Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Empress Dowager Uya did not wish to confront her son in front of outsiders. She slowly put down the tea cup to steady her nerves and coldly ordered—

"Everyone, retreat."

Nanny Wu Ya immediately waved at the servants waiting in the hall and led the way outside.

Geng Shuning also lowered her eyes and tiptoed out behind Nanny Wu Ya.

She and Yinzhen were separated by a round table, and from beginning to end, the two had no interaction at all.

This scene fell into Su Peisheng's eyes.

Su Peisheng couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It seems the emperor has truly hardened his heart. Maybe this "little ancestor" will finally get what she wants one day.

Unaware, Yinzhen's finely arched brows were lowered, but his peripheral vision caught the fleeting figure in the light green robe as it disappeared into the distance.

When Yinzhen came to Changchun Garden, he preemptively told the Empress Dowager about disciplining his younger brother, naturally preparing a convincing argument to prevent others from sowing discord.

However, the stiffness between mother and son had lasted too long. Yinzhen knew that even if his mother prioritized the bigger picture, she would still be unhappy in her heart.

He just wanted to leave after speaking, not to obstruct his mother's view, so that some sweet-talking rascal could coax her.

But as he took in the light green color, Yinzhen suddenly forgot his earlier preparation and remembered the hateful mouth in his arms on the Mid-Autumn night.

When only the two of them were left in the hall, Yinzhen suddenly looked up and asked the Empress Dowager.

"Mother, do you believe your son will not cause you grief?"

Yinzhen's sudden show of weakness, even though his tone was not particularly gentle, caused Empress Dowager Uya's impending question to falter and become impossible to voice.

Empress Dowager Uya lightly sighed and reluctantly nodded, "Naturally."

Yinzhen's eyes flickered with another hateful moment in the Hall of Dazheng Guangming, and his body paused, but he still stood up and knelt on one knee before the Empress Dowager.

Bowing down to the Empress Dowager’s knees like Geng Shuning was something Yinzhen could never do, even in another lifetime.

What he could do was to make himself slightly lower than the Empress Dowager and speak as gently and calmly as possible.

"Mother, when Second Brother was the heir, all the attention was on him. The fourteenth has the favor of both the late emperor and you. I will try my best to shield him from the storms, and he has plenty of time to grow up slowly."

"But now that I sit in this position, you know... it's also difficult for me. No one is closer to us three. Others may not dare to challenge me directly, but they will target the fourteenth. Time is running out for him."

Empress Dowager Uya shuddered all over, hearing the implication in Yinzhen's words.

She didn’t even notice her son’s sudden act of kneeling, grabbing Yinzhen's arm with a look of anxiousness.

"But is someone trying to plot against Yun Ti?"

Yinzhen felt a slight sinking in his heart due to his mother's instinctive urgency, but after more than a decade, he had grown accustomed to it and showed no signs of abnormality.

He calmly explained, "I need to consolidate the authority left by the late emperor, and there will inevitably be actions that harm certain people's interests."

"Yun Ti is at the Jingjiao Military Camp, and as my full-brother, those with sharper minds know that I intend to give him command of the military. They will likely use him as leverage to force me to compromise."

Empress Dowager Uya, though full of unease, could understand her son's explanation.

Though she didn’t fully grasp the intricacies of the court, she understood the late emperor and human nature. Wealth and power are not easily relinquished.

As she listened, Uya suddenly realized and felt a bit awkward as she looked down at her son kneeling on one knee, her emotions were mixed.

As a son, Yinzhen had kneeled before her many times, but this was the first time he had shown such deference.

She felt a little uncomfortable, a lump forming in her throat. After all, this was her own child.

Despite their strained relationship, she was well aware that Yinzhen had taken care of Yun Ti more than once, which softened her heart even more.

She gently patted Yinzhen's shoulder. "Good child, please rise first. It's also my lack of consideration. Yun Ti is too willful. You should discipline him when necessary..."

She found it hard to continue.

In the palace, thirty strikes with a bamboo cane, if done with skill, would only result in some flesh wounds, which didn't worry Uya much.

