"Father, your son wanted to keep vigil for the Empress Dowager, but she refused and even insulted him.

The son was so angry that he retorted a few times, so his mother asked the palace maids to beat him.

Fortunately, you came at the right time, otherwise my son would not be able to escape this beating."

"Your Majesty, you must not listen to Yinzhen's nonsense. I am not that kind of person. Yinzhen is my own son. If he hadn't really done anything wrong, how could I bear to punish him?"

As Concubine De spoke, she began to wipe away her tears, as if she had really suffered a great injustice. While wiping her tears, she looked at Yinzhen with disappointment.

Kangxi looked at Concubine De, who directed and acted in the play herself, with a cold look in his eyes, and a hint of irony flashed across his eyes.

I arrived when she and Yinzhen had an argument and heard their entire conversation. Now seeing Defei acting like this, I really want to laugh.

Did she feel like a fool? She actually acted in front of her with such poor acting skills!

Yinzhen looked at Concubine De, who was in distress, with sad eyes, without saying a word. Kangxi wanted to laugh but felt distressed at the same time.

"I heard it all clearly from outside the door. I thought that since the late queen was gone, Xiao Si would be taken care of by you when he returned to your side. I never thought that before he even returned, you would let him suffer injustice."

Defei looked at Kangxi with an unnatural expression, then looked at Yinzhen who looked sad. To be honest, she really couldn't like Yinzhen, the son who was not raised by her side since childhood.

Every time I see him, it reminds me of the days when I was a slave in Chengqian Palace.

What's more, Yinzhen indirectly killed her own Xiaoliu. He was her enemy. How could she be interested in him under such circumstances?

Whenever she thought of the young Xiaoliu who died young, her eyes were filled with hatred for Yinzhen.

If he had not become Tong Jia's son, how could Tong Jia choose to give up Xiao Liu when both children were sick, and let the imperial physician try his best to treat him, but ended up having to watch Xiao Liu die in pain.

Whenever she thought of Xiaoliu's painful cry of "Mother, it hurts, my son is in so much pain!" before he passed away, she felt overwhelmed with pain.

Perhaps it was because she was thinking of her son's true feelings that Kangxi actually saw true heartbreak in her eyes. Unfortunately, this performance of heartbreak was not for the late queen, nor for Yinzhen.

The only thing that could make her so heartbroken was probably the young and unborn little Sixth Yinzuo. That son was a good person, but unfortunately he was in poor health and died early.

"Your Majesty, I did not mean to say that. I am happy that Yinzhen is returning to Yonghe Palace.

Just now, I just wanted to talk to him about family matters and keep in touch with him, but he was thinking about the late queen and was very impatient with me. I couldn't help but said the wrong thing, and it was not disrespectful to the late queen.

Since I was crowned a concubine, I have always behaved myself and have not dared to overstep my bounds in the slightest. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me for my unintentional act.

When I return to Yonghe Palace, I will personally copy a copy of the sutra and offer it before the late empress's spirit. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Defei's attitude was very humble, and Kangxi couldn't help but want to agree to forgive her, but the prince, who felt sorry for his brother, came out.

"Your son pays his respects to the Emperor. Why don't you come in when you come? It's so cold outside, it's hard to believe you can stay here.

Fourth brother, follow me. It’s time for us to go in. Didn’t you say you were going to keep vigil for the Empress Dowager? Cheer up and don’t be careless.

By the way, Father Huang, the Crown Princess has led the people of Yuqing Palace to copy a scripture for the Empress these past few days. I, your son, have placed it before the spirit body. Will you be angry?"

Kangxi looked at the son of a man with amusement. What was there for him to understand? He couldn't bear to see his brother being wronged, so he came to find trouble.

He was sure that his son must have been observing in secret for a long time just like him, otherwise he would not have come out so coincidentally to interrupt him as he was about to say that Concubine De was not guilty.

However, Defei did do something wrong. No matter how many faults Yinzhen had, he, as his father, would be responsible for his punishment. How could it be her turn as a mother who had exchanged her son for a position to take care of him?

"Alright, Concubine De has punished Yinzhen for no reason in Chengqian Palace and has confined him to Yonghe Palace for three months. During this period, you will reflect on your mistakes in Yonghe Palace. I hope to see a reformed Concubine De after three months."

Although she was very reluctant, Concubine De had to obey the order and express her gratitude.

"I thank Your Majesty for your grace. I will reflect on my mistakes in Yonghe Palace. I also ask Your Majesty not to get too angry and harm your health. I am truly heartbroken."

The prince rolled his eyes and left with Yinzhen, ignoring the presence of Kangxi.

Kangxi touched his nose, ignored the self-pitying Concubine De, and followed.

"Father Emperor, Consort De is under house arrest. Will Fourth Brother still go to Yonghe Palace?"

"What do you think?"

"My fourth brother is already eleven years old and has long since moved to the prince's residence. To be honest, I don't think it's necessary for him to suffer in Yonghe Palace.

You have also seen Defei's attitude towards the fourth brother. The son that the Empress Dowager raised with all her efforts would not be sent to Yonghe Palace for her to abuse.

Of course, if you think that my fourth brother should return to mother at this age, I have no objection.

As long as you don't regret your decision today, it's fine. However, you should probably ask your fourth brother if he's willing to go back."

Kangxi turned his attention to Yinzhen, who had always followed the prince. He hoped that his son would be a man of integrity.

Encouraged, Yinzhen expressed his ideas for the first time.

"Father, I really don't want to go back to Yonghe Palace. Mother doesn't have a real son in her heart.

When my son was a child, he actually went to Yonghe Palace secretly and called his mother with great anticipation, but his mother said that she only had one son, the sixth brother, and that the son was the son of the Empress Dowager, not hers.

At that time, my son was still young and didn’t understand, but now he understands. As early as when my son was taken to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, my mother no longer had a son in her heart.

"Father Emperor, I would rather be a person without a mother than go to Yonghe Palace. Please do not send me back to Yonghe Palace."

Kangxi was somewhat moved. Defei would indeed not treat him well. As the prince said, he was already eleven years old and there was no need for him to return to Yonghe Palace.

"Since you have made up your mind, then stay in the prince's residence from now on. If you have any problems, go to the prince and he will help you solve them."

"Yes, son, thank you, Father Huang. I will have to trouble my second brother to take care of me in the future."

"What are you talking about? You are my younger brother, so it's my duty to take care of you. But the Emperor is always shirking his responsibilities. He doesn't protect his own son, but wants to send him to be bullied by others. Tsk tsk tsk!"

After the prince finished speaking, he took Yinzhen away, leaving Kangxi and Liang Jiugong looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Is that bastard talking about me?"

"It should be."

Kangxi glared at Liang Jiugong. Did he need a response from him? What nonsense are you responding to? I'll deduct half a year's interest from you when I get back!