Today, what fiery thing did the Emperor consume?
The Crown Prince remained silent, still stunned, though he managed to suppress his expression of sheer disbelief. In a low voice, he offered a remedy, "This son admits his fault."
Kangxi was about to say more when Yunxiu sighed softly, her brows knitting together as she said, "Your Majesty has already agreed to this concubine's request to instruct the Crown Prince. Why must you now begin to reprimand him?"
Kangxi paused, thinking to himself, When did I agree to Yunxiu's request? What exactly did I agree to?
The obedient Little Eleventh in his arms seemed to sense his confusion. Blinking again, he revealed tiny millet-like teeth and spoke in a soft, tender voice, "Imperial Father promised Mother that you would teach Second Brother sweet words—ways to charm Second Sister-in-law so they may grow old together in harmony."
After the initial shock, the Crown Prince slowly nodded.
That expression clearly says, "I never expected this side of you, Imperial Father."
Kangxi choked, his face alternating between green and white. Teach sweet words?
This was utterly absurd—completely improper!
Was this how Yunxiu saw him?
"Imperial Noble Consort!" he said sternly, intending to scold her but finding himself unable to speak. He refused to admit he had been swayed by her beauty. Instead, he turned to the Crown Prince and stiffly spat out four words: "Figure it out yourself."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Yinzi wrapped his arms around Kangxi’s neck and whispered, "Imperial Father, an emperor’s word is unbreakable."
Yunxiu continued to gaze at him with a smile.
Now composed, the Crown Prince found himself burning with unprecedented curiosity about the Emperor’s methods of persuasion. Following Yinzi’s lead, he bravely cast aside concerns for his own safety and earnestly pleaded, "Imperial Father, I beg you to teach me."
The Emperor now knew the discomfort of being trapped between a rock and a hard place.
Where was that blind fool Liang Jiugong when he needed him? The man was nowhere to be found when his intervention was required—did he want a beating?
After weighing the importance of his dignity against his promise, and seeing his youngest son looking up at him with admiration, Kangxi fell silent for a long moment. Finally, with a cold expression, he ground out through clenched teeth, "This emperor is exceedingly busy. If you wish to learn, you must first pay the tuition. Five policy essays, due in ten days. The topics will be sent to Yuqing Palace. Do you have any objections?"
The Crown Prince: "..."
Tuition?
But he truly longed to witness the spectacle of the Emperor teaching sweet nothings. Gritting his teeth, he replied, "As you command."
Recently, the imperial princes studying in the royal academy noticed something peculiar.
Not only was the Crown Prince—who usually attended court early—buried in classical texts, but he also took every opportunity to consult the great scholars on how to approach essay topics. Though puzzled, the Ninth Prince, who had long suffered under tyranny, was overjoyed.
That coward Tenth Prince had promised to join forces with him, but in the end, he only knew how to betray his brother. Terrified of the Fourth Prince yet refusing to admit it, he would whimper a few tears upon seeing him, only to leap three feet in the air when he realized the Fourth Prince was right behind him. After exhaling in relief, he would never dare approach again.
Yintang was furious.
Did Noble Consort Wen ever see you act so spineless?
Don’t tell me you’re also reborn. Disgraceful!
With his sworn brother proving unreliable and the Fourth Prince watching him like a hawk, poor six-year-old Yintang was forced to live the life of an ascetic.
There were no corporal punishments, but his days were filled with nothing but reading and calligraphy—so much that his vision blurred and he lost track of time.
To be fair, the Ninth Prince’s striking looks worked in his favor. Spending so much time together, the Fourth Prince’s anger over his beloved dog’s humiliation gradually faded. Instead, he took it upon himself to supervise Yintang’s studies, determined to make him the top scholar among six-year-olds.
Expecting continued mischief, Yinzhen was surprised to find Yintang unusually docile. Aside from the occasional sulky protest or indignant hmph!, Yinzhen even found him... oddly endearing?
Yintang grasped concepts instantly, especially arithmetic—so much so that even Yinzhen was impressed. His talent was truly remarkable.
Teaching such a student was deeply rewarding. The Fourth Prince’s opinion of him gradually softened. Once, he even remarked to Su Peisheng with satisfaction, "Laziness held him back. With a little effort, he transforms completely. After all, he shares blood with Yinzi—that innate obedience must run in the family. I misjudged him before."
There was one thing Yinzhen kept to himself.
When Consort Tong suddenly passed away, he couldn’t help but feel downcast. After much internal struggle, he decided to visit the mourning hall to offer incense, fulfilling his filial duty. Returning to the princes’ quarters with reddened eyes, Yintang was startled before blurting out, "You care about the Tong family, but did they ever care about you? Consort Tong harmed Yinzuo—wasn’t she just reaping what she sowed? With Concubine Cheng here, crying is just pretentious. Be sad for a bit, then move on!"
His tone was gruff, but Yinzhen felt a warmth in his chest, his sorrow easing somewhat.
Ninth Brother is all bark and no bite—I know that well. Maybe he took the blame for Tenth Brother in the ink-splashing incident...
With that thought, he added Yin'e’s name to his little black book.
Recalling this, Yinzhen was filled with emotion. Meanwhile, Su Peisheng thought numbly, Your Highness, if you’d just turn around, you’d see the Ninth Prince making faces at you.
Yintang had no idea what Yinzhen was thinking.
Once, catching a glimpse of something resembling affection in his eyes, Yintang shuddered. Is he calculating how to butcher and eat me?
Steamed? Roasted? Grilled? Or minced?
Remembering how the Fourth Prince had once chased him halfway across the palace with giant shears after he trimmed Snow White’s fur, Yintang touched his braid nervously, nearly scaring himself sick.
This cruel world—no one is willing to save me!
