The prince only allowed me to have a baby, so the pressure is a bit high!

Chapter 65: Kangxi's Examination, Entering the Shangshufang in Advance

After the two children were settled, Kangxi raised a question: "I heard from your father that you were studying with your teacher today. How come you have time to come to me now?"

Yinreng was also confused, so he did not return to continue struggling with the pile of memorials. Instead, he sat in another chair to listen to the twins' answers. You know, his twins love to study and have basically never missed a class since they were enlightened.

At this time, Hongye spoke first: "Huang Mafa, the master suddenly felt dizzy today. Your grandson has found the imperial physician, and now the master is still recuperating in bed in the front yard. He will not be able to attend classes for a while. Mother is not in the yard today. The servants said she is with Ukuma Ma. Your grandsons remembered that there were many uncles last night, so they thought of coming here to look for Huang Mafa and Ama."

Kangxi was relieved to know the twins weren't skipping classes. He was even more impressed when he learned they respected their teacher and promptly called the imperial physician. But what was going on with the Empress Dowager today? Why had the second son's wife not returned yet?

Thinking of this, Kangxi called Liang Jiugong over and asked, "What's so unusual about the Empress Dowager today?"

Liang Jiugong had been serving Kangxi for many years. When the emperor asked, he told him the news he had received earlier: "Today, the concubines agreed to go together to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager. Later, I don't know how the group went to the Lilac Embankment on the other side of the Qianhu Lake. The young eunuch reported earlier that they are all resting there now."

Kangxi: "Oh, you're so relaxed today! It seems Changchun Garden is more comfortable than the Forbidden City. The Empress Dowager has even felt like going out for a walk. It's just as well that I'm free right now. Hongye and Jingyi, would you like to join me there and join in the fun?"

How could a child resist the temptation of being able to see his mother and play with her? Of course he nodded in agreement.

So Kangxi called for the imperial sedan chair and took the twins to Dingxiang Dike.

In the Qingxi Study, Yinreng was in tears. His wife and children had gone out to play, but he was still here reviewing memorials. He couldn't go with them because there were many other women there, and he had to avoid suspicion. Alas, just thinking about it made him feel miserable. Whoever wanted to read these memorials could do so. With this thought, Yinreng stood up, waved his hand, and walked out.

Although Lilac Embankment was not too far away, it still took a while to walk there. During this time, Kangxi's urge to take exams came back.

Kangxi: "Come and talk to the Emperor, what have you learned?"

Jingyi looked at her brother and continued, "Reporting to the Emperor, my brother's progress is faster, and my granddaughter is a little slower. We have already finished learning the Three Character Classic, Hundred Family Names, Thousand Character Classic, and Thousand Family Poems. The teacher is now teaching the Book of Filial Piety and the Great Learning."

Kangxi was surprised: "So fast! I can't believe you are only three years old. At this age, people usually study the Three Character Classic. How can you have already learned the Great Learning?"

Jingyi: "My brother has learned the Great Learning, but the teacher said my foundation is not good enough, so I am still studying the Book of Filial Piety."

Kangxi had known his grandson was intelligent from the poem recitation last night, but that was only poetry recitation, a minor skill that anyone could memorize with effort. But today was different; he had even begun to absorb the Great Learning. This meant he wasn't just intelligent, he was a genius.

Is this the strength of my, the auspicious son of the Qing Dynasty?

Although he was surprised in his heart, Kangxi remained calm on the surface: "Jingyi, the Emperor wants to test you. Can you recite the Book of Filial Piety?"

Jingyi was in a dilemma: "Huang Ma Fa, my granddaughter hasn't finished learning the "Book of Filial Piety" yet. The teacher said it will take a few more days, so I can only recite what he has taught."

Kangxi waved his hand and said, "That's okay. Just recite it, and I will understand."

