Chapter 97 Chapter 97 "What's going on, Eleventh Prince..."

"What's going on? Isn't Eleventh Prince getting better?"

Wen Shan was also startled. Although according to history, Eleventh Prince's death was this year, Concubine Yi had been so cheerful just a few days ago, saying that Eleventh Prince had improved considerably and was now able to eat quite a bit.

How could it happen so suddenly...

Concubine Yi would be heartbroken.

"I don't know either. I just heard that Eleventh Prince had a sudden heart attack last night, and the imperial physicians were helpless. He passed away this morning."

Wen Shan hurried to the Yikun Palace. When she arrived, a solemn silence fell. Xuelu came out to pour water and, upon seeing Wen Shan, quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"Why didn't you let anyone know when the Imperial Concubine arrived?"

Wen Shan lowered her voice. "Since no one was guarding your palace, I came in on my own. Is your Imperial Concubine alright?"

Xuelu's eyes were red, evidently from crying.

"The master fainted several times from crying, and now he's forcing himself to bury the Eleventh Prince." "

What happened? Why did the Eleventh Prince suddenly..." Wen Shan paused and said, "But what happened in the Yikun Palace last night?"

Although Wen Shan slept very soundly last night, the news she heard this morning made her think that the palace must have been in chaos last night. Maybe someone took advantage of the situation and frightened the Eleventh Prince.

"Last night, Concubine Min came." Xuelu wiped her tears and said, "Concubine Min had a conversation with our master. It seemed that the Ninth Prince happened to help the Eleventh Prince walk out and heard it. After that, the Eleventh Prince did not feel well."

Wen Shan: "...So that's how it is."

Last night, Concubine Min went to Xianfu Palace to look for her but couldn't find her. Later, she came to Yikun Palace and wanted Concubine Yi to help her make a decision. Concubine Yi and Wen Shan were good friends, and she was also familiar with Concubine Min. It seemed that Concubine Min came to Yikun Palace because she had no one to discuss with.

"Master, please take it easy. "Zhenzhu supported the somewhat shaky Wenshan and said worriedly.

Wenshan breathed a sigh of relief and said it was okay.

She really didn't expect that things would develop like this. One thing after another caught her off guard and fell into the manipulation of fate.

Wenshan remembered that Yinsi had told her before that destiny cannot be violated, especially in matters of life and death, so that she should be more open-minded and not interfere. Now it seems that this is indeed the case for people like the Eleventh Prince who died of illness, and it cannot be changed.

"Since the Imperial Concubine is here, please go and persuade our master." Xuelu sobbed and said, "The Eleventh Prince is gone, and the master is really heartbroken. "

The Eleventh Prince is twelve years old this year. Everyone thought he was a grown-up prince. Who would have thought that he would die like this.

Xuelu led Wen Shan into the side hall. Ever since the Eleventh Prince fell ill, Concubine Yi had been worried about him and had specially asked Kangxi to temporarily move the Eleventh Prince back to the Yiku Palace to recuperate. Kangxi agreed after not being able to resist Concubine Yi's nagging.

There were not many palace servants in the room at this time. Concubine Yi sat in front of the Eleventh Prince's bed and held his hand quietly.

The morning sun outside the window shone in through the window and happened to fall in front of the Eleventh Prince's bed.

"Sister Yifei."

Wen Shan raised her hand to signal Zhenzhu to go out first. Zhenzhu understood and retreated quietly, closing the door.

When Concubine Yi heard Wen Shan's voice, she was stunned for a while and then turned her head slowly. Seeing that it was Wen Shan, she said, "The Imperial Concubine is here. "

Wen Shan walked forward and saw that the Eleventh Prince had obviously been carefully dressed up. He was wearing an exquisite and neat dress with many fortunes, wealth and longevity embroidered on it with gold thread. The Eleventh Prince was lying there as if he was asleep. Wen Shan

had originally written a bunch of drafts to comfort Concubine Yi, but she couldn't say anything when she saw this scene.

The two were silent for a long time. When the voices of the Fifth Prince and the Ninth Prince came from outside, Concubine Yi moved and called Xuelu, who was guarding outside the door, to come in.

"Tell Yinqi and Yin'er not to come in yet. I want to have a talk with the Imperial Concubine."

The Ninth Prince witnessed the death of the Eleventh Prince in the Yiku Palace last night. Early in the morning, he ran out of the palace to call the Fifth Prince in.

