The night before Yin Hui’s first birthday ceremony, Fang He stayed with Jiujiu and Er Bao in Qianqing Palace.
After Kangxi finished the morning court session, she and the children directly took Kangxi’s Imperial Palanquin to Shoukang Palace.
The princes, imperial clansmen, and imperial princes who were to witness the ceremony closely followed behind.
Yinreng watched them, moving ahead like a family of four, his eyes darkening further.
This honor had once been his alone—and only his!
Now, that little toddler had just turned one and already took his place.
When he grew up… he scoffed.
Yinzhi caught a glimpse of the Crown Prince’s water-like calm face and thought of what his wife had told him earlier, secretly sneering.
The second prince went to great lengths to suppress him, suppress the Noble Consort, fearing anyone would steal even a bit of his limelight, thinking he was the smartest under heaven.
The eldest prince’s wife was right.
In the past, the second prince could suppress him because he held the emperor’s favor.
But now, the one favored by the emperor was the Noble Consort.
Even the birthday ceremony of his own Third Princess had to yield to the Noble Consort’s son, postponed by a whole day.
Yinzhi had been unwilling before, but after learning that the Noble Consort could help his wife and her youngest daughter maintain their health, he lowered his head willingly.
He wanted to see if the second prince could still be as arrogant in the future as he was now!
After Kangxi ascended the throne, to show kindness, he decreed that the venerable elder noble ladies only needed to attend the anniversaries of the Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and New Year’s visits.
There was no need to trouble themselves for the frequent palace banquets.
Otherwise, with so many palace banquets during the four seasons and eight festivals, just from Lunar New Year’s Eve to the fifteenth day of the first month, half a month of palace feasts could cause several illnesses or even deaths.
Yet the elder noble ladies, for the future of their descendants, did not want to be forgotten by the palace ladies.
They insisted on occasionally entering the palace to maintain their presence.
Therefore, apart from the anniversaries, only major events requiring elder supervision like the third-day bath and birthday ceremonies could call these elder noble ladies into the palace to show their faces.
The palace hadn’t held a first birthday ceremony for quite a while.
Yin Hui was the only imperial prince to have just turned one in the past two years.
All the elder noble ladies who had not appeared for a long time attended if they could.
As soon as the Imperial Palanquin passed the Heiyin Zuo Men and entered the Yongdao, Fang He saw the front of Shoukang Palace bustling with people, all eunuchs carrying congratulatory gifts.
Fang He shoved the festively dressed Er Bao into Kangxi’s arms, held Jiujiu close, and leaned out from the palanquin with a broad smile.
“Today, Yanxi Palace’s treasury will be making a big haul again!”
Jiujiu giggled, squeezing through the gap in the bright yellow palanquin curtains, her eyes shining at the red silk-covered boxes.
“These are all Mother’s! Practically, they all belong to me!”
Kangxi: “……”
Be solemn, be careful not to let people see.
He couldn’t afford to lose face.
Fang He counted the gifts for the birthday ceremony and the birthday presents from the princes and ministers for Yin Hui, feeling happy, and casually gave a playful compliment.
“I’m the emperor’s Noble Consort. As long as you like it, even my farts smell sweet and are dignified.”
Jiujiu immediately imitated her mother: “I’m a princess, Father’s porridge, my farts smell sweet!”
Er Bao clapped his hands enthusiastically, “Sweet! Sweet!”
Kangxi: “……”
Outside, Liang Jiugong and Cui Wei were holding in laughter until their stomachs hurt, but inside, Kangxi was somewhat amused and helpless.
Because Er Bao had clapped so hard, he actually let out a fart.
Jiujiu covered her nose, hesitating as she looked at Mother, buzzing in a small childish voice, “Mother, stinky!”
Fang He: “…..”
She was just using a metaphor.
Kangxi glanced at Fang He with a half-smile, “Don’t learn from your mother. In the palace, you must be careful with your words and maintain the dignity of a princess. Think before you speak, or people will laugh at you.”
Jiujiu was defiant, “Mother can, Jiujiu can too.”
Kangxi remained expressionless, “Your mother has a good husband. Jiujiu doesn’t. So your mother can, but you can’t.”
Fang He immediately winked at Kangxi, exaggerating her tone, “Oh, there’s no luckier woman in the world than me! Jiujiu, you must listen to Father. Even Mother listens to Father!”
Jiujiu puffed out her little cheeks, rolling her eyes without a word.
Today, Mother had promised her that as long as she behaved and helped Er Bao pick the right items for the birthday ceremony, she’d get at least one hundred taels of silver.
Usually, Mother forbade her from eating too much fried food, roasted meat, and mantis shrimp.
She could only taste a little.
But Mother also said that if she saved enough silver and bought from the kitchen’s Chen Anda and Liu Anda, she could eat as much as she wanted.
Jiujiu didn’t understand that “you have to spend money to get wool” yet, only planning how she could eat two meals of roast meat with one hundred taels.
She didn’t want to offend Mother right now but was secretly planning that once she got the silver, she would discuss seriously with Father about marrying.
While they talked, the Imperial Palanquin stopped in front of Shoukang Palace’s glazed gate.
Passing the dragon-phoenix and imperial seal screen walls, they entered the small courtyard of Shoukang Palace where the large square table for the birthday ceremony was already set in the center.
Inside and outside the main hall stood many consorts and noble ladies.
When they saw Kangxi and Fang He enter, they immediately bowed, their voices carrying into the hall.
The Empress Dowager, supporting Wuyunzhu’s hand, also came out.
