Yi Hua sized up the wet nurse. She looked to be in her early thirties, and even without makeup, she was quite beautiful.

After Yinzhen ascended the throne, he granted the title of Prince Li to the deposed crown prince and released Hongxi and Hongjin from their confinement. Although they were still not allowed to leave the palace, they were at least relatively free to study.

Hongzhao was cared for by people chosen by the former Crown Princess and lived with Consort Qing, while Honghui and others lived in the Prince's Residence.

Since it was Emperor Kangxi who ordered that Hongzhao be raised by Consort Qing at the time, and since Hongzhao was still young, Yinzhen did not intend to touch him for the time being.

After all, Hongzhao's identity was somewhat sensitive; he was the eldest grandson of the late emperor and held the legitimate title.

Yi Hua brought the wet nurse back to Yikun Palace and sent someone to invite Consort Qing.

Granny Chen gave Yihua an emergency lesson, briefly explaining the life of Consort Qing. She was Kangxi's stepmother, and was over seventy years old this year. She was not from a prominent Manchu family, her family was small and her relatives did not hold official positions in the court. She was just an insignificant nobody.

Perhaps it was because she was an unreliable person that Kangxi appointed her to raise Hongzhao.

However, due to Consort Qing's advanced age and declining health, coupled with the meticulous guarding by those left behind by Tong Guining, the title of Hongzhao was essentially nominal, and in reality, he was being raised by a group of servants during this period.

After Yinzhen ascended the throne, the previous generation of Kangxi were all moved to Changchun Garden. Only Consort Qing was left in the palace because of Hongzhao, which was quite special.

Granny Chen gave Yihua a heads-up, saying that this girl probably really didn't know anything.

Not long after, an elderly woman with a full head of silver hair and dressed neatly entered Yikun Palace. Yihua quickly got up and helped her sit down: "Your Highness, please don't worry. I don't have anything urgent to say. It just involves Prince Hongzhao, so I asked you to come and understand the situation."

Consort Qing looked like she was destined for a long life. Her eyes were clear, her back was slightly bent, her hands did not tremble, and her voice was still quite loud: "If Your Majesty has any questions, I will answer them to the best of my knowledge."

"Is this the wet nurse left behind by the late Crown Princess?" Yi Hua asked, pointing to the person kneeling at their feet.

"This is the second one." As soon as Consort Qing said it, Yi Hua was puzzled.

"The first one was a good child. He treated Hongzhao like his own life. I can understand that. Apart from sending people to take care of him in his daily life, he basically didn't interfere in Hongzhao's affairs." Consort Qing recalled for a moment and shook her head. "He was just unlucky. He fell seriously ill after only a few days. In the palace, once a servant falls seriously ill, he can't take care of his master and is sent away."

“The Tong family used their connections with the Imperial Household Department to send in another one, and this is the one.” Consort Qing clearly had a problem with the wet nurse in front of her. “She walks in a seductive manner, and her eyes are like hooks. She doesn’t look like someone who can take care of people.”

"I'm old, and it's no use saying it several times, so I have to give up." Consort Qing sighed. "I just felt something was going to happen. Your Majesty, tell me, what trouble has she gotten herself into?"

“Prince Hongzhao said something disrespectful to the Emperor in the Imperial Study today. Given his age, he was most likely instigated by someone. Has the Consort heard any similar rumors in the palace?” Yihua continued.

The Empress Dowager turned pale with fright and immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, I know nothing! It must have been her who taught him. Your Majesty, Hongzhao, such a good child, has been ruined by these people!"

"Please rise, Your Highness." Yi Hua gestured for Yu Ling to help her up quickly, as Yi Hua was very polite given her seniority.

"Hongzhao can no longer be sent back to your side. I hope you understand."

The Empress Dowager was somewhat reluctant to part with the child; older people tend to like children more, but life was more important. She nodded, and Yi Hua gestured for Granny Chen to see the guest out.

“Abao, go to the Imperial Household Department and find out which master of the Tong family brought this wet nurse in.”

"As for her, send her directly to the Department of Cautious Punishment."

******

Having learned that Honghui was playing on the slide in the Imperial Garden with Xiaolang and Hongzhao, Yihua followed them. She saw the two little ones glaring at each other, sulking. If she didn't know how serious the matter was, Yihua would have found the scene heartwarming.

"Empress Mother!" The little wolf, with his sharp eyes, shouted and ran over.

Hongzhao recognized people: "Hongzhao greets Her Majesty the Empress!"

There was a pavilion next to the slide, and Yihua sat inside, holding one hand in each of hers.

"Hongyan, Hongzhao, you are both good kids. We became friends after our initial conflict. How about we pinky swear and become best friends?"

When the little wolf heard Yi Hua call him by his full name, he knew that his mother was a little angry. Although he was still a little unconvinced, he still nodded reluctantly: "Empress Mother, little brother Hongzhao should apologize to Father Emperor!"

"Hmm?" Yi Hua tilted her head.

"My elder brother said that it is of utmost importance to admit one's mistakes and correct them. Hongyan hit his younger brother, which was Hongyan's fault. But since his younger brother Hongzhao slandered Father Emperor, he should also apologize to Father Emperor!"

Yi Hua strongly suspects that Hongzhao doesn't understand what he meant by "robber" and "thief" earlier. He has simply been given information he shouldn't know. However, given Yinzhen's personality, this child can only grow up under his watchful eye, and for the rest of his life.

Hongzhao was indeed a little confused. He looked up at Yihua with his big, watery eyes and asked cutely, "Did Hongzhao say something wrong? Uncle Tong taught me this. He told me not to forget it."

"Hongzhao, Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher, you must listen to the Emperor first, then your uncle, understand? When you see the Emperor later, remember to apologize first as Hongyan said, okay?" Yihua patted his head, and seeing that the little wolf was about to say something, she quickly glared at him. Things had already blown up completely, so this little rascal shouldn't add fuel to the fire.

Hongzhao's uncle, Yihua, dug deep into her memory and found someone. Since the Longkodo incident, only Yue Xing'a of the Tong family has had a relatively smooth career in recent years because of the protection of Prince Li.

Could it be him?

The little wolf felt extremely wronged. Today, his older brother slapped his hand, and his mother glared at him. The little wolf, who had never been "mistreated" like this before, stomped his feet and ran away. Judging from the direction he ran, it was towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation, so he was probably going to complain to Yinzhen.

Honghui quickly picked the man up and tickled his armpits, finally making him laugh.

"What are you laughing about?" Yinzhen's voice came. Yihua looked up and saw Su Peisheng following behind him. The two walked over slowly.

Yi Hua looked him over carefully. Yin Zhen seemed to be in a good mood: "You fell this morning and then ran around all afternoon instead of resting. I had the Thirteenth Prince keep an eye on state affairs so I could finally come and see you, but I ended up finding you empty-handed."

"Hongyan is quite impressive today, even daring to be ruthless to his younger brother." Yinzhen sat down next to Yihua and gave the little wolf a kind smile.

Hongyan then became truly frightened, hiding behind Honghui and stammering, not daring to speak.

For the first time, he felt that becoming the father of the Emperor was somewhat terrifying. Hongyan's expression betrayed his inner thoughts. Yihua watched with her chin propped up, feeling that today was not entirely fruitless; at least Hongyan had learned reverence.