“How could it be Consort Hui?”
Wen Shan paced back and forth while holding Yinsi in her arms. Bao Quan was outside gathering information. According to reliable news Bao Quan had obtained, Consort Tong Jia, Consort Hui, and The Eldest Prince were all currently in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Early this morning, Consort Hui had brought The Eldest Prince to wait outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, intercepting Kangxi right after his morning court session.
Then Consort Tong Jia was urgently summoned to join them.
Gradually, rumors spread through the palace that this seemed to be related to the Fourth Prince’s affairs. By now, the group had already been inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation for half an hour.
Yinsi gave a small yawn. What was so strange about this? Currently in the palace, aside from his mother and Fourth Brother who might intervene due to their relationship, those who didn’t get along with Consort Tong Jia were the Niohuru Clan and Consort Hui, and of course Noble Lady Ping.
But Noble Lady Ping wouldn’t personally involve herself, as that would implicate the Crown Prince. Having failed to persuade his mother, she naturally sought another option.
Speaking of which, Yinsi was more familiar with Consort Hui and The Eldest Prince than with other consorts and princes. After all, in his previous life, he had been raised in Consort Hui’s palace. Even after Yinzhen ascended the throne, when The Eldest Prince Yinti was stripped of his title and imprisoned by Kangxi for bewitching the Crown Prince, it was Yinsi who took the then-Consort Hui to live out her remaining years in Prince Lian Manor.
Consort Hui was currently quite favored by Kangxi and, having borne the emperor’s first son, naturally thought highly of herself. Moreover, Yinti was Kangxi’s first surviving son after four previous sons had died young. He had been deeply cherished since childhood and, while not comparable to the Crown Prince, was still somewhat special compared to other princes.
If not for Consort Hui’s ordinary background and Yinti still being young, this mother-son pair would likely have become completely arrogant by now.
After all, the impression everyone had of Consort Hui and Yinti during the later years of Kangxi’s reign was that of an overbearing, restless mother-son pair who never understood their position.
This was the famous ruthless woman who had once said during the first deposition of the Crown Prince: “If Yin Reng must be executed, Your Majesty need not dirty your own hands.”
Consort Hui’s belief that a mother’s status depended on her son had always existed, though currently it remained merely a small flicker of ambition.
Therefore, Yinsi understood Consort Hui’s current mindset perfectly clearly. Having the Crown Prince blocking The Eldest Prince’s path was bad enough, but if Consort Tong Jia became empress, whether through her own biological son or her adopted Fourth Brother, they would become obstacles for The Eldest Prince. She had definitely been manipulated into being someone else’s pawn after Noble Lady Ping’s overt and covert provocations.
How to put it? This was completely within his expectations.
Yet for some reason, this life felt both unfamiliar and familiar to him. For instance, in his previous life, Consort Hui had never accused Consort Tong Jia. Thinking carefully, it seemed that from the moment of his birth, events could no longer follow their previous trajectory. Logically, his unusual rebirth should have caused these changes, yet he inexplicably felt that his mother was the true center of these transformations.
Regardless, since heaven had given him this opportunity, he would definitely make good use of it, whether for his own sake or for his mother’s.
Wen Shan clearly understood nothing about these schemes and manipulations. Watching his mother’s brows furrow deeply, Yinsi sighed and reached out for a hug, attempting to distract Wen Shan.
Give up, Mother. You’re different from them. This isn’t something you should be worrying about.
“Master, Consort Hui and The Eldest Prince have emerged from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.” Bao Quan hurried in to report the latest developments.
“What about the Noble Consort?” Wen Shan picked up Yinsi to comfort him while turning her head to ask.
“The Noble Consort is still inside,” Bao Quan said. “But Consort Hui came out looking quite pleased.”
Wen Shan sat down, thinking it must be eighty percent settled then.
Zhen Zhu served tea and also smiled, saying, “Then should we prepare to welcome the Fourth Prince back?”
“Shall this servant prepare for us to go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation?” Hupo also stepped forward to ask.
Go where?! Yinsi kicked his legs and glared at Hupo. How could they appear before Emperor Father at this time!
If Consort Tong Jia could no longer raise Fourth Brother, then Fourth Brother would either return to Consort De or come back to Mother. Once this matter was settled, the Grand Empress Dowager would naturally step in to bring Fourth Brother back.
Cining Palace might appear unmoved by the eight winds, but its ears were sharper than anyone’s.
