After the prince left, Yinzuo turned around, lowered his head, and picked at his fingernails helplessly.
"I'm sorry, brother. It's Xiaoliu who has caused you trouble."
Yinzhen wanted to reach out and rub Yinzuo's head, but he found that his hands were covered with mud, so he gave up. He opened his arms and gently hugged the little guy in front of him who was feeling guilty.
"I don't blame you, just do it if you like it, I will always support you, just keep going."
Now Yinzuo has been ordered to grow flowers. He nodded gently and suddenly felt so happy that there were so many people protecting him.
They moved the excavated mud into flowerpots, planted the seeds in them, covered them with another layer, watered them, and then moved them to a shady place under the corridor outside Yinzuo's house.
Nanny Cheng and Nanny Xie bathed the two little princes separately. This time, Yinzuo didn't even have the heart to play in the water and looked a little listless.
Even when it was time for a nap, Yinzuo tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep.
Time passed unknowingly and the sky gradually darkened.
"Fourth Prince, Sixth Prince, it's time for dinner. The Imperial Concubine invites you two to come together."
Yin Zuo finally woke up from his dream and said in a daze, "So soon? Didn't we just finish lunch?"
"Ah? But more than two hours have passed and it's already dark. It's time for dinner!" Shunshui scratched his head, very puzzled.
After being stunned for a while, Yinzuo looked out the window and found that it was indeed pitch black outside.
When Yinzhen led Yinzuo to the main hall, the Imperial Concubine was already sitting at the table.
"Sit down and eat."
Yinzuo was absent-minded while eating tonight. His eyes were not on the food, but were wandering around. It was obvious that he was distracted. The Imperial Concubine put down her chopsticks.
"Is Xiaoliu still unhappy about what happened during the day?"
Yinzuo lowered his head, tugged at the corner of his clothes, and hummed softly.
"Your Royal Father didn't blame you. He was afraid that you would be sad if you couldn't plant flowers in time for the Empress Dowager's birthday. Before he left, he told me that he would ask the servants in the flower room to help you plant flowers tomorrow. Since you like it, I will ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs to clear a piece of land in our backyard tomorrow to plant flowers for you. Is that okay?"
“…Okay~” Yinzuo’s soft voice was slightly choked with sobs.
Yinzhen turned his head and found that the little guy was dropping gold nuggets. Yinzuo was crying. Yinzhen put down his chopsticks, walked over and hugged him.
Yinzuo was still young, he just wanted to plant flowers, he did nothing wrong. He didn't know that a prince needed to consider his status, nor did he know that this matter would be discovered by the imperial concubine and made into a big fuss, almost implicating his two mothers and his favorite brother.
Yinzhen could understand the fear and guilt in his heart.
"Why are you still crying? Look how wronged our Xiaoliu is. Stop crying, okay? Didn't you make an appointment with your brothers and sisters to go see the lanterns? If we eat dinner well, we can go and play with them earlier." The Imperial Concubine stood up, patted the little guy on the back, and comforted him in his ear.
It took a while for Yinzuo to recover, but his eyes and nose were red, looking cute and pitiful. The Imperial Concubine gently wiped his tears with the silk handkerchief on her lapel. Although Yinzuo was not her biological son, she loved him very much.
"I'm sorry, Royal Mother. Xiaoliu caused you to be in trouble with the Imperial Concubine." Yinzuo looked at her seriously and apologized personally.
"I'm fine. What's a concubine? I'm the Imperial Concubine, much more powerful than her. How could she cause trouble to me? It's just a few words. It doesn't hurt or itch."
"It's not like that. Xiaoliu was wrong. Can Your Majesty accept Xiaoliu's apology?" Yinzuo was a little anxious.
"Okay, okay, I accept Xiaoliu's apology and forgive him." Tong Jia felt herself softening because Xiaoliu was so sensible.
"Hmm~" Yinzuo finally burst into laughter. His strong look with tears in his eyes made people feel distressed and wanted to laugh along with him. It was very contagious.
