Chapter Twenty-Eight
The Crown Prince's face immediately darkened. What did he mean by liking to be cuckolded?
"Your Highness, why did you suddenly think of this? Who is the eldest brother? Did he anger you?" Jialuo noticed that Yinreng's expression had turned unpleasant. Although she didn't know why, she guessed that it was because of the topic they had just discussed.
Could it be that my rebuttal displeased the Crown Prince?
No, the Crown Prince looks like a noble, elegant and magnanimous person. Someone must have angered him. Just after asking that question, I suddenly thought, oh... Eldest brother, could it be the First Prince?
The mention of the word "eldest son" reminded Yinreng of Jialuo's earlier thought, "Even if he forms cliques, the Crown Prince doesn't seem like someone who is subordinate to others," which made him even angrier.
I always felt that in the Crown Princess's heart, I wasn't the most perfect and outstanding one?
What happened to the saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"?
His Highness the Crown Prince remained silent with a cold expression. Jialuo could roughly guess that he must have been angered by the First Prince.
However, she doesn't know how to coax men. Even the cold and angry Crown Prince is so handsome and charming. But getting pregnant is a matter of fate.
She couldn't possibly have a child with the Crown Prince just three days after her wedding, could she?
The Crown Prince glanced at her coldly without saying a word. Under his sharp and indifferent gaze, with his handsome and proud face, dressed in the Crown Prince's court robes, he appeared noble and abstinent, yet also exuded an irresistible urge to defile him.
Still angry, Yinreng listened to the Crown Princess's impulsive words. Her eyes were fixed on him, and her originally cold expression became somewhat uncomfortable.
With so many people around, she was just thinking of pouncing on him. Fucha was truly shameless; as a woman, she had no idea what modesty was.
However, Jialuo's meddling lessened her anger towards Yinti somewhat.
Indeed, he married three or four years later than Yinti, who only had one princess during those three or four years. In terms of success rate, he was no worse than Yinti.
Looking at Jialuo in front of him, Yinreng felt that he still needed to work harder. "Crown Princess, does it still hurt after you applied the medicine last night?"
Yinreng's concern came out of nowhere, and he even ran over Jialuo's face with the cart wheel. Jialuo subconsciously glanced at the other servants and maids around her with a guilty conscience.
At this moment, Jialuo forgot that the Crown Prince's concern did not include a single word about color; it was only because she felt guilty that she looked around so erratically.
When Yinreng saw Jialuo flustered and embarrassed by his words, he wondered if he had misread her mind and heard the Crown Princess's true feelings.
"Your Highness, how about we discuss the account books instead?" Jialuo changed the subject, inwardly screaming: Please don't remind me of yesterday, okay?
Just thinking about the scene from last night made Jialuo's face flush red again, her delicate and pretty face looking charming.
Crown Prince: Hmm, it seems she's just shy.
"Is there a problem with the account books?" The Crown Prince didn't insist on arguing with her about what happened last night; the scene was already deeply imprinted in his mind. He followed her lead.
There is no man in the world as good as him. The Crown Princess even said that she loved the wrong man. That's just a bunch of nonsense.
"..." It seems there's no problem, since the ledgers haven't reached me yet. But, the topic has shifted, and I need to think of something. "Your Highness, if I'm entrusted with all the affairs of the inner court, and I discover anything, will you support me?"
Jialuo frowned slightly as she pondered this important question. She had heard that the Empress Dowager was in charge of the Crown Prince's accounts... well, she was now her mother, an old woman who had stayed behind.
If things escalate, it won't look good. If it really doesn't work out, it's better not to get involved in the first place, so that after all her hard work, the Crown Prince won't appreciate her efforts.
The Crown Prince had only intended to listen casually to ease Jia Luo's embarrassment and shyness, but he ended up hearing this question.
The Crown Prince did not believe that the people left behind by his Empress Dowager would deceive him, so he nodded indifferently on this matter, "Of course, I will naturally stand on your side."
You can search all you want; if you find it, I'll admit defeat.
