Chapter 154 Sincerity is the Most Important Thing

It's easy to keep this a secret from anyone, but there's one person you can't hide it from no matter what: the Emperor.

He was already worried about his thirteenth brother's health, and now that the Crown Prince had moved in, he was visiting even more frequently. Hongzhao had grown up by his side since childhood, and no change in him could escape his notice. Moreover, such a large wound wouldn't heal in a short time.

"Nonsense!"

Yinzhen scolded him, but his hands moved incredibly gently, cradling Hongzhao's injured wrist. He wanted to touch it but dared not reach out, and could only look at him with furrowed brows, his eyes filled with heartache, helplessness, and anger.

Prince Yi leaned against the wall, his face full of self-reproach, looking at Hongzhao with pity—"Your Majesty...it's all my fault, I really..."

Hongzhao watched as his father pulled him close, and quickly reached out to grasp his own father's hand tightly, his voice tinged with grievance—"No, Father, it's because I didn't want to see Uncle Thirteen confined to his sickbed, nor did I want to see you worry every day, unable to eat or sleep. All the imperial physicians have the same mouth and say the same thing, that's why..."

Seeing that Yinzhen's expression still showed no signs of relaxation, Hongzhao lowered his head and leaned closer, just like when he was a child, sinking into his father's broad and firm embrace, his voice muffled and somewhat hoarse, "Father, don't be angry, your son is still in pain."

Although Yinzhen knew that Hongzhao's current behavior might be a ploy to escape reprimand, his body reacted before his brain. He stretched out his long arm and patted the child's back reassuringly, his voice no longer as serious as before—"Your body and hair are given to you by your parents. You'er, promise your father that you will never damage them again."

I thought Hongzhao would readily agree, but who knew this child was truly a man of his own mind. He looked me up and down and mumbled in a low voice, "It's not just for Uncle Thirteen. If Father Emperor ever needs me, I'd be willing to bleed myself dry."

Yunxiang watched from the side, and his elder brother almost shed tears when he heard these words. Now he understood why his elder brother loved this son so much. This child was truly heartwarming and lovable.

He used to think that Hongzhao was intelligent and lovely, quick to learn and talk, and that it was only natural for his elder brother to like this son. But now he understood everything.

A sincere heart is the most important thing. You can feel it in everything he does, thinks, and feels. A little child is doing his best to love and cherish you. Not to mention the emperor and his brother who are together day and night, even if it were just for him, it would be worth dying for.

"The servant from that day." Yinzhen's voice was a little nasal than usual, and he shielded Hongzhao's head with one hand while looking sharply outside.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I have handled it properly and there will be no rumors that should not be spread."

It is said that since that day, Prince Yi's health has indeed improved day by day, and he recovered completely in less than half a month. He even felt more relaxed than before he fell ill, as if a chronic illness that had accumulated in his body for many years was slowly healing itself.

The imperial physician personally confirmed that Prince Yi's health had greatly improved and that he was truly blessed. Even the servants said that it was indeed good that the Crown Prince had come to stay, as Prince Yi's illness had been completely cured.

Every time Yunxiang heard this, his expression became unnatural. He believed his nephew's auspicious omen even more. He thought to himself that he would treat this as a death sentence and would do anything for Hongzhao in the future, even if it meant sacrificing his life.

Hongzhao used good medicine on his hand every day, and it was fully healed in just over half a month. Even the scabs had almost completely fallen off, so naturally no one noticed after he returned to the palace.

As soon as he returned, Hongjin eagerly came over.

“Little brother, I’ve made some progress on the matter you asked me to keep an eye on.” Hong Jin’s small, fair face was beaming with excitement, and Hong Zhao also put on a curious expression – “What is it? Please enlighten me, sister.”

Before leaving, he entrusted the important task of keeping an eye on Zhongcui Palace to Hongjin. After all, the two siblings had worked together since childhood, and Hongjin certainly did not disappoint him.

"It was quite a coincidence. That day, I went to Zhongcui Palace to learn needlework from Consort Rou. I was so engrossed in learning that it got a little late. When I left, it was getting dark. There was only one thing with a faint light at the base of the wall. Aunt Jinxi was with me that day and picked it up under the cover of darkness."

