Kangxi held Yinzhen’s small hand as they walked toward the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
However, he had forgotten one important detail:
Yinzhen was only four years old.
And his legs were still very short.
The little prince’s legs moved as fast as they possibly could just to keep up with his father.
Because they were walking so quickly, Yinzhen’s hair had become slightly disheveled.
Yet he stubbornly clung to Kangxi’s finger and refused to let go.
His grape-like eyes darted everywhere, curiously examining the furnishings of the palace.
This was the first time he had ever visited the place where his Imperial Father lived.
It was also the first time his Imperial Father had wiped his hands.
The first time he had held his hand while walking.
The eunuchs and palace maids following behind remained silent.
Their footsteps were so light they were almost inaudible.
They trailed at a respectful distance.
After a while, Kangxi noticed Yinzhen’s curiosity.
He deliberately slowed his pace.
Every so often, he glanced down at the little boy beside him.
Yinzhen was tugging at his robes, brows furrowed as he struggled to match his father’s stride.
Even so, he never once asked Kangxi to wait for him.
After entering the palace hall, the scent of sandalwood drifted through the air.
Kangxi still didn’t release his hand.
Leading him toward the warm chamber, he said,
“Wash up and change clothes first. Then we’ll eat.”
Yinzhen nodded obediently.
But when he saw the washing supplies that had been prepared especially for him, he couldn’t resist touching them curiously.
Kangxi laughed softly.
“Don’t fiddle with everything, Little Fourth.
Be careful not to fall.”
Then he instructed the servants:
“Take good care of the prince.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The attendants immediately stepped forward.
Yinzhen instantly withdrew his hand and stood properly.
Allowing the servants to wash and dress him.
When everything was finished, he emerged wearing a brand-new outfit.
Meanwhile, the table had already been filled with exquisite dishes.
Yinzhen swallowed.
But he didn’t dare touch anything.
His stomach growled loudly.
He secretly patted it.
“Imperial Father hasn’t eaten yet.
You can’t complain anymore.
We have to wait for him.”
After calming his stomach, he sat quietly and watched Kangxi review memorials.
Imperial Father works so hard.
When I grow up, I’ll help him too.
Liang Jiugong noticed the little prince’s restraint.
“Your Highness, His Majesty will still be busy for a while.
Would you like to eat first?”
Yinzhen immediately shook his head.
“Thank you, Grand Steward Liang.
Little Fourth will wait for Imperial Father.”
Seeing his determination, Liang Jiugong didn’t insist.
Instead, he ordered some pastries to be brought over.
“At least have something to ease your hunger.”
Yinzhen stared at the delicate pastries.
He swallowed again.
Then firmly shook his head.
“Thank you, Grand Steward Liang.
Little Fourth will still wait for Imperial Father.”
Liang Jiugong smiled and quietly stepped aside.
After quite some time, Kangxi finally set aside his memorials.
Rubbing his temples, he looked toward Yinzhen.
“You must be starving by now.
Why didn’t you eat first?”
Yinzhen shook his head.
“I wanted to wait for Imperial Father.”
Kangxi smiled.
“Very well.
Let’s eat.”
Yinzhen’s eyes immediately lit up.
He nodded obediently and sat beside him.
Seated together at the main table, Kangxi noticed how stiff and cautious the boy seemed.
Picking up a piece of shrimp, he placed it into Yinzhen’s bowl.
“Eat.
Don’t starve yourself.”
Only then did Yinzhen carefully pick up his chopsticks.
He ate in tiny bites.
The serving maids continuously added food to his bowl.
Watching him eat so quietly, Kangxi occasionally added dishes himself.
The atmosphere was warm and peaceful.
Until—
A voice sounded from outside.
Liang Jiugong entered and bowed.
“Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
Kangxi immediately brightened.
“Let him enter at once.”
Yinzhen, still holding his small porcelain bowl, turned his head in the same direction as his father’s eager gaze.
The Crown Prince entered wearing a dark blue robe and jade belt.
After stepping inside, he immediately bowed.
