"Hmph. If it weren't for her sake, I would have handed Hongshi over to Father Emperor long ago. Otherwise, we wouldn't have lost several people for nothing because of this."
“Your Highness, I believe that Hongshi has been by your side for many years simply because he wants a chance to prove himself. Why don’t you give him that opportunity and let him do it openly and honestly for you to see?”
Yinzhen turned his head and glanced at Nian Yunrong:
"I didn't expect you to have so many tricks up your sleeve."
"How is that a wicked idea? I just feel that the bond between father and son is deep and should not be severed like this."
Yinzhen nodded.
"In that case, let's try it as you say."
After Hongshi was released from confinement, he kowtowed to Li Jingshu in the courtyard and then returned to the prince's residence under the escort of Gao Wuyong.
Before long, the opportunity that Yinzhen had mentioned came knocking on their door.
When the imperial examinations began in February, Emperor Kangxi specially appointed Minister Zhang Pengpian and Tian Congdian as chief examiners, and Vice Minister Zhang Boxing and Left Vice Censor-in-Chief Li Fu as deputy examiners.
However, during the examination, a disturbance occurred among the scholars, and it was discovered that the essays of twelve people, including the successful candidate Lao Bida, were mediocre, yet they qualified for the palace examination with the "guarantee" of several ministers.
Therefore, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Justice conducted a rigorous review of this matter.
"Fourth Brother, do you think these people are stupid? They know that Father Emperor values this matter, so why do they have to take such risks and make such ill-gotten gains?"
"Those who are blinded by greed deserve to be condemned."
"By the way, why haven't I seen the myna bird in the imperial court lately?"
"I heard he's sick."
"Your illness came at a very convenient time. But speaking of which, Fourth Brother, how do you plan to resolve this matter?"
“Hongshi has been released from confinement and needs a chance to make amends. Let him handle this matter.”
"Should our younger brother send someone to help him?"
"No need. If he can't even handle this, what else can I entrust to him in the future?"
However, Hongshi was indeed holding his breath. After accepting the task, he acted decisively and soon found out all the officials involved.
On the evening the matter was resolved, Yinzhen came to Li Jingshu's place.
"Did you go to see the concubine who was supposed to be with you for the New Year?"
"Your Highness, I heard that Sister Nian is in poor health, so I thought I'd go and see her."
"Is it to see Consort Nian, or to plead with Consort Nian?"
Li Jingshu's body visibly swayed:
"This concubine does not understand what Your Highness means."
"Since you don't understand, then I'll make it clearer. The position of heir has nothing to do with Hongshi. If he knows how to work hard, I will naturally not treat him unfairly in the future. But if he has any more crooked thoughts, I certainly won't let him off so easily as I have this time."
"Your Highness's teachings will be remembered, and I will certainly give him more instructions in the future."
Perhaps those words were indeed a bit harsh, for Li Jingshu's face turned pale.
Yinzhen couldn't bear it and helped the person up from the ground:
"As the saying goes, 'A doting mother spoils her son.' Hongshi is already married. How long can you protect him?"
"I understand, I will be more careful in the future."
But Yinzhen was not actually satisfied with this answer.
"Alright, now that you've figured it out, you should get some rest. I have other things to do, so I won't stay any longer."
"I will escort you, my lord."
After that, Yinzhen went to Geng Youran's place. When he arrived, Geng Youran had already removed her makeup.
"Princess, the Prince has arrived!"
"Didn't he go to Consort Li's place? Quick, get him to put on his makeup."
"It's too late, Princess. Just come out like this."
"That won't do, it's outrageous!"
Geng Youran grabbed her coat and put it on, then went to the door and bumped into Yinzhen, who was about to enter the house.
"It's still chilly, why aren't you wearing more clothes?"
Before Geng Youran could squat down, Yinzhen took her hand and led her into the house.
"You go to bed early."
"I had nothing else to do, so I was thinking of reading for a while and then going to sleep. Why did Your Highness come at this hour?"
As Geng Youran asked the question, she handed him a cup of hot tea.
"Master just came from Consort Li's place."
Upon hearing Yinzhen mention Consort Li, Geng Youran recalled the farces that had occurred in the manor over the past few months.
"How is Sister Li? I heard that ever since you confined Hongshi to his quarters, she has lost her appetite and fallen ill twice."
"Alas, with such a protective mother, Hongshi is unlikely to be of great responsibility."
"Your Highness, aren't you overthinking things? Sister Li and Hongshi aren't as serious as you make them out to be."
Yinzhen looked up at Geng Youran, then lowered his head and took a few sips of tea.
He handed the teacup to Geng Youran and then said:
"Didn't Hongzhou ever say anything bad about Hongshi when he came back?"
"this……"
Geng Youran felt a little embarrassed. If she said she hadn't said it, then it must be a lie.
"Your Highness, it's normal for brothers to have occasional disagreements."
"snort."
"Hmph again," Geng Youran said, finding the "humph" most annoying.
"Alright, it's getting late, go to sleep."
"yes."
A few days later, Hongzhou took advantage of his afternoon break to come back and visit Geng Youran.
"Mother, your son is back!"
Geng Youran was reading inside when she heard Hongzhou's voice and quickly got up and went to the door.
"Such a grown man, yet so unruly, shouting and yelling in the yard before even entering the house."
"The son misses his mother."
"Tch, stop with the nice things. Have you even paid your respects to the Princess Consort?"
"I've already been there, so you can rest assured."
"Tell me, what did you hear this time that you came here at this hour?"
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