Seeing several adults surrounding and questioning a child, the Thirteenth Prince angrily stepped forward, shielding Hongli behind him: "Hongli is just a child. You've gone too far. He doesn't know anything yet..."
Hongli looked at the Thirteenth Prince gratefully, but the Ninth Prince sneered and said, "Hongli may not know, but some people understand very well. I'm afraid someone has ulterior motives..."
Ninth Master's gaze drifted intentionally or unintentionally to Fourth Master, and everyone understood the implication. They whispered among themselves, waiting for Fourth Master to speak.
Fourth Master finally couldn't hold back any longer, his expression changed drastically, and he said, word by word, "Ninth Brother is truly adept at reading people's hearts and can even come up with his own explanation. However, I had no idea that Hongli was coming here. Whether you believe it or not, I know nothing..."
These words caused everyone to change color and begin to murmur amongst themselves. Ninth Master's face tightened, and without even glancing at Fourth Master, he retorted stiffly, "Fourth Brother is joking. I'm not the only one here. No one would believe that Hongli came without a reason..."
The princes and ministers below looked at Hongli with suspicion, whispering among themselves. Hongli's face turned red with anxiety, and he wanted to explain himself. Thirteen secretly tugged at Hongli, shaking his head to signal him not to get involved, while he himself stepped forward: "Does Ninth Brother mean that everyone here today has ulterior motives? Hongli and we are just different in that we arrived earlier or later. Ninth Brother, who rushed here so early, must have the most ulterior motives..."
Thirteen has always been outspoken, and his words only fueled the debate. When Ninth Master glared at Thirteen as if to argue, Liang Jiugong stepped forward with a stoop. Everyone fell silent and turned to look at Liang Jiugong.
"The Emperor has awakened. He summons Fourth Prince and Fourth Prince to come in..." Liang Jiugong walked directly to Fourth Prince, bowing his head as he relayed the message. Although his voice was soft, everyone heard it. Eighth Prince's expression changed drastically. He remained silent for a long time, then asked Liang Jiugong in disbelief, "The Emperor only wants Fourth Brother and Hongli to come in? He didn't summon anyone else?"
The Third Prince and the Ninth Prince also expressed their dissatisfaction, complaining, "Yes, we were all worried when Father Emperor woke up. We wanted to go see why only Fourth Brother and Hongli went in."
Helpless, Liang Jiugong bowed with both hands and said, "In response to the princes, His Majesty did indeed only summon the Fourth Prince and the Fourth Prince. The others should wait patiently outside..." After saying that, he led the Fourth Prince and Hongli to prepare to go in.
Ninth Master, his anger rising, wanted to follow, but Eighth Master stopped him. Ninth Master pointed at Fourth Master and Hongli's backs, speechless. Eighth Master closed his eyes and shook his head, remaining silent. Ninth Master glanced at Tenth Master, then glared angrily at Thirteenth Master a few more times, and finally kept quiet.
Hongli followed Liang Jiugong into the inner room, where he saw Kangxi lying weakly on the couch, his face pale and his breathing shallow. Hongli's heart ached. He rushed to Kangxi's bedside, knelt down, and carefully took Kangxi's hand, choking back tears, "Grandpa, what's wrong? Get up quickly, your grandson still wants to read to you, play chess with you, and make you laugh..." The Fourth Prince knelt down, gently patted Hongli, and said to Kangxi with red eyes, "Father, you'll get better..." He then looked down at Hongli and smiled, saying, "Silly child, your grandpa will get better soon, don't cry..."
Kangxi struggled to raise his hand and touch Hongli's forehead, forcing a smile: "Good child, good child..."
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