Since the Fourteenth Prince failed to seize the throne from the Emperor at the end of the Kangxi era, he has been idle in the capital. His sudden request to serve today is truly unexpected.
Yongzheng gazed intently at his half-brother.
My fourteenth brother is brave and skilled, but lacks strategy, and we have a long-standing feud. If I were to send him to Tibet…
"This matter is of great importance. Come to the Hall of Mental Cultivation after court, and I will discuss it with you in detail," Yongzheng said finally, his tone leaving no room for argument.
A hint of disappointment flashed in the Fourteenth Prince's eyes, but he still respectfully replied, "Yes, sir."
The morning court session finally ended, and Yongzheng almost couldn't wait to get up and leave his seat.
As soon as he stepped out of the main hall, he asked Su Peisheng, who was following closely behind, "Has Yun'er returned?"
Su Peisheng jogged a couple of steps to catch up: "Your Majesty, the Empress has not yet returned to the palace."
Yongzheng paused, his brows furrowing even more deeply.
According to the plan, Yun'er should have returned before noon, but it was now almost late afternoon, and there was still no news. His unease grew stronger.
"Immediately dispatch a team of imperial guards to provide cover along the route," Yongzheng said in a low, cold voice. "If they encounter any obstruction, kill them without mercy. Report back immediately with any news!"
Su Peisheng's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't seen the Emperor so murderous in a long time.
"This servant will take care of it immediately." He hurriedly withdrew, silently praying in his heart: Your Majesty, please don't let anything happen to you!
The Fourteenth Prince, standing to the side, witnessed everything and was speechless with astonishment.
Is this his cold and aloof fourth brother?
He had never seen his fourth brother so anxious about any woman before. What was so special about that Consort Yun?
"Fourth Brother seems to care a lot about Fourth Sister-in-law?" Fourteenth Master asked tentatively.
Only then did Yongzheng notice that his younger brother was still beside him, and his expression softened slightly: "She is simple-minded, and this is her first time leaving the palace alone, so I can't help but worry."
The Fourteenth Prince nodded thoughtfully. When did his ruthless and merciless fourth brother, whom he remembered as someone who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, become so humane?
The two entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation one after the other. Yongzheng ordered tea to be served, but he stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the direction of the palace gate.
"Fourteenth Brother, how confident are you about the matter of Tibet?" Yongzheng suddenly spoke, his voice regaining its imperial majesty.
The Fourteenth Prince immediately rose and bowed, saying solemnly, "Although I have not led troops for many years, I have been well-versed in military strategy since childhood and have also studied the terrain of Tibet. Although the Dzungar tribe is fierce, it lacks unified command. If we can achieve a swift victory, we will surely be able to pacify it."
Yongzheng turned around, his sharp gaze fixed on the Fourteenth Prince: "What I'm worried about isn't the Dzungars, but you."
The Fourteenth Prince was taken aback, then understood, and said with a wry smile, "Fourth Brother, are you afraid that I'll become too powerful and harbor rebellious intentions?"
"I have only been on the throne for four years. You and the Eighth Prince still have a chance." Yongzheng's tone was calm, but every word was like a knife.
The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly became tense.
The Fourteenth Prince's expression changed slightly, and he immediately knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, I was young and impetuous in the past, and did not understand the bigger picture. Now, with the affairs of the state of mind paramount, how dare I have any disloyal thoughts? If Fourth Brother is not at ease, you may send a trusted confidant to supervise the army."
After a long silence, Yongzheng finally reached out and helped the Fourteenth Prince to his feet: "Get up. I can send you, but on two conditions: first, you must bring Fu Ning'an as your deputy general; second, you must not have any further contact with the Eighth Prince's family."
A look of delight flashed in the Fourteenth Prince's eyes: "Your subject obeys the decree!"
Fourth Brother has indeed changed... He would never have agreed so readily in the past. I myself wouldn't have dared to agree so easily either. Could it be that becoming emperor has broadened his mind?
Just then, Su Peisheng rushed into the hall, his face grave: "Your Majesty, the guards report that signs of a struggle were found on the official road leading to Yunxiang Villa, and...and bloodstains."
Yongzheng's face turned deathly pale, and the teacup in his hand shattered on the ground with a crash. He grabbed Su Peisheng by the collar: "Where's Yun'er? Have you found her?"
"Not yet... The guards are expanding the search area..."
"Prepare the horses! I will go myself!" Yongzheng shouted, turning to rush out.
The Fourteenth Prince, quick as a flash, stopped him: "Fourth Brother! You are the ruler of the country, how can you leave the palace so easily? Let me lead the troops!"
Yongzheng abruptly shook off the Fourteenth Prince's hand, his eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and fear: "Get out of the way!"
Just as tensions were rising, a commotion suddenly arose outside the palace. Then, a familiar voice rang out: "Your Majesty, I have returned."
Yongzheng was startled and turned to look. He saw Lin Yun standing at the palace gate, her hair slightly disheveled and her clothes covered in dust, but her eyes were still as bright as stars.
"Yun'er!" Yongzheng rushed forward, pulling her into a tight embrace that almost made her gasp for breath. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Lin Yun felt a sharp pain from his embrace, but she also felt a warm current flowing through her entire body.
She said softly, "I'm fine. I just encountered an assassin, but thanks to the guards arranged by His Majesty, I was able to escape danger."
Yongzheng then released her, carefully examined her from head to toe, and breathed a sigh of relief after confirming she was truly unharmed. His expression immediately darkened again: "Where is the assassin?"
"They've been apprehended and handed over to the Ministry of Justice for interrogation," Lin Yun said, taking the token from her bosom. "Thanks to the Emperor's token, they dared not neglect their duties."
The Fourteenth Prince watched in stunned silence.
Is this man, who is holding Consort Yun tightly in his arms and whose face is full of worry, really his cold-blooded and ruthless fourth brother?
Yongzheng seemed to only then remember that the Fourteenth Prince was still present. He coughed lightly and resumed his imperial demeanor: "Fourteenth Brother, the matter of Tibet is settled. Go back and prepare; depart in three days."
The Fourteenth Prince understood and bowed to take his leave. Before leaving, he couldn't help but glance at Consort Yun one more time. This woman who could make the iron-fisted emperor care so much was indeed extraordinary.
His Aisin Gioro family was full of romantics. He then smiled and walked out of the main hall.
After the Fourteenth Prince left, Yongzheng immediately pulled Lin Yun to sit down and personally poured her a cup of hot tea: "Tell me in detail, what exactly happened?"
Lin Yun, holding her teacup, recounted the assassination attempt at the villa. She wasn't sure who had sent them; she would wait for the Emperor to investigate.
"Who else could it be? None other than the Nian family," he said coldly. "It seems I've been too lenient with them."
However, Nian Gengyao has already been placed under house arrest in his residence. How did they find out about Yun'er's whereabouts? It seems the Forbidden City needs to be thoroughly investigated.
Lin Yun grasped his hand: "Your Majesty, there's no need to be angry. I'm perfectly fine, aren't I?"
Yongzheng grasped her small hand in return, his voice low and deep: "If anything happens to you, I..." The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back.
Lin Yun's heart warmed, and she whispered, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will always stay by your side."
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