With Kangxi out of the palace, Yinzhī became the new king. Yinreng, being very good-natured, was dragged around everywhere by him.

The Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager?

The Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager were busy caring for Concubine Xuan, who was suffering from severe morning sickness, and had no time to deal with the two mischievous boys.

However, the Grand Empress Dowager did not neglect Yinzhī.

She knew that this child could never surpass Yinreng, let alone replace him as Crown Prince.

But Yinzhī himself was very well-behaved, so the Grand Empress Dowager had less to worry about and could take better care of Concubine Xuan.

The Grand Empress Dowager specially permitted Yinreng, Yinzhī, and Yinzhǐ to live together in the same palace and exempted Yinzhī from his studies.

Despite not liking his third brother, Yinzhī was delighted to be exempt from his studies. He loved living with his younger brother, the Crown Prince, and listening to his stories.

But Yinreng seemed rather listless.

Concubine Xuan was pregnant with a brother or sister who did not exist in history.

Will this pregnancy go smoothly? Will the inertia of history be broken?

If this historical inertia can be broken, then I will... I will...

Yinreng crossed his arms and pondered. "I'll go and court death for the sake of the nation and its people!"

For example, try to come up with a method for cowpox vaccination and tell Father!

Wait, speaking of cowpox, did I forget something?

Yinzhī was hunting birds in the Imperial Garden, while Yinzhǐ was sleeping in the palace. Yinreng wandered alone in the Imperial Garden like a lost soul.

As he racked his brains trying to figure out what he had forgotten, he saw Concubine De, who was heavily pregnant, strolling in the Imperial Garden.

When Yinreng noticed that there were pebbles in front of Concubine De that hadn't been swept clean, he quickly stepped forward to stop her. He ordered the eunuchs to sweep the path, and then instructed the maids beside Concubine De to help her along. Only then did he continue to stroke his chin, lost in thought as he continued to stroll in the Imperial Garden.

Concubine De touched her belly, feeling embarrassed to disturb Yinreng. Just as she was about to return to the palace, she noticed the evasive look in the eyes of the palace maid beside her.

She glanced down at the clean path and keenly sensed that something was amiss.

Concubine De glared at the palace maid, who immediately collapsed to her knees.

"Get up, return to the palace!" Concubine De was both frightened and angry. She nearly ground her teeth to powder while her temples throbbed with pain.

But since the Crown Prince was there, she was afraid of frightening him, so she endured everything and decided to investigate again when she returned to her palace.

Concubine De clutched the clothes on her stomach, her nose stinging slightly.

The Crown Prince saved her and her child for the second time.

The Crown Prince, the "savior" of the mother and child, was unaware of this.

He wondered why Concubine De hadn't shown any signs of labor when Yinzhen should have been born soon. But he couldn't remember Yinzhen's exact birth date, and perhaps he just remembered it wrong.

Moreover, given Yinzhen's unusually small size compared to all his brothers, he was clearly a premature baby. With Lady Uya becoming Concubine De ahead of schedule and her life improving significantly, it was likely that Yinzhen wouldn't be premature again in this life, or perhaps he wouldn't be born at the same time as in his previous life.

Yinreng prayed for his unborn fourth brother, Yinzhen. "Fourth brother, I wish you a healthy body in this life, so that you can draw a bow with a strength of more than four and a half."

Our father can pull eleven strengths, but your four and a half is even less than that of Concubine Xuan.

Yinreng wiped his face, erasing the mocking sympathy, and continued to rack his brains, trying to figure out what important thing he had forgotten.

He thought and thought, from the Imperial Garden to Cining Palace, from Yinzhǐ waking up to Yinzhǐ falling asleep again, and finally, even when Yinzhī couldn't help but fall asleep, he still couldn't figure it out.

Yinreng was so worried that he couldn't sleep, and the next day, he looked listless with dark circles under his eyes.

The Grand Empress Dowager was startled and quickly summoned the imperial physician.

Yinreng could only force a smile and say that he missed his father.

He just finished saying he missed his father when Kangxi's letter arrived, filled with words like "Baocheng, I miss you, quickly write to your father."

Yinreng got goosebumps just by reading it.

Kangxi also wrote a letter to Yinzhī, urging him to study hard. Yinzhī read it and then tossed it aside, acting as if he had never seen the letter.

"Why is the letter Khan-Father wrote to you so mushy?" Yinzhī said. "The tone is similar when Khan-Father and my mother are talking to each other."

Yinreng pinched Yinzhī's arm: "If you can't speak properly, then shut up and pretend to be aloof, okay? You'll get beaten to death by Khan-Father sooner or later!"

