After Consort Liang's conferment of her title caused a stir in the palace, a rumor soon began to circulate that the Fourth Prince was overstepping the Crown Prince's authority and had the potential to replace him.
On this day, Granny De, who was in Consort De's palace, was guarding the entrance to Shenwu Gate. As soon as she saw the Fourth Prince's carriage, she immediately went to greet it.
"This old servant greets the Fourth Prince!" Granny De carefully went up to him. The coachman had just pulled the horse's head when she came up.
When the curtains were drawn back, Su Peisheng's face was revealed. He recognized her as Granny De from Yonghe Palace and immediately told the Fourth Prince in the carriage that she was from Yonghe Palace.
The Fourth Prince, who was sitting in the carriage resting behind closed doors, opened his eyes and got out of the carriage with the help of Su Peisheng. He saw that the old nanny De, who was next to Consort De, was standing respectfully by the carriage.
"Granny De, is something wrong with Mother?" Fourth Prince asked instinctively.
"Reporting to Fourth Prince, Consort De has ordered this old servant to wait here for you. She wants you to go to Yonghe Palace to see her as soon as you enter the palace," said Granny De.
The Fourth Prince glanced at the horizon; it wasn't yet time for the morning court session. However, if he went to Yonghe Palace with Granny De now, he might be late for the morning court session.
"I wonder what brings you here, Mother? Perhaps I should go after I finish the morning court session?" The Fourth Prince, acting as regent for the Crown Prince, had never been late or left early.
"Reporting to Fourth Prince, Consort De has instructed that you should go to see her immediately upon entering the palace. Her Highness has something very important to discuss with you," said Granny De.
Seeing that Granny De looked very serious, the Fourth Prince asked, "Granny, do you know what's wrong with Mother?"
Granny De sighed inwardly and simply shook her head.
After thinking for a while, the Fourth Prince went to Yonghe Palace with Granny De.
Inside Yonghe Palace.
Consort De had already gotten up early. When she was still serving Emperor Kangxi, she developed the habit of getting up at the same time as him for the morning court session, and she did so for many years without ever being negligent.
The Fourth Prince followed Granny De into the main hall, where Consort De sat regally on the throne, her expression aloof. Palace servants throughout the hall stood silently in dimly lit corners, like statues. Only the maids outside, responsible for sweeping and watering, were working, their voices rustling softly.
"Your son greets Mother!" Upon seeing this, Fourth Master stepped forward and bowed.
"Dehui, serve some breakfast to the Fourth Prince. He must be hungry after the journey," said Consort De.
"Thank you for your concern, Mother. Have you had breakfast yet?" Fourth Master asked respectfully.
"Your mother doesn't need it. I called you here because there's something I need to tell you," Consort De said, looking at the Fourth Prince with a complicated expression.
The Fourth Prince sat to the side, remaining silent and waiting for Consort De to continue.
"I recently heard a rumor that is circulating throughout the palace. Are you aware of it?" Consort De asked the Fourth Prince.
"Your subject does not know. Please tell me, Mother." The Fourth Prince's heart sank, and he said in a low voice.
"I heard that the Fourth Prince intends to replace the Crown Prince, and now the Crown Prince is by the Emperor's side and not returning. The Fourth Prince is in charge of the government," Consort De said, looking at the Fourth Prince.
The Fourth Prince was not particularly alarmed. He was just staring blankly at the string of bodhi beads in Consort De's hand, seemingly not even hearing what Consort De was saying.
Seeing that the Fourth Prince did not defend himself and even seemed to tacitly agree, Consort De became anxious and said, "Fourth Prince, do you really have such thoughts?"
The Fourth Prince glanced abruptly at Consort De, then looked away from the Bodhi seed and said, “Mother, what are you saying? I am acting as regent by imperial decree. Some people couldn’t stand it and deliberately spread these rumors, which is tantamount to disobeying the imperial decree. But haven’t I been following Father’s orders? They dare to speak nonsense, which means they disregard Father’s orders. Mother, you must severely punish the palace servants who spread these rumors to uphold the palace rules.”
Consort De, slightly displeased by the Fourth Prince's words, said, "Fourth Prince, do you mean someone is deliberately spreading such rumors?"
The Fourth Prince was increasingly displeased. His own mother didn't even trust him. She had summoned him early in the morning to question whether he had such thoughts. It was truly pathetic and regrettable.
"Of course, and their intentions are extremely malicious. The palace servants who spread such rumors are incredibly audacious. The Crown Prince was personally appointed by Father Emperor and is currently serving him. Yet someone in the palace dares to spread such disrespectful rumors about Father Emperor and the Crown Prince. Your Majesty, I believe that Mother, as one of the four consorts, has the responsibility to uphold the strict rules and regulations of the palace. Once Father Emperor returns to court and inquires about this matter, Mother should have a response." The Fourth Prince said matter-of-factly.
Seeing that the mother and son were about to reach another stalemate, Granny De suddenly thought that if Lanqin were here, things might not be like this.
"I understand. I've already sent people to investigate the source of this rumor," Consort De said. In truth, upon hearing this rumor, she knew that if Emperor Kangxi found out, he would certainly suspect the Fourth Prince and herself. As a woman who had been with Kangxi for over thirty years, Consort De knew where Kangxi's sore spot lay. That was regarding the Crown Prince; no one had the right to interfere.
"Mother, please rest for a while. Your son still has to attend the morning court." The Fourth Prince stood up and suddenly added, "We might as well investigate Yikun Palace and Jingyang Palace. I think they are involved in this matter."
After the Fourth Prince left, Granny De stepped forward and advised, "Your Highness is clearly concerned about the Fourth Prince, why don't you soften your tone a bit?"
Consort De sighed and said, "I don't know why, but every time I see his overly calm face, I can't help myself."
Granny De also sighed and immediately ordered someone to prepare breakfast for Consort De.
"Dehui, go and inform my people to thoroughly investigate where this rumor came from. I will not tolerate it. This rumor is truly malicious; it's clearly an attempt to sow discord between the Emperor and the Fourth Prince," said Consort De.
"Yes, this servant will go and give the order right away." Dehui took a few steps back, turned around and left the main hall.
Inside Yikun Palace.
Consort Yi was sitting at a round table carved with auspicious clouds, on which were laid more than a dozen small dishes. She was holding a jade-colored Ru kiln soup bowl and stirring the porridge in it.
“Your Highness, the rumors you asked me to spread have already spread throughout the palace, and Yonghe Palace probably knows about them,” said a middle-aged palace maid named Cuiwei.
"It was bound to happen sooner or later. Have you dealt with the source of the rumors?" Consort Yi's delicate face showed a slight hint of weariness.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I found a few eunuchs who had committed offenses and were conscripted into the Imperial Guard, and had them spread the word. One of them fell into the latrine and drowned yesterday, and the other has already left the palace. There's no way to find out anything about it," Cuiwei said.
“As long as someone lets those civil officials know about such rumors, they will naturally reach the Emperor’s ears. We don’t need to say anything more,” Consort Yi said.
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