Early the following morning, Fukang'an and his ministers, in two large entourages, bypassed the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony, and stopped at the Qianqing Gate. The Qianqing Gate was where the emperor held court, and eunuchs had prepared a temporary throne for him in the center. The official in charge of recording the emperor's daily activities stood on the west side, while officials from the Hanlin Academy and the Censorate stood on the steps below. Civil and military officials stood on either side of the steps below.
The officials stood in place for a long time, the sky seemingly shrouded in a gray-white cloth, dim and devoid of light. Then, a loud shout rang out across the silent Forbidden City: "The Emperor has arrived!"
"His Majesty has arrived!"
"His Majesty has arrived!"
The words echoed repeatedly in the ears of the ministers, and all the officials knelt down in unison, shouting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Their voices were majestic and deafening.
As the Emperor's retinue emerged from the Qianqing Palace, all the officials knelt, not daring to look directly at him. After the retinue stepped back, the Emperor sat regally on his temporary throne. Though already in his sixties, his imposing presence still exuded an unassailable majesty. "Rise, my beloved ministers!"
The Minister kneels and places the memorial on the yellow table, bows his head, and returns to his original position. After finishing his memorial, he bows his head and descends the steps on the east side. After the Emperor approves it, it is presented by the eunuch beside him. After the Minister finishes his memorial, the officials under him then present their memorials in turn.
If the matter reported is deemed in accordance with the Emperor's decree, it shall be carried out by the Grand Secretary and the Academician.
After the ministers finished their reports, Guangyao Xiaheshen noticed that the Emperor's brows were still furrowed. He knew the Emperor was worried about the sudden injury of Lady Fucha and Fukang'an's inability to go to Jilin. His eyes crinkled into crescent moons as he cleared his throat. "Your Majesty," he said, "I have another matter to report!"
The Emperor narrowed his eyes. "Come forward!"
Heshen walked down the steps, knelt down, and said loudly, "Lady Fucha has been injured by the White Lotus Sect. If General Fukang'an leaves the capital, the White Lotus Sect will become even more rampant and reckless. At that time, all the powerful and noble people in the capital will feel insecure, which will damage the prestige of our Great Qing! In my humble opinion, General Fukang'an should capture the White Lotus Sect members before leaving the capital. Now that Fragrant Hills is being renovated, there are many matters concerning Jingyi Garden that are beyond the supervision of us scholars. If General Fukang'an were to supervise them, it would be a truly good thing!"
The Emperor stroked his sparse white beard, his eyes growing even more intense, a surge of joy welling within him. He feigned a moment of deep thought, then his voice boomed with delight, like water from a bronze cauldron, "Granted!" He knew perfectly well Heshen's intentions: Heshen wanted to please him, giving him a legitimate reason to keep Fukang'an, yet he also didn't want Fukang'an to be idle at home. In short, Heshen had solved the Emperor's immediate problem, and the Emperor valued him even more.
After the court session, Fukang'an followed the Emperor into the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The Emperor did not go to the main hall, nor to the east or west warm pavilions, but instead took Fukang'an to the Hall of Three Rarities, which was connected to the west warm pavilion.
Fukang'an glanced down at the two small pavilions, puzzled by the Emperor's intentions. After Wu Shulai served tea, the Emperor dismissed him, leaving only Fukang'an and himself in the pavilions. He invited Fukang'an to sit beside him.
After Fukang'an was seated, he had a chance to take a closer look at his surroundings. Although the hall was small, it was exquisitely decorated. The partitions were made of carved nanmu wood with sheer gauze in between, and the outer room was paved with blue and white geometric patterned tiles. The walls were covered with works by famous calligraphers. The emperor regarded the authentic calligraphy of Wang Xizhi, Wang Xun, and others as "rare treasures," hence the name Sanxi Hall (Hall of Three Rarities).
Seeing that Fukang'an possessed the same dashing spirit as himself in his youth, the Emperor was deeply gratified. "How is your mother feeling?"
Fukang'an immediately stood up, bowed his head, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the imperial physician says that there is no serious problem and he only needs to rest and recuperate!"
The emperor's face showed some disappointment at the lack of proper etiquette between him and his subject. He waved his hand, "Very well, go back and take good care of your mother." Fukang'an knelt on the ground and replied stiffly, "Your subject takes his leave!"
The imperial family has no room for personal feelings. The deep palace walls separated him from the hustle and bustle of the world, and even more so from the sincere heart he held for the emperor. Fukang'an stepped out of the palace step by step. Before the age of twelve, the emperor held a more important place in his heart than his father. But after witnessing that scene, his awe and love for the emperor were reduced to nothing but loyalty to the Qing Dynasty.
Ten years ago.
After receiving a report from her maid, Wan Hui left the Fucha residence and boarded a sedan chair bound for the Fu residence. The sedan chair, personally led by Wu Shulai, attracted the attention of Fukang'an, who had just returned from the palace.
After passing through a series of alleys, the sedan chair stopped in front of the Fu residence. Fukang'an, who had been following closely behind, saw his mother get out of the sedan chair and be helped into the mansion by Wu Shulai. After hesitating for a moment, he followed her into the Fu residence.
The Imperial Guards knew that Fukang'an was the Emperor's favorite Second Master Kang, so they did not stop him. They clasped their swords and respectfully invited Fukang'an into the Fu residence.
Having grown up in the Fu family mansion and the palace, Fukang'an knew that the front courtyard of the Fu family mansion was merely a facade. He went straight into Liuxiang Garden. The group of servants following Wanhui had disappeared. Fukang'an saw Wu Shulai guarding the study in the main house. Wu Shulai was the emperor's close eunuch, and the emperor would take him with him wherever he went. Now that he was guarding this place, Fukang'an knew that the emperor must be in the study.
Wan Hui entered the study and saw the Emperor carefully admiring a painting. Upon closer inspection, she saw it was a painting of family joy commissioned by the Emperor to depict Fukang'an's first birthday. A hint of emotion stirred on Wan Hui's beautiful face, and she said sweetly, "Your Majesty!"
The Emperor turned around, embraced Wan Hui, and pointed to the painting on the wall, "Today is your birthday, and I specially brought this painting for you! Hang it here so we can look at it together in the future!" Wan Hui rested her head in the Emperor's arms, and a smile as beautiful as a peony bloomed on her charming face.
Unable to suppress his doubts, Fukang'an rushed into the study despite Wu Shulai's attempts to stop him, only to witness Wan Hui embracing the Emperor. He was so shocked that he sat down on the floor.
Fukang'an and Fuchang'an were both raised in the palace, but the Emperor and Empress Dowager favored him exceptionally, giving him the same food, clothing, and lodging as any prince. Twelve-year-old Fukang'an understood why his father had disliked him since childhood, barely even seeing him a few times, and always behaving reservedly as if he were a prince whenever they met.
Fukang'an scrambled to his feet and ran outside like a madman.
Wan Hui tried to catch up with Fukang'an, but tripped and fell on her flowerpot-soled shoes, crying and calling out, "Kang'er, let your mother explain. Kang'er..."
The Emperor glared angrily at Wu Shulai, causing Wu Shulai, who was kneeling on the ground, to burst into tears and sweat. "This servant, this servant, could not stop Second Master Kang!"
"Send men to follow him. If he does anything, I will take your heads!" The Emperor roared at Wu Shulai as he helped Wan Hui up.
Wu Shulai accepted the order and stumbled out of the mansion, grabbing the leader of the Imperial Guards and stammering, "Go quickly, go quickly, find, find Master Kang! If you can't find him, bring me your head!"
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