Chapter 149 Surrender
When Yinzhen came to the Imperial Study that day, he saw Amur carrying a whole stack of books, his head almost invisible. He couldn't help but stop him and ask him a few questions.
Amur couldn't see the road ahead, but he knew who it was just by the voice. He quickly and carefully put down the stack of books and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
"Yes, get up."
Looking at the burly young man standing before him, who was as tall as him when he stood up, Yinzhen noticed that he was much fairer-skinned than when he first arrived at the Forbidden City, and his accent had disappeared. Now he looked every bit the part of a young man, and Yinzhen's eyes deepened slightly.
"How many years have you been in the capital? Are you used to being so far from home?" Since he had some free time today, Yinzhen started chatting with him. He often saw the young companions around Hongzhao and was naturally familiar with them. He had always regarded them as children about the same age as Hongzhao.
I only realized today when I saw them for the first time that they all seem to be of marriageable age.
Amur smiled shyly – “I’ve been in the capital for five or six years now. When I first came here, I missed my mother a little, but the Crown Prince is kind and easy to get along with, and the Empress is like a loving mother, always taking care of us and adding clothes and food for us. We can also receive guidance from the Emperor. So there is naturally no better place to go.”
Listening to his effusive praise, coupled with the child's seemingly innate honesty and simplicity, without a trace of flattery, Yinzhen nodded in deep agreement and spoke again—"You have several older brothers in your family. I remember they are all quite a bit older than you. Why have I never received a memorial from your father requesting that you be granted the title of Prince?"
Although Amur didn't know why the Emperor had thought of asking this, he still thought for a moment and said, "This is something that I, as the son, should not say, but I am not afraid to say it in front of Your Majesty. My father is not as wise and powerful as you, and my three older brothers are not much different in age and often fight. I think there is still no conclusion."
This flattery hit Yinzhen right where it hurts; it's what he's most proud of right now. This kid really knows how to read the room.
Yinzhen chuckled and patted Amur's shoulder affectionately—"Not bad, you have a very good temperament. Your kindness will be remembered by me and the Crown Prince. Since you like the Forbidden City, you can stay here for a long time. The Crown Prince is still young, so you can postpone your marriage proposal. I will also write a letter to your mother."
Looking at Amur's bewildered eyes, Yinzhen's smile was quite meaningful—"Don't worry, if you do well in the future, I will definitely not treat you unfairly."
As Amur thanked him, Yinzhen smiled and strode away.
"Are you telling the truth?"
Hongzhao, holding a teacup, raised an eyebrow and looked up at Jinxi beside him. He saw that Jinxi's movements as she poured tea were fluid and graceful, and there was no hint of evasion in her eyes.
"This servant dares not speak presumptuously, but it seems that His Majesty intends to marry the princess to him."
Jinxi had been serving Hongzhao quietly since arriving at the Imperial Study, but this was the first time she had taken the initiative to speak to him about something, almost as if she were surrendering herself to him.
She knew that she, who had come to serve the Crown Prince halfway through his life, was naturally different from those who had served him since childhood. She knelt down in front of Hongzhao and clearly revealed her true intentions.
"Your Highness may know that I came from Consort Zhen of Suiyu Pavilion, and the chief eunuch Su, who serves the Emperor, is from my hometown. Otherwise, I wouldn't be so lucky to be assigned to Your Highness's side."
She gritted her teeth. To become the head maid in the palace, she was naturally not without ambition. She adapted for a while. But she was still unwilling to spend her life doing nothing but sweeping and cleaning. She wanted to fight for herself when she was useful.
But to everyone's surprise, the Crown Prince showed no astonishment as she spoke. He raised an eyebrow and nodded, as if he had known all along.
"So, was it Su Peisheng who told you about Amur's matter?"
Jinxi pursed her lips, nodded with a conflicted look, and then spoke anxiously, "Eunuch Su didn't say anything else; he didn't reveal a single thing concerning the Emperor..."
Hongzhao raised his hand, and his demeanor was still so imposing that people dared not look him in the eye.
“Eunuch Su has watched me grow up, so I know how loyal he is. I also understand how you came to be by my side.” Hongzhao lowered his eyes to look at him, his gaze unreadable beneath his eyelids.
"It's just that the people around me have always been carefully selected by my father and mother. They've been with me since childhood, so I naturally know their character. Only you are someone who came halfway through, and I don't have much experience with you."
Hongzhao spoke in a light and airy tone, but Jinxi naturally understood what the Crown Prince was referring to. She straightened her face and gave a serious bow—"This servant entered the palace at a young age and has served in the harem since the late Emperor was alive. I have served quite a few masters, but this servant understands one principle: one should do what is right in one's position. I am very clear about my position and will naturally not do anything unnecessary or inappropriate."
Hongzhao neither agreed nor disagreed with her words. After looking her up and down, he raised his hand and said, "Get up. I know that the person Eunuch Su has taken a liking to is not someone who is unreasonable. I understand what you said. From now on, you will serve in the front with Granny Sun."
"Yes, Your Highness, this servant thanks you for your kindness."
Jinxi breathed a sigh of relief; she had passed this test in front of the Crown Prince.
She breathed a sigh of relief, but Hongzhao belatedly realized that he was furious. What was this all about? "My cousin started out as my study companion, and then he became my brother-in-law?"
He knew in his heart that his father would never harm Hongjin, and he also knew that Amur, though seemingly simple-minded, was actually wise and kind-hearted and honest... so why did he feel so awkward?
"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager is summoning you." Hongzhao was rubbing his fingers in thought when Xiao Dezi came over and whispered, interrupting his thoughts.
The Empress Dowager has been visibly in good spirits these days. Her youngest son can now visit the palace more often. Although Hongkai is married and can no longer live in Shou Kang Palace, he has married two daughters from the Wuya family. Now, the Wuya family finally has someone who can be mentioned in front of the Emperor. This person was personally recommended by Hongzhao, which makes her so happy that she can hardly stop smiling.
"Oh dear, seeing you all brings me comfort, and gives me hope for the days to come." The Empress Dowager held Hongzhao's hand with one hand and Qingying's hand with the other, leaning against the headboard. The smile on her face was one that Hongzhao rarely saw.
She now somewhat understands how Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang felt when she looked at the young emperor and Empress Hesheli.
Hongzhao glanced at Qingying sitting opposite him, who looked bored and unwilling, and found it absurd and funny.
Before he could speak, Qingying across from him spoke first: "Grandmother, you are naturally the most blessed. Your uncle is so filial to you, and your grandsons also think of you. Even your brother Hongli, who lives the farthest away, thinks of you all the time when he rarely comes to the palace."
The Empress Dowager smiled upon hearing this, then gently patted the back of her hand and admonished her, "It's fine for you to say such things in front of me, but don't use terms like 'uncle' or 'brother' outside. People will say you have no manners, and you'll be..."
Before the Empress Dowager could finish speaking, she glanced at Hongzhao with a smile and said, "We mustn't let anyone find a handle against us, you understand?"
Qingying pursed her lips dismissively and pulled the Empress Dowager aside to ask again, "Grand Aunt, when are we going to the Old Summer Palace again?"
Hongzhao secretly raised an eyebrow. The Empress Dowager still thought it was just her being young and playful. But what if one day she found out that the "future empress" on whom she had placed so much hope had fallen for someone else? Who knows what kind of farce it would turn into?
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