Yunxiu's question was delivered calmly, even with a faint smile, yet it struck like a sharp hammer, shattering the vague barrier in the Crown Prince's heart. It laid bare before Yinreng the "truth" concealed beneath the shifting tides of history and the succession of imperial thrones.
The Crown Prince was still young, far from being constrained by his maternal family. But once he began attending court and engaging in political affairs, his interactions with Mrs. Hesheli's faction would grow more frequent. Entangled by Suo Etu, he would find himself unable to break free, dragged into the whirlpool of factional strife... By then, burdened with the expectations of countless people, even if he wished to stop, others would push him forward.
Once his brothers matured and revealed their ambitions for the throne, there would be no retreat for him.
Even if he revered his imperial father, the constant incitement of his ambitions by those around him would inevitably fracture their bond over time.
Both the Emperor and Yinreng felt wronged.
The father resented his son for growing close to outsiders, forsaking filial piety and fraternal duty. The son resented his father for favoritism and suspicion, targeting his maternal family. Neither was willing to be open with the other, and so the trust between father and son vanished.
When grievances accumulated to a certain point, they would inevitably lead to earth-shattering consequences—whether it was the overthrow of the dynasty, a change of rule, or... the deposing of the Crown Prince.
In her dream, when the Emperor read the edict, his face was streaked with tears, his coughing nearly bringing up blood as he wept to the point of collapse. Beyond the rift in trust, the political climate forced his hand—Mingzhu had fallen, Suo Etu had fallen, and the Crown Prince, who had been intertwined with Suo Etu, was no longer fit to remain heir.
Even if he couldn’t bear it, he had no choice but to let go.
After experiencing this great dream, Yunxiu had gained profound clarity. The truths she had failed to grasp in her past life now became clear.
Since ancient times, those who most won imperial favor were not relatives by marriage, nor powerful ministers, but loyalists and solitary ministers. Only after the Crown Prince was deposed did the Fourth Prince begin to entertain thoughts of building his own faction. He kept to himself, quietly accomplishing practical tasks, unlike the Eighth Prince, who befriended courtiers far and wide, earning a reputation as the "Virtuous Prince" that spread across the realm—practically announcing to all, "I have my eye on the throne."
Who the final victor was needed no further explanation.
Seeing Yinreng's face pale, Yunxiu sighed softly, her gaze gentle as she spoke in a distant tone: "Your Mother Yi is but a woman confined to the inner palace, hardly versed in grand principles. But if the conflict between Mingzhu and Suo Etu were to implicate you, the Crown Prince, or the Eldest Prince... tell me, would His Majesty wish to see brothers turn against each other? The Emperor is a wise ruler. Once his wrath is kindled, none can withstand it."
The Crown Prince listened, his expression gradually turning dazed, as if entranced.
Yes, the Emperor was a wise ruler. Since ascending the throne at eight, he had outmaneuvered Ao Bai, quelled the Three Feudatories, reclaimed Penghu, and achieved monumental feats—long since consolidating absolute power.
No one dared defy the Emperor’s will. Even Suo Etu, when stripped of his official rank, could only remove his black gauze cap and slink back to his residence in disgrace.
Had his granduncle become a powerful minister? Or was he merely a pawn in the Emperor’s game to counterbalance Mingzhu?
If he became too deeply entangled with Suo Etu, he too would be reduced to a pawn, living only to maintain the Emperor’s equilibrium in court, forever barred from ascending the throne.
The Crown Prince’s expression grew grave, a cold sweat breaking over him.
Though young, he was well-versed in history. As if emerging from a fog, a chill seeped into his heart. Yinreng’s limbs turned icy as he realized: throughout history, under a strong-willed emperor, how many crown princes had met a good end?
As the legitimate son of the late empress, he had been named heir from birth, showered with boundless favor. He had never doubted his claim to the throne—never even considered the question.
The Eldest Prince’s occasional provocations were but minor nuisances. His granduncle had warned him that Mingzhu sought to elevate Yinti to the throne, and though he believed it, he dismissed it as a joke.
—The Emperor had said, "You were born to inherit my empire. Mingzhu’s ambitions are but delusions!"
Yet now, with great difficulty and sudden clarity, he overturned this deeply ingrained belief.
The ten-year-old Crown Prince stood in a daze, as though his entire being had been dismantled and reassembled. His steps were unsteady as he moved.
After a long silence, he took a deep breath, his cheeks puffing slightly, his heart and mind filled with dread.
"Mother Yi..." he murmured blankly, "regarding Granduncle’s affairs... I... I understand now."
Yunxiu smiled. For the first time, she overstepped propriety, raising her hand and pausing midair before gently lowering it to pat the Crown Prince’s braid.
Among all the imperial sons, none matched Yinreng in natural brilliance. With only a subtle hint, the child had grasped her meaning—even extrapolating further. It was deeply gratifying.