The Fifth Prince was also shocked when he heard the news. He and his wife hurried into the palace with the Ninth Prince. Concubine

Yi stood up and looked at Wen Shan, smiling very sadly: "I didn't expect that at this age I still have to experience the pain of losing a son."

"...Yinqi and Yin'er are still here. "Wen Shan wanted to ask Concubine Yi to mourn, but the words could not come out of her mouth.

Concubine Yi looked back at the Eleventh Prince and led Wen Shan to the front hall outside.

"Let Yinzhen stay alone quietly for a while, let's go out and talk."

The window of the front hall was open, and there was a bamboo forest outside. It was planted specially for the Eleventh Prince by Concubine Yi, who was the favorite of the Concubine.

"Although I don't have much in mind now, I still want to congratulate Her Majesty." Concubine Yi closed the window and said very calmly: "After last night, the prince's situation is over. The Fourth Prince must be the next prince in the emperor's mind."

"In fact, neither of us has ever cared much about the children's affairs." Wen Shan pulled her over to sit down, "regardless of success or failure, safety is the most important."

Wen Shan and Concubine Yi can be said to be the most similar in this regard. They basically did not interfere with what these children wanted to do, and let them fend for themselves.

Concubine Yi's tears fell and she took a handkerchief to wipe them: "Yes, safety is the most important. "

It's a pity that Yinzhen doesn't have this blessing."

If Yinzhen can grow up safely, with the protection of Concubine Xuan and the Fourth Prince, he will naturally have a safe and prosperous life.

"Yinzhen will be sad if you say that. Maybe he just came to this world for a visit and will return to heaven when the time is up." Wen Shan comforted: "I once heard the Queen Mother say that such children are spiritual children in heaven and do not need to experience the turbidity of the world."

The last time the Ninth Princess died, Kangxi was extremely sad, and the Queen Mother comforted him in this way.

"I hope so. "Concubine Yi wiped her tears.

Although she was heartbroken, Wen Shan knew that Concubine Yi would not be discouraged. After all, she still had two sons to take care of.

Seeing that Concubine Yi's mood had stabilized a little, Wen Shan hesitated, not knowing whether to mention Concubine Min.

If you insist, it was Concubine Min's visit to Yikun Palace to find Concubine Yi that made the Eleventh Prince hear about the turmoil last night, which frightened him and made him unable to survive.

How will Concubine Yi and Concubine Min get along in the future?

Seeing Wen Shan's look, Concubine Yi guessed what she wanted to say.

"Don't worry, your majesty. I am not an unreasonable person. This matter has nothing to do with Concubine Min." Concubine Yi said softly: "No one expected it to turn out like this." "

...Then do you feel better when you see Concubine Min?" Wen Shan asked.

Concubine Yi sighed and looked towards the inner room.

"Your majesty, I am not a saint. I will not seek revenge on Concubine Min, but... it is better not to see her in the future. "

Wen Shan could only sigh that it was fate. Concubine Yi had already used reason to suppress her emotions by not pursuing Concubine Min, and she could not be forced to do anything else.

When Wen Shan came out, the Fifth Prince and the Ninth Prince were waiting outside.

"Empress Xuan, how is Mother?" the Fifth Prince asked hurriedly.

Wen Shan: "It's inside, go in and take a look."

The Fifth and Ninth Princes hurried in. Zhenzhu stepped forward to support Wen Shan and said, "My Lord, the Empress Dowager has learned of this and has instructed Concubine Tong and the Imperial Household Department to take care of the Eleventh Prince's funeral."

Wen Shan nodded: "Let's return to the palace first. We have our work cut out in the Yikun Palace, so let's not cause any more trouble here."

When she returned to Xianfu Palace, Yinzhen and the other two were already waiting for her in a neat and orderly manner.

"Mother, is Concubine Yi all right?" Yinsi asked, stepping forward to support her.

Wen Shan: "How could she be fine? But the Fifth and Ninth Princes are with her."

Yinxiang remained silent.

Yinzhen glanced at him, pondered for a moment, and said: "Mother, last night Concubine Min..."

Yinxiang suddenly raised his head: "Mother certainly didn't do it on purpose, it was just a mistake..."

Wenshan sighed and said: "Mother knows, Concubine Yi also understands, but Yinxiang, after all, this matter was indeed caused by Concubine Min, it is normal for Concubine Yi to feel upset, you should not blame Concubine Yi."

Yinxiang lowered his head and nodded.

