Chapter 131

Chapter 131

The Thousand Autumns Festival ended abruptly, leaving all the garden banquet attendees sighing in disappointment.

Nobody thought the Empress Dowager would pull a fast one on such a big day, going all out in a desperate move.

Everyone could see the Empress Dowager's coercive intentions. Ordinary people wouldn't do such a thing. What kind of deep-seated grudge existed between the mother and her son?

Unexpectedly, Anyou Palace outshone Tanzhe Temple in miracles. The divine signs were spot-on, leaving no room for doubt about the divine favor over the Emperor and Geng Shuning.

The inscription on the golden Buddha said it all: "Misleading the dragon and destroying the phoenix..." With the Buddha himself endorsing the dragon and phoenix, who'd dare argue?

Just as Emperor Kangxi had figured, the more people witnessed it, the less anyone dared to bring it up.

It was likely that people would only whisper a few words under their covers in private, while chanting "Amitabha" over and over, scared the gods might overhear.

Even the chatty brothers Yunxiang and Yun'e stayed uncharacteristically quiet the whole time. Only after leaving the garden did they start slapping their thighs in excitement in their carriage.

Yun'e couldn't stop grinning, "Ever since Fourth Brother took the throne, my wife and Ninth Sister-in-law have been as timid as quails around the Empress Dowager, yet she still threw shade at them, both subtle and blatant. It made my wife so mad she took it out on me back home... *cough*... breaking quite a few teacups. Finally, we can catch a break."

Yunxiang knew the score with his younger brother and sister-in-law. He'd also heard Donggo Shi gripe plenty of times.

Because the Empress Dowager disliked Noble Consort Yi, even though Donggo Shi tried hard to befriend Wanyan and often visited the Cining Palace to pay respects, the Empress Dowager always gave her the cold shoulder.

Despite her polite, gentle, and dignified front, the Empress Dowager had used this very act to win favor back when she was a concubine. Yet, her hidden edge was always there.

This was also one of the reasons why Yunxiang had always harbored resentment and wanted to oppose Yinzhen in the past.

But now, things were different.

"In the past, I used to hate Fourth Brother... but compared to now, the Empress Dowager has been quite merciful to us," Yunxiang leaned back in the carriage and quipped.

"She used to always act as if she held Fourteenth Brother in the palm of her hand. Now, she's acting so recklessly. Could it be that Fourteenth Brother is really in trouble?"

The temporary house arrest of Yun Ti, whether due to the Empress Dowager or the blood relationship between Yun Ti and Yinzhen, was not officially decreed by Emperor Kangxi or Yinzhen. It was only privately enforced by guards at the Fourteenth Prince's residence.

Seeing the Empress Dowager's actions, the imperial princes who had grown up in the palace sensed that something was amiss.

Yunqi, who had squeezed into the carriage to join the conversation, also nodded.

"I feel that Fourteenth Brother must have done something significant. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager wouldn't have resorted to such desperate measures..."

Yunxiang, however, wasn't particularly interested in the reasons behind the mother and son's actions.

Fourteenth Brother had never been on good terms with the rest of them. With their elder brother and father still around, it wasn't their place to worry about it.

He was more concerned about the interests of their own group of brothers.

"After today's events, Third Brother and Seventh Brother should be more amenable to discussion," Yunxiang said, fanning himself and glancing at his brothers.

"With my temper, if I were to go and talk to them, I'd probably be thrown out. It's up to Fifth Brother to handle them."

Yunqi nodded, "Alright, I'll go talk to Third Brother and Seventh Brother tomorrow."

Yun'e couldn't wait and asked, "What about us? Are we just going to sit and wait?"

Yunxiang replied, "Of course not. Yun Tao is a pragmatic person; we don't need to worry about him."

"I'll go talk to the younger ones. Yun'e, you go have a drink with A Linga. We don't expect him to bring any brains to the table, but at least he shouldn't oppose us when the time comes."

They were discussing the matter of jointly petitioning to establish Geng Shuning as empress.

This had been in progress for some time, but progress had been blocked by the Empress Dowager and the consorts in the rear palace, and the Geng family's reputation had been tarnished by rumors.

The incident at Anyou Palace, however, presented an opportunity for them.

If they could help Geng Shuning ascend to the position of empress, the three families would secure their positions by the emperor's side.

Noble Consort Yi from the Changchun Yuan (Garden) might also gain some tangible benefits through Geng Shuning.

With such prospects, no one would be foolish enough to turn it down.

