Chapter 87 Chapter 87 But this thing can only be…

but this thing can only be used secretly, after all, the steam engine hasn't been invented yet.

So lately, Wen Shan has been particularly annoyed by Kangxi's visits.

Her fully automatic fan can't be brought out to use whenever Kangxi

arrives. It just so happens that Kangxi always seems to like coming to Wen Shan's place before heading out on a campaign, just like he did on his

last expedition. Wen Shan could only greet Kangxi, who arrived promptly at dusk, with a grimace.

"I just went to Minpin's place to visit Wen Xian." Kangxi sat down on the rattan-matted couch and began chatting with Wen Shan.

"Wen Xian's temper is a bit spoiled, but I didn't expect she gets along so well with Wen Ke and the other two."

As Kangxi grew older, he grew fonder of his daughters, who gave him fewer annoyances. He was particularly fond of the three raised by Minpin. Besides Wen Shan, he visited Minpin's place most often these days.

Wen Shan: "The princesses are of similar age and can naturally play together. Concubine Min is also a good-tempered person. Isn't it because of this that the emperor entrusted the fifth princess to Concubine Min?"

Kangxi smiled slightly and said: "There have been many things going on in the palace in recent years, and I feel a lot more tired. If others can be as obedient as you, I will have less worries."

Wen Shan complained in her heart that she was probably the most restless one.

"Yinzhen and Yinsi had an argument in the court yesterday." Kangxi suddenly mentioned Yinzhen and Yinsi, looking like he had a headache. "From what I heard, it's just a trivial matter. The two children were so close when they were young, but they became estranged when they grew up."

"Your Majesty, you also said that it is normal for children to have some disagreements when they grow up." Wen Shan said: "After all, they are all working for the court. As long as they

don't do anything too out of line, it's fine." "Humph, Yinzhen's temper won't cause any trouble. But Yinsi... well, with me watching, there won't be

any trouble." Ever since Yinsi entered the court, Kangxi no longer mentioned asking Wen Shan to restrain Yinsi, because he gradually found that Yinsi's scheming was a bit difficult for him to restrain, let alone Wen Shan. It's better not to let her get involved in this muddy water.

After all, Yinzhen and Yinsi were both quite filial, acting like brothers and respectful to Wenshan. With Yinxiang mediating, Kangxi didn't have to worry too much.

Kangxi seemed especially talkative today, rambling on about the Fifth Prince's marriage. The Empress Dowager was also particularly concerned about the nuptials of her beloved grandson. The Empress Dowager, who hadn't actively invited Kangxi to Ningshou Palace for years, summoned him several times, finally convincing Kangxi to build a residence for the Fifth Prince before his wedding.

The unwritten rule for princes leaving the palace to build residences was that they would reside in Ganxi Wusuo for a while after their wedding before leaving the palace. For example, the Third Prince was still living there with his wife.

Kangxi had promised the Fifth Prince to leave the palace after his wedding, so he also put the Third Prince's residence on the agenda, and the Ministry of Works was busy with renovations.

Upon learning this, the Third Prince scoffed at himself, unaware that he'd benefited from the Fifth Prince's influence.

With the Crown Prince on the verge of downfall, the Third Prince, a die-hard Princely supporter, was also on the verge of collapse. He was now in a state of uncertainty, unsure whether to continue defending the Crown Prince or move on.

If he had to choose a wiser leader, would it be the Eldest Prince, the Fourth Prince, or the Eighth Prince?

Having already made a wrong bet, the Third Prince was now extremely cautious.

The battle for the throne was fraught with peril and uncertainty, with the Crown Prince's position today potentially dictating the fate of someone else tomorrow. With Kangxi still in his prime, it was anyone's guess

whether the younger princes would rise to prominence. So, after several days of deliberation, the Third Prince finally decided to focus on editing books. He didn't seek to be a loyal follower of the Emperor, a position second only to the Emperor. A leisurely life as a prince would be fine; at least he'd have a life of wealth and honor.

Concubine Rong, seeing her son suddenly transformed, was furious with his lack of ambition.

"Yinzhi, the Crown Prince's misfortune had nothing to do with you, so why have you become so decadent?"

He went to the Chongwenguan every day to hang out with a group of Confucian scholars. If

he continued like this, would the Emperor still have eyes for him? The Third Prince, arranging his manuscripts, said, "Mother, now that I'm married, I don't want to engage in these thrilling things anymore. Just consider him a failure."

"...How can you say such things? Mother and your sister are counting on you!" Rong Fei was so disappointed.

The tragic plight of the Uya clan after their defeat made Rong Fei even more anxious.

What if she were to fall into such a state one day... The Third Prince said helplessly, "Mother, my sister has already married in Mongolia. She has the Emperor's support and her husband's family respects her. Why are you so worried?"

