Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Fortunately, Yinxiang's trip...

Fortunately, Yinxiang was careful on this trip and escaped unnoticed. After several horses died, he returned to the capital and rushed directly into Chonghua Palace.

Guo Luoluo was chatting with Fucha in Chonghua Palace. They were making clothes and shoes for the children when the palace maid arrived to report.

"Got it. Have the kitchen send some fruit at this time. There's no need to invite the Fourth Master for dinner," Fucha said. Fucha

knew where Yinxiang had been these past few days and naturally understood that they would have a long talk this time.

The matter of Yinsi was still being kept a secret from Guo Luoluo. Yinzhen had issued a strict order that no rumors should be allowed to reach Yuqing Palace until concrete information was available.

The fifth son who had tried to pass the message to Wenshan was also identified. He was indeed a newcomer to the palace. The information had passed through several hands before he was assigned to deliver the message to Wenshan. So, he was just an unlucky person being used.

However, there were only a few people in the palace who could do such a thing, so they were all under close scrutiny.

At least, no such news had reached Xianfu Palace or Yuqing Palace in the past few days.

But with no news of Yinsi for so many days, Guo Luoluo knew something must be wrong.

"Fourth sister-in-law, just tell me the truth, what happened to the Eighth Master?" Guo Luoluo put down the half-embroidered bellyband she was embroidering for the child and hesitated for a moment before asking.

It would be better to tell her the truth than to keep it secret from her, otherwise she would be in constant turmoil.

Fucha remained silent, feeling a bit embarrassed.

She knew the secret wouldn't last long, but Yinzhen's intention was to keep it a secret for as long as possible.

"Fourth sister-in-law, just tell me. I'm worried you've been hiding it from me, so why not tell me directly?"

Guo Luoluo said, "I understand Fourth Brother and Mother's feelings, but I'm not the kind of delicate person who can't stand being frightened. It'll give me peace of mind if I know sooner."

Fucha sighed and finally told Guo Luoluo about Yinsi's imprisonment in the Luoyang Palace.

Guo Luoluo's face paled instantly, her lips moving involuntarily.

"Don't worry, sister-in-law. Fourth Master and Thirteenth Brother have already investigated. We'll have news soon. Eighth Brother is definitely safe now," Fucha consoled.

Guo Luoluo breathed a sigh of relief. She had been feeling uneasy for a while now; something had indeed happened.

"Thank you, Fourth Sister-in-law. I understand." Guo Luoluo picked up the half-embroidered bellyband and said, "I believe in the Eighth Master. He'll be fine."

Fucha nodded and said, "I'm glad you think so. Don't worry, Mother and I are here in the palace. Just focus on your pregnancy."

As she finished speaking, Fucha's maid entered, bowed, and said, "Madam, the Fourth Master just sent a message to inform the wife of Prince Lian that Prince Lian is doing well. Please rest assured."

Upon hearing this, Fucha knew that Yinzhen had guessed that he would lose the secret from Guo Luoluo today.

"I understand. You can leave now,"

Fucha said. "Thirteenth Brother just visited Eighth Brother privately a few days ago. He said he's fine, so he's fine."

Guo Luoluo bit her lip and nodded. Her thoughts were already in a mess, and she could hardly continue embroidering.

At this moment, Yi'an and Hongxi were brought over by their wet nurse, and Fucha hurriedly asked them to take the two children over. Yi'an and Hongxi's childish words made Guo Luoluo relax a little.

In the study of Chonghua Palace, Yinxiang had just sat down, exhausted. Yinzhen knew from his disheveled appearance that he must have rushed back day and night.

"Fourth brother, this is what eighth brother told me."

Yinxiang gritted his teeth and said, "Eighth brother meant that we should leave it alone."

"He's talking nonsense." Yinzhen said coldly, "We all know what will happen to him if the emperor finds out about this. How can we just leave him alone?"

"Thirteenth brother, you should have brought him back by force."

Yinsi, who was staying in the Luoyang Palace, sneezed. He calculated the time and estimated that Yinxiang should have seen his fourth brother by now. Fourth brother shouldn't be as impulsive as the thirteenth brother, right?

Yinxiang nodded after hearing what Yinzhen said. "I told my eighth brother at the time that even if you, Fourth Brother, were there, I wouldn't let you go. But I could

n't do anything because of your insistence." Yinxiang was truly no match for Yinsi.

