Chapter 20: Yinreng: Mother Wuku did everything for Baocheng!

Chapter 20

The weather was getting colder, and in November, the Empress Dowager fell ill, which frightened Kangxi and Yinreng.

It is said that it is rare for a person to live to 70. Although the Empress Dowager was not yet 70, she was already on the verge of it. At this time, human life span was short. Except for those who died young or died unexpectedly, most of those who died of natural causes only lived to their 40s.

The Empress Dowager's age was considered old. A small cold could trigger other diseases and cause her to die. Even if the history books recorded that she had several years to live, Yinreng was afraid. Who knew how much of the history books could be trusted after he, a little butterfly, appeared?

During this period, Yinreng and Kangxi went to the Cining Palace almost every time they had free time. Dai Jiashi was even more attentive, living directly beside the bed of the Empress Dowager, serving her medicine and doing her best.

Although the illness was not serious, it took more than ten days to recover. After she recovered, the Empress Dowager treated Dai Jiashi more sincerely. Her actions also successfully caught the eyes of Emperor Kangxi. It is said that she was favored for several days in a row and was rewarded continuously.

Yinreng heard the news: ...

He looked up at Aunt Fang with a complicated expression: "You don't need to tell me about who Khan Ama favors."

Aunt Fang shook her head: "Although you are the crown prince, on the surface you have no conflicts with the ladies, but the ladies all have princes, so there is a conflict of interest. I told you this news because I want you to understand the changes in the situation in the harem."

Yinreng looked at her in confusion. He had not forgotten that this person came from Kangxi's tea room. Would Kangxi let someone teach him these things? Kangxi was still looking forward to brothers being friendly and respectful to each other!

As if seeing his confusion, Aunt Fang explained, "The Emperor said that since I have arrived at Yuqing Palace, I am the Crown Prince's person, and everything should be put in the Crown Prince's place."

Yinreng frowned: "Then what do you think I should do?"

"I have a few opinions, Your Highness, please listen to them. As for what Your Highness will do in the end, it is up to Your Highness to decide."

Yinreng became more interested: "You say."

"Your Highness likes to listen to the palace maids telling stories and talking about novels. You should understand the power of pillow talk in stories. Your Majesty is a wise ruler. He will not listen to one side of the story like the men in the novels. But sometimes, you may also need a eloquent person to help you speak."

Yinreng: "Do you want me to form an alliance with the empress?"

Aunt Fang nodded: "Of course, adult princes and their stepmothers should avoid each other. But your highness is not too old, so this rule can be postponed for the time being. This is the best time to contact the concubines. It will be inappropriate in two years.

"Looking at all the ladies, I think Lady Daijia is the most suitable. Lady Daijia's family is not high-born. Although there is a Garu in her family, he is not from her branch. They are distantly related and have no contact. Moreover, the Seventh Prince born to her will not pose any threat to the Crown Prince.

"I have seen that you and her get along peacefully in the Cining Palace. The two of you have many opportunities to meet through the Empress Dowager. There is no need to find other reasons or excuses. I have made this suggestion."

The imperial court stipulated that people with disabilities could not take the imperial examinations to become officials. They could not even become officials, let alone emperors. Therefore, if there was a fight for the throne, Yinyou was directly excluded.

Yinreng thought for a moment and said, "Does Aunt Fang really think this is appropriate?"

Aunt Fang lowered her eyebrows: "To say it is suitable is only relative to other ladies. If you say it is not suitable, there are also some. If the prince forms an alliance with Dai Jia.

"With your help and the Empress Dowager's appreciation, she will surely rise step by step. It's hard to say when her status rises to the top and she becomes the head of a palace. Although the Seventh Prince is no obstacle to the Crown Prince, she is still young."

He is still young, so he can give birth to another prince.

"So Aunt Fang, what do you mean?"

Aunt Fang said, "I can only state the pros and cons. The decision still needs to be made by the Crown Prince."

Yinreng looked at her for a long while, his eyes twinkled, and he smiled and shook his head: "Why do I have to look for a concubine? Khan Ama loves me so much, do I need someone to speak for me? Even if I really need someone, I still have the Grand Empress Dowager. I just need to be filial to her."

The Grand Empress Dowager loved him very much, and even though Dai Jia seemed to have caught her eye, she had never asked for Yinyou to meet her. This showed that no one could replace his position in the Grand Empress Dowager's heart.

After hearing this, Aunt Fang was not angry or disappointed that her suggestion was not adopted. She just said respectfully, "It's up to you, Your Highness!"

This action made Yinreng a little confused.

Although the Empress Dowager loved him, she was old, and everyone knew this. Yinreng did not expose her, but said this on purpose to test Aunt Fang. But what did Aunt Fang mean by this action?

Could it be that this was also a test for him? Was this test on Kangxi's part?

No, no! Now was the time when he and Kangxi had a deep friendship, and nothing had happened to cause them any grudges. Kangxi had no need to test him, and even if he did, he would not use Dai Jia, a concubine, to test him.

So it was her?

Facing Yinreng's scrutiny, Aunt Fang did not dodge or avoid, but directly revealed her card: "Prince! I have been in the palace for fifteen years. In the first five years, I served the Empress Dowager. Later, the Empress Dowager gave me the position of the Emperor. I first served the Emperor and then was transferred to take over the tea room."

Yinreng opened his eyes wide.

Damn it! The Empress Dowager's people!

On that day, when Yinreng went to the Cining Palace, he deliberately brought Aunt Fang with him. In the past, he always brought young eunuchs with him.

