When Kangxi returned to the Qianqing Palace, he couldn't help but sigh to Liang Jiugong, "Consort Shu has such a loving mother's heart! If Consort Hui had taught the eldest son in this way, how could the Crown Prince and the eldest son have become such bitter enemies, fighting to the death?"
Yes, Kangxi had realized that the relationship between the Crown Prince and the First Prince had become a matter of life or death.
He could no longer deceive himself.
Liang Jiugong listened without saying a word, as it was not something he could comment on.
Moreover, the various conflicts between the Crown Prince and the First Prince were actually orchestrated by Emperor Kangxi. Consort Hui may have said things she shouldn't have to the First Prince, but no matter how ambitious the First Prince was, if Emperor Kangxi didn't give him any hope, how could he have the power to oppose the Crown Prince?
It's not entirely fair to blame Consort Hui.
In the end, Liang Jiugong could only comfort them by saying, "The Crown Prince and the First Prince are still young. Your Majesty can teach them some more."
Emperor Kangxi sighed. How could he possibly teach this person?
Despite his good health, Emperor Kangxi was annoyed by the struggle between the Crown Prince and the First Prince. However, seeing the First Prince's growing power, Kangxi had no choice but to escalate the conflict by supporting the Crown Prince.
Thus, under Kangxi's intentional or unintentional encouragement, both the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince stood behind the Crown Prince.
On the side of the First Prince, the Eighth Prince, as the adopted son of Consort Hui, was a natural member of the First Prince's faction. The Eighth Prince also won over the Ninth Prince, who was like a brother to the Tenth Prince. The Tenth Prince listened to the Ninth Prince's every word, and they formed a powerful force.
Two factions, involving seven princes, fought fiercely in the court.
Even in the inner palace, An Ning could feel the impending storm brewing in the imperial court.
In his later years, when factional strife had taken hold and many in the court began to seek credit for their support of the emperor, the collapse of the bureaucracy began.
An Ning didn't know if Kangxi had seen through this situation, or if he had, but it was too late to stop it.
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