The Crown Prince trusted the people left behind by his Empress Dowager, and the head maid didn't often loiter around him. Every time she came to report, the Crown Prince just happened not to find anything wrong with her.
Moreover, he came over while His Highness the Crown Prince was busy with other matters. Sure enough, he hadn't been there long before the Crown Prince had to get busy.
Of course, this refers to the time after the Crown Prince acquired the ability to read minds. She was also the nanny who had managed Yuqing Palace for more than ten years. Before she acquired the ability to read minds, her kind, gentle, and respectful demeanor did indeed make the Crown Prince have no suspicions.
The Crown Prince was observing mourning and focused all his attention on studying state affairs. He didn't think that the Yuqing Palace in his backyard would be in turmoil. It should be said that he never thought he was short of money, nor did he need to care about such vulgar things.
"Really? Your Highness?" Jialuo leaned closer, her eyes wide with tears. She was really worried; the Crown Prince would be angry if he dared to ignore her hard work.
"Hmm." Yinreng nodded, quite at ease about the matter. Since the account books were entrusted to the Crown Princess, it was natural that he trusted her.
On the other side, Granny Zhao and Xiaoqing, along with a maid and two eunuchs, went to Granny Lin to ask for the account books. They also carried the account books to the main courtyard for the Crown Princess to review.
Seeing the people from the main courtyard coming in aggressively, showing no respect whatsoever to her and completely disrespecting her as the head of the Crown Prince's wet nurse, Lin Mama was very displeased.
She had long heard of the Crown Princess Fucha. A princess raised in the Fucha family, she was somewhat romantic and innocent. No matter how much she was taught, she could never change her temperament. She could only force herself to appear composed and mature to outsiders.
Therefore, when Granny Zhao mentioned taking over the account books of the backyard of Yuqing Palace, Granny Lin did not refuse or object at all. On the contrary, she smiled kindly and respectfully.
"Yes, yes, everything is ready here, waiting for the Crown Princess to take over. Now that the Crown Princess is here, the Crown Prince's life will be much easier." Lin Mama nodded, thinking only of the Crown Prince's best interests.
Zhao Mama and the others thought that Lin Mama would hold on to the account book tightly and refuse to let go, but who knew... well, she's a smart one. Since the Crown Prince has given the order, there's no use delaying it.
The maids and eunuchs who came with us also came in handy. They carried the account books back to the main courtyard in baskets, which was quite a comical sight.
As Lin Mama watched the people from the main courtyard carrying baskets away, her expression softened with a gentle and gratified smile. "With the Crown Princess here, this old servant need not worry about the affairs of the inner courtyard."
She turned around and went back; there were still many things in the front yard that required her attention.
At this moment, Jialuo had just received the Crown Prince's assurance that she would work hard and that if she found anything, she would not waste her efforts. Only then did Jialuo breathe a sigh of relief and declare: "If the Crown Prince is not happy, I will watch him go broke and be unable to support women!"
What woman would be happy to see her man so poor that he can't even support her?
His Highness, you've always heard your wife express her deep affection for you, her straightforward and passionate desire to be close to you. This is the first time you've heard such angry accusations filled with dissatisfaction towards you? Are you really planning to curse me?
What is she after?
After thinking for a few seconds, His Highness the Crown Prince realized that the woman referred to here was probably not herself, since the Crown Princess brought more than 120 dowry items when she married into Yuqing Palace.
Besides the Crown Princess, there were quite a few princesses in Yuqing Palace, which the Crown Prince had always overlooked. Now he suddenly realized, oh... so the Crown Princess was jealous?
That makes sense. A woman who is deeply in love with you will naturally want you to focus your attention on her. It would be strange if she didn't feel jealous.
Okay, he forgave her.
Immediately afterwards, two young eunuchs and two rough-looking maids carried back two baskets of account books, which looked thick and heavy...
"What is this?" His Highness the Crown Prince hadn't reacted yet. Didn't he see that he was talking to the Crown Princess?
"Your Highness, these are the account books from the back courtyard of Yuqing Palace over the past few years." Note the word "back courtyard." These account books were only created after the Crown Prince had someone in his harem, and they are already quite thick.
