No one knows what Kangxi said to the Fourth Prince, but he looked unwell when he left.
Afterwards, Kangxi summoned Yinyi and spoke to him, but no one knows what he said. When Yinyi came out, he did not look well.
Then, Yinyi went to Anning's place.
“Mother, the person who poisoned you was Consort De. Father said that he should not pursue the matter for the sake of Fourth Brother and Fourteenth Brother. Consort De will never have a chance to get out for the rest of her life. I am not reconciled.”
Anning and Yinyi had a very good relationship. Since Consort De had done this, Yinyi believed that she should bear the consequences. However, Kangxi did not allow him to do anything to Consort De, which infuriated him.
Rationally, Yinyi could understand Kangxi's loving fatherly heart towards his two sons, especially since the Fourteenth Prince was still fighting a war and Consort De was in trouble, and the west might not be stable. However, it is impossible for a person to be rational in everything.
Anning coughed lightly: "If I do as your father says, I don't feel wronged. Consort De is proud and arrogant. To restrict her freedom and use her life to restrain the Fourteenth Prince is more satisfying than killing her. Killing someone is just a matter of beheading them. If you want to feel satisfied, you have to strike at someone's weak spot."
Killing Consort De would be satisfying in the short term, but sparing her life would maximize our interests.
"Your son has learned his lesson! But Mother, since Consort De dared to do this, she should be taught a lesson."
“This time, Mother is here because Mother is ill, not dead. Consort De has been living a life of luxury all these years and has probably forgotten the hard times she endured in Chengqian Palace. Mother will make her remember.”
"Just tell your mother to do it. Don't let Consort De make you work yourself out."
“You’re very thoughtful. Don’t just worry about your mother. When your father came to visit you recently, I noticed that he’s getting old and is often unwell. As the crown prince, you should carefully consider what you should do. I won’t interfere.”
Yin Yi was taken aback. He had been busy caring for An Ning lately and hadn't really paid much attention to Kangxi.
“Mother is right. I will go to the Qianqing Palace as soon as I get back.”
Anning then said meaningfully, "Your father loved the deposed Crown Prince Yinreng the most in his life. He was proud of raising so many outstanding princes and hoped that his sons would be able to be brothers and get along well."
Upon hearing this, Yin Yi seemed to be deep in thought.
An Ning watched Yin Yi's departing figure. She had already given him all the necessary advice, and at this crucial moment, she couldn't allow any mistakes to happen.
Kangxi felt increasingly unwell and lacked energy when dealing with memorials. On one occasion, he even fell into a deep sleep, which terrified Liang Jiugong.
Despite the generous reward offered, the Imperial Medical Academy could not find a cure for Anning. Indeed, there was no poisoning at all; it was just a change in her pulse. How could there be a cure?
As for why Kangxi was unwell, it's a case of the devil being in the details, because he was indeed poisoned by a secret medicine that Anning had specially prepared for him.
Considering that Kangxi had treated her well over the years, Anning naturally wouldn't let Yinyi bear the difficult situation of his mother killing his father. The secret medicine wasn't particularly poisonous; it would only make people feel weak.
Of course, if a retired old man with declining energy doesn't live long, then it's no wonder he dies peacefully; it's considered a natural death.
Anning had kept him healthy and free from illness for so many years, and had also raised an excellent successor for him. The struggle for the throne among the nine princes had not escalated to an irreversible point. She felt that Kangxi should be very grateful to her.
In the sixty-first year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Yin Yi frequently visited the Qianqing Palace, and the handwriting on the memorials changed from Kangxi's to Yin Yi's.
Kangxi finally "yielded," realizing that he could no longer steer a dynasty. Yinyi did a good job; although some of his ideas did not align with his benevolent rule, he knew that Yinyi's actions were for the good of the Qing Dynasty.
Furthermore, since Yin Yi heavily relied on his brothers and also employed Yin Reng's son, Kangxi, no matter how unwilling he was, decided to let go.
That spring, Emperor Kangxi issued an edict to make Anning Empress, and then abdicated, with Crown Prince Yinyi succeeding to the throne.
After a familiar series of three resignations, Yin Yi gradually ascended to the highest position.
Emperor Kangxi moved directly to Changchun Garden and moved his harem there as well. Fortunately, Changchun Garden was large enough to be more comfortable than the palace.
Yin Yi established the reign title Qiyuan, thus officially beginning his life as emperor.
Emperor Kangxi may have truly come to his senses, cultivating his character and occasionally listening to important court affairs, but resolutely refraining from influencing Yin Yi's decisions.
After becoming emperor, Yin Yi took significant actions, particularly in cracking down on corrupt officials. However, the major corruption among these officials was likely related to Emperor Kangxi. To ensure Kangxi could enjoy his later years in peace, Yin Yi's first priority was to reorganize the Eight Banners.
When Anning left, she didn't tell Yinyi what he absolutely had to do. She just gave him some Western books to read, and after he finished reading them, Yinyi remained silent.
He was well-trained and had a long-term vision. He immediately saw the key point. He couldn't help but feel confused. What should he do? If he opened the door, would he become a sinner of the Aisin Gioro family?
However, if he didn't open it, Yinyi could foresee that in the future, the Aisin Gioro regime would inevitably suffer a terrible fate.
"Mother, please teach your son."
"Your mother will only say one thing to you: top-down reforms and bottom-up revolutions—how you do it and what choices you make, your mother will support you."
Yin Yi remained silent for a while before replying, "I understand, Mother. Take care of yourself at Changchun Garden. I will finish what I need to do and then go to pay my respects to you."
Anning was not particularly power-hungry, so Yinyi began to implement sweeping reforms in the court. Whenever he encountered a difficult situation, Anning would arrange for someone to create some merit for him.
For example, cowpox.
When the emperor implemented policies, his court officials disagreed. At this time, the smallpox problem that had plagued the Manchus for many years was solved. Who could say that the emperor's decision was wrong?
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