Chapter 108 Chapter 108 "Who...

"Who is rebelling? Do we need to explain it clearly?"

Yinxiang stepped forward and looked at the Ninth and Tenth Princes and said.

Yinzhen stood with his hands behind his back: "Ninth brother, Tenth brother, there is more than just the Emperor in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, right?"

"Longkodo abused his power to transfer the guards from the Hall of Mental Cultivation and has now been apprehended."

"Tong Guowei is plotting a rebellion. Why are you two also helping him?"

The Ninth and Tenth Princes could tell from each other that the situation was not good. Yinzhen and Yinxiang had obviously taken control of the situation.

The Ninth Prince gritted his teeth thinking of Yinsi: "Fourth brother, what are you talking about? My tenth brother and I are just here to visit the Emperor. We have never heard of Tong Guowei's rebellion."

Yinzhen was too lazy to argue with the two and simply ordered someone to arrest the Ninth and Tenth Princes.

"Please go to the side hall, Ninth and Tenth Princes. "Yinzhen ordered: "Don't be rude."

"Yes."

The tenth prince was escorted to the side hall and turned back to curse: "Who asked you to be hypocritical! Fourth brother, you actually dared to force the Yangxin Palace... Um!"

The tenth prince's mouth was covered halfway through his words.

"Let's go, fourth brother." Yinxiang stepped onto the steps and looked at Yinzhen.

Yinzhen hummed, and Liang Jiugong stood in front of the bedroom door and opened the door for Yinzhen and Yinxiang.

"Your Highness, the Emperor and Lord Tong are inside."

Yinzhen nodded, and when he entered the bedroom, he saw Tong Guowei standing in front of Kangxi's bed. Kangxi leaned against the head of the bed and looked up, suddenly curling his lips and smiling, looking at Tong Guowei: "It seems you made a wrong bet."

The ninth and tenth princes were locked up in the side hall of the Yangxin Palace. The tenth prince stepped forward and kicked the door twice, and said irritably: "Ninth brother, what should I do? "

I never expected that Fourth Brother would jump out at this time.

"Fourth Brother knows now... How will he treat Eighth Brother well in the future?"

Tenth Prince scratched his head anxiously. Ninth Prince looked at him and said, "We are already unable to take care of ourselves, and we don't know how Fourth Brother will treat us."

I didn't expect that Fourth Brother, who is usually silent, is such a scheming person. As soon as Ninth Prince finished speaking, a familiar voice came from behind the screen.

"Fourth Brother will naturally not do anything to you, don't worry."

"Eighth Brother?!"

Yinsi walked out from behind the screen, having changed into a crescent-white dress embroidered with phoenixes, looking extremely handsome and noble.

Yinsi stepped forward and patted the shoulders of his two younger brothers.

"Didn't I tell you before not to get involved with Tong Guowei?

After entering the clan residence, Yinsi sent a message to the Ninth and Tenth Princes, asking them not to meddle in his affairs, let alone have anything to do with Tong Guowei.

It seemed the two hadn't listened at all. "

If you want to rescue Eighth Brother, you must cooperate with Tong Guowei, otherwise we'll have to watch Eighth Brother locked up in the clan residence for life!" The Tenth Prince had a fiery temper since childhood, and even more so as he grew older, sometimes even daring to talk back to Kangxi.

The Ninth Prince was much more cunning than the Tenth Prince. After being surprised to see Yinsi here, he had some suspicions in his mind.

"Eighth Brother, are you... did Fourth Brother let you out?"

The fact that Yinsi could stay here so unharmed, and looked so calm, meant that someone must have deliberately arranged him here. The

only one who could do this now was Yinzhen.

Yinsi nodded: "I left the clan residence two hours ago."

"I didn't look for you because I had something important to attend to right away. "

The tenth prince was confused when he heard this: "Eighth brother, why did fourth brother let you out?"

Isn't eighth brother the fourth brother's number one competitor?

The ninth prince seemed to be thinking about something and then sneered: "Eighth brother, the tenth brother and I treat you as our own brother, but you have kept it a secret from us for so long."

Yinsi pursed his lips when he heard this and said in a low voice: "I'm sorry, it was really forced by the situation. The prince is deeply favored by the emperor, and the emperor's temperament has always been suspicious. Fourth brother and I can only do this."

The tenth prince was still confused. He looked around at the ninth prince and Yinsi and said: "Eighth brother, ninth brother, what are you talking about?"

