Chapter 69: Seeking Merit

Chapter 69: Wanting to Gain Merit

However, before May arrived, Hong Hui suddenly developed a high fever one night, began convulsing, and vomited incessantly.

The house physician hurried over, and Yin Zhen also sent someone to fetch the imperial physician. Seeing Hong Hui unconscious but his body starting to twitch, he couldn't help but feel terrified, yet as a father, he was powerless to help.

Wulanala Shi wept silently nearby, not daring to cry too loudly as the house physician and imperial physicians were still treating him.

When Yin Zhen saw Hong Hui's entire face turn purple and he couldn't breathe, his heart sank in dread. A moment later, when the imperial physicians knelt down, Wulanala Shi nearly fainted, and he himself could barely stand.

Just like that, Hong Hui passed away. When the child’s fever refused to subside, Yin Zhen had already begun to worry.

By daybreak, Yin Zhen had someone deliver the news of Hong Hui’s death to the palace.

Hong Hui’s coffin was temporarily placed in the residence, and a mourning hall was set up. The Emperor and Yin Zhen's mother came together to his residence, and his mother wept bitterly.

Yin Zhen wanted to comfort his mother, but the Emperor was already doing so.

After Hong Hui’s funeral, when the coffin was buried in the Eastern Mausoleum, the mourning rites finally concluded. Once the rites were over, he did not go to the Ministry of Revenue office nor attend court.

He and Wulanala Shi were immersed in grief every day, and Wulanala Shi even fell ill. To comfort her, he stayed in the residence to keep her company.

After a month, when Wulanala Shi had slightly recovered, Yin Zhen finally attended court. When he found time to pay respects to his mother, she appeared even thinner. He knew she was also grieving over Hong Hui’s death. Not wanting to sadden her further, especially since her health had not been great these past two years, he refrained from showing too much sorrow in front of her and avoided mentioning Hong Hui.

By early May, Yin Zhen only sent Hong Yun to the palace to stay for two months, entrusting him to the care of his sixth and fourteenth brothers. Since his mother’s health was poor, he did not specifically assign Hong Yun to her care.

During the two months Hong Yun stayed in the palace, Yin Zhen did not make a special visit. The Emperor treated Hong Yun and the others much like he had treated them when they were young, occasionally checking their studies or taking them horseback riding and archery.

The two months passed quickly. When Hong Yun left the palace, he said the Emperor had praised him for being very clever, which finally put Yin Zhen at ease.

Not long after, the Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang submitted a memorial to the Emperor, reporting that some people were gathering under the name of Zhu San Taizi to rebel against the court, inciting the people and committing numerous atrocities.

The Emperor decided to send someone to investigate and capture the rebel factions to prevent their influence from growing and threatening the Qing court.

Yin Zhen volunteered to go, but Yin Si also volunteered. The Emperor hesitated and left the decision to the ministers.

Since more ministers supported Yin Si, the Emperor sent him with a team to the Fujian and Zhejiang regions.

Yin Zhen had not realized that, unbeknownst to him, his eighth brother had gained so many supporters in the court. Of course, he also wanted to gain merit—this was a rare opportunity—but unexpectedly, Yin Si had beaten him to it.

Yin Zhen couldn’t help but feel disappointed. He went to his sixth brother’s tavern to drink, calling for his sixth and fourteenth brothers. The fourteenth brother also brought the thirteenth brother along.

They all got drunk. Yin Zhen, in low spirits, drank a bit too much. He didn’t even remember how he returned to his residence; it was Wulanala Shi who took care of him.

Two days later, his mother summoned him to the palace.

His mother asked if he had gone drinking with his sixth brother and the others, and he nodded yes.

"What’s wrong? Why did you suddenly go drinking?"

When his mother asked, he explained the conflict between him and Yin Si.

"It’s not a big deal. There’s no need to rush to achieve merits. If it wasn’t you this time, it might be you next time. His Majesty must have his considerations."

Yin Zhen felt that the Emperor was only good to his mother; being her sons didn’t seem to give them any advantage.

"Yin Ti is too young. As his elder brother, you shouldn’t have taken him drinking. And Yin Zhu too—both of them were sent back to the palace dead drunk. What kind of example is that? Yin Ti was vomiting and had diarrhea the day before yesterday, alarming the imperial physicians. Yin Ti is still a child; he can’t drink like you adults, especially not to the point of drunkenness."

