Chapter 48 Chapter 48 Yinxiang was young, and in his previous life…

Yinxiang was young. He hadn't known anything about Mingzhu's previous misfortune. He only grew up to learn that Mingzhu had been demoted and, like Soetu, was soon reinstated and returned to the court. She hadn't participated in factional strife since then, focusing solely on clocking in and retiring when she reached retirement age. So Yinxiang didn't know the details, but when he saw Kangxi assign Mingzhu to Soetu to guard the gate, he was truly shocked.

This Soetu was… good at assigning tasks.

Mingzhu's downfall, and the fact that it fell into Soetu's hands, was actually Kangxi's way of warning his eldest prince, who was growing restless as he aged. Indeed, the eldest prince had become much more obedient. At first, he had been submissive and even a little timid, paranoid, terrified that the emperor would one day liquidate him as well.

Moreover, for some unknown reason, the eighth brother had suddenly shown rapid progress since the end of last year. As if no longer concealing his talents, he began to frequently show off before his father. His reputation for intelligence and modesty had even spread to the ears of some ministers outside the palace.

The crown prince hadn't been overthrown yet, and now a cunning younger brother had appeared, leaving the eldest prince feeling deeply depressed, and his behavior even more melancholy.

However, at this time, Kangxi still loved his sons more than he was wary of them. He had no intention of punishing the eldest prince. He simply believed that the eldest prince, having just reached adulthood, was bound to be tempted into misbehavior by others, and that timely correction would be sufficient. Therefore, when Kangxi realized that his warnings seemed to have frightened his eldest son, he began to consider ways to remedy the situation.

So, when Soetu and Tong Guogang were about to officially depart for the north to negotiate with Tsarist Russia, Kangxi had the eldest prince represent the imperial family at the city gate to see the delegation off. This rekindled the eldest prince's frustration over Mingzhu's dismissal.

If the Emperor entrusted this task of representing the Emperor to me instead of the Crown Prince, doesn't that mean that in his heart, the Crown Prince and I are still on equal footing? The eldest

prince's smugness reached a peak when he saw Soetu, the Crown Prince's greatest political supporter, kneeling respectfully before him.

This must be the Emperor's way of comforting me, saying, "Don't let Mingzhu get me hurt, and that he's on my side!"

It must be said that Kangxi's arrangement was completely excessive.

Even Wen Shan, overhearing Yinzhen and Yinsi discussing this matter while making dumplings in Xianfu Palace, felt something was amiss.

The Crown Prince is less than three years younger than the eldest prince and could clearly represent the Emperor, but he was chosen to go. Can you blame him for his arrogance?

He can't.

Old Deng, no wonder his beloved sons fought and irritated him to death later on.

Serves him right!

"Mother, it's time to go hunting in Mulan soon. Are you going this year?" Yinsi suddenly asked.

Construction of the Mulan hunting grounds had been completed since the 22nd year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. Kangxi had gone there annually to receive Mongol nobles, often bringing along a few of the older princes. Yinzhen had been twice, Yinsi had only been once last year, and Yinxiang was too young to have been there before. Wenshan could

n't always go. She and Concubine Nianhulu had to leave one of them behind to manage palace affairs, and now that Concubine Min was pregnant, someone else was needed to look after her.

"Mother, I won't go this year. Yinxiang is still young and can't handle the travel, and Concubine Min is about to give birth, so I can look after her." Wenshan

hadn't gone last year, just after Yinxiang was born. She had gone once before, to meet the family in this body, and thankfully, her memories were still there, so she hadn't let anything slip.

Besides, Mongolia was truly vast and beautiful, and it would be nice for Yinzhen and Yinsi to go and relax.

Yinxiang helped Wenshan make dumplings, but it was more like he was messing with the process than helping. His clumsy fingers refused to obey, and he made dumplings that looked like steamed buns, and even got flour all over his face.

Yinzhen couldn't stand it anymore, so he personally carried him away to clean them.

Today's dumpling filling was made of wild vegetables that he and his eighth brother had worked so hard to find, and they didn't want this kid to ruin it.

Ever since Wenshan made them some wild vegetables, the two brothers had been thinking about it and often wondered where to get more. Yinsi informed his purchasing staff and they brought some from outside the palace, but it was not the right season, so there wasn't much outside the palace.