As Hong Jin spoke, he took out a carp pendant made of jade that wasn't of very high quality, along with a piece of paper covered with names.

"The person who could walk in the inner palace at night must not be the one in front. I guess he left in a hurry because it was time for his night duty. I found the list of all the people on duty that night, but it was inconvenient for me to look for it afterward. It will be more convenient for you to do it."

Hongzhao took the paper and thought to himself that it was indeed much more enjoyable to work with a great teammate.

"Leave this matter to me. Don't alert them yet. Once we've identified the person, we'll inform the Empress Dowager. After that, we can just sit back and watch the show."

Hong Jin nodded, his eyes shining.

He was thinking of not getting involved much, but unfortunately, people kept coming up to him.

One day, Hongzhou somehow got hold of a ball and begged his older brother to play Cuju (ancient Chinese football) with him in the Imperial Garden. Hongzhao, who had nothing else to do, agreed when he saw how pitiful the boy looked. It didn't take much effort to coax Hongzhou. They would kick the ball back and forth, throw it back and forth, without any rules, as long as it went back and forth.

Hongzhou had a great time, his silvery laughter echoing throughout the Imperial Garden, which pleased Hongzhao as well.

But perhaps it was truly a case of too much joy leading to sorrow. Hongzhou must have stepped on something or tripped somewhere, because his foot slipped and he fell to the ground with a thud. His laughter immediately turned into a cry that echoed throughout the Imperial Garden.

Seeing that his brother had fallen, Hongzhao naturally lost interest in the ball and rushed forward to help him up. But just then, the ball, which should have landed smoothly, suddenly flew up from behind Hongzhao, whistling past him with a strong wind, and crashed straight into the arms of a woman in palace attire.

Ouch! My stomach!

The ball was heavy, and the force of the impact caused Kang Chang to curl up into a ball, clutching his stomach and groaning in pain. The palace servants around him shouted louder and louder, "Summon the imperial physician! Summon the imperial physician quickly!"

The Imperial Garden erupted in chaos, filled with cries, shouts, and wails. The cacophony caused Hongzhao to frown deeply.

——

The Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Su Peisheng walked into the Dao Hall with an extremely grim expression. Looking at the Emperor and the Thirteenth Prince playing chess, he swallowed hard and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Kang... has encountered trouble over there."

Yinzhen's hand holding the chess piece froze, and he raised an eyebrow at him—"What's wrong with her? Didn't the imperial physician say the pregnancy was stable?"

Prince Yi also turned his head curiously. Su Peisheng wiped the sweat from his forehead and said in a somewhat anxious tone, "Kang Changzai's palace servants came to report that...that the Crown Prince was playing football and Kang Changzai happened to be passing by. The ball went straight for Kang Changzai and accidentally...injured the dragon prince in Kang Changzai's womb."

This was clearly embellished by Su Peisheng. The original words of the palace maid were almost directed at the Crown Prince, so he naturally couldn't say them in front of the Emperor.

After all, she was confused and didn't want to live anymore, and Su Peisheng didn't want to die with her.

Yunxiang frowned – “That’s impossible!”

“Brother, Hongzhao has always been the most obedient and cautious person. He would not do such a rash thing.”

He immediately threw down the chess piece and leaned forward to speak for Hongzhao. Yinzhen patted his shoulder and said frankly, "Of course I know. How is Hongzhao? Is he injured?"

Su Peisheng shook his head – “I haven’t heard of that. It’s just that the Sixth Prince, who played football with me, seems to have fallen quite badly and has also called the imperial physician.”

Yinzhen's eyes darkened considerably. He flicked his hand, turned his head, and glanced outside—"Was that a palace maid from Consort Kang's side who was relaying the message? Making baseless accusations against the Crown Prince? Drag her away and have her beaten to death."

That casual remark put both Prince Yi and Su Peisheng at ease.

Yinzhen stood up irritably and flicked his sleeves—"Where is Hongzhao now? I'll go see him."

Su Peisheng quickly helped the Emperor straighten his clothes, and said as he did so, "Your Highness, the Sixth Prince and Consort Kang are currently in Consort Jing's Xianfu Palace, which is the closest to the palace. The imperial physician has also been summoned."

"Hmm, I'll go take a look."