"Yinzhen wishes you, my mother-in-law." Shaking off the snow on his shoulders, taking off his outer robe and handing it to the little plum beside him, Yinzhen strode into the room and said hello to Concubine Tong, who was leaning on the soft couch and chatting with the palace maid. .
This is one of the lessons he must do every day after he reaches the age of six and enters the study room in this world.
First, he went to Qianqing Palace to pay his respects to Kangxi, then to Cining Palace and Ciren Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager respectively, and then to the Yongshou Palace where his adoptive mother Tong Guifei lived. As for his biological mother De Fei , since he was raised by Concubine Tong when he was just born, he has only seen her a dozen times in the past eight years. Except for the annual New Year's Eve greetings and gatherings, it was also the days when he had a high fever when he was young. Come visit him at his residence.
If his soul age had not reached forty, he might have resented his biological mother, because she was not as good as Yi Fei, who cared about him all the time, and not as good and noble as Yin Zhu's biological mother, even though she was of low birth. , but took great care of Yinhu.
The same biological mother was raised by concubines, so why could his biological mother be so unfeeling?
Fortunately, he is Ying Hao with a strong soul, so he doesn't need to worry about these extra emotions. If there are too many, it will be a burden for him.
"Zhen'er is here? Have you had breakfast? It's cold and it's hard to get a vacation. You have to get up early and come here every day. Thank you for your hard work..." Tong Jia Ruolan stood up with a smile and pulled her up with the help of the palace maid. He said softly.
She had no children. In order to relieve her loneliness and pain, Xuan Ye gave Yinzhen, who was under one month old, to be raised by her. Three years ago, she finally got pregnant with her daughter, but she died before she was over one month old. After that, she will Yinzhen regards it as his own love.
However, after giving birth to her daughter, her already weak body went up and down, and she did not have much time and energy to take care of Yinzhen. Fortunately, although he was young, he was very sensible and never let her worry. After entering the study, More and more precocious beyond his years.
"Eniang is not in good health, so let's rest." Yinzhen helped her back to the bed and leaned against her.
"New Year's Eve will be here in two days. If you have a chance, let's go to Yonghe Palace." Ruolan smiled and patted his hand. Yesterday, when she went to Cining Palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager, she met Concubine De and hesitated to speak. When asked about Yinzhen's current situation, he knew that Concubine De also missed him very much.
Unfortunately, although the Qing Palace is spacious, it is not free. Finally, as the New Year approaches, I finally have a reason to visit.
She knew in her heart that her gradually deteriorating body could not last more than a few years. It would be better to mediate as soon as possible to bring the mother and son together. Fortunately, Yinzhen would not be too sad after she left.
Although he was stubborn and stubborn, he might not let her know that he was sad.
"Yinzuo has been gone for only half a year, and your mother-in-law, De'er, has not yet escaped the pain of losing her child. It would be a good idea to go comfort her."
"My son knows." Yinzhen nodded indifferently.
…………
"It's New Year again." Jun Yi was wrapped in a gorgeous brocade robe and stood on the corridor of Yonghe Palace, watching the heavy snow falling on the courtyard floor like falling goose feathers, and then quickly accumulating inch by inch. She murmured to herself language.
"Your Majesty, it's cold outside, you'd better go into the inner room." Although the palace maid Xiangqin beside her put on another cloak for her, she was still worried about her catching the cold.
"It doesn't matter." Jun Yi shook her head, looked up at the gray sky, and prayed for her two children who died young.
"Empress! Empress! Fourth Brother..." Xiangqin's exclamation in her ear brought her back to reality instantly. Following Xiangqin's gaze, she saw her only living son, Yinzhen, standing in the Yonghe Palace. He stared at her steadily at the door.
"Sorry, E Niang didn't pay attention. It's so windy and snowy today, why are you out here?" Welcoming the snow-covered Yinzhen into the inner room, he was busy dusting off the snow flakes on his body and taking off his outer robe.
Place it on the stove to bake.
"Tong Erniang said that she was in a bad mood after seeing you a few days ago." She lost her daughter and her son two years in a row, and he knew that her mood was not much better.
Then again, the concubines in the Qing Palace were really strong. They suffered from grief and grief...the more they were frustrated, the more courageous they became.
Admire it? Not necessarily. I just feel a little inexplicably sad.
Unfortunately, these are not the status quo that he can change. As long as feudal society does not collapse, the political system will remain standing forever.
"The noble concubine is interested." Jun Yi lowered her eyebrows and suppressed the pain in her heart. She had to share the only remaining son in front of her with another concubine.
"What's wrong with you?" Yinzhen looked at her lowering her head and frowning, and said that she was slightly ill.
"No...no. It's rare for Zhen'er to come here. How about you have lunch with your mother today and then go back?" Jun Yi calmed down her gloomy mood, smiled gently, and suggested softly. It was hard for her son.
Come here, why make him uncomfortable.
"Tomorrow...although there is a palace banquet, I may not have the opportunity to have a drink with Zhen'er..." Jun Yi personally opened the drawer and found the jar of fine wine that had been stored for a long time.
