ah!
A scream shattered the warm atmosphere of dinner. The Emperor Emeritus sat in the main seat, frowning as he looked out the door.
Li Dequan strode into the dining hall, bowed in greeting, and then quickly approached Emperor Kangxi, exchanging a few words with him.
Kangxi's face darkened instantly. He looked at the chubby twins, his eyes flashing with relief.
"Li Dequan, take the man to the main hall first," Kangxi instructed directly.
Originally, Kangxi had kept Yinzhi and Yinzhi busy all day, and the invitation to the twins was completely dashed.
Now, trouble has arisen outside targeting the twins, creating a tense atmosphere at the table, but the two children are eating happily.
"After the meal, the children will be cared for by the nannies in the side hall." After Kangxi finished speaking, the family began to eat again.
After dinner, Qingyan followed behind Yin with a nervous heart. The way Kangxi looked at the twins gave her a chill.
Relieved? Or terrified?
No matter which one it was, it made her tremble. The princes' struggle had intensified, and they were even taking it out on the children, which was something Qingyan could not tolerate.
"Fourth...Fourth..." Qingyan slowly walked towards Yin and called out softly.
He shook his head at her. Kangxi was unwilling to say more, and they were unable to seek justice for the children.
Upon arriving at the main hall and after everyone was seated, Kangxi looked at Yinzhi and Qingyan, the couple.
"We've arrested two human traffickers who were eyeing the twins," Kangxi said coldly.
Instantly, everyone's hearts were in turmoil. The twins were still young, and if they had really been abducted, they might not even be able to find their way home. The person who orchestrated this was ruthless.
"Who is it!" Yin glared angrily at Kangxi. At this moment, he didn't care about any rules. His children had been plotted against, and he had no way to resist. How could he protect his wife and children?
Seeing Yin's angry expression, Kangxi felt a pang of regret. His son had grown up, started his own family, and established his own career. To abandon even his child for the sake of the royal family was cruel.
"Father, these human traffickers are so hateful. If Yiken'e is kidnapped, his life will be completely different from what it used to be." The thought of his eldest son and his future life in hiding filled Yin with dread.
Kangxi's expression was grim; Yinzhen understood who was behind it all.
"Is he the Crown Prince?" Yin asked without any hesitation.
Upon hearing this, Qingyan quickly grabbed the edge of his vest from behind.
"Father, the Crown Prince can use whatever means he wants, but he can come at me, not the children." Yin's tone was firm.
"No!" Kangxi said awkwardly. "It was the Guarjia clan who were selling them, hoping to abduct the children."
Princess!
Qingyan's eyes flashed with anger. Within the palace, Qingyan had managed to avoid the Crown Princess's wrath.
What about now?
Reality slapped her hard in the face. Even the safety of her children was at stake, yet they dared to plot against them behind her back. Every year, following tradition, she would send the jewelry from Linglong Pavilion as a New Year's gift to Yuqing Palace, but the other party would sabotage her from behind.
"Fourth Prince!" Kangxi said helplessly, "The Crown Princess's actions have gone a bit too far."
Yin's expression darkened further upon hearing Kangxi's tone. Was she being told to give up his revenge just because of her special status?
Is it the fault of the Crown Prince and his wife that the Crown Prince has no legitimate son? What right does the Crown Princess have to harm Yiken'e?
"Father, your daughter-in-law cannot forgive." Qingyan has completely severed ties with Yuqing Palace.
At this moment, neither the Emperor Emeritus nor Empress Dowager Tong approved of Kangxi's actions. Kangxi smiled wryly, even Empress Dowager Tong believed that he would protect the Crown Prince.
"After returning to the capital, we will deal with the Crown Princess," Kangxi said. "However, we cannot reveal the truth. We will find another excuse to punish her. Fourth Prince, this will be better for the twins as well."
After he finished speaking, both Yin and Yin were relieved, at least they hadn't given up on them.
Yin and Qingyan exchanged a glance and agreed that Kangxi was right. Hutulifengsheng Zhalafen was, after all, a girl. If something like this happened when she was young, the rumors would change over time and would not be good for the child's reputation.
Those in the powerful families would understand this to some extent.
"We'll tell the outside world that we've set our sights on Yiken'e," Empress Dowager Tong said directly.
Hutu Lifengsheng Zhalafen was well-behaved, and she liked the little girl very much.
"Yes, Mother!" Kangxi agreed, and from then on, Yiken'e was brought into the public eye.
Yin hesitated for a moment and decided to do as Empress Dowager Tong wished.
The youngest daughter won't be gossiped about, making her the best choice so far.
Emperor Kangxi was somewhat embarrassed. The selection of the Crown Princess was personally decided by the Empress Dowager when she was alive. On the surface, the nanny sent by Kangxi was actually chosen by the Empress Dowager.
In the past, the Crown Princess did a good job of maintaining appearances, which made Emperor Kangxi feel proud. Now, however, some of the Crown Princess's actions have been exposed, and no one in the royal family can tolerate them anymore.
“Father, I think that if we investigate further, the Crown Princess will not do this, since she also likes twins. Isn’t it said that the Guarjia clan bribed her?” Yin Genjueluo clan did not want the Crown Princess to be replaced.
Following Kangxi's promise, Qingyan gradually calmed down. She hoped that the real murderer would be caught, rather than a substitute.
Kangxi immediately ordered Tulichen to continue the interrogation. The people who were keeping watch were all local veterans. Many children from ordinary families had been brutally murdered, some of whom were even children of wealthy merchants.
Every child is the apple of their mother's eye. When the mother is favored, the fathers will be anxious. If the child is not favored, the fathers will probably not care.
When Yingenjueluo saw Qingyan give her a grateful look, she just shook her head. It's only natural that Yin and Qingyan would be anxious when the children have problems.
The people sent by the Guarjia clan followed Kangxi's entourage. Shi Bingwen believed that the brilliance of the twins overshadowed the Crown Prince, and even Shulu was hidden in the shadow of the twins.
The human traffickers were imprisoned in a courtyard. According to their confession, they also captured the servants sent by the Guarjia clan.
"Father, I was a little anxious," Yin quickly admitted.
Lady Yin Genjue Luo gave him a way out, and Kangxi was very satisfied with the interaction between Lady Yin Genjue Luo and Qingyan, which allowed the princes to save face.
"Hmm." It's understandable that Yin would be so furious, as it's his first time becoming a father.
At this moment, Yin felt a pang of emotion, realizing that his impulsive act had actually put his father, the Emperor, at ease.
"Don't be impulsive again next time!" The Emperor Emeritus gave the final instructions.
Everyone was waiting for news from Tu Lichen, as the confessions from the human traffickers would directly affect the Crown Princess's fate.
When Tulichen knelt in the main hall and mentioned that the Guarjia clan had received a reminder from the Crown Prince that the twins would accompany the emperor on the tour, they would indirectly cause the twins to go missing. In this way, the Fourth Prince and his wife would be heartbroken, and the Guarjia clan would have a noblewoman of marriageable age who could compete for the position of concubine.
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