The Crown Prince in Melancholy
"My Lord, there's a similar screen in Ningshou Palace, only it's much larger," the maid from Chengqian Palace said to Concubine Tong with a smile, "The gift sent by the Crown Prince is truly extraordinary."
Concubine Tong reached out and brushed over the thank-you gifts sent by the Eastern Palace one by one. "Put them away. Go get the pair of vases with Western paintings on the shelf in my room and take them to the Eastern Palace. Say they're for Prince Hongtong."
Prince, you are becoming more and more sensible.
This kind of Eastern Palace met Concubine Tong's expectations, and she was willing to get closer to the Eastern Palace. However, she had to strike a balance; it was not appropriate for the Imperial Concubine and the Eastern Palace to be seen to be too intimate. Concubine Tong was thinking about how to deepen the friendship between the two palaces without appearing to be colluding with each other.
You have to drink the full moon banquet, but the gifts you give shouldn’t be too out of the ordinary and require careful consideration.
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Many people were planning the full moon banquet, and both inside and outside the palace, they put a lot of thought into preparing the gifts. When they heard that the emperor would be attending, they had to make many changes to the original plan. Among them, Ling Pu was the one who put the most effort into it.
The arrival of the newborn has diluted the depression of the past few months. For several months, few good things have happened in family life. It is rare to have a happy thing, so of course we have to celebrate it.
The third-day bath had already passed, but the full moon was still a few days away. Kangxi had expressed his intention to attend, leaving the busy work to his subordinates. Ling Pu, the Crown Prince's wet nurse, was now the head of the Imperial Household Department. Even without Kangxi's instructions, he would have been a mess. Now with this "verbal order," he became even busier. He truly favored Yinreng, forcing a considerable amount of manpower, material resources, and financial resources to prepare for the full moon banquet for the fifth prince of the Eastern Palace at this critical juncture.
Ling Pu was showing off intentionally and trying to please the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. In order to successfully host this "imperial" full moon banquet, he even went to Yuqing Palace to ask Yinreng for his instructions.
Yinreng was already the third legitimate son, and he was no longer that excited. He was currently catching up on his studies.
The emperor had just returned when he encountered urgent news. It was almost Chinese New Year, and this news was a real slap in the face. Earlier, the governor of Guangdong had reported that the Yao people in Lianshan were in rebellion, requesting to personally lead the army to suppress them. The court, dismissing it as a minor matter, approved the request and waited for reports of victory. Now, no such reports had arrived, and the same person had reported that the Shaozhou deputy commander, Lin Fang, who had led the troops, had been killed by the Yao people, and that officers and soldiers had been injured.
The emperor was just about to celebrate the New Year happily, but instead of hearing the sound of firecrackers, he heard the sound of bandits slapping the face of an important official he had appointed.
As an emperor who values his reputation, Kangxi couldn't tolerate this. As an emperor who values his territory, Kangxi must protect his own interests. He should just hand this matter over to the Grand Secretary and have them discuss a plan with the Nine Ministers, and quickly!
As the Crown Prince who participated in political discussions, Yinreng had to know the ins and outs of things and be able to understand the issues and make suggestions during discussions. Moreover, the Crown Princess's great-uncle Shi Lin was now the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi!
With his head buzzing like this, you ask him to take time to care about his youngest son’s full moon celebration?
Yinreng patiently said to Ling Pu, who looked like he was trying to take credit for something, "Just handle these matters as you see fit. Well, let the Crown Princess make the decision. Right now, Khan Ama is getting mad about the Guangdong incident, so don't overdo this."
Ling Pu knew there was rebellion in Guangdong, but where was Guangdong? Thousands of miles away, out of sight and out of reach. What did it have to do with us? Even if Guangdong was in turmoil, life in the capital still had to go on. I had to win the crown prince's respect at the full moon banquet!
Ling Pu advised Yinreng earnestly: "The little prince is the son of the Crown Princess, he is precious already, and he has the words of His Majesty, how can there be any 'fault'? This is also the face of the Eastern Palace! If it is not handled properly, it will seem that I am not doing my best, and the Eastern Palace will also..." His momentum was declining.