“Your son greets Imperial Father.”
Then his eyes landed on Yinzhen.
A smile appeared on his face.
He deliberately softened his footsteps as he approached.
“Fourth Brother is here too.”
Yinzhen hurriedly swallowed his food.
Holding onto his bowl, he greeted politely:
“Hello, Crown Prince Brother.”
Kangxi affectionately tapped the Crown Prince’s forehead.
“You should be studying in the Imperial Academy.
Why have you come here?”
The Crown Prince stood respectfully to one side.
His eyes briefly flicked toward the shrimp in Yinzhen’s bowl.
Smiling, he replied,
“I heard Fourth Brother had come to Qianqing Palace for the first time.
I wanted to see him.”
His gaze lingered on Yinzhen.
Though something dark briefly flickered in his eyes, his smile remained gentle.
“Fourth Brother is fortunate.
The food from Qianqing Palace is always the finest in the palace.”
Kangxi laughed.
“You’re thoughtful as always.
Have you eaten yet?
Join us.”
The Crown Prince thanked him and took a seat on Kangxi’s other side.
The moment he sat down, Kangxi’s attention naturally shifted toward him.
A trace of disappointment appeared in Yinzhen’s heart.
But he remembered the words his mother had whispered before he left:
Do not become arrogant because of favor.
So he remained silent and continued eating quietly.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince casually transferred all of Yinzhen’s favorite dishes into his own bowl.
From time to time he acted spoiled and asked Kangxi to serve him personally.
Kangxi was delighted.
Every request made him smile.
If possible, he looked ready to place the entire table’s worth of dishes into the Crown Prince’s bowl.
Yinzhen watched as the dishes gradually disappeared.
His lips pressed together.
But he said nothing.
It’s okay.
Plain rice tastes good too.
Father and son chatted happily about studies at the Imperial Academy.
Yinzhen was completely forgotten.
With the help of the serving maids, he quietly finished all of his rice.
When he was done, he set down his chopsticks.
Then he folded his hands neatly on his knees and sat in silence.
The Crown Prince noticed.
A moment later he said as though only just remembering:
“Fourth Brother hasn’t started school yet.
Listening to all this must be rather boring for him.”
Yinzhen snapped out of his thoughts.
Immediately shaking his head, he answered,
“Not at all.
What Imperial Father and Crown Prince Second Brother are discussing is very interesting.”
Kangxi looked over and saw that Yinzhen had finished eating.
“Take him outside for a walk.”
He instructed the servants.
“Otherwise he’ll get indigestion.”
The attendants led Yinzhen away.
The moment the little prince left, Kangxi looked at the Crown Prince with amusement.
“All right.
Tell me the truth.
Why are you competing with a four-year-old child for attention?”
The Crown Prince puffed out his cheeks slightly.
“Hmph.
Imperial Father belongs to me.
I don’t want to share Imperial Father’s affection with him.”
Kangxi couldn’t help laughing.
He poked the Crown Prince’s forehead.
“You’re already this old and still jealous of your younger brother?”
Then his tone softened.
“Little Fourth is still young.
The Imperial Noble Consort is unwell and needs rest.
That’s why I’ve brought him here for a while.
As his elder brother, you should be more understanding.”
The Crown Prince wasn’t entirely convinced.
But he obediently nodded.
“Your son understands, Imperial Father.”
Then he added honestly:
“But I studied very hard today.
I simply wanted to spend more time with Imperial Father.”
Kangxi smiled and rubbed his head.
“Very well, very well.
You’re still such a child.”
Only then did the Crown Prince grin.
“Then I want to sleep with Imperial Father tonight.”
“Of course.”
Kangxi immediately agreed.
“Prepare washing supplies for the Crown Prince.”
Then he turned back and smiled.
“Happy now?”
The Crown Prince nodded enthusiastically.
After chatting with Kangxi a little longer, he finally left to complete the assignments from the Imperial Academy.
Watching the Crown Prince rush over eagerly and leave happily satisfied, Kangxi shook his head with a smile.
After all…
He was still just a child.