"Why are you being sent to see the Eighth Prince when he is ill?" Qian Shengyan immediately recalled that this had indeed happened in history, and that it had almost caused a rift between Emperor Kangxi and his son Yinzhen.
Yinzhen frowned and said, "Your Highness and the Eighth Prince have never gotten along, as Father Emperor knows. This question... is rather strange."
Qian Shengyan felt the same way. Yinzhen had always been "genuine" in front of Kangxi. When the Crown Prince was deposed, Yinzhen dared to plead for him against all odds. When the thirteenth prince was imprisoned, Yinzhen secretly helped him for many years. Don't say that Kangxi didn't know. What in the capital could be kept from him?
However, Yinzhen and the Eighth Prince Yinsi never had any contact.
Qian Shengyan recalled historical records, and it seemed that without her farming incident, Yinzhen had also gone to Rehe. On the way back, Kangxi asked her about it, and his serious nature made him take it to heart. He even sent someone to check on and care for the Eighth Prince. But what happened? Kangxi thought she was too close to the Eighth Prince, saying, "Judging from this concern, it seems like she is protecting Yinsi."
Later, after some self-justification and with the help of the ministers, Yinzhen sought medical treatment from various sources. He then admitted his mistake to Emperor Kangxi, saying, "On the way, I asked my father if he had sent someone to see the Eighth Prince. When the person sent to see him returned saying that the prince was seriously ill, I requested permission to see him. I was unaware of the severity of the situation and it was indeed a mistake, for which I am deeply guilty. Moreover, I am completely ignorant of medicine. Now that Yinsi has been sent home, I have nothing to do."
It took a long explanation to put Kangxi at ease, and he was finally relieved.
Qian Shengyan felt that this Lao Kang really had some problems.
You asked your eldest son to look after your younger son, and he did it properly. But you still suspect, "Hey, you two brothers are so close, are you planning to gang up on me?" And then you get angry.
The eldest son is so wronged!
In order to prevent Yinzhen from being taken advantage of, Qian Shengyan decided to get involved. She grabbed Yinzhen's arm and shook it, saying, "It's not really necessary to know what illness the Eighth Prince has. It's not good to just hire any doctor. We should ask Your Majesty to bestow an imperial physician."
“Of course, but…” Yinzhen hesitated, and Qian Shengyan said helplessly, “Your Highness, please inform the Emperor first, and then we can discuss other matters?”
Yinzhen verbally agreed, but later consulted with his trusted advisors and ultimately did not visit Yinsi. He only sent Zhang Bao with others to investigate the specific illness.
Soon, Emperor Kangxi issued an edict ordering Yinzhen, along with several ministers and the imperial physician, to visit Yinsi.
Upon receiving this decree, Qian Shengyan breathed a sigh of relief, but the other half of her breath was worried that Yinzhen might act impulsively and become too enthusiastic towards Yinsi.
She gave various hints, which made Yinzhen both amused and exasperated: "I know, I understand. I still remember what you said to the Fourteenth Prince in the past... The Eighth Prince is not someone to be too close to. Even if I go, I will only go with the other officials, is that alright?"
"It's good that you remember, Master." Qian Shengyan sighed.
"You're such a busybody." Yinzhen affectionately pinched Qian Shengyan's nose, then finished tidying up and went out.
Qian Shengyan forgot about his retreating figure and sighed softly after a moment.
Well, when emotions are running high, even discipline is good. In the future, when we think back on these things, perhaps it will all be her fault.
Forget it, let's talk about the future later...
Qian Shengyan sighed, her hand unconsciously resting on her chest. Even if she remained a spectator in this world, how could she truly stand idly by and remain unmoved while spending every day and night with a man?
"Master, the Princess is here." Qingxue smiled and lifted the curtain to walk in, but suddenly paused, "Master..."
"It's nothing." Qian Shengyan wiped her eyes and forced a smile. "It's nothing. Go and get some peach blossom pastries for Fuerguochun. She likes them. She's going to eat up the last of the peach blossoms we saved this year."
Qingxue responded cautiously, then went out to give instructions to someone else. A moment later, she returned.
Standing behind Qian Shengyan, Qingxue handed her a peach blossom pastry: "What's wrong, Master?"
"It's really nothing, it's just that..." Qian Shengyan pursed her lips, "I feel like I'm being ridiculous."
Qingxue asked, puzzled, "Why do you say that, Master?"
"I've interfered too much in the Prince's affairs." Qian Shengyan slumped onto the small couch, smiled, but tears fell again.
That year, Yinzhen either stayed in his study late at night or slept at her place, treating all the women in the back courtyard as mere decorations. Qian Shengyan wasn't truly heartless; how could she not sense it?
Moreover, the two became increasingly intimate. After becoming a concubine and receiving praise from Emperor Kangxi, Qian Shengyan gradually came into contact with outside affairs and became more aware of the current situation. She couldn't help but want to help Yinzhen avoid some detours.
She thought that since Yinzhen already had a high chance of seizing the throne, and with the help of potatoes and sweet potatoes, it would be outrageous if he didn't succeed to the throne.
But she also knew that she shouldn't interfere.
Qian Shengyan sighed again. She leaned against the small table, her brows furrowed as if she were both crying and laughing, unsure of what she was feeling inside.
“The prince is close to the master, and the prince is willing to listen to some of the things the master says. This is a good thing.” Qingxue was puzzled.
But Qian Shengyan knew that she was saddened by her own feelings of attraction...
That's not right, that's the emperor! Even if he can enjoy exclusive favor for a time, can he enjoy it forever?
Before ascending the throne, he had no time, no energy, and no effort. But after ascending the throne? Once he became emperor, even if he didn't want to, the empress dowager, his ministers, and the circumstances would force him to hold a selection of concubines and bring in new women. How could he not favor them?
Qian Shengyan sighed, then turned to look at Qingxue: "Qingxue, have you ever thought about getting married?"
"No." Qingxue said without hesitation, then smiled shyly, "To be honest, I'm not afraid of being laughed at by you, but before I entered the palace, I did like someone. We agreed that he would wait for me until I turned twenty-five, and then we would get married after I left the palace."
"And then?" Qian Shengyan became interested.
“Then, in the fourth year after I entered the palace, he became a father.” Qingxue said with a smile, “At that time, I was only eighteen years old, and there were still seven years before I was released from the palace, but he had already had his children.”
Qian Shengyan fell silent for a moment, unsure how to offer advice. Qingxue continued, "Later, after seeing more in the palace, I understood. What kind of love and affection can last? Even I, who thought how wonderful someone was, gradually forgot what he looked like as time went on. How could I possibly like him then?"
Qian Shengyan was taken aback and subconsciously turned to look at Qingxue: "What?"
"Look at me, I'm just talking nonsense." Qingxue suddenly realized her mistake and quickly slapped her own mouth. "My mistress and the prince will definitely be together forever."
Qian Shengyan, however, changed her previous shoving and instead her eyes grew brighter and brighter, and after a moment she suddenly laughed.
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