Chapter 48 Yinxiang was young, the previous...
Yinxiang was young and unaware of the events surrounding Mingzhu's incident in his previous life. He only learned later that Mingzhu had been demoted and, like Suo'etu, had been reinstated and returned to court not long afterward. Moreover, he no longer participated in factional struggles, focusing solely on his work and retiring when he reached retirement age. Therefore, Yinxiang was unaware of the details, and was genuinely shocked when he saw Kangxi entrust Mingzhu to Suo'etu to guard the gate.
This Suo'etu is also... someone who will assign tasks.
The downfall of Mingzhu, which ended up in the hands of Suo'etu, was actually Kangxi's way of warning his eldest son, who was getting older and becoming more restless. Sure enough, the eldest son became much more obedient. At first, he was always timid and even a little terrified, always seeing ghosts in his eyes, fearing that one day his father would also settle scores with him.
Moreover, for some reason, the eighth brother suddenly made great strides starting from the end of last year. As if he no longer hid his talents, he began to frequently show off in front of the Emperor. His reputation for being intelligent and humble even slowly reached the ears of some ministers outside the palace.
Before the Crown Prince could be overthrown, a younger brother with eight hundred schemes appeared, which greatly annoyed the eldest prince, making him appear even more melancholy.
At this time, however, Kangxi's affection for his sons outweighed his wariness. He had no intention of doing anything to the eldest prince. He just felt that the eldest prince had just come of age and was bound to be impulsive and easily swayed by others to do some wrong things. He thought that it would be fine if the eldest prince corrected himself in time. So when Kangxi realized that his reprimands seemed to have frightened his eldest son, he began to think about how to make amends.
So when Songgotu and Tong Guogang were about to head north to negotiate with Tsarist Russia, Kangxi asked the eldest prince to represent the royal family to see the delegation off outside the city gate. This made the eldest prince's heart, which had been broken by Mingzhu's dismissal, jump again.
This matter of representing the emperor was entrusted to me by Father Emperor instead of the Crown Prince. Doesn't that mean that in Father Emperor's heart, I am still comparable to the Crown Prince?
The eldest prince's sense of pride reached its peak when he saw that even the crown prince's greatest political ally, Suo'etu, had to kneel and bow respectfully to him.
This must be my father comforting me, telling me not to be sad because of Mingzhu, and that my father is on my side!
It must be said that Kangxi's arrangement was completely excessive.
Even when Wen Shan was making dumplings in Xianfu Palace, she felt something was amiss when she overheard Yinzhen and Yinsi discussing this matter.
The Crown Prince is less than three years younger than the First Prince. He could have represented the Emperor, but the First Prince was chosen instead. Can you blame the First Prince for being arrogant?
That's impossible.
That old man, no wonder his precious sons fought each other so fiercely later on that he was driven half to death.
Should!
"Mother, the Mulan hunting trip is coming up soon. Are you going again this year?" Yinzhi suddenly asked.
The Mulan Hunting Grounds were completed in the 22nd year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. The Kangxi Emperor began to visit the Mulan Hunting Grounds every year to meet with Mongolian nobles, and he would also bring along a few of his older sons. Yinzhen went twice, Yinsi went once last year, and Yinxiang was too young to have gone even once.
Wen Shan didn't go every time. She and Consort Niohuru had to leave one of them to manage palace affairs. Moreover, Consort Min was pregnant and needed someone to take care of her.
“This year, Mother will not go. Yinxiang is still too young to endure the hardships of travel, and Consort Min is about to give birth, so I can take care of her.”
Wen Shan didn't go when Yinxiang was born last year. She went once before to meet the family of this body, but fortunately, she still had her memories and didn't give anything away.
Moreover, Mongolia is indeed vast and beautiful, so it would be good for Yinzhen and Yinsi to go there for a stroll and relax.
Yinxiang helped Wenshan make dumplings, but it was more like he was making a mess than helping. His clumsy fingers just wouldn't obey him, and the dumplings ended up looking like steamed buns, with flour all over his face.
Yinzhen, unable to bear it any longer, personally took him away to clean him.
Today's dumpling filling is made with wild vegetables that he and his eighth brother painstakingly found; they shouldn't let this kid waste it all.
Ever since Wen Shan cooked wild vegetables for them, the two brothers had been thinking about it and often wondered where to get some more. Yin Si informed his subordinates in charge of purchasing, and they managed to get some from outside the palace. It wasn't the season, and there wasn't much available outside the palace.