"Okay." He nodded, and it didn't matter where he ate. The meals served in the imperial dining room were the same. Even when he returned to Dongsansuo, the meals were still the same. Even though the Chinese New Year was approaching, the dishes became more colorful and tasted the same as before.
of indifference.
"Xiangqin, go and stew that vegetable pigeon. I want to have a drink with Zhen'er around the stove." Seeing Yinzhen nodding, Jun Yi happily told Xiangqin to start preparing immediately.
"Yes, your Majesty." Xiangqin stepped back happily. It was rare to see your Majesty be so happy. As servants, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
It is said that this is the home-brewed plum blossom wine that Wu Ya's family just sent to the palace. He has a drink in front of the snowy scenery, which is very suitable for such a snowy weather. However, he is only eight years old, is he suitable for drinking?
Yinzhen raised his eyebrows and thought, turning the delicate cup in his hand. As soon as he took a sip, he saw that his biological mother had already downed five or six cups.
"Does Zhen'er blame E Niang?" Jun Yi asked with a bitter smile, taking advantage of the alcohol she drank. Then, without waiting for Yinzhen's answer, she looked out the window and muttered to herself: "How can you not blame E Niang?
! You and Concubine Yi are so close, but you alone don’t come to visit E Niang... Also... I am an unlucky mother. Oh... the children I gave birth to... chose to leave me one by one..." and
There is no difference between life and death.
"I didn't blame you." Yinzhen looked straight at her, his dark eyes as bright and magnanimous as black pearls.
He is not an ignorant baby. He has known about his biological mother's last resort since he was born.
Although he had thought that it would be difficult to see him before he was three years old, after he was three years old, couldn't he, like Concubine Yi, often visit him in his adoptive mother's palace, or in Dongsan House where he lived alone?
Now, he understands that she thinks she is unlucky and is afraid that he will become another Xiao Qi, or Yin Zuo...
"Is it really not your fault?" Jun Yi wiped away the hot tears from the corner of her eyes, raised her eyes and looked at Yinzhen and asked in a low voice. Suddenly, she touched his head with a shaking hand, and saw that he did not avoid it.
Meaning, he smiled and said, "I've always wanted to touch you like this, Si'er..."
…………
After instructing Xiangqin to put down Junyi who was so drunk that she fell asleep, Yinzhen put on a dry robe and left Yonghe Palace.
Carefully stepping on the snow, he walked slowly towards Dongsansuo. Little Lizi, who was following him, raised his eyes to peek at him from time to time. He thought he couldn't guess why today's master was so unfazed by the cold, even in the ice and snow.
walk……
He did not feel cold. On the contrary, his heart suddenly felt dry due to the plum blossom wine he drank.
In his previous life, he was the legitimate son of Ying's family, but he was a child without a mother. His mother had a difficult time giving birth to him. As for his only sister, his cowardly and incompetent father Ying Fusheng couldn't bear to be lonely outside with his mistress.
Fortunately for his daughter, after that incident, Ying Fusheng voluntarily had a sterilization and did not allow other women to have the opportunity to give birth to children of the Ying family. Otherwise, he would not mind letting his mother bring the Ying family's dowry and the inheritance left to him.
All the property of the Ying family was separated, leaving only empty shells.
Therefore, for him, he had never felt maternal love in his previous life, and he would not expect it in this life.
What's more, he was born into an imperial family and lived in a wealthy family. He never expected that he would have a deeply touching emotion.
Whether family affection or love, it has nothing to do with him.
What he can do is to keep a low profile in the palace and develop the industry efficiently. Regardless of whether he will inherit the royal family or not, he will not let himself be in a passive position.
However, as Kangxi valued her inexplicably, Concubine Tong became more and more dependent on her, and Concubine De revealed her drunkenness, which made him feel a little startled.
Can you trust the royal family? Is family love worth trying?
I picked up a few flakes of snow dancing in the wind and watched them slowly melt in my palms.
A trace of unknown clarity flashed through his downcast eyes. Then he raised his lips, quickened his pace, and headed towards Dongsan.
…………
"Ying, I'll leave the palace tomorrow. I'll finish the tasks given by Emperor Ama as soon as possible." After returning to his residence and changing out of his outer robe, Yinzhen went into the study with the carbon basin.
He stroked the sheepskin map spread out on the table and said without raising his head.
"Sir, there is a palace banquet tomorrow." Qi Ying appeared behind him and reminded him expressionlessly. Every year on the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, the emperor, his concubines and princes all entertained the princes, ministers and their families at a banquet.
"It'll be good if you can come back in time. Or... you go out of the palace to investigate, and I stay for the banquet?" He glanced at Qi Ying and raised the corners of his lips slightly. If that was the case, he would be happy and relaxed.
"Master!" Qi Ying curled his lips helplessly. It was his duty and responsibility as a secret guard to never leave his master. He didn't know what the attitude of the princes guarded by other secret guards were towards them, but the master he was protecting closely kept repeating
Take pleasure in driving him away.
"Then it's settled. After paying your respects tomorrow, let's leave the palace." When Yinzhen withdrew his gaze, Qi Ying also disappeared in an instant.
His eyes fell on the old sheepskin map.
"Whether you are the same as me or not, you can't get all those two boxes of treasures..." He smiled faintly, seeming to be talking to himself.