*

It wasn’t just Yunxiang and his group discussing this.

The two brothers from the Fucha family, along with Qi Chong'an and Geng Jia De Jin, were also nervously discussing in the carriage.

No one dared to bring up this matter in the garden, as it was heavily guarded by imperial guards and palace attendants, with the Changchun Fairy Pavilion sealed off tightly.

Dozens of servants were weeping as they were taken away by the Imperial Punishment Bureau. The consorts and concubines, despite their many thoughts, returned to their quarters in fear, locking their doors to avoid the danger.

Consort Xi, however, even after suffering a major setback at Anyou Palace, acted as if nothing had happened and went to the Water Garden to visit the third prince.

After spending some time there, she skirted around the Nine Continents Clear View and returned to her quarters via a side path.

Inside the Nine Continents Clear View, Emperor Kangxi and Yinzhen occupied opposite sides of the divan.

One leaned on a soft pillow, while the other sat upright by a low table, both staring intently at Geng Shuning in the center of the hall.

Geng Shuning, with a demure expression, lowered her eyes and said, "I don’t have the ability to perform such divine feats in public. Your Majesty and the Emperor give me too much credit."

Emperor Kangxi snorted, glancing at his son but remaining silent.

Yinzhen, knowing his father's methods better than Geng Shuning, rubbed his temples, signaling her.

"Choose your words carefully. Anyou Palace has been sealed off, and the palace servants inside have been taken to the Imperial Punishment Bureau. Tuoheqi will conduct a thorough search."

"Even if nothing is found, there are still the servants who attend to you. Although they won't be forced to confess under torture, once they enter the Imperial Punishment Bureau, they won’t leave without suffering."

He paused, softening his tone, "In front of the Emperor and myself, you can speak honestly. We won't make things difficult for you."

Geng Shuning secretly glanced at Emperor Kangxi. Really? She didn't believe it.

Confess and face a long sentence; resist and go home. Only a fool would reveal everything, unless... the Emperor grants immunity.

Emperor Kangxi deliberately maintained a cold expression, pointing at Geng Shuning, "Just for daring to use the ancestral tablets for your schemes, I can charge Geng Jia De Jin with failing to properly educate his daughter, and your entire Geng clan will perish!"

Geng Shuning blinked, remaining calm, "You mean... if there is evidence, Your Majesty is free to investigate."

"But it wasn't Sui Ning who caused trouble. I'm innocent! I've learned the rules in the palace and served by the Emperor's side. How could I dare to defy authority and do such a reckless thing..." She smiled slightly at Emperor Kangxi.

"After all, I don't have an emperor for a husband or a son."

Emperor Kangxi: "..."

Yinzhen: "..."

Emperor Kangxi couldn't help but kick Yinzhen with his good leg.

"Listen, even daring to threaten and mock me, it's all because you spoiled her!"

Yinzhen stumbled a bit; the old man really put some force into it.

He used the momentum to stand up, flung his robe aside, and knelt down to plead guilty.

"It's my fault... Mother's actions today are also because I haven't been filial enough. It really has nothing to do with Sui Ning. I deserve to be punished!"

Geng Shuning shuffled forward on her knees, pitifully kneeling behind Yinzhen, her words more polished than those of Consort Mao and Consort Xi.

"Your Majesty, please punish me instead. Consider it my fault for being too outstanding, blocking others' paths, and failing the teachings of our ancestors and you. Sui Ning is willing to accept punishment!"

Emperor Kangxi: "..." Who taught this girl to be so shameless?

He was too tired to listen to these two being sentimental, so he just waved his hand.

"Enough, I'm tired too. Lady Wu Ya brought this upon herself. I misjudged her; I didn't realize she was the type to get stuck in a corner. I'll deal with her myself."

He glanced at Geng Shuning indifferently, "If you explain everything clearly today, I won't interfere in the future."

"If you think you can drag me and Fourth Brother into your schemes with your little tricks, I don't care what Fourth Brother thinks, but the Qing Dynasty won't tolerate you."

Yinzhen looked back at Geng Shuning, "Will you explain, or should I?"

Geng Shuning understood that her boyfriend was urging her to come clean.

She trusted Yinzhen, having gone through a particularly tough period of conflict, but she didn't trust Emperor Kangxi to show any mercy.

After a moment of careful thought, she organized her words and explained the principle behind the appearance of the black dragon.

Emperor Kangxi's interest was piqued.

He was very interested in mathematics and physics himself; otherwise, he wouldn't have kept those foreign ministers in the palace.