Yinsi leaned on the couch with a rabbit pillow in his arms, watching Wenshan make dumplings. He blinked and suddenly said coquettishly, "Mother, I don't want to go this year. I want to stay with you."

"I think you want to accompany me to cook?" Wenshan laughed.

The Mulan hunting expedition was a major event, requiring every prince of sufficient age to attend. Wen Shan knew Yinsi was merely acting coquettishly, but she was always at her wit's end when it came to him. Of the three children, Yinsi was the most striking in appearance, a gentle, elegant young man in miniature, a figure Wen Shan couldn't let go of.

Wen Shan smiled and said, "Yinsi, your mother Wei will be going too. Since she's not in the palace, you won't have to go to the Shangshufang every day. It's a good opportunity for you to spend more time with her."

Yinsi nodded. In this life, he often visited her at the Yanxi Palace, and his mother felt more relaxed than before, less depressed, and in better health.

With Wen Shan about to leave for two months, Yinzhen and Yinsi felt a little reluctant to leave their mother and brother. Lately, they had become so attached to Xianfu Palace that they had been studying for a while, and they even coaxed Wen Shan into making some preservable food for them to take to the Mulan hunting grounds.

"I can't get used to the food in Mongolia." Knowing Wenshan was from the future and not Mongolian, Yinsi's comments about Mongolia became more direct. "It has to be Mother's cooking, otherwise my fourth brother and I would be quite a bit thinner when we get back."

Yinzhen, though silent, watched eagerly.

Yinxiang, now able to eat a lot, was immediately elated upon hearing this. He could stay with Mother in the palace, and she would cook him whatever he wanted. It was much more comfortable than going to the Mulan Hunting Grounds.

Besides, he had gone there too many times in his past life. His fourth brother wasn't very good at riding and archery. After ascending the throne, he hadn't even bothered to attend the Mulan Hunting, a major event to connect with the Mongolian nobles. He was asked to go every year on behalf of the emperor, so Yinxiang had long since grown tired of going.

As he thought of this, he was still crunching Wenshan's freshly baked cookies, wondering if this time he and his eighth brother could take turns hunting for his fourth brother.

The place looked quite beautiful at first glance, but the thought of going there every year and dealing with the courtesans was too much to bear.

Well, this job is better suited for my dear brother, so I'll let him go from now on!

As Yinsi packed his luggage, unaware that his Thirteenth Brother had inexplicably assigned him to another task, he was still thinking about what to bring back from Mongolia for his mother and brother.

His mother loved flowers, and Mongolia had many exotic flowers and plants not found in the palace. His mother had loved them the last time she went there, but she'd given up because the long journey made transport difficult. This time, he must bring back a few pots for her.

As for his Thirteenth Brother, he'd hunt down more antelope and fox to make him a fur coat.

In September, Kangxi officially set out for Mulan Paddock with the princes, concubines, and ministers. Noble Consort Niuhuru accompanied them, while Wenshan stayed behind to look after the remaining concubines. Consort De didn't go, as the Fourteenth Prince was only a few months old. All the other high-ranking concubines, with the exception of Consort Rong, who was reflecting on her past sins, went with him.

Yinzhen and Yinsi were in the same carriage. As the convoy drove out of the palace, Yinzhen lifted the curtain and took a look. Sure enough, he saw Mingzhu, dressed in a guard's uniform, bowing respectfully to the side, escorting the emperor on his journey.

The once prime minister had fallen to this state.

Yinzhen lowered the carriage curtain and said, "A minister should be loyal to the emperor and patriotic, worthy of Heaven above and the people below. From now on, we should all learn from Mingzhu's example."

Yinsi glanced at him with amusement, then nodded, "Mingzhu's heart is too big, but fortunately, he's smart enough. When the emperor reinstates him, he'll stop getting involved in these matters."

Kangxi treated Soetu and Mingzhu, two veteran ministers who had been by his side since his youth, with a special regard, always grateful for their support during his youth.

"I heard Zhang Tingyu is here too?" Yinsi suddenly asked.

Yinzhen was still reading in the carriage. Ever since he learned that his eighth and thirteenth brothers had been reborn, he had worked even harder. His eighth and thirteenth brothers, with their talents and experience from past lives, were willing to assist him, which meant that he, the future emperor, would have to work even harder.