Yinzhī humbly asked, "What is 'aloof'?"

After Yinreng explained, Yinzhī immediately put his hands behind his back, tilted his head back, and said, "Alright, from now on, this grandpa will be the aloof type!"

Concubine Xuan, barely breathing from vomiting, propped her disheveled head up from the soft couch: "Aloofness is good, I like it too, I want to be... ugh."

With a wave of her hand, the Grand Empress Dowager ordered several burly maids to press Concubine Xuan back onto the couch.

"Shut up." The Grand Empress Dowager tightened her grip on the prayer beads, almost breaking them.

Fortunately, the Emperor wasn't in the palace; otherwise, if he saw Concubine Xuan like this, he probably would never go to her palace again. The Grand Empress Dowager thought sadly.

Using the letter as an excuse, Yinreng pulled Yinzhī away from the Grand Empress Dowager, who was on the verge of exploding with anger at Concubine Xuan, and both of them wrote a reply to Kangxi while yawning.

Although Yinzhī didn't like writing, he copied books every day, so his handwriting was actually quite good.

Yinreng's wrists were rather weak, and on top of that, he wanted to hide his shortcomings, so he became too lazy to write and switched to drawing simple pictures instead.

The two of them, one writing the words and the other adding the illustrations, even pulled Yinzhǐ over to press a few small handprints and footprints on their paper.

Yinzhǐ's wet nurse smiled and let the First Prince and the Crown Prince do whatever they wanted. Only after they were finished did she wash Yinzhǐ's hands and feet.

Before leaving the palace to mourn, Concubine Rong had emphasized to the wet nurse that everything should be done with the Crown Prince in mind, as he was very intelligent and would never harm Yinzhǐ.

The wet nurse hadn't believed that the three-year-old prince could be so intelligent, but now she did.

Look how good His Highness the Crown Prince is to the Third Prince! He even remembers to include the Third Prince in his replies to His Majesty. Among the full-blood brothers she'd seen outside the palace, none had been this considerate, let alone half-brothers in the palace.

His Highness the Crown Prince's kindness and benevolence are indeed ingrained in his very bones.

The eunuch delivered the letter at top speed, and Kangxi began to laugh as soon as he unfolded it.

Seeing the handprints and footprints on the paper, as well as Yinreng's signature ugly drawing, Kangxi could already imagine what his three children looked like as they wrote the letter.

He closed his eyes, his longing for Yinreng growing stronger.

Wu Sangui was dead, and the fate of the Three Feudatories was sealed. Only Taiwan remained.

Once Taiwan is taken, perhaps I can train troops there and fulfill Khan-Father's dream of dominating the world.

Kangxi made many plans, many of which would lead to conflict with the entire Manchu-Mongol nobility. He was also afraid. Afraid of losing his position and of undermining the foundations laid by his ancestors. Therefore, he needed more benefits to secure the support of the Manchu-Mongol nobility for his reforms.

Whenever Kangxi felt worried or afraid, he would look at his son.

His son was still trapped in the dragon-vein curse. How could a father stop in his tracks out of fear? How could long-dead ancestors and other Manchu-Mongol nobles possibly matter as much as his son, the one connected to his very heart?

"This kid's paintings are too ugly. We need to find him some painting tutors when we get back." Kangxi smiled and selected a few more teachers for Yinreng.

Yinreng sneezed violently.

Yinzhī raised his chin and said coldly, "It must be Khan-Father talking badly about you."

Yinreng rubbed his nose: "Why would it be Khan-Father talking badly about me?"

Yinzhī said, "Besides Khan-Father, who else would dare to speak ill of you?"

Yinreng thought for a moment and said, "There are plenty of people who talk badly about me behind my back. For example, the Heseri family."

Yinzhī asked in confusion, "Why would the Heseri family speak ill of you?"

Yinreng said, "Why does your maternal grandfather's family speak ill of you? That's why the Heseri family speaks ill of me."

Yinzhī snorted: "Hmph, a bunch of shameless, poor relatives!"

Yinreng said, "They aren't poor. Just greedy and never satisfied, always insisting on dragging out that big banner of Manchu noble status. They don't even stop to think that our Aisin Gioro clan has already taken over the Central Plains, and all the people of the Central Plains are our subjects. They aren't a step higher than anyone else."

Yinreng said this in the hope of leaving Yinzhī with the impression from a young age that "Manchu nobles are unreliable," to prevent him from being used as a pawn by them.

Eighth brother, who didn't even have a shadow yet in this timeline, was also a piece of work. He looked clever, but was actually stupid beyond belief. While the emperor was still on the throne, every civil and military official in the court unanimously recommended him as Crown Prince. He refused once, but they came back a second and a third time. Even the other princes carried poison on them and swore oaths for his sake.

