“His Majesty has arrived.”
Kangxi entered with light footsteps, his attendants following quietly behind him.
Tongjia had been reclining on a couch, listening to a storyteller’s tale. At the announcement, she hurried to rise and pay her respects.
Kangxi raised a hand to stop her.
“No need for formalities. I came to see you. How have you been feeling lately?”
“I’ve troubled Cousin with your concern.”
Tongjia curtsied gracefully.
“This child must be considerate of me. Aside from some morning sickness, I’ve been quite well.”
A gentle smile appeared on Kangxi’s face as he sat beside her, his gaze falling to her abdomen.
“This is your first child. All I hope is that he arrives safely and grows up healthy.”
Tongjia’s eyes curved into a smile.
“Rest assured, Cousin. He will.”
After a moment, Kangxi looked around the unusually quiet palace and asked curiously,
“Where is Little Four? Where has that little troublemaker run off to?”
At his question, Tongjia turned to look at the nursemaid behind her.
Ever since becoming pregnant, she had lacked the energy to manage many things herself, and Little Four had been left in the nursemaid’s care.
“The Fourth Prince has been particularly fond of running around lately. But—”
Before the nursemaid could finish speaking, a commotion suddenly arose outside.
Kangxi turned toward the sound and saw Yinzhen rounding the covered corridor.
The little boy wore a dark blue brocade robe, the hem dusted with fine gray powder from the stone pavement. There were traces of pastry crumbs on the back of his hands.
Wherever he had been playing, he had returned thoroughly disheveled. Even the strands of hair falling over his forehead were sprinkled with dust.
Yinzhen had intended to sneak back and change his clothes quietly, but the moment he spotted the imperial entourage beneath the eaves, he froze.
Panic flashed across his face.
Quickly collecting himself, he lowered his head and bowed properly.
“Greetings, Father Emperor.”
Looking at the dusty child, Kangxi reached out and brushed the dirt from his hair. His fingers lightly swept over the strands on Yinzhen’s forehead.
“Where have you been playing?”
“Reporting to Father Emperor, I was watching ants move their nest and lost track of time.”
Yinzhen spoke shyly.
Tongjia smiled.
“He was probably watching ants under the corridor and got so absorbed that he forgot about appearances.”
Kangxi took the little boy’s crumb-covered hand and found it warm to the touch.
At least he hadn’t gotten cold.
There wasn’t the slightest hint of reproach in his voice.
“You’re still so young, yet you already enjoy these curious little things.”
He motioned for a eunuch to bring him a handkerchief and personally wiped the pastry crumbs from Yinzhen’s hands.
“You’re even more mischievous than I was at your age.”
Then he gave the boy a gentle push.
“Go greet your mother.”
Yinzhen stared blankly at his father’s affectionate actions for a moment.
He had been so stunned that he’d forgotten even the most basic courtesy.
Only after Kangxi’s reminder did he realize he hadn’t greeted his mother yet.
He hurriedly straightened his robes and stepped forward.
But before he could approach, Tongjia suddenly frowned.
Clutching the handkerchief at her side, she turned away and covered her mouth, retching softly.
Yinzhen stopped short.
His small face filled with confusion as he stood frozen in place.
The servants hurried over to pat Tongjia’s back and bring her warm tea.
Kangxi supported her shoulders gently.
“Are you feeling unwell again?”
After retching a few more times, Tongjia took a sip of tea.
Her face was slightly pale.
“I’m fine.”
But the nursemaid boldly interjected.
“Someone, take the Fourth Prince away and have him change his clothes. Her Ladyship cannot bear these smells in her current condition. You mustn’t return this dirty again.”
Yinzhen didn’t know what to do.
Leaving felt wrong.
Staying felt wrong.
Without realizing it, he thought of Consort De smiling as she tapped Little Six on the forehead.
No.
That’s not right.
Mother is uncomfortable because she’s carrying my little brother. I shouldn’t think about her like this.
Kangxi had not intended to interfere in such trivial matters.
But when he looked down and saw those large eyes—so similar to Uya’s—brimming with tears, he finally spoke.