Yinzhen hadn't expected Kangxi to learn about the Crown Prince's rebellion. If he had known earlier, he would have told Yinxiang to bring Yinsi back at all costs.

If all else failed, they would have to act now.

"It's too late to talk about this now," Yinxiang said. "And what my eighth brother said makes sense. The Emperor is in trouble outside, too. Why not wait until he returns to the palace before making plans?"

Yinzhen pondered for a long time, then calmed down and admitted that Yinsi's words were the most appropriate solution to the current situation.

"Let's get ready. Fortunately, we have been secretly preparing for the past few years."

Yinzhen said, "It's a 70% chance of winning."

They now have people in the court and the army, and the palace has always been controlled by Yinsi. They originally thought that they would accumulate strength in another two or three years, but now that things have happened suddenly, they can only act in an emergency.

Yinxiang nodded with a cold face. In the past two years, since he came to the court to take over the Ministry of War, he has recruited many of his former subordinates in order to prepare for any unexpected events.

As long as Kangxi returns to the capital, they only need to control the capital.

"Find a chance to tell my mother and Concubine Liang about the matter of my eighth brother." Yinzhen lowered his eyes and said, "This matter cannot be concealed. The emperor will return to the palace in another month."

In the end, it was Yinxiang who told Wenshan about this matter, but Wenshan was unexpectedly calm.

"I understand. I knew this day would come."

Kangxi wasn't a fool, nor was he a figurehead. As Yinzhen, Yinsi, and Yinxiang grew older, he'd eventually discover their true intentions. Wen Shan, however, had always envisioned a peaceful transition. In a few years, once they had control of the court, Kangxi could naturally abdicate. Now, it was simply a few years earlier.

Of course, the most important thing was that Kangxi wouldn't outright kill Yinsi. Whether he was imprisoned or reduced to a commoner, as long as he was spared, it wouldn't matter.

But Yinsi would suffer again.

"Don't worry, mother. My fourth brother and I have been busy preparing these days. We'll discuss how to proceed once the Emperor and Eighth Brother return to see how things are going." Yinxiang reassured Wenshan, "Eighth Brother is doing well, nothing's wrong." "

As for your Eighth Sister-in-law..." Wenshan frowned. "She's less than three months pregnant, and that's a very critical time. Something's happening to Yinsi now..."

Yinxiang helped Wenshan sit down and said, "Eighth Brother also told us to take good care of Eighth Sister-in-law. Mother, don't worry. Eighth Sister-in-law is not a weak woman. She's incredibly strong and resilient. Many men can't match her."

Yinxiang remembered how Guo Luoluo remained unyielding even after Yinsi was rejected by Kangxi in his previous life, and he knew that his Eighth Sister-in-law was truly strong.

As expected, Guo Luoluo remained even more stable after learning about this. While she nursed the baby, she kept a close watch on everything in Yuqing Palace. Under these circumstances, there couldn't be any disturbance in Yuqing Palace.

The news that Yinsi had angered Emperor Kangxi and was imprisoned in the Luoyang Palace quickly spread throughout the palace. Concubine Liang, deeply concerned, came to Xianfu Palace to inquire about the details. Wenshan was reluctant to reveal Yinsi's actions, as he had been keeping them a secret from Concubine Liang.

In Concubine Liang's mind, Yinsi had always been a precocious, sensible, intelligent, and filial child. Yinsi had told Concubine Liang that he was working with Yinzhen, and Concubine Liang hadn't questioned him, silently supporting all of Yinsi's decisions.

So, upon hearing that Yinsi was in trouble, Concubine Liang instinctively understood that it must be a matter of the imperial court, something she didn't understand and couldn't intervene in. She came to find out about Yinsi's current situation.

Wenshan comforted Concubine Liang, assuring her that Yinsi was safe, but she also let her know that the punishment would not officially begin until Emperor Kangxi returned.

Liangpin nodded and said, "I ask for nothing more than for Yinsi to be safe."

"Don't worry," Wenshan said earnestly, "With Yinzhen, Yinxiang, and I here, nothing will happen to Yinsi."

Liangpin, tears welling in her eyes, nodded and said goodbye without another word.

Besides Concubine Yi and Concubine Tong, several others had come to Xianfu Palace to inquire about the situation. Even the Empress Dowager summoned Wenshan to question her.

