The brothers Tong Qinian and Tong Ruita would send silver notes to Tong Wanyan all the time.
They were always very generous, giving out banknotes by the dozen.
If these two brothers hadn't both been military officers, Emperor Kangxi and Yinreng would have suspected them of bribery.
When military generals go to the battlefield, they risk their lives, fight for power and money, and no one can say anything about it.
With her wealth and confidence, Tong Wanyan was exceptionally generous, both when giving gifts to others and when using them herself.
Servants like eunuchs, who couldn't climb into the beds of palace maids, had no other thoughts than wanting to make some money.
When De Shun saw his apprentice returning with two purses like a miser, he looked down on him.
“Go stand over there. Don’t you see that boy Jixiang? Now that he’s with the concubine, he doesn’t have to worry about money all day. You look shrewd, but all you know is how to be greedy for these little favors. Don’t get in the concubine’s way, or even your master can’t save you.” Deshun scolded the little eunuch.
The little eunuch chuckled sheepishly, then hid to the side, standing in a corner: "Master, Jixiang is a fool who has good fortune, so there's nothing wrong with me being like this."
"Su Jili!" De Shun said with exasperation.
The young eunuch smiled obsequiously, and from the side, he bore a resemblance to Su Jixiang.
They are brothers, biological brothers born of the same mother.
Yinreng sat nervously in the room, watching over Tong Wanyan, who was sound asleep.
He looked at her small mouth, her pert nose, and her long eyelashes. Just looking at her quietly made him feel incredibly at ease.
"Master?" Tong Wanyan opened her eyes and saw Yinreng, thinking she was still asleep.
With a smile on his lips, Yinreng watched her close her eyes again, turn over, and continue sleeping, showing great patience.
When Tong Wanyan woke up again, her pupils dilated instantly when she saw Yinreng sitting in front of her.
“Sir, it’s true!” Tong Wanyan said.
If you think about it, this person shouldn't be here with her right now.
Yinreng laughed and said, "Of course it's true. Get up quickly, I'm waiting for you to have dinner together!"
Tong Wanyan got up and changed her clothes with a cheerful smile, looking radiant and as if she were glowing.
Yinreng waited patiently for her to get ready, gazing at her tenderly.
After exchanging glances and finishing their dinner, Tong Wanyan touched her belly and said with feigned resentment, "Master, can you stay with me tonight?"
"You little jealous girl, if I don't stay here with you, where else can I go?" Yinreng said, "Li Jia has been bothering you during the day and disturbing your peace. If I go to her place again, wouldn't that be encouraging outsiders?"
“What you said is true. Chunque, bring over the bayberries that the Fourth Prince sent. I originally planned to keep them for myself, but since the Prince is so good to me, I can’t be heartless and enjoy the delicious food all by myself, can I?” Tong Wanyan coaxed Yinreng.
Yinreng glanced at her sideways: "You good-for-nothing, do you think I lack bayberries? I have more than a dozen orchards. Whatever you like to eat, I can fill a room with them for you every day. What good things can your fourth brother give you? His own allowance may not even be as much as yours."
That's a harsh but true statement.
Tong Wanyan used Yinreng's allowance; how could a prince compare to the crown prince? Obviously, they couldn't be on the same level.
Tong Wanyan retorted, "Hmph, these were picked by the Fourth Prince himself. There's a bayberry orchard in the palace, and few people eat them, but the servants take good care of them. The Fourth Prince is thoughtful; knowing that pregnant women crave sour flavors, he specially picked them. In the entire palace, besides the Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort, only I got them."
As for why Consort De didn't have any, it's because she was quick-witted and personally knocked over a plate of bright red bayberries.
Red berries rolled all over the ground, and Yinzhen's heart shattered into pieces.
Yinreng was provoked by her: "I'll pick them for you tomorrow."
"Great! Great! They have to be bigger and sourer than the ones the Fourth Prince picked!" Tong Wanyan clapped her hands, not wanting to miss out on the fun.
De Shun suddenly started knocking on the door in a panic, his knocking very urgent.
Tong Wanyan got up from Yinreng's arms with a puzzled look on her face, wondering what important matter could make Deshun so anxious at this time.
"Come in," Yinreng said, his sword-like eyebrows raised in a cold expression as he sat up straight.
De Shun pushed open the door, immediately knelt down before Yinreng, and cried out in a mournful voice, "The Imperial Noble Consort has passed away!"
Tong Wanyan was first startled by his sharp voice, and then her legs went weak after she heard what he said.
"The Imperial Noble Consort was radiant yesterday, how could this be, how could this be?" Tong Wanyan repeated in disbelief.
The Imperial Noble Consort was such a young woman, yet she passed away suddenly.
"I understand. Everything will be done according to the rules," Yinreng said coldly.
The death of the Imperial Noble Consort was within his expectations.
He is more worried about Tong Wanyan now.
“Xiao Yan, I know you are very sad right now, but think about our child. Pregnant women should avoid extreme joy or sorrow, and the Imperial Noble Consort probably wouldn’t want to see you like this either. The Imperial Noble Consort suffered greatly from illness in her life, and her death is a relief for her. She may not be happy living in this palace.” Yinreng hugged Tong Wanyan tightly and gently stroked her back.
Tong Wanyan cried uncontrollably, unsure whether she was grieving for the death of the Imperial Noble Consort, or feeling a sense of shared sorrow and fear that she too would meet the same fate.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort had no choice but to die, didn't she?" Tong Wanyan looked at Yinreng with teary eyes.
Unable to avoid her gaze, Yinreng said, "Yes. This is the best ending for her and Lady Tongjia."
“Xiao Yan, you and I will not become like that. I am different from Father Emperor!” Yinreng said firmly, “Father Emperor ascended the throne at the age of eight and has experienced too many upheavals. But I am different.”
"After Father Emperor passes away, I will inherit a prosperous and peaceful era. My task is to safeguard this empire and not be too cold-hearted."
"But emperors always change!" Tong Wanyan gripped Yinreng's sleeve tightly.
"I've only grown to love you more and more. I'm completely captivated by you," Yinreng said helplessly.
The Emperor said he was just young at heart, but only he knew in his heart that he had truly given his heart to Tong Wanyan and could never get it back.
"Master, my stomach hurts!" Tong Wanyan smiled contentedly, but suddenly her brows furrowed in pain.
When Yinreng saw her curled up in a ball, his throat tightened and he couldn't utter a sound.
His hands were sweating profusely, and his muscles were stiff and he couldn't move at all.
At that moment, his mind went blank, and he felt so helpless that he hated himself.
"De Shun!" Yinreng shouted, his eyes tightly shut.
De Shun hadn't gone far when Yinreng called out, and he hurriedly ran in.
Upon seeing Tong Wanyan curled up on the bed, groaning in pain, he ran outside without needing Yinreng's orders.
"Summon the imperial physician! Summon the imperial physician quickly! Consort Tong is heartbroken upon hearing of the Imperial Noble Consort's death, and it has harmed her unborn child." De Shun relayed the message as he went, and the Eastern Palace was instantly thrown into chaos.
Even though the gender of the child in Tong Wanyan's belly is unknown.
But as long as it is Yinreng's child, its status in the Qing Dynasty will inevitably be of paramount importance.
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