The prince only allowed me to have a baby, so the pressure is a bit high!

Chapter 56 What is the truth?

Although the prince expressed his desire to fight for the throne that night, in reality, their lives did not change at all. If one were to trace it back, the Fourth Prince had completely lost the support of Concubine De's faction, and the two sides had completely fallen out. If the Eighth Prince still wanted to use his Fourteenth Brother to stab the Fourth Prince in the back in the future, his idea would definitely be shattered.

The fourteenth prince will have even fewer opportunities in the future. His mother is just an unfavored concubine. Of course, this is the present, and no one can predict what the future will be like. In any case, he will definitely not be as favored as before.

Especially since the fifteenth prince will be born in the palace this year, the fourteenth prince’s status as the youngest prince will not be maintained. Then what advantages will the fourteenth prince have?

Anyway, by then, Old Eight will definitely look down on Old Fourteen. He won't play with someone who can't bring him any benefits.

Next is Lao Jiu, Lao Ba's former die-hard fan. He now thinks about making money for the Ministry of Revenue every day and expanding the imperial merchant business to the grasslands, the sea, and even exporting overseas.

When he was busy, he had no time to connect with Old Eight, and Old Ten, who was like a pair of trousers with Old Nine, also became much more distant from Old Eight. In this way, if the Eighth Master's party were to be like in the previous life, it would probably be difficult.

Without the Eighth Brother fanning the flames, the Big Boss would be just like that. Although the Fourth Brother would not be his absolute supporter in this life, he was sure that he would not betray him within the next ten years.

However, Yinreng did not do nothing. One day, by chance, he discovered that the emperor's father was looking for a Taoist master. At that time, he knew that the emperor's father wanted to live forever.

Immortality, this is a beautiful wish that no one can resist, even our charming ancestor Zheng Ge couldn't escape it, right?

This gave Yinreng an inspiration. He remembered that in his previous life, a confidant had recommended a Taoist alchemist to him.

He wasn't sure if the elixir could grant immortality, but at the time, out of distrust, he had someone investigate privately. It was said that the Taoist priest had been expelled from the sect for some reason, though he himself claimed it was because he had concocted the elixir. Taoist priests were always secretive, so no one could verify his claims.

However, in Yinreng's heart, Taoists have always been believers in tranquility and inaction, so he would probably reject his fellow disciples who devoted themselves to studying immortality all day long. You know, the most widely circulated saying to this day is: The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name.

What does it mean? What is the Tao? The Tao is the force that drives all things. Learning more knowledge improves the mind, which then brings about the judgment to measure moral values, breaking away from anthropocentrism, and reaching a state of unity between all things and harmony between heaven and man. This is the Tao.

What is fame? It is reputation. While fame is certainly attainable, it is not the kind of achievement or fame people typically understand. Rather, it is the union of heaven and earth, the harmony of yin and yang, that creates all things in the world. This is what gives rise to fame.

Also because Taoist thought is deeply rooted in people's hearts, the Taoist priest's research on the elixir of life is so popular.

But it is too early to say this now, as the Taoist priest is still several years away from appearing. During this period, Yinreng wants to make some arrangements in advance. If the emperor father has not given up looking for the way to immortality, he will push this Taoist priest out as a backup.

As for whether to use it or not, and whether you are willing to believe it or not, let the Emperor decide for himself at that time!

At the South Third Prison, Yinzhen, having just woken up in an unfamiliar place, shuddered unconsciously. It was the sound of Su Peisheng pushing the door that drew Yinzhen's attention. Seeing his master glaring at him with such a fierce look, Su Peisheng couldn't help but plop down on his knees, wailing, "Master, you're finally awake? I thought I'd never see you again."

When he saw Su Peisheng, Yinzhen suddenly lost all the strength he had been holding on to, leaned against the bed, and felt grateful that he had survived the disaster.

After a while, Yinzhen shouted directly: "Alright, I'm not dead yet!"

Su Peisheng suddenly shut up. He knew his grandfather well. He had grown up with him and was aware of his awkward personality. As long as his grandfather was still willing to pay attention to him, it meant that there was no big problem.

Seeing Su Peisheng still kneeling there stupidly, Yinzhen said again in a bad mood: "Please pour me a glass of water quickly, my throat is smoking."

Su Peisheng hurriedly got up and ran to the table to fill a large glass of water for the Fourth Master and handed it to the Fourth Master.

Yinzhen took the water without saying anything. His throat was really uncomfortable and he urgently needed water to relieve it. He tilted his head back and drank it in big gulps. After drinking two cups in a row, Yinzhen finally felt that the discomfort was not so severe, so he handed the cup to Su Peisheng.

