodded. “I bought it from a roadside stall on my way into the palace this morning. It’s indeed not very crispy anymore.”
Yin You was just about to take one to try when Cao Yin wrapped up the oil-paper packet and tucked it into his clothes. “You’re still so young, with a delicate stomach. Better not eat this.”
Yin You pitifully held up a finger, pleading, “Just one.”
Cao Yin shook his head. “No.”
Unwilling to give up, Yin You hugged Cao Yin’s arm and cooed, “One bite, just one bite.”
Cao Yin waved a hand in front of his face. “Not even one bite.”
This time, before he could withdraw his hand, Yin You opened his mouth and bit down on his finger.
The little one’s eyes were fierce yet adorable, and he bit down with some force before giving it a little lick and letting go.
Cao Yin pulled back his finger and saw a tiny tooth mark on it.
When he looked back, Seventh Prince was already sitting on Nalan’s lap, smiling sweetly at him. “One bite, just like I said.”
Nalan couldn’t help but tickle his chin. “Next time, I’ll bring you candied hawthorn.”
Just then, Longkodo happened to pass by. Seeing Yin You hanging out with Cao Yin and Nalan again, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy and decided to go over and tease his little nephew.
“Seventh Prince, if you want to eat something, just have the imperial kitchen make it. There are also the small kitchens in Cining Palace and Chengqangong. You should eat less from outside the palace—besides, it’s against the rules. If His Majesty finds out…”
Yin You disliked his sarcastic tone and pouted, glaring at him. “Go away!”
Longkodo was utterly charmed by his expression and curled his index finger to tap the child’s nose.
Yin You turned his head, burying his little face in Nalan’s chest and giving his uncle the back of his head.
Cao Yin rolled his eyes at Longkodo and said with little patience, “I recall you’re on duty at the South Study today. Are you really that free?”
Longkodo, having been rebuffed, could only turn away dejectedly.
He simply couldn’t understand it. If the Cao family, who were of the Booi (bondservant) origin, wanted to attach themselves early to a certain prince in hopes of future glory, that was somewhat understandable.
But why would Nalan Chengde, instead of currying favor with their own First Prince, try to ingratiate himself with the Seventh Prince, a little child who hadn’t even been weaned? What exactly was his scheme?
Yin You spent his days in the Qianqing Palace quite busily. Either Cao Yin and Nalan were teaching him to recite poetry and practice martial arts, or he would run to his Ama’s bedchamber to look at that sword.
Kangxi had long heard from Wei Zhu that the Seventh Prince was very fond of the sword in his bedchamber and had taken it down without permission several times.
Recalling the sword’s origin, Kangxi remembered that the year before Yin You was born, he had been depressed after the successive deaths of his two Empresses. He had taken a group of ministers and guards on travels around the outskirts of the capital.
This sword was obtained from a Taoist temple deep in the mountains. It was named “Seven Stars” because seven copper nails were inlaid on the blade. Its gleam was clear and cold, faintly shimmering with a bluish sword aura. Both he and the Crown Prince had liked it very much.
Taoists said that hanging a Seven-Star Sword in a room could ward off evil and protect the household, so he had kept this sword hanging in his bedchamber. He never expected Xiao Qi would also like it.
The Emperor thought proudly, indeed, both Yinreng and Yin You were his dragon seed; the father and his two sons even shared highly similar aesthetic tastes.
Since Yin You liked it, Kangxi ordered someone to take the sword down and place it on a table, so the little one wouldn’t have to climb onto a stool to reach it.
Yin You could now coexist harmoniously with this Seven-Star Sword. As long as he placed his hand on it, he could see that blurry shadow and hear the Little Sword Spirit speak.
“When you grow a little older, I can teach you some internal cultivation methods.”
“Why do I have to grow older?”
The Little Sword Spirit was rather blunt: “At least wait until you can stand more steadily.”
Yin You then changed the question: “Then what are internal cultivation methods?”
“It’s a method of drawing spiritual energy from all things and the stars through breathing and exhalation techniques.” [Baidu Encyclopedia]
Yin You, smiling, moved his hand away from the sword, unilaterally ending the chat. This Little Sword Spirit was probably also a fool, always speaking in such an incomprehensible way; he couldn’t understand a single word.
Yin You ran out to play in the courtyard for a while. A sweet osmanthus tree nearby was in full bloom. He climbed onto Zhao Cheng’s shoulders, broke off a branch, and planned to give it to his brother.
Arriving at the side hall of the Hongde Hall, Yinzhen was not there. The eunuch guarding the place said, “The Fourth Prince is feeling unwell. His Majesty has ordered him sent back to Chengqiangong.”
Yin You nodded, looking at the fragrant sweet osmanthus in his hand. Thinking the flowers would likely wither by tomorrow, he decided to give it to his Ama instead.
So, holding the branch he had picked himself, he went to the South Study.
Today, Kangxi was not discussing state affairs with ministers but was attending a lecture in the South Study.
The door of the South Study was open. Yin You clung to the doorframe, peeking inside with half his head.
Besides his Ama and Ziqing, there was another person inside whom Yin You did not recognize.
This person was somewhat elderly and spoke with a strange accent. To Yin You’s ears, it sounded somewhat like the tones used in opera singing.
Yin You found it very interesting and kept tilting his head to sneak glances.
Wei Zhu beside him whispered, “Seventh Prince, Seventh Prince, let this servant take you to play somewhere else.”
Yin You put a finger to his lips, signaling him to be quiet. He himself had developed a strong interest in the old man inside with the high eyebrows and deep-set eyes.
He pulled his head back and whispered to Wei Zhu, “Who is that?”
“Grand Secretary Nan Huairen of the Imperial Observatory, currently giving a lesson to His Majesty.”
Yin You frowned and sighed, genuinely sympathizing as he said, “So even Ama has to attend lessons.”
Wei Zhu was amused by the little boy’s expression but dared not laugh.
Yin You peeked his head out again to sneak a look, but this time he was caught red-handed by the people inside.