Did these people even respect the emperor? This was practically forcing him to abdicate, wasn't it?

It was only because Emperor-Dad was soft-hearted and didn't kill his own son that Eighth Brother escaped death.

But even after Eighth Brother was released from confinement, he didn't realize his mistake, and the entire court was still praising him for being so good and virtuous.

The two dead eagles he sent to emperor-dad were used in a conspiracy to pin the blame on other princes. These rumor-mongers didn't even consider that with his emperor-dad's brilliant mind, how could he not realize that Yinreng would never send him dead eagles? And for other princes to do such a thing would be like an old longevity-star hanging itself. Utterly suicidal and simply tired of living.

It's obvious that the Emperor was just looking for an excuse to keep on punishing his Eighth Brother.

By the Yongzheng era, the court officials were still going on about how good and capable Eighth Brother was, and even submitted a collective memorial asking Yongzheng to raise his mother's banner status... They truly hated Yinreng.

Although Yinreng's previous life had been miserable, he couldn't help but smile when he thought about all this.

What kind of Nine Dragons Vying for Succession! Each one is a bigger lunatic than the last! Truly, the mental patients have all the fun.

What a coincidence. I'm the biggest lunatic among them, hahaha.

"What are you grinning about? I called you several times, and you didn't respond." Yinzhī pulled Yinreng over, dissatisfied.

Yinreng rubbed his cheeks, stiff from laughing: "I'm thinking about how to deal with the Heseri clan. Especially that Songgotu. He's always acting like an elder in front of me."

Sorry, Songgotu, the more I mess with you, the longer you live.

Yinzhī rolled his eyes: "Does he deserve it? Our Aisin Gioro elders are only Aisin Gioro, at most including Mother, grandma, and great-grandma."

Yinreng: "...You actually didn't need to add that 'at most including' part."

Yinzhī ignored Yinreng and continued, "You at least have it better. That Songgotu is at least related to you somehow. You know Mingzhu, right? Their Yehe Nara clan and my mother's Ula-Nara clan are worlds apart, yet he dares to act like an elder in front of me, saying that I should go to him if I'm wronged? What a joke! This grandpa is a prince! If this grandpa gets wronged, why would I go to him instead of you or Khan-Father?"

Yinreng: "..." I'm actually ahead of Khan-Father in the queue? What have I done to deserve this? But Mingzhu came to the First Prince this early to curry favor? He's really cunning.

"Let's do it together." Yinreng waved his little hand, deciding the matter. "If we don't teach them a lesson, they'll really think we're just kids that can be bullied!"

Yinzhī clenched his fist: "That's right! I remember Mingzhu's son works at Qianqing Palace! Let's go and beat him up!"

Ah, that famous Nalan Rongruo? I'm a little reluctant. Even with that shaved Manchu forehead, he still looks quite handsome.

Then Yinreng offered a terrible idea: "Mingzhu is disliked even by us, so his son probably doesn't like him at home either. Brother, why don't we turn his son against him and have him act as our inside man to get back at Mingzhu?"

Yinzhī immediately understood: "Right! If I have the chance to get back at Khan-Father, I'd be very happy too!"

Yinreng was so frightened that the hairs on his neck stood on end: "Shut up! If word gets out, do you want to be locked in a dark room to copy books?"

Yinzhī quickly covered his mouth, looked around like a hamster stealing food, and breathed a sigh of relief when he found no one was watching: "Don't scare me."

"I'm not trying to scare you. Don't think anything in the palace can be hidden from Khan-Father," Yinreng said sternly. "Stop speaking ill of Khan-Father."

Yinzhī said regretfully, "Okay." He was agreeing now, but he would definitely do it again next time.

Yinzhī then asked, "If Khan-Father knew what we're plotting, would he stop us from going after Songgotu and Mingzhu?"

Yinreng said, "Definitely not. The two of them came up to us, acting like elders, even claiming to be a generation older than Khan-Father. Doesn't that mean they're acting like elders to Khan-Father himself? Khan-Father would definitely want to beat them up too. But as emperor, he can't be so petty. We're doing this to help Khan-Father vent his anger. Khan-Father may seem angry on the surface, but he'll definitely protect us underneath."

Based on his understanding of both lifetimes' worth of Kangxi, that's absolutely right!

Yinzhī had complete faith in his scheming-strategist Crown Prince younger brother: "Alright! You think about what to do, and I'll carry it out!"

