As expected, the suspicious Emperor Kangxi allowed the secret guards of Yuqing Palace to overhear this conversation.

He was so anxious, it felt like he was being burned by a hot iron; he couldn't sit still.

After the guards wrote the report and presented it, his hand trembled uncontrollably as he opened it.

Hopefully, Bao Cheng won't let him down.

The secret guards wrote down every word of Yinreng and Tong Wanyan's conversation in a memorial, even including the noise of the black bird.

After reading it quickly and intently, Kangxi's wrinkles at the corners of his eyes turned into the shape of chrysanthemums with a smile.

He didn't spoil Bao Cheng and Yuan Bao'er for nothing!

Liang Jiugong understood the change in Kangxi's mood most clearly.

Just a moment ago it was freezing cold, and now it's warm like summer.

"Go and wrap up the newly acquired swallow-shaped wine cups from the Imperial Household Department and send them to Consort Tong, along with a box of rubies. I remember last time the Crown Prince took a fancy to an inkstone, but I couldn't bear to give it to him. This time, I'll grant his wish and provide him with a complete set of writing materials." Kangxi's voice was light and cheerful.

Liang Jiugong responded repeatedly. The master's good mood was the greatest reward for them, his servants.

Thinking of the land deed and the adopted son that Mingzhu had sent him a few days ago, Liang Jiugong made a decision.

Mingzhu was unaware that he had cut off Liang Jiugong's path. He was still smugly telling his wife to go to the palace in a few days to pay her respects to Consort Hui and inquire about the situation.

The princes are not yet established in the court, and the eldest prince is far away in Fuzhou. Even if the emperor is angry, he will not show it in court. In a few months or years, the crown prince will suffer.

Mingzhu stroked his beautiful beard, feeling quite clever.

That old fox, Suo'etu, after so many years of fighting against each other, still fell into his trap, unknowingly setting the Crown Prince up for his own good.

The more you do, the more mistakes you make. This was true for Suo'etu, as well as for Mingzhu and Consort Hui. They were all equally bad, and neither could really criticize the other.

Kangxi suppressed the incident of the July worship ceremony, repeatedly praised Yinzhen in court, and demoted officials of the Suo'etu faction.

Finally, Suo'etu could no longer bear it and begged Yinreng for help.

Yinreng didn't say much, only saying, "Uncle, you're getting old."

Only by retiring to one's hometown can one return home in glory.

Soetu wasn't truly stupid; though he was anxious, once he was jolted awake, he immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

He bowed deeply to Yinreng: "The Crown Prince has grown up, this servant should withdraw."

Yinreng didn't need to remind him; Suo'etu had been a powerful minister for decades. Since he had decided to retire, he handled the aftermath impeccably. He personally dealt with all his useless and obstructive subordinates, showing no mercy even to his distant nephew.

When Emperor Kangxi was sentimental, he was also quite sentimental. Suo'etu was someone who had accompanied him through the struggle against Ao Bai and the reduction of the Three Feudatories. Over the years, apart from occasionally urging Yinreng to advance and being a bit greedy for power, he didn't have any other major problems.

The man was no longer in court, and before he left, he hadn't caused him any trouble. Kangxi remembered their past friendship and the merits he had made.

After Songgotu submitted six memorials, Emperor Kangxi reluctantly granted his request. The two men held hands and looked at each other with tears in their eyes; one was a wise ruler, the other a virtuous minister. History will surely record this as a story of deep affection between ruler and subject, thus completing their charade.

Soetu stepped back and easily went home to enjoy his retirement, but poor Nalan Mingzhu was all over the place.

The imperial court values ​​balance, and now that Suo'etu's power has been laid low, Mingzhu's faction has become particularly prominent.

Besides, Suo'etu was helping the Crown Prince back then, which was the right thing to do.

Why is Mingzhu protecting the First Prince? Does she intend to help him seize the throne?