On the lakeside in front of Jiangxue Pavilion, Tongya sat on a clean rock, occasionally throwing pebbles into the lake, her brows furrowed and sighing.
The maid Qingmei smiled obsequiously, "Princess, how about I play shuttlecock with you?"
Tongya shook her head: "No."
"Would this servant accompany you to the South Study to visit the Fourth Master?"
The "Fourth Master" that Qingmei mentioned was not the Fourth Prince Hongli in the palace, but Hongming, the fourth son of Prince Yi.
Because the eldest prince, Hongchang, always bullied the princess, the second prince, Hongtun, although he loved the princess, was too mature and only knew how to study. The third prince, Hongjiao, only knew how to compose poems and admire the moon, and was good at coaxing girls. However, the princess disdained the third prince's teasing of women. Only the fourth prince, Hongming, was close to the princess in age and had a similar temperament. They often made plans to play around together.
Of course, after entering the palace, there was another playful Fifth Prince, namely the current emperor's fifth son, Hongzhou.
The three were the most playful masters in the palace. When the three of them got together, they could definitely cause chaos in the palace.
However, since the emperor favored them, no one dared to have any objections.
Tongya pouted and glanced at Qingmei: "Qingmei, you know me best, how come you don't know what I want?"
Qingmei's face stiffened, and she lowered her head with an embarrassed smile: "This servant naturally knows who the princess wants to see, but that person is not someone you can see whenever you want. There's no use in you worrying about this."
Tongya snorted heavily: "I don't care. Staying in this palace for so long is so boring. I wish I could go to Jingshan to see my fourteenth uncle."
Qingmei's face paled, and she quickly advised, "Princess, please don't think like that. It wouldn't be good if someone heard us."
Tongya suddenly stood up, hands on her hips, eyes wide: "What's wrong with that? Fourteenth Uncle is the Emperor's own brother, and should be one of the most honored people in the palace. Why can't we say that?!"
Qingmei's face fell: "Princess, I beg you, please don't be so willful."
Tongya pouted, bored: "Look at you, so timid, so boring! You think I don't know? It's just that the Emperor doesn't like him, but Fourteenth Uncle is the Emperor's own brother, so why can't the Emperor like him?"
"Look, even when my brother and I are arguing, he's still my brother. When it really matters, if I'm bullied, he'll still protect me. The Emperor is probably the same way. How long are you going to keep arguing with your fourteenth uncle?"
Qingmei wanted to cry but had no tears. My princess, how can that be the same?
Tongya stroked her chin and murmured to herself, "Do you think if I told the Emperor, he would allow me to see my Fourteenth Uncle?"
Qingmei panicked, shaking her head like a rattle-drum: "Princess, you mustn't!"
"Tsk! Look at you, so pathetic!" Tongya glanced at her disdainfully.
"What a spineless girl!" A cold snort followed immediately.
Tongya and Qingmei were both startled. Looking up, they saw a person squatting on the artificial hill, looking down at them.
The boy on the artificial hill jumped down with a smile. He was dressed in a moon-white robe, with red lips and white teeth. He stood in front of the two with his hands behind his back, a carefree smile on his lips. He tapped Qingmei on the head with his fan: "You little brat, why didn't you learn your master's boldness? You're scared by such a small thing!"
Qingmei puffed out her cheeks, lowered her head in grievance, but dared not talk back.
The visitor was none other than the current emperor's fifth son, the Fifth Prince Hongzhou.
"Why did you hit my girl?!" Tongya glared angrily, hands on her hips, looking indignant.
Hongzhou touched his nose and said disdainfully, "She's just a girl, is she worth you questioning me?"
Tong Ya grinned and said, "In short, you're not allowed to lay a hand on my girl!"
Qingmei was moved to tears, but then she heard her princess say, "Only I can fight my girl!"
Hongzhou chuckled: "Alright, alright, I won't hit your girl next time, you can hit her then, okay?"
The green plums immediately wilted like frostbitten eggplants.
Tongya's expression softened, and she asked, "Why are you here?"
"It's because I couldn't find you for ages, and I was afraid you'd get lost, so I came looking for you. Now that class is over, let's go have some fun!" Hongzhou tapped his head with his fan, looking all smiles.
In the past, Tongya would have happily agreed, but this time she turned her head away and refused without hesitation: "I'm not going!"
"Huh? Why?" Hongzhou was very surprised and reached out to touch her forehead: "You don't have a fever, do you?"
The person who loves to play the most wasn't happy when they heard about playing; instead, they became even more unhappy. What happened?
Tongya proudly raised her chin: "I'm going to find Uncle Fourteen to play with. If you're so capable, take me out of the palace to find Uncle Fourteen!"
Hongzhou's face turned pale instantly: "My dear little aunt! You have no guts! Don't you know what's going on with Fourteenth Uncle? Don't make Father Emperor angry!"
Tongya snorted, her face full of disdain: "I knew you didn't have the guts! I won't make things difficult for you!"
Hongzhou's face turned pale instantly, and he roared, "Who's got no guts?!"
Tongya covered her ears, jumped three feet away, and gave him a disdainful look: "Why are you shouting so loudly? I'm not deaf!"
Hongzhou glared with his large, round eyes, looking furious: "Say that again! Who's got no guts? I'll take you out of the palace right now!"
He then came over and took her hand.
Tongya was led along by him for a while when she suddenly realized what was happening, grabbed his arm, stopped, and refused to move.
Hongzhou turned to look at her, still very angry: "What else do you want?!"
Tongya grinned and said, "Brother Hongzhou, are you really going to take me?"
Meeting her smiling yet mocking eyes, Hongzhou suddenly deflated, his shoulders slumped, and he muttered, "You little rascal! You almost ruined everything!"
Tongya looked like she already knew, and sneered, "Which of you would dare to disobey the Emperor's orders?"
Hongzhou gave her a resentful look: "Can't you speak more politely? You dare? If you dare, why don't you go and beg Father?"
Tongya blushed instantly and quickly turned her face away: "None of your business!"
She really didn't dare to anger her fourth uncle.
Hongzhou laughed smugly: "Don't be shy!"
"What are you doing here?" a gentle voice suddenly asked.
Hongzhou could no longer laugh. He turned his face away and greeted him with a forced smile, "Fourth Brother, what brings you here too?"
Tongya stood obediently and dared not tease her anymore.
Before me stood the Fourth Prince, Hongli. Although he was always smiling, he always gave people the feeling that he could see right through them, as if no thought could escape his eyes. Moreover, he always liked to discipline people with rules and regulations.
Their gentle demeanor makes people want to get close to them, but when they discipline you, you wish you could run away immediately.
Aside from the Emperor, Tongya and Hongzhou were most afraid of him, and they dared not play any tricks in front of him.
This greatly annoyed Tongya.
"What mischief have you been up to again?" Seeing their guilty and nervous expressions, Hongli still smiled gently, but his clear eyes made it seem as if he already knew something.
Hongzhou and Hongli really didn't know if he had heard them or not, and they just laughed foolishly: "No, no, how could we do anything bad?"
This is what it means to lie through your teeth.
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