Chapter 11

Tong Jiahe rolled her eyes inwardly but maintained a tender and delicate expression, softly asking, “Your Majesty, is there something you wish to say to your humble servant?”

Kangxi gazed at the noble consort’s demeanor, and the words at the tip of his tongue suddenly felt too harsh to speak.

At that moment, the voice of a young eunuch came from outside the room.

“Crown Prince, please slow down, slow down.”

Then came the cheerful voice of a child.

“Father!” the Crown Prince shouted excitedly from outside the hall.

Kangxi immediately rose and headed toward the door, while Tong Jiahe swiftly wiped away her tears.

When Yinzhen entered, he hadn’t expected anyone to be inside. Only the emperor’s consorts would be here. He quickly slowed his pace, straightened his robes, and upon recognizing the noble consort, respectfully greeted her, “Consort Tong.”

The Crown Prince was remarkably handsome, embodying all the virtues of Kangxi and Empress Renxiao. His disposition was gentle and refined. Even the original Consort Tong had a favorable impression of the Crown Prince.

At seven years old, the Crown Prince was like a modern first grader—playful and full of energy. Yet, in front of others, he behaved with the maturity and composure of an adult. Watching him, Tong Jiahe couldn’t help but smile softly and greet, “Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Yinzhen also looked toward the noble consort. She was different from the image he remembered. The consort used to be sparing with her smiles, always maintaining an aloof and noble demeanor that kept others at a distance, making them wish to approach yet afraid to do so.

Yinzhen’s gaze did not linger on her long, knowing it would be rude. He understood that with him here, both Kangxi and the Crown Prince might feel uncomfortable, hindering the closeness between father and son. Just moments ago, he had heard the Crown Prince’s joyful cries.

“Your Majesty, in the small kitchen of Chengqian Palace, there is chicken and shredded bird’s nest porridge being prepared for the Empress Dowager and Fourth Prince. I must oversee it personally.”

Before Kangxi could reply, Tong Jiahe took her leave with an air of composure to attend to another matter.

After the noble consort departed, Yinzhen affectionately called out “Father,” then cheerfully recounted all he had learned that day. Finally, he thoughtfully inquired whether his father had eaten on time.

Yinzhen’s height reached only to Kangxi’s waist, so he had to look up to speak. His round, bright eyes were filled with admiration.

“My Baosheng has grown up,” Kangxi said with satisfaction.

Baosheng—the child he had personally raised—was closest to his heart. Kangxi, as a devoted father, felt an instant warmth.

He smiled, ruffling the Crown Prince’s hair and gently patting his shoulder. Noticing moisture at the child’s neck, the smile vanished instantly. His tone turned stern, “A bunch of unobservant fools! On such a hot day, who else should the saved ice be for?”

The palace servants immediately prostrated themselves, too afraid to breathe.

Liang Jiugong watched as they knelt in unison, skillfully replenishing the ice. Whenever the Crown Prince was involved, the emperor was easily stirred; he was already accustomed to this.

The Crown Prince obediently explained, “Father, I’m not hot. Let them rise.”

Only then did Kangxi permit the servants to stand.

In the afternoon, after their meal, Kangxi personally escorted the Crown Prince to the Upper Study.

“Father, I wish to visit Cining Palace to pay respects to Ukuma and see Fourth Brother,” Yinzhen said with eager eyes before parting.

His relationship with his eldest brother was mediocre; sometimes they would even quarrel. He silently prayed that Father would have more well-behaved and lovely younger brothers.

At last, several younger brothers had arrived, allowing him to experience what it meant to be an elder brother.

Currently, only Yinti and Yinzhen were old enough to go to the Upper Study; the Third Prince was only four and would not start schooling for another year.

Kangxi knew the Crown Prince and eldest brother never got along well, and that Yinzhen longed to be close to his younger brothers. The eldest brother Baoqing had spent years outside the palace; had he grown up inside, his relationship with Baosheng would have been much closer.

But the children were still young; bonds took time to nurture.