Wenshan relayed Concubine Yi's words to them, that Concubine Yi would not seek revenge on Concubine Min, but would try not to have any contact in the future.

Perhaps it would be best for the two not to meet.

Yinxiang: "I will convey this to Mother."

After speaking, Yinxiang went to the Yanxi Palace first.

Wen Shan sighed as Yinxiang left, then turned to the remaining two. "Well, how was your night? Did everything go smoothly?"

Yinzhen replied, "The Crown Prince and Soetu's accomplices have been apprehended. Longkodo is now acting as the Governor of the Nine Gates, and my Thirteenth Brother's men have taken over the Fengtai Camp. The capital's defenses are flawless."

The dust had settled, and all that remained for the Crown Prince was Kangxi's return and his dethronement.

"Longkodo?" Wen Shan was puzzled. Didn't she remember Longkodo being Yinsi's subordinate?

How could he be in charge of the capital's defenses?

Yinsi spread his hands. "I had to get something out of yesterday's tirade, didn't I?"

Otherwise, Tong Guowei would have exploded, and his followers, the princes and ministers, would have been displeased.

"How long are you two going to continue this drama?" Wen Shan said helplessly. "The Crown Prince is almost done now, isn't he?" "

Mother, we're only just beginning," Yinsi said with a faint smile.

By the time the Emperor truly set his sights on the Fourth Brother, he would become the next "Crown Prince." If

the Crown Prince, whom the Emperor had personally raised, dared to rebel, how could the Emperor not be wary of the Fourth Brother?

Wen Shan only inquired about these matters, leaving it to Yinzhen and the others to handle the details.

"By the way, I heard a few days ago that things seemed to be going badly on the front lines?" Wen Shan suddenly remembered and asked, "What's the situation now?"

"The Crown Prince and Longkodo tampered with the food supplies, putting the army at a disadvantage and forcing them to retreat dozens of miles," Yinzhen said. "But the food arrived yesterday, so it's not a big deal."

Yinzhen, as head of the Ministry of Revenue, was naturally responsible for food logistics, which was why the Crown Prince and Soetu chose to tamper with the supplies.

Fortunately, Yinzhen was well prepared and didn't delay the important matter, and he also caught the Crown Prince's weakness.

Rebellion and the destruction of the army's food supplies were both enough to lead to Kangxi's dethronement.

The Crown Prince and Soetu were already doomed, with no chance of recovery. Concubine Rong was practically surviving a catastrophe in Zhongcui Palace with her personal maid.

"Fortunately, Yinzhi was smart enough to draw a line between himself and the Crown Prince early on, otherwise he would have been imprisoned together with the Fourteenth Prince."

The maid also echoed Concubine Rong's feelings. As the master and servant were talking, the Third Prince arrived.

"Greetings to Mother," the Third Prince bowed.

Concubine Rong hurriedly asked him to get up: "Why did you come to the palace? Why are you not staying at home at this time?" If he

continued to show up in front of the Fourth Prince, Concubine Rong was worried that the Fourth Prince would be caught in one fell swoop.

"Eleventh Brother has passed away, and as his elder brother, it is natural for me to come to offer condolences," said the Third Prince.

"...I'd forgotten about that." Rong Fei thought for a moment and said to the palace maids, "Go and prepare. I have to go to Yikun Palace later, too."

Compared to the Crown Prince's rebellion, the Eleventh Prince's death seemed insignificant, and many had forgotten about it.

Rong Fei simply ordered the maids to prepare, her heart still brooding over the Crown Prince's affairs.

"You weren't involved in the Crown Prince's rebellion, were you?" Rong Fei asked. "Mother, do you remember that you met with the Fourteenth Prince several times recently?"

This was the reason Rong Fei had been so uneasy. She couldn't bring herself to speak in front of the servants, and now that they were alone, Rong Fei finally asked.

"Speak up."

Rong Fei watched the Third Prince sit down leisurely, and just smiled, and she was furious.

"Are you really going to drive me crazy?" Rong Fei's brows knitted tightly, and she was on the verge of hitting him.

"Don't worry, mother. I know my limits. I know nothing about the Crown Prince's affairs," the Third Prince said. "Meeting Fourteenth Brother was merely to connect him with Soetu."

The content of Fourteenth Prince's private conversation with the Third Prince that day was, in short, that he wanted to defect, abandoning his support for the Crown Prince.

