Secrets of Yuqing Palace

Yinreng, who was recuperating in Prince Jin's mansion, met Hongli who came to visit him.

"Ahem....Why is Hongli here?"

Hongli hesitated for a moment, then walked up to the bedside and smoothed Yinreng's back.

"Second uncle... Second uncle, Khan Ama heard that Second uncle was not feeling well, so he asked his nephew to come and see him."

Yinreng patted Hongli's hand and smiled gently.

"Second uncle is fine, he will be fine after a few days."

Hongli's face was full of worry.

"But my second uncle has been ill for over a month. Khan Ama and my nephew are very worried."

Yinreng sighed and said, "Second uncle is old and not as healthy as before, so he is recovering more slowly from his illness now."

"Since you're here, Second Uncle has something to give you."

Hongli was suspicious, "Second uncle?"

Yinreng waved his hand and pointed to a bookshelf embedded in the wall not far away.

"There's a hidden mechanism at the intersection of the second row and the second column on the bookshelf. Press it."

Although Hongli was confused, he still did as he was told.

After pressing the button, there was a click.

Yinreng continued, "Take down the book from the second compartment in the second row and see if there's a small secret compartment at the back of the bookshelf."

After Hongli did as he was told, he indeed saw a small secret compartment, so he nodded.

"There is a small secret compartment."

Yinreng curled his lips into a smile and spoke weakly.

"In the secret compartment, there's something Second Uncle prepared for you."

"Take the things away and don't let anyone else know, not even your father."

Hongli took out the things from the secret compartment and found a few pieces of paper and a jade pendant the size of a woman's palm, carved from the finest mutton-fat jade with a pattern of two dragons fighting for the sun.

Hongli asked, "Second uncle, what is this?"

Yinreng said, "This is a token I left for you. It was given to me by my Khan-Ama when he appointed me Crown Prince."

"This jade pendant can mobilize the people on the list. It's also part of the power I prepared for you."

"You'll need it later."

Hongli held the jade pendant in silence for a while, then hesitated and suddenly spoke.

"Uncle, after Khan Mafa passed away, my mother told me something."

Yinreng paused for a moment and looked at Hongli in disbelief.

"You know it all?"

Hongli nodded.

After a long time, Yinreng sighed softly.

"Ah~"

"It's good for you to know."

"It's your second aunt and I who are sorry for you."

"She agreed to this after being persuaded by me and your mother. Don't blame your second aunt."

Thinking of the woman who was gentle and doting on him, Hongli suddenly asked.

"Second....She is still alive, right?"

Yinreng sat up straight suddenly.

"how do you know?"

Hongli pursed his lips slightly before speaking.

"Two days before my second uncle returned to Beijing, Khan Mafa gave me a jade ring and told me to be filial to him and his wife in the future."

Yinreng suddenly laughed softly, and tears burst out of his eyes.

"Haha...it turns out that Khan Ama you already knew it."

"Why, why aren't you angry!"

"Why don't you blame me? Why do you still do what I want?"

Looking at his dear father immersed in sorrow, Hongli couldn't help but want to ask for clarification.

"Could you tell me the truth?"

Yinreng looked at Hongli with tears in his eyes, his tone full of sadness and complexity.

“Your Khan Mafa knows that you are my son.

"He already knew it!"

"About when?"

"Perhaps it was the year you were crowned the Crown Prince."

Hongli was worried about Yinreng's vague response.

After calming down, Yinreng leaned back on the cushion and patted the edge of the bed.

"Hey~ Come and sit down."

"Since you want to know, I'll tell you everything."

Hongli put the thing in his hand into his arms, then sat down on the edge of the bed with trepidation.

Looking at my dear father's pale face, I asked hesitantly, "Are you okay?"

Feeling his concern, Yinreng felt warm in his heart, but still shook his head.

Then he slowly talked about the plan he and Concubine Mu had made to "have a child out of nothing".

Hongli had already learned these things from his mother.

And my mother said that the reason she told him the truth now was because his identity had changed from a prince to an imperial prince, or even a crown prince.

After all, his position as the crown prince was conferred by the late emperor. Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, the emperor cannot ignore the late emperor's will.

Therefore, he is likely to be enthroned as the new crown prince.

But back then, his mother plotted against Princess Nianhulu and her wife.

Let them think that Princess Niohuru had successfully exchanged Hongsheng for her child.

In fact, it was all a play performed by my mother, and it was not actually successful.

The reason why she told him so early was because they were still in the residence and the people around him were all her confidants, so she didn't have to worry about the secret being leaked.

If you go to the palace, there will be so many spies and even a stone can talk that you will be noticed if you are not careful.

Secondly, because he knew the truth in advance, he could adapt to whatever Princess Nianhulu and her wife did in the future without worrying about being plotted against, and he could even plot against them in return.

Third, because of his identity change, he needs to grow up earlier.

So my mother told Hongli all the plans she and my second uncle had made.

But obviously, there are still many things that he doesn't know.

This is also the reason why, after realizing his father's genuine love, care and support for him, he took the initiative to talk about this matter with his second uncle today.

He also wanted to find out the specific truth of the matter.

Unexpectedly, there are so many unexpected things.

After Yinreng finished explaining his original plan, he also mentioned why he let Hongxi teach him and Honggui.

And why Wanyu faked her death to escape.

When Hongli heard the reason why she faked her death, his breathing became a little lighter.

"She made this decision when her mother-in-law mentioned that you resembled her and Shi Liha."

"But my mother-in-law noticed something was wrong at the time, and you, Khanmafa, must have had some doubts as well, so that's why she asked someone to investigate the matter later."

"So the reason why you and Honggui were canonized separately is probably because Khan Ama found out the truth."

"You know, before your Khan Mafa gave you the jade ring, I had already secretly gone to the capital to meet your Khan Mafa."

Hongli looked at the man on the sickbed in surprise.

Yinreng continued, "At that time, your Khan Mafa said that he had left an imperial edict, stating that I would ascend the throne after his death."

“But I rejected it.”

Hongli was stunned. "Why?"

Yinreng laughed and said, "I'm almost fifty. After what happened in the past few years, I no longer have any desire for power."

"Besides, your... Second Aunt has already passed away and is alone in Jiangnan. I can't possibly abandon her and become the emperor in the capital."

"You'd never guess what he said after I rejected your Khan Mafa idea."

Hongli asked anxiously, "What did Khan Mafa say?"

Yinreng said sadly: "He said, 'Although the fourth son has shortcomings and cannot match your mental and intellectual talents, Hongli is a good child.'"

"Do you remember what he said to you on the day your Khan Mafa passed away?"