It's clear how much was spent in the backyard, or perhaps... the accounts were complicated and messy, and even... quite a few were fabricated.
When Yinreng saw so many account books, he was genuinely taken aback. He never expected that there wouldn't be just a few, but two baskets full of them in the backyard.
He frowned slightly, suddenly realizing that something seemed amiss.
Jialuo hadn't expected it; how could there be so many? The three dowry shops that the Fucha family had given her, after more than ten years of operation, only amounted to about ten account books.
With a sweet smile, Jialuo stepped forward and coaxed the Crown Prince, "Your Highness, you are a man of great bearing, magnanimous and compassionate. If your Crown Princess were to encounter a great difficulty, would you lend a helping hand?"
Her pretty little face was raised in front of Yinreng. Just by looking down, one could see her fair and tender face glowing, and her smiling eyes reflected his image, as if the whole world was him.
Yinreng's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his thin, cool lips pressed tightly together as if suppressing impatience. "Mm."
"Your Highness, with so many account books, it's really difficult for a young woman like me. As the Crown Prince, you were raised by your wise and virtuous father, and you are certainly more intelligent and outstanding than me. Your Highness, you are knowledgeable and talented. Please help me, okay?"
With an incredibly thick skin, Jialuo tugged at the Crown Prince's sleeve, pleading for his help in a soft, sweet voice.
Waaah, there's so much, and I don't know when it will be finished. Even if I work non-stop, it will take a year and a half.
She was wrong; she shouldn't have taken on so much responsibility.
Her soft, pitiful voice was delicate and coquettish, and her beautiful, starry eyes filled with tears as she looked at him with a wet gaze.
His Highness the Crown Prince was still young and inexperienced in matters of the heart, but as a chauvinistic and feudal man, when his woman made such a request of him, a surge of fervor and domineering power welled up within him, and without thinking, he blurted out: "Okay."
Instantly, her moist eyes seemed to part the clouds, shining brightly as she looked at him, as if the brilliance of starlight had been shattered, filled with nothing but joyful admiration for him.
"Your Highness, you are so kind." *sobs* I love you so much, Your Highness!
As she spoke, she couldn't help but hug the handsome and noble man in front of her. Her Crown Prince was the man who could protect her from the wind and rain.
Waaah, I just want to be a lazy bum who eats and drinks all the time.
Feeling the warmth from his Crown Princess as Jia Luo eagerly embraced him, the Crown Prince's heart melted at her words, "Her Crown Prince is the man who can shelter her from the wind and rain."
He embraced the woman in his arms, saying, "They're just account books, what's the big deal?"
Then, with Jialuo in her arms, Yinreng took over all the account books and moved them away, with his men helping him.
The Crown Prince is going bald. People are working overtime to help His Highness sort out the accounts. Several of them are forced to stay up all night because His Highness said it would be done within half a month.
What else could they do? They had no choice but to risk their lives.
In the afternoon, Liang Jiugong heard a horrifying rumor from his godson: the Crown Prince was dissatisfied with the Crown Princess and had become tyrannical since their wedding. It was said that the princes had witnessed it firsthand...
Startled, Liang Jiugong immediately reported the matter to the Emperor. The Emperor was furious and ordered a thorough investigation, concluding that someone had deliberately spread rumors to slander the Crown Prince's reputation.
However, just as he was about to order a thorough investigation, he remembered Bao Cheng's health condition. Could it be that something had happened and someone had accidentally found out?
For example, it's not impossible that Bao Cheng, being in poor health, might be dissatisfied with the Crown Princess and thus mistreat her...
"Liang Jiugong, summon the Crown Prince. First, call the imperial physician, then go find the Crown Prince." Emperor Kangxi, this old father, was truly worried sick about the Crown Prince, even putting aside state affairs.
The crown prince used to like to whip his servants, but he stopped doing so as he grew older.
Now they're starting to whip their own crown princess?
