When Kangxi came out of the Empress Dowager's palace, he was very happy! The two of them hadn't had such a peaceful chat in a long time!
However, he did not let his guard down. Even though he trusted the Empress Dowager, Harigana's situation was different from others. He had witnessed too many intrigues among the women of the harem, and now his beloved was pregnant with twins, so he could not afford to be careless.
He would rather admit his thoughts were filthy than gamble with Harigana's life!
Back at the Qianqing Palace, Kangxi summoned Yinreng to the Imperial Study through Li Dequan. He had been preoccupied with the Harigana affair and had somewhat neglected his son. Moreover, his beloved concubine would soon give birth to twins, and he didn't want Yinreng to develop any undesirable thoughts about it!
"Your subject greets Your Majesty!"
Yinreng had been observing Kangxi these past few days. Every winter, he would receive many gifts from his father, who would also inquire about his health every few days. He had thought Kangxi would forget about him this year, but unexpectedly, Li Dequan summoned him today!
"Come here, let your father take a look! Your father has been quite busy lately and hasn't had time to check your studies. Is your child keeping up? Is there anything they don't understand?"
Emperor Kangxi beckoned Yinreng over.
Having not received any attention for a long time, Yinreng suddenly felt a little embarrassed, but he still went to Kangxi's side.
"Thank you for your concern, Father. I can keep up, so please don't worry!"
Kangxi nodded in satisfaction, looking at his son who was already half his height, and who he had raised himself, and felt a sense of pride.
Yinreng also saw the pride in Kangxi's eyes, and his initial sadness due to some gossip instantly vanished.
"Baocheng! You are the Emperor's son, the Crown Prince of the Great Qing Dynasty. You must believe in the Emperor's trust and high regard for you!"
Kangxi recalled the message his secret guards had given him some time ago. Although he was somewhat displeased, it wasn't the right time to take action against them. The Hesheli clan was different from the Tongjia clan; he needed to proceed with caution.
Fortunately, Yinreng has been behaving quite well lately, so he wanted to offer some guidance. If Yinreng could understand the reasoning behind it, all the better; if not, then his efforts wouldn't have been in vain!
He ascended the throne at the age of eight, and apart from his grandmother, no one was able to help him.
He has personally guided Yinreng for so many years. No matter what the future holds, if Yinreng cannot distinguish between insiders and outsiders, and cannot properly distinguish between close and distant relatives, then he will no longer entrust him with important responsibilities!
"Father! Your son knows, your son will certainly not let you down!"
Yinreng looked at the solemn Kangxi and felt for some reason that he had been summoned here today not only to inquire about his studies, but also because there were other things to do.
"Yinreng, has anything happened lately? Tell your father! Or has anyone said anything unpleasant to you, hmm?"
Upon hearing Kangxi's question, Yinreng's expression changed slightly. However, remembering that those people were his maternal grandfather and wet nurse, he quickly shook his head.
As long as he doesn't say anything, Father Emperor probably won't know!
"Really not?" Kangxi was somewhat disappointed. This was his son, and he hadn't expected that even though he had already given him a hint, he would still hide something from him.
"Yinreng, although your father is the emperor, he is also your father. You must tell your father anything!" Kangxi paused, then continued, "In a while, your mother will give birth to a prince or a princess. What are your thoughts on this? Has anyone mentioned these things to you?"
Kangxi's words were quite straightforward; he wanted to give Yinreng a chance.
But Yinreng truly didn't understand his meaning and immediately shook his head: "Father, no one has said these things. I am the Crown Prince, who would speak ill of me like that! Besides, the children born to the Noble Consort are also my younger brothers and sisters, and I will definitely take good care of them!"
Kangxi's eyes flickered. Although he was satisfied with Yinreng's promise to take good care of him and Harigana, he was still very disappointed!
He was even relieved!
If it weren't for Harigana's safety, he wouldn't have sent all his secret guards to investigate what was happening inside the palace; in fact, he might have simply ignored some of the things.
In his previous mindset, anything that did not endanger the country and its people could be overlooked.
But now he realizes that his idea was completely wrong!
As the crown prince, Yinreng clearly has many ideas in his mind, yet he doesn't share them with him, instead consulting with Empress Heseri. If this continues, won't the future crown prince become Empress Heseri's puppet?
He had asked Yinreng repeatedly, but Yinreng remained tight-lipped, perhaps because in his heart, Empress Hesheli was more important than him, the Emperor.
Thinking about it this way, Kangxi's heart sank!
“Baocheng! You must know that you are a descendant of the Aisin Gioro clan. This Qing dynasty can only be protected by the Aisin Gioro clan! No matter how close the relationship, an outsider is still an outsider. Do you understand what your father is saying?”
Yinreng nodded, feeling a vague unease, but looking into Kangxi's eyes, he swallowed back the words that were about to come out.
"Father, I understand! I will live up to your trust and protect the Qing Dynasty. I will not let you down!"
He felt that what was said was correct, but Kangxi, being petty, became angry! Not to mention that he was only in his twenties, Yinreng was only a few years old. If he wanted to protect the Qing Dynasty, he would have to wait until he was at least twenty years old.
"Baocheng, are you ready to take over Father Emperor's position and be a good emperor?"
Kangxi did not look at Yinreng. He knew that Yinreng's eyes were sharp, especially in this situation, his eyes would have an imposing presence without anger.
"Father, rest assured, Baocheng is ready!"
Listening to his words, Kangxi did not say much, but continued to care about his food, clothing and daily necessities, and even asked Li Dequan to give him the fox fur he had obtained in Khorchin to make a shawl.
Li Dequan didn't know what the two of them talked about, but he had a feeling that something big was about to happen!
Harigana had a few peaceful days. She didn't want to go out, but now that it was getting colder, even though she wasn't afraid of the cold, she didn't want to wear three layers of clothes every time she went out. It was just too much trouble!
But the good days didn't last long before someone started causing trouble!
"Your Majesty, there are several Mongolian concubines outside requesting an audience!"
Little Li really didn't want to come in and report, but this wasn't something he could decide; he couldn't make decisions for his master.
Harigana frowned slightly. Coming to see her at this time must not be good news!
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