Spring in the Hall of Paintings

A pair of weary Imperial Guards, dressed in yellow official robes, returned from the northwest holding a sacred imperial edict. They went directly to the Palace of Yuqing, where the Crown Prince Yinreng resided in the Forbidden City, to read the Emperor’s command: “By the will of Heaven, the Emperor commands: I am unwell and have been longing for the Crown Prince Yinreng. I hereby order the Crown Prince to come to the northwest to attend to my health and bring me medicine, to ease my longing for my son. This is my imperial decree.”

“Your servant obeys the Emperor’s command.” The Crown Prince Yinreng took the imperial edict and asked, “How serious is His Majesty’s illness? Should I bring the imperial physicians along?”

“Replying to Your Highness, I am not aware of the details of His Majesty’s condition. I have been ordered to read the imperial decree and to escort the Crown Prince to the northwest army to visit the Emperor. Please, Your Highness, make your preparations.”

The guards respectfully saluted. Crown Prince Yinreng couldn’t get much out of them, as the guards sent to deliver the Emperor’s edict were all loyal, reliable, and tight-lipped. Yinreng nodded and said, “Please wait a moment. I will prepare my traveling bag. There are still some state matters that require the Emperor’s decision. Please go ahead and have some tea; it’s been a hard journey for you.”

“Understood.”

The Crown Prince Yinreng entered the Palace of Yuqing, instructing people to pack his bag, then went to the eastern side chamber where state affairs were managed. After Emperor Kangxi went on campaign, he had ordered the Crown Prince to oversee the state, essentially entrusting the administration of the Qing dynasty to Yinreng. This was a sign of Emperor Kangxi’s trust in Yinreng, whom he had personally raised.

“Uncle, what’s really going on? How could the Emperor suddenly fall ill and call for me to go to the northwest?”

As soon as he entered, the Crown Prince anxiously asked, “Is the Emperor’s health bad?”

“Your Highness, please don’t be anxious. Let me think for a moment.” Sitting in a Nanmu chair, Suoetu stroked his beard thoughtfully for a while before speaking. “As the imperial edict said, the Emperor is simply missing the Crown Prince. His health is not serious; please rest assured, Your Highness.”

Yinreng sighed with relief. Suoetu had been in government for many years and was well-informed. Since he said there was no major issue with Emperor Kangxi, Yinreng trusted that there was nothing serious. Yinreng did not have time to dwell on the regret in his heart and began organizing the memorials, planning to take them to Emperor Kangxi for approval.

“Your Highness, you must be cautious on this trip to the northwest. Though there is no confirmed news, I have heard that the Emperor’s military campaign in the northwest has not been going smoothly. He has failed to locate the main forces of the Zunghars and has instead… fallen into a tough battle. This has caused the Emperor some frustration, which might be why his health has worsened.”

“I will take note of that,” Yinreng replied, not lifting his head. Suoetu did not notice anything unusual and continued, “As for the few princes accompanying the Emperor, there likely aren’t many with military achievements. While each prince leads a banner, they are still young. On the battlefield, the Emperor still relies on the eldest prince. Your Highness, you must be mindful and not be too wary of the eldest prince. It would be fine to be a bit more cordial with him. In terms of status, you are the Crown Prince and the ruler, and the eldest prince is a subject. It won’t disrupt the order of things.”

Yinreng paused in his actions of sorting the memorials and said with a mocking smile, “Eldest brother doesn’t think like you. He has always prided himself on his military achievements, and as the Emperor’s eldest son, he may not be willing to obey the Crown Prince.”

“What does military achievement matter? As long as Nalan Mingzhu falls, no one will be able to threaten your position as Crown Prince. Let me say one more thing: Fourth Prince is your good brother and has always respected you. Sometimes, you don’t need to act yourself; the Fourth Prince will be happy to help you.”

“I understand.” Yinreng exchanged a look with Suoetu, smiling. At that moment, there was a noise from outside. “Your Highness, the bag has been packed. Shall we depart immediately?”

Yinreng gestured to Suoetu and lowered his voice, “It’s the Consort.” Suoetu took two steps back, and Yinreng said, “Come in.”

A woman in a yellow embroidered qipao with a rich peony design entered, bowed, and said, “I pay my respects to Your Highness.”

“Consort, please rise.” The Crown Princess, Lady Shi, was dignified and graceful. Her features weren’t strikingly beautiful but were refined and composed, with a gentle and steady aura. Her eyes had a slightly upward tilt, exuding a sense of clarity and sharpness. She was personally chosen by Emperor Kangxi to be the Crown Prince’s official consort and was highly valued by him. Since Emperor Kangxi had not declared an Empress, the matters of the imperial harem were handled by the Crown Princess, who could even make decisions about the six palaces. Kangxi fully considered her as the future Empress and was grooming her accordingly.

