Upon hearing the news of the Emperor's awakening, all the princes were both surprised and delighted, and they quickly gathered at the entrance of the Qianqing Palace, waiting to see their father.
But after a long time, Liang Jiugong came out to deliver a message: His Majesty is asleep again and will not see anyone.
The princes looked at each other, but none of them dared to speak, their eyes fixed on the crown prince at the front.
Yinreng was very worried. He pulled Liang Jiugong aside and carefully inquired about the Emperor's condition. He learned that the fever had subsided and the Emperor had even had a bowl of sweet soup, which put his mind at ease.
The Emperor has awakened, which is good news no matter how you look at it.
All the princes are now living in the Princes' Residence. Once the palace gates are closed, they can't go out. Tonight, they can finally get a good night's sleep.
Who knew that the disturbance would start again in the middle of the night.
Everyone from the Imperial Medical Academy gathered, saying that something bad had happened to the Emperor.
They're even preparing the things they'll use for their own funeral.
When Yinzhen heard this, he got goosebumps all over.
He was shocked for a moment, and almost instinctively looked at the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince, a man of such refined and elegant bearing, had shouldered great responsibilities during Kangxi's serious illness, earning praise from both the court and the public. Yet, at this moment, his straight spine suddenly collapsed.
"Your Majesty...Father!"
Yinreng's eyes widened in disbelief, and he almost collapsed, pushing aside the eunuchs who were supporting him, and headed towards the inner palace.
Although he and the Emperor had become somewhat estranged by this time, he had long been dissatisfied with Kangxi's autocratic control, and his father no longer treated him with the same affection as before.
But even now, what appears before his eyes are still scenes from his childhood.
When he was four or five years old in the Imperial Garden, he overheard the eunuchs whispering that he was destined to bring misfortune to his family. Empress Hesheli had died in childbirth, and it was possible that he would even bring death to the emperor in the future.
He was utterly shocked, and the little boy covered his mouth, afraid to cry out.
It was the Emperor who discovered his abnormality. After learning the reason, he was furious. After finding out who it was, he ordered that the person's tongue be cut out and that the person be beaten to death. He also ordered the execution of the entire family, including the noble master behind him. He even ordered that the master's property be confiscated and the master beheaded.
The Emperor would hold him tightly as he curled up in a ball, and lovingly sleep with him at night, singing him lullabies.
The Emperor said, "Baocheng is a treasure given to me by the Eternal Heaven. He is a born dragon prince with great fortune. No misfortune or evil spirit in the world can get close to him."
Little Yinreng raised his head and looked at his father.
"Baocheng is my most beloved son, and I will protect you."
But, Father Emperor!
The Emperor is now critically ill. Could it be that he brought this upon himself?
The Emperor's voice seemed to echo in my ears again.
Yinreng's eyes gradually blurred with tears.
Your son is unfilial!
Yinzhen was also deeply saddened by the Crown Prince's cry of "Father Emperor," and upon seeing this, he quickly stepped forward to support the Crown Prince.
All the princes looked solemn as they watched the imperial physicians coming and going, the countless rare medicinal herbs, and the lamas who kept praying.
They were waiting for something, seemingly a turning point.
Because they heard the sound of hurried footsteps.
Running around in the palace was forbidden, but the hurried footsteps were so clear.
Everyone immediately looked towards the doorway.
A guard, his face covered in sweat and panting heavily, entered and immediately knelt down.
"The medicine is here!"
Yinreng was the first to rush forward, grabbing the guard's collar tightly. His watery eyes flashed with a terrifying light, leaving the guard speechless.
"What medicine?! Where is it from?!"
The guard quickly replied, "It's a Western medicine! It was brought by the third son of Lord Fucha Boder's family. He says it's called quinine and is specifically for treating chills and fever! It's already been tested on someone!"
Everyone was shocked.
Western medicine?
The fourteenth prince, unable to remain calm, jumped up and exclaimed, "What are you waiting for? Quickly give it to Father Emperor!"
The guard nodded hurriedly, took the medicine to the imperial physician for examination, and then said that Fucha Changxing was waiting outside.
Yinzhen was also extremely surprised.
He knew Fucha Changxing; he was Yaoxian's third brother, a businessman who traveled between the north and south, quite capable, and possessed many valuable items. He never expected Fucha Changxing to even have medicine like this!
The process of waiting for the imperial physician to examine the medicine never felt so long.
The Imperial Physician Ding, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, was over seventy years old. His hair was gray, his back was hunched, and he walked out shakily, saying, "This medicine is completely different from traditional Chinese medicine. I dare not rashly give it to His Majesty."
Fourteen was so anxious he was jumping up and down, "What time is it! What's there to be afraid of?"
Seeing the imperial physician's expression, Yinzhen understood.
After all, it's a new drug. If it's to be used by the Emperor, the higher-ups must give their permission; otherwise, they can't afford to take responsibility if something goes wrong.
Yinzhen wanted to say something more, but the Ninth Prince glanced at him and said leisurely, "This medicine is indeed of unknown origin. It is said that someone has tried it, but we don't know who tried it or how it was done. It's all based on Fucha's word. Or, could Fourth Brother tell everyone about it?"
Ever since Consort Yi's younger brother was dismissed from his post and exiled, the Ninth Prince had been somewhat resentful of Consort Fucha and Yinzhen, and couldn't help but want to stab them in the back. So how could he let this opportunity pass?
The thirteenth prince couldn't help but speak up for Yinzhen: "Although Fucha Changxing is the fourth brother's brother-in-law, the fourth brother has been in the palace ever since Father Emperor fell ill. How would he know anything about him?"
The Ninth Brother snorted coldly: "Thirteenth Brother, you don't know what Fourth Brother is capable of."
"Ninth Brother! What nonsense are you talking about!" The Fifth Brother immediately stopped his younger brother when he saw Yinzhen's expression change.
Yinzhen's face turned ashen: "What means do I have? If it can save Father Emperor, I'm willing to use any means necessary! In short, I trust Fucha Changxing, and I'll try this medicine!"
Old Nine snorted defiantly, but ultimately said nothing more.
The eighth brother stepped in to smooth things over again: "Fourth brother, don't be angry. You probably don't know the inside story either. Why don't you ask that young master Fucha to tell us?"
Crown Prince Yinreng interrupted him: "No need. I'll take the medicine first. If I'm fine, give it to Father Emperor directly, so as not to delay his condition."
Having said that, ignoring the panicked and drastically changed expressions on everyone's faces, Yinzhen tried to step forward to stop him, but saw him put the powder into his mouth in an instant.
Fifteen minutes later, nothing happened. Doctor Ding, having received the Crown Prince's decree, went back inside, trembling.
The group had no choice but to stay at the door all night.
As dawn broke, Emperor Kangxi had another dream.
This time, the person I dreamed of wasn't the Crown Prince, but Prince Zhi.
The eldest daughter of Prince Zhi was betrothed to a Mongol by the prince himself. This son, who was always brave and fierce, forced a smile in front of his father, the emperor. After returning to his residence, he locked himself up and drank one cup of wine after another until he was drunk.
He murmured, "Father...Father...you favor Yinreng...and imprisoned Yinreng...and now...now you're even going to abandon Baoqing?"
After saying this, the Prince Zhi, who was in his thirties or forties, covered his face and wept bitterly.
Emperor Kangxi was struck dumb.
He suddenly woke up.
The imperial physician was overjoyed and quickly took the emperor's pulse, only to find that the emperor's fever had subsided and he had stopped vomiting; the illness was already half cured.
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