Chapter 34 – Getting Along

One was the son Kangxi had cherished since childhood, and the other was Kangxi’s new favorite. When the two of them walked together, it stunned everyone they passed in the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

If not for the obvious age difference and the attendants following behind, rumors about something improper would surely have spread.

If Yu Ying knew what was going on in these people’s minds, she would have cursed them out on the spot.

Filthy! They were the ones with dirty minds, so they saw filth everywhere they looked!

She simply thought the little Crown Prince was adorable and wanted to tease him a bit. She hadn’t expected that the future ruthless Crown Prince had been this cute as a child—not only was he good-looking and raised with royal grace, but he was also amusing in temperament, soft when coaxed but stubborn when pressured. Naturally, she had him wrapped around her little finger.

At first, Yu Ying had been leading the Crown Prince along, but before long it turned into the Crown Prince leading her. Yinzhen simply couldn’t tolerate watching this noble consort wandering aimlessly around the palace like a headless fly.

Yu Ying was exasperated. It’s not like I’m familiar with the Palace of Heavenly Purity. The only two places I usually go are Kangxi’s study and his bedchamber. But neither of those is appropriate for me and the Crown Prince to visit right now.

After some circling about, Yinzhen finally led Yu Ying up to the attic. The attic was where Kangxi sometimes worked, though since the weather had turned cold, he’d moved his work to the study and rarely came here anymore.

Soon enough, palace maids brought tea for them both. Earlier, Yinzhen had already instructed a eunuch to send servants from the Palace of Diligent Celebration to collect duck and goose feathers. Now, they were just waiting for the things to arrive.

Yinzhen took a sip of tea, set down his cup, and looked at Yu Ying.

“Your Ladyship, can you finally explain what you want those duck and goose feathers for?”

“To make clothes!” Yu Ying finally stopped keeping him guessing.

“Mm?” Yinzhen frowned in confusion. He’d never heard of using such things to make garments.

“Your Highness, look—why is it that in such freezing weather, ducks and geese don’t feel cold? They can even swim in winter! Do you know why? It’s all thanks to their down feathers!”

“If their down keeps them warm, then wouldn’t it work for us too? If we make clothes out of it, they’d be warmer and lighter than the padded robes we wear now!”

As Yu Ying grew more excited, she gestured with her hands as if she’d seen it with her own eyes.

Of course she had seen it—just not in this era.

Yinzhen was intelligent. Once Yu Ying explained, he began seriously considering whether this was feasible.

Yu Ying saw he was thinking and wisely didn’t interrupt.

After a while, once Yinzhen concluded it might actually work, he returned his gaze to this noble consort, who looked barely in her twenties.

He had thought she must have only her looks to rely on to be favored by Father Emperor. He hadn’t expected her to possess such ingenuity.

Yu Ying, as if equipped with an antenna, instantly picked up on the approval in his eyes and knew he was convinced.

“Well? Your Highness, does it sound doable? Let’s keep it a secret. When we succeed, we’ll present it to your Father Emperor together!”

Her eyes sparkled as she tried to pull him into her plan.

Yinzhen nodded.

Before long, eunuchs and maids came carrying several large burlap sacks filled with duck and goose feathers.

Everyone who served in the palace was clever—no one had to say it out loud. Of course they wouldn’t dare bring freshly plucked feathers straight off the birds to present to the Crown Prince. What they delivered was already washed, dried, and free of odor.

Yu Ying had requested so many feathers, but because she hadn’t given clear instructions, they not only brought the fine down needed for her down jacket but also entire long feathers.

Yu Ying was on the verge of tears. She had no choice but to lead a little team to painstakingly sort out the usable down.

Meanwhile, the rest of the harem was also nearly in tears. Because of a single sentence from the Crown Prince, the imperial kitchens had slaughtered who knew how many ducks and geese. For the next few days, the meals sent to every palace were nothing but duck and goose. The concubines were soon sick to death of it, and many went to argue with the Imperial Noble Consort.

But that was a problem for later.

Right now, Yu Ying was locked in battle with these feathers. They clung to her hair and clothes.

