The next day, Baoyue and her two servants, along with the child, disappeared. The room they had stayed in remained exactly as it had been when they left. The innkeeper had already told the manager what had happened the night before. They were used to the danger and intrigue in this kind of place, so they quietly tidied up the room and acted as if nothing had happened.
On the Tenth Prince's side, Shuhui and the child were still asleep, but he had only slept for most of the night. He had witnessed everything that happened last night. From the moment Prince Zhi knocked on the door, to the moment Prince Zhi came out with Baoyue in his arms, to the moment they disappeared into the night, everything was seen by the Tenth Prince.
"You all pack your things and get your luggage ready. Once Madam wakes up, we'll hurry back to the capital. Master has important business to attend to," the Tenth Prince said softly to his servants.
In the capital city, the first rays of morning sunlight shone on the bluestone pavement. A spacious carriage was moving swiftly along it. Two riders, one in front and one behind, stood solemnly and sternly; they were likely guards. Besides the coachman, two servants, resembling eunuchs, sat on the carriage shafts.
"Eighth Brother, I've contacted all those people, and they've agreed to jointly petition Father Emperor, recommending you as Crown Prince." Ninth Prince and Eighth Prince were riding together in a carriage. Last night, Ninth Prince didn't return to his own residence again, but naturally stayed at Eighth Prince's residence.
At this moment, the Eighth Prince was dressed in a moon-white court robe, with a soaring four-clawed dragon embroidered on his belt, clearly from the most famous embroidery workshop in the capital. Two jade pendants hung from his waist: one was made of green jade, depicting a lion holding a pearl; the other was a white Hetian jade pendant with a circular dragon design. He was dozing, his eyes half-closed, with a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth.
“Besides them, we also need to find a few high-ranking officials in Beijing, preferably first or second-rank officials, to support us,” said the Eighth Master.
“Then I’ll have Mother talk to my uncles, and I can also contact Eighth Sister-in-law’s side. And my father-in-law too. Eighth Prince, don’t worry, this time, we’ll work together to put you on the throne.” Ninth Prince’s face was flushed, a flush of excitement.
"It's not that easy. There's still Prince Zhi, the third prince, and the fourth prince," the Eighth Prince said, opening his eyes.
“Prince Zhi is just a military man; Father Emperor probably didn’t even think much of him. Otherwise, why would he send him back to the Northern Desert at this moment? Third Prince is a literary master, but he can only dabble in literature; he can’t compare to you, Eighth Brother, when it comes to politics. The only real threat is Fourth Prince, that cold-faced devil,” Ninth Prince said.
"Yes, he's a cold-faced devil. Someone in the palace saw him visit that person in the palace." A glint of light flashed in Eighth Master's eyes as he spoke.
"Really? Father Emperor gave an order that no one was allowed to visit the deposed Crown Prince. How could he openly defy Father Emperor's decree?" Ninth Prince said in surprise.
“How could such a place escape the Emperor’s eyes and ears? The Emperor must know that he went in, but he didn’t hold him accountable for it. It’s clear that he doesn’t want to pursue the matter,” said the Eighth Prince.
"If the fourth prince becomes the crown prince, I will be the most dissatisfied!" Ninth Master said angrily.
"But he was raised under Empress Tong's care and also had a time with the Emperor. I'm afraid some people might think he's the only legitimate son of the Emperor after the Crown Prince." A shadow crossed the Eighth Prince's eyes. This was the only area where he felt he was inferior to the Fourth Prince.
"Pah! What kind of legitimate prince is he? His birth mother is clearly Consort De!" Ninth Prince cursed.
“Alright, after court today, you and I will split up to contact those people. Fourth Brother seems very quiet; he's been acting quite differently lately,” said Eighth Master.
When it was time for the morning court session, Emperor Kangxi sat high on the dragon throne in the Golden Palace, with the princes and ministers lined up in two rows on each side.
After the reports on state affairs had been completed, someone stepped forward to petition Emperor Kangxi to reinstate the crown prince. The country could not be without an heir for even a day; otherwise, there would always be people plotting in secret, and the country would be unstable.
Kangxi simply watched indifferently as his ministers began to discuss among themselves, insisting that he immediately appoint a crown prince.
After the court session, the Fourth Prince was about to go and talk to the Seventh Prince when he was stopped by a "Fourth Prince" behind him.
"So it's my uncle!" Fourth Master turned around and saw that it was Longkodo, Empress Tong's cousin.
"Fourth Prince, do you have time today? Why don't you come to my residence for a drink?" Longkodo said with a smile. "Now that the Crown Prince has been deposed, many people are restless. Do you think the Fourth Prince has no thoughts of his own?"
The Fourth Prince naturally had his own thoughts, but Lanqin had warned him not to attend gatherings or give speeches at this time, as it would be easy for Kangxi to find fault with him, and then he would never have a chance to turn things around.
"Unfortunately, I have some matters to attend to at the manor today. Let's postpone it to another day," the Fourth Prince politely declined.
Longkodo was startled when he heard the Fourth Prince say this, but he still said, "Fourth Prince, I really think that my deceased sister truly loved you. Now that such a great opportunity is before you, it is truly heartbreaking for your uncle to see you fail to seize it."
Seeing that he spoke so bluntly, Fourth Master said unhappily, "I don't understand what you're saying, Uncle. I'll take my leave now, and we'll meet again next time."
After saying that, the Fourth Prince lifted his foot and walked forward, leaving Longkodo, who was looking on in astonishment, standing there awkwardly watching his back gradually disappear into the distance.
What's going on? The Fourth Prince shouldn't be so indifferent to that position, should he? Longkodo thought to himself. He had originally planned to invite the Fourth Prince to his residence for drinks, hoping to build a relationship and then plot about the Crown Prince's succession. But the Fourth Prince was dead and unwilling to discuss anything with him. Originally, when Empress Tongjia raised the Fourth Prince, she intended to raise him as a legitimate son, so the rules and regulations for his upbringing were similar to those for legitimate sons, with strict requirements. Unfortunately, Empress Tongjia fell ill and died after only a few years, leaving only the Fourth Prince. Otherwise, he would be the one truly qualified to contend for the Crown Prince's position.
"Hehe, Lord Tong, you've been offered a warm welcome but received a cold shoulder?" came the voice of Shen Mutang, the Left Censor of the Censorate, from behind Longkodo.
Longkodo, seeing that it was him, naturally dared not offend him and quickly chuckled and said, "What are you saying, Inspector Shi? It's just that the Fourth Prince is too busy. I only wish to invite him to my residence for a visit."
Lord Shen stroked his beard and said, "Lord Long knows exactly what it is, so there's no need to waste words with me here."
Longkodo raised his hand and said to Lord Shen, "I'll take my leave now." With that, he lifted the hem of his robe and walked out.
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