Emperor Kangxi looked at the results of the investigation without saying a word. He hoped day and night that Bao Cheng would have a legitimate son, as this was related to the stability of the crown prince's position and the succession of the Qing Dynasty.

When the Crown Princess was three months pregnant, the imperial physician examined her pulse and reported that there was a 70% chance that the baby would be a prince.

The quack doctors at the Imperial Medical Academy never claim to be 100% certain about anything; if they say they're 70% certain, it's practically a sure thing.

Since then, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess have entered a honeymoon period. Apart from attending court and studying, Bao Cheng spends most of his time in the Crown Princess's courtyard. Although he still doesn't like the Crown Princess, he chooses to endure it for the sake of his legitimate son.

Who would have thought that after being suppressed by Li Jia for so many years, the Crown Princess would turn the tables and start a subtle reorganization. Although her methods were not sophisticated, Li Jia suffered a lot with the Crown Prince's tacit approval.

She had been pampered for decades, and her body couldn't withstand such torment, so she fell ill.

Without the approval of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, no one dared to leave Yuqing Palace to fetch the imperial physician for Li Jia. Her illness worsened over time. Hongxi and Hongjin, who rarely saw their mother, were furious when they suddenly discovered her suffering and wanted to seek the Crown Prince's support.

Where was the Crown Prince at this time? Naturally, he was with the Crown Princess.

The Crown Princess's casual remark, "How can a lowly person see the imperial physician?" ignited Hongxi's anger. He subconsciously pushed the Crown Princess, not expecting her to fall so badly.

The most suspicious items were the several white, rice-grain-sized beads scattered on the ground.

Kangxi thought for a moment and then gave the order: "Summon the Crown Prince!"

Yinreng didn't want to see the Crown Princess's tearful face, so he was drowning his sorrows in wine alone in Yuqing Palace when he heard his father's summons. He immediately rinsed his mouth, tidied his clothes, and went to the palace.

After paying his respects, Kangxi asked calmly, "How is the Crown Princess?"

"The imperial physician said that the disease has damaged the body's foundation, and if I want to conceive again, I will have to wait at least three years," Yinreng said truthfully.

"Hmm." Kangxi continued, "Has there been a conclusion regarding yesterday's events?"

"Father, Hongxi was indeed reckless, but please be lenient with him, considering his pure heart." Yinreng knelt down and pleaded. He had lost his legitimate son, and he couldn't afford to lose his eldest son as well.

Emperor Kangxi frowned, a slight disappointment creeping into his heart towards the Crown Prince.

A day has passed, and the Crown Prince has not conducted a thorough investigation. He can be deceived and unable to see the truth even in his own small Yuqing Palace, let alone rule the world.

"So how do you want to deal with this?"

Yinreng thought for a moment and said, "Why not punish him with ten strokes of the cane, and then make him copy scriptures a hundred times to pray for the unborn prince?"

Emperor Kangxi patiently instructed him: "No matter what, the Crown Princess is the legitimate mother of Hongxi and Hongjin. To trespass into the legitimate mother's palace and fight with her, is this the rule I taught you?"

Yinreng repeatedly said, "Your subject dares not."

"You wouldn't dare, but your son would." Kangxi pointed at him. "Why does the Crown Princess insist on picking a fight with Lady Li? The root of the problem is that you've spoiled her too much and lost your sense of proportion. As the Crown Prince, how can you favor a concubine over your wife!"

Yinreng's face paled, and he knelt down and kowtowed: "Your son knows his mistake, please forgive me, Father Emperor."

"If you can't even sweep your own room, how can you sweep the world?" Kangxi stared at the Crown Prince and said, word by word, "Governing a country is like governing a family. Rules and laws are the most important. If you take the lead in breaking the rules, then the family will cease to be a family, and the country will cease to be a country."

"Your subject is ashamed. Your subject will follow your father's teachings." Yinreng's heart gradually calmed down. His father was still willing to give him such earnest advice, and he was not too angry.

"Get up. You should appease the Crown Princess. I'll make her a concubine during the next imperial concubine selection." Kangxi sighed. "You need someone capable to manage your inner court."

******

After the Crown Prince left, Kangxi thought about why Honghui hadn't come today and asked about Liang Jiugong.

Little did they know that Honghui, whom Kangxi was thinking about, was curiously looking at the little pony in his hand.

It's a tiny pony, no bigger than the palm of your hand, all golden; it must be made of gold!

Honghui looked at Uncle Jiu curiously. Every time they met, Uncle Jiu would give him those little gold trinkets. Could it be that Uncle Jiu's house was made of gold? The history books say "keeping a beauty in a golden house". Who did Uncle Jiu keep?

Seeing that his nephew was looking at him strangely, Yin Tang maintained a kind smile.

Knowing that he had come to see his father, and having received Uncle Jiu's gift, Honghui tactfully withdrew.

"What do you want?" Yinzhen asked.

Yinzhen sat down with a grin, crossing his legs in an unseemly manner: "Look at what Fourth Brother is saying, do we brothers have to have something important to do before the younger brother can come?"

"Since there's nothing else, then take care, Su Peisheng!" Yinzhen began grinding ink, not intending to pay him any more attention.

"Oh, no need to trouble Eunuch Su. Fourth Brother, I'll take the reins." Yinzhen hesitated for a while. "Last time I went to Jiangzhe with Fourth Brother, I gained some insights. Recently, I've also expanded my business there. It's just that the business has expanded a bit too quickly, and I'm short of working capital."

"Fourth Brother, I won't take your money for nothing. Consider it an investment. At the end of the year, you'll not only pay me back but also receive dividends. How about it?"

"You talk as if I care about your dividends." Yinzhen rolled his eyes at Yintang. "Su Peisheng!"

Su Peisheng understood, took out a small box from the innermost box on the bookshelf, and handed it to Yinzhen with both hands.

Yinzhen's eyes lit up as he took the package and eagerly opened it. He roughly counted the taels: 200,000 taels.

"Fourth Brother, I..." Yin Tang wanted to say that he didn't need these.

Yinzhen continued, "These are what I prepared for the Fourteenth Prince to use for establishing his own residence. If you lose them, you can give the residence to the Fourteenth Prince in the future."

"Tch, who would want to live with that troublemaker?" Yin Tang put the box away. "Don't worry, Fourth Brother, I will definitely live up to your expectations. I will not only repay the principal, but also save up a dowry for our nephew."

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