When Yinti learned from Consort Hui that Yinreng was going to have another son, he looked at the room full of daughters and felt powerless and helpless.
The Crown Prince's choice of concubine was too good. Everyone originally thought he was just lusting after a beautiful woman and taking a pretty princess as a concubine. Who would have thought that this princess had such a dramatic background, not only did she win the Empress Dowager's favor, but she was also fertile and her family background was also a source of honor and did not bring any disadvantages?
It was truly unexpected; it added an extra advantage to the Crown Prince that others would kill for.
If it weren't for an accident, the direct descendant of the Tong family would never have married a royal prince.
Yinti sat under the bare old tree in winter, sighing repeatedly.
The First Princess Consort, who had given birth less than half a year ago, came out wearing a thick qipao and a cloak, looking somewhat bulky at first glance.
"Is Your Highness unhappy about the Crown Prince's offspring?" the First Princess Consort asked gently.
Her voice was soft and slow, like the water of a spring river, which melted the steely heart of Yinti into a gentle touch.
Yinti hurriedly got up: "It's cold outside, why did you come out? There's charcoal burning inside. You're weak now, so you should avoid the wind if possible. What does the Crown Prince's offspring have to do with me? I just can't stand his smug look."
The First Princess Consort was well aware of the situation and did not misunderstand Yinti's intentions. She had always been a virtuous woman and would not do anything unreasonable.
"Things have come to this point, it would be good if Your Highness could calm down." The First Princess Consort saw things clearly.
Yinreng had many children and was deeply favored by Emperor Kangxi. Unless he died before Kangxi, his throne was as secure as could be.
Since he is the rightful future emperor, why should Yinti compete with him like this?
Now, they are all Kangxi's sons, princes, and can throw their own tantrums and compete with each other.
Once the person on the dragon throne changes, the status of this generation of princes will decline considerably.
A biological son and a biological brother are not the same, let alone half-brothers.
Yinti understood the reasoning, but he was unwilling to accept it.
"Ever since the Crown Prince came up with the idea to recover 80% of the national treasury's debts, and Consort Tong's pulse confirmed that she was pregnant with another boy, Father Emperor has gradually stopped supporting me in my rivalry with the Crown Prince. Before, at least I could serve as a whetstone for the Crown Prince. I thought that if I, this stone, were a little harder, I could dull the Crown Prince's blade, and perhaps I would have a chance. But now, I don't even have the chance to be a stone anymore," Yinti said dejectedly.
He couldn't tell whether he was disappointed at losing the possibility of getting closer to the throne, or disappointed by the difference between how Kangxi treated him and how he treated Yinreng.
"My Ladyship, do you think I'm useless? I'm several years older than the Crown Prince and have countless advantages, yet I'm still left behind in matters of state. Everyone in the court and the country genuinely praises the Crown Prince as a capable and outstanding heir apparent. As for me, all I'm known for are my outstanding military achievements and effective troop training, nothing else." Yinti fell into self-doubt.
The First Princess looked into his eyes with deep affection, her gaze filled with the same dependence, adoration, and admiration as always.
"The Crown Prince was born as the heir apparent, raised by his father personally, with the Empress Dowager providing guidance and assistance. He also has a small court staff dedicated to serving him. My lord has none of these. Although he is a prince, he could enjoy wealth and glory without lifting a finger, yet he always leads from the front on the battlefield, bearing countless scars. I have never thought my lord is inferior to the Crown Prince," the First Princess declared firmly.
Yinti's dejected heart suddenly burned with passion.
"Then, my lady, if I were the crown prince, would I do a better job than the crown prince?" Yinti asked, like a child eager for affirmation.
The First Princess smiled without speaking, and asked herself honestly, of all the princes, Yinreng's temperament was the most suitable to be an emperor.
He was wise and lenient, able to treat scholars with respect and also to be ruthless in controlling his ministers. He cared deeply for the people, was skilled in both literature and martial arts, had the ability to recognize talent, and could manage his subordinates in a balanced and appropriate manner. Even though Yinti had occasionally tripped him up and embarrassed him in the past, he would at most retaliate in a minor way, but never really caused Yinti any serious harm.
The First Princess believed that, given time, Yinreng would surely become an outstanding emperor, whose achievements would be no less than those of Emperor Kangxi.
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