He knew quite a bit about chemistry, mostly related to medicine, and had set up a laboratory in Changchun Garden, often visiting to check on things.

The chemical reaction Geng Shuning mentioned was something he hadn't heard of before.

He asked with interest, "Did you learn this from a dream? Which country developed this?"

Geng Shuning shook her head: "I don't know. In the dream, Sui Ning can't remember everything clearly, only that someone used this black dragon to scare people."

Emperor Kangxi asked again, "What about the breeze and the candles going out?"

Geng Shuning said bluntly, "There was no breeze, just the airflow from the gas being released."

"Mixing baking soda and vinegar produces carbon dioxide gas, which can be stored in bamboo tubes."

Emperor Kangxi and Yinzhen immediately realized that the bamboo tubes she mentioned were the containers for sandalwood candles, which were abundant in Anyou Palace.

"Tie a rope to the bamboo tube cover. When needed, gently pull it, the cover opens, and the gas naturally extinguishes the candles."

Those bamboo tubes were placed horizontally. Once the cover was opened, carbon dioxide sank, creating a slight airflow, and without oxygen, the candles would go out.

Emperor Kangxi knew a bit about photosynthesis but didn't realize carbon dioxide could be used this way.

He propped himself up on the pillow, his interest growing, and continued to ask.

"Get up and speak. What about those two lines of words?"

Yinzhen stood up and instinctively reached out to help Geng Shuning up.

Liang Jiugong and Su Peisheng personally guarded the door, and with no one inside the hall to serve, he hooked a round stool with his foot and told Geng Shuning to sit.

Emperor Kangxi's lips twitched, unable to bear the sight, and he turned his head to take a sip of tea, neither deaf nor mute, but not playing the role of the family patriarch.

Geng Shuning sat down, avoiding the topic of the blood characters that had once appeared in the Tong family, and slowly explained, organizing her words.

"The golden characters on the Buddha statue were made using a mixture of garlic juice and onion liquid, with a bit of citron added to mask the smell."

"As long as they are heated over a flame, a ginger-yellow color will appear, and because it is on a golden Buddha, it will appear brilliantly golden."

Yinzhen raised an eyebrow, "Is it the incense burning in the hall that causes the characters to appear?"

Geng Shuning shook her head, "No, the incense burner is too far away. If the temperature from the incense were enough, wouldn't everyone who burns incense see a miracle?"

Emperor Kangxi was puzzled, "E Lundai searched carefully, and there was no one around the Buddha statue at that time..."

Seeing Geng Shuning touch her nose and smile awkwardly without speaking, both father and son, quick-witted as they were, instantly understood.

Yinzhen slammed the table before the old man could, scolding in a low voice, "You are completely reckless! Even daring to tamper with the inside of the Buddha statue and light a fire. If you offend the gods and ancestors, I won't let you off!"

Geng Shuning nodded obediently like a chick pecking at grain, "I was wrong. When I heard that the Empress Dowager was going to cause trouble during the Thousand Autumns Festival, I knew that even the fate of the nation could be at stake. At that moment, I couldn't care less and had to have someone hide inside the Buddha statue... I won't dare to do it again."

Emperor Kangxi watched these two scoundrels putting on a show right in front of him with a cold eye, unable to suppress the sarcastic words in his heart.

"My limbs may be weak, but my mind is sharp. These ghost-deceiving words, you'll have plenty of time to say them slowly when you're six feet under!"

Geng Shuning secretly cursed in her heart. If it weren't for Kang Shifu being blind and gullible, first being fooled by a woman, leading to today's farce, would she have had to deceive ghosts?

When he favored the Empress Dowager, allowing her to develop wild ambitions, why didn't he say his brain was working well?

Emperor Kangxi interrupted Geng Shuning's silent criticism, "How was the incense cut? Did you tamper with it?"

Geng Shuning's eyes flickered, "The incense was specially made, with iron filings sealing the ends into two parts, then wrapped in incense. The front of the incense burner was directly aligned with the Buddha statue, so just by using a magnet..."

At a glance, the ends of the incense appeared irregular, but upon closer inspection, a small part in the middle was quite smooth.

That's why, when Consort Xi pulled out the incense to inspect it carefully, all the candles in the hall were extinguished at once, to prevent her from seeing the flaw.

"With this, you still dared to argue with me earlier?" Emperor Kangxi sneered at Geng Shuning, "I thought your neck was stiffer than others."

