Chapter 85 Lord Yu's Sunday Syndrome: Suo'etu is arrogant and domineering, but also quite capable. From the time he followed Kangxi in capturing Oboi…
Soetu was arrogant and domineering, but he was also quite capable.
From following Emperor Kangxi in capturing Oboi to suppressing the Three Feudatories and conquering Galdan in the following decades, both he and his generals made outstanding military achievements.
He was the one who spearheaded the signing of the Treaty of Nerchinsk with Tsarist Russia. Firstly, his status and position were enough to give him authority, and secondly, he was not stupid. He could obey the decrees issued by Emperor Kangxi and also be flexible in his actions.
Of course, the most important reason is his unwavering loyalty. For so many years, he did whatever Kangxi said, and even if he made mistakes, it was a matter of ability, not attitude.
Such an old minister, who has accompanied the emperor from his youth to the present day, should naturally be treated with more favor. Moreover, the Hesheli family is a Manchu aristocratic family that naturally stands on the side of the crown prince. Unless there are any major issues that threaten the foundation of the dynasty, Kangxi is actually unwilling to easily touch him.
But at this moment, as Yinreng looked at Suo'etu kneeling below, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind: Is Suo'etu really still loyal?
Or rather, is your loyalty to the Emperor or to me, or perhaps neither? Your loyalty is now merely a tool to maintain this banner that is nominally the Crown Prince's faction but is in reality the Songgotu faction.
“Lord Suo, as a first-class bodyguard personally appointed by the Emperor, what’s wrong with Yu Lang going to the Qianqing Palace to report to the Emperor? What’s wrong with him?”
"this……"
Soetu was taken aback by the question. Of course, he knew there was nothing wrong with it on the surface. But forming factions and taking sides was something that couldn't be discussed openly. If the Crown Prince asked this question, the conversation would be ruined.
“My Yuqing Palace has more than just Yu Lang as a guard. All these guards are from the Imperial Guard. Most of them have been summoned by Father Emperor. Does Lord Suo intend to report them all to me, or does he want me to replace them all?”
In the past two years, Yinreng often stared blankly at Suo'etu. He always felt that the more he looked at this person, the more unfamiliar he became. He seemed to be a different person from the uncle who had always protected him back then, but he could vaguely see the shadow of the old man.
He couldn't tell whether the arrogant and greedy Suo'etu before him was his true nature, or whether it was the gradual maturation of himself as the crown prince over the years that had led him to become the way he was today.
"Your subject dares not."
Having watched the Crown Prince grow up since childhood, Suo'etu could tell whether Yinreng was truly angry or not. At this moment, he also restrained his thoughts and was no longer as casual and relaxed as when he came in.
“Yu Lang now serves the Crown Prince frequently, so what he sees and hears is naturally different from other guards. He knows exactly what you say and do. If he is not discreet, there could be endless trouble if he leaks it out.”
"Does Lord Suo think there's something I can't tell Father Emperor?"
Yinreng was well aware of the power struggle between Suo'etu and Mingzhu in the court. In the past two years, the two had reached the point where they would contradict each other on everything, big or small. Yinreng and his eldest son had not sat down to have a proper conversation for a long time.
Even so, he, as the crown prince, had no intention of rebelling or murdering the emperor or his brothers, and he didn't even know many of those outside the palace who called themselves the crown prince's party.
In this situation, what difference would it make if Yulang reported to his father, the Emperor, word for word, about who he had met and what he had said? Or rather, what Yinreng wanted was for Yulang to tell the truth; Yulang's loyalty to the Emperor was, at the moment, a reassurance for his father.
"this……"
Soetu had only been in the study for a short while when he was rendered speechless twice by Yinreng's questions. Now he felt a chill run down his spine, yet he was also sweating profusely.
"Your Majesty, that's not what I meant. The Crown Prince and I are naturally loyal to His Majesty, but... but..."
Actually, Songgotu wasn't acting impulsively this time. He knew about it the very day Yulang was summoned to the Qianqing Palace. This time, Minister Songgotu thought it over carefully, and not only that, he waited and waited.
He knew that Yu Lang was currently riding high, and he also knew that the Crown Prince's personality was exactly like the Emperor's. When things suited their tastes, even if you turned the world upside down, they would still praise your courage and skill.
If you don't meet their expectations, even if you lay your whole heart out for them to see, they'll still find it superfluous and undignified. What use would they have for your heart?
Soetu didn't want to run into Yulang directly. He suppressed his temper and waited at home for several days. Even though Yulang was supposed to enter the palace to start his duties the next day, he didn't see him submit a token to the Crown Prince to explain anything. So he rushed to Yuqing Palace to complain about Yulang before Yulang did.
