With a bright future ahead, Tong Wanyan has been in high spirits lately, and Yinreng is the biggest beneficiary of this.
Thinking about the satisfaction he had enjoyed over the past two weeks, Yinreng walked with such joy that he felt like he was floating on air when he went to court.
When people are happy, they feel great; when they are with a beautiful woman by their side, they feel even better. It's simply wonderful!
Although he relinquished most of his merits, Tong Qinian's contributions in this battle were so great that he was still appointed as the acting commander of the musket guards, a fifth-rank official.
For a young man in his early twenties, this official position is already quite high.
"This servant greets Your Highness." Unable to bear the sight of the lecherous Yinreng for three days, Tong Qinian finally stopped him at the entrance of the Golden Palace.
Yinreng followed him to a corner with a smile: "What business does Commander Tong have? You are not allowed to go to Yuqing Palace."
Tong Qinian's brows twitched violently: "This servant understands the strict rules of the palace, but please ask Your Highness to pass on a message to the Consort: be careful in your actions and keep a low profile."
These words displeased Yinreng. Why should his woman cower and hide?
The Crown Prince's secondary consort held a higher status than some of the lower-ranking concubines in Emperor Kangxi's harem.
"What do you mean by that?" Yinreng's face turned cold.
Tong Qinian kept his head down the whole time, strictly adhering to the proper relationship between ruler and subject.
"The Consort is deeply favored by the Crown Prince, and this servant is extremely grateful. However, my household affairs are in disarray, and my mother favors Princess Tongjia of the Fourth Prince's household, which seems to be a sign that the Consort's reputation will be ruined." Tong Qinian found it difficult to say these words.
Yinreng sneered: "Consort Tong is not in her right mind and is not able to distinguish between right and wrong. Don't the people in your household know how to keep an eye on her?"
Tong Qinian lowered his head in deep sorrow. A son should not speak ill of his mother, and he could not be unfilial.
Looking at his pathetic appearance, Yinreng scoffed: "It's a waste that Consort often speaks highly of you. If you ask me, Tong Ruita is far more competent than you."
"Does this have nothing to do with the Crown Prince?" Tong Qinian suddenly raised his head, his eyes blazing with anger.
Yinreng glanced at him sideways: "Oh, you dare to look me in the eye?"
"Everyone knows that the Crown Prince dotes on his concubine excessively. After the Crown Princess enters Yuqing Palace, where should the concubine be placed?" Tong Qinian was extremely meticulous.
"The Crown Princess is dignified and generous; she would never make things difficult for the Consort," Yinreng said with absolute confidence. He didn't believe the Crown Princess would act against him; a smart person wouldn't do anything foolish.
Tong Qinian shook his head repeatedly at Yinreng's overconfidence.
He could not tell Yinreng about the conspiracies and schemes in the inner court, nor could he question the character of the future crown princess.
"Your Highness is right. This servant will take his leave." Tong Qinian, suppressing his anger and filled with worry, respectfully withdrew.
Yinreng watched his retreating figure, narrowed his eyes, and stood with his hands behind his back.
Having grown up in the palace, how could he not know how skillful women were at acting?
But he was no ordinary, ignorant man who would be deceived by a woman. He was capable of protecting his woman, so Tong Wanyan would not suffer any injustice.
After venting his anger on Tong Qinian, Yinreng returned to Yuqing Palace in a good mood, wanting to hug a beauty and listen to some music.
Full of interest, Yinreng walked through corridors and across several side halls, then opened the gate to Tong Wanyan's courtyard with a beaming smile. Then, he was stunned.
"Where are your concubines?" Yinreng stared at the empty room, his voice icy.
Xia Zhu and Chun Que walked forward hesitantly, as if they wanted to say something but then stopped themselves.
Only when Yinreng's impatient eyes flashed with cold light did Chunque close her eyes and kneel down, risking her life.
"Please come inside, Your Highness." After saying this, Chunque collapsed to the ground as if she had lost all her strength.
These two palace maids were carefully selected by Lingpu at the behest of Yinreng; they were capable and not incompetent.
What could be inside the room that made these two capable palace maids so trembling with fear?
Lifting his robe, Yinreng took two steps into the room and then sniffed.
The aroma of the wine was extremely familiar to Yinreng.
His gaze swept across the table below the window, where two porcelain vases lay askew, further confirming his suspicions.
"Has the concubine been drinking?" Yinreng's sharp eyebrows revealed his imposing presence as the crown prince.
Xia Zhu knelt on the ground, trembling: "Your Highness, please understand. When we found out, the Consort was already drunk. She wouldn't let us in, so we only dared to guard the door to prevent anyone from finding out."
Yinreng nodded solemnly: "Well done, go and collect your reward from Granny Ling."
The vermilion gate creaked shut, leaving those outside with no way of knowing what lay inside.
Xia Zhu and Chun Que breathed a sigh of relief. The Crown Prince was too good to his concubine, so good that they, the servants, almost forgot how cruel and ruthless the Crown Prince had been in the past.
Fortunately, they did a good job of covering for the concubine this time, otherwise she would have been half dead.
Realizing they had chosen the right master, the two served Tong Wanyan with even greater devotion, which was exactly what Yinreng wanted to see.
Using the dim light to light candles, Yinreng cautiously probed forward step by step.
With a clatter, before Yinreng could back away, the girl, hiccuping from drinking, tumbled out from behind the screen. She was still holding a white jade wine bottle, which rolled a few times before coming to rest right at Yinreng's feet.
Yinreng knelt down tenderly and rubbed her head. That thud just now must have been quite a fall.
Yinreng carefully picked her up, not minding that her sleeves and chest were wet. Thankfully, no one saw the tender and doting look in his eyes.
Tong Wanyan hugged the wine bottle, humming and moaning, and after a while, she opened her eyes, her vision blurred with drunkenness.
"Your Highness?" Her voice became more alluring after drinking.
Yinreng gently lifted the person in his arms; the feel was nice, and he could have grown a little fatter.
"No wonder you chased me away early this morning and wouldn't let me come back beforehand. So you've got your eye on my new wine? What a little wine lover." Yinreng held the restless hand of the man, both amused and exasperated.
The aroma of the wine was intoxicating, and before he knew it, Yinreng was somewhat drunk, even though he hadn't drunk any alcohol.
"Xiao Yan, shall I help you change your clothes?" Yinreng's voice was deep.
Tong Wanyan was unaware of the approaching danger. She giggled foolishly and said, "No, you'll be a pervert."
Yinreng's hand froze in mid-air, unsure whether to move or remain still.
"I really can't do anything with you."
When Xia Zhu came in to serve, she secretly caught a glimpse of Yinreng's ambiguous smile, and her hands and feet became even more nimble. In the blink of an eye, she had changed Tong Wanyan's nightgown and then darted out.
As for Tong Wanyan, who was hiccuping and talking nonsense, may she have good luck.
The moonlight was alluring, and Yinreng was sleeping in a contorted position, protecting Tong Wanyan as if afraid she would roll off the bed again.
"You wretched little brat," Yinreng said through gritted teeth, having been forced to wake up countless times.
Tong Wanyan suddenly raised her arm and slammed her elbow into Yinreng's face, making him wince in pain.
"I'll argue with you tomorrow," Yinreng threatened in her ear, his arm tightly around her waist.
Whether Tong Wanyan heard him or not, after making a gurgling sound, Yinreng, whose face was ashen, laughed.
"Your Highness, I love you."
The muttering was so soft that it was almost inaudible if Yinreng hadn't been so close.
Yinreng pinched Tong Wanyan's smooth face and said, "I know, I forgive you."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com