However, she couldn't help but be concerned about the military cudgel. She wasn't sure if there was a way to strike without injuring the bones, and this uncertainty troubled her.

Having just expressed her trust in Yinzhen, she felt too embarrassed to ask further.

Fortunately, Yinzhen, having lowered his stance today, had no intention of leaving any loose ends.

Following his mother's gesture, he rose and sat beside her, explaining as carefully as he could—

"Yun Ti has been at the Jingjiao Military Camp for almost two years. We can't keep ignoring it, or he might be swayed by outsiders, which would be of no benefit to him."

"Having the punishment carried out in the camp will also let others know that even imperial princes must abide by the rules. In the future, no one will dare to make trouble when he tries to manage the Eight Banners."

"Letting him rest properly at home can also help him avoid the current storm... There are things I can't easily say to him, so I hope Mother can help me persuade him to correct his mindset."

The more Uya listened, the more alarmed she became.

As a woman who had raised two princes and a princess, she could grasp the general meaning with just a few words.

Being swayed by outsiders... Yun Ti wouldn't be so foolish as to be incited to oppose his own brother, would he?

A surge of anger welled up in Uya's heart. At that moment, she no longer felt sorry for Yun Ti's punishment.

Regardless of whether this punishment helps Yun Ti, she felt he deserved it for being so reckless.

After Yinzhen became emperor, although they remained distant, he had freed her from a life of devotion and serving her mother-in-law.

The servants constantly flattered her, and treasures were piled into the storerooms, all because of Yinzhen's grace.

Even though she favored her younger son, it wasn't yet the time to be completely biased. She was clear-headed and knew what Yun Ti was capable of.

So the question arose.

Did Yun Ti think he could bring down his own brother and take the throne himself?

Or was he blind enough to think that the son of the second prince would honor him as an ancestor if he gained the world?

Her frustration and disappointment turned into a firm statement—

"Emperor, focus on the matters of the court. There's no need to concern yourself with Yun Ti!"

She understood her own son.

The more you indulged Yun Ti, the more he would take advantage. A good scolding and locking him up while withholding food for a few days would work better than anything else.

Thinking of this, Uya immediately added, "Rest assured, I will summon Wanyan into the palace shortly to instruct her to keep a close watch on the household."

"No matter who comes to my presence and talks recklessly in the future, I'll be the one to back you up!"

*

Yinzhen left the hall with satisfaction.

Nanny Wu Ya and Geng Shuning were both waiting at the door.

As he crossed the threshold, the movement caused the bright yellow hem and the light green hem to entwine for a moment in an unseen spot, before naturally separating.

Geng Shuning kept her head respectfully lowered, as calm as the pillars of the corridor, waiting to go in with Nanny Wu Ya to soothe the wealthy mistress once the emperor had left, and did not notice this scene.

Yinzhen saw it, and his remaining frustration melted away as the wind entangled.

As he stepped out of the Changchun Garden gate, Yinzhen couldn't help but think that today's visit had gone even better than expected.

He discovered that the little rascal still had some redeeming qualities. No matter how infuriating, her silver tongue had its own benefits.

There was likely to be a tough challenge over at Changchun Garden.

This time, it was a contest agreed upon in secret with the Retired Emperor. The Retired Emperor would definitely not just sit back and watch him make such a big move.

But at this moment, he wasn't afraid of the Retired Emperor suddenly acting up. His greatest confidence came from the news delivered by the Imperial Physician.

The cowpox trials had yielded results.

Previously, the Imperial Physician had led the secret guards to select male and female prisoners from the imperial estate, trying several rounds.

They tested various methods of inoculation, all of which proved safer than the human method.

Even a three-year-old could safely recover from the pox, and further inoculation would have no effect. Yinzhen understood clearly what this meant.

With cowpox, he had an explanation for the court and the people.

The Retired Emperor would surely be feeling stifled.

But for the birthday surprise, Yinzhen was confident he could deliver it right to the heart of his father, leaving no room for resentment to fall on him.

All of this... was brought by that little rascal.

As she had said herself, she could do better than others.

