Chapter Thirty-One: The Imperial Seal

  "Like the sea, to be honest, I'm getting more and more displeased with Er'er." Kangxi muttered to himself, Lin Ruhai lowered his head, looking at his own feet, without any reaction. He really didn't want to know about such things, it was an ominous sign, when that day came and Kangxi really deposed the Crown Prince, then he...

  Kangxi looked at Lin Ruhai, who didn't react, and sighed. "Ruhai, just treat me as an ordinary Ama, listen to my thoughts about my own children."

  "Not all Amas can wield the power of life and death, Your Majesty." Lin Ruhai looked up at Kangxi, who was first the Emperor, then Ama. This might be the true meaning of Huang Ama. "The Emperor is first a ruler, then..."

  "Like the sea..." Kangxi abruptly interrupted Lin Ruhai's words, "There are no outsiders here, accompany me and chat for a bit. What do you think of Er'er?"

  "Emperor... older brother, the crown prince is naturally good, but he has an uncle who wields too much power." Lin Ruhai hesitated for a moment before speaking the truth. He didn't know that this time would set a precedent and he wouldn't be able to avoid it in the future.

  "This is also what I'm worried about, the second brother's heart is getting farther and farther away, being on guard against his own brothers, not a single true-hearted brother, how can I put my mind at ease with him?" Maybe the eldest son really has the intention to contend for power with the second son, and the eighth son is also not a peaceful one. However, the second son doesn't even completely trust the fourth son. Mentioning the fourth son, Kangxi's eyes shifted around, it's better to hurry up and arrange his marriage, which imperial prince at the age of twenty doesn't even have an attendant by their side?

  "Big brother, they're all grown up now. Sometimes it's inevitable that they have their own thoughts in mind." Lin Ruhai said vaguely.

  Kangxi was taken aback for a moment, nodded, "What you said is also right, it's time to give them a title. How should they be enfeoffed?"

  "This is Brother's own family matter, Brother will take care of it according to age and merit." Lin Ruhai actually guessed what Kangxi wanted to do in his heart, but some things should not be said.

  "The Fourth Son disobeyed my arranged marriage, so I won't make him a Duke." Kangxi said casually, but Lin Ruhai furrowed his brow. The fourth prince's gaze at his own daughter was a bit too much, he needed to be careful.

  Kangxi changed the subject, and the two of them chatted casually for a long time. An hour later, Daiyu, who had been waiting impatiently, arrived outside the study, "Auntie, it's time for your medicine." Daiyu found an excuse to come and see Lin Ruhai.

  "Jade hairpin, come in quickly." Kangxi's mood is extremely good right now.

  Daiyu pushed the door open and came in, with Xueyan following behind her carrying medicine. "Auntie, it's time to take your medicine." Daiyu handed the medicine over to Lin Ruhai. Kangxi looked at Lin Ruhai with envy, "Ruhai, although you only have one daughter, she is better than all of my sons combined. I'll trade two of my sons for her, how about it?" Kangxi smiled foolishly.

  "Emperor Father, Daiyu is already your adopted daughter." Daiyu rolled her eyes, what was Kangxi up to?

  "Ah, I forgot." Kangxi patted his head, and Lin Ruhai beside him was very helpless. The emperor sometimes seemed like a child? However, the emperor had never won in front of his own daughter, thinking about this, Lin Ruhai looked at Daiyu with comfort.

  "Jade hairpin, how is it that I feel like I've never had any dignity in your eyes?" Kangxi's mouth was curved into a smile, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

  "What dignity does the Emperor think he has?" Daiyu retorted, in her eyes Kangxi was just an emperor, as long as she didn't cross his bottom line, she would be fine, and besides, there was still Ama around.

  "We......" Kangxi was at a loss for words for a moment.

  "Yu'er, have you taken your medicine?" Lin Ruhai changed the subject, also giving Kangxi an opportunity to step down.

  Daiyu didn't respond, she didn't plan to continue the conversation. Those swallow's nest and ginseng, she really didn't want to eat them. Lin Ruhai saw Daiyu's reaction and knew what was going on. Xueyan pouted her small mouth, "Master, Miss won't eat."

  "Jade..."

  "Amah, no need." Daiyu said with a pout, shaking Lin Ruhai's hand, rarely showing her little girl side.

  Kangxi couldn't help but burst out laughing at this lovely jade-like young girl.

  Inside the house was filled with laughter and conversation, but outside, Yiming hesitated for a moment without entering.

  On the second day, Kangxi issued a sacred decree, sealing the eldest son Yin as the Prince of the First Rank and the third prince Yin as the Prince of the Second Rank; the fourth prince Yin, the fifth prince Yin, the seventh prince Yin, and the eighth prince Yin were all made Beile. The princes received the decree and thanked the emperor, but Yin felt a little uneasy in his heart, with some small dissatisfaction, however, he chose to do nothing since he had just offended Kangxi by refusing to marry.

  Daiyu was playing with the small thing in her hand, which was just sent by Baoyu. It was a lovely jade Pixiu, although the quality of the jade was not very good, but it had a unique flavor. Indeed, it was something that the future Eighth Wise King would do to win people's hearts. However, when these things were used on oneself... Daiyu coldly swept her eyes over the Pixiu and put it aside, "Snowgoose, take it away."

  "Miss doesn't like it? Besides, this was given by Eighth Beile." Xueyan was very surprised, earlier Miss was still playing with it, now she doesn't like it? When did Miss become so changeable?

  "I'll have you pick it up." Daiyu's voice turned cold, causing Xueyan to shiver involuntarily.

  "I'll take it away, miss." Zixi walked over and picked up the Pixiu, which was a good thing since Miss didn't like those brothers.

  "What's that?" Daiyu looked towards the other side of the table, where there was an exquisite little incense burner, emitting a familiar fragrance of sandalwood. Familiar? She hadn't used incense before either, so why did it feel so familiar?

  "That was sent by Fourth Master." Xue Yan looked in the direction of the voice, and at first she didn't want to use it, thinking it wasn't suitable for Miss, but still put the lit incense burner on Miss's desk out of respect for Fourth Master.

  "Oh? Is there still sandalwood incense?" Daiyu found this scent very comforting.

  "It's natural that there are some, the fourth prince sent a lot." Xueyan was somewhat surprised, didn't the young lady like peach blossoms? Why is she so interested in this sandalwood now?

  "Have some every day." Daiyu ordered casually.

  "Ah……” Xueyan exclaimed in surprise, “Understood, Miss.” When there were no outsiders around, both Xueyan and Zijuan still addressed Daiyu as "Miss". Daiyu didn't mind this, but Wang Nainai had once scolded Xueyan for it, after all, Wang Nainai was very particular about the boundaries between master and servant, and the status of a princess.

  "Miss..." Lin Fang walked in.

  "What's going on?" Daiyu furrowed her brow, could it be that the rarely calm and peaceful mood was about to be disturbed again?

  "Some people are causing trouble at Lin's Tavern." Lin Fang reported as he came in.

  Daiyu's face changed, daring to make trouble at Lin's wine shop, and Lin Fang couldn't handle it either. It was really troublesome. Daiyu looked at Lin Fang with an expressionless face, waiting for him to explain.