The warm spring sunshine shone on the earth, and the weeping willows on both sides of the dock sprouted green buds, swaying in the wind. The spring breeze rippled across the canal.
At the dock in Yangzhou, Cao Yin, along with officials from Jiangnan, dressed in court attire, gazed into the distance at the Grand Canal.
Before the southern tour, Songgotu sent a message saying that Kangxi was coming with the Empress Dowager. This year, Cao Mama's health has been deteriorating, and she has always hoped to see Kangxi again. Cao Yin did not want his mother to leave with regrets, but no one could predict Kangxi's itinerary.
"Lord Cao, will His Majesty arrive today?" Most officials in Jiangnan followed Cao Yin's lead, exchanging information and forming a solid defense line.
Cao Yin nodded slightly. His men had received word that the birth mother of both Shunzhi and Kangxi was not dead and was still on the imperial ship. The news was personally delivered by the Crown Prince.
He did not receive any news that Kangxi would visit Cao Fu at the foot of the pagoda. It was possible that, as his mother had said, His Majesty was preparing to stay at the Yuelai Inn.
etc!
Cao Yin narrowed his eyes, looking at the river in the distance. It was reasonable for the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager Tong to be living outside. In the past few days, Cao Yin had been wondering if some of his actions had angered Kangxi. Now, he could finally rest assured.
One hundred kilometers away, Yin sat in his study, reading a storybook with Qingyan. This afternoon, the imperial ship had arrived in Yangzhou, and the southern tour had begun.
The Empress Dowager was confined to her quarters by Emperor Kangxi. In fact, Imperial Physician Yuan was kept on the Empress Dowager's boat at all times to treat her illness.
"Your Majesty, news has come from the Crown Prince's ship that the Empress Dowager is unable to disembark," Su Peisheng said as he walked in from outside.
What? !
Qingyan put down the storybook in her hand, turned around and glanced at Yin behind her. She was puzzled that the Empress Dowager did not disembark. During the southern tour, there should be no trace of the Empress Dowager.
Yin waved his hand, signaling Su Peisheng to leave first. The Empress Dowager had gone too far; she had not only torn away all pretenses but was also preparing to become an enemy of the royal family.
In recent years, the Mongol tribes have been restless, hoping to force Emperor Kangxi to either marry a princess to a Mongol or provide him with the most advanced firearms.
Instead of choosing any solution, Emperor Kangxi simply reduced the rewards bestowed upon the people.
The Mongol leaders kept pressuring the Empress Dowager, and in the end, she chose to take a risk and let Kangxi face the situation directly.
She never considered that the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager Tong were still alive. Even if the two could not openly assist Kangxi, in the eyes of the ministers, the Empress Dowager had no children, and all her glory was obtained because of Kangxi.
Now that Kangxi is preparing to relinquish the Empress Dowager, those honors and privileges can no longer be maintained.
"Fourth Prince, shall we go ashore and leave the Empress Dowager alone on the boat?" Qingyan asked, puzzled.
Those officials must be waiting at the dock. If the Empress Dowager doesn't go ashore, many people will criticize Kangxi behind his back.
In previous years, Emperor Kangxi always touted himself as a filial son, and he would always travel with the Empress Dowager. This scene of maternal love and filial piety was witnessed by the people in the south.
"No, she'll definitely be disembarked; they'll probably be carried away directly." Yin believed that Imperial Physician Yuan must have a way to ensure that the Empress Dowager wouldn't make a fuss along the way.
Furthermore, Su Mo'er has already betrayed the Empress Dowager and should be on their side, therefore, she can play an important role here.
Su Mo'er is a sensible person. She has followed the Empress Dowager for many years and was left behind by the Empress Dowager to help her.
The Empress Dowager was no longer the suppressed Empress Shunzhi. In the entire Qing Dynasty, no one could compare to her in terms of prestige. In recent years, Emperor Kangxi dared not disobey her and always gave her face. As a result, the Empress Dowager's desire for power grew stronger and stronger.
"Disembark?!" Qingyan was taken aback. "Are you planning to drug her and carry her off in a sedan chair?"
Qingyan gave a cold laugh. Cao Yin would definitely not agree.
According to her investigation, the Cao family had a good relationship with the Empress Dowager. In particular, Cao Mama had spent a lot of time with the Empress Dowager. How could the Cao family not pay their respects to the Empress Dowager?
"Hmm, probably more or less. Cao Yin is clever; he should already know that Granny Ma is still alive." Yin took a sip from his teacup and said, "Tell me, between the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Tong, who will Cao Yin choose?"
Qingyan looked out the window at the canal and felt a pang of sadness.
In the royal family, those of low status would exchange sons for their own, as the royal family did not want to control the princes.
Therefore, the struggle between the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Tong never ceased.
“Father spends more time with the Empress Dowager, but that doesn’t prevent her from having selfish motives.” Yin held Qingyan’s slender waist and whispered in her ear, “Father believes that the Crown Prince’s absurdity is related to the Empress Dowager’s parenting style. In addition, Yinqi was ruined by the Empress Dowager’s upbringing from a young age, which makes Father even more resentful.”
Emperor Kangxi paid close attention to the growth of each prince.
Back then, the Empress Dowager pressured Emperor Kangxi to choose between Yinzhi and Yinqi. The Empress Dowager directly chose Yinqi, the reason being Yinqi's bloodline.
"Fifth Prince... isn't he doing quite well now?" Qingyan couldn't understand what the Empress Dowager was so fixated on.
Yinqi was spoiled and was ruined. The Empress Dowager was still alive at the time and was able to help her withstand the criticism from Kangxi and the censors. In the matter of Yiken'e, the Empress Dowager's methods were tough. Fortunately, Kangxi kept Yiken'e by his side to educate him, which prevented the Empress Dowager from succeeding.
hehe!
Yin smiled coldly. If Yinqi were in good condition, Guoluo would not hate the Empress Dowager. Since Yinqi got married, his relationship with Consort Yi has become even more strained. Even when he went to pay his respects, he would only say a few words.
Yin often talked about Yinqi, always feeling that Yinqi was hurting Consort Yi's feelings.
"Fine?!" Yin sneered, "Ever since Yinqi was born, the Guo Luo Luo clan discussed and decided to put all their connections into Yinqi's favor, but they ended up like this. Do you think they can still forgive them?"
Qingyan looked at Yin, and realized that those were all drawbacks resulting from the power struggles among the royal women.
Behind every minister, there is the shadow of a prince.
"What about the Cao family?" Cao Yin's behavior was not very obvious. He not only showed goodwill to Suo'etu, but also to Mingzhu, Tong Guowei and others.
The Cao family's actions of juggling multiple relationships were noticed by Emperor Kangxi and drew sneers from all the princes.
“In the past, I watched more plays and spoke less!” After disembarking, Yin had to follow Kangxi around and didn’t have time to remind Qingyan of the banquet.
Taking this opportunity, Yin told Qingyan some ways to take precautions.
Granny Cao is not in good health, so the only woman from the Cao family who can lead the women into the palace is Madam Cao.
The Jue Luo clan and Madam Cao have a very good relationship, so Qingyan needs to be very careful.
"Does Madam Cao have a good relationship with Mother?" Qingyan looked at the few points of attention that Yin had written on the Xuan paper. One of them was to prevent Madam Cao from coming to see Qingyan as a close friend of the Jue Luo clan.
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