Once Tong Wanyan stopped harping on the matter of protecting the emperor, Yinreng was overjoyed and didn't care about being punished or receiving compensation.
He can be a little willful with his darling; he'd be more than happy to do anything for her.
Not long after, De Shun brought over two bowls of porridge for dinner.
Yinreng himself didn't mind eating bland food, but he was unhappy when he saw Tong Wanyan eating the same thing.
“The concubine likes to eat meat, so please prepare another dish with meat,” Yinreng said.
De Shun looked at Tong Wanyan, wondering what they had for dinner, which was something Tong Wanyan had specifically requested.
Tong Wanyan took the bowl, picked up the spoon, and held it to Yinreng's lips: "We'll share joys and sorrows. If I'm eating and drinking well, wouldn't you find food tasteless?"
"I'm not a child." Yinreng obediently opened his mouth, letting Tong Wanyan feed him.
"Eating something light tonight is better for your stomach. How about I eat alone tomorrow?" Tong Wanyan said.
Looking at the beauty under the lamplight, especially the beauty who was wholeheartedly taking care of him, Yinreng's heart trembled.
He restlessly touched Tong Wanyan's small hand; it was so smooth and slippery, and each touch made his heart flutter.
Tong Wanyan quietly finished feeding the bowl of porridge, then glanced at Yinreng with a captivating allure.
Yinreng murmured dreamily, "Xiao Yan."
"The imperial physician said that Your Highness must abstain from sex for three months," Tong Wanyan said.
Yinreng was dumbfounded: "Three months? Wasn't my poison cured? Once the wound heals, I can move again! Actually, how big can a wound from a small dagger be? I think I can move around right now."
"You pervert," Tong Wanyan scolded.
Yinreng chuckled: "Food and sex are human nature, and Xiaoyan is too beautiful."
“But we have to endure it. The imperial physician said that the master is too weak right now. A man can’t be weak.” Tong Wanyan’s expression changed rapidly.
Yinreng fell silent, his hand fidgeting restlessly: "I am not false."
“What you say doesn’t count; only the imperial physician’s confirmation is true,” Tong Wanyan said.
Yinreng lowered his eyes listlessly: "I'm angry."
“I’m not a child anymore.” Tong Wanyan brought up what he had said earlier and shut him up.
Having not eaten for most of the day and having just had a good cry, Tong Wanyan was starving.
A bowl of shredded chicken congee, paired with crisp and sour cucumber strips, was finished in just a few bites.
Yinreng stared at her intently, and seeing how quickly she ate, he whispered, "I'm not angry anymore."
It's rare to see Yinreng acting so childlike; he's just too lovable.
Tong Wanyan put down her empty bowl, picked up a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, and said, "Enduring for three months will get you a lifetime of benefits. It's a good deal."
"Whatever Xiao Yan says goes," Yinreng said.
Having received the imperial edict, Yinreng was able to recuperate peacefully in Yuqing Palace.
Seven days later, the abbot said that people could slowly walk around and stroll around, and people began to flock to Yuqing Palace to visit.
Having finally regained some weight on his cheeks, Yinreng finished drawing Tong Wanyan's eyebrows and said with satisfaction, "My eyebrow-drawing skills are getting better and better."
Tong Wanyan looked at herself in the mirror, admiring her beauty, then turned and gave Yinreng a light, fleeting kiss.
They only took a small sip and didn't dare to kiss deeply.
Having enjoyed too many peaceful days, the once flamboyant Yinreng has become more gentle, even more like a refined gentleman.
The life of those in Yuqing Palace, secluded behind closed doors, was the envy of many, and Tong Guogang, outside the palace, couldn't sit still any longer.
To be precise, from the day he learned that Yinreng was injured, he was restless and wished he could rush into the palace immediately.
