Having said all that, De Shun need not ask any further questions.
Chun Que's ability to keep Xia Zhu in charge of Tong Wanyan's food and clothing demonstrates that her loyalty is beyond question.
Perhaps it was the Crown Prince's favor that made Xia Zhu, as a trusted servant, a little arrogant.
And the worst thing a servant can do is to be arrogant.
De Shun silently lowered his eyes to rest, while Chun Que, like him, folded his hands in front of his abdomen, his face cold and stern, much like Ling Mama.
The next day, Yinreng went to the morning court in high spirits, while Tong Wanyan stayed in bed for most of the day.
De Shun, serving Yinreng, had to constantly remind his young master to tone down his smiles and not let his radiant mood be too obvious.
In places teeming with shrewd individuals, it's easy to uncover the truth from the smallest details. Since the Crown Prince wants to protect Consort Tong, he naturally has to help him.
After Yinreng went to court, he was still the same spirited young crown prince, very conspicuous.
The official histories of the three reigns and the "Collected Statutes of the Qing Dynasty" have all been completed, and Emperor Kangxi is in a good mood.
Yinti stood behind Yinreng, furious, looking at his tall figure and the crown prince's court robes.
He originally wielded considerable power in the army, but ever since the Crown Prince took Fucha's daughter as his wife, his position among the military generals has been repeatedly controlled by the Fucha clan.
Actually, he was overthinking it; Lady Fucha was not the type to do things that were unnecessary.
Yinqi waited anxiously for the court session to end, then walked up to Tong Qinian and asked, "Lord Tong, how have you been doing under Lord Fucha these days?"
Listen to that sour tone; anyone who didn't know better would think it was spoken by a woman from the inner quarters of the house.
Tong Qinian's eyes were clear: "Lord Fucha is loyal, brave and talented. This servant has learned a lot from him. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."
Yinti didn't believe it and wanted to say more, but Yinreng stopped him.
"Brother, please forgive me, but I have business with Lord Tong. Lord Tong, may I speak with you in private?" Yinreng's eyes were smiling, and his demeanor was captivating. The ministers who passed by him nodded in agreement, rejoicing that the country had such a crown prince; it was truly a great fortune.
Yinti reluctantly stepped aside: "The Crown Prince and Lord Tong have a really good relationship."
"A harmonious relationship between ruler and subject is only natural," Tong Qinian replied with a calm and composed smile.
He was a subject and could not offend the royal family, but he was not someone to be trifled with.
"What does the eldest prince want with you?" Because of his affection for the family, Yinreng took good care of the Tong brothers.
Tong Qinian looked around warily: "Nothing more than a ploy to sow discord. Consort Tong and Consort Fucha are of different ranks, while this servant and Lord Fucha are of reversed status. The First Prince wants to provoke this servant with this matter, but this servant is not petty."
"I have always trusted you. The Fucha clan has deep roots and many descendants, and you are younger than them, so it is normal that you do not hold a higher official position than them. Father Emperor mentioned to me that you and Tong Ruita will be promoted soon. These days, you should be careful in your actions to avoid giving anyone a handle to hinder your promotion. The women in the inner palace are connected to their maternal families, and I hope that you will be well so that Xiao Yan can have a better life."
Yinreng spoke frankly to Tong Qinian, saying that, to put it bluntly, compared to Guarjia, Tong Qinian was the brother-in-law he truly regarded as his brother-in-law.
Favoritism? That's how royalty are.
Tong Qinian gave him a cold look: "I hope the Crown Prince can take better care of my sister."
He's angry; otherwise, why wouldn't he even speak to the concubine?
His fierce protectiveness of his own made Yinreng very pleased.
"I know my limits. Xiao Yan is the apple of my eye, and always will be," Yinreng said to Tong Qinian, his voice barely audible as he covered his mouth with his sleeve.
Tong Qinian's brows, which had been furrowed for a long time, relaxed slightly.
He's been extremely worried these days, fearing that his sister might be abandoned or framed.
