Rebirth of His Royal Highness Prince Chenghu

Chenghu and his two younger brothers slowly returned to the study in Yuqing Palace. As soon as they entered the study, Yinreng couldn't wait to speak: "Brother, I'm sure this must have been done by the second and fourth brothers! They always make things difficult for us, and this time they must have been the ones to do it!" Yinreng said angrily.

Chenghu frowned slightly and gently scolded: "Yinreng, don't make rash conclusions. There is no evidence to support your statement. If such words are spread out, it will only cause more trouble." After hearing his brother's words, Yinreng was unwilling but he could only lower his head and said nothing more.

At this time, Yinzhen, who had been silent all the time, spoke: "What the eldest brother said is true, but the second and fourth brothers are indeed the most suspicious. We might as well observe them secretly first to see if they have done anything unusual recently." Chenghu thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

So over the next few days, the three brothers quietly instructed their trusted followers to keep an eye on Yinzhen and Yinzhi. However, the two seemed to know they were being watched and acted extremely cautiously, not revealing the slightest clue.

Seeing this, Yinreng began to get anxious again and wanted to confront them directly. Chenghu quickly grabbed him and said sternly, "The more you wait, the more you must remain calm. We will slowly search for evidence. If they are truly responsible, we will not let them go unpunished." Yinreng clenched his fists, suppressing his anger, and waited for the truth to come out.

Just as their patience was running out, Chenghu's trusted servant stumbled upon a young eunuch accompanying Yinzhen sneaking out of the palace. Upon learning of this, Chenghu immediately dispatched his men to follow the eunuch. It turned out the eunuch was delivering a letter to Yinzhi, who was outside the palace. Chenghu and his men intercepted the letter and discovered that it revealed that the previous plot against them was indeed orchestrated by Yinzhen and Yinzhi, who also intended to further frame them in order to secure the crown prince position.

Chenghu sneered as he held the letter and walked straight towards Yinzhen and Yinzhi with his brothers. Seeing them, Chenghu threw the letter in front of them. Yinzhen and Yinzhi turned pale upon seeing the letter exposed. Yinreng angrily pointed at them and cursed them, while Yinzhen stood aside with a calm expression.

Chenghu shouted, "The evidence is irrefutable today. What else do you have to say? We were brothers in the past, so why are you so cruel?" Yinzhen and Yinzhi, knowing they were in the wrong, collapsed to the ground, begging for mercy. Chenghu watched them with dismay, ultimately deciding to report the matter to Kangxi, who would determine their guilt.

Chenghu led the others before Kangxi and explained the entire matter, presenting the letter as evidence. Kangxi was furious, beating Yinzhen and Yinzhi for disregarding their brotherly bond and committing such a sinister and treacherous act. Yinzhen and Yinzhi trembled on the ground, begging for mercy.

After a moment's contemplation, Kangxi, mindful of their father-son bond, pardoned their executions. However, he stripped Yinzhen and Yinzhi of their titles and sentenced them to six months of house arrest. After resolving the matter, Kangxi looked at the Chenghu brothers and said with satisfaction, "I am deeply pleased to see you brothers united in spirit." He then urged them to be cautious in their words and actions and to avoid engaging in unnecessary disputes.

Chenghu and the others thanked him and took their leave. On the way back to the palace, Yinreng breathed a sigh of relief and said with emotion, "Thanks to my elder brother's calmness and composure, otherwise we would have been harmed by the treacherous people." Yinzhen also nodded slightly in agreement. Chenghu looked at Yinreng and Yinzhen with a smile, "From now on, we should support each other and live up to the expectations of the emperor."

Yinzhen frowned and said to his elder brother in a serious tone, "In my opinion, the way they are doing it now is obviously because they are eyeing your position as the crown prince! These people are really ambitious and want to pull you down from that high position and replace you and ascend to that prestigious throne!" As he spoke, he unconsciously clenched his fists, as if he was extremely angry at the actions of those people.

Chenghu listened to Yinzhen's words and patted him on the shoulder. "Don't be too angry, Xiaowu. As long as we brothers are united, no matter what conspiracy they have, they will not succeed." Yinreng also said, "Big brother is right. A person with integrity has nothing to fear. As long as we do our best and fulfill our responsibilities as the crown prince, they will find it difficult to find any evidence against us."

However, Chenghu secretly became wary. In the days that followed, he acted even more cautiously, taking precautions at every turn. Although Yinzhen and Yinzhi were confined, their followers continued to make subtle moves.

One day, Chenghu noticed a servant acting strangely. After questioning her, he discovered she had been instructed to poison his food. Chenghu remained calm and, following the tactic, uncovered the officials behind the plot. Upon learning of this, Kangxi was once again enraged and severely punished the perpetrators. This incident strengthened the bond between Chenghu and his brothers, and the other princes, realizing Chenghu was a formidable opponent, temporarily restrained themselves.

In a flash, the day of the Empress Dowager's funeral arrived. The sky was gloomy, as if mourning for this venerable old lady.

The emperor and the princes were to personally carry the coffin to the imperial mausoleum, while the concubines in the harem did not have to go. However, they had to see the Empress Dowager off at the Cining Palace and then kowtow at the Fengxian Hall.

The entire capital was immersed in solemnity and sadness. People in the streets and alleys stopped what they were doing and watched silently as the funeral procession slowly moved forward.

Qingyao led the harem to kowtow in Fengxian Hall. This ordeal lasted a whole day.

When the emperor returned to the palace at night, it was considered as sent away.

Qingyao ordered Chunyu to deliver red date and lotus seed porridge to the Qianqing Palace, and sat in front of the dressing table to do her hair.

Just when I had removed half of the hair, a voice suddenly came from outside saying, "The Emperor is here!"

Qingyao had no choice but to pick up a plain hairpin to fix her long hair.

Kangxi took steady and powerful steps, slowly pushing open the heavy door and stepping into the magnificent palace. His bright yellow dragon robe gleamed brightly in the candlelight, revealing his supreme majesty and dignity.

After entering the bedroom, Kangxi saw the figure inside, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and he called softly: "Qingqing, why didn't you come to bring me something today?"

Qingyao bowed respectfully: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you. I know you are in a bad mood today, so I dare not disturb you."

Kangxi listened to Qingyao's words and waved his hand, "It's okay, I know what you mean." Then he walked to the chair and sat down. Qingyao hurried forward and personally poured tea and handed it to Kangxi. Kangxi took a sip and his eyes fell on Qingyao, "Qingqing, why are you using the plain hairpin, the phoenix hairpin I gave you? Why don't you use it?"

Qingyao: "I picked it up in a hurry. Your Majesty, please sit down first. I will let my hair down first." She walked to the dressing table, sat down, took off the hairpin, and let all her hair down.

Kangxi put down his teacup and took Qingyao's hand. "Today I am sending the Imperial Madam off for the last time, and my heart is filled with emotion. I remember the love the Imperial Madam showed me when I was young. Now that she is gone, I feel that this palace has become even more desolate. Only you, Qingqing, can bring peace of mind to me."

Qingyao bowed her head and said softly, "Your Majesty, please do not grieve excessively. The Empress Dowager's spirit in heaven would surely wish that Your Majesty take good care of yourself and put the country first."

Kangxi gazed at Qingyao, his eyes growing deeper. "I understand. Today, I just want to find a moment of peace here with you," he said, and he squeezed her hand tightly, as if to draw strength from her. Qingyao sensed Kangxi's emotional fluctuations and stayed by his side, docilely by his side. Under the flickering candlelight, the two of them cuddled together quietly.