Yunxiu was satisfied.
Then, with a touch of melancholy, she thought: If only Yinqi and Yintang had such sharp minds.
Seeing the hour was late, Yunxiu lowered her voice, slipping the Crown Prince a covert piece of advice: "Your Emperor favors solitary and loyal ministers. Remember that."
Besides Suo Etu, countless others would seek to exploit him for their own gain. He must not act rashly.
The Crown Prince snapped out of his trance and, like an agent on a secret mission, nodded solemnly, whispering back: "I understand."
......
The Crown Prince finally rescued Yintang from his fifth brother’s clutches, but the Ninth Prince felt no gratitude whatsoever.
He glared furiously as his two elder brothers walked away together, watching for a long while, sensing something off about the Crown Prince.
He couldn’t pinpoint what, so he could only huff and kick his legs in frustration, letting out a few incoherent noises.
Mother must have filled his head with nonsense again!
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince escorted Yinqi back to Ningshou Palace, hands clasped behind his back as he walked along the narrow palace path, lips pressed tight, his expression still somewhat dazed.
He Zhuer followed cautiously at his side. Seeing his master’s solemn demeanor, as though pondering matters of grave importance, he shrank back, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Though still young, His Highness grew more like the Emperor with each passing day...
What had Consort Yi said to provoke such gravity in the Crown Prince?
He Zhuer’s thoughts wandered until they reached the gates of Yuqing Palace. Suddenly, the Crown Prince called his name.
His clear voice was quiet at first, hesitant, then firm and unyielding: "Once inside, immediately detain Granduncle’s men. From now on, they are forbidden to relay messages. Remove any other spies as well. As for Hu Guang and Hu Ming, I want them serving directly under my watch. Keep an eye on them. If they disobey orders..."
The Crown Prince paused, then said lightly: "Let them choose between the Penal Office or the Sinjuku."
He Zhuer shuddered, his head jerking up as shock surged through him. His lips trembled as he stammered, "Your Highness?"
"Do as I say," the Crown Prince glanced at him, murmuring, "My Yuqing Palace has nearly become a sieve. It’s time to fortify it like an iron barrel."
Yanxi Palace.
Consort Hui massaged her temples, murmuring, "You say the Crown Prince visited Consort Yi again?"
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince always claims he’s accompanying the Fifth Prince to see the Ninth Prince," Ying'er replied carefully, pouring her a cup of soothing tea, "...but the visits have grown quite frequent."
"To visit the Ninth Prince." Consort Hui leaned back slightly, closing her eyes for a long moment before speaking again. "And what of the other brothers? Did he go specifically for Yintang? The Emperor doesn’t find this odd at all?"
Ying'er parted her lips as if to speak but hesitated.
It was precisely because the Emperor tacitly allowed it that the Crown Prince dared to act this way—who else would have the audacity?
Consort Hui, too, realized this and paused in her motion of rubbing her temples. "Look at me, how foolish I’ve become."
When would the Emperor ever reprimand his precious Crown Prince, or his most favored consort?!
As she spoke, her expression gradually darkened. "I originally thought the Crown Prince’s visit to Yikun Palace was merely a whim..."
Who could have imagined it would escalate like this, growing increasingly unsettling.
If Mrs. Hesheli and Mrs. Guoluoluo were to join forces, no one would want to see such a scenario.
Since her visit to Yongshou Palace the day before, Consort Hui had been utterly exhausted. Between the Imperial Noble Consort and the Tenth Prince, waves of irritation had surged over her, leaving her no time to recover before the Crown Prince stirred up more trouble.
Playing with the Ninth Prince? Consort Hui didn’t believe that excuse for a second.
Hearing this, Ying'er remained silent, while another senior palace maid, Yan'er, finally seized the opportunity to speak.
She whispered, "Your Highness, do you recall that I have a fellow villager working in Yuqing Palace? I heard the Crown Prince gifted Consort Yi a folding screen—apparently, it was Consort Ping’s handiwork..."
Consort Ping?
Consort Hui’s eyes narrowed sharply, and she clenched her embroidered handkerchief tightly.
Of course! If alliances were being formed, there was still one of the four principal consorts left unaccounted for!
"That useless Concubine An, easily swayed by others, threw all caution to the wind. Copying Buddhist scriptures and humiliating herself in public." She tossed the handkerchief aside coldly, smiling faintly. "But Consort Ping’s status is different. Even if she’s punished, how severe could it possibly be?"
"Your Highness, but Consort Ping also spread rumors about monopolizing favor. Why would Consort Yi ever help her?" Ying'er asked, puzzled.
Consort Hui let out a derisive laugh and said slowly, "In the face of shared interests, what do past grudges matter?"
The more she thought about it, the more certain she became, her brows knitting tightly together.
