That Would Simply Be Provocative
Thus, Consort Li paid less attention to her daughter when she spotted Lord Fourth.
Instead, she gazed upon Lord Fourth with so much longing that she was almost boring her eyes through him.
Upon entering the residence, Lord Fourth swept his gaze across the crowd inside.
His eyes then finally rested on Ruoyin.
He walked over briskly to hold Ruoyin up. Frowning, he chastised, "You're not only the Fujin, but also expecting. You don't have to curtsey to me so often in the future."
He meant to be lecturing her, but it was obvious that his tone was gentle.
Beside them, Consort Li pursed her lips. She was mad with jealousy.
Ruoyin straightened with Lord Fourth's help and smiled. "Thank you for your consideration, Lord Fourth."
Lord Fourth only uttered a mild "mm" before walking over to a high-backed chair and sitting down, with Ruoyin in tow.
Ruoyin then sat beside Lord Fourth.
After sitting down, they separated their joined hands at the same time.
Lord Fourth ordered in a deep voice, "Place the articles down, for the Miss' birthday grab
His voice had only just fallen when a group of subordinates placed a red blanket embroidered with the word "Prosperity" in the middle of the hall.
There were toys made of gold, silver, and precious gems, literature texts, sutras, scissors, a steelyard, colorful flowers, money, a needlework kit, necessities, and even fruits and pastries.
The Miss was then placed on the blanket by her wet nurse.
The Miss looked at all the things in front of her as she sat on the blanket, seemingly unsure of what to do.
Upon realizing the situation, Consort Li guided her enthusiastically. "Daughter, go grab something you like~"
She even gestured to the needlework kit with her eyes.
The Miss was still young and only stared at Consort Li. She couldn't possibly know what the meaning of her gaze was.
However, the Miss felt her mother's encouragement and did not sit there blankly anymore. She started to crawl.
Ruoyin watched as the Miss crawled and crawled under Consort Li's encouragement. She first stopped at the fruits and pastries and grabbed some grapes to eat.
Shooting a glance at Consort Li, Ruoyin found her looking disappointed.
Luckily, after biting a mouthful of grape, the Miss grabbed the needlework kit and a writing brush.
The situation took an upward turn, dissolving the weird atmosphere that had formed.
Consort Li was smiling. "Lord Fourth, your daughter is blessed; she's grabbed so many things."
Lord Fourth uttered a mild "mm" as he gazed upon his daughter lovingly. After giving some instructions to her wet nurse, he ordered for a meal to be served.
When they were eating, Consort Li tried to ask Lord Fourth indirectly how long their daughter was going to stay over at Ruoyin's.
However, Lord Fourth ignored her sometimes and only answered dismissively at other times.
In the end, perhaps frustrated by Consort Li's questioning, he spoke directly. "The Miss will be staying over at the Fujin's for a few days so that the Miss can learn how to behave. You should learn how to behave as well."
What he meant was that all of these were governed by rules, and she was to stop asking. If she asked anything further, it would mean that she was behaving errantly.
These words scared Consort Li so much that she only answered "yes" with a smile before she lowered her head to continue eating.
However, a malicious look passed over her eyes during that motion, which was coincidentally spotted by an attentive Ruoyin.
Lord Fourth did not mention anything about his daughter staying over at Ruoyin to learn proper behavior, even after the birthday banquet ended.
Consort Li could only return to her own residence helplessly.
The Miss had now been staying at Ruoyin's for over a month, but Lord Fourth did not have any intention of asking Consort Li to bring his daughter back to her residence.
During this period of time, Consort Li was exceptionally obedient. When she was supposed to visit Ruoyin in the morning, she even came over early.
The way she spoke was different as well. She didn't even utter a single offensive remark she was not supposed to say.
The Miss and Ruoyin grew close. When she saw Ruoyin, she even called her "Lady" very sweetly.
Ruoyin did not say anything about Consort Li's change.
Even though Consort Li appeared to behave well on the surface, she could not forget the maliciousness in her eyes that day.
…
At the dawn of August, Ruoyin successfully passed her first trimester safely.
It was also then that Kang Xi had returned to the capital after withdrawing his troop from Mongolia.
On either side of the gates of
Princes and civil and military officials also went to receive them.
Even the Crown Prince, clothed in a yellow gentleman's gown, was looking around expectantly.
Lord Fourth, wearing a purplish blue robe, was standing in the midst of the princes in the second row.
The crowd looked serious and respectful as they gazed at the majestic procession that looked like it had no end.
As the procession drew near, the welcoming crowd knelt. "Congratulations, Your Majesty the Emperor. Long live Your Majesty."
Inside the bright yellow imperial carriage, Kang Xi heard the waves of voices ringing out from outside, and his sharp gaze shifted.
The imperial carriage then entered the palace under the reverence of the large crowd.
Perhaps such reverence was simply something common to him.
In a short moment, Kang Xi arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony to listen to his subjects.
He listened to the reports given by the officials and princes about what had happened during his absence in the palace.
Kang Xi was a middle-aged man at this point in time.
He was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe with a red imperial crown on his head.
His sharp gaze seemed to sweep across the officials and princes below him absent-mindedly.
However, his every glance was actually sizing and probing every single one of them.
"State the uncommon events that have passed when I was not in the palace," Kang Xi said imposingly.
"Father Emperor, everything was smooth-sailing in the palace because of your blessing," replied the Crown Prince respectfully.
Upon hearing this, Kang Xi smiled a fatherly, affectionate smile. He said, "It was the right move to have you stay behind in the capital to take care of things, then."
"I dare not accept your praise. It was because Father Emperor managed things well before leaving for the campaign," the Crown Prince uttered humbly.
Upon hearing this, many officials praised the fond relationship between Kang Xi and the Crown Prince.
Those who did not know how to read the situation praised the Crown Prince for his ability.
Gradually, Kang Xi's smile disappeared and froze into a cold sneer.
Instantly, no one in the hall dared to speak, not even to flatter obsequiously.
Lord Fourth's gaze shifted. His lips twitched, but he was not the first to speak up.
Prince Zhi was the first to do so. "I think that it was only Father Emperor's thorough foresight for letting the Crown Prince stay to guard the capital that the country is temporarily stable."
Upon his hearing this, Kang Xi's sneer turned to a faint smile, but he did not say anything.
This time round, Prince Zhi had followed Kang Xi to Mongolia to defeat Galdan
He had even led the vanguard battalion with Chancellor Suo Etu, which Kang Xi had rather acknowledged.
Just then, Lord Fourth spoke. "It's great that Father Emperor is back in the capital. My heart was feeling like it was missing something, and my appetite had even decreased."
Lord Fourth's words did not have much substance.
However, Kang Xi might just be receptive to such substanceless speech.
It was inappropriate to boast about one's achievements at this time.
Kang Xi had worked hard while he was away. To boast of one's own achievements right now was simply provocative.
After all, Kang Xi was still healthy, so both the Crown Prince and Prince Zhi shared an equal limelight.
Lord Fourth could not behave too conspicuously, so he put on an innocent and warm tone.
However, Kang Xi was a strict father who hated cowardice in his sons the most.
Lord Fourth sounded like a son concerned for his father, and he even seemed uneasy for him.
It was the kind of uneasiness that was borne out of Kang Xi not being in the capital, but it was not cowardly.
Right now, it was up to Kang Xi on the Dragon Throne to decide whether Lord Fourth's words actually pleased him.