After returning to the capital, the Crown Prince was confined to Yuqing Palace and not allowed to leave. After observing for several days, the court officials realized that Kangxi seemed to really want to depose the Crown Prince.
As a result, driven by those with ulterior motives, a flood of memorials aimed at the Crown Prince arrived, more than ten times the number received on the way back to the capital, and the content was even more outrageous.
The memorials vividly described a variety of crimes, including accepting bribes, bullying men and women, humiliating court officials, engaging in illicit affairs in the harem, disrespecting the emperor and father, being cruel and inhumane, poisoning one's wife, and raising private soldiers. The contents were so detailed that it was as if the person in the memorials was there. Some of the most secretive matters were so well-known that it was unclear where these people had heard them from.
Emperor Kangxi even began to suspect that all his court officials were former intelligence officers, and that everyone could become an imperial censor.
He kept these memorials to himself and did not issue them, nor did he mention how to deal with the crown prince, nor did he stop the smear campaign against the crown prince.
With the Crown Prince's "strange and unusual stories" flying everywhere, almost everyone in the capital could gossip about him. Under Kangxi's deliberate indulgence, the good reputation that the Crown Prince had spent decades building up was ruined in an instant.
When Prince Zhi could no longer contain himself and submitted a memorial to the court, explicitly requesting the Emperor to "depose the Crown Prince," the "climax" that had been building up for so long finally arrived.
After listening to Prince Zhi's impassioned speech, Emperor Kangxi looked around at the assembled ministers and slowly said, "I have inherited the legacy of my ancestors and have worked diligently for over forty years, striving to govern well. I announced the establishment of a crown prince early on, hoping that he would continue the great cause of the Qing Dynasty. However, under the instigation of people like Suo'etu, the crown prince has not followed the virtues of his ancestors, has not listened to my teachings, and has listened to the words of treacherous people. He has gathered his cronies, amassed wealth, and even spied on my every move."
"The Crown Prince's illegal acts are too numerous to count. The emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people. I have shown leniency out of consideration for our father-son relationship, but unfortunately, the Crown Prince does not know when to stop and his behavior has become increasingly arrogant. The Eighteenth Prince is seriously ill, and the princes accompanying him are all worried, but the Crown Prince is the only one who looks happy. As the Crown Prince and the elder brother, he has no brotherly affection and cannot understand my grief as his father."
“In the past, Songgotu secretly plotted to usurp the throne, and I executed him. The Crown Prince harbored resentment and wanted to avenge Songgotu. I was on guard day and night and dared not sleep.”
"If the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will cause internal strife among his brothers and bring disaster to the people. I cannot allow the foundation laid by our ancestors to be destroyed by disloyal, unfilial and unjust people."
"Imperial Astronomical Bureau, please select an auspicious day to announce to Heaven, Earth, and the ancestral temples the abolition of the Crown Prince."
Emperor Kangxi made the final decision. After speaking, he forced himself to sit on the dragon throne, his eyes filled with sorrow. He was over fifty years old, and under the double blow of illness and grief, his body was swaying precariously.
Prince Zhi could not hide his joy, but Mingzhu told him not to be too aggressive and to proceed slowly. "Father Emperor is getting old," he thought, "if we don't take a chance now, are we just going to watch the Crown Prince enjoy his glory?"
Yinzhen stared silently at Kangxi's trembling hand gripping the dragon throne, while the Eighth Prince stared intently at the Prince of Zhi. The court officials, caught off guard by Kangxi's decisive action, were momentarily bewildered. Had the Crown Prince been deposed so easily?
With the crown prince deposed, a new crown prince must be chosen to take office. Who is the most likely candidate?
Prince Zhi!
So he adjourned the morning court session, and Prince Zhi was surrounded by a group of ministers, listening to their flattery and feeling somewhat smug.
******
Yuqing Palace
Tong Guining held Hongzhao tightly, as if drawing strength from him. She watched as the Crown Prince was brought back under guard. Yuqing Palace was heavily guarded, and no one could enter or leave. Kangxi ignored them, only occasionally remembering to take Hongzhao over to check on him.
The Crown Prince, who once terrified her, now looks like a pitiful little thing, having to kneel for six hours every day facing the direction of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, his knees already calloused.
Their supplies are also much worse; it's incredibly difficult for them to get fresh vegetables.
The concubines lived in constant fear, and many even came to Tong Guining's place in groups to cry. She sent them all away and issued a curfew order.
Kangxi's lengthy discourse at the previous court finally spread throughout the inner palace and then rapidly throughout the capital.
The crown prince laughed self-deprecatingly as he knelt on the ground, thinking that this day had finally come.
Hongxi and Hongjin were anxious and frustrated, so they came to ask the Crown Prince for advice.
The Crown Prince looked at his two grown-up children and said, "You two are grown up now. Your father can no longer be your support; he is a burden instead. The most important thing now is to be patient. The Emperor has not confined you to your quarters, so you still need to go to the Imperial Study. It would be best if you could show your face in front of the Emperor. But remember, never plead for your father. Keep that in mind!"
Hongxi wanted to say something more, but the Crown Prince stopped him. He knew that there must be spies all around him now, and that he should say no more. That was all he could say.
"Oh, and take good care of Hongzhao," the Crown Prince added.
Hong Jin pouted and came out: "Big brother, why should we take care of that brat?"
"Alright, Father suffered a great loss because of Uncle Eighteen. If you continue to act like this, be careful that someone will report you to Grandfather." After Hongxi finished speaking, he leaned close to Hongjin's ear and said, "We don't need to do anything. The Crown Princess will not let us get close to Hongzhao easily. It's just a verbal promise to appease Father."
Hong Jin nodded, and the two left together.
******
The Fourth Prince's Residence
Yi Hua was asking Yu Xue about her experiences at the Ninth Prince's residence when she sent Yu Xue to deliver the fox doll she had promised to make to the Ninth Prince's wife.
Yu Xue was quick-witted and perfect for going out to socialize and gather information: "Reporting to Your Highness, Ninth Prince Consort said that everything is fine. This morning, Ninth Prince even ate breakfast by himself, and his illness has greatly improved. Ninth Prince Consort also said that once Ninth Prince can walk freely, she will come to thank you in person."
Yi Hua nodded upon hearing this. It seemed that after so much effort, Ninth Master had finally made progress. Being able to control his emotions was the first step to victory.
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