"Consort Niu, twin sons are truly blessed. It's just a pity that the other one is being raised in the palace. Are you really willing to part with him?" Fifth Consort asked from the side.
"Replying to Fifth Prince Consort, it is a blessing for Father Emperor to value Hongli. Although I am somewhat reluctant, I cannot go against Father Emperor's wishes," Lanqin said truthfully.
"Our Consort Niu has always been sensible and considerate of the bigger picture. Otherwise, how could she have enjoyed our master's favor for so many years!" Fourth Consort said to Fifth Consort.
"Oh, that's true. The Fourth Prince really dotes on Consort Niu," Fifth Consort said with a forced smile.
Lanqin ignored the sarcastic remarks and silently lowered her head to eat her pastries. She wouldn't touch those dishes; they were all as cold as ice cubes, and eating them would only make her sick.
Meanwhile, several princes and their relatives began drinking. They were all descendants of the Aisin Gioro clan, and this was the only time of year when they could all gather together to celebrate the New Year and strengthen their bonds.
The Crown Prince naturally had the most people offering toasts, followed by the Prince of the First Rank, the Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, and other princes generally considered to be the most favored by Emperor Kangxi. The Fifth Prince, the Seventh Prince, and the Eighth Prince were relegated to the sidelines. The Ninth Prince, being the son of Consort Yi, was someone few dared not offend, and people would occasionally come to speak to him. The other princes were all too young and not considered by Kangxi, so fewer people went to offer them toasts.
Lanqin noticed that the Fourteenth Prince seemed to have changed. In the past, he was always loud and boisterous, constantly trying to win favor with Emperor Kangxi. But today he seemed very quiet, sitting there quietly and very well-behaved. His primary consort, Lady Wanyan, also seemed to have toned down her personality, losing her former arrogance and becoming more composed.
These two sworn enemies seem to have changed! Lanqin thought to herself silently.
The palace banquet proceeded in this seemingly peaceful atmosphere. Lanqin thought about Hongli and Hongzhou, and suddenly made a decision. She tried to look towards Kangxi and saw that his face was slightly flushed, probably because he had drunk quite a bit.
"Cui Niang, help me relieve myself!" Lanqin silently encouraged herself before speaking.
After Cui Niang helped Lan Qin up and walked out of her seat to the outer veranda, Lan Qin looked around a few times. Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, she took Cui Niang's arm and whispered, "Go and tell Eunuch Liang to ask him to tell the Emperor that I have something important to report to him, about Hongli and Hongzhou."
Cui Niang was taken aback and said, "Master, what are you going to do?"
Lanqin said, "It's too dangerous for Hongli to stay in the palace. So many eyes are watching him, and they all wish something bad would happen to him. Didn't you see the look in Prince Heshuo's eyes just now? And those wives, they all resent Hongli!"
Cui Niang nodded and said, "Yes, they see that the Sixth Prince is favored by the Emperor, and they feel that it's getting in their way. But, my lady, how can you explain going to see the Emperor so rashly?"
Lanqin said, "I have no other choice. And judging from the Emperor's expression, he might also be considering sending Hongli back."
Seeing that Lanqin spoke with such certainty, Cui Niang knew that Lanqin's mind was made up, so she asked no more questions. Following Lanqin's instructions, she quietly walked around the covered walkway and went behind where Kangxi was.
Lanqin stood behind a cassia tree, watching everything unfold at the palace banquet. She saw the Fourth Prince constantly drinking and talking with the imperial relatives and ministers. She couldn't leave everything to him. For the sake of her child, she had to do her best too.
When Liang Jiugong walked up to Cui Niang, he was greatly surprised after hearing what she had said.
"Are you sure Consort Niu wants to see the Emperor?" Liang Jiugong was surprised by Lanqin's boldness.
"Yes, our master said he has something to report to the Emperor about the Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince. Please do us a favor, sir," said Cui Niang.
Liang Jiugong was still shocked, but since it concerned Hongli and Hongzhou, he dared not delay. He could only nod and tell Cui Niang to wait while he went to Kangxi's side to deliver the message.
Emperor Kangxi was watching the dance in the middle of the dance floor when Liang Jiugong whispered a few words in his ear. His expression clearly paused, and then he said a few words to Liang Jiugong.
When Lanqin learned from Cui Niang that Kangxi wanted her to go to the library behind the Imperial Garden to talk, she became even more certain that Kangxi was actually in a dilemma regarding Hongli.
With Lanqin's hand in hand, Cui Niang walked with incredibly elegant steps toward the library.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor's intentions are unpredictable; you must be careful. He is not your master!" Cui Niang said worriedly.
"Don't worry, when have you ever seen your master act without restraint? When Prince Heshuo said those words to Father Emperor just now, did you see the look on Father Emperor's face? When Hongli and Hongzhou were brought to Father Emperor's side, did you see the looks in everyone's eyes?" Lanqin said, "The palace is such a strange place. Everyone's face is like wearing a mask. They all say auspicious and pleasant words, but what dark things are hidden in their hearts? No one can say for sure."
"Yes, I'm really worried about leaving the Sixth Prince in the palace. Is there really someone who's so jealous of a child?" Cui Niang sighed.
"Who told him to be so favored by the Emperor?" Lanqin said. "You must not tell anyone about my meeting with the Emperor today!"
Cui Niang nodded and said, "Don't worry, Master, I will never tell anyone."
When Lanqin and her servant arrived at the library, there was indeed a young eunuch serving Emperor Kangxi at the entrance.
"This humble servant greets Father Emperor!" Lanqin walked in and saw a bright yellow figure with his back to her.
"Do you have something to say to me?" Kangxi asked directly without turning around.
He agreed to see Lanqin because he had just realized that keeping Hongli by his side might not be the safest option. On the contrary, his favoritism had brought him countless resentments. When Liang Jiugong said that Lanqin had something to say to him about Hongli and Hongzhou, he agreed almost immediately.
"Yes, I have never had the chance to speak to Father Emperor. So I have presumptuously invited Father Emperor here. Please forgive me!" Lanqin said.
"Speak, I want to hear it!" Kangxi then turned around and looked at Lanqin.
It must be said that Emperor Kangxi was getting old. The once powerful emperor was slowly aging like an ordinary person. No matter how much power he held, he could not resist the erosion of time. In addition, Kangxi refused to accept old age and remained fond of women in his later years. He died before the age of seventy, which can be considered as a relatively short lifespan for an emperor.
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