After recovering his health, Emperor Kangxi began to prepare for his abdication.

The following year, on Emperor Kangxi's birthday, he instructed Consort Tong to hold a grand celebration. It wasn't even a birthday celebration, yet it was to be a grand affair.

Although she found it strange, she did as instructed.

Emperor Kangxi's birthday banquet arrived as scheduled. That year, he was sixty-five years old. In ancient times, one was said to know one's destiny at fifty, be able to listen to reason at sixty, and follow one's heart's desires at seventy. At sixty-five, he was almost at the age where he could follow his heart's desires.

At the birthday banquet, all the court officials came and offered their congratulations. Various rare and precious items were presented to him. After a series of procedures were completed, Kangxi said in public: "I ascended the throne at the age of eight, and it has been fifty-seven years since then. The ancients said that at sixty one can hear and understand, and at seventy one can follow one's heart's desires. I have done my best for the Qing Dynasty over the years, and now I also want to follow my heart's desires. Today I have decided to abdicate."

These words stunned everyone; even Yinzhen hadn't expected Kangxi to pull such a stunt.

The civil and military officials, princes, and other nobles below all knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please rescind your decree."

Prince Yinzhen and the other princes also knelt down, saying, "Please, Father Emperor, rescind your decree."

Emperor Kangxi waved his hand: "My mind is made up. It's settled then. I've decided to let Prince Yong succeed to the throne. The enthronement ceremony will be held a month from now. I've already ordered the Imperial Household Department to prepare new dragon and phoenix robes. It's settled now. Alright, the birthday banquet ends here. I'm tired. You may all leave."

He didn't want to hear what these people had to say.

The throne represents supreme power. Emperor Kangxi held this power for over fifty years. Was he willing to give it up?

He might not be willing to give it up, but he knew it was the best outcome.

His energy couldn't keep up with the pace of the Qing Dynasty. He clearly saw Yinzhen's abilities and knew that sooner or later, that day would come. He also wanted to see with his own eyes how far his son could go while he was still alive.

This shows that Kangxi was a visionary emperor. Power can be addictive. Was Kangxi addicted?

He had the will, but he was able to restrain himself, which is something that not everyone can do. Throughout history, how many emperors have voluntarily abdicated in favor of their sons? Although Kangxi's health was not as good as before, he still had some years left and did not necessarily have to abdicate. Yet he did abdicate, willingly and without hesitation.

Such magnanimity is beyond the reach of ordinary emperors.

Emperor Kangxi struck down a bolt of lightning and left, leaving everyone bewildered and at a loss. Why did he suddenly abdicate?

His Majesty's health seemed alright, this was all so sudden.

As sudden as it may be, they were not surprised by the choice of the emperor to take the throne. Prince Yong was indeed outstanding, and they had all seen it over the years. The court officials were not unacceptable, but rather surprised.

Yinzhen's brothers were also surprised. After their initial surprise, they congratulated him. They had already dealt with the conflicts of previous years and seen the consequences. They had all done their jobs well over the years. Yinzhen's appointment was a done deal, and they easily accepted it.

And so, Yinzhen, who was a prince before the banquet, became an emperor after the banquet. How unpredictable life is!

Tong Cheng'er was also dumbfounded. She wasn't ready to be the empress yet. No matter what, the matter was already settled, and it wasn't something she could change just because she wasn't ready.

The most surprising thing is the concubines in Kangxi's harem. When Kangxi was on the throne, they were his concubines and could live in the harem. But when Kangxi was about to abdicate, it would be inappropriate for them to continue living in the palace. If Yinzhen moved into the Qianqing Palace, what would happen if his father's concubines lived in the Twelve Eastern and Western Palaces?

Fortunately, Kangxi made the decision on his own. He had plans for the fate of the concubines. Concubines who had grown up and moved out of the palace could leave the palace to live in their sons' residences. If they did not wish to, they could live with Kangxi in Changchun Garden.

Those who had no sons or whose sons were not yet grown up naturally went to Changchun Garden. The palace did not keep concubines, because keeping them would certainly be against the rules.

For the sake of Yinzhen's reputation, Kangxi would not allow his concubines to remain in the palace.

After this arrangement was made, no one said anything, mainly because they dared not say anything.

Every emperor brings a new court, and there are bound to be some complaints, but no one dares to voice them, for fear of offending anyone.

A month passed quickly, so quickly that Tong Cheng'er felt it had gone by in the blink of an eye.

The enthronement ceremony was naturally full of complicated rules and regulations. From morning till night, Tong Cheng'er had no time to rest. The Empress's auspicious robes were heavy, and wearing the phoenix crown, which weighed more than ten pounds, for a whole day almost bent her neck. It was too tiring.

That evening, Tong Cheng'er finally breathed a sigh of relief. She was now living in Kunning Palace, while Yinzhen was living in Yangxin Hall, which was also where she dreamed.

There was a hot spring pool in Kunning Palace, about the size of a swimming pool of more than forty square meters. The hot water contained some herbs to relieve fatigue and some flower petals. Tong Cheng'er took off her clothes and immersed her whole body in the hot spring pool.

"That feels so good!!" Tong Cheng'er sighed contentedly.

With her eyes closed, Tong Cheng'er sat in the hot spring when she suddenly heard footsteps. She said, "Just put the clothes anywhere."

She thought it was a nanny or a palace maid coming in to deliver clothes.

No one answered her, and then she heard a rustling sound of clothes. Something was wrong.

She suddenly opened her eyes and turned to look. In the candlelight that filled the room, Yinzhen's clothes were almost completely off, half-covering him. He was in his thirties, the prime of a man's life, full of vigor and exuding an indescribable aura.

As for her figure?

His long-term horseback riding and martial arts training goes without saying.

"How did you get here?" The tone was somewhat surprised, but not panicked. They were an old married couple and knew each other very well.

As Yinzhen continued to undress, he said, "I came from Yangxin Hall and found out you were taking a bath. I was tired too, so I'll join you."

Tong Cheng'er glared at him but didn't say anything.

Yinzhen had already taken off his clothes and stepped into the hot spring: "This is so comfortable."

Today, Yinzhen is the main character, and the glory goes without saying, but he is really tired. The couple is equally tired, so they feel much better when they come to hot water!

What happened next was inevitable; Tong Cheng'er was carried out by Yinzhen, completely exhausted.

Exhausted, Tong Cheng'er said weakly in his arms, "Aren't you tired today? You've been torturing me like this."

Yinzhen smiled. He was indeed tired, but he was also genuinely excited. He was physically exhausted, but mentally exhilarated!

"You still have the energy to talk? Looks like you're not tired enough?" Yinzhen said deliberately.

Tong Cheng'er immediately fell silent.