The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

The next morning, Yinxiang took several children with him, but they were called away by Hongli, Hongzhou and others as soon as they arrived in the garden. Only Hongchang, being older, stayed with him.

When Yinxiang saw Yinzhen up close, he was a little stunned. Yinzhen, who had taken off his armor, was stronger and darker-skinned, and was accompanied by Yinsi and others, as well as Hongchun and others.

At this moment, Yinxiang admitted that he was somewhat envious. Yinzhen was two years younger than him, but Hongchun already had two sons. Yinzhen went on a military campaign for a few years and became a grandfather when he returned.

Hongming was already married, and his marriage was arranged by Emperor Kangxi. After their marriage, Hongchun and Hongming were able to socialize and discuss matters with Yinzhen.

As for his eldest son, Hongchang, his marriage was still undecided, and Hongtun and Hongjiao were even younger, still several years away from getting married.

Just as Yinxiang was about to leave with Hongchang, Yinzhen called him back. He turned around and said something to the others, but in the end, only he came over. Yinxiang had no choice but to let Hongchang leave, but what he was thinking was that Hongchang's marriage should be settled.

After looking around, Hongchang walked towards where Hongxi was.

"Is Thirteenth Brother's leg any better? I've gotten to know quite a few doctors over there. I came back in a hurry this time, but next time I come back, I'll bring them to you for a checkup." Yinzhen seemed quite familiar with him.

“And Hongchang is not young anymore, and he is engaged. I will not be there when my niece gets married. If I could be there for Hongchang’s wedding, I, as his uncle, would certainly prepare a grand gift.”

Yinxiang answered them one by one, and asked some questions about the war in the west, but he was very careful in his words. Even if someone heard him, they would only think it was a normal greeting. He was just showing ordinary concern for Yinzhen, and he did not go too far.

Yinzhen shook his head and laughed, "Thirteenth Brother is just being perfunctory. To be honest, Thirteenth Brother and I are not only brothers, but also classmates. You and Ninth Brother and Tenth Brother grew up together in Hui'enie. Logically speaking, we should be the closest. How come Thirteenth Brother abandoned us and chose someone else in the end?"

I still remember what my father said when he bestowed my name: "When the nation is about to prosper, there will surely be auspicious omens. Thirteenth Brother, it's only right that we are together."

The two were students of Fahai, a cousin of Emperor Kangxi, when they were young, and spent a period of time together. Later, under the arrangement of Emperor Kangxi, he followed Yinreng, while Yinzhen began to follow Yinsi. Later, their circumstances became vastly different.

Yinxiang was somewhat surprised by Yinzhen's boldness. Over the years, Kangxi's health had been fluctuating, but the two appointments and two abdications of the crown prince had made the matter of appointing a crown prince an untouchable taboo for Kangxi. Yinzhen, however, dared to speak out.

However, Yinxiang looked around and saw that everyone had dispersed. Yinzhen's voice was not loud, only loud enough for the two of them to hear.

Is there anything about this expedition that I don't know? But Yinzhi and Yinzhen have been cultivating their influence in the capital over the years, and even Yinzhi's heir has begun to serve in front of Kangxi.

After thinking quickly, Yinxiang smiled and said, "To me, all brothers are the same. Whether they are classmates or have the same foster mother, aren't they all brothers in the end? No matter what kind of relationship they have, can they really surpass the bond of brotherhood in the end?"

As for what my fourteenth brother meant by "choice," I've been living a quiet life for years and have no idea what you're talking about.

Yinzhen patted Yinxiang on the shoulder: "Thirteenth Brother, you know very well what I'm saying. You might as well think carefully about what I said today."

Yinzhen was the main character of the day, and he didn't stay long. After saying a few more words, he led his group away.

Soon after, Yinxiang received a message from Yinzhen. After a moment of silence, Yinxiang went to the place Yinzhen had mentioned. It was a secluded place with two guards around him, so he didn't need to worry about what he said.

"What did the Fourteenth Prince say to you?" Yinzhen asked directly, without beating around the bush.

"I've been out of the public eye for so many years, it's kind of them to still remember me."

"Haha," Yinzhen laughed, "Your father-in-law and brother-in-law are really good. They are still remembered by people now."

"It's just a test. He already has plenty of princes supporting him. Eighth Brother is willing to swallow this insult and support Fourteenth Prince instead."

"Ah, that's a different story. We'd rather not have too little support than those we can win over."

However, when it comes to the eighth prince, he is unwilling, but he has no choice but to accept it. Over the years, his father has been giving him a warning from time to time.

Furthermore, Khan Ama revealed that the fourteenth prince will be sent to Tibet again.

Now, a large number of people in the capital are also eager to send their young sons and daughters to the army, perhaps hoping to gain favor.

At this point, Yinzhen fell silent and used his lips to spell out the words "follow the dragon".

Yinxiang raised an eyebrow, then smiled: "He has returned with great merit, but Fourth Brother, have you heard that this Fourteenth Prince is going to be granted a title of King?"

Yinzhen carefully recalled every time he talked to Kangxi about Yinzhen: "I haven't heard Father Emperor have any such plans. Are you worried about..."

Yinxiang nodded: "The Fourteenth Prince will definitely be willing to go to Tibet again. Even if he is unwilling, the people around him will persuade him to go."

He is young, his rank is low, and his title is not prominent, so he cannot command respect. If he can wipe out the entire Huai tribe, his reputation will be enhanced, which would be the best outcome.

However, from another perspective, the Emperor is already quite old; how could he possibly place the heir apparent so far away? There are precedents for this. As long as the fourteenth prince successfully enters Tibet with the title of Beizi, it means the Emperor doesn't intend for him to do so.

Yinzhen clapped his hands and laughed, "You're right. The Eighth and Ninth Princes are hoping that the Fourteenth Prince will go to the West again. Only if they break through Yili will their position as heir apparent be secure."

Su Peisheng has now been promoted to chief eunuch; I will inform him of this.

Yinxiang turned around and slowly paced back and forth. Yinzhen stood beside him. Yinxiang said, "Look at him, he has some of the Emperor's abilities. He gets a few words of praise from others and really thinks he's Sun Tzu reincarnated."

Yinzhen wanted to speak, but then he saw Yinxiang take the opportunity to fall half a step behind him while he was talking. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart that Yinxiang was very thoughtful.

He didn't consider himself an easy person to serve, but whenever he listened to Yinxiang speak or worked with him, he felt completely at ease.

He pulled Yinxiang up to stand shoulder to shoulder with him again before saying, "What are you doing? We're family, we don't stand on ceremony like this."

Yinxiang didn't explain, but smiled and said, "Let's go over there, I'm afraid the banquet is about to begin."

He then sent someone to find a few more children, and not forgetting to tell Yinzhen, "I just entered the courtyard, saw Tianshen and Yuanshou, and then left. I don't know where they've gone to play now."

"That's good. It would be better if they brothers were like us brothers." Yinzhen said "good" twice, unable to hide his joy.

The two walked slowly to the banquet hall and had just sat down when Kangxi arrived. Kangxi was going hunting in Nanyuan in two days, and the princes took the opportunity to flatter Kangxi again.

Yinxiang sat in his own place, eating and drinking as usual, occasionally talking to Yinlu beside him, acting as if it were none of his business.

Halfway through the drinks, in the freezing cold, Zhang Rui, drenched in sweat, crouched down beside him and sobbed, "Master, our Fifth Prince has fallen into the water."