"My dear wife, what will happen to our Yuanbao? I feel so bad just thinking about the suffering she endured. Our precious eldest daughter, how did she end up as someone else's illegitimate daughter, forced into a marriage in her place? Luckily, Yuanbao was fortunate; otherwise, she would have been a widow for life or even beheaded." Tong Guogang held Tong Fujin and wept.
It's really an eyesore to see someone almost fifty years old hugging someone while crying and sniffling.
Tong Fujin was calmer than Tong Guogang; the time when she lost control of her emotions had passed.
“Life is something you make yourself. Even if our daughter has fallen on hard times, she still managed to walk a bright and prosperous path. Didn’t the Emperor say that the Crown Prince’s injuries are under control and he’s out of danger for now? You should save your tears and cry in the palace for the Emperor to see. Crying at home won’t do any good.” Consort Tong pushed Tong Guogang with disdain, but couldn’t move him.
Tong Guogang sniffed and rubbed his face against Tong Fujin's sleeve, which immediately darkened her face.
Brute!
“Not only do I have to see the Emperor, but I also have to see the Crown Prince. I’ve been counting down the days, and finally the Crown Prince is allowed to receive guests. My wife, which outfit do you think makes me look more dashing? It’s my first time appearing in front of Yuanbao’er, so I’m a little nervous.” Tong Guogang ignored Tong Fujin’s expression and continued speaking to himself.
Tong Fujin's face twitched, barely suppressing the urge to slap the person in front of her to death.
"You and Yuanbao should have met at the grand banquets in the palace a few times before," said Consort Tong. She couldn't help but feel sad when she said this, but she didn't show it on her face.
One impulsive person at home is enough; she needs to be the one to keep things stable outside.
Even though Consort Tong wept by the window every night, her pain of missing her daughter was no less than that of Tong Guogang, but no outsider knew it.
Tong Guogang raised his eyebrows and said, "How can that be the same? Back then, I was an outsider, at most a distant uncle of Yuanbao'er. When we met, it was all about status. Now that I'm your father, I must make sure Yuanbao'er feels how much our family values her. Besides, there's that stupid boy Tong Guozhu ahead of us. I can't be worse than him."
Tong Fujin thought about Tong Guozhu's appearance, and then looked at Tong Guogang, who had always held a high position and had an imposing presence.
She said honestly, "Of course, Master is the best."
"Even the Fujin is better than Yuanbao'er's foster mother." Tong Guogang was referring to Tong Guozhu's Fujin.
If we don't mention that, then mentioning another concubine, Consort Tong, makes her heart ache with anger.
"How can she compare to me? Your Highness, hurry up and go to the palace." Don't say such annoying things here.
Tong Fujin kept the second half of her sentence to herself and impatiently pushed Tong Guogang away.
They've been married for a long time, and Tong Guogang doesn't have the same airs as Tong Guojiu (the Emperor's brother-in-law) in front of Tong Fujin.
He hurriedly changed into new clothes, loosened his pigtail braid and combed it again. He wasn't as nervous as he was when he got married back then.
When Emperor Kangxi heard Liang Jiugong report that Tong Guogang had arrived, his expression turned solemn, and he sat up straight.
Tong Guogang was straightforward and outspoken, but he was devoted to the Qing Dynasty and Emperor Kangxi and never sought personal gain, which earned him Kangxi's great respect.
Under Emperor Kangxi's tolerance and favoritism, Tong Guogang was the only official in the entire court who could enter the palace at will without being summoned.
"Liang Jiugong, has anyone been causing trouble for your uncle lately?" Kangxi asked Liang Jiugong uncertainly, after having Tong Guogang invited into the hall.
Liang Jiugong bowed and said, "This servant has never heard of it."
"That's good, then there shouldn't be any major problems," Kangxi said with a sigh of relief.
However, life doesn't always go as planned, and Kangxi breathed a sigh of relief too soon.
Tong Guogang came with the intention of causing a great disturbance in the Qianqing Palace, so things were destined to be anything but simple.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com