Chapter 61: Relocating Palaces

Chapter 61 Moving Palaces

"Still angry?"

"Not angry."

The Kangxi Emperor turned her to face him, and seeing that Lady Wuya was still looking distressed, he smiled and said, "I think Yinti was instigated by those attendants. Attendants want to please their masters, so they naturally try to come up with some new and unusual things for Yinti to play with. This isn't Yinti's fault."

"Yes, yes, it's all the attendants' fault. The master has no fault at all. Your Majesty, you used to say that I indulge the child, but I think you are the one who truly indulges children."

The Kangxi Emperor held Lady Wuya and said he just wanted her to compose herself.

Lady Fang closed her eyes, too weary to argue with him anymore.

The next day, before dawn and before the Emperor woke up, Lady Fang got up, dressed, and went to Yinti's room. Without attendants to serve him, he was still wearing yesterday's clothes. At the slightest sound, Yinti woke up.

"Mother..."

Perhaps because he had cried so hard yesterday, Yinti's eyes were swollen into slits this morning.

"Do you understand what you did wrong now?"

"Mother, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have shot those birds with a slingshot. Those birds were innocent. Mother, I won't do it again."

Lady Fang had someone fetch water. She personally wrung out a towel to wipe Yinti's face and helped him change out of his dirty clothes. There were two bruises on his body from where she had shot him yesterday, so she applied a medicinal balm to them.

Of the attendants around Yinti, she only kept three; the others were sent back to the Imperial Household Department. Those three were still injured, so Lady Fang had Guiyun attend to Yinti for the time being.

After Yinti ate a beef pastry, she had Guiyun take him to the imperial study for classes, instructing him not to leave early or skip classes.

When she returned to her room, the Emperor was already awake.

After caring for her son, Lady Fang naturally had no desire to attend to his father. She directly had Guifang serve the meal.

Once the Emperor was dressed and washed, he sat beside her.

"I'll have the Imperial Household Department send more attendants for you to choose from."

"Yes."

Seeing that Lady Wuya had recovered after a night, the Kangxi Emperor said nothing more. After breakfast, he left Jingren Palace.

During the day, while Yinti was in class at the imperial study, Lady Fang began selecting attendants, questioning them one by one. Previously, when she selected attendants, she mostly asked about their lineage and family background, and who remained in their families. Today, she mainly asked about what was right and wrong, and what they should do if their master made a mistake.

After questioning over a dozen attendants for more than an hour, she finally selected three.

When Yinti returned from the imperial study, Lady Fang asked him what he had learned and made him practice his penmanship in his room for another half-hour until it was dark before allowing him to eat.

Lady Fang spent her days busy educating Yinti, supervising his studies, teaching him how to be a good person, and helping him distinguish between good and evil. It was as if she wished she could chew up all the principles and feed them to him.

As the saying goes, "Books hold treasures of knowledge." Lady Fang also made Yinti read a book every five days. She transformed into a strict mother, watching Yinti every day, very strict.

Perhaps because Lady Fang had been too strict with Yinti lately—he had to get up at dawn every day to go to the imperial study, and after returning, he still had to read and practice writing until dark before he could rest—Yinti fell ill. The imperial physician said it was a mild chill.

Yinti pitifully asked her if he could skip the imperial study tomorrow. Lady Fang said that since he was sick, he should rest well and temporarily didn't need to go to the imperial study.

Lady Fang fed him medicine and waited until he fell asleep before leaving his room.

Even though Yinti was sick and didn't need to go to the imperial study, he still had to read.

When Yin Zhen and Yin Zhu came to visit him, Lady Fang was about to enter but overheard Yinti complaining to his two older brothers, saying that she had changed into a different person, scolding him at every turn.

Lady Fang couldn't help but smile to herself outside the room. She didn't go in to interrupt their "conversation" and instead turned to leave.

Yinti was sick for over half a month before recovering. It was now autumn, and the Emperor said he wanted to take Yinti and the others hunting outside the city.

Without a second thought, Lady Fang refused on Yinti's behalf, saying he had just recovered and shouldn't be exposed to the wind outside the city.

At night, after the Emperor finished with her, he said she was depriving them of time for father and son to bond.

"Anyway, Yinti isn't allowed to go now. If Your Majesty wants to spend time with Yinti, come to Jingren Palace more often."

"You are going too far. Men of the Qing Dynasty should naturally ride horses and hunt. Do you want Yinti to never hunt in his life?"

