The swansong of the swansong

Chapter 267 I Can't Indulge You

According to the official system of the Qing Dynasty, the Governor of Shaanxi was a second-rank official, and the Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs was a first-rank official.

On the surface, Yongtai's promotion from a local official to a high-ranking minister in the imperial court can be considered a promotion and a great appointment.

In reality, war was raging in the Northwest, and the position of the Governor of Shaanxi was far more important than that of the Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs.

However, under Kangxi's watchful eye, Yinwu had no desire to vie for power. As long as it saved face, he was willing to accept anything.

Anyway, there's plenty of time in the future, so why worry about temporary gains and losses?
Before the fourteenth prince left the capital, it was the thirtieth birthday of his primary consort, Lady Wanyan, so he took the opportunity to hold a grand celebration.

Yinwu knew very well that the Fourteenth Prince's celebration of Wanyan's birthday was a pretense; his real intention was to see which side the court officials would take.

As long as Emperor Kangxi was alive, whenever any of his princes had a happy occasion, the other princes were required to bring gifts and pay their respects to the emperor, in order to demonstrate the unity and harmony of the imperial family.

On the actual day, Yinwu took Cuiqing in a carriage and went straight to the fourteenth prince's residence.

Logically speaking, the fourteenth prince should have been promoted to a higher rank long ago, given his consecutive victories at the front.

However, Kangxi was willing to give anything, but he was unwilling to promote the fourteenth prince to the rank of Beile or Junwang.

The Prince's Mansion, the fourteenth prince's residence, was located inside Xizhimen. It was bordered by Nancaochang Hutong (now Nancaochang Street) to the east, Maojiawan (later renamed Laohumiao, now Houbanbidian) to the west, Dizang Temple to the south, and Xizhimen Street behind the mansion, separated from Chongshou Temple by one street.

When Yinwu's carriage arrived at the screen wall in front of the main gate of the Prince's residence, Hongchun, the eldest son of the Fourteenth Prince, quickly walked down the steps and greeted him with a big smile.

"Nephew Hongchun wishes Uncle Fifteen and Aunt Fifteen a good day!"

Six feet away from the carriage, Hongchun took the initiative to kneel down and respectfully greeted them.

Yinwu stepped off the carriage onto a long bench, then turned and helped Cuiqing down to the ground. He then waved his hand and said indifferently, "That's enough!"

Hongchun straightened up, leaned closer, and put on a smile, saying, "I'm really sorry, my father is inside talking with my third uncle and can't get away for the time being. Please forgive me, Uncle Fifteen and Aunt Fifteen."

As the Fourteenth Prince's old rival, Yinwu naturally knew Hongchun's basic situation.

Now, in the 59th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Hongchun, who was born in the 42nd year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, is already nineteen years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning). His birth mother is Shushu Gioro, the most favored concubine of the fourteenth prince.

Although, the eldest son of the Prince's Mansion, Hongming, is already seventeen years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning).

However, because the fourteenth prince favored his sons by extending his affections to them, many of the Beizi Mansion's external affairs were handled by Hongchun, while the eldest son, Hongming, became an unknown figure in the background.

According to rumors circulating among the people, the Fourteenth Prince's primary wife has always been quite critical of him, as she favors Hongchun over Hongming.

In reality, because Hongming was neglected, the relationship between Wanyan and the fourteenth prince was not harmonious.

Yinwu, who was in the middle of the situation, could completely understand Wanyan's frustration.

After all, the fourteenth prince was too biased. He deliberately suppressed the legitimate son who had already come of age, but cherished the eldest son of a concubine. What kind of behavior was that?

However, no matter how fiercely the Fourteenth Prince's family affairs raged, they had absolutely nothing to do with Yinwu.

Because Yinwu was a Prince of the Second Rank, his rank was far higher than that of the Fourteenth Prince, so with Hongchun's order, the main gate of the Prince's residence was opened wide.

Accompanied by Hongchun, Yinwu and Cuiqing stepped into the Prince's residence.

Before the hanging flower gate, Wanyan, who had already learned of the news, was already waiting on the left side of the gate.

