Chapter 24 Talking to Each Other

"Your Majesty, Prince Dun has sent someone to deliver something again."

After hearing Su Peisheng's report, Yongzheng put down his pen, completely puzzled. "What exactly does this Tenth Prince want to do?"

Ever since Wenyi's first birthday banquet, Yun has been sending him valuable gifts from time to time. He never explains why he is sending them, but he keeps sending them without stopping, leaving Yongzheng completely confused.

"If I may be so bold as to say something, Prince Dun is admitting defeat to you."

Su Peisheng probed Yongzheng's intentions, carefully analyzing the situation.

"Oh, you're giving in?"

Seeing that the Emperor was not angry and even seemed quite interested, Su Peisheng continued, "Yes, at the Princess's first birthday banquet, I noticed that Prince Dun was exceptionally respectful. He must have been impressed by the Emperor's wisdom and was using the opportunity of presenting gifts to the Emperor to express his submission."

Yongzheng remained noncommittal. He did have some thoughts on this, but he couldn't suppress his suspicions: "If they have truly submitted, why have they only sent gifts but not seen anyone?"

"This servant thinks that, given Prince Dun's personality, he might be too embarrassed to say it directly. Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has worked tirelessly day and night to govern the country. I imagine Prince Dun has seen this and has suddenly realized his mistake, and is too ashamed to face His Majesty for the time being."

Regardless of the circumstances, Su Peisheng's responses to the Emperor's words always revolved around the core theme of "praising him."

As expected, Su Peisheng's words made Yongzheng's lips curl into a smile, and he was in a good mood. "I hope that the Tenth Prince can truly understand my good intentions."

Turning the string of eighteen beads in his hand, Yongzheng pondered for a moment, "The tenth prince is willing, and I can give him a way out. Su Peisheng, summon Prince Dun to an audience."

"Yes, sir."

Soon after, Prince Dun arrived in a hurry and immediately bowed respectfully to Emperor Yongzheng.

"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, have come to pay my respects."

Yongzheng raised an eyebrow in surprise, guessing that it was indeed better to see the real person. Judging from Yun's attitude, it seemed that he had truly submitted. "Tenth Brother, please rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Yun straightened up, lowering his eyes slightly to show respect. "May I ask what Your Majesty has summoned me for?"

Satisfied with Yun's behavior, Yongzheng asked gently, "That is what I wanted to ask you, my tenth brother. I wonder what it is about that you have been sending me these valuable things all this time?"

Upon hearing this, Yun's usually honest and straightforward face showed a hint of embarrassment. "Your Majesty, I was disrespectful to you in the past because of the conflicts we had when I was a prince. But since Your Majesty ascended the throne, your virtue has benefited all people and your benevolence has spread throughout the world. I have seen this and feel ashamed."

What could be more gratifying than the surrender of your arch-enemy?

Yongzheng became increasingly relaxed, watching Yunzhi stammeringly flatter him in the hall. Regardless of whether what he said was genuine, his submission was real, and so Yongzheng's pleasure was also real.

"Your Majesty, I have brought these things to express my apology, and secondly..." At this point, Yun hesitated, embarrassed, and cautiously looked up to peek at Yongzheng's expression.

"What about the second one?" Yongzheng sat up slightly, knowing that the main event was about to begin.

"Secondly, my younger brother also has a request."

"Hmm? What do you want?" Yongzheng's tone was slightly tense, and he scrutinized him with a deep gaze.

Seeing that he seemed hesitant to speak, yet also as if he had no other choice, Yun gritted his teeth and forced himself to say, "His Majesty knows that I have always had a good relationship with Ninth Brother. I heard that His Majesty intends to send him to Xining..."

Seeing the Emperor's solemn expression, Yun quickly explained, "Your Majesty, I don't want you to retract your order. I just wish Your Majesty would allow me to see him before he departs, so I can try to persuade him... Ninth Brother is stubborn, clinging to the childhood friendship he shared with Eighth Brother. But honestly, I have a better relationship with him. Ninth Brother was blinded by love, and now that I've finally realized it, I hope he can have a good ending. Even if he doesn't share Your Majesty's burdens, at least he shouldn't disrupt Your Majesty's affairs..."

Yongzheng's hidden doubts vanished completely. The Tenth Prince did indeed have something to ask for; he wanted to plead for the Ninth Prince.

To be honest, the reason he didn't monitor the tenth brother like he monitored the eighth and ninth brothers was partly due to his background, and partly because he wasn't deeply involved with the eighth brother. It was purely because the ninth brother followed the eighth brother, and he and the ninth brother had a good relationship, so they ended up together.