"I didn't say that. I just don't want Yinti to get sick again."

The Kangxi Emperor knew exactly what Lady Wuya was thinking. She was like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow, afraid that Yinti would become cruel and bloodthirsty by nature, so she simply forbade him from hunting. He believed that Yinti was inherently kind at heart—how could a child raised by Lady Wuya truly be brutal?

The Kangxi Emperor didn't want to upset Lady Wuya either, so he let her have her way. When he went hunting outside the city, he didn't take Yinti, only bringing Yin Si and the others.

...

In the blink of an eye, four months passed. On October 6th, Lady Ulanara suddenly saw red and gave birth to a little prince half a month early.

Lady Fang went to the princes' quarters to visit Lady Ulanara. Having just given birth, Lady Ulanara looked somewhat pale. When Lady Fang saw her first grandson, perhaps because he was half a month premature, the child was very thin and small. He would likely need delicate care in the future.

In front of Lady Ulanara, Lady Fang showed no unusual expression. She instructed her to rest well during her confinement period to avoid leaving any health issues, and said that the matter of relocation could be discussed next year.

When she saw Yin Zhen, Lady Fang told him to show more concern for his primary consort. No matter how busy he was outside, his consort had just given birth and was weak, needing her husband's care.

Only after Yin Zhen agreed did Lady Fang leave the princes' quarters.

As for Yinti, she loosened her supervision a bit but still asked his attendants every day about what he had done and whom he had met.

With more free time, she often went to see her grandson. The Emperor soon named Yin Zhen's child. As part of the Hong lineage, he was named Hong Hui.

Hong Hui could eat, drink, and sleep well, and his cries were robust and healthy. After a month, he had gained a little weight.

Before the New Year, Nala Panwen still entered Yin Zhu's household. When she came to pay her respects, Lady Fang couldn't help but remind her that since she had become Yin Zhu's person, Yin Zhu was now her master. She should behave properly in the inner court, not be disloyal, and be clear about who her master was.

"This concubine will surely remember Your Highness's teachings."

Lady Fang waved her hand, indicating that she could leave.

Seeing that it was still early and Yinti was in class at the imperial study, Lady Fang set off for the imperial study.

She watched Yinti's behavior during class from outside. Yinti was sitting in class, surrounded by his study mates, while the teacher lectured at the front.

Yinti wasn't dozing off; he seemed very focused, taking notes in his book.

Only then did Lady Fang feel relieved and turned to leave.

As the New Year approached, the Empress Dowager bestowed New Year gifts to the ladies and consorts of each palace, and the Imperial Household Department also delivered their allocated provisions.

As the head consort of Jingren Palace, Lady Fang also bestowed New Year gifts to the mistresses of Jingren Palace. She gave monetary rewards to the attendants, and she also sent some gifts to Yin Zhen and Yin Zhu.

Observing the New Year in the palace was much the same every year. After the New Year passed, Yin Zhen began preparations to move residences.

Aside from the initial funds used to build the residence, Yin Zhen had to prepare everything for this relocation, as the mansion had nothing and all had to be supplied by Yin Zhen himself.

Of course, the Imperial Household Department would send some items over, but it certainly wouldn’t be enough. Fang Yu had Ulanara Shi come to her and told her to let her know if anything was needed.

Once Yin Zhen moved outside the palace, everyone in the household would have to rely on him alone.

Ulanara Shi said she didn’t know what was missing yet, as she hadn’t been to the mansion to see.

"Mother, you needn’t worry. I doubt anything is lacking. The Imperial Household Department provided a list, and I’ve looked it over—everything that should be there is there. His Highness also said that after moving, anything missing can be added later."

Fang Yu nodded, thinking the young couple should be able to manage on their own. She then asked how Hong Hui was sleeping.

"Mother, he’s doing well. The wet nurse said Hong Hui only woke once during the night."

"Take good care of Hong Hui."

"Don’t worry, Mother. I will take good care of His Highness and also of Hong Hui."

From her interactions with Ulanara Shi, Fang Yu found her to be a good and capable person, keeping Yin Zhen’s household well-organized. She was quite satisfied with this daughter-in-law.

The First Prince and the Third Prince had moved out the previous year, and now it was Yin Zhen’s turn. On the day of Yin Zhen’s relocation, Fang Yu went to see them off.

Yin Zhu and Yin Ti were also there. Yin Zhu’s eyes welled up as he said, "Fourth Brother, I’ll often visit your mansion."