Yinzhen: "What time is it now?"

Su Peisheng: "In reply to your question, it is already past midnight."

Hearing that it was so late, Yinzhen stopped leaning and prepared to get up to go to the Imperial Household Department for duty, putting everything else aside for the time being. Since he had not asked for leave today, he still needed to go to duty on time. As a prince and the leader of the Imperial Household Department, he had to set an example.

But as soon as his legs touched the ground, they went weak. If Su Peisheng hadn't been there to catch him quickly, he would have definitely fallen flat on his face.

Yinzhen hadn't expected his health to deteriorate so suddenly overnight. Thinking back to what happened in Yonghe Palace last night, even though his consciousness was already fuzzy, he still remembered the first half. Could that medicine be poison? Had his body been harmed? His face darkened even further at the thought.

After Su Peisheng half-dragged, half-carried the Fourth Master back to bed, he quietly explained, "The Imperial Physician has examined him and said that he's been injured. He needs to rest for a few days, then take a medicinal diet for a while. He should be fully recovered in about two months."

Su Peisheng's voice gradually became inaudible under Yinzhen's increasingly fierce gaze.

No man would remain indifferent when hearing that his body was injured, especially if there was a problem in that part of his body. Not even the Fourth Master could do that. His usually expressionless face was now changing and distorted like a color palette.

After a while, Su Peisheng, who was kneeling before the Fourth Master with his head bowed, heard his master's voice: "Tell me everything that happened yesterday. I need to know it clearly."

When Su Peisheng heard the Fourth Master's question, he quickly released the words he had already organized: "In reply to your question, after you went to Yonghe Palace last night, I was stopped outside the main hall by Depin's nanny. I didn't know what happened inside, but suddenly I heard your roar. I knew that something was wrong with you, so I wanted to rush in, but Yonghe Palace was well prepared. Four eunuchs and nannies surrounded me and locked me in a small room. At that time, my cry to heaven and earth was useless, so I could only think of a way to get out. Later, a palace maid said she could help me, but she couldn't open the lock and could only help deliver a letter. I had no other choice at the time, so I could only trust the palace maid and ask her to take a message to the prince. Later, when I saw you again, you had been placed in the South Third House. The prince sent guards and eunuchs to guard here all night. At dawn, Brother He Zhu said that the prince had gone in to ask for leave for you, and asked you to stay here with peace of mind and come to see you later."

After a pause, Su Peisheng continued, "Brother He Zhu also said that because Concubine Fu is still pregnant, the Crown Prince didn't inform her. Concubine Fu doesn't know the news yet and just thought you stayed at Yuqing Palace last night. By the way, Yonghe Palace was surrounded by the Crown Prince last night. Someone just came to deliver a message saying that the Emperor has issued an order to seal off Yonghe Palace and Concubine De is under house arrest."

Yinzhen snorted coldly when he heard that the servants of Yonghe Palace had locked up Su Peisheng. It seemed that his mother had been prepared for this. Fortunately, there was help this time, and his second brother came quickly, otherwise he would have been in great trouble if not dead, especially since his wife was pregnant. If this news got back, who knows what would happen.

After hearing that the prince had asked for leave for him, Yinzhen was no longer in a hurry. The crisis was over and he could just ask his second brother to find out the rest. He felt his stomach was empty. He hadn't eaten a bite of food since last night. Now it was almost the hour of Si and he was already feeling a little uncomfortable with hunger.

Yinzhen: "Okay, get up, go prepare breakfast for me, and ask the servants to come in and help me wash up."

Su Peisheng quickly agreed, then opened the door and asked the servants who had been prepared to go into the room to serve Yinzhen, while he checked the breakfast preparations.

Soon after Yinzhen finished his breakfast, the crown prince arrived, along with the imperial physician whom Kangxi had ordered to come along.

Yinreng did not let the Fourth Prince stand up, nor did he stop asking his questions. He just waited patiently for the imperial physician's reply.

After a while, the imperial physician checked the pulses of both hands before bowing to Yinreng and Yinzhen. "Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness, the effects of the medicine have been completely resolved. I will prescribe you another dose of medicine today and you'll be fine. It's just that your body will be a little weaker during this period, which is normal. The medicine damaged your vital energy, so if you really want to recover, you need to rest patiently and eat more medicated foods that replenish your energy and strengthen your body. But there's one thing you must do: you must abstain from sexual intercourse during this period, otherwise it won't take a few months for your injuries to heal. Please remember this!"

Yinzhen thanked him awkwardly. After sending the doctor away, the prince asked, "Fourth Brother, what happened to you yesterday? How did you get into trouble?"

