Chapter 9 Summoned by Concubine De
Inside the Yonghe Palace,

Defei was doing needlework carelessly and didn't even notice that her two sleeves were joined together. Her eyes always glanced past the door inadvertently.

Nanny Lu thought that her master, who was as steady as a rock, was so anxious today, so she couldn't help but comfort her, "Madam, Zhou An and his apprentice are waiting at the palace gate. As soon as they see the Fourth Master and the Fourth Lady, they will come back to report immediately. Don't miss them, don't worry."

Concubine De continued to do her needlework without responding. Nanny Lu looked at the milk cake on the table that she had been preparing since last night and wanted to laugh. Prince Honghui was only a few months old and was probably not worthy of enjoying it. The mistress was too concerned for him.

Defei touched the tiger-head hat that had been prepared long ago, and her thoughts drifted back to the time when Yinzhen was just born.

She was still young at that time and did not experience much joy of being a mother. After giving birth, she fainted due to exhaustion. When she woke up, everyone in the palace knew that the Imperial Concubine had a son and she had become a noble lady.

That was the child she gave birth to with her life, and the emperor just said a few words and he became someone else's son. She should be grateful.

No one knows how much pain I felt when I lay in the dark room those days.

But Defei thought she was not an ignorant fool, and she never showed any maternal love for Yinzhen in front of others. Since the child had been adopted by the Imperial Noble Consort, he could only be her child, and could not have a biological mother like herself who was born in a low status.

The biweekly visits to pay respects were the happiest times for her during that time. Only then could she occasionally have the opportunity to look at her child who was gradually growing up. The Imperial Noble Consort had brought him up very well, and at such a young age, he would bow his hands in thanks after eating the milk cakes she had prepared.

"Thank you, Yinzhen likes it very much."

Later, Defei became pregnant again. She was so overwhelmed by the newborn that she completely neglected the child Yinzhen during that period of time.

Someone with ulterior motives in the palace told him about Yinzhen's life story. Defei still remembered the question the little boy asked her when he stubbornly waited at the gate of Yonghe Palace and forced the servants to leave.

"Are you my biological mother?"

What did you say at that time?

"My brother's mother is the Imperial Consort, and I am your stepmother. Please don't make any mistakes."

Children who grew up in the palace are certainly not naive. Although Yinzhen was still young, he understood the situation in his heart. The imperial concubine was furious about this, and in addition to the servants being sold, Yinzhen was also punished.

From then on, Defei dared not even show the slightest concern. Besides, the child she raised at her knees could provide her with more comfort, so the relationship between the two became extremely distant.

Later, the Imperial Noble Consort passed away, and Yinzhen naturally returned to the side of the De Consort. This time he did not ask that naive question again, but he also never called her mother again.

The word "Empress" is a respectful title for the mistress of a palace in the imperial palace. It is somewhat ironic to hear it coming from the mouth of one's own son.

Defei knew that many people in the harem secretly laughed at her, saying that she sold her son for fame and fortune, and used her own son to exchange for wealth and glory in the second half of her life.

But she was just a palace maid back then, and the imperial concubine decided her honor and disgrace for the rest of her life with just a flick of her finger. How many people can understand the humiliation of not being able to control their own body and mind?

It’s not that Yinzhen was unfilial, it’s just that their conversations and behaviors were as standard as reciting a script, dry and without any warmth.

But the child is grown up now and has reached the age to be a father. Defei is powerless to change anything and can only get along with him in a neither too close nor too distant way.

"Your Majesty, the Fourth Master has arrived." Zhou An, the eunuch in charge of Yonghe Palace reported respectfully.

Concubine De pulled her thoughts out of her memories and said, "Madame Lu, go and bring her in quickly. Put another charcoal brazier in the room."

Yihuan, holding Honghui, walked into the gate of Yonghe Palace with the support of Yinzhen.

The temperature in the room was extremely high, and Nanny Lu was unusually enthusiastic: "The Queen has been waiting for Master and Consort since early morning, and they are finally here. This must be Prince Honghui, he is so clever, and looks a lot like the Fourth Master."

Thanks to the little Honghui, Yihuan and her husband were treated with unprecedented hospitality in Yonghe Palace.