"Your room is reserved. You and the Fourteenth Prince have dedicated rooms at Fourth Brother’s place."

After speaking with Yin Zhu, Yin Zhen turned to her: "Mother, I will also often enter the palace to pay my respects to you."

Fang Yu didn’t want to make the atmosphere too sorrowful—it was just a relocation, and Yin Zhen’s Beile estate was very close to the palace. She smiled and said, "I know. You should go now; don’t miss the auspicious time to enter the new home."

Yin Zhen and the others boarded the carriage and slowly drove out of the palace.

"Mother, can I go to Fourth Brother’s mansion in the future?"

Yin Ti looked up to ask her. Fang Yu slipped an arm around Yin Ti’s shoulder and said with a smile, "Of course, once your fourth brother is properly settled, you can go. Didn’t your fourth brother say he has rooms for you there?"

"I also want to move out of the palace to live."

Fang Yu poked Yin Ti’s forehead: "Mother thinks you just don’t want to study. Don’t worry, it’ll be another ten years before you leave the palace. You’ll have to take it slowly."

Yin Ti’s head drooped.

"Mother, maybe I should also ask Imperial Father to grant me funds to establish a residence, so I can move out and keep Fourth Brother company."

Yin Zhu chimed in from the side.

Fang Yu chuckled lightly: "You can ask for it. If you get it, that’s your skill. Also, you’re not young anymore. You should ask your Imperial Father to give you some responsibilities instead of idling around all day, only knowing how to eat, drink, and have fun."

The previous year, during the imperial conferment, the Emperor had granted funds to the First Prince, the Third Prince, and Yin Zhen to establish their residences. Tens of thousands of taels of silver had been allocated, and it would take a few years to recoup. Yin Zhu certainly wouldn’t get it now—he’d have to wait at least two or three more years.

"Never mind, I’ll stay in the palace to keep Mother company."

Fang Yu smiled at Yin Zhu; he wasn’t so dumb, knowing he wouldn’t get it. She teased, "Yin Zhu is such a filial child. Yin Ti, learn from your sixth brother."

"Mother, I’m also very filial."

"Yes, you’re both filial. Not angering Mother in the future is the greatest filial piety."

"It must be the Fourteenth Prince who angers Mother. I certainly don’t."

The two brothers began bickering playfully, and Fang Yu watched their banter tenderly.

...

A few days later, the Emperor came to Jingren Palace and told her that Yin Ti was getting older and shouldn’t live in the inner palace anymore. He instructed Yin Ti to move to the Princes' Quarter, specifically to the now-vacant Qianxi Third Compound where Yin Zhen had previously lived, so he could reside with Yin Zhu.

Yin Ti was indeed not young anymore. Staying in the inner palace for too long would inevitably invite gossip, especially after the "romantic affairs" involving the Eldest Prince and Answering Attendant Yin in the palace. Fang Yu had no choice but to let Yin Ti move in with Yin Zhu.

The Princes' Quarter consisted of individual courtyards with their own gates for entry and exit. Although they shared a larger compound, the living arrangements were relatively independent.

After Yin Ti moved to the Princes' Quarter, Fang Yu still asked his servants every day about what Yin Ti had done each day and occasionally went to the Princes' Quarter to see him.

Yin Ti was still at the age where he had to attend the Upper Study. Fang Yu specifically instructed Yin Zhu not to even think about taking Yin Ti out of the palace to play.

As for Yin Zhu, the Emperor already had several sons assisting with court affairs. The older brothers above Yin Zhu seemed quite capable, so Yin Zhu wasn’t particularly needed yet. Not being particularly capable, Yin Zhu could only keep himself occupied and find things to do on his own.

Fang Yu knew that Yin Zhu had opened two restaurants outside, and she heard business was quite good.

The Emperor turned a blind eye to Yin Zhu’s restaurant ventures, and Fang Yu certainly wasn’t about to interfere either. Having something to do was better than having nothing to do.

Three months after Yin Zhen’s relocation, Fang Yu felt they had settled in properly and considered visiting Yin Zhen’s mansion.

She asked for permission from the Emperor to leave the palace, and he didn’t stop her. Fang Yu left the palace smoothly with a few servants and guards.

Ulanara Shi was already waiting at the gate with Yin Zhen’s two concubines to welcome her. As soon as she stepped out of the carriage, she saw them.

Ulanara Shi came forward to greet her, taking her hand to lead her inside.

This was Fang Yu’s first visit, so she asked Ulanara Shi and the others to show her around the mansion.

