Chapter 179 The Birth of Gossip "You know the situation back then...

"You know the situation back then. Jiangnan was different from the capital. There were many scholars and students there, clamoring to see that guy." Yinzhen lowered his voice. "The Emperor's father... Wu Cunli invited me, so I took Thirteenth with me, mainly to avoid him. The Emperor praised Wu Cunli for his integrity, but I sensed something fishy going on, so I decided to test the waters. It's easier to relax in that kind of situation."

"The matter of those craftsmen was also mentioned to Wu Cunli that time." Yinzhen mentioned this specifically, his eyes full of 'You see, I think of you wherever I am'.

Qi Buchen pouted slightly: "Then I have to praise you for your ability to get things done. Killing several birds with one stone?"

Yinzhen pursed his lips and smiled: "If Fu Jin is willing to praise me, I have no objection."

"You wish!" Qi Buchen rolled his eyes at him, pushed him away, and didn't ask any more questions.

It was almost ten years ago. Everyone could see how Yinzhen treated her during those ten years, so there was no point in making a fuss about it.

Yinzhen pulled her back and said, "Seriously, I don't mind you gossiping about certain things, but it's best not to get involved in places like brothels, and don't bring them up in your mouth. You don't know how dirty and messy those places are."

After saying this, he muttered quietly, "You've used the good word 'gossip' to glorify gossipers. I wonder if Fuxi is furious."

Qi Buchen glared at him. "Just keep talking about the matter. Why are you scolding me? How can I be the same as a gossipmonger? Gossipmongers spread rumors! I just like to hear the truth! And what do you mean by beautification? Mine is a reasonable extension and application!"

Seeing that she was really anxious, Yinzhen quickly admitted his mistake: "Yes, yes, yes, I was wrong." Then he turned back to the main topic, "Did you hear what I just said?"

"I heard it." Qi Buchen agreed reluctantly. When a couple gets along, they need to compromise with each other on most things. Since Yinzhen cares so much about this matter, it's okay for her to compromise a little.

Yinzhen nodded with satisfaction, but turned around and reprimanded the people that Fu Jin usually used, letting them know what they could say to Fu Jin and what they could not say.

Not long after this incident, there was new progress in the Dai Mingshi case, and this time the protagonist was the Fang family involved.

It was found that many members of the Fang family had participated in the rebellion of Wu Sangui and the pseudo-Prince Zhu San. Such behavior would not be tolerated in any dynasty. Therefore, the Fang family, which was obviously implicated by Dai Mingshi, was convicted before Dai Mingshi was dealt with. The family members were either executed or confiscated into the Eight Banners slavery. The once great family was scattered.

The evidence in the Fang family case was solid, and the charges were related to a traitorous faction. Although some people secretly wanted to link this matter to the Dai Mingshi case and incite the students to stir up trouble, they were not fools. After several incidents of candidates being arrested and their titles revoked, the students who remained in the capital had calmed down and were now focused on how to achieve good results in next year's special examination. They had no intention of being used as pawns.

Students are difficult to control, but it is much easier in the court. Since the new Jinshi was decided, there have been frequent reports from the palace that Kangxi scolded the prince. The reason was just a few recent incidents, all of which were found to have the prince's influence behind them.

Among them, the incident of Tuoheqi forming a clique and drinking together was the most irritating to Kangxi.

Tohaqi, who had served as the commander of the infantry for nearly ten years, was dismissed because of a party-building and drinking incident, which allowed Longkodo to get a big advantage.

Being able to stay in the position of the commander of the infantry responsible for the safety of the imperial palace for so many years, he was undoubtedly Kangxi's confidant. However, such a trusted confidant secretly sided with the prince and came forward to win over the Minister of Justice and others for the prince.

How could Kangxi not be shocked and angry when he heard this? The commander of the infantry, as long as he wanted, the access control of the entire palace would be useless.

Did Togaqi and Yinreng secretly plot to raise an army to force the emperor to abdicate? Even with the lights on in the palace and sentries every three steps, Kangxi tossed and turned, unable to sleep, just thinking about it.

Within a few days, the insomniac Kangxi became dazed and emaciated, with his legs swollen and unable to walk. However, the news was kept strictly under control within the Qianqing Palace and no one got the news.

Kangxi still summoned his ministers as usual, but suspended several grand court meetings. Although the ministers noticed that he was not in good spirits, they all thought that he was angry with the prince and did not think much about it.

At dinner time, Kangxi dismissed his attendants and called Liang Jiugong over to ask, "What did Longkodo do today?"

Ever since the Toheqi case implicated the crown prince, Kangxi sent people to monitor the current infantry commander Longkodo around the clock, and asked him about the day's situation every evening.

Liang Jiugong was the person closest to Kangxi and the one who knew him best, so he recounted Longkodo's behavior of the day without hesitation, down to the details of what he had for lunch and what he said.

Kangxi frowned when he heard something: "Who owns that shop? I seem to have heard of it before."

Liang Jiugong blurted out: "It's the Fourth Lady's dowry shop."

Kangxi's eyes darkened: "Fourth Brother."

The room was silent for a while before Kangxi's voice rang out again: "How is the relationship between Longkodo and the Fourth Brother?"

