The Virtuous Concubine

When Malu saw the Fourth Prince walk in angrily, she knew that he must have encountered something unpleasant outside. She did not ask directly, but motioned Bai Xia to fetch the fruit dew that the Fourth Prince always loved. This fruit dew was gently stirred with clear well water, and it was sweet with a hint of coolness, which was the best product for clearing the heart and reducing internal heat.

Thinking about it this way, the Fourth Prince is really like that! He must be anxious and angry every day, otherwise why would he like to drink this.

The fourth prince picked up the cup and drank the fruit juice. After two cups, the heat and anger in his chest dissipated a little. With a hint of embarrassment and anger, he whispered to Malu: "Mother, Xiaowu, this big mouth, saw the camping bag you prepared for your son and asked for one too. The eldest prince...he went too far! He just snatched it away!"

Malu raised her eyebrows slightly when she heard this, but she was not angry. She just said gently, "So that's how it is. Your eldest brother and fifth brother are both passionate people, and they may act on impulse. However, mother knows that this bag represents my love for you. If someone else takes it, you will naturally feel uncomfortable."

The Fourth Prince nodded, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes: "Mother, I know how good you are to me, but... the eldest prince is so tough, I can't refuse him in public."

In fact, Malu felt that it was her little coward who didn't dare to do it, haha. The eldest prince was such a reckless man! I really don't know what he ate to grow up. Even if the fourth prince is an adult, it may take all her strength to break him. Malu gently patted the back of the fourth prince's hand and comforted him, "Mother understands your difficulties. Sometimes, people need to be handled in a flexible way. There is nothing wrong with bowing your head and showing weakness. How about this, mother simply asks the Ministry of Internal Affairs to prepare one bag according to the specifications of your bag for all the princes who are traveling this time, as well as your royal father, how about it?"

After hearing this, the Fourth Prince's eyes flashed with surprise, and the unhappiness in his heart disappeared. His mother is really sensible! He seemed a little unconvinced: "Really, mother? That's great! But, with so many, mother, isn't it hard?"

Malu nodded with a smile: "It's all for you, a bad boy. What's the point of talking about hardship? Mother will go find Concubine Hui and get yours back."

The Fourth Prince's heart was filled with warmth. He knew that his mother rarely dealt with the other three concubines, and this time she was just trying to help him. But he had already swapped things and was ready to teach the eldest prince a lesson! How could he be willing to ruin his plan? So he threw himself into Malu's arms and acted like a spoiled child: "Mother is the best, but the eldest prince has touched that bag! I don't want it!"

Malu smiled and shook her head: "Silly child, you are mother's flesh and blood. If mother doesn't love you, who will she love? Okay, got it. I won't give the eldest prince a new one. Don't let these little things affect your mood. Mother will ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs to prepare it as soon as possible. It's just a matter of a few words and it won't take much effort. Don't worry, everything will be in place."

After hearing this, the unhappiness in the Fourth Prince's heart completely disappeared. He raised his head, his eyes flashing with deep attachment to Malu: "Mother, as long as you are here, I am not afraid of anything."

Malu gently stroked the Fourth Prince's head and said softly, "Mother will always be by your side, supporting you and protecting you. You just need to focus on your own affairs, and leave the rest to Mother. Don't practice riding and archery secretly, you have blisters on your hands, and it makes Mother feel uncomfortable."

The Fourth Prince looked down at his hands and couldn't help feeling a little ashamed: "Mother, I just want to do better and don't want to embarrass myself during the autumn hunt."

Malu sighed softly, eyes full of heartache: "Mother has seen your efforts. If you hurt yourself due to over-training, wouldn't it be a loss? The autumn hunt is important, but mother hopes that you can be healthy and happy."

The Fourth Prince felt the concern and care in Malu's words, and was even more moved. He decided to practice harder to make his mother proud: "Mother, you are right. I will pay attention to it in the future."

Seeing that Xiao Si'er didn't fully understand what she meant, Ma Lu simply said, "Mother knows that you are excellent and ambitious, but in this palace, sometimes being too outstanding is not a good thing. Remember, don't surpass the crown prince and the eldest prince. Being too prominent will bring unnecessary trouble, understand?"

The Fourth Prince was slightly startled when he heard this. Did he have to bow down to these two people in this life? He was struggling in his heart, unwillingness and reason intertwined.

Ma Lu looked at the Fourth Prince and said, "In this deep palace, showing off one's talents too much often attracts jealousy and calculations. Although it is said that those who are not envied are mediocre, but mother does not want you to put yourself in danger because of your temporary fame. You must remember that true wisdom is not to strive for the first place in everything, but to know how to restrain yourself at the right time and protect yourself."

The Fourth Prince knew that if he surpassed the First Prince or the Crown Prince, he would be attacked by these two people, as well as disliked by Kangxi and the Empress Dowager. But he just refused to accept it!

But what if he was unwilling? Now he couldn't even keep a bag given by his mother. Thinking of this, he said to Malu firmly: "Mother, I understand. I will act cautiously and will not make enemies without reason. But I will never give up."

Malu nodded: "Mother believes that you can grasp the right balance. You can feel wronged in front of your father, but you can't be jealous. Go and have a rest!"

The Fourth Prince walked away with heavy steps, but Malu couldn't help but laugh: "This child, hey! I understand the feelings of modern parents who buy snacks for the whole class in order to take care of their children."

After giving the order, Malu started to prepare things for herself. She just brought a few more clothes, but she didn't bring many riding clothes. Instead, she brought a lot of gorgeous clothes. She knew that there were many rules in the Qing Palace, and women were not allowed to show their faces in public. So she probably wouldn't use the riding clothes at all, so she just brought them for the sake of showing her feelings.

Although Kangxi advocated simplicity, as a king, he also paid great attention to his reputation. As one of the four concubines, she would inevitably meet with the wives of Mongolian princes and nobles, and the scene could not be ugly. Of course, she had to bring some clothes to show the style of the Qing imperial family.

But she was also very dissatisfied, and she made a note of both Concubine Hui and the eldest prince, waiting to repay the mother and son one day. One did not teach her child well and indulged her to snatch other people's things. The other had no elder brother demeanor and even wanted to snatch his younger brother's things. It was really tasteless. If the eldest prince really took the throne, I don't know how miserable the future would be!

Of course, Malu thought, Kangxi can't run away! The eldest prince is also his son, and he didn't educate him well. Not to mention that the prince's hand had blisters, and Kangxi saw it first. He didn't see the blisters on Xiao Si'er's hand, or he pretended not to see them when he saw them. He was really biased. Poor Xiao Si'er, he thought Kangxi would notice it and even refused to apply medicine. If Jingyi hadn't forced him to apply it, it's unknown when he would be healed.

With all these tiny things in his mind, Malu said good night to the system and fell into a deep sleep.