The Third Prince was genuinely shocked by Fourteenth Prince's words.

"Fourteenth Brother, you're only ten years old this year. Why are you so eager?" The Third Prince racked his brains, unable to understand why the apparently young Fourteenth Prince would take such an unconventional approach to getting involved in these affairs.

And why he would even switch from the patronage of the now-prosperous First Prince to the Crown Prince, who was already under house arrest.

This was truly bizarre.

Despite his youth, Fourteenth Prince possessed a fierce look.

"Third brother, my mother has been framed and is now trapped in Yonghe Palace, being bullied and starving. Even if I could wait, she wouldn't be able to."

"...You are truly filial," the Third Prince sighed, but he still wanted to persuade his younger brother.

"Fourteenth brother, if you truly want to save Wuya, there's no need to do this. There are many ways to make Wuya feel more at ease. When the Emperor and my eldest brother return to the court, you can take the opportunity to ask the Emperor for help. Why bother getting involved in all this?"

The Third Prince had truly given up on his ambition to succeed the throne. He simply wanted to write a book about a life of wealth and prosperity.

Now, seeing that the Fourteenth Prince was about to fall into the trap, he, as an older brother, offered a few words of advice.

The Fourteenth Prince said firmly: "If we want to rescue Mother, there is only one way. As long as Concubine Xuan and Fourth Brother are around, Mother will never be able to make a breakthrough."

"Third Brother, don't look at my young age. I know in my heart that the Emperor's heart does not favor Big Brother. I only have one choice, the Crown Prince."

Besides the Crown Prince, there are Yinzhen and Yinsi. The Fourteenth Prince will never become Yinzhen's disciple. And with Concubine Xuan around, it is unlikely that Yinsi can help him. So he can only turn to the Crown Prince.

The Fourteenth Prince looked at the Third Prince's hesitation and thought to himself that if he were three or four years older now, he would not have to rely on anyone.

Finally, seeing that he was so insistent, the Third Prince had no choice but to agree to help him meet with Soetu, which was the time when Yinxiang caught him.

After hearing what the Third Prince said, Rong Fei's heart was pounding: "You also helped the Fourteenth Prince meet with Soetu in private?!"

It was over, this son actually got involved.

The Third Prince said helplessly: "Mother, didn't you dislike your son for not helping anyone and making progress?"

"I said so much, just remember this one!" Rong Fei was so angry that her teeth itched: "What should I do? If the Fourth Prince finds out..."

"If he knows, he knows. It's not a big deal. I don't know anything about what happened later. Even if the Emperor knew, he would just scold me."

The Third Prince has really let go of everything now. He didn't want to help the Fourteenth Prince for anything, and even said that helping him would not benefit him at all and would only cause trouble. But he was still willing to help. Or maybe it can be said that the Third Prince is willing to help everyone now, just to be kind to others.

Seeing Rong Fei's genuine anxiety, the Third Prince quickly said, "Mother, please don't be angry and take care of yourself. If Fourth Brother wanted to investigate, he would have imprisoned Fourteenth Brother and me in the Imperial Clan House long ago. Since there's been no movement, it's all right."

At this moment, swift action was crucial. If he had truly been investigating, he would have imprisoned both him and the Imperial Clan House last night. Otherwise, if they had imprisoned one prince last night and another today, it would have inevitably caused further turmoil in the imperial court. Knowing Yinzhen well, the Third Prince knew he wouldn't do such a foolish thing.

Rong Fei was still a little shaken. She had always urged the Third Prince to seize the throne, hoping he would rise to prominence and protect her and Princess Rongxian in the future. However, after experiencing this palace coup, Rong Fei's perspective had changed.

"From now on, you should focus on your writing. Being a leisurely prince is better than being stripped of your title and imprisoned."

As Rong Fei finished her words, a palace attendant arrived to report that Concubine Tong had sent a request for her to discuss the Eleventh Prince's funeral.

Seeing this, the Third Prince also excused himself. When Rong Fei arrived at Chengqian Palace, she saw that all the concubines, except for Concubine Yi, had already arrived.

"Isn't the Imperial Concubine here?" Rong Fei asked after she sat down.

While there were certain protocols for a prince's funeral, it was no small matter. Concubine Xuan should have been there by now.

"The Imperial Concubine went to the Yanxi Palace to visit. Concubine Min hasn't been feeling well today," Hui Fei said.

