Chapter 35 – Fitting

Yu Ying’s down jacket was finally finished!

Three days ago, she had returned to Changchun Palace with two burlap sacks full of duck and goose down, successfully using that as an excuse to escape being made to stay overnight at the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Even now, she shuddered recalling the meaningful look Kangxi had given her.

Over the next three days, Yu Ying threw herself wholeheartedly into leading a few palace maids in recreating the down jacket she remembered.

Sure enough, hard work paid off—she managed to pull it off!

After making one for Kangxi and one for the Crown Prince, Yu Ying also made one for herself, and even sewed a pair of down pants.

When she put on these familiar clothes again and felt the warmth she’d long missed, a wave of comfort welled up in her heart.

In this unfamiliar dynasty, even a simple down jacket carried great meaning for her.

On the agreed-upon third day, Yu Ying took the finished jackets and went to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to see Kangxi.

As always, Kangxi was reviewing memorials when he saw her. “What’s this? You’re finally willing to come see me?”

Yu Ying smiled awkwardly. “I’ve been busy, Your Majesty!”

Kangxi didn’t reply. *Busy? What could *you* possibly be so busy with?*

Since he didn’t respond, Yu Ying leaned in close and said, “Your Majesty, please have someone summon the Crown Prince from the Palace of Diligent Celebration! I’ve made a set of clothes for both of you!” She pointed to the bundle she brought.

Following her gesture, Kangxi looked over and saw a bulging bundle being carried by Qingtao.

Kangxi couldn’t help but chuckle. Since when did imperial consorts bring handmade garments in such a fashion? Normally, they’d send over a neatly folded set of embroidered undergarments or sleepwear. But this one looked like she’d dragged over half her wardrobe!

“Well, since it’s a gift from you, let’s open it and have a look.”

Just as Liang Jiugong stepped forward to take the bundle from Qingtao, surprised at how light it felt, Yu Ying quickly stopped him—

“Wait!” she cried. “Your Majesty, I said we should wait for the Crown Prince to arrive. Let’s not open it just yet!”

Liang Jiugong froze mid-action. He was truly impressed by this not-so-bright Noble Lady Jin.

The emperor is clearly curious, and you still insist on waiting for the Crown Prince? What, is the prince more important than His Majesty now?

Of course, Liang didn’t say any of this out loud—he simply withdrew his hands.

Kangxi raised a brow. He did want her and the Crown Prince to grow closer, yes—but over a piece of clothing? It had to be opened together?

A flicker of dissatisfaction crossed his face.

“What’s this? Are you saying I’m not as important as the Crown Prince?”

Yu Ying was bewildered.

(Wait, how did we get here?)
(I just wanted you both to put on the matching outfit at the same time…)

“Your Majesty,” Yu Ying said quickly, “this isn’t just something I made alone—His Highness the Crown Prince helped! It wouldn’t be right to open it without him. Please, just wait a little longer!”

Hearing that the Crown Prince helped, Kangxi grew more intrigued. And upon hearing her mention “parent-child outfits,” he decided he could wait a bit longer.

“Hmph. Very well, I’ll wait.”
But just a second later—
“Liang Jiugong, send someone to Diligent Celebration Palace to check how far along the Crown Prince is!”

Yu Ying was speechless.
It hasn’t even been that long!

Meanwhile, over at Diligent Celebration Palace, Yinzhen had already guessed what was going on as soon as he heard his father summon him to try on the new clothes.

After all, that goose-feather fiasco at the Palace of Heavenly Purity had been one of the few times he’d made a fool of himself in public.

He immediately thought: It must be finished now!

Yinzhen jumped up and rushed off toward the Palace of Heavenly Purity, moving so quickly that He Zhuer had to jog to keep up.

Back at the palace, Kangxi kept glancing toward the door, looking more and more like he might tear open the package himself at any moment. Thankfully, Yinzhen finally arrived.

“Your son greets Father Emperor.”

Before he could kneel, Kangxi had already stepped forward to support him. “No need for formalities, Baocheng.”

Yu Ying came over too, and exchanged greetings with the prince.

“Alright, everyone’s here—let’s open it!” Yu Ying said as she untied the bundle.

Inside were two rather odd-looking garments—at least, to Kangxi and Yinzhen they seemed strange.

They were the same color and only differed in size. Kangxi guessed this must be what she meant by “parent-child outfit.”

Yu Ying lifted the larger one and spread it out. “Come on, Your Majesty, let’s try it on!”

Kangxi obediently opened his arms, waiting for her to help him.

Yu Ying gave him a glare, but still stepped forward to help dress him.

Since zippers didn’t exist in the Qing Dynasty, she had used traditional frog buttons instead. She figured this still counted as “new Chinese style,” right?

Once Kangxi had it on, she asked eagerly, “How is it, Your Majesty? Warm, isn’t it?”

Kangxi marveled at how light it felt—almost like wearing nothing at all—but it radiated steady warmth. “There’s one more. Baocheng, you try yours!”

Yinzhen, who had been itching to try it, quickly dressed himself.

Now both father and son stood before Yu Ying wearing identical down jackets.

Yu Ying nodded approvingly. “Not bad for a matching set, right?”

Kangxi didn’t waste time listening to her brag. Now that Yinzhen had his on, Kangxi immediately pulled him outside.

Even though he’d only worn it for a short while, and with the Palace of Heavenly Purity already heated through underfloor warming, Kangxi could already feel how hot it was getting.

Once they stepped outside, a chilly breeze blew.

The heat was no longer stifling, but the warmth remained. Kangxi was genuinely delighted now.

“A Ying, is this really made of those duck and goose feathers?”

Yu Ying nodded.

“Excellent! This is wonderful! With jackets like these, our people will have another way to keep warm during winter!”

Yinzhen nodded along. “Congratulations, Father Emperor!”

Now that he had tried it himself, he understood—this was something special. He’d never imagined that duck and goose feathers could be turned into clothing—let alone something so warm and lightweight. It was even better than layering thick cotton coats.

He looked at Yu Ying with renewed admiration.

“Alright, Your Majesty,” Yu Ying finally interjected, “let’s head back inside. You and the Crown Prince might not be cold, but the rest of us still are.”

She glanced at herself and Liang Jiugong, neither of whom had on down jackets. Were they planning to just stand out here chatting forever?

Kangxi laughed and led the way back inside.

After they took off their coats, Kangxi couldn’t help but keep his in hand, still admiring it.

“A Ying, you’ve really helped me in a big way!”

“Then don’t forget to thank the Crown Prince too,” Yu Ying reminded. “After all, the jacket you’re holding was made using the down he picked out himself!”

Yinzhen blushed. He hadn’t thought he’d done much, but hearing the praise still made him feel happy.

“Well done, Baocheng! Good work!”

“Father Emperor, now that we know this down jacket works,” Yinzhen said, using the term he’d learned from Yu Ying, “the most urgent matter is to spread it to the people, so they too can withstand the harsh winter.”

Down jacket—the name had a nice ring to it.

Yinzhen made a mental note of it.

Kangxi gave his son an approving look.

“Indeed. Tomorrow, I’ll discuss it with the ministers in court. We’ll decide how to promote this new invention as quickly as possible.”