Chapter 22 Scarlet Heart

 FlamingoBees 

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Scarlet Heart 

 Chapter 22: 

 

It had been several days since our return to the capital, yet tensions persisted both within and outside the palace. Various courtiers continuously petitioned Kangxi, some sincerely and others with feigned intentions, urging him to revoke his decree. After reviewing the memorials, Kangxi remained silent, leaving everyone guessing about his thoughts. Though I couldn't discern his current state of mind, I was certain that eventually, he would reinstate the Crown Prince. So, I couldn't help but feel a subtle sense of superiority as I observed the flustered courtiers.

It could be said that besides myself and Li Dequan, those serving by Kangxi's side displayed varying degrees of confusion and indecision. They didn't know which prince's faction they belonged to in secret, nor whom they had offended or befriended. Because I knew the outcome, I felt assured internally, while for Li Dequan, I could only admire him endlessly. He was like a seasoned old fox, thoroughly understanding the ways of the world. Occasionally, we exchanged glances, and I sensed his appreciation towards me. Little did he know, I had my own plans and intentions.

・・・

Amidst the uneasy atmosphere, it was already November.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

One day, while tallying records of tea leaves in the side hall, Wang Xi came in, simultaneously sorting through documents and saying, "Jie Jie, the Third Prince is here!" I casually acknowledged his words, descending from the wooden stool and instructing Yun Xiang to prepare tea.

With the tea in hand, I walked lightly into the room and placed it on the Third Prince's table. As I exited, I overheard him saying, "The child has important matters to report to Father about the Second Brother." It suddenly dawned on me why he had come. He intended to inform Kangxi: Crown Prince Yinreng's improper behavior was all due to the manipulation of the First Prince, Yinzhen, who utilized Lama Bahan Gelong's occult sorcery to control Yinreng.

I couldn't help but think, why did I always have to wait until the last minute to find out? But indeed, there was no other way. I only had a vague idea about this matter, but I didn't know the specifics of when or how it occurred. Now, all I could do was wait for the Crown Prince to be reinstated. 

Suddenly, I remembered the Eighth Prince and the others, feeling somewhat anxious. Since returning from the frontier, I hadn't seen them at all, and I didn't know what they had been up to regarding their ambitions for the throne. After much thought, I could only sigh and reassure myself that they were not in mortal danger. Their troubles would truly begin only after the Fourth Prince ascended the throne.

Third Prince's departure, Kangxi immediately dispatched personnel to search Yinreng's residence and indeed found the "Yansheng" items. Kangxi was furious and promptly ordered the stripping of Yinzhen's title, confining him within the high walls of his mansion and placing him under strict surveillance. However, no actions were taken against the Crown Prince, who remained detained within the Upper Stable Yard. Despite numerous petitions from within the court requesting the reinstatement of the Crown Prince's position.

These past few days, I couldn't help but think about the First Prince, Yinzhen. Back when I first read this segment of history, I had my doubts. Was it really Yinzhen who did all this? Would he truly resort to such ridiculous means to pursue the throne? Yet, I still don't have the answers to these questions. Blaming the Crown Prince's actions on the curse of the First Prince seems absurd to me. However, this is how events unfolded. Moreover, it appears that Kangxi also believes it. Whether his belief is another emotional compromise, aiming to exonerate Yinreng while simultaneously punishing Yinzhen for any wrongdoings against the Crown Prince, or if the ancient people genuinely believed in such things, I simply do not know.

I was just thinking that from this moment until the twelfth year of Yongzheng's reign, the Crown Prince was imprisoned for a total of twenty-six years! The first to be imprisoned appeared, then the Crown Prince, then the Thirteenth Prince, then the Eighth Prince, the Ninth Prince, the Tenth Prince...

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I strongly shouted at myself to stop, I can't think about it anymore, I can't think about it anymore.

・・・

One day, after reviewing the memorials, Kangxi contemplated for a long time and instructed Li Dequan, "Summon Li Guangdi to see me."

This wasn't my first time seeing Li Guangdi, a prominent figure in the Kangxi court and a hero of the Taiwan pacification campaign. Kangxi had previously summoned him individually as well. However, at this delicate moment, what could Kangxi want from him? But since I wasn't serving in the hall today, I didn't have the opportunity to find out.

After dinner, while enjoying tea with Yu Tan, we were still pondering Kangxi's summoning of Li Guangdi. Although I knew Yu Tan had been in the hall today and could ask her, I didn't want to burden her with passing on private conversations between the emperor and his officials, a serious breach of etiquette. Besides, while I was curious, I wasn't overly concerned about it. So, I was just contemplating on my own.