Scolded by his mother, Yin Zhen could only obediently admit his fault, promising to keep a closer eye on Yin Ti and the others next time and not let them drink too much. He acknowledged it was his fault as their elder brother.

After apologizing, Yin Zhen changed the subject: "Mother, how old is Yin Ti already? He’s not a child anymore. Only you still treat him like one. Didn’t His Majesty already pick a consort for him? In a few years, Yin Ti will be married."

"In your mother’s eyes, you are all children. Getting drunk is unacceptable—what if something happens?"

Seeing that his mother was genuinely angry, Yin Zhen hurriedly coaxed her: "Yes, yes, you’re right. There won’t be a next time. I, as the elder brother, will set an example."

"Don’t play tricks behind my back, or I’ll beat you."

Yin Zhen chuckled, saying he definitely wouldn’t. He knew his mother was worried about them. His mother asked him to stay for a meal, but he had duties at the Ministry of Revenue, so he didn’t stay to dine.

Yin Si and his team spent over four months in Fujian and Zhejiang before returning. They captured several leaders of the rebel faction and beheaded them. The remaining rebels and their wives and daughters were either imprisoned or executed, successfully eliminating those who opposed the court. Zhu San Taizi was also captured and, along with his children, executed by lingchi (death by a thousand cuts). There would be no more Zhu San Taizi in this world.

It could be said that Yin Si performed exceptionally well in this mission, earning praise from the Emperor and the ministers. The Emperor even rewarded Yin Si with many gifts.

Yin Zhen could only maintain his composure. The Emperor still appeared strong and healthy, and there would indeed be many days ahead. There was no need to rush.

As the position of crown prince remained vacant, over the past two years, many ministers had submitted memorials urging the appointment of a crown prince, but the Emperor ignored them all.

Lately, the ministers had started bringing it up again, demanding the appointment of a crown prince.

Perhaps the Emperor was annoyed by the ministers’ persistence. One day during court, he asked them who they thought was suitable to be crown prince and instructed them to recommend princes.

At that moment, no one in the hall dared to speak first. Yin Zhen noticed Yin Zhu about to step forward and quickly pulled him back. His sixth brother was brave but lacked strategy, and he was afraid he might say the wrong thing.

Then the Minister of Rites spoke up first, recommending Yin Si. He said Yin Si had performed courageously and resourcefully in capturing Zhu San Taizi recently, making him a suitable candidate for crown prince.

Yin Zhen thought to himself that the Minister of Rites must have had prior dealings with Yin Si, especially since Yin Si worked in the Ministry of Rites.

Once someone recommended Yin Si, others naturally recommended him. Since the Emperor’s question was sudden, the ministers, afraid of being left behind and that the Emperor might make a decision on the spot, they eagerly recommended their preferred princes.

Even the second prince had ministers recommending him, calling for his reinstatement as crown prince. The third and ninth princes also had supporters, but the most recommendations were for Yin Si.

Since the eldest prince had been imprisoned behind high walls, most of Nalan Mingzhu’s faction, which had supported the eldest prince, now leaned toward Yin Si, becoming his supporters. Nalan’s faction still had significant influence in the court.

There were also many ministers who supported the second prince. Having been crown prince for so many years, even after being deposed, some still wanted to restore him to the position.

However, the Emperor did not immediately announce who would be crown prince. He soon dismissed them, and afterward, he never brought up the matter again, as if that day’s inquiry had been just that—an inquiry with no intention of taking action.

In the blink of an eye, it was March 20th of the 46th year of Kang Xi’s reign, the Emperor’s birthday again. They presented their birthday gifts to him.

During the birthday banquet, the Emperor had the servants bring forward the gifts they had given, and the servants announced them one by one.

But when it came to Yin Si’s gift—a pair of gyrfalcons—upon opening the cage, they found the birds on the brink of death.

The Emperor was immediately enraged, believing Yin Si was subtly mocking him as an old man nearing death, cursing him.

The Emperor stripped Yin Si of his title, suspended his stipend, and ordered him to return home and reflect on his actions.

With such an incident occurring during the birthday banquet, there was naturally no joy in celebrating. The event ended hastily.

Yin Si was perplexed. Why would Yin Si present a pair of dying gyrfalcons to the Emperor? Could it be that the birds, confined in the cage, had become weak and on the brink of death? If so, then Yin Si had been careless in selecting sickly birds. If not, who was trying to frame him?