Yinzhi, holding a rabbit-shaped cushion, leaned back on the couch watching Wenshan make dumplings. He blinked and suddenly said in a spoiled tone, "Mother, I don't want to go this year either. I want to stay with you."
"I think you just want to keep me company while I cook, right?" Wen Shan chuckled.
The Mulan Hunt was a major event, and all princes of the right age had to go. Wen Shan knew that Yin Si was just being coquettish, but she was always helpless when facing Yin Si. Among the three children, Yin Si was the most outstanding in appearance, a miniature version of a gentle and refined gentleman, which made Wen Shan love him the most.
Wen Shan smiled and said, "Yin Si, your mother, Wei, is also going this time. Since she's not in the palace, you don't need to go to the Imperial Study every day. You can spend more time with her."
Yinzhi nodded. In this life, he often visited Yanxi Palace. His mother was much more relaxed than before, less depressed, and her health had improved a lot.
Yinzhen and Yinsi were reluctant to part with their mother and younger brother, Wenshan, who were about to leave for two months. Recently, they would stay at Xianfu Palace as soon as they finished school and even begged Wenshan to make some food that could be preserved so they could take it to the Mulan Hunting Ground.
"I can't get used to the food from Mongolia." After learning that Wen Shan was from the future and not Mongolian, Yin Si's evaluation of Mongolia became much more direct. "It has to be Mother who makes it, otherwise my fourth brother and I would definitely have lost a lot of weight when we come back."
Although Yinzhen didn't say anything, he watched eagerly from the side.
Yinxiang can eat a lot now, and upon hearing this, he immediately became elated. He thought to himself, "He can stay in the palace with my mother, and she will cook whatever I want to eat. It's much more comfortable than going to the Mulan Hunting Grounds."
Moreover, he had been to too many places in his previous life. His fourth brother was not good at riding and archery, and after ascending the throne, he was too lazy to go personally for important events such as the Mulan Hunting, which was a way to contact the Mongol nobles. Every year, he would send someone to go and conduct the Mulan Hunting on behalf of the emperor. So Yinxiang had long been tired of going there.
He was still munching on the cookies Wen Shan had just baked when he thought about it, thinking that this time he and the myna could take turns hunting for their fourth brother, Mulan.
The place was quite beautiful at first glance, but it was unbearable to have to go there every year and deal with those nobles and royalty.
Hmm, this job is more suitable for the myna bird. Let the myna bird do it from now on!
While packing his luggage, Yinzhi was unaware that his thirteenth brother had once again made arrangements for him without his knowledge. He was still thinking about what to bring back from Mongolia for his mother and younger brother.
My mother loves flowers. There are many exotic flowers and plants in Mongolia that are not found in their palace. She liked them very much when she went there last time, but she gave up because she thought the journey was too far and it would be difficult to transport them. This time, I must bring back a few pots for my mother.
As for the thirteenth brother, hunt more antelopes and foxes and make him a fur coat.
In September, Emperor Kangxi officially set off for the Mulan Hunting Grounds with his princes, concubines, and ministers. Consort Niohuru accompanied him, while Consort Wenshan stayed in the palace to look after the remaining concubines. Consort De did not go because the Fourteenth Prince had only been born a few months earlier. The remaining high-ranking concubines, except for Consort Rong who was in seclusion reflecting on her mistakes, all went with him.
Yinzhen and Yinsi were in the same carriage. As the grand procession drove out of the palace gate, Yinzhen lifted the curtain and glanced out. Sure enough, he saw Mingzhu, dressed as a guard, bowing respectfully to see the emperor off.
The former chief minister has fallen to such a state.
Yinzhen lowered the carriage curtain and said, "A subject should be loyal to the emperor and love his country, and have a clear conscience before Heaven and the people. From now on, we should take Mingzhu as a warning."
Yinzhi glanced at it with amusement and nodded, saying, "Mingzhu is too ambitious. Fortunately, he is smart enough that once Father Emperor reinstates him, he will no longer get involved in these matters."
Kangxi treated his two old ministers, Songgotu and Mingzhu, who had been by his side since he was young, differently, always remembering the kindness he had shown them in his youth.
"I heard that Zhang Tingyu came along this time too?" Yinzhi suddenly asked.
Yinzhen was still reading in the carriage. Ever since he learned that his eighth and thirteenth brothers had been reborn, he had been studying even harder. His eighth and thirteenth brothers had the talent and experience of their previous lives and were willing to assist him, so he, who was to become the emperor in the future, had to work even harder.