Yinzhen, who had a touch of cleanliness obsession, had long since retreated to the far end of the room, as if he might catch some disease if he got too close.

Yu Ying couldn’t have that—how could he just stand by and watch? He needed to join in for the proper sense of participation!

“Your Highness, why are you hiding way over there? Come help me pick through these! We’re making clothes for your Father Emperor ourselves—he’ll be so happy!”

Yinzhen hesitated visibly.

Yu Ying kept coaxing him. “Come on, once we finish one for your Father Emperor, I’ll make you one too—yours will be the very first!”

Hearing that, Yinzhen’s heart wavered even more.

He looked at the person in front of him surrounded by fluffy feathers, and something tugged in his chest.

He had lost his mother early. Since the day he was born, he’d never seen her, let alone worn clothing she had made herself. As a boy, he’d secretly envied his eldest brother, who wore garments sewn by Consort Hui.

Suppressing a thousand tangled thoughts, Yinzhen stepped forward.

Seeing this, Yu Ying’s face lit up. “That’s right—we promised to do this together. Your Highness can’t slack off! Look, what we need are these big tufts—the bigger, the better!” She picked up a handful and held it out to show him.

Yinzhen took it and nodded.

By the time Kangxi finished reviewing his memorials and came looking for them, the two of them looked like snowmen, nearly buried in feathers.

If it had been anyone else getting close to the Crown Prince like this, Kangxi would have snatched his precious son away without a word. But knowing it was Yu Ying, Kangxi deliberately let them spend time together, only coming after he was done with work.

That didn’t mean he was prepared to see a Crown Prince who looked so utterly unpresentable.

Kangxi felt his temper rising in an instant.

“Wei Yuying! What are you doing with Baocheng?!”

His furious shout made Yu Ying flinch. All the servants around them dropped to their knees in terror. The Crown Prince, who had been relaxed, slowly tensed up.

(Wow, he’s using my full name—he’s really mad.)

(But I didn’t even do anything!)

Yu Ying looked up at Kangxi with an innocent smile.

Kangxi’s forehead veins bulged. Didn’t do anything?

He was just about to march forward and grab her when—

“Wait! Don’t come over here!” Yu Ying quickly called out when she saw him approach. “Your Majesty, don’t come any closer. You’ll get feathers all over you. We’re almost finished!”

Kangxi’s veins twitched. He flung his sleeves. “Hurry and clean up, then come downstairs!”

Once Kangxi left, everyone finally breathed again.

Yu Ying shot the Crown Prince a look that said, Don’t worry, I’ve got this.

After brushing themselves off and leaving the rest for the servants to tidy up, they went downstairs to see Kangxi.

Kangxi was still waiting there. Seeing that they hadn’t delayed too long, his anger calmed a little. “Well? What were you two up to?”

The question was directed at both of them, but Kangxi’s eyes were fixed solely on Yu Ying—it was clear he’d already decided she was the ringleader.

Yu Ying stepped forward and grabbed his arm. “A surprise! A huge surprise! We were preparing something special for Your Majesty! You sneaked up on us without saying anything!”

“Oh? So this is somehow my fault?”

“Of course not! It’s just—I wanted you not to ask yet. Just give me a few more days!” She looked up at him with big, watery eyes, hoping he’d soften.

Yinzhen watched this bold gesture and silently broke into a cold sweat on her behalf—yet Father Emperor didn’t show any intention of scolding her. In fact, the last of his anger seemed to be fading.

Yinzhen stood aside in disbelief.

Seeing how clingy she was, Kangxi’s face reddened. Baocheng is standing right there—what does this look like?

“Stand properly!” Kangxi pulled his hand back, putting some distance between them.

“I’ll give you three days. If in three days I’m not satisfied—”

“Alright, no problem! I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!” Before Kangxi could finish, Yu Ying latched onto the opportunity. “Right, Your Highness? Don’t you agree?”

Yinzhen sighed and nodded helplessly.

At this point, all they could do was put their faith in this garment they were about to make.

Three days later—