Chapter 174 Leaving the Frontier
Kangxi's health gradually improved, and upon learning of Galdan's capture, he was overjoyed and recovered without medication.
Seeing his old rival in such a sorry state, and learning of the role Xiao Wu had played, Emperor Kangxi was in a great mood. He waved his hand and bestowed upon it the title of "Divine Bird General," and even made a gold plaque to hang around its neck.
The smug Xiao Wu puffed out his chest every day, no longer bothered with flying, and just strutted around in front of everyone with his gold medal hanging on his arm. He especially loved to show off in front of Yin Zhi, who "couldn't understand bird language" and was getting spanked.
Yes, Yinzhi was beaten.
If Galdan had escaped, Fuquan might have had a hard time filing a complaint, and might even have had to take the blame for Yinzhi. But now that Galdan has been captured, he can retaliate against his parents without hesitation.
Knowing of Yinzhi's recklessness, Kangxi was so angry that his nose almost crooked.
To prevent Bao Cheng from pleading for mercy, they deliberately waited until he was away before dragging Yin Zhi over. Without saying a word, they swiftly and decisively gave him twenty strokes of the cane.
"Ouch! Father Emperor, you're just jealous! Jealous that Bao Cheng sent Xiao Wu to protect me!"
Even after being beaten, Yinzhi was still restless. His howling made Liang Jiugong, who was standing to the side, twitch his lips and silently lower his head. The eldest prince deserved the beating.
Kangxi's face darkened further. He said, "He's jealous! He's jealous... is he really jealous?"
"Ten more strokes!"
"Father, you..."
"Gag him!"
"Mmm..."
The guards were careful with the amount of beatings they administered; there were specific rules about how to punish different people. So, although Yinzhi was in pain after receiving thirty strokes of the cane, it wasn't a major problem; he just needed a few days of rest.
But that doesn't stop him from making false accusations.
"Baocheng, Father is just taking revenge for personal reasons. He's just jealous that you sent Xiao Wu to help me!" Yinzhi, lying on the bed, wouldn't stop complaining to Yinreng who came to see him.
"Chirp—"
[They're like father and son, always badmouthing each other.]
The five people wandering around on Yinzhi's bed were making noises and complaining. Yinreng glanced at it with a smile and said that it had earned the title of "Divine Bird General" because it had been a bit too active lately.
Startled by Yinreng's gaze, Xiao Wu looked around and then, pretending to have something to do, fluttered away.
"Hey, why did Xiao Wu leave? Didn't you just agree with what I said?"
Yinzhi, who couldn't understand bird language but was still making wild guesses, was a little disappointed to find that his ally in the "anti-Emperor alliance" had flown away, and smacked his lips. But this didn't stop him from continuing to tell Yinreng about the Emperor's "evil intentions".
Looking at him, Yinreng felt that what Xiao Wu said was quite right. When it came to making false accusations, Yinzhi and Kangxi were exactly the same.
Yinzhi accused Kangxi of settling personal scores, while Kangxi retorted that Yinzhi was prioritizing personal gain over public duty; Yinzhi claimed that Kangxi was jealous of Xiao Wu's help, while Kangxi countered that Yinzhi was simply jealous of his rush to take care of him...
It's true, birds of a feather flock together; their logic and arguments for complaining are almost identical.
As for Yinreng, he was merely an innocent and considerate listener. He truly had no intention of watching the show and swore an oath to the Ziwei Emperor.
...
The battle against the Dzungars can be considered a complete success. Emperor Kangxi returned to the capital with his army in high spirits, and he was very generous in praising Yinreng.
Not only was he praised for his filial piety and for his excellent performance as regent, but the Asuka Squadron he commanded also played a significant role in this battle.
In short, the Crown Prince is perfect in every way; he truly is his treasure!
Emperor Kangxi boasted about his beloved son's talent, while Yinzhi boasted about his younger brother's deep affection for him.
