Chapter 54 He's Different From Everyone Else: E Shan, swayed by Yu Lang, blurted out everything he wanted to say. Barefoot, he returned to his bed and began to toss and turn…
Eshan was so aroused by Yulang that he said everything he had in mind. He went back to his bed barefoot, turned over and soon fell into a deep sleep, snoring loudly. Yulang was left staring blankly at the ceiling.
He instinctively felt that Geng'e was not hiding, but rather using this method of retreating to advance to show his loyalty. He just didn't know whether this loyalty was meant for the Emperor, or for Suo'etu and the Crown Prince.
Sometimes, loyalty made after hesitation is more valuable to outsiders. After all, it's a choice made after struggle and weighing the options, which sounds more precious than an immediate agreement. Human hearts are unpredictable; it's something a nobody like me can't possibly understand.
But he couldn't help thinking about it, and the more he thought about it, the clearer his mind became. What Yulang felt most uncomfortable right now was that his grandmother was not by his side. He had a lot of things to say but no one to tell, which made it even harder for him to fall asleep.
Yulang didn't fall asleep until dawn. When he went back to work, no matter how well he pretended, Yinreng saw through his act. "What? You're already homesick after just one day on duty? Look at how sleepy you are. Don't tell me you're thinking of switching to the night shift?"
These words were spoken with resentment, making Yu Lang's eyes twitch. Recalling what he had heard from E Shan, he immediately shook his head like a rattle drum: "This servant would rather do anything to show his face in front of the Crown Prince than go on night duty."
"To be honest, you don't know how to keep things to yourself. Don't let others hear this, or it will cause trouble again."
Yinreng had been in a bad mood these past few days. Originally, his relationship with his father had improved quickly after he took the initiative to talk to his father about the Crown Princess.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, his father told him about the Shi family in private, which made him feel that his relationship with his father had been restored to the same level as it was a few years ago before he moved to Yuqing Palace.
Geng'e, that blind fool, had to cause trouble at this time. Didn't he know that Geng'e was a spy planted by the Emperor? Had he ever said a word of reluctance? He didn't know what he was thinking, and he was caught in the middle even though he hadn't made things difficult for Geng'e.
Then there's Songgotu, who's also brainless. He's always on guard against this person and that person. He tries to win over every person sent by the Emperor to his side. He calls him Crown Prince, Crown Prince, with "Crown Prince" in front of "Crown Prince." You can tell him this a hundred times, but he can't remember it and never takes it to heart.
After learning that Suo'etu had secretly contacted Geng'e, the Crown Prince, unusually, summoned Suo'etu and gave him a severe scolding, which brought tears to the old man's eyes and made him kowtow repeatedly.
But looking at him like that, the Crown Prince felt no ripples in his heart. Over the years, as the most capable and shrewd head of the Hesheli family, Yinreng knew his character better than anyone else.
It's true that he kowtowed and admitted his mistakes before his own father, but it's also true that once he left the palace, he reverted to being the domineering and tyrannical Prime Minister Suo. After all, he was the Crown Prince's uncle and the Grand Secretary Suo of the Qing Dynasty.
From his youth, when he followed the emperor to eliminate Ao Bai, to where he is today, Suo'etu has never risen to his position as a maternal relative through marriage with his niece.
To put it more bluntly, Songgotu is the leader of the Crown Prince's faction now because the Crown Prince is alive. If there had been no Crown Prince in the first place, Songgotu would have become the leader of the Songgotu faction as well.
The imperial court has a system of deliberative princes and ministers. Although with the passing of the four regents, they are no longer as able to control the government as they used to be, at present, whether it is princes such as Fuquan, Changning, and Yuele from the imperial clan, or ministers such as Suo'etu, Mingzhu, and Tong Guowei, they all have their own scope of power.
Soetu has his own crown prince, Mingzhu supports the eldest son, Tong Guowei is the emperor's uncle and the father of Empress Xiaoyi, and the newly entered concubine Tong is Tong Guowei's daughter. Behind the princes are the Eight Banners and various powerful families.
