Chapter 69 Fourteen Confinement

Yinzhen quietly left the backyard of the restaurant, took the pastries from Wufangzhai back to his residence, and acted as if he had only gone out to buy some snacks.

Upon arriving at the main courtyard, in a room covered with carpets, Yi Xiuzheng held Hong Hui's little hand, teaching him to walk. The little boy's two adorable, white legs paddled forward.

"Honghui can walk now?"

Hearing Yinzhen's voice, the mother and son looked up together, their eyes filled with surprise and joy. Honghui stretched out his little hand, like a tender fledgling, and stammered, "A-Father..."

Yinzhen smiled and stepped forward, pulling Honghui into his arms and stuffing the pastries he was holding into his embrace. He asked gently, "Is it alright for Honghui to have the pastries that Father bought?"

“Cake, cake…” Honghui’s little hands tugged at the packaging of the cakes, smiling and revealing two or three tiny teeth.

“Honghui is so young, how could he eat pastries?” Yixiu smiled and approached, giving Yinzhen a reproachful look.

Yinzhen was away for more than three months, but he never forgot about the mother and son. He often sent back boxes of good things from beyond the Great Wall. The name "Honghui" was also bestowed by Kangxi when the baby was a month old. Yinzhen sent a letter back immediately, along with Kangxi's reward and the gifts he had prepared himself.

Even though Yinzhen was not present, his dedication was envied by almost all his sisters-in-law. In addition, the scheme against Wuya was going very well, so Yixiu was naturally in a good mood.

The only worry was that Honghui was a little shy around strangers. After not seeing him for more than three months, Yixiu was afraid that Honghui and Yinzhen would not get close.

Whether it was due to her usual upbringing of Honghui or the unspoken bond between father and son, Honghui only paused for a moment upon seeing Yinzhen for the first time before reaching out for a hug. The sight of their affectionate interaction made Yixiu unable to suppress her jealousy.

However, the father and son got along well, and Yinzhen was very close to her and Honghui. Yixiu was naturally satisfied and unconsciously became much bolder in her attitude towards Yinzhen.

"I consulted the family physician, and he said that Honghui is old enough to start eating some complementary foods, which is good for his health. I specially bought Wufangzhai milk cake, which is made from pure goat milk, so we can let Honghui try it."

Yinzhen gently took the pastries from Honghui and handed them to Yixiu. Seeing Honghui's reluctant gaze, he then handed him a small rattle drum. With something to play with, Honghui instantly became happy, shaking the rattle drum back and forth with clear laughter.

"Then I'll listen to you, Your Majesty." Yixiu watched the father and son interact with a smile, appreciating Yinzhen's care for Honghui, and naturally wouldn't refuse again.

During lunch, Yixiu would occasionally add a piece of food to Yinzhen's plate. Meanwhile, little Honghui sat on a small chair specially made by his father, swinging his little legs and enjoying delicious milk cake. The family of three spent a warm and comfortable time together.

The servants standing nearby naturally wouldn't want to bother them. Su Peisheng, who was standing to the side, narrowed his eyes and suddenly spotted Gao Wuyong's figure.

Even after the Prince's reprimand, Su Peisheng's position as Chief Eunuch remained unshaken, but Gao Wuyong was also given important responsibilities by the Prince. As far as he knew, this fellow surnamed Gao had disappeared from public view, but secretly he was responsible for gathering information for his master, and he wouldn't appear unless it was something important.

Looking at Gao Wuyong, who was caught in a dilemma outside the house and was asking him for help, Su Peisheng clicked his tongue inwardly. In the end, it was still his father-in-law, Su, who had to step in.

Taking advantage of the moment while serving tea, Su Peisheng whispered in Yinzhen's ear, "Your Highness, Gao Wuyong has arrived."

Yinzhen glanced outside and caught sight of Gao Wuyong, whose face looked somewhat anxious. Yixiu, who was not far away, naturally heard Su Peisheng's words as well.