Yin Si was at the peak of his success. The Emperor stripping him of his title was a heavy blow. Although he wasn’t imprisoned like the eldest or second princes, Yin Si would undoubtedly be affected.

Sure enough, the Emperor began purging Yin Si’s faction. Earlier, Tong Guowei had recommended Yin Si for crown prince, and the Emperor had reprimanded him.

Soon, Yin Si’s supporters became much quieter.

Yin Zhen suddenly felt that this incident with Yin Si might have been orchestrated by the Emperor. Last time, too many court ministers had recommended Yin Si for crown prince. Having just deposed the second prince, the Emperor would not allow another like Yin Si to emerge. What the Emperor wanted was for the ministers to side with him, not with the princes. Thus, the Emperor had even begun to wary of Yin Si, possibly deliberately creating the gyrfalcon incident to suppress the rising Yin Si.

At this thought, Yin Zhen himself was startled. The Emperor had even applied the tactics of rule to them.

He recalled what his mother had told him about the need to bide his time and not reveal his ambitions too early. This had been the case with Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and now even Eighth Brother. The Emperor could not tolerate anyone coveting his throne.

Half a year later, the Emperor restored Eighth Brother's title. At the same time, their own titles were also promoted: Yin Zhi was enfeoffed as Prince Cheng, he himself was enfeoffed as Prince Yong, Yin Qi was enfeoffed as Prince Heng, Yin Zhu was enfeoffed as Prince Ming, Yin You was enfeoffed as Prince Chun, Yin Si was enfeoffed as Prince Lian, and Yin Tang, Yin E, Yin Tao, Yin Xiang, and Yin Ti were all made Beile.

Eighth Brother began to appear in court again, and the sea eagle incident faded into the past.

By the beginning of the tenth month, the brothers had agreed to go on an autumn hunt outside the city.

Everything was fine at first, but as Yin Zhen rode on horseback, an arrow suddenly shot out from the woods, nearly struck him. Fortunately, he dodged in time and was not hit.

He looked up and saw that it was Yin Tang who had shot the arrow. Yin Tang offered an apology, saying he had seen a wild rabbit ahead and hadn't noticed Yin Zhen. In his eagerness to hunt the prey, he had almost accidentally injured him.

Yin Zhu immediately snapped at Yin Tang: "Ninth Brother, are you blind? A man of your size in front of you, and you claim you didn't see him? Were you aiming for the rabbit or trying to injure Fourth Brother?"

"Sixth Brother, Yin Tang surely didn't mean it. You all saw that rabbit just now. Yin Tang simply misfired."

"Was it a misfire or an intentional attempt to harm, even commit fratricide? Ninth Brother knows best."

Yin Zhen felt a swell of gratitude for his sixth brother. Though a little slow, his loyalty to his elder brother was unquestionable. He knew how to stand up for him. Even though Eighth and Ninth Brothers were usually so close, he still spoke up for him.

"Sixth Brother, Yin Tang really didn't mean it. I guarantee for Yin Tang. If necessary, Fourth Brother, you can return the shot," Eighth Brother explained, defending Ninth Brother.

Yin Zhen glanced at them and said with a smile, "Very well, if Eighth Brother insists, I'll shoot back."

Yin Zhu was somewhat surprised and quietly asked if he really intended to shoot back.

"Of course it's true. Didn't you hear what Eighth Brother said? I'm following Eighth Brother's suggestion. Ninth Brother, take position in front."

Yin Tang looked at Eighth Brother hesitantly. After Eighth Brother nodded, he rode forward to position himself in front.

"Ninth Brother, I had my back to you. You should turn your back to me too."

Being unable to see was even more terrifying. Yin Tang was reluctant to turn around. He said angrily, "Fourth Brother, I missed you earlier, so you can't hit me either."

Yin Zhen smirked and said mockingly, "Ninth Brother, whether I hit you or not depends on your reactions. I dodged quickly earlier, or else I would have been hit. So whether I hit you depends on how fast you dodge."

Yin Zhen had sensed danger from behind—the sound of the bowstring being released had caught his attention, so he instinctively shifted. It wasn't that he saw the arrow coming and dodged.