"Eighth brother and fourth brother have always been of the same mind, tenth brother." The ninth prince looked at his slightly silly brother and said: "We were both fooled by eighth brother."

"It's not just the two of us, Tong Guowei, all the civil and military officials in the court were fooled by fourth brother and eighth brother. "

Yinsi had thought about today's scene early in the morning. The Ninth Prince and the Tenth Prince really treated him sincerely and really wanted to support him to ascend the throne. Naturally, he had thought about the situation of today's showdown in his mind.

"I'm sorry, you are determined to help me ascend the throne, but I really have never had this intention."

This also declared, to some extent, that the political investment of the Ninth Prince and the Tenth Prince had failed.

They followed him naturally because they wanted to be second only to the emperor in the future, but he never thought about sitting in that position from the beginning.

"Is this what we are angry about?" The Ninth Prince gritted his teeth, "Eighth Brother, you underestimate me and the Tenth Brother too much. We followed you because you thought you wanted that position. Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"You just... don't trust us?"

The Tenth Prince now understood, and he was also very disappointed.

They were not angry that Yinsi didn't want to fight for the throne, but kept it from them.

Would telling them ruin Eighth Brother's plans?

"...This is my fault. "Now that things have come to this, Yinsi can only admit his mistake first.

He did not choose to reveal to the Ninth Prince and the Tenth Prince that he was indeed on guard.

It's not that he was afraid that they would tell the matter, but the matter itself is that the fewer people who know, the better, especially the Eleventh Prince has always been unable to hide things, and all his thoughts are written on his face. If he tells him, even if the Tenth Prince did not mean to, some people will figure it out.

But if he tells the Ninth Prince but not the Tenth Prince, it will make him look biased, so it is better to hide it from both of them.

Anyway, he will restrain the two of them from doing anything out of line, and naturally they will not be held accountable at this time today.

He will protect his two younger brothers no matter what.

The Ninth Prince and the Tenth Prince insisted on getting to the bottom of it, and Yinsi had no choice but to express his concerns.

The Tenth Prince had a dazed look on his face, and pointed at himself innocently: "Ah? "

So it's his fault?"

Yinsi didn't know whether to laugh or cry, he straightened his face and said: "You two are my brothers, I will naturally protect you, don't worry, fourth brother won't do anything to you in the future."

The ninth prince's mind was originally more focused on business, and his obsession with the throne was that if the eighth brother ascended the throne, he would be freer to do business in the future, and he wouldn't have to be so secretive like now.

Kangxi believed that businessmen were of the lowest class, and he never supported the ninth prince getting involved with businessmen and scolded him many times, but the ninth prince still secretly opened his own business and did very well.

Naturally, Yinzhen and Yinsi also secretly supported this.

"Don't hide anything from us in the future." The Ninth Prince said awkwardly with his arms folded across his chest.

Forget it, as long as Eighth Brother is safe, nothing else matters.

Besides, they shouldn't have any trouble in the future, so they can only accept it now.

Yinsi breathed a sigh of relief and pulled them both to sit down. He waved his hand and the palace servants brought up food and snacks.

"You guys take a break here first, I'm going to go to the front." Yinsi said.

The Ninth Prince stuffed a piece of chestnut cake into his mouth and said vaguely: "Tong Guowei doesn't know yet. I'm afraid this old fox will drop his jaw to the ground later."

He really wanted to see the look of him drooping his head and stamping his feet.

Although Tong Guowei was a core member of the Eighth Prince's faction, the Ninth and Tenth Princes didn't particularly like this old, self-serving figure. However, he was firmly tied to Yinsi's side, so he couldn't make mistakes in principle. So, the two of them turned a blind eye.

Yinsi left the side hall, where Xiao Shunzi was waiting.

"Take good care of the two princes," Yinsi said in a deep voice.

"Master, don't worry. The Fourth and Thirteenth Princes have been in there for a while," Xiao Shunzi said, his head lowered. The

situation in there should have been resolved by now.

In the bedroom, Kangxi and Tong Guowei were indeed powerless.

For the first time, Kangxi felt that he had misjudged them. He had expected Yinsi and Tong Guowei to take such a risk, but he had never imagined that Yinzhen and Yinxiang would force the palace to rebel.