Yinreng patted his forehead and said, "Don't go too far! Don't exceed Hongdan's. For the rest, you can ask the Crown Princess."
Ling Pu arrived excitedly but left disappointed. He couldn't understand what had happened to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince should wear the finest clothes, eat the finest food, use the finest things, and everything related to the Emperor should be of the highest quality. This included his son's full-month banquet. Grandma Ling wouldn't have thought it was wrong if the Crown Prince's son's full-month banquet surpassed that of the Emperor's.
Over the years, the Crown Prince was not the only one who was spoiled.
Kangxi spoiled his son and held him to high standards. Because his son indulged his servants, he didn't teach them with the same dedication he gave his son. Consequently, his son became spoiled, and the servants around him became accustomed to it. A crown prince surrounded by those with deviant views, and, having formed such habits before he could distinguish right from wrong, was like a prince who had been in an abalone shop for a long time, oblivious to the stench. Once he lost control, he degenerated faster than anyone else.
Yet, these people refuse to reflect on their actions, believing that the Crown Prince's treatment was granted by the Emperor, a decree that was unalterable and irrevocable. So, what's there to worry about? Just enjoy it! If the Crown Prince's treatment was even slightly inadequate, they'd roll up their sleeves and fight, without even a vest on.
Prince, what kind of injustice have you endured over the years? What kind of inhuman life have you led? How could you be so unrefined? Where is your dignity? Where is your dignity? Where is your pride?
Ling Pu's eyes were filled with sadness. The villain in his heart had already rolled up his sleeves to his shoulders and decided to persuade the Crown Princess: "We must save the Crown Prince's face! Find that high and mighty Crown Prince back!"
Thinking of this, Ling Pute said in a tragic and generous manner: "I'll take my leave. I'll report to the Crown Princess right away!" His words were truly powerful!
Yinreng waved his hand. He trusted his wife, who was sensible and trustworthy. At least Shujia would not bring him hatred.
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Ling Pu, a middle-aged man full of enthusiasm, encountered a difficult problem.
He was preparing for a full-month banquet, which means the baby wasn't even a month old yet, which meant the mother was still in confinement!
The rules cannot be broken!
Even without palace rules, a woman in labor couldn't be forced to get up and work right away. Ling Pu could only hand in his own order and have the eunuch pass on the message.
Even the most generous words would lose their original flavor after being conveyed through one layer. Ling Pu was asked to sit in the side room of the Duanjing Palace and drink tea. He talked to the eunuch who delivered the message over and over again. He was so anxious that he could not drink the tea and sweat broke out.
"Sir, the master said that the New Year is coming soon. Don't let our prince's affairs delay the important matters of the New Year." Wu Mingli spoke in a neither loud nor low voice, and at a neither fast nor slow pace.
Ling Pu scratched the back of his chair. "Eunuch, please talk to the Crown Princess again. This is a matter of honor for our Eastern Palace!" Do you know how to pass on messages? Damn eunuch, you're not a man anymore, so you can't speak in an impassioned tone?
Wu Mingli was still half dead: "Sir, isn't the master thinking about you?"
Ling Pu still didn't give up: "As long as the master nods, I can get it done without any delay. This time the Emperor will also be present." If the venue was not set up in the East Palace, he would not have to apply with the local bosses. It would be much better to just give him a surprise.
That’s enough!
Shujia was very depressed. She certainly didn't want to treat her son badly, but even from a mother's perspective, she felt that Lingpu was too extravagant. This standard was even better than the full month celebrations of the child's younger uncles. Wouldn't this attract attention?
After pounding the bed, Shujia said to Wu Mingli, "You go and tell him. He has a point, but I have to ask the Crown Prince for his opinion. The Khan Ama is coming in person, and it's the Crown Prince who will receive him."
Ling Pu had no choice but to make preparations while waiting for news.