Jingyi, without a trace of fear, recited unbidden on the spot: "Zhongni was at home, Zengzi in attendance. The Master said, 'The ancient kings had the highest virtue and the most important principles, which governed the world, brought harmony among the people, and left no resentment between the superiors and the inferiors. Do you know this?' Zengzi retreated from the table and said, 'I am not clever enough, how can I know this?' The Master said, 'Filial piety is the root of virtue and the source of teaching. Sit back, and I will tell you.'" "Our bodies and hair are given by our parents; we must not harm them. This is the beginning of filial piety. To establish oneself and practice virtue, to bring honor to our parents to future generations, is the end of filial piety. Filial piety begins with serving one's parents, continues with serving one's ruler, and ends with establishing oneself. The Great Odes say, 'Don't forget your ancestors; cultivate their virtues...' The Master said, 'A gentleman, in serving his superiors, is devoted to loyalty when he advances and to amend his mistakes when he retreats. He will follow their virtues and correct their faults. Thus, superiors and subordinates can enjoy a close relationship. The Book of Songs says, 'Love is in the heart, and it is known far and wide. Hidden in the heart, it is never forgotten.'"

Kangxi stroked his beard and nodded. "Well, not bad. There's only one chapter left to learn. Jingyi recited it very well. I didn't find a single typo. Well done." After that, he took off a jade pendant he was carrying and handed it to Jingyi. "The Emperor didn't bring anything little girls would like today. I'll reward you another day. This jade pendant will be considered a reward for now."

Jingyi stood up and thanked him: "Granddaughter thanks the Emperor Mafa."

After Jingyi finished her examination, Kangxi turned to Hongye and said, "Hongye, Jingyi has finished her recitation. How far have you progressed in your study of the Great Learning? Do you still remember it all? Recite it for the Emperor."

Hongye: "Replying to the Emperor, the teacher has finished teaching, but only taught me to read it once. The specific meaning has not been explained. Now my grandson can only recite it without understanding its meaning."

Kangxi: "That's okay. Just listen to it behind my back first."

Hong Ye nodded and spoke: "Hu Zi said: Confucius was determined to study at the age of fifteen. What did he study? The Great Learning, so that he could learn the way to cultivate oneself, regulate the family, reconcile the country, and bring peace to the world. Confucius was established at the age of thirty. What did he establish? He was to occupy the broadest place in the world, to take the right position in the world, to follow the great way in the world, and not to retreat. Confucius was not confused at the age of forty. What was he not confused? He was to be not corrupted by wealth and honor, not moved by poverty and humbleness, not bent by power and might, and to stand out from all things. Confucius was aware of the will of heaven at the age of fifty. What did he know? He was to be the Yuanhenglizhen. , the four virtues of the stem, the practice of which is clear and bright, flowing with the vastness of all things, each fulfilling its proper place. Confucius, at sixty, became obedient to his ears. What was obedient to him? ... Objects have form and shadow. What is solid and useful is called form, while what is empty and unusable is called shadow. Confucian teachings follow form, while Buddhist teachings pursue shadow; the shadow is inseparable from the form. Therefore, listening to their words is right, but examining their actions is wrong. Only wise and sincere gentlemen know that the Buddhists' presumptions are harmful to the human heart. If a sage king rises again, he will not abandon the Chinese people and allow them to become barbarians.

After Hongye finished reciting, Kangxi couldn't help but applaud with Jingyi: "Not bad, very good. Is there any point you don't understand, or do you not understand the whole text?"

Hongye's ears flushed as he replied, "I have pondered the meaning of this in private, but I still feel that it is not quite right. I thought I would listen to the teacher's explanation, but the teacher was ill today, so I didn't hear it."

At this moment, Liang Jiugong outside whispered back to the imperial carriage: "Your Majesty, we've arrived."

Kangxi didn't say anything more, but took off the ring he was carrying and placed it in Hongye's palm: "Let's talk about this later. The Queen wants to ask you something. Do you want to go to the Shangshufang? You can think about it and give the Queen an answer after lunch. Now, come with me to see your Ukuma Mama?"

With the words "The Emperor has arrived", the concubines who were originally playing mahjong or swinging on the swings came out to see him. Even the empress dowager who had been sitting upright could not help but come out of the tent to watch, mainly out of curiosity as to why the emperor came today?

When Kangxi saw the Empress Dowager, he hurried forward with the twins to pay his respects: "Your son pays his respects to the Empress Dowager." "Hongye/Jingyi pays his respects to Madam Ukuma, may Madam Ukuma be blessed." "Hongye/Jingyi pays his respects to Madam Eldest, to Madam, to Aunt Three, to Aunt Four, and to Aunt Five."