Yinzhen, in particular, had always maintained a reclusive, independent style. No matter how much Kangxi promoted him, he refused to associate with important officials and remained extremely cautious. Despite his favor towards Yinreng, he never showed even the slightest sign of disloyalty. This was one reason Kangxi was so determined to reinstate the crown prince.

Yinzhen, his biggest rival for the crown prince, was not one for power and gain.

Kangxi had even imagined that Yinzhen would one day become Yinreng's right-hand man. Yinreng, often indecisive and often cowardly, needed a strong and impartial minister like Yinzhen to assist him.

Therefore, Yinzhen's recent actions were both expected and unexpected by Kangxi.

Yinzhen didn't say much once he entered the chamber. Everyone present was incredibly intelligent, and many things were tacitly understood. Tong Guowei, in particular, had already devised countless ways to protect the Tong family, but in the end, he had to reluctantly admit that he and the Tong family had become stepping stones in this palace coup.

"Yinzhen, have you prepared a will for me?" Kangxi asked, sitting up.

Now that the effects of the drug had worn off, Kangxi felt better.

Yinzhen said calmly, "Your Majesty is a wise ruler. All the people of the world hope for your sageliness and wisdom, and so do I."

"But I cannot agree with the idea of reinstating Prince Li. Handing the Qing dynasty to this man would be like handing over the empire our ancestors built."

Kangxi sneered, "It's perfectly normal for every prince to want the throne. You don't have to be so sanctimonious even now."

"From the beginning to the end, I have been working for the Qing dynasty, whether Your Majesty believes it or not."

Yinzhen's face was expressionless, as if he hadn't paid much attention to Kangxi's reaction.

Whether he cursed or groveled, it didn't matter.

Tong Guowei, glaring at the side, asked, "The Eighth Prince is no longer in the clan clan residence. Has the Fourth Prince already attacked his own brothers before he ascended the throne?"

Just as he finished speaking, Yinsi pushed open the door and entered.

He raised an eyebrow: "Are you looking for me?"

Yinsi's appearance startled Kangxi and Tong Guowei, who had already accepted the current situation.

"You...you guys..."

Kangxi was the first to react, gasping for breath while clutching his chest.

Yinzhen and Yinsi were actually in the same boat from the beginning to the end!

Tong Guowei also felt his heart tighten. All these years of planning and layout had become a joke!

So that's how it is, so that's how it is. Many things that puzzled him before finally had answers.

"Your Majesty, please calm down." Yinsi stepped forward and tilted his head to take a look at Kangxi's current appearance and sighed: "Your Majesty, why do you have to go against the entire court for a useless and deposed crown prince to protect your reputation?"

Tong Guowei's mind went blank: "Eighth Prince...you are..."

Tong Guowei was unwilling to admit that he had been toyed with by Yinzhen and Yinsi from the beginning to the end.

"I actually sent troops to attack the Yangxin Palace for you! How ridiculous, truly ridiculous!"

Yinsi said calmly, "Master Tong, you didn't earn the title of Tong Banchao for nothing. You manipulated court officials, sold official positions, and disregarded court laws. How many selfish deeds have you committed?"

"That sounds nice, but someone has to do these dirty things," Tong Guowei laughed heartily.

He had prided himself on his intelligence, but ended up being the shady hand that enabled the Fourth and Eighth Princes to carry out these dirty work.

He must have been kept around until this moment.

Even now, Kangxi had to admit that he had underestimated his two sons, and perhaps even Yinxiang, who had always seemed the most harmless.

Yinxiang was likely behind the siege of the Yangxin Palace today.

Tong Guowei was arguably the one who suffered the most, completely exploited from beginning to end.

He no longer had the energy to pursue the matter; the situation was irreversible.

Yinxiang then stepped forward and said, "Father Emperor, we brothers all know you've favored our second brother since childhood. That's nothing serious. If you wanted to give him more gold, silver, and titles, that's fine. But if you want to elevate him to the throne, won't we have no place to live in the future?"

"Besides, you know our second brother's character. We don't need to say whether he's worthy of the position. Even his filial piety might not match ours."

Yinxiang was intent on killing him.

"Don't forget, when you fought Galdan for the second time, he wanted you dead on the battlefield."

This was something Yinxiang had always puzzled over. Even after the crown prince had done something like this, it was surprising that Kangxi could still let go of their past grudges and not care at all.

Had the crown prince truly cast a spell on Kangxi?

Kangxi was so enraged that he was speechless and could only call him a rebellious son.

