The 48th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign was a very important year.

early April

As soon as the weather in the capital began to get warm, Emperor Kangxi took his concubines, unmarried princes, and unmarried princesses to the Chengde Mountain Resort to escape the summer heat.

Yin Chu was the legitimate son of the Empress. Although he did not have the title of Crown Prince, he had the power of one and was left in the capital to oversee the country.

Those assisting him included the Second Prince Yinti, the Fifth Prince Yinsi, the Eleventh Prince Yinsi, the Thirteenth Prince Yinxiang, and the Fourteenth Prince Yinzhen.

The remaining princes who were already married, along with the princesses who had married into the capital, left the palace and the capital in a grand procession, accompanied by their families...

The weather at the Chengde Mountain Resort was cool. After several days of travel, Emperor Kangxi and his concubines stepped into the resort and immediately felt a refreshing coolness.

After settling in, Consort Que ate some fresh fruits from the imperial estate below, and whispered while covering her mouth, "Your Majesty, the Chengde Mountain Resort has a pleasant and cool climate, much more comfortable than the palace."

Xu Lejin nodded slightly.

"The Chengde Mountain Resort boasts a superior geographical location, truly a rare summer retreat. After a long and tiring journey the past few days, all the ladies look to be in great spirits after a few days of rest."

Upon hearing this, Consort Que and Consort Ning took the lead in rising and respectfully said, "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. We, your humble servants, are all well."

"Um,"

Xu Lejin responded softly and then spoke.

"The Summer Palace is not like the palace, so ladies, there's no need for formalities. Just be yourself."

Everyone responded in unison, "Yes," and gathered in twos and threes to talk.

Consort Hui slowly raised her head, exchanged a glance with Consort De, and said softly, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has always been diligent in state affairs and rarely visits the summer palace. Why did he suddenly come to Chengde Mountain Villa this year?"

"When the Emperor visited Chengde Mountain Resort, the Fourth Prince was left in Beijing to oversee the country."

Xu Lejin paused slightly, then pursed her lips and remained silent.

Consort De took over the conversation and said with a smile, "His Majesty is wise. He has appointed the Fourth Prince to oversee the country, while the Second Prince, Fifth Prince, Eleventh Prince, Thirteenth Prince, and my son, the Fourteenth Prince, will remain in the capital to assist the Fourth Prince."

"、、"

Consort Hui and Consort De sang in unison.

Xu Lejin exchanged glances with Consort Que and Consort Ning, wondering to herself what kind of trouble Consort Hui and Consort De were up to.

The emperor appointed Yin Chu as regent, which was his idea. The emperor also issued an imperial edict to keep the second prince, the fifth prince, and others in the capital to assist him.

His Majesty is now in his prime, strong and healthy.

Moreover, even when Yin Chu was acting as regent, important matters were sent to the Chengde Mountain Resort by express messenger for the Emperor to decide.

What did Consort Hui and Consort De mean by these words?

One hour later

The concubines took their leave one after another, and Xu Lejin frowned in deep thought.

Two weeks later

Yin Chu sent a memorial urgently from the capital.

After quickly reading the memorial, Kangxi frowned, thinking to himself, "I knew this would happen. For years, Yinti and Yinsi have been constantly causing trouble, and even Yinzhen, the son of Consort De, is always jumping around in the court."

now,

He and his concubines had just arrived at the Chengde Mountain Resort when Yinzhi and Yinzhen joined forces to launch an attack on Yinchu, who was acting as regent.

Even Yinti added fuel to the fire.

Only Yinzhi and Yinxiang obeyed his orders and wholeheartedly assisted Yinchu.

"Liang Jiugong?"

Kangxi raised his voice and called out to the outside.

Now older, Liang Jiugong was no longer as agile as he had been in his youth. He trotted into the hall, panting, and said respectfully, "This servant is here."

"By imperial decree, the Eighth Prince, the Tenth Prince, and the Twelfth Prince are ordered to return to the capital to assist the Fourth Prince in handling state affairs."

After a pause, Kangxi said coldly, "Consort Hui has caught a cold while staying at the Chengde Mountain Resort. I hereby order the Second Prince and the Fifth Prince to immediately go to the Chengde Mountain Resort to attend to Consort Hui."

“Consort De misses the Fourteenth Prince and her grandchildren, and orders the Fourteenth Prince to bring his wives and concubines to Chengde Mountain Villa to enjoy Consort De’s company.”

Liang Jiugong was taken aback for a moment, then respectfully agreed.

The Emperor Kangxi's decree was delivered to Consort Hui and Consort De.

Consort Hui's old face was contorted with rage. She slammed down her teacup with a 'bang' and said coldly, "I'm perfectly healthy, how could I have caught a cold? The Emperor is blatantly and openly showing favoritism towards the Fourth Prince!"

"It's one thing for Yinti to be distant, he hasn't been close to his mother these past years, but what about Yinsi?"

Consort Hui sighed deeply.

"Yinzhi has always been filial to me and obeys my arrangements in everything. The Emperor has already bestowed upon him the title of Prince of the Second Rank. Over the years, Yinzhi has maintained a reputation for virtue and is highly regarded in court, with the support of Prince An..."

"Your Majesty, why can't we consider testing Yinzhi?"

A sense of powerlessness and frustration welled up inside Consort Hui, leaving her feeling utterly helpless.

Her son, Yinzhi, was good in every way. He was filial to the Emperor and respected his adoptive mother, while the Empress's son, the Fourth Prince, was disobedient to the Emperor.

In the fortieth, forty-third, and forty-sixth years, during the imperial concubine selection, the emperor wanted to bestow concubines and princesses upon the Fourth Prince, but the Fourth Prince refused outright…

In the room where Consort De lived

Consort De clutched the handkerchief tightly in her hands, her face grim.

"The Fourteenth Prince is doing well in the capital. When have I ever missed the Fourteenth Prince or my grandchildren? Your Majesty, this is..."

"Your Majesty, please be careful what you say, lest the walls have ears!"

The palace maid serving Consort De glanced quickly outside and whispered, "Your Highness, the Emperor is the Son of Heaven. He said you miss the Fourteenth Prince, and the young princes and princesses in his residence. That means..."

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