Yinzhen sighed and began by recounting the story of the thirteenth prince's apology that afternoon.
“He’s forty years old, and he came in crying…” Yinzhen said helplessly. “After all, he is his eldest son, yet he was led astray to do such a thing.” As he spoke, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for himself, and sighed, “He is truly in the same boat as me.”
Qian Shengyan: ...
It turned out that it was Hongchang, the eldest son of the Thirteenth Prince, who had done something wrong.
Yinxiang's eldest son, Hongtun, was the second son in line. However, because he was born to the primary consort, Yinzhen, after ascending the throne, bestowed upon him the title of Prince Yi (the thirteenth prince) and simultaneously appointed Hongtun as the heir apparent.
The eldest son, Hongchang, was born to Consort Guarjia. In the first year of Yongzheng's reign, he was granted the title of Beizi. It should be noted that the emperor's own sons had not yet been granted titles.
Hongdun was a little weak, but Hongchang was tall and strong. Yinzhen liked him and summoned him to the palace to serve as a palace guard.
There was also Yinxiang's third son, Hongjiao, who was also born to the primary consort. He was about the same age as Hongli. This year, Yinzhen also summoned him to the palace to work as a bodyguard. It wasn't a proper bodyguard, but because he could often accompany the emperor, it was a lucrative position.
Yinzhen's doting on the thirteenth son is evident. He loved his son so much that he wanted to promote all his sons. However, it was his eldest son Hongchang and third son Hongjiao who committed crimes.
"Longkodo's son, Yuzhu, I originally thought he was quite talented. I just promoted him from a guard to the Imperial Ceremony Envoy, and he dared to take advantage of the shift change to lead people to ransack my Qianqing Palace..." Yinzhen said, trembling with anger. "How could Hongchang have such audacity? He actually dared to touch my 'Upright and Bright' plaque... It's obvious who taught him that!"
Upon hearing the plaque, Qian Shengyan immediately understood what had happened.
Yinzhen continued angrily, "That concubine of Longkodo, what a Si'er, she was never a good person! She used to drink and make merry with the Ninth Prince's personal eunuch, and I even reprimanded Longkodo for it, but he didn't care at all! Now look what's happened, my own son has done such a rebellious thing!"
She was silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "When...did this happen?"
"Hmph, Yan Yan is right. I only found out today that it happened on the day Hong Shi attempted to assassinate me!" Yin Zhen's chest heaved violently. "Hong Shi was here trying to assassinate me, and they were over there conspiring to find something behind the 'Upright and Just' plaque. What, were they planning to wait until I died so they could forge an imperial edict and put Hong Shi on the throne?"
Seeing how angry he was, Qian Shengyan subconsciously raised her hand to pat him, but she raised her hand too quickly and pulled hard on her wound, making her hiss. Yinzhen quickly sat up and asked, "What's wrong? Does it hurt again?"
"It's alright, Your Majesty, don't be angry. Please take care of your health," Qian Shengyan said while enduring the pain.
She must have been in real pain, because tears were welling up in her eyes. Yinzhen stared at her for a moment, then reached out and gently wiped the corner of her eye with the pad of his thumb: "Of course I need to take care of my health. Now it's not just my own health, but also the health that Yanyan was able to recover because you took a knife for me."
If Qian Shengyan hadn't shielded him from that blow, Yinzhen really didn't know what would have happened to him now.
Even if he didn't die, who knows what might happen during the twelve days he was seriously injured and unconscious?
He might never wake up again, and the secret edict behind the plaque of "Upright and Bright" will change his name to Hongshi. If that patricide and inhuman bastard were to ascend the throne and allow the Eighth and Ninth Princes to regain power, he would be so angry that he would come back to life even after death.
"Have they found them?" Qian Shengyan continued to ask curiously.
Yinzhen shook his head: "The eunuchs sweeping in Qianqing Palace are very alert. When they came out to check the commotion, they scared them away. But Yuzhu and Hongchang waited outside the palace for a long time until the news of your injury reached the palace before they left."
Qian Shengyan understood that they were only temporarily frightened, but they were still thinking that if something happened to the Emperor, they would no longer need to worry about anything and could directly break into the Qianqing Palace to steal the secret edict and forge it.
"I don't know how Hongchang coaxed Hongjiao, but he's actually willing to run errands and gather information for them..." Yinzhen shook his head. "The thirteenth prince only heard about this from Hongjiao by chance today, and he was terrified. Really..."
He was both angry and heartbroken for his thirteenth brother. After a long pause, he sighed, "Hongchang was hung up and beaten half to death by him. Today, he came kneeling and begging, crying so much, just to beg me to spare Hongchang's life... Hongjiao is young and ignorant, and doesn't know what his brother is doing. He was just helping to pass on the message, and he was also severely beaten by the thirteenth prince..."
"I have already promised the Thirteenth Prince that he may confine Hongchang to his residence and never allow him to leave. As for Hongjiao, the Thirteenth Prince has now begged him to resign from his post and confine him to his home to reflect on his actions," Yinzhen said.
Qian Shengyan naturally didn't question his decision. She simply held his hand and shook it slightly as a way of comforting him.
"State affairs are complicated, and family matters are no less worrying." Yinzhen clenched his fingers, enveloping her small hand, and sighed again, "I can only feel at ease when I'm by your side now."
Qian Shengyan gently nuzzled him, offering him silent comfort, but at the same time, she couldn't help but think to herself—of course! She was someone who had proven herself capable of risking her life to save him; he would definitely feel safe with her by his side!
Yinzhen held her hand, remained silent for a moment, and then began to breathe evenly.
Is it asleep?
I guess he was too tired.
Qian Shengyan raised an eyebrow, decided not to force herself to stay awake, and simply leaned her head against Yinzhen's shoulder, falling asleep as well.
It turns out that sleeping like this really can cause a stiff neck.
Because Yinzhen had said he would be suspending court for three days, she didn't get up early that day. When Qian Shengyan woke up, she found herself still resting her head on Yinzhen's shoulder. She was a little embarrassed and tried to move back, but as soon as she moved, her neck started to hurt terribly.
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