Believe it or not

  "What is Yongzhang thinking about, being so absorbed?"

  Yongzhang was startled by the sudden soft and low voice next to his ear, his right hand trembled, and a drop of ink fell from the pen tip, completely ruining the paper he had just written half of. However, what he cared about more at this moment was Long Yitian standing behind him.

  "Your Majesty...", Yongzhao was clearly nervous, he had not expected that he would be caught off guard by his emperor just because he was daydreaming for a short while. This time, the emperor would probably scold him and make him copy books as punishment. So, he quickly stood up and replied with some trepidation: "Your son has not ridden a horse for a long time, so..."

  Although Yongzhang's words were not finished, Long Yitian had already understood his thoughts and felt a little heartache for this obedient, gentle and kind child.

  Although Yongzhao's body had recovered relatively well after the imperial physician's careful nursing, this was only relative. Now, even Yongjin, who was three years younger than him, had a much stronger physique. Therefore, Longyuan issued an edict to exempt Yongzhao from his daily archery lessons in the afternoon and instead study government affairs in the Imperial Study Room after he returned to class in the Upper Book House.

  It's only natural for boys to be active, and the Manchu people have always placed great importance on martial arts and archery skills. Almost every one or two years, the emperor would hold an autumn hunt, and even if you were a member of the imperial family, if your martial skills weren't up to par, it's likely you wouldn't receive the emperor's recognition and favor. Therefore, not being able to practice martial arts was a huge regret for Yongzheng.

  Long Hui Tian stroked Yongzhao's head with his hand, gradually calming the unease that had appeared in his eyes. Only then did he say in a gentle tone: "If Yongzhao wants to ride a horse, next time we go to Mulanqiu, I'll take you along."

  Yongzhao's eyes immediately revealed a strong sense of joy, because everyone knew that the emperor had never taken his brothers to participate in the Mulan Autumn Hunt before. Firstly, it was because some of the princes were still young and not suitable for traveling far; secondly, it was because the emperor did not like any of his other sons except for those born by Empress Xiaoxian, so naturally he would not take them along.

  Now the Emperor actually opened his golden mouth, wanting to take Yongzheng to participate in the autumn hunt next year. How could this not make Yongzheng extremely delighted? He even asked in a small voice, "Imperial Father, is what you said true?"

  Long Hui Tian looked at Yong Zhang's eyes, which were instantly filled with spirit, and also raised a faint smile. In a half-joking tone, he asked: "Are my words golden and jade-like, or do you actually not believe me in your heart?"

  Although Long Yintian was just joking, he happened to hit Yongzhang's heart, causing the joy in his heart to dissipate instantly, and the originally somewhat excited heart was now secretly aching.

  He wasn't unwilling to believe his Huang Ama, but precisely because of the numerous disappointments in the past, he gradually learned not to hold any hope for Huang Ama.

  Because his hopes are high, his disappointment is also great, and his heart will be hurt more severely and painfully.

  Yongzhang didn't know what to say now, actually he could have told a lie to make his Emperor Father happy, but he really didn't want to deceive his own Emperor Father, especially after this serious illness, he had deeply felt the Emperor's kindness towards him, and understood what paternal love was, so in the end he still lowered his head and chose an untruthful truth: "Your son... your son dares not..."

  As Yongzhang spoke, the smile on Longyitian's face gradually disappeared. How could he not hear the meaning behind Yongzhang's words? It was clear that Yongzhang still didn't quite trust him. Although it wasn't that there was no trust at all, but compared to the complete trust that should exist between father and son, they were still far apart.

  But Long Yitian knew that trust was also cultivated from daily interactions, and the previous owner of this body had almost forgotten about Yongzhang's son. So when Yongzhang faced him, it was normal for him to show unease and distrust. Changing the state of father-son relationship naturally required time, not a one-day effort.

  Long Yintian silently sighed in his heart, and didn't say anything else. Instead, he reached out to take the paper that Yongzhang had just written half of, and carefully read it from start to finish.

  Although Yongzhang's views and opinions are still a bit immature, and his understanding of the darkness and complexity of officialdom is not deep, this handwritten small character is written very well, it can be seen that he has really worked hard to practice, and should have practiced for a considerable period of time.

  Long Yintian saw that Yongzhang had been keeping his head down and didn't dare to look up, knowing that this child was always serious-minded. So he could only pick a topic and casually asked: "Yongzhang, your handwriting is actually very good, when did you start practicing?"

