Rong Fei is not honored

Chapter 698 Natural Disaster

"But let me remind you, these children are my precious darlings. If they get sick or injured because of this, I'll never forgive you!"

"Sick or injured? Hmph, the plans I've arranged for them are all reasonable. As long as they don't procrastinate or slack off, they can complete them easily. Not everyone in this world is willing to be complacent!"

Ji Nai was furious, and Kangxi refused to back down an inch.

It wasn't that Emperor Kangxi didn't care about his children's health; he was simply convinced that his children were all exceptional individuals. Even if they couldn't compare to him, they would at least inherit one-tenth of his talent.

Out of curiosity, he calculated the altitude of the sun's meridian in just four days. After reading a Western anatomy book translated by Bardomin, he was able to dissect a bear himself.

So his children can do it too, they can just take longer.

Chengrui couldn't help but rub his forehead. He refused his father for two reasons. On the one hand, he thought the same as his mother, that now was not a good time to go to court. On the other hand, he didn't want his father to think that he was too eager.

But who could have imagined things would turn out this way? Did he betray his own brothers?

"Father, I will listen to you. Please don't be angry with your mother."

"It's not out of spite, but I genuinely feel that your brothers' education needs to be addressed more closely." After saying this, he gave Ji Nai a meaningful look.

Ji Nai couldn't help but sneer. Hmph! Fine, then she'll wait and see how Kangxi gets humiliated.

Anyway, only four children have entered the Imperial Study. Her Chengrui is about to enter the court. As for Saiyinchahun, that child is as cunning as a sieve. There's no need to worry about him.

In the end, the one who gets into trouble first won't be her own child, so why is she in such a hurry? If something really happens, let Hesheli's family and Consort Hui go and make a scene with that scoundrel.

"What do you mean, 'it's easier to catch'?" Saiyinchahun, who had been wandering around outside, is back again.

His words drew everyone's attention, causing Saiyinchahun to involuntarily shrink back. "Why do I feel like the atmosphere is getting even more awkward?"

Sainchahun's gaze swept around, finally landing on his father and mother, whose faces were pale, and he said with certainty, "You two had a fight."

Emperor Kangxi slapped Sainchahun on the forehead and said irritably, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Ouch!" Saiyinchahun cried out in pain, complaining, "Father, why did you hit me so hard? You said you didn't quarrel with Mother!"

Ji Nai noticed that Saiyinchahun's forehead was bright red, and hugged him with heartache, saying, "Why are you taking your anger out on the child?"

After Kangxi made his move, he realized he had used too much force and was just regretting it when he heard Ji Nai complaining about him. Enraged, he said, "A doting mother spoils her son!"

"Now you're complaining that I'm a loving mother? I don't know who it was back then who couldn't bear to discipline the children, so I was forced to be the bad guy."

Sainchahun watched with great interest, but under the warning look of his elder brother, he had no choice but to restrain his expression and forcibly change the subject, saying, "Father and Mother, the Empress Dowager is ill, and the servants in the palace are becoming more and more unruly."

Kangxi's displeasure vanished, but his eyes grew even colder. "What, has some ignorant fool offended you?"

"No way~ It's the Imperial Garden. I wanted to go there to enjoy the scenery, but the ground was covered with ants and bugs, so densely packed, it was disgusting."

The scene described by Saiyinchahun was so shocking that it gave Kangxi, Ji Nai, and the others goosebumps; it was indeed quite disgusting.

Ji Nai patted Saiyinchahun in his arms reassuringly, then frowned and said, "I'm afraid this matter has nothing to do with me. No matter how bold they are, they wouldn't dare to be so lazy."

“Mother is right. If Saiyinchahun is not exaggerating, the sudden appearance of so many ants and insects in the Imperial Garden must be man-made.”

Saiyinchahun pursed his lips, trying to suppress the nausea and discomfort, and retorted, "Natural disaster or man-made calamity? How can you be so sure it's the latter, brother?"

Cheng Rui chuckled, "What natural disaster could cause..." Before he could finish speaking, Cheng Rui suddenly realized something, and he couldn't say the rest of his words; his face turned pale.

Kangxi was puzzled. Seeing Chengrui and Saiyinchahun both looking at Ji Nai, he asked in confusion, "If it wasn't man-made, what else could it be?"

"That shouldn't be possible, right?" Ji Nai hesitated. "I once heard an old servant say that birds and beasts are much more sensitive to danger than humans. It's just that birds and beasts can't speak and can't express themselves. They just become extremely agitated."

Therefore, unusual phenomena always appear before natural disasters strike.

She had personally experienced it: before a major disaster struck, the guard dog barked wildly, chickens and ducks ran rampant, and even snakes, insects, and rodents that shouldn't be out in broad daylight when many people were around came out, seemingly unafraid of humans.

Seeing that Kangxi's expression was not good, Ji Nai comforted him, "I found it interesting when I was a child and remembered it. Later, I told it to Chengrui and Saiyinchahun as a story. Perhaps it was because it left a deep impression that I thought of it in this way. It may not be true."

Cheng Rui also said gently, "Whether it's true or false, we can find out with an investigation. Even if it really wasn't done by human hands, we were prepared in advance, weren't we? There were so many knowledgeable officials in the previous dynasty, it's impossible that they were all completely unaware."

As long as we have some information, whether it's for prevention or disaster relief, the court will be prepared and won't be caught off guard. Father, there's no need to worry too much.

Everyone knew that Cheng Rui's words were meant to comfort people. The reason natural disasters are so terrible is precisely because of their unpredictability. The Imperial Garden was already showing initial signs of disaster; who knew in what form the natural disaster would strike?

What's even more terrifying is that no one can predict when a natural disaster will occur—it could be a month from now, or it could be tomorrow, or even the very next second.

Ji Nai couldn't help but hold Kangxi's hand. Her intention was to comfort him, but perhaps because the worry in her eyes was too obvious, Kangxi mistakenly thought that she was afraid.

"Don't be afraid." Kangxi squeezed Ji Nai's hand back and instructed, "No matter what, you must have someone by your side during this time. Have Yu Hu and the others stay with you every step of the way. The children..."

"Let Chengrui and Saiyinchahun follow you. Although their skills are not as good as Your Majesty's, they can at least lend a hand. As for Rongxian and the others, they can stay by my side."

If it is confirmed that the strange phenomena in the Imperial Garden were not man-made, I will find an excuse to bring all the princesses to meet with the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager.

Cheng Rui and Saiyinchahun will follow you, and Yinreng and Yinti should not be left behind either. Oh, and there's also Yikun Palace, where Consort Yi is pregnant, and the young princess of Consort Guoluo is too young, and... and Her Majesty the Empress, she has been bedridden recuperating..."

Kangxi embraced Ji Nai, kissed her temple, and comforted her, "Don't worry, you don't need to worry about others. I will arrange everything. You just need to protect yourself and the other four, Rongxian."