He Xue, a modern woman with a keen interest in Qing Dynasty history, felt regret over the fate of the deposed Crown Prince, believing he didn't deserve such an end. If given the chance, she was...
At Yuqing Palace, a young eunuch who was dozing at the entrance saw a bright light approaching from afar and immediately perked up.
As the light drew closer, they realized it was Emperor Kangxi. They quickly called out into Yuqing Palace, "His Majesty has arrived!"
Then he quickly knelt down, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty! May Your Majesty be well!"
Kangxi ignored the young eunuch and went straight inside.
Upon hearing the young eunuch's chanting, He Zhu realized it was too late to inform the Crown Prince, so he had to come out to greet him.
"This servant wishes Your Majesty peace, long live the Emperor!" He Zhu knelt on the ground and raised his voice, praying that the Crown Prince could hear him.
"Get up! Where is the Crown Prince?" Kangxi asked. He had already entered Yuqing Palace, but he hadn't seen the Crown Prince come out. Had he already gone to rest?
"Your Majesty... His Highness the Crown Prince... has already gone to sleep!" He Zhu stammered.
Kangxi knew from He Zhu's expression that he was not telling the truth. His eyes became deep and sharp, as if he had seen through everything. "Quickly tell me where the Crown Prince is?"
"This servant..." He Zhu's back was already soaked with sweat.
Kangxi had no patience to wait any longer. Seeing He Zhu's hesitant manner, he assumed that the Crown Prince was doing something behind his back, so he kicked He Zhu away and said, "Liang Jiugong, keep a close watch on Yuqing Palace and don't let any news get out."
Emperor Kangxi was still considering the Crown Prince's well-being. Even if the Crown Prince did something shameful, no rumors could be spread that were detrimental to him.
"This servant obeys the decree!" Liang Jiugong replied.
"Find the Crown Prince for me! Search room by room! I refuse to believe we can't find him!" Kangxi said.
Seeing that things were getting out of hand, He Zhu hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince is in the side hall, drinking with the First Prince, the Third Prince, and the Fourth Prince!"
Emperor Kangxi was both amused and exasperated by He Zhu's words, and kicked He Zhu again, saying, "You dog servant, you can't just say the Crown Prince is drinking, why are you hiding it like this!"
"If it weren't for the fact that you've always been by the Crown Prince's side, I would have dealt with you directly!"
"This servant knows his crime, please forgive this servant, Your Majesty!" He Zhu said, kneeling on the ground.
"Hurry up and lead the way!" Kangxi said impatiently.
Seeing this, He Zhu knew his life was saved, and he scrambled towards the side hall.
The four princes were already quite drunk, their tongues practically slurred. The Crown Prince, the First Prince, and the Fourth Prince had some worries and wanted to drown their sorrows in alcohol.
Seeing that the Crown Prince and the other two were drinking, the Third Prince felt it wouldn't be right for him not to join them, so he ended up getting drunk himself.
When Kangxi arrived at the side hall, he indeed heard the eldest prince giving his long-winded speech.
Liang Jiugong was about to push open the door when Kangxi stopped him. He wanted to hear what these men's sons would say. Wasn't it said that people speak the truth when they're drunk? Perhaps they would say things he didn't know.
"Second brother, my ambition is to become a great general. Father Emperor has said that I am the Baturu of the Great Qing Dynasty."
"If Father Emperor doesn't bestow upon me the title of Grand General, you are my younger brother. When Father Emperor passes away, you must bestow upon me the title of Grand General!"
Upon hearing his eldest son's words, Emperor Kangxi, standing at the door, nearly died on his own! "What a good son! What a scoundrel!"
Kangxi wanted to hear what the Crown Prince had to say. "Baocheng was raised by me, he certainly wouldn't agree with that scoundrel of an elder brother saying that!"
Upon hearing the eldest prince's words, the crown prince first kicked him, saying, "How dare you address me as 'Master'! How rude!"
But brother, Father Emperor won't do that; he's His Majesty!
Kangxi was somewhat gratified by the Crown Prince's words; he knew Bao Cheng was reluctant to part with him. However, something about the words sounded rather awkward. Soon, the Third Prince explained it to him.
"Hehe! Eldest brother, second brother, Father Emperor is long-lived, a thousand-year-old tortoise, a ten-thousand-year-old turtle!" the third prince said in a daze.
"Third Brother, how could you call Father Emperor a tortoise!" The Fourth Prince hiccuped and pointed at the Third Prince.
The Third Prince slapped away the Fourth Prince's hand that was pointing at him, saying, "What do you know? I just hope that Father Emperor lives a long and healthy life, no, I mean he lives ten thousand years!"
Emperor Kangxi, standing outside the door, was so angry his nose was crooked. They were all unfilial sons!
Liang Jiugong lowered his head so much that it was almost buried in his crotch.
Emperor Kangxi wanted to hear what his rebellious sons would say, so he didn't rush in.
But what followed caused Kangxi's blood pressure to spike, if Kangxi had known the word "blood pressure."