However, Lanqin also understood the desire for immortality that emperors had. The more accomplished an emperor was, the stronger their desire for eternal life became compared to ordinary people.

“Your Majesty, if Father Emperor has such thoughts, your opposition might offend him,” Lanqin said.

“But the imperial mausoleum has already been completed. To start expanding it again would only be a waste of resources and manpower, and it would also make Zhou Zhenggang even more unscrupulous, spouting nonsense in Father Emperor’s ear,” the Fourth Prince said.

"How did this person come to be by Father Emperor's side?" Lanqin asked.

“It should be the Eighth Prince. He didn’t deliver it himself, but rather someone he instructed,” said the Fourth Prince.

“Your Majesty, it is understandable that Father, as the Emperor, desires the elixir of immortality. It is not proper for Your Majesty to openly disobey him,” Lanqin said.

"Yes, I know that. I'll go pay my respects to Father Emperor now. I'm afraid I'll be scolded by him!" Fourth Prince said, frowning.

“Even if he scolds me, I must bear it. Father Emperor is my father. It is only natural for a father to scold his son. As the emperor of the world, Father Emperor bears the livelihood and safety of all the people of the Qing Dynasty. No one understands his loneliness, no one shares his burden. I should care for Father Emperor as a son.” Lanqin said slowly.

The Fourth Prince looked at the young woman in shock. She actually understood the loneliness of an emperor, the loneliness of a father who was an emperor, and could even comfort him in this way. The Fourth Prince was deeply moved.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Master?" Lanqin asked. "It's quite frightening!"

Before Lanqin could say anything more, Fourth Master rushed forward, picked her up, wrapped his arms around her hips, and lifted her up in one go.

Oh!

"Master!!" Lanqin was startled by Fourth Master's action, her eyes filled with panic and her face with shyness.

Seeing the Fourth Master and Lanqin in such a state, the maids in the room all lowered their heads and smiled with pursed lips. Si Hua even waved to several maids, signaling them to all leave.

Hehehe!

Lanqin's silvery laughter filled the entire room. She wrapped her arms around Fourth Master's neck, and Fourth Master held her, spinning her around the room. The laughter that erupted between the two filled the entire room.

When the Fourth Prince arrived at Hanjin Hall, Emperor Kangxi had not yet woken up from his afternoon nap. Liang Jiugong came out to deliver a message, saying only to the Fourth Prince, "The Emperor is not awake yet, Your Highness, please wait."

Fourth Master glanced at Liang Jiugong and winked at him a few times. He immediately understood what Liang Jiugong meant, looked inside, and then walked to stand outside Hanjin Hall.

The cold wind lashed at his face like tiny blades. Although he was wearing a cotton robe, the frigid air still felt like steel needles piercing his collar, cuffs, and scalp. Northern winters are absolutely freezing. If you stay outside for even an hour, you'll be as cold as an icicle.

The suburbs of Beijing in December were even colder. The Fourth Prince stood like a statue on the steps outside the Hanjin Hall.

Emperor Kangxi leaned back on the warm couch in the inner room, engrossed in a book. The dripping sound of the water clock made the room even quieter. Time seemed to be slowly eroded away, like the tiny drops of water in the clock.

“Your Majesty, the Prince has been standing for over an hour. If he continues to stand, he may catch a bad cold,” Liang Jiugong said, bowing slightly.

"Let him keep standing!" Kangxi remained unmoved, continuing to read his book. "You old fool, you've always been biased towards him. Are you in cahoots with him?"

Liang Jiugong quickly bowed and knelt on one knee, saying, "Your Majesty, this servant dares not. This servant only feels that if Your Majesty has anything to say, you can speak directly to Prince Yong, instead of keeping it to yourself."

"Hmph, he actually joined those people in opposing my construction of my own mausoleum. What is he trying to do!" A heavy cloud of worry hung over Kangxi's brow.

Liang Jiugong dared not respond this time. He knew this was the most taboo topic for Kangxi, and if he argued with him now, he would probably be punished as well.

"Let him wait outside and help me change my clothes!" Kangxi finally said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Liang Jiugong quickly stood up, walked to the door, and waved to the palace maids standing in the shadows, signaling them to come in quickly and help Kangxi change his clothes.

He then quickly went outside to call Fourth Master in.

"Prince Yong, please go in quickly, the Emperor has risen." Liang Jiugong walked to the steps and said to the Fourth Prince, whose lips were already purple from the cold.

"Thank you for your guidance, Father-in-law!" Fourth Master felt as if his hands and feet were no longer his own. He slowly moved his legs, walked up the steps, and followed Liang Jiugong inside.

Emperor Kangxi was already seated in the main seat of the Hanjin Hall, watching the Fourth Prince walk back stiffly.

"Your son greets Your Majesty! May Your Majesty be blessed with ten thousand years of happiness and peace!" The Fourth Prince performed a grand salute and knelt on the ground.

Emperor Kangxi stared coldly at the Fourth Prince beneath him and asked, "Why do you oppose my construction of the imperial mausoleum?"

The Fourth Prince pondered for a moment, then considered Lanqin's words. He knew he couldn't afford to offend Kangxi at this time. However, he couldn't agree to Kangxi's massive renovation of the imperial mausoleum. He knew the Taoist priest was merely a pawn of someone with ulterior motives, used to bewitch his father and create conflict. If he knew this and didn't intervene, he would be disloyal to the Qing Dynasty and unfilial to his father.

"Your Majesty, I am not against Your Majesty building the imperial mausoleum, but rather against those with ulterior motives spreading rumors and sowing discord in Your Majesty's ear, with ulterior motives," the Fourth Prince said, raising his hand and clasping his hands in a fist salute to Emperor Kangxi.

"Are you implying that I am a foolish ruler, surrounded by treacherous officials and villains, and that only you are thinking of my best interests?" Kangxi replied coldly.

Upon seeing this, Liang Jiugong clenched his fist tightly, then winked at a young eunuch behind him. The eunuch immediately understood and tiptoed out.

"Your Majesty, that's not what I meant at all. I think that if Your Majesty wants to build a mausoleum, you can ask Ji Changming of the Imperial Observatory. That Zhou Zhenggang's background is illegitimate, so please reconsider, Your Majesty!" Fourth Prince had no choice but to say.

*Smack!*

Emperor Kangxi slammed his hand on the table, pointed at the Fourth Prince, and said, "You, do you think I don't know? You and Ji Changming have been in cahoots to deceive me for a long time. All those around me have come from illegitimate backgrounds, and you dare to speak ill of my close ministers!"

Liang Jiugong hurriedly said, "Your Majesty..."

"Shut up! Who gives you the right to speak here? Get out!" Kangxi roared.

Seeing that Kangxi was truly angry, Liang Jiugong had no choice but to bow and immediately retreat.

In the main hall of Hanjintang, only the Fourth Prince and Emperor Kangxi remained, the imperial father and son.