His Majesty is still unwilling to decide on the Crown Prince now. At this point, it is clear that whether the Crown Prince is chosen or the position remains vacant, bloodshed among the princes is inevitable.
Since that's the case, it's better to leave it empty, giving the children some hope.
Even if the princes appear to be sincere on the surface, His Majesty is not blind. He is still alive and things are like this now. If he really passes away, wouldn't it be a disaster for the brothers to fight each other?
The Emperor has always been proud of his many children and grandchildren, but now he is unusually worried. Although he is the Son of Heaven, he also hopes that his descendants will live in harmony and that the country will last for generations.
Therefore, nowadays, in addition to valuing talent, His Majesty also values the relationships between the princes. He doesn't expect them to be as shrewd and charming as the Eighth Prince, but rather to be tolerant and accepting of their brothers.
Therefore, the only one His Majesty is truly satisfied with now is the fourth prince.
The fourth prince has a younger sister and brother. He contributed to both the weddings of the seventh and thirteenth princes. No other prince had ever been as attentive as him. The fourth prince wasn't afraid of being accused of forming cliques for personal gain...
His Majesty must have countless memorials impeaching the Fourth Prince on his desk.
However, the seventh and thirteenth princes were of different fates. The seventh prince was born with poor health, and the thirteenth prince's birth mother, Lady Zhangjia, had passed away many years ago. He only had two younger sisters who had been sent to Mongolia for marriage alliances.
Instead of saying that the fourth and seventy-third brothers formed a clique for personal gain, it's more accurate to say that the eighth and ninth brothers and their group were involved.
Furthermore, even after the Changchun Garden incident, the fourth son's attitude towards the third son never changed, and he also took good care of Hongxi's children...
Among his many sons, the fourth son was aloof and didn't talk much, but he always performed his duties exceptionally well. His Majesty still remembered how well the fourth son handled the river management task back then, and how Grand Secretary Zhang Ying praised him after his return.
These were all things that His Majesty was somewhat satisfied with.
However... the fourth prince has suffered quite a few injuries in the past two years, and His Majesty has suddenly become somewhat uncertain again...
But then His Majesty suddenly remembered Hongli from the fourth prince's family.
There were obedient and well-behaved grandsons among the emperor, but his favorite was the clever and quick-witted Hongxi. However, when he saw Hongli, it was probably because they were compatible. Every time he saw Hongli, his mood would be several degrees better.
...
As His Majesty pondered, he couldn't help but feel drowsy. He didn't know where his thoughts had gone, but he was helped up by Liang Jiugong to drink some medicine, and then he drifted off to sleep again.
Ever since His Majesty's headache flared up, he has not been sleeping well, and tonight is no exception.
It was around midnight when His Majesty was in a daze, unsure whether he was dreaming or not. In his dream, a childish voice called out to him, "Grandpa Emperor," but His Majesty couldn't hear it clearly...
Where did his dreams ultimately lead? His Majesty suffered from a splitting headache and could only find a moment of peace amidst the repeated calls of "Grandpa Emperor."
I had a sleepless night.
When His Majesty woke up, Liang Jiugong was already waiting beside him. He waited for a while.
The Emperor pressed his neck with some effort, then couldn't help but recall who had called him in his dream.
There was no clue for the time being, so His Majesty raised his hand and said, "Help me to my feet..."
Just as His Majesty rose to his feet, Liang Jiugong's apprentice, Fengzhong, entered: "Your Majesty, Consort Hui is kneeling outside, requesting an audience. She says that Prince Zhi's current state is due to her poor upbringing and begs Your Majesty to punish him and also to show him some leniency."
Having held the position of one of the Four Consorts for many years, she was certainly not a fool. So when Consort Hui arrived, she did not exonerate Prince Zhi, but instead confessed her own guilt. However, in the end, she couldn't help but apologize for Prince Zhi.
The Emperor, in pain, couldn't help but bend slightly, as if it would provide some relief. He glanced at Feng Zhong, his eyes seemingly filled with disgust: "Let her kneel if she wants to..."
He closed his eyes to catch his breath, waiting for the headache to subside. He suppressed the tightness in his chest, keeping his expression calm, and said in a flat voice, "Support me."
Fortunately, there was no morning court session today. However, even though His Majesty is unwell, he still has to review memorials. The New Year has just passed, and countless memorials have already piled up in various places.
Normally, after His Majesty got up, he would first go to Cining Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. However, given His Majesty's current condition, the Empress Dowager couldn't bear to do so and thus excused him.
Fengzhong went out again, but returned shortly afterward.
Seeing that His Majesty was about to get angry, Liang Jiugong immediately scolded him harshly: "Don't you understand His Majesty's orders? Get out of here!"
The Emperor glanced at him: "Anything else?"
Feng Zhong dared not stammer: "Consort Hui also brought Prince Hongyu with her..."
The Emperor's disgust intensified. Knowing that Hongyu was unwell due to a difficult childbirth, Consort Hui still brought Hongyu along. Was she forcing him to let Baoqing go?
His Majesty had another headache and simply flung his sleeves, saying, "Bring Hongyu in and tell Consort Hui to get out of here."
Feng Zhong dared not delay, fearing he would be blamed, so he quickly went out and brought Prince Hongyu in.
During the first month of the lunar calendar, Prince Tian Hongyu stood outside for a while, and fortunately his hands remained warm.
The Emperor didn't see Hongyu, but he heard Hongyu outside obediently asking, "Where is Grandfather? Hongyu said he would pay his respects to Grandfather..." His heart softened.
"Grandpa...Grandpa..."
The Emperor suddenly remembered the voice that had called him in his dream last night. It was not Hongyu, but he suddenly remembered whose voice it was.
His Majesty patted his head: "After a while, when the weather gets warmer, let the imperial grandsons come to the palace, and Hongyu will come along too."
This clearly shows His Majesty's attitude: although His Majesty punished and demoted Yinti's title, he would not take his anger out on Hongyu.
Liang Jiugong noted it down and then said, "The imperial physician said that you should not think too much or worry too much right now. This servant will help you to rest."
The Emperor pressed his head, seemingly hearing Consort Hui's cries outside, which only made his headache worse.
...
Consort Hui's visit to the Hall of Mental Cultivation caused another minor disturbance, and soon the whole palace knew about it.
Consort De in Yonghe Palace didn't seem inclined to kick someone when they're down. She glanced at the magpies painted on the screen not far away and simply shook her head: "Look at this, this is the fate of the defeated. The Fourth Prince has returned home? That's finally some peace and quiet. He's really suffered. The other day I had someone send some sachets to Baohua Hall for blessings; I'll send those to the Fourth Prince. The Fourteenth Prince's will be given to him when he comes to pay his respects. I just hope they're all safe and sound."
Consort De had already given Wen Xian the gift during the New Year festival, along with a talisman for praying for a child.
Consort De didn't have time to worry about others: "The fourth prince's wife is also not in good health, and Li is going to give birth next month... The fourteenth prince is also getting married... I'm going to Anhua Palace to personally pray for his well-being."
Granny Zhao sighed, "Her Majesty is truly kind-hearted..."
Consort De smiled at her and said, "Kindness is useless; what's important is not to be harmed by others."
Consort De was always very perceptive.
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