Defei first glanced at Yinzhen, who looked normal and had not changed much. She knew how to love her daughter-in-law and even helped her when she entered the house. Then, her eyes were attracted by the swaddling clothes in Yihua's arms: "Fourth brother, quickly bring Honghui to me for a look."

Concubine De was well prepared. She removed all the jewelry that would get in the way, except for a hairpin pinned to the end of her hair. She had long since taken off her armor and other items.

Yihuan handed her son over with confidence. Defei was very skilled and it seemed that she had taken care of children personally many times. She touched Honghui's little clothes.

"She's wearing warm clothes, and this child is a little heavy to hold. You've taken good care of her." It was a rare moment for Concubine De to praise Yihuan.

Honghui had slept well on the way. At this moment, he looked around with his big round eyes, as if he knew he had come to a new place. He was very curious and kept making "baba" sounds in his mouth, but no one knew what he was saying.

Suddenly, his eyes were attracted by the hairpin on Concubine De's head, and he stretched out his little hand to grab it.

Defei saw the safety lock on the child at a glance. It was the gift she gave to him on his third birthday. Now that he was wearing it, Yinzhen must have discovered the secret.

Thinking of this, a warm current flowed through her heart. Concubine De smiled even more. She held Honghui's hand and took off her hairpin: "He really knows what's good. This is the reward from the Queen Mother on the day I was crowned as a concubine. She gave it to our Honghui."

"This is too valuable. He is young and doesn't know its value. He is wasting the queen's good things." Yihuan quickly refused on Honghui's behalf.

Concubine De waved her hand: "What's the value of this? My things all belong to the two brothers."

"I heard that the eldest princess in your family fell ill again a few days ago." Defei chatted.

Yihuan apologized: "It was all because of my poor mental health that I failed to take good care of him. The imperial physician prescribed a prescription and he is now much better. I should have brought him in for you to see, but I thought that after all, he was just ill, so I thought it would be better to let him rest for a while."

Concubine De nodded and said: "You have done a good job. Honghui will need the help of his brothers and sisters in the future. This mansion has many talented children and a prosperous population."

"What the Majesty taught me, I understand." Talking to Concubine De was tiring. She didn't say it explicitly, but her instructions were all in the conversation. If you didn't understand the meaning of any of her words, you would be in trouble. In this respect, Yinzhen was ten times ten like his mother.

Both mother and son took the high-end approach that you should understand what I mean. If you don’t understand, you are too stupid and don’t associate with stupid people.

"Your Majesty, last time I heard from Nanny Lu that you had a leg disease, the Fourth Master and I have been worried day and night. We think that although the palace doctors are good, there are many experts who hide in the city. My father had an old illness on the battlefield, and now he has almost recovered after taking this medicine. Please ask a trusted doctor to take a good look. If it works, that would be great. If not, the Fourth Master and I will ask around and we will always be able to find a good doctor." Yihuan took the opportunity to show her goodwill.

"You are thoughtful." Defei saw that Yihuan's speech and behavior were very different today. As expected, having a son, especially the eldest son, made her more confident and behaved more generously.

Yinzhen had been sitting nearby drinking tea, his eyes occasionally glancing over the two people who were talking, and no one knew what he was thinking.

For the sake of Honghui, Concubine De invited Yihuan and Yinzhen to have dinner in Yonghe Palace.

Most of the food on the table is sweet, such as sweet and sour fish, cherry meat, double skin milk...

Honghui was carried away by the wet nurse to be fed. After Yinzhen sat down, he drank a bowl of soup first, and then ate properly.

Seeing him deliberately avoiding those sweets and trying hard to maintain the cold and majestic appearance of the Fourth Prince, Yihuan wanted to laugh.

"Your Highness, how did you know that I prefer sweet food now? This milk cake and cherry meat are so delicious." Yihuan praised after eating most of the snacks, "Fourth Master, the chef in your palace is very skilled. I like it very much. You should try it too."

Don't hold it in and get hurt.

"It's so sweet, who has the patience to eat this?" Yinzhen said hypocritically.

His body was very honest. He ate all the food that Yihuan served with serving chopsticks.

Seeing how familiar the two were with each other, Concubine De felt happy for Yinzhen. It was a rare blessing to have a close partner by your side.

(End of this chapter)