Chapter 21
On the second day, I saw Thirteen again. If looks could kill, Thirteen would definitely be dead or seriously injured by now. Thirteen didn't dare to make eye contact with me at all. His gaze wandered elsewhere. I stared at him for a while, then suddenly felt something was off. When I looked around, Fourth Brother was gazing at me calmly. My heart skipped a beat as I hastily withdrew my gaze and stood obediently by his side.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the prince shooting arrows in the arena, I pretended to go change water, as I passed by San Sheng's side, my footsteps remained the same, but I whispered: "I'll come find you tonight." After that, I continued walking as if nothing had happened.
As I approached the thirteenth tent, Sancai, the personal attendant of the thirteenth, hastily greeted me and said, "The master has been waiting for you!" I smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble!" He accompanied my smile and said, "Miss, what are you saying? This is something a servant should do." I smiled again and entered the tent.
Thirteen was sitting on the wool blanket, leaning against a soft cushion reading a book. Seeing me come in, he hastily threw aside the book in his hand. I glared at him and casually picked up two cushions to settle myself comfortably as well, then poured a cup of tea for myself from the teapot on the table.
Thirteen leaned in closer, smiling and saying: "Where did I offend you?" I coldly snorted and said: "If you, as a senior brother, don't want to teach me, then I, as a junior, wouldn't dare utter half a word of complaint. But there's no need for you to repeatedly tease me!" He adjusted his expression and said: "You've misunderstood me. The first night was because the Crown Prince summoned me, although it was just idle chatter, but one can't afford to offend the Crown Prince's dignity, so I sent a servant to find Fourth Brother; the second time was because..." He stopped mid-sentence and only said: "There really was something going on, absolutely no joking around." I coldly snorted again and said: "Aside from the Emperor and the Crown Prince, who else could hold you back?" He looked somewhat helpless, awkwardly smiled and said: "Princess Minmin." Upon hearing this, seeing his helpless expression, even my anger couldn't help but reveal a few threads of amusement. Thinking that it really wasn't good to say anything more, yet thinking about last night's events, I felt the anger and resentment in my belly had nowhere to go, so I tilted my head back and fiercely gulped down a large mouthful of tea.
Thirteen looked at me with a lazy smile and leaned back against the soft cushion, saying: "But you should be happy instead! Why are you so angry?" I turned my head to stare at him, speaking in a low voice: "Happy? What's there to be happy about?" He moved forward a bit, staring into my eyes and said: "Don't you have Four Brother in your heart?" After hearing his words, I was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing dryly and asked: "When did I ever tell you that I had Four Brother in my heart?" He smiled, shaking his head while saying: "Ever since you served tea in front of the palace, I felt that you were strange when you saw Four Brother. You're always indifferent to the Crown Prince, but extremely cautious around Four Brother. At that time, I already found it suspicious. Half a year ago, you were promoted to lead female official and asked me about Four Brother's preferences and taboos. The tea sets and snacks you usually serve are all Four Brother's favorites. In these five years, you've also been very attentive to Four Brother's words and actions. If you weren't thinking of Four Brother, I really can't think of any other reason. And I haven't seen you treat the other princes like this either."
The more I listened, the calmer my heart became. I only felt that "one reaps what one sows". I really had nothing to complain about. When Thirteen saw him, he said a few words that made me lower my head and sit silently, but I couldn't help but smile slightly. He gently patted me on the back and chuckled: "Don't be embarrassed! I think Fourth Brother has taken a liking to you too. Remember to thank me with a cup of wine when the time comes! I haven't been stingy in praising you in front of Fourth Brother." He suppressed his smile and said seriously: "Fourth Brother is a person who is cold on the outside but warm on the inside, just look at how he treats me." I didn't respond, sitting silently for half a day. Suddenly, I stood up and said: "I'm going back." Then, looking at Thirteen, I solemnly said: "In any case, I absolutely do not have feelings for Fourth Brother!" After finishing speaking, I turned around and quickly left.
