Chapter 121 Comforting Visit Cheng Qianyue, who stayed at Donglizhai with the child...
Cheng Qianyue stayed at Donglizhai with the children for five days. During those five days, she acted as if nothing had happened outside, checking on their meals and urging the children not to slack off on their studies. With her setting a good example, the children gradually calmed down, and the servants seemed to gradually return to their usual routines.
Then, Cheng Qianyue wanted to visit Yinreng in the front courtyard. However, before leaving, she specifically called Hongyan over and told him, "Your mother is worried about your father, so she wants to go to the front courtyard to check on him."
Hongyan was much more composed than a few days ago. He had only slept poorly the day he returned, but he had adjusted himself in the past two days. In fact, a strange sense of courage welled up inside him. Therefore, when he heard Cheng Qianyue say that she was going to the front, he nodded heavily and said, "Mother, don't worry, I will take good care of Hongchao and Moyaqi."
Cheng Qianyue couldn't help but sigh inwardly, Hongyan had truly grown up. She looked at him warmly and said, "Mother knows you've always been a good brother." She sighed and looked out the window, then said, "Mother is going to the front yard. Perhaps I can get in, perhaps I can't, but if I do get in, I might not be able to get out. If that happens, you'll have to make your own decisions if something happens in Donglizhai." She paused, placed her hand on his shoulder, and asked softly, "Are you scared?"
Hongyan shook his head. "Mother, I'm not afraid." When his mother went on her southern tour, it was he who decided to move Hongchao from the east backyard back to the west frontyard, so he was confident that he could be a good master who could keep things under control.
Cheng Qianyue patted his shoulder, deciding to speak to him like an adult: "Our family has encountered some misfortunes, but we still have enough to eat and drink." She lowered her voice and continued, "Your mother has actually accumulated quite a bit of wealth over the years, which will all belong to you and your siblings in the future." She doesn't care about Yinreng's things, but she will definitely leave her own things to them in the future.
It's quite funny, actually. When she entered the palace, she only brought a dozen or so purses from those who would offer tips. Yet, over the years, her net worth has increased at least a thousand times. Of course, she doesn't have much cash in cash, only a little over two thousand taels, but she has so many valuable possessions, like jewelry and jade. Anything presented to her is a national treasure, each piece worth a fortune. Thinking about it, her entrepreneurial ability is quite impressive. She's just retiring early, not going bankrupt, so she's not losing anything at all.
Hongyan was surprised that his mother would say these things to him. He looked up in astonishment, his eyes quickly reddening, and murmured, "Mother..."
Cheng Qianyue waved to the side, signaling Ruoyun to bring the box over: "There are a hundred taels of loose silver in here. After your mother leaves, you can use these to reward the people under you." She asked Hongyan, "Do you still remember what your mother taught you? Only by combining kindness and severity can you make others willingly listen to you."
Hongyan sniffled, but quickly said with conviction, "Mother, don't worry." He clenched his fist tightly, as if his whole face was straining, and said with determination, "I will definitely work hard in the future and take good care of Father, Mother, and my younger brother and sister."
Cheng Qianyue smiled and slowly shook her head. "Hongyan, it's good that you want to improve yourself, but your mother doesn't want you to carry too much burden. Your father, me, Hongchao, and Moyaqi, we all have our own paths to walk in the future. These are not things to be burdened on your shoulders. The most important thing is that you live well. If you have the energy, then take care of others, understand?"
Hongyan nodded heavily upon hearing this.
Then Cheng Qianyue called Hongchao and Moyaqi over, instructing them to listen to Hongyan when she was not around. She then patted them on the shoulder one by one before leading them out of Donglizhai.
As soon as Cheng Qianyue left, Hongchao and Moyaqi rushed to Hongyan's side. Hongyan took a deep breath and said, "Mother has gone to take care of Father. We should just do what we need to do and not cause trouble for Mother and Father."
Hong Chao and Mo Yaqi both nodded in agreement.
Hongyan looked at Hongchao and said, "Especially you, these past two days you've been watching here and there, not practicing your calligraphy properly. Go back today and write a few more large characters, if you don't write them well, I'll spank you."
Hongchao couldn't help but observe his subordinates. Now, hearing his brother say this, he smiled slyly and said, "Brother, I'll write it. I'll definitely write it well."
Hongyan then looked at Moyaqi and said, "Little sister too, don't be afraid, the sky won't fall down."
Moyaqi laughed immediately: "Brother, I'm very brave." Not to mention that nothing has happened yet, even if something really happens in the future, would she, a royal princess, be bullied?
Hongyan hummed in agreement and then summoned the eunuch Jiang Zhong, saying, "Many of my calligraphy works, including those of your fourth brother, are at Taoyuan Study. Take some men and go get them." He paused and added, "When you get to Taoyuan Study, don't forget to pay your respects to my elder brothers. If they ask, just say that my fourth brother, the second princess, and I are all doing well at Donglizhai."
Jiang Zhong quickly acknowledged and withdrew with his hands hanging down.
