The Virtuous Concubine

Yinzuo was a little surprised to see his mother actually supporting him like this. He thought his mother would either assist his fourth brother or personally participate in the fight for the throne.

Malu was still imagining Yinzuo's life after he grew up: "When the time comes, you will take the imperial edict and a sword, eliminate all the injustices in the world, and then meet a woman who shares the same ideals with you——"

Yin Zuo didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Mother, I'm not a martial artist in a play. It's very likely that the Emperor will assign me an errand. I won't be idle."

Malu smiled and said, "Mother knows that this is just a wish. And since you have something you want to do, work hard in this direction. If you really want to refuse this job, we will help you."

Malu took the flower that he had ravaged beyond recognition, looked at it with a distressed look, and asked him again: "Are you sure this is what you really want to do? You can speak freely in front of my mother, and you don't have to avoid anything."

Yinzuo knew that his mother was talking about his concealment of his abilities. After all, there had been a lot of commotion in the palace recently, and he could have followed his fourth brother, but he chose to stay out of the spotlight instead.

Yin Zuo organized his words and explained, "My son doesn't like fame and fortune, so there's nothing difficult about it. Besides, Wen Xian and I both need someone to protect us. Isn't her marriage the best example? It wouldn't be good if my son was too radical."

Malu sighed. Yes. Although she had no choice but to take the position of concubine by virtue of the twins, now seeing Wenxian and Yinzuo trapped here by the identity of twins, she occasionally felt a little regretful.

Yinzuo still has no title, it is nothing more than Kangxi is on guard against him. Otherwise, according to his behavior in Jiangnan and after returning to the palace, it would not be difficult for him to be granted a title of Beizi along with the Fourth Prince.

Malu nodded: "You think so clearly, it's my mother who is obsessed. Forget it, the child is grown up, I can't control him anymore."

Malu threw the flowers away and then bowed his head and told him: "After a while, your father will probably confer a title on the prince... You may be troubled."

Although Kangxi came to see her today only to discuss the title issue, she knew that the Imperial Household Department and the Imperial Observatory were thinking of more than two titles.

Among so many titles, only two appeared before him, and the others would definitely be awarded to the remaining princes.

The previous princes were all older, and after the mourning period for the Empress Dowager ended, they should have discussed marriage. So the conferment of titles and entering the court were things that happened during this period.

Malu learned from the Nalan family that Kangxi was about to lead an expedition against Galdan in person and would definitely bring a few princes with him.

Needless to say, the eldest prince is definitely waiting to make achievements on the battlefield. The crown prince will be the regent, and there is nothing he can do about it. The fourth prince has already reached the rank of Beile, and the third prince can't still be bald, so he will also be given a title for the sake of being his elder brother.

The Fifth Prince is the old lady's favorite, so naturally he is indispensable. But the Sixth Prince has a foot disease, so the title awarded this time is likely to end here. Even if the Seventh Prince can go to the battlefield to get a gilded rank, the possibility of him being awarded a title is very small...

So Malu wanted to take this opportunity today to ask Yinzuo what he was thinking, for fear that he might be suspicious.

In everyone's opinion, "equalizing the bowl of water" may mean half a bowl for each person. But in the eyes of some parents, "you already have a bowl, so I gave my bowl to the other person who doesn't have one."

When Malu was young, he suffered a lot from the favoritism of the Sai and Li families. When he grew up and became a parent himself, he naturally did not want to repeat the same mistakes and tried his best to let all the children do what they want.

Yinzuo smiled calmly. He felt relieved to hear his mother was so well-informed. "Don't worry, mother. I am not too obsessed with these rewards. We can't interfere too much with what the emperor wants to do. Doesn't my brother already have a title? Others will not look down on Yonghe Palace just because I don't have one."

Malu looked at Yinzuo who was so sensible, and felt more distressed. She bent down and looked at Yinzuo: "You don't have to wrong yourself like this, you also have the right to fight for it..."

Yin Zuo shook his head. "Mother, glory is but a passing cloud. I only wish to live a peaceful life in this palace, accompany you, and watch my brothers and sisters grow up happily. As for those titles, having them would be icing on the cake, but not having them would be no problem."

As the mother and daughter were talking about this, Liang Jiugong came running over to them and said that the Emperor had given them a meal, which would be held in Yonghe Palace today, and asked Empress Defei to take the child back with her.

Malu nodded, took Yinzuo's hand and went back, and did not mention what they had just talked about on the way.

The exquisite meal was quickly served. Kangxi sat at the head of the table and saw that the children were all smart, healthy, lively, and well-mannered. Kangxi was pleased and smiled as he praised Malu, "You are really good at raising children. Look at these children. They are all so outstanding."

As he spoke, he casually mentioned, "Why don't you keep Thirteen here with you?"

The banquet fell silent. Wen Xian smiled and said coquettishly, "Father, the Thirteenth Prince is already in Yonghe Palace. As the head of Yonghe Palace, Mother will definitely treat all the brothers and sisters equally and take good care of them."

"Besides, we brothers and sisters will also love Thirteenth Brother very much."

Kangxi listened to Wen Xian's words, his eyes were full of love. "Very good, I believe you will live in harmony and support each other. Defei, the Thirteenth Prince is entrusted to you, you must teach him carefully."

Malu quickly stood up and saluted, not knowing what Kangxi meant.

But I won't snatch the child from Jingyi. I'll talk to Jingyi later and ask her to come over with the child more often and walk around. It will be enough to look decent.

I have already given birth to four children, so why bother asking for someone else's child? Besides, Jingyi has been in much better spirits since she had Thirteen.

I originally thought that the matter was over, but unexpectedly, after dinner, Kangxi said that he wanted to go back to the Qianqing Palace to continue reading memorials. After he left leisurely, Liang Jiugong actually had someone bring the Thirteenth Prince directly to the main hall!

Ma Lu held the child in her arms, suppressing her heartache, and asked Liang Jiugong: "Liang Daban, I rarely ask you to do anything, but today... what does the emperor mean by this? As the head of the Yonghe Palace, of course I will take care of the heirs."

Malu wanted to grab Kangxi and ask, what exactly are you trying to do? Since they were already in the side hall, Jingyi and the Thirteenth Prince would not be separated from their mother and son, nor would they be wronged. What exactly did he want to do?

Liang Jiugong flicked his whisk and reminded Malu implicitly: "This is naturally because the emperor values ​​you and Concubine Zhang Jia."

Malu could hardly control her emotions. After she sent Liang Jiugong away, she called in Jingyi, who was anxiously waiting outside.