The heartbroken look on Yinzhen's face secretly pleased Yinreng.
Look how smug he was just now, now he's getting his just desserts.
"You two go and have fun on your own. Your fourth uncle is here on important business. He'll take you out to play when he's free," Yinreng said, rubbing his leg, which was a little sore from the bump.
As long as they aren't punished, everything is negotiable.
Tana and Hongzhao ran out happily, their cheerful laughter making everyone feel relaxed.
Watching their retreating figures, Yinreng said worriedly, "Tana really needs to eat less."
Yinzhen retorted, "Tana is still young. She'll grow taller and slimmer in a few years. With your looks, Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law, it's impossible for Tana not to be beautiful."
That's true, and Yinreng thought about it and realized it made sense. He stopped worrying about Tana's chubby face.
Tong Wanyan watched without saying a word. She felt that Tana's figure was still within a controllable range. She was so round and chubby, like a big Fuwa (a Chinese mascot for the Lucky Baby), and incredibly cute.
With a whole host of imperial physicians and nannies watching over her, they would have spoken up to stop her if she had really gained too much weight.
Yinreng was just being sarcastic and wanted to say something to Tana.
"I'll go prepare some pastries and tea for my fourth brother. You two have a good chat," Tong Wanyan said.
Yinzhen smiled affectionately and said, "Second Sister-in-law, please don't let the small kitchen make osmanthus cake. We've been so tired of eating it lately. Even though September has been over for quite some time, it seems like the Imperial Kitchen has an endless supply of osmanthus."
"Osmanthus cake, poria cocos cake, pea flour cake, sachima, jujube paste cake—the imperial kitchen always likes to make these. If it's not specifically mentioned, they'll just use these to shut people up. They're always made regularly, their skills are excellent, and you can't find fault with them. Don't worry, Fourth Brother, the small kitchen in Yuqing Palace may not be good at much else, but they have a wide variety of pastries to make," Tong Wanyan said with a smile.
Yinzhen smiled just like her, his dimples inadvertently showing as he said, "Second Sister-in-law loves me the most."
"Have some shame! Your second sister-in-law only went out of her way to prepare this food because she was thinking of me. You were just doing it as a side effect, so don't try to make yourself look good," Yinreng said jealously.
Yinzhen didn't take it to heart: "Second brother is jealous. Fine, fine, I'm just saying that. Second brother is the sweetheart of second sister-in-law."
"That's natural," Yinreng said proudly.
The two brothers were chatting idly, and Tong Wanyan felt both sweet and shy listening to them, so she quickly left.
Once only Yinreng and Yinzhen remained in the room, they immediately became serious and solemn.
When men get together, they talk about serious matters. They're not spoiled brats who gamble, drink, or seduce women; talking about anything else is pointless.
"You came here at this hour specifically for water conservancy matters?" Yinreng guessed correctly right away.
Yinzhen nodded: "The rain will continue, and floods are inevitable; it's just a matter of how severe they are. In any case, droughts and floods cause suffering for the people and worry for the court every day. In previous years, the Qing Dynasty was engaged in wars and suppressed rebellious tribes, and the national treasury's silver was tied up in the military, which was unavoidable. Since the Dzungar Khanate was pacified, military funding has decreased significantly. The surplus silver should be allocated to water conservancy projects."
Yinreng tapped the table slowly with his hand, quite rhythmically.
He frowned and said, "Is it because I'm in charge of water conservancy that you're thinking this way?"
“I’ve always been Second Brother’s helper, haven’t I? Besides, water conservancy is a good thing that benefits the country and the people, so it’s not wrong for me to help Second Brother,” Yinzhen said confidently.
The Qing Dynasty has many flaws. He is still young and cannot be perfect in everything, nor can he make the Qing Dynasty without any problems.
Since he is now working in the Ministry of Revenue and has a good understanding of the flow of national treasury funds, he should do everything he can to assist Yinreng, so that Yinreng can achieve outstanding results and solidify his position as crown prince.
Yinreng was moved: "My fourth brother's heart is sincere towards me."
“I know my second brother loves me. Even brothers born of the same mother may not get along as well as my second brother and I,” Yinzhen said sincerely.
Yinreng patted his shoulder forcefully: "I won't say any nice words. I just want to do a good job with water conservancy and live up to Father Emperor's expectations. With Fourth Brother's help, we will surely be able to accomplish something that benefits the country and the people. When the time comes, Fourth Brother will certainly receive a lot of credit for the merits."
“I believe in Second Brother! Third Brother has been showing off in front of me lately. He only participated in the reconstruction of the Confucius Temple, and the scholars are extremely fond of him. When I help Second Brother do good deeds, that will be another achievement.” Yinzhen still disliked Yinzhi.
Yinreng said, "In front of outsiders, we should still respect our elder brother."
Yinzhen smiled and said, "With my second brother here, I can say whatever I want."
Yinreng smiled and stopped mentioning the feud between Yinzhen and Yinzhi.
After all, he was protective of his own. He certainly wouldn't blame Yinzhen for Yinzhi's sake.
Yinzhen understood Yinreng's meaning and similarly refrained from mentioning it.
He said, "Last time, didn't we submit a memorial to Father Emperor, requesting that those who borrowed money from the national treasury repay their debts? At that time, Father Emperor said that this matter was of great importance and involved too many people, so we couldn't use harsh methods to avoid causing a backlash and shaking the court. Now, more than a year has passed, and apart from those who paid back at the time, a few families have gradually paid back some of their debts. But compared to those wealthy families, the number of people who have paid back is very small."
"So, you've set your sights on them again?" Yinreng asked knowingly.
The usually serious and upright Fourth Prince rarely showed a cunning look in his eyes.
"It's money from the national treasury, and after so many years of lending it to them, it's time to return it. Not only that, but they have to pay it back with interest. Just look at the old debts from over ten years ago, and even some from over twenty years ago; the interest alone would amount to a huge sum of silver." Yinzhen's appetite was truly enormous.
Yinreng's eyes lit up: "Fourth brother went a bit too far this time."
“Farmers have their reasons for fattening up pigs for the New Year and then slaughtering them for food. They fatten themselves up, so it’s no wonder we have to take action against them. The Qing Dynasty pays its officials a considerable salary, and there are also subsidies during festivals. Besides, which family doesn’t have some retainers and relatives, or run shops and buy fertile land? They can make a lot of money through legitimate business. It’s just that they have such an unseemly way of eating. If they accidentally overeat, I will naturally have to cut their stomachs,” Yinzhen said.
Yinreng wanted nothing more than to clap his hands with him, and he wholeheartedly agreed.
In fact, he had this idea a few years ago. But while the position of crown prince was good and prestigious, he couldn't act too harshly or bloodily.
A stern and domineering monarch paired with a kind and magnanimous crown prince is the best match.
If Yinreng wanted to turn against the court officials, he could only do so after he ascended the throne. For now, he had to be a kind and benevolent crown prince who treated his officials with respect.
Yinzhen understood Yinreng's predicament, so he volunteered to be the knife in Yinreng's hand, clearing away the thorns in his path.
They're all brothers, all working for the Qing Dynasty. What does it matter if he's a villain who gets cursed? As long as his father, his brothers, and the people understand his heart, that's enough.
As for the ministers who bleed the national treasury and oppress the people, let them live or die; they brought this upon themselves.
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