Secrets of Yuqing Palace

After arranging everything, Yinreng went directly to the Qianqing Palace.

Kangxi was puzzled by the prince's sudden visit, but he still asked Liang Jiugong to invite the prince in.

Looking at the prince's upright posture, greeting him calmly and politely, Kangxi felt uncomfortable.

He asked in a rather cold tone, "Why is the Crown Prince here to pay his respects to me now?"

Yinreng knelt on his knees and kowtowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty, I have a request to make. I hope Your Majesty will grant it."

Kangxi paused holding the red brush, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.

He sat upright on the dragon throne, his face as gloomy as water.

He looked deeply at Yinreng who was wearing the apricot-yellow prince's attire below.

"Oh? What does the prince want from me?"

Yinreng took a deep breath, his voice steady with a hint of determination.

"Your Majesty, I feel that my talent and virtue are too shallow to be the Crown Prince."

"I, your son, fear that I have failed my father's high expectations, and I voluntarily relinquish the position of Crown Prince. I earnestly implore Your Majesty to choose another capable and virtuous person!"

Kangxi's heart suddenly shook, and an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart like an undercurrent.

But his face still maintained dignity, his eyes slightly narrowed, and his suspicious gaze fell on Yinreng as if it were real, as if he wanted to see through his purpose.

The entire hall fell into silence.

Kangxi waved to Liang Jiugong, and soon all the palace servants in the Qianqing Palace quietly retreated.

When only the father and son were left, Kangxi spoke slowly, his voice deep and full of unquestionable authority.

"Why do you say that, Prince? I have taught you carefully since you were young, believing that you have the ability to inherit the throne."

"But you have repeatedly proposed giving up the position of Crown Prince. Is the position of heir to the throne a joke to you?"

"Prince, you really disappoint me!"

Kangxi's face was filled with anger as he loudly rebuked the prince below.

Yinreng curled the corners of his mouth, not caring about the emperor's attitude at the moment, but still spoke respectfully.

"Your Majesty, I once said that if I don't perform well in the future and fail to meet your expectations, I am willing to abdicate and let someone else take over!"

"I now know that I am not qualified enough, and many ministers in the court have expressed dissatisfaction with me. I am afraid that if this continues, it will be detrimental to the stability of the court."

Kangxi felt extremely complicated at this moment. He was unhappy, relieved, and secretly happy, but mostly angry.

"Prince! I say again, the position of crown prince is not a joke!"

"When you turned one year old, I appointed you Crown Prince. I personally brought you by my side to teach you the ways of a ruler, spending countless efforts to train you."

"Now you refuse so easily?"

"You are worthy of my expectations and trust in you!"

Yinreng closed his eyes.

[Heh~]

Expectations and trust?

[Perhaps there was, but that is now a thing of the past.]

Since Yinreng had made up his mind, he was unwilling to argue too much with the emperor at this time.

He kowtowed again and said, "Your Majesty, I have made up my mind. I am willing to put the greater good first. Please grant my request."

Seeing that the prince was determined to do so, it was obvious that he really wanted to resign from the position of crown prince. Kangxi was secretly happy and suppressed his anger.

He had always been wary of the prince's growing power, and now that the prince had taken the initiative to resign, his tense expression relaxed a lot.

However, the position of crown prince is extremely important. If he agrees easily, the previous dynasty and the world will probably think that he is too heartless as an emperor.

Kangxi stared at Yinreng closely, his eyes sharp and stern, but deep in his eyes there was a barely perceptible hint of ease.

After a moment, Kangxi frowned, as if he was in deep thought, but in fact he had already begun to think about what to do after deposing the crown prince.

After a while, Kangxi spoke slowly.

"I need to carefully consider what the Crown Prince said today."

"The issue of the Crown Prince's position concerns the future of the Qing Dynasty. I must consider it carefully."

"I have high hopes for you. Please return to Yuqing Palace first and do not mention this matter again. I will make the final decision."

Kangxi's voice still sounded majestic and solemn, and his expression was flawless. Only he knew that the relief in his heart was almost uncontrollable.

Yinreng knew that the emperor almost agreed.

He kowtowed in thanks and replied, "Yes, I obey your command."

Then he slowly stood up and walked out of the Qianqing Palace with ease.

When he reached the gate of the Qianqing Palace, he saw the concern and worry in Liang Jiugong's eyes.

Yinreng smiled at him, then nodded and left.

Kangxi looked at the prince's departing back, with a complex look in his eyes. He was satisfied with the prince's resignation, but also had deep thoughts about the changes in the court and how to plan ahead.

After all, since the first time the prince resigned until now, facing the pressure brought to him by the prince and the forces behind him, he has regretted more than once why he did not follow the prince's wishes at that time.

After Yinreng returned to Yuqing Palace, he told Wanyu about the affairs of Qianqing Palace.

He also told Wanyu that after this matter was resolved, they might have to leave the capital.

Although Wanyu also wanted to travel with Yinreng to see the beautiful scenery of the Qing Dynasty, she was also reluctant to leave her children, especially the youngest Honggui and Hongli.

Her eyes were red as she said, "They are too young. I'm afraid if we don't see them for a long time, they will forget us."

"And Qiqi, she is now pregnant with Fengsheng's child. In a few months we will be able to see our grandchildren."

"Baocheng, can't we wait until they're older before leaving Beijing?"

Yinreng twitched the corner of his mouth.

Gently wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Yu'er, I can't promise you this."

"Otherwise, all our efforts will be in vain."

Wanyu asked in confusion, "Why?"

Yinreng explained the reason to her, and Wanyu's tears flowed even more.

Yinreng hugged her in his arms with heartache.

"If you can't bear to leave your child and your daughter-in-law's unborn grandchild, we can wait until the child is born before leaving Beijing."

"Every year from now on, we can come back to visit the children and won't let them forget us."

Wanyu buried herself in Yinreng's arms, sobbing softly.

"I...I just can't bear to leave them, and I can't let them go."

Yinreng gently patted the young concubine's back, trying his best to comfort her.

"Don't worry about them, I'll take care of it."

"I've already made up my mind. After we leave the capital, I'll have my fourth brother take Honggui back to Prince Yong's mansion and leave him with your cousin, so he can grow up with Hongli."

"Once this matter is over, the Emperor should also issue an order to confer a title on me and build a palace for me."

"As a prince, there's no reason for me to step down and not even get the throne!"

"Now Feng Sheng'e is already a prince. If the emperor is magnanimous enough to confer a title on me, I would like to pass the title directly to Hongye."

"As for Honggui's title, I would still like Hongli to confer it on him in the future."

"If the emperor is not interested, the children will be taken care of by Feng Sheng'e and his daughter-in-law. We can come back to see them occasionally."

"And I've already told Feng Sheng'e to bring Honggui and Hongli to live with him for a few months every year. With their elder brother's guidance, the two children will become more and more outstanding."

"As for Fuerguochun and Fuling'a, I will ask for two imperial decrees to keep them in the capital and will not allow them to marry."

"With two prince brothers and the protection of the Hesheli and Guarjia clans, the future of my two daughters won't be too bad."

"What's more, one of them is a princess and the other is a princess. Their future husbands won't dare to neglect them."

Wanyu hugged Yinreng tightly, listening to him muttering about the future arrangements, and her uneasy heart gradually calmed down.