The Empress Dowager's face turned cold, and Tong Wanyan's expression was almost identical to the Empress Dowager's.
The Palace of Tranquil Longevity was unusually quiet. Ulan waited outside the palace for her summons, looking innocent and carefree.
The Empress Dowager sulked for a while, then said to Tong Wanyan, "I won't keep you here for lunch today. Take Tana and Hongzhao back with you, so they don't get hurt by those who don't know any better."
Tong Wanyan comforted her, saying, "Your Majesty, please don't let outsiders upset you. The Emperor, the princes, and I are all the ones who care about you the most."
"Good children, I know your intentions. However, you understand the rules, but some people don't. It's not my pleasure to see my beloved children suffer injustice for no reason. After these ignorant children leave the palace, I will let you keep me company." The Empress Dowager said with a kind smile.
Ulan was led by the nanny to wait in the next room, while Tong Wanyan, with two chubby babies who had fallen asleep after playing, gracefully left.
Ulan glanced at her back and said, "Granny, who is this? She looks very noble. Why didn't I see her at the banquet yesterday?"
The old woman glanced at Tong Wanyan's retreating figure and said with great respect, "That is the Crown Prince's first concubine, whose status in the palace is indeed among the most noble. If the princess has the opportunity to see the concubine, she should pay her respects and greet her."
"Is she the Consort Tong who gave birth to twins for the Crown Prince?" A competitive glint ignited in Ulan's eyes.
"Princess, the Empress Dowager requests your presence in the palace." The nanny avoided answering.
The more she says, the more mistakes she makes. This princess seems like a troublemaker; she should avoid her.
Ulan was determined to please the Empress Dowager and get her to speak on her behalf. The moment the nanny mentioned the Empress Dowager, she immediately forgot all about Tong Wanyan.
Tong Wanyan returned to Yuqing Palace, where Yinreng happened to be.
"You're back early today. It's rare for Your Majesty to let you come back so easily," Yinreng joked.
Upon hearing Yinreng's voice, Tana and Hongzhao struggled to get down from the wet nurse's arms and each grabbed one of his legs.
"Father, Father," they called out in their babyish voices, like two little birds crying for food.
Yinreng, who constantly complained about the chubby boys, had a smile on his face that was incredibly soft.
"Oh my, you've gained weight again, that's great," Yinreng said.
The family of four strolled back to their small courtyard, enjoying a peaceful and leisurely time.
Yinzhen and Ulanara Fanghui stood not far away, looking at each other in silence.
Yinzhen broke the silence first: "Second Brother's family is so kind. Wouldn't it be a bit awkward if we went over now?"
Ulanara Fanghui frowned, looking troubled. "I feel it's inappropriate to bother Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law at this time. How about you accompany me for a stroll in the garden, Master? We can go see Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law later, that should be fine."
Yinzhen shook his head, as if to say, "You don't understand." His second brother and his sister-in-law were not just ordinary inseparable; they were like conjoined twins, never able to be separated.
"Since you married into the palace, I haven't spent much time with you. If you want to stroll in the garden, I'll accompany you for a while." After thinking it over, Yinzhen decided to go along with his little princess's wishes.
Seeing his second brother accompany his younger sister-in-law to play the piano, play chess, and stroll in the garden, he thought he might as well give it a try.
His young wife is too bound by rules; he needs to find a way to make things easier for her.
As Xiao Ersao once said, rules are for outsiders. If you let rules bind your own people, you're just asking for trouble.
Yinzhen led his adorable little wife for a stroll in the surrounding courtyards.
I have to say, it was definitely more interesting than walking by alone.
“When Tana grows up, we can bring Laifu with us when we come to Yuqing Palace again,” Yinzhen said.
Ulanara Fanghui was unaware that Tana possessed extraordinary strength; she only thought that Yinzhen was worried that Laifu, being a dog, would have its fur falling out and be bad for the infant.
"I heard that Second Sister-in-law got a parrot, and it's very clever. It can mimic human speech without any effort in teaching it; it learns as soon as it hears you speak. I've always heard that mynahs are good at mimicking speech, but I never thought that a parrot could be just as good." Ulanara Fanghui seemed a little envious.
Yinzhen thought about the prince's ambition: "When I leave the palace and establish my own residence, I will find you one too. It won't work in the palace, it's not good to bother others."
"Your Majesty treats me so well." Ulanara Fanghui smiled sweetly at Yinzhen, her smile subtle and dignified.
Yinzhen's eyes flickered. He wanted to bite his wife's round cheeks and see if they were as crisp and sweet as apples.
Inside Yuqing Palace, after settling Tana and Hongzhao, Tong Wanyan teased Yinreng, saying, "Your Highness has such a handsome appearance. He dazzled the young lady the moment he appeared."
Yinreng pinched her cheek: "Let me smell it closely, it smells so strong of vinegar."
"Smell it a little longer, it's so sour. I came back early today because that princess wanted to see the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager told me to stay away, probably because she guessed that the princess would pester her to marry you." Tong Wanyan gave her a wink.
Yinreng chuckled and pulled her into his arms from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder: "You're the only one in my heart. Look at my Yuqing Palace, it's spotless. You don't need to lift a finger to deal with the other flowers and weeds; I'll take care of them for you. As for that Mongolian princess, if she's sensible, fine. But if she's not, I won't even need to lift a finger; Father Emperor will give her a good scolding first."
"It's normal for a young lady to be a little proud. I was just joking, don't take it seriously. Actually, thinking about how charming you are makes me even happier. Such a good man is mine alone," Tong Wanyan said domineeringly.
“Yes, yes, I belong to only you. I’m really afraid you’ll get jealous and won’t let me into your room at night. The weather is getting colder, and if I jump out of your window and sleep on the floor, I’ll catch a cold,” Yinreng said.
Tong Wanyan pouted and protested, "If I listened to what you said, wouldn't I look like a shrew?"
"You're prettier than a she-devil," Yinreng said glibly.
Even if the garden outside is nice to stroll through, it gets boring after walking around it a couple of times.
After wandering around the Yuqing Palace for about half an hour, Yinzhen and Ulanara Fanghui couldn't resist paying a visit.
They're coming to freeload off their brother and sister-in-law!
The rustling sounds that Yinzhen and Ulanara Fanghui made as they walked did not escape the ears of Yinreng and Tong Wanyan.
Yinreng said unwillingly, "I finally got rid of the younger ones, and now two older ones have come. When will I be able to be with you without worry and not be bothered by these tactless people?"
Yinzhen stood outside the courtyard and shouted unhappily, "Second brother, how could I be so tactless? My legs are sore from walking around outside with my wife. You are such a sensible younger brother."
Yinreng didn't mean to say those words behind their backs.
“If you were truly sensible, you should have taken your fourth sister-in-law for a longer stroll, preferably back to the prince’s residence,” Yinreng said.
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