Emperor Yongzheng had four sons. His third son, Hongshi, was born to Consort Qi. He was known for his narrow-mindedness and unruly nature. His fourth son, Hongli, was born to Consort Xi. He was gentle and kind and was favored by the late emperor, but Emperor Yongzheng did not like this son.

Others may not know, but Yongzheng himself knew very well that Hongli's personality was too similar to that of the Eighth Prince. He appeared gentle and modest, but in reality, he was patient and had a deep mind.

Because he disliked the eighth prince, Yongzheng also disliked this son in every way.

However, because his father favored Hongli, Emperor Yongzheng put some effort into teaching him.

The Fifth Prince, Hongzhou, was playful and unruly, while the Sixth Prince, Fuhui, although intelligent, was frail and sickly, and was not destined for a long life.

Now that Hongshi is so arrogant, only Hongli is to his liking. In addition, his birth mother, Niohuru, is the only Manchu concubine in the harem and comes from a prominent Manchu family, making her more noble than the other princes.

The late emperor had more than twenty sons in order of seniority, but by the time of Yongzheng, there were fewer than a fraction of them. How could this not make Yongzheng feel troubled?

Originally, it was hoped that Lady Nian would give birth to a healthy and intelligent prince. Even though Lady Nian was not of Manchu origin, the child might not be inferior to Hongli after being raised. Who would have thought that Lady Li, that venomous woman, would ruin it.

How could Emperor Yongzheng not hate Lady Li?

But then, at this very moment, Hongshi did something like this.

This undoubtedly added fuel to the fire in Yongzheng's heart.

Hongshi was completely unaware that his behavior had already angered his father, the Emperor. He angrily abandoned his fourth brother, Hongli, and went to Zhongcui Palace.

Hmph, that fourth brother!

Don't think he doesn't know. He said that his father was in a bad mood and told him not to anger his father.

He was the Emperor's son, so why would the Emperor be angry with his son?

Even though he was the eldest son, the fourth son always liked to lecture his elder brother.

From childhood to adulthood, he has always pretended to be kind and filial, as if no one else understands filial piety as well as him, and that everyone else only knows how to make the Emperor angry.

And the fourth son's mother.

Thinking of how Consort Xi's residence is now bustling with visitors, while her mother is confined to Zhongcui Palace by her father, the Emperor, she felt frustrated and aggrieved for her mother.

Back then, my mother was the first to enter the household. Before Lady Nian entered the household, my mother was the most favored by my father. At that time, Consort Xi was just a low-ranking concubine who didn't even dare to raise her head in front of my mother.

It's one thing for the Imperial Concubine to be more honorable than her mother this year, but who can blame her when she's favored and has a capable older brother?

Consort Xi was not as favored as her mother, but because she gave birth to a good son, she was made a consort by her father, the Emperor, and became equal to her mother.

Thinking of this, Hongshi was filled with resentment and bitterness.

Intending to visit his mother, Hongshi stopped halfway there, frowned and thought for a while, then turned around and headed towards Yongshou Palace in the Western Six Palaces.

When Hongshi was young, he was under the Empress's care. Now that his mother is confined to her quarters, he can't get help from anyone else, and his father won't see him. Only his mother can help him.

Although the Empress Dowager and Mother Mother had a falling out in the past, that was then, wasn't it? Now, Consort Nian is the one favored, so the Empress Dowager shouldn't hold a grudge against Mother Mother anymore.

Upon arriving outside Yongshou Palace, Hongshi sent someone to inform the Empress Dowager that he wished to see her.

A moment later, Lianqiao, the Empress's head maid, came out, looking flustered: "My Third Prince, what brings you here? The Empress is not feeling well and is taking a nap. Please come another day if you have something to say."

Hongshi frowned and tried to soften his tone: "Lianqiao, please tell the Empress Dowager that Hongshi has important business to discuss with her."

Lian Qiao looked troubled: "Third Prince, it's not that I don't want to help you, it's just that the Empress has been suffering from headaches these days and has only just managed to rest. We don't dare to disturb her, so please don't make things difficult for us."

Hongshi's eyes suddenly sharpened, and he gritted his teeth as he questioned, "Are you afraid to report, or unwilling to report? Even you look down on me?"

Lian Qiao quickly shook her head and smiled apologetically: "Third Prince, you have really wronged me. How could I dare to look down on you? I really have no choice. If you don't believe me, you can ask the imperial physician. Your Highness is really not feeling well and needs to rest."

Hongshi was furious and stormed out of Yongshou Palace.

Lianqiao wiped her sweat, breathed a sigh of relief, and hurried back to the inner palace.

The Empress was reclining on the couch, resting with her eyes closed, while another palace maid was helping her trim her nails.

Lian Qiao stepped forward and whispered, "Your Highness, the Third Prince has left."

The Empress sighed softly: "This Hongshi is too impulsive. Even if I wanted to help him, I am powerless. Who would dare to disobey the Emperor's will?"

Lian Qiao quickly smiled and said, "What you say is true, Master. You should rest now. You don't need to worry about these troublesome things, lest you tire yourself out."

The Empress raised her hand to rub her temples, but a cold smile crept into her heart.

Li, oh Li, I hope your son will learn to be wiser and not let impulsiveness harm himself and you.

The Empress once raised Hongshi, but that was all in the past.

Not to mention that Hongshi's personality was not favored by the Emperor, and that he had gradually become estranged from the Empress during the years he spent by the Emperor's side, since entering the palace, Hongshi was sent back to Li Shi's care. The mother and son did not become estranged, but instead became even closer.

In the few months since entering the palace, under Li's instigation, Hongshi has rarely even come to Yongshou Palace to pay his respects.

After all, they were mother and son; how could the Empress, as their adoptive mother, compare? The Empress was deeply disappointed by this.

Why should she go through all that trouble for someone else's son?

Lian Qiao glanced at a plate of lotus-shaped pastries on the side and smiled: "Fourth Prince is so filial. He always thinks of his master first when he gets something good. Unlike Third Prince, who only thinks of you now. Where was he before? When he heard you were sick, he didn't say anything to show his concern. Instead, he was thinking of Consort Qi."

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