  The voice is still low and gentle as ever.

  Yongzhang was slightly stunned when asked, and then he looked up at Long Yintian, not unexpectedly seeing the usual smile-like-but-not-quite expression on his face. He didn't think that Emperor Ama would blame him for being careless, nor did he seem to be angry about what he had just said, and even praised his handwriting as good.

  He didn't even have time to think carefully and replied truthfully: "I, the crown prince, started practicing calligraphy at the age of six and never stopped every day. Because the emperor once said, 'The character is like a person, this character is the first step in learning to be a human being.'"

  For some reason, after answering the question, Yongzhang's heart suddenly felt a faint sense of guilt. He thought he shouldn't be so suspicious of his Emperor Mother, and that he should trust her instead. But the deep-seated feelings he had harbored for so long were not easily changed. 'Emperor Mother, should I believe you? Can I... still believe you? But I'm really scared... What should I do... what should I do...'

  Yongzhang may not have realized that the contradictions in his heart had already been betrayed by his eyes, and every small thought of his had not escaped Long Yintian's sharp insight, only to pretend that he hadn't seen it many times.

  Because Yongzhang's thoughts are too heavy and his temperament is stubborn, many things can't be helped by others unless he figures them out himself.

  Long Hui put the paper back on the table, then raised his hand and gently pinched Yongzhang's cheek, saying with concern: "No wonder you've been recuperating for so long, but I don't see you gaining any weight. Your body is not fully recovered yet, it won't hurt to practice less every day, otherwise how can I take you to Mulan with peace of mind?"

  Yongzhang never thought that Long Yitian would make such a move in the imperial study, which reminded him of what happened when he was ill before, especially the kiss that he couldn't forget no matter how hard he tried.

  He could feel his face burning slightly, and Yongzhang knew he had turned red again, his heartbeat also accelerating uncontrollably. He always felt that Huang Ama had changed a lot compared to before, and the beginning of this change was that nearly fatal illness, perhaps it was a blessing in disguise.

  Although he still can't accept some of Huang Ama's practices intellectually, he enjoys the feeling of being with Huang Ama and doesn't know how long such days will last.

  Watching Yongzhang's cheeks flush and lower his head, Longyue Tian slightly raised the corner of his mouth. It seems that Yongzhang is not only gentle and shy in personality, but also has a thin skin. In the future, if he enters the imperial court, he will be bullied to death by those old foxes. That pure concubine is not a weak and timid person, how could she give birth to such a son? It's unknown who he takes after.

  Just as Long Yitian was slightly distracted, Gao Wuyong rushed in and brought some not-so-good news: Jia Gui Fei had a premature birth.

  Upon hearing this news, Long Yitian's smile on his face not only disappeared completely, but his complexion also turned gloomy in an instant.

  To outsiders, it was clear that the emperor had become enraged after hearing this bad news. If both Empress Jia and the child in her womb were safe and sound, then all would be well; but if either of them came to harm, it was likely that several more people within the palace would lose their lives.

  Yongzhang didn't want the Empress Dowager to leave, but Naja Gui Fei was a Gui Fei who had just been promoted by the Empress Dowager, and this time she gave birth prematurely. The Empress Dowager should go see her out of both affection and etiquette.

  Although he thought so in his mind, Yongzhang's heart still rose with a faint sense of loss.

  But in fact, Long Yitian was displeased because someone had disturbed his and Yongzhang's interaction. He had never put the lives and deaths of those concubines in his heart, and he didn't think it was necessary for him as the emperor to be present when a concubine gave birth to a child. He wasn't a doctor, what could he do by going there?

  Long Hui gave Gao Wu Yong a faint glance, slightly opened his lips and spat out two words in a voice cold enough to drop ice: "Get out."

  Gao Wu Yong's face turned pale, and he broke out in a cold sweat. He knew that he had bad luck and had stumbled into trouble, so he hastily apologized and retreated outside the door, not daring to linger for a moment.

  Yongzhao suddenly looked up and saw that Longyue Tian had no intention of leaving, and asked in confusion: "Imperial Father, aren't you going to see the Noble Consort?"

  Long Hui Tian turned his head and gazed at Yong Zhang's eyes, with an inexplicable smile, and asked in return: "How about it, does Yong Zhang want me to go?"

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