As I walked, I thought to myself that when I inquired about the Fourth Prince's preferences and taboos, I was worried about drawing attention to myself. So, I also casually asked about the other princes' tea-drinking habits. However, my heart was set on one person, while the others were just a pretense. Ordinary people wouldn't notice anything unusual, but since Thirteen and Fourth Prince interacted with each other every day, and we got along well, he saw everything I did regarding Fourth Prince. No wonder he misunderstood. Since he thought that way, it's not surprising that Fourth Prince also had misunderstandings. Moreover, I only thought that inquiring about private matters would draw attention, but unexpectedly, my carefulness and observations over the past three years were seen as having other reasons by Thirteen. How should I explain this misunderstanding that has lasted for three years?
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From that day on, I made up my mind that horse riding was absolutely out of the question. Whenever he mentioned it, I would cleverly steer the conversation in a different direction. He would smile and drop the subject. One day, while we were on duty in the Kangxi Emperor's tent, a soldier suddenly rushed in with an urgent message for Li Dequan. Li Dequan didn't dare to delay and immediately presented it to the emperor. I thought to myself, could this have something to do with the Crown Prince? Because I knew that the Crown Prince was deposed during this trip outside the Great Wall, but what exactly happened to make the emperor decide to depose him was still unclear.
Kangxi looked at him with a serious expression, and finally stood up and said: "Order the fast horse to report back every day!" The soldier kneeling outside responded loudly: "Yes!" After finishing his head, he turned around and ran away quickly. Kangxi sat down and said in a low voice: "Pass on the edict!" Li Dequan hurriedly knelt down. "The 18th prince Yunqi is seriously ill, and will return to Beijing three days later." He continued: "I want to see Su Wan Gua Erjia." Li Dequan's body trembled, and after kowtowing to receive the edict, he hastily left.
The eunuchs and palace maids on duty inside the account all stood still, not daring to breathe. I was nervous in my heart, although I knew the result, but how things developed in detail was a complete mess. After thinking desperately for half a day, I couldn't remember anything about the eighteenth brother. I had to remind myself to be careful with everything.
It's not easy to get through the shift, only to realize that I've been standing still all along, and now my whole body is stiff as I walk. When Kangxi met with Mongolian King Suwan Guojia, he had already mentioned that he would return to Beijing ahead of schedule. The Mongolians will leave in a few days and have started packing their things. Along the way, although people are coming and going, busy preparing for their journey, they all speak in hushed tones, without the liveliness of the past few days. I walk quietly back and forth, thinking about how to quickly get everything ready.
Also had to be on duty and tidy up things. But perhaps because I kept telling myself that I absolutely couldn't make any mistakes at this time, although I was very tired, my spirit was still good. On the second evening, while letting a few eunuchs carefully wrap up the utensils, suddenly heard the distant noise, didn't know what happened, on the one hand, left with heart, on the other hand, continued to busy with the work at hand.
After a while, the noisy sound stopped and returned to its previous quietness. I didn't care about it anymore until all the utensils were wrapped up and put away properly, then I went back to the tent.
As soon as I entered the tent, Yutan came up to me with a serious expression, pulled me down to sit, and whispered: "It seems that sister still doesn't know." I was taken aback for a moment, then concentrated my mind to listen carefully. "The prince rode the royal horse presented by the Mongolian king, which caused the Mongolians to make a fuss, saying that it was a royal horse presented to the emperor, but the prince took it to play with, such great disrespect, looking down on them." I let out an "ah" and thought, how could I have forgotten this? Indeed, there seemed to be such a thing.
"Your Majesty, what did he say?" Yutan whispered: "What else can be said? In order to calm down the Mongolians' anger, he scolded the Crown Prince in front of all the Mongolians. However, I think His Majesty is not only angry but also heartbroken. After all, because of the 18th brother's matter, everyone is sad now, and the Crown Prince is having fun riding horses at this time." She sighed lightly and didn't speak again. After listening to her, I fell into a daze silently. It seems that this is just the beginning.