"The rumors circulating in the palace should be investigated and those who should be arrested should be sent to the Censorate." He didn't believe that the rumors could spread so quickly and so widely without the help of others.
How dare you speak ill of the Crown Prince?
Liang Jiugong accepted the order and hurriedly went out... He instructed his godson and younger brother to first summon the imperial physician, then invite the crown prince, and at the same time, to silence those who should be silenced and to arrest those who should be sent to the Censorate for punishment.
Because of the order issued by the Emperor in the Qianqing Palace, the people who came to investigate came in a fierce manner. Several high-ranking concubines did not dare to speak up to stop them, but privately they complained about those who made the move, wondering why they had been implicated.
They also realized that His Highness the Crown Prince was involved. Everyone knew that the Emperor doted on the Crown Prince like a precious treasure. When it came to the Crown Prince, not even the Imperial Noble Consort could do anything about it, let alone them.
And so, they all began to act cautiously, trying not to displease the Emperor.
The Imperial Noble Consort was unhappy with the person behind this trouble. Her son, Yinzhen, was about to get married, and now this person was causing trouble in the palace. If she found out who it was, she would definitely beat them to a pulp.
However, that's a story for another time.
Now, let's rewind to when Kangxi summoned the Crown Prince. The imperial physician was already waiting. When Yinreng arrived at the Qianqing Palace, he saw that the palace servants had been dismissed, leaving only his father and the imperial physician.
"Father Emperor? What's wrong?" Yinreng felt a pang of anxiety. Could it be that something was wrong with his father's health?
The imperial physician beside him lowered his head, not daring to think about anything, not even having any thoughts, for fear that they would show on his face and displease the emperor.
For imperial physicians, medical skills are secondary; the most crucial thing is knowing how to save their own lives. If their emotional intelligence is too low, they are easily killed by the concubines.
Unless your medical skills are so exceptional that the Emperor can't live without you, otherwise...
"Baocheng, you're married now, you're all grown up, it's time to be sensible and mature, you know?" Kangxi said earnestly. Even if he was unhappy, he couldn't treat his Crown Princess like this, could he?
Yinreng listened to his father's words with some confusion, "Father, I think I'm quite mature and composed now..."
“Yes, a mature and steady person, even if things don’t go his way, won’t take it out on his wife.” Kangxi said meaningfully.
Yinreng did not know what his father meant, but he always felt that his father was vaguely referring to him.
He took his anger out on the Fujin (Prince's wife)? The Crown Princess? He's been quite good to the Crown Princess; he even helped her sort out the accounts today.
First came doubt, then a touch of smug pride, leaving Kangxi speechless.
He remembered that the Crown Princess was in love with Bao Cheng and had deep feelings for him.
"Baocheng, I have recently heard some unpleasant rumors about you." Kangxi spoke of this with great pain, unable to understand why the crown prince he had personally taught had such a difficult life.
"What?" Yinreng was located in Yuqing Palace, which was situated in the outer palace area, including Qianqing Palace and Fengxian Hall. He was unaware of the rumors circulating in the inner palace. Even if the people below heard about them, they would not dare to spread them in Yuqing Palace.
In addition, since Yinreng acquired this 'mind-reading' ability, the people serving him have changed several times. Most of those who can serve him are either loyal servants or those without any ambition.
Others rarely had the opportunity to get close to His Highness the Crown Prince, so at this moment, Yinreng wondered what his father meant by these words. What kind of rumors could there be?
“Baocheng, it’s rumored in the palace that you were dissatisfied with the Crown Princess on your wedding night and... I heard you often scold her?” Kangxi wouldn’t be so perverted as to monitor his daughter-in-law’s room. However, if the Crown Prince summoned her, there would be a record. Similarly, in the harem, there were imperial seals to verify whether future offspring would match the time of the summons.
As for what they did that night, Kangxi didn't know. He only knew that there was only one record of Bao Cheng's wedding to this day, which was on the day of the wedding.
"Father? How could I possibly do such a thing?" Yinreng immediately retorted loudly when he heard his father slander him like this. At the same time, he felt a little wronged. His father actually thought he was that kind of person.
