Chapter 172 Father and Son's Relationship
Inside the bedchamber, the air was filled with the fragrance of medicine. Emperor Kangxi leaned against the couch, already listless due to his illness. He looked like an old pine tree drained of its energy, his exhaustion evident. A young eunuch beside him quietly served him, changing the now-cold medicinal soup.
At this moment, a young eunuch rushed in from outside the hall to report: "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince... His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, Kangxi was jolted awake. His dull eyes widened instantly, his gaze burning like two flames as he stared at the young eunuch, filled with disbelief.
He never expected that Bao Cheng would find out about his illness despite his efforts to conceal it, and that he would rush over in such a hurry.
In an instant, the shock transformed into wisps of warmth and surprise, spreading from his eyes to the corners of his lips, causing him to involuntarily curl his lips into a smile.
Noticing Xiao Wu hiding its head in its wing, Kangxi suddenly understood. Yes, he could tell his men to keep it a secret, but he couldn't stop a flying divine bird.
It seems that before the expedition, Bao Cheng had specifically instructed Xiao Wu, and Xiao Wu, noticing that he was unwell, had sent other birds to leak the secret to Bao Cheng.
Like master and servant, Bao Cheng loved to boss his brothers around, and Xiao Wu was no less so. A smile flowed from Kangxi's eyes; he was in an even more cheerful mood at this moment.
Although he had kept it a secret before, out of concern for Yinreng's safety, now that the man was in front of him, Kangxi realized that longing and relief had long since overshadowed everything else. He propped himself up, trying to sit up straighter, and hurriedly straightened his disheveled hair and clothes, as if trying to look more presentable and not wanting Baocheng to be saddened by the sight.
With his eyes fixed on the doorway, the emperor, who was usually imposing and dignified, had completely lost his airs and was now just like an old father eagerly awaiting his child's arrival, anxious and impatient, wishing he could see Bao Cheng step through the door at any moment.
After quickly washing up in the side hall, Yinreng changed into a moon-white casual robe, straightened his clothes, and strode towards Kangxi's bedroom.
Upon entering the imperial bedchamber and seeing Emperor Kangxi on his sickbed, Yinreng immediately knelt down with a thud, his eyes reddening: "Father, Baocheng is late!"
Looking at the clean-cut and refreshing Yinreng before him, Kangxi was so excited that his body trembled. He quickly reached out and tightly grasped Yinreng's arm, pulling him toward the bed: "Quickly, come to Father Emperor!"
Yinreng got up and moved to sit down on the edge of the bed. Kangxi still wouldn't let go of his hand and looked him up and down.
Although he had changed into clean clothes, the dark circles under Yinreng's eyes, the dry, cracked lines on his lips, and the faint look of exhaustion all silently testified to the hardships he had endured on his journey.
Kangxi gently stroked the back of Yinreng's hand, his rough thumb caressing it, his voice unconsciously tinged with heartache: "Look how thin you are, you must be exhausted. You've been traveling non-stop, why were you in such a hurry? I'm fine."
Yinreng quickly shook his head and held Kangxi's hand tightly to comfort him: "It's only a few hundred miles, what's that? I'm not tired. But Father, how could you hide such a thing as your illness from me?"
Feeling a pang of guilt under Yinreng's slightly reproachful gaze, Kangxi evaded the question: "This... it's not that I deliberately hid it from you, it's just a small problem."
"Father!"
Yinreng only slightly emphasized his tone, and Kangxi quickly apologized, "Alright, alright, it's my fault. I shouldn't have kept it from you."
"Don't do that again next time."
"Alright, there won't be a next time." Seeing Bao Cheng's concerned gaze, Kangxi agreed with a smile. With his beloved son by his side, Kangxi not only felt much better, but also had the mood to joke: "You're so strict, don't you know you're my father and I'm your father..."
"Father..." Yinreng gave him a reproachful look, reached out and touched his forehead, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he was sure it wasn't hot.
"I won't say anymore, Father Emperor, I won't say anymore," Kangxi's smile deepened as he felt his movement. He reassured him, "Don't worry, Baocheng, there are so many imperial physicians here, Father Emperor is fine. You came here in a hurry, you probably didn't rest on the way, go and get some sleep first."
Yinreng shook his head, "No, I'll stay here and guard Father Emperor."
Unable to dissuade him, Kangxi could only have Yinreng stand guard by his bedside, watching his beloved son's every move with a smile.
Yinreng personally served the medicine, keeping a close eye on every ingredient used by the imperial physicians and inquiring about their uses. He was especially vigilant at night, and would immediately get up and gently inquire about and comfort Kangxi if he made any move.
After taking the medicine, Kangxi was reluctant, but the effects of the medicine caused him to fall into a dream.
Half-asleep, she vaguely saw Yinreng still busy, but when she opened her eyes again, she saw that Yinreng had finally succumbed to exhaustion, his body slumped, and he fell into a deep sleep by the bedside.
Kangxi looked at Yinreng's dark circles and haggard face with pity. He slowly reached out and gently stroked Yinreng's head, as if afraid of disturbing a beautiful dream.
At this moment, a young eunuch serving nearby noticed that he had woken up. His eyes darted around, and he leaned forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, look at His Highness the Crown Prince. He has traveled a long way to get here, but he still made sure to tidy himself up before coming to see you. His filial piety is truly unmatched. Anyone who sees this will praise his impeccable manners."
At first glance, these words seem like praise, but upon closer examination, one can detect a hint of malice, implying that Yinreng prioritized appearances over his anxiety about his father's illness, and that his so-called filial piety was nothing but a pretense.
Kangxi's face, which had been full of warmth, instantly darkened, and his gaze turned icy cold as he pierced the little eunuch.
The young eunuch misunderstood, thinking that Kangxi had taken his slander to heart. He wanted to press his advantage and say a few more words, but just as he was about to speak, Kangxi gave him a cold look and said, "Drag him away."
Before the young eunuch could react, a ghostly figure emerged silently from the shadows, swiftly covered his mouth, and dragged him out.
Kangxi stared intently at his retreating figure, wondering who was behind this sowing discord between father and son. His gaze then softened as he looked at the sleeping Yinreng.
Gently stroking Bao Cheng's head, Kangxi smiled, but his heart was filled with murderous intent. Whoever was behind it all, anyone who dared to sow discord between him and Bao Cheng would not live!
...
"Chirp—"
Baoqing is still too reckless, missing a crucial opportunity; Galdan is about to escape!
As Yinreng was carrying a bowl of medicine toward Kangxi's bedchamber, he heard Xiao Wu's story on his shoulder, raised an eyebrow slightly, and said softly, "Then go and lend him a hand. The Qing Dynasty is hospitable. Once Galdan arrives, he shouldn't leave."
"Chirp—"
【Alright, Asuka Squadron, launch!】
Xiao Wu spread its wings and excitedly flew into the distance.
Yinreng glanced at Xiao Wu soaring about, then casually looked away. Just as he was about to go inside, he encountered a minister coming out from inside.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Yinreng's eyes flickered slightly. "General Ma'ertai, please rise."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Martai Tug rose, lowering his eyes slightly to show respect. "I will not disturb Your Highness any longer. I will take my leave."
Yinreng nodded, watching him walk away, slightly lost in thought. At this time, Ma'ertai Ruolan was only 5 or 6 years old, and Ma'ertai Ruoxi hadn't even been born yet, right?
Hmm, by the time the plot begins, he'll have already ascended the throne, won't he?
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