The two snuggled together sweetly, while Tang and Fan, who were still kneeling in the south courtyard, suffered.
The sun was so strong today, but in order to gain Yinreng's pity, they deliberately chose the hottest spot to kneel, trying to create the effect of a domineering and unreasonable concubine who bullied the princess.
Who knew that he would end up getting himself into trouble, and he has nowhere to turn for help.
Tang fainted first, while Fan, being stronger, wanted to faint but dared not fake it under Chun Que's watchful eye, so she could only tough it out.
Sweat soaked my clothes and dripped down my skin, feeling like a thousand ants crawling all over me—it was incredibly uncomfortable.
The sparrow, having something to rely on, stood smugly under the eaves, enjoying the cool breeze, which only made it more infuriating.
"Princess Fan, please hang in there. It will be dark in an hour. Don't worry, we have arranged for female healers for you both. You will be fine when you go back."
Chunque smiled gently, but her soft words were like knives stabbing Fan Shi's heart again and again. Once the blood had flowed like a river, she would sprinkle salt on it, to teach Fan Shi a lesson she would never forget.
Madam Fan was chilled by her laughter. At that moment, she realized that the tricks she had learned were far too naive.
When Tong Wanyan returned, the South Courtyard had been cleaned up neatly, without any trace of Tang Shi or Fan Shi having been there.
The thought of Yinreng enduring the night alone in the study filled Tong Wanyan with sweet joy.
She was happy that he remained chaste for her when taking a concubine was considered perfectly acceptable.
"The Crown Prince is so wonderful, how can there be such a good person?" Tong Wanyan cupped her face, recalling Yinreng's smooth muscles, her mouth almost watering.
Beautiful people look beautiful no matter what expression they make.
In Xia Zhu's eyes, her concubine now seemed to be floating on clouds, surrounded by a pink glow, soft and sweet. Her smiling eyes were like the most beautiful moon.
Chunque followed behind, gazing at Tong Wanyan's retreating figure with a look of deep sorrow.
When Su Jixiang parroted the words to Yinreng, Yinreng's handsome face instantly lit up with sunshine.
De Shun dared to guarantee that, apart from Consort Tong, there was no one else in the world who could make the Crown Prince laugh so wildly.
Yinreng's brush moved aimlessly across the paper. He was thinking to himself, "My little Yan is too honest. She always speaks the truth without any regard for outsiders. It makes me both happy and embarrassed."
While taking a bath after dinner, Chunque avoided Xiazhu and said, "Consort, this servant has something to report."
Tong Wanyan, soaking in the water, tore at the flower petals in confusion: "Tell me."
"Were you in the study today with the Crown Prince...?" Chunque couldn't finish her sentence.
Tong Wanyan silently closed her eyes, and Chun Que felt as if she had fallen into a cold cellar.
"You are now a concubine, your status is different from before," Chunque subtly reminded her.
Making merry in the study is not something a concubine of high status should do.
Tong Wanyan's shy expression instantly turned wooden.
She didn't want to believe Chunque's words: "Master treats me very well."
"Anyone would treat you well." Chunque knelt on the ground.
She dared to say such things only because she genuinely trusted Tong Wanyan.
Tong Wanyan gave a self-deprecating smile: "Yes, I have such a beautiful face. Even I sometimes admire myself."
“Consort, you need not belittle yourself. We servants can clearly see the Crown Prince’s affection for you; it is the greatest favor he has ever shown. We know that what we said today was improper, and we ask that you punish us.”
"Why punish you? Do you think I'm the kind of person who can't tell right from wrong? I'll remember what you said today. You'll have to give me more pointers in the future, so that I can improve and you can improve too, right?" Tong Wanyan tapped Chunque.
Chunque breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed she had encountered a wise master. This was extremely fortunate for a servant.
After taking a shower, Tong Wanyan returned to her bedroom looking exhausted.
She watched as Yinreng jumped in through the window, a wicked smile on his face.
She used to think this was romantic, and she thought he looked good like that.
Looking back now, although he doted on her, he never respected her. To put it nicely, he favored her as a concubine, but in reality, she was nothing more than a plaything.
"Your Highness, would you treat the Crown Princess like this too?" Tong Wanyan asked him quietly.
Yinreng looked puzzled. He reached out to pull her into his arms, but Tong Wanyan dodged him.
"Breaking into someone's room to steal their fragrance, what do you take me for, Your Majesty?" Tong Wanyan looked up at Yinreng and said painfully.
"Whose nonsense have you been listening to? Haven't I been good enough to you? You've been in Yuqing Palace for four months, and I've only ever favored you. I even rejected Tang and Fan for you. I even climbed over walls and through windows, all for you. Do you think Father Emperor would allow me to be close to only you?"
"You heartless bastard, who am I doing this for!" Yinreng roared in fury, he even wanted to strangle Tong Wanyan.
Yinreng was always gentle and refined in front of Tong Wanyan, displaying the demeanor of a gentleman, as warm and gentle as jade.
His face was ferocious, and he exuded a violent aura.
"Go away, go away. I'm heartless, my heart is all with you, where is my heart left?" Tong Wanyan pushed Yinreng away, her tears streaming down onto Yinreng's hand, which was cold to the touch.
Yinreng was suddenly pushed away and felt a headache coming on. He didn't want to see her cry.
"Alright, I'm leaving. Don't cry, it hurts my heart." Yinreng wanted to go forward and squeeze her hand again, but fearing she would dislike it, he simply gave up.
Yinreng, who was holding back his anger, went to Madam Fan and vented his anger by scolding her mercilessly.
Fortunately, Tang was from an official family; otherwise, she would have been in for a scolding.
After this battle, the Tang and Fan families suffered a crushing defeat and temporarily ceased their activities, hiding in their courtyard to recuperate.
The atmosphere between Yinreng and Tong Wanyan became much more awkward. Although they were standing very close, they spoke less.
Outsiders, unaware of the true cause of the commotion at Yuqing Palace, simply assumed that Yinreng had grown tired of the old and sought the new. Kangxi was pleased to see this, even thinking with a touch of pride that Yinreng possessed his own style, not lingering on matters of the heart.
This outburst of anger lingered for over half a month, causing Tong Wanyan to rapidly lose weight.
Chun Que secretly regretted that she might have misunderstood the Crown Prince's intentions.
Only Yinreng and Tong Wanyan knew the truth; her warning was correct.
From beginning to end, these two were nothing more than lusting after each other's beauty, engaging in a game of mutual amusement.
It doesn't matter how much is true and how much is false; it can't be hidden.
Unfortunately, besides love at first sight, there's also the possibility of love growing over time.
When feelings run deep, naturally more considerations and more greed arise.
After holding back for more than twenty days, Yinreng couldn't help but try to win over Tong Wanyan.
"Xiao Yan, I'm sorry, I was serious about you." After several dozen days of calm, it was enough for Yinreng to realize his own heart.
Tong Wanyan's face, which had been as cold as ice, broke into a smile upon hearing these words.
"Swear it!"
I swear!
"Pinky promise!"
"good!"
The honey-gold sunlight streamed into the room, enveloping the two in a warm glow.
Yinreng took Tong Wanyan's hand in his large hand, their palms touching, as if their hearts were connected.
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