The two young princes were loudly plotting, while the eunuchs and maids around them bowed their heads so low that their necks almost broke.

Gu Wenxing, who had been left by Kangxi to serve Yinreng, sighed deeply.

His Majesty, please come back quickly. This servant can't handle it anymore.

If you don't come back soon, your two sons will start bullying your trusted ministers.

Although Gu Wenxing believed that the observations made by His Highness the Crown Prince and the First Prince were valid, he was concerned about the potential for rumors to spread. He didn't want people to think that the two princes were arrogant and domineering at such a young age, especially by insulting important officials in the court.

Headache.

Gu Wenxing thought to himself that he would be writing letters by lamplight again tonight.

Yinreng was still a child at heart. His mind worked too fast, and he acted on a whim.

After he and Yinzhī made their secret plan, he forgot all his previous worries.

It wasn't until late at night, just as he was about to fall asleep, that Yinreng suddenly opened his eyes wide.

Oh, right, what was I worrying about earlier?! Did I forget something very important?!

"Never mind, I'll think about it after I wake up." Yinreng peacefully closed his eyes.

The next day, Yinreng and Yinzhī enjoyed a hearty meal of milk porridge and meat buns, and then went to tease Yinzhǐ, who, full and content, was fidgeting with his little feet.

Yinzhǐ would smile when he saw Yinreng, but his expression would change as soon as he turned and saw Yinzhī. His little brows furrowed, almost ready to pounce.

Yinzhī sneered, picked up the cushion, and started fighting with Yinzhǐ as if he were teasing a dog.

Yinreng protected Yinzhǐ, preventing him from lunging too far and falling off the bed.

Yinzhǐ's wet nurse stood by with her hands at her sides, letting the Crown Prince take over her job.

She had so much stored up to say to her mistress. The Crown Prince was truly the most sensible and kindest child she had ever met. It was no mistake that the Third Prince was close to the Crown Prince! Her mistress was indeed discerning!

Yinzhǐ and Yinzhī were both full of energy, so the two of them fought each other to mutual exhaustion.

The two lay panting on the couch, a hint of mutual appreciation in their eyes as they looked at each other.

It's hard to say where the mutual appreciation in one-year-old Yinzhǐ's eyes came from. He was probably just influenced by Yinzhī.

Yinreng directed the eunuchs and nannies to change Yinzhī's and Yinzhǐ's wet little clothes, then brought over warm milk to soothe their throats and quench their thirst.

Little kids need to drink lots of milk if they want to grow tall.

The Grand Empress Dowager came to the side hall to visit her great-grandchildren and saw Yinreng acting like a little adult, directing the nannies and eunuchs to take care of Yinzhī and Yinzhǐ. A relieved smile appeared on her tired face.

"Let's go back, don't disturb them," the Grand Empress Dowager said with a smile.

Sumalagu smiled and said, "This servant finally understands why His Majesty searches the entire palace for His Highness the Crown Prince whenever he is too tired from his work or in a bad mood. Just one look at His Highness the Crown Prince and even the worst exhaustion or foul mood can turn into joy."

The Grand Empress Dowager nodded with a smile.

After laughing, she remembered the baby in Concubine Xuan's belly, whose gender she didn't yet know.

The moment Concubine Xuan became pregnant, the Mongol nobles, who had previously dropped the matter, started stirring again. Even the Empress Dowager had been stammering out vague, irrelevant things in her presence.

The Grand Empress Dowager's face darkened, and she sneered inwardly.

She was still young while Fulin was alive. At that time, the Mongols were powerful, and the emperor had not yet fully controlled the court. Even if she had filled the harem with Mongol women, would it have truly made a difference?

Even back then, it was useless. With this grandson, who at such a young age can already execute powerful ministers and pacify the Three Feudatories, what more could she possibly hope for?

Besides, she was already old, with not many years left to live.

Once she was gone, every last one of those Mongol nobles and Mongol concubines who dared to displease the emperor would be purged.

How Empress Niohuru really died, others might not know, but the Grand Empress Dowager certainly did.

The Grand Empress Dowager already understood this during the Shunzhi reign. Mongol nobles, Manchu nobles, none of them could ever stand above the emperor. Unfortunately, by the time she realized this, Fulin had already contracted smallpox and died young, leaving the mother and son no chance to mend their relationship.

The Grand Empress Dowager closed her eyes, concealing the sharpness in them.

"The people around the Empress Dowager need a thorough cleaning. She's a fool," the Grand Empress Dowager said. "And clearly inform Concubine Xuan. Don't let her get any improper ideas and ruin the bit of affection that Xuanye has finally developed for her."

