After returning from Ning Shou Palace, the Empress Dowager's gifts followed immediately.
The favor shown to Tong Wanyan by another important figure in the harem has once again thrust her into the spotlight.
Li Jia was utterly enraged; what could she possibly use to fight back? She suffered defeat after defeat, watching Tong Wanyan's boundless glory fueling her intense jealousy.
Yinreng waited for Tong Wanyan to return in his study, his heart filled with tenderness.
As soon as Tong Wanyan stepped through the front door, Deshun was waiting there and led her over.
"Is Master waiting for me?" Tong Wanyan arrived at the small study and sat comfortably in a chair.
It's called early spring now, but in reality, it's not much different from winter.
She was dressed in thick clothes with a fur trim around the edges, which made her look incredibly endearing.
Yinreng pinched her face, his touch as light as if he were squeezing cotton.
“I’m worried that the Empress Dowager doesn’t like you. Consort De has spoken to the Empress Dowager about your favor, comparing you to Consort Dong’e back in the day. Consort Yi has always looked down on her, so she spoke well of you. Logically speaking, I shouldn’t be worried. But I can’t rest easy until I see you come back safely.”
One who stays near vermilion gets stained red, and one who stays near ink gets stained black.
After spending a long time together, Yinreng naturally started showering Tong Wanyan with sweet words, which made Tong Wanyan extremely happy.
"After hearing me speak Mongolian, the Empress Dowager became much closer to me. Her summons must have been at the Emperor's behest. The Fourth Prince is coming to our Yuqing Palace too frequently; the Emperor is probably worried about something," Tong Wanyan said.
Yinreng did not understand: "I know that Father Emperor dislikes me forming cliques and engaging in private affairs. But Fourth Brother is just a young man who has just entered the court. I am helping him and teaching him. It is clearly out of love for my younger brother."
Tong Wanyan lowered her head dejectedly and threw herself into Yinreng's arms: "About my substitute marriage."
Yinreng frowned in displeasure: "Didn't I say that this matter was already resolved?"
"This matter really has nothing to do with me, but as soon as there's the slightest disturbance, some people start to overthink it. Not everyone believes me like you do," Tong Wanyan said in a pitiful, coquettish voice.
Suddenly, Yinreng felt an urge to grab a knife and rush out, to just chop some people down and end it all.
"Alright, my lord, let's not be angry. It's normal for the Emperor to be suspicious. I've also dispelled the Empress Dowager's doubts and even gained her favor as a result. So, I've actually benefited, haven't I?" Tong Wanyan was very easygoing and didn't care about these things at all.
Yinreng, worn down by her persistence, had no choice but to agree to abandon his thoughts of revenge.
As for whether he has truly given up the idea, he cannot guarantee it.
"Stop fooling around, I'll read to my little prince." Yinreng said, patting Tong Wanyan's belly.
Tong Wanyan twisted her body: "It's Little Princess."
"No way! I've already spoiled you enough. If I were to have another little princess like you, I could spoil her rotten and still not have enough. It's better to have a little prince, so that my son and I can protect you." Yinreng said sincerely.
He thought a lot about whether the child should be a boy or a girl, but still felt that a boy would be best.
She bore him his eldest son, so her position was secure, and outsiders dared not look down on her.
Tong Wanyan, with Yinreng's help, munched on some pastries, living a leisurely and carefree life.
Yinreng is now reading history books to her belly, hoping to learn from history, as there is so much to learn from it.
Just as Tong Wanyan was dozing off, her calf suddenly cramped up, and the pain was unbearable.
Like a chain reaction, the pain spread from her calves to the soles of her feet, and then to her stomach.
"Your Majesty, I think I'm about to give birth!" Tong Wanyan felt the changes in her body, gripped Yinreng's hand tightly, and whispered.
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