Yes, it was a disaster. Even though Yinreng had explained this matter to Kangxi last night, it still left a mark on Kangxi, making him uncomfortable. Otherwise, Depin's punishment today would not have been just house arrest.

Some people might say that the indefinite confinement of Concubine De is already a severe punishment. However, if this kind of confinement is to be lifted, it can be done with just a word from the emperor. Moreover, it only confines Concubine De, not prohibiting outsiders from entering. If the emperor or the fourteenth prince enters at that time, who can stop them?

Moreover, it was obvious that the Fourth Prince was the victim in this matter, and his body was injured. However, the Emperor not only did not comfort him or ask any unnecessary questions, but also asked the imperial physician to come and take the Fourth Prince's pulse to confirm his physical health.

Yinreng dared to bet that if the fourth prince did not suffer any serious injuries, unlike what he reported, then the emperor would definitely find an excuse to punish the fourth prince.

When Yinzhen heard the prince's question, he dismissed the servants in the room and replied to Yinreng with a wry smile: "Yesterday, Concubine De sent someone to tell my brother to go to Yonghe Palace for a small gathering, as a farewell to Xiaowu's wedding. I don't know what my brother was thinking at the time, but he agreed and only took Su Peisheng with him."

Hearing this, Yinreng began to complain inwardly: What are you thinking? You still think that she is your mother! You think she is your mother, but what does he think of you? Silly brother!

Yinzhen didn't hear Taizao's inner complaints and continued, "When my brother entered the house, Concubine De asked about my well-being. At that time, my brother thought it was really a family dinner. Before dinner, Concubine De gave me a bowl of soup she had cooked herself. At that time, my brother was still immersed in the warmth and had no defenses at all, so I drank a big bowl directly. And then..."

Yinreng’s inner thoughts: Ha, you are such a fool. You stewed it yourself. Is there anyone in this palace who can cook it by himself?

Yinzhen paused for a moment, then finally spoke the words that had rebuked him: "At that time, she asked me to raise Xiaowu's dowry to Kejing's standards. I refused, so she threatened me with family ties. I wanted to leave at that time, but it was too late. The drug had already taken effect on me. At that time, I still remember that she threatened me that if I agreed, she would give me the antidote, otherwise she would push me to the next room, where two or three palace maids were already prepared.

I was completely lost in thought at that time, my mind unclear and my legs and feet wouldn't move. But I remember yelling a few times and smashing a lot of teacups. Then I bit my tongue and regained consciousness. I wanted to break out of Yonghe Palace, but the servants around me kept surrounding me tightly, leaving me with no way out. At that moment, I suddenly saw my second brother, and then I don't remember anything."

After listening to Yinzhen's words, Yinreng did not speak, but was thinking about something. Then he suddenly asked: "Do you remember that the noise became louder because you broke the bowl and teacup? Didn't you make any loud noises before?"

Although Yinzhen didn't understand why his second brother asked this, he answered affirmatively: "Yes, I was still somewhat conscious at the time. It wasn't long after I dropped those things, probably only a cup of tea, that my second brother arrived. But what's the problem?"

Yinreng stared into Yinzhen's eyes and said, "My second brother took the eunuchs and guards to Yonghe Palace and spent the time it took to drink a cup of tea."

Yinzhen's pupils suddenly shrank. The timing was wrong. Thinking of Su Peisheng's words, Yinzhen knew very well that there was a third hand involved in this matter. Thinking of this, he was no longer clear about the truth of the matter.

Yinreng didn't say much, just told Yinzhen: "You should go back home and have a good rest these few days, and don't hide this from your sister-in-law. Otherwise, if she finds out from somewhere else, the information asymmetry will make it easier for something to go wrong. Now it seems that this game is not mainly aimed at you, you should be the target of the game between the two parties. I have asked for a few days' leave from the emperor's father for you. Go back and recuperate well and accompany your sister-in-law. In addition, I have prepared a lot of medicinal herbs. You should take them back with you when the time comes. You can't trust anyone at this time, so you have to be careful everywhere. Don't worry about this matter for now, it will easily make the emperor unhappy. I still have some status in the palace, so I will ask your second sister-in-law to help investigate privately. I will explain this matter to you when the time comes."

After saying that, he patted Yinzhen on the shoulder and encouraged him to cheer up.

Yinzhen also knew that he could not intervene in this matter now. Since his second brother had promised, the facts would definitely be more accurate than his own investigation. He nodded to the prince and agreed to his proposal.

Seeing that there was nothing serious to worry about, Yinreng did not stay long. After saying goodbye to Yinzhen, he strolled back to Yuqing Palace.