Sumalagu said, "The Empress Dowager has realized her mistake and is reflecting on it. Please rest assured, Grand Empress Dowager. As for Concubine Xuan..."

Sumalagu paused for a moment, then said with a wry smile, "Concubine Xuan, well, she's even less of a worry."

The Grand Empress Dowager's face darkened: "What's wrong with her now?"

Sumalagu sighed: "She heard from somewhere that imperial dowager concubines can leave the palace and go live with their sons. So now, she's already started fantasizing about the future."

The Grand Empress Dowager tightened her grip, and the prayer beads broke.

You're already fantasizing about your husband's death?! Are you tired of life and want to die right now?!

The Grand Empress Dowager turned around expressionlessly: "I'd better spend a little more time with Baocheng."

Sumalagu smiled wryly: "Yes." She also wanted to spend more time with the Crown Prince.

When the Grand Empress Dowager returned to the side hall, Yinzhī was inside the room, practicing martial arts with a small wooden sword. On the other hand, Yinreng found a zither somewhere and was plucking out an off-key tune, while Yinzhǐ accompanied the music with "ah ah ah."

The Grand Empress Dowager's stern face immediately melted away, and her eyes turned incredibly gentle and kind.

"Great-grandma!" Yinreng stopped abusing the zither and opened his arms toward the Grand Empress Dowager.

The Grand Empress Dowager immediately stepped forward and pulled Yinreng into her arms: "Oh my, my dear Baocheng, can you really play the zither?"

Yinreng said with full confidence: "No, I can't! I'm just plucking it!"

The Grand Empress Dowager said, "Even random plucking sounds lovely! And Baoqing's swordplay is excellent too. He has your Khan-Father's spirit."

Yinzhī, who was really just waving his little wooden sword haphazardly, looked up: "That's right!"

Yinzhǐ tilted his head and clapped: "Ah ah, ma-ma..."

Yinreng corrected him: "U-ku, ma-ma."

Yinzhǐ clapped his little hands twice more: "Ku-ku, ma-ma."

Yinreng corrected him again: "U. Ku. Ma-ma."

Yinzhǐ stopped clapping and tried his hardest: "U! Ku! Ma-ma!" (T/N: 烏庫媽媽 [wū kù mā ma], Manchu ukumama, "great-grandma.")

"Little brother is so good and clever!" Yinreng looked up. "Great-grandma, listen! Little brother can talk!"

The Grand Empress Dowager quickly pulled Yinzhǐ into her arms as well: "Yes, yes! Little Three is too clever."

"'Little Three'*... pfft, cough, oh no, my mind's been corrupted by past-life internet." Yinreng suppressed a laugh. (T/N: 小三 [xiǎo sān], lit. "little third [son]" is modern Chinese internet slang for "the other woman/mistress")

Yinzhī shuffled back a few steps.

He really didn't want to be pulled into the old lady's arms. It felt very uncomfortable.

The Grand Empress Dowager played with the three children for a while, but soon ran out of energy and was helped back to rest by Sumalagu.

Yinreng sat down at the zither again and plucked the string closest to him. Yinzhī tossed aside his small wooden sword and started waving a small whip instead. Yinzhǐ continued his "ah ah ah." The three children continued dancing and making music.

Gu Wenxing's expectant gaze went lifeless.

Grand Empress Dowager, didn't you realize this zither is His Majesty's favorite Tang-dynasty guqin? Even His Majesty himself is reluctant to play it.

Never mind. Since the zither has ended up in His Highness the Crown Prince's hands, His Majesty has probably tacitly approved.

Gu Wenxing set aside his heartache over the ancient Tang-dynasty guqin and relaxed to watch the three babies perform.

This is a performance even His Majesty has never seen. If I write to His Majesty and let him know, His Majesty will definitely knock over the vinegar jar in jealousy.

Gu Wenxing thought mischievously.

"Phew." After more music and dancing, Yinreng was finally tired.

He took a hot bath and stuffed himself into his warm bed.

Then Yinreng realized that he had still forgotten to think about the things that had been troubling him before.

Uh...

Yinreng rolled over. Never mind, I can't remember. It probably wasn't anything important, right?

Yinreng kept doing this, forgetting in the morning and remembering in the evening, for several days, until Kangxi sent a letter saying he was already on his way back.

The concubines had already returned, and the First Prince and Third Prince had gone back to their respective mothers. Only Kangxi, wanting to keep up appearances, had stayed for a few more days before returning.

The capital's weather was gradually entering deep winter. Even though it hadn't snowed yet, the Imperial Garden was already bare and withered. It was desolate everywhere, and the sight added a touch of sorrow to the faces of the concubines strolling through the garden.

