As expected, Consort De took the eunuchs named by A Bao to the Censorate. Before any action was taken, they all began to confess. As the saying goes, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. Now that the deposed crown prince had been "deposed" by Kangxi, they naturally had fewer scruples.
Consort De quickly gathered all the evidence of the deposed crown prince's crimes, which were intolerable to Emperor Kangxi, and everyone's testimony was meticulously recorded. A silent investigation and screening process was launched throughout the palace. Everyone serving the crown prince lived in fear, lest Consort De take a liking to them and send them to the Censorate, where they would never return.
Consort De had blocked all avenues for the deposed Crown Prince, leaving him no chance to recover and no reason for Emperor Kangxi to pardon him. When all the evidence and testimonies were presented to Kangxi, he silently reviewed them, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He himself had publicly stated in the edict deposing the Crown Prince that the prince lacked brotherly love, yet now he had extended his reach to his grandson. This was something Kangxi could no longer tolerate.
"You unfilial son!" Kangxi sighed deeply and lay down on the couch.
"Your Majesty, Lady Li was killed by the deposed Crown Prince and his wife. It was probably because she learned about Hongjun's affairs that she argued with the Crown Prince, which led to his killing her in a moment of agitation," Consort De said cautiously.
"You beast! You're utterly depraved, not even sparing your own son." Kangxi had long been disappointed in the Crown Prince and had even severed all ties with him as father and son. Now, seeing his exceptionally cruel actions, he was even more unwilling to mention the son again.
"Your Majesty, please calm down! The deposed Crown Prince's behavior is immoral and irrational. Your Majesty need not worry about it any longer," said Consort De.
"Liang Jiugong, draft the decree! Send the deposed Crown Prince to the Imperial Clan Court for custody, and send the deposed Crown Princess there as well. Arrange for the heirs and female relatives. All palace servants who held positions in Minqing Palace will be transferred back to the Imperial Household Department and reassigned." Kangxi said as he spoke.
Liang Jiugong had already instructed the eunuch holding the writing knife to write down Kangxi's decree, and everyone else dared not utter a sound, silently bowing their heads.
Within an hour of Emperor Kangxi issuing this edict, the deposed Crown Prince Yinreng was taken away by the Imperial Clan Court, along with his wife. All of the Crown Prince's female relatives and children were moved to another palace, and the Crown Prince's palace was sealed off. From that moment on, the palace where the first and last Crown Prince of the Qing Dynasty lived was closed, and no one ever entered it again.
Upon hearing of Kangxi's decision regarding the Crown Prince, princes and nobles throughout the court naturally experienced a range of emotions. However, this was quickly followed by speculation about the new Crown Prince.
Recently, the Fourteenth Prince has been frequently accompanying Emperor Kangxi. He is also the youngest son of Consort De and is greatly favored by both Emperor Kangxi and Consort De. As a result, rumors have spread that the Fourteenth Prince will be the new crown prince.
As for Prince Yi, he had long since given up his ambition to vie for the throne, but his advisors and wife were far more eager than he was. No one could fathom the Fourth Prince's thoughts; instead of seeking favors with Emperor Kangxi, he spent this time taking Lanqin and some children to the Yuanmingyuan for a short stay. Lady Nian, being under house arrest, did not go with him. Those who went included Lady Song, Lady Wu, Lady Fucha, and the pregnant Lady Liu. Lady Geng declined to go herself, refusing to accompany him. She did this to avoid running into Hongli and Hongzhou.
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