Chapter 23 Request for Imperial Decree

Consort Yixiu was indeed Prince Yong's favorite.

This was the "truth" unanimously acknowledged by everyone in the Prince's residence and outsiders alike. With the help of those with ulterior motives, everyone knew that after Prince Yong recovered from his illness and returned from the palace to express his gratitude, he stayed in his concubine's Wutong Courtyard for three consecutive days. He also dined with his concubine during the day and was even said to be carefully and diligently reading to the child in her womb.

In the palace, Kangxi, upon receiving the news, had a puzzled expression. He did not believe that Yinzhen was incapable of even guarding the house. The fact that news from the inner quarters could spread so widely must mean that someone was deliberately indulging him.

Based on the conversation between Yinzhen and Wuya three days ago, it seems that his fourth prince will soon come to ask him for permission.

"Your Majesty, Prince Yong requests an audience."

"Let him in."

"Yes, sir."

Soon, after Liang Jiugong announced his arrival, Yinzhen, dressed in casual clothes, respectfully entered. His face did not show any joy of having a beautiful woman by his side; instead, he seemed to have lost more weight than a few days ago.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be blessed with ten thousand years of happiness and peace."

"Get up."

"Thank you, Father Emperor."

"What brings you here today?" Kangxi asked casually, looking at his fourth son who stood solemnly below.

"Your Majesty, I request that you elevate Consort Ulanara Yixiu to the position of primary consort. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request." As he spoke, Yinzhen handed the memorial to Liang Jiugong to pass on, and then knelt down.

Kangxi took Yinzhen's memorial, which was full of praise for Yixiu's character and consideration for the child in her womb, with no other reasons.

A surge of anger welled up within him. Kangxi slammed the memorial on the table and roared, "Absurd! Since entering the pass, has there ever been any reason for a concubine to be elevated to the status of principal wife? What will the world think of you? What will they think of the imperial family?"

"Father, please calm down. It is all my fault. I have few children. I should revive my eldest son who is pregnant with my child. For the sake of our lineage, I beg you, Father, to grant my request."

Yinzhen kowtowed, his tone firm but his expression unreadable.

"For the sake of offspring? I think you're being manipulated by women!" Kangxi said angrily, blurting out the rebuke.

"Father, please calm your anger..."

"Calm down, calm down. How can you calm me down? I'll ask you again, if there's no other reason, do you really intend to elevate Ulanara to the regency?"

"Yes... there is no other reason, please grant my request, Father Emperor." Yinzhen kowtowed again, not yielding an inch.

Seeing his stubborn appearance, Kangxi's anger dissipated by most. He sighed helplessly and said to Yinzhen, "Yinzhen, you are a prince. No one can force you. Ulanara is not allowed, nor is Consort De."

"Father Emperor..." Yinzhen looked up in surprise, looking as if he hadn't expected Kangxi to know everything, and was instantly speechless.

“Yinzhen, back then I sent you back to the side of the Uya clan because I was worried about your young age. Now you have left the palace to establish your own household and are working in the Ministry of Revenue. It’s time for you to make your own decisions.”

It was rare for Kangxi to speak so bluntly, because he was clearly angered by what Uya had done. His princes were not to be manipulated by their birth mothers.

"Thank you for your concern, Father Emperor." Yinzhen kowtowed to Kangxi again with slightly red eyes. His forehead touched the ground for a long time before he raised his head again with a firm look in his eyes and continued, "Consider this your way of repaying the kindness of giving birth to me. I beg you to grant my request, Father Emperor."

"Yinzhen!" Kangxi hadn't expected that even after he had gone this far, Yinzhen would still insist. He angrily questioned, "Do you know how outsiders will view you after you elevate a concubine to the status of principal wife?"

"Your subject knows that things in this world cannot be perfect. After all, she is your own mother. Your subject has never been able to please your mother. Now, I only wish to..." As Yinzhen spoke, his eyes dimmed and his aura became sorrowful, as if he had thought of something.

Emperor Kangxi was furious but didn't know where to vent his anger. He was angry at Yinzhen's lack of ambition, being controlled by his mother and willing to ruin his reputation. He was even angrier at Lady Uya for having no maternal heart and being solely focused on scheming and manipulating the prince.

"Get down and kneel by the door. You can come back in and answer when you've thought things through!"

