Zhao Mingcai is dead!
The next day, news came from the torture chamber that Zhao Mingcai had committed suicide by biting his tongue the night before!
The Fourth Prince received the news early in the morning. He hadn't expected that the servant would actually bite his tongue to commit suicide. Anyone who could bite their tongue to commit suicide would need immense courage, because the pain is excruciating. Those who bite their tongues to commit suicide ultimately bleed to death.
As the torturers began another day of interrogation, the moment they opened the room where Zhao Mingcai was imprisoned, they saw blood everywhere and smelled a pungent, metallic odor. Even the servants in the two torture chambers, who were used to seeing mangled flesh, were terrified.
"Damn it! He actually committed suicide!" Fourth Master said.
Su Peisheng pondered for a moment and thought to himself: Zhao Mingcai's death might be a good thing for Consort Niu.
The Fourth Prince had no choice but to order his men to carry him to a mass grave and bury him, while he himself had to go to the palace to attend court. He couldn't let something happen in his own courtyard prevent him from going to the palace.
After Fourth Master left, news of Zhao Mingcai's death spread throughout the inner quarters, shocking everyone who heard the news.
After the Fourth Prince entered the palace for court, he was summoned to Yonghe Palace by Consort De's maid.
"Your subject greets Mother!" the Fourth Prince said, bowing to Consort De, who sat in the main seat.
"Alas, Wanru was ultimately an unlucky child. How could she still not be able to keep that child?" Consort De had naturally already heard the news that Lady Wuya's child was gone.
The Fourth Prince originally thought that Consort De would be furious after hearing about it and would force him to find out the reason as soon as possible, but no more news came from Yonghe Palace until now when Consort De summoned the Fourth Prince to the palace.
"My son is investigating, but the servant involved committed suicide this morning," the Fourth Prince said.
"There are only a few people in your inner quarters. If anyone wants to harm Wanru, it's really just those few people," Consort De said, still seemingly unsure of what was going on.
"Mother is right. I will definitely find out the truth. Whoever dares to harm my offspring will not be spared," said the Fourth Prince.
"Fourth Prince, actually your mother thinks it's best to leave this matter here. Since Zhao Mingcai is already dead, let's just consider it as him paying for that unfortunate child's life," said Consort De.
The Fourth Prince looked at Consort De in surprise. He really didn't understand. Consort De should be very angry, after all, that child was Wanru's. Given her feelings for Wanru, she should not have let it go like this!
"You're wondering why your mother told you to downplay the matter, aren't you?" Consort De asked.
The Fourth Prince's silence was tantamount to acquiescence.
"Fourth Prince, you should know that the women in the inner quarters are actually your connections in the court. Their families are all your support. If you favor one side too much, others will object. The inner quarters are like the court! Wanru, after all, has no family to support her, which is why your mother strongly opposed your relationship with her. Now that you have taken her in, it can be considered a way of making amends for that past relationship. Do you understand what your mother means?" Consort De's face was unusually calm. "Now, the Ulanara clan, the family of your consort in the inner quarters, feels guilty, and you haven't deposed her, so the relationships here are still maintained. As for the Nian clan, your mother doesn't need to say much. Nian Gengyao holds military power, and you know its importance. As for the Niohuru clan, although she is not Aling'a's daughter, the Niohuru family is one of the eight great clans, and their descendants are all over the court."
The Fourth Prince's heart calmed down immediately. Consort De was right. When the women in his harem were selected, it wasn't based on their appearance, but rather on the families they came from. The princesses that his mother assigned to him were not chosen arbitrarily, nor were they chosen based on personal preferences.
"Don't neglect Fucha and Liu, who recently entered the palace. The most taboo thing in the inner court is one person having too much power, do you understand?" Consort De said.
After pondering for a moment, the Fourth Prince said, "I understand. However, I am heartbroken by what happened to Wanru. I must give her an explanation. Moreover, I cannot tolerate anyone with such a vicious mind stirring up trouble in my household."
Consort De glanced at the Fourth Prince a few times and said, "Now that your Imperial Father values you highly, it wouldn't be a good thing if you caused trouble in the inner quarters. As for Wanru, send her to me, and I will counsel her. Fourth Prince, do you know who really started this mess?"
The Fourth Prince remained silent, and the mother and son remained silent as well. Finally, Consort De spoke up: "Whoever could come up with such a plan must wield considerable power in your household. The likes of Song and Geng could not do this. That Wu woman has also faded into obscurity these past few years. The newcomers are even less likely to succeed. So it can only be those three. Fourth Prince, a three-way balance of power is the most stable."
The Fourth Prince's heart skipped a beat, and he stammered, "Your subject is investigating. I understand what Mother said, but I cannot be a fool. I must find out the truth."
Consort De nodded and said, "The Fujin is shrewd and calculating, and Lady Nian is arrogant and domineering. As for Lady Niohuru, I have always liked her. However, I do not want you to favor only her, otherwise, your household will be in turmoil. Now, Wanru's matter is the best proof."
"Yes, son will remember Mother's teachings," said the Fourth Prince.
“Go ahead. You should know what to do. Wanru can be sent here to recuperate for a while. She is, after all, my own niece and my family. How could I not feel sorry for her? But I feel even more sorry for you,” said Consort De.
After leaving Yonghe Palace, the Fourth Prince pondered Consort De's words all the way. It must be said that at this moment, Consort De's reminder as his mother was quite insightful.
"Your Highness, this servant greets you!" a young servant called out from a corner outside Yonghe Palace.
The Fourth Prince was slightly taken aback when he turned around and saw a young eunuch. He hadn't expected anyone to be waiting for him at this hour.
"You, where are you from?" Fourth Master thought the eunuch looked unfamiliar and he had never seen him before.
"Your Highness, I am a servant of Eunuch Liang. Eunuch Liang sent me to deliver a message to Your Highness, saying that the Emperor requests your immediate presence at the Qianqing Palace," the young eunuch said.
"Father Emperor summoned me?" the Fourth Prince asked.
The young eunuch nodded, and the Fourth Prince had no choice but to follow him to the Qianqing Palace. Kangxi's temper had been rather unpredictable lately; since returning from Rehe, he hadn't been in a good mood, but rather more suspicious than before. Rumors about the Crown Prince were circulating throughout the palace, but no one dared to tell Kangxi.
The Fourth Prince thought about the autumn imperial examination and prepared his explanation in mind so that he wouldn't be unable to answer when Emperor Kangxi asked.
Upon entering the Qianqing Palace, the Fourth Prince slowly walked into the inner room, where he saw Emperor Kangxi sitting reclining on a couch, having a palace maid massage his back.
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