After thinking for a while, she seriously warned Yutan: "These days, no matter how tired you are, you must cheer up, otherwise, if you're not careful, it might be a disaster." Yutan nodded hastily, "Don't worry, sister, I think so too." The two sat in silence for a while before washing and resting. But with worries on their minds, they didn't know how this matter would affect the current situation of several brothers, although they roughly knew the outcome, but the specific process was unknown, so they couldn't sleep soundly. This half-baked prophet is really not very useful. Thinking sadly, if I had known earlier that I would return to the Qing dynasty, I would have memorized all of Qing history without missing a single word. But thinking again, even if I had memorized it, it might not be useful, as the history of the Qing dynasty was often embellished and altered to "avoid offending the emperor", which might also be misleading. Hearing Yutan constantly turning over, it seemed she wasn't doing well either.
The vast and majestic camp finally set out, because the urgent report came that the eighteenth brother's condition had worsened again. Kangxi's expression was very sorrowful, and we attendants in front of him were all nervous, carefully serving him. All the brothers also looked worried. The crown prince's expression was the most complicated, with hatred, resentment, and mixed with unknown true or false sadness. Kangxi had always been extremely cold to him, making his face even more fearful.
One morning, I was still half asleep when I heard the sound of Yuxiang outside my curtain. I and Yutan quickly sat up and let her in. She came in and didn't even bother to greet us, but instead walked quickly to my side. Yutan hastily threw on a piece of clothing and followed close behind. Yuxiang's face was still pale with shock as she said, "Last night, the Emperor was furious!" I and Yutan both let out a soft "ah". She continued, "The Crown Prince actually snuck outside the curtain to peek at the Emperor through a gap, but was discovered by the Emperor himself. The Emperor was so shocked and angry that he swept everything off the table on the spot. Li Xiangda hurriedly added more guards to stand watch outside the curtain." I and Yutan listened in stunned silence, our faces filled with disbelief. Had the Crown Prince gone mad?! How could he dare do something so disrespectful? Yuxiang hastily added, "Li Xiangda said that although it's not your turn on duty today, you should still go to attend to the Emperor." I quickly got up and started getting dressed and washing my face, with Yuxiang helping me in a hurry. We all knew the situation was urgent, so I didn't bother being polite with her.
After hurrying for several days, we finally arrived at the Burkhan Khaldun Palace. Everyone was relieved and thought they could rest a bit. But I became more tense because I remembered that Kangxi had announced the abolition of the crown prince in this very palace outside the Great Wall. My words and actions were cautious and measured.
In the evening, Li Dequan was about to attend to Kangxi's rest when an urgent report arrived. After reading it, Kangxi hung his head low and quietly crumpled the paper in his hand into a ball, his hands clenched so tightly that veins bulged out. I sighed inwardly, thinking that the 18th prince had passed away at just eight years old!
Li Dequan knelt on the ground, not daring to make a sound, and the palace maids and eunuchs standing around him were also silent. Kangxi sat in the same posture in his chair, motionless. In the past, due to the majesty of the Son of Heaven, it was impossible to see that he was already over fifty years old. Tonight, Kangxi sitting silently on the dragon throne made people feel that he was indeed fifty-five years old.
After a while, Kangxi said in a low voice to Li Dequan: "Everyone withdraws!" We quickly and quietly withdrew, leaving only Li Dequan inside to attend. When we came out, we saw that all the princes had already received the news and were waiting outside, their faces worried and anxious with a hint of sadness. Seeing us come out, they all looked at us with their eyes. I turned around and instructed Yutan and other palace maids: "Although His Majesty said to withdraw, someone still needs to be nearby to listen to his instructions in the evening. Tonight, I'll be on guard outside with Yutan, and the rest of you can go back and rest. Come back early tomorrow morning to wait for orders!" They responded and quietly withdrew.
The eunuch Wang Xi only left himself and another eunuch outside to listen for orders, and the rest were all dismissed to rest. I exchanged a few silent glances with Wang Xi, who stood beside me and asked in a low voice, "What do these princes say?" I thought for a moment before saying, "It's impossible to go in and ask for instructions now. Why not let them disperse first? If there's something, we can send someone to call them later." Wang Xi pondered for a moment, nodded, took a few steps forward, bowed, and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Beile, all princes, the Emperor has retired. Please return now! If there's anything, I will report it myself." The princes looked at each other uncertainly for a moment. The Fourth Prince and Thirteen both looked inquiringly at me, but I avoided the Fourth Prince's gaze and only slightly nodded to Thirteen. Thirteen then said to the Crown Prince, "Let's go back and rest! Tomorrow we still need to attend the Emperor." The Fourth Prince nodded, about to take his leave. But the Crown Prince glared at Wang Xi and asked, "Where is Li Dequan? Let him come out and respond!"
