Chapter 217 When Everyone is Reborn: The Legend of Zhen Huan - The Prince's Mansion Chapter 12

In the fifty-first year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Crown Prince Yinreng requested to be deposed and instead granted the title of Prince Li, who was allowed to leave the palace and establish his own residence. However, his third son, Hongyan, continued to be raised by the Emperor's side.

Shortly thereafter, Prince Yong was stripped of his princely title by the emperor on the grounds that he "coveted the throne," demoted to Beile, and confined to his Beile residence, forbidden from going out. However, his eldest son, Honghui, was frequently summoned by the emperor.

Things happened so fast that the officials didn't even have time to react before the Crown Prince's faction vanished. This seemed like a signal, and the ministers couldn't help but gravitate towards Prince Zhi, only to find that Prince Zhi seemed to have lost interest in vying for the throne.

Looking at the other princes, they were all obedient and made no move, as if they weren't the ones who participated in the struggle for the throne. So, you were just targeting the crown prince before, and now that the crown prince has stepped down, you're not fighting for it anymore?

Seeing the Emperor focused on raising his grandson, and seeing the other princes also wholeheartedly cherishing this Prince Hongyan, the civil and military officials were completely baffled and became extremely cautious in their actions.

Is there something seriously wrong with your royal family? Retreating at the crucial moment? I never knew you loved having so many children before! Fine, fine, you're not going to fight anymore, leaving all those who pushed for it exposed in public—how embarrassing!

In order to deal with the possible "madness" of the emperor and his princes, and in order to avoid being easily eliminated, the ministers in the court became unusually diligent and conscientious in their work.

It was an unexpected delight, and the more Kangxi looked at Hongyan, the more satisfied he became. He felt that all the positive changes were brought about by Hongyan, and he truly deserved to be called a "newly born imperial star"!

No one can escape the influence of the succubus, let alone Emperor Kangxi, who kept her by his side every day.

If the schemes of the reborn princes made Kangxi 100% attentive to his "good grandson," then under Hongyan's subtle and pervasive influence, Kangxi's level of attentiveness had reached an extreme. Even if it were all a lie at this moment, Kangxi would not be willing to punish Hongyan.

Year after year, as Hongyan grew up, Kangxi was delighted by his intelligence and understanding, but also worried that his excessive intelligence might harm his health. An emperor who had been diligent in his duties for more than fifty years always thought of reducing Hongyan's studies, hoping that he could go out and play more.

In the fifty-seventh year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Hongyan was eight years old and was officially named "Imperial Grandson".

Emperor Kangxi ascended the throne at the age of 8, so when Hongyan was 8 years old, he announced to the world that he was his most favored successor.

“Hongyan, now that you are the Crown Prince, you can ask your uncles to do anything. And your father, he has plenty of free time every day…”

"Father Emperor."

Yinreng stood to the side, looking utterly exasperated, not trying to avoid him at all.

"What's wrong? Am I wrong?" Kangxi asked confidently, giving Yinreng a disdainful look.

After Yinreng ceased to be the crown prince, the relationship between the two men improved considerably. However, this did not diminish Kangxi's disdain for him: "Aren't you always so idle? You just wander around, drink, and watch operas, doing nothing of importance. What use are you?"

Kangxi glared at Yinreng, then looked at Hongyan with gentle affection: "Hongyan is still young, at the age when he is growing. He should relax more. As his father, if you can't help Hongyan share the burden, what use are you?"

"Grandpa is right. Grandpa is the best. Hongyan likes Grandpa the most."

Hongyan glanced at Yinreng with a grin, leaning against Kangxi, his eyes full of filial piety.

"Mafa also likes our Hongyan the most..."

Seeing the happy faces of the grandfather and grandson, Yinreng almost laughed in exasperation. He had been a laborer his whole life, so what was wrong with him being happy in this life?

Who could have imagined that the Emperor would be the biggest obstacle on his path to cultivating Hongyan's "diligence in government"? Looking at Hongyan, who was only 8 years old and was already showing signs of the laxity that Yinzhen had shown in his later years, Yinreng felt a sense of unease and a bad premonition.

"Mafa, the flowers in the Imperial Garden are in bloom. Mafa and Hongyan, let's go take a look."

