Chapter 104 Yinzhen Pleads for Mercy
"We absolutely must not entrust this to this person!"
As soon as Kangxi finished speaking, the ministers who knelt down below were all terrified, never expecting that Kangxi would actually depose the crown prince today.
Those who wanted to offer advice saw Kangxi finish speaking, tears streaming down his face, and he stumbled backward, unable to stand. Fortunately, Liang Jiugong, who was nearby, reached out in time to support him and helped Kangxi to a chair.
Emperor Kangxi was in critical condition; who had the mind to care about the Crown Prince? After all, no matter how important the Crown Prince was, he couldn't compare to the Emperor's safety. A group of ministers rushed forward to comfort him, and it took a while for Kangxi to recover.
"I am fine. What are your opinions, my esteemed ministers?" Kangxi asked, looking down at the civil and military officials below, after recovering from his illness.
"..." Everyone fell silent. They had been busy comforting the Emperor and their emotions had subsided. Besides, Kangxi had shown such distress that he was even considering deposing the Crown Prince, so what could they possibly say?
"Your Majesty is wise."
One person spoke first, and everyone echoed in unison, following Kangxi's words and sealing the deal on the matter of deposing the crown prince.
"Yinreng is confined to his quarters; his related crimes will be discussed later." Kangxi waved his hand, unwilling to see this son he once doted on.
Yinreng, who had already become the deposed crown prince, did not show much emotional change. He seemed to be still drunk on the wine and had not yet woken up. He gave a dazed and dejected smile, without refuting or pleading. He obediently followed the guards away and did not look at his father, the emperor, again.
After Yinreng left, Kangxi closed his eyes and dismissed everyone. No one dared say anything more; they all left quietly, carrying with them lingering tremors and unease.
"The Crown Prince is ruined just like that?" Back in his tent, Yinzhen was still in a daze, his eyes gazing at Yinsi and Yinzhen with a somewhat unfocused look.
Yin nodded silently, but even looking at his favorite pastries, he had no appetite. Meanwhile, Yinzhi twirled his teacup, lost in thought.
"Father... he has committed ten deadly sins..." Yinzhen hesitated, feeling a chill run through his body. Father had long planned to depose the Crown Prince, hadn't he? Everything the Crown Prince had done was due to his indulgence, and now it had become a weapon wielded against the Crown Prince.
"Born to bring misfortune to his mother... Father Emperor is too..."
"Tenth Prince," Yinzhi gently interrupted Yinzhi, preventing him from continuing.
But the three brothers, their faces equally grim, exchanged glances, knowing full well that who wouldn't have a different opinion? Their father was too sharp-tongued.
"Deposing the crown prince is no small matter; it will inevitably have far-reaching consequences. Everyone should be careful not to get involved," Yinzhi whispered his instructions.
Yinzhen and Yindian nodded. Even the most heartless person wouldn't dare to get involved in this mess at this time, so they naturally had to stay far away.
If the Emperor can be so ruthless to the Crown Prince, whom he always dotes on, who knows what will happen to his unpopular sons if they get involved?
Thinking of this, Yinzhen suddenly frowned and couldn't help but say, "Then the thirteenth..."
Yinzhi and Yinyi, standing to the side, looked solemn. Yinxiang was a generous and magnanimous man who had a good relationship with his brothers, so they were naturally worried about him.
"Father Emperor still dotes on the Thirteenth Prince, so he shouldn't..." Yin said, his words lacking conviction.
"The fourth prince will protect the thirteenth prince, right?" Even if Yinzhen was unwilling to admit it, he knew that Yinzhen and Yinxiang had the best relationship, and given the fourth prince's personality, he would definitely protect the thirteenth prince.
Yinzhi's eyes flickered slightly, and he said gently, "Let's wait and see. If... then we should plead for the thirteenth prince."
Yinzhi and Yinxiang nodded in agreement with Yinzhi's words. They would let go of the Crown Prince, but they were willing to plead for the Thirteenth Prince.
...
On the day the crown prince was deposed, not long after everyone had left, Kangxi issued several more imperial edicts in an effort to weaken the crown prince's political power.
First, he ordered the execution of Songgotu's two sons, Gerfen and Aljishan, and then some of Yinreng's confidants were also put to death. Those with lesser crimes were exiled to Shengjing.
