"Your subject requests that the Crown Prince be deposed!"

For the first time, Yinreng looked directly into Kangxi's eyes and, in a rebellious manner, uttered words that shook the very soul.

He was pleased to see disbelief, regret, annoyance, and even shame and anger in Kangxi's eyes.

The emperor's thoughts and emotions are not easily revealed. The fact that so many emotions could be seen on his father's face shows that his filial piety over the years has not been in vain.

"I'm sure my presence here will displease Father Emperor. I cannot bear such a sin. My eighteenth brother has the imperial physician and his elder brother here, and Father Emperor is here as well. My presence here would be useless and might even interfere with the physician's treatment." Yinreng lowered his head, setting his own punishment.

"Your subject requests to be confined to his quarters and awaits your father's decision upon returning to the capital."

Yinreng turned and left, his back view so willful and dashing, showing no trace of sorrow.

"What are you all kneeling for? The Crown Prince is throwing a tantrum, and you all don't know any better? Give me your full attention to treating the Eighteenth Prince," Kangxi said to the imperial physicians, suppressing his temper.

Prince Zhi quietly pursed his lips, thinking, "Father Emperor has really screwed up this time."

Since the Emperor doted on the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince was impeccable, they should have just lived a peaceful and loving relationship. Why did they have to create this mess with Yinzhi? Now, the Crown Prince is no longer willing to play along, and the Emperor is panicking.

Prince Zhi dared to swear on his own life that his father, the Emperor, had absolutely no intention of deposing the Crown Prince.

The eighteenth prince did not survive and died in the imperial palace.

One was the Crown Prince's disloyalty, and the other was the early death of his youngest son; the double blow instantly drained Kangxi of his energy and spirit.

He was already over fifty years old. He had been on the throne since he was eight years old. Sometimes he would think about whether he should abdicate and pass the throne to Yinreng, who was in his prime.

However, the thought of the blushing cheeks of the young palace concubines when they met the Crown Prince filled Kangxi with resentment and even a secret jealousy.

Indeed, in the Heavenly Family, the father is not a father, and the son is not a son.

Even though he knew the fault did not lie with Yinreng, and that Yinreng had done a good job of avoiding the situation, Kangxi still took his anger out on him.

In some ways, Yinreng's willfulness may well have stemmed from Kangxi's teachings and example.

Yinreng requested to be confined to his quarters, and he truly did not leave the house.

Prince Zhi couldn't stand this, so he went to persuade him personally. Before he could say anything, he saw Yinreng's hand on the whip, so he shut up and left.

Never mind, it's none of his business. Why should he interfere?

The brothers fought tooth and nail for the position of crown prince, but the second brother just said he didn't want it anymore. It's infuriating.

The affair at the Rehe Imperial Palace was eventually revealed to the capital.

This was partly due to the presence of informants from various parties, and partly due to Kangxi's deliberate attempt to reveal Yinreng's intention to bow his head.

But Yinreng was very stubborn. He bluntly stated that he was not worthy of the position and asked his father to choose another virtuous person. He did not say a word of humility or make any concessions.

The servants in Yuqing Palace were therefore filled with anxiety.

Tong Wanyan and Shi Xiuzhu, however, remained calm and composed, eating and sleeping as usual, looking as radiant as if the rumors were nothing more than gossip.

The people in the inner palace inquired about the situation from the two women, while the people in the outer court surrounded the two brothers, Hongzhao and Hongsheng.

However, Hongzhao and Hongsheng were very tight-lipped. When asked by others, they replied, "We respectfully obey the imperial edict of our Grandfather."

He refused to say another word, remaining calm and composed, as if Yuqing Palace were still the central authority in the Qing Dynasty.

However, the ministers of the previous dynasty did not dare to ask too many questions. Just looking at the Fourth Prince's iron-fisted approach and the Tong family's fierce protectiveness, they had no courage to probe further.