After a while, Jiang Zhong returned to report, saying softly, "This servant went to Taoyuan Study to inquire about the First Prince and the Second Prince. The First Prince was practicing calligraphy at the time, but he nodded and called this servant out. The Second Prince wasn't reading or writing, but he instructed this servant to convey a message to you, reminding you to pay attention to your diet and daily life."
Hongyan breathed a sigh of relief: "I understand. I'll reward you and the little eunuch who went out." He looked at the sky outside and thought that it was already this late, so his mother should have gone into the front yard by now.
To be honest, Cheng Qianyue had never been to the front courtyard before; today was her first time. After crossing the small bridge, she could see guards with swords at their sides standing all around the front courtyard, each wearing a yellow riding jacket. Those who could wear such clothes were the emperor's personal guards.
Cheng Qianyue walked over step by step, and before she even reached the door, the two guards at the gate knelt down and saluted. Cheng Qianyue said softly, "Please go in and inform them that the Crown Princess Cheng Jia has come to pay her respects."
One of them said "yes" and strode in. After a while, he came out and bowed his head respectfully, saying, "Please, Your Highness."
Cheng Qianyue was still somewhat dazed after entering. Because the entry was so smooth, she had anticipated that they would put on airs, and had even prepared money to bribe them. However, she didn't expect that not only was the money not needed at all, but they had also bowed and greeted her from afar, which startled her instead.
However, Cheng Qianyue felt a little relieved: did the Imperial Guards' behavior mean things weren't as bad as she thought? Thinking this, she walked step by step towards the inner courtyard. Although there were people standing in the front courtyard, they appeared to be the original guards from the West Garden. Upon reaching the rear bedroom, Chen He and Jing Shun immediately came to greet her. Chen He said earnestly, "Master Cheng, the Crown Prince is reading inside. Please come in."
Cheng Qianyue hummed in agreement and stepped into the house. Yinreng heard the noise, put down the book he was holding, looked up at her, and asked as usual, "Why did you come over?"
Cheng Qianyue felt a lump in her throat as she looked at him. Although he looked much the same as before, in her eyes, Yinreng was like a paper tiger pretending to be rational, and he was truly pitiful. She immediately forgot all about etiquette and ran to him in a few steps. Before she could even speak, tears were already falling, and she choked out, "I was just worried about you, so I wanted to come and see you."
Over the years, she had truly grown accustomed to caring for him, so when the matter of the second deposition of the crown prince struck, besides the children, all she thought about was him. To be honest, Cheng Qianyue was very grateful to him. Many years ago, when Yinreng was reinstated, she was still wondering when he would be deposed again, figuring it would be at most three to five years, but she never expected that it would more than double and last until now.
Therefore, she was extremely grateful to him.
Because he was there to protect them, she and the children were able to live peacefully and happily for many years. Although Yinreng didn't say it, she knew in her heart how exhausted he had been and how difficult his life had been. Now that things were about to settle down, she wanted to comfort him and tell him that she knew he had tried his best as the crown prince.
Yinreng watched Cheng Qianyue cry her heart out, and slowly smiled. He pulled her into his arms, reached out to wipe her tears, and said, "Why are you crying? Don't be afraid, nothing's wrong."
After hearing his words, Cheng Qianyue couldn't utter any words of comfort. Yinreng's attitude was surprisingly good. She thought, "This isn't right. How can you be laughing about something so serious? Could it be that you've suffered a mental breakdown from the shock?"
She cautiously observed his expression and replied, "I'm not scared, I'm just worried about you." She wasn't lying; after it happened, she truly wasn't afraid at all. Before, the thought of Erfei would cause her worry, fretting about what to do in that situation. But now that it had actually happened, she felt no anxiety or worry whatsoever; instead, she felt a sense of relief, as if her prediction had finally come true. What's that word again? Right, it's called a sense of relief.
Yinreng didn't quite believe it and said softly, "Really not scared?" How could that be? Just yesterday, news came from Duanbentang that the Crown Princess had fallen ill from anxiety upon hearing that he had been escorted back by the Imperial Guards. If the Crown Princess was like this, what about her? But after she had cried, she didn't seem to have much sorrow on her face.
Yinreng sat up straight. "Aren't you scared?" He wanted to scare her, so he sighed and said, "I've offended quite a few people over the years. They might all be waiting to kick me when I'm down."
Unexpectedly, Cheng Qianyue shook her head and said, "I'm really not afraid." She thought for a moment and said, "No matter what, you are still the Emperor's son. Even if they want to take advantage of your misfortune, they have to see if the Emperor will agree."
Yinreng hadn't expected her to say that. When he came to his senses, he felt a mix of emotions. He said softly, "Yes, you're absolutely right." He leaned back and hugged Cheng Qianyue, patting her body casually. After a while, he asked, "How's the baby?"
Cheng Qianyue replied, "I took Hongyan and the others to stay at Donglizhai. I stayed with them for a few days and saw that they came over as usual."
Yinreng hummed in agreement, looked at her gently and smiled again. After a while, he whispered in her ear, "The Emperor will not depose the Crown Prince. After a while, I will be able to go out again."
Haha, do you think I believe that? They've already circled this up, and you're still saying it won't be scrapped?
Cheng Qianyue's heart sank to the bottom. She thought: "It's over. She must have been shocked to the point that she's started talking nonsense."
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