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...
"Your Highness, please sit down and rest for a while!" Qingdai helped Hexue sit down.
"He Zhu!" He Xue called He Zhu over. "Do you know what the Crown Prince and Father Emperor said?"
"This servant was unaware. This servant had been guarding outside the whole time, and when His Highness the Crown Prince came out, he looked completely distraught!" He Zhu said.
He Xue nodded. "He Zhu, make sure everyone in Yuqing Palace does what they're supposed to do and doesn't lose their composure!"
Many people saw the Crown Prince faint just now, and if we don't comfort him, it could easily cause unrest among the people.
"This servant understands!" He Zhu replied.
He Xue thought for a moment, "He Zhu, go to the Qianqing Palace now and tell Father Emperor that the Crown Prince has fainted! Remember to act as pitiful and anxious as possible!"
He Xue felt that she had to let Kangxi know if she had been wronged. She firmly believed that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and if the Crown Prince was suffering, Kangxi couldn't be too easy to get along with either.
Currently, Kangxi's feelings towards the Crown Prince are evenly divided between distrust and affection, with affection perhaps even greater. She wants to make Kangxi feel guilty for doubting the Crown Prince, so that the Crown Prince won't suffer injustice for nothing.
"Yes, this servant understands!" He Zhu bowed to He Xue and immediately went to the Qianqing Palace.
Qianqing Palace
Kangxi was still immersed in the last look the Crown Prince gave him. There was disappointment and anger in the Crown Prince's eyes, but not the filial affection the Crown Prince used to have for him.
He has truly broken the Crown Prince's heart this time.
Just then, Kangxi heard footsteps outside the hall, and then Liang Jiugong pushed open the door and walked in.
"But what's the matter?" asked Liang Jiugong, Emperor Kangxi.
Liang Jiugong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the imperial physician has been summoned from Yuqing Palace."
"The imperial physician has been summoned? Could it be the Crown Princess?" Kangxi's first thought was that something had happened to He Xue.
He Xue expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you so much! Can't you wish me something better?"
"Go to Yuqing Palace yourself and see what's going on," Kangxi instructed Liang Jiugong.
Liang Jiugong readily agreed and, not daring to delay, immediately prepared to go to Yuqing Palace.
"Your Majesty! Your servant He Zhu requests an audience!" He Zhu's voice came from outside the palace.
Just as Kangxi was about to reprimand him, upon hearing that it was He Zhu, he quickly said, "Let him in!"
Kangxi felt that something had happened at Yuqing Palace, and it probably wasn't He Xue, so it was very likely the Crown Prince.
Kangxi struggled to steady himself, anxiously waiting for He Zhu to enter.
He Zhu entered and knelt directly before Emperor Kangxi. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince fainted as soon as he returned to Yuqing Palace. The imperial physician said that the Crown Prince fainted due to anger and distress." He Zhu said with tears streaming down his face.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Princess was extremely anxious when she saw the Crown Prince faint! The Yuqing Palace is now in complete chaos."
"This servant had no other choice but to come to you!"
Upon hearing this, Kangxi felt a pang of pain in his heart. [He was so angry he nearly fainted; he had actually driven the Crown Prince to this point!]
"Liang Jiugong, prepare the carriage for Yuqing Palace!" Kangxi said anxiously, secretly regretting his suspicion of the Crown Prince.
Kangxi, seated on his imperial carriage, kept urging Liang Jiugong, "Liang Jiugong, tell them to hurry up!"
Panting heavily, Liang Jiugong said, "Your Majesty, we can't go any faster! This is the fastest we can go!"
"Stop right now!" Kangxi roared.
"Get out of the sedan chair quickly!" Liang Jiugong shouted.
After dismounting from the imperial carriage, Kangxi took a deep breath and flew directly towards Yuqing Palace.
"If you knew kung fu, why didn't you do it sooner! You're already fast now!" Liang Jiugong said, hands on his hips, looking at Kangxi's back.