Hongyan smiled sweetly, gazing longingly at Kangxi. Kangxi, overjoyed to hear his grandson's desire to go out for a stroll, readily agreed: "Very well, Grandfather, I'll take Hongyan to see the flowers right away."

"Wait, Father Emperor, Hongyan hasn't finished his homework for today!" Yinreng struggled stubbornly.

“Father is right, then Hongyan will not go…”

Seeing Hongyan's noticeably dejected tone, Kangxi glared at Yinreng: "What homework? Hongyan is so smart, what's wrong with skipping a day's homework? I think he doesn't need to do it today. You, as a father, don't know how to care for your child at all!"

“Hongyan, ignore him, Mafa will take you there.”

"Mafa, you're so kind—"

"Haha, let's go."

"Father..."

"You stay here!" Kangxi held Hongyan's little hand and glanced at Yinreng with disdain. "And while you're at it, approve all the memorials of greeting."

"no……"

Before Yinreng could refuse, he watched as Kangxi turned and left with Hongyan and a large entourage.

"Father, please review the memorials carefully—"

Seeing Hongyan turn and smile at him, and then looking at the large stack of untouched greetings memorials piled on the table, Yinreng's heart sank. What was going on? Had fate's boomerang come back to haunt him again?

Why is he reviewing so many memorials again?!

Hongyan, who was strolling in the Imperial Garden with Emperor Kangxi, was all smiles. His advantage wasn't so easily gained; since they wanted him as a son, it was only natural that he would share more of the political responsibilities, right?

Yinreng has taken care of things. Who's next? Remembering those smiling faces calling him "little nephew," Hongyan nodded. An elder should act like one. Having lived through one lifetime, they should have plenty of experience in handling affairs. We can't waste their talent—

So, in the time that followed—

When young Hongyan was learning martial arts from Yinzhi, Yinxiang, and Yinzhen, he said: "Uncle, Thirteenth Uncle, Fourteenth Uncle, our firearms look so bad. I've decided that from now on I will study harder and more diligently. I believe that with my day and night research, I will definitely be able to develop better firearms."

"No way!" The three of them were startled. They couldn't stand the phrase "working day and night." Seeing Hong Yan's worried face, they all patted their chests and assured him.

“Hongyan, you’re still young. Leave these things to us.”

"You just need to grow up happily and don't overwork yourself."

"Yes, you're still a child, your health is the most important thing."

Soon, Yinzhi, Yinxiang, and Yinzhen devoted themselves to the research and development of firearms.

When Hongyan accompanied the emperor to meet the Mongol tribes, he said, "Fifth Uncle, Twelfth Uncle, I feel that the Mongol Taijis don't seem to like Hongyan. Is there something wrong with Hongyan?"

Soon, Yinqi and Yinyou requested permission to handle Mongolian affairs.

"Eighth Uncle, do the ministers in court not want me to be the Crown Prince...?"

Yinzhi entered the Ministry of Personnel to supervise all officials.

"Ninth Uncle, Hongyan seems to be a bit poor..."

Yin Tang submitted a memorial to the throne outlining the Qing Dynasty's commercial development plan and assumed the authority of imperial merchants.

"Seventeenth Uncle, I feel like all the uncles are amazing. They've done so much for Hongyan..."

Yinli began to engage in fierce infighting, rotating through the Six Ministries.

"Brother Honghui, will you always stay with Hongyan?"

"I will."

The son of the Fourth Prince, Aisin-Luo Jue Honghui, inherited the title at the age of 20. For many years thereafter, he was the most loyal and diligent minister by Hongyan's side.

In the sixty-first year, Emperor Kangxi passed away, and his 12-year-old grandson, Hongyan, officially ascended the throne. Amidst the speculation of many officials, he smoothly took control of the entire country, and the Qing Dynasty began its rapid development.

The Emperor appointed people based on merit, and the princes displayed their talents without being feared by the new Emperor. Outsiders couldn't help but marvel at the harmony of the imperial family and the Emperor's magnanimity.

It was another night of reviewing memorials until late at night. Yinreng rubbed his aching wrists and looked at his brothers still working hard in the hall. Suddenly, he was shocked: "Wait a minute, why are we still being treated like laborers?!"