“Thank you for your hard work, Consort.” Yinreng expressed his respect for the Crown Princess. “As for the matters of the Palace of Yuqing, please trouble yourself, Consort.”

The Crown Princess smiled lightly and shook her head. “Crown Prince, be careful on your journey to the northwest. Perhaps when you return, you’ll be the Emperor by then.”

The Crown Prince’s concubine was pregnant, and Yinreng trusted the Crown Princess deeply. He nodded and said, “Take good care of yourself. I want to have another son.”

The Crown Princess glanced at Suoetu, then lowered her voice as she came closer to the Crown Prince. “I’ve heard a piece of news. I’m not sure if it’s true… it’s just… just…”

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince widened his eyes. “Is this true?”

The Crown Princess wasn’t sure either. “I can’t be certain, but maybe it can help the Crown Prince.”

“How could it not help? I won’t forget the benefits the Consort has provided.”

Yinreng tightened his grip on the Crown Princess, Lady Shi’s hand, and lowered his voice. “If this is true, the Tong family… the Tong family must not be neglected.”

After seeing the Crown Prince off, Suoetu slowly shook his head. One step too late, just one step too late. Meanwhile, the Crown Princess had prepared many medicinal ingredients, sending them to her room to help nourish her body and ensure she remained still to rest.

At the Tong residence, Yun Wei was accompanying Lady Fucha in copying scriptures to pray for her father, Rongxuan, who was in the northwest. Just then, urgent footsteps were heard outside. The usually calm Nanny Qi rushed in but stumbled and fell. “Mistress, Mistress, there are imperial guards at the gate. They say… they say they want to see you.”

Lady Fucha’s wrist trembled, and ink from her brush dripped onto the rice paper, smearing the writing. Yun Wei hurriedly put the brush on the stand, her face turning pale. “Mother, is it Father… has something happened to Father?”

Lady Fucha stared at Yun Wei for a moment before shaking her head disapprovingly. “Yaya, is this how I taught you?”

“You taught me to stay calm in the face of trouble, not to follow rumors, and to respond with composure.”

Yun Wei’s sweet and soft voice was even more soothing at that moment, almost as though it could calm anyone’s heart. It was sweet, gentle, and comforting.

Lady Fucha nodded in satisfaction, crumpling the ink-stained paper into a ball and giving Yun Wei a faint glance. Yun Wei understood and asked, “Nanny Qi, don’t rush. What’s the situation outside? How many people came? Were they carrying an imperial edict? Did they only ask for Mother?”

“Should I go and ask?” Nanny Qi’s face turned red with embarrassment, and she stole a nervous glance at Lady Fucha before saying uneasily, “I’m sorry, I was just a bit too anxious.”

“This is not a matter to be anxious about. Let me say something.” Seeing Lady Fucha sitting calmly in her chair, Yun Wei continued, “Even if something bad has happened, we must understand what is really going on. You rushed over here in such a hurry to bring news, but you don’t even know the details. How can Mother respond? You’ve been with Mother for so long, how could you make such a mistake?”

“The Tong family is known for its achievements, and Father is loyal, courageous, and reliable. He would never do anything wrong. You are too anxious.”

Yun Wei spoke slowly, her tone gentle, yet it was convincing. Lady Fucha smiled and, supporting Yun Wei’s arm, stood up. “I’ll let this go this time, but next time, I won’t forgive you.”

“Thank you, Mistress.” Nanny Qi wiped the sweat from her forehead and said in a low voice, “Are you going ahead? I think someone else must have gotten the news too.”

“Mother, I think this is a good thing. So what if others know?” Yun Wei had completely calmed down. Lady Fucha asked as they walked, “Why do you say that?”

“Are you testing your daughter again?” Yun Wei supported Lady Fucha and explained, “The Emperor is away on a military campaign. Even if Father made a mistake, would they send imperial guards to the house without a proper trial from the Three Courts? The Emperor is a man of honor; he has always been kind and tolerant with his officials. Unless there is a major act of treason, he would not send imperial guards to arrest someone’s family. Moreover, Father is steady and experienced, loyal to the Emperor and the country. How could he have any thoughts of rebellion? Even if… even if something unfortunate happens, with Father’s character, even if he dies on the battlefield, he would never surrender. This is the family tradition of the Tong family, raised by our mother. Mother… what I mean is…”

“Good, Wei girl, well said.” The old lady’s voice came from the side. Old Madam Jue Luo smiled warmly at Yun Wei but spoke to Lady Fucha, “Rongxuan’s wife, I must thank you for raising Wei so excellently, along with Cheng Wu.”

Lady Fucha humbly responded, but the pride and satisfaction in her eyes were evident. Who wouldn’t be proud of having a smart and well-behaved child?