Seeing the imperial prince in Kangxi’s arms, many elder noble ladies narrowed their eyes, silently exchanging looks.
In the past, imperial princes had never been personally held by the emperor during first birthday ceremonies, not even the Crown Prince had enjoyed such honor.
Now, the emperor did not let the wet nurse carry the Fifteenth Prince over but directly held him to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, standing almost shoulder to shoulder with Fang He, stirring much speculation.
Not only in the palace, but even among the common folk, the youngest son was always the most favored, not to mention the current exclusive favor of Noble Consort Zhaoyuan, known to all.
As for the Crown Prince, the emperor was still vigorous and young; what would happen in the future was unpredictable.
Those elder noble ladies who had once been indifferent or even disdainful of Fang He now turned their hearts, behaving much more respectfully when paying their respects to her.
Outside, Fang He maintained the demeanor of a Noble Consort, smiling as she stepped forward to support the Empress Dowager.
“Yin Hui’s third-day bath was arranged by Your Majesty, and the birthday ceremony is also thanks to your efforts. This humble one is incompetent. From now on, Yin Hui’s wedding, as well as the third-day bath and the first birthday ceremony of his great-grandchildren, will have to rely on you!”
This hidden compliment pleased the Empress Dowager immensely.
She affectionately tapped Fang He’s forehead and smiled at the elder noble ladies from Beimeng.
“Look, this playful monkey has clung to me. She’s the only one who knows how to dodge laziness.”
When Wuyunzhu translated, an elder noble lady born a princess from Beimeng laughed outright.
“That’s just the Noble Consort’s pure filial piety. She sincerely hopes the Empress Dowager lives a long life. We’re just happy to see you worry so much.”
The princes chimed in playfully, “Empress Dowager, you can’t just favor little Fifteen. There are many great-grandchildren waiting for your care. Little Third and Little Fourth are about to marry too.”
The Empress Dowager laughed in agreement, her mood lifted by the teasing Third Prince, Fifth Prince, and Ninth Prince as they left together.
Fang He and Kangxi exchanged smiles, letting these mischievous princes walk ahead, while one held Jiujiu and the other cradled Yin Hui, strolling leisurely behind.
Standing at the main hall’s steps, Yinreng smiled faintly, watching the scene, though his eyes held no joy.
The eldest son mentioned Third and Fourth Princes but did not once mention the Crown Princess.
Father’s eyes and heart were solely on Yin Hui, seemingly forgetting that he was already eighteen and still unmarried.
When the birthday ceremony officially began and Yin Hui sat at the large square table, more elder noble ladies than expected stepped forward with congratulatory gifts.
Many fine brushes, inkstones, paper, and rare items were laid on the table.
The eldest prince Yinzhi placed a dagger.
The Crown Prince Yinreng even placed the Dragon Pattern Jade Pendant carved by Kangxi’s own hand on the table, attracting many imperial clansmen’s sidelong glances.
Kangxi’s gaze rippled slightly.
This was Yinreng’s first praise from his Taifu since beginning his studies at six years old.
Because it was difficult to hold a birthday celebration on the day of Xiao Kang Empress’s memorial, Kangxi had noticed Yinreng hiding and crying and specially selected this fine gift for him.
In the past, Yinreng had always worn this jade pendant on him.
Now, he took it out to place before Yin Hui… a silent reminder that he himself was being neglected again.
Thinking of the secret report about the Hesheri’s actions outside, Kangxi’s smile faded slightly; this child indeed harbored resentment toward him.
Yinreng smiled and explained, “When Father praised me for reciting the Disciplinary Rules, he gifted me this jade. I have always remembered the teaching to be brotherly and respectful.”
“When little Fifteen begins his studies, why not let me tutor him? This pendant shall be my pledge to carry on your will, presented to him in advance.”
Kangxi glanced at Fang He with a smile, “What does the Noble Consort think?”
Fang He never made Kangxi lose face and smiled in return, “If the Crown Prince can assist Your Majesty with state affairs and still have time, this humble one will be glad to slack off. Just so long as this boy doesn’t upset the Crown Prince.”
Yinreng’s eyes flickered as he teased, “How would I be angry with a child? If the child misbehaves and covets what he shouldn’t, I’ll settle accounts with the adults.”
Under everyone’s watchful gaze, he smiled and patted Yin Hui’s head, “If so, I’ll be waiting for little Fifteen to tutor me. Nobody else dares to compete with me.”
The latter was directed at Yinzhi and the others.
Yinzhi folded his arms and raised his eyebrows, “If it’s teaching archery and horsemanship, it’s better for me to do it. The Crown Prince is busy with state matters; don’t let little Fifteen be delayed.”
The Crown Prince chuckled twice but, with Kangxi and the princes present, didn’t bother arguing further with Yinzhi.
While the two disputed, Third Prince Yinti could no longer wait and placed the ancient book he had prepared on the table.
Then the Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince… even Yinxiang placed his favorite wooden sword on the table.
Liang Jiugong loudly announced, “Please have the Fifteenth Prince pick his fate!”
All eyes fixed on the composed Yin Hui sitting at the table.
The Crown Prince had spoken much and argued a bit with the eldest prince, but Yin Hui did not fuss or crawl around on the table like ordinary children.
Most present silently nodded in approval.
Having watched him grow up, purely in terms of composure, he was far beyond the average.
What they didn’t know was that Yin Hui’s obedience was entirely the result of his sister’s repeated smacks on his little bottom.
First birthday ceremonies were usually rehearsed beforehand to avoid choosing inappropriate items in public.
Apart from the traditional ceremony objects, there were all kinds of gifts, even some with rouge.
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