Emperor Kangxi personally led the army
"Yinreng hasn't slept yet?" The questioning tone revealed a sense of certainty.
Wei Zhu shrank his head and answered honestly, "Yes." He was Kangxi's laughingstock, and Kangxi was always tolerant. He could usually tell a few jokes because of his seniority, but tonight... Wei Zhu thought it was better to keep quiet.
Kangxi sighed inwardly. He knew his own son well. Yinreng was overthinking things again, wasn't he? He had been sleeping late every night for several days.
As someone who lacked parental love in his childhood, Kangxi was like all parents in the world – he wanted to achieve for his children what he himself could not achieve. He loved each of his children and hoped that they could all feel their father's love.
Admittedly, he felt even more sorry for Yinreng. Seeing the child, he felt a pity for him. Such a pitiful child, without a mother. Furthermore, as the only legitimate son left, Kangxi treated him with exceptional affection. Unfortunately, his sons weren't exactly respectful to each other (hey, you expect the Crown Prince to be respectful to his brother?), especially the eldest son, whose relationship with the Crown Prince wasn't as close as his own with Prince Yu. This was a real headache for Kangxi.
The eldest prince, his eldest surviving son, was of course a concern for him. However, his flaws were also obvious: reckless, simple-minded, inconsiderate, and dependent on Mingzhu. Well, that might sound a bit over the top, but it didn't stop Kangxi from wanting to be a good father.
He liked the Crown Prince even more. Yes, he liked him very much. Look, his every move was very much like mine. No matter the cold or the heat, he never took off his crown, unbuttoned his clothes, or rolled up his sleeves. His intelligence and eagerness to learn were also like mine. He was truly the perfect Crown Prince I had nurtured! If there was a flaw, it was that he was a little too close to Soetu.
Kangxi had a headache.
Why can't the two sons just be quiet? Especially the eldest son, what the hell are you and Mingzhu doing?! Don't I know what you're thinking?!
Because he was also very kind to his uncle's family, Kangxi clearly and intentionally turned a blind eye to the relationship between Yinreng and Soetu. What was he worried about? Wasn't Khan Ama... raising a virtuous prince for you?
Rubbing his forehead, Kangxi decided to go to sleep.
Same person, different fate. Kangxi hadn't even washed his face when an urgent secret letter arrived. If Kangxi had seen the mythical beast, he would have had ten thousand alpaca horses running wildly across the Gobi Desert!
Boss, you bastard! Are you really my son?! I asked you to follow Prince Yu so you could learn to be humble, tolerant, and respectful to your brother, who outranks you. And what happened next?! This bastard! He actually listened to the slander of a villain (are you sure he didn't think that?) and started arguing with his uncle, even reporting him! It's only been a few days! He's already offended his uncle. I asked you to make friends, not offend people!
Two expedited secret memorials were placed before him. He flipped open them. Prince Yu was as calm and honest as ever, his descriptions objective, and he offered many apologies. Yinzhi, however, was trembling. He was accusing his uncle, and his words were not very polite. "You're the deputy. Do you understand what a deputy is?! You've only walked two hundred miles, and you've already caused trouble for me! You bastard!"
Kangxi suddenly understood Yinreng's concerns. How could such a fool, who dared to quarrel with his uncle, really take his younger brother seriously? Kangxi was deeply suspicious.
Kangxi made up his mind: he would personally lead the army. He wanted to punish Yinzhi, this disobedient and unlucky child, and teach him that a weak arm cannot twist a powerful one, and that obedience is the only way to go. How wonderful it would be if he behaved well and made everyone worry less!
Oh, right, Mingzhu and Suo'etu both went off to fight. Maybe Mingzhu had a bad influence on Yinzhi. No, Mingzhu and he weren't in the same army. Hmm, it must be the villains around him who said something. They need to be dealt with severely!
————————————————————————————————
Shujia looked constipated as she was summoned to the capital again.
Kangxi had left, personally heading into battle. Shujia mentally calculated the Gregorian calendar and the reign title. This was perhaps the next piece of foresight she'd remembered, after the serious question of who the Fourth Lady was. She knew the Battle of Ulan Butong took place in 1690. She also knew it wasn't entirely won, and that the battle would eventually reach Zhamoduo. But none of this mattered to the current dilemma she faced! Shujia felt so angry she wanted to scratch the wall.