After a moment of contemplation, Consort Hui lowered her voice. "This can’t go on. Go and inform Noble Consort Wu that I accept her request. If she wishes to seek refuge, she must demonstrate absolute sincerity... Let her devise a foolproof plan to break this alliance!"
With that, a glint of calculation flickered in her eyes as she murmured softly, "It all depends on whether she wishes to see the Prince of Rong again."
Before dinner, the Emperor arrived at Yikun Palace.
At the time, Yunxiu was directing the palace maids to arrange the double-sided folding screen when Kangxi silenced their announcements. He stood outside the hall for a while, the corners of his lips curling slightly before striding inside.
"...This humble consort greets Your Majesty." Yunxiu only then noticed Kangxi’s presence, her peach-blossom eyes brightening suddenly as she curtsied. Halfway through, she was steadied by a pair of broad hands.
"We’ve long dispensed with such formalities," Kangxi said warmly, then gestured toward the screen. "This piece is quite exquisite. The last one was ruined by that little troublemaker. Who replenished it for you?"
His tone was light, almost teasing, and Yunxiu froze for a moment.
Such a question felt like the casual banter of an ordinary married couple—intimate beyond measure, evoking an illusion of tranquil days... one that was easy to lose oneself in.
She recovered after only a few seconds, chuckling softly. "It was the Crown Prince’s apology. He said if the Ninth Prince hadn’t disliked being held by him, he wouldn’t have clawed at the screen with such force. In the end, he admitted he was the true culprit."
She knew full well whether an apology or a gift would please the Emperor more. Sure enough, Kangxi laughed heartily. "Yinreng is so considerate. It puts my mind at ease to entrust his younger brothers to him."
Fortunately, the Ninth Prince was napping, or else the Emperor’s face might have been adorned with a few more red scratches—along with the ear-piercing wails of an indignant child!
Yesterday, the Imperial Noble Consort had given birth to the Tenth Prince. Yunxiu had waited anxiously at Yongshou Palace before returning to her own quarters, eating a hurried meal and retiring early. Kangxi, ever mindful, didn’t disturb her, quietly embracing her as they slept until the morning court session. He made no mention of her disciplining Concubine Xi, showing not the slightest intention to reprimand her.
"Speaking of Yintang, he and the Tenth Prince are close in age—they’re sure to get along," Yunxiu said cheerfully as they took their seats at the dining table. "The Tenth Prince’s third-day ceremony is approaching. Surely Your Majesty has a name in mind for him?"
Kangxi’s gaze remained fixed on her, warm and unwavering. "Hmm," he murmured, nodding as if to say, Your words are law. "I’ll consult the dictionaries later, find a name no one has used before—one that will surely please the Imperial Noble Consort."
Yunxiu: "..."
Your Majesty, did you just misspeak?
Kangxi belatedly realized his slip. He coughed. "Not no one has used—I meant one with excellent meaning, excellent meaning."
He rubbed his nose, hastily changing the subject before she could dwell on the name "Yintang." "Speaking of the third-day ceremony, Moyaqi’s full-moon celebration is also nearing."
His expression darkened slightly. "Mrs. Wuya’s schemes were vile. For such crimes, I’ve no intention of releasing her. But as Consort Hui pointed out, Moyaqi is delicate. Without her mother’s care, she may cry incessantly, and the full-moon ceremony would lose its joy... I find her reasoning sound."
Yunxiu sipped her tea leisurely, arching a brow with a faint smile. "If Your Majesty finds it reasonable, why mention it to me?"
Kangxi thought to himself, Because I fear you’ll fly into a rage and slap Mrs. Wuya five times.
Not that he cared about Mrs. Wuya—but if Yunxiu barred him from Yikun Palace, where would he go to sulk?
Aloud, he maintained an air of calm detachment. "Yunxiu, you’ve always been astute. I’m undecided, so I sought your counsel."
The compliment brought a pleased curve to Yunxiu’s lips. Propping her chin in her hands, she pondered for a while.
The golden hues of the setting sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over her finely sculpted features, as if tiny pebbles had been dropped into a still pond, sending ripples across its surface. Kangxi watched her, his phoenix eyes brimming with tenderness, his expression softer than ever.
The mere thought of Mrs. Wuya disgusted him, and he’d already devised a plan: assign a few imperial physicians to care for Moyaqi, keep her sheltered, and have the Empress Dowager oversee her upbringing... As for Mrs. Wuya, she need never emerge again.
As Kangxi mulled this over, Yunxiu spoke up, her voice bright.
"Your Majesty worries over this, but I have a solution. Though the little princess lacks her mother’s care, she still has Consort Hui. Having raised two princes, Consort Hui’s maternal devotion is renowned—how could she not pity Moyaqi? Why not let Consort Hui preside over the full-moon ceremony? That would satisfy everyone!"