As I was lost in thought, Yu Tan got up and opened the window facing the courtyard, allowing the view outside to come into full view. I watched her movements while sipping my tea, waiting quietly. After she finished arranging everything, she sat back down beside me and casually said in a low voice, "Today, the Emperor asked Minister Li about the matter of selecting the Crown Prince." 

I nodded slightly, indicating for her to continue. "Minister Li recommended the Eighth Prince!" 

As soon as she said this, I accidentally spilled tea on myself, causing me to flinch. I quickly placed down the teacup and grabbed a handkerchief to wipe it off. Yu Tan also hurriedly fetched a handkerchief to help me clean up.

Later, we casually chatted about which patterns looked best embroidered on handkerchiefs and which ones seemed tacky. We discussed who in the palace was the best at designing patterns and whose handkerchiefs looked the most beautiful.

That night, after retiring to our respective chambers, I found that my heart had been clenched the entire time. Even with my eyes closed, sleep eluded me completely.

・・・

The next day, when I rose early to dress, I noticed my complexion was unusually pale. I couldn't help but apply a bit more rouge to my cheeks. Standing in the hall on duty, my mind felt somewhat absent. Li Dequan glanced at me a few times, urging me to pull myself together.

From early morning, Kangxi had been sitting in silent contemplation. Each time I brought in tea, it was promptly returned, still hot, untouched. I replaced it repeatedly, but Kangxi remained motionless, lost in thought. Only Li Dequan and I were present to attend to him. I observed Li Dequan standing impassively beside Kangxi's side, mimicking his posture with a wooden expression.

As we stood there, a young eunuch from the outer hall entered and reported, "The Second Prince has arrived and is waiting outside the hall." Kangxi calmly replied, "Summon him in." It was then that I realized the Second Prince had been summoned.

When Yinzhi entered, Kangxi gazed silently at him as he knelt on the ground. After over two months of confinement, the Crown Prince appeared noticeably thinner, his complexion pallid, and his demeanor tense and uneasy.

After a while, Kangxi stood up and said, "Follow me." With that, he headed into the warm chamber, and Yinzhi hurriedly got up to follow him inside.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

Li Dequan gestured for me to close the door and then quietly approached me, saying, "We need to find a way to persuade His Majesty to eat something later." With that, he also entered the room.

I stood quietly outside, gazing at the dragon throne where Kangxi had been sitting just moments ago, contemplating whether it was worth it. Perhaps it was, I thought. Didn't I once strive tirelessly for a promotion, studying for various exams and navigating complex relationships? Though different in scale, wasn't it all for personal gain? The only difference now was that the stakes were much higher, and thus the sacrifices had to match. So perhaps I shouldn't question them. How many people could truly rise above the pursuit of fame and fortune? And if everyone did, what would become of society? If everyone became monks or hermits, who would support them?

Lost in these thoughts, I suddenly heard the Crown Prince's crying from inside. I strained to listen, but the voices were too muffled for me to make out any words. I shrugged it off, confident that Kangxi would eventually relent. It was just a matter of time.

After a long while, I finally saw the Crown Prince emerge. I quickly opened the door and bowed as I ushered him out. There were others waiting outside to escort him back to his place of confinement.

I hurriedly instructed Yu Tan, who was stationed outside, to prepare hot tea and snacks, specifying the type of teaware and plates to be used.

With the tea and snacks in hand, I gently entered the inner chamber. Kangxi was standing by the window, and I placed the tea and snacks on the small table by the kang. I glanced at Li Dequan, who nodded subtly in acknowledgment. 

Approaching Kangxi, I softly said, "Your Majesty, today's fragrant rolls were specially made using the lotus pistils that Your Majesty praised during the summer lotus viewing. They have a delicate and elegant fragrance reminiscent of lotus flowers. Please, give them a try!" 

Kangxi listened but remained silent. He walked over to the table, and Li Dequan quickly took a piece and ate it before using silver chopsticks to place the rest on a small plate in front of Kangxi.

Kangxi quietly took a bite and sipped the tea before asking, "What's added to this tea? There's a hint of sweetness mingled with a slight bitterness." 

Before I could respond, I heard Li Dequan say, "Yesterday, Rouxi asked if she could use water boiled with ginkgo nuts to brew tea. When I asked for her reason, she mentioned that Your Majesty has been occasionally coughing and feeling a bit overheated recently, which she considered minor ailments that Your Majesty may have overlooked. Moreover, she mentioned the saying 'medicine is also poison,' and suggested that using ginkgo leaves to brew tea would be both simple and effective. I consulted with Imperial Physician Wang, and he agreed, so I allowed it." 

Kangxi glanced at me, nodded slightly, and quietly resumed eating.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

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