In the sixty-first year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the great Kangxi Emperor, Aisin-Gioro Xuanye, passed away!

Chaos erupted in Hanchun Garden. Princes, relatives, and cabinet ministers all stood up and crowded around Kangxi's bed, while the four concubines knelt and wept.

Imperial physicians rushed in, surrounding Emperor Kangxi to perform final emergency treatment. Although they knew it was beyond saving, they still did their best.

After a long while, the imperial physician slowly released Kangxi's hand, his eyes glazed over, staring at the princes and ministers outside with overwhelming grief. He knelt on the ground and wept bitterly, "The Emperor... has passed away..."

Suddenly, everyone realized that the four concubines were lying on the edge of Kangxi's bed, clutching his clothes and crying uncontrollably for a long time.

Before everyone could recover from the devastating news of Emperor Kangxi's passing, Ninth Prince suddenly stopped sobbing and stood up, feigning grief. He first bowed to Kangxi, then turned to everyone and said, "Father has gone to the Western Paradise. We shouldn't be so preoccupied with our sorrow. Before his death, Father repeatedly instructed us to protect the Qing Dynasty; this was his greatest wish. So, shouldn't we first settle important matters so that someone can take charge?" After Ninth Prince finished speaking, he looked at Eighth Prince. As soon as he finished speaking, the crying stopped immediately, and everyone looked at each other warily.

The Fourth Prince's heart tightened. He saw Longduo Ke slowly stand up, calm down, and say gracefully, "Your Highnesses, please accept my condolences. The Emperor left a will before his death, and we should act in accordance with the decree."

Third Master raised his head, looked at Longkodo, and asked suspiciously, "The Emperor has never revealed who will succeed him before. Now he suddenly says there is a will. Is this just a deliberate attempt to create a discrepancy and sow discord?"

Eighth Prince stood up and glanced at Ninth Prince. Ninth Prince immediately understood: "Lord Longduo Ke, we have been by Father Emperor's side since he fell ill, but we have never seen any imperial edict?"

Fourth Master's face darkened, his muscles tense as he remained silent.

The Thirteenth Prince couldn't stand it any longer and hurriedly stood up and pulled the Fourth Prince along. Seeing that the Fourth Prince didn't react, he said loudly, "Ninth Brother, aren't you being too hasty? Father has his own arrangements. Is it necessary for you to make a scene in front of Father's bedside?"

"Thirteen, you should be careful with what you say..."

"What am I paying attention to? You're the one with ulterior motives..."

Chaos erupted again, and the Fourth Prince, his mind in turmoil, looked up and met Longkodo's gaze.

Longkodo gave Fourth Master a meaningful look, a look that seemed to contain both encouragement and reproach.

Fourth Master finally stood up and scolded in a low voice, "Nonsense! Where is this place? Do you even remember filial piety and a sense of shame?"

Seventh Master also stood up, walked straight to the front, and slowly said, "Everyone, stop arguing. Arguing here about who Father Emperor truly favors will not yield any results. Since Lord Longduoke says that Father Emperor left a will, let's take a look at it first, and then everything will become clear..."

Seventh Master's words silenced everyone, who looked around with mixed feelings.

Longduo Ke slowly said, "His Majesty has already designated an heir apparent. The edict designating the heir is behind the 'Zhengda Guangming' plaque in the Qianqing Palace. I request that you all come with me to the Qianqing Palace to retrieve the edict and find out which prince His Majesty has chosen to succeed him..."

Hongli had been hiding behind Kangxi's bed, following the four consorts as they held onto Kangxi, their eyes red from crying. Seeing the scene in the room and the expressions of his uncles, Hongli dared not say a word. Only after Longduo Ke stabilized the situation did he dare to slowly rise and stealthily move to the Fourth Prince's side. The Fourth Prince tenderly stroked Hongli's head and whispered to him, "Go back and find your mother!"

Four regents and several princes and nobles followed Longduo Ke out of Changchun Garden to enter the palace to request an imperial edict. Hongli took the opportunity to sneak out of Changchun Garden and headed straight for the Yong Prince's residence.

Before leaving, the Fourth Prince arranged for the ministers in charge of the funeral. He began the funeral preparations for Emperor Kangxi and ordered that the news of Kangxi's passing be announced to the whole country.

In order to handle the funeral as soon as possible, the Fourth Prince and the regents decided to set up the mourning hall in Changchun Garden and ask the Fourth Consort to preside over the vigil.

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