In front of the Hall of Righteousness and Brightness, there were many people talking and many spies.
Yinreng escorted Tong Qinian for a while, then returned to Yuqing Palace by himself.
They ran into Yinzhen on the way and took him away. The two brothers chatted and laughed, but unfortunately they ran into Consort Wuya, who was holding Yinzhen.
Her rank as a concubine wasn't high; Yinreng didn't even need to nod when he saw her.
Consort Wuya, with a cold face, stiffly bowed to Yinreng: "This concubine greets Your Highness."
As for Yinzhen, she was, after all, his birth mother, a fact known throughout the palace. Even if the imperial genealogy was altered, she didn't need to be subservient to him.
Yinzhen was completely heartbroken towards Consort Wuya. He knew all about her curses against the Imperial Noble Consort.
She gave him to the Imperial Noble Consort in order to gain a higher rank, so why did she later harbor resentment?
If it weren't for the Imperial Noble Consort's initial protection, could she, a bondservant, have risen so quickly? Even the imperial concubines from prominent Manchu families had to take their time.
Yinzhen nodded to Consort Wuya, indicating that he understood, and he did not want to say anything more.
So, Wuyapin cursed him a few more times in her heart, thinking that he had climbed the social ladder and then disowned his birth mother.
Her thoughts were written all over her face; it was obvious at a glance.
Yinreng was unwilling to let Yinzhen suffer any injustice; his own younger brother could only let others suffer.
"Yinzhen, let's go," Yinreng said.
Yinzhen stood gratefully to Yinreng's left and followed him quickly away.
"Second Brother, thank you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't know what to do when I see Consort Wuya." Yinzhen's heart now belongs to Yinreng. What his second brother said is all true. His second brother is the best person in the world.
Yinreng smiled indifferently: "We're brothers. Besides, I promised the Imperial Noble Consort that I would take good care of you. Go on, your nephews and nieces miss you."
Yinzhen's cold and stern face softened instantly.
"Second Brother, I've finished carving the little pony for my niece. I'll have someone deliver it over in a bit," Yinzhen said.
Little Tana's big, fluttering eyes had already won over this cold-faced prince.
When Yinreng mentioned his daughter, he smiled with fatherly affection: "That child gets along very well with you. Even I don't like you as much as she does."
Yinzhen chuckled foolishly, his chest puffing out unconsciously, clearly very happy.
Upon receiving the news that Yinzhen had arrived, Tong Wanyan immediately instructed the servants to prepare Yinreng's courtyard.
The weather is just right, neither too hot nor too cold, and the scenery outside is just right. It's perfect for sitting in the courtyard, enjoying the view, having tea, and chatting casually.
When Yinzhen saw the snacks laid out on the stone table, he smiled knowingly.
"Thank you, Consort Su." Yinzhen said to Su Jixiang.
Su Jixiang was always by Tong Wanyan's side, so he could recognize her.
Su Jixiang repeatedly said he dared not, and humbly relayed Yinzhen's message.
Yinreng smiled smugly. His Xiaoyan was becoming more and more of a virtuous wife and loving mother, bringing him honor.
"I heard you had a quarrel with your third brother?" Yinreng sat on the stone bench, the tea was warm, at just the right temperature.
Yinzhen had just touched the teacup when he heard this, so he immediately put it down, lowered his head, and remained silent.
"Why are you so distant from me? It's so I can protect you if I know. Third Brother has Consort Rong protecting him, and you have me protecting you, so what are you afraid of?" Yinreng rubbed his half-moon-shaped head, displaying the demeanor of an elder brother who is like a father.
Yinzhen's eyes stung with tears, and he felt wronged: "Third Brother said that I deliberately flattered Second Brother in order to live well, and that I had no backbone as a royal prince. He also said that I was born of a servant, with a natural desire to climb the social ladder."
Upon hearing this, Yinreng flew into a rage and slammed his hand on the stone table, the pain causing him to lose all feeling.
"I spoke with Father Emperor, and it is true that Third Brother needs to be disciplined," Yinreng said coldly.
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