Since coughing up blood, Emperor Kangxi has spent long periods of time in a coma and short periods of wakefulness each day.

At first, he still had the energy to listen to Yinzhen's reports. He gradually changed from being autocratic in his decision-making to asking for Yinzhen's opinion and then analyzing the pros and cons. The father and son spent a peaceful and intimate time together.

This was the first time Yinzhen felt he had received 100% of his father's attention; the all-encompassing love he had never experienced in his decades of life.

Fortunately, his son didn't have to follow in his footsteps.

Yinzhen now has three sons. Honghui, of course, needs no introduction; he has devoted all his energy to raising him. Because Honghui studied in the palace from a young age, Yinzhen spent more time looking after Hongyun, making Hongyun the most afraid of him among the children. Xiaolang is still young and has received too much pampering, so he strives to be a strict father in front of him.

Yinzhen carefully pruned the branches of his three children according to their individual personalities, and they have all grown up quite well.

Yinzhen is working very hard now. He spends almost all his days on the affairs of the court. After all, unlike the crown prince, he has not been exposed to these matters since childhood. It takes time for him to learn and get used to them. In addition, he is naturally cautious and thorough, so he has to come up with several contingency plans for almost every matter before Kangxi can make a decision.

In the evening, he still had to attend to the sick in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After several days of this, Yinzhen lost weight, and the clothes he brought from home were too big for him. Su Peisheng was so anxious that he was practically spitting fire, but he didn't dare to offer any further advice. After all, Yinzhen's authority was growing stronger every day, and even a casual glance from him was enough to silence the ministers, let alone a eunuch like him.

Kangxi was unusually clear-headed at night. He looked at Yinzhen with disdain and said, "Go and rest. Let Honghui come in and keep me company. Eat more meat, so that Honghui won't think I'm abusing you."

Working day and night without rest was indeed taking its toll on Yinzhen, but he didn't want Honghui to attract attention at this time: "Father, I was thinking that it would be better to have the brothers take turns to attend to my illness, especially the younger princes, who come to my place every day to cause trouble. I can hardly handle them anymore. What do you think?"

After thinking for a moment, Kangxi reluctantly agreed: "Alright, Honghui will come too."

Alright, with all the princes around him, Honghui doesn't stand out so much anymore.

So, just a few days after leaving the palace, Honghui packed his bags and moved into a side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

While Emperor Kangxi was still in relatively good spirits, Honghui refrained from handling the memorials and instead picked up a travelogue, reading it aloud with great expression. This travelogue, however, was more like a fantasy novel about cultivating immortality. It told the story of a man on the verge of death who, guided by a dream, found a sacred spring, drank from it, and returned to his twenties. He then embarked on a journey of seizing opportunities to achieve immortality. Of course, it also included the story of a vast harem, filled with beautiful women, and in the end, he himself lost count of how many children he had.

After listening attentively, Kangxi sighed, "The First Emperor sought immortality but could not attain it throughout his life. If I could also have such an experience, even if it were only in a dream, it would be wonderful."

“The world is full of wonders. I think we should follow the example of the First Emperor and send people to search for the immortal mountains overseas. Who knows, we might find something,” Honghui said jokingly.

After telling this little story, Honghui took a sip of water and began to massage Kangxi's body: "Grandpa, when I went out today, I found that the peach blossoms outside were in bloom. When you feel better, I will accompany you to admire the flowers."

Kangxi's gaze towards Honghui softened even more: "Do you have someone you love?"

"Huh?" Honghui was stunned. Was this what they were just talking about?

"Whoever you desire, I will grant you a marriage," Kangxi said.

"Grandpa, I'll listen to my mother. Please don't play matchmaker for me." Honghui's face was flushed, and he smiled somewhat awkwardly.

Kangxi laughed happily, ending with a long string of coughs. After catching his breath and calming himself down, he said, "If you don't want a marriage, how about I promise you a bright future?"

"The Prince Yong's residence has not yet established an heir, has it?"

Honghui was surprised that Kangxi brought up this matter. All the princes had eldest sons and legitimate sons, but they all tacitly agreed not to submit a memorial to establish an heir.

Because everyone is considering not only the future heir to the royal family, but also the potential heir to the throne, which are two completely different choices.

Yi-hua had discussed this matter privately with Hong-hui. Hong-hui remembered his mother emphasizing once again the words he had heard since childhood: he must not ask his father for it, but must patiently wait for him to give it to him.

Honghui had long understood the significance of those words; perhaps his mother had also relied on those words to get to where she was today.

"Grandfather, I beg you not to do anything." Honghui knelt down and looked up, saying very sincerely, "I have been favored by you all these years and am the one that Father expects the most among all my brothers. I am Father's eldest son. If Father does not consider giving me the position of heir, it can only mean that I have not done well enough."

"My grandson wants to earn his father's approval through his own abilities."

As Kangxi looked at him, he seemed to see the Crown Prince of his early years, so full of vigor and ambition. The two faces slowly overlapped and then separated. Kangxi opened his cloudy eyes and stared intently at Honghui for a long time before finally closing his eyes.

From that day on, the princes took turns attending to the ailing prince, except for those who had been imprisoned.

Looking at the princes dressed in colorful clothes and indulging in entertainment every day, Liang Jiugong felt a mix of emotions, an indescribable bitterness.

It wasn't fast, but it wasn't slow either; a month passed peacefully.

Liang Jiugong's hands trembled as he looked at the daily dosage of medicine he was giving to Emperor Kangxi. However, if the emperor didn't take this deadly medicine, he might go insane immediately. So, he chose to leave calmly and rationally.

That evening, Kangxi suddenly regained consciousness. He felt an unprecedented sense of comfort, as if all the pain in his body had been removed. He was even able to get out of bed and walk around a few times.

"Let everyone in." With Liang Jiugong's help, Kangxi took out a portrait from a hidden compartment. It was a portrait of the late Empress Hesheli and Kangxi. He stared at it for a long time before suddenly speaking.

Despite his grief, Liang Jiugong relayed the message: Yinzhen and Honghui, who lived in the palace, arrived the fastest, followed by the concubines, and then the princes and ministers who rushed over.

A huge crowd knelt in the courtyard, and no one made a sound. Kangxi looked down at the scene, lost in thought, and said nothing.

As dawn broke, Kangxi felt an intense itch in his throat and couldn't help but cough loudly. Unable to sit still any longer, he lay back down on the bed.

"My edict of abdication is ready. You must support the new emperor and ensure the continuation of my Great Qing for ten thousand years." Kangxi finished speaking haltingly, then spat out another mouthful of blood.

Finally, unable to speak, his gaze swept across the room as if trying to find someone who wasn't there, before slowly closing his eyes.

The kneeling person let out a suppressed sob. Liang Jiugong stepped forward and checked his breathing, then immediately knelt down in shock.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor has passed away!"