In short, this matter is far more complex than simply Songgotu standing up for himself, the crown prince. Behind him stand all those who are dependent on Songgotu and the Hesheli family.
But every single time! Every single time! It's always himself, the crown prince, who suffers. Is Father Emperor currently dissatisfied with him? He's dissatisfied with Suo'etu for overstepping his bounds.
In other words, he was dissatisfied with all the Manchu noble families who formed factions and shared power with the Aisin Gioro family, and he was just the most suitable outlet for his dissatisfaction.
"This servant thought that these words were flattery of the Crown Prince, but how come it seems to the Crown Prince that this servant is being honest?"
"You little brat, you're getting cocky just because I said you're fat."
Yinreng was waiting for Yulang to say something comforting, but he didn't expect this kid to be different from everyone else. At this moment, Yinreng was like a domineering CEO who wanted to be different. The less Yulang said anything about swearing loyalty to the death, the more interesting he found this person, unlike the other guards.
"Your Highness, this servant is not just joking."
Yu Lang could certainly see the current situation clearly. The Crown Prince was like a bird trapped in a cage, and he had to act according to the Emperor's attitude.
Sometimes, if you can guess the emperor's thoughts, those days will be a little easier. More often than not, if you can't guess the emperor's thoughts, you'll be like a headless fly, bumping around everywhere, not only getting hurt yourself but also pleasing to the bird-keeper.
These words, let alone spoken aloud, are utterly treasonous even to contemplate, but that is exactly what Yu Lang is thinking at this moment.
The Crown Prince's current restless and agitated state suggests that he doesn't want the Emperor to misunderstand him, but His Majesty probably interprets it in a different way.
Are you feeling guilty? Were all of Suo'etu's actions at your behest? Seeing that Geng'e didn't immediately side with you, are you so unsettled because you really think Suo'etu made a mistake, or are you just furious because your scheme failed and Geng'e didn't choose you?
Whether Geng'e's transfer to the night shift meant he no longer wanted to be the emperor's eyes and ears, or whether he was more reluctant to give up the crown prince's recruitment, these two statements sound similar, but are actually worlds apart.
Even the most powerful emperor in his prime cannot compare to a crown prince with full wings and a bright future. After the prime of life, the sun inevitably sets, while the crown prince's days and future become more and more promising.
But this is not something that the Crown Prince can fool by pretending to be obedient. There are so many examples from past dynasties, and even Yu Lang, who hates reading, has read a lot of stories. He doesn't believe that the Emperor and the Crown Prince are unaware of this.
Even if you understand clearly, you'll be blinded and lose your composure when you're in the thick of it. Right now, you see the Crown Prince thinking things through so clearly, but before, when you faced the West Courtyard and your second uncle, weren't you often filled with resentment?
Shen Wanqing, on the other hand, was different from herself. She seemed to have never been truly angered by the people and things in the West Courtyard. From the very beginning of her marriage, she knew what she wanted.
Regardless of the attitudes of her family or the changes that occurred in the west courtyard, she was single-mindedly focused on what she wanted. She never hid her ambition, yet her openness made it impossible for anyone to feel any displeasure.
“Your Highness, my surname is Hesheli. My path was set from birth and has nothing to do with anyone else.”
A servant cannot look directly at his master, otherwise it is considered disrespectful. Although the rules for guards are not as strict as those for palace maids and eunuchs, Yu Lang usually abides by them.
Whether it was because he had listened to Eshan's words last night and wanted to see what kind of expression the Crown Prince had at this moment, or because he felt that what he was saying now was worthy of seeing what kind of person the master he had chosen to follow really was, Yulang raised his head and looked at Yinreng.
As if he had guessed what Yulang was going to do, Yinreng was not surprised by his actions at all, and did not even avoid his gaze. He let this guard, who was his clan uncle in terms of seniority but still had a bit of naivety in his nature, look at him without any restraint.