“The Aisin Gioro clan conquered the empire on horseback. Children raised too delicately won’t do.”
Then he turned back to Tongjia.
“But Cousin, your health isn’t good right now, and Little Four is at an age when he’s especially mischievous. How can you be expected to keep up with such a little monkey?”
Turning to Liang Jiugong, he ordered,
“Pack up the Fourth Prince’s belongings and move them to a side hall in Qianqing Palace. From now on, he’ll stay with me.”
Tongjia froze.
“Your Majesty, this concubine can still manage. How could I trouble you with caring for a child?”
The moment the words left his mouth, Kangxi regretted them.
But with so many people present, he couldn’t take them back.
Instead, he softened his tone.
“I raised the Crown Prince myself. There won’t be any problems.”
He glanced at Tongjia reassuringly.
“You should focus on your pregnancy. Let Little Four stay by my side and learn proper conduct. It will also keep him from constantly clinging to you and disturbing your rest.”
Looking at the bewildered child standing nearby, Kangxi pinched Yinzhen’s cheek affectionately.
“From now on, you’ll stay with Father Emperor. If you get your clothes dirty again, just see how I’ll punish you.”
Yinzhen nodded quickly.
“Today was an accident. I haven’t gotten my clothes dirty in a long time.”
Watching the father and son together, Tongjia bowed.
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.”
Turning to Yinzhen, she gently instructed,
“Go back and have the servants change your clothes. Don’t catch a chill.”
“Your son obeys.”
Kangxi reassured her,
“Leave him to me.”
After making sure everything had been packed, Kangxi held Tongjia’s hand and urged her to take care of her health. He instructed the servants to attend to her diligently before leaving with Yinzhen.
Tongjia forced herself to stand and watch them go.
Kangxi walked ahead, the hem of his dark dragon robe sweeping lightly across the stone pavement.
Yinzhen followed behind, carefully imitating his father’s measured steps.
He stayed close, matching his pace to his father’s.
“Mother Zhang.”
Tongjia’s voice was soft, yet carried unmistakable authority.
The nursemaid’s heart skipped a beat.
She dropped to her knees with a thud, her knees striking the stone floor painfully.
Her voice trembled.
“This servant acted without permission. Please forgive me, Your Ladyship.”
“You must remember this.”
Tongjia’s expression remained stern despite the fact that this was the woman who had raised her.
“No matter who gave birth to Little Four or what his status may be, as long as he is here, he is your master.”
“There is no place for a servant to manipulate him.”
Since becoming pregnant, the nursemaid had grown increasingly careless.
She had actually dared to disparage Little Four in front of the emperor himself.
“This servant knows her mistake. I was foolish.”
The nursemaid pressed her forehead against the stone floor, apologizing repeatedly.
Tongjia glanced at the servants standing nearby and spoke coldly.
“There is no such thing as carelessness in palace rules.”
“Since you’ve made a mistake, you will receive twenty strokes and be confined for half a month to reflect on your actions.”
“If you dare act on your own again, the punishment will not be so light.”
“Thank you, Your Ladyship, for your mercy!”
The nursemaid had thought she would never again be allowed to serve by Tongjia’s side.
Overwhelmed with relief, she kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude.
Only after knocking her head against the floor three times did she struggle to her feet and allow the servants to lead her away.
She didn’t dare utter another word.
When silence returned to the chamber, Tongjia gently rubbed her temples.
A maid immediately stepped forward to massage them.
“Your Ladyship, please take care of your health. Don’t upset yourself over these matters.”
“What is there to be upset about?”
Tongjia sighed softly.
“I’m only wondering whether Cousin thinks I can’t even manage my own servants. Is that why he took Little Four away?”
The maid hurried to comfort her.
“Your Ladyship is overthinking it. His Majesty is concerned for your well-being. He was worried the Fourth Prince would tire you, so he took him away.”
“I hope that’s true.”
Though she said the words aloud, unease lingered in her heart.
She gently stroked her stomach and murmured softly,
“My child, you must make your mother proud.”