When it was time to go to bed at night, Xue Shu still had to stay to keep watch.

Before, the eunuchs who were on night watch slept on the footrest outside the step-out bed, so that they could be called by their masters at night. After Xue Shu was replaced, Yin Chengyu asked him to sleep on the Luohan bed outside.

The lights in the hall had been turned off, and all was quiet except for the occasional sparks from the burning charcoal in the stove, which caused sporadic noises.

Xue Shu was lying on the Arhat bed, his eyes fixed on the step-out bed not far away.

He had also slept on this step-out bed in Ciqing Palace. At that time, Yin Chengyu had just been reinstated as the crown prince and his foundation was not yet stable. After he moved back into the East Palace, there was only an old man named Zheng Duobao by his side. The rest of the people were transferred from various places, and there might be spies planted by others. He was worried, so he followed them.

It's also like now, serving me closely, going in and out together, waking up and sleeping together.

At that time, Yin Chengyu still had to rely on him to gain power. Although he could not help but sneer at him occasionally, he almost let him do whatever he wanted in bed. The only stubbornness was that no matter how straightforward he was, he would never make a sound. If he was bullied too much, he would bite his fingers tightly and endure it until tears came out of the corners of his eyes.

He wanted to see him burst into tears, but he also loved his ruthlessness in refusing to admit defeat.

The high and mighty god has fallen to earth, which makes people want to desecrate and blaspheme him, but at the same time, they can't help but love his nobility and arrogance.

At that time, he was deeply trapped in such a contradiction, and was afraid that Yin Chengyu would see through his weakness, so his attitude towards Yin Chengyu was always sometimes good and sometimes bad. But his highness was always a very smart person. After getting along for a long time, he understood his personality and was no longer as obedient as at the beginning, revealing his thorns.

But he longed to hug him, even with all the thorns on his body.

Recalling those old dreams, Xue Shu's eyes showed a hint of sadness. The unsatisfied beast in his heart began to clamor again, constantly tempting him.

The person dear to his heart is so close to him, he shouldn't just stand there and watch.

Moreover, His Highness knew clearly what he was thinking, yet he still allowed him to stay.

Evil thoughts surged in his heart. Xue Shu's breathing became heavier. He slowly sat up, his pair of dark eyes sparkling in the night.

This was his fourth night guarding in the bedroom. Based on his experience from the previous nights, Yin Chengyu would have been fast asleep by this hour. As long as he moved quietly, he would not notice anything he did.

His heart was beating violently, and Xue Shu could even clearly hear the "thump thump" sound of its beating.

He got off the bed quietly and approached the bed.

The person on the bed was breathing evenly and looking peaceful; he was indeed sleeping soundly.

Xue Shu stood beside the couch for a few breaths, his eyes wandering over the peaceful sleeping face for a long time, and finally half-knelt on one knee on the couch, warmed his hands, and reached into the brocade quilt at the end of the bed——

Yin Chengyu was thin and had always had a cold body. He stuffed three hot water bottles into his quilt before going to bed. Now it was past midnight, the hot water bottles had cooled down, and there was not much warmth left in the quilt. Xue Shu's hand touched his slightly cold feet, paused, and then pulled out.

He frowned and hesitated for a while, but finally turned around and went out.

A moment later, he returned with three hot water bottles filled with hot water. He carefully lifted the quilt at the end of the bed, took out the cold hot water bottles, and replaced them with new ones filled with hot water.

The corner of the quilt was lifted, and the sleeping person felt the cold and frowned uneasily.

Xue Shu looked at his toes that were curled up due to fear of the cold, put the soup pot on the soles of his feet, and couldn't help but hold those delicate and beautiful feet with his palms and knead them hard.

The person who was sleeping shrank his feet because he was itchy.

However, Xue Shu refused to let go. His rough fingertips vigorously caressed every inch of the porcelain-like skin. He then lowered his head, took the pearl-like toes into his mouth, and rubbed them with his teeth neither lightly nor heavily.