After careful consideration, Yongzheng realized that since Yunzhi had shown any intention of submitting, it wouldn't be wise to refuse him at this time. Furthermore, if he could truly persuade the Ninth Prince, it would be beneficial to the court and to his own prestige; more importantly, it would strike a blow against the Eighth Prince.

The thought that this matter would be detrimental to the Eighth Prince made Yongzheng feel an urge to facilitate it. However, he pondered for a while and decided that it was just a meeting, so there wouldn't be much of a problem.

Good, this can be a blow to Lao Ba, let's do it!

"Since you've said so, I'm not one to show no mercy. Go ahead, and I hope that Ninth Prince can truly see the error of his ways, just as you say."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty is wise."

Yun's face showed a mixture of gratitude, respect, and joy, which he maintained until he left the Yuanmingyuan and mounted his horse to head to the Ninth Prince's residence, at which point he collapsed.

Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother, how are you going to repay me? Do you know how much I've sacrificed for you? To flatter Fourth Brother, he's used up all his knowledge in his entire life. Waaah, I feel like his brain and mouth are no longer clean...

"Why did the fourth brother agree to let you in?"

Yun Tang looked at the tenth prince, Yun Tang, who appeared before him in surprise. Ever since Yongzheng ascended the throne, he and his eighth brother had been under strict surveillance. They were even preparing to send him to Xining, fearing that he would rebel. The Prince's mansion was filled with the fourth prince's men, and no one else was allowed to enter.

It wasn't that he looked down on Lao Shi, but he really didn't expect that Lao Shi, with his brains, could actually get in.

Yun understood Yun Tang's gaze, and felt extremely ashamed and indignant. He looked at Yun Tang with an expression as if he were looking at a heartless man, which made Yun Tang shiver involuntarily. "What kind of look is that? Did Fourth Brother drive you crazy by locking you up with me?"

"What? Ninth Brother, can't you trust me even a little bit?"

Yun sat opposite him, picked up his teacup and took a big gulp, "Ptooey, ptooey, what kind of tea is this?"

"What kind of tea could I possibly have now?" Yun Tang seemed calm and composed, having already accepted his current situation.

However, Lao Shi was very upset and decided not to talk about the grievances he had originally planned to express, and went straight to the point.

Although the two of them were now sitting in the pavilion in the middle of the lake, with no one around, out of caution and to prevent the fourth brother's men from overhearing them, the tenth brother decided to be more tactful.

"Ahem... Ninth Brother, how are the sisters-in-law?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Tang looked Yun up and down in surprise. He didn't seem crazy. "What's wrong with you? What are you trying to say?"

Yun chuckled awkwardly twice, then cautiously asked, "I mean, I have a friend who doesn't get along with his older brother, so he's planning to cheat on him, to disgust him, and even make him raise his son. Ninth Brother, what do you think of this idea?"

Yun Tang scoffed, "Which friend of yours?"

"Oh, that's not important. What's important is what you think of this idea, Ninth Brother?"

Yun interrupted him, eagerly awaiting his reply.

Not understanding what Yun was going crazy about, but since he had finally come all this way, Yun Tang, who hadn't spoken for a long time, got the better of her mischievous side and boldly encouraged him: "As long as he has the guts, he can certainly guarantee that the plan is flawless, so let's do it."

"Really?" Yun looked extremely excited.

"Of course, what a brilliant and disgusting plan..." Yun Tang continued to encourage him, but seeing Yun's overly excited appearance, a thunderbolt struck his mind. Could this friend be Yun? Would he deliberately cheat on Lao Si to get revenge?

No, it's a very bold idea, but Lao Shi's brain isn't up to the task!

Worried about being overheard by others, Yun Tang subtly hinted, "Tenth Prince, the waters of the harem are too deep; don't get involved."

"!" Yun was shocked and grabbed Yun Tang's hand. "Ninth Brother, I would do anything for you!"

"No, Tenth Prince, don't do anything rash," Yun Tang said in a panic. He was really worried that before he even arrived in Xining, he would hear the news that the Tenth Prince had committed adultery in the harem and had been beheaded. "Just protect yourself. Don't act impulsively for my sake. Everyone has their own destiny. Don't do anything rash."

"Don't worry, Ninth Brother. I won't do anything reckless for our future. I know what I'm doing."

Seeing Yun's determined look, Yun Tang was about to faint. What do you even know?

To put it more plainly: "Tenth Prince, the identity of a prince is difficult to conceal, so do not act rashly."

Yun suddenly realized and looked at Yun Tang with admiration: "I understand, I understand everything."

No, what do you know?