After returning, Kangxi immediately made arrangements for Yinreng.
He was granted the title of Prince Li and then imprisoned in a villa in Xiaotangshan, the closest villa to the imperial palace. The villa was beautifully built and, more importantly, very large, much more comfortable than the Yuqing Palace.
Upon hearing the news, the eldest prince was so enraged that he smashed a tea set.
Why?!
Kangxi's leniency towards Yinreng was a complete rejection of the eldest prince's years of diligent efforts to undermine the crown prince.
Blinded by rage, after listening to some of his advisors' comments, he went directly to the Qianqing Palace and made outrageous remarks in front of Emperor Kangxi.
The eldest prince was also stubborn and said directly to Emperor Kangxi: "Father, what merit or ability does the deposed crown prince have to be granted the title of prince? Your subject is not convinced and hopes that Father will severely punish the deposed crown prince."
Emperor Kangxi was furious upon hearing this. He was already heartbroken that his beloved second son was ruined, and the eldest prince's outburst reminded him of his earlier suggestion to imprison Yinreng in the Bee-Raising Alley.
Then he thought that the reason why his Baocheng was dismissed was largely due to the eldest brother's efforts.
For various reasons, Kangxi vented his anger on the eldest prince: "You disloyal, unfilial, and rebellious fool, get back here! Guards, strip the prince of his title and rank, demote him to the bald prince, and confine him to his residence. He shall not leave without being summoned!"
The eldest prince was stunned. He never expected that he would receive such a severe punishment when he only asked Emperor Kangxi to severely punish the deposed crown prince.
Imprisonment, stripping of titles and ranks.
Disloyal and unfilial, disobedient to one's ruler and father.
These words completely eliminated his chances of succeeding to the throne. He had no ability to rebel, even though he already had supporters in the previous dynasty, because military power was always in Kangxi's hands.
First Prince: "Father, you can't do this to me..."
Kangxi was no longer willing to listen to what he had to say: "Liang Jiugong, get in here now and take the eldest prince out of here."
Liang Jiugong entered cautiously, and then had the eldest prince escorted away from the Qianqing Palace.
The news spread quickly, and Emperor Kangxi had intended it to be so. When Anning found out, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Although she could guess that Kangxi would not tolerate the eldest prince, she did not expect it to be done in such a way. It was somewhat absurd and made the eldest prince seem very brainless.
But that's exactly what happened.
With the Crown Prince deposed, the fate of the First Prince, who served as the Crown Prince's whetstone, was predictable. Even if the First Prince were politically capable enough to be the heir, his very nature dictated that his power would be destroyed the moment the Crown Prince was deposed.
He, being in the thick of it, couldn't see it clearly, but Mingzhu could, yet he ran away beforehand.
Emperor Kangxi used the eldest prince as a whetstone for the crown prince to balance the court. In this game, it can be said that there were no real winners among the forces involved.
Emperor Kangxi, who was in charge of the game, lost to the crown prince he had carefully groomed. Both the crown prince and the eldest prince suffered heavy losses.
The next issue that Kangxi needed to consider was the successor.
Yinyi: "Mother, it's my eighth brother's turn to shine next!"
An Ning was quite impressed with Yin Yi's ability to see things clearly. She understood these things because she knew history, and her knowledge might be ahead of its time.
Yin Yi is so young, yet he can see so much; he is truly a promising talent.
Of course, this is inseparable from her subtle influence on him over the years. She used her advanced thinking to influence Yin Yi, so Yin Yi naturally saw things more deeply.
Anning: "Do you think your myna bird can succeed?"
Yin Yi thought for a moment and shook his head: "I think it's unlikely!"
Anning asked him, "Why?"
Yinyi: "It seems that Eighth Brother has misunderstood something. The imperial power of the Qing Dynasty can only be granted by Father Emperor. It can only be given by Father Emperor on his own initiative. But Eighth Brother wants to take it from Father Emperor through the hands of the court officials. Father Emperor will not allow it."
Imperial power cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of outsiders, and even the merit of following the emperor must have its limits. The Eighth Prince dragged most of the court into this mess, which was destined to lead to his downfall.
Yin Yi had a good relationship with Yin Tang. Due to An Ning's connections with the Ulanara clan and Yin Yi's subconscious ambition, he paid close attention to his brothers.
In addition, he was meticulous and good at analysis, and he quickly guessed the Eighth Prince's "power".
In Yin Yi's view, the process may be grand and impressive, but the result will only be a bluff.
Those who seek refuge without merit are merely opportunists.
How could Kangxi possibly choose a puppet ruler put forward by speculators!
It can be said that the Eighth Prince was completely wrong from the very beginning, but he didn't understand this principle, and no one who knew the truth could tell him.
An Ning nodded: "Yes, the Emperor will not allow it. The Emperor will only choose the most useful successor for the Qing Dynasty at the right time. Your father is not a foolish person."
Yin Yi lowered his head, a sudden surge of ambition rising within him.
Why can't it be him?
Previously, he would also vie for Kangxi's favor, mostly in order to be granted a princeship and a good position in the future.
He understood that he was too young and did not have the innate conditions to seize the throne, but in doing so, he also learned a great deal.
Thirteen years old is not young. Emperor Kangxi ascended the throne at the age of eight and eventually held great power.
If the father can do it, there's no reason why the son can't.
However, such things need to be done gradually.
Yinyi: "Mother, do you think your son could be that person?"
An Ning feigned surprise: "What did you say?"
Yinyi repeated himself, very solemnly: "I ask you, can I be Father Emperor's heir?"
An Ning's face was full of surprise, but of course, it was all an act.
Anning: "Why would you think that?"
Yinyi: "I am the Emperor's son, why can't I think like this, Mother? I want to fight for it, otherwise I will not be satisfied."
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