Having dealt with the corrupt officials in the Suzhou and Hangzhou region, Emperor Kangxi, in high spirits, took the Crown Prince and his entourage on an incognito tour.
However, the noble and arrogant air nurtured in the Forbidden City could not be concealed by changing clothes. Coupled with the military officers secretly protecting them, Kangxi and his entourage stood out in the crowd. They were clearly different from ordinary wealthy gentry.
Emperor Kangxi and the Crown Prince strolled through the shops, learning about local prices and customs, and were in a very pleasant mood.
Just as they stopped in front of a cosmetics shop, something unexpected happened.
The merchant, dressed in short clothes, suddenly pulled out a sharp knife from his pocket and stabbed at the prince.
Kangxi instinctively pulled the crown prince back, and the prince stumbled to avoid the blade, but his clothes on his arm were cut open.
As luck would have it, Yinzhen was standing right behind the Crown Prince. After the Crown Prince dodged, the merchant's knife plunged straight into Yinzhen's chest.
A fierce glint flashed in the vendor's eyes. He stabbed the knife forcefully and then quickly pulled it out, leaving a trail of blood.
Then, without hesitation, he used the scissors to slit his own throat.
All of this happened in the blink of an eye. The guards saw that someone was trying to assassinate the emperor and surrounded Kangxi and the crown prince in layers to protect them. Only Yinzhen lay in a pool of blood, unconscious.
Su Peisheng was so frightened that he immediately broke out in a cold sweat. He tremblingly checked his master's breath.
Thankfully, the person is still alive, albeit weakly.
When Kangxi came to his senses, he first touched the Crown Prince's back up and down, and breathed a sigh of relief when he found that there was no danger.
He then realized that his other son was seriously injured, so he immediately summoned the imperial physician and ordered people to carefully carry Yinzhen back and treat him with utmost care.
The courtyard where the Fourth Prince had been resting was now crowded with people. The Crown Prince looked at Yinzhen, who was pale from excessive blood loss, with some concern.
Emperor Kangxi said to the imperial physician, "Prepare a calming soup for the Crown Prince."
"Baocheng, you've been frightened today. Take your medicine and go rest. There are imperial physicians here to watch over the fourth prince." Kangxi couldn't imagine what he would do if something happened to the crown prince he had raised with such care.
Kangxi glanced at his fourth son lying on the bed and felt a strange sense of relief. Fortunately, it wasn't Baocheng who had gotten into trouble.
He was not only the eldest son of the emperor, but also the crown prince of the Qing Dynasty!
After quickly taking the pulse, the imperial physician knelt down and reported: "Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince is blessed by Heaven. Although this knife wound seems dangerous, fortunately it did not damage his internal organs. He will recover after a month or so of rest and recuperation."
Thus, Emperor Kangxi and the Crown Prince were relieved: "You must treat him with utmost care. If the Fourth Prince makes any mistake, I will hold you responsible."
After confirming that everything was alright with Yinzhen, Kangxi personally escorted the Crown Prince back, giving him earnest instructions for a long time, and only returned to the temporary palace after watching the Crown Prince drink the calming soup.
When Lady Li heard that something had happened to Yinzhen, and that the Emperor, the princes, and the imperial physicians had all come to the scene, she felt a little scared.
As people gradually left, Li changed into plain clothes and came to the door of Yinzhen's room, intending to go in and serve him.
Su Peisheng dared not let Li Shi in again, so he could only stop her: "Princess Li, the master has instructed that he will not see anyone while he is recuperating, and you do not need to serve him personally. Please go back."
Li was on the verge of tears, and raised her voice so that the people inside the room could hear her: "The Prince is ill. I am the only princess who came with him this time. If I am not by his side to serve him, I don't know how the Princess Consort will punish me when we return to the capital. Eunuch Su, please let me in."
"Princess, please keep your voice down." Su Peisheng, who usually greeted his mistress warmly because the women in the backyard were all his mistresses, now looked rather sinister with a stern expression.
"The master has ordered that anyone who disobeys the order should be killed without exception."
After Su Peisheng finished speaking with a murderous look on his face, Li trembled.
Seeing that Li was somewhat frightened, Su Peisheng softened his expression: "Of course, this servant has no right to decide your life or death, but if you make a scene at this time and disturb the Emperor, it would be really not good. What do you say?"
Li replied with a wronged expression, "Eunuch Su is right. Please let me know when Master wakes up, otherwise I won't be able to sleep peacefully. Please also mention to Master that I came by, and that I will come to serve Master whenever needed."
"Yes, this servant has noted it down." Su Peisheng resumed his usual humility.
After walking away, Li turned back and spat, muttering under her breath, "A dog relying on its master's power!"
******
Kangxi listened to the imperial physicians' reports on Yinzhen's condition every day, and knowing that Yinzhen was gradually improving, he paid little more attention to it.
What he cared more about was whether the Crown Prince had been left with psychological trauma, and who could possibly harbor such deep murderous intent towards the Crown Prince.
Emperor Kangxi ordered an immediate investigation, and within a few days, the power behind the merchants was revealed to be the increasingly arrogant White Lotus Sect.
After dealing with the White Lotus sect members, Kangxi's interest was greatly dampened. In addition, fearing that others might be plotting to assassinate the crown prince, he decided to return to the capital ahead of schedule.
However, since Yinzhen was still recuperating, the imperial physicians advised that it was best for him not to travel long distances.
Therefore, Kangxi left Yinzhen in Suzhou to recuperate, and he would return to the capital on his own after he had fully recovered, while he left with the main army.
Before his departure, Crown Prince Yinreng came to visit Yinzhen.
"Fourth Brother, Father is in a hurry to return to the capital to handle state affairs. Your health makes it inconvenient for you to come along at this time. Father is considerate of your condition and specially arranged for you to recuperate here. You can go back when you are better. It is good for your health in Suzhou, and you can also take a break from your busy schedule for a while." The Crown Prince personally checked the degree of healing of the wound and spoke kindly to Yinzhen.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am deeply regretful that I have not been able to accompany my second brother on his business these days."
The Crown Prince patted Yinzhen on the shoulder: "To be honest, it was my fault. I dodged unexpectedly, which is why you got hurt."
Yinzhen quickly shook his head, trying to get up and kneel on the bed: "Second brother is the crown prince, which must be a blessing from heaven. What does it matter if I die if I can suffer in your place?"
Hearing Yinzhen's words, the Crown Prince was even more satisfied. Ever since his younger brother started his duties, he had always been respectful to him and fulfilled his duties as a subject. He could also feel the closeness between brothers from time to time.
If only his brothers could be like his fourth brother, the Crown Prince thought, feeling a pang of envy at the thought of the First Prince, who was almost on par with him and was the number one warrior of the Manchu Qing Dynasty.
"Fourth Brother, rest assured and take care of yourself. I will report to Father Emperor that you have the concubines in your household and palace to take good care of you. You don't need to worry about it."
"Thank you so much, Second Brother." Yinzhen looked extremely grateful.
To outsiders, the two men inside the house appeared to be a loving and respectful brother, a model of fraternal harmony.
After exchanging pleasantries and showing concern for Yinzhen for a while, the Crown Prince took the opportunity to take his leave once Yinzhen showed signs of fatigue.
When Emperor Kangxi learned of this, he was even more pleased that the Crown Prince valued brotherly affection.
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