Princess Rongxian was actually Kangxi's eldest daughter. Kangxi had always loved her very much. Although Princess Rongxian married far away, Kangxi offered her every favor.

Concubine Rong sighed, "Mother is old. The only ones she can count on are you and Rongxian. Rongxian married far away, and you're her only son. If you don't make any achievements, how will Mother survive in the palace? Not to mention Mother, what good will you do as a lazy prince in the future? How will you protect your wife and children?" "

We did lose the gamble this time, but it doesn't matter. You're still young, and your father is still in his prime. There's still time for everything."

Concubine Rong wanted the Third Prince to choose another prince to assist him, to become a powerful regent.

The Third Prince laughed, somewhat puzzled by his mother's intentions.

She was ambitious, but she never envisioned him personally vying for the throne. She wasn't ambitious, but she wasn't willing to let him be a mediocre prince.

This thought reminded him of the Fifth Prince. The Queen Mother was truly wise and prudent for her fifth brother.

Seeing Concubine Rong's anxious expression, the Third Prince also became interested and asked, "Then, Mother, which prince do you think has a chance to succeed the Crown Prince?"

Concubine Rong pondered for a moment and said, "Among the current princes, Mother feels that the eldest prince is the most favored by the Emperor."

"..."

The Third Prince silently picked up the book.

"What's with that expression? Don't be fooled by the fact that the Fourth Prince lives in Chonghua Palace and is appointed Regent, and he looks so powerful, but who is your father? Whatever he wants people to see must be a lie." "

And even if the Imperial Book changed the Fourth Prince's biological mother, it would still be the now-confined Uya clan. How could the Emperor not be concerned?"

Concubine Rong analyzed, "The eldest prince was taken with the Emperor to the battlefield to gain military merit. This is true favor."

The Third Prince was at a loss for words and could only respond with a few words to Concubine Rong before quickly sending her away.

It seemed that mother and son really had the same vision.

Just as Rong Fei was escorted out, the Third Prince's eunuch pushed open the door and announced, "Master, the Fourteenth Prince has arrived, and he wants to speak to you."

The Third Prince was startled, then said, "Please come in, Fourteenth Prince."

Meanwhile

, Wen Shan was also chatting with Yinzhen and the others, enjoying the cool breeze, and they were discussing how Kangxi had secretly sent ice to Yuqing Palace.

The Crown Prince, under house arrest, hadn't come with him to Changchun Garden. While Kangxi claimed he didn't need to worry about him, he was actually worried about his eldest son getting too hot, and so he'd secretly sent a lot of ice to Yuqing Palace.

It was only natural that his other sons couldn't stand Kangxi's partiality.

Yinzhen and the others didn't think it was a big deal. The Emperor certainly wasn't partial to them, but the love their mother gave them was enough.

Who wasn't a favored child?

Yinxiang, munching on half a watermelon, said nonchalantly, "The Crown Prince is still the Crown

Prince after all. Just give it to him, but the Emperor's attempt to cover up his mistake is quite amusing." "Are you still laughing at the Emperor?" Yinsi squinted at him. "Who was it that secretly sent ice to Concubine Min a few days ago, and specifically asked for some for the Fifth Princess?"

Yinxiang smirked. He had been so kind because the Fifth Princess seemed to be quite tactful and had been getting along well with Wen Ke and Dun Ke.

As they were talking, Fucha arrived with Ulanara and Ma Jia. Since the weather was unusually cool today, Wen Shan had someone invite them over for dinner.

Fucha had always wanted to learn a few tricks from Wenshan. Her own Fourth Master praised her mother's cooking endlessly, and she thought it would be great if she could learn a bit of her skills. So, upon arriving, she decided to join Wenshan in the small kitchen to help out.

Seeing their wives doing the same, Ulanara and Majia followed suit.

"Fourth brother, you're so lucky! Your sisters-in-law are all so willing to cook for you," Yinsi teased. Yinzhen

took a sip of tea and said, "After your wedding next year, I'm sure your eighth brother's wife will be too." Yinsi

considered Guo Luoluo's temper and felt he couldn't say for sure.

Yinxiang said, "If your sisters-in-law are good cooks, we'll be in for a treat!"

"Let your wife cook for you. Who cooks for you?" Yinsi laughed and gave him a slap on the head.

Yinzhen nodded seriously.

The three of them chatted for a while before Xiao Shunzi came in and said that the Fourteenth Prince had visited the Third Prince.

"Got it. Have someone keep an eye on him," Yinsi said.

Little Shunzi responded with a humped voice and retreated, his back bowed.

"Fourteenth brother stayed at Chunhui Hall this time in Changchun Garden," Yinxiang shook his head. "That's where the Crown Prince used to live." "It's just muddy waters

," Yinsi smiled faintly.

