Chapter 142 – Qing Transmigration Tale (51)
After Kangxi returned to the palace, Hong Hui told him this inexplicable matter like a joke in order to avoid their family looking greedy.
The emperor knew the reason behind this matter. He just laughed. “How much can there be? If they are happy to give, you just receive.” His sons had done many unreliable things in these years, and he did not even have interest in them.
Lin Yu Tong heard Si Ye’s explanation, and immediately did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Fourteen’s actions were like playing house.
He felt he had offended someone, and then he thought that if he said a few soft words, it was fine. But he did not understand, no matter how close people were, the feelings would be worn away one day.
If Si Ye had thought of Fourteen as his own brother in the past, now, he was just a person who was insignificant.
Also, Si Ye was a very stubborn person. When he liked this person, he could tolerate the shortcomings, and place them under his wings, treating them very closely, but if he did not like this person, it was not possible to get back his good opinion in the future, regardless of how much sincerity you showed.
This was a person with clear likes and dislikes, and pure feelings. He could not endure the trouble that Fourteen created.
Fourteenth Prince was likely shut off from Si Ye’s heart now. Starting now, not compared to Thirteen, but he likely was behind Third Prince, Fifth Prince and Seventh Prince.
If not for Niangniang, he likely would be equal to Eighth Prince.
Lin Yu Tong did not feel sympathy for him. He had been the one to cause the situation right now.
While Si Ye was sad, he likely was relieved. He would end up at odds with Fourteen sooner or later. Without any feelings, he would have no constraints.
But Fourteenth Prince likely did not know even now what he had lost.
“Being brothers will depend on luck,” Si Ye sighed.
Lin Yu Tong did not persuade him otherwise. If Fourteen really did this, putting his brother’s face on the ground and stepping on it, even Lin Yu Tong wanted to sort him out.
A few days after returning, the emperor could not stay in the capital. He started a tour beyond the passes starting in the fourth month.
This time, the a-ge took turns. Third Prince, Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, and Seventh Prince stayed behind to watch, while the others all followed.
They could not stay in the garden because Si Ye had to go to work. Third Prince, Fifth Prince, and Seventh Prince basically did not do anything. Si Ye ended up almost living in the offices of the palace.
Lin Yu Tong took the children back to the establishment. In reality, her days did not change at all, just moving from a large courtyard to a small courtyard.
The one who was most unused to this was Hong Zhao. He had been used to being wild in the courtyard, and the space was clearly limited after they returned.
“Eniang, to the garden.” Hong Zhao was bigger than most children. At least, he was half a head taller than the children of the two wet nurses, even though they were born half a fortnight ahead of him.
Lin Yu Tong could not reason with him, and only said, “We can only go when your a-ma has free time.”
So, when Si Ye had rare spare time and came back, Hong Zhao pointed at Si Ye and said, “A-ma, free time”
So he had remembered the words.
Si Ye treasured Hong Zhao, maybe because of the bias towards his youngest. He always had more patience and tolerance. “When A-ma is done with this while, we will go.” Then he said to Lin Yu Tong, “When Ye goes outside the passes, it will be hot, and you will be able to avoid the heat living in the garden.”
Lin Yu Tong had planned like this. While the present Garden of Perfect Brightness was not large in scale, it was more comfortable than living in the establishment.
When it was Si Ye’s turn, it was the end of the fifth month and the weather started to heat up.
Eight, Nine, Ten, and Fourteen had all returned. Si Ye did the hand off, and then traveled with Third Prince, Fifth Prince, and Seventh Prince to Rehe. The emperor even sent an edict for Si Ye to bring Hong Hui along.
Lin Yu Tong immediately felt a lot of pain.
Was this to avoid the heat? Just the trip on the road was enough to take a layer of skin off.
She did not know if the emperor had thought about the situation of his sons on the road.
After seeing away Si Ye, Lin Yu Tong took Hong Yun, Hong Shi, Moyaqi and Hong Zhao to the garden to live. After a few days, Hong Hui’s guard returned.
Lin Yu Tong thought she had heard it wrong. “What did you say?”
How could he get the plague? She had meticulously cared for Si Ye’s health in these years. Even the tea bags taken along had been made with great care. How could he have gotten the plague?
Also, Hong Hui was personally serving Si Ye. This would infect him.
Si Ye could get infected, who could promise that Hong Hui would not be infected?
Lin Yu Tong immediately stood up. She could not have Si Ye and Hong Hui holding on there. Even if Si Ye was fated to be fine, who knew if Hong Hui would follow his fate?
“You prepare, you will be sent back to the establishment immediately, I have to make a trip,” Lin Yu Tong said calmly to Moyaqi and Hong Yun.
Hong Yun nodded. “This son will go with Di–Eniang. Otherwise, Eniang will not have it convenient as a woman alone. It will be different with a son.”
Lin Yu Tong hesitated for a moment and nodded. “Then let’s go. Have the servants pack up on their own pace.”
Entering the capital, Lin Yu Tong led Hong Zhao into the palace, and handed him to Consort De. “Eniang, I must go. I will give Hong Zhao to Eniang.”