At first, seeing Yinzhen studying so diligently, as if he were hanging himself by his hair and neglecting to eat or sleep, frightened Wen Shan, who was afraid that the child would drive her to develop some kind of illness.
Later, it was Yinzhi and Yinxiang who persuaded her that her fourth brother was just like that, and they couldn't change his mind, but he knew in his heart that he wouldn't ruin his health.
Moreover, some things cannot be achieved simply through effort.
For example, the classic "Sejong's bow strength was only 4.5," meaning he was at the bottom of his class among his brothers.
Fourth Brother was indeed less talented in martial arts and archery, so after working hard, he realized this fact and began to turn to literature.
Therefore, Yinzhen had little interest in the Mulan hunting expedition.
Yinzhen raised his head and said, "Master Zhang Ying was personally selected by Father Emperor to accompany you this time, and he was also specially asked to bring Zhang Tingyu along."
Since Zhang Tingyu became Yinzhen's study companion, he appeared in front of Kangxi more often. Soon, Kangxi noticed this quick-witted and intelligent young man and praised Zhang Ying several times for his good teaching of his son. Kangxi always liked such young talents, so he was very fond of Zhang Tingyu.
Moreover, after spending these past few months together, Yinzhen grew to like Zhang Tingyu more and more, and the two were often inseparable. As a result, Yinsi also became a little more familiar with Zhang Tingyu.
Since the passing of the Empress Dowager, Yinzhi had been deliberately trying to stand out among the princes. Zhang Tingyu, with his keen eyes and sharp mind, naturally saw that this Eighth Prince's ambitions went beyond this. However, as a Han official who advocated the primogeniture system, he did not approve of this overstepping of authority.
In particular, the Crown Prince seems to be quite wise now, and hasn't made any major mistakes.
In historical records, the ambitions of princes born out of wedlock to seize the throne, even when faced with a wise and virtuous eldest son, are often described as those of wolves.
Therefore, Zhang Tingyu was respectful to Yinzhi but not close to him.
The reason she was able to exchange a few words with Yinzhi was because the Eighth Prince and the Fourth Prince were both raised under the care of Consort Xuan.
Sometimes Zhang Tingyu couldn't help but wonder why the Fourth Prince was so upright, honest, and law-abiding, while the Eighth Prince was so shrewd and adept at social maneuvering, since they were both raised by the same mother.
Yinzhi didn't think much of Zhang Tingyu's lack of affection for him; that was just Zhang Tingyu's nature. In his previous life, when Yinzhi was at the height of his power, Zhang Tingyu hadn't stood by his side either.
If he weren't this kind of person, his fourth brother wouldn't like him so much.
So in the end, only Yinzhen was left caught in the middle, feeling miserable.
Only he and his thirteenth brother knew that his eighth brother wasn't that kind of person.
This is why Yinzhen and Yinxiang firmly disagreed with Yinsi following the old path. No matter how careful they were, there would still be people like Zhang Tingyu who would misunderstand him.
They couldn't bear to see their brother suffer like this for no reason.
However, Yinzhi was very insistent, and it took them a long time to finally agree. But they also made a pact that they must not do anything too extreme.
After a long journey of more than half a month, they finally arrived at the Mulan Hunting Ground. As soon as they arrived, Emperor Kangxi, accompanied by the Crown Prince, received the princes and ministers.
A grand banquet was held that evening on the grassland. Following Mongolian customs, they ate large chunks of cooked beef and mutton and drank wine. In the latter half of the banquet, Kangxi became somewhat drunk and returned to his tent to rest. Only then did someone come to greet the princes.
The Crown Prince and the First Prince were naturally surrounded by the most princes and ministers, while a robust Mongolian man also came to accompany Yinzhen and Yinsi.
"Your subject pays respects to the Fourth Prince and the Eighth Prince!"
Yinzhen and Yinsi quickly helped the person up, one on each side.
"Uncle, you're too kind. Why are you being so polite as an elder?" Yinzhi said.
The visitor was none other than Wen Shan's elder brother, Bandi, who had inherited their father's title of Prince of the First Rank.
When Yinzhen and Yinsi first came to Mulan for the hunt with Wenshan, they had already met this very generous and magnanimous uncle. Bandi only had one sister, Wenshan, born of the same mother, whom he doted on since childhood. Even though Yinzhen and Yinsi were not Wenshan's biological children, he treated them like his own nephews.
