Yinreng sat behind the desk, his extremely indifferent gaze fixed on Yinzhen, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table, without saying a word.
Yinzhen stood there with his back hunched. The increasingly depressing atmosphere in the room weighed on him, causing a layer of frost to slowly gather in his heart.
He should have expected such a result.
But when he really faced the result, all that was left in his heart was a strong sense of unwillingness.
He boasts that he is... no worse than anyone else.
Yinzhen's emotions were surging and he couldn't find a way out.
After waiting for a while, Yinreng felt that the time was right and said,
"Back then, when you and Thirteen followed me in Weihaiwei for over a year, my expectations for you were actually far greater than those for Yinxiang."
"Do you know why?"
Yinzhen was stunned for a moment, then shook his head woodenly.
What's the point of bringing this up now?
"Because compared to Yinxiang, your abilities and temperament are more outstanding. What's even more rare is that you possess a fearless spirit, something I haven't been able to master for a long time."
Perhaps it was because Yinzhen was born during the funeral of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, and Kangxi neglected both him and Concubine De. So after he recovered from his grief, he doubly favored Yinzhen.
It can be said that, not counting the princes born to Han concubines later, among the more than ten brothers, only Fourteenth experienced the feeling of being extremely favored by both parents.
The rest of the people have more or less experienced the lack of fatherly or motherly love.
If it was just because of his parents' favoritism, Yinzhen would not have been so arrogant.
But unfortunately, above him was Yinzhen, who always gave in. The contrast between their situations was too stark.
If Yinzhen had not taken action to change Yinzhi's temperament, it is hard to say whether he could stand here safely today.
The fearless drive?
Yinzhen repeated it in his mind, and then a sarcastic arc appeared at the corner of his lips.
Is this really a compliment to him, or is it saying that he doesn't know his place?
It seems that she has made up her mind and is unwilling to give him a chance.
Yinreng didn't see his expression clearly, but he knew that he must be looking very unhappy.
He had been silent for so long just now, thinking about whether to use Yinzhen.
Yinzhen does have the ability.
But what he lacks is loyalty.
After much deliberation, Yinreng still felt that he could not be sent to the northern border.
If he had any disloyalty and joined forces with the Russians, the threat he would pose to the Qing Dynasty would be immeasurable.
"I admire your character, but I can't send you to the Northern Frontier. As for the reason, I think you should know it."
Upon hearing this, Yinzhen's heart sank to the bottom.
"...I understand."
His voice was hoarse, and even his body was hunched over a bit, looking extremely depressed.
Since his goal was not achieved, Yinzhen did not want to waste time here anymore. Just when he was about to resign, he heard Yinreng say,
"But...it's not like I can't give you a chance."
Yinzhen's heart tightened, the words of resignation stuck in his throat, and hope was clearly revealed in his eyes.
Yinreng knew that he wanted to go out and command the troops, but unfortunately he didn't want to raise a wolf cub to cause trouble for himself. Anyway, there was a shortage of people everywhere, so it would be very easy to find Yinzhen a hard and tiring job...
"In the past two years, Yinlu has been busy repairing official roads, and I have sent Yinqi to lay railways. Now, large-scale construction of water conservancy facilities is underway in various places. I want you to inspect the river works in various places. What do you think?"
When he heard the words "inspection of river works", Yinzhen's hopes were suddenly dashed. It would be a lie to say that he was not disappointed.
But now, he has no other choice.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to do so. Thank you for your grace..."
Seeing that he agreed without much hesitation, Yinreng was surprised, and his impression of him also improved a lot.
Since he had nothing else to do, Yinreng also wanted to give him some advice.
"Fourteen, you are thirty-three this year, right?"
"Your Majesty, this young man is indeed thirty-three this year."
"When your fourth brother was your age, he was already a prince. Do you know the difference between you and him?"
A hint of evil amusement emerged in Yinreng's eyes.
The fourth brother and the fourteenth brother are brothers from the same mother, but the fourteenth brother is arrogant and proud, and among his brothers, the one he looks down upon the most is the fourth brother.
Yinreng's words were clearly meant to stab Fourteenth in the chest.
Yinzhen's expression changed, his eyelids drooped, and he did not answer.
"Why are you silent? Are you not clear, or do you not want to talk?"
Yinzhen took a deep breath, tried to suppress the emotions in his chest, and said in a steady tone,
"Your Majesty, please explain clearly."
Yo...
Looking at Yinzhen's upright attitude, a hint of surprise flashed across Yinreng's face. It seemed that these seven or eight years of sitting on the bench were not in vain. This kid finally understood what it meant to "when you live under someone's roof, you have to bow your head."
"Because your fourth brother has put himself in the right place, just like you are now."
Yinreng also stopped stimulating his mind.
"You should strive for what you want through your own efforts, rather than pinning your hopes on others. Not only Yinzhen, but all the other brothers are working hard to accumulate merits and strive for a bright future, but among them..."
Yinreng paused and shook his head at Yinzhen.
"Not including you."
Yinzhen's heart sank.
"Do you think I ascended the throne by relying on others, luck, and opportunism?"
Yinreng asked Yinzhen.
Yinzhen shook his head slowly.
But there was a sense of panic that someone had touched upon the secret place in my heart.
"You are dishonest..."
Yinreng sneered,
"If I had no real ability, why would the eldest, third, and fourth brothers bear the heavy stigma of treason and push me to the throne?"
"You might still think my luck outweighs my ability, but let me put it another way. If anyone of the Boss and the others were sitting here talking to you today, do you think they would be able to hold onto the throne?"
Yinzhen suddenly looked up and looked at Yinreng's face which was full of calmness.
Only at this moment did he finally understand what Yinreng wanted to say to him.
Yinreng chuckled.
"It seems like he has figured it out."
"Go ahead, and do your job honestly in the future. I will not mistreat anyone who sincerely serves the country and the people."
After walking out of the Qianqing Palace, Yinzhen looked back at the towering hall with mixed feelings.
In the eight years since my second brother ascended the throne, my eldest brother and others have proven their abilities with real achievements.
Even the third brother's son has now established a firm foothold in the court.
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