Geng Youran doesn't consider herself a person with a strong sense of justice; on the contrary, she mostly ignores things.
She knew she was being a bit of a jerk, but she just wanted to survive.
Falling in love with Yinzhen was a variable that caused her to lose a child, give birth to Hongzhou, and ultimately leave her here permanently.
Therefore, she was dissatisfied with the unfair treatment that Yinzhen received.
To ensure her own survival, Consort De entrusted the young Yinzhen to Consort Tong. She then used this 'mother-son bond' to gain Emperor Kangxi's favor and gave birth to the Fourteenth Prince.
As the Fourth Prince grew up, Emperor Kangxi returned him to Consort De's side.
However, at this moment, Consort De was nowhere to be seen as a loving mother. To her, Yinzhen was nothing more than a tool, and given his cold personality, Consort De had never liked this son.
Out of filial piety, Yinzhen had no choice but to endure it.
After the Fourteenth Prince grew up, he did not get close to his own brothers, but instead became very close to the Eighth Prince, Yinzhi.
Just as Geng Youran was lost in thought, Yinzhen and Yinti arrived.
"Gege Geng, I'm sorry to bother you."
"Fourteenth Prince, what are you saying? You and the Prince enjoy your drinks. I'll go check on the cooks' preparations."
"Wait a minute."
Yinzhen called out to Geng Youran, then turned to look at Yinzhen.
"Fourth brother, it seems that your princess doesn't like her younger brother very much."
Yinzhen smiled and said:
"Fourteenth Brother is overthinking it. She's just a princess, how could she have such a guts?"
Then Yinzhen waved his hand, dismissing Geng Youran.
After that, dish after dish was served, and the two brothers ate their fill.
If we consider the relationship between Yinzhen and Yinti separately, there wasn't actually much of a rift between them.
The two were nearly ten years apart in age, and when they were children, Yinzhen often followed behind Yinzhen to play.
But from some point onwards, the two spoke less and less, and met less and less. The Fourth Prince Yinzhen, who was by Yinti's side, became the Eighth Prince Yinsi.
He knew that Consort De disliked Yinzhen, and at first he even tried to comfort her a few times. But later he found that Yinzhen didn't seem to care about Consort De, and in a fit of anger, he stopped caring about their relationship.
They were all involved in the matter of the 'crown prince being deposed'.
However, after that, Yinzhi was punished, while Yinzhen and Yinti were completely unharmed. The reasons behind this are probably only known to these two people.
Fourth Brother, do you still hold a grudge against Mother?
"Fourteenth Brother, what makes you say that?"
Yinzhen snorted, stood up while holding onto the table, and without saying a word, was unsteadily escorted back to his quarters by the servants.
Yinzhen stared blankly at the last cup of wine left on the table for a moment, then picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp.
After that, the two never ate together again.
Because the Eighth Prince Yinzhi's mother, Consort Liang, had passed away, he was in the capital observing mourning for her. Therefore, he sent a eunuch to deliver a gift to Emperor Kangxi, namely two gyrfalcons.
The gyrfalcon is a totem of the Manchu people, symbolizing bravery and good fortune, and is an extremely precious gift. But for some reason, by the time it reached Emperor Kangxi, these two gyrfalcons were already on the verge of death.
The emperor believed this was a curse upon him, so he summoned all the princes to his residence and publicly berated Yinzhi, using harsh words to accuse him of being of lowly birth, arrogant and treacherous from a young age, plotting to harm Crown Prince Yinreng, and forming cliques for personal gain.
He angrily declared that he was severing his father-son relationship with Yinzhi and stripping him of his title of Beile.
In an attempt to plead with the Emperor, all the princes at the temporary palace knelt outside to beg for mercy for Yinzhi, but Kangxi ignored them and did not even rescind his order.
"Princess, it's snowing heavily outside."
Geng Youran stood at the door, stretched out her right hand, and the cold snowflakes melted instantly on her palm. It was so cold.
"Qianxue, are the Fourth Prince and the others still kneeling outside?"
"Yes, Princess, I heard that the Emperor has ordered that no one is allowed to plead for them."
Geng Youran suddenly wanted to laugh; she felt like she had seen this kind of scene in a TV series before.
"Qianxue, is the food box packed?"
"It's installed."
"Let's go."
Qianxue carried the food box and followed behind Geng You, hurrying towards the Emperor's residence.
Not far from the entrance, Geng Youran saw the princes kneeling outside, including the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen.
Geng Youran clenched his fist and took the food box from Qianxue's hand:
"Go back and wait for me."
"Master, I'll wait for you here."
Geng Youran smiled reassuringly:
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Before Qianxue could respond, Geng Youran took the food box and walked into the courtyard.
As she passed by the princes, Geng Youran clearly felt several pairs of eyes focused on her from behind, but she had to pretend nothing was wrong.
"Gege Geng, what brings you here?"
"Eunuch Li, His Majesty has not eaten for a long time, has he?"
Geng Youran had served in the Hall of Mental Cultivation and understood the Emperor's temperament. He was actually the most heartbroken to see his son commit such a rebellious act.
Li Dequan sighed:
"It's kind of you to remember. Wait here for me for a moment, I'll go in and report."
"Eh."
Before long, Kangxi summoned her in.
"This servant greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be well."
"I am unlucky."
Emperor Kangxi had only drunk a few sips of tea these past few days, and his voice had become hoarse.
What brings you here?
"Your Majesty, I heard from the kitchen staff that you haven't eaten for a long time, so I specially made some of your favorite, easily digestible snacks."
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