Conversations in the palace are always roundabout, and those who aren't clever enough often can't understand what the other person is saying.
Only those who are truly close to you speak frankly and simply, without testing or guarding.
Yinzhen smiled and shook the two bags of pastries he was carrying: "Last time, Tana said she wanted to eat the pastries made by her fourth aunt, so I brought them here specially."
“This summer wasn’t too hot, and my wife and Honghui are both sensitive to cold but not heat, so they were comfortable staying in the prince’s quarters and didn’t bother to come and stay with us,” Yinzhen explained.
Yinreng welcomed him into the house: "I still remember the first time you treated me as your second brother, you were only up to my chest. In the blink of an eye, you have grown so much. You are married and have children, and you are now the head of the family."
"Why did Second Brother suddenly say this?" Yinzhen recalled the past, and still couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat.
If only his mother hadn't passed away, he would miss her so much.
Tong Wanyan personally brewed tea for the two of them, one cup for each, and set it aside to cool. The tea leaves, curled like snails, had a fragrant aroma of flowers and fruits.
"Second Brother, do you still have Dongting Biluochun tea left?" Yinzhen asked in surprise.
"Want it? Then tell me honestly again, why did you come to Changchun Garden alone?" Yinreng said.
Yinzhen looked at the cup with a troubled expression, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I don't want those with ulterior motives to misunderstand."
With the emperor's favor, the empress's legitimate son, a large family of wives, and a strong and capable way of handling affairs, Yinzhen was considered by some opportunists to be more qualified to compete for the throne than the eldest prince.
Besides those who genuinely wanted to pledge allegiance to Yinzhen, there were also some who wanted to muddy the waters, hoping to turn the brotherly relationship between Yinreng and Yinzhen into irreconcilable enemies.
Those who could stand in the Golden Palace to attend court were all intelligent people of the Qing Dynasty. Precisely because they were resourceful, they preferred to take on challenges that were difficult to overcome.
Things going smoothly seem to be a disservice to their intelligence.
Yinreng laughed heartily, patted Yinzhen on the shoulder, and there was not a trace of doubt in his eyes.
"That's it, speak frankly. Although we are not brothers born of the same mother, our bond is no less than that of blood brothers. I raised you with my own hands, taught you to become an official, and introduced you to my inner circle. Would I possibly distance myself from you just because you are supported by others?"
"Of course not," Yinzhen said firmly.
"That settles it then. Let it go this time. You don't need to wrong yourself for my sake in the future. I'll have your second sister-in-law send some things to your fourth sister-in-law and Honghui later, as a token of my appreciation," Yinreng said.
"On behalf of my wife and Honghui, I thank you in advance, Second Brother." Yinzhen's eyes were almost red with emotion.
His second brother treats him so well, and his abilities are unmatched by any of his brothers. So why are there always people who don't want his second brother to secure his position as crown prince?
"If one day I am truly deposed, I would like to see you take my place and protect the vast land of the Qing Dynasty," Yinreng said.
Yinzhen, who was about to drink from his teacup, was startled and his hand trembled.
"Second brother, what are you saying? You will surely live to be a hundred years old. Your younger brother will strive to be the sword in your hand, helping you to cleanse the court of corrupt officials." Yinzhen almost knelt down before Yinreng. What was his second brother thinking again?
"I was just saying it casually, what are you afraid of? Unless I become seriously ill, and your two nephews also become unfilial, the position of Crown Prince will not be out of reach of Yuqing Palace." Yinreng was extremely confident.
Yinzhen nodded in agreement: "Second brother is absolutely right. Father Emperor is teaching Hongzhao as the Crown Prince, and Hongzhao's aptitude seems to be no worse than Second brother's."
"With Father Emperor, and with Second Brother and Hongzhao, the Qing Dynasty's fortunes will surely prosper and endure." Yinzhen looked at Yinreng with stars of admiration in his eyes.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