Yin Zhu egged on, "Yes, Ninth Brother, you should turn your back to Fourth Brother. If Fourth Brother could dodge, so can you. This will teach you not to shoot without looking."

Yin Tang began to feel afraid, but to save face and to prove he hadn't meant it, he turned around.

Yin Zhen really notched an arrow and took aim at Yin Tang. He didn't shoot immediately but kept aiming.

The accompanying attendants and guards didn't dare to intervene.

Yin Tang grew frightened. He turned around and, seeing the arrow aimed directly at him, shouted, "Fourth Brother, are you really going to shoot? If you shoot, it will be true brother-killing."

"Is that so? Then you can report it to the Emperor." Yin Zhen let the arrow fly, and Yin Tang screamed in terror.

Yin Zhu laughed heartily: "Ninth Brother, look at how cowardly you are. Next time you try to harm someone from behind, Fourth Brother won't go easy on you."

After his scream, Yin Tang realized Fourth Brother had intentionally missed and hadn't actually tried to hit him. He shot a furious glare at Fourth and Sixth Brothers.

"Too many people startle the game. Let's split up. Third Brother, Sixth Brother, Thirteenth Brother, Fourteenth Brother, come with me."

Yin Zhen spoke softly, leading Sixth Brother and the others to another area, splitting off from Eighth Brother and his faction.

Yin Zhen knew Yin Tang had truly intended to hit him, to take his life. He had only dodged by pure luck. Next time, he would never turn his back to them again.

"Fourth Brother, that Ninth Brother is truly malicious. I think he really meant to harm you. Thankfully, Fourth Brother is agile."

Yin Zhu was still grumbling. Yin Zhen signaled the attendants and guards to surround them to prevent any unexpected incidents. He wasn't sure if Eighth Brother had laid any ambushes in the woods.

He was no longer in the mood for hunting. He feared Eighth Brother might truly be bold enough to set an ambush in the woods. So he discussed with Sixth Brother and the others to leave early. Only after exiting the woods did he send word to Eighth Brother's group.

Yin Zhen thought to himself that next time he went out with Eighth Brother and the others, he must bring a larger retinue than them. Otherwise, he would be too vulnerable. Perhaps next time it would be a real assassination attempt.

He called an early end to the hunt with Sixth Brother and the others.

A few days later, Yin Zhen entered the palace to pay respects to his mother and told her about the incident.

His mother's complexion whitened. She asked if he was alright, and only after he assured her he was fine did she visibly relax.

"Since you know they harbor malice toward you, you must be even more cautious. Now you are not just brothers; they intend to harm you. Who knows what they might do next? It's best to keep only your most trusted people around you. Also, be extra careful with your meals. Always have a taster sample your food first. Do not take lightly anything you consume. Even your Emperor father has not been spared—you must be even more vigilant."

Yin Zhen knew his mother was right. Both his mother and the Emperor had been poisoned before. Food passed through many hands, and the slightest carelessness could lead to disaster.

He needed to investigate the families of all the kitchen staff and keep them under control. If any dared to betray him, they would face the extermination of their nine families.

His mother began to cough. Yin Zhen stepped forward with concern: "Mother, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, my throat is merely scratchy. This autumn has been unusually dry. My throat is uncomfortable, but it's nothing serious. Don't worry."

"Mother, take care of your health. Don't worry about me."

Yin Zhen felt he had caused his mother much anxiety. Since he had decided to contend for the throne, his mother had clearly been uneasy about him. He looked closely at her—streaks of silver now touched her temples. In her youth, his mother had been a great beauty. The Emperor had often said she was the most beautiful in the palace. Now, though she might no longer be the most beautiful, she was undoubtedly the gentlest.

While Yin Zhen was still in Jingren Palace, the Emperor arrived.

"Why do you come to see your mother every day?"

Yin Zhen thought to himself that he didn't come every day. Was it wrong to offer his respects to his mother? The older the Emperor got, the more he wanted to keep his mother all to himself. He was her son—it was only natural for a son to come and pay respects. He didn't understand what the Emperor was dissatisfied with. Did he really not want him visiting Jingren Palace?

"First you, then Yin Zhu, and now Yin Ti—you all come every few days to pester your mother. She can't even sleep well at night because of you."

"Don't listen to your Emperor father's nonsense. I sleep very well."