Some of the more cultured concubines twirled withered leaves between their fingers and recited poems lamenting the passing of autumn into winter, which even made Yinreng want to compose a poem himself.

But after thinking about it over and over, he could only come up with one poem: "Qinyuanchun: Snow."* (T/N: 沁園春‧雪 [Qìnyuánchūn · Xuě], "Qinyuanchun: Snow," one of Mao Zedong's most famous classical-form ci poems, written 1936; Yinreng's modern soul retrieves only this one, anachronistic by centuries, and politically immodest given its sweeping all-under-heaven imagery)

Cough, never mind. He doesn't deserve it.

His older brother and younger brother already returned to their respective mothers' sides, where they'd be doted on. Only Yinreng was left in a small corner of the Imperial Garden, kicking his little feet and staring blankly at the withered branches and fallen leaves.

Gu Wenxing thought to himself: if His Majesty saw this scene, how heartbroken he would be.

Yinreng's eyes were vacant, but it wasn't because he was lonely.

With his older and younger brothers no longer making a racket beside him, Yinreng was finally able to calm down and think back over a few things.

"It's November already, isn't it?" Yinreng asked.

Gu Wenxing, thinking that the Crown Prince was missing Kangxi, quickly replied, "Yes, Your Highness, His Majesty will be back very soon."

Yinreng took a deep breath.

November.

He finally remembered.

This November, he was about to become ill with smallpox.

He himself had already gotten through the cowpox vaccination, so even if smallpox came around again, he wouldn't be afraid of it. But his older brother and third brother hadn't been vaccinated yet.

Smallpox virus is a contagious disease. It doesn't appear out of thin air, and it spreads through contact and droplets. The reason he had originally contracted smallpox was that he had come into contact with the virus somewhere in the palace.

Although he had received his smallpox immunity earlier than planned, there are likely smallpox infections present in the palace at this moment.

Yinreng's heart tightened, and he stretched his hands out to Gu Wenxing: "Hurry, carry me to see great-grandma, I have something very important to do!"

Although Gu Wenxing was puzzled, he obeyed at once.

He carried Yinreng, ignoring palace etiquette, and ran all the way into the Cining Palace.

The Grand Empress Dowager asked in confusion, "What's all this fuss about? Has someone bullied the Crown Prince?"

Yinreng beckoned to the Grand Empress Dowager with his little hand: "Great-grandma, lower your head, lower your head, this is something I can only tell great-grandma!"

The Grand Empress Dowager had someone lift Yinreng up into her arms and let him whisper into her ear.

"Great-grandma, the curse has gotten stronger. Grandpa says there may be a plague spreading through the palace." Yinreng pulled out the all-purpose scapegoat: Shunzhi.

The Grand Empress Dowager hugged Yinreng tight: "Is this really true?"

Yinreng said, "I don't know. But that's what Grandpa said."

I can't guarantee it's true. Why don't you go ask Grandpa's ancestral tablet?

The Grand Empress Dowager held Yinreng and frowned in thought for a while before deciding it was better to believe than not.

It just so happened that an empress had recently passed away in the palace, and the year was nearing its end. They could use the excuse of sweeping away bad luck to do a thorough cleaning of the entire palace.

"Your father will be back tomorrow. Let's discuss it with him first," the Grand Empress Dowager said calmly.

Yinreng nodded.

Indeed, there was no rush.

But man proposes, heaven disposes. On his return journey, Kangxi ran into a rare winter rainstorm that triggered a landslide blocking the road, and the Grand Empress Dowager fell ill from constant overwork in the days after Kangxi's departure.

The matter of the curse couldn't be told to the concubines, even though they had already guessed at it, and so the matter of preventing disease in the palace ended up with no one in charge.

Yinreng was as anxious as fire, running over to his brothers' places every day, looking at everyone as if they were carrying the smallpox virus. He was so anxious that blisters sprouted on his lips.

Despite her frail spirits, the Grand Empress Dowager issued an edict ordering Concubine Hui and Concubine Rong to send their children to a side hall of Cining Palace.

"You do it! I know you can!" the Grand Empress Dowager said, coughing. "Your Grandpa will definitely teach you too!"

The Grand Empress Dowager now fully believed that Shunzhi was instructing Yinreng in his dreams.

After observing him, she even suspected that Yinreng could speak with Shunzhi outside of dreams as well.

The outbreak of disease, conveniently enough, confirmed her suspicions.

Yinreng hesitated for a moment. He was worried about exposing too much.

If he exposed too much in his early childhood, Kangxi would surely develop higher expectations and provide more opportunities to showcase himself.