Kangxi was pleased to see his sons harmoniously respectful and smiled as he granted the Crown Prince’s request.

---

In the eastern side hall of Cining Palace, Fourth Prince Yinzhen had just awakened, blinking drowsily as he surveyed his surroundings. Usually, his wet nurse and Lady Chunyu would stay by his side, but today neither was present.

Thirsty and parched, Yinzhen rose to find water on the table. Suddenly, he heard hushed voices behind the screen.

“Fourth Prince… Consort Tong…”

Hearing the words “Consort Tong,” Yinzhen instantly became alert. Consort Tong was the palace’s only noble consort; they were speaking of her.

He forgot his thirst and waddled toward the screen. Drawing nearer, he caught their conversation clearly—they were indeed discussing Consort Tong!

The Fourth Prince felt a mixture of surprise and joy. In all the days he had been in Ukuma’s care, no one had ever mentioned Consort Tong.

“Consort Tong is young, beautiful, and holds a high rank. Surely, she wishes to have a little prince or princess—her own child.”

“Of course! Otherwise, the Fourth Prince wouldn’t have been abandoned here…”

The rest was unclear to Yinzhen’s ears, but one thing was certain in his mind: he had been left in Cining Palace by Consort Tong.

Consort Tong, it seemed, no longer wanted him.

Tears welled and fell, warm and salty, tracing down Yinzhen’s cheeks into his clothes. After a while, exhausted from crying, he climbed back onto the bed, turned inward, and sobbed himself to sleep.

Outside, Fourth Prince’s wet nurse, Madam Shen, hurried back. Earlier, she had been summoned by the Empress Dowager for questioning. Seeing Lady Chunyu present as well, she feared trouble.

Since arriving at Cining Palace, she and Lady Chunyu had never left the Fourth Prince’s side simultaneously.

After the Empress Dowager enquired about the Fourth Prince’s daily care and was about to dismiss them, the concubine from Chuxiu Palace, Borjigit, lingered and delayed them until near the time the prince was waking.

Entering the room, the Fourth Prince was still asleep. Madam Shen quickly checked his hands and feet, gently patting his back.

After sitting for a moment, Lady Chunyu slipped in quietly. The two exchanged silent glances and breathed a sigh of relief.

Lady Chunyu began counting the prince’s belongings—his food, clothing, and daily necessities. She did so twice daily, ensuring not a stitch or thread was missing or extra.

“I wonder about Consort Tong…” Madam Shen sighed deeply after returning from the main hall, but left her thought unfinished.

Lady Chunyu’s eyes were clear yet clouded; she didn’t know where to begin. All they could do was care well for the Fourth Prince; anything else was beyond their power.

She sat beside Madam Shen on an embroidered stool, watching the sleeping prince but still uneasy.

Madam Shen frowned and whispered, “Maybe it’s too hot inside; the prince’s face is flushed.”

Lady Chunyu’s heart skipped. She rose and touched the prince’s cheek—it was indeed warm. Looking closer, his nose tip was reddened as well.

She hurried to feel around. The pillow where the prince lay was damp. After confirming, Lady Chunyu said tremblingly, “The prince must have cried just now.”

Madam Shen was alarmed.

Before they could speak further, a noise came from outside.

“Has Fourth Brother awakened? I shall go see him,” the Crown Prince’s voice asked at the door.

The Crown Prince was coming to visit Fourth Brother!

Madam Shen and Lady Chunyu exchanged nervous glances. Since arriving at Cining Palace, they feared not for the prince’s health, but that someone might harm him or turn him against Consort Tong.

Though Fourth Brother’s spirits had been low, he had not been prone to crying fits.

They suspected that being sent away earlier and the presence of the lingering visitor from Cining Palace, who refused to leave after chatting and drinking tea, were related to this.

Lady Chunyu bit her lip and said, “Madam Shen, you go welcome the Crown Prince inside. I will stay here and watch Fourth Brother.”