"Then let's have dinner. Today I asked them to make your favorite corn, ham and tofu soup. It tastes tender and sweet, and has a unique aroma of ham. It's not greasy at all. Come and try it."
Yinzuo calmed down and finally put down the burden on his mind. He began to eat with big mouthfuls. Only then did Yinzhen and the Imperial Noble Consort at the table feel relieved.
After dinner, the Imperial Concubine specially called two eunuchs with good skills to follow them and ensure their safety, and then let them go.
Since everyone lived in the East Six Palaces, they agreed to meet at the Jingyun Gate in the east. It just so happened that the prince had already arranged for the guards at the Jingyun Gate to let them in in advance.
When Yinzuo and Yinzhen arrived, except for the fifth prince Yinqi, everyone else had been there for quite a while, even the eldest prince Yinzhi was there.
"Xiao Liu! Why did you and Xiao Si come just now? I almost went to Chengqian Palace to find you." The second princess ran over and took Yinzuo's hand.
"I'm sorry to have kept you brothers and sisters waiting for a long time. It's all Xiaoliu's fault. The dinner was so delicious that I accidentally delayed it for a while. I hope you brothers and sisters won't blame me~" Yinzuo blinked his eyes, a little cautious.
"No! Who dares to blame you? You are still young. Eating well is the most important thing!" Only Yinzhi, who lived outside the palace and was kept in the dark about what happened today, believed Yinzuo's words.
The Imperial Concubine had people spread the news that the Imperial Concubine had taught the princes badly and made the two princes play in the mud in public like country kids. Everyone else living in the palace heard about it, and it was obvious that this was not done by Yinzhen, but could only have been committed by Yinzuo.
Everyone guessed that he must have been reprimanded. They originally thought that the two brothers would not be able to come out tonight, but unexpectedly, the Imperial Noble Concubine still let them out. It seems that the Imperial Noble Concubine did not deliberately induce them to behave rudely as the rumors said.
"Xiao Liu, I have a lot of flower seeds that I have saved over the years. I will ask someone to send them to you tomorrow. If you have any questions, just ask me." The eldest princess came forward, squatted in front of Yinzuo, looked into his eyes, and spoke to him softly.
"Although I don't like flowers and plants, my cousin and his family are doing it outside the palace. If you want any seeds, just tell me and I can help you!" The second princess added.
"Since the Emperor has agreed to let you plant flowers, you don't have to worry about what other people say. Women in the palace just love to gossip. You are an honorable prince, and whether you play in the mud or plant flowers, it will not change your status as a prince. If you are at peace with it, what others say will not be so important." Even the eldest prince rarely said some comforting words.
"Thank you, brothers and sisters~ Yinzuo has taken note of it."
After talking for a while, Yinqi still didn't come.
"It looks like Xiaowu can't get out. The Queen Mother always keeps a close eye on him. Let's go first, otherwise it will be too late." The second princess was a little impatient.
"Let's go. The ministers are all feasting in the Hall of Supreme Harmony right now and they won't come out. As long as we leave before they come out, we won't be discovered." The eldest prince had someone investigate the procedure long ago, and he confidently led his younger brothers and sisters forward.
"Wow! So many lanterns!" The second princess was the first to exclaim.
I saw that the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony was filled with hundreds of lanterns of various shapes and sizes, hung on wooden racks, swaying in the wind. The lights were bright, shining like stars, and it was a beautiful sight.
The six people stepped into this fairyland-like land and were dazzled by the gorgeous lights before them. Even Yinzhen, who had lived a lifetime, almost got lost in it.
But reason immediately told him that the emperor had spent countless silver on this banquet for all the ministers. When he first ascended the throne, the national treasury was extremely poor and even had less private property than him. The emperor spent money like water. Unfortunately, he didn't even dare to hold a decent birthday celebration later because he had no money.
"So beautiful! Brother, you have lived outside the palace for a few years. Are there also so many beautiful lanterns at the lantern festival outside the palace?" The second princess asked curiously.
