First snow of winter

  After a period of adaptation, Yong Yin had basically become accustomed to the atmosphere in the imperial study and was becoming more proficient in learning about government affairs. Even when Long Hui Tian suddenly asked questions from time to time, he answered them satisfactorily, although not particularly outstanding, but also moderately satisfactory, making it impossible for others to find fault with him.

  Moreover, since he moved into Yangxin Hall, he had more and more opportunities to interact with Yongzhao. For this gentle and warm third brother, he still had a good impression of him in his heart. At least Yongzhao did not always look at him with disapproval like Yongqi, and even tried every means to frame him in front of the Emperor.

  As autumn went and winter came, the first snow of early winter had quietly fallen into this vast city. The golden Forbidden City also became silver-clad due to the pure white snowfall that day, losing some of its dazzling brightness and gaining more simplicity and serenity.

  Inside the spacious imperial study, the fire basin burning brightly had quietly blocked out the biting cold from outside the door, leaving only waves of warmth in the room.

  At this moment, there was no warmth in Long Yintian's heart, but instead, an inexplicable gloom and a killing intent that followed. The reason for this was obvious - it came from the two memorials in front of him.

  One of them was the strategy for advancing troops presented by Yue Zhongqi, and it also clearly stated that now that winter has arrived, it is the best time to launch a surprise attack. Moreover, if this battle does not advance quickly this time, it will probably drag on until next spring.

  As for the other one, it was a impeachment memorial submitted by Ban Di, the Minister of War, which listed all Zhang Guangsi's crimes, directly pointing out that he was slow in military affairs and delayed military opportunities, causing the war between Jinquan and Xiaojin to be prolonged for several months without gaining an inch of land.

  Long Hui Tian had originally planned to end this campaign before the spring of next year, and he also deliberately suppressed Zhang Guang Si and Nuo Qin's previous memorials, only mentioning a few sentences during the secret meeting at the Military Machine Office, in order to give the two men an opportunity to redeem themselves.

  But it's clear that this final result is not as satisfactory as one would have hoped, otherwise Band wouldn't have chosen to make such a concession at this time.

  He casually folded up the letter and threw it on the table, in Long Yitian's heart, he had already made plans, this time even if they won a great victory, Caishi Kou would still likely see bloodshed.

  It's unclear whether Long Yitian was hiding too well or if Yong Yan hadn't spent enough time with him, but in any case, Yong Yan had no idea that Long Yitian was currently not feeling great, and could even be said to be somewhat terrible.

  Just as usual, Yongying slightly tidied up the few sheets of paper filled with writing, then got up and personally took them to Longyin Tian's face, and also said very respectfully: "Imperial Father, I have finished writing, please Imperial Father review."

  Long Hui Tian did not directly take it over like before, but instead looked at Yong Jing with a faint gaze and said in an tone that could not be heard of joy or anger: "Put it here for now."

  Yong Yin, even if he was slow-witted, felt that his father seemed somewhat displeased, so he obediently put the written things on the desk and then returned to his seat without saying a word. He also received an inquiring gaze from Yong Zhang sitting opposite him, which was not unexpected.

  Yongyi felt a bit helpless in her heart, wanting to say that he hadn't done anything wrong, but why did the Emperor get angry? Although it didn't show on the surface, the more it was like this, the more it showed that the Emperor's anger was burning fiercely.

  Yongying thought that the root cause of making Huang Ama angry was probably related to the memorial presented today, and it wouldn't be long before some officials would be in trouble.

  Let's talk about Gao Wuyong again. He has been serving the emperor for many years, and his vision should have been well-trained by now. However, recently he has made mistakes several times, which has resulted in the emperor not giving him a good face for a long time. Therefore, he is also trying to figure out how to please the emperor.

  Just then a flustered palace maid rushed over and brought Gao Wuyong an opportunity that he thought was not bad at all.

  The palace maid's name was Dongxue, who was assigned to the Yanxi Palace by the Imperial Household Department to serve Wei Changjin's daily life. This time she actually came to the outside of the imperial study to find Gao Wuyong, it was clear that something big had happened, and it was necessary for the emperor to know about it.

  He weighed the small gold ingot that Dong Xue had brought, and with a turn of his eyes, Gao Yu had already thought of a plan. He hastily told Dong Xue to return to Yanxi Palace first, and as for the Emperor's side, he would take care of it himself.

  Dong Xue immediately understood Gao Wu Yong's meaning, and after repeatedly thanking him in a flurry, she once again took those somewhat unremarkable and secluded small paths, quickly heading in the direction of Yanxi Palace.

  Gao Wu Yong took a few deep breaths, observing the emperor's expression from afar outside the door, and also secretly pondered what to say and what not to say.

