Chapter 168 Brothers Growing Apart Yinreng emerged from Yongshou Palace with a somber face…
With a somber expression, Yinreng left Yongshou Palace and returned to Yangxin Hall. After sitting down, he took a deep breath. At this moment, a servant cautiously came to serve tea. Yinreng glanced at the teacup on the low table and placed his hand heavily on the lid.
He thought, he couldn't believe that Hongxi had done it. After all, Hongxi was the son he had watched grow up, and he couldn't believe his son would do something so cruel to his own siblings. Moreover, the matter was too obvious; it seemed to harm Hongjin and Hongyan, but it had dragged all his older brothers into it.
A sudden surge of magma-like anger welled up in Yinreng's heart, burning him with unbearable pain. He raised his hand and swept the teacup to the ground. With a crash, hot tea and broken porcelain shattered and scattered all over the floor.
Who is it? He wondered. Could it be that there are still traitors and villains remaining in the palace? Are they trying to sow discord between him and Hongxi, to incite a power struggle within the royal family, to make them kill each other?
Yinreng's eyes were deep and thoughtful.
You're dreaming! I will absolutely not allow such a thing to happen!
After a long silence, he suddenly spoke: "Issue the order to release all palace servants who have served for five years in the Forbidden City. In the Eastern Six Palaces, those who have left the palace and remain there should be dismissed, and those who have not yet left should be replaced completely, leaving no one behind."
Jing Shun had been holding his breath since earlier, not daring to even breathe loudly. Upon hearing the Emperor's order, he hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Yinreng let out a long breath, closed his eyes, and continued, "Have others keep an eye on things outside." He paused slightly, then added, "Especially... the Li family..."
Although he would keep an eye on the Cheng family, he trusted them. Mainly because only two elderly people remained in the Cheng family, and the pillar of the family, Cheng Yexing, was still in Jiangning, not in Beijing. As for the Li family...
Mentioning the Li family inevitably brought to mind Hongxi. Those lurking in the shadows were undoubtedly plotting to install a new emperor. Hongxi... as the eldest son, was indeed a more likely target among the princes. However, Hongxi was confined to the palace, making it impossible for them to openly associate with him. But the Li family was different; outside the palace, they were Hongxi's maternal grandparents' family. If they couldn't get close to Hongxi, they would certainly try to influence the Li family.
Yinreng clenched his fists in an instant.
The Li family... will they be unable to resist such courtship? Indeed, the Li family hasn't received much benefit since his ascension to the throne. But they don't seem to consider why he promoted the Cheng family. If the Li family produced someone useful, he wouldn't be stingy. But if the Li family thinks that producing a concubine or the eldest prince will guarantee their rise to power, they're dreaming.
Yinreng slowly exhaled. If the Li family were loyal, they would not be swayed by others. But if the Li family were disloyal, then they would be perfect bait.
So let him see who takes the bait. When it's time to haul in the net, this fisherman will surely gut them to vent his anger. As for Hongxi...
He hoped that Hongxi could withstand this test, always stand by his side, and not be harmed by them!
Inside the Wenhua Hall, Hongxi was also sternly questioning Li Changning. Looking at the man kneeling on the ground, he asked with a fierce expression, "Did you do this, or did the Li family do it? Tell me the truth!"
Li Changning had been overjoyed recently, but he never expected to be questioned so sternly by the First Prince today. He quickly replied, "First Prince, this servant swears on his life that this matter has absolutely nothing to do with us."
"Really?" Hongxi frowned and stared intently at him, asking uncertainly.
Li Changning mustered his courage, raised his head to meet Hongxi's gaze, and said with conviction, "This matter was truly not done by this servant, nor by Your Highness or the household. Master, this servant dares not deceive you."
Hongxi finally breathed a sigh of relief, lowered his eyes, and asked in a low voice with doubt, "Then who exactly is it?" Who would do such a thing? If it's found out... will it implicate him? How can he defend himself to the Emperor? Will the Emperor believe him? But no matter what, he, as the eldest prince, cannot have any stain on his reputation, especially not such a despicable one of fratricide!