Yinzhen prided himself on being someone who valued talent. He couldn't just watch such a capable servant be swallowed by the women of the harem, could he?

Before boarding the imperial carriage, Yinzhen gave Su Peisheng a cool look.

The emperor's words were final and could not be taken back. This dog of a servant, if he had any sense, should know what to do.

Su Peisheng felt a jolt in his heart when his master gave him a cool look, feeling a bit confused.

What did his master expect him to do?

*

He carefully considered until they returned to Nine Continents Clear View, and then cautiously reported.

"Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Li sent the second prince's pulse report, saying that the second prince's health has improved slightly, and with careful nurturing, he should be able to attend the study."

Pausing, Su Peisheng observed his master's expression and continued, "However, the servants attending to the second prince said that the prince often cries in his quilt at night and doesn't sleep very soundly."

"Imperial Physician Li has sent ginseng broth again through Hong Ying, requesting permission to visit the prince."

Yinzhen lightly acknowledged and said, "Tell Imperial Physician Li that if the pulse report shows no issues, let Hong Ying go to Changchun Palace to pay respects on the third day and return to the Water Garden before dinner."

When Yinzhen thought of Hong Yun, he couldn't help but also think of Hong Xi.

Ever since the decree naming the crown prince was issued, this child had only come to pay his respects on the Mid-Autumn Festival, following the others to pay his respects.

After that, he never came to see him again, only spending his days by the Retired Emperor's side.

He had no idea what Hong Xi was thinking.

But it was clear that Hong Xi didn't have him, his father, in his heart. In the future, there would inevitably be conflicts.

Hong Yun's health wasn't strong either. Now that he was openly consolidating imperial power, the issue of producing an heir could no longer be delayed.

Among the consorts in the rear palace, the most fertile was Li Shi.

When Su Peisheng mentioned Li Shi, he probably thought the same.

But Yinzhen didn't intend to let Li Shi have more children.

By the time of the evening meal, Yinzhen remembered what Geng Shuning had said in front of the Empress Dowager, and with a somewhat delicate feeling, he chose Niuheru Jingyi to accompany him.

For the next three days, this continued, causing an uproar among the imperial concubines in the rear palace.

The emperor hadn't shown any interest for over two weeks, and suddenly, he was favoring only one person. How could the concubines stay calm?

Even Li Shi lost interest in targeting Tong Siya. When she went to Rugu Hanjin to pay her respects, she glared at Niuheru Jingyi, as if she wanted to tear her apart.

Ning Guiren also ignored Tong Siya and instead took to speaking sarcastically to Niuheru Jingyi, which came as a relief to Tong Siya.

But Tong Siya didn't feel comfortable either.

She knew that Niuheru Jingyi was fertile.

Unfortunately, she had fallen into the lake during the winter while trying to enter the palace, resulting in a cold constitution. Neither cnidium monnieri nor ylang fragrance had helped her conceive.

Returning to Wuling Chunse, Tong Siya received the news that Niuheru Jingyi, who had just been targeted both openly and secretly at Rugu Hanjin, had been summoned again to Nine Continents Clear View to accompany the emperor.

Fuming with anger, Tong Siya hurled the tea cup, "This woman may seem clumsy, but she's a sly fox, captivating the emperor even in broad daylight..."

She didn't dare to finish her sentence but continued to seethe with hatred in her heart.

Liu Zhi had the young palace maid clean up the mess in the room and quietly advised, "In this servant's opinion, Your Highness shouldn't waste time on her. With the Tong family in trouble, others can't enter the palace. This is Your Highness's opportunity."

"If Your Highness can take control of the Tong family's power, dealing with an attendant would be easy. Even if she becomes pregnant, conceiving doesn't guarantee she'll give birth."

Tong Siya understood this logic and frowned, asking, "Has Mu Ying not found any dirt on Geng Shuning yet?"

Liu Zhi shook her head, "These days, she's been holed up in Changchun Garden, not moving at night and barely leaving during the day. She's probably still embarrassed about what happened during the Mid-Autumn Festival."

After the Empress Dowager exposed Geng Shuning's embarrassing incident, it conveniently gave her an excuse to slack off.