At first, Wenshan was frightened by Yinzhen's relentless study, fearing he might develop a health problem.

Eventually, Yinsi and Yinxiang persuaded her that Fourth Brother was just that way, and that persuasion wouldn't work, but he knew he wouldn't harm his health.

Furthermore, some things can't be achieved simply by hard work.

For example, the classic "Emperor Shizong's bow strength of four and a half"—his level was the lowest among his brothers.

Fourth Brother was indeed less talented in martial arts, horse riding, and archery, so after hard work, he recognized this fact and began to turn his attention to literature.

Consequently, Yinzhen showed little interest in events like the Mulan hunt.

Yinzhen raised his head and said, "Master Zhang Ying has been personally appointed by the Emperor to accompany him this time, and he's specifically asked to bring Zhang Tingyu along."

Ever since Zhang Tingyu became Yinzhen's tutor, his appearances before Kangxi had increased. Kangxi quickly took notice of this intelligent and witty young man, praising him repeatedly for his parenting skills. Kangxi, always drawn to such talented young men, grew fond of Zhang Tingyu.

Over the past few months, Yinzhen had grown fond of Zhang Tingyu, and the two were often inseparable. Yinsi, in turn, had become somewhat familiar with Zhang Tingyu.

Ever since the Empress Dowager's passing, Yinsi had been deliberately trying to establish himself among the other princes. Zhang Tingyu, perceptive and discerning, naturally saw that the Eighth Prince had greater ambitions. However, as a Han official who upheld the rites of primogeniture, he inherently disapproved of such presumptuous behavior.

Especially since the Crown Prince seemed relatively virtuous and hadn't made any major mistakes.

With the virtuous eldest son in the lead, the illegitimate princes' covetous eyes on the throne were often described in historical texts as ruthless and ambitious.

Therefore, Zhang Tingyu treated Yinsi with respect, but not with closeness.

The only reason he could speak to Yinsi was because the Eighth and Fourth Princes were raised together by Concubine Xuan.

Sometimes Zhang Tingyu couldn't help but wonder, since they were both raised by the same mother, why was the Fourth Prince so upright and obedient, while the Eighth Prince was so smooth and diplomatic?

Yinsi didn't mind Zhang Tingyu's lack of affection. Zhang Tingyu was just like that. Even at the height of his glory in his previous life, Zhang Tingyu hadn't stood by him.

If he weren't like that, Fourth Prince wouldn't have loved him so much.

So, in the end, Yinzhen was left to suffer in the middle.

Only he and his Thirteenth Brother knew that Eighth Prince wasn't like that.

This was why Yinzhen and Yinxiang had firmly opposed Yinsi's return to his old ways. Even with all their caution, there would still be people like Zhang Tingyu who would misunderstand him.

As brothers, they naturally couldn't bear to endure such inexplicable suffering.

However, Yinsi was extremely persistent, and it took a long time for them to reluctantly agree. However, they also made three rules: they must not do anything too radical.

After more than half a month's trek, they finally arrived at Mulan Paddock. Upon arrival, Kangxi and the Crown Prince met with the princes and ministers.

A grand dinner was held that evening, held outside on the lawn. Following Mongolian custom, they feasted on large slabs of cooked beef and mutton, accompanied by wine. Later, Kangxi, feeling a bit drunk, returned to his tent to rest before anyone approached the princes to greet them.

The Crown Prince and the eldest prince were naturally surrounded by the most princes and ministers, but Yinzhen and Yinsi were also greeted by a muscular Mongolian man.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Fourth Prince, and to the Eighth Prince!"

Yinzhen and Yinsi hurriedly helped each man to his feet.

"Uncle, you are too polite. Why are you being so respectful to your elders?" Yinsi said.

The visitor was none other than Wenshan's brother, Bandi, who had inherited their father's Heshuo Prince title.

Yinzhen and Yinsi had already met this generous uncle when they first accompanied Wenshan on the hunting trip to Mulan. Bandi had only one sister, Wenshan, and he had doted on her since childhood. Even though Yinzhen and Yinsi were not Wenshan's biological children, he treated them like his own nephews.

Since meeting Yinzhen and Yinsi, the gifts he sent to the palace for Wenshan had increased, including archery and horsemanship, popular with boys of that age, and the preparations were meticulous.

