The aroma of roasted meat was softer but lingered longer.
Fat and spices mingled, producing a strange, almost milky scent that rolled constantly in the back hall of Jiayin Palace, drifting beyond the palace walls.
The Crown Prince at Danning Residence could not smell it, but he was busy reviewing memorials at Chunhui Hall and wouldn’t return until dinner.
The eldest prince, living beside Wuyizhai across the lake, couldn’t smell it either.
But the other princes were at the Yanwu Field, an open area in the northwest corner of Chunhui Hall.
Yin Shi rarely missed any chance to gather his brothers and point out a few tips.
Within half an hour, all the princes caught wind of the enticing aroma.
Even though the scent had nearly dissipated over the distance, the strange fragrance—unfamiliar to them—made them curious and hungry.
Yin Tang grumbled, “Who is it, stealing food and daring to eat such strongly flavored stuff!”
It wasn’t mealtime yet, and except for the prepared snacks and the Emperor, no one dared break protocol to eat.
But soon they realized.
Yinzhen’s expression was calmest, fists clenched over his belly.
“It must be Noble Consort Zhaoyuan.”
Yinzhi’s face instantly darkened, no longer sniffling.
Others suddenly understood.
Right, besides the Emperor, only Noble Consort Zhaoyuan didn’t have to follow the rules—and even dared to hit the Crown Prince.
Yinzhi sniffled as he started out, “I must go see what delicious food this is!”
He had never offended Noble Consort Zhaoyuan.
As for his mother… well, she was keeping a low profile now.
The Crown Prince had already conceded; why should he be so stubborn?
Yinzhen noticed Aunt Jingpin’s frequent visits to Jiayin Hall and silently followed.
Yinqi was no exception.
Being the Noble Consort’s little master, he was her closest ally and wouldn’t be left out.
Even faster than Yinqi was Yintang.
He was already annoyed by being bossed around by the eldest brother during riding and archery practice.
On such a hot day, even breathing felt like fire.
By now, he was so sweaty that he was getting prickly heat under his arms and deserved some good food as consolation.
He dragged along Yinzi and Yin’e; Yin’e pulled Yin Heng… and even pitiful Yin Tao, who looked at him helplessly.
Yin Li gently held onto Yinyou.
Only Yin Xi, though tempted, watched Yinzhi closely.
“Big Brother… shall we go too?”
Yinzhi snorted and turned toward Wuyizhai.
“I’m going back to see Third Princess. You can go wherever you want; no need to ask me.”
Yin Xi hesitated a moment but couldn’t resist the ongoing enticing aroma.
Watching Yinzhi’s slow steps, his eyes gleamed with understanding.
‘Right, Big Brother must be too proud to bow his head.’
‘After all, Big Brother is married, a man now.’
‘Imperial Noble Consort Yuan had said, men must stand tall and upright; if their head fell, the bowl would break, and they must never lose their backbone over trifles.’
That’s why Imperial Noble Consort Yuan never visited the Empress Dowager, whether in the palace or Changchun Garden—not even stepping outside the palace gates.
He didn’t know that Imperial Noble Consort Yuan was still under house arrest orders, unable to move freely, obeying Mother’s instructions to listen to her.
After understanding this, Yin Xi quickly scampered after Yintang and the others, not wanting Big Brother to be embarrassed!
He ran so fast it looked like a turtle trying to escape, just waiting for his brothers to pull him along.
Yinzhi, meanwhile: “…..”
‘What? Weren’t we supposed to only look to Big Brother? Is this the brotherly love the Emperor talks about? Hmph…’
Yinzhi returned to his palace with a dark face just as Yin Xi and Yinzhen, carrying a bunch of radishes, met the smiling Crown Prince outside Jiayin Hall.
Crown Prince: “……”
“Weren’t you at the Yanwu Field? Why are you here now?”
Yin Xi blurted, “Brother Crown Prince came too; we all learned from you. It’s called ‘Those near vermilion get stained red; those near ink get stained black’… uh!”
Yinzhen calmly covered Yin Xi’s mouth while Yinqi stepped forward to explain.
“Third Brother didn’t mean it; he’s just too hungry. Second Brother, don’t mind him…”
After all, the Noble Consort had said Second Brother shouldn’t laugh at Third Brother.
The Crown Prince rolled his eyes and walked ahead with them.
Yin Xi could rile the eldest brother nearly to blows with just words; would he be able to anger the Third Brother?
Being Crown Prince was hard enough; why add trouble for himself?
They all entered Jiayin Hall and were invited into the back hall.
Fang He and Kangxi, with Jiujiu, had already eaten and were drinking digestion tea under the grape arbor by the corridor.
Upon hearing the report, Fang He smiled warmly and turned to see the stiff smile on the Crown Prince’s face.
“Oh my, who’s this?” Fang He clapped her hands, smiling much more sincerely than the Crown Prince.
“Let me see—this isn’t the Crown Prince of Yuqing Palace who loves to fan himself?”
She patted Jiujiu’s head and said, “Quick, greet your Crown Prince brother. Even though he made you drool twice from hunger, you mustn’t be outwitted by your older brother.”
Yinreng clenched his fists behind his back and forced a smile.
This must be Noble Consort’s revenge!
He couldn’t let his expression slip or he’d lose!
Yin Xi and the others, seeing the Crown Prince’s blue veins, tried hard not to laugh till their stomachs hurt.
Who didn’t know the Crown Prince, while Noble Consort was in confinement, had been eating crystal powder in Yuqing Palace and had fanned the scent toward Yanxi Palace with ceremonial fans?