She claimed to be too shy and had others run errands for her, while Geng Shuning stayed rooted like a mushroom.

At court, while it seemed calm on the surface, being cleaned up by the emperor, privately, it was a storm.

No matter how frightening the emperor was, in the hearts of the civil and military officials, they still feared the Retired Emperor more.

As long as the Retired Emperor hadn't spoken, there was still room for maneuver.

Officials involved in the two cases were scrambling to distance themselves.

The Tong family, for the time being, had lost the upper hand but was still barely holding steady. The two empresses from the Tong family weren’t just figureheads.

Only Longkodo was causing a scene.

When the palace officials tried to take Li Sier, Longkodo kicked the head eunuch unconscious, roaring that anyone who touched her would have to step over his corpse first.

In response, Yinzhen immediately dispatched the palace guards.

They subdued Longkodo and forced Tong Guowei to issue an order, beating Longkodo nearly to death before taking Li Sier away by force.

Lying in bed, dazed and confused, Longkodo could not find peace.

After the beating, he finally realized that he couldn’t fight against someone more powerful. To rescue his beloved concubine, the key lay in the Jiangnan exam cheating case.

This matter must not implicate the Tong family, and the evidence of sending assassins to kill must be erased.

Tong Guowei, in poor health, was further aggravated by the emperor’s outburst. When he returned to the mansion, it was in turmoil. The two Heseri daughters-in-law in the household only cried and were of no help whatsoever.

Tong Guowei was so enraged that he couldn’t even get out of bed.

With Tong Guowei laid up, Longkodo took charge of the household.

His methods were more ruthless than his father’s.

In Jiangnan, a scapegoat had already been set up, so there was no need to worry.

The only concern was Chang Sichen. At the time, Longkodo had considered killing him to cover up the matter. With limited influence in Henan, the Tong family had no choice but to offer Chang Sichen some benefits to arrange things.

Before Longkodo could act, the emperor moved swiftly, issuing an urgent order to imprison Chang Sichen.

If Geng Jia De Jin uncovered anything, even the Retired Emperor might not be able to save the Tong family, leaving them with only a hollow reputation.

To protect the Tong family’s future and spare his beloved concubine further suffering, Longkodo was determined to resolve this matter quickly.

When Tong Siya had targeted Geng Shuning and Niuheru Jingyi, it was done through the Tong family’s people, and it was Tong Guowei who arranged for the cleanup.

For Longkodo, it was no secret that Tong Siya and Geng Shuning were at odds.

He straightforwardly sent a message to Tong Siya, telling her to find a way to smear Geng Shuning, to the extent that it would lead to the destruction of her family.

As long as Geng Jia De Jin could no longer serve as the Henan Prefect, the delay in replacing him would give Longkodo the opportunity to ensure Chang Sichen could never speak again.

This conflicted with Tong Siya’s goals. She dragged her feet, claiming she lacked the resources and funds to proceed.

*

At this point, as Tong Siya and her maid Liu Zhi spoke, Liu Zhi quickly brought out an unremarkable rosewood box from the inner room and placed it in front of Tong Siya.

“Lady, this was sent by Third Master Tong, urging you to act swiftly.”

Tong Siya opened the box and, as expected, saw banknotes.

There were fifty notes of one hundred taels each and five hundred taels of loose silver.

Tong Siya sneered, “Five thousand taels to buy me off? Is the Tong family’s honor and Longkodo’s beloved concubine worth so little?”

She had been abandoned by the Tong family to fend for herself and had endured grievances that even fifty thousand taels could not compensate for.

Even with the money, without the emperor’s favor, life in the palace would remain difficult, and she would still be a target.

Geng Shuning could be dealt with, but Tong Siya would not make the foolish mistake of destroying the woman’s usefulness before she had extracted every bit of value.

Liu Zhi, who had been thinking along the same lines, smiled and urged her mistress.

"Look what this is."

Tong Siya raised her eyebrows and pulled out a folded paper from under the silver.

Unfolding it, she saw names and backgrounds written densely on it, representing the forces the Tong family had placed in the palace over several generations.