"Fifteenth brother, fifteenth sister-in-law, we've been waiting for you! We were just missing one person inside!"

When Yinwu and his wife approached, Wanyan greeted them with a beaming smile.

After going through the formalities, Cuiqing followed Wanyan to the inner quarters, while Yinwu, accompanied by Hongchun, went to the fourteenth prince's outer study.

In these days, a prince's residence typically has three studies. The outer study is for receiving guests. The inner study is for discussing matters with trusted confidants.

The actual study was usually located near the prince's bedroom.

In fact, they learned all of this from Emperor Kangxi.

In Changchun Garden, Emperor Kangxi simply stayed at Qingxi Study. Qingxi Study was Emperor Kangxi's imperial study.

When Yinwu entered the courtyard, he saw the fourteenth prince standing with his hands behind his back on the steps in front of the study from a distance.

Given Yinwu's rank and status as the fourteenth prince (a Beizi), he should have come out to greet him at the main gate. At the very least, he should have descended the steps to greet him.

However, the fourteenth prince was just that arrogant; he actually stood proudly on the steps, waiting for Yinwu to come and see him.

Of course, Yinwu would not indulge the fourteenth prince. He deliberately turned to the left and walked to the only big tree in the courtyard, refusing to move an inch.

Hongchun was so anxious that he broke out in a cold sweat. He wanted to persuade Yinwu, but he didn't know where to begin.

No matter what, Yinwu was a dignified Prince Yu, how could a prince take the initiative to pay homage to a prince?

Logically speaking, it doesn't make any sense at all!
The fourteenth prince had suffered many open and covert losses at the hands of Yinwu, so he naturally knew how formidable Yinwu was.

If the stalemate continues, Yinwu will at most receive a scolding, while the Fourteenth Prince will suffer a humiliation instead of gaining honor, and will definitely lose face.

After making up his mind, the fourteenth prince stomped his foot hard, gritted his teeth, and took the initiative to walk towards Yinwu.

"Fifteenth Brother, you really know how to put on airs, aren't you? You've brought your airs to my Prince's residence!" The Fourteenth Prince questioned Yinwu with a livid face.

Yinwu kept his eyes on the fruit on the tree and didn't even look at the fourteenth prince.

Just as the fourteenth prince was about to lose his temper, Yinwu said calmly, "Fourteenth brother, there are rules for hosting a banquet. If you don't welcome me, why send me an invitation?"

The fourteenth prince was quite speechless, but he knew he was in the wrong, and if things got out of hand, it would only damage his own reputation.

"Hmph, then please invite Prince Yu inside to rest your feet!" The fourteenth prince deliberately emphasized the word "feet," as if afraid that Yinwu would not hear his serious dissatisfaction.

Yinwu smiled wryly. It seemed that the Fourteenth Prince's dog-like temper was beyond redemption!

However, on the other hand, the fourteenth prince's journey has been far too smooth, without him experiencing any setbacks whatsoever.

Back then, when the fourteenth prince was just born, Consort De had already been promoted to Imperial Concubine De.

Only women in the palace who rose to the rank of concubine or higher were qualified to raise their own sons.

The fourteenth prince, who grew up under the care of Consort De, was too well protected.

Over time, the fourteenth prince developed an arrogant attitude!
The fourth son was different; he only enjoyed fourteen years of blissful life as the eldest son.

After his adoptive mother passed away, the fourth son finally realized that he was a fake legitimate son who was not favored by his biological mother.

After all, it was the fourteenth prince's auspicious day, so Yinwu knew when to stop and stepped into the outer study of the prince's residence.

The third brother, who had arrived long ago, slowly rose when he saw Yinwu enter, cupped his hands, and said, "Fifteenth brother, you've arrived?"

Yinwu and the third prince didn't have much to talk about, so they just went through the motions of politeness and sat down to the left of the third prince.

After sitting down, Yinwu had only drunk half a cup of tea when he suddenly heard the Fourth Prince's angry roar from outside, "You dog servant, even you dare to look down on me?"

(End of this chapter)