After the tour, Fang Yu thought it was quite nice and spacious. Although it couldn’t compare to the palace, it was certainly more than adequate.

"Mother, many things in the mansion haven’t been put in order yet. I hope Mother won’t mind."

"Take your time. You’ve only moved out for two months. Things will gradually fall into place. The longer you live here, the more things you’ll accumulate. Where is Hong Hui? I would like to see Hong Hui."

Ulanara Shi quickly led her to the rear courtyard and had the wet nurse bring Hong Hui for her to see.

As Fang Yu held Hong Hui, she noticed that Ulanara Shi and Yin Zhen’s two concubines, Li Shi and Song Shi, stood respectfully to the side, hardly daring to breathe or make any slight movements.

Although she was friendly enough, her status was such that they regarded her with respect and fear, never letting their guard down in her presence.

Fang Yu sighed inwardly and focused her attention on Hong Hui, playing with him. Hong Hui had put on weight, and his complexion was rosy. When she teased him, the child giggled and drooled, with the wet nurse frequently wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, worried that Hong Hui’s drool might get on her hands.

Yin Zhen was currently on duty at the Ministry of Revenue. Fang Yu had originally planned to stay at Yin Zhen’s mansion for half a day, but seeing how tense Ulanara Shi and the others were, she only stayed a short while before leaving.

She had her attendants stop by Yin Zhu’s restaurant. Yin Zhu’s restaurant had two floors: the ground floor was the main hall, and the upper floor had private rooms. As soon as she entered the main hall, she saw that business was indeed quite good, with many people seated.

"Your Highness, the Sixth Prince is truly impressive. He must earn quite a bit of silver in a day," Pan Liu said cheerfully into her ear.

Fang Yu hadn’t known that Yin Zhu had a knack for business.

While Little Zheng was busy in the restaurant, he suddenly caught sight of a figure and was startled. He hurried over and was about to call out "Your Highness" when she stopped him.

"My Lady, please go upstairs to sit. There are still private rooms available upstairs."

Fang Yu and her attendants were led by Little Zheng to one of the private rooms on the second floor. She asked Little Zheng what he was doing there.

"Your Highness, the Sixth Prince trusts this humble servant and has me keep an eye on the restaurant’s business. Your Highness, if I’d known you were coming, I’d have surely come out to greet you."

"I was just passing by and decided to stop by. I'm also hungry, so have someone bring out some food. Isn't Yin Zhu here today?"

Little Zheng said that the Sixth Prince usually doesn't come to the restaurant and that he had probably gone spring hunting with the Eighth Prince and the others today.

Fang Yu thought that made sense; Yin Zhu was a prince, and even though the restaurant was his, he only needed to have his staff keep an eye on things.

"Your Highness, I'll have the dishes brought out. Please wait a moment."

"Don't bring out too many, to avoid waste."

Little Zheng said yes.

Soon, the restaurant staff brought up dish after dish. Fang Yu asked Pan Liu and the others to sit down and eat together.

Fang Yu sampled the dishes that were served. Perhaps because she had eaten too many fine things in the palace, she found the flavor nothing special.

Pan Liu and the others kept saying how delicious it was. She knew they were just flattering her—as servants, they felt obliged to praise it.

Even so, Fang Yu ate until she was full. After eating, Little Zheng saw her downstairs.

Fang Yu returned to the carriage. She had heard Yin Zhen say that the Crown Prince had many shops in the capital, both overtly and covertly, and had acquired a lot of land, so the Crown Prince had plenty of money.

The older princes were certainly not satisfied with their monthly stipends and would find ways to earn money. How? They could only think of ways through basic necessities and luxuries.

The Crown Prince was like this, Yin Zhen was like this, and Yin Zhu would be too.

Fang Yu wasn't particularly surprised. As for Yin Zhu’s restaurant business, she couldn’t help him and could only let him handle it his way. He was a prince; he had the resources to take chances.

After returning to the palace, Fang Yu went directly to the Qianqing Palace. The Emperor was reviewing memorials, so she passed the time reading a book.

After dark, Fang Yu stayed over at the Qianqing Palace.

"Have you been to Yin Zhen’s place?"

"Yes, Yin Zhen’s residence is quite nice."

Kangxi caressed her face: "Then why do you seem unhappy?"

Fang Yu rested her head on the Emperor’s chest. After all these years together, the Emperor could read her emotions very accurately. She said, "I just feel that when sons grow up, they no longer listen to their mothers."