Consort De was given a fright. At such a time, the di-princess consort should stay in the establishment. Even if the worst happened, did she not have a young son? He would take over the position, and she would still have her honors. But now she was going to go in person.
“You have thought it through?” Consort De asked uncertainly.
If she left, and anything happened, she may have nothing.
Lin Yu Tong knew that Consort De was saying it thinking of her, “Unless I die.” With her present, she would not allow anything to happen to the father and son, unless she was dead.
Hong Zhao was able to understand speech now. He pouted, but did not cry. “Bring A-ma and Big Brother back.”
Lin Yu Tong felt an urge to cry. “You be good, and listen to Niangniang. Eniang will bring your a-ma and Brother back.”
Leaving the palace, Hong Yun was waiting with the guards of the establishment outside. Lin Yu Tong took over the veil from him and put it on her head before getting on the horse.
Just as they were about to leave, they heard Eighth Prince coming over with other people. “Fourth Sister-in-law, have the palace guards follow, they will keep you safe.”
Fourteen followed behind, but he did not say anything. It was Eight who took the role of the good person.
Lin Yu Tong did not have the attention to spend talking with them. She accepted the goodwill. “Then have them follow.”
Then she hit her horse and leapt.
Black Whirlwind shot away like the wind.
Tenth Prince said, “I did not know that Fourth Sister-in-law had such skill, beautiful!”
Ninth Prince thought darkly, Four likely had the fate of being hit by his wife at home.
Fourteen frowned. He originally thought that Fourth Sister-in-law would ask him to protect her, but she did not say a thing at all. The members of a family were very similar. Just like Fourth Brother, she was hard from inside out.
“Do not look, Fourth Brother has good fortune. Look at Fourth Sister-in-law, she keeps him on her heart.” Eighth Prince was a bit jealous. His princess consort likely would not be so brave.
Lin Yu Tong did not care what others thought, and wanted to arrive as soon as possible. She truly could not endure any accidents.
Hong Yun was riding a horse like this for the first time, and he appeared to have a difficult time.
“How about you take your guards and slow down.” Lin Yu Tong feared the child having an illness again.
Hong Yun shook his head. “Di–Eniang, I am a man.”
Okay! Mister Man who is twelve years old, you can be a strong man. But during the time they took a water break, she poured spring water from the pocket space in the water sack to make sure he did not fall down halfway.
Other than eating, drinking, and daily matters, they did not rest on the road. They traveled day and night, and in three days, they reached Rehe.
When a fast horse was charging towards the imperial procession, of course it would be stopped.
Hong Yun went forward to talk, and took the token of Prince Yong’s Establishment.
These people did not dare to delay, and hurriedly reported that Fourth Princess Consort and the second a-ge had arrived.
The emperor was shocked upon hearing this. “From the start of the illness to now, it is only seven days, how did they arrive?” Unless the messenger had traveled day and night, and the people who came did not rest day and night.
“Quick, bring them over,” The emperor ordered, “You go to see in person.”
Li De Quan hurriedly withdrew.
When he saw Fourth Princess Consort, he jumped in fright. Being covered in dust could not describe her sorry state. Her eyes were completely red, but her back was straight.
“Fourth Princess Consort, please come.” Li De Quan suddenly felt respect for her. It must have been very hard.
Hong Yun’s hands and legs were worn with wounds, but he still persisted in walking on his own.
Lin Yu Tong hurt for him, but did not stop this. Children would grow up like this.
Everyone knew the danger of a sickness like the plague. This child likely was very afraid right now.
The tent for Si Ye was more distant down wind. Clearly, no one was active around this area, and the surroundings were fenced, not allowing people to get close. Around the main tent were some more tents, likely for the servants and the palace physicians to live in.
When close, Lin Yu Tong stopped Li De Quan. “Mister Li[^1] serves the emperor, it is better to not get close.”
Li De Quan bowed. He did not care, but just like Lin Yu Tong said, the health of the emperor was most important.
Lin Yu Tong turned to say to Hong Yun, “You settle down outside……”
“Di–Eniang, I want to look at A-ma once.” Hong Yun was very determined.
Lin Yu Tong sighed. “Then go in.” In any case, she could make sure they were all fine.
Su Pei Sheng saw the people coming from a distance, and did not dare to believe his eyes. He knelt down with a bang.
Lin Yu Tong indicated for him to get up, “Where is Ye?”
Su Pei Sheng hurriedly led the way.”Princess Consort, please come with this servant.”
The tent was very quiet. She saw Si Ye lying on the bed, and Hong Hui asleep leaning on the side of the bed.
Si Ye was thinner, like he had shrunk. His cheekbones were protruding, and his skin was waxy. Hong Hui was down, and she could not see his face.
Lin Yu Tong slowly got close. Her steps were very soft, but Si Ye seemed to sense something and opened his eyes. He was first dazed, and then shocked. Then he looked at Lin Yu Tong with watery eyes. He seemed to be asking, why have you come? [^1]: The word here used is anda, a Manchurian word meaning friend or teacher.
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