"What did you see?"
"I saw the future of slaves."
Because of his surname Hesheli, Yulang had heard too many things about the Crown Prince since he was a child. The Crown Prince was raised by the Emperor in the Qianqing Palace, the Crown Prince went to school, the Crown Prince went to the capital to participate in government affairs, Yulang had heard all of these things.
The entire Hesheli clan knew that their rise and fall were tied to the Crown Prince, but in reality, the Crown Prince had no idea that he even existed. That kind of ethereal yet real bond and connection once seemed absurd to Yulang.
But things are different now. Yu Lang looked into Yinreng's worried but not anxious eyes, and the absurdity that had been lingering in his mind gradually faded away, replaced by an inexplicable certainty. "This servant only has one path, and I will only take this one path."
"I understand." Over the years, Yinreng had seen too many ministers who swore to be loyal to him to the death, and he thought he had long since stopped taking these words to heart.
Looking into Yu Lang's bright eyes, he felt a mix of genuine joy and a heavy burden. But he liked this burden; he was willing to bear Yu Lang's sincere expectations.
The dark clouds that had been hanging over Yinreng's heart seemed to dissipate in a small corner because of Yulang's simple words. It was hard to describe the feeling, but at this moment, Yinreng just wanted to find something to do.
"Let's go, I've been so busy talking to you that I've forgotten to get down to business."
Actually, there's nothing important to discuss. These past few days, word has come from the Qianqing Palace that the Crown Prince doesn't need to go if the Emperor hasn't summoned him. He can simply go to the Imperial Study to check on things when he has free time. As the Crown Prince and also the elder brother, he should have the responsibility to love his brother and share the Emperor's burdens.
Every word he said was correct, but to Yinreng, it was a deliberate attempt to make things difficult. From a legal standpoint, Kangxi's decision to send him to the Imperial Study to oversee the other princes' studies was perfectly justified, but from a personal perspective, it was a completely different matter.
The birth mothers of the princes who are currently studying in the Imperial Study are all still alive. It is said that the concubines in the harem are not allowed to interfere with the princes' upbringing, and most of the princes are even given to other concubines to raise after birth.
But only the one who gave birth to the child knows; flesh from whose body it is. Even the fourth prince, who has been vying with Consort De since returning to Yonghe Palace these past two years, has never missed a single visit to Yonghe Palace to pay his respects, despite all the rivalry.
The fourteenth prince in Yonghe Palace was only three years old, the most mischievous age. Although everyone in the palace was gossipy, Consort De no longer wanted to worry about the fourth prince, who had been raised by Empress Xiaoyi for many years and had long since lost his heart. But what about the clothes and accessories worn by the fourth prince and the concubines and princesses who were just selected and sent to the princes' quarters at the beginning of the year? Wasn't everything arranged by Consort De?
None of them are children without mothers, and their mothers are all imperial concubines. As the crown prince's elder brother, he's bound to offend people no matter how he tries to manage them. Pillow talk is the most deadly thing; he doesn't want the younger ones to be ungrateful and then he'll be badmouthed to the emperor.
However, as soon as he left Jide Hall, the Crown Prince completely concealed his reluctance and walked briskly towards the Imperial Study. To outsiders, it would probably seem that the Crown Prince was in an exceptionally good mood today.
The Crown Prince's good mood was feigned, but Yu Lang was genuinely in a good mood. After all, he had just subtly expressed his loyalty to the Crown Prince and made the Crown Prince quite pleased, which was no easy feat.
"What are you looking at?"
"This is a road I've never traveled before, it looks quite interesting."
"Never been here before?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, I used to serve mostly in the outer city, and sometimes I even had to go to Jingshan."
Back when Shuai Yanbao was alive, Lady Tongjia was a titled lady, and as a noblewoman, she could attend banquets in the palace during festivals.
It is said that one year, His Majesty summoned the Hesheli family to the palace to pay their respects to the Crown Prince, and Lady Tongjia even brought Lady Niohuru along. At that time, the Hesheli family still had Shuai Yanbao, and even the First-Class Duke's Mansion and the Hesheli family dared not forget this branch.