Yinsi had grown up in the Empress Dowager's care, so naturally, she was worried.

Wenshan had dealt with all parties involved, but privately, she couldn't help but worry about him.

The capital was turbulent, and the events didn't officially begin until two months later, when Kangxi returned to the capital.

Yinsi was escorted back alone, several days before Kangxi's arrival, guarded by Kangxi's trusted guards. Upon his return, Yinsi was taken to the clan residence and kept under strict observation, with no visitors allowed.

Those who had been confused about what was happening suddenly understood that something serious had happened to Yinsi.

A few days after Kangxi returned to Beijing, he arrived at the Palace of Heavenly Purity at noon, and before lunchtime, he summoned all the ministers and several princes to a meeting. The deposed Crown Prince was among them, marking his first time participating in a court meeting since his dethronement.

Wen Shan was absent-minded in Xianfu Palace, knowing full well that the discussion in the Palace of Heavenly Purity was about Yinsi. The waiting was agonizing. Unable to eat or sit still, Wen Shan paced back and forth in the courtyard several times before finally waiting for Baoquan to come running back, breathless.

"Master, this is terrible! The Emperor has just decreed that the Eighth Prince's title of Prince be stripped and imprisoned him in the Imperial Clan Court. He has also ordered that the Yuqing Palace be vacated so that the Eighth Concubine can move to the Ganxi Wusuo."

Wen Shan had been prepared for this outcome and remained relatively calm.

"Is there any other news?"

Baoquan whispered: "The emperor said...that the eighth prince framed the prince with evil intentions, and that he was disloyal and unfilial, and he also cursed the eighth prince as...the son of a whore from the Xinzheku..."

Baoquan's voice became lower and lower, and he could hardly say these words.

What the emperor said was indeed too harsh.

Wen Shan was also furious when she heard it. Sure enough, Kangxi was still the same, and he would not change no matter how many times he came.

"Where are Yinzhen and Yinxiang?" Wen Shan asked, suppressing the anger in her heart.

Baoquan said: "The two princes have not been implicated. They will come over after they disperse."

Yinzhen and Yinxiang have always been on the opposite side of Yinsi on the surface. Kangxi naturally would not make trouble for them, but he still warned them privately not to think about pleading for Yinsi.

Kangxi was furious. He had always had high hopes for the crown prince and a deep affection for him. His rebellion was a thorn in his side. Now that he knew Yinsi was behind the plot, he was furious but also relieved.

It seemed the crown prince had simply fallen into a trap, not beyond redemption.

Kangxi's thoughts were shared not only by Yinzhen and the other princes, but also by many of the ministers.

The emperor might be trying to seize this opportunity to reinstate the crown prince.

Yinzhen remained unmoved, seemingly proceeding steadily and methodically. Tong Guowei and the others who followed Yinsi were now on edge. With Yinsi's situation seemingly beyond redemption, what were they supposed to do?

Unfortunately, Tong Guowei had taken sick leave, refusing to attend court or see guests. Tong Guowei knew this

was the person Kangxi was keeping a close eye on, to prevent him from resorting to desperate measures like Soetu had done before. Therefore, he was able to maintain a low profile and maintain covert communication.

Some of the crown prince's former subordinates began to stir, contacting each other and petitioning to reinstate him.

Upon hearing the news, Guo Luoluo calmly ordered the palace maids to pack up. Fucha, worried about her, even went there.

"Why are you here, Fourth Sister-in-law? The palace is in such a mess," Guo Luoluo said with a smile as she ushered Fucha in.

Seeing her normal demeanor, Fucha breathed a sigh of relief. "I came to see if there's anything I can help you with. Mother and I have already packed up the Ganxi Wuhu, where Eighth Brother used to live. You can rest assured and take good care of your pregnancy."

"Fourth Master asked me to bring you a message," Fucha patted Guo Luoluo's hand and said, "Be at ease."

Yinsi had only been stripped of his title, not expelled from his clan as a commoner, so Guo Luoluo remained the crown prince's wife. Kangxi, considering her pregnancy, didn't make things difficult for her. He also turned a blind eye to Wen Shan's arrangements for the Ganxi Wuhu.

Guo Luoluo was now over five months pregnant, her belly already slightly swollen. After hearing Fucha's words, she nodded slightly and said, "As long as the Eighth Master is safe, the child and I will wait for him."

