As Yinzhen had predicted, the Eighth Prince Yinsi also began to suspect that his Fourteenth Brother might also be vying for the throne.
Yinzhen is different from him. His birth mother is Consort De, his wife is from the Plain Yellow Banner Wanyan clan, and he is also deeply loved by his father, the Emperor. Now, he is being groomed by his father.
"Myna, what are you thinking about? You don't look well, is something on your mind?"
"No, I'm just a little worried about my fourteenth brother. Father has put him in the training camp, and I don't know if he'll adapt well."
The Tenth Prince burst into laughter:
"Eighth Brother, you love Fourteenth Brother even more than Fourth Brother. Don't worry, Fourteenth Brother has loved playing with swords and spears since he was a child, and he also likes military books and strategies. I guess he's already so engrossed in it that he doesn't want to leave."
As expected, in October of the fifty-fourth year of Kangxi's reign, Kangxi appointed his fourteenth son, Yinzhen, as the Grand General of Pacification and sent him to Qinghai. At the same time, he ordered officials from the Hanlin Academy and the Censorate to take up their posts to assist in handling government affairs.
From this point on, Yinzhen officially began his path to becoming a Grand General and cultivating his own power. However, unlike the Eighth Prince Yinsi, who was suspicious of him, he was not interested in the position of Crown Prince at this time.
"Father, I have something to ask of you."
"Fourteenth Prince, why aren't you packing your things at home? What are you doing at my Hall of Mental Cultivation?"
"Father, I will be leaving tomorrow. Before I depart, I beg you to grant me the privilege of visiting my mother one last time."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi remained silent and continued reviewing the memorials.
While Kangxi wasn't paying attention, Liang Jiugong kept giving Yinzhen meaningful glances. Yinzhen, being a stubborn man, pretended not to see them and kowtowed to the ground, refusing to get up.
Not long after, Wei Zhu, who was at the door, came in to report that the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, had arrived.
"Did you two brothers plan this today? Let him come in."
"Yes, sir."
When Yinzhen entered, he was surprised to see the person kneeling on the ground. He then adjusted his expression and respectfully greeted Kangxi.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be blessed."
"Fourth brother, what brings you here today?"
"Your Majesty, I have come to report on the results of my inspection of the warehouses."
This was unexpected by Kangxi, who thought that Yinzhen had received a message from Yinti and had come on purpose.
Meanwhile, Yinzhen, who kept his head bowed to the ground, felt even more dissatisfied with Yinzhen.
His mother has been imprisoned for so long, and he hasn't even mentioned her. Before I came today, I specifically sent him a message. I never expected him to ignore it.
It seems he no longer needs to acknowledge this older brother!
Yinzhen didn't dwell on what the two men were really thinking. He solemnly reported on the inspection of the warehouses and handed the memorial in his hand to Liang Jiugong.
"Father, I have written down the details of my inspection in a memorial. Please take a look."
"Put it here for now, I'll look at it later. Fourth Prince, is there anything else?"
"Before I came, I asked Lady Geng in the manor to make some snacks for you. Please have a taste."
Kangxi smiled but didn't say anything. He simply waved his hand, dismissing Yinzhen.
Before long, the snacks that Yinzhen brought were served to Kangxi.
This was something that Yinzhen specifically instructed Geng Youran to do after he returned to his residence from court.
"Princess, the Prince has arrived. He says he has urgent business with you."
A maidservant rushed over anxiously from Geng Youran's courtyard, calling for help.
“Go back and tell the Prince that Consort Nian’s soup is not ready yet, and ask him to wait a moment.”
Qianxue, who was standing next to her, said:
"Princess, why don't you go back? The soup will be ready soon anyway. I'll just ladle it out and bring it over later."
"It'll be done soon, it won't make a difference. Qianxue, it's not that I don't trust you, it's that I don't trust anyone else. If I let you take over halfway through, and someone with ulterior motives reports on us, we'll both be in deep trouble."
Qianxue covered her mouth, barely managing to suppress her laughter:
"This servant understands."
The young maid was still waiting, looking conflicted, when Qianxue couldn't bear to watch any longer.
"Just do as the princess says. Don't worry, the prince won't do anything to you."
The young maid had no choice but to obey. Just as she was about to turn around and go back, Geng Youran called her back and handed her a box:
"Give this to the prince."
"yes."
Qianxue smiled helplessly from the side:
“Princess, isn’t that the candied fruit you made for the young princes? Why did you give it to the Prince?”
Geng Youran said with a mischievous smile:
"You mean, the little ones can eat, but the prince can't?"
"Princess, you know that's not what I meant."
Princess Gege is so mean; she just loves to tease her.
"Alright, alright, go get a new pot, heat it up on the fire, and it'll be ready in a minute."
"yes."
It's already October, and things cool down quickly, so Geng Youran asked Qianxue to heat up the new pot before pouring the soup from the original pot into it.
"Go."
"yes."
Qianxue carried the soup into Nian Yunrong's room.
"Consort, this soup is called 'Pork Liver Soup with Tetrapanax Papyriferus.' The princess said that this soup has the effect of soothing the liver and relieving depression. Please try it."
Nian Yunrong remained expressionless, waved her hand to have Qingyan serve her some water, and after she finished drinking, she dismissed Qianxue.
"Consort, why didn't you ask Qianxue about what happened in the small kitchen just now?"
Nian Yunrong threw the book in her hand onto the table and snorted.
"Qianxue is tight-lipped; even if you ask, you won't get the information we want to hear. Right now, ensuring the safety of the baby in my belly is the most important thing."
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