And as he grew older, Kangxi's wariness toward him would deepen, and their father-son relationship would grow ever more precarious.

So... play dumb and muddle through?

Yinreng thought of his older brother, who was always talking about "little brother" this and "little brother" that, and of his third brother, who was just starting to babble. His clenched little fist relaxed.

"Alright." Yinreng raised his head, revealing maturity beyond his years.

The Grand Empress Dowager suddenly saw a shadow of Kangxi in him.

No, this should be... could it be...?

The Grand Empress Dowager had her suspicions, but didn't dare voice them. She was afraid that the moment she did, her illusions would vanish.

Under the Grand Empress Dowager's arrangement, Yinreng began to issue orders in her name.

Yinreng first ordered the side hall of Cining Palace to be disinfected by fumigation with quicklime water and bactericidal Chinese medicines. Then he, the First Prince, and his third brother lived together in one room, while the two pregnant women shared another.

"Concubine De, Concubine Xuan, my apologies for inconveniencing you for a while," Yinreng apologized in person. "This lone one cannot explain the reason, please bear with it for now."

"This concubine trusts the Crown Prince," Concubine De said resolutely, her pregnant belly protruding. "This concubine will take good care of younger sister Concubine Xuan, so the Crown Prince doesn't need to worry."

Concubine Xuan was in much better spirits now, and her morning sickness had almost completely subsided. She smiled and said, "I know how capable you are. I'll listen to you. Don't worry, my strength is back now, and I won't cause you any trouble. Sister Concubine De, I'm a few months along than you. It's my turn to take care of you."

Yinreng breathed a sigh of relief. With the two pregnant concubines not making any trouble, the matter was already mostly resolved.

After he had the two princes and the two pregnant concubines moved in, Yinreng immediately combed through the people who served them.

Taking pulses, measuring body temperature, observing whether there were pox spots on the face, asking who they had been in contact with... Anyone with even a slight suspicion was temporarily transferred away from Cining Palace.

After the screening, an imperial physician was sent to wait in a small house outside the Cining Palace. Cining Palace itself was sealed off, and no one was allowed to enter or leave at will.

Several high-ranking concubines wanted to go to Cining Palace to inquire about news, but they were all stopped outside the palace gate by people sent by the Grand Empress Dowager.

Yinreng's actions caused panic throughout the inner palace, and even the front court got wind of it.

But the Grand Empress Dowager's accumulated authority was heavy, and under her strong pressure, no one dared to complain.

Noble Consort Tong had no children. Seeing that all these matters revolved around the princes and the pregnant concubines, she gracefully let go of the matter. She stayed behind closed doors, living her own quiet little life, and waited for Kangxi to return.

Concubine Hui was anxious as fire and went to find Concubine Rong to discuss the matter.

But Concubine Rong remained as unmoved as a wooden Buddha statue, calm and unhurried, as if it were not her own son who had been taken away.

"What on earth is going on here?! What is the Grand Empress Dowager trying to do?!" Concubine Hui was so frantic that she lost her composure.

Concubine Rong set down the prayer beads in her hand: "Being anxious is no use. You might as well stay in the palace and wait for the emperor to come back."

Concubine Hui said impatiently, "I know, of course I know, but..."

"Trust the Crown Prince." Noticing Concubine Hui's intense anxiety and recalling how the First Prince had treated the Third Prince well during her absence from the palace, Concubine Rong offered a subtle suggestion: "The Grand Empress Dowager is unwell, and the Empress Dowager wouldn't dare to act in such a way."

Concubine Hui was stunned: "How old is the Crown Prince?"

Concubine Rong said, "The Crown Prince is someone the Emperor personally taught."

Concubine Hui fell silent.

"Go back and wait for news," Concubine Rong said. "The Crown Prince has a very good relationship with both the First Prince and the Third Prince. There's no need to worry."

Concubine Hui sighed: "I know."

But knowing it didn't help, she was still anxious! She suspected that someone was trying to harm her son, and yet she had no information at all and could only passively wait for the outcome. It was utterly nerve-wracking.

Why didn't the Crown Prince just tell the truth? Set aside the other concubines, she and Concubine Rong would surely help him if it meant protecting their own sons.

Why did the Crown Prince have to keep silent and let everyone get so worked up?

After dealing with the matter at Cining Palace, Yinreng began his next move.

First, he sealed off all the palaces in the inner palace and had healthy eunuchs handle the daily delivery of food and removal of refuse and chamber pots. He also forbade palace servants from visiting one another at will.

Next, on the power of the Grand Empress Dowager's edict, he ordered the concubines in charge of each palace to conduct health checks on their attending servants, and disinfect and fumigate the palaces themselves.