Li Changning carefully rose from the ground. "Master," he said, "I heard the eunuch involved is dead. So it's unlikely we'll be able to find out who did it." He lowered his voice and continued, "I think it doesn't matter who did it; at least they're clearing obstacles for us." Who cares who did it, as long as it doesn't affect them. It's just that the Second Prince and the Third Prince are lucky. Of course, he didn't wish for them to die, but it would be better if they were missing an arm or a leg. The heir to the throne can't be a cripple, can he?
For the first time, Hongxi felt that his cousin was truly foolish, and scolded him, "The key question is what Father Emperor will think!" More importantly, Hongjin and Hongyan only suffered minor injuries and were not seriously hurt, so what kind of obstacle-clearing was this? However, with this, those who wanted to use this incident to curry favor with him would probably not dare to show their faces.
Furthermore, thinking of Hong Jin, Hong Xi felt a pang of guilt. He thought Hong Jin had been implicated by Hong Yan, suffering an undeserved misfortune. However, he also felt that Hong Jin had always been timid, and after this incident, he would probably distance himself from Hong Yan. After a while, he came to his senses and said, "Select some of the best medicinal herbs and send them to the Second Prince. Send some to the Third Prince as well."
At the Second Palace of Gan Dong, San Tang came out of the house and kindly saw out De Lu, the eunuch beside Hong Xi. With a smile on his face, San Tang handed him a piece of silver and said, "Brother Wei, you have really gone to a lot of trouble to come all this way. This is a reward from our master."
Delu sighed, "The eldest prince has a deep brotherly affection for the second prince. Knowing that the second prince had fallen from his horse, he personally selected these top-quality medicinal herbs from the storeroom and sent them over. The eldest prince instructed that the second prince should take good care of his injuries."
San Tang nodded and bowed, saying, "Yes, I must say that the eldest prince really cares about our second prince." As they reached the door, San Tang extended his hand and said, "This servant still has to go back to serve the master and cannot see you off, brother. Please, please go ahead."
As soon as Delu left, San Tang's expression suddenly changed, and he spat fiercely at the outside. He had served the Second Prince since childhood and was utterly loyal to him. After the Second Prince's downfall, San Tang had secretly cursed the culprits countless times. In his eyes, the First Prince was absolutely involved. The First Prince sending medicine was nothing but crocodile tears.
The Third Prince was furious, and at the same time, he felt wronged for their master. The Second Prince had followed the First Prince since childhood, always putting the First Prince first. But the First Prince harmed the Third Prince, fine, but how could he lay a hand on their master? Years of brotherhood! How could he, how could he be so heartless?
San Tang felt indignant for a long time before turning around and going back into the house. When he came in, he saw his master sitting blankly on the kang (a heated brick bed). San Tang lowered his head and said, "This servant has seen the person off."
Hong Jin hummed in agreement, then after a moment pursed his lips and asked, "San Tang..."
San Tang raised his eyes: "This servant is here."
Hong Jin was filled with doubts and didn't know who to confide in. He whispered, "You say..." But he couldn't continue. What could he say? Should he tell him if his elder brother did it? Hong Jin felt like he couldn't breathe; the more he thought about it, the more distressed he became.
Brother, if it weren't for you, why wouldn't you come to see me? My third brother was so badly injured that he had to be carried to me to apologize. But your place is just a wall away from mine, why wouldn't you come to see me? Are you afraid to see me?
Hongjin closed his eyes, not daring to think any further. Seeing their master's dejected expression, San Tang was extremely anxious. Fortunately, a savior arrived, and he hurriedly said, "Master, the Fujin (princess's wife) is here."
While Hongjin was still in a daze, he saw his second wife, Hesheli, walk in with a food box.
After bowing, Hesheli opened the food box, which contained bone broth. She said, "It's almost lunchtime, and I thought you should have some soup first, so I specially asked the kitchen to simmer it for several hours."