Yinsi ordered the crown prince brought up, where he had been imprisoned since then in a side hall.

The prince was now in tears, and naturally most of them were frightened.

Kangxi was very disappointed when he saw the prince like this. At times like this, he had to remain calm. Would his opponent be merciful if he looked frightened and weak?

Yinzhen took out a secret letter and handed it to Kangxi.

"This was just intercepted a few days ago. Please take a look, Your Majesty."

The prince's legs trembled. Kangxi read it doubtfully and suddenly felt that his chest, which was already a little painful, was even more difficult to breathe.

"I haven't even restored your position as crown prince yet, and you're already trying to win people's hearts and accept bribes?"

Yinsi, hands folded in his pockets, watched coldly. The Crown Prince had been like this from the beginning. He couldn't understand why the Emperor always turned a blind eye to the truth.

Tong Guowei had no time to care about these things. He walked over to Yinsi and said sadly, "Eighth Prince, for all I've done for you, please spare Tong Jia. I'm willing to die."

As long as Tong Jia could survive, he could die without regrets.

"Tong Jia is Empress Xiaoyi's maternal family. For Empress Xiaoyi's sake, Fourth Brother will not do anything to Tong Jia," Yinsi said with a glance.

This was a promise to Tong Guowei.

"Okay, okay."

In the end, it was these two aunts who had ensured the prosperity of the Tong Jia family.

...

Wen Shan woke at the crack of dawn. No one had disturbed her that night, but Wen Shan's sleep was restless. Her movements woke Pearl, who was keeping watch by her bed.

"Master, it's still early, why don't you get some more sleep?"

Wen Shan grabbed a handful of her hair and sat up. She was probably the most concerned mother in the world. She could still sleep with her sons preparing for such a big event tonight.

But going to such a scene would only cause her more trouble. It would be better to stay in Xianfu Palace to avoid having to beg for favors.

"Did anyone come last night?" Wen Shan asked.

Zhenzhu shook her head. "No, the Yangxin Palace sent word half an hour ago."

"Yes, it's done."

Wen Shan was stunned for a moment. "...It's done?"

Zhenzhu smiled and nodded. "The princes have received the imperial edict and are working tirelessly to make arrangements. I think it will be changed soon."

The Fourth Prince's ascension to the throne meant their master would become the Empress Dowager, which was no small joy.

Wen Shan wrapped herself in the quilt and looked out the window at the morning light. For the first time in years, she felt the world so fresh.

Her good day was finally coming!

Wen Shan couldn't sleep anymore. After washing and dressing, Baoquan entered with a beaming smile.

"Master, last night, Tong Guowei plotted a rebellion and forced the emperor to abdicate. Our Fourth Prince arrived just in time to suppress the rebels. The Emperor

has already issued a decree appointing the Fourth Prince as Crown Prince!" "And the Eighth Prince has also been released from the clan residence. It's said that Prince Li cast a spell on the Emperor, and he was also previously framed."

Zhenzhu couldn't help but smile and said, "That's wonderful! We must celebrate."

Wen Shan asked, "...and what about the Emperor?"

Bao Quan said somewhat awkwardly, "The Emperor was already ill from anxiety, and this incident has made him even more ill. He's no longer able to handle state affairs, so he has decreed that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will serve as Regent."

It seems Yinzhen and the others wanted to delay things a bit, not forcing Kangxi to abdicate immediately.

At breakfast, the three Yinzhen brothers arrived at Xianfu Palace.

Wen Shan hadn't seen Yinsi for a while, and seeing how much thinner he had become, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Why have you lost so much weight?"

Yinsi smiled and said, "It's okay, mother. Everything's fine now."

"That's why my fourth brother and I stopped you from going to the clan house," Yinxiang said, "I wonder how heartbroken you'd be if you saw my eighth brother."

Wen Shan pulled them to a seat and asked, "Is everything settled?"

Yinsi nodded, "Don't worry, it's settled."

Wen Shan thought for a moment before asking, "What did your royal father say?"

After all, Kangxi was still alive.

Last night, after they handed Kangxi the secret letter deposing the crown prince, his attitude had noticeably changed.

In the end, without further ado, he personally wrote the edict appointing Yinzhen as crown prince and let them go.

But in the end, he pleaded for a way out for his beloved son.

Whether it meant imprisonment or demotion to a commoner, as long as Yinreng lived.