Seeing this, Yixiu knew that Gao Wuyong's arrival must be for important matters. She considerately did not ask any questions and only said, "Your Highness, please use these clothes first. Honghui has ruined them terribly. I will take him downstairs to wash up."

"Go ahead and have the servants look after her; you don't need to worry about it."

"Yes, thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Yixiu smiled and nodded, then had someone carry Honghui, who was still reaching out to Yinzhen and babbling, out of the room, giving Yinzhen some space.

"Your Highness, this humble servant Gao Wuyong pays his respects." After the Fujin (principal wife) and her entourage left, Gao Wuyong strode in and bowed to Yinzhen.

"Speak, what happened?" Yinzhen put down his teacup and looked at Gao Wuyong.

"Your Highness, news has come from the palace that Consort Wuya has closed her palace and the Fourteenth Prince is under house arrest." Gao Wuyong lowered his head, not daring to guess his master's thoughts, and reported truthfully word by word.

"The Fourteenth Prince is under house arrest? What happened?" As if he hadn't heard the first part of the sentence, Yinzhen pressed on.

What could Gao Wuyong say? He could only tell the truth of what he had learned: "Yesterday, the Fourteenth Prince had dinner at Yonghe Palace. After returning to his courtyard, he favored the palace maid sent by Consort Wuya to deliver some things. This morning, he went to Yonghe Palace and caused a scene, which alarmed the Emperor, and he was confined to his quarters by the Emperor."

Who is that palace maid?

Yinzhen immediately grasped the crux of the matter, his sharp gaze fixed on Gao Wuyong. Gao Wuyong felt as if he were being pricked by thorns, and dared not conceal anything, revealing everything he knew.

"According to the investigation, that little palace maid is Wuya Fangning, the niece of Consort Wuya." After Gao Wuyong finished speaking, he respectfully knelt on the ground and said nothing more. Su Peisheng, who was standing to the side, also quietly concealed his presence.

Another niece... Consort Wuya doesn't let any of her sons off the hook, she has to marry them off to a niece... The Fourteenth Prince is definitely better off, he's married to his own niece... But in the end, Princess Rouze's status is still more outstanding...

"Bang!" Yinzhen slammed the teacup down on the table, startling Su Peisheng so much that he stopped thinking about anything else.

"Absurd!" It was unclear who Yinzhen was referring to with his rebuke, but the two people present felt that it wasn't directed at the Fourteenth Prince. They tried to shrink back and dared not say anything.

"The Fourteenth Prince has such a temper... The Imperial Household Department is opportunistic. Gao Wuyong, have someone keep an eye on the palace..."

"Yes." Gao Wuyong quickly replied, naturally understanding his master's meaning—he was simply worried that the Fourteenth Prince would suffer. Thinking about it, he felt it was unfair to his master, given how the Fourteenth Prince had treated him in the past. Now, the Fourteenth Prince was causing trouble, only to cause his master worry.

"Never mind, it's not convenient for me to go to the palace at this time. Gao Wuyong, come back to the front courtyard with me. I'll write a letter to the Thirteenth Prince... Su Peisheng, you stay here and explain to the Princess Consort."

Yinzhen frowned and hurriedly left with Gao Wuyong. Su Peisheng nodded in agreement, watching the Prince's departing figure, and couldn't help but sigh, "Who says the royal family is heartless? My master is the most affectionate and righteous older brother... Consort Wuya doesn't know how to cherish what she has. I hope the Fourteenth Prince won't be so ungrateful..."

When Yixiu returned, Su Peisheng smiled but didn't reveal the truth, only saying that the prince had left early due to other matters. Yixiu nodded understandingly and kindly saw Su Peisheng off.

"Madam, it's done." Not long after Su Peisheng left, Jianqiu came in, leaned close to Yixiu, and gave a concise and clear report.

Yixiu's smile widened as she teased Honghui, and she hugged him, coaxing, "My dear Honghui, isn't the weather lovely today? Your mother is happy, and you're happy too, right?"