At Yikun Palace, ever since Aunt Helu inquired about Qingyin's appearance, Consort Yi also learned about Qingyin's appearance from Helu.
Consort Yi tapped the intricately patterned table, lost in thought.
He Lu is her person, so she definitely wouldn't lie to her. With such a beautiful appearance, even surpassing Consort Dong'e's, Consort Yi doesn't know whether marrying that boy Xu Yili is a blessing or a curse. However, one thing she knows is that this person absolutely cannot be seen by the Emperor, at least not now.
He Lu stood to one side, waving away the other palace maids to leave her mistress with a quiet space to think.
After a while, Consort Yi stopped thinking and asked, "You mean Xiao Jiu saw it?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." He Lu looked at the Empress with a worried expression.
"Never mind him for now. Make sure to arrange the manpower and keep Lin Qinrou and the Emperor away."
He Lu nodded, bent down and went out to make arrangements, and the inner room gradually quieted down, becoming completely silent.
— — — — — — — — — — — —
At the Prince He's residence, the Ninth Prince's mansion, Yinzhen was also pondering how to quickly make Qingyin his person.
That day, Aunt Helu was there. Regardless of whether it was related to Lin Qinrou, his mother would definitely notice Lin Qinrou later. He needed to make plans early to dissuade his mother from certain dangerous ideas. Moreover, his mother certainly didn't want Qinrou to become his primary consort. Since he couldn't get through to his mother, he would try his father. However, the premise was definitely that his father couldn't see Qinrou. Yinzhen thought deeply, his eyes unfathomable.
Li Desong appeared at this very moment. Looking at the Ninth Prince, who exuded a dangerous aura in the room, he wished he could hide far away. Unfortunately, he was already on a mission, so he couldn't run away anywhere.
"Your Highness, this is news about Princess Lin Qinrou." Li Desong folded the paper in both hands and stepped aside without saying another word.
Yin Tang nodded and flipped open the thin sheets of paper.
Lin Qinrou, whose father is Lin Shengxi, the county magistrate of Anqing County... is a branch of the Lin family that has fallen into decline, but still retains the title of the Lower Five Banners. Since it has the title of the Eight Banners, he is confident that he can raise Qinrou's banner. At that time, no matter how the emperor and mother raise her, they will not be able to control her.
After reading the last few lines, Yinzhen smiled, waved to Li Desong, and then the room fell silent again.
The next morning, the Crown Prince was somewhat surprised to see the Ninth Prince, who rarely appeared before him.
"What wind summoned the Ninth Prince to the Eastern Palace? I never expected that my Ninth Brother would come and sit here with me." The sarcastic tone poured into Yinzhen's ears.
Yinzhen remained unusually calm, showing no emotion whatsoever.
Perhaps the provocation had not worked, and the Crown Prince no longer had the idea of provoking Yinzhen. His expression was serious, but he was extremely relaxed. He even leisurely poured a cup of hot tea for Yinzhen across from him, while he held another cup of hot tea that had already cooled down and took a sip. His movements were indescribably elegant and noble.
Although Yinzhen doesn't take sides, he's always been biased towards the eldest prince, Yinzhi. He's probably here to ask for his help, but Yinzhen won't so easily ask for favors. The crown prince's lips curled slightly, but his eyes held an unreadable meaning.
Yinzhen didn't keep them in suspense and went straight to the point: "I ask the Crown Prince to do me a favor. Once it's done, the Crown Prince will know my abilities."
The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow. His ninth brother had actually said it outright. The Crown Prince was surprised for a moment, but he quickly masked it. Remembering his ninth brother's ability to make money, his smile deepened.
"What is it that Ninth Brother is talking about? If it's within my power, I will naturally help you." The Crown Prince didn't finish his sentence. In fact, since Yinzhen had already asked him for help, it must be something he could do. However, out of caution, he didn't speak too definitively.
“I have taken a fancy to a woman named Lin Qinrou, who is this year’s imperial concubine… I want her to be my primary wife.”
Crown Prince: "..."
The Crown Prince looked at Yinzhen in disbelief. If it weren't for his last shred of rationality, he probably would have already said, "Are you crazy?" But he didn't say it, though his eyes were full of that meaning.
Yin Tang did not answer, but instead looked at the Crown Prince with unusual seriousness, without any intention of avoiding the question.
"Alright, I didn't expect our Aisin Gioro family to produce such a fool, cough, a love-struck fool! This woman's status is too low. I have plenty to offer. Are you willing to part with her?" If he hadn't been holding back with reason, the Crown Prince would probably have already uttered the words "foolish Crown Prince." However, thinking of how wealthy the Ninth Prince was, he was still quite pleased. After all, the Ninth Prince had gone mad and wanted to use so much money to exchange for a woman. In any case, he wouldn't lose out and would even gain something. Thinking of this, the Crown Prince's tone became somewhat doubtful.
"If the Crown Prince has agreed, your subject will naturally fulfill it." Yinzhen agreed without hesitation.
"Since Ninth Brother is so willing, I guarantee I will handle this matter perfectly." Seeing Yin Tang's resolute tone, the Crown Prince actually became quite interested in the young lady Lin Qinrou. What kind of woman could bewitch his sharp-tongued Ninth Brother, who was like a greedy pig who only took in but never gave out, turning him into a fool who would exchange a thousand pieces of gold for a beauty? This was truly unbelievable.
The Crown Prince, stroking his smooth chin, scrutinized the composed Yinzhen. "But did this palace maid drug you? You really are..."
"Your Majesty, I hope you can do this as soon as possible, preferably before the second selection. Qinrou is different from other women; no one who sees her can help but fall in love with her." These loving and tender words interrupted the Crown Prince's speech. Overwhelmed by the sweetness, the Crown Prince glanced speechlessly at the crazed Yinzhen. Indeed, this love-struck behavior was no different from madness to the Crown Prince. Not wanting to see his eccentric younger brother any longer, the Crown Prince dismissed Yinzhen without saying another word.
Stepping out of the East Palace, the scorching midday sun cast a shadow on half of Yinzhen's delicate yet unfeminine face, also obscuring the darkness on his features.
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