The eldest prince smiled and replied, "There are more lanterns at the lantern festival outside the palace than here, but they are naturally not as exquisite and gorgeous as those made in the palace. I can only say that each has its own advantages."
"I really want to take one back." The second princess looked at one of the lotus lanterns hanging high up with some regret and sighed.
"Yeah, I think so too."
The second princess turned her head and saw that it was her eldest sister who loved to act dignified.
"Why don't you continue to act dignified today, eldest sister?" The second princess raised her chin and snorted coldly.
"When did I act demurely?" The eldest princess was a little confused.
"That's right! Hypocritical eldest sister!" The second princess made a face and ran behind her eldest brother to hide.
"Stop! Speak clearly." The eldest princess chased after him.
In the end, after a lot of noise, everyone started running, you chasing me, I chasing you, and we all unconsciously showed bright smiles.
Everyone loved to tease Xiaoliu, so everyone deliberately ran behind him, patted his shoulder, pinched his little face, and then ran away. Yinzuo was so angry that he stomped his feet and insisted on running over to catch them.
Yinzuo ran out of strength and almost fell down. Yinzhen, who was beside him, hurried to support him, but he was only slightly older than Yinzuo and lacked strength, so they both fell forward.
"Be careful."
Fortunately, someone caught me.
Yinzuo raised his head and saw the true face of the person who came. He immediately smiled and called out, "Brother Crown Prince~"
The prince helped his two brothers up and asked with concern, "Are you okay?"
"No, thank you, Your Highness." The smile on Yinzhen's face had completely disappeared, and he bowed solemnly.
"Xiao Si is still so well-behaved. You and Xiao Liu can just call me Prince Brother. There's no need to be so restrained in private." The prince patted Yinzhen's shoulder. He knew that Xiao Liu liked him as her brother the most. If he showed hostility towards Xiao Si, Xiao Liu would probably be eager to stay away from him. So he was also very kind to Xiao Si.
"Etiquette cannot be abolished." Yinzhen didn't buy it.
The prince didn't care much about it, after all, he was just doing it for Xiaoliu to see.
"I came out in advance to inform you. In a little while, the emperor will lead the ministers out to enjoy the lanterns. Everyone, go back quickly."
"So fast, I haven't seen enough." The second princess was a little reluctant.
The eldest princess took her hand and smiled at her.
"Go back, don't let Concubine Rong worry, there will definitely be another chance in the future."
The second princess responded somewhat awkwardly and let her pull her.
After all, the eldest prince and the third prince were boys, and they had both lived outside the palace and seen the lantern festival outside, so they did not stop as readily as the second princess.
"Then let's all go back to the palace." The eldest prince spoke in a brotherly manner.
"Xiao Liu, wait a moment, I'll give this to you." The prince brought out an exquisite lantern from somewhere, on which were painted unicorns in different postures.
Yinzuo opened his little mouth slightly and reached out happily to take it, but suddenly turned his head to look at his brothers and sisters behind him.
"But... none of my brothers and sisters have it, so Xiaoliu doesn't want it. Thank you, Prince brother~"
The prince smiled and scratched his nose.
"I knew you would say that. I have prepared one for each of them."
As soon as the prince finished speaking, several eunuchs came out from behind him. They handed the lanterns in their hands to several princes and princesses, and then retreated quietly.
"You can finally accept it now, right?" The prince raised his eyebrows and looked at him with a smile, then handed the lantern forward.
Yinzuo accepted the lantern with great joy and thanked him softly: "Thank you, Prince Brother. You are so kind. I like it very much~"
"If you could replace it with mine someday, I would be happier. Go back quickly, the Emperor and the others will be out soon." The prince joked and urged them again.
"Thank you, Your Highness." The others also expressed their gratitude before leaving.
Yinzhen took Yinzou's hand and wished he could go back to Chengqian Palace as soon as possible. The prince was good at winning people's hearts, and Yinzou was still so young. If he was coaxed by the prince like this a few times, he would not remember that he had told him to stay away from the prince. Yinzhen suddenly felt very upset, but he couldn't figure out why he was so upset.