This is so heartbreaking. "Don't you know what kind of person I am?"
At the same time, she glared angrily, her eyes wide, "Father, have you investigated thoroughly? How could I possibly do such a thing! Someone must be deceiving you. I've been so good to the Crown Princess."
Damn it, who dared to speak so recklessly in front of Father Emperor? When did he ever do such a thing?
"Really not? I've also heard it's because of your poor health." Kangxi said sternly, looking extremely majestic and domineering.
Yinreng nearly vomited blood from anger. How could a man say no? He argued vehemently with his father, "Father, I don't! I can! I can do it!!!!"
His tone was forceful and his words were impassioned, as if he feared his father might not have understood him.
"Whether it is or not, we can only know after the imperial physician examines the pulse, Imperial Physician." Kangxi said coldly, as if he did not believe the Crown Prince's words and was convinced that Bao Cheng was deliberately abusing the Crown Princess.
Enraged, Yinreng shoved his hand out to the imperial physician to take his pulse. "Father, there is absolutely nothing wrong with my body. Someone must be slandering me from behind. You must find out the truth for me!"
Imperial Physician: As expected, the Emperor is truly amazing.
Yinreng looked at the imperial physician with a puzzled expression. What did the imperial physician mean? The Emperor is amazing? Of course, Father Emperor is amazing.
Kangxi naturally knew the truth or falsehood of these rumors, but they were just an excuse to coax the Crown Prince into taking his pulse. However, judging from Bao Cheng's expression, he didn't seem to be angry or embarrassed, or that he had misunderstood.
The imperial physician pondered. This pulse doesn't seem like... something bad is happening. It's quite healthy. He checked again. Surely the Emperor isn't playing a trick on him?
After a long while, he withdrew his hand. "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince's pulse is steady and strong, calm and gentle, but he has been experiencing some internal heat lately..."
He went on and on, emphasizing that His Highness the Crown Prince's pulse indicated good health and no problems.
Kangxi remained silent. If it wasn't an inability, then it must be... not lasting long enough, or... too soft?
"I understand." Kangxi's expression wasn't good. He felt sorry for Empress Fucha. However, since it wasn't impossible, that was good. As for the rest... "Baocheng, you're not young anymore. It's time to have a child soon..."
To induce childbirth.
The imaginative Emperor Kangxi couldn't directly discuss such issues with Baocheng, so he simply thought about having more yang-tonifying medicinal diets prepared for Baocheng, so that he could at least have children while he was young, otherwise he wouldn't be able to have children when he got older.
"Father, you just said that I have just come of age, how come you are saying that I am not young anymore?" Yinreng was unhappy. He had only been married for a few days, why didn't his father urge his eldest son? His eldest son was several years older than him.
"I want to hold my grandson, is that alright?" Kangxi slammed his fist on the table. Even though Bao Cheng was unwilling to listen, he still had to say it. He was not a person who spoiled children, so he should have children for me as soon as possible.
By the way, if it's that kind of problem, then don't spread your seeds everywhere; focus on one hurdle.
Otherwise, if no seed sprouts, wouldn't it all be a waste?
"Baocheng, Lady Fucha has long been in love with you and is devoted to you. You must treat your wife well and not let anyone bully her." Kangxi felt that Lady Fucha's reputation had also been damaged and that she should be compensated.
"Your Majesty, I understand." Yinreng felt that his father was blind, not realizing how well he treated the Crown Princess. He even managed the household accounts for her, wasn't that good enough? He even helped her apply medicine! What man would serve his woman like that?
Kangxi thought that Baocheng's expression meant he was unhappy with what he had said, which made him even more certain of his own thoughts. That's right, if it weren't for that issue, he wouldn't have ignored the beautiful and charming princesses in the backyard.
Finally, Yinreng was first questioned by his father, and then given a lecture (to treat the Crown Princess better and give birth to the eldest grandson sooner), before returning to Yuqing Palace with a large number of rewards.
The conversation in the Qianqing Palace was known only to the three of them. All they knew was that the Emperor not only favored the Crown Prince, but now, by extension, he also favored the Crown Princess.