Unfortunately, after weighing the pros and cons, Suo Zhongtang realized that the Crown Prince had never intended for Yu Lang to explain anything, let alone wait for Yu Lang to explain. He was simply adding fuel to the fire.
At the moment, Yinreng felt that he and Yulang had a very good understanding. He knew what to do without Yinreng having to say much. Wasn't Suo'etu just asking for trouble by complaining about him?
“I know what Uncle is thinking. Yulang is still young and only works for me. We were born in the same year. If I talk to him, he will understand. Life in Yuqing Palace can be boring sometimes. You always need a few people who are agreeable to you.”
“But he’s no good outside the palace and in the court. Compared to you, Lord Suo, he’s just a greenhorn. He has no reputation and no connections. If I, as the Crown Prince, want to sit on my throne without worry, I still need my uncle to mediate and maintain order in the court. Mingzhu and my elder brother are plotting against me every day. How can I manage without someone watching over me?”
Everyone says that Suo'etu is arrogant, but it's precisely because there's such an arrogant person in front of the Crown Prince that there are fewer problems. Of course, he often causes trouble, but there are no two things that can be done perfectly, and Yinreng can clearly distinguish between what is more important and what is less important.
The Crown Prince was not yet married, Mingzhu and the First Prince were at the height of their power, and the guards he had promoted, such as Yulang and Eshan, were not yet ready to be fully grown. As for Suo'etu, neither the Crown Prince nor Emperor Kangxi could simply throw him away at the moment. So, although he reprimanded him, Yinreng took the initiative to make amends afterward.
Yinreng's words struck a chord with Suo'etu while also saving him face. He knew Suo'etu was jealous of Yulang, but he also knew Suo'etu's abilities and skills.
What is the status of Suo Zhongtang, and what is the status of Yulang? You, Suo'etu, are the backbone and core of my Crown Prince Party, while he is my personal bodyguard who plays with me in Yuqing Palace. Your envy and jealousy of him is nothing but a fool's trouble and has no need at all.
"Your Highness, my loyalty to you is as clear as the sun and the moon!"
Having made such a fuss, Suo'etu had no way to save face. Now that the Crown Prince was willing to give him a way out, Suo'etu had no choice but to scramble down the ladder and accept it, no matter what he thought.
The once-glorious Suo Zhongtang entered Yuqing Palace with an imposing air, but upon leaving, his back was slightly hunched. Gao Laixi, however obsequious and fawning in welcoming him in, also saw him off in Yuqing Palace without showing the slightest change on his face.
Standing at the entrance of Yuqing Palace, watching Suo'etu's retreating figure, Gao Laixi, who was usually all smiles, looked somewhat solemn.
The people in Yuqing Palace have the same attitude towards Suo'etu as the Crown Prince: they despise his current arrogance and lack of restraint, yet they still rely on his power and prestige in the court.
Everyone hopes that Lord Su can keep to his proper place and finish well, but everyone can also vaguely see that the future of this Lord Su is probably not going to be good.
Soetu walked further and further away until his back was no longer visible. Gao Laixi turned and walked into the gate of Yuqing Palace, instructing the eunuch beside him as he walked: "When Lord Yu returns tomorrow, find a capable young eunuch to clean up Lord Yu's duty room."
"Don't worry, Eunuch Gao, it's all packed up this morning. You don't need to tell me about such a small thing."
In the palace, everyone fawns over the powerful and bullies the weak. No matter what official rank or title one holds, those who can please and win the master's favor are the most important people. After Yu Lang was promoted to first-class guard, he was assigned a separate small duty room, which was already prepared for him before he even returned.
Whether Songgotu's loyalty was truly as good as the sun and moon is debatable, but not long after he left Yuqing Palace, Emperor Kangxi in the warm pavilion of Qianqing Palace already knew what had happened at Yuqing Palace that day.
"That old scoundrel, Suo'etu, is getting more and more senile as he gets older; he's not even as good as a little kid."
The "little brat" that Kangxi was referring to was naturally Yulang. This summons to Yulang was both a spur-of-the-moment decision and a deliberate test. In three months, the Crown Prince would be formally married, and the Crown Princess would take over Yuqing Palace. At that time, the entire Shi family and its influence would officially enter the fray, making the already complex situation even more murky.
He needs to personally examine how well this connection between the Crown Prince and the Shi family works; if it's a fool, he might have to eliminate it first.
Unexpectedly, the result was quite good. Yulang's report was more detailed than Kangxi had anticipated. His son had indeed been preparing for the wedding in a very honest manner, attending court and studying every day. He had not said anything he should have said or met anyone he should have met.
At most, he would complain that the eldest son and Mingzhu's faction were always causing trouble. Kangxi could tolerate these complaints. It was precisely these harmless complaints that made Kangxi more satisfied with Yulang, the guard of the Hesheli family. He knew where to use his loyalty and was much more sensible than Suo'etu.