Kangxi pointed at him, since he couldn't stand seeing Yinzhen like this anyway, so he simply made him go out and kneel as punishment.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." Yinzhen did not object, lowered his eyes, and walked out to kneel down neatly.

"You worthless, unfilial son..." Kangxi sat down angrily, watching Yinzhen's retreating figure. Liang Jiugong, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward to quell the anger.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Prince Yong is indeed a filial son..."

"Filial piety? Humph, I think it's just blind filial piety!"

Upon hearing Kangxi's words, Liang Jiugong found himself speechless. Without waiting for further explanation, Kangxi instructed, "Liang Jiugong, go and invite the Minister of Revenue to a meeting. I want to see if this rebellious son truly cares about his reputation."

"Yes, Your Majesty, this servant obeys the decree." Liang Jiugong received the decree and left the main hall to invite the Minister of Revenue. Seeing Prince Yong kneeling at the door, seemingly unconcerned under the watchful eyes of the guards and palace servants, he couldn't help but sigh.

The Emperor had no business to discuss with the Minister of Revenue. Prince Yong worked in the Ministry of Revenue, and the Emperor was clearly making sure the Minister saw him kneeling there, so that Prince Yong would experience the strange looks from others.

Sigh, I don't know why Prince Yong cares so much about Consort De. Isn't it good to have the Emperor's backing? He's just too naive. Liang Jiugong shook his head, said nothing more, and went to deliver the imperial decree.

The news that Prince Yong was forced to kneel as punishment at the entrance of the Qianqing Palace spread throughout the entire palace in an instant.

Minister of Revenue Suhe rushed over, completely bewildered as to why the Emperor had summoned him. He paused slightly as he passed Prince Yong, who was being punished by kneeling, but did not know how to greet him, and awkwardly walked into the Qianqing Palace.

While reporting on some minor matters concerning the Ministry of Revenue that the Emperor wouldn't normally pay much attention to, Suhe noticed that Kangxi's gaze kept drifting outwards. A chill ran down his spine; he realized he'd been used as a pawn by the Emperor. How was he supposed to get along with Prince Yong after this?

Suhe felt bitter inside, but dared not show it at all. After barely getting through the Emperor's questioning, he quickly took his leave, not daring to look at Prince Yong even once more.

"Liang Jiugong, let that rebellious son in." After Suhe left, Kangxi sat steadily on the dragon throne and drank tea for a while before instructing Liang Jiugong to summon Yinzhen into the hall. By this time, Yinzhen had been kneeling outside the door for almost half an hour.

Yinzhen entered the room, his legs still a little unsteady. He knelt down and gave Kangxi a deep bow. "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

"How is it?" Kangxi frowned slightly at the way he walked, but pretended not to care and said, "You were punished by kneeling today, and the news must have spread throughout the Forbidden City. There must be a lot of gossip, and Suhe even saw it with his own eyes. You will probably have a hard time getting along with him in the Ministry of Revenue in the future. As for making you the principal wife, there will be even more rumors. You will definitely be accused of being blinded by lust. So do you still insist that I grant your wish?"

"Yes, I beg Your Majesty to grant my request. I will not regret it." Yinzhen paused for a moment, but still insisted on his original idea.

"Very well, very well, what a fine 'no regrets' statement! Even if it costs you your title, you won't regret it?" Kangxi was furious, staring straight at Yinzhen.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I have no regrets."

Seeing Yinzhen's unwavering resolve, Kangxi closed his eyes, suppressing his anger and resentment towards Yinzhen and his disgust for Uya. With a weary expression, he waved to Yinzhen, "Since that's the case, go back to your residence. I will issue an edict, and I hope you will not regret it in the future."

"Your son kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your kindness and for granting your wish." Yinzhen bowed to Kangxi earnestly and respectfully, his eyes filled with tears, full of his love and gratitude for Kangxi, which softened Kangxi's heart.

"Go." Kangxi waved his hand, saying no more, finally showing that he was no longer angry.

"Your subject takes his leave."

Watching Yinzhen limp away, Kangxi's old thought resurfaced and he couldn't suppress it. His fourth son was so kind and gentle; he didn't want him to continue being controlled by the Uya clan. He picked up a pen and instructed Liang Jiugong beside him, "Liang Jiugong, grind the ink for me. I need to draft an edict..."