Once inside, Shi Xiuzhu dismissed the unnecessary servants, his face ashen.
“That little eunuch from earlier looked unfamiliar,” Shi Xiuzhu said.
The two people who remained felt a pang of anxiety.
One of them stepped forward, lowered his hands, and said with a composed expression, "Xiao Fangzi was transferred here last month. He seemed honest and reliable, but I never expected..."
Shi Xiuzhu gave her a cold look, and she quickly knelt down, no longer arguing: "This servant has failed in his duties, please punish me, Master."
“You’ve become complacent,” Shi Xiuzhu said.
A single, gentle remark caused the two to lower their heads in shame.
The two of them grew up with Shi Xiuzhu, traveling with him through mountains and rivers when they were young. They considered themselves knowledgeable and resourceful.
When they learned that Shi Xiuzhu had been chosen as the Crown Princess, they were even more determined to guard the backyard of their master and keep out evil spirits.
After the dowry entered Yuqing Palace, reality was not as they had imagined. The master and the crown prince did not have the de facto relationship of husband and wife; their relationship was more like that of an official and his advisor.
However, the true master of the inner quarters was close to the young lady, and the Crown Prince also granted her the honor and power of a Crown Princess.
The backyard is peaceful, people are respected, and life is too easy, so people become complacent.
“You must remember, the Crown Prince comes first, then the Crown Princess. If this oversight happens in my courtyard and affects Yuqing Palace, you and I will be held responsible even if we die a hundred times.”
It was rare for Shi Xiuzhu to speak so seriously. She not only had to manage the backyard of Yuqing Palace, but also the people in the Forbidden City's harem.
The imperial court and the harem are closely intertwined. Just by looking at the rewards Consort Liang has received recently, Shi Xiuzhu could already sense that a storm was brewing.
Presumably, the Crown Prince came here for this very reason.
Yinreng hurried to the South Garden. Tong Wanyan sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, dressed in a pale yellow dress with a simple white jade hair ornament, making people feel that the world was peaceful and serene.
She looked at him with a gentle smile.
"Your Highness is here!" Tong Wanyan said softly with a smile.
Yinreng strode forward and pulled her into his arms: "You know?"
It was a gentle voice, but he knew she was worried and afraid.
De Shun made a gesture, and all the servants quietly withdrew.
At this time, let the Crown Prince and his concubine have a quiet and peaceful conversation.
"Father doesn't want me anymore."
When only he and Tong Wanyan were left in the courtyard, Yinreng was finally able to show his vulnerability.
Like an abandoned child, he stood there helplessly, watching his most trusted father push him into a place surrounded by wolves and tigers.
"I want you." Tong Wanyan hugged him and gently patted his back.
"My Crown Prince, I will always be with you, no matter when or where." Tong Wanyan's voice was soft, but her tone was exceptionally firm.
Yinreng buried his face in her shoulder, inhaling the gentle, warm fragrance emanating from her neck and behind her ears.
He closed his eyes wearily: "I just want to get a good night's sleep."
"Let me sing a Jiangnan folk song for you, sir." Tong Wanyan put her arm around his waist, supporting his arm with her shoulder, and steadily helped him to the bedside.
Yinreng obediently cooperated by taking off his shoes, socks, and outer clothes, then crawled into the quilt and covered himself up, leaving only his face exposed.
Tong Wanyan sat casually on the footstool, her arms propped on the edge of the bed, and softly hummed a lullaby that people in Jiangnan use to lull their children to sleep.
Her singing voice is clear, sweet, soft, and gentle.
Yinreng felt a darkness before his eyes, but unable to resist the urge to sleep, he fell into a deep sleep.
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