Given the prince's arrogant nature, it was really not easy for Kangxi to tolerate him being the prince for so many years. If it weren't for his protection, she dared to guarantee that the prince would have died young due to the conspiracy and scheming of the harem.
The prince waited and waited but did not get any evidence against Yinzhen. Instead, he got the news that his subordinates were arrested by Yinzhen and thrown into jail. Not only that, they also said that it was he who instructed them to borrow silver.
At that moment, he felt like the whole world had betrayed him. Everything he did was for their own good, so why did they betray him?
After Kangxi learned that the prince's people owed hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, he slapped the prince in the face, and his eyes were filled with extreme disappointment in him. He almost said that he wanted to replace the prince.
The prince was suddenly treated coldly, and Yinzhen was rewarded for this incident, so some fence-sitters in the court came to him and showed their courtesy.
Fortunately, he was a man who could stick to his original intention and did not have too much contact with them. They were just acquaintances. Otherwise, Kangxi would have suspected him of having ulterior motives.
After everything was settled, he finally had time to entertain the three little ones. Yinqi and Yinxiang also came with them. They came just out of curiosity, but they didn't expect to be invited to stay for dinner.
After a meal, they finally understood why Yinzhen doted on Mu Sili so much. If they were in his place, they would also dote on her very much.
"Does Little Fourth Sister-in-law have any sisters? If so, you might as well introduce them to me. Although I cannot give her the status of a legitimate wife, I promise that after she gives birth to a prince, I will ask for her the status of a concubine. I really need a princess like Little Fourth Sister-in-law."
Yinzhen has always been fond of beautiful women. Although Yu Li does not have a stunning appearance, her temperament is unique and it is hard for people not to get close to her. Therefore, Yinzhen subconsciously thought that all the people in her Song family were like this, so he wanted to take one into the palace to serve.
"I'm sorry to disappoint Ninth Prince. I don't have any sisters of the right age at home. I'm the only daughter in the family."
Tang was a little disappointed with the reason, but he didn't say anything. If there is no one, then there is no one. After all, it is a blessing to have one person like her in the world. How could there be a second one?
One night deepened their brotherhood. Later in the drinking, Yinzhi and Yinzhi also came, and it became a gathering of brothers.
When the prince learned the news, he immediately concluded that Yinzhen had bad intentions and was forming a clique for personal gain, but he had no evidence, otherwise he would have gone to the Qianqing Palace to file a complaint.
"The fourth brother is very calculating. He just reported me and then he started to form a clique for personal gain. Even though they are my brothers, they just can't stand it together.
I really didn't expect that he was so cunning. In the past, I always thought that he was sincere in following me. Now it seems that I was overthinking it. He just used me as a stepping stone.
He said he would handle the matter impartially, isn't he just trying to leave a good impression in front of the Emperor? I'm so blind that I actually believed his lies. If he can trick me, I can also stab him."
Inside the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Kangxi looked at the Crown Prince with disappointment. How on earth could he have known Yinzhen had betrayed him? If it weren't for his strong guarantee, those people wouldn't have simply paid back the money and been done with.
This kid Yinzhen is too kind-hearted. He is devoted to the prince but ended up being labeled as someone who stepped on the prince to get to the throne. If he were a little cruel, he would deserve this label, but it's a pity that he is a kind person.
"You've been telling me that Old Four is bad at this and that and that he's forming a clique for personal gain, but have you ever considered that it's you who's actually forming a clique for personal gain? Do you know how much Old Four paid to keep those few of your followers around?
Baocheng, I personally raised you and gave you this position when you were very young. Why can't you distinguish between good and evil in your heart?
If the fourth brother really formed a clique for personal gain, I would not let him off easily. But he was just having a small gathering with his brothers, how could it be considered forming a clique for personal gain?
If you insist on me punishing him today, then I think I should punish you first. After all, you are truly engaging in clique-building activities, while he is merely participating in a small gathering."
Kangxi said a lot of things that confused the prince. So he was here to complain about Yinzhen, but the emperor didn't believe it at all?
"Does Your Majesty trust Fourth Brother so much? If he is truly innocent, then let him come to the Palace of Purity to confront me. I don't believe anyone is truly unconcerned about my position as Crown Prince."
Kangxi was unhappy. What kind of son was this? It would be better not to have him. With his temper, the son could only survive to this day thanks to his father’s protection.
If he were not the crown prince, he would be sure that his arrogant temper would become his death warrant, even if he was the legitimate son, after all, he did not have his mother's protection?
Yes, wasn't it because he didn't have his mother's protection that he was made the crown prince? Didn't he want to protect him so he gave him this position? Now it seems that it was a wrong decision after all.
"You still don't know what's right or wrong, and you keep blaming others for your mistakes. Do you know how disappointed I am in you?"
Disappointment? This was probably the most outrageous word the prince had ever heard in his life. He had never thought that Kangxi would use such a word to describe him.
In his impression, Kangxi always praised him mostly. When did he ever use such words to describe him?
Just as the nanny and uncle said, his brothers have grown up and the emperor will no longer dote on him as much as before.
"Is this how Your Majesty views me? I never thought I would be disappointed. From childhood to adulthood, I have heard the most about how excellent I am. Now it seems that it was all fake.
As you said, if I didn't have the status of the crown prince to protect me, I would have died in the conspiracy of the harem long ago. How could I have the opportunity to report Yinzhen's misdeeds here?
I am sorry to bother you today. Since the Emperor values him so highly, I will take a look at whether he is truly a clique member. I will take my leave now."
The prince left the Palace of Heavenly Purity angrily. Kangxi looked at his back and shook his head. He must be blind, otherwise why would he think that the throne should be inherited by the prince?
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is angry with the Fourth Prince because he forced his men to pay back the silver owed to the national treasury. Don't take it to heart. If the Fourth Prince knew, he would blame himself.
You know, the Fourth Prince cares the most about family ties. If he knew that you and the Crown Prince had a rift because of him, I'm afraid he would be depressed for a long time.
If you feel that what I said is wrong, I will send someone to ask the Fourth Prince to come and explain it to you in detail. Based on my understanding of the Fourth Prince, he would not do anything like forming a clique for personal gain."
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