"Just putting on an act in front of so many people," Bandi muttered, then burst into laughter, patted their shoulders, and said, "You two princes have grown taller and stronger."

"Tomorrow, your uncle will take you horseback riding, and then hunt a few deer, freeze them, and bring them back to your mother. She loves them."

Yinzhen thanked him and said, "It's a pity that your mother couldn't come this year because she had to take care of Thirteenth Brother."

Bandi waved his hand. "Of course, the children are more important. That's all right. I think Wenshan will be able to bring my little nephew with her next year. Speaking of which, I haven't met Thirteenth Prince yet. How is your mother doing lately? Has she suffered any grievances?"

Although Bandi was thousands of miles away in Khorchin, he was aware of the news from the Forbidden City. He had heard about the series of events involving Wenshan and the younger princes that followed the death of their Khorchin ancestor, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, last year.

"Mother is doing well, uncle, don't worry. She will come in person next year to reminisce with you," Yinzhen replied.

Seeing his two nephews, who had gradually grown from children to young men, Bandi felt a sense of relief. Although they weren't born from his sister's womb, they were both filial and good children.

"Okay, go back and tell your mother not to be afraid. Your brother is here. Although the Khorchin may be far away, they will certainly not sit idly by and watch anything happen."

Yinzhen and Yinsi also liked this somewhat rough-hewn uncle, who showed genuine love for their mother and them.

With many princes and ministers around, Yinsi sleekly changed the subject and asked, "How is Aunt Duanmin doing lately? I heard she gave birth to a little brother for us a while ago."

Princess Duanmin was Bandi's wife and the younger sister of Kangxi, Shunzhi's adopted daughter. Therefore, Yinzhen and Yinsi should call her Aunt, but of course, she was also their aunt.

Just as Bandi was both their uncle and their uncle, Kangxi and Bandi were each other's elder brothers.

Well, the royal family's relatives were a mess, so they could only call each other by their own names.

Calling Bandi "uncle" followed Mother's side, while calling Princess Duanmin "aunt" followed the Emperor's side.

"He's doing fine. He's named Wudaimu. He's a plump, fair boy. Duanmin loves him dearly. But he's been spitting up a bit lately and has a fever, so your Aunt Duanmin didn't come over today and is looking after him at home." Bandi's face was filled with happiness as he mentioned his wife and child.

"Wudaimu looks a bit like your mother, especially his nose and mouth—they're a spitting image of his aunt!"

Upon hearing that their cousin resembled Wenshan, Yinzhen and Yinsi became intrigued and arranged with Bandi to visit their cousin and aunt someday. The eldest

prince, who had just finished exchanging pleasantries with several Mongolian nobles, approached the crown prince and nudged him, "Your Highness, look over there."

The crown prince set down his wine glass and followed the eldest prince's gaze, where Yinzhen and Yinsi were engaged in a lively conversation with Heshuo Prince Bandi.

"That's Concubine Xuan's brother, and naturally the uncle of my fourth and eighth brothers. It's only natural for uncles and nephews to finally meet and reminisce about their kinship," the crown prince glanced and then looked away.

Although the crown prince claimed to be indifferent, the eldest prince knew him all too well and could detect the strained tone in his voice.

Bandi was the current head of the Khorchin clan, the most powerful faction in all of Mongolia. Seeing Bandi and his fourth and eighth brothers being so affectionate during the Mulan hunting trip naturally displeased the Crown Prince.

Especially now that Yinsi had become so prominent, the Crown Prince now viewed Yinsi and the eldest prince with equal disdain.

"What kind of uncle is that? If you're talking about Tong Guowei and Tong Guogang, aren't they also my uncles? Then I'm really the rich one," the eldest prince said disdainfully.

The Crown Prince understood that the eldest prince was simply being upset and dragging him along to gossip about Yinzhen and Yinsi behind their backs. He lost interest and, after a few perfunctory remarks, left.

The eldest prince was holding back his anger, but when a palace maid arrived to serve him tea, she saw the eldest prince's dark face and a hint of fear. Her hand trembled, spilling some tea on the table. The eldest prince, enraged, had her dragged out and caned.

With the Emperor and Crown Prince away, naturally, no one could control the eldest prince. The faces of the Mongol nobles present were grim and bewildered. This little maid hadn't committed any serious offense, so why was the eldest prince so cruel? How could she survive this beating?