"The Emperor and the Crown Prince's favor is too enviable. The master likes to use his servants, so the servants wish they could serve the master for life. If there is another eunuch who is more capable and useful than the servant tomorrow, the servant will definitely be jealous."
This matter should be attributed to Suo'etu's pettiness. It's best not to mention anything else, such as loyalty or disloyalty. The Crown Prince is fine to begin with, so don't create trouble for no reason.
"You are a petty servant, but you have a lot of guts to say anything to me."
"This servant only dares to speak to his master."
Even though Kangxi knew Liang Jiugong was flattering him and that he was protecting the Crown Prince to prevent further trouble, he still went along with his wishes. His son was about to get married; any major issues could wait until after the wedding.
Yu Lang was unaware of the undercurrents in the palace that no one spoke of but everyone could see. When Suo'etu came to the palace to complain about him, Dong'e's family came to his door with Decheng and the matchmaker.
Both families have made all the necessary preparations. The betrothal gifts from the Dong'e family were sent from Jingzhou to the capital this spring, and Fu Xuan's dowry has also been prepared. Today's visit is to let De Cheng, the groom, make an appearance and get acquainted with the family.
After today, Decheng will have to tidy up the old house of the Dong E family and decorate the bridal chamber. The Dong E family's house is small and they have few servants left in the capital, so they will have to hire people from outside to prepare the banquet.
The cooks, helpers, and even the maids who help serve food and wash dishes in the back kitchen all need to be arranged. If we don't come over today, we won't have time later.
The next time they meet will be when the Hesheli family sends the dowry to the Dong'e family, and after the wedding and the return visit to the bride's parents' home, all the proper etiquette will be completed, and then the Dong'e family will be able to take Fuxuan back to Jingzhou.
The Dong E family members were taken to Tong Jia's place in the main courtyard as soon as they entered. Shen Wanqing knew this but didn't do anything. Since Shen Wanqing didn't move, Yu Lang didn't want to either. He was itching to go to the palace again tomorrow. He couldn't say he didn't want to take up his post, but he definitely didn't want to go to the palace.
Shen Wanqing secretly laughed at him, thinking he just didn't want to go to work. Tonight was Sunday night for him, the last bit of good time. He felt like he wanted to do everything but couldn't do anything. He just wanted to stay in bed and not move. He felt like he was wasting the day if anyone asked him to do anything.
So he can laze around however he wants, since he's the one in the family who has to go to work on time, switching between day and night shifts.
Shen Wanqing led Fangyi to the study in the west wing to look at the accounts before the Mid-Autumn Festival. Fangyi was mainly responsible for looking at the accounts, while Shen Wanqing was mainly responsible for eating snacks and slacking off.
When the matron from the main courtyard came to fetch someone, Shen Wanqing quickly covered her face with a fan. Fangyi looked up at the matron standing awkwardly in the courtyard outside the window, unsure of which way to go. She silently gestured towards where her brother was, indicating that someone should go find Yulang first.
"You just sold your brother out like that?"
"My sister-in-law got so angry with my aunt in the main courtyard that day, she probably doesn't want to talk to the people from Dong'e's family today."
Fangyi had heard about Shen Wanqing's falling out with Fuxuan in the main courtyard that day, and that night Niohuru was so happy that she ate two extra bowls of rice.
She told Fangyi that the old lady in the family favored Fuxuan the most, and that if Shen offended Fuxuan, she would offend the old lady. She said that the old lady would definitely find a way to deal with Shen in a couple of days. She also specifically told Fangyi not to come to Shen Wanqing's place the next day.
Her mother, who hadn't accomplished anything of note in her Buddhist practice, was becoming increasingly eccentric. From last year until now, whenever Shen Wanqing did something, she secretly hoped that Shen Wanqing wouldn't succeed. If Shen Wanqing did succeed, she felt incredibly distressed, to the point of being speechless.
Fangyi went from trying to persuade her to gradually becoming numb, and now she doesn't even want to say a word. The next day, she came as usual to learn housekeeping and accounting from Shen Wanqing.
It's been three or four days now, and I haven't seen the old lady make things difficult for my sister-in-law. On the contrary, my aunt is confined to the back room of the main courtyard and is not allowed to come out. It goes without saying who won and who lost this matter.
"No, that's not it. The Dong'e family will be our in-laws in the future. Although Jingzhou is not as prosperous as the capital, it is still a transportation hub. It's a good thing that our family has relatives there. Who knows, maybe one day your sister-in-law will want to do business there again."
However, Dong E Decheng was among the people who came to the Dong E family today. No matter how much Fu Xuan makes a fuss, she is still her aunt, and Dong E Decheng is her future uncle. It's best to let Yu Lang meet him first and see what kind of person he is.
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