vstars Chapter 114 is somewhat ungrateful.
Chapter 114 is somewhat ungrateful.
Just after the New Year of the thirty-seventh year, in the first month of the lunar calendar, Emperor Kangxi issued an imperial edict for his third personal campaign against Galdan. As usual, the Crown Prince would oversee the country, and the other adult princes would accompany the army. This included Yinzhuo, who had already learned from Kangxi that he was on the list of those accompanying the army. So he was quite calm at the moment. As soon as the imperial edict was issued, he got busy.
"Dexi, make a little extra hot pot broth. Once it solidifies, cut it into small pieces, wrap them in oil paper, and pack them in a separate box. That way, it will be easier to find later."
"Dexi, go to the Imperial Household Department's Clothing Bureau later and have them make a few pairs of warm boots according to my measurements, but try to make them as lightweight as possible."
"Dexi, go and get the paper and pen for me, and then go and call Chunxiang and Xiahe. They are good at needlework, and I need their help to make something here."
Dexi's professional skills were truly outstanding. Even though he was being directed around by his master, he did everything flawlessly. Following Yinzhuo's instructions, he sent people to the kitchen and the Imperial Household Department, while he himself went to the study to fetch writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for Yinzhuo.
"Master, is there anything else you need? If not, this servant will go and invite Sisters Chunxiang and Xiahe right away."
Yinzhu waved for Dexi to do as he pleased, then went to the table, laid out paper, picked up a brush and ink, and began to draw the warm clothes he remembered. Kangxi was going to Ningxia this time, departing in February and returning in April, which just happened to be the time of year when it was cold.
Despite his usual denials, Yinzhuo was perfectly aware of the situation. He knew his pampered body couldn't withstand such hardship. Whether he could achieve anything on this trip was another matter, but at the very least, he had to make sure he didn't hold his father back.
The only challenge for skilled seamstresses like Chunxiang and Xiahe in making down-filled thermal underwear was filling the garment with prepared goose down. However, this was not a problem for them. Even before Yinzhuo himself had found a good solution, they had already finished making the down jacket and delivered it to him.
"Master, the clothes are finished according to your requirements. Please try them on to see if they fit. If you feel there's anything wrong, we'll take them back and alter them for you."
Yinzhuo took the clothes from Chunxiang and carefully examined them inside and out. He nodded in satisfaction. After trying them on indoors, he was even more pleased. The clothes were made to Yinzhuo's measurements, so the size was perfect. As for the workmanship and the material, they were impeccable. Even the issue of feathers escaping that Yinzhuo had casually mentioned earlier had been carefully resolved. The method was simple: an outer lining was added over the finished clothes. Although this method seemed simple and crude, it worked remarkably well.
"The clothes are well made. Dexi, you should go to Qianqing Palace in a while to ask Eunuch Liang for the Khan's size. Also, send someone to your elder brother's side. Chunxiang and Xiahe, you two work a little harder these next few days to get the clothes that the Khan and elder brother need ready."
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. With the previous outfit for Yinzhuo as practice, although the quantity was a bit larger, after preparing enough materials, Chunxiang and Xiahe quickly made the clothes for Kangxi and Yinti according to the measurements given by Yinzhuo in just a few days.
It was quite a coincidence that the clothes arrived at the Qianqing Palace shortly after they were delivered. Upon learning that Emperor Kangxi had summoned the princes to the Qianqing Palace for a meeting, Yinzhuo thought this would save him trouble and decided to simply take the clothes and himself to the Qianqing Palace.
The meeting naturally focused on the upcoming expedition. As a novice on the battlefield, Yinzhuo only served as a mascot throughout the meeting. He simply had to sit obediently and listen to his father and brothers. The meeting lasted for more than an hour, and he almost fell asleep. After Kangxi announced the adjournment, he was the first to get up and head out of the study.
“Father, please don’t invite your son to meetings in the future. I don’t know anything about leading troops. If you call me here, I’ll just sit here doing nothing for more than an hour. It’s exhausting.”
Kangxi was now used to Yinzhuo's lazy remarks, so he wasn't angry when he heard him say that. He just gestured to Yinti, who was closest to him, to pull him back, and then quickly walked a few steps to his side. Quqi tapped Yinzhuo's forehead with his finger.
"Look how lazy you are. If you don't understand, can't you learn? Did your older brothers and the others know these things by birth? From now on, you will follow me and learn well. You will learn them one day."
Yinzhuo was being pulled by the arm by Yinti, and then Kangxi tapped him on the forehead. Thinking about the comfortable life that was about to leave him, he suddenly felt like he had no will to live. Seeing that Kangxi was about to walk past him, he hurriedly broke free from Yinti's grip and chased after him.
"No, Father, let's discuss this again. Didn't we agree that I would stay by your side as a clerk? How did we end up learning how to lead troops into battle..."
Watching Yinzhi chase after Kangxi, Yinti and Yinzhi exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of envy and resentment in each other's eyes. It's true what they say, what you can't have always stirs your heart, and those who are favored are always fearless. Being able to learn from Kangxi was something that Yinzhi could easily obtain, but for them, it was something that was hard to come by.
“Let’s go, Father is still waiting outside. A few days ago, Xiao Liu sent someone to ask for our measurements. I just saw De Xi carrying a bunch of things over next to him. I guess they’re for us. Let’s go out and take a look.”
When Yinti and the others arrived at the flower hall where Kangxi was, a few steps behind, led by a young eunuch, Yinzuo had obviously been suppressed by his father. At this moment, he was listlessly curled up on the couch next to Kangxi, idly playing with the lid of a teacup. He didn't react much when he saw them coming. He lazily greeted them and then curled up back up.
"Sixth Brother, I just saw your Dexi with a group of people waiting outside with a lot of things. Didn't you tell him to bring them in?"
Yinzhuo had been so preoccupied with his own frustration that he had completely forgotten about the matter, but Yinzhen's reminder brought it back to his mind.
"Oh dear, look at my memory! Father, hurry up and send someone outside to find Dexi to bring the things in. Aren't we about to set off for the northern desert? I've had a few sets of light and warm clothes made. Try them on in a bit, and if anything doesn't fit, take them back and alter them yourself."
The words "lightweight" and "warm" sounded somewhat contradictory to Kangxi and the others. After all, in their understanding, if you wanted to keep warm, you couldn't be lightweight. The group immediately became curious about the clothes that Yinzhuo was talking about.