Yinti's attempt to sow discord failed, and he was tricked by Yinreng once again.
The First Princess Consort was used to this outcome; it was always the same. Her simple-minded husband could never outwit the cunning Crown Prince.
Those few long years were spent growing taller and stronger, without adding a single bit of wisdom to their brains.
Leaving aside how the First Consort routinely comforted Yinti, Yinreng wasn't done with Shi Xiuzhu yet.
With no outsiders around, Shi Xiuzhu no longer needed to put on that disgustingly coy act. She straightened her back confidently and snatched Hong Sheng back into her arms.
Fortunately, Hongsheng has a good temper. He laughs whenever someone holds him and is not shy at all. He is close to everyone.
Shi Xiuzhu has been learning how to hold the baby since Hongsheng was born, and now she holds him with great skill and practice.
“Master, you say you’re always so busy you’re never around, and my sister has to be both father and mother to Hongsheng. It breaks my heart to see that. Luckily, I’ve read a few more books over the years, so I definitely need to help my sister with Hongsheng’s upbringing. Since I’ve fulfilled my responsibilities as a father for you, what’s wrong with teaching Hongsheng to say ‘Father’ a few times on your behalf?” Shi Xiuzhu spoke with such conviction that it almost made one believe her.
If Shi Xiuzhu hadn't been such a good Crown Princess, saving Tong Wanyan a lot of trouble, Yinreng would have immediately deposed her.
Yinreng and Shi Xiuzhu glared at each other, like two male tigers fighting over a mountain.
Tong Wanyan looked left and right, her head aching and not knowing what to do.
Both of them have stubborn tempers and need to be coaxed; they're not the type to be obedient after a beating.
The black bird, always eager for a good show, flew all the way from the back garden to the south courtyard to watch the spectacle, drawn by the sound. It hurried over, not forgetting to bring Tong Wanyan a flower – truly a bird with a heart full of love.
"Fight! Scratch his face! Bird supports you!" Xuan Niao and Shi Xiuzhu stood on the same side, unwavering.
Tong Wanyan glanced sideways at the chattering, troublemaking black bird, which immediately shut up and flew to a nearby treetop to hide without making a sound.
"If you want to argue and make a scene, then go outside. Hongsheng's father only has one son, and this girl looks exactly like him. The Crown Princess is always unrestrained in front of her own family, and she may be a little naughty at times. Why is he jealous?" Tong Wanyan said, scolding and coaxing both sides at the same time.
Shi Xiuzhu came to his senses at this moment and realized that what he had done was enough to warrant severe punishment from Yinreng.
She was inherently carefree, and after more than a decade, she still hadn't developed any reverence for imperial power.
Not only that, she sometimes looked down on the group of rough men from the Aisin Gioro family, thinking they were uncultured, lacked refinement, and were just a bunch of uncultured brutes.
"Master, I know I was wrong." Shi Xiuzhu readily admitted his mistake.
She had planned to hide in Yuqing Palace for ten or eight years, doing good deeds for Yinreng, and then fake her death so she could have a carefree life. But if she offended this man now, it wouldn't be worth it if he denied everything afterward.
Shi Xiuzhu sheepishly admitted his mistake, while Tong Wanyan shook Yinreng's hand and blinked.
Yinreng smiled indulgently at her, explaining, "Never mind, you're protecting her, what else can I do? Luckily, I managed to smooth things over just now, otherwise, if my elder brother had told Father Emperor, we would all be in trouble. There are many eyes and ears in the palace, so we should act cautiously to prevent any unforeseen events. One move can affect the whole situation, and I believe the Crown Princess understands this."
Shi Xiuzhu, who acted freely because she had an iron fist over Yuqing Palace, blushed when she heard Yinreng's pointed words.
She overestimated herself.
"I'm sorry, there won't be a next time." Shi Xiuzhu sincerely apologized again.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