There was a strong sense of hostility swirling in his chest, constantly clamoring to bite him hard, wake him up, and then leave its mark everywhere.

But in the end, he just played with those beautiful feet carefully, smacked them, and then carefully put them back into the warm quilt.

But the person who is sleeping is unaware of this.

Xue Shu knelt on one knee beside the couch, carefully controlling his breath, staring at him for a long time, and then quietly retreated.

After Yin Chengzhang died, Emperor Longfeng suspended court for seven days.

Seven days later, it was the auspicious day chosen by Qin Tianjian for burial. Yin Chengzhang's funeral was conducted according to the rules for a prince. He was only an imperial prince, so the court and the harem were exempted from the consolation ceremony. They only abstained from music and rituals and wore plain clothes for seven days.

After paying homage as an elder brother, Yin Chengyu went to Kunning Palace to pay his respects to Queen Yu.

When he passed by, Concubine Rong and Yin Ciguang were also there.

The two of them were sitting below Queen Yu. When they saw him come in, they quickly stood up and saluted.

Since returning from Shandong, Yin Chengyu has not seen Yin Ciguang yet. It has been some time since they parted at the Imperial Hospital.

Previously, Yin Ci Guang disregarded his own safety and worked with the imperial doctors to research and improve the blood-letting method for treating pimple plague. Later, he promoted this blood-letting method to all prefectures in Zhili, curing countless patients infected with pimple plague and avoiding a great disaster.

Even Emperor Longfeng, who had never cared much about his eldest daughter, praised Yin Ciguang after hearing about this after returning to Beijing.

Rongpin, who had never been promoted in rank over the years, was also promoted to the position of concubine.

"I haven't congratulated Empress Rong and the eldest sister yet." Yin Chengyu said with a smile, "I heard that the eldest sister often went to the main hall to listen to lectures recently. Now only my fourth brother and his companion are in the main hall. The teachers are only talking about enlightenment, which I am afraid is not suitable for the eldest sister. The main hall is close to the East Palace. Every two days, teachers from the Hanlin Academy will come to give me lectures. If the eldest sister wants to listen, she can come to the Hongren Hall."

The Great Hall was the place where the princes and princesses studied, but now, except for the Fourth Prince Yin Chengxu, the other princes and princesses are old and no longer need to study in the Great Hall.

On the contrary, Yin Ciguang had not had the opportunity to study at the main hall because Rongpin was not favored and was repeatedly targeted by Wen Guifei. It was only with the guidance of the chief eunuch beside Rongpin and Yin Ciguang's intelligence and willingness to learn that he was able to learn to read.

Now that Yin Ci Guang had won the favor of Emperor Longfeng, he specially asked for an opportunity to study in the Daben Hall.

Yin Ciguang cherished this opportunity very much. Although the teachers explained it in a simple way, he listened very carefully. In the remaining time, he quietly read books and practiced calligraphy in the main hall.

If you encounter a question that you don’t understand, you can ask the teacher during class the next day.

He never thought that the prince would invite him to attend a lecture in the Hongren Hall.

The crown prince of Dayan is different from the princes. The crown prince is the heir apparent of the country. The princes and princesses can attend classes in the main hall, but after the crown prince moves into the Eastern Palace, officials from the inner cabinet will also take up the positions of officials in the Eastern Palace and teach the crown prince how to govern the country in the Hongren Hall.

Although the prince is now old, there are still great scholars who can lecture him on the scriptures and answer his questions.

It is impossible for ordinary princes and princesses to have access to these things.

Yin Ci Guang suddenly raised his head and looked at Yin Chengyu, his eyes rippled and his pale face became slightly flushed.

He was very good at observing people's expressions and naturally knew that what the prince said was not just a compliment.

But thinking of his own status... he hesitated and shook his head to refuse: "Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness, but I am not well educated, so a teacher in the main hall is enough for me."

Although he was a princess in name, he was still a man after all. After all, there was a difference between a prince and a princess. Even if the prince trusted him, he should have known to avoid suspicion.

