Chapter 37 Applying Eye Drops
"In my previous report, I stated that the Governor of Zhili, Zhao Zhiyuan, was incompetent and muddle-headed, which was due to my belief in the false rumors of others, which led to Zhao Zhiyuan's dismissal and investigation. This time, I have thoroughly investigated Zhao Zhiyuan's background and found that he is indeed a loyal and patriotic person who can be relied upon..."
When Nian Gengyao arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he feigned remorse in front of Emperor Yongzheng, contradicting his previous statements, and began to seek an official position for Zhao Zhiyuan again.
Speaking of which, Zhao Zhiyuan had previously been dismissed from his post as Governor of Zhili. He asked someone to plead with Consort Hua, saying that he was willing to spend a lot of money to ask her to speak well of him to General Nian and help him get a new official position.
Originally, Consort Hua was tempted by the palace's usual frugality and the need to present gifts to the Empress Dowager. However, Cao Qinmo, whose relationship with Consort Hua was closely intertwined with Wenyi's, had no choice but to boldly speak out, telling her that buying and selling official positions was a serious crime, and that General Nian's favored and privileged position would inevitably attract jealousy from petty people, so they should not give others the opportunity to attack him.
Having become much more sober, Consort Hua realized that the Emperor's favor towards her was largely due to the Nian family behind her, and that her brother's current situation was indeed fraught with danger. Naturally, Consort Hua listened to Cao Qinmo's words and rejected Zhao Zhiyuan.
However, Zhao Zhiyuan took another route and still found himself in front of Nian Gengyao. Despite Yongzheng's displeasure, Nian Gengyao insisted on giving him the position of Director of the Ministry of Works.
Feeling that he had not wasted Zhao Zhiyuan's filial piety, General Nian, in a good mood, happened to run into Hongli when he left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"General Nian."
"Is that the Fourth Prince?"
Nian Gengyao did not bow. He assumed that since the Fourth Prince had accepted Consort Hua's preferential treatment, he was now his junior. He stepped forward, patted the prince's shoulder, and asked with a smile, "How have you been, Fourth Prince?"
"Hongli is doing well, thank you for your concern, General Nian."
Hongli was gentle and handsome, and his every move was even more elegant. In Nian Gengyao's eyes, this was a sign of respect and closeness, which made him even more satisfied.
"I wonder if Consort Hua is well?"
"Her Majesty is certainly well, General, please rest assured."
"Only when Your Majesty is well can this general be well," Hongli said, pleased with the familiarity he showed to Consort Hua, yet dissatisfied with the form of address. "Even when I was not in the palace, I heard of Consort Hua's care for the Fourth Prince. In my opinion, the prince should be addressed with a more intimate form of address..."
"That's the rule in the palace. It's just a form of address. As long as the sentiment is there, what does it matter what the form of address is? Does General Nian calling you 'Your Majesty' affect your brotherly and sisterly relationship?"
Hongli cleverly responded to the question, which displeased Nian Gengyao. However, he couldn't refute it, and although he appeared cheerful on the surface, his actions were anything but gentle.
He patted his shoulder forcefully and said in a firm, commanding tone, "That's right. Your Majesty and I are like siblings, but I can't visit her often. Since you, Fourth Prince, are so kind, and Your Majesty likes you, then you should go and pay your respects to her more often. Don't let Your Majesty's affection go to waste."
"General Nian is right."
"Since the Fourth Prince understands, then I shall take my leave."
Nian Gengyao gave him a final, forceful squeeze on the shoulder before brushing past him.
All of this was witnessed by Su Peisheng, who was standing at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"Eunuch Su, Hongli has come to pay his respects to Father Emperor."
"Please come in, Your Highness. His Majesty has been eagerly awaiting your arrival." Su Peisheng looked at him with a smile, but his gaze lingered on Hongli's shoulder, unable to conceal a hint of heartache.
...
"He's still young, and while it's good that he's working hard, it's not good if he injures himself. Su Peisheng, have Zhang Mi take a look at the Fourth Prince; he's injured his arm practicing calligraphy..."
After Hongli took his leave, Yongzheng gave Su Peisheng instructions with a look of pride and heartache.
Upon hearing this, Su Peisheng initially agreed without hesitation, then deliberately feigned some hesitation, "Your Majesty..."
"What's wrong?" Yongzheng glanced at him, his eyes full of authority.