Since meeting Yinzhen and Yinsi, the gifts sent to Wenshan in the palace have increased significantly, including bows and horses, which are popular among boys of that age. The preparations have been very meticulous.
"Let's put on a show in front of so many people," Bandi said in a low voice, then laughed and patted the two of them on the shoulder, saying, "You two brothers have grown taller and stronger."
"Tomorrow your uncle will take you horseback riding, and we'll hunt a few deer, freeze them in ice, and bring them back to your mother. She loves that the most."
Yinzhen thanked him and then said, "It's a pity that Mother had to take care of my thirteenth brother, so she couldn't come this year."
Bandi waved his hand: "Of course the child is the most important. It's alright. I think Wenshan will be able to bring my little nephew next year. Speaking of which, I haven't met the Thirteenth Prince yet. How is your mother doing lately? Has she suffered any grievances?"
Although Bandi was in Khorchin, thousands of miles away, he still knew a little about the news from the Forbidden City. He had also heard about the series of events involving Wen Shan and several young princes that occurred after the death of their ancestor, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, last year.
"Mother is well, Uncle, don't worry. Mother will come to visit you in person next year," Yinzhen replied.
Looking at her two nephews, Bandi, who have gradually grown from children into teenagers, she felt very gratified. Although they were not born from her sister's womb, they are both filial and good children.
"Alright, go back and tell your mother not to be afraid, that her brother is here. Although Khorchin is far away, he will definitely not stand idly by if anything happens."
Yinzhen and Yinsi also liked this somewhat rough uncle very much. He genuinely loved their mother and the rest of them.
With many princes and ministers around, Yinzhi smoothly changed the subject and asked, "How is Aunt Duanmin's health lately? I heard that she gave birth to a little brother for us a few days ago."
Princess Duanmin was Bandi's wife, Shunzhi's adopted daughter, and Kangxi's younger sister. Therefore, Yinzhen and Yinsi should call her aunt, and she was also their maternal aunt.
Just as Bandi was both their maternal uncle and their paternal uncle, Kangxi and Bandi were also each other's brothers-in-law.
Well, the relatives who belong exclusively to the royal family are in complete chaos, so they can only call each other by their own names.
Calling Bandi "uncle" follows the mother's side, while calling Princess Duanmin "aunt" follows the emperor's side.
"He's doing great. We named him Wudaimu. The boy is chubby and fair-skinned, and Duanmin dotes on him terribly. It's just that he's been spitting up milk and has a fever lately, so your Aunt Duanmin didn't come over today. She's staying home to take care of him." Bandi's face was beaming with happiness as he spoke of his beloved wife and young son.
“Wu Daimu looks somewhat like your mother, especially his nose and mouth, which are exactly like his aunt’s!”
Upon hearing that their cousin looked like Wen Shan, Yinzhen and Yinsi became interested and made an appointment with Bandi to visit their cousin and aunt another day.
The eldest prince, who had just finished exchanging pleasantries with several Mongol princes, walked up to the crown prince and nudged him: "Your Highness, look over there."
The Crown Prince put down his wine cup and followed the First Prince's gaze to see that Yinzhen and Yinsi were having a pleasant conversation with Prince Bandi.
“That’s Consort Xuan’s elder brother, so he’s naturally the uncle of the fourth and eighth brothers. It’s only natural for nephews and uncles to meet and catch up on their kinship.” The Crown Prince glanced at him and then looked away.
Although the Crown Prince said he didn't care, the First Prince knew him too well and could immediately hear the frustration in his voice.
Bandi is now the head of the Khorchin, and the Khorchin is the most powerful tribe in the entire Mongolian region. When the Crown Prince came to Mulan to hunt and saw Bandi, his fourth brother, and his eighth brother being so affectionate, he was naturally not happy.
Especially now that Yinzhi has shown his talent, the Crown Prince finds Yinzhi and the First Prince equally displeasing.
"What kind of uncle is this? If we're going to go by that logic, aren't Tong Guowei and Tong Guogang also Fourth Brother's uncles? Then Fourth Brother is really hit the jackpot," the eldest prince said disdainfully.
The Crown Prince understood. The First Prince was simply unhappy himself, so he dragged him along to gossip about Yinzhen and Yinsi behind their backs. So he lost interest and left after a few perfunctory words.
The eldest prince was holding his breath with nowhere to vent. Just then, a palace maid came to serve tea and saw that the eldest prince had a dark face. She was a little scared and her hand trembled, spilling some tea on the table. The eldest prince then flew into a rage and ordered her to be dragged out and flogged in court.