Fortunately, Wen Shan wasn’t completely confused. She patted Yinzhen’s back and picked up the small blanket he had kicked off.
“The Grand Empress Dowager said we should wait for news.”
Although the matter was about to be settled, Wen Shan still couldn’t quite figure it out when she reconsidered.
“Why do you think Consort Hui would make things difficult for Consort Tong Jia?”
Fei Cui, fanning nearby, said, “Perhaps it’s because rumors are spreading fiercely that the Emperor intends to confer the title of Empress upon the Noble Consort. Naturally, the Noble Consort has become the target of everyone’s arrows.”
Yinsi gave his approval. Good, good, finally there was one who wasn’t so confused.
Wen Shan: “What? The Noble Consort is to be made Empress?”
Yinsi: “…”
So Mother didn’t know at all?
Even he, a baby who couldn’t even leave the door of Xianfu Palace, knew about it. That showed how widely the rumors had spread. Recently, Consort Yi, Consort Duan, and even the Grand Empress Dowager had mentioned it, albeit obliquely. Yinsi hadn’t expected his own mother to be completely unaware.
Wen Shan only understood the whole story upon reflection. She thought to herself that it was really because Consort Tong Jia’s title of “One-Day Empress” was too famous. According to history, she should be conferred as Imperial Noble Consort this winter, so Wen Shan had never considered that Consort Tong Jia might be made Empress now.
Of course, another reason was that she had been distracted lately and hadn’t paid much attention during her conversations with Consort Yi and the others.
Sure enough, after waiting patiently for another half-hour, someone came with a message: Kangxi wanted her to go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
…
In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Consort Tong Jia knelt below, weeping silently with soft sobs. Kangxi sat above, watching coldly, his authority felt even without anger.
“This humble consort knows she has done wrong and dares not argue,” Consort Tong Jia said tearfully. “But this humble consort truly never mistreated Yinzhen.”
“Yinzhen has been under my care since he was just a few days old. Although I resented this matter, my affection for Yinzhen was genuine.”
As she spoke, Consort Tong Jia found it absurd and ridiculous, but human emotions were perhaps just this complex and unreasonable.
On one hand, she couldn’t forget what her mother had said, but Yinzhen had been living in her palace after all—how could she not have feelings for him?
Who knew about her struggles and pain in all this?
It was just that after her miscarriage, she had unconsciously taken out some of her anger on Yinzhen. Seeing him close to Consort Xuan had made her even more jealous.
“Never mistreated?” Kangxi said coldly. “Yinzhen has been kneeling in the dark room of Chengqian Palace for two days. You call that never mistreated?”
Upon hearing of the matter today, Kangxi not only summoned Consort Tong Jia but also called for Yinzhen to attend. It was only then discovered that Consort Tong Jia had punished Yinzhen by making him kneel in a dark room two days prior, leaving him too weak to appear before the emperor.
This incident made Consort Hui’s accusations particularly convincing, as the evidence of mistreatment was plain to see. Coupled with The Eldest Prince’s vivid description of Yinzhen’s distracted and despondent demeanor in the Imperial Study, Kangxi was enraged.
How could his imperial son be treated so contemptuously by a consort?
Moreover, such nonsense about conflicting destinies was utterly absurd.
No wonder Yinzhen’s temperament was so peculiar and gloomy—it was all because of Consort Tong Jia.
“That was Yinzhen…”
“It was merely an animal raised by Yinzhen that damaged something, yet you punished him so severely.” Kangxi interrupted her, rising and walking toward Consort Tong Jia, his expression unreadable.
“That was clothing I prepared for the child in my womb!” Consort Tong Jia suddenly lifted her head, murmuring deliriously, “If he had been born safely, he would be wearing it by now.”
“Why must Yinzhen insist on opposing my child!”
Kangxi stood with his hands behind his back, looking down impassively as Consort Tong Jia wept and cried out.
“The Noble Consort is deranged and unbecoming. Return to Chengqian Palace to recuperate.”
“As for Yinzhen, let Consort Xuan care for him. There is no need for him to return to Chengqian Palace.”
For the first time, Consort Tong Jia felt the awe-inspiring authority of the emperor, so overwhelming it stole her breath. She understood that the emperor was truly angry this time, leaving no room for reconciliation.
Kangxi glanced at her and said coolly, “Since you are unwilling to raise him, there are plenty of consorts in the rear palace who are.”
When Wen Shan arrived, she saw Consort Tong Jia slumped on the floor, her eyes vacant, while Kangxi sat calmly on the dragon throne reviewing memorials.
