Tong Wanyan finally woke up the following afternoon.
Xia Zhu vividly recounted the entire incident of her drunken brawl to her, making it both exciting and dramatic.
Tong Wanyan covered her face with a headache; she shouldn't have been so greedy.
She used to be able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, but now she's so weak it's outrageous.
"Is the Crown Prince really not angry?" Tong Wanyan asked Chunque.
Compared to Xia Zhu's enthusiastic demeanor, Chun Que's furrowed brows and deep sorrow made her trust her even more.
Chun Que bit her lip and said softly, "Consort, there's no need to worry. The Crown Prince is not angry with you."
"Then why are you frowning?" Tong Wanyan asked.
Chunque pursed her lips awkwardly, not wanting to spoil the mood.
“If you’re hiding something from me, it’s not necessarily for my own good,” Tong Wanyan said softly, but her meaning was unquestionable.
"After the morning court session, the Emperor bestowed three concubines and three princesses upon the Crown Prince. Concubine, please rest assured, this was bound to happen." Chun Que's aunt served the Empress Dowager and was a hundred times more informed than others.
The news was like a thunderbolt, catching everyone off guard.
The once radiant Xia Zhu suddenly wilted like a drowned rat. She secretly glared at Chun Que, blaming her for not discussing it with her beforehand.
Look at how pale and heartbroken the concubine looks; Chunque is truly guilty.
"Consort, you are the first Consort bestowed by the Emperor. Apart from the Crown Princess, no one in Yuqing Palace can surpass you." Xia Zhu boldly stepped forward, supported the dazed Tong Wanyan, and felt extremely distressed.
After a long pause, Tong Wanyan smiled faintly.
"I've been relaxing for so long, I should be content," Tong Wanyan said.
The pleasant atmosphere had turned into this, and Chunque, who was the instigator, lowered her head and knelt down with guilt: "This servant has made Consort sad, please punish me, Consort."
Tong Wanyan smiled and asked Xia Zhu to help the person up.
"What does this have to do with you? Which master's harem isn't full of beauties? Especially our Crown Prince. You told me early on so I could prepare, that shows how considerate you are. I'm not stupid; I've had the Crown Prince all to myself for so long, I should cherish this blessing."
Such virtuous words, coupled with Tong Wanyan's gentle expression, almost made Chunque and Xiazhu believe it.
However, they couldn't believe it when faced with the bed frame suddenly missing a piece of wood.
"Why are you all staring at my hands? There are too many carvings on the edge of this bed. It will break with the slightest touch. I don't know which craftsman's work is so careless. Chunque, go to the storeroom and get a new one to replace it later. Otherwise, what if the young master falls?"
Tong Wanyan clapped her hands calmly, and a piece of solid wood fell to the ground, landing solidly.
Xia Zhu swallowed hard, then bent down and picked up the wood, hiding it in her sleeve.
“The concubine is right. Some new cabinets and chests arrived in the storeroom the other day, and we can exchange them together.” Chunque was much calmer than Xiazhu.
She agreed without changing her expression, while also thinking about how to mend her master's clothes when she went to the storeroom.
A daughter's immense strength is not a good thing.
When Yinreng returned, it was already past lunchtime.
Emperor Kangxi often invited him to dine with him, a practice that was commonplace.
The newly renovated house did not attract his attention.
Royals are wealthy, and it's not uncommon for them to renovate their houses five or six times a month.
He excitedly pulled the drowsy Tong Wanyan to her feet: "Little Yan, I'm taking you out of the palace."
"Huh?" Tong Wanyan hugged the blanket, looking at him groggily.
Yinreng casually grabbed a cold handkerchief and covered her face.
"Are you awake yet? If you're still sleepy, you can continue sleeping. However, I've finally managed to get a leave of absence, and if I miss this opportunity, who knows when I'll get another chance?" Yinreng reminded her.
His phoenix eyes, filled with a smile, made him seem like an immortal who had fallen from the heavens.
It would definitely be even more stunning if it weren't for the half-moon hairstyle.
Tong Wanyan wrapped her arms around his neck, clung to him, and jumped off the ground.
"No, no, Your Highness is wise and mighty." Tong Wanyan stood on tiptoe and gave him a quick kiss on the chin.
It's not that I don't want to kiss your face, it's just that I can't reach it.
Yinreng's clothes from his youth have all been kept, including several pieces of everyday clothing that did not reflect his status as the crown prince.
With her long hair braided and wearing boots, Tong Wanyan happily nestled into Yinreng's arms.
"It's so nice not having to step on the bottom of the flowerpot."
Yinreng enjoyed holding him, but said in a pretentious manner, "What kind of behavior is this, all sticky and affectionate? Fine, I'll allow you to hold me for another half an incense stick's time."
Tong Wanyan gave a weak smile: "You're just saying that."
After stepping out of the Shenwu Gate, Tong Wanyan's appearance became much brighter, and Yinreng couldn't ignore it even if he wanted to.
His hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched tightly.
"You might as well visit the Imperial Noble Consort more often in the future. You live alone in Yuqing Palace, and it looks so lonely to me," Yinreng said.
Before long, the bustling streets of the capital appeared before the two of them.
The vendors' enthusiastic chatter filled the air with a sense of peace and tranquility.
Tong Wanyan and Yinreng were dressed very simply, but their looks were exceptional. Yinreng was eight feet tall, with a straight back like a lush bamboo forest, and his gentle phoenix eyes had captivated countless girls.
Tong Wanyan walked beside him, her lips red and teeth white, her eyes like the finest black agate. The pierced ears and the small hat on her head clearly indicated that she was a young woman.
Good-looking people always attract more attention.
Especially when Tong Wanyan's eyes darted around and she occasionally raised an eyebrow, one could hear the crisp, clear voice of the Manchu noblewoman clutching her heart in surprise.
"Second brother, do you think they're all looking at me because I'm pretty?" Tong Wanyan asked cheekily.
Yinreng looked down at her carefully, and after a long while, he said slowly, "Not only is she good-looking, but she's also quite shameless."
The two men had long, nimble legs and walked very quickly. Before long, the largest restaurant in the capital stood before them.
However, what caught Tong Wanyan's attention was the clothing store next door.
She kept turning her head back and forth, making it impossible for Yinreng to ignore her.
"Want to buy clothes? Aren't the clothes at home nice?" Yinreng touched her little hat, finding it pleasant to the touch.
Tong Wanyan blinked: "You don't understand women."
Yinreng glared at him. Did he even need to understand?
"Come on, come on, let's listen to some storytelling and have a cup of tea first, then we'll go buy clothes. Look at how greedy you are, don't rush things." Even Yinreng was helpless when he encountered her.
Tong Wanyan patted her stomach: "But lunch was only an hour ago, I can't drink tea."
Yinreng gave her a deep look, fully understanding her little scheme.
"I brought enough silver, so I won't run out of money to buy clothes after drinking tea." Yinreng thought anxiously, there was no man in the world who doted on his wife like him.
Tong Wanyan beamed with joy. If it weren't for the crowds on the street, she would have thrown herself into his arms again.
Because he loved Tong Wanyan, Yinreng was also in a good mood.
With a slight pout, Yinreng took Tong Wanyan's small hand and strode into Heshunlou.
"Hey, which family does the young man next to Second Brother belong to? Pulling and tugging in the street, it's really inappropriate." Yinti came down from upstairs, his tone unfriendly.
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