The ambiguous atmosphere between Yinreng and Tong Wanyan left the clueless Tong Ruita completely oblivious.

He kept his eyes fixed on his younger sister: "Little sister, why don't you go and beat up Princess Tongjia? Big brother said he plans to use this military merit to ask for a title for you."

Yinreng raised an eyebrow: "I have my own plans regarding the concubine."

Tong Ruita looked at him distrustfully: "Your Highness, you are the heir apparent, and every move you make is being watched by the entire court. My sister's background is already special. If you personally intervene, my sister may find it difficult to move around in Yuqing Palace in the future."

"You didn't mean that, did you?" Yinreng narrowed his long, phoenix-shaped eyes, his naturally noble appearance captivating Tong Wanyan.

How could her husband be so handsome!

Tong Wanyan's infatuated gaze made Yinreng feel smug and elated.

Tong Ruita moved to the side, trying to make her presence known.

"It was my elder brother who told me to say that our family's daughter doesn't need the Crown Prince's concern," Tong Ruita said frankly.

Yinreng lowered his eyes; he felt a surge of urge to punch someone.

“Xiao Yan is my princess, and will be my concubine in the future,” Yinreng said.

Tong Ruita smiled, revealing her bright white teeth: "My sister will always be my sister."

“Xiao Yan will be buried with me from now on,” Yinreng said defiantly.

Tong Ruita was stunned and fell silent; clearly, Yinreng's words had put him in a difficult position.

Tong Ruita lowered his head dejectedly, somewhat unhappy. He hadn't yet recovered from the loss of his sister, and Yinreng was already provoking him relentlessly.

Seeing the big man's pitiful and forlorn appearance, Yinreng's heart was slightly moved: "It's not impossible for Tong Qinian to use his military merits to ask for a title for Xiao Yan. He has been too sharp this time, blocking the way for some people in the army. It would be a good thing if he showed some sentimentality once in a while."

Anything related to Tong Wanyan is enough to ignite Tong Ruita's spirit.

Tong Ruita regained her spirits and said, "Your Highness, please rest assured, my elder brother and I will always stand behind our sister. We only ask that you treat her well. We will not hold you back."

Yinreng chuckled and pretended to punch him, but the impact made his own hand hurt.

"Am I the kind of person who lives off women? As long as you don't cause trouble, I'll be content." Yinreng had his own pride.

He was born as the crown prince, and everything in the world would belong to him. He disdained to win over court officials through the women in his harem.

Otherwise, what would he become? A male prostitute patronized by women?

After finishing their business, Tong Ruita excitedly reminisced with Tong Wanyan about their childhood.

A simple-minded and kind-hearted person is rarely disliked.

After throwing a little tantrum, Tong Wanyan obediently kept him company and talked.

She was so fortunate to have such a good brother.

Tong Ruita is a chatterbox, and the kind of chatter that doesn't get to the point.

After spending some time with the brother and sister, Yinreng couldn't stand it anymore and went outside.

With the eyesore gone, Tong Ruita slyly pulled a stack of silver notes from his clothes.

"Little sister, this is what my older brother and I pooled together. You can spend it however you like. Use the best of everything we can!" Tong Ruita spoiled his sister to an insane degree.

Tong Wanyan was holding a thick stack of silver notes when she heard Tong Ruita say again, "Don't let the Crown Prince know."

"Second brother, do you think the master wouldn't see such a thick stack of silver notes when I took them out of the study?" Yinreng wasn't blind.

Tong Ruita's pure and simple heart was dealt a heavy blow.

Why is it so hard to be nicer to my sister?

"Do Mother and Tong Wanle know about Big Brother's decision?" Tong Wanyan didn't want to mention those two people, but she had to. Tong Wanyan listlessly ate her snacks, feeling heartbroken for Tong Ruita.

"Act first, then inform later. You're the one who's most wronged in this matter; what they think doesn't matter. Anyway, no one can stop a brother from wanting to be good to his sister."

Tong Ruita kept talking about brotherly and sisterly affection, but seemed to have forgotten that Tong Wanle was also their sister.

Human hearts are made of flesh and blood; don't assume that you can make someone open their heart just because you're born with blood ties.

Every time they saw Tong Wanle's calculating look in her eyes, they felt like they were going to vomit.

There was a time when Yuqing Palace was to be locked, but Tong Ruita kept delaying until Yinreng sent someone to invite her out.

"Are you happy?" After getting rid of the extra people, Yinreng hugged Tong Wanyan and rested his chin on her shoulder.

The hot breath he exhaled as he spoke made Tong Wanyan's neck itch.

"Is Master jealous? My second brother is just that stubborn, but he treats me extremely well. When I was the legitimate daughter, he was the half-brother. Back then, people said he was trying to curry favor with the mistress, but he didn't get angry. Later, when I was stripped of my status, he was still the one who stayed by my side the most. I'm so lucky!"

Tong Wanyan's eyes sparkled, like naturally radiant stars.

Yinreng placed his hand over her eyes and said softly, "You are worthy."

Tong Qinian acted with extreme speed, seemingly fearing that things might change if he delayed. When Kangxi summoned the army to discuss and reward merits, he directly requested that his achievements be recognized separately.

Having reigned as emperor for decades, Emperor Kangxi had seen his subjects attribute merits to their birth mothers, wives, and even request that their sons be granted titles. Tong Qinian was the first to do so.

"Minister Tong, this is unprecedented." Kangxi hoped that the Crown Prince was not involved.

Tong Qinian was handsome, and his elegant and dashing appearance as a scholar and strategist was very similar to that of Nalan Rongruo, who died young at the age of twenty-four.

It was rare for talented people to emerge from among the Manchus. Emperor Kangxi was an emperor who cherished talent and also valued the past.

Thinking of his childhood friend and looking at the spirited young man before him, Kangxi couldn't help but feel close to him.

The various factions within the army were suppressing Tong Qinian's ambitions because they knew that once Emperor Kangxi noticed him, he would undoubtedly become a favored minister of the emperor with limitless potential.

"Your Majesty is wise. This servant was able to kill the enemy general and survive fifteen stray arrows, all thanks to the breastplate that my second sister gave me before I left. This is a life-saving grace, and as his elder brother, I should repay it."

"Furthermore, my mother has my father's protection, while I am all alone. The only person I can dote on is my second sister," Tong Qinian added softly.

The Southern Study was a prestigious place, and it was an honor to be able to enter.

Those standing here at this moment are all ministers favored by Emperor Kangxi.

Emperor Kangxi was delighted to hear Tong Qinian's apparent favoritism. After all, Tong Wanle looked down on his crown prince and even schemed against his fourth prince.

A shared sense of righteous indignation makes it much easier for people to become close than other relationships.

"Since it is Tong Qing's sincere heart, I grant it. But such things should not be repeated. Tong Qing must not do this again in the future." Kangxi did not forget to admonish Tong Qinian before he finished speaking.

"This servant is willing to give his life for the Great Qing." Tong Qinian deftly flicked off his horseshoe-shaped sleeves and knelt down with both hands on the ground in a salute.

Those who have a high standing with the emperor are always extremely efficient in getting things done.

Tong Wanyan knelt on the ground, listening to the effusive praise in the imperial edict, her expression dazed.

The position of the Crown Prince's concubine was obtained so easily?

Moreover, she was personally appointed by the emperor as the first secondary consort, a position second only to the future crown princess.

Tong Wanyan felt that Tong Qinian and Kangxi's actions this time were truly astonishing.