"Did Yin Zhen upset you?"

"No."

When Fang Yu visited Yin Zhen’s residence today, she realized she was an outsider. Her son’s home was not her home; Ulanara Shi was the mistress of the house. She couldn’t stay overnight at Yin Zhen’s residence because, as an outsider, she would be in the way.

"Then what is it?"

Fang Yu played with the Emperor’s hand and said slowly, "I just suddenly felt that the palace is my home. Where the Emperor is, that’s my home. Jingren Palace is my home. Yin Zhen’s residence is Yin Zhen’s home, not mine."

Although Uya Shi was beating around the bush, Kangxi understood. He lifted her chin and smiled, "So all these years, you’ve never considered the palace your home."

"Your Majesty, you know very well that’s not what I meant."

Kangxi rubbed Uya Shi’s back to comfort her: "I understand. Yin Zhen has grown up; he has his own family now. As his mother, you’re sad."

"I’m not. Your Majesty, I can’t get through to you."

Fang Yu tried to pull away from his embrace.

Kangxi held her tightly and whispered, "I know what you want to say. The palace is your home because I am here. Wherever I am with you is our home. You can’t be without me now."

Fang Yu quieted down. In truth, he was right. She had come to see him as family and the palace as her home. Initially, she had always felt that the palace walls were tall and imposing, that she was trapped inside the palace. How free it was outside! But twenty years had passed, and without realizing it, she had come to see the palace as her home in her heart. She could no longer leave him.

Yin Zhen’s residence was Yin Zhen’s home, but it was not hers, even though Yin Zhen was her son.

"Your Majesty, you must have put a spell on me."

Kangxi couldn’t help but kiss her. After kissing her, he said she was the one who had put a spell on him.

"Your Majesty, let us grow old together like this."

Kangxi felt that Uya Shi sometimes said things that struck a chord in his heart, touching him deeply. He truly loved this person and really wanted to grow old with her. He no longer had the energy or desire to hold selection ceremonies or get to know someone new. He felt that his love for Uya Shi had grown over time. At first, he hadn’t felt that she was indispensable—he just thought she was beautiful and bold, like many women in the harem. But gradually, she found her way into his heart. Being with her always made him feel relaxed and comfortable.

Kangxi’s hands slowly moved downward, pulling her closer. She softened entirely, and he nibbled on her earlobe.

"Your Majesty, that tickles."

Kangxi covered her with kisses, his kisses intense and passionate, filled with ardent love.

As they had grown older, the two hadn’t been this intense in a long time. Afterward, both were exhausted and didn’t want to move, but they still called for water.

After cleaning up, Fang Yu heard a "sleep now," and she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

The next morning, Fang Yu noticed many bruises on her body. The Emperor had been a bit too forceful again last night. When he got too excited, he couldn’t control his strength, and her skin was thin, easily marked.

"It’s all your fault."

"Yes, it’s all my fault. I’ll have someone bring you some ointment."

"Then others will find out. Your Majesty may not care about face, but I do."

Kangxi chuckled softly. After all these years, he figured the servants were probably used to it. He touched the bruises on her body and promised to be gentler next time.

"You said that last time too."

"When was last time?"

Fang Yu couldn’t remember when last time was either. She said irritably, "Your Majesty, I think you’re getting old. Don’t use so much force next time; be careful not to strain yourself."

Kangxi smiled. Only Uya Shi dared to say he was old. Others wouldn’t dare—the ministers would rather say he was in his prime. But he knew he was old; his body was no longer young, and sometimes he wasn’t as agile as he used to be when walking.

He was old, but his sons were still young, in their prime, each younger than the last.

When the ointment was brought, Kangxi applied it for Uya Shi himself. There were some places she couldn’t reach.

"Your Majesty, close your eyes while applying it."

Kangxi patted her bottom. How could he apply it with his eyes closed? He didn’t understand why she was so shy in front of him.

"Your Majesty!"

"I won’t look."

Kangxi coaxed her.

Fang Yu just wanted him to finish quickly. After the ointment was applied, the two finally got up to dress and wash.

"Have breakfast with me."

"No, I want to go back."

Kang Xi could tell she was getting shy. He simply took her hand and guided her to sit at the dining table.

"What part of you haven't I..."

"Your Majesty!"

Kang Xi had to stop there, without saying more. Wuya Shi cared deeply about her dignity in front of the servants; he couldn’t let her truly get angry.

The two of them enjoyed a leisurely breakfast.