Honghui's dilemma

Meanwhile, in the small school in the front yard, Mr. Dai had finished explaining the "Honesty" chapter of Zhu Xi's Family Precepts, which was to be discussed today, and then asked the children to go down and recite it carefully. The eldest prince Honghui, the third prince Hongjun, along with Fu Weiting, Zhang Rongyuan, Tongjia Feiyanggu, and Da and A, went to the room that the fourth prince had specially prepared for them to rest in for lunch.

"Oh, Aunt Niu hasn't come in so long. I want to eat Chef Niu's cooking." The Third Prince sat below Honghui, looking at the table full of steamed and stewed dishes, both meat and vegetables, but he had no appetite at all. Before, when Lanqin came, she would often bring them some snacks made by Niu Baoquan, and she would also let the children eat in her own little courtyard. The Third Prince used to have separate meals in Li Shi's east courtyard, but since being moved to the front courtyard by the Fourth Prince, he ate the same rations from the mansion's kitchen as everyone else. Thanks to Lanqin's mediation, the children's relationship was much closer than before, and even Da and A were no longer the arrogant, self-important spoiled brats they once were.

The other children lowered their heads and remained silent. They were all more or less aware of Lanqin's current troubles, and each had their own thoughts. However, since it concerned the princess of the Fourth Prince's household, they dared not say much. Even Honghui's words to the Fujin last time were a decision made after discussion among the children. Especially Da and A, who were the ones who bumped into Madam Yin. Moreover, their aunt had spoken to him, instructing him to try his best not to mention this matter again with Honghui.

“Honghui, I heard your father is back. I wonder how he will handle this matter? I don’t think Niu Gege would do such a thing,” Fu Weiting suddenly said. Da Yu A looked up and glared at Fu Weiting, only to be met with a glare in return.

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, Zhang Rongyuan quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Alright, the Fourth Prince is back and will definitely investigate Princess Yin's matter thoroughly. You don't need to worry about it here."

"How do we investigate? I heard that only Princess Niu and Princess Yin were in the courtyard at the time," Fei Yanggu said, unusually.

"Maybe it was Niu who pushed her. She did it because she was jealous of Yin and confused for a moment. It's not impossible," Da Yu Abu said gruffly, ignoring Fu Weiting's gaze.

Upon hearing this, the children looked at each other, clearly indicating that Da and A's words had caused quite a stir among them.

"Stop trying to shirk responsibility. You were the one who bumped into Ms. Yin that day. I could tell she looked terrible; she might have even miscarried then." Fu Weiting was an upright man, and after spending time with Lanqin, he liked her very much and treated her almost like an older sister.

"You're talking nonsense. I didn't bump into the Yin family." Da Yu'a's opinion of Lan Qin had also changed significantly. Although he wasn't as impressed as Fu Weiting, he felt a little awkward when he said those words.

“Gege Niu wouldn’t do such a thing, I believe him. What about you?” Fu Weiting suddenly asked the others loudly.

"I believe in Aunt Niu!" The Third Prince's childish voice responded first. Fu Weiting nodded emphatically to little Hongjun.

Next was Zhang Rongyuan. Although he had always been reluctant to have a direct conflict with Da Yu'a and other Manchu youths, this time he spoke after the Third Prince: "Gege Niu is so good to us! Look, our relationship is much better than before, isn't it? We no longer distinguish between Manchu and Han, or whose father has a higher or lower rank. Aren't we all best friends now? Da Yu'a, Fei Yanggu, do you really think Gege Niu would do such a disgusting thing?"

His reminder immediately calmed the tense atmosphere that had just been building.

“I believe in Princess Niu, but what exactly happened with the Yin family? We shouldn’t be arguing here now; we should be thinking about how to clear her name,” Fei Yanggu said urgently.

After that, everyone's eyes fell on the eldest prince, Honghui, who had remained silent.

In fact, Honghui had been caught in a dilemma, torn between whether or not to tell his father about his suspicions. If he did, how would he explain it to his mother? He understood that his mother's words were meant to prevent him from being implicated in Yin's miscarriage. But if he didn't speak up, how could he face Princess Niu and his own conscience?

"But Doctor Bai from the manor already examined Consort Yin and said that a few doses of medicine would be enough. We were even punished by the Fujin by being made to stand for it," Da Yu A muttered.

"In my opinion, perhaps Dr. Bai failed to diagnose Ms. Yin's miscarriage at the time. Those few doses of medicine only temporarily saved the fetus, and then the fetus's condition deteriorated later." Zhang Rongyuan, despite his young age, had a keen insight into the world that impressed many adults.

“Yes, that’s very likely. Honghui, go and talk to your father. Don’t wrong Niu Gege.” Fu Weiting once again overstepped his bounds, speaking urgently for Lanqin, for the sister he loved.

"Stop arguing, let me think it over. I will apologize to Father myself." Although Honghui was only eight years old, his status as the eldest son meant he never let his guard down, and his childish face often uttered words that were incongruous with his age.

After lunch, everyone else went to rest, but Honghui came to the Fourth Master's courtyard and saw Zhao Quan instructing several eunuchs to carry ice into the Fourth Master's room. He walked up to him and politely asked, "Eunuch Zhao, is Father in the room?"

Upon seeing that it was the eldest prince, Zhao Quan immediately put on a smiling face, quickly bowed to Hong Hui, and then said softly, "Reporting to the eldest prince, the master is not in the room right now. He is probably still in the south courtyard."

Upon hearing this, Honghui paused, thinking to himself: Father went to Aunt Niu's place as soon as he returned. Where does that leave Mother's face? Although he had also begun to like Lanqin, it was obvious which was more important than his mother.

“Then I’ll come back this afternoon. You can continue with your work, Father-in-law.” Honghui put one hand behind her back and turned to leave. Father-in-law Zhao was still bowing in greeting when he looked up again, but the slender figure was already gone.

After Honghui and his servant left the Fourth Prince's courtyard, he didn't head towards his own small courtyard, but instead walked towards the back gate. Seeing that Honghui was walking in a hurry, Xiao Zhengzi chased after him, asking, "Eldest Prince, where are you going?"

"Main courtyard!" After uttering these two words, Honghui ignored Xiao Zhengzi completely and hurriedly walked towards the back courtyard.

“Eldest Prince, the Master has returned. You should still…” Xiao Zhengzi wanted to say that he shouldn’t go to the main courtyard without the Master’s permission, but the Eldest Prince was walking so fast that he couldn’t hear what he was about to say.