After the incident of asking the prince to kill the paper frog in Chapter 32 was over, Cheng Qianyue also...
After the paper frog incident, Cheng Qianyue learned her lesson. She thought, let him do what he wants; why force him to do things her way? She wasn't Emperor Kangxi, nor his parents, and she didn't have the right to make demands of him.
Cheng Qianyue made up her mind that if he really did burst into a rage, she would take it. However, she was also somewhat certain that Yinreng wouldn't get angry at her, or if he did, it wouldn't be very big. Although this idea was a bit far-fetched, that's what she believed.
Cheng Qianyue thought to herself, "Perhaps this is a woman's intuition, absolutely!"
However, after this incident, Yinreng really did as she wished. He no longer spent so much time at his desk, and sometimes when he had free time, he would take her for a stroll in the garden.
Yinreng's way of strolling through the garden was quite different from Cheng Qianyue's. When they arrived at a pavilion or tower, he would first point to the plaque and tell her the name of the place, then explain why it was named that way and what the story behind the name was. Then he would lead her to see the scenery, and if he was happy, he would even compose a poem. After returning to Donglizhai, he would rewrite the impromptu poem and then have someone send it to Changchun Garden.
Cheng Qianyue was completely speechless. She thought to herself, "Perhaps this is just the academic genius's unique way of having fun."
That morning, having nothing else to do, Yinreng took her for a stroll in the garden again. Today they went to a small island on the west side of the lake, surrounded by water on all sides. A pavilion had been built on the island for viewing the scenery, and pots of roses were placed near the pavilion. Yinreng was in a good mood today. Looking at the clusters of blooming roses and then at the beautifully dressed Cheng Qianyue, he immediately said he wanted to paint.
Who would dare to stop him from painting? Everyone knows that he might compose poetry when he goes out to play, and if he composes poetry, he might also paint. So brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and various pigments were all prepared, and the servants brought them all up as soon as they heard the order.
Cheng Qianyue then dutifully took on the role of model.
Yinreng instructed her to pose, having her lean against one side of the pavilion and gaze eastward, her right hand resting on the railing, her palm gently stroking her chin. After looking at her for a while, he felt this was too monotonous, so he ordered someone to bring flower stands. Square flower stands of varying heights were placed beside her, half of which were surrounded by tender, vibrant red roses.
Yinreng clapped his hands and said okay, then started drawing on the stone platform.
Anyone who has taken photos knows that people tend to slouch or twist to look good, but this only lasts for a short while. If you keep doing it for too long, you'll definitely get cramps.
Cheng Qianyue felt herself about to convulse and asked softly, "Is Master alright? Can I move now?"
Yinreng said, "I've only sketched the outline, so please wait a little longer."
Cheng Qianyue couldn't wait any longer and kept fidgeting, eventually settling into a more comfortable position. She was caught red-handed not long after. Yinreng looked at her, then at his painting, and said irritably, "You, you can't even stand still for a moment! You're practically covered in fleas!"
Cheng Qianyue snorted and muttered, "Those are lucky fleas too." Despite her complaints, she still obediently stood still as before. Time passed by, and Cheng Qianyue felt that this short period of time was like an eternity.
However, to her eager anticipation, Yinreng finally spoke, "Alright, come here."
Cheng Qianyue felt as if she had been granted a pardon and rushed over, only to see Yinreng taking out paint and applying color, a touch of cinnabar to the lips of the person in the painting. Looking at the figure in the painting, she couldn't help but be surprised, "Is that me?"
Yinreng smiled slightly, and after he finished smiling, he said, "Foolish boy, who else could it be but you?"
Cheng Qianyue felt that the person in the painting did not resemble herself, because the person in the painting was too classically elegant, with a mixture of calm and melancholy between her brows and eyes, just like a melancholy young lady from a noble family. And with the strong roses beside her, she appeared even more gentle and sorrowful.
Cheng Qianyue shook her head inwardly. This serene person was definitely not her, and then she paused, stunned. If she had to guess who she resembled, her older sister would probably look like this. She pursed her lips and said, "Master, can I have this painting?" She wanted to keep it so she could look at it whenever she missed her sister.
As Yinreng applied the paint, he said, "You're talking nonsense again. If I don't give it to you, who else would I give it to?"
Once the painting was finished, Yinreng nodded in satisfaction. Just as the atmosphere between the two was pleasant, they saw a boat speeding across the lake in the distance. A moment later, the people on the boat rushed to the pavilion, knelt down abruptly, and cried out, "Your Majesty, the Emperor urgently summons you to Changchun Garden!"