Yinsi had numerous trusted aides and confidants within the palace, and with Yinzhen and Wenshan watching over her, Guo Luoluo naturally faced no harsh treatment. Since moving to the Ganxi Wusuo, she had stayed indoors to rest and nurture her pregnancy.

She trusted Yinsi and believed everything would be fine.

So, the most important thing now was for their child to be born safely.

Kangxi hadn't visited Xianfu Palace since his return to the palace. Concubine Mi and Concubine He were still the most favored, and Wenshan, content with the quiet, didn't bother to pay Kangxi any attention.

What infuriated Wenshan the most was Kangxi's repeated remark that she was "born by a lowly woman from the Xinzheku." It was sheer utter despicable.

Concubine Liang was deeply sullen when she learned of this. Even after all these years, her birth still brought such humiliation to her son.

He didn't visit until a few days before Kangxi's birthday, more than a month after his return from his southern tour.

Wen Shan was preparing some food in the small kitchen, preparing to secretly bring it to the Imperial Clan Court for Yinsi. Although Yinsi was under guard, he had much more control back at the palace than at the temporary palace in Luoyang, so he could send some things in. Yinzhen and Yinxiang even secretly visited him.

Wen Shan was surprised to hear Kangxi had arrived. Ever since Yinsi's accident, she had been invisible to Kangxi. He hadn't even mentioned them for over a month, let alone seeing them. His sudden arrival was hard not to suspect another trap.

Wen Shan changed her clothes and slowly made her way to the main hall. Kangxi was already sitting cross-legged on the couch, sipping tea and flipping through a book.

After Wen Shan asked how he was, Kangxi casually raised his hand for him to sit down.

"Since returning from the southern tour, I've been so busy with court affairs that I haven't had time to visit you. Don't blame me," he

said hypocritically.

Wen Shan cursed silently.

"The Emperor's condition is serious, so naturally, the government is the priority."

Kangxi narrowed his eyes, studied Wen Shan for a moment, and said, "I thought you would go to the Yangxin Palace to plead for Yinsi."

Wen Shan: "Will the Emperor agree?"

"No,"

Wen Shan smiled. "That's why I didn't go either."

The atmosphere between them suddenly grew tense.

Kangxi didn't recall Wen Shan's overt defiance being this frequent, and those occasions were almost always related to Yinsi.

"I've told you several times before to keep a close eye on Yinsi, but it seems those were all just empty words," Kangxi said flatly.

Why are you here to accuse him?

Wen Shan, with a cold expression, immediately knelt and said, "I'm guilty, Your Majesty, and I beg your punishment."

Kangxi: "..."

Liangpin was Yinsi's biological mother, and Kangxi hadn't held her accountable, let alone Wenshan, now an Imperial Noble Consort. How could he, after all, punish her for her lack of discipline?

Kangxi had come this time because he felt he had neglected Wenshan for a while, and he wanted to offer some words of comfort and appeasement. Wenshan's blunt rebuttal filled him with indignation, and he left without another word.

Watching Kangxi storm off, Zhenzhu worriedly said, "My Lord, the Emperor seems angry."

"So be it."

It was too late, who was afraid of whom?

"Next month is the Emperor's Birthday, and you haven't prepared the Emperor's gift yet," Amber reminded her.

Wenshan wasn't in the mood to prepare a gift for him right now.

"Just prepare something that's perfect."

Kangxi's inexplicable visit and outburst had delayed her from preparing food for Yinsi.

Zhenzhu and Amber exchanged a glance, then reluctantly went about preparing Kangxi's gift.

Kangxi was celebrating his fiftieth birthday. At the age of knowing one's destiny, Kangxi intended for the celebration to be grand and dignified, specifically appointing Consort Tongjia to oversee it, with Consort Rong and Consort Hui assisting.

Wenshan was still a little listless on the day of the birthday, and while Zhenzhu was dressing her, she worriedly asked if she hadn't slept well the night before.

"Yes, I dreamed of Yinsi," Wen Shan said bitterly. "Yinzhen and Yinxiang won't let me go to the Imperial Clan Court to see Yinsi. I'm so worried and anxious."

Zhenzhu said, "The two princes are doing this for your own good. If you went to the Imperial Clan Court to see the Eighth Prince, you'd probably be in such a state of distress."