Geng Shuning looked utterly innocent, "That strategy of endless deceit was also something you taught Sui Ning at the palace..."

Back then, when the old man sent Li Dequan to give her a set of jewelry, it wasn't out of goodwill.

Emperor Kangxi: "..."

Having been an emperor all his life, he had never softened to a woman, and he wasn't about to let Geng Shuning get the better of him now.

"First it's a blank heavenly book, then it's playing ghostly tricks. Don't tell me this was your prepared response after learning of Lady Wu Ya's actions!"

"A brazier doused with strong liquor, yet not a whiff of alcohol could be detected. Are you going to tell me this could be done in a short time?"

Emperor Kangxi glanced mockingly at Yinzhen, "Having prepared for so long, I guess it's not just the Anyou Palace that was ready, right?"

The Thousand Autumns Festival has been held in the palace before.

Yinzhen's gaze at Geng Shuning also grew slightly cold. If it weren't for this little scoundrel being sick for a month, he would have brought people to the garden long ago.

A month was enough time for her to settle in the palace, in case the Empress Dowager suddenly decides to return or something unexpected happens.

The Empress Dowager had never provoked his anger before, but now she had stirred up some anger, daring to use her own health as a tool for her calculations—she was practically begging for trouble!

Geng Shuning felt a chill run down her spine. She knew she couldn't outwit the old fox, relying only on the support of powerful allies.

As expected, no matter how cautiously she responded, she couldn't hide all her thoughts.

Helpless, she could only kneel and plead guilty, confessing everything, while also trying to calm down her boyfriend.

"I feel sorry for Your Majesty, there's no mother who acts like this! If the Empress Dowager had even a shred of maternal heart, it would all be a defensive move."

"But Your Majesty also knows that the Empress Dowager has always seen me as a thorn in her side, though I don't know why, since she used to like me quite a bit... but let's not dwell on that. If I were to be framed, Your Majesty's dignity would also suffer. For both public and private reasons, I don't regret acting like a rogue first and a noble later."

Yinzhen suppressed his anger, stood up again, and knelt beside Geng Shuning, looking up at Emperor Kangxi.

"Father, I beg your forgiveness. Sui Ning's actions were done with my silent approval, otherwise she would never have succeeded."

"Ever since you handed the empire over to me, I knew it wasn't what Mother had hoped for. She wanted to see someone else on the throne... not me."

"I have been agonizing day and night, thinking over and over, willing to bear the stigma of being unfilial, until I can properly hand the empire over to the next emperor. At that time, I am willing to emulate your example, abdicate, and then apologize to Mother."

Emperor Kangxi was silent for a moment, then sighed softly, "Forget it, this is also on me. I once promised her a promising future for the fourteenth, but after forty-two years, there was no chance left. That's probably what caused her to develop this mental block..."

The Empress Dowager was very understanding in her youth, and her attention to detail was evident. Such a personality is prone to overthinking.

Hearing this, Geng Shuning suddenly understood.

Emperor Kangxi's promise to Yun Ti's future could not possibly be the throne, as the Crown Prince was still alive at the time. The old man had never considered any other sons.

But the Empress Dowager didn't see it that way, especially after her eldest son ascended the throne.

Whether in official history or in this timeline, she couldn't accept it.

However, in official history, she was much older than now, and her constant interference eventually led to her downfall, indeed tarnishing Fourth Master's reputation.

Emperor Kangxi collected his thoughts, "All of you, rise. Matters concerning gods and spirits are of great importance. Let's not let anyone else know about today's events."

He glanced at Geng Shuning, "Just this once, I'll spare you."

"If there's a next time, your entire Geng clan will spend their lives in Ningguta. This decree will stand whether I'm alive or dead, remember that!"

"Yes, Sui Ning remembers." Geng Shuning had no intention of causing such a scene again; this one had already exhausted her and the Nine Guards.

Yinzhen hesitated for a moment, not wanting to ask but feeling compelled to—

"Father, what do you plan to do about Mother...?"

Emperor Kangxi was about to speak when a commotion erupted outside.

Liang Jiugong knocked on the door and whispered, "Master, Your Majesty, the Fourteenth Prince has injured the Imperial Guards and forcibly entered the Yuanming Garden, riding his horse all the way into the garden."

"Now... he has a sword to his neck, requesting an audience with you and Your Majesty."

Emperor Kangxi and Yinzhen's faces darkened instantly.

Geng Shuning thought to herself, oh no, the Empress Dowager is digging her own grave, and Yun Ti... really doesn't want to live anymore?