The Fourteenth Prince began to distinguish himself in the imperial court.
In just three years, Yinzhen rose from Dorobele to Doroxun Prince, and there was even a hint that he would become a Heshuo Prince. As a result, Consort Chen in the harem was also reinstated as Consort De.
In March of the forty-ninth year, Yin Chu's wife, Lady Ulanara, gave birth to another son safely.
In February of the forty-ninth year of the reign of Emperor Yinshi, his wife, Lady Irgen Gioro, also gave birth to his eldest son.
She gave birth to her second son in November of the fiftieth year, and now in August of the fiftieth year, she is pregnant with her second child.
When Yiergenjueluo was pregnant, she was either not pregnant at all, or when she was pregnant, she would have a child almost every year.
After giving birth to four daughters, the wife of the eleventh prince, Yinzhi, finally gave birth to Yinzhi's eldest son in April of the forty-ninth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.
This day
Consort Que looked at Xu Lejin with a solemn expression and said softly, "Your Majesty, the Fourteenth Prince's popularity in the court in recent years is almost catching up with that of the Second Prince and the Fifth Prince, and he is not far from becoming our Crown Prince."
"What should we do if this continues?"
Nodding slightly, Xu Lejin spoke calmly, "Yinchu is the Crown Prince personally appointed by the Emperor. He enjoys the Emperor's trust and reliance, and has been personally trained and instructed by the Emperor since childhood. Fourteenth Prince..."
"Even though the Fourteenth Prince is now showing promise in the court, he can't surpass Yin Chu."
With a soft sigh, Xu Lejin murmured slowly.
"The Emperor knows what's right about matters of state. As concubines in the harem, wouldn't it be better for us to enjoy our grandchildren, admire flowers, listen to music, and live out our remaining years in the palace?"
Consort Que paused for a moment, then nodded with a smile.
A moment later, Xu Lejin added, "The fifteenth prince, born to Consort Mi, married his wife last year. His wife is my niece from my maternal family."
"Next month, the Sixteenth Prince will also be getting married."
Consort Que picked up the conversation, pondered for a moment, and said, "Yes, time flies. In the blink of an eye, the Fifteenth Prince and the Sixteenth Prince have reached the age to marry their wives. The Seventeenth Prince and the Eighteenth Prince are also getting on in years. Next year, they will hold a selection of wives."
"Your Majesty, I remember that the Sixteenth Princess Consort, of the Niohuru clan, is the legitimate daughter of Duke Cheng'en, Aling'a, and also Your Majesty's great-granddaughter."
Xu Lejin nodded and said softly, "Yes, Your Majesty's grace is immense. Two years ago, during the imperial concubine selection, the wife of the Fifteenth Prince was chosen to be the second daughter of my sixth brother, who was born out of wedlock. The wife of the Sixteenth Prince was chosen to be Niohuru, the granddaughter of my cousin and Yingchun, who served by my side back then."
“My cousin was ordered to marry Aling’a back then. She has only given birth to one daughter and no sons over the years. Now she can be said to have finally gotten over her hardships.”
Consort Que nodded slightly.
mid-October
The sixteenth prince, Yinli, married Niohuru, the daughter of Aling'a, as his primary consort.
Meanwhile, because the Fourteenth Prince had achieved political success in court, Consort De, due to her son's status, was promoted to Imperial Concubine De, while the Fourteenth Prince, due to Kangxi's deliberate suppression, remained a Prince of the Second Rank.
On this day, Consort Que and Consort Ning gathered at Yikun Palace.
Consort Ning spoke in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, now that the Fourteenth Prince is Prince Xun and Consort De has been reinstated as a Consort, the Prince Yin Tang, whom I raised with Consort Xin, has suffered quite a bit at the hands of Prince Xun..."
Xu Lejin was stunned for a moment, then looked at Consort Ning with a puzzled expression.
Clearing her throat, Consort Ning said, "Your Majesty, you may not know this, but Yinzhen's shops, thinking that people would have spare money as the year draws to a close, stocked up on extra goods. And then…"
"As a result, the goods that Yinzhen's men had brought in were seized by Prince Xun and his men as soon as they arrived at the dock. Yinzhen went to Prince Xun's residence to ask him to return the goods, but Prince Xun said that Yinzhen's business dealings were competing with the people for profit."
After a pause, Consort Ning continued, "Yin Tang has been so worried about those goods these past few days that his hair has turned white. He can't eat or sleep well. When Yin Tang came to the palace yesterday, Consort Xin and I felt extremely distressed."
Xu Lejin nodded upon hearing this, her brows furrowing deeply.
Previous Dynasty
In court, the Fourteenth Prince impeached the Sixth Prince, Yin Tang, for engaging in business, which he claimed was competing with the people for profit.
Kangxi sat upright on the dragon throne, silently gazing at the Fourteenth Prince, while Yinchu, Yinti, and Yinsi stared at him as if he were a monster.
The court officials all lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound.
Yin Chu, Yin Ti, and Yin Si, as well as the court officials, all knew that the Sixth Prince Yin Tang's business dealings were permitted by the Emperor and Empress.
Furthermore, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue were the most aware of how much tax silver Yin Tang had contributed to the national treasury over the years.
The Fourteenth Prince impeached the Sixth Prince for engaging in business, arguing that it was competing with the people for profit. Wasn't this like pulling the tiger's tail?
The court officials looked at the Fourteenth Prince with pity, thinking that he had shown promise in recent years, possessing a keen judgment of the political situation, but now…
Some officials who were previously wavering have now become more determined.
After the court session, the Fourteenth Prince was summoned to the Qianqing Palace for a private talk. The gates of the Qianqing Palace were tightly closed, and Liang Jiugong, Li Dequan, and others personally guarded the gates.
One hour, two hours, three hours
When it was completely dark, the Fourteenth Prince left the Qianqing Palace without saying a word, his face cold and aloof as he returned to the Xun Prince's Mansion.
In the Xun Prince's residence, the Fourteenth Prince locked himself in his room and thought for a whole day and night.
November 13
The atmosphere in the imperial court was heavy.
Of the twenty-three princes under Emperor Kangxi, all except for the seventeenth and eighteenth princes who were still young and unmarried, stood in the court. Among them were Prince Cheng, Yin Zhi, who was always devoted to poetry and books; Prince Jia, Yin Tang, who was obsessed with business; Prince Chun, Yin Yu, who was used to being lazy; and Prince Yi, Yin Zi.
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