Then Yinreng said sternly, "Nonsense!"
Ling Pu was confused.
Yinreng felt reluctant, but patiently explained, "The Yao bandits in Guangdong are causing chaos, and Khan Ama has mobilized troops from several provinces to suppress them. How can I not share their hardship?"
"That won't hinder our prince, right? It's the Emperor who has given the order." Ling Pu was absolutely not talking nonsense. He was in charge of the Imperial Household Department, which was the royal treasury, and the expenses were separate from those for military and national affairs.
Yinreng's patience finally ran out: "Do as I say! Just follow Hongtong's example! If you don't do as I say, you'll never be in charge of anything again!" Do you understand how to be low-key? If you sit among the refugees and eat meat, aren't you inviting them to be robbed?
Ling Pu shuddered, feeling extremely confused and disappointed, and went back to prepare.
Yinreng went back and complained to Shujia, "I used to think he was quite clever. He always did everything I asked him to do. Now he's really grown old and has lost that tact. It's a good thing you stopped him. Otherwise, while the fighting was going on up ahead, we were living in extravagance here. He's simply ignorant of the sufferings of the world."
Grandma Ling is being unfairly treated unfairly. You used to think he was clever because you were thinking the same thing: showing off, being superior. Now you've come to your senses, but he hasn't. How come you only remember that he's "perfectly to your liking" and didn't realize your feelings have changed?
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After sending Ling Pu away, Yinreng went to chat with his wife with a headache. There were some things that could not be said to subordinates, and his sons were still young and could not discuss important matters.
Shujia was fine. This year, there was a happy event in the Eastern Palace, but also a mourning event. Her own family suffered a tragedy: two imperial princes died outside the palace, and several children died young. In an imperial family with a large population and an increasing death toll, this year's mourning events were quite numerous. Everyone was being cautious this New Year.
It’s just right that the Crown Princess doesn’t have to be busy with all this and that during her confinement period.
In my free time, I play with my sons and catch up on some important things. I can't read or write, but when I'm bored, I can listen to my husband talk in the tree hole.
First, he talked about Ling Pu, the scene he'd complained about earlier. As he spoke, he became more excited: "They're all such troublesome people! This year has been really rough. Prince Bo's illness has gotten even worse, and I'm finally able to get along with him! Khan Ama has called in the eldest brother and the others to the court to attend to government affairs! The six ministries, the Censorate, the Lifan Yuan, the Infantry Commander's Office, the city defense battalion... they're practically being beaten to a pulp!"
Shujia didn't know whether to be happy or sad after hearing this.
Yinreng's adherence to the principle of "husband and wife are one" became increasingly thorough. Previously, he hadn't spoken much about unpleasant things happening outside, nor had he touched upon state affairs. Today, however, he spoke extensively of matters within the court, even touching upon power struggles.
He's been under a lot of pressure lately, Shujia thought, otherwise he wouldn't have come here to complain. But this attitude is bad. When people are anxious, they make mistakes, which is counterproductive. Living in this palace, the most unacceptable thing is to make mistakes.
"Take your time." Shujia said.
This attitude made Yinreng very dissatisfied: "If we delay any longer, the situation will become urgent."
"I'm getting more confused than I realize. How can anyone be so fast? How fast can he be? And how... fast are you going to be?"
This question really stumped Yinreng. What do you mean by fast? How fast?
The saying "the barefoot are not afraid of those who wear shoes" perfectly captures Yinreng's current situation—unfortunately, he's the one wearing shoes. With his crown prince position to protect, he must be extremely cautious; he can't afford to lose. However, his Khan-father increasingly displays an "I have more than one son" attitude, actively cultivating other princes, which invisibly places immense pressure on him.
He wasn't afraid of one or two, but ten or eight would be enough to kill him. Quantitative change will eventually lead to qualitative change. Even if there's no desire to seize the throne, the struggle for power is unstoppable. With so many people sharing the same pie, less will fall to Yinreng, which in turn weakens his power. How could he not be worried?