Kangxi was gone, and his procession and guards were to go with him! Shujia's two brothers, one of whom served in the Imperial Guard, and the other, unfortunately, a guard. There was nothing more to say; pack your bags and go. Left at home were only her aging grandfather and her sister-in-law, who had two babies to care for. She couldn't remain in the suburbs any longer, and had no choice but to pack her bags and return home.
The roads were closed. When the emperor went to war, the large army passed by and the idle people avoided it.
Wherever the carriage passed, there was a scene of desolation. Back home, the atmosphere was also tense and morale was low. Wendu personally went to the second gate to meet her and took her to the main room: "Your brothers have all gone with the emperor, and at home..." Shujia had heard from the maid sent by Wendu that she had been anxious on the way. Now that they sat down, without any more politeness, she drank a sip of tea and asked directly: "Brother didn't say it was so urgent? I encountered a large army on the road and had to wait for a long time."
Wen Du said, "Who says it's not true? Your brother came back the day before and said he was leaving. He packed his clothes and set off with the emperor the next day. The city gates were closed at night, so there was no way I could tell you to go."
Shujia said, "This is too hasty. Has there been any news from Mafa?" Wendu shook her head, "Mafa hasn't said anything. After escorting the emperor out of the city today, Mafa went somewhere to get some information, and he hasn't returned yet. You should settle down first, and then we can talk. Your room will be watched at all times. I've already told the kitchen to prepare dinner."
Shujia went to wash up, and Huashan returned before dinner. He went to pay his respects again, asking in a roundabout way if there was any new news. Huashan waved his hand and said, "Don't ask around. Don't wander around these few days. Your brothers are very close to the emperor's carriage, so there's no need for them to lead the way. Tell your sister-in-law not to panic."
After Shujia left Huashan's place, she was invited back by Lady Wendu. She presented her nephew with a newly made set of clothes. Lady Wendu smiled and said, "I'm so worried about you again." She let Rong'er accept them, then turned to Shujia with a serious expression, "Ever since the news of Galdan's invasion from the south hit, the capital has been in a state of panic. Even if your brothers don't go with the emperor this time, I'll bring you back. It's safer in the capital than out there."
Shujia was shocked. "Has it really come to this?" She remembered the Qing court's overwhelming victory. Why was the capital so panicked? Wendu frowned. "Rice went up to three taels the other day." Shujia's mouth dropped open. Damn! This is outrageous. Three taels of silver for rice? This is the capital. They always stabilize prices promptly. Usually, a few cents is enough. Now it's doubled!
Wendu sighed: "I just hope that the army will return victorious, so that we can live in peace." Shujia nodded: "Why are you panicking? We will definitely win this time." She said it very confidently. Wendu calmed herself down: "Look at me, I'm busy worrying about this." She divided the housework with Shujia, and then the two sisters-in-law went to bed separately.
The next day, I got up, paid my respects to Hua Shan, and then came back to oversee the re-tidying of the house. I sorted out the household chores with Wen Dushi. Prices had risen, and the accounts in the accounting office needed to be re-organized. I also needed to check on my own farms. The Shi family had over a dozen farms, several near the outskirts of Beijing, and some even farther a hundred miles. The Shi family's household items were generally produced on the farms, which were very useful, so there was no need to worry about price increases.
If there was any surplus, they could sell it to make money, but when they thought about the fact that the extra money was due to the war and their relatives were on the front lines, they couldn't be happy about the extra money.
Shujia never thought that she would have to worry about money. It was really fate.
What she didn't expect was yet to come - during this chaotic time, the Empress Dowager thought of her again. She had no choice but to pack up and return to the palace.
When she arrived at Ningshou Palace, she saw that she was the only outsider except Su Malagu.
What's going on?
Of course it was the Crown Prince's idea.
The situation on the front lines was unclear, and the Empress Dowager was extremely worried and troubled every day. Bored, she wanted to talk to someone: Kangxi's concubines, sons, and daughters.
With Kangxi gone and Yinzhi no longer in Beijing, Yinreng naturally assumed the airs of a senior brother, demanding his younger brothers, "Study hard and don't let the emperor down." He continued to attend classes even though he was locked up, and his sisters followed suit. At the same time, he earnestly advised the Empress Dowager, "Before his death, Khan Ama ordered me to be regent. I think we can't neglect my younger brothers. We should stay in Beijing and do well, so that Khan Ama can rest assured, right?"
