For a time, Yonghe Palace was filled with joy.

As dusk approached, Liang Jiugong estimated that it was about time and, steeling himself, stepped forward to break the harmonious atmosphere, "Your Majesty, it's time for dinner."

Emperor Kangxi, having raised the crown prince himself, knew that the children were probably a little hungry at this time. "Well, my beloved consort, didn't we just hire a new chef from Jiangnan? You all stay and keep me company as we savor the flavors of Jiangnan."

Upon hearing this, Consort De's eyes flickered. She had already been pleasantly surprised that the Emperor had spent half the day with her, but she hadn't expected him to stay for dinner. It seemed the children's portions were larger than she had imagined! After giving some instructions to her maid, Consort De smiled and said to Emperor Kangxi, "I'd like to offer a suggestion: if the cook does a good job, Your Majesty, why not reward him handsomely?"

Emperor Kangxi, holding the hands of Honghui and Yilejia, laughed heartily and said, "Good, my beloved consort is absolutely right. If you do well, I will reward you with one hundred taels of silver."

Yinzhen was quite surprised that the Emperor had invited his family to dine in the palace. This was the first time a prince who had left the palace had ever dined there.

In addition, news arrived in the inner palace that Emperor Kangxi had kept Yinzhen's family for a meal at Consort De's palace. Many concubines with grandchildren and children cursed inwardly, saying that Consort De was indeed cunning. At her age, the Emperor rarely visited the palaces of these concubines. He loved beautiful women and usually only visited those who had recently entered the palace and were still young. Unexpectedly, today, because of her grandson, he stayed at Yonghe Palace, which angered many of the vases and ornaments in the room, causing them to be damaged again! As a result, after today, the number of times concubines with grandchildren summoned their daughters-in-law with their grandsons increased significantly. They came to the palace every few days until Emperor Kangxi heard that one of his children had fallen ill due to the back-and-forth travel and he flew into a rage, which stopped this trend.

During this time, with no one to stop him, Longkodo's behavior became increasingly rampant. Kangxi, sitting on his dragon throne, coldly watched Longkodo and the Crown Prince's actions, his eyes filled with growing murderous intent towards Longkodo. The shrewd and experienced Nalan Mingzhu observed everything. The Emperor was wary of the Crown Prince and already harbored murderous intent towards Longkodo. He felt a sense of unease; the First Prince was impulsive and indeed possessed the talent of a general, but he was completely unfit to be emperor. The First Prince's rivalry with the Crown Prince had definitely angered the Emperor. He understood that the Emperor's tolerance for the First Prince was limited; after all, the Emperor and the First Prince were father and son, and the Emperor might show him mercy. However, the Emperor would never forgive him. He only hoped that his death would spare his family and descendants. A sorrowful expression flashed across Nalan Mingzhu's eyes for a second, so brief that no one noticed. Upon closer inspection, he was once again the elegant and cunning Minister of the Six Ministries.

In the fifth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the Flying Guillotine had uncovered numerous crimes committed by Longkodo. The day was overcast and rainy, seemingly a sign that a downpour was imminent.

Kangxi sat at the head of the table. An official who had secretly pledged allegiance to him stepped forward to speak. He knelt down with a thud and said, "Your Majesty, may Your Majesty enjoy ten thousand years of good fortune. I request that you report that Longkodo's son has repeatedly abducted women and has repeatedly injured people on horseback in the streets. His son is of terrible character. I beg Your Majesty to make a decision."

The lower-ranking officials in the court exchanged glances, not daring to utter a sound. This involved Longkodo, the Crown Prince's uncle, and they dared not interfere and provoke his retaliation. They dared not, but the First Prince's faction saw an opportunity and seized the moment, vehemently criticizing Longkodo for his incompetence in disciplining his children and deserving severe punishment.

Emperor Kangxi was annoyed by their noise. His eyes narrowed and he said sternly, "If anyone makes another sound, I will take their life." The court immediately fell silent enough that you could hear a pin drop.

Longkodo had a bad feeling as soon as the man spoke, and after hearing him finish speaking, he knelt down firmly. His second son was born to his most favored concubine, whom he had always doted on. Now that he was implicated, he wished he could have strangled him before he was even born. Hearing the emperor stop him, he thought the emperor was still on his side. He calmed down and pleaded tearfully, "Your Majesty, my second son has committed a serious crime. I have not taken good care of him. I was unaware of it and am filled with fear. Please punish me."

Longkodo's swift and decisive exoneration of his son drew the attention of all the ministers. He had effectively abandoned one of his sons! As expected of a minister of state, he was ruthless and decisive in clearing himself of any wrongdoing.

Everyone thought that Longkodo had escaped this calamity, and Longkodo thought so too. Unfortunately, what followed was Liang Jiugong handing over several sheets of Xuan paper.

Everyone stared at this scene in bewilderment. Kangxi glanced at it briefly, then angrily picked up the pile of Xuan paper and threw it at the kneeling Longkodo.

"You good-for-nothing Longkodo! I had no idea you had done so many good deeds!"

Longkodo shakily picked up a piece of paper, and upon looking at its contents, he instantly felt utterly disheartened and collapsed to the ground. If he still didn't realize that today's events were aimed at him, he wouldn't need to be a powerful minister.

He lay prostrate on the ground in a disheveled state, his body hunched over, looking several years older in an instant, no longer the spirited man he once was. "I beg Your Majesty, in consideration of my merits, to spare my family."

Kangxi sneered, "When I first ascended the throne, I regarded you as a confidant and had no suspicion or precautions against you. Who knew that you, whom I regarded as a confidant, would dare to have disloyal intentions, abuse your power and accept bribes, act arbitrarily and domineeringly, and deceive and betray my good intentions. How can I tolerate you!"

Longkodo collapsed in despair. It was all over! Right! And the Crown Prince! He glanced at the ministers who were on his side, but they all avoided his gaze. Like monkeys scattering when a wall falls, Longkodo was on the verge of collapse. They wouldn't dare speak to him even if they had ten lives.

When the Crown Prince, who was absent from court due to illness, received news of Longkodo's accident, he immediately pleaded with his father, the Emperor.

Upon arriving at the Qianqing Palace, Liang Jiugong blocked the entrance, smiling as he said, "Please return, Your Highness. The Emperor has ordered that no one be received today."

Yinqi pursed his lips, which were dry and pale from illness, and bitterly opened them, saying, "Please, Father, grant me an audience." He stubbornly knelt at the entrance of the Qianqing Palace, ignoring Liang Jiugong's pleas. He knew that his uncle Longkodo had committed a serious crime, but this was his trusted minister! If he died, how could he hold onto his position as crown prince?

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