Kangxi remained by Tongjia's side for two full days, visiting immediately after every morning assembly. Yet, her condition showed little improvement. She was often unconscious; when awake, she spoke only of their past, her words tinged with the finality of a deathbed confession. Her fragile state chipped away at Kangxi's remaining anger, leaving him heartbroken and soft.
Partly to comfort her, and partly to generate "auspicious energy" to ward off death, Kangxi issued a decree restoring Tongjia to the rank of Noble Consort.
Miraculously, the imperial decree proved more effective than any medicine. From that day onward, Tongjia began a slow but steady recovery. Within a month, she was completely healed. When she finally stepped out of Chengqian Palace, she was once again a radiant, captivating beauty, lacking only a little weight to hide the ordeal.
The harem reacted with varying degrees of apathy, annoyance, and outright fury. Many concubines gritted their teeth, furious that Tongjia hadn't simply died.
Yinreng, however, felt a chill run down his spine. 'Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying.'
During her "illness," the other concubines had visited her. Yinreng had gone as well. At the time, Tongjia had been genuinely emaciated and deathly pale. It was not a physical state someone could easily fake. Furthermore, Kangxi had summoned the entire Imperial Academy of Medicine to examine her. It was easy to bribe one doctor; it was impossible to bribe them all. Tongjia's near-death state had been entirely real.
But Yinreng refused to believe she had nearly died of a broken heart.
To regain the Emperor's favor and reclaim her title, Tongjia had deliberately starved and tortured her own body to the brink of death. She was a ruthless operator who weaponized her own mortality.
Yinreng shuddered, wrapping his arms around himself. 'Do not mess with her.' Thank the ancestors he was the Crown Prince; he rarely interacted with the inner court. He resolved to stay as far away from Tongjia as possible.
Wiping imaginary sweat from his brow, Yinreng brought his eunuch, Xiao Chizi, to the archery field.
It was imperial law that princes began their formal schooling at age six. Yinreng, however, was an exception. Raised personally by Kangxi, he had started his academic studies early. Thus, right after the new year, he was sent to the training grounds. His literary classes continued, but his martial training was currently limited to holding the horse-stance for brief periods. He would only be allowed to begin riding and archery after his sixth birthday in May.
Now, a month into his training, he could slowly ride a pony in circles. However, his recent archery lessons had been frustrating.
In his past life, Yinreng had dabbled in archery, achieving passable results as an amateur. He had approached these lessons with high confidence. But as soon as he picked up the bow, he realized his mistake. He had used a modern compound bow for target shooting; he was now learning traditional Manchu archery. The mechanics were entirely different.
Yinreng was unaccustomed to the draw weight and release, and his six-year-old body lacked strength. He had yet to hit the target.
'Thwack!' Another arrow missed the target entirely. A soft sneer sounded nearby.
Yinreng turned. His eldest brother, Yinzi, raised an eyebrow at him, drew his own bow, and fired a perfect bullseye. Yinzi looked incredibly smug.
Yinreng clapped politely. "Excellent shot, Big Brother!"
Yinzi's smirk faltered.
He had intended to provoke Yinreng. In the past, they constantly competed. Yinreng was competitive and would grit his teeth, pushing himself harder to catch up. They usually traded wins and losses. But lately, Yinreng refused to play the game. No matter how much Yinzi showed off or mocked him, Yinreng simply smiled and praised him.
It made Yinzi feel like he was punching cotton. It was intensely unsatisfying.
Yinreng drew another arrow, focusing on his stance. 'Miss.' Second arrow. 'Miss.'
Third arrow. 'Miss.'
Yinreng wasn't discouraged. He methodically analyzed each shot, adjusting his grip and posture. Just as his quiver was nearly empty, Xiao Chizi ran back from the target line, cheering. "Your Highness! You hit it! You hit it!"
The archery instructor, an 'Anda', squinted at the target and nodded. "Indeed. First ring."
Yinreng smiled. It was the outermost edge, but it was on the board. Progress. He stretched his wrist, finally feeling comfortable with the traditional bow's tension.
He drew again. 'Thwack!'
"Third ring, Your Highness!" Xiao Chizi yelled.
Another arrow.
"Sixth ring!"
Another arrow.
"Ninth ring! Your Highness, it's the ninth ring!"
The 'Anda' was stunned by the rapid improvement. Yinzi stared at Yinreng with wide eyes, his jaw clenched. He spun toward his own instructor. "Give me fifty more arrows. I am practicing longer."
