Chapter 26

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Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager looked at Su Malagu and asked, “Has the news of the Emperor being angry at the Crown Prince and punishing him spread?”

“No! Apart from a few who often attend to the Crown Prince in Yuqing Palace, only we received the news through Xueqing.”

The Empress Dowager sighed in relief. “Then it’s fine.”

Su Malagu hesitated and asked, “Aren’t you going to persuade him? The Crown Prince is still kneeling!”

The Empress Dowager chuckled lightly. “No need! This is a matter between them as father and son; they should resolve it themselves. If I intervene too much, the Emperor won’t like it.”

“Although the Emperor is angry and wants the Crown Prince to reflect, he specifically reminded us not to let this matter spread before he left. This shows he cares for the Crown Prince. It indicates that the Crown Prince’s mistake isn’t serious. Since it isn’t serious, with Baicheng’s intelligence, he can resolve it without us worrying.”

“Yes!”

On the other side, Kangxi received a visitor from the cowpox farm, who was a disciple of Physician Liu. Everything at the farm was normal, and there was no recurrence of the illness he worried about. According to Physician Liu’s observations, everyone had safely passed the critical period and could return tomorrow.

This news truly delighted Kangxi. With this joy, he returned to Yuqing Palace but didn’t go straight inside. Unconsciously, he arrived at the window. Yinreng was kneeling with his side to him, looking gloomy, his shoulders trembling as tears fell steadily.

The system: …

If it weren’t for knowing the host’s temperament and witnessing how he was just contemplating what to have for dinner one moment, then the next moment shedding tears upon realizing Kangxi was there, it might have believed that the Crown Prince was genuinely feeling wronged! What could it say? The host really was an actor in his previous life!

As Kangxi walked in, Yinreng wiped his face and forcefully held back his tears, choked up as he said, “Father!”

“Father, I was wrong! Please… don’t be angry with me! I shouldn’t have said those things; it was my fault.”

Seeing Kangxi approach, Yinreng cautiously grasped his pant leg. “Father!”

Kangxi sighed. “What did you do wrong?”

“I shouldn’t always be thinking about making money, and I definitely shouldn’t have said you were burning bridges after crossing them! I didn’t mean it. I just didn’t understand. Last year, when I came up with ideas to help you make money, you praised me for being clever.

“In the past six months, with the glass clock, the court has earned quite a bit. In previous years, you always worried about where there would be snow disasters or floods, needing money from the treasury here and there, wearing a frown. But these days, you’ve been smiling more than before.

“I thought it must be because the treasury is abundant, and you aren’t worried anymore. I don’t want you to work hard; I want to see you smile more. That’s why I wanted to make money. Money is good. With more money, you wouldn’t have to be so tired. I’m not doing this for myself; I just want to help you.”

Yinreng could no longer hold back his tears, sobbing, “I didn’t mean to say those things. I had no intention. You’ve told me that in front of me, you’re just my father. You said I could say whatever comes to mind without reservation. You said I should tell you all my thoughts.

“I don’t understand where I went wrong! I don’t know! But if you say I’m wrong, then… then I must be wrong. Please… don’t be angry. You said I’m still young, and making mistakes isn’t a big deal. You will teach me. Father, please teach me. Don’t abandon me.”

The last five words came out through choked sobs.

Kangxi opened his mouth, speechless. For a moment, he was taken aback, realizing just how much he had pushed his child.

Looking at Yinreng, who was cautiously pleading, mistakenly thinking that he didn’t want him, Kangxi could no longer feel angry. He suddenly realized that every word Yinreng spoke was reasonable.

Why did Yinreng want to make money? Why did he think money was good? Wasn’t it all because of him? The money that Yinreng earned was all given to the treasury, and he kept not a single coin for himself. His heart was pure, and everything he thought of was for his father. But here he was, as the father, blaming his son for being unproductive and disrupting the order.

Over the past year, Yinreng had performed exceptionally well, so well that Kangxi was almost forgetting that he was just a child. But he was indeed not even seven years old! Not to mention that his intentions were good. Even if he really made a mistake, it should be the father’s responsibility to guide him carefully. Which child is born knowing everything? If a parent does not educate their child properly, how can they blame the child?

Kangxi felt he was being too unreasonable. The one who truly needed to reflect wasn’t Yinreng; it was him, the father!

Especially since he spent all day acting as the emperor in front of ministers and consorts. Being the emperor was good, but it was also tiring. Occasionally, he wanted to simply be an ordinary father. Yinreng satisfied his desire for that aspect. So he indulged and spoiled Yinreng, allowing him to speak without hesitation.

How many people in the world dared to say such things in front of him? It was clearly his own request, yet hearing those words now made him uncomfortable. But upon closer inspection, was Yinreng wrong? A seven-year-old child helps his father once and wants to help again, yet instead of praise, he receives scolding. Could he understand that?

To him, wasn’t this the definition of burning bridges after crossing them?

