Prince An's Mansion has its own hunting grounds. These grounds have been inherited by Prince An's Mansion since the time of Huang Taiji. They are not only a good place for hunting, but also a symbol of status and honor. After all, they were bestowed upon it during the time of Nurhaci. Even though they are not used today, they must be treated well. Not to mention that everyone in Prince An's Mansion is a master of hunting, horseback riding, and archery!
Not only were there hunting grounds, but also large areas designated for martial arts training.
Next to Prince An's hunting grounds is Prince Yu's hunting grounds, which are almost entirely demarcated into a large area. They are usually heavily guarded, and outsiders cannot enter at all.
If we're talking about who was most respected in the court or trusted by the emperor, then only Prince Yu, Fuquan, could be compared to Prince An.
When Yue Le led Jing Rou over, they ran into Prince Yu's carriage. Prince Yu, Fuquan, was five years older than Emperor Kangxi and was Emperor Kangxi's most trusted brother. He was energetic and vigorous, and had recently been busy with the campaign against the Dzungars. It was unclear how he had found the time to come to the hunting grounds today.
The two stopped and talked for a while.
According to the generational hierarchy within the imperial family, Yue Le was the paternal uncle of Emperor Kangxi and Prince Yu, Fuquan.
Upon meeting him on the road, Prince Yu quickly got out of his carriage and bowed to Yue Le. "It's been a long time since I've seen Your Highness. I was hoping to take advantage of your presence at your residence to guide this junior, so that I wouldn't be completely clueless during this campaign against the Dzungars..." Prince Yu smiled kindly, looking at Jing Rou with gentle eyes. "Why did you bring Jing Rou with you? Are you going horseback riding?"
He adopted a humble posture, but Yue Le was not arrogant. "Now that I have some free time, I might as well take the young lady out to play. I am getting old, and I will have to trouble Prince Yu to take care of these matters of the court."
After bowing to Prince Yu, Jingrou obediently snuggled up to her maternal grandfather.
“If that’s what you say, Uncle, then I, Fuquan, am truly ashamed. In matters of leading troops into battle, I am still a junior! You are getting on in years and should not be burdened with such worries, but the campaign against the Dzungars is of paramount importance. Even the Emperor suffers from insomnia every day, pondering deeply before deciding on a strategy. How can I let someone as talented as you, Uncle, be left to do nothing? Besides, my cousins are also busy with this matter. Can you really trust you completely?” Prince Yu cupped his hands in greeting.
Yue Le certainly knew that the campaign against the Dzungars was very important. After all, he had watched Kangxi grow up since he was a child, and he knew that the young emperor, who was over 30, was finally about to show his sharp claws to the Dzungars.
If they win this time, everyone will be happy, and the prestige of the Qing Dynasty will be greatly enhanced! But if they lose, the emperor will likely lose face...
Although I am gradually becoming detached from the court, it is no wonder that Emperor Kangxi discarded me after I had served my purpose.
However, Yue Le had truly had enough of being feared by the emperor and suspected by the court officials.
Since he's in the imperial court, let's not wait until we need him to come to us!
His sons' futures depended on their own efforts. As for him, he was getting old and it would be better for him to stay in the manor and keep Jingrou company, and keep his old wife company. Although she was from the Hesheli clan, Yue Le felt that she should live a peaceful and comfortable life. Even when he was at the height of his power in the court, she was still worried about him in private.
"I'm getting old! I can't manage these things anymore..." Yue Le sighed.
Prince Yu smiled bitterly to himself.
He knew perfectly well how Prince An behaved in court, which was why he respected him so much. His respect for Yue Le was never just for show.
But fate is fickle... His excessive power aroused the emperor's suspicion and made the court officials suspicious of his intentions. If someone were thick-skinned or truly arrogant and angry, they could ignore it, and if they were even bolder, they might even rebel in the face of the emperor's excessive suspicion. But Prince Yu knew that his uncle was not like that.
If he wanted to rebel, he would have had the opportunity when Emperor Kangxi was still young, or even when Emperor Shunzhi was terminally ill. Why wait until now, when the hero is old and frail?
It's no wonder Prince An treats him this way now.
But can we blame Emperor Kangxi for this? How could he allow others to sleep soundly on his own bed? Emperor Kangxi, as an emperor, never did anything wrong…
It was originally a situation where someone was assisting a wise ruler... but when did it turn out like this? Prince Yu was saddened but not at ease. What was his judgment on this matter?
Seeing his expression, Yue Le sighed. This young man was indeed a bit too straightforward, but at over 30 years old, he still hadn't figured this out. Was he clever or foolish?
"Although I will not be coming out of the mountains again, if there is anything I can do to help you, you can come to my residence to ask. Come over when you have time, and I will tell you about the situation there..." If there is anyone who can truly know the Dzungars like the back of his hand, then of course it is Prince An, who has been dealing with them for more than ten years.
In the end, he couldn't completely abandon the matter. Prince An chuckled self-deprecatingly. He was truly destined to be a busy man all his life, and in the end, he still couldn't let go of the court.
Jingrou watched silently.
The Qing Dynasty was never truly peaceful; even a three-year-old child knew this.
But at this moment, she silently looked at the person in front of her. Her maternal grandfather was not as kind as he was to Prince Yu when he was facing her; even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were filled with a smile.
The grandfather standing before Jingrou was somewhat unfamiliar to her, exuding a strong sense of authority.
Although her maternal grandfather claimed he wanted to be a hands-off manager, Jingrou knew he couldn't truly let go of these responsibilities. The foundation and territory of the Qing Dynasty were, in essence, the culmination of his life's work. Although he wasn't the emperor, he had served two emperors.
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