Only after Wen Shan paid her respects to both did Kangxi lift his eyelids to glance at her.
“Consort Xuan is here.”
His tone was as casual as if inviting her to a meal.
Wen Shan cautiously asked, “What has happened to the Noble Consort?”
“Pay her no mind.” Kangxi closed the memorial. “Go to Chengqian Palace now and bring Yinzhen back. From now on, Yinzhen will be raised in your palace.”
“Really?!” Wen Shan was overjoyed, never expecting it to be so straightforward without her having to broach the subject.
Seeing the genuine sparkle in Wen Shan’s eyes and her unmistakable delight, Kangxi’s mood softened slightly. Indeed, there were still those in his rear palace who sincerely cared for children.
His tone warmed considerably. “Go on. This evening, I will visit you to see Yinzhen.”
“…”
Could he take back that last part?
Wen Shan’s abruptly halted smile and feigned gratitude made the anger surge back into Kangxi’s chest. This Consort Xuan truly discarded him after use.
Kangxi smiled as gently as a spring breeze. “Remember to prepare more of the dishes I enjoy.”
“…”
Wen Shan’s expression nearly faltered. Well, she had incurred his favor today—she might as reluctantly prepare something for him.
After thanking him, Wen Shan hurried to Chengqian Palace. With Kangxi’s decree, she passed through unimpeded, and a palace eunuch led her to Yinzhen’s room.
Upon entering, Wen Shan was met with the heavy scent of medicine.
“What happened?” she asked, seeing Yinzhen lying in bed in thin inner garments, a young eunuch applying medicine to him.
Yinzhen’s face was deathly pale. When he heard Wen Shan’s voice, he thought it was an illusion—until he saw her rushing to his bedside, anxiously checking him over, and realized it was real.
Mother Xuan had arrived.
“It’s nothing. I made a mistake, and Noble Consort punished me by making me kneel for a while,” Yinzhen struggled to sit up, but Wen Shan pressed him back down. She saw his knees were bruised and scraped, the skin broken.
How long had he been kneeling?
“Yinzhen, your Emperor Father has decreed that you will live in Xianfu Palace from now on,” Wen Shan showed him Kangxi’s handwritten order and gently stroked his hair. “Mother Xuan will take you back soon.”
Yinzhen stared blankly at the order for a moment before nodding slowly. Wen Shan held him close, shielding him from the process of applying medicine.
“Mother Xuan, Fuqi!” Yinzhen suddenly remembered something, looking at her pleadingly. “Save Fuqi!”
“What happened to Fuqi?”
The young eunuch applying medicine explained, “Fuqi destroyed Noble Consort’s belongings. Noble Consort ordered him sent back to the dog kennel. Usually, dogs returned by nobles… are disposed of.”
The eunuch spoke euphemistically, but Wen Shan understood: Fuqi would be killed. Hearing this, Yinzhen grew even more restless.
“It’s alright. Lie still. Bao Quan will take you back to Xianfu Palace soon, and Mother will go find Fuqi for you,” Wen Shan soothed him, giving Bao Quan a meaningful glance.
As Yinzhen’s medicine application was nearly finished, Bao Quan immediately stepped forward to carry him on his back.
“Fourth Prince, this servant will carry you back.”
After Yinzhen was carried back to Xianfu Palace by Bao Quan, the palace servants were thrown into a flurry of activity. Fei Cui even shed a few heartbroken tears. Yinsi craned his neck to look, and his heart sank when he saw Fourth Brother being carried back.
What happened? Was he injured again?
Yinzhen called for a stop as they passed Yinsi’s cradle.
“I want to see Eighth Brother.”
Bao Quan acknowledged and lifted Yinzhen to face forward, then crouched down so Yinzhen could see Yinsi in the cradle.
Yinsi, sucking his fingers, thought Fourth Brother had finally returned but seemed to have suffered—so he rare smiled at him.
Unexpectedly, Yinzhen solemnly pulled Yinsi’s fingers out of his mouth.
“Little brother, don’t suck your fingers.”
Yinsi froze. Wow, scolding him as soon as he returned!
Defiant, Yinsi stuffed his fingers back in.
Yinzhen sternly pulled them out again.
The two brothers went back and forth five or six times, amusing the nearby servants.
Out of the corner of his eye, Yinsi noticed Wen Shan seemed to have returned. His eyes lit up, and he began to wail loudly.
Mother! Fourth Brother is bullying me!