Hong Jin felt very touched by the Second Princess's thoughtfulness, and after taking a couple of sips of soup, he said, "You've worked hard."
Hesheli shook her head: "It's just watching them make soup. As long as you recover soon, this little bit of hardship is nothing. Besides, it's not just me, but also Mother and the two princesses behind you. We all hope you get better soon."
Hong Jin patted Hesheli's shoulder with his left hand and sighed.
Hesheli said, "I heard that the eldest prince sent some medicinal herbs."
Hongjin nodded, but lowered his eyes and said, "Put them all in the storeroom. Father, Mother Cheng, and Third Brother also sent a lot of nourishing medicinal herbs. We can't finish them all in a short time."
Hesheli said "Good".
At that moment, Hong Chao and Mo Yaqi from the neighboring three schools were also visiting Hong Yan. Hong Yan was half-lying down, putting down his book with his other hand: "Look at the expressions on your faces, you two, you've gotten all fierce while we were talking."
Moyaqi said indignantly, "How can Third Brother still laugh after encountering such a thing? I'm so angry I could die!" The culprit hasn't been found out, how can it not be infuriating?
Hongyan tapped each of them with a book: "You two still need to practice not showing your emotions."
Moyaqi pouted and touched her head, whispering, "Even if we can't find the real culprit, we still have to catch someone who's an accomplice to vent our anger."
Hongyan glanced at the two children, then straightened up slightly and asked, "You two made a move?"
Moyaqi shook her head and muttered, "But it will be soon."
"Whatever you're planning, stop right now!" Hongyan warned them sternly, then looked at Hongchao and said confidently, "It must be your idea!"
Hongchao grinned at his brother, a wicked glint in his eyes.
Hongyan knew that Moyaqi wasn't as cunning as Hongchao, so he said sternly, "This matter ends here, do you hear me?" He poked Hongchao's head twice with a book, "Especially you, keep your little schemes to yourself." Hongyan remembered his mother's evaluation of him and Hongchao. She said he was openly bad, while Hongchao was cunningly bad. In a word, being openly bad was a cut above the rest, because open schemes invite willing victims, but cunning schemes can easily backfire. That's why his mother always told him to keep an eye on Hongchao and not let him learn bad habits.
Hongchao's smile faded, a hint of gloom creeping into his eyes: "Third Brother, are you just going to let it go like that? They've all..."
Hongyan scoffed, "I know. But I don't intend to let this go."
Moyaqi interjected, "Then why is the Third Prince telling us to stop? If we don't teach them a lesson, they won't realize they've offended a prince and princess of the royal family."
Hongyan looked at the two children and burst into laughter, raising an eyebrow as he asked, "Tell me your plans first?"
What are you planning? Of course, I'm going to find someone to vent my anger on!
Hongchao and Moyaqi had been planning to put Li Changning in a sack for several days. The thugs and the sack were ready, and they were just waiting for Li Changning to leave the palace and go home.
Hey, if they can't handle Hongxi, surely they can handle Li Changning? That Li guy, relying on being the eldest prince's maternal cousin, runs rampant in the palace, always acting like he's more important than them. And with all this big trouble lately, Li Changning's been all smiles, as if he wants everyone to know how happy he is. It would be a shame not to teach him a lesson for acting like that.
Hongyan chuckled lightly and asked slowly, "Do you think beating up Li Changning will make this matter disappear?"
That's impossible!
Hongchao and Moyaqi exchanged a glance and thought to themselves.
Hongyan said, "So we can't fight Li Changning. Not only can we not touch him, but you also shouldn't have any conflict with the people on my brother's side." He raised his hand and poked their foreheads one by one. "I know you want to vent your anger for me, but what's the use of venting your anger for a moment? So don't ruin my plans, understand?" He said in a deep voice, "Just do what you usually do now."
Only by remaining unchanged can they cope with all changes. But if they resort to violence, they will be in the wrong.
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