Chapter 102

Chapter 102

Yinzhen teased Geng Shuning until she pounced on him, knocking him onto the daybed, and his anger had mostly dissipated.

He knew that being an emperor was no easy task. To make the ministers as obedient as his father had, he still had a long way to go. He had no choice but to stay patient and gradually handle these troublesome issues.

It was already time to light the lamps, and dinner had been served. Yinzhen did not disappoint his lively little fox. He coaxed and carried her into the imperial bed, indulging in some playful antics with her, leaving both of them thoroughly relaxed.

The Hall of Mental Cultivation once again requested water, which caused the imperial consorts to tear countless handkerchiefs in frustration.

News of Geng Shuning's favor in the imperial court spread like wildfire, reaching even Emperor Kangxi, who admonished Yinzhen a few times.

"You can pamper that girl, but don't overdo it. Even a rabbit will bite when cornered. Now is not the time for such antics."

Yinzhen calmly reassured Kangxi, "Your son is not acting recklessly. There are those who plot for a thousand days, but none who can guard against it for a thousand days. Your son is waiting for them to make their move."

"By the Lantern Festival banquet, your son will certainly provide an explanation to everyone."

Of course, indulging in a bit of mischief and enjoying his little fox's company was a nice perk.

He had never imagined that marital relations could be so varied and enjoyable. The little fox had more tricks than even the most playful of noble scions.

Yinzhen had nearly forgotten what it felt like to resist such closeness. Instead, he found himself increasingly savoring its pleasures.

After years of self-denial, a little indulgence now... well, it wasn't asking too much.

Kangxi had a general idea of what Yinzhen was planning and didn't press further.

As the retired emperor, he could guide the overall direction, but he couldn't interfere with the current emperor's responsibilities.

"As long as you know what you're doing, that's all that matters. Those imperial clansmen and elders are not to be messed with. Some families have been around since Emperor Taizong's time, so you must not be careless."

Having witnessed Emperor Taizong's glorious reign and survived the tumultuous power struggles between Emperor Shizong and Kangxi, those families were ruthless in their methods.

Yinzhen took his father's words to heart and specifically dispatched Lin Fu to the Changchun Garden.

Traditionally, from New Year's Eve to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, there were daily banquets, which was the most exhausting time for the imperial clansmen.

*

But now, with both the retired emperor and the current emperor having many people behind them, it was too crowded to have everyone stay in the palace, and it was also against the rules.

The retired emperor had some young concubines, even younger than Yinzhen's consorts, and having them live together would be inappropriate.

Therefore, the retired emperor issued a decree that only two banquets would be held on New Year's Eve and the first day of the new year. The next banquet would be on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

The New Year's Eve and New Year's Day banquets were family gatherings, with a limited number of attendees, and the Kunning Palace and the Palace of Heavenly Purity could accommodate them.

Civil and military officials of the third rank and above attended the noon banquet at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, entering the palace in the morning and leaving in the afternoon, which wasn't too troublesome.

The Lantern Festival banquet was held in the evening, and all civil and military officials of the third rank and above, along with the imperial clansmen, had to attend. They would enjoy the lantern festival and fireworks... With so many people and the use of fire, it wasn't safe to hold it in the palace.

For safety reasons, it was decided early on to hold the Lantern Festival banquet at the Yuanmingyuan.

Imperial clansmen with nearby estates could stay there in advance. The retired emperor, along with the Grand Empress Dowager and the imperial consorts, would stay at the Changchun Garden, while Yinzhen and his entourage would stay at the Yuanmingyuan, making it very convenient.

Of course, ministers without estates had no choice but to brave the cold wind and travel in the middle of the night.

Such was the case for Yunqi, Yunxiang, and Yun'e.

They were all sitting in the carriages, either drowsy and slumped over, or scowling with deep resentment, so much so that even the children avoided them.

The latter was Yunxiang.

Originally, he had earned a lot of silver, and in his early years, he had bought several gardens near the old man with a wave of his hand, which also benefited Yunqi and Yun'e.

However, he got caught up in the imperial treasury's debt issue, and whenever he thought about it, he cursed Yinzhen in his heart.

Not only was he in a bad spot, but the debts of the three brothers, and even the debts of Prince Lian's mansion, because of Hongwang's tears, mostly fell on Yunxiang.

The life of imperial princes isn't as cushy as outsiders think; the brothers are all strapped for cash.

He wasn't the historically famous imperial merchant Ninth Master, and he didn't have that much silver. In desperation, he had to sell those gardens near the retired emperor and the current emperor to cover the debt.

Then, because he was caught up in a scandal involving the fraudulent purchase of courtesans during his southern trip, he was put under house arrest for three months.

As soon as he was released, Yinzhen sent him to the Board of Ritual.

Here he wanted to curse again, as he was given none of the lucrative tasks like handling tribute, taxes, or farming.

He and the tenth prince were sent to deal with the Northern Mongols, entering the Wang Hui Qing Li Si.

What kind of place is this? It's an office specifically managing the Northern Mongols who come to the capital to pay homage and request grants from the Qing Dynasty's Tian Kehan.

In simple terms, it's managing those who come to beg and seek favors, but the Board of Ritual doesn't get much funding from the Ministry of Revenue, mostly relying on the Board's trade department to stay afloat.

But Yunxiang and Yun'e were sent there as punishment, without any official positions, and even had to answer to Yunxiang, with no one to help them.

Yinzhen also had people warn them that the Northern Mongols were indispensable if war broke out, and they must avoid conflict with them at all costs.