This slow, measured approach was like a blunt knife, gradually sharpening his nerves, his rationality, his self-control, and his IQ. Yinreng's heart burned, and he increasingly couldn't fathom his father. Kangxi's treatment of him wasn't as close as it had been in their childhood. Lately, he'd been promoting his brothers without expressing any disapproval, even personally raising his son. Was he doubting himself? Or was he still trusting and caring as before?
Yinreng and Shujia sat side by side on the bed. "This is retribution in this life. When I was little, I never suspected that Khan Ama would treat me badly. I never thought about whether Khan Ama would be unhappy or would favor someone else. Perhaps I was too careless when I was little, and even God couldn't stand it anymore. He wants me to pay back my debt with interest from now on."
Shujia covered his mouth and said, "It's almost New Year's Day, don't talk nonsense! I don't doubt that Khan Ama will treat you badly, and I don't think there is anyone who can be better than you." This is nonsense! The Crown Princess is still worried that her husband will lose his job.
"You're trying to comfort me."
"You are worried about gains and losses."
"yes."
"Don't worry, I will remember what you said today. I will make fun of you later."
Yinreng glanced at her sideways: "When will that time come?"
"Yes, when the time comes, when Khan Ama praises you, I will pour water on you, do you believe it?"
Yinreng laughed, then leaned against the headboard with his hands behind his head, and continued to play the melancholy role.
Shujia thought she had to relieve his stress today: "Name someone better than you. I'll hear it."
"Maybe we can find a good one?" He was unsure.
"Khan Ama has carefully nurtured you since you were born, isn't that true? He has spent more time and effort on you than anyone else, isn't that true?"
Yinreng was very sure of this and nodded silently.
"You mean to find another good one? Oh, Khan Ama, find another person and cultivate him for another twenty years? Throw away the son you cultivated for twenty years? If it were you, would you do such a losing deal?!" Yang slapped Yinreng on the forehead. "It's a pity that the family's money was placed with me. If it was with you, it would have been lost long ago."
Yinreng really laughed this time: "Madam, your teaching is right~"
"snort."
Yinreng smiled and put his wife down: "You take a rest, I'll go see our son." He actually needed to think alone.
When he accompanied Kangxi to the mausoleum, he was in a very good mood, as if he had returned to his carefree youth. As soon as he entered the capital, he saw his brothers who stayed behind fighting one by one, and even pretending to fight for territory, and his nerves instantly tensed up.
My cultivation is still not enough!
The Crown Prince quietly stood up and decided to sleep in the small Buddhist temple for two nights.
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Ling Pu was extremely unhappy, but he still didn't dare to hold a grand ceremony. He honestly held the full moon banquet for the Fourth Prince of the Eastern Palace according to Hongtong's standards, and he felt very depressed. Even when Kangxi praised him for doing a good job, it didn't make him much happier.
When he returned home, good things were waiting for him.
The housekeeper came forward to greet him: "Master, the head of Zhaozhuang is here."
Ling Pu nodded modestly. The housekeeper continued, "From the look of his face, I know he's here to pay his respects."
Ling Pu is very open-minded about the relationship between social values and personal values. The two are not in conflict. Poverty is not socialism, and it does not belong to us as a member of the ruling class.
Sincerely working for the Crown Prince doesn't mean you can't sincerely take kickbacks. Procurement has always been a lucrative job! It's rare to work in a project without taking some benefits!
Not long after Ling Pu took office, the family fortune had doubled.
He pondered for a moment, wondering if he should collect a little more money as a tribute to the Crown Prince. The officials sent out from under the Crown Prince had already prepared tens of thousands of yuan in tribute.
Ling Pu gritted his teeth and felt that he could not appear stingy, so he prepared 50,000 silver coins, and he would prepare more next year.
When Shujia received a large amount of banknotes, she was stunned. She had already bought all the New Year's goods, so why would she pay money now?!
Gao Sanxie said, "These are gifts from outside. The prince asked them to be handed over to you."
"Huh?" The crown prince accepted bribes?!
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