The mont he realized what was happening, Yin Zhen wished he could smash a brick over his own head for his earlier impulsive reaction.
Especially when he heard the sound, and two younger figures behind him almost simultaneously peeked out from behind.
Then they were collectively stunned by the scene before them.
On the eve of the festival, the streets were brilliantly illuminated.
Not far from them at a market stall stood a young gentleman approximately in his twenties, with a tall and slender figure.
Their first reaction was: wow, what a handso person. Perhaps because this man's appearance and deanor were too eye-catching, the Ninth and Tenth Princes following behind didn't imdiately notice the other person standing extrely close beside him, occasionally speaking with him.
It was only when their Fourth Brother in front spoke that they finally reacted.
Wait, that person really was the Emperor!
But at this ti, shouldn't the Emperor be in the palace? How did he suddenly leave the palace? Or...
Just as they were curious, they saw this person casually hand the lantern he had won to the bodyguard following behind.
But before the bodyguard could hurriedly take it, the person beside him had already reached out to take the lantern, and then...
Then similarly handed it to the bodyguard behind him.
???
In the crowd, Yin Tang and the Tenth Prince exchanged glances, both widening their eyes in astonishnt.
Perhaps because they had been watching for too long, bodyguards in the shadows quickly noticed this. Seeing that person and their Emperor were both looking in their direction.
Unable to calm the shock in their hearts.
With no other choice, the group led by the Fourth Prince could only brace themselves and step forward to pay respects.
"Father, you... why have you co here?"
Considering the other party's obviously ordinary casual clothing with common patterns, Yin Zhen and the others could only step forward and ask quietly.
This was clearly not a place for conversation.
After giving his sons a brief glance, they soon arrived at a highly private room. During this ti, An Ning walked quite casually by his side, appearing particularly detached and natural under the occasional stolen glances from the people behind.
In short, she showed not the slightest bit of embarrassnt at being discovered.
So natural and poised that even Yin Zhen and the others couldn't help but suspect whether they had misseen the earlier scene.
Perhaps this gentleman and the Emperor were just platonic friends? However, such thoughts completely vanished when this person sat down extrely naturally beside the Emperor...
The brothers: "!!!"
"Your sons pay respects to the Emperor!"
The mont the door closed, the three brothers in the room stepped forward in unison to bow.
"Enough, outside the palace, there's no need to be so formal. All of you, sit!"
From the head seat, Kangxi spoke calmly:
"Speak, Fourth is one thing, but what about you two?"
"Weren't you supposed to visit the residence and return to the palace quickly?" His gaze swept over them as the person at the head spoke in a slightly stern tone.
"Replying to the Emperor, originally Tenth Brother and I were at Fourth Brother's residence. It's just that I noticed Tenth Brother has been in low spirits these past few days, so I insisted on coming out with Fourth Brother."
Hearing the displeasure in their Emperor's tone, Yin Tang quickly spoke up among the three, taking responsibility upon himself first.
Although he wasn't particularly fond of Fourth Brother, he, Aisin Gioro Yintang, understood the principle of taking responsibility for one's actions.
Of course, most importantly, with Fourth Brother being so petty, if they really offended him, it would be difficult for him and Tenth Brother to co out to play in the future.
Although Fourth Brother was sowhat annoying, he disliked going to First Brother and Third Brother's residences even more.
First Brother, always putting on airs as the eldest brother, constantly lecturing people—utterly irritating.
Third Brother, that mouth of his—please, spare !
Speaking of which, compared to those two, even unlucky Fourth Brother seed pleasant-looking.
As if frightened by his own thoughts, Yin Tang's face twisted montarily. Beside him, Yin Zhen similarly bowed in apology:
"Replying to the Emperor, it was your son's negligence for not promptly sending the two younger brothers back to the palace."
"Em... Emperor, it was your son who wanted to co out for a stroll, Ninth Brother only..."
Clearly, before their father, brotherly harmony always worked effectively.
Sure enough, the next mont, the person beside them suddenly looked much more relaxed.
Casually ordering them to sit down.
Since it wasn't a major matter, Kangxi didn't intend to investigate deeply at the mont. However, perhaps because his mood had been disturbed, he clearly appeared sowhat displeased.
The princes kept their eyes lowered and didn't dare speak much.
Instead, An Ning glanced at them.
Strangely enough, in this lifeti, this wave of princes seed to have established their residences outside the palace unusually early.
For example, the current Yin Zhen had been kicked out of the palace by his father just two years after getting married.
It was only the thirty-sixth year now, at least several years earlier than originally scheduled. Could it be because the Imperial Household Departnt had gotten too greedy before?
Or was it because she had managed the rear palace so well these years that she saved him money?
Never mind, it wasn't important anyway.
An Ning didn't pay much attention, simply sipping the clear tea in her hand while casually listening to the father and sons chat, or rather, listening to workaholic Yin Zhen seize every opportunity to discuss official matters. anwhile, she watched with interest through the window beside her as the guessing ga activities below gradually grew lively.
With the spring examination approaching, many talented scholars from various regions had gathered early in the capital. Competing in literary skills and ink battles created quite a distinctive atmosphere.
In short, her relaxed posture created a strangely incongruous contrast amidst the reserved and serious father and sons.
Before long, in the small room, a gaze fixed directly upon her.
"Might I ask how to address this esteed brother?"
It was the fourteen-year-old Yin Tang who had quietly approached at so point. As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at the exceptionally bright glass palace lantern placed not far away.
Before An Ning could answer, she heard him continue on his own:
"I just heard people say that this palace lantern is reportedly one of Moonlight Pavilion's main offerings this year. Originally, since the Lantern Festival hasn't arrived yet, they didn't intend for anyone to take it today, setting questions that grew increasingly tricky one after another."
"By the way, I went to see for myself earlier—many people couldn't even pass the first few questions."
"I never expected this brother to be so impressive!"
How could such a person be unknown in the capital?
Under the nearly horrified and stunned gazes of Fourth Brother and Tenth Brother nearby, Yin Tang shifted his chair, moving even closer.
As he spoke, his clever little eyes suspiciously scanned her face.
Facing his overly direct gaze, An Ning showed no fear at all. With an amused glance at the seemingly increasingly angry emperor at the head, she twirled the jade tassel between her pale, slender fingers in an elegant arc.
"Well, perhaps I should thank your Emperor for that."
After all, in this lifeti, her poetry skills had ostensibly been first taught by him, so she wasn't being untruthful.
As for how to address her...
As if pondering for a mont, facing the curious gazes in the room, An Ning soon smiled while fanning herself:
"If you gentlen don't mind, you could call uncle..."
Yin Tang: "..."
Fourth Prince, Tenth Prince: "???"
Reviews
All reviews (0)