Times have changed. Yulang hasn't had such good times. Even in the past few years, when he was in the Imperial Guard, he was always on duty outside the Imperial City. He had never actually been to the Imperial Study, which is located near the east side of the Qianqing Palace.
"Take a closer look; this road will be a frequent route for many people in the future."
"That's right. This servant is at the Crown Prince's beck and call. Before long, I'll be able to walk this road with my eyes closed without making a mistake."
These words sounded childish, but Yinreng liked hearing them. He Yuzhu, who was following behind Yinreng, felt a pang of jealousy upon hearing them, but then couldn't help but laugh along. Yulang was a man of pleasant speech; even when he flattered someone, it didn't sound insincere and made people feel happy.
The group was genuinely happy, some were amused, and others were delighted. When they reached the outside of the Imperial Study, they encountered a very displeased Prince Yinzhi and slowed down.
Because of Geng'e's matter, Emperor Kangxi sent Yinreng to the Imperial Study to take care of the children, which initially pleased Yinzhi. However, before he could even fully enjoy his newfound happiness, the Emperor sent him over as well, giving specific instructions: Yinzhi was to check on the younger children's progress in riding and archery, and if anyone was lagging behind, he, as the eldest brother, would personally teach them.
Yinzhi, who had spent the whole morning listening to political affairs in the Qianqing Palace, was thinking of going out of the palace at noon to find a good restaurant for a nice meal. But now he could forget about having a good meal and decided to go to the Imperial Study first.
Yinzhi was the type who couldn't hide his feelings; even a little displeasure would show on his face. Seeing Yinreng, who couldn't enter the East Warm Pavilion to attend to state affairs but came to take care of the child and looked so happy, made him even more displeased.
Reluctantly, he bowed and greeted his younger brother, the Crown Prince, and without waiting for Yinreng to speak, he entered the Imperial Study with a dark face. The attendants following behind Yinzhi dared not move, kneeling to the side and waiting for the Crown Prince to address them.
Having long been accustomed to Yinzhi's occasional tantrums and outbursts, Yinreng didn't indulge him. The more Yinzhi tried to avoid him, the more Yinreng would call him back, and the dignified Crown Prince stood motionless at the door of the Imperial Study.
"Big brother, if you don't come back, these two little devils of yours will have to keep kneeling."
"Tsk, how old are they, still laughing at beads, laughing at beads? They are all my guards."
"No matter how old they are, they are still my elder brother's close attendants. I thought my elder brother would really be willing to let them kneel forever."
In fact, Yinreng and Yinzhi were brothers who grew up together. Not to mention the two of them, even their eunuch companions and Haha Zhuzi were about the same age. They had been good friends and bad friends when they were young, and when they were caught by Kangxi causing trouble, neither of them could escape.
Even though they've grown distant now, and are bound together by Suo'etu and Mingzhu, forcing them to maintain a clear distinction, he's still different from others. For example, right now, Yinzhi knows what Yinreng is going to do without Yinreng even having to speak. From childhood, Yinreng has enjoyed seeing him submit to him, as if he's addicted to it.
"Does Your Highness have any further instructions?" Yinzhi suppressed his temper and bowed again, waiting for Yinreng to call him to rise.
"Get up." Yinreng didn't want to really provoke Yinzhi, after all, with his fiery temper, if he angered him, Yinzhi might actually fight him at the door of the Imperial Study.
"Father Emperor sent me to supervise their studies, which must be the same instruction he gave to you, elder brother. Since that's the case, we, as elder brothers, shouldn't slack off. It's alright if we're late today, but let's come earlier tomorrow."
That's just useless nonsense. He just came from the Qianqing Palace; it would be a miracle if he wasn't late today. And what's with this "early tomorrow" nonsense? Does he really think he's raising a child? I knew that second son was a cunning and treacherous man, so annoying!
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