I was shocked, thinking that the Crown Prince is getting more and more unbearable. Li Dequan has always been serving Kangxi closely and has gained his trust, he is also a fair and generous person. People in the palace, no matter what they think in their hearts, all call him "Li Gonggong" or "Li Xiangda". Today, the Crown Prince actually called him by his name in front of so many people!
Wang Xi was also stunned, thought for a moment, and smiled back: "My master is attending to the emperor, I'm afraid he can't be spared." The crown prince coldly snorted: "Didn't you say that the emperor has already retired? Since he's already resting, what's the harm in him coming out to say a couple of words?" Wang Xi was at a loss for words, not knowing how to respond. He turned his head to look at me, I leaned back slightly and furrowed my brow, indicating helplessness. I didn't want to get entangled with the crown prince right now.
Wang Xi could only turn his head back, thinking of persuading him a few more times, but before he could speak, the prince took a step forward and said: "I'd like to see what kind of evil you slaves are up to!" The guards on both sides hastily blocked him at the door, and he scolded: "Get out of my way! Are your dog eyes blind? Can't you see who I am?" However, the guards refused to give way, and several princes were somewhat moved, rushing forward to persuade the prince in a half-serious, half-joking manner.
As the noise was getting louder, Li Dequan opened the door and Kangxi looked at the princes who quickly knelt down on the ground with a haggard expression, tiredly saying: "Let all the civil and military officials come over!" Wang Xi hastily responded and ran off in a hurry.
Kangxi's face was deathly pale, staring fixedly at the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince looked frightened, his head bowed and body prostrate on the ground, not daring to move a muscle. After a moment, all the civil and military officials who had accompanied him on this trip had arrived, kneeling in a sea of black.
Kangxi slowly made a round, and finally his eyes still fell on the crown prince. He stared at the crown prince for a long time with pain, anger, and sadness, and finally said in a low voice: "Yinreng does not listen to teachings, has no law, I have tolerated him for more than 20 years, he not only does not repent, but also becomes more and more severe, it is really hard to inherit the great cause of our ancestors!" Before he finished speaking, tears had already flowed down. The ministers below only knew to knock their heads and repeatedly pleaded: "Your Majesty, please think thrice!" Kangxi slowly began to enumerate Yinreng's crimes:
In the twenty-ninth year, I fell ill on my way back from the expedition against Galdan and longed for Crown Prince Yinreng. He was specially summoned to the traveling palace. When Yinreng attended me in the traveling palace, he showed no concern or worry; I had already seen that the crown prince did not have a loyal and filial heart, and was actually unfilial.
Yongzheng showed no sorrow or pain over the death of his 18th brother, Yongqi, and had no fraternal affection.
He usually beats his servants and civilians at will for minor offenses, and his attendants extort and blackmail people at will, bullying them with their power, arousing public outrage.
……
Kangxi wept on one side and painfully recounted, finally suddenly becoming short of breath and fainting due to the heartache of the past few days. The whole scene was in chaos again, calling for imperial physicians and the emperor. Finally, Kangxi slowly came to, but had no energy to say anything, only instructing Da A Ge to lead people to take care of Yin Zhen first, then waved his hand, letting everyone retreat.
I stood silently outside, my heart also filled with sorrow. I had long known this ending, and to me at the time, it was just a story to pass the idle hours. Even then, I thought Kangxi handled the Crown Prince affair very unwise, knowing that Yinreng was not worthy of great use, yet he hesitated again and again. If he could have made up his mind earlier, there would not have been the tragic scene of 'Nine Dragons Fighting for the Throne'.
Now, witnessing it with my own eyes, I don't know if it's because of serving by Kangxi's side for a long time and having feelings, or feeling the partiality in Kangxi's heart as a father towards Yinreng, and now the pain, helplessness and indignation, I just feel that Kangxi's tears deeply shocked me. As an emperor, he may not have handled it properly, but as a father, there is no fault to be found.