  After everything was ready, Gao Wu Yong stepped into the imperial study, bowed his head and walked to the side of Long Yintian, saying in a low voice: "I report to Your Majesty, just now a palace maid from Yanxi Palace came to report that Her Majesty the Empress went to Yanxi Palace today, I don't know why she punished Wei Changzai to kneel for half a day, resulting in Wei Changzai having a miscarriage."

  Long Hui's already not-so-good mood was completely ruined after hearing Tian Ting, his face also darkened, and the slightly narrowed eyes were filled with a chilling intent that made one's heart tremble.

  To outsiders, it's obvious that the Emperor is angry with Empress because of Wei Zifu's recent childbirth. Although the Emperor and Empress seem to be respectful and loving towards each other on the surface, who in the palace doesn't know that the Emperor only visits Kun Ning Palace twice a month, but stays at Yan Xi Palace for almost half a month? It's clear at a glance who is more favored.

  Long Hui Tian did not disappoint Gao Wu Yong, he just fell silent for a moment before standing up and saying: "Yong Zhang, Yong Yin, you two go study on your own first, if you feel bored, you can go out and take a walk, I have some urgent matters today, I'll review your homework tomorrow."

  Before Yongzhang and Yongying could respond, Long Yitian walked towards the door while instructing: "Prepare the carriage to go to Yanxi Palace."

  Gao replied hastily and then followed Long Yitian out of the imperial study, leaving only Yongzhao's Yongying in the vast room after the emperor and his attendants left.

  Watching Long Yitian's back disappear out the door, Yongzhang only felt the sourness in his heart grow thicker, it was as if a huge boulder was pressing down on his chest, making him feel like he couldn't breathe, but there was nothing he could do about it.

  Yongzhang naturally knew that whether it was the empress or Wei Changzai, they were all legitimate consorts of Emperor Ama, and it was only natural for Emperor Ama to care about them. However, he still couldn't suppress his own feelings; he really didn't want to share Emperor Ama's concern, tenderness, and favor with anyone else.

  But these were just thoughts in his mind, he was very clear about his identity and what he should do, so many words would probably never be spoken out loud for the rest of his life, even buried deep in his heart until they rotted away, until...the day he died.

  "Third brother, are you uncomfortable somewhere? Why does your face look so bad?"

  Yongzhen finally came back to his senses after hearing Yongjing's question, turned his head to look at Yongjing who had unknowingly walked to his side, and smiled warmly. He casually made up an excuse, saying: "It's probably because I haven't been resting well lately. You also know that I don't like the smell of charcoal, but if we don't light charcoal at night, the room is especially cold, so these days I've hardly slept."

  Yong Yin also knew that Yong Zhuang was always very sensitive to strange smells, so he said with concern: "But third brother, you can't keep going on like this. Winter is still long, and if you don't get some proper rest, I'm afraid you'll fall ill before long."

  Yongzhang knew that he couldn't write anymore, so he put down the brush in his hand and placed it on the brush holder. He said carelessly: "I'm fine. Fourth brother, don't worry about me. In all those years before, didn't I also pass through them smoothly? After a while, when I slowly get used to it, I'll be okay."

  Yong Yin felt that Yong Zhuang's words were indeed very reasonable. In the past, when living in Ah Ge's residence, the food and clothing there were not as good as those in Yangxin Hall, but hadn't they all passed the years safely? Would changing places make them become precious? This was obviously impossible.

  Yong Yin then stopped continuing the topic and instead looked up, glanced at the door, and said with a hint of meaning: "I think Huang Ama won't be back for a while, why don't we go out for a walk?"

  "Go out? Do you want to go out of the palace?" Yongzhang said, looking up at the sky outside and then saying with some helplessness: "It's already this late, if we go out again, I'm afraid it will be difficult to return before the palace gates close."

  "Who says we must go out of the palace...", Yong Yin's eyes rolled, and she said in a tempting tone: "My intention is that we might as well... take this opportunity to visit the school field, how about it? Third Brother, I remember that since you moved into Yangxin Hall, you haven't attended riding and shooting classes again. Don't you really want to ride horses and run freely for a few laps?"

  Yongzhen was amused by Yongying's childish tone, and finally stood up, raised his hand and gently poked Yongying's forehead with his index finger, bluntly piercing through his thoughts: "If you want to ride a horse, just say so, why drag me into it."

  Although his little thoughts were pierced, Yong Yin didn't mind at all, because he could see that Yong Zhuang had tacitly agreed to his request. So he simply didn't say anything else and directly pulled Yong Zhuang's hand, half-forcingly taking this good-tempered third brother out of the imperial study.

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