A fierce excitement surged through her, and she sat up slightly, examining the paper closely. When she saw the words "Imperial Guard," her heart almost jumped into her throat.

The Imperial Guard was the Emperor’s personal secret guard!

According to the information, the person had been placed there since the Emperor was still a prince in his residence.

From the Empress Dowager to the Imperial Household Department, and even the Empress and Consort Qi, there were hidden spies planted by the Tong family.

More than twenty people were listed, but Tong Siya was certain this wasn’t the full list; it might not even be half.

A fierce excitement surged through Tong Siya.

As long as she could establish a firm foothold, have a prince by her side, and fully rally these people, she could uncover even more connections and gain additional support.

With this prospect in sight, her path forward became clear.

With this list in hand, not only could she have a better private life, but she could also learn the Emperor's whereabouts.

Whether it was vying for favor or preventing others from having children, there was room for maneuvering.

With this, why wait for Geng Shuning?

It so happened that Geng Shuning had been slow to act, and Tong Siya had already intended to deal with her, especially since Mu Ying had urged her several times.

Tong Siya smiled wickedly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation, and gave her response, "Send word to Prince Yinzhen. In less than five days, I’ll give him a show he won’t forget."

Liu Zhi had no doubt about her master’s schemes but was somewhat worried. "Will five days be enough? Geng Shuning is really slippery."

Tong Siya’s smile remained unchanged as she lazily lounged on the daybed. "Just pass the message. Who says I need to wait for her to slip up on her own?"

Even if Geng Shuning was innocent, couldn’t she find an unscrupulous man to put in her bed?

Ah... Even the iron turtle statue at Yongding River, weighing over a thousand jin, was carried in by people.

*

Two more days passed, and with only five days left until the Retired Emperor’s birthday celebration, Yinzhen finally went to Changchun Garden to pay his respects to Emperor Kangxi.

Kangxi had even more patience than Yinzhen but didn’t look favorably upon him, nor did he ask him to sit.

"I thought you’d consider me dead."

"If we were to hold a joint funeral for me and your second brother, we could also use the recovered debts from the imperial treasury to save you some money."

Yinzhen knelt expressionlessly. "Imperial Father will live a long life. Your words fill me with dread."

Kangxi sneered. "Then act like you're fearful! Aren’t you the best at playing a part?"

You act so pitiful in front of me, as if I’m teaching you how to scheme against your own father.

He had thought Yinzhen had finally learned some ways of a ruler and would proceed with patience, but once he let go, Yinzhen became even more reckless than when he was a prince.

Initially, he wasn’t that upset, but seeing Yinzhen’s cold, unyielding expression, Kangxi’s irritation flared, and he couldn’t hold back his harsh words.

"My arms and legs feel like they're half dead. If you really want me to live longer, you wouldn't make an old man clean up after his son. At this rate, my death is not far off."

"You, Aisin Gioro Yinzhen, are capable. Why not just take care of everything in the court yourself and dispense with the need for civil and military officials?"

Yinzhen knelt on the ground, listening calmly to Kangxi's complaints, before lowering his eyes and asking in a low voice—

"Does Royal Father trust your son?"

Perhaps he was getting into the habit of playing the sympathy card, Yinzhen lifted his head, meeting Kangxi's sharp gaze with a candid expression.

"You've taught your son for nearly two years. Your son is no fool. I understand the principles of governance."

"If I acted in such a manner in court, I had reasons and the confidence to back it up. I would never act on personal whims or do anything that could harm the state."

"Your son knows that your abdication was out of necessity, but since you've chosen me, can you… trust me just this once? On Your Majesty's birthday, I will give you a satisfactory answer."

Kangxi was left stunned by Yinzhen's words.

Perhaps it was the bright mid-autumn sunlight filtering through the window screens, casting a glow on Yinzhen's face, making his calm eyes seem… as if they were about to cry.

Seeing this, Yinzhen's handsome face appeared softer.

Kangxi felt a shiver and couldn't stay angry.

Like Uya, he wasn't used to seeing his son like this, and with the urge to kick his son, he turned his head away.