At the time, they knew Noble Consort wouldn’t let it go easily.
But… how to say it?
Even the Crown Prince was looking forward to Noble Consort’s “revenge”—the more vicious, the better.
Only the Crown Prince hadn’t expected that in front of Kangxi, Noble Consort could be so petty that even people’s faces would hurt.
Kangxi lowered his gaze like he was in meditation, pretending not to hear.
Strangely, he felt like he was caught between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law.
Whatever he said now would be wrong.
Jiujiu, with her watermelon-like belly, stood up and struggled to suck in her tummy to give the Crown Prince a formal greeting.
“Fuer Guochun, please accept Crown Prince’s greetings. Have you eaten?”
Crown Prince: “….”
Jiujiu clapped her little hands and replied, “Ah, Jiujiu’s all done eating spicy food!”
She opened her hands, pointing to the empty marinade bowl, grinning, then thinking better of it, covered her mouth.
“Nothing’s wrong~ Crown Prince came too late!”
Crown Prince: “…..”
No one else could laugh.
Yintang, like a monkey, ran over to Eunuch Chen and Eunuch Liu to check.
Sure enough, only a few skewers of not-so-appetizing vegetables remained.
He ran back into the kitchen, but none were left.
Yintang came out looking pitiful and glanced at Kangxi and Fang He.
“Father Emperor, Noble Consort Mother, did you really finish all the food?”
‘You don’t care about us sons at all?’
“If I remember correctly, it’s not even mealtime yet,” Kangxi said with a faint smile, casting a glance at his sons.
“Liang Jiugong, send more meat over. It’s not too late to eat when the time comes.”
The Crown Prince and the princes, speechless, said: “Before you say that, Father Emperor, how about putting down that digestion tea first?”
At Jiayin Hall, with the Crown Prince and all the princes present, the Imperial Kitchen dared not be negligent and quickly sent over various fresh meats prepared in advance.
Wu Jia Side Consort had only taken over as steward in the 28th year and had sent two Hong’an eunuchs, calling the Emperor “brother” and “grandfather” to be more attentive.
Barbecue and roasted meat are things you smell… the smell gets stronger and stronger, but it takes time before it reaches the mouth because the meat and vegetables need time to cook.
Fang He allowed the palace staff to serve tea to the Crown Prince and princes, flashing a glance and smiling more politely.
“Since everyone’s gathered at Jiayin Hall today, why don’t we play a game?”
Kangxi smiled, “Aren’t you afraid of corrupting the children?”
She seriously explained to Kangxi, “This game trains thinking skills. Since we’re all free, it’s a good way to test their wit.”
Everyone’s faces soured.
It was almost mealtime, and they had to be tested?
Couldn’t Noble Consort do something useful?
Yintang pleaded miserably with Fang He, “Noble Consort Mother, Father Emperor said we mustn’t play to the point of losing ambition. Can’t we wait till after we’ve eaten?”
Fang He smiled, “My kitchen is small; with so many of you, you’ll be fighting for food.
“The winner can eat first, and the losers watch. That’s not good for unity.
Only after everyone has eaten can we play…”
Yintang quickly changed his tune, “Noble Consort Mother is right. I think it’s fine to relax occasionally. I can’t beat others in learning, but I won’t lose in playing! No way!”
The Crown Prince secretly looked down on them and glanced at his brothers with disdain, but his noble demeanor was impeccable.
“Go ahead, Noble Consort. I’m happy to play the servant to the gentleman!”
Yintang probably forgot that Fang He said the game required brains.
He might lose at playing, and if he lost at thinking too, he might as well give up the Crown Prince title.
Yin Xi also rarely held his tongue and rubbed his hands eagerly.
“Please explain how to play, Noble Consort.”
No one read more than him, and even if it was just a game, by the palace’s most popular refined pastimes, he was unafraid of anyone.
Yinzhen silently but expectantly watched Fang He.
Compared to intellect, he didn’t like showing off but wasn’t boasting when he said that apart from Noble Consort and the Crown Prince, the others were all younger brothers.
Yinqi, Yinyou, Yinci, Yintao, and Yinxiang were all gentle by nature, not fond of disputes, and more focused on the sizzling meat skewers, indifferent to any game.
Only usually unassuming Yin Xi, like Yinzhen, looked at Fang He with rare anticipation.
Big Brother’s not here; no need to hide his talents—time to show face before Noble Consort!
Fang He smiled and exchanged a look with Kangxi, not rushing to speak.
Kangxi understood and smoothly said, “Since you want to play, I won’t stop you. But there must be a prize. I recently got a whole tiger skin from northern Mongolia. Whoever wins gets it.”
Everyone perked up a bit.
Fang He smiled and shook her head.
“That’s not interesting. How about this: whoever loses owes the winner a request that doesn’t violate law or morality?”
Yin Xi was clever and immediately caught her meaning.
“So, Noble Consort means everyone plays together, but in the end only one person wins?”
“Exactly. Only one side can win,” Fang He nodded and continued.
“The game is called Werewolf. Whoever laughs last is the winner.”
At once, even Kangxi, unfamiliar with the rules, had a gleam of excitement in his eyes.
Her words… the game sounded intriguing.
As Fang He smiled and explained the rules, the light in Kangxi’s, the Crown Prince’s, and all the princes’ eyes grew brighter.
Even little Yinxiang briefly shifted his attention from the fragrant fire to her.
After all, he was still a royal prince.
In the struggle for power within the Forbidden City, they all concealed their true selves to compete and scheme.
This game seemed tailor-made for royalty!
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