It turns out he wasn't senile or unable to control himself; rather, he had foreseen his fate. If he had simply stayed put and waited for his father to pass away before inheriting the throne, those old ministers would have controlled the new emperor, just like Ao Bai had done in the past.
He was like a hawk caught in a net, preferring to charge into the bloody mess rather than be a laughingstock.
"Second brother, you..."
"You might think I've gone mad from being imprisoned, but I can tell you, I'm perfectly sober right now."
Perhaps because he had vented all his thoughts, Yinreng felt quite relieved.
"Someone, bring me a basin of water."
Several eunuchs helped Yinreng wash his face, tie his hair, and change his clothes. When Yinreng came out of the inner room again, he had regained his spirits.
"Alright, fourth brother, you don't need to look at me like that. I've been imprisoned for so long, I've thought things through. As for Father Emperor, let him do what he wants."
Yinzhen felt that only now did he truly understand his second brother. It turned out that his childhood intelligence had not been lost due to wine and women.
He has always been the clear-headed person, and he has always been aware of the consequences of his indulgence.
Looking at his handsome second brother standing before him, Yinzhen felt much more at ease and relaxed.
"Second brother, these are some snacks your younger brother brought you. Try them and see if they're still to your liking."
Yinreng picked up a piece of 'Poria cocos cake', took a bite, and smiled:
"It was made by your concubine, Lady Geng, wasn't it?"
"Second Brother, you have a good tongue; you haven't forgotten after all."
"Fourth brother, I can't just eat your snacks for nothing. There are some things I feel I need to make clear to you."
"Second brother, please speak freely."
"Eighth brother is sensitive and suspicious by nature. He has endured for so many years; the title of 'Eighth Wise Prince' is not for nothing. You must keep a close eye on him and never let your guard down. As for ninth and tenth brothers, you don't need to worry too much. Remember, no matter what, you should only do your own job and never interfere in anything that is not your business. Father Emperor is suspicious; the more he does, the more mistakes he will make."
This may be the last time Yinreng and Yinzhen talked so much. Before leaving Xianyang Palace, Yinzhen heard the long-lost sound of a flute coming from inside the room, and in a daze, he saw the boy who had been galloping with him on the grassland again.
"Gao Wuyong, return to the manor."
"Yes, sir."
After returning to his residence, Yinzhen sat alone in his study for a long time, until evening when Gao Wuyong came in and called him, which brought him back to his senses.
"Master, Qianxue, who serves Princess Geng, has arrived."
"when?"
"this......"
"explain."
Yinzhen was curious, as Geng Youran rarely allowed anyone to come to his study to see him.
"Prince Hongzhou is back."
"Hmm? Today isn't a day off, why is he back? Did he ask his master for leave?"
"Qianxue said that the young prince ran away without permission. Consort Geng was afraid something might happen, so she asked Qianxue to come and report to you."
"That brat, instead of studying properly, he dares to sneak out. He must have a death wish."
Gao Wuyong was startled by Yinzhen's loud voice, thinking that Prince Hongshi probably couldn't avoid this scolding and might even be punished.
Yinzhen and Gao Wuyong went to Geng Youran's courtyard. Before they even entered the house, they saw Hongzhou munching on a chicken leg while complaining.
Sitting next to Hongzhou, Geng Youran inadvertently turned her head and saw Yinzhen glaring at his son, who was talking incessantly with his back to him, his face dark.
She wanted to remind Hongzhou, but Yinzhen at the door was watching too closely.
"Mother, are you even listening to your son?"
“Hongzhou, you’ve almost finished eating. I’ll make you some snacks later so you can take them home and eat with your two older brothers.”
Hongzhou pouted:
"Mother, don't you miss your son?"
"No way. I'm just afraid your father will find out and punish you."
"No. When I came out this time, even Fourth Brother didn't notice, and I didn't bring anyone with me, so I won't be discovered."
Geng Youran suddenly felt a headache coming on; how could she have given birth to such a mischievous child?
"Are you full?"
"It's alright... Father!"
Hongzhou had just put down the bone he was holding and burped when he heard someone next to him ask if he was full. At first, he just gave a habitual reply, but then Hongzhou immediately realized that his father was standing right behind him.
"Your son greets his father. May your father be blessed."
Yinzhen glanced at the few dishes left on the table, slowly walked over to Hongzhou, sat down, and took the teacup that Geng Youran handed him:
"Hongzhou, I didn't expect you to have so many tricks up your sleeve. You actually dared to sneak out all by yourself."
“Father, your son knows he was wrong.”
Hongzhou knelt on the ground, pitifully admitting his mistake, but Yinzhen wasn't buying it. His son was the most glib and two-faced.
"Don't give me that. Your father is asking you, why did you sneak out?"
"Father, your son misses you and Mother."
"Don't talk nonsense. Your father came to see you yesterday and checked your homework. When did you ever say that you missed your mother?"
Hongzhou looked embarrassed, and Geng Youran couldn't stand it anymore.
"Master, your servants are still here. Please give your son some face."
"At this point, what's the point of saving face? Does he even have any face left? He's almost completely ruined my reputation."
Geng Youran felt that Yinzhen seemed to have more grievances, and her gossip-loving fire immediately ignited.
“Hongzhou, tell your mother about all your ‘great achievements’ in the palace.”
"Father, it's all in the past now, please forgive your son."
"explain."
Well, they don't even want to save face for themselves.
Before speaking, Hongzhou gave Gao Wuyong and Qianxue, who were standing next to him, a meaningful look. The two of them suppressed their laughter and left.
"Mother, your son really didn't do anything bad. I just accidentally broke a corner of Master's inkstone, accidentally lost Hongxi's homework, and when I was picking fruit from the tree, I accidentally hit a few noble ladies, and then..."
"Stop, don't say anymore."
Geng Youran covered her face with one hand; she wished she could dig a hole and crawl into it.
"You Ran, did you hear that? The fruit-picking incident happened just a few days ago, and I only found out about it the day before yesterday. It was so hard to smooth things over, and then this kid sneaked back."
Yinzhen wished he could kick Hongzhou.
"Isn't it because I'm afraid you'll kick me?"
"What did you say? Say it again loudly!"
Geng Youran felt that if she didn't stop him, Hongzhou might really get kicked.
"Your Highness, I feel so bad that the ladies have been frightened. I'll go and make some refreshments right away. I also have some fine satin that you bestowed upon me some time ago in my private treasury. I'll send them over as my apology to the ladies. What do you think?"
Hongzhou, standing to the side, blushed slightly.
It's true that I deliberately avoided coming back, but I didn't intend to cause trouble for my mother. It wasn't easy for her to save up these nice things, and I couldn't let them be wasted because of him.
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