EBE Chapter 497 Now that you're here, let's give our mules a rest.
Chapter 497 Now that you're here, let's give our mules a rest.
With the New Year fast approaching, Emperor Kangxi had a mountain of things to deal with. Since Yinzhuo was so obedient today, he naturally wouldn't let go of this rare opportunity to enslave him.
"Yinzhuo, don't just sit idle after you've finished reviewing the memorials. Although we won't be celebrating the New Year in the capital this year, we still have to bestow this 'Fu' character. See that stack of red paper over there? This year's 'Fu' character is yours."
To Yinzhi, Kangxi's words sounded like, "Since you're here, let our mules and horses rest!" He was being given only two watermelons, yet he was expected to do so much work. If he wanted to run away now, would it be too late?
Judging from the current situation, it's definitely too late to run away. After all, Liang Jiugong is no pushover. Look, as soon as his master finished speaking, he brought the red paper over for Yinzhuo.
"Young master, if you feel tired, why don't you let me massage your shoulders to relieve the fatigue? There are still about ten days until the New Year, so there's no rush to write the 'Fu' character."
As the saying goes, you can't hit a smiling face. Since the other party had such a good attitude, even if Yinzhuo wanted to find an excuse to cause trouble and run away, no one would give him that chance. Isn't there a saying that goes, "The sooner you die, the sooner you're reborn"? Anyway, he would have to write the "Fu" character sooner or later, so he might as well finish writing it quickly and have some peace and quiet.
Yinzhuo helped Emperor Kangxi write the "Fu" character on his behalf from a young age. After writing for so many years, he was able to imitate the "Fu" character so well that, at least at first glance, you couldn't tell the difference between the real and fake characters.
When doing something you're good at, things go smoothly. In just one afternoon, Yinzhuo had finished writing on the stack of red paper. While Yinzhuo and his son were busy, Liang Jiugong was also busy.
After Yinzhuo finished writing each character, he would take it away and put it aside to dry before putting it into a special box. Once Yinzhuo had finished writing them all, he would arrange for someone to send these characters to the capital by fast horse.
"Eunuch Liang, come quickly and give me a shoulder massage. I've been sitting on this kang all day, and my arms are almost too sore to lift. Father, you should also take a rest. Even if you're busy with official duties, we should still balance work and rest..."
If anyone else dared to talk to Kangxi when he was extremely busy, he definitely wouldn't listen, and might even have dragged them over to give them a lecture. But since it was his precious darling who was advising him to take a break, the effect was naturally different.
"Take a rest? That's fine. I've been sitting here for almost a day. Since Yinzhuo says we should balance work and rest, then come and help me up. Let's go for a stroll in the garden outside."
Although it was nearing evening, the sky outside did not appear too dark. Yinzhu personally helped Kangxi down from the kang (a heated brick bed), then fetched a cloak from the side and helped Kangxi put it on. After putting on his hat, the two of them walked outside.
In the northern winter, everything is bare, and even in this hot spring palace, there's really nothing to see in the garden. Fortunately, the palace is big enough that the father and son found a nice spot while strolling around.
"Father, look! There's such a large plum grove here! And what's that thing covered with straw near the hot spring? I heard that the people here use the warmth of the hot spring to grow vegetables along its banks. Could it be...?"
With his status, Yinzhuo could act without restraint, especially now that he had the greatest backer in the land by his side. Since he was curious, he could simply go and lift the straw to take a look.
"Dexi, take some men over there and lift up that straw curtain to take a look."
Yinzhuo guessed correctly; under the straw curtain were indeed some common vegetables. Although this courtyard occupied a considerable area, it was located in a remote place, far from where Kangxi and the others lived, so it was not easy for anyone to come here.
The hot springs here were mostly used for the servants in the palace to bathe, so they weren't very elaborate. There were no bluestone slabs paving the surrounding area, making them perfect for growing vegetables. It's likely that some of the vegetables that Yinzhuo and the others had been eating these past few days came from here.
The reason why Yinzhuo and his family came to Zunhua was because Yinzhuo wanted to eat hot pot, but he felt that taking a bath in winter was too troublesome. Now that there was a hot spring available, vegetables were plentiful, and his parents and brothers were all there, the timing was perfect, and it would be a shame not to eat hot pot now.
“Father, look how beautifully the plum blossoms are blooming. Why don’t we have someone set up a camp in this plum grove, and then invite our eldest brother, second brother, and several mothers over to enjoy the flowers and have hot pot together? Just thinking about it makes me feel so comfortable.”
As people get older, they enjoy lively gatherings. Kangxi thought Yinzhuo's suggestion was excellent. With a single order, none of his subordinates dared to be negligent. In less than an hour, not only were the tents set up, but even the items Yinzhuo had specifically requested were delivered.
Unlike the single tables during Chinese New Year, round tables are more suitable for hot pot. The tents are set up facing the plum grove and are quite spacious, so even with two tables, it doesn't feel crowded.
All four consorts were present on this trip. Who could sit beside Kangxi today? Consort De would naturally take a seat, after all, all three of her sons were successful: one was the crown prince, one was leading troops in the field, and the last one was even more remarkable, as he was Kangxi's darling.
As for the other position, Yinzhuo believed that Consort Hui had the best chance of winning. After all, she was the first among the four consorts Hui, Yi, De, and Rong, and she was also the mother of his father's eldest son. It would be perfectly reasonable for her to take the position.
Yinzhuo's guess was correct. Before everyone took their seats, Kangxi indeed chose Consort De and Consort Hui to sit on his left and right, while Yinzhuo, as an adult prince, naturally had to sit at the same table with his brothers.
"Second brother, third brother, isn't this place I found great? Look, we can see the plum grove outside while we're eating. It would be even more beautiful if it were snowing now. As the saying goes, 'Flowers bloom on the flowers, and beauty is revealed amidst the cold ice and snow...'"
Both Yinreng and Yinzhi gave Yinzhuo face for his blatant boasting, since his powerful backer was right there beside them, and they didn't want to be scolded when they were so happy.
"Xiao Liu found a really good place. The plum blossoms are in full bloom right now. Look, we can smell the fragrance even without getting close to the plum grove. It's just a pity that Father won't let anyone serve wine. Otherwise, we brothers could have had a drink together."
It goes without saying who Kangxi was wary of by not letting anyone serve them wine. Upon hearing this, Yinzhuo glanced at Kangxi not far away and, seeing that he wasn't paying attention to their situation, beckoned Wanquan over and whispered a few words in his ear.