Algishan sighed, "This matter involves the Empress Dowager. If we don't handle it properly, we could all lose our heads."
Upon hearing about losing his head, Suo'etu sighed again, "Losing my head is unlikely, but the emperor's wrath can cause the deaths of millions. Now that both the emperor and the empress dowager are ill, it would be best to investigate this matter as soon as possible. In short, no matter what, we must not involve our people."
Algishan nodded. "Tomorrow, my son will speak with Longqing and tell him to pay close attention to what's happening in the palace."
After chatting about matters of state for a while, the father and son began to talk about Ruizhu.
"That child seems to be doing well with the princess."
Speaking of Ruizhu, Algishan nodded with a smile, "She's not bad, it's just that her mother is stingy."
Soetu glanced at his son. "Pass down the message: Ruizhu is here to be the princess's playmate. Just grow up well and don't even think about causing trouble for Yuqing Palace. If I find out anyone dares to do anything behind Ruizhu's back, hmph!"
Algishan immediately agreed, "My son will definitely pass on the instructions."
Inside Yuqing Palace, Ruizhu was embroidering with Wenxi, but she looked restless.
"What's wrong? Is something on your mind?" Wenxi had already noticed that Ruizhu was acting strangely.
Ruizhu simply put down her needlework and sighed, saying, "Now everyone in the palace is in danger, yet the murderer has not been caught. If this matter is not stopped soon, I'm afraid there will be rivers of blood."
Ruizhu was a descendant of a high-ranking official in the court, and he was well aware of the potential consequences of the emperor's anger.
Moreover, this matter has fallen on Suo'etu's shoulders; if he doesn't handle it well, his whole family will likely suffer.
Even if they are not executed along with their entire family, they will still suffer serious damage.
However, Wenxi grew up in the palace and didn't really understand the consequences of the Crown Prince's anger.
On the contrary, in her heart, Emperor Kangxi and Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang were both very kind and gentle old people, the closest and dearest old people to her.
"The Hesheli family is handling this matter; even if we in the palace wanted to worry about it, we are powerless to do anything about it."
Seeing this, Ruizhu said nothing more. After all, their statuses were different. Even though her status was noble enough among all the noble ladies, she was still a servant in front of Wenxi.
Outside, Yinreng held Hongxi for a moment before quietly leaving.
He had originally intended to tell the two children to pay close attention to the rumors circulating in the palace school, but their conversation just now made him abandon that idea.
Well then, I'll give Hongyu more instructions.
[The Empress Dowager had only been ill for a few days, yet even lowly officials were unaware of it. Where did those rumors come from?]
Yinreng paused in his steps.
[Could it be that someone in the palace is leaking information to the outside world? If so, what is their purpose?]
[They say the Qing Dynasty perished with Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's death? I think this sounds like the White Lotus Rebellion. Are there still remnants left to be eliminated?]
Yinreng carried Hongxi to the Qianqing Palace immediately. At this time, Emperor Kangxi was about to rest when he saw Yinreng rushing in, which really startled the old man.
"Why did you come here so late?"
Liang Jiugong immediately ordered someone to add a basin of charcoal fire and bring two bowls of ginger soup, fearing that his two masters might get cold.
"Father, I suddenly thought of something."
Yinreng handed the somewhat drowsy Hongxi to Liang Jiugong before saying, "How did news of Ukuma's illness spread so quickly outside the palace? What is the reason behind those rumors that the Qing Dynasty is doomed?"
Kangxi understood the problem in an instant. He didn't care what time it was and immediately summoned Wei Zhu. "Send an edict to Consort Yi, instructing her to thoroughly investigate the palace tonight. Remember, do not overlook any place. You must find out who is the one who has such a foul mouth for me."
He then immediately ordered Faka to enter the palace overnight and conduct a thorough investigation outside the palace regarding the remnants of the White Lotus Sect.
Since this matter mentions the impending demise of the Qing Dynasty, it must be related to the anti-Qing and restoration of the Ming Dynasty.
After a series of orders were given, the palace was brightly lit all night, and everyone, whether master or servant, was in a state of fear.
Hongxi, however, slept soundly, completely unaware that his few words had caused an uproar both inside and outside the palace.
The next morning, after Hongxi woke up, he saw Wei Zhu waiting beside him. Upon seeing him wake up, Wei Zhu immediately smiled and said, "This servant greets the young prince. His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince are handling state affairs. This servant will help the young prince wash up and change his clothes."
He said this, but Zhang Quan and Xiuhe stayed by his side serving him the whole time.
After breakfast, when the Crown Prince still hadn't arrived, Hongxi pouted. Xiuhe immediately said, "The palace was brightly lit last night, as if they were investigating something. Your Highness and the Crown Princess are both busy. Let me accompany you for a stroll outside."
But then she thought it might be a bit chilly in the early morning, so she awkwardly said, "Let's play with our toys inside for a while, and then we'll go out around noon."
“Okay,” Hongxi replied obediently.
[They must have been investigating the mole last night. Hopefully, they can find out soon.]
Yinreng, who was outside discussing matters with Kangxi, knew that his beloved son had woken up when he heard this. He left several ministers and a bewildered Kangxi behind and got up to walk towards the inner palace. Soon after, he carried Hongxi, who was wearing a pink brocade robe, out.
Soetu was overjoyed to see Hongxi, his face beaming with joy, as if he were seeing his own child.
"Young Prince Hongxi is really robust."
Although Mingzhu disdained Suo'etu's flattery, she was also extremely fond of Hongxi.
"Young Prince Hongxi has a robust and chubby face; he's sure to be a smart boy in the future."
[It's quite impressive that you two went to such lengths to praise me.]
Yinreng almost burst out laughing. "Did Hongxi sleep well last night?"
Hongxi smiled and nodded, "Okay."
Yinreng continued, "You slept well, but Grandfather, Father, and many others in the palace did not."
Hongxi tilted her head, feigning ignorance, and asked, "Why?"
"Consort Yi launched a surprise investigation into the palace, initially thinking that a palace servant had betrayed information about the palace, which caused the rumors to spread throughout the capital, but unexpectedly found nothing."
The ministers present were somewhat puzzled as to why His Highness the Crown Prince was speaking so meticulously to a mere child, but since even Emperor Kangxi didn't say anything, they could only listen attentively.
[The person who would know information about the Empress Dowager's palace must be from Cining Palace. It seems that Consort Yi searched every corner of the harem, but not Cining Palace.]
Yinreng's eyes lit up.
Yes, who would dare to easily touch the Cining Palace?
Even the Shou Kang Palace, where the Empress Dowager resides, would not be searched.
"Father, did Consort Yi search Cining Palace and Shou Kang Palace?"
As soon as Yinreng finished speaking, Kangxi was taken aback, then looked at Liang Jiugong, who immediately understood, "This servant will go to Yikun Palace to deliver the decree."
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