The servant's loyalty, remaining steadfast even when the master's household falls into disgrace, is truly moving.
However, Yinreng, Tong Wanyan, and Shi Xiuzhu all knew perfectly well how much of this was genuine loyalty and how much was a choice made based on the circumstances.
Either way, they're both good.
At least they could see clearly that even a tiger fallen into the plains is bullied by dogs, but the imperial prince was not among them. No matter how out of favor the emperor was, he was still one of the most esteemed people in the Qing Dynasty.
On the contrary, if someone were to choose a new master, they would have to be careful of being suppressed by the remaining forces of Yinreng.
Servants are not like court officials. They can't tell who is more suitable or who is more indispensable to their masters. If they really had that ability, they would have become the head eunuch or the head palace maid by their master's side long ago.
Since a group of people couldn't stay in the courtyard forever, Yinreng thought for a moment and then took Tong Wanyan's hand to Shi Xiuzhu's courtyard.
The matter of deposing the crown prince is not just his own affair; he needs to discuss the follow-up matters with Shi Xiuzhu.
However, not long after the three of them sat down, just as the tea was served, Yinzhen hurriedly ran over.
The Fourth Prince, who usually pays the most attention to his image, was now walking rather disheveled.
"Fourth brother, quickly drink some water to cool down. This late summer heat hasn't subsided, why didn't you come over when it was cooler?" Tong Wanyan said with concern.
The herbal tea was prepared, and a palace maid brought up a cup. Yinzhen gulped it down, clearly thirsty.
"Second Brother," Yinzhen called out to Yinreng, sounding aggrieved.
Yinreng's gaze was calm as he smiled and said, "You're a father of several children now, so why do you still act like a child when you see me?"
"The information I received is inaccurate. Did Father Emperor force my second brother to request to be deposed as Crown Prince?" Yinzhen asked stubbornly, unwilling to let the topic be diverted by following Yinreng's lead.
Yinreng's eyes flickered; this younger brother was truly stubborn.
“How could your information be inaccurate?” Yinreng said.
Yinzhen, who had just sat down, stood up again in a hurry. He walked up to Yinreng and said, "Second Brother, please don't joke around. How can such an important matter be handled so casually..."
Yinreng tilted his head slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Why can’t I give up this position? My grandfather was able to fake his death and become a monk at Mount Wutai back then, and I’m nothing compared to him,” Yinreng said.
"That's different." Yinzhen couldn't argue with Yinreng using his twisted logic.
His face turned bright red with anxiety, but for a moment he couldn't think of a way to refute it.
"Second Brother, have you thought about Tana?" Yinzhen was really anxious.
Yinreng felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow, something he had been avoiding all these years.
He was confident that Tong Wanyan would stay with him, regardless of their social status. Yet, he bestowed upon the children innate power and wealth, with everyone groveling at their feet. Then, without their consent, he stripped them of this privileged status.
He didn't know if his children could accept that something so readily available would suddenly belong to someone else. And they, who were used to being looked up to by others, would have to bow down to others.
“Ama, I don’t care.” Tana’s voice came from afar.
Along with them came Hongzhao, Hongsheng, and Hongyan. The whole family had finally arrived at once.
Upon seeing Tana approach, Yinzhen felt somewhat guilty about what he had just said. How could he involve a child in adult matters? No matter what, he shouldn't have brought up his niece.
"Tana greets Father, Crown Princess, and Mother. Tana greets Fourth Uncle." Tana entered the room and greeted her elders with impeccable manners, as did the other three.
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