“Your Majesty, it is not that I am being nosy, but the Fourth Prince did not want Your Majesty to worry and kept it a secret. However, I thought that Your Majesty has a kind fatherly heart and should know the truth.”
"The truth?" Yongzheng narrowed his eyes, instantly understanding Su Peisheng's meaning. "How did Hongli get injured? Could it be that someone in the palace dares to bully him?"
Seeing Yongzheng's anger, Su Peisheng felt relieved and continued his complaint: "Your Majesty, when the prince arrived, he happened to run into General Nian. General Nian not only did not bow to the prince, but also blocked his way. I was far away, but I only vaguely heard words like Consort Hua, titles, and greetings. Then I saw General Nian pat the Fourth Prince's shoulder hard, and squeeze it tightly before leaving. I saw the prince look pained before entering the palace..."
Yongzheng's face turned ashen. Nian Gengyao dared to humiliate the prince in front of the Hall of Mental Cultivation; he truly harbored rebellious intentions! He closed his eyes, suppressing his anger. Seeing this, Su Peisheng decided to add fuel to the fire.
"It wasn't just the Fourth Prince; when the General arrived, the Emperor was playing chess with the Seventeenth Prince, so he waited outside for a while..."
"Wait and wait?" Yongzheng questioned, and Yongzheng became angry.
"Yes, even when the Seventeenth Prince went out, the General didn't get up, saying that his foot ailment had flared up. Fortunately, the Seventeenth Prince is the most easy-going person, and he didn't hold it against him."
Su Peisheng seemed to lose control of his words as he spoke, "But then again, the General has made great contributions, who would dare to hold a grudge against him? I suppose the Fourth Prince also doesn't want the Emperor and General Nian to become estranged..."
At this point, Su Peisheng seemed to realize that he had said too much, and quickly bowed to apologize: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, this servant misspoke."
Suppressing his anger, Yongzheng said, "You are telling the truth; it may not be a slip of the tongue."
The eighteen-bead string in his hand spun rapidly. After a moment of contemplation, Yongzheng instructed, "Hongli is filial, but he shouldn't suffer this injustice. Have Zhang Mi examine him carefully. Nian Gengyao is a martial artist with great strength; we mustn't leave him with any lasting effects. Also, send him the Jade Dew Blood-Activating Ointment and the newly arrived Chengni inkstone. Tell him to rest well for the next two days."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Su Peisheng lowered his head, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. Although he couldn't lay a hand on Nian Gengyao, he could still sow discord among them. Even if he couldn't get revenge, it wouldn't be bad to get some good things for the Fourth Prince.
"Eunuch Su."
Su Peisheng was leading his men, carrying things, on their way to the South Third Palace when they ran into Consort Wan, Zhen Huan, who had come to accompany the emperor. "Consort Wan has arrived. This servant was just thinking of having others prepare a warm sedan chair to pick you up."
"I wouldn't dare," Zhen Huan replied humbly, then looked at Su Peisheng and asked curiously, "Where is Eunuch Su going?"
"After His Majesty finished testing the Fourth Prince's studies, he ordered me to deliver a reward to him."
"The Fourth Prince is intelligent," Zhen Huan nodded, assuming it was a reward from the Emperor for his good performance. "Is the Emperor inside?"
Seeing that Consort Wan mentioned that the Fourth Prince's attitude was good, Su Peisheng changed his mind and continued, "Yes, General Nian just came by and was very disrespectful to the Fourth Prince. His Majesty was not very happy about it. Your Highness must be careful in dealing with this."
"Thank you, sir."
Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan frowned, but still gave Su Peisheng a grateful look.
"Then I won't disturb Consort Wan any longer. This servant will go and deliver the reward to the Fourth Prince." Su Peisheng turned around and glanced at the little eunuch carrying the tray with the reward. The little eunuch's hand moved slightly, and a corner of the red cloth on top slipped down, seemingly unintentionally revealing a corner of a porcelain vase to Zhen Huan.
Su Peisheng smiled and took his leave, exchanging a glance with Cui Jinxi behind Zhen Huan before he left.
After the two left, Cui Jinxi carefully stepped forward and whispered in Zhen Huan's ear, "I noticed that what Eunuch Su sent was Jade Dew Blood-Activating Ointment, a holy product in the palace for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis."
Zhen Huan was shocked. Recalling Su Peisheng's words, could it be that Cheng Gengyao was so disrespectful that he even laid a hand on the Fourth Prince?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