Yinzhen: "I wonder whose eyes have been blinded by this muddy waters again."

Yinsi squinted, feeling the cool breeze from the steam engine's blades, and sighed, "Others don't know, but Tong Guowei's old eyes are starting to blur."

Tong Guowei was now the opposite of Soetu. He was driven and, after overthrowing the Crown Prince through the eldest prince, he began to think about how to eliminate Yinzhen, thus ensuring Yinsi's succession.

As for the eldest prince... Tong Guowei saw no chance of succession.

The fourteenth prince, following behind him, had a better chance.

Seeing the eldest prince's determination to attack the crown prince, it's clear that even if the emperor deposed the crown prince, he wouldn't allow the eldest prince, who disregarded brotherly love and was only focused on fame and fortune, to ascend to the throne.

And Yinsi was indeed about to start making moves.

The crown prince's fall necessitated the emergence of a new leader to rival Yinzhen and dispel Kangxi's burgeoning suspicions.

Yinxiang was crouching nearby, fiddling with something. Yinsi leaned over and saw he was drawing a defense map of the capital.

Naturally, the city's defenses changed many times over the next few years, and Yinxiang did his best to describe them based on his memory.

"Fourth brother, the Emperor's expedition to the capital this time hasn't been as peaceful as last time," Yinxiang said. "Let's prepare for the worst."

Yinzhen paused and said, "You mean the Crown Prince might take a risk?"

"Isn't the Crown Prince aware of this? Soetu is certainly a possibility." Yinsi thought about it and decided that it was time to make all possible preparations. The Crown

Prince was already at the end of his rope. If he still wanted to make a final attempt, this seemed like his last chance.

He could take over the Forbidden City by force while Kangxi was away and ascend the throne early.

But Yinzhen still found it unlikely.

"The Emperor is leading an army of 300,000. Even if the Crown Prince truly seizes control of the capital, he will be defeated when the army returns."

Unless the Emperor's death in this battle left the 300,000-man army leaderless and the Crown Prince still holding the title of Crown Prince, everything would be possible.

However, the Crown Prince probably wouldn't collude with the enemy and treason.

Yinxiang could understand this because of his years of assisting the Crown Prince in his previous life. Now, in this situation, he had no choice but to fight to the death, otherwise he would have to wait for the Emperor to return and depose him from the Crown Prince position.

"Fourth brother, you also said before that the Emperor didn't depose the Crown Prince now because he was about to go on an expedition and couldn't shake the foundation of the country. If he returns victorious, wouldn't the Crown Prince's position be over?" Yinxiang said.

"And the Crown Prince's wedding was stopped by the Emperor."

This was clearly a sign of deposing the Crown Prince.

If they could think of it, the Crown Prince and Soetu could naturally think of it too.

Yinzhen slowly sat down, his face heavy.

"I think Thirteenth Brother has a point," Yinsi said. "Even if the Crown Prince is defeated after Father returns to the capital, we're still in the palace."

"If they're cornered and kill us and Mother together, it would be a huge loss."

"That's why I'm drawing this." Yinxiang handed the defense maps to Yinzhen. "Fourth Brother, Eighth Brother, make your preparations early."

Yinzhen pondered for a moment. "We don't have many generals at our disposal right now."

The current Nine Gates Commander-in-Chief, Togaqi, was the Crown Prince's man.

Yinsi took the defense maps and smiled, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

Meanwhile, Kangxi was also busy. He secretly summoned Mingzhu to the Yangxin Palace.

Ever since Kangxi's last reprimand, Mingzhu had completely realized her mistake and no longer interfered in the struggle for the throne among the other princes. She worked diligently every day, counting the days until she could safely return to her hometown to enjoy her retirement.

He had heard about the Crown Prince's turmoil, but Mingzhu no longer cared.

It had been many years since Kangxi had summoned this minister who was once his right-hand man and right-hand man. He was very moved to see Mingzhu, who was obviously much older now.

Kangxi looked at him for a while, and said slowly: "Mingzhu, you are old too."

"I am old, not as young, strong, sharp-eyed and sharp-eared as Your Majesty," Mingzhu replied.

Kangxi walked down from the throne and pulled Mingzhu to sit beside him. Mingzhu was flattered. They, the monarch and his minister, had not been so close for a long time.

Kangxi tapped the table with his fingers, thought for a moment and said: "Mingzhu, I will personally lead an expedition against Galdan soon. I asked you to come here because I have something to tell you."

"Your Majesty, please speak." "

Keep an eye on the prince and Soetu," Kangxi said slowly, "If there is any unusual movement, you don't have to report to me. I will arrest Soetu immediately."

"If he is stubborn and resists to the end, he can be killed."