The Emperor is heartless, and even Mother is indifferent!
Wait—Second Brother watched me grow up. He’s seen me put my pants on wrong countless times. There’s no way he’d stand by and do nothing.
He must have been blocked by those burly eunuchs and matrons outside the courtyard.
Just as Yintang despaired of ever seeing the Crown Prince, he was struck with sudden joy—Second Brother had returned to the academy for him!
Unfortunately, Yin'e thought the same.
Seeing Yintang’s undisguised delight, the Tenth Prince—no longer attached at the hip to his Ninth Brother—felt as though he’d swallowed a cup of aged vinegar.
Ninth Brother’s life is worth it. Even without Mother Yi doting on him, even suffering under the Fourth Prince’s inhuman torment, the Emperor’s treasured Crown Prince is ready to rescue him from the abyss.
So sour it makes my teeth ache!
Yintang smugly shot him a look before straightening his posture, holding his book properly and reciting aloud. Occasionally, he rubbed his eyes, exuding an air of pitifulness.
The Fourth Prince, seated to his left and intending to supervise, was momentarily distracted. Noticing Yintang’s reddened eyes, he closed his book and remarked coolly, "Ninth Brother, did sand get in your eye?"
Glancing at the window, he found it odd.
The weather is exceptionally clear today—where would windblown sand come from?
Though his tone carried carefully concealed concern, everyone present felt a chill.
If he admitted it, the Fourth Prince would surely bring out those giant scissors again.
Yintang’s hair stood on end. He quickly stopped rubbing his eyes and shook his head stiffly. "No, nothing."
At that moment, the Crown Prince finished consulting the scholars. After a pensive silence, he seemed to have gained some insight. Breaking from his thoughts, he turned slightly as if remembering something, his gaze landing on the pitiful Yintang. His expression shifted, and he moved to step forward.
Yintang suppressed his excitement—
"Greetings to the Crown Prince." The voice of the Eldest Prince suddenly rang out. "Your Highness has been tirelessly visiting the study day after day, distracted even during morning court. Could it be that you’ve received some order from His Majesty?"
The Crown Prince’s behavior had been far too unusual, and Yinti, with his sharp instincts, couldn’t help but notice something amiss. Burning with curiosity, he reluctantly set aside documents from the Ministry of War and hurried to the imperial study, determined not to fall behind.
He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy—what kind of favorable task had the Emperor assigned to Yinreng?
As the words left his mouth, the Crown Prince turned to look at him, pushing thoughts of the Ninth Prince aside. Only four words echoed in his mind: a persistent shadow.
The Crown Prince brushed his sleeves and stepped forward with a gentle smile, deftly deflecting the Eldest Prince’s probing questions.
From within the room, a fiery gaze locked onto Yinti as he strode in, making him shift uncomfortably. A sudden chill crept up from the soles of his feet, leaving him unsettled.
Winter had arrived, and with the twelfth month approaching, the Grand Empress Dowager moved out of Changchun Garden and returned to Cining Palace. After repeated assurances from the imperial physicians that Her Majesty was in good spirits and health, the Emperor finally relaxed slightly, ordering the Imperial Household Department to prepare for the New Year celebrations.
Ten days prior, the Crown Prince had meticulously completed five policy essays. Even if the Emperor were to nitpick, he couldn’t help but praise the depth and quality of the writing, his face betraying a rare hint of satisfaction.
Then, schooling his expression, the Emperor cleared his throat and called, "Liang Jiugong."
Liang Jiugong entered, head bowed low, hands trembling as he presented a small booklet to the Crown Prince.
Is it what I imagined?
Suppressing his speculation, the Crown Prince took the booklet and saw two characters written in the Emperor’s own hand: Imperial Instructions.
Imperial Instructions?
This wasn’t what he had expected.
Dismissing his earlier assumptions, the Crown Prince grew solemn. Carefully opening it with reverence, his eyes widened in shock, his lips parting slightly.
After a long pause, he closed the booklet, treating it as a priceless treasure. Under the Emperor’s heavy gaze, he bowed deeply and withdrew, overwhelmed with gratitude.
Back in Yuqing Palace, the Crown Prince dismissed his attendants and secluded himself in his study, immersing himself in study to the point of forgetting meals and sleep. The next day, dark circles hung beneath his eyes.
This relentless dedication continued until it became the talk of the court and the harem.
Who wouldn’t be curious about the happenings in Yuqing Palace?
When Consort Hui inquired, the Eldest Prince grew even more restless. What treasure had Yinreng hidden away? What had the Emperor said to him?
After expending great effort and sacrificing several informants, the mother and son finally caught a glimpse of the treasure.
"Imperial Instructions?" Consort Hui shot to her feet, both shocked and furious. "Truly the Imperial Instructions?"
"His Majesty personally handed it to Yinreng. How could it be false?" Yinti murmured, as if drained of strength. "Mother, if he’s received the Imperial Instructions, what chance do I have?"
Consort Hui closed her eyes for a long moment before jabbing his forehead sharply. "Enough of this defeatist talk! By any means necessary, we must obtain that book!"
That night.
The Eldest Princess Consort, seven months pregnant, was in no condition to attend to her husband. Yet Yinti seemed to forget his concubines entirely, choosing to stay in the main residence as usual.
Mindful of her condition, he laid out a separate quilt and slept rigidly on the outer side of the bed.
But tonight, he tossed and turned restlessly, muttering in his sleep until the Eldest Princess Consort, with great effort, pushed herself up and shook him gently. "My lord, my lord?"
Yinti frowned but did not wake, still mumbling incoherently.
Left with no choice, she leaned closer to listen—
"Yinreng… Imperial Instructions…"
She sneered. The Ninth Prince had been right—even in his dreams, he was scheming for the throne!