He also instigated the Empress Dowager to issue an order, asking the concubines to stay in the palace and not to inquire about information everywhere. The reason he used was very high-sounding - not to disturb the people's hearts.
The Empress Dowager was persuaded and the situation was resolved, and the palace calmed down, but she was still troubled. She was very worried about Kangxi. Marching to war was different from going on an outing and having people around to protect you. Thinking about the war behind "personal expedition", the Empress Dowager could not sleep.
Seeing her like this, Yinreng thought for a moment and decided he didn't want his half-brothers to show up too much in front of the Empress Dowager. He also didn't want to see the Empress Dowager looking worried, so he cautiously said to her, "Khan-father, your father is blessed with great fortune. The Holy Emperor has the protection of his ancestors and the spirits. How about... your grandson call back the maid you used to talk to?"
The Empress Dowager was a little absent-minded again: "Okay."
The daughters of the Suo family were either underage or disliked by the Empress Dowager. Of course, she couldn't allow someone close to the eldest prince to get close to the Empress Dowager at this moment. After much deliberation, she decided that someone neutral and loyal to his Khan-father was more reliable. And so, Shujia was chosen.
————————————————————————————————
Talking to the Queen Mother was simple, and even simpler now. The Queen Mother's main point was this: "Will the Emperor be alright? Can we win?"
Shujia was absolutely certain that Galdan would be defeated sooner or later, and that Kangxi would have another 60 years to reign (why did I suddenly feel his son was so tragic?). When questioned by the Empress Dowager, Shujia's tone was incredibly certain: "We'll definitely win! It'll be fine!"
The Empress Dowager patted her chest and said, "Oh, I couldn't sleep these past few days. When I closed my eyes, I had nightmares..." She kept muttering.
So damn cute! Since traveling through time, Shujia has only seen traces of her innocence; even she herself is full of pretense and caution. Oh, listen patiently, patiently feel this innocence. Strangely, I sense a childlike innocence in this old woman, making me want to spend time with her.
Su Malagu listened patiently, silently turning her rosary beads. When the Empress Dowager said to her, "Is that right, Princess?" she paused and calmly replied, "Master, the gods and Buddhas will protect you." The Empress Dowager knew that she recited sutras every day, praying for Kangxi's well-being, and she couldn't help but say, "Let's do evening prayers together tonight." Su Malagu nodded and said, "I will obey Master's orders."
The Empress Dowager continued to grumble to Shujia, "The Crown Prince tells me as soon as he has news. When I haven't heard anything, I look forward to it. When I hear the news, I feel relieved and then look forward to the next news..."
This went on and on. Shujia knew she was just stressed out and wanted to vent. Fortunately, her nerves were strong enough. Well, she knew the end result, so she wasn't worried. Therefore, she could withstand the Empress Dowager's Tang Sanzang-style bombardment. She could still say with confidence, "It's definitely okay."
Her eyes were sincere, her expression was resolute, and her tone carried the imposing force of "Those who believe in me will have eternal life." Everything about her showed her confidence. Others might not have been intimidated by her, but the Empress Dowager believed it.
When the Empress Dowager became anxious again, she brought Shujia over and repeated, "It will definitely be fine."
Once again, Shujia was taken away by the Empress Dowager.
Shujia accompanied the old lady in her conversation, but she was essentially just a listener, occasionally repeating what the Empress Dowager wanted to hear most. Originally, there was nothing unusual.
Something was bound to happen on this day.
As he was speaking, the crown prince arrived.
Shujia was a little nervous. What was he doing here? With Lao Kang gone, shouldn't he be trying to find a way to insert his cronies to seize power? She was thinking, but he had already slipped away.
Yinreng took a deep breath. His father was ill, so ill that he had to rush to the capital. As a son, it would be strange if he wasn't worried! He also had to tell the Empress Dowager because he was leaving the capital. Instead of letting the Empress Dowager worry about him hearing rumors after he left, it would be better for him to tell her himself.
"Grandmother Empress Dowager, Khan Ama asked his grandson to go to the camp. Uh, the dragon is feeling a little unwell."
The Empress Dowager cried out, and began to stagger. People rushed to help her up. Yinreng held one of her arms and said, "Grandmother Empress Dowager, please don't worry. If you get sick from worry, your grandson will be ashamed to see my father-in-law."
The old lady raised her hand and pointed directly at Shujia: "Didn't you say it was okay?"
Shujia, surrounded by people, said: ………
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