"Enough with this display of weakness. If I didn't trust you, I would've summoned you a few days ago."

"Stop playing these games with your father. I'll be waiting to see the answer you give on my birthday."

"Liang Jiugong, quickly escort the emperor out and have someone prepare the implements for punishment. We'll need them in a few days!"

Liang Jiugong: "..." There was no way he could respond to that.

But Yinzhen didn't make things difficult for him, rising gracefully to take his leave. Under the private scrutiny of many, he exited Changchun Garden calmly and serenely.

*

As he sat back on the Luohan couch in Nine Continents Clear View, Yinzhen felt an unprecedented sense of comfort.

A smile appeared on his face. "Is everything inside and outside the Zheng Da Guangming Hall perfectly arranged by the day before Your Majesty's birthday?"

Su Peisheng, seeing that the emperor was in a good mood, also smiled in response. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. Your servant personally oversaw the tasks last night."

"Everything will be perfectly arranged by the day before Your Majesty's birthday."

To ensure a seamless journey from Changchun Garden to the Summer Palace and to make the Retired Emperor's high-profile appearance possible, Geng Shuning's prepared blueprints were not enough.

The Workshop received a secret decree and privately researched for several days, figuring out the tracks and even ramps.

Working secretly in the middle of the night, they checked and rechecked, ensuring not even a small pebble was left on the path.

In two more days, all the necessary arrangements would be fully in place.

Yinzhen gave a faint nod, casting a meaningless glance at Su Peisheng. "Is there nothing else to report to me?"

Su Peisheng's smile faltered slightly, his mind racing.

With the birthday being the top priority, what else was there to report?

Carefully considering his response, he replied, "Your Majesty, it seems that the Ninth Prince has gotten involved in the matter in Henan. Yesterday, one of the Ninth Prince's men secretly met with Li Guangpo. Should we send a message to Prefect Geng—"

Seeing the emperor's expression growing increasingly cold, Su Peisheng shivered involuntarily.

Suddenly, he had an idea and quickly changed the subject. "The secret guards have reported that the Imperial Household Department has made a move. They actually sent enough monthly supplies to Wuling Chunse. It was Lady Tong who used some money."

To avoid mentioning Geng Shuning, Su Peisheng shifted the conversation to other matters.

"Rumors say that Lady Tong is quite generous. She even used silver notes to bribe the female official responsible for the Empress Dowager's wardrobe over at Changchun Garden. It's unclear whether she's trying to curry favor with the Empress Dowager or..."

Although the Imperial Guard had been keeping a tight watch on the Imperial Household Department and the inner palace, there were still places that were inconvenient to access.

Even the eunuchs and palace maids, who had their own duties, couldn't monitor everything constantly.

As a result, the Imperial Guard could get information on the general movements, but if something was too well hidden, it became very difficult to uncover.

Not to mention... the emperor had ordered the withdrawal of some personnel from the rear hall of Changchun Garden, making it even harder to learn about Geng Shuning's movements.

Yinzhen, his expression unreadable, half-closed his eyes and lightly tapped his ring on the low table. "Su Peisheng, you're getting better and better at your duties."

The sound of the ring tapping the table felt like it struck him in the chest.

He immediately knelt down, feeling bitter in his heart.

Your Majesty, you personally ordered the withdrawal of the personnel from the rear hall of Changchun Garden. How could I possibly disobey your orders?

Yinzhen picked up his tea cup and said calmly, "Geng Jia De Jin should be arriving in Henan soon. Chang Sichen must not die, at least not now."

"We need to shake things up to make people fearful. Otherwise, my outburst in the court earlier would have been for nothing."

Su Peisheng was a bit confused. Why was the emperor discussing such important court matters with him?

"Geng Jia De Jin must take office as Prefect smoothly," Yinzhen said with some disdain.

"Before the birthday celebration, nothing must go wrong in the court or the inner palace. Make sure all the necessary personnel are arranged carefully. Understood?"

Su Peisheng: "...This servant understands!" though he really wanted to spit.

If you had just said you were concerned about her, would I dare to laugh at you?!