The light in Yin Ci Guang's eyes gradually dimmed, and he lowered his head again.

Sometimes, he would rather be born a girl, at least he wouldn't have to be trapped in such an embarrassing dilemma.

Seeing that he was unwilling, Yin Chengyu did not force him and spoke to him for a few more words. Then the mother and son said goodbye tactfully.

After everyone left, Yin Chengyu sat down and chatted with Queen Yu while teasing Yin Chengyue in the cradle.

"What happened to Concubine Rong and the Princess?"

When he came over just now, he saw Concubine Rong wiping her tears, but out of consideration for Concubine Rong and Yin Ciguang's face, he did not point it out.

"It's Concubine Wen again." Empress Yu sighed, and she couldn't help but frown when she mentioned Concubine Wen. "The eldest princess was awarded, and Concubine Rong was promoted. But at this moment, the second prince got into trouble. You also know that Concubine Wen has always felt that Concubine Rong and the eldest princess are unlucky for her, and she has repeatedly targeted them. Now that the second prince is gone, she has become even crazier. Yesterday, Concubine Rong ran into her and was slapped on the spot by her. She also said that she would find a good marriage for the eldest princess."

What good marriage could Concubine Wen Gui find for Yin Ciguang?

Although Empress Yu was kind and generous, she was really disgusted with Concubine Wen: "Concubine Wen just lost her son, and Your Majesty was sympathetic to her and indulged her, allowing her to act tyrannically in the harem. That's why Concubine Rong came to me for help."

The eldest princess's marriage still needs the approval of the queen.

Yin Chengyu also frowned when he heard this. In the previous life, after the second prince died, Concubine Wen had no scruples and went crazy. However, at that time, Emperor Longfeng was obsessed with the art of immortality, and even Concubine Wen could only see him rarely, so it didn't cause any waves.

Later, he still used Concubine De to eliminate this hidden danger.

But this life is different from the previous one. Emperor Longfeng has not yet become obsessed with seeking immortals and asking for the truth. Although there are other concubines who share his favor, Concubine Wen Gui is still the one favored by the emperor because of their years of friendship.

If Concubine Wen takes this opportunity to cause trouble...

Yin Chengyu looked at Queen Yu and Yin Chengyue, his expression darkened, and he said, "Concubine Wen is very scheming, and now she has no soft spots. Mother should also be more careful."

He tapped the table with his fingers and said, "I will transfer a few more good men to Kunning Palace. As for the marriage of the eldest sister...she has helped me a lot. I have already made plans. No matter who brings it up in the future, mother will just take care of it."

Although Queen Yu was somewhat surprised that he cared so much about Yin Ci Guang, she still agreed.

The mother and son talked for a while, and Yin Chengyu stayed in Kunning Palace for dinner before returning to Ciqing Palace.

Xue Shu lagged behind him, with the sign of the Eastern Palace hanging openly on his waist.

After returning to Ciqing Palace, Yin Chengyu went to Hongren Hall to handle government affairs. Xue Shu wanted to follow him in to serve him, but was stopped by the eunuch who said that Wei Xihe was looking for him.

He hesitated for a moment, but finally decided to go see Wei Xihe first.

Wei Xihe had previously gone to the south with Fang Zhengke to investigate the salt policy, and had not been in Beijing until September. Because of his meritorious service in investigating the salt policy, he was promoted to the head of the class.

"What's the matter?" Xue Shu walked to the left gate of Guanju and saw Wei Xihe waiting at the door. He was dressed in brown and looked thinner than when he left Beijing, but he was tall and straight and in good spirits.

Wei Xihe came for the matter of the West Factory. He bowed and saluted, then reported in a low voice: "Since the supervisor came to Ciqing Palace, His Majesty has issued an order to let Governor Zhao take over the West Factory. Many of our people have been suppressed, and some of the more ignorant ones have already joined Zhao Youwei..."

He came to find Xue Shu today, firstly to report the news, and secondly to discuss countermeasures.

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