Yinzi prided himself on his martial prowess, having received numerous compliments from Kangxi and the instructors. Even he hadn't shot a ninth ring on his first successful day. He was already lagging in academics; he refused to let Yinreng beat him in archery.
"First Prince," the 'Anda' frowned. "Archery requires gradual conditioning. Suddenly adding fifty arrows is unwise." Seeing Yinzi's glare, he compromised. "Perhaps start with twenty?"
Yinzi nodded curtly. As his servants brought the extra arrows, Yinreng drew another shaft. Everyone held their breath. From first, to third, to sixth, to ninth. Would he hit a bullseye? Even Yinzi's fists were clenched.
'Thwack!' The arrow flew.
"Seventh ring!"
The 'Anda' looked slightly disappointed, while Yinzi secretly exhaled in relief.
Next arrow. Fifth ring.
A smile crept back onto Yinzi's face. He signaled his eunuch to bring his iced dessert—a bowl of chilled fruit juice prepared by his mother, Concubine Hui, specifically for the harsh June heat. He took a bite, watching Yinreng struggle.
Yinreng's subsequent shots consistently landed between the fifth and seventh rings. He never hit the ninth ring again. Yinzi's mood soared. The 'Anda' mentally concluded that the ninth ring had been a fluke.
"Do not be discouraged, Crown Prince," the 'Anda' encouraged. "You are very young. Achieving this level so quickly is excellent. Many struggle to hit the target after months of practice. Maintaining consistency above the fifth ring is remarkable."
"I understand, Anda," Yinreng nodded. He handed off his bow. "My arms are tired. I am finished for the day."
Yinzi looked confused. "Where are you going, Crown Prince?"
"My arrows are gone, so class is over. I am going back to rest," Yinreng said casually. "Big Brother, we studied all morning and trained for two hours. Aren't you tired? I am exhausted. I'm going to sleep."
Yinzi watched in dismay as Yinreng happily skipped away, followed by his servants. Yinzi looked down at the fifty extra arrows he had just demanded, then up at the scorching sun. The iced juice suddenly lost its appeal.
'Of course I'm tired! I want to sleep too!' Why had he demanded more practice? Could he take it back without looking like a coward? He was trapped by his own pride.
***
Yuqing Palace.
Yinreng sat comfortably indoors, sipping from a cold cup of what was undeniably cola.
Two months ago, he had used a trip to the Imperial Library as an excuse to "find" a lost recipe card, which he promptly handed to the Imperial Kitchens. They had followed the instructions, and while the taste wasn't perfectly identical to the modern era, it was a more than acceptable substitute for the summer heat.
However, Yinreng knew the beverage was empty calories and could hinder calcium absorption. As a growing six-year-old, he limited his intake; he refused to end up short in this life. Occasional indulgences were fine, but discipline was key.
Just as he finished his drink and prepared to lie down, Xiao Zhuzi rushed into the room, his face glowing with excitement.
Yinreng sat up instantly. "Is there news?"
"Yes, Your Highness!" Xiao Zhuzi nodded vigorously. "I bring excellent news!"
Yinreng leaped from his chair. "Change my clothes immediately! I must see it for myself!"
***
Yinzi had finally finished his self-imposed extra fifty arrows. His arms ached, and his mood was foul as he walked back toward the Eastern Five Palaces. Distracted, he somehow wandered near Yuqing Palace.
Staring at the gates, Yinzi felt a fresh wave of resentment. If Yinreng hadn't shot that lucky ninth ring, Yinzi wouldn't have subjected himself to extra torture. Instead, Yinreng had enjoyed a nap while Yinzi baked in the sun. He knew it was irrational to blame Yinreng, but he was too miserable to care.
Dejected, he turned to leave, only to see Yinreng rushing out of the palace, dressed in civilian clothes. Xiao Zhuzi was chasing after him.
"Your Highness, please reconsider!" the eunuch pleaded. "Perhaps tomorrow? It is not appropriate for you to leave the palace now."
'Leave the palace?' Yinzi's ears perked up. He quickly grabbed his eunuch and hid behind a decorative wall.
In the courtyard, Yinreng waved off the concern. "Stop dawdling! If we move quickly, we can be back before dark. If you keep delaying, it really will be too late!"
Before Xiao Zhuzi could protest further, Yinreng dragged him toward the gates.
Behind the wall, Yinzi frowned. Sneaking out of the palace? Kangxi would never approve of this.
A slow, malicious smile spread across Yinzi's face. He turned and headed directly toward the Imperial Study. It was time to pay their father a visit.