Hearing the series of "Greetings to Auntie," the Empress Dowager couldn't help laughing, and even the princes' wives followed suit with smiles: "Alright, get up quickly, don't tire out my dear grandchildren. Hongye and Jingyi, come to Ukuma Mama, Ukuma Mama has a lot of delicious food here."

The twins were indeed hungry at this time, and they did not hesitate to be polite upon hearing this. Instead, they leaned casually in the Queen Mother's arms and ate the snacks recommended by the Queen Mother.

The Empress Dowager looked at the twins with a loving expression, but her voice was directed to Kangxi: "How did the Emperor have time to go out today? And come here? Is there something you want to talk to me about?"

Kangxi looked helpless. Ever since the birth of the twins, the Empress Dowager hadn't even glanced at him. There was even a hint of disdain in her words. However, he was just strolling around this time, thinking that the Empress Dowager was here, so he came here to eat. He replied, "Empress Dowager, Hongye and Jingyi couldn't find me in the garden, so they came to me. I asked around and found out that you brought your daughters-in-law here. I was worried about the two little ones coming here alone, so I took the trouble to send them here, and I also had a free meal at the Empress Dowager's place."

After saying that, he found a place to sit down, and the palace servants quickly brought him tea and snacks.

Everyone present, even the twins, could hear what he said. It seemed like you wanted to come and eat for free, but you had to block the twins out. The Empress Dowager also naturally heard that the Emperor was willing to be close to her, the Empress Dowager. Of course, she was happy and willing. Whether she could live a good life in the capital for the rest of her life was entirely dependent on the Emperor.

But at this moment, the old lady also wanted to vent her anger on behalf of the twins, so she teased the emperor: "Oh, is that so? Since Hongye and Jingyi are here, the emperor has worked hard, so now go back and have dinner. I haven't prepared enough here. Hongye and Jingyi can make do with a small amount of food, but the emperor can't."

Kangxi was speechless. The Empress Dowager hadn't given him any excuse. Changchun Garden couldn't be without the Empress Dowager's share. She could easily ask for more food. However, he could tell the Empress Dowager wasn't serious and was just teasing him with the excuse he had just made up.

Thinking of this, Kangxi actively admitted his mistake: "Empress Dowager, it was my fault. I thought I would come here to eat for free, so I brought the twins with me."

The Queen Mother wrinkled her nose and said proudly, "You are so honest. Okay, I will show mercy today and reward the Emperor with a lunch!"

After saying this, she couldn't help but burst out laughing. The twins were small, and when they saw the empress dowager laughing, they also laughed. The emperor couldn't help laughing, and then several of the concubines also laughed, covering their mouths with handkerchiefs. For a while, the small place was filled with laughter.

Lunch was placed directly on the riverbank, and the servants were still preparing it. Kangxi was currently playing with the Empress Dowager, accompanied by his First and Third Concubines.

The Fourth and Fifth Concubines were stretching their legs when Hongye approached Buerhe and said, "Mother, the Queen Mother just asked if she wanted to go to the Shangshufang."

Buerhe did not express his thoughts directly. Instead, he squatted down and asked Hongye: "So what do you think? Tell your mother what you think."

Hongye was torn: "I want to go, but that would leave my sister alone to study in Yuqing Palace, and I don't want to. I want to take my sister to the Shangshufang with me. I know my sister really loves to study."

Buerhe understood and then asked if there was a time limit. Hongye replied that it was after lunch.

Buerhe: "Son, have you ever thought about asking this question to your Royal Maha? You are still young, and your sister is also young. Even if you go to the Shangshufang to study, you don't have to pay attention to the gender separation. So why don't you ask your Royal Maha yourself if she is willing to let your sister go to the Shangshufang to study together?"

But what I'm considering now is whether your bodies can handle going to the Shangshufang. You've seen your father's sleep and rest schedule. If that's the case, would you be willing to start school early?"

Hongye smiled slyly at this time and replied: "Son, you can also ask Huang Mafa about this question!"

Bull was stunned for a moment, then laughed. The brat was quick to learn by analogy.