When the eldest prince found out, he was furious. "Father Emperor is so biased towards the Crown Prince. My wife is pregnant, and he hasn't even given her a big reward."
The First Princess sat there drinking pigeon soup, watching the First Prince jump up and down cursing the Crown Prince. She glanced at him calmly and let him vent his anger.
The pigeon soup was a bit salty today; remember to ask the kitchen to make it less salty next time.
"Fujin, tell me, isn't Father Emperor being biased? It's too much! The Crown Princess isn't pregnant, yet Father Emperor is so attentive to her. And you're carrying my legitimate son, Father Emperor's eldest grandson! I'm not having it!"
The more Yinti thought about it, the angrier he became, and the more he felt cheated. He walked back and forth with his hands behind his back, so angry that his wife felt dizzy from the swaying.
"Since you're so angry, why don't you go and reason with Father Emperor?" The First Consort slowly put down her bowl. She was tired of listening to his disputes with the Crown Prince all day long.
"I'll go right away." Encouraged by his wife, the eldest prince immediately went out to the Qianqing Palace to find his father, the Emperor.
When the First Princess Consort saw that he actually went, she was a little dumbfounded. She was about to call him back, but then she swallowed her words. Oh well, she would come to her senses once she was outside.
Who knew that Yinti would actually go to the Qing Palace at this time, his heart filled with resentment. His wife was pregnant and working so hard, and his father didn't even give her a reward. It was so unfair!
Kangxi was somewhat helpless when Baoqing arrived after he had just seen Baocheng off. In particular, Baoqing said loudly, "Father, you can't be biased. My wife is pregnant with your eldest grandson."
What could Emperor Kangxi do? They were all his daughters-in-law. He just felt that the Crown Princess had been wronged, so he bestowed some gifts upon her to appease her, but...
"How can you be so sure it's the eldest grandson?" Kangxi asked irritably. Didn't he already bestow a reward when the pregnancy was first discovered?
Not only did he bestow a reward, but the Empress Dowager and Consort Hui also gave rewards. He knew why Yinti was dissatisfied.
Kangxi's words angered Yinti, who widened his eyes, raised his voice, and said with great dissatisfaction, "What? Father Emperor, do you also think that my wife is carrying a princess? How can you say such unlucky things?"
"Get out!" Enraged, Kangxi picked up a memorial and threw it at Yinti. Yinti quickly dodged, and the memorial fell to the ground.
"Father, your son, your son is not convinced." Yinti stuck out his neck, determined to get an explanation for his wife today. "My wife is diligent and thrifty, manages the household affairs, keeps order, and has even given birth to children for our Aisin Gioro clan. How can you not reward and encourage her?"
Kangxi said coldly, "That's because he gave birth to a son for you. Just reward him as much as you can."
"Father, that's your eldest grandson! How can you be so cold-hearted?" Yinti exclaimed in astonishment, his voice full of accusation.
Looking at Yinti's affected manner, Kangxi felt a headache coming on. He pointed at him and yelled, "Get out of here! I don't want to see you right now!"
Yinti was angry and felt wronged, but before leaving, he didn't forget to remind his father, the Emperor, to remember the reward given to him by his wife.
Yinti didn't care that he was driven away after only a few words; he just couldn't let the Crown Prince get away with it.
Unfortunately, the Emperor doesn't buy into his ways. Last time, seeing how Kui Fang treated Mingzhu, Mingzhu agreed to Kui Fang's unreasonable and spoiled demands...
However, not long after, the Emperor sent someone to deliver the reward, and Yinti's mood immediately improved. He even went to his wife to ask for credit, saying, "If it weren't for you, Father Emperor wouldn't have remembered you."
The First Princess Consort coldly sent the First Prince back to the front courtyard, her words harsh and unpleasant; no wonder she was often scolded by the Emperor.
Yinti never thought he spoke harshly; he said what he thought, which he called being straightforward.
Also, why is the Princess Consort angry again?
(End of this chapter)
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