After walking a few steps, Yinzuo turned around and, as expected, the Crown Prince was still looking at him. He smiled and waved the lantern in his hand at him.
"Goodbye, Prince~"
"Go back soon." The prince smiled and reminded again.
Yinzhen's mood suddenly became worse, and he subconsciously held Yinzuo's hand tighter.
"Brother~"
"Brother~"
"Brother~"
…
It was not until he reached the gate of Chengqian Palace that Yinzhen woke up as if from a dream and turned to look at Yinzuo beside him.
"What's wrong?"
"You hold it too tightly, Xiaoliu's hand hurts so much..." Tears welled up in Yinzuo's eyes, and he complained about his brother's evil deeds in a wronged manner.
Yinzhen moved his gaze to the hand of Yinzuo that he was holding as a dish. The fingers were faintly purple, and one could imagine how much force he had used just now.
However, Yinzhen's pride and awkwardness prevented him from apologizing to Yinzuo calmly.
"...I'm going to sleep first." After saying that, Yinzhen turned around and stepped into the gate of Chengqian Palace first. He did not look back, and his back looked very indifferent.
"Brother..." Yinzuo's chin trembled, and in the blink of an eye, tears fell from his eyes.
He didn't understand why his brother suddenly became so angry. Yinzuo just felt hurt and wronged.
"Sixth Prince, don't cry. Fourth Prince may be too tired. Let me carry you back to sleep, okay?" Nanny Cheng squatted down and wiped the tears for her young master. Although she didn't understand why the two young princes suddenly had a quarrel, she was just a servant. Apart from comforting her young master, she didn't dare to comment on the Fourth Prince casually.
Madam Xie said awkwardly, "Sixth Prince, please stop crying. Fourth Prince might be sleepy, so he got a bad temper. It was not intentional. I will leave now."
After saying this, he quickly followed along with the palace maids who served the Fourth Prince.
Nanny Cheng carried Yinzuo back to the room, helped him wash and dressed, and changed him into clean pajamas. Although Yinzuo stopped crying during this time, his big eyes had lost their former luster and looked very listless.
"Sixth Prince, go to sleep quickly. Everything will be fine after you wake up." This was the only way Nanny Cheng could comfort him.
No matter how sad Yinzuo was, he didn't want to make Nanny Cheng, who had grown up with him, worry about him. He responded in a low voice and closed his eyes obediently.
As usual, he said softly to her: "Good night, Mammy~"
Madam Cheng was already used to her young master always saying this special phrase before going to bed, so she responded, "Good night, Sixth Prince too."
At this time, in the other room, Nanny Xie helped the Fourth Prince undress, covered him with a quilt, and then prepared to leave.
At this moment, she heard the Fourth Prince calmly ask, "He cried, didn't he?"
Nanny Xie sighed. She was the Fourth Prince's wet nurse, and she knew the Fourth Prince's character better than anyone else. He was not the kind of person who would get angry easily. They, the servants, were all waiting in the square at that time, so she didn't know what had happened in the square.
"Yes, the Sixth Prince is... very sad. After all, the Sixth Prince is still young. If he has done anything to displease you, the Fourth Prince, just bear with it. After all, the Sixth Prince is closest to you." Nanny Xie really felt sorry for the Sixth Prince and couldn't help but say a few good words for him.
"Mammy, please go out."
Nanny Xie hesitated to speak, sighed, and turned away.
Yinzhen kept his eyes open. He did not explain to Nanny Xie that Yinzuo did not make him angry. He was angry with himself.
The prince was so good to Yinzuo, even better than he was to Yinzuo. What if Yinzuo regarded the prince as his closest brother because of this?
When Yinzhen thought of this, he clenched his fists tightly. He could not accept this result. Yinzuo was his biological brother and could only be closest to him!
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Yinzhen was furious: Xiaoliu is my biological brother, he is mine!
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