Although Yinzhen and Yinxiang were looking after him, Yinsi couldn't have been very happy living in the Imperial Clan Court.

So Yinzhen and Yinxiang kept trying to stop Wen Shan from seeing him.

When the time came, Wen Shan headed for the Hall of Supreme Harmony. On the way, she ran into Concubine Mi, and the two of them chatted as they walked. By the time they arrived, the Hall of Supreme Harmony was already quite crowded. Wen Shan was now an Imperial Noble Consort, the same rank as the Vice Empress, so she was assigned a seat slightly below and to the left of Kangxi. Since she wasn't Empress, she couldn't sit with Kangxi.

Fucha had also come with Guo Luoluo. Guo Luoluo was already seven months pregnant and had grown somewhat heavy. Fucha supported her and said, "You can ask for leave now that you're pregnant. The Emperor won't make it difficult for you."

Given Yinsi's current situation, Guo Luoluo would inevitably be mocked by some villains if she came. It would be better for her to send the gifts to the Ganxi Wusuo to recuperate.

She was indeed pregnant and in her advanced stages, so it didn't matter if she didn't come.

"Of course I must come in person to congratulate the Emperor on his fiftieth birthday," Guo Luoluo said, holding her belly. "The Eighth Master hasn't been expelled from the clan, and I'm still the Emperor's daughter-in-law, so naturally I have to come."

Fucha sighed and said nothing more.

Guo Luoluo's arrival certainly attracted many people's attention. After taking her seat, Guo Luoluo remained straight and collected, her demeanor impeccable.

Of the princes' wives, Fucha should have sat at the head of the table. Yinzhen was the only prince, holding the highest status, and Fucha naturally held the same position. However, Kangxi specifically informed Consort Tongjia of this birthday banquet, explaining that birthday banquets prioritized filial piety and emphasized the importance of respecting seniority and distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate children. Therefore, he placed Prince Li before Yinzhen, and Guaerjia sat above Fucha.

Guaerjia had already taken her seat, looking rather contented compared to the slightly awkward appearance she had shown when she and Fucha met a few months earlier.

"Fourth brother's wife is here," Guaerjia said with a smile. Fucha smiled back

, "It's been a while since I've seen you, second sister-in-law. You look much better."

Guaerjia stroked her temples and said, "As they say, when happy events come, one feels refreshed. There's some truth to that."

"The Emperor's birthday is certainly a happy occasion," Fucha replied flawlessly.

Guaerjia choked, then asked, "Why didn't you bring Hongxi and Yi'an today?"

Fucha replied, "The two children caught a cold the other day from mischief and can't come today. We've already apologized to the Emperor."

"That's a shame! Everyone knows that the Emperor loves Hongxi the most among his grandchildren," Guaerjia said, hinting at something. Fucha pretended not to understand her and replied with a few perfunctory words before Kangxi arrived.

Prince Li entered with Kangxi, apparently having just spoken with him before the birthday banquet.

Seeing this, the princes, ministers, and princes exchanged bewilderment. Having already subtly accorded the deposed Crown Prince his previous treatment today, and now that he was now entering with Kangxi, Kangxi's intentions were clear.

After everyone paid their respects and congratulated Kangxi according to the custom, Kangxi happily invited everyone to stand.

The princes presented their gifts first, followed by the concubines and the princes.

Prince Li was naturally the first to present a piece of lake stone with the word "longevity" on it, which he said was a natural creation. He also said a lot of auspicious words. Kangxi was obviously very satisfied and kept praising Prince Li for his benevolence and filial piety.

Wen Shan felt bored just watching it. What was there to be happy about when this kind of thing was almost sold in bulk?

The birthday gifts of the next few princes were also very standard and there were no mistakes. After the seventh prince presented his gift, it was Yinsi's turn and the atmosphere in the palace became a little subtle.

Yinsi was locked up in the clan house and naturally could not present a gift, but all the princes and their wives gave a gift. Although Yinsi was not there, Guo Luoluo was indeed at the table, but no one knew whether she wanted to present a gift or not.

It would be troublesome to present a gift or not.

Under the prying eyes of the crowd, either openly or secretly, Guo Luoluo stood up and stepped forward to salute.

"On behalf of the eighth prince, your daughter-in-law Guo Luoluo greets the Emperor and wishes him a long life, good health, and great fortune."