Chapter 6: The Southern Inspection Tour of Kangxi

  In the 37th year of Kangxi, Emperor Kangxi went on a southern tour. His entourage had already approached Yangzhou. The dragon boat was sailing along the Grand Canal, with many soldiers standing guard on the deck to prevent any surprise attacks.

  In the imperial cabin, Kangxi's room, Yinreng, dressed in a moon-white satin robe, pushed open the door and walked in.

  "Huang Ama, tomorrow will arrive in Yangzhou." Crown Prince Yin reported, he looked like his eyes were somewhat gloomy, not a lucky appearance, but now he can't see what's going on.

  "I understand, I'm looking forward to it." Kangxi nodded his head. Lin Ruhai, it's been many years since we last met, how have you been? Don't think that hiding in Jiangnan will do; this time I want to transfer you back to the capital. In his heart, Kangxi was considering how to appoint Lin Ruhai.

  Yin Zong stood by without speaking, he was very puzzled about the meaning of Huang Ama towards Lin Ruhai. If it's said that he won't be reused, then why let him sit in the position of Jiangnan Salt Road and control the salt administration? If it's said that he will be reused, then Huang Ama obviously ignored his existence, not letting Lin Ruhai return to the capital to report for duty for so many years, which is a clear sign of being cold-shouldered.

  "Yin Ruo, if possible, you should learn from him." Kangxi said with deep meaning. The news that came showed that Lin Ruohai was seriously ill and had found back his daughter who was fostered in the Jia Mansion in Beijing. I don't know if he could wait for himself to arrive. Lin Daiyu? Lin Ruohai's only flesh and blood, and... Kangxi's thoughts drifted away, everything that had happened before floated in front of his eyes, but it was so far away. The deep brotherly love of the past was broken up because of a woman, the past... were all in the past.

  He nodded, Lin Ruhai, the former Lin Tanhua, was once famous for his abilities and had also intimidated the local salt smugglers in Jiangnan after his arrival.

  "Your Majesty, I request an audience." A cold voice sounded, Kangxi furrowed his brow, "Fourth Brother, come in."

  Yin Zhen wore a blue robe, his face expressionless as he walked in, "Your son has come to ask for Your Majesty's instructions." After entering, Yin Zhen immediately knelt down on the ground.

  "What are you talking about? I don't have a good son like you." Kangxi's tone couldn't help but rise, and his face was very unpleasant. A month ago, Yin Zhen had openly refused his arranged marriage, claiming that he hadn't yet made contributions to the Qing dynasty and wasn't willing to marry a lady-in-waiting. A prince who was already twenty years old didn't even have a lady-in-waiting - it was simply unheard of.

  Yinreng knelt on the ground, not speaking a word. He had used official business as an excuse to flee to Jiangnan, hoping to completely avoid the arranged marriage, but unexpectedly Kangxi embarked on a southern tour and he could only come to pay his respects. This time, it also implicated his 13th brother, and he felt somewhat guilty in his heart.

  "Nala Minghui looks good, I'll arrange your marriage after returning to Beijing." Kangxi made the decision. His son had been reprimanded by him and became icy, with a cold face every day, without any joy or sorrow on his face.

  "Emperor Mother..." Yongzheng looked up and exchanged a glance with Kangxi, but before he could finish speaking, he was pulled by Yongji.

  "Fourth brother, don't go against the Empress Dowager's wishes." Yongzheng took out his elder brother's demeanor to persuade him, but in fact, he also had a guard against him. The Nara family held military power in their hands, and the Empress Dowager had given Minghui to the fourth brother as a wife. What was she thinking? He also remembered his uncle, Songgotu's words: "The fourth brother is the Empress Dowager's adopted son, and his status is only lower than mine, he is my threat."

  "Fourth brother, I have made up my mind. You may withdraw." Kangxi shook his hand impatiently, how did this son become like this?

  Yongzheng stared stubbornly at Kangxi, neither of them willing to give in. For a moment, the atmosphere in the room was somewhat heavy.

  It was also unknown how long it took, "Huang Ama, a letter from the capital arrived." Yin's voice rang out, he asked to see outside the door, and for a moment relieved the heavy atmosphere in the room.

  "Yongzheng come in, Fourth Brother get out." Kangxi ordered.

  "The son retreats." Yongzheng reluctantly stood up and walked out. He didn't want to marry Minghui Gege, not because she was bad, but because he didn't want to follow in the footsteps of his father, the emperor, who had married many women and yet neglected the woman in his heart, giving her a high title but not truly caring for her.

  Yongzheng's eyes floated with that scene again, Tong Jia's wife grasped his hand before her death, "Zheng'er, don't learn from your Emperor Father."

  "Mother, I..." At that time, the young Yongzheng did not fully understand Tong Guifang's meaning. When he finally understood, he began to avoid the imperial marriage arranged by his father. He wanted to find someone who shared his soul to spend his life with, rather than collecting a bunch of women in the backyard for show.

  "Fourth brother, are you alright?" A clear and bright voice sounded from behind, and Yongzheng knew who it was without turning his head.

  "Thirteenth brother, I've dragged you into this." Yongzheng felt somewhat helpless. He had brought 13-year-old Yongxian with him to the south to investigate a case, letting the young Yongxian suffer a great deal, and in the end, he still got scolded by the Emperor.

  "Fourth brother, if it weren't for you bringing me out, I wouldn't have known so many things." Xiangxiang looked at Yongzheng's eyes and said seriously. His own mother was just a pin, with a low status, and only fourth brother was good to him. Other brothers either despised or feared him.

  "Let's go, to my place." Yongzheng and Yongxiang left together, unaware of the jealous gaze behind them. A boy who looked somewhat like Yongzheng stood there, feeling resentful in his heart. "I am your own brother, why do you always ignore my existence and instead favor that thirteenth brother?" Yongzheng thought bitterly. This older brother, seven years his senior, had never given him a good face, yet was so kind to the thirteenth brother, who was only a few days younger than himself, even teaching him martial arts and how to read and write.

  Yangzhou Lin Mansion, Lin Ruhai looked at the note in his hand thoughtfully, "Yu'er, they're coming, are you afraid?"

  "Why be afraid? Is Ama going to rebel?" Daiyu said with a smile, but found Lin Ruhai's face somewhat embarrassed. Did she guess right? A flash of surprise crossed Daiyu's face.

  "Yu'er mustn't speak so carelessly." Lin Ruhai sternly admonished Daiyu.

  "Amma, I understand. You're a patient now, so there's no need to go and receive guests. No, I don't want to kneel to anyone." Daiyu changed the subject, she felt that Lin Ruhai had many secrets on her body, and her sixth sense told herself that some of these secrets were related to herself.

  "You little scamp! What I'm worried about is him coming back here." Lin Ruhai knew Kangxi all too well, and with his own illness, Kangxi had a perfect excuse to come to the Lin manor to offer his condolences. Moreover, the courier station was just across the street from the Lin manor, extremely close by.

  "Come if you must, soldiers will block and water will cover. Ama's body is fine, what else can he do? Scheme against me? I'm still a weak and delicate seven-year-old child." Daiyu sneered, the imperial family's schemes? She actually had some expectations.

  Lin Ruhai looked at Daiyu and didn't say a word, hoping everything was all right.