Today, an extraordinary incident occurred.
The Emperor summoned Suo Etu without secrecy, and given that Minister Suo had always been openly proud and self-assured, court officials were quietly speculating about the purpose of his audience.
Eventually, rumors spread—Suo Etu had entered the palace in high spirits but emerged utterly disoriented. "Disoriented" might not be the precise word, but his face was pale, his steps sluggish, and his official robes dripped with tea, speckled with shards of porcelain.
Everyone was astonished—Minister Suo had been severely reprimanded by His Majesty.
This was truly a monumental affair.
Recalling the audience with the Emperor, Suo Etu still felt a mix of shock and fury. But after the anger came sheer terror—his legs weakened, and cold sweat trickled endlessly down his spine.
"Everything that needed investigating has been uncovered," the Emperor said lightly, tossing him several signed confessions. "I’ve assigned Mingzhu to handle this matter. He certainly won’t wrong you."
Mingzhu.
His pupils constricted as he suddenly remembered—that old fox Mingzhu hadn’t passed away but had been idle at home all this time.
The ruler before him was no longer the young emperor constrained by regent ministers.
With piercing insight, none could deceive him—such was the art of imperial rule.
"By rights, you should be in the dungeons of the Ministry of Justice, not kneeling unharmed before me." The Emperor’s meaningful words still echoed in his ears, leaving no room for choice. "Suo Etu, I grant you one chance to redeem yourself. I strip you of your rank, but you must replenish the deficit in the Imperial Household Department by year’s end."
As the head of the Imperial Household Department, Suo Etu knew exactly where those funds had gone.
But spending silver was easy; gathering it was another matter—especially now, stripped of his position and reduced to a commoner.
His mind buzzed—the Emperor was pushing him to his death.
Then, the Emperor’s tone turned icy. "Winter supplies are urgently needed, and Baocheng’s wedding must not be delayed. If you fail to procure the silver, choose between the Imperial Clan Court or the Ministry of Justice’s dungeons. Now rise."
Dizzy and unsteady, Suo Etu staggered out of the palace in a rare daze.
The Emperor’s message was clear—whether by borrowing or scheming, he had to fill the nearly million-tael deficit, or he would lose his life.
Borrow? From whom?
Scheme? Without rank or influence, how could he?
His carefully concealed plans had been laid bare before the Emperor’s eyes like a farcical performance, leaving him utterly manipulated.
And then there were the Nara and Guoluoluo clans—everyone seemed to oppose him.
The thought made Suo Etu wish he could spit blood, his body drained of strength. Stumbling back to his residence, his vision darkened, and he collapsed to the ground.
Servants cried out in panic, "My lord! My lord! Fetch a physician at once!"
Having dealt with the unruly minister, the Emperor’s mood finally eased, his stern expression softening, much to the relief of his attendant, Liang Jiugong.
While Longkodo and Suo Etu remained clueless about the Emperor’s anger, Liang Jiugong understood perfectly.
It all stemmed from the Crown Prince’s obliviousness—even taking a primary consort had become a struggle. The Tong Family, who had attempted to offer a daughter, had already been reprimanded, and now the Emperor’s pent-up fury had turned entirely on Suo Etu.
Minister Suo had also set his sights on Yuqing Palace, intending to send a certain Mrs. Lijia into the Crown Prince’s household. But just then, news arrived from the south, prompting the Emperor to order Mingzhu to investigate further—leading straight to the Hesheli clan and exposing Suo Etu’s schemes.
Now the truth was out. Liang Jiugong sighed inwardly—the Crown Prince’s marriage was truly fraught with twists and tribulations.
Courtiers who overstepped their bounds never fared well. Yet, they seemed less aware of this than a mere servant like him.
For the campaign against the Dzungars, the Emperor had shown mercy. But if victory came—Liang Jiugong shuddered—Suo Etu’s fate would surely be sealed.
With the campaign still distant, the chief steward soon set aside court matters. Instead, he mused that Noble Consort Yi truly brought good fortune. Her casual suggestion to dispatch a physician had saved General Shi’s life—a gesture the future Crown Princess would surely appreciate.
And then there was the Crown Prince himself. Like the Emperor, Lady Yi had gone to great lengths for him.
Recalling He Zhuer’s report, he sighed quietly. Just then, Kangxi closed a memorial and stood. "Send word—I will visit Yikun Palace at once." His anger faded slightly, replaced by a glimmer of warmth.
He hadn’t seen Little Eleventh yesterday and missed him dearly.
Liang Jiugong hurriedly bowed. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has already gone to Yikun Palace to pay his respects. He is likely still there."
A routine report, yet the Emperor’s reaction was anything but.
Kangxi glanced at the chief steward, his voice low. "Oh? He may go, but I may not?"
Wait—what kind of question was that?
Liang Jiugong hesitated, inwardly weeping, before finally stammering, "Of course you may, Your Majesty. Of course."
Yikun Palace.
The Eleventh Prince, Yinzi, sat properly on a cushioned chair, his little legs kicking occasionally, a bright red bib tied around his neck.
Holding a bowl in one hand and a silver spoon in the other, he slowly ate his steamed egg custard, movements steady save for a slight wobble when opening his mouth.
Yinzi ate with great focus, cheeks puffed, lashes fluttering. After finishing the entire bowl, he peered down at his belly and let out a tiny burp. "Mother, full," he said in a soft, milky voice.