Madam Shen hesitated. If the Crown Prince saw Fourth Brother like this, what would he think? But Lady Chunyu was known for her decisiveness and prudence, and Consort Tong trusted her deeply.

After considering, Madam Shen followed Lady Chunyu’s plan.

Once Madam Shen left, Lady Chunyu quickly brought a cup of tea from the table, propped up the prince’s head, and dabbed water on his pillow. Still feeling it insufficient, she sprinkled a few drops on his face.

Then she neatly put away the tea cup and quietly waited beside the prince for the Crown Prince’s arrival.

---

Yinzhen entered quietly and saw Fourth Brother sleeping with his back turned, bottom raised. Even just his back looked irresistibly cute.

It had been days since he last saw his brother; he wondered if he had grown taller or chubbier.

Yinzhen hurried forward, sat on the bed, and studied Fourth Brother’s sleeping face carefully.

The little brother was drooling in his sleep!

Yinzhen recalled that last time in the Upper Study, the eldest brother had fallen asleep with his head on his book, drooling all over. When the breeze flipped the pages, the saliva smeared across his face.

He paused, then couldn’t help but laugh.

Younger brothers were simply the best; even drooling, they were far cuter than the eldest!

Yinzhen gently pinched Fourth Brother’s soft cheeks, but as he did, he suddenly froze.

The pillow was wet in a large patch, and his face was damp too. He remembered the times he had missed their mother most, hiding alone on the bed and crying until his tears nearly dried up.

If the little brother was even younger, could he also be experiencing sadness?

Yinzhen looked up calmly at the palace maid attending Fourth Brother, who seemed unaware.

“Fourth Brother, Fourth Brother,” Yinzhen whispered, “Second Brother has come to see you.”

The Fourth Prince rubbed his eyes, his eyes redder, murmured, “Second Brother, I’m sleepy…” then turned over and continued sleeping.

Dim light fell on Yinzhen’s face as he saw tears still clinging to Fourth Brother’s lashes. His heart ached, convinced his brother had been wronged.

Though anguished, Yinzhen understood that in Cining Palace, only Father and Ukuma could protect Fourth Brother.

“I have other matters now; I will come see you again next time.”

Lady Chunyu bowed respectfully as always, “Your servant respectfully sees the Crown Prince out.”

---

In the main hall of Cining Palace, upon hearing the Crown Prince’s words, the Empress Dowager’s expression grew grave. Her heavy gaze swept over the Empress and Borjigit of Chuxiu Palace before settling back on the Crown Prince.

It was good that the Crown Prince cared for his younger brothers.

But since this matter had occurred within Cining Palace, she had to cover for the one scheming behind the scenes.

“Baosheng,” the Empress Dowager explained, “Your Fourth Brother is missing his mother.”

Yinzhen blinked, thoughtfully agreeing with her, “Fourth Brother is young and must be missing Consort Tong.”

The Empress Dowager was taken aback. In Baosheng’s mind, Fourth Prince should also be entrusted to Consort Tong’s care?

“Baosheng sometimes misses his own mother too…” Yinzhen’s expression darkened.

Before the Empress Dowager could ponder further, the Crown Prince’s final words struck her heart painfully.

The Crown Prince was seven; Empress Renxiao had been gone for seven years. Fortunately, Kangxi doted on his legitimate son above all, and no one could surpass him.

“Your Majesty has already sent for you. Hurry along, and come back to chat when you have time,” the Empress Dowager said with a warm smile.

In the palace, the two who loved the Crown Prince most were the Emperor himself and the Empress Dowager; both wished to cherish him endlessly.

Without overthinking, Yinzhen assumed his father had urgent matters and quickly followed the palace attendant back to the Qianqing Palace.

After the Crown Prince left, the main hall fell into silence.

The Empress Dowager, seemingly exhausted of patience, suddenly spoke in Mongolian, “Qiqige, speak.”

Qiqige was the Empress Dowager’s name.

The Empress trembled, incredulous, “You, you suspect me?”