Concubine Ping had originally not wanted to come today because of the Crown Prince's affairs, but Concubine Tong had sent for her several times. Under the current circumstances, she didn't dare to show her displeasure, so she came to Chengqian Palace anyway, though she remained silent.

Hui Fei, clearly enjoying the excitement last night, turned to Rong Fei and said, "I heard that Concubine Min went to the Yikun Palace and said something that startled the Eleventh Prince, causing him to suffer a heart palpitation and pass away."

Rong Fei, preoccupied with the Crown Prince and the Third Prince last night, had no idea of this happening, and was shocked to hear it.

"There's even this?"

So much had happened last night.

Concubine Hui, fanning herself, said, "Minpin killed the Eleventh Prince, so naturally she feels guilty and fearful."

"Alright, what nonsense are you talking about?" Concubine Tong interrupted. "I called you ladies here today to discuss the funeral arrangements for the Eleventh Prince. The masters are spouting these fabricated stories, and they don't blame the servants for following suit. If such rumors spread again, I will punish them severely."

Concubine Rong and Concubine Hui, usually the most troublemakers, had quieted down after last night's incident. Seeing they were quiet, Concubine Tong turned to the main business of the day.

Meanwhile, Wen Shan sighed as she watched Concubine Min lying in bed.

Minpin looked pale, clutching her chest and coughing. Yinxiang anxiously served her medicine.

"Your Highness, our master fainted on the spot upon returning from Yikun Palace last night upon hearing of the Eleventh Prince's passing." Yunlan, the head maid in Minpin's palace, her eyes red as she whispered to Wenshan about the situation.

Wenshan stepped forward to take the medicine from Yinxiang and told him to return to Xianfu Palace to get the food she had prepared for Minpin.

Knowing Wenshan was trying to get rid of him, Yinxiang obediently left.

"You can't blame yourself for this. It was all a fluke. Don't take it too personally," Wenshan soothed.

Minpin: "The Eleventh Prince was clearly getting better a few days ago, but he happened to catch me asking Concubine Yi for help... How can I not feel guilty?"

She had spent a long night in Yikun Palace, and Concubine Yi only let her return at dawn. She had assumed the Eleventh Prince was better, but soon after returning, news of his death arrived.

"Concubine Yi doesn't blame you," Wen Shan said softly. "This... is indeed..."

Wen Shan hesitated for a long time, unsure how to speak.

She was torn between two options, and words seemed especially weak at this moment.

"My sins cannot be atoned for," Concubine Min said softly. "I'm fine. Your Majesty, please go to the Yikun Palace."

Wen Shan sighed, opting to leave Concubine Min alone. Leaving the bedroom, she saw the Fifth Princess standing in the corridor. The

Fifth Princess greeted her, then lowered her head in silence.

"Aren't you going to go in and see your mother, Min?" Wen Shan asked.

The Fifth Princess shook her head in frustration, muttering, "I don't know how to face Your Majesty Min."

Wen Shan finally left the Yanxi Palace without saying anything. Before leaving, she glanced back and saw the Fifth Princess still standing motionless in the bedroom corridor.

"Everything is fate; nothing is ours," Wen Shan lamented.

Yinxiang also waited at the palace gate, not going to Xianfu Palace. Seeing Wen Shan emerge, he joined her back.

Arriving at Xianfu Palace, Yinxiang ordered Zhenzhu to escort all the palace servants away.

"Mother, I..." Yinxiang's eyes welled with tears. Wenshan had never seen him so bewildered.

Wenshan hurried to comfort him, "Mother knows. Now we can only ask the imperial physician to take good care of her."

In her previous life, Concubine Min's death was next year, and in this one, Yinxiang had thought he had avoided it. After all, Concubine Min had been healthy and lived a comfortable life, hardly looking like she only had a year left to live.

But then, something unexpected would happen.

Looking back, Wenshan felt the unpredictability of life, as if fate had orchestrated it.

Two months passed in peace in the palace. The Eleventh Prince's funeral had long since concluded, Concubine Yi remained confined to her room, and Concubine Min's illness continued intermittently. The imperial physician said it was a difficult heart disease that could only be treated slowly, so Yinxiang visited her frequently.

The Fifth Princess requested to move to the Ganxi Wusuo. After a long silence, Wenshan agreed to her request.

Although the Fifth Princess no longer lived in the Yanxi Palace, she still went to pay her respects to Concubine Min every day. It was not

until Kangxi defeated the Dzungars at the front and returned to the court that the palace became lively again.