The Hall of Nine Classics and Three Affairs is the main hall of Changchun Garden and also where the Emperor holds court and conducts government affairs. Today's small court session is being held, with the princes who can participate in the discussion of government affairs and officials of the third rank and above in attendance.
Emperor Kangxi, dressed in his dragon robe, sat high above, watching the people below kneel and kowtow to him. After a long while, he spoke, "My beloved ministers, rise." He paused, then pointed at the Fourth Prince and asked, "Fourth Prince, how is the inspection of the waterways between Beijing and Hebei going?"
The Fourth Prince stepped forward and began to report on the inspection of the dredging of the Beijing-Hebei waterway over the past two months. Finally, he said, "Your subject's memorial has been written and will be presented to Father Emperor for review after the court assembly."
Kangxi nodded in satisfaction, then looked at the others and asked, "Do any of you ministers have any important matters to report?" Before he finished speaking, a minister stepped forward and, unsurprisingly, brought up the matter of the heir apparent. Kangxi narrowed his eyes and interrupted him directly, saying, "The princes have the duty to participate in and discuss state affairs, and the Second Prince is no exception. It is inappropriate for him not to be present at today's court assembly. Send someone to immediately summon the Second Prince to attend court."
These words were like a thunderclap out of nowhere, completely silencing the minister's subsequent remarks. While the others remained outwardly composed, many began to scheme inwardly.
Upon hearing this, Prince Zhi, Yinzhi, abruptly raised his head. The confidence he had just displayed vanished instantly, replaced by a deep gloom. These past few days, news had spread that the deposed crown prince had frequently been seen walking in Changchun Garden, and that he had regained the emperor's favor. This news caused him considerable anxiety.
He was also the emperor's son, and the eldest son at that. In his early years, he was promoted to suppress the crown prince, and his repeated successes fueled his arrogance. He was also a warrior of the Qing Dynasty; in what way was he inferior to the deposed crown prince?!
Prince Zhi clenched his fists. He had been repeatedly met with indifference since the beginning of the year, and now he really couldn't bear it any longer. The next second, he stepped forward, knelt down and said, "Your subject has something to report, please grant me permission, Father Emperor."
Kangxi responded with an "Oh," and then asked with an air of authority, "What is it?"
Prince Zhi raised his head, revealing a face contorted with rage. He said, "How can Yinreng, a disloyal and unfilial son, attend court?" He pointed directly towards the West Garden and said indignantly, "Back then, during the autumn hunt at Mulan Hunting Grounds, he indulged in pleasure day and night, even spying on the emperor's tent at night. Now that he has been deposed, he still shows no remorse, but instead acts even more eccentrically, indulging in drinking, pleasure, and defilement of eunuchs."
The Prince Zhi became increasingly agitated as he spoke, declaring emphatically, "Yinreng's rebellious nature is utterly unworthy of being a son or a subject. I know that Father Emperor is loving and unwilling to bear the guilt of killing his own son, so I am willing to execute this wicked man on your behalf!"
Everyone was shocked to hear this: Prince Zhi has gone mad!
The next moment, Kangxi stood up abruptly from the dragon throne, his face as if a storm was brewing, and said in a deep voice, "What did you say? Say it again?"
Prince Zhi still stubbornly insisted, "Your subject requests an imperial decree to execute the deposed Crown Prince Yinreng."
The veins on Kangxi's forehead bulged violently, and his anger erupted like magma. He roared, "He's your brother! You're telling me you're going to kill your brother with your own hands?" He staggered forward a few steps, pointed at Prince Zhi, and cursed, "You say Yinreng is disloyal and unfilial, but what about you? What good deeds have you done?"
His sharp gaze swept over everyone in the hall, causing the ministers to kneel down, not daring to raise their heads: "Not only have you colluded with those inside and outside the palace to smear your brother, but now you dare to conspire with court officials to plot for the position of Crown Prince. You say that Yinreng is disloyal and unfilial, but what are you? In my opinion, you are the one who is disloyal and unfilial, and you are also the one with treacherous intentions."
Prince Zhi was stunned by these words and knelt forward two steps: "Father Emperor!"
Kangxi's chest heaved heavily as he closed his eyes and said, "Prince Zhi, Yinzhi, is ignorant of the great principles of loyalty between ruler and subject, and disregards the deep bond between father and son. Such behavior is intolerable under both heavenly principles and national laws. He shall be confined to his quarters to reflect on his mistakes from this day forward." After he finished speaking, he turned around, but his body staggered and he looked like he was about to fall. Fortunately, Liang Jiugong caught him with quick reflexes.
The third, fourth, and fifth princes immediately stepped forward and surrounded Kangxi.
Prince Zhi was in tears, but he kept muttering, "Father, you are wise enough to know that I have never plotted anything. Father, how can Yinreng bear such a great favor from you!"
