"Your Highness, we've done everything we could. Let's hurry back to the palace. The way the Crown Prince looked just now was truly frightening!" the nanny said.
"Yes, I was afraid he would lose control, but I was certain he wouldn't dare kill me before he even ascended the throne," Consort Rong said. Thinking back to what had just happened, she felt a bit scared. If the Crown Prince hadn't been able to control himself, he might have killed her right then and there.
After Consort Rong left, the Crown Prince led the Imperial Guards to continue ramming the gate. Inside the Qianqing Palace, all the eunuchs, led by Chief Eunuch Huang, were armed and guarding the entrance. Every word of the conversation between Consort Rong and the Crown Prince outside the Qianqing Palace had been overheard by Chief Eunuch Huang.
At that moment, Eunuch Huang entered the side hall where Emperor Kangxi usually rested. He saw Kangxi sitting upright on the couch, holding an ancient book in his hand, reading it with a calm expression. It was as if the banging on the door outside didn't exist at all.
After hearing Consort Rong's story of stopping the Crown Prince, Eunuch Huang stood silently to the side, waiting for instructions.
"It's good that Consort Rong was able to stand up and reprimand the Crown Prince at this time," Kangxi said after listening, but his eyes did not leave the book.
"Your Majesty, the pounding outside hasn't stopped yet. It won't be long before the rope inside gives way." Eunuch Huang glanced at Kangxi and, seeing that he didn't speak, had no choice but to speak first.
"What time is it now?" Kangxi asked without any panic.
"It's almost noon." Eunuch Huang was unaware of Kangxi's arrangements, but seeing his calm and composed demeanor, he wasn't alarmed. After all, it was the Crown Prince who was forcing the abdication; it was a matter between father and son, and they, as servants, just needed to avoid stepping on any landmines.
Kangxi smiled and said, "Yes, they should all be here. Go open the door at the back."
The eunuch Huang immediately obeyed and left, leaving only Kangxi sitting upright on the couch. The book in his hand was a copy of "Zhu Xi's Family Instructions," which Kangxi would never have read before, but after reading it, he realized it was too late.
The pounding on the door grew louder and louder, like a mournful bell striking Kangxi's heart. He had imagined countless times how his sons would treat him when he faced his death, whether they would, like their ancestors, fight amongst themselves for the throne, bloodshed and fratricide. He didn't want to see any of this, so he had secretly drafted his will, sharing it only with a few trusted confidants. In the event of his death, he could produce the will and order his chosen successor to ascend the throne. Besides the will, he also left a long letter for the future emperor. In it, he urged the new emperor to treat his brothers well and continue to govern the empire well for him.
What Kangxi did not expect was that the Crown Prince would lead a coup today, even plotting beforehand, colluding with the Shi family to murder his father and seize the throne. This was truly heartbreaking and saddening for him. Although Kangxi did not show any emotional reaction, only he knew how heartbroken he was.
The sound of hurried footsteps came from outside. Kangxi, with his keen hearing, naturally knew that it was Eunuch Huang returning.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!" Eunuch Huang called out as he entered the room.
"Have you arrived?" Kangxi glanced at him a few times and asked.
"This servant led men to open the back door, and Lord Zhou Dun has already entered from the back with his soldiers," the eunuch Huang said, trembling with fear. He now understood that Kangxi was ready and was going all out against his son; it was clearly time to reveal the real deal.
"Tell them to stay put in the back. Have Zhou Dun bring in a hundred men and lie in ambush. We'll act according to the situation later," Kangxi said calmly.
Eunuch Huang hurriedly bowed his head and went out to make arrangements, while Kangxi, hearing the increasingly loud shouts, knew that the gates of the Qianqing Palace probably wouldn't hold out for much longer.
The door was finally forced open, and the eunuchs guarding inside scattered. They were utterly helpless against the imperial guards armed with swords.
The Crown Prince entered, surrounded by the Imperial Guards. Looking at the servants who were staring at him with terrified expressions, he straightened his robes slightly and said, "Father Emperor unfortunately fell from his horse at the Western Hills hunting grounds and has passed away. I have come today to take over the Imperial Seal. You all should leave immediately. After I ascend the throne, I will not hold you accountable for obstructing me today."
Upon hearing the Crown Prince's words, the eunuchs and palace maids exchanged bewildered glances, looking around in panic.
Seeing that they stood there without speaking or expressing their opinions, the Crown Prince stopped waiting for their reaction and led his men directly into the main hall of the Qianqing Palace.
"Your Highness, please wait!"
Eunuch Huang was ordered to come out and stop the Crown Prince from rushing into the main hall. When he saw the Crown Prince and his entourage heading in that direction, he immediately shouted.
The crown prince frowned as he watched Eunuch Huang emerge from the side hall, and said with a mocking smile, "Eunuch Huang, what brings you here?"
The eunuch Huang approached the Crown Prince, bowed, and said, "This servant is on orders to guard the palace. Your Highness has entered the palace without the Emperor's decree, which is an act of treason. This servant begs Your Highness to leave immediately and await the Emperor's judgment."
"You eunuch, didn't you hear what I just said! Father Emperor has passed away, who do you expect to judge me?" The Crown Prince stepped forward and kicked the eunuch Huang in the back of the knee.
The eunuch Huang was kicked to the ground by the crown prince, and then he swaggered into the main hall with his men. He walked behind the imperial desk that he had longed for and sat down.
"Search! Whoever finds the imperial seal will be rewarded with one hundred taels of gold!" The crown prince had already forgotten himself and was referring to himself as "I, the Emperor."
Fifty-odd imperial guards immediately began searching this most authoritative palace. They completely disregarded the fact that this was Kangxi's bedroom and began to rush into various side rooms, opening every drawer and cabinet to check.
The Crown Prince was also flipping through various memorials on Kangxi's desk, and neither of them noticed a figure in bright yellow robes approaching the door. The eunuch Huang had already gotten up from the ground and personally helped the figure to the entrance of the Qianqing Palace.
"What are you looking for? Why don't you tell me, and I will tell you!" Kangxi's expression was unusually calm. He spoke to the person sitting behind his desk in a tone as if he were talking to his young son.
The Crown Prince's body stiffened instantly, his blood rushing downwards as if flowing backwards. He felt a wave of dizziness and stared in disbelief at the familiar figure at the doorway. The other Imperial Guards, seeing Kangxi standing at the door, all stopped what they were doing, but none of them bowed to him; they all waited for the Crown Prince's next move.
Kangxi took in their expressions. The Crown Prince's face turned from white to pale, then to a deep liver color. He trembled as he said, "Father, you... what are you doing here?"
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