Before Yinzhen left, an uninvited guest joined the disaster relief team.
Yinzhen, carrying a small bundle, came alone to Yinzhen and cupped his hands, saying, "Fourth Brother, I'll go with you."
"Nonsense, do you think I'm going there to play around?" Yinzhen's face darkened, and his eyes exuded an imposing aura even without anger.
Yinzhen, who was radiating coldness, ignored Yinzhen's aura and poured himself a cup of tea. He was indeed quite thirsty after traveling such a long distance. "Of course, I know that Fourth Brother has official business to attend to. I asked Father Emperor for two reasons. First, I want to go with you to the Jiangnan region to broaden your horizons and help you out. Second, Fourth Brother knows that I am only interested in making money. You can use me for disaster relief and reconstruction, and I can earn some pocket money."
Yinzhen felt that the Fourteenth Prince had set a bad precedent by asking his father for everything. These young princes were currently in favor, and his father had actually agreed to Yintang's absurd reason.
It's true that the younger brother is a treasure, while the older brother is just a weed!
"Where's your luggage?" Although we were traveling light, there were still some essentials. Nobody travels with just a small bundle.
Seeing that Yinzhen didn't object to him coming along, Yintang was in a good mood: "Isn't it because I still have you, Fourth Brother? Fourth Sister-in-law must have prepared everything perfectly. When I get married, someone will take care of things like this for me."
"There's none for you," Yinzhen said irritably.
Yinzhen didn't care at all. He even thought that his fourth brother was a good person. Last time, the brothers almost indirectly caused the death of Honghui, who was the eldest son of his fourth brother. And yet, all he did for so long was to meet him and put on a cold shoulder.
Fourth Brother is truly a kind and virtuous person!
“If Fourth Brother is reluctant, then I’ll just pay for it,” Yin Tang said with a grin. “Money, you have to spend it to earn it.”
And so the two brothers traveled together, a journey with no end in sight.
******
In the East Courtyard, Consort Li felt much calmer upon hearing that Yinzhen was going to provide disaster relief.
"Which princess is going with you this time?" Now that she has her eldest princess and Hongyun under her care, she no longer wants to accompany Yinzhen as she did back then.
Besides, disaster relief is not like traveling in Jiangnan; it sounds like it involves hardship.
Granny Jin replied, "Master left in a hurry and did not take the princess with him."
Hongyun is over a year old. Since he learned to speak, he has never been quiet all day. He is always muttering something, some of which adults can understand, and some they cannot.
The happiest thing for Li every day is hearing Hongyun call her "Mother".
"The Princess Consort's temperament is so domineering that even I couldn't tolerate her back then, let alone these newcomers in the manor," Li sneered.
Granny Jin wanted to say that disaster relief was such an urgent matter, how could the master take the princess away? It had nothing to do with whether the princess agreed or not.
However, Li's prejudice against the Fujin had a long history. Anyway, she only talked about it, and over time, Granny Jin stopped restraining her.
Li Gege needs to vent her frustrations; otherwise, if she really goes astray in silence, it will only make her more upset.
"Where is the eldest princess?" Madam Li asked again.
"The Princess Consort has hired a female tutor, and the eldest princess is currently studying with her. Today is her music lesson. Would you like to go and take a look?" Granny Jin suggested.
Over the years, they have clearly seen that in the master's eyes, the eldest princess is valued far more than the third prince. Perhaps it is because the eldest princess is the only princess in the household who has come of age, the master asks about the eldest princess far more often than the third prince.
However, the eldest princess had become extremely estranged from her master, rarely interacting with him except for paying her respects each day, clearly heartbroken long ago.
Li Gege was still confused, constantly complaining that the eldest princess wasn't close to her, and stubbornly refusing to take the initiative to get closer.
Granny Jin tried to persuade her whenever she could, but to no avail.
"She's the good daughter of the Fujin (principal wife), why should I go and join in the fun!" Li Gege was a little jealous. After all, she was her own daughter, but she was being lured away by that woman in the main courtyard.
"How many months pregnant is the Princess Consort?" Li Gege asked after a moment of silence.
Granny Jin subconsciously looked around, but didn't see anyone: "Good princess, why do you ask this?"
Li glared at her and said irritably, "I can't do anything, look how scared the old woman is. But she's pregnant again, and if this time it's another son, our Hongyun will have no way out."
“You’re just worrying unnecessarily. As long as the Third Prince is alright, your position is as secure as a mountain,” Granny Jin earnestly advised.
Lady Li teased Hongyun with her hairpins and rings: "Lady Geng is still the same as ever, neither hot nor cold. Lady Wu was making such a fuss the other day, but the master didn't even glance at her. It's only this new Lady Niohuru who was able to snatch her away from the Fujin (Prince's wife). She must have some ability."
“We could do her a favor, what do you think, Granny?” Li’s words were unclear, and Granny Jin’s face turned pale.
“Granny Jin is so hesitant and indecisive. If you know her, you’ll say she’s thinking of me. But if you don’t, you’ll think she’s been bribed by the main courtyard and that’s why she’s doing all this to obstruct me.” Madam Li wasn’t exactly smart, but she had her own logic. At this moment, she suddenly became suspicious of Granny Jin.
"Princess, this matter needs to be discussed carefully." Granny Jin began her stalling tactics.
Upon hearing this, Li said nothing and continued playing with Hongyun, as if she had taken it to heart, or as if she already had other plans in mind.
******
Yinzhen's calculations were correct. No sooner had he left than a palace eunuch delivered an imperial edict summoning Honghui to the palace.
Yi Hua patted Hong Hui's head, which was now completely healed: "Hong Hui, you're a big kid now, you can make your own decisions about some things."
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