Liang Jiugong's heart was pounding uncontrollably. He tried to be objective and said, "Master Tong and the Fourth Prince don't have much of a relationship. They only interacted for a while a dozen years ago because they wanted the Fourth Prince to take a woman from the Tong family as his concubine. The Fourth Prince didn't agree, and Master Tong was embarrassed, so they stopped interacting. But last year, after Master Tong became the commander of the infantry, he sent a New Year's gift to the Fourth Prince's residence, and the Fourth Prince returned the favor. At the New Year's banquet, Master Tong also took the initiative to toast the Fourth Prince. Since this year, there has been no evidence of any private interactions between Master Tong and the Fourth Prince."

Kangxi's expression didn't change at all. He said calmly, "Keep paying attention."

"Yes." Liang Jiugong bowed in response.

Not long after the Toheqi case was investigated, Kangxi issued an order to punish all those involved. However, the punishment was unexpectedly mild. The most serious punishment was detention, and no one was executed.

Although people in the court shouted "Long live the emperor", speculation never stopped in private. But no matter how they speculated, it was the consensus of everyone that the position of the crown prince was becoming increasingly precarious.

Some people with ulterior motives turned their attention to the case of Dai Mingshi and brought up the matter again, trying to reach a conclusion as soon as possible and deal a heavy blow to the prince.

No matter what conspiracy was behind the Dai Mingshi case, on the surface, there were many people who simply did not want the matter to be made a big deal. Among them were not only Han people, but also many Manchus who were Jinshi graduates were working hard for Dai Mingshi.

From Yinzhi to Yinsi, almost all the powerful princes had people coming to lobby them, and Yinzhen was no exception.

Correspondingly, Qi Buchen also met many female relatives. They did not come to act as lobbyists, as the men had their own duties. They came only to express their attitude and to build closer relationships. If the relationship was good, it would of course be best if Princess Yong could whisper in Prince Yong's ear.

However, they did not hold out much hope. After all, although it was true that Prince Yong favored the princess alone, it was also well known that the princess's family had never promoted anyone.

Many people question Princess Yong's ability to influence others' opinions.

At night, the couple slept on the same bed. Qi Buchen talked about the women he had received today and asked, "What do you think?"

Yinzhen said, "I don't have any ideas."

Qi Buchen couldn't help but ask, "Don't you think of saying a few words?"

Yinzhen sighed and said, "What can I say? How this matter turns out depends entirely on what the Emperor thinks. No matter what others say, it's useless."

Qi Buchen frowned slightly. She actually wanted Yinzhen to help Dai Mingshi in this matter. "What if the Emperor hasn't figured out what to do? Maybe the Emperor is waiting for you to submit your suggestions so that he can draw inspiration from them?"

Yinzhen looked at her curiously: "Your idea is quite novel."

"Isn't that right?" Qi Buchen seemed encouraged. "Although the Emperor is wise and powerful, his energy is limited. With so many national affairs to attend to, it's possible that he might be temporarily stuck. As a son, how can you not share his worries?"

Yinzhen turned sideways and looked at Fu Jin calmly: "You really want me to take care of this? To help Dai Mingshi?"

Qi Buchen bit her lip. "Not really... Oh, that's right!" She didn't bother beating around the bush and spoke her mind. "I just feel that if this ends up like the Ming History Case, it won't do us any good. Now that we've finally achieved stability and everything is back on track, if we escalate it over just one article, it will only alienate the Han people. The Emperor's efforts over the years might even be wiped out, and how will it be recorded in future history books?"

Yinzhen's expression grew more serious as she spoke: "Do you still know about the Ming History Case?"

Qi Buchen whispered, "I checked it before."

She squeezed closer to Yinzhen and lowered her voice: "I want to say something extremely treasonous, please don't scold me."

Yinzhen stared at her closely and said, "Speak."

Qi Buchen looked him in the eye. "Looking through history books, no dynasty can be immortal, and the history of previous dynasties is often rewritten by later generations. What if the Qing Dynasty is destroyed... then how will those who come after us write about us in history books? The Emperor was clearly a benevolent ruler, no worse than the Qin Emperor and Han Emperor Wu, and could have been an emperor of all ages. Why should he smear a stain on the prosperous times because of a small scholar? Will those who come after us stigmatize us and erase our achievements because of these cases? Will they say that we are narrow-minded and lack magnanimity because we came to power improperly..."

With his mouth blocked, Yinzhen glared at him: "I told you to speak, not to talk nonsense! Why was Dai Mingshi imprisoned? Can you remember this?"

Qi Buchen lowered his eyes guiltily. She wanted to take drastic measures.

Yinzhen pinched her twice, calmed his heartbeat, and then said, "You're overthinking it. Cases like Dai Mingshi's have existed since ancient times. Emperor Xuan of Han had Sima Qian's grandson beheaded for similar reasons. Ji Kang also died for this reason. Today, the achievements of these two dynasties are still intact. How could they be erased?"

Qi Buchen pursed his lips and whispered, "...They are Han Chinese, and we are Manchus... Most history books are compiled by Han Chinese, so they will only be more harsh on us."

Moreover, it is not serious now, but in the future, Qianlong will "carry forward" this matter. If we don't find a solution now, I can't imagine what will happen in the future.