He tirelessly described to his younger brothers how Xiao Wu had miraculously turned the tide of battle. Then, while they were listening intently, he abruptly changed the subject, beginning to recount how worried Bao Cheng was and how he urged Xiao Wu to protect the scene in his imagination.
In short, Bao Cheng treats him the best; you're all like younger brothers!
So much so that a sour smell permeated the entire Forbidden City, and the princes, big and small, clung even more to Yinreng. At the same time, they also worked together to trick Yinzhi many times.
Similarly, Xiao Liu was also jealous.
When it discovered that Little Five had received a "Divine Bird General" plaque, it was so angry that its tail feathers stopped shining. Why? Why? This kid's become a general? Only he can fly?
Damn it, the peacock it's dressed as definitely can't fly properly.
However, it's not just a little bit of deliberate exposure; there's nothing wrong with the Peacock King flying around, right?
So, in the thirtieth year of Kangxi's reign, in order to mediate the internal conflicts and disputes among the Khalkha Mongols and strengthen border defense, Kangxi once again went beyond the Great Wall. Not only did the youngest princes who could run around eagerly want to go, but the sixth prince followed Kangxi closely, even going so far as to display his feathers, all for the chance to secure a spot on the expedition and find an opportunity to show off his talents!
For the first time, Emperor Kangxi, who was so popular, didn't even like to go out for a stroll. Why go to the Imperial Garden? Had he finished reviewing all the memorials?
Emperor Kangxi, who never thought he was so diligent in his duties, was so devoted to politics that he didn't even have time to visit his beloved son, mainly because he was afraid of seeing a bunch of chattering little ones at Baocheng's place.
They were just a bunch of chattering little ones. With the Emperor avoiding them, the little princes had no choice but to stick to the Crown Prince's side, showering him with sweet words and trying to get a chance to go beyond the Great Wall, all while also putting down others.
Thirteenth Prince Yinxiang and Fourteenth Prince Yinti were twins, born to Consort Min of Yonghe Palace in the twenty-fifth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. They were also the youngest children in the palace at the time.
The two don't look alike, but both are quite fond of acting cute.
Because of their young age, they bypassed their older brothers and sat in Yinreng's lap. The two little ones looked at Yinreng with bright eyes. Little Yinti spoke first: "Crown Prince, please take us with you. I can draw a small bow."
The chubby-cheeked Yinxiang nodded obediently, "I can also grind ink and lay out paper. I can help my Crown Prince brother with his tasks."
“Yes, yes, yes,” Yinti’s cheeks trembled with excitement, “We two are very obedient, much better behaved than Ninth Brother and Tenth Brother.”
Upon hearing this, Yinzhen and Yin were immediately displeased. Yin shouted, "Who are you calling naughty? You little rascal, you're quite ruthless when it comes to stepping on people."
“That’s right,” Yinzhen, who was the most handsome, took out a purse and placed it in Yinreng’s hand. “Second brother, don’t listen to them. I have plenty of money in my purse. If I need anything good, I can buy it right away. It’s much more useful than those two.”
"But your mother won't allow you to carry so much money with you."
The eleventh prince, Yinzhi, innocently revealed Yintang's past.
"Hey, Little Eleven, whose side are you on?" Yin Tang jumped up and down in displeasure after being exposed by his younger brother.
Yinzhi leaned closer to Yinreng, looking at him pitifully: "Little Eleven wants to be with Crown Prince Brother. Little Eleven has been sick and hasn't been out since. Crown Prince Brother, please take me out to see the world."
"Take me with you! Take me with you!"
Yinzhen and Yinxiang each tacitly clung to one of Yinreng's arms, like little cubs guarding their food, warily watching the people around them.
A group of people were making a ruckus, but Yinreng remained silent, giving them room to maneuver. Meanwhile, Xiao Liu, who was strolling nearby, had already seen through everything.
Strolling leisurely with its vibrant tail feathers trailing behind it, you foolish humans, still pleading for mercy. Meanwhile, I've already figured out how to hide in a box and sneak off with it!
No matter what, the Peacock King will definitely go on this expedition beyond the Great Wall!
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