With Yinzhi taking the lead, the others also said that it was their fault and had nothing to do with him, and hoped that he would withdraw his order to issue the edict of repentance.

Kangxi was satisfied seeing this. At least they still had a conscience and knew that a confession of guilt could not be issued casually. If it was issued, it would mean that the emperor was incompetent. He just said it casually.

However, after careful observation, he found that the prince did not speak a word from beginning to end. On second thought, he realized that he did not think that his behavior was wrong at all.

He sighed. He had personally raised the prince, and he was the one he was most satisfied with. He even hoped that the prince could inherit his throne, but he had changed too quickly.

I got along so well with my brothers when I was a child, why did it become like this when I grew up?

"Prince, do you think I should issue this edict of apology? It seems that I was right. I was indeed wrong."

The prince still didn't say anything. Of course, he hoped that the emperor would issue an edict of repentance. After all, an edict of repentance would prove that he was unworthy of the position. With a little guidance, the throne would be his.

But he couldn't possibly say such words. After all, saying them would prove that he had a rebellious heart and didn't care about the father-son relationship. No one would want such a person to become the one in power.

"Your Majesty, you have misunderstood me. How could I have such thoughts? Whether or not to issue a self-criticism edict is your decision. Even if I know you are right, I cannot interfere with your decision.

Your Majesty, I know that you are unhappy about my meddling in the affairs of Fourth Brother's household, but is it true that Princess Nianhulu is pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl?

For many years after the founding of the Qing Dynasty, no one in the imperial family had ever conceived twins. How could you be sure she was carrying twins, a boy and a girl? What if she was carrying twin girls or twin boys?

The previous dynasty always considered twins to be unlucky. Although we Manchus don't believe in this, if Princess Niuhulu gave birth to twins...

I said this because I was worried that they would think that Fourth Brother's family was unlucky. I didn't mean to slander Fourth Brother. Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will support whatever decision you make."

No one expected the prince to say this. Doesn't this clearly mean that the emperor is guilty and should issue this edict of repentance?

Did they really think they didn't know what he was thinking? Once the emperor issued an edict of repentance, it would prove that he was incompetent and immoral, and the ministers in the court could use this opportunity to force him to abdicate.

If there is a crown prince, he will definitely succeed to the throne. The crown prince's wishful thinking was so loud that they could hear it from far away.

"Second brother, what do you mean by this? The emperor did nothing wrong. Why do you look like you're eager for the emperor to issue an edict of apology?

You are the crown prince yourself. If the emperor abdicates, you will definitely succeed him. Are you so impatient that you want the emperor to bear the blame and succeed you now?

I advise you to give up this idea. If you really have so many plans, then don't blame me for clearing the court. Someone like you is not worthy of being the crown prince."

The prince narrowed his eyes. It turned out that his elder brother did not want him to take the throne. He had even said that he would purge the court of evildoers. So, did he think that he would become the new prince if he was deposed?

You're dreaming. The position of the crown prince can only be his. If he can't sit on the throne through legitimate means, then he will force his way to the abdication and usurp the throne. He doesn't believe that others can take his place in this way.

But when I think about it carefully, I find it so sad. They are obviously his brothers, but they are eyeing his position. He is the legitimate son and the crown prince, so why can't he succeed to the throne earlier?

The emperor is already an old man, and he doesn't want to abdicate quickly to enjoy his retirement. Does he want him to wait until he is in his forties or fifties before succeeding to the throne?

Putting aside whether he can succeed to the throne smoothly, given the current situation, it is even a question whether he can live to that time. In this case, he must of course make plans for himself.

"I never thought there would be people eager for me to issue a self-criticism edict. Prince, I am very disappointed in you. You were not like this before. Who turned you into this person who doesn't recognize your relatives?

Forget it, what's the point of asking these questions? You've already grown up like this, can I still change your mind? You probably don't know, I was just testing you.

I haven't done anything wrong, so why should I issue a self-criticism edict? Even if I do, I have to wait until I choose a truly suitable successor."

The prince's face turned pale instantly. What did he mean by this? Did he think he was unworthy of the throne? If that was the case, why had he been made the crown prince in the first place?

No one has ever joked about something as fundamentally damaging as the edict of repentance. He really thought he was going to issue the edict of repentance, otherwise why would he say such a thing?

I am the boss. No matter how hard his son tries to fight, he can never win. He was just careless.

"Your Majesty, that's not what I meant. I thought you wanted to issue the edict of apology because you truly felt you were wrong, not because I was eager for you to issue the edict.

You are the emperor and father. Although I am the crown prince, I am still your subject. I have no choice but to obey whatever decision you make. I know I was wrong, and I beg Your Majesty to forgive me."

"I don't have time to talk to you about this. Regardless of whether Nianhulu is pregnant with twins or not, it's your fault for attacking her. What did the Fourth Master do to you to make you so afraid of him?"

What else could they do to him? Of course, it was because he became the legitimate son and posed a greater threat to them. If they fought and ended up making things easier for him, wouldn't that be all in vain?

"Speak, are you all mute? I tell you, the fourth prince has few children. Even if Niuhulu gave birth to twins, I would be happy. At least the fourth prince will have an heir."

Several people looked at each other in confusion. What did he mean by that? Didn't the fourth brother have a son? He spoke as if Hongshi wasn't his son.

"Father, I know I was wrong. I will go to my fourth brother's house and apologize to him. Don't worry, I will keep an eye on my people and won't let them cause trouble for my fourth brother."

"Son, the same thing. It's a good thing that Fourth Brother has a child. I can only wish him the best. How could I do something to make him sad? Ninth and Tenth Brothers, what do you think?"

"Of course it is, Father Royal. You probably don't know that when I learned that Fourth Brother was about to have a child, I sent people to prepare gifts. How could I have attacked him?"

Everyone said that they would not take action against Yinzhen, but Kangxi didn't believe it. Not a single word they said was true. It seemed that he had to keep his eyes on the fourth son.

"I hope you will keep your word. If the Fourth Brother loses these two children, I will make sure none of you have a chance of becoming emperor. Not only that, I will also demote you to commoners."

The prince was really unhappy this time. He had a feeling that Yinzhen was the biggest stumbling block on his way to the throne.

If he is not eliminated, he will never be able to sit in that position in his life.