Tong Wanyan and Hongzhao walked into the study together, the mother and son smiling broadly.
"You brought them back?" Yinreng's words carried a hint of jealousy.
Hongzhao bowed to his father in a fawning manner, his eyes pleading for mercy.
They're an old married couple, why is the father still jealous of his son?
Tana bravely stepped forward and spoke up to rescue Hongzhao.
"My little brother has lost weight and looks even better!" Tana's smile was bright.
Hongzhao shed his composed and mature demeanor in front of outsiders and stood beside Tana.
“Sister and Mother said the same thing! What are you drawing?” Hongzhao asked affectionately, tilting his head.
Not wanting to be ignored, Hong Sheng squeezed between the two of them, his dimples sweet as he said, "Big brother, we're drawing a family portrait."
"I've left you a blank space," Tana said, pointing to a blank area on the painting.
A few strokes, not much time required.
Tong Wanyan had the wet nurse bring Hongyan, who had just woken up and eaten, over, took his little foot, dipped it in ink, and stepped on it at the signature.
"Now it's complete," Tong Wanyan said with satisfaction.
Yinreng was quite satisfied; he even wanted to paint another one. He wanted to paint just him and Tong Wanyan and hang it in his study. Looking at it when he was tired would surely relieve his fatigue and bring him back to a state of joy, which often drove him to the brink of rage.
Hongzhao's performance in the imperial court was extremely impressive.
Even the most demanding person couldn't find fault with it, and the prince's maternal clan, who had initially harbored some ambitions, completely abandoned any thoughts of secretly vying for power.
How can we even argue about this?
They risked everything to drag the old man down with them, and there was also a more favored younger one. Even if it was a collaboration between several families, they would stop at nothing to wipe out the father and son in one fell swoop, since there were still two young princes in Yuqing Palace.
Leaving aside the one who can't speak yet, let's talk about the Second Prince of Yuqing Palace, who now looks like a little calf. He can't compare to his brother, but he's far better than the others.
In other dynasties, such a successor would be highly sought after.
They didn't want to provoke Yuqing Palace, which was still going strong after they destroyed one, as it was too exhausting.
When Prince Zhi heard these discussions in Tianjin, it was already almost half a month late. However, this did not stop him from sending congratulatory gifts to Hongzhao.
His relationship with Yinreng's generation was doomed to fail. However, the children were innocent. His son could still maintain a good relationship with the Crown Prince's son.
When there's a significant gap in social status, and the jealousy and desire to take over disappear, currying favor with those in power is indeed an excellent strategy.
Prince Zhi was a very conscientious and dedicated father who planned ahead for his beloved son.
Hongzhao was quite surprised when he received the congratulatory gift from his uncle.
The Four Treasures of the Study, displayed openly, are the least likely to go wrong when scholars give congratulatory gifts. Prince Zhi found a fine Duan inkstone and a bamboo brush with a floral and bird design, which Hongzhao cherished upon receiving them.
However, hidden inside the gift box was a mutton fat jade pendant.
“Father, this jade pendant is too hot for me to handle.” Hongzhao pushed the jade pendant to Yinreng.
Yinreng took it in his hand and tossed it a couple of times carelessly: "The material and craftsmanship are both excellent. Jade is good for the body, so you can keep it and wear it. Does my son not deserve a mere mutton-fat jade pendant?"
“Father, you know that’s not what I meant. Does Yuqing Palace really need these things? I’m not short-sighted,” Hongzhao said helplessly.
“It is precisely because we have enough that Prince Zhi gave it to you as a congratulatory gift. You can accept it. Others may be envious of it, but the Yuqing Palace storeroom has a whole box of it. One more won’t make a difference,” Yinreng said.
Hongzhao stopped beating around the bush with his father. Whenever it came to Prince Zhi, his father would speak in a veiled and insinuating manner.
“The Prince Zhi’s mansion doesn’t own much property, and it’s not as wealthy as our family. My uncle’s family has two more princesses who are about to get married, and I’m worried that my uncle will squander their dowries,” Hongzhao said frankly.
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