With Tong Wanyan's explanation, Tong Fujin suddenly understood.
It turns out she stole her beloved grandson's favorite item; no wonder her grandson looked heartbroken.
"A gentleman keeps his promise. Hongzhao's actions clearly show that you and the Crown Prince have put in a lot of effort," Consort Tong said, finding a reason to praise Tong Wanyan.
Tong Wanyan shook her head: "He's still so young, my grandfather and I haven't specifically taught him anything."
"Example is better than precept. Children are born knowing nothing; they learn everything from their parents and those around them. You and the Crown Prince are upright and virtuous people, so your children's character will naturally be the same as yours," said Consort Tong with a serious expression.
Tong Wanyan found Tong Fujin particularly adorable, and nodded, saying, "Mother is right."
Seeing that Tong Fujin didn't want anything more from Hongzhao, Tana continued to play with her toys with her head down.
Tana was not as warm and approachable as Hongzhao when dealing with outsiders.
Tong Wanyan and Yinreng had long noticed her temperamental nature. However, considering that she was a young lady, and the daughter of the Crown Prince, someone at the very top of the Qing Dynasty, it was alright for her to be a little spoiled.
Tong Fujin and Tong Wanyan shared the same thought: at her age, all she cared about was the happiness of the younger generation; nothing else mattered.
Tana grew up in a way that was completely out of control, foreshadowing her future as the most spoiled princess of the Qing Dynasty.
Tong Fujin originally wanted to hold Hongzhao a little longer, but Hongzhao had just lost a gold ingot and didn't want to get too close to Tong Fujin now.
Helpless, Consort Tong continued her conversation with Tong Wanyan: "Yuanbao'er, when do you and the Crown Prince plan to have another child?"
The saying goes, "Many children bring many blessings." Consort Tong thought that Tong Wanyan should have several children before the Crown Princess married into the family, so as to solidify her position.
Tong Wanyan touched her flat stomach: "Let's wait another year. It's not good for the two brothers to be too close in age, when Hongzhao is older."
Hongzhao is a little over one year old now. If I get pregnant again in another year, Hongzhao will be three years old when she is born.
The Crown Princess's wedding date was set for the thirty-second year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, which happened to be the year after next.
Tong Fujin did the math and said, "Your thinking is fine. Having twins is already harmful to the body, so it's better to take a few more years to recover."
Tong Fujin was overthinking it. Tong Wanyan didn't bring it up; arguing about it until one of them won was pointless. It was all out of good intentions, and she appreciated the sentiment.
Having missed more than a decade, Tong Fujin wished she could chat with Tong Wanyan for ten days or half a month without stopping.
She recounted amusing anecdotes about Orondai and Kuadai's childhood, as well as the mischievousness of Orondai's son.
Even though Tong Wanyan had never met her new brother, their images were vividly imprinted in her mind.
"My elder brother's relationship with Father is terrible, which may be detrimental to his career," Tong Wanyan said worriedly after hearing from Tong Fujin that Orondai and Tong Guogang had slammed their fists on the table and glared at each other yesterday.
Consort Tong said, "Your father told me that the heir's memorial has already been sealed. He is neither good at literature nor martial arts, but he still lives a wealthy life thanks to the blessings of his ancestors."
"Mother, have you ever thought about why Father Emperor withheld and did not issue the memorial requesting that Father be granted the title of Heir Apparent?" Tong Wanyan asked.
“The Emperor is worried that Orondai, now that he has the status of the Crown Prince, will become too powerful and his relationship with your father will deteriorate further,” said Consort Tong.
“If that’s the case, Mother, you know that Father is dissatisfied with my elder brother. Why make him go against Father? Father values the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues, and he especially values filial piety. My elder brother’s actions will not only harm himself, but will also affect my future career,” Tong Wanyan said earnestly.
Tong Fujin had considered this possibility and had even tried to persuade Orondai. However, Orondai was stubborn and refused to get along with Tong Guogang.
People who don't know better might think he's the father and Tong Guogang is his son.
“Olundai said that at most he has ruined himself. At worst, he can give up being the heir and let his son take over. The Tong family has already been so kind and generous, so having such a stain on their reputation is just what's needed,” Tong Fujin whispered in Tong Wanyan’s ear.
Tong Wanyan didn't expect her older brother to be so good at bluffing; at first glance, it seemed like there was no problem.
"Father Emperor is genuinely close to Father Emperor. The Tong family is no ordinary family favored by the Emperor. To put it bluntly, Father Emperor truly treats the Tong family like his maternal uncle's family. He wholeheartedly wants the Tong family to prosper, but my elder brother always holds them back, allowing the censors to find weaknesses to attack the Tong family. If one day the Tong family is ever in danger of being harmed because of my elder brother, he will surely be pushed forward and pay with his life."
Tong Wanyan's words were true. According to historical records, Orondai was not beheaded by Yinzhen after he became emperor because of his unpredictable temperament.
Whether it was truly due to an unpredictable temperament or some other reason, who knows?
Tong Wanyan lived in the Forbidden City, and her husband was the Crown Prince. When it came to understanding the emperor's thoughts, she was probably better than any of them.
Tong Fujin's heart immediately sided with Tong Wanyan, and she believed her words.
Perhaps she originally thought the same as Tong Wanyan, but she just couldn't convince Orondai.
Her eldest son is filial and protective of her, and even his opposition to Tong Guogang is ultimately for her sake.
Therefore, she appeared somewhat weak in front of Orondai.
“I know what Mother is thinking. If Mother trusts me, why don’t you let my eldest brother and my third uncle’s sixth brother have a talk?” Tong Wanyan said.
The person she was referring to was Tong Qinian!
To be honest, she wasn't used to the sudden change in how she was addressed.
But if he still calls Tong Qinian "elder brother" in front of Tong Fujin, how can the two "elder brothers" be distinguished?
In order not to hurt Tong Fujin's beloved, Tong Wanyan tried her best to change how she addressed her.
Tong Fujin clapped her hands in sudden enlightenment and praised, "Yuanbao'er is really smart. Tong Guozhu's family is in a similar situation to ours. Tong Qinian is very polite outside and everyone praises him. We should let Orondai learn from him."
Tong Wanyan smiled. She thought of Tong Qinian, who had volunteered himself.
Even though Tong Wanyan is no longer Tong Guozhu's daughter, so many years of feelings cannot be severed so easily.
Even without official status, their father-daughter and brother-sister relationships remain.
In order to prevent the muddle-headed Orondai from holding Tong Wanyan back, Tong Qinian came up with a plan and took the initiative to talk to Yinreng.
The two hit it off immediately and then told Tong Wanyan.
Consort Tong stayed for lunch at Yuqing Palace, and only left reluctantly as the palace gates were about to be locked in the evening.
Yinreng didn't have time to come back at noon today, and in the afternoon he was summoned by Kangxi to the Qianqing Palace to discuss political affairs.
Therefore, he was unable to meet Tong Fujin.
Before leaving, Consort Tong left Tong Wanyan with these words: "Yuanbao'er, if one day you no longer wish to stay in this palace, your mother will take you home. Our Tong family still has that much power!"
What skill? The skill of risking one's life!
Tong Wanyan sniffed, and had to admit that what Tong Fujin said was incredibly touching.
“Mother, I know. I still have you and Father, and my loving elder brother at home. I will be fine!” Tong Wanyan said.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
