Seven-year-old Taotao is reborn in the body of Yinsi, the Kangxi Emperor's eldest son, who is four years old. Seeing his mother, E Niang, looking exhausted and worn, he boldly reaches out and takes her finger.
Concubine Nala Shuying had thought her son, raised outside the palace since birth, wouldn't feel close to her, and had been somewhat anxious. Now, seeing the little one act so affectionately, she finally relaxes. Then a strange voice comes from beside her: "This must be postpartum depression, like it says in the books. Poor Mama."
Nala Shuying looks down at the boy in her arms, who's chewing on dried meat, and pinches his cheek. A soft, sweet voice sounds in her ear again: "Don't pinch, don't pinch. I wanna eat meat!"
Now she's certain. She can hear Ba Qing's thoughts!
Nala Shuying is still wondering how to keep this secret when Kangxi comes to Yanxi Palace.
"So this is my dad? He doesn't have as many pockmarks as the rumors say."
Nala Shuying is so startled she wants to cover his mouth. But Kangxi's expression doesn't change at all, and she realizes that only she can hear the voice. She immediately breathes a sigh of relief.
Kangxi holds Yinsi in his arms, looking a little awkward. Yinsi wriggles around and grumbles to himself, "This is uncomfortable. Being held by E Niang is much better."
Kangxi, annoyed, gives his little bottom a smack. All the princes in the palace want him to hold them. You're the only one who doesn't know what's good for you.
One day, Kangxi is in the study reviewing memorials. Yinsi and Yunsi sit on a couch, playing tangram. Kangxi hears Yinsi grumble indignantly in his thoughts, "Considering you'll be deposed twice in the future, I won't hold it against you."
A little while later, he hears Yinsi sigh to himself, "Fine, I'm no better off. I'll be under house arrest for the rest of my life too."
Kangxi: ! Are you saying that the two princes I place the greatest hopes in, one will be confined and the other deposed?
[Part of the Brothers on Good Terms series + Yunsi ascends the throne in the ending + The early story focuses mainly on Yinsi and Consort Hui, who will have other children]
Theme: Carefree and content, Taotao's delight.