It can be said that the Crown Prince's faction was wiped out in one fell swoop. Naturally, the Thirteenth Prince, Yinxiang, did not escape either. He was imprisoned and confined by Kangxi on the grounds that he "participated in the Crown Prince's faction, failed to follow the rules of admonition, and failed the Emperor's grace."
"Your Majesty, Prince Yong is still kneeling outside," Liang Jiugong reported cautiously, glancing at the dark sky outside.
Emperor Kangxi, with his eyes closed, leaned back in his chair, his expression unpredictable, as if he hadn't heard Liang Jiugong's words. Seeing this, Liang Jiugong naturally dared not say anything more.
Before long, a clap of thunder sounded, followed by a torrential downpour. Liang Jiugong was worried about Prince Yong as he listened to the sound of the rain, but the Emperor remained unmoved, and as a servant, he could not say much.
Outside the imperial tent, Yinzhen knelt upright on the ground, ignoring the stares of passersby, unmoved by the wind and rain.
Yinzhen and Yinli, who were secretly watching from the tent next to them, had red eyes and gritted their teeth as they watched this scene.
Even though Yinzhen's words of advice were still echoing in his ears, Yinzhen couldn't hold back any longer. He lifted the curtain to go over, but Yinli held him back tightly.
"Let go!" Yinzhen glared angrily.
"No, Fourteenth Brother, you can't go!" Yinli desperately pulled him away, preventing Yinzhen from leaving.
"Seventeen! Hasn't Fourth Brother treated you well? Are you just going to stand by and watch?" Yinzhen roared at Yinli.
“Of course Fourth Brother is good!” Yinli met Yinzhen’s gaze without backing down. “What good would it do if you rushed over? Would you help Fourth Brother or Thirteenth Brother? Listen to Fourth Brother’s words and don’t cause him any trouble.”
Yinzhen understood Yinli's meaning, of course. He understood, which was why he felt powerless and angry. He closed his eyes in pain, his clenched fists drawing blood from his palms, and finally stopped struggling. Helpless, he could only control his emotions, listen to Yinzhen, and not get involved.
The rain continued to fall, and Yinzhen remained kneeling in the rain, showing no intention of getting up.
After more than half an hour, the curtain of the imperial tent was lifted, revealing Liang Jiugong's face. "Prince Yong, His Majesty grants you permission to enter."
Upon hearing Liang Jiugong's words, Yinzhen finally raised his eyes, stood up slightly unsteadily, and looked so frightening that it made people's hearts tremble.
Liang Jiugong, who was standing nearby, quickly steadied him, saying, "Prince Yong, be careful."
"Thank you, Eunuch Liang." Yinzhen cupped his hands in thanks to Liang Jiugong, and under Liang's hesitant but persuasive gaze, he stepped into the tent without hesitation.
"Your subject... pays respects to Father Emperor." Yinzhen was quite disheveled at the moment, and his kneeling and bowing movements were a little slow. Countless water droplets slid down his clothes and instantly accumulated into a small puddle under him.
Kangxi stared coldly at his fourth son, who had been kneeling outside for a long time, his eyes devoid of any warmth. "What, have you come to question my decree?"
"Your subject dares not." Yinzhen kowtowed, then straightened up and boldly looked into Kangxi's eyes, saying, "Father, my thirteenth brother is young and inexperienced, and is not capable of shouldering great responsibilities. It is Yinzhen's fault for not teaching him properly. Your subject begs Father to be lenient in his punishment."
After speaking, Yinzhen kowtowed again and remained standing for a long time.
Kangxi stared at him intently and questioned, "Are you trying to take the blame for the Thirteenth Prince's crimes upon yourself?"
"Father, please forgive me. Thirteen has been raised in Yonghe Palace since childhood, and I have a duty to educate him. It is my incompetence that has failed to live up to Your Majesty's grace." Yinzhen replied earnestly, word by word. In short, it was all his fault, and Thirteen had nothing to do with it.
Kangxi remained silent, looking at Yinzhen and asking, "Have you thought it through? You won't regret it?"
"Yes, it is all my fault."
As the eldest brother, Yinzhen was like a father to Yinxiang, and he willingly took the blame for Yinxiang's crimes. Kangxi understood his fourth son's meaning, his expression complex. Could there truly be brotherly affection in this palace?
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