Time passed minute by minute, the sun gradually set, but the lively atmosphere inside and outside the palace did not diminish in the slightest.
What no one knew was that beneath this bustle, there was a deadly murderous intent hidden.
It was past midnight in the palace. Kangxi had drunk a lot of wine and was leaning on the dragon chair, looking at the people below with a dazed look.
There are fewer familiar faces in the court this year. The old people who have followed him since he first ascended the throne have died or begged for retirement, and there are fewer and fewer people who can talk to him.
Kangxi could occasionally feel the loneliness that penetrated deep into his bones.
He couldn't help but look at Tong Guowei.
This uncle was only eleven years older than him.
Kangxi ascended the throne at the age of eight. His mother, Tong Jia, died in the second year of his reign. He always felt that he owed his mother, so after he took power, he tried his best to gain benefits for the Tong family.
Perhaps it’s just like what Yinreng said, a little bit of rice is a favor, a big bit of rice is a grudge.
He was so good to the Tong family, so good that Tong Guowei hated him just because he let them down once.
Oh……
Kangxi withdrew his gaze with a dull look, raised his face slightly, closed his eyes and listened to the singing of "Magu Offering Longevity" below.
——
"Bang!"
A sharp gunshot pierced the sky, interrupting the sounds of wind and string instruments inside and outside the hall.
The lively atmosphere paused strangely for a moment.
Kangxi was so shocked that he sat up straight, looked around, and asked Liang Jiugong,
"Where did that sound come from? Isn't it time to set off the fireworks yet?"
He thought that someone who didn't know the rules had set off the fireworks prematurely, and didn't notice the difference between the sharp sound of the gunshot and the dull sound of the fireworks.
The princes and grandchildren of the emperor, as well as the nobles and ministers inside and outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony were all puzzled and asked each other what had happened to the people around them.
Among the princes who were unaware of the situation, only Yinreng and Yinxiang frowned deeply.
The two of them stayed in Weihaiwei for such a long time, and there were always a few days in a month when they felt like practicing shooting at the shooting range. They were very sensitive to the sound of gunfire.
When the gunshot reached their ears, the two became alert.
Liang Jiugong heard the displeasure in Kangxi's voice and said hurriedly,
"I'll check right away!"
Kangxi glanced at him.
"Hurry up and go!"
After giving instructions to Liang Jiugong, Kangxi said to the troupe below,
"continue!"
The sound of stringed instruments slowly began to rise again, and everything seemed to be the same as before. However, the uneasiness in Yinreng's heart did not diminish at all, and even tended to expand.
Because Yinreng was deposed from the position of crown prince, he sat a little further away from Kangxi. It was precisely this distance that made Kangxi successfully miss Yinreng's voice.
“Second brother!”
Someone was quietly pulling Yinreng's sleeve. Yinreng turned around and saw that it was Yinxiang.
Seeing the uneasiness in Yinxiang's eyes, Yinreng understood.
"You heard it too?"
"That's not the sound of fireworks at all—"
"Bang!"
Before Yinxiang could finish his words, another gunshot was heard outside. He looked outside in astonishment.
"Bang!"
“Bang, bang, bang…”
"Ah! Help!"
“Murder!”
“Who are you?!”
"ah……"
There were gunshots and screams outside, and even the most slow-witted person would realize that something was wrong.
Kangxi broke out in a cold sweat, and the alcohol instantly dissipated. Besides fear, he was also filled with endless anger.
Being able to do such a thing right under his nose, on the birthday of his father, and not even a single news leaked out, no one except one of his sons has such great power!
Kangxi glanced at the princes' seats with gloomy eyes and found that everyone had run behind the pillars, watching the situation outside as if they were trying to cover their ears and steal the bell.
There is actually no one who cares about him, the emperor’s father!
Treason!
Kangxi didn't know whether to cry or laugh!
He stood up and walked to the back of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and his seven personal guards quickly took up their guns and protected Kangxi firmly in the middle.
Kangxi pulled off the jade pendant from his waist and ordered Zhuo Dan,
"Hurry up and go to the main army camp to mobilize troops!"
No matter how capable that rebellious son is, he cannot occupy all the palace gates. As long as Zhuo Dan leaves the palace, he still has a chance!
“Hey!”
Zhuo Dan also knew that now was not the time to hesitate, so he took Kangxi's jade pendant and ran outside at a rapid speed. His figure disappeared from Kangxi's sight in a few breaths.
Kangxi let out a light breath and rushed into the harem without stopping. The princes, grandchildren, nobles and ministers were not fools either. When they saw Kangxi leaving, they also began to flee in all directions.
Yinreng pulled Yinxiang aside and ran outside. Although he didn't know who was behind this incident, his target was definitely Kangxi.
As long as he stayed away from Kangxi, that person should not be afraid of him given his current status as the deposed crown prince.
His first priority now is to find the Guwalja clan.
Yinzhi and Yinzhen had been paying attention to his movements. Seeing that he was about to slip away, they quickly followed him.
Yinzhi and Yinsi looked at each other and immediately ran in the direction where Kangxi left.
The palace is so big that if there is no one to lead the way, it will take some effort to catch their good emperor. The longer it takes, the more disadvantageous it will be for them.
After all the princes left, Yinzhen looked at the messy hall and a look of satisfaction appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Then he walked out of the main gate of the Hall of Supreme Harmony without looking back.
There is no need for them to pretend anymore; success or failure depends on today.
According to Yinreng's idea.
It is unlikely that Kangxi would return to the Qianqing Palace.
Although there is an old saying that the most dangerous place is the safest place, it does not apply to the current Kangxi.
Because the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Palace of Heavenly Purity are on the same line, if the rebels search, they will definitely search the Palace of Heavenly Purity first.
Kangxi hiding there was like going to the toilet with a lantern - looking for shit.
But we cannot rule out the possibility that Kangxi simply liked to keep things dark, or that there was a secret room in the Qianqing Palace.
If Kangxi had hidden in the secret room and waited until the arrival of the army to defend the king, he would not have died.
Yinreng felt a little gloating in his heart.
The old man is a bad man with his words. He says whatever he wants and has offended all his sons. Now he has been taught a lesson by his son.
You deserve it!
Yinreng took Yinxiang to take a look at the Qianqing Palace. After all, Guaerjia and the Queen Mother were both there. If Kangxi was lucky enough to stay in the Qianqing Palace, then he would have nothing to regret even if he died by staying with these two people.
However, after they had run a few steps, Yinreng noticed someone behind him. He looked back and found that it was Yinzhi and Yinzhen, and his heart was finally relieved.
I hope they're not rebels!
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