Chapter 139 Half a Body Length Distance

At the beginning of the 46th year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi, the New Year arrived as scheduled despite heavy snow.

Yihuan's belly is already nine months old. Because she had a big appetite throughout her pregnancy, her belly is much bigger than that of an ordinary lady.

Yinzhen saw that Yihuan was very tired every day and was a little anxious. The imperial physician came to take his pulse more than once to reassure him, and they all said that the fetus was developing very well and was not too big. There were also pregnant women like Yihuan.

Although the conclusion of the imperial physician was reasonable, Yinzhen was still worried. He thought that he would not be able to express his anger unless she gave birth safely.

Logically, Yihuan should not be absent from the palace banquet on New Year's Eve, but Yinzhen could not bear to see her suffer in the palace with a bulging belly, so he reported to Defei early and asked for sick leave. Defei could understand, after all, she was in a state where she could go into labor at any time, and if she gave birth in the palace, it would be a mess and nothing could be known.

So, this year, for the first time ever, Yinzhen brought his concubine Li and the children into the palace alone. Liuliu was held in the arms of the eldest princess, and she was often fed by Li, so she did not feel uncomfortable.

To avoid suspicion, Honghui did not ride in the carriage, but rode a horse with Yinzhen. Hongyun, seeing that he was the only one asked to ride in the carriage, refused and insisted on riding a horse. In the end, Yinzhen could not persuade him, so Honghui took his brother to ride on the horse and did not feel cold.

Li used the snacks that Liuliu liked to play with her. Seeing the eldest princess lowering her head, she felt a little disappointed: "Why are you still wearing this thing? The wound on your face has been healed for a long time!"

The concubine also has social connections. Li got angry when she thought about how others talked about the eldest princess with a look of regret and gloating, but since the prince had warned her in person, she didn't dare to say much. She just wondered when the eldest princess could make a stunning appearance and win back her face.

The eldest princess remained calm, with a thin veil covering her face at this time: "Mother, my father always wants the best for his daughter, and I listen to him."

"I can't say a word to you now. You have even learned to use the prince to pressure me." Li muttered, but she didn't stop feeding Liuliu.

Liuliu glanced at the eldest princess, then glanced at Li, and a smile appeared on her chubby face: "Mother Li, Liuliu is full, but elder sister hasn't eaten yet. Mother Li, feed elder sister."

Li was stunned for a moment, and actually handed a piece of dessert to the eldest princess' mouth, and the eldest princess ate it in small bites.

Liuliu held her chin with her hands, and there was indeed nothing she couldn't do!

Little did she know that the eldest princess was not upset at all at this moment. She was no longer at the age where she needed to beg for her mother's love. Liuliu was a good child, and she just didn't want to make her sad.

"Your marriage..." Li started to talk, but was stopped by the eldest princess.

"Mother, my daughter's marriage is decided by my father and mother. This is not something I should listen to or consider. Besides, Liuliu is still here."

Li was speechless and closed her mouth in dismay.

This child was raised in vain. No wonder Lord Beile wanted to marry Ulanara. She is simply the same as Concubine Fu. If you don’t know, you would think she is Concubine Fu’s child!
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Before the New Year's Eve palace banquet officially began, Kangxi would first lead the royal family to worship their ancestors, tell them about the achievements of the whole year, and pray for their blessings and good weather in the new year.

Yihuan understood it as the company's annual performance report. The emperor spoke so hard that it took at least two hours, and the people below had to perk up even if they were drowsy.

This year, the Crown Princess and Nalan Shi were not so lucky because they were not burdened by the heavy belly. They could only endure the discomfort and pray for the child to be strong. After all, Nalan Shi was only a concubine, and she could quietly use the excuse of going to the toilet to get some fresh air. The Crown Princess could only kneel behind the Crown Prince in an orderly manner. Because her position was too far forward, Tong Guining did not dare to use any tricks, and she knelt for such a long time.

But she couldn't care about her belly now. Tong Guining kept staring at the prince's back, thinking to herself, is he crazy?

The prince's seat has always been stable, second only to the emperor, and he is the one closest to Kangxi.

However, the cushion today was placed too far forward, only half a body length away from Kangxi's seat.

Kangxi was thin, and the prince had gained some weight due to middle age. He knelt on the cushion with his body slightly leaning forward. From behind, he was almost shoulder to shoulder with Kangxi, and sometimes even surpassed him.

Tong Guining was a little frightened. She subconsciously moved her cushion back. The prince glared at her and she didn't dare to move.

Kangxi said nothing throughout the whole process, as if he did not notice this discordant scene. He completed the ancestor worship process smoothly, and then led the huge crowd to the Qianqing Palace to start the palace banquet.

At the banquet, everyone's eyes involuntarily turned to the prince. Yinzhen drank by himself and thought.

The second brother was forced into a corner. He thought that his military merits and winning the hearts of the people would make his path to becoming the crown prince smoother. However, he did not expect that the emperor father did not respect him at all. However, this approach would not have any effect except making the emperor father disgusted and resentful. After Soetu's death, no one could restrain his behavior.

The prince is very satisfied with the current results. As the legitimate successor to the Qing Dynasty, he should be the center of attention, his brothers should kneel at his feet, and he should be only one step away from that honorable position.

Tong Guining felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. She felt the gazes coming from all directions made her shudder. She just held her stomach, her body trembling slightly.

The prince noticed Tong Guining's behavior and felt a little disgusted with her for not being presentable: "What's wrong with Ning'er? Are you feeling unwell?"

Tong Guining shook her head subconsciously: "Your Highness, it's a bit stuffy here, I want to go out and get some fresh air."

"Go, and be careful." Tong Guining's belly was not small, and the prince always spoke to her gently.

As usual, the palace banquet ended at dawn. Kangxi was drunk and went back to the Yangxin Palace, unable to sleep, so he took Liang Jiugong to the Changchun Palace.

This was the residence of the late Empress Hesheli. After she died in childbirth, Kangxi named it Changchun Palace. He would come here occasionally to pay tribute to his old friend. When the Crown Prince was a child, he would secretly come here when he missed his mother.

In the main hall hung a portrait of the late queen. Kangxi stared at the eternally young portrait, his heart churning: "I'm sorry for not bringing up your child well. Our prince is becoming more and more arrogant. How come this child has suddenly changed?"

Changchun Palace was quiet. Kangxi's mumbling received no response. He lay on the bed, closed his eyes, and all that flashed through his mind was the young prince.

Three days after the New Year, the Minister of Rites was dismissed and executed, and the Crown Prince was ordered to return to the upper study to study, kneeling for an hour every day to the late Queen Hesheli, and learning the ways of etiquette and filial piety.

For a time, both the government and the public were shocked.