Finally, he arranged for the imperial physicians to diagnose the palace servants whose health was in doubt, and all the medication costs were scooped straight from his own father's private treasury.

The Grand Empress Dowager originally wanted to open her own treasury, but Yinreng said, "Bestowing favor on the palace under Father's name is precisely the way to accumulate blessings for him."

The Grand Empress Dowager then dropped the matter.

Yinreng commanded that, before any palace servant drank their medicine, they all had to face Qianqing Palace and kowtow to thank Kangxi for his favor.

Thus, a rumor spread through the palace: this great health inspection was Kangxi's own gracious gift to the palace staff, made out of grief over the empress's passing.

The news passed from mouth to mouth and made its way out beyond the palace. The common people praised Kangxi as a benevolent ruler, and his reputation for benevolence was even carried out to other regions by traveling merchants and laborers.

Since Yinreng was still young, all actions were carried out in the names of the Grand Empress Dowager and Kangxi. Only Concubine De and Concubine Xuan, who were directly involved, had insight into the situation. Concubine Hui and Concubine Rong, whose sons spent significant time with the Crown Prince and knew him fairly well, were also able to make some enlightened guesses. As a result, most of the credit for this kindness went to the Grand Empress Dowager and Kangxi.

Yinreng stayed hidden behind the scenes, concealing his deeds and his name.

"Little brother, what on earth are you doing? Is it about the curse?"

Oh, besides Concubine De, Concubine Xuan, Concubine Hui, and Concubine Rong, the First Prince had also noticed some things.

Yinreng was forcing himself to maintain adult rationality every day. His head throbbed, his energy and physical strength were almost exhausted, and he was running entirely on tonics and eating just to keep going.

"Brother, don't worry," Yinreng said dismissively. "It'll be over soon."

"Do you have any idea how awful you look right now?!" Yinzhī said angrily. "You go out wearing powder and rouge so great-grandma won't notice. You know perfectly well that great-grandma will be worried! What could possibly be more important than your own health!?"

"I'm fine, just tired. Once I get through this period, I'll be fine," Yinreng tried to soothe him. "Soon, soon, it'll be over soon."

"Soon, my foot! Tell this grandpa what's going on!" In one motion, Yinzhī flipped his robe aside and sat down in front of Yinreng, refusing to let him leave: "If you don't tell this grandpa, this grandpa won't let you out of this room!"

Yinreng coaxed gently, "It really isn't anything, trust me, brother."

Yinzhī replied frostily: "I don't believe you!"

Yinreng: "..." Oh no, big brother's stubborn temper is flaring up.

"It's pretty much what you're thinking. There are some things only I can do." Yinreng could only say perfunctorily. "It'll be over soon. I heard the road has been cleared, and Khan-Father will be back any moment now."

Yinzhī's eyes had gone red, perhaps from being so angry: "There are so many people in the palace! The Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, the Noble Consort, my mother, plenty of concubines, the Imperial Household Department, the Imperial Hospital... what are you trying to prove?"

"Aiyo, it's really nothing. Once this is over, I'll be fine after a good night's sleep." Before Yinreng's voice had finished, Gu Wenxing came stumbling in.

Gu Wenxing rarely lost his composure. Yinreng's face darkened, and he staggered past Yinzhī.

Yinzhī quickly stood up, brushed off his bottom, and followed Yinreng out of the room.

"Crown Prince, Your Highness, smallp—," Gu Wenxing caught sight of Yinzhī, who had also followed Yinreng out, and immediately bit back his words.

Yinzhī said urgently, "Speak! Is there anything this grandpa can't hear!?"

Yinreng glanced at Yinzhī and sighed, "Speak."

Gu Wenxing caught his breath, his voice trembling: "It's smallpox. Smallpox has been discovered in the palace."

Yinzhī was stunned for a moment, then suddenly turned his head to look at Yinreng.

Yinreng had one hand behind his back and the other clenched in front of him. His chin was slightly tucked in, and a cold smile appeared on his thin lips: "Investigate!"

"After all this trouble, it has just been discovered that someone has smallpox. Someone must be deliberately concealing it!"

Yinreng’s childish voice, deliberately lowered, sounded ill-fitting and out of place. Yet, his movements, expressions, and tone were a perfect imitation of Kangxi at his angriest. So much so that Gu Wenxing and Yinzhī both felt cold sweat trickling down their backs.

The Grand Empress Dowager ignored her ailing body and hurried to the scene as soon as she heard the news of smallpox. Upon seeing them, the thought that crossed her mind was not Kangxi.