If the two of them couldn't even handle this small task, they could kiss their titles goodbye.

Yunxiang wanted to raise hell with the old man... but the old man had gone to the palace with the Grand Empress Dowager, and no one could see him.

If this wasn't Yinzhen being spiteful, even Yun'e wouldn't believe it.

The situation wasn't in his favor, and he still had a family to support. The old man clearly sided with Yinzhen, and Li Guangdi and the Tong family also stepped in to persuade him.

Yunxiang had no choice but to grit his teeth and spend a lot of the silver he had earned.

Now Yunxiang was so broke he could barely afford New Year's gifts, and the fine fur he wore was a gift from his mother, Guo Luoluo, as a tribute to the mansion.

Yunxiang never expected his mother, who doted on him, to side with the emperor.

He was so furious he threw several tantrums in the mansion, but the gates to Changchun Garden were shut, and he couldn't see his mother.

Today, finally able to see her, Yunqi and Yun'e were exhausted, but Yunxiang was unusually alert, driven by anger.

*

As soon as he entered Ningchun Hall where Consort Yi was, Yunxiang began to mutter loudly.

"Mother, have you lost your mind? Have you forgotten how Little Eleven died? How could you side with the emperor!"

Yunqi and Yun'e were also confused, in no rush to respond.

Consort Yi had complete control over her residence and wasn't fazed by her son's outburst.

Moreover, having received the emperor's orders, Consort Yi was there to scold her son.

She wasn't in a hurry, just calmly sifting the freshly ground incense powder, "How did Little Eleven die?"

Yunxiang glared, his beard bristling with anger, "If Empress Dowager Xiaoyi hadn't bumped into my mother in the imperial garden, the eleventh prince wouldn't have been born prematurely!"

"Later, after the palace gates were locked, the eleventh prince fell seriously ill. Empress Dowager Xiaoyi refused to open the palace gates, leading to the eleventh prince's high fever that wouldn't go down. If not for this, he wouldn't have grown weaker and died so young!"

"One is Fourth Brother's birth mother, the other his adoptive mother. Why are you siding with him!"

Yunqi frowned at his brother's harsh words, tugging at his sleeve, "Ninth Brother, mind your words—"

"Let him talk!" Consort Yi coldly interrupted Yunqi, placing the incense powder into the burner before glancing at Yunxiang.

"If I didn't let him speak, I wouldn't realize how much he cares for the eleventh prince. It seems I, his mother, am the cold-hearted one."

Yunxiang wiped his face, looking particularly grim, "I didn't mean it that way."

"You know Fourth Brother and I have never gotten along since we were kids. Later, when I became close with Eighth Brother, he disliked me even more..."

"What do you want to do? Overthrow the emperor?" Consort Yi washed her hands in the copper basin brought by a maidservant, casually saying something that made all the servants drop to their knees in fear.

"Who do you want as emperor? Your Third Brother or Eighth Brother's favorite son?"

Yunxiang was shocked by his mother's boldness. No matter how much he trusted the servants, such treasonous words were unthinkable.

He exchanged looks with his brothers and Yun'e, signaling them to shoo the servants out, open the doors, and stand guard outside, hands tucked in their sleeves.

Yunxiang took a moment to compose himself, "Mother, don't think I'm being irrational. I knew Eighth Brother's chances were slim, but he was smart and always left an escape route for his brothers."

"Fourth Brother is undeniably cruel and ungrateful. Following him, he'll bleed you dry."

"Whether I'm right or wrong, I've done both good and bad things. There's no going back. When the reckoning comes, house arrest would be the best I could hope for. I might even end up in the imperial mausoleum for life."

"Third Brother is too soft and can't even handle his own household. He's completely unfit for the throne. Hongwang... I'm not that foolish. He's just the son of a concubine, not even a fraction of Eighth Brother's worth."

Yunxiang thought for a moment, then knelt before Consort Yi, looking up at her with a pleading expression.

"The third prince is now Fourth Brother's only healthy son, born of the Niohuru clan, of noble status. It's only right that he be made crown prince."

"If we help Consort Xi and the third prince ascend, even if it's just for show, Yun'e and I might have a chance to survive. You and Fifth Brother wouldn't be implicated either. This is my only way out, Mother..."

So, no matter what, Mother must not side with Yinzhen and the Geng family!

Not to mention, that woman has the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the retired Emperor all under her thumb. She's no easy opponent.

Even though the Geng family has been elevated, they are still of humble origins. Their influence outside the palace can't compare to the old noble families. To secure their position, they will undoubtedly follow the Emperor closely.

Even if Mother helps the Geng family, they neither would nor could protect me, Yun'e, and Guo Luoluo.

Consort Yi rarely saw her son in such a pitiful state, especially after days of poor sleep and eating, making him look particularly haggard and pitiful.

She stroked Yunxiang's face with a look of surprise, her eyes softening.

"I was wrong. You're not stupid. You understand everything you should."

Before Yunxiang could show a smug smile, Consort Yi pushed him away with the hand that had been caressing his cheek, her soft gaze turning disdainful.

"You're just uniquely foolish, unprecedented!"

Yunxiang: "..." That's too much, Mother!

Consort Yi looked utterly baffled, "I haven't done anything heinous. Could it be that I committed some sin in a past life, to have given birth to such a foolish son?"

Yunqi and Yun'e, who were eavesdropping: "..."

They both shrank their necks. Somehow, even though it was Yunxiang being scolded, they both felt... a chill in their knees.