“Father! All the other brothers have a father who loves them and a mother who cares. I only have you. If you don’t want me, then I will have nothing. Father! Please don’t abandon me!”

Yinreng reached out his hands, holding onto Kangxi’s waist.

At that moment, Kangxi felt he truly did not deserve to be called a loving father. Just look at how he had pushed the child to this state!

“Baicheng, don’t cry. Who says your father doesn’t want you? You are my most outstanding son; how could I possibly not want you? Don’t think such things!”

Yinreng seemed not to have heard, still crying uncontrollably.

Kangxi, feeling helpless, could only squat down and hug him, speaking gently to comfort him.

This scene left the system dumbfounded and awestruck. It couldn’t help but think: Is this really happening? Can it actually be like this? Inside, it felt like ten thousand horses were galloping.

Damn! Everything was clearly the host’s intention, yet it turned out that Kangxi was the one feeling guilt and self-blame!

What kind of behavior was this from the host? A pure lotus? A green tea? Or a combination of both?

Was it true, as said on the internet in later generations, that every man cannot escape an advanced pure white lotus green tea…

What a rare and extraordinary specimen the host was!

The system was impressed!

That night, Kangxi did not go to see the consorts nor return to Qianqing Palace, but instead stayed in Yuqing Palace, sleeping beside Yinreng. Oh, to be precise, he was patting Yinreng’s back to help him fall asleep.

The next day, the father and son were closer than ever.

Yinreng woke up early and, together with Liang Jiugong, attended to Kangxi as he dressed.

“Father, it’s all my fault. You couldn’t sleep well because of me.”

Kangxi smiled and ruffled his hair. “Now that you understand, are you no longer feeling wronged?”

“As long as you don’t abandon me, I won’t feel wronged!”

“Silly child! You are my son; how could I possibly not want you?”

Yinreng grinned and didn’t argue back.

Kangxi continued, “I know that you want to make money for me. I’m not saying making money is necessarily a bad thing. At such a young age, being able to contribute to the treasury is quite rare. Many ministers don’t have this capability. I’m proud of you. I was a bit harsh with my words yesterday; don’t take it to heart.”

Yinreng jumped into Kangxi’s arms, looking up at him. “I’ve thought about it. Although selling the construction methods for the glass greenhouses can increase income, it’s ultimately limited and a bit trivial. You said I shouldn’t focus on this; there must be your reasoning and considerations. It was me who didn’t think it through yesterday. But how should I do it?”

Kangxi’s smile grew broader. “I’ll teach you.”

“Okay!”

“Starting today, spend half an hour in my study every day.”

Yinreng frowned. “But I have so much to do! I have to study literature with my teacher, practice martial arts with Yan Da, and learn Western knowledge from Mr. Nan. I also promised Mama Wuku to spend more time with her.”

Kangxi: … How does it sound like he is busier than I am?

“And the rest of the time, I need to finish the assignments given by my teachers.”

Kangxi felt helpless. “Then use your homework time for this. I’ll have someone set up a desk for you in the study. While I’m reviewing memorials, you can do your homework. Once you finish, it’ll be the perfect time for me to check it.”

Yinreng scrunched his small brows. “But you often summon ministers to the study for meetings. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for me to be there?”

“Exactly because of that, I want you to be present.”

“I’m still so young!”

Kangxi shook his head. “It’s not about having you participate; just listen. It’s okay if you don’t understand; just listen and remember it in your heart.”

Yinreng understood; this was what he referred to as guidance, and it was indeed a good way of teaching. He smiled. “Okay!”

The system: What can it say? Should it say how amazing the host is? Fine! It’s shutting down, please do not disturb!

Yinreng: …

Soon, everyone sent to the farm for cowpox vaccination returned to the capital. Concubines Hui, De, and Dai Jia and the eldest brother, Yinji, also returned. The emperor personally met them, exchanged a few words with the three consorts, and took Yinji for a tour. Seeing that he not only hadn’t lost weight but had grown stronger, he felt delighted and kept saying, “Good, good, good! It’s good that you’re back! Truly worthy of being my Great Qing’s Batulu!”

Yinji was very happy. This time, he could finally set an example for his father and the royal family, accomplishing a great deed! Look at his father’s attitude; he would definitely pay more attention to him!

“Being able to share my father’s worries is my honor!”

Kangxi smiled so widely that his eyes turned into slits. He patted Yinji’s shoulder and said, “Our Ba Qing has grown up! Given some time, he will surely become my right-hand man!”

My right-hand man! Yinji’s tail perked up with excitement.

Just as he was eagerly waiting for Kangxi’s affection to come pouring in, ready to showcase his talents and vie for his father’s love, he suddenly noticed that in the less than twenty days he had been away from the palace, a desk had been added to the study upon his return, placed right beside Kangxi’s official desk—it was for Yinreng.

Yinji: …

So, he had taken the initiative to get vaccinated for cowpox only to feel lonely?

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