With the Emperor and Crown Prince absent, no one could control the First Prince. The Mongolian nobles present looked rather grim and bewildered. The little palace maid hadn't committed any serious offense, so why was the First Prince so cruel? How could she possibly survive such a beating?
Was the eldest prince doing this in front of so many people to make an example of them?
Bandi frowned as he watched the palace maid being dragged away, crying and pleading, and asked, "Why is the First Prince's temper getting more and more volatile?"
When he was still young a few years ago, he was considered humble and polite when he was out in public. He even praised the eldest prince for having the demeanor of an elder brother.
"Perhaps it's because my elder brother is in a bad mood today," Yinzhi said with a smile. "Uncle, please send someone to look after this little palace maid. She looks rather pitiful."
Bandi nodded with satisfaction; his nephew still had a compassionate heart.
The next morning, the Crown Prince led several brothers to Kangxi's tent to pay their respects. Although Kangxi had left the banquet early the day before, he was fully aware of what had happened. He immediately reprimanded the First Prince for punishing the palace maids without cause the previous night.
"It's one thing to punish palace servants, but to do it in front of so many Mongol princes! You've completely forgotten the royal family's usual leniency and wisdom!"
Emperor Kangxi was in a bad mood when he woke up early in the morning. Consort Mi, who had served him the night before, was serving him tea and gently advising him to calm down.
Kangxi took the tea, took a sip, and glared at his eldest son, who was kneeling with his head bowed. He couldn't understand how his eldest son, who was diligent, studious, intelligent, and sensible in his childhood, had become like this.
Kangxi was fuming with a cold face, and the other princes were all silent and dared not offer any advice. Only the Crown Prince stepped forward with a calm expression and said, "Father, please calm down. Your health is important. My elder brother just drank a few too many cups of wine yesterday. It is normal for him to do some absurd things after drinking."
"He's a heavy drinker!" Kangxi's anger flared up again at the Crown Prince's words, which were ostensibly a plea but were actually fueling the fire. "Did I send you here to drink? If you want to drink, go back to the Forbidden City!"
The eldest prince had not expected Kangxi to be so angry. He thought bitterly to himself that the crown prince must have badmouthed him to his father.
"Father, please calm down. Your son knows he was wrong." The eldest prince could only bow his head and admit his mistake.
Kangxi was annoyed just looking at the eldest prince. He waved his hand impatiently and said, "It's all thanks to your eighth brother for looking after you and having Bandi take care of that palace maid that you managed to save face for the Aisin Gioro family!"
Yinzhi?
The Crown Prince and the First Prince were both caught off guard and looked at Yinzhi, who was standing at the back.
"How dare you look at Yinzhi! Yinzhi is so many years younger than you, yet he knows what propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame are. As the elder brother, it's one thing for you not to set a good example for your younger brother, but for you to have your brother clean up your messes!"
Kangxi was even angrier when he saw the eldest prince's expression; how dare he give Yinzhi such a hard time?
Yinzhi stepped forward and said, "Father, you flatter me. Last night, I only saw that my elder brother was a little drunk. I don't think it was something he did intentionally, so I asked Prince Heshuo for help."
Kangxi's tone softened: "Yinsi, you did very well. Take the black fox pelt that I hunted yesterday with you and give it to your mother so she can be happy."
"Thank you, Father Emperor."
Yinzhi received a reward but was not actually punished. He was just scolded and then reprimanded by Kangxi for not being allowed to participate in the hunting trip the next day.
After dealing with these troublesome matters, Kangxi quickly sent his sons out.
Out of sight, out of mind.
In the blink of an eye, his sons have all grown up to be old enough to cause him trouble.
Consort Mi knelt behind Emperor Kangxi, her slender hands gently massaging his temples.
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. The eldest prince is still young and needs to be properly taught."
"He's still young?" Kangxi opened his eyes and said coldly, "If it weren't for the passing of his grandmother, he would have been married this year."
Consort Mi wasn't very good with words; she was already doing well enough to offer that one piece of advice. Now, she could only remain silent and continue massaging Emperor Kangxi.
Emperor Kangxi knew Consort Mi's temperament, and he favored her for the sake of peace and quiet, so he didn't mind.
A moment later, Kangxi suddenly reached out and grabbed Consort Mi's hand, pulling her to sit in front of him, his deep eyes fixed on her.
"I have a question for you, and you must answer it truthfully."
Consort Mi's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately tensed up.
"Did anyone specifically teach you anything during your southern tour back then?"
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