After leaving Jiangnan, the imperial carriage sped up, and all the princes were carried inside, awaiting Kangxi's imperial decree. Upon leaving, both Yin and Qingyan noticed that the Crown Prince's carriage was gone, and even the Crown Prince's female relatives were nowhere to be seen.
The two sat cross-legged around the kang table. The children had all been taken away by Kangxi and Consort Tong, who said they would help them take care of the children.
"Fourth Prince, has the Crown Prince really been sent back to the capital?" Qingyan poured Yin a glass of plum juice.
In the past few days, many strangers have entered the palace, and a third of the imperial guards have been replaced, which is obviously Kangxi's doing.
"Father Emperor replaced a third of the guards with Dragon Guards, saying that our journey back to the capital will definitely not be peaceful. Besides, Yin bought several shops in the south, and those people will definitely know where the royal family is." Yin felt that Yin had rushed into buying the shops, thus leaving potential problems for everyone.
The emperor and the crown prince must be separated and must never appear together. Otherwise, if they encounter a dangerous situation and both are gone, what will become of the future of Daqing?
"It is said that the Crown Prince's return to the capital was facilitated by the censors?" Qingyan asked.
Yin nodded and recited the rules that the Empress Dowager had set back then. Qingyan found it very appropriate and was curious: how could she have thought that the emperor and the crown prince could not be together?
"Of course, the censors felt that the Empress Dowager's words were convincing. Of course, we cannot rule out the possibility that these censors received benefits from the Hesheli clan and were preparing to use this opportunity to help the Crown Prince ascend to that position."
"Si Si, I feel like something's not quite right!" Qing Yan couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong, but she felt that their journey had been far too smooth.
Earlier, after they left the palace, they rode in carriages in a grand procession toward the dock where they boarded the boats. The boats were lined up in order on the dock, and the roadside was covered with bright yellow cloth, so the common people could not see what was inside.
"The Crown Prince should have already arrived in the capital," Yin said abruptly.
Inside the carriages of the other princes, everyone was discussing the trip. They all felt that although the return journey was rushed, it was actually very slow.
At Yuqing Palace, a thousand miles away, the Crown Prince met Suo'etu in his study. Suo'etu had taken advantage of Kangxi's absence from the palace to come and see the Crown Prince quite often!
"What else do you want to say?" the Crown Prince asked Soetu directly.
Emperor Kangxi no longer wanted Suo'etu to interfere in his affairs. After so many days, the Crown Prince had become more clear-headed and understood Emperor Kangxi's meaning.
"Your Highness, this is a rare opportunity. We don't need to take action. News has come from the south that Ninth Prince's actions have gone too far and have upset the merchants there. So, everyone is preparing to make their move!" Of course, Suo'etu hoped that the Crown Prince could take that position, so that the Hesheli clan could be brought to prominence.
The Crown Prince looked at Suo'etu with icy eyes. He had always regarded Suo'etu as family, but he wondered if Suo'etu truly regarded him as family.
"Are you trying to use Yin?" the Crown Prince asked, looking at Suo'etu.
Although Yin was not very skilled in business, he had Qingyan to guide him. The imperial merchants in the Imperial Household Department were all useless; after taking over Qingyan's businesses, they actually managed to ruin them.
The profits of Minsheng Pharmacy were decreasing, which made Emperor Kangxi quite unhappy. Those who had sincerely asked Qingyan to return the operating rights of Minsheng Pharmacy were all dismissed by Kangxi with various excuses.
“Your Highness, I’m doing this for your own good. Ninth Prince has become involved in business matters, and His Majesty will definitely have objections!” Soetu said to the Crown Prince.
Among the princes, the crown prince always held a high position, while Prime Minister Suo seemed to think he would one day become the emperor's brother-in-law.
"No, absolutely not! We can't use Yin!" The Crown Prince firmly opposed it. His younger brothers had all grown up with him, and Yin was someone he had personally trained. Although his brothers had their own reasons for not using him, there were no major problems.
Soetu was utterly helpless. If the Crown Prince didn't make a firm decision, that position might truly never belong to him.
"Your Highness, do you really not care about that position?" Soetu asked directly.
The crown prince stared blankly at Suo'etu, preparing to hear what Suo'etu had to say.
“As the princes grow up, many people will be eyeing that position. You have been in the position of crown prince for decades. If you are pulled down in one day, how will you live in the future?” The crown prince had already experienced being confined to his residence once. The actions of those servants were unacceptable to him.
Soetu did not force the Crown Prince to make a decision. In any case, Kangxi and the others would be back from the south for some time, and if they could persuade the Crown Prince during this period, that would be a success.
"How did your servants treat you while you were confined to your quarters?" Soetu asked directly.
The Crown Prince least wants to recall that experience. If it weren't for the Crown Princess's good interpersonal skills, how would he have been treated?
Recently, the young master has been reflecting on his experiences during that period, and he yearns for that position even more now, because only from that position can he truly protect his family.
"Alright, stop talking!" the Crown Prince said directly to Suo'etu.
Now, his head was throbbing with pain, and every word Suo'etu said was stimulating him.
“Your Highness, I am doing this for your own good. Do you really intend to stay in one courtyard for the rest of your life?” Kangxi’s attitude toward the Crown Prince had changed, which made Suo’etu very worried.
"I don't want to!" The crown prince stood up abruptly. "However, I don't want to use my brother to get that position!"
The Crown Prince was influenced by Emperor Kangxi's benevolent rule, so he valued relationships highly.
Soetu, however, remained unperturbed, merely listening to the Crown Prince's thoughts. Although the Crown Prince emphasized that he would not exploit his brothers, and that if the position were contested, no one would care about brotherly affection, the Crown Prince was still somewhat soft-hearted. If it were Soetu, he probably wouldn't have any such thoughts; he would simply want to obtain the position.
"Your Highness, you should think this over carefully!" Soetu waved his sleeve and left. The Crown Prince watched his departing figure, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
"Your Highness, what's wrong with Uncle?" The Crown Princess came out from behind and saw the Crown Prince standing there in the study, so she quickly asked.
"My maternal uncle values that position even more, so he's trying to persuade me!" The Crown Prince was truly exhausted. After being confined to his quarters, he finally realized that his position was actually bestowed upon him by Emperor Kangxi!
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