Even if the honor guard wasn't moving fast, it passed by the restaurant in the blink of an eye.
Only after the group had completely disappeared did Tong Cheng'er ask Ru Lan to close the window.
Tong Cheng'er had lunch with Shu Yu before going back.
Just as Tong Cheng'er left, Yinzhen heard Su Peisheng say, "Your Highness, Princess Tong has already left."
Yinzhen nodded: "Yes, we've been out for so long, it's time to go back to the palace."
Su Peisheng glanced at the untouched dishes on the table and said calmly, "Yes, this servant will prepare the carriage immediately."
After returning to the palace, Yinzhen had lunch prepared again. He ate a little and then began to instruct Su Peisheng: "The instant noodle shop can open now. Remember, find some people to spread the word that the top scholar ate instant noodles during the imperial examination. Make sure everyone knows it, and say it in a nice way."
Su Peisheng: "Yes, Master."
At this time, Tong Xuewen, who was still attending a banquet outside, was unknowingly "used" by Yinzhen.
After instructing Su Peisheng, Yinzhen inexplicably added, "Have someone take good care of the businesses under the Tong family's name."
As for why he suddenly had such a thought, Yinzhen couldn't explain it. He just had a mysterious feeling that doing this was the right thing to do, and that he might regret it if he didn't.
Su Peisheng was somewhat confused upon hearing this: "Master, which Tong family?"
Yinzhen: "Which Tong family are you referring to?"
Thinking of his master's recent actions, Su Peisheng hesitated slightly before asking, "The Tong family?"
Yinzhen nodded: "Yes, go quickly."
"Yes, Master."
Tong Xuewen became the top scholar in the imperial examination. After eating out, he went home and ate another meal.
Passing the imperial examination with flying colors is a great joy in life, and naturally it deserves a celebration.
While the Tong family was bustling with activity, the Fourth Prince's residence was not so lively. The reason was the same: Consort De was causing trouble again.
"Your Highness, the head maidservant of Consort De is requesting an audience, accompanied by a palace maid."
Upon hearing this, Yinzhen knew what Consort De was up to. He was currently tired of women, and Consort De was sending him women. It would be strange if he felt comfortable.
But he really couldn't refuse to see Consort De's people.
Yinzhen's already expressionless face instantly turned even colder, and he said emotionlessly, "Let her in!"
Su Peisheng shuddered, thinking to himself that Consort De really knew how to stir up trouble: "Yes, Your Highness."
After the old nanny came in, she brought a palace maid who was dressed up to greet him.
"Her Majesty heard that the concubines serving the Fourth Prince are not doing a good job, and fearing that you might be wronged, she specially sent me to bring you a caring person."
With a cold face, Yinzhen didn't even glance at the palace maid and said, "I know. Please tell Mother for me that she is grateful for my concern."
The old nanny was not at all surprised by Yinzhen's cold face. Upon hearing this, she smiled and introduced the palace maid she had brought: "This Uya is Your Highness's distant niece, so she is also your cousin!"
Yinzhen remained silent, but he was displeased. These days, anyone could claim to be related to someone else.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, he asked the old woman, "My mother's niece? I remember that the bondservant members of the Uya clan were no longer eligible for the imperial concubine selection. How did she get into the palace?"
The old woman's expression changed; she hadn't expected the Fourth Prince to be so stubborn.
She couldn't refute this, as it was the truth. As for how this palace maid from the Uya clan got into the palace, Consort De had cultivated connections in the palace for so many years, so getting her niece into the palace was something she could easily accomplish.
"This...this..."
Yinzhen's face darkened, and he said, "Nanny, you should take the person back. Also, tell Mother that I was in charge of the investigation of the Imperial Household Department. I showed leniency to the bondservant of the Uya clan out of respect for Mother. Mother sent a bondservant of the Uya clan. What will Father think if he finds out?"
Uya listened from the side, her eyes filled with fear, but she dared not show it openly and could only lower her head and look down.
Upon hearing this, the nanny opened her mouth slightly as if to say something, but upon seeing Yinzhen's cold and indifferent face, she closed her mouth again.
In the end, the old woman could only slink back to Yonghe Palace with her men.
Back at Yonghe Palace, Uya, looking pale, embellished her story to Consort De. The old nanny, who had also been mistreated by Yinzhen and was in a bad mood, also added fuel to the fire by repeating Yinzhen's words.
Consort De was furious upon hearing this.
"Has he gone too far? He even dares to lecture me!"
The old woman said, "Your Majesty, please calm down."
Uya also chimed in, "Your Majesty, please calm down. The Fourth Prince didn't grow up in your presence, so he probably doesn't understand your good intentions. You should talk to him properly, and he will surely understand your feelings for him."
Consort De angrily said, "He's a complete ingrate. What does he know? If it weren't for the help of the bondservant of the Uya clan in the palace, how could he have been born safely? Now he's recognized that wretch as his mother, completely forgetting the bloodline in his bones. He's truly a master of crossing the river and burning the bridge."
What Consort De said wasn't entirely wrong; the Uya clan had indeed helped her a lot back then. However, it wasn't entirely true either. Even without the Uya clan's help, she wouldn't have been unable to give birth.
After all, Emperor Kangxi had few children at the time, so he took extra care of his pregnant concubines. In addition, Empress Tong also wanted an adopted son and took good care of them.
The servants of the Uya clan could only help her with things that couldn't be brought to light, so she couldn't possibly reveal them.
Consort De regretted her words. The old nanny was her confidante, but this niece who lived eight hundred miles away was not.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
