Fourth Master's eyes were full of satisfaction. He helped Seventeenth Master up, pointed at Thirteenth Master, and said with a smile, "Seventeenth Master is much more polite than you. Unlike you, who is used to being casual..."
The Thirteenth Prince couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Your Majesty, you praised the Seventeenth Brother while criticizing me in the process. I'm truly innocent..."
Thirteenth shrugged helplessly and looked at Seventeenth, saying, "Seventeenth, you're in luck. The Emperor is going to assign you a very important task."
Seeing the two chatting and laughing, the Seventeenth Prince felt much more relaxed; the tense atmosphere from before had instantly dissipated. The Seventeenth Prince scratched his head sheepishly, "Your humble servant is foolish, I am just..."
Thirteen interrupted Seventeen, saying, "Don't be afraid of difficulties. It's everyone's first time. Nobody has any experience!"
Although the Fourth Prince did not say it explicitly, his eyes already tacitly approved of the Thirteenth Prince's words. He smiled and said to the Seventeenth Prince, "Seventeenth Brother, I need your help. Stay by my side and get some experience. You will surely be able to shoulder great responsibilities."
The Seventeenth Prince paused for a moment, then realized that the Fourth Prince was neither joking nor testing him. He took a deep breath and replied firmly, "As long as Your Majesty is willing to trust me, I will do my utmost to help you!"
"Good!" The Fourth Prince was very satisfied and praised loudly. He took a few steps forward, looked at the scenery outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, took a deep breath, and said solemnly, "You should already know that the Fourteenth Prince is currently stationed with a large army two hundred miles from the capital, with his driver waiting. At present, a large number of officials are flocking to the capital to offer condolences, and the defense of the capital is imminent. The Imperial Guards and the Imperial Bodyguards are without command, and I am truly worried..."
Seventeen immediately understood what Fourth Master meant and hesitated before glancing at Thirteen.
The Thirteenth Prince nodded to encourage the Seventeenth Prince, who then walked behind the Fourth Prince, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to do my utmost to assist you!"
The Fourth Prince turned around excitedly and happily put his arms around the Seventeenth Prince's shoulders: "I've been waiting for you to say that. I'm going to appoint you as the Zuo Ling of the Imperial Guard, to jointly command the Imperial Guard and the Forbidden Guard in the capital with the Thirteenth Prince."
Seventeen raised his head, meeting the Fourth Prince's expectant and trusting gaze. He had hesitated about his ability to handle the task, but at that moment he answered firmly, "Yes! Your subject obeys..."
"Good! You truly live up to the bloodline of the Aisin Gioro clan..." The Fourth Prince's eyes gleamed, and he said gently, "With you and the Thirteenth Prince guarding the capital, I can rest assured..."
Thirteen smiled contentedly, pleased that he had facilitated the good thing.
Seventeenth Prince never imagined that Fourth Prince would trust him so much and give him such an important position. He secretly vowed in his heart that he would not let Fourth Prince down and silently remembered what Fourth Prince had entrusted to him.
When the Seventeenth Prince left the palace, his mood was completely different from when he entered. He seemed to feel happy but also deeply heavy. When he walked outside the city gate, he looked back at the high city wall, took a deep breath, made up his mind, turned around, and slowly left with firm steps.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the three brothers who had just been enjoying themselves were now reduced to just the Fourth Prince. Looking at the mountain of memorials piled on his desk, the Fourth Prince's brows furrowed deeply.
"Su Peisheng, go and summon Minister Sun of the Ministry of Rites to see me!" The Fourth Prince instructed, as if he had just thought of something.
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, Sun Jiacheng, the Minister of Rites, rushed to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. He was extremely busy arranging Kangxi's funeral and the enthronement ceremony of the Fourth Prince, each of which was of utmost importance and could not afford to go wrong.
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