Was the eldest prince doing this in front of so many people to make an example of them?

Bandi watched the maid, begging, being dragged away, frowning and asking, "Why has the eldest prince's temper gotten worse?"

A few years ago, when she was younger, she had been considered humble and polite in public. He had even praised the eldest prince for being a brother.

"Perhaps the eldest brother is in a bad mood today," Yinsi said with a smile. "Uncle, send someone to look after this little maid. She looks quite pitiful."

Bandi nodded with relief. His nephew still had a heart of compassion.

The next morning, the Crown Prince and several of his brothers went to Kangxi's tent to pay their respects. Although Kangxi had left the banquet early, he remembered everything that had transpired there. He began by reprimanding the eldest prince for unreasonably punishing a palace maid the previous night.

"Not only did you punish a palace maid, but you did it in front of so many Mongolian princes. You've taken the imperial family's reputation for kindness and wisdom for granted!"

Kangxi was also furious from the early morning. Concubine Mi, who had slept with him the previous night, was now serving him tea and gently trying to calm him down.

Kangxi took a sip of the tea, then glared at the eldest prince, who was kneeling below him with his head bowed. He could not understand how his eldest son, who had been studious, intelligent, and sensible in his childhood, had become like this.

Kangxi's face was sullen and furious. The other princes remained silent, daring not to intervene. Only the Crown Prince remained composed and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, calm down. Your health is paramount. My eldest brother simply drank a couple of glasses of wine yesterday. It's normal for him to behave in a somewhat absurd manner."

"He's a drunkard! He's still a drunkard!" Kangxi's anger flared up again, provoked by the Crown Prince's plea, which was meant to provoke

him. "Did I ask you to come drink? If you want to drink, go back to the Forbidden City and drink!" The eldest prince hadn't expected Kangxi to be so furious, secretly believing that the Crown Prince must have told the Emperor about his misdeeds.

"Your Majesty, calm down. I know I was wrong." The eldest prince could only bow his head and admit his fault.

Kangxi, now looking at the eldest prince, was already annoyed. He waved his hand impatiently and said, "Thanks to your eighth brother for being so considerate and having Bandi look after that palace maid, you saved our Aisin-Gioro family from losing face!"

Yinsi?

The Crown Prince and the eldest prince were caught off guard, and both looked at Yinsi, who stood at the back.

"Have the nerve to look at Yinsi? Yinsi is so much younger than you, and he knows the meaning of propriety, righteousness, and honor. As the eldest brother, it's one thing for him not to set an example for his younger brother, but he's asking his younger brother to clean up your mess!"

Kangxi saw the eldest prince's expression, and he became even more angry. He

had the nerve to look at Yinsi with such displeasure. Yinsi stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. I simply saw that my eldest brother was a little drunk last night, and I don't think it was his intention, so I asked Prince Heshuo for help."

Kangxi's tone softened. "Yinsi, you did a great job. Take the black fox pelt I hunted yesterday and return it to your mother to make her happy."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Yinsi received the reward, but the eldest prince didn't actually receive any punishment. He was only scolded and then reprimanded by Kangxi, who forbade him from participating in tomorrow's hunting.

After dealing with these troublesome matters, Kangxi quickly let these sons go out.

Out of sight, out of mind.

How come in the blink of an eye, these sons have grown up to the age where they can cause trouble for him.

Mipin knelt behind Kangxi, and gently massaged his forehead with her delicate hands.

"Don't be angry, Your Majesty, the eldest prince is still young, just teach him well."

"He is still young?" Kangxi opened his eyes and said coldly, "If it weren't for the death of the Empress Dowager, he would have been married this year."

Mipin was not very good at speaking, and it was good enough that she could persuade Kangxi with just one sentence. At this time, she could only continue to massage Kangxi in silence.

Kangxi also knew Mipin's temperament. He doted on her for the sake of peace and quiet, so he didn't care.

After a while, Kangxi suddenly reached out and grabbed Mipin's hand, pulled her to sit in front of him, and stared at her with deep eyes.

"I ask you something, and you must answer truthfully."

Mipin's heart trembled, and she suddenly became nervous.

"Did anyone teach you anything specifically when you were on the southern tour?"