Chapter 851 Return to Beijing
"Your Highness, Your Highness, how dare I? That batch of military supplies had problems. It was... the local governor who embezzled money! I wasn't even the head of the Imperial Household Department back then, how could I have such a capability? Your Highness, please trust me." Ling Pu knelt down and said, "Your Highness, the Prince of Zhi is eyeing us covetously. These officials have suddenly rebelled recently, no doubt at his behest. But, may Heaven help Your Highness, since His Majesty is not in the capital this time, we might as well cut the grass and root it out... to prevent future troubles!"
As he spoke, Ling Pu made a gesture of wiping his neck.
"Ling Pu, are you crazy?" The prince looked at Ling Pu in disbelief. "The people who risked their lives to advise you today are all veteran officials, some of whom have served in three dynasties. How dare you?"
"Your Highness, how can you be so soft-hearted at this moment? What about this old minister? Even those who stand in front of the Prince of Zhi and oppose Your Highness are traitors and cannot be kept alive any longer. Moreover, these censors rely solely on their words. When have they ever made any real contribution to the Qing Dynasty? It is not a pity to kill them."
Ling Pu paused, then took two steps forward, his tone filled with earnest advice: "Think about it, if His Majesty returns and really investigates this matter, you'll inevitably be branded as a detrimental regent. Besides, we're afraid we can't explain what happened back then... It's better to cut the Gordian knot quickly. When His Majesty returns, Your Highness will still be weak, so I'm sure His Majesty won't hold you accountable."
"Shut up!" The prince suddenly scolded coldly, his eyes full of disbelief. "Ling Pu, what have you done by my side all these years? I'm asking you, what happened back then? Why can't I explain it clearly?"
Meeting Ling Pu's evasive gaze, the prince's heart skipped a beat: "Great, really great, Ling Pu, you really have given me a big surprise! Someone, come and tell everyone about this."
"Your Highness! Your Highness, please spare me! Ling Pu has always been loyal to Your Highness and has never done anything to let Your Highness down! Your Highness, please spare me!"
"Whether he has done it or not, I will know after one interrogation. Take him away."
"Your Highness! Your Highness, spare my life! Tohaqi has always disliked me. If I leave him to Tohaqi, how can I live to see Your Highness, Your Highness!"
The prince glanced at Ling Pu, then turned away: "Shut up his mouth and take him away."
The people gradually disappeared. The prince stood by the window and couldn't help but catch the snowflakes flying in through the window. He didn't move for a long time.
"Your Highness, it's snowing. Shall we go into the inner chamber? You've only just recovered, so you won't catch a cold."
The eunuch beside him put a cloak on the prince.
The Crown Prince shook his head slightly, blocking the eunuch's hand that was supporting him. "So, the Emperor will be back in the capital in the next two days, right?"
"Your Highness." Tohaqi walked in and opened the door, only putting a cloak on the prince.
The prince glanced at him and said, "You're here."
"Your Highness, the emperor has sent an edict, which will arrive in the capital at noon tomorrow," said Tuoheqi.
The prince paused, straightened his cloak, and said, "Okay, inform all officials that we will respectfully welcome the Emperor outside the city gate tomorrow."
"yes!"
"Your Highness, I'm afraid Ling Pu's hands are not clean this time, and it is inevitable that Your Highness will be implicated..." Tohaqi also frowned.
"That's all right. You must investigate thoroughly. Tomorrow, I will personally apologize to the Emperor."
"But Your Highness..."
"No need to say more."
"yes."
......
"Welcome to His Majesty, long live the Emperor..."
"Welcome to the Queen Mother, may the Queen Mother live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years..."
At the city gate, the prince and all the officials knelt together to welcome him.
"Father, how are you? Are you tired from this trip?" The prince came closer and greeted Emperor Kangxi with the same concern as always.
Emperor Kangxi's eyes fell on the prince, but he did not speak for a long time.
"Baocheng, my dear Baocheng, how are you?"
The Queen Mother was in front. After being helped out of the carriage by Wen Jiu, she ran quickly towards the Prince.
"Madam, Baocheng is fully recovered now. It's Baocheng's fault for scaring you."
"Is everything alright?" The Queen Mother took the Prince's hand and looked at it carefully. "Is everything really alright?"
"It's okay. Look, my grandson is still in good spirits."
The Queen Mother looked at him carefully for a long time, then nodded with tears in her eyes: "You have lost weight. You must have suffered a lot this time. I see that you are fine, so I feel relieved."
"My grandson is guilty, and I'm sorry to have caused you worry."
"What are you talking about? I'm so happy that you're in good health."
"Empress Dowager, you are still not feeling well. The weather is cold. Let's go back to the palace and talk." Emperor Kangxi glanced at the prince indifferently again, still without speaking to him, but went over to support the Empress Dowager.
"Okay, okay, Baocheng will be fine now. It's so cold, I don't want to be frozen here."
After walking two steps holding the Crown Prince's hand, the Queen Mother turned back and said, "Jiu'er, you should go to the Fourth Prince's carriage later. It's time to go back and rest for a few days. You've been taking care of me lately and you must be exhausted. Don't bother coming to the palace with me. When you've rested enough, come back and accompany me."
"Yes." Wenjiu responded with a smile, bowed to the prince, and went behind the Fourth Master.
The Crown Prince first escorted the Queen Mother to the carriage, then glanced at the Fourth Master. Seeing his worried look, he nodded imperceptibly and asked, "I heard that Fourth Brother was also injured on this trip. Is he okay now?"
The Fourth Master nodded. "I'm sorry to have worried you, Second Brother. I'm fine now. How's Second Brother? Are you feeling better?"
"It's okay, don't worry."
"Fourth brother, you should get on the carriage too. You are not well yet, and it is very cold today. Don't catch a cold." Prince Zhi handed a hand warmer to the Fourth Master and pointed to the carriage road beside him.
The prince was startled, his gaze slowly falling on the hand warmer that Prince Zhi had given to the Fourth Master. His expression gradually grew colder.
The Fourth Master naturally did not take the Prince's hand warmer: "Brother, I'm fine."
"How can you be fine? The imperial physicians all said you should take good care of yourself. You can't neglect your health." Prince Zhi handed the hand warmer to the Fourth Master without hesitation and gave him a gentle push. "Hurry up and get in the carriage. I'm sure the Crown Prince won't mind. Crown Prince, don't you agree?"
The Crown Prince glanced back and forth between Prince Zhi and the Fourth Master, then suddenly smiled. "Big Brother, what are you saying? I love my Fourth Brother the most, and naturally I don't want him to suffer. However, I do have some questions for you, Big Brother. How could my Fourth Brother, who was fine, end up in such a bad state just by going out?"
"Prince, you are very well-informed."
Prince Zhi frowned and before he could say anything, he heard Emperor Kangxi say this.
The prince was startled and immediately clasped his fists: "Father, please forgive me, I made a mistake."
Prince Zhi sensed that the atmosphere was not good, so he stopped talking and observed secretly. He did not forget to help the Fourth Master straighten his cloak, fearing that he would be cold.
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