Kangxi was ushered back to his seat by the crowd. He hadn't expected him to dare speak like that. His vision blurred, and he cried out, "Shut up! Shut...up!"
Just then, Yinreng entered from outside the palace.
Prince Zhi suddenly found an outlet for his resentment and immediately stood up to go towards Yinreng, but was held back by the Seventh Prince, the Thirteenth Prince, and the Fourteenth Prince. He struggled and pointed at Yinreng, cursing loudly: "Yinreng, how dare you come here? If I were you, I would have no face to live, and I would have already atone with my death."
Yinreng's eyes darkened upon hearing the Prince Zhi's foul language, but he ignored the chaos in the hall. He walked straight through the crowd to the front, knelt before Emperor Kangxi on the dragon throne, and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty." He paused and then said, "Your subject invites Your Majesty to rest in the rear hall."
At Kangxi's nod, Liang Jiugong immediately shouted, "Dismiss the court!"
Inside the rear hall, Kangxi was led to sit on the kang (heated brick bed), but his body was still trembling uncontrollably, indicating that he was furious. Yinreng took the tea brought by Liang Jiugong, knelt down, and fed it to Kangxi, serving him the tea. Kangxi couldn't help but burst into tears.
Yinreng put down his teacup, stood up, bowed, and placed his hand on Kangxi's back, repeatedly patting him down to calm his breathing. As he did so, he said, "Father, please take care of your health. Father once taught us that anger is harmful to the body. Please drink some tea to calm yourself down." He sighed and continued, "Brother may have been drinking and talking nonsense. Please don't take it seriously."
Emperor Kangxi let out a long sigh of relief, and after a long while, he asked, "Don't you hold a grudge against your elder brother?"
Yinreng pursed his lips and said, "It's impossible not to hold a grudge, but it's not that I hold a grudge against him for targeting my son, but rather that he made you so angry." He smiled gently, putting on the act of a close brother, "However, blood is thicker than water. After all, Prince Zhi is your son, my elder brother, and a descendant of the Aisin Gioro clan."
Hearing this, Kangxi felt much more comforted and patted his hand, saying, "It's good that you think this way."
After a while, Yinreng came out from the back hall. There was a circle of princes standing outside. He looked at them and said, "Father is going to rest now. You should all go back first."
Everyone else agreed. Yinreng also headed out, but glanced at the Fourth Prince. The Fourth Prince, a step behind the others, walked to Yinreng's side and called out, "Second Brother."
Yinreng agreed and slowly stopped walking. He said, "Father is in a bad mood. He privately told the court officials not to submit some memorials that shouldn't be submitted, so as not to displease him." Fearing that the Fourth Prince might not understand his meaning, he deliberately made it clear and reminded the Fourth Prince, "Especially memorials requesting the establishment of a Crown Prince." He snorted coldly and showed a disgusted expression, continuing, "They really seem to thrive on chaos."
The Fourth Prince was somewhat taken aback, but his tanned face from inspecting the river didn't show it too much. He replied immediately, "Yes, Your Majesty understands."
Yinreng nodded and left. Once inside the sedan chair returning to the West Garden, he clenched his fists tightly, and after a long while, he closed his eyes weakly.
At this moment, he must remain calm, he absolutely must remain calm.
As Fourth Master left the garden, his other brothers were still there. Fourteenth Brother, like a monkey, ran over and complained, "Fourth Brother, what happened today...it was really..."
Fourth Master immediately put on a stern face: "You're still young. Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, and don't say what you shouldn't say."
Fourteen came here because he couldn't find anyone to talk to. He wasn't close enough to talk to the others, though he could talk to Thirteen, but Thirteen was quick on his feet and immediately slipped away with a laugh as soon as he heard what he was saying. Since Fourteen couldn't find anyone, he could only turn to his own brother, but he didn't expect his brother to be so uncooperative. He immediately got angry: "No way, if you weren't my brother, would I have come to you? Humph, always wearing that long face, I wonder who you're trying to impress."
The Fourth Prince thought that the Fourteenth Prince was spoiled by the concubines in the palace and dared to say anything in public. So when he saw that the Fourteenth Prince was angry, he ignored him and simply got into the carriage to go back to the mansion. Listening to the wheels turning outside, the Fourth Prince slowly thought, "The Crown Prince seems to be different from before."
Seeing his brother really leave like that, Fourteenth Brother was furious and jumped up and down. Just then, Eighth Master stuck his head out of the carriage window and said, "Fourteenth Brother, what are you doing over there?"
Fourteen forced a smile at him and said it was nothing. After running to his own carriage, he urged the coachman impatiently, "What are you standing there for? Let's go!"
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