If his health weren't of utmost importance, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to think about these things, so—although it was a bit of a mood killer, Yinzhen said he could forgive it.
After the Golden Festival, preparations for the Emperor's birthday would begin immediately. Once everything was finished in November, Nian Gengyao and his family would be escorted to the capital and imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice.
While the court was discussing how to convict Nian Gengyao, the Imperial Clan Court took the lead in debating that Yinzhi was guilty of serious disrespect and should be stripped of his princely title and removed from his command post.
It was at this time that Hongshi suddenly requested an audience with Yinzhen, saying that he was truly uneasy about not being able to present the birthday gift he had prepared for Yinzhen, and only asked to see Yinzhen one more time to present the gift, so that he could fulfill the father-son bond in this life.
After careful consideration, Yinzhen refused. Hongshi was not disappointed. Instead, he pleaded many times, submitting heartfelt memorials in which he said he only wanted to see his father and mother one more time. His earnest words were touching.
Qian Shengyan had accidentally seen it once and couldn't help but sigh a few times, but Yinzhen only sneered and told her: "After Hongshi left the palace, he really did live in the Prince Lian's mansion. Now that Prince Lian is about to be stripped of his title, he wrote a letter to plead for it. Ha, if he really has such filial piety, why didn't he write the letter before my birthday?"
"Moreover, the way this line of writing is something Hongshi could never have written!" Yinzhen's eyes were full of disgust. "Pleading so desperately, without a shred of backbone, all for Yunsi... Ha, very well, very well indeed!"
Knowing so clearly, Qian Shengyan had nothing to say, only comforting him, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health. Why get angry with the child?"
“You’re right. If a child goes astray, it must be because someone is deliberately disciplining him.” As soon as Yinzhen’s vermilion pen fell, Prince Lian received another reprimanding decree. “Yinzhi’s princely title should have been stripped as requested by the Imperial Clan Court, but… Father’s death anniversary is approaching, so I will allow him to stay for another year.”
At such a sensitive time, the officials, seeing the Emperor's attitude again, all knew what to do about Prince Lian. They submitted memorials one after another, criticizing Yinzhi's mistakes. For a time, Yinzhi could only claim illness and ask for leave, and dared not even go to the court.
Since Hongshi never received permission to meet the emperor, he could only send his prepared congratulatory gift through someone else. It turned out to be a rugged stone with the character "寿" (longevity) on it. It was not particularly valuable, but it was still ingeniously crafted and unique.
Meanwhile, Yinzhen learned that Hongshi had moved out of the Prince Lian's mansion, apparently due to a falling out with some people in the mansion, and was living alone in a small rented courtyard, looking rather destitute.
Yinzhen secretly sent someone to investigate and learned that Hongshi now only has an old servant to take care of him, and he can't even eat properly every day. As for the longevity stone, it was bought by chance when Hongshi was still in the palace at the beginning of the year, and he had been waiting to use it to celebrate Hongshi's birthday.
Upon learning this news, Yinzhen could not sleep at night. He sat by the bed and repeatedly reviewed the memorials that Hongshi had submitted, sighing frequently.
Qian Shengyan watched coldly, knowing that he had softened his heart and would probably be able to see Hongshi one more time.
He forgave again and again, even when the man had become too close to his political enemies and had an affair with a concubine. Yinzhen was always able to soften his heart.
Qian Shengyan was truly puzzled. What exactly did Hongshi do in history that made Emperor Yongzheng decide to remove his yellow sash, remove him from the imperial genealogy, and completely expel him from the palace?
The court became increasingly stable, and the harem also calmed down. Apart from Lady Nian, who was constantly on edge, everyone else performed their duties and no one caused trouble.
With the anniversary of Emperor Kangxi's death approaching, and as it was the third anniversary of the grand memorial service, Yinzhen was going to Jingling in person. This was probably because he was thinking of his father, and also because he heard that Hongshi had fallen ill in the courtyard and was still calling out "Father" while having a high fever. He was deeply moved and ordered the imperial physician to treat Hongshi.
Three days later, Hongshi recovered somewhat and, with the help of his old servant, drove a drafty carriage. He staggered and knelt in the cold wind at the gate of the Yuanmingyuan Garden, begging to see Yinzhen.
While Yinzhen was still hesitating, another palace servant came to report that Consort Nian was dying and, before she passed away, only asked to see Consort Xi one last time.
She refused to see the Emperor or her son, but insisted on seeing Consort Xi. Everyone in the palace was curious, but Yinzhen and Qian Shengyan, who knew about Consort Nian's past, could pretty much guess what she meant.
Seeing that Yinzhen was about to agree to see Hongshi one more time, Qian Shengyan didn't want to see the loving father and son, and had no other choice at the moment, so she decided to go out for a trip.
As a person is about to die, listen to what she has to say.
Qian Shengyan then told Yinzhen and led her people to Ying Shui Lan Xiang.
Not far from where she walked, Qian Shengyan saw a group of people heading towards Jiuzhou Qingyan from the direction of the Lotus Pavilion. Presumably, it was Ulanara who had received news of Hongshi and rushed over to plead for him.
Excellent! Now Yinzhen has a way out to see his son.
Qian Shengyan was annoyed. Why was Hongshi like an unkillable cockroach? Putting aside the natural opposition between Hongshi and Hongli, even if Hongshi broke Hongshan's head for no reason, Qian Shengyan would never see him doing well.
Well, we'll deal with whatever comes our way. If Yinzhen really softens his heart, she'll think of another solution.
Upon arriving at Ying Shui Lan Xiang, Qian Shengyan felt that the place was not much different from before. Qian Shengyan did not stop walking. Now, those guarding Nian Shi were all Yinzhen's confidants, who kept a tight watch on Ying Shui Lan Xiang, not allowing anyone to enter or leave.
It was only because Lady Nian was truly about to die that someone helped her send a message to invite Qian Shengyan over.
She went straight in, making her way to the bedchamber. Looking at the woman on the bed, so thin she was practically skin and bones, she frowned slightly: "Nian Shi?"
"Heh, cough cough cough... Consort Xi..." Lady Nian opened her eyes, looked at this long-lost person, and tried to force a fake smile, but the jealousy in her eyes was hard to hide.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