Yunxiu set down her chopsticks and patted his little stomach, about to praise him, when Yinzi added, "Mother, I want lamb."
His tone was hopeful.
Yunxiu withdrew her hand, torn between amusement and exasperation. "No lamb. You’ve eaten it all."
Yinzi glanced at her, then at his Second Older Brother, the Crown Prince, who was happily devouring braised pork. With a tiny sigh, he reluctantly conceded, "Then... I won’t eat more."
He then looked up and asked, "Mother, I haven’t seen Ninth Older Brother in so long. Fifth Prince came yesterday—where is Ninth Older Brother?"
At this, even the Crown Prince lost his appetite.
"His Majesty is heartless," he muttered, setting down his chopsticks. "Your Ninth Older Brother is suffering."
Ruizhu and the others stifled giggles, while Yunxiu smiled faintly. "Suffering? I think not. It was my suggestion—does that make me heartless as well?"
Before the Crown Prince could reply, she continued, "Asking your betrothed for advice on disciplining your younger brother—now that’s something I’ve never seen before. If we’re speaking of heartlessness and obliviousness, how could we overlook our Crown Prince?"
The Crown Prince’s face flushed red and white by turns. Why was Lady Yi targeting him?
Shooting a glare at He Zhuer, he coughed awkwardly. "Lady Yi, I—"
Then he faltered.
Yinzi shrank slightly, turning his face away as if oblivious to his brother’s silent plea for help.
His tutor had said a gentleman must choose his battles wisely. Filial piety outweighed all—parents came before brothers.
Yunxiu arched a brow, waiting. "Yes? What about you?"
"Your servant shares similar interests with Jingchu. The matter concerning the Ninth Prince was merely a topic to break the ice—how could I be as heartless as you suggest?" The Crown Prince spoke, his ears faintly reddening. Noticing Yunxiu's increasingly darkened expression, he quickly corrected himself, "I beg Lady Yi to enlighten me."
His survival instincts were strong—if only he knew the term "survival instincts."
"Figure it out yourself," came the sharp reply. Kangxi strode in, waving off the announcement of his arrival, and cast a cool glance at the Crown Prince. "Nearly seventeen, yet still asking such shameless questions?"
His tone was stern, bordering on a lecture.
The Crown Prince choked on his words and hastily rose to bow. "Imperial Father."
Yinzi's eyes lit up. He slid off his seat and tugged at the hem of the dragon robe. "Imperial Father!"
Kangxi acknowledged him, his gaze softening instantly as he bent to scoop Yinzi into his arms and settled onto a nearby chaise.
Then, he glanced back at the Crown Prince. "At ease. Sit."
Yunxiu smiled and instructed the kitchen to reset the dishes. Meanwhile, despite his empty stomach, Kangxi had no appetite left.
Filled with frustration, he held Yinzi’s soft little form and scowled at Yinreng. "Look at you—what kind of heir behaves so unbecomingly? I’ve spoiled you too much. The ancestors worked tirelessly to create this opportunity, and you squander it like this? Truly—truly—"
"Utterly senseless," Kangxi concluded, his brows furrowed in anger. "Your Eldest Brother may have countless flaws, but he treats his wife far better than you do. Is this how you define marital harmony? And belittling the Fourth Prince—what, are you dissatisfied with my arrangements? Perhaps you shouldn’t marry at all. Just live with Yintang instead!"
The Crown Prince was stunned by the scolding.
Since turning ten and receiving guidance from Lady Yi, the Emperor had never berated him so harshly.
Instinctively, he shook his head, dropped to his knees, and remained frozen for a long moment.
Then, almost reflexively, he spoke: "This son dares not. I beg Imperial Father to enlighten me."
Yinzi, still nestled in Kangxi’s arms, shivered slightly and covered his chubby cheeks with his hands. Kangxi fell silent for a beat before glowering. "Enlighten you on how to live with Yintang?"
At this point, Yunxiu, who had been watching the scene unfold, had no choice but to intervene.
No matter how mischievous Yintang was, he was still her own son. Discipline was necessary, but the Emperor’s words had gone too far.
"Your Majesty," she said softly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "The Crown Prince merely wishes for you to calm your anger and teach him how to get along with Jingchu. His words were so sincere that even I was moved. How could you misunderstand?"
"..." Now it was Kangxi’s turn to stiffen.
Liang Jiugong couldn’t bear to watch.
Knowing the conversation was no longer fit for his ears, the chief eunuch discreetly ushered He Zhuer and the attending maids out of the chamber.
The Crown Prince felt wronged. Wasn’t this the truth?
His Imperial Father had vented his anger without reason—only Lady Yi truly cared for him.
After a long pause, Kangxi awkwardly rubbed his nose and blurted, "I’ve nothing to teach him—"
Yinzi, still in his arms, blinked his large, innocent eyes.
Huh? Imperial Father was lying. He had countless tricks for coaxing Mother.
"How could that be?" Yunxiu disagreed gently, then smiled. "If he learns even a third of your sweet words, Yinreng and Jingchu will grow old together in harmony."
Kangxi’s heart melted at her smile, and in his daze, he barely registered the latter half of her words, nodding absently.
A moment later, he glanced down and saw the Crown Prince staring at him as if he’d seen a ghost.
The Emperor’s displeasure flared anew. "Yinreng! So careless and undisciplined—where is your dignity?"
