Secrets of Yuqing Palace

Yinreng took a sip of the tea in the cup and said.

"Uncle, I've been studying history books for the past two years and have discovered that throughout the dynasties, any crown prince who gained excessive power would eventually arouse the emperor's suspicion and fear."

"Those princes, although they enjoyed great glory for a time, rarely had a good ending."

"The reason they suffered such a disastrous defeat was all because of one person!"

"Just because that person is unwilling, no matter how outstanding or powerful they are, they will ultimately fail."

Yinreng smiled and asked, "Uncle, do you know who that person is?"

Soetu's lips trembled and he did not give an answer, even though he knew.

Yinreng smiled and did not insist on him answering. He just looked at him and continued to speak quietly.

"Although I am the crown prince, I seem to have immense power, second only to the emperor and above everyone else."

"But all this is just a gift from the Emperor."

"Since he can grant me the position of Crown Prince, if one day I displease him, he can also take it back at any time."

"Just like the heavy snow outside right now!"

"Grandun just said that auspicious snow indicates a good harvest."

"The current snowstorm may seem so strong that it can collapse tree branches and houses, but if it becomes an eyesore to the Emperor, he will issue an order and countless subjects will rush in to clear the snow immediately."

"Now the world belongs to the emperor, not me, the prince!"

"Uncle, do you understand?"

At this time, a cold wind blew outside the main hall, making the window lattices whistle, as if echoing Yinreng's words.

When Soetu heard this, he was slightly stunned.

There was a hint of helplessness and worry in Yinreng's voice.

"Your power is too great now, just like the snow outside that is getting thicker and thicker."

"You are not satisfied yet. Not only do you want Khan Ama to enthrone Hongxi as the Crown Prince, you also want to increase the power of my wives and concubines."

"You may think that what you have done for me is to consolidate my position, but in Khan Ama's eyes, it is like the snow that is getting thicker and thicker. It has become a bit of an eyesore for him."

"My uncle and the Hesheli family are one with me, the crown prince. How do you think Khan Ama would view me?"

"Hasn't Uncle realized that Khan Ama's attitude towards me has begun to change quietly?"

"Granduncle, you know that once the snow becomes so thick that Khan Ama can no longer tolerate it, he will definitely clear it away without hesitation."

Yinreng looked at the white snow outside the palace, and the emptiness and sadness in his eyes were hard to hide.

"So does this prince!"

When Soetu heard this, he was shocked.

He followed the prince's gaze and looked at the white world outside the window, which was just like his mood at the moment, confused and lost.

【So I did something wrong. 】

[Father, it was my son who did something wrong and almost harmed the Hesheli clan!]

Soetu stood up and slowly knelt down. His usually upright body suddenly became hunched.

His lips trembled, "No!"

"That won't happen!"

"His Majesty loves Your Highness the most and has personally raised You since You were young. He would never treat Your Highness like this."

Yinreng stood up suddenly, stared at him, and shouted loudly: "Uncle!"

"The word 'emperor and father' means 'emperor' comes first and 'father' comes second!"

He murmured softly, "Do you understand?"

The determination in Soetu's heart completely collapsed, and he lowered his head, which had always been held high and arrogant.

"Your Highness, I understand."

"I was only concerned with planning for Your Highness, but I never imagined such serious consequences. I deserve death."

"Your Highness, please tell me what you want me to do!"

Yinreng's eyes flashed with reluctance, but he still said in a resolute and firm voice: "Uncle, please resign!"

Soetu was struck by lightning when he heard this. He looked up at the prince in a daze.

I never expected that the prince would make this request.

He was silent for a long time, feeling helpless and lonely.

Finally, he nodded slowly, then knelt down and bowed deeply to Yinreng.

"Your Highness, I will obey your orders!"

Yinreng gently helped Soetu up, feeling very sad.

"Granduncle..."

Although I feel reluctant and helpless, I also know that this is necessary.

A complex expression flashed across Soetu's face, showing both reluctance and pity for the prince.

All the emotions finally turned into a sigh.

"The slave retire."

Then he lowered his head slightly, bowed his body and walked out of Yuqing Palace with heavy steps, letting the snowflakes fall on his body.

Yinreng looked at Soetu's lonely and sad back, feeling mixed emotions.

"Ah~"

A faint sigh was heard in the main hall of Yuqing Palace.

.......

Just after the Spring Festival, it was the 37th year of the Kangxi reign.

In the first month of the first month, Emperor Kangxi visited Mount Wutai.

He also ordered the eldest son Yunti and Grand Secretary Yisan'a to offer sacrifices to the tombs of Jin Taizu and Shizong.

It seemed like the emperor was sending a signal to all the court officials that he was going to start making use of his eldest son!

This immediately caused a lot of speculation in people's minds.

Moreover, Soetu in Hesheli's house was in an even heavier mood.

He sat at the door of the study, watching the servants sweep the snow from the ground.

Whispering softly: "Your Highness..."

At this time he also made up his mind.

Soon after the emperor returned from Mount Wutai, a major event occurred in the court that shocked the whole country!

The three court ministers, namely, the Minister of the Imperial Guard Hesheli Soetu, the Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Palace Irgen Jueluo Yisan'a, and the Grand Secretary of the Wuying Palace Fuca Alantai, all submitted memorials requesting to resign and retire on the grounds of old age.

This incident caused a shock in the entire court.

Even the harem caused quite a stir.

The resignation of the three veteran ministers is a major blow to the princelings.

Soetu and Yisan'a are father-in-law and son-in-law, and both are core members of the prince's party.

Although Fucha Alantai was not a member of the prince's party, he was also a royalist and was impartial.

Among the three important ministers, two belong to the prince's party. As one grows stronger, the other weakens. The power of the eldest prince's party can easily overwhelm the prince's party.

After the court session, Kangxi summoned Yinreng into the Qianqing Palace.

Kangxi asked directly, "I heard that you summoned Suo Etu during the Spring Festival?"

Yinreng nodded, then sighed.

"Khan Ama, my great uncle said that he is old and wants to resign from his official position and become a scholar, so he came to Yuqing Palace to ask for your opinion."

Kangxi looked at him and didn't believe what he meant.

After all, Soetu was still jumping around a few years ago, wanting to ask for the title of Crown Prince for Hongxi. How could he suddenly want to resign?

I'm afraid Baocheng said something in it.

However, considering the relationship between Soetu and Baocheng, it would be better to let Soetu leave the court to prevent him from leading Baocheng astray.

So he asked, "What do you think?"

Yinreng said sincerely, "Although I think my uncle is a loyal minister in the court, he is indeed old as he said."

"I really don't want to see my uncle continue to work so hard."

"So when Grand Uncle asked for my opinion, I supported him."

Kangxi smiled with satisfaction.

"Since Baocheng and Suo'etu share the same idea, I will approve Suo'etu's resignation."

I didn't expect Khan Ama to hesitate at all.

[It seems that I have completely offended my uncle.]

Yinreng's mind was full of thoughts, but he smiled and said, "Khan Ama is wise."

"Now my uncle and the others should be relieved."

Kangxi was puzzled: "Oh? Changtai?"