Yin Zhen knew the Emperor loved his mother deeply. In recent years, the Emperor had focused his affections solely on her. No new consorts entered the palace, and the Emperor no longer visited other concubines. His favor toward her was unique. As a man himself, Yin Zhen didn't think he could emulate the Emperor in this regard. Although sometimes he felt the Emperor was too harsh on them, too guarded, applying imperial tactics to his own sons, sometimes treating them like enemies rather than children, his treatment of his mother was above criticism.

He admitted that he sometimes relied on his mother instinctively, wanting to confide in her. He felt only she truly understood him. Yin Zhu was too simple-minded, Yin Ti was too young and still in a playful phase, and his consort, Ulanara Shi, was a lady of the inner court. She knew little about court affairs and only concerned herself with his daily needs and offspring—domestic trifles. So he couldn't discuss these things with her. Only his mother allowed him to speak his mind freely. She was his most trusted confidante. Even the advisors he trusted, he couldn't confide in them completely.

"Your son acknowledges his fault. I will try to trouble Mother less, but paying respects to her is my duty. It is the way of filial piety."

"Yes, Yin Zhen must visit often. Don't listen to your Emperor father. If I don't see you all for a few days, I become worried."

Yin Zhen rarely felt a sense of triumph in front of the Emperor. No matter how well the Emperor treated his mother, he was her child. Blood ties were the most indelible and the closest.

However, after receiving a sharp glance from the Emperor, he quickly suppressed his smile. It was better not to provoke the Emperor's anger.

"Mother, Emperor Father, your son has matters to attend to. I shall take my leave."

Yin Zhen took his leave obediently. If he stayed any longer, the Emperor would only grow more displeased with him.

He took a stroll to the Archery Pavilion and found the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth brothers competing in archery.

"Fourth Brother..."

The Fourteenth Prince spotted him first and called out loudly; he walked over.

"Fourth Brother, Father Emperor said your archery skills are poor. Last time, you missed Ninth Brother too. Do you want to learn as well?"

Yin Zhen rarely spoke with such seriousness to Yin Ti: "Don’t bring up the last autumn hunt again. It’s over. Your Ninth Brother didn’t do it on purpose, and of course, Fourth Brother couldn’t shoot him either."

Father Emperor disliked seeing brothers turn against each other now. He and the Eighth Prince had an unspoken agreement not to spread the incident, deliberately covering it up. Bringing it up again wouldn’t do him any good.

"Really?" Yin Ti sounded somewhat doubtful.

They were still young, not yet serving in court, unaware of the undercurrents in the court. The Eighth Prince was good at winning people over and treated Yin Ti and the others quite well.

That incident was the first time he and the Eighth Prince had openly clashed so visibly. Before, they had always pretended to be friendly and brotherly. It was understandable that Yin Ti and the others were confused.

"Mother said her throat is uncomfortable. Since you live in the palace, take good care of her."

"Understood, Fourth Brother."

Seeing Yin Ti obediently agree, Yin Zhen nodded with satisfaction. He didn’t want to disturb them further and left the palace.

Perhaps still thinking about his mother’s cough, Yin Zhen asked the residence physician upon returning home about what could help with coughing and asked for a few bottles of loquat cough syrup to relieve it.

The next day, he brought them directly to the palace for his mother. But overnight, his mother had developed a fever and gotten sick again.

In recent years, her health had weakened, and she fell sick from time to time.

"Mother is fine. You should go back. Don’t let the illness pass to you."

Yin Zhen was unusually upset. Since when did he fear illness? As a strong and healthy man, it wasn’t so easy to fall sick. He knew his mother hadn’t just been coughing yesterday—she must have already been ill but hid it from him, only said her throat was sore to keep it from him.

"Mother, don’t worry about me. You were already sick and deliberately kept it from me."

"Mother knows it’s not serious. I’m used to it. That’s just how it is when you get old."

Yin Zhen knew this was all a lingering effect of the poisoning his mother had suffered years ago. If not for the care she received in the palace, her condition could have been much worse—not just a matter of aging. But he couldn’t say it, because he knew the poisoning was related to Empress Xiaozhao, who had also raised him and treated him very well.

"I only hope Mother can stay healthy and live a long life."

"Mother certainly will. Don’t worry, I’m really fine. The imperial physician has already examined me and said it’s nothing serious. There’s no need to worry."

Yin Zhen nodded in acknowledgment and told the servants attending his mother to take good care of her.