Yinzhen agreed, and Kangxi closed his eyes, saying he was tired and needed to rest.

Yinzhen and the others, having received what they wanted, naturally left.

They had no intention of actually killing Kangxi. The medicine he had given was only to weaken him and make him unable to walk. Yinzhen and the other two had planned to ensure a smooth transition, thus minimizing unrest at court.

However, no one could have anticipated that Kangxi would abdicate after only a month.

Yinzhen ascended directly to the throne after a month as Crown Prince.

And Wen Shan had finally risen to the position of Empress Dowager.

Wen Shan was nearly frightened to death upon hearing the news of Kangxi's voluntary abdication. From what she had known of Kangxi over the years, he valued power and reputation above all else. How could he abdicate so suddenly?

It was more plausible that he was plotting a comeback.

After announcing his abdication, Kangxi sent word that he wanted to see Wen Shan. Wen Shan thought for a long time but ultimately decided not to go.

Under the circumstances, she no longer needed to consider Kangxi's expression and could simply find an excuse to get by.

Zhenzhu observed Wenshan's expression and said, "Master, are you really not going to see me again?"

Wenshan hadn't been to the Yangxin Palace once in over a month.

"There's nothing to see, and even less to say," Wenshan continued, working on a pastry. "We've said everything we needed to say over the past thirty years."

Yinzhen naturally supported all of Wenshan's decisions. Since she didn't want to spend any more time with Kangxi, Yinzhen sent Kangxi to the Chengde Mountain Resort to recuperate.

On the third day of August, Yinzhen officially ascended the throne and changed the country's name to Yongzheng.

He honored the Imperial Noble Consort as Empress Dowager, his wife, Fucha, as Empress, the Eighth Prince as Prince Lian, and the Thirteenth Prince as Prince Yi. They both served as Ministers of Internal Affairs, with Yinsi managing internal affairs and Yinxiang managing military affairs.

The other princes were also given titles according to their age and merit.

Tong Guowei's treason was a capital offense, but Yinzhen didn't pursue her guilt. Even Longkodo didn't punish her, only stripping her of her position as the Governor of the Nine Gates, a gesture of comfort.

Coincidentally, on the day Yinzhen ascended the throne, Guo Luoluo launched a rebellion.

She gave birth to a healthy daughter without delay, and Yinsi was overjoyed, cherishing his precious daughter like a jewel. Even Yinzhen, fresh from his coronation ceremony, personally visited his niece and bestowed upon her the title of Heshuo Princess on the very day of her birth.

Yinsi and Guo Luoluo had already moved into the mansion Yinzhen had specially commissioned in Beijing, and Wenshan naturally rushed over to see her granddaughter.

"This child really picked the right time to be born." Wen Shan beamed as she held the child. "What a blessed little girl."

Yinsi, beside her, teased his daughter. "Yes, look how much your Fourth and Thirteenth Uncles love you, they brought you so many gifts."

"Have you chosen a name?" Wen Shan asked.

Yinsi nodded. "I thought about it for a long time and considered many. Finally, before the Emperor left, he said that if it was a girl, we'd give her the character 'Yu,' meaning talented and beautiful."

Wen Shan: "..."

Hearing that character reminded her of Yuqing Palace.

Was this another way to disgust Yinsi before leaving?

Yinsi, naturally understanding Wenshan's thoughts, quickly said, "The Emperor probably didn't mean that. It's just that my son doesn't really like the character 'Yu'. After much deliberation, we've decided to name the child Ning'an, after Yi'an."

"That's a good nickname. Let's call her Ningning." Wenshan liked the name; it evokes peace and tranquility, such a beautiful blessing.

Yinsi had the wet nurse carry Ning'an away. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Mother, are you really not going to see the Emperor again?"

"Why should I? Your Emperor and I have been together for over thirty years, and yet we still feel like strangers. I don't understand him, and he doesn't understand me," Wenshan said. "Now that we're finally free, we're not going to see each other again."

With that, Zhenzhu arrived to report that Concubine Yi, Liangpin, and Mifei had sent someone to look for her to play cards. Wenshan perked up immediately, and after seeing her granddaughter, she hurried back to the palace to play with her sisters.

Yinsi watched Wenshan leave with a smile and a shake of his head, never taking out the letter he clutched.

It seems that the letter that the Emperor left for his mother before he left will never see the light of day.