To alleviate the harm caused to him by the eldest and third princes, Emperor Kangxi did not have a heart-to-heart talk with the fourth prince directly. Instead, he had the fourth prince review memorials first and asked him to clean up the Qianqing Palace.
The Fourth Prince was immediately displeased when he discovered that Emperor Kangxi had actually sent him to do work in the Qing Palace. He was very busy; did they really think he had nothing to do? The Ministry of Revenue still had many matters to attend to!
"Father, what is the purpose of your summons? Please speak plainly! My time is very limited!" the Fourth Prince said.
"Fourth brother, there's always work to be done. You need to know how to balance work and rest! Be more lenient with your subordinates and don't push them too hard!"
Emperor Kangxi often heard others complain that the Fourth Prince acted as if he were risking his life when doing things. Those around him were constantly grumbling.
"Your subject understands!" the Fourth Prince replied. [He doesn't want to just sit idly in the Qianqing Palace; wouldn't it be better to go back to his residence and keep his wife company?]
"You are the most diligent of all my sons, and I am very pleased with you!"
"Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty. This is all I should do!"
"Fourth son, relax. Let's have a casual chat today! Smile more! Don't keep a long face to everyone!"
The Fourth Prince looked somewhat embarrassed, forcing a smile, "Your subject will do his best!"
Looking at the smiling Fourth Prince, Kangxi felt that some things really couldn't be forced. "Fourth Prince, what do you want to do in the future? Your grandfather asked me the same question back then!"
The Fourth Prince knelt on the ground. [Could it be that the eldest and third brothers were also asked the same question by Father Emperor? What exactly does Father Emperor want to do?]
Second Brother does so well, why does Father Emperor still find fault with him?
Isn't it a good thing for the Qing Dynasty if the crown prince's position is secure?
"Fourth Prince, you don't need to rush to answer me! Your current status is that of a half-legitimate son, and your abilities are also outstanding, no less than those of the Crown Prince."
Fourth Prince, you'd better think this through. I'm only giving you this one chance! Think carefully before you answer!
Yinzhen kowtowed to Kangxi, looked at him, and said slowly and deliberately, "Your subject only wishes to be a wise prince, just as your uncle assisted you back then!"
“Prince Xian? Do you know why Prince Yu said such things back then…” Kangxi said angrily.
The Fourth Prince's eyes lit up as he looked at Kangxi. [Is there something else going on here?]
Feeling a little guilty under the Fourth Prince's gaze, Kangxi quickly continued, "Fourth Prince, are you really not interested in the position of Crown Prince?"
Emperor Kangxi even wondered if the Crown Prince had bewitched these men, making them all seem unwilling to take his position. Or were all his sons simply abnormal?
"Father, Second Brother has done nothing wrong; he has always been dutiful and dutiful. Why do you have such thoughts?" The Fourth Prince began to speak up for the Crown Prince.
"All my skills were taught to me by my second brother. I admire my second brother and am willing to assist him in creating a prosperous Qing Dynasty."
"Father, if you make me the Crown Prince, will you make Mother the Empress?" The Fourth Prince knew that even if Emperor Kangxi favored the Tongjia clan, he would not allow the Tongjia clan to produce three empresses in a row.
Emperor Kangxi was speechless after being retorted by the Fourth Prince. He indeed would not make the Imperial Noble Consort the Empress. "Whether I make my cousin the Empress or not, it won't affect your status as Crown Prince!"
"Father, my talent is far inferior to that of my second brother! Moreover, my ambition lies elsewhere." The fourth prince looked at Kangxi with a determined expression.
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