The Empress Dowager knew exactly what was going on as soon as she saw who was going on. She waved everyone away and asked Yinreng to come over. She stroked his head lovingly and said, "Baocheng, don't blame Mother Wuku for not telling you in advance. It's no different if you know now. Xueqing is loyal, you can use her without any worries."

Yinreng was puzzled: "Mother Wuku, don't you like Concubine Dai Jia very much?"

"It's not a question of whether I like her or not. She has been at my side these days and knows how to do her duty. Even though the emperor has been very kind to her these days, she has not been arrogant or presumptuous, and has not forgotten her original intention.

"Baocheng, Mother Wuku has lived for decades and has gone through many ups and downs. I believe that her eyes can still recognize people.

"I have observed her for a long time and feel that she is a kind person in this palace. Even if she has some scheming, it is only for self-protection and she has never dirty her hands. She is not an ungrateful person. On the contrary, if someone shows her kindness, she will keep it in her heart and will repay them if she has the chance in the future."

Yinreng was stunned for a moment, and suddenly a light bulb went off in his head, as if he had figured something out. He was greatly shocked: "Mother Wuku kept her in the Cining Palace, gave her face, and supported her, was it for me?"

The Empress Dowager did not deny it: "Baocheng! Mother Wuku is old and can't protect you forever. Although your Khan Ama loves you, he still has six sons, and there will be more in the future. Mother Wuku wants to help you more while she is alive."

Yinreng was confused when he heard this. She had been indifferent for a long time. In the past, there were concubines who wanted to follow her path, but she ignored them all. Why did she leave Daijia alone? Especially since she liked Daijia more and more, but she didn't mention meeting Yinyou at all.

All the things that I thought were unreasonable before became reasonable at this moment.

Yinreng's nose felt sore, and tears instantly fell. He choked and hugged the Empress Dowager tightly: "Long live Mother Wuku, no way! Mother Wuku is not allowed to say such unlucky words!"

"People always call you a thousand years old. If you really want to live a thousand years old, wouldn't that make you an old turtle?"

"Then...then I have to live a long life!"

"Good! May Mother Wuku live a long life." Although he said this, he was actually trying to coax Yinreng.

When Yinreng's crying gradually subsided, the Empress Dowager continued, "Baocheng, the only thing you lacked was your mother's help. Now that I'm here, I can still take care of it.

"If one day I am gone and a conflict arises between you and the emperor and his son, I am afraid that the whole palace will be full of people who want to take advantage of the situation and rob you. There will not even be anyone who will speak for you or help you mediate.

"Of course, you and the emperor have a deep father-son relationship now, so you don't need it. But you have to plan ahead for everything. It's better to do a good job for Dai Jiashi and prepare early."

After saying this, the Grand Empress Dowager sighed again: "I just hope that I am overthinking this. I just hope that you and the Emperor will always be like this, and never have to use her."

Yinreng held the Empress Dowager's hand tightly, his heart broken. "Mother Wuku, don't worry. Just enjoy your life. Baocheng promises you that he will listen to Khan Ama and be filial to him forever."

The Empress Dowager shook her head and did not respond. Instead, she changed the subject and said, "Baocheng, do you still remember that Mother Wuku told you that she suspected that Dai Jia had someone behind her?"

Yinreng nodded.

"Mother Wuku suspects that this person is Debin."

Yinreng was stunned, not because of surprise, but because he had the same suspicion.

"I haven't had much contact with Wu Ya. But she was able to gain the emperor's favor under the eyes of Tong Jia, and gave birth to two princes in succession. She rose from a bondmaid to the position of the head of a palace. She is no pushover. Bao Cheng, don't underestimate her."

"Baocheng knows!"

"Baocheng! You must remember everything that Mother Wuku said to you today. Dai Jiashi, you need to show your kindness. You can use her, but you also need to be on guard. There are two main reasons for this.

"First, as Xueqing said, Dai Jia is still young, and she may give birth to another prince in the future. Although Yinyou has no competitive power, it does not mean that he does not have a brother. I believe that I have not misjudged Dai Jia at this moment, but I am also afraid that people's hearts may change."

"Secondly, Dai Jia's original intention has not changed, so you should also pay attention. If Wu Ya was really the one who gave her advice, this plan helped her and Yin You to find a way out, which can be considered a favor. Benefactor to benefactor, how Dai Jia will choose, we don't know."

Yinreng agreed to all of them.

The Empress Dowager said again about Uya: "This person is smart. She has ambitions, but she also knows the times and how to gain the most benefits for herself in the current situation. Because of this, she will not easily reveal her thoughts before her children grow up, let alone act rashly.

"But I hope that your position as the crown prince is as solid as a rock, and that you and your Khan Ama have no doubts about each other. In this way, no matter how ambitious she is, she will suppress it. From now on, she will be content, so that her child can get the best future besides the throne, and she can become the most glorious concubine besides the queen mother.

"But if one day you make a mistake and become alienated from your Khan Ama, she will seize the opportunity to bring you down and will never show mercy."

Yinreng took a deep breath. It must be said that this comment on Depin was absolutely amazing! It turns out that old ginger is still spicy! Especially for a ginger who has gone through three dynasties and gone through all the ups and downs.

"Baocheng! You are a prince. When you come to Cining Palace in the future, you can talk more with Dai Jiashi, but you don't have to have too much contact with her. You just need to go to the East and West Five Offices more often to see Yinyou and show your concern for this brother. Dai Jiashi will see it and remember it in her heart.

"Mother Wuku believes you can do all of these. But you have to use it and prevent it at the same time. You have to slowly figure out the balance yourself. If you don't understand something in the future, ask Xueqing. Do you understand?"

Every word and every detail was planned for him. Yinreng could no longer hold back and responded randomly, already sobbing and crying!