Chapter 3 Visiting the Sick

  From a distance, the Eighth Prince Yunxiang said loudly: "Fourteenth brother, why are you coming out? We four brothers don't need to make such empty courtesy."

  Yin Zhen felt that his body was still a bit weak, so he stood under the corridor and waited. Then he heard the cheerful voice of the tenth prince, Yin Xiang: "What's wrong? I said it before, the fourteenth brother is a lucky person with a good fate, don't worry, look, isn't this good?"

  "That's it, tenth brother, your clever calculations, I think you can go to the eight big alleys to set up a stall and tell fortunes."

  "Fortune tellers, aren't they all at Tianqiao?"

  "Haha, with your level of skill, you can only go and deceive foolish women."

  "I say Ninth Brother, you're also being too unreasonable..."

  "Eight Brother, Nine Brother, Ten Brother." Yongzheng smiled and walked up a few steps to greet them.

  "Fourteenth brother, your body is really good. You've been unconscious for five days and nights, but as soon as you woke up, you can get out of bed."

  "I heard you woke up and your three brothers were overjoyed. They rushed here in a hurry as soon as it was dawn."

  "I've been sleeping for five days and I'm so bored, now I'm struggling to come to the study to take a look at some books."

  After the three of them had exchanged pleasantries, Yong Yi smiled and said: "Now that we've seen you're doing well, our minds are at ease. Take good care of yourself for a few more days. I'll go to the Empress Dowager and Imperial Consort De's place to pay my respects on your behalf."

  "Thanks, Eighth Brother." Yinzhen said, and then rushed towards Bao Fuquan and shouted: "You have no eyesight, don't you let people serve tea?"

  "Never mind." Yong Yi smiled and waved his hand, saying to Yong Zheng: "Look at your face, it's as white as a ghost. We won't bother you, you rest well."

  After sending off the three sworn brothers, Yin Zhen returned to the study and continued to practice calligraphy. He had no choice but to diligently practice, as this was the easiest way to reveal his flaws, despite having fully inherited this body. Everything has an adaptation period, and he couldn't afford to forget what he learned in his past life. Taking advantage of the opportunity to practice calligraphy, he recorded everything he had learned in his previous life.

  Recording these things, Yongzheng was lost in thought again. What is the situation in Europe now? It's currently 1709 AD, shouldn't the Industrial Revolution be starting around this time? The Jenny spinning machine, I only knew about this thing from books and haven't even seen a picture of it. Can't worry about that for now, first priority is to fight for the throne. However, there are still thirteen years until Kangxi's death, should he prepare ahead of time?

  Yongzheng had just sorted out the situation when he heard Bao Fuquan's voice outside the door, "Reporting to Master, the Crown Prince, Third Brother, Fourth Brother and Thirteenth Brother have come to visit you."

  Alright, now that everything is ready, Yongzheng quickly tidied up the desk and then said to Bao Fuquan: "Accompany Master out to welcome him."

  Just a few steps away from leaving the hospital, Yongzheng, Yongqi, Yinzhen and Yinxiang had already rushed over. The four of them were all in casual attire, with Yongzheng at the front. He was over thirty years old, of medium build, and looked very much like Emperor Kangxi, except that he lacked a bit of majesty and had an extra bit of weariness. "Your subject greets the Crown Prince," Yinzhen said as he made a gesture to kneel down.

  He hastily stepped forward and grabbed him with one hand, "Forget it, forget it."

  Yin Zhen didn't force the issue, and stood up with a smile, looking at Yin Qi, Yin Xiang, and Yin Xi. Fourth brother Yin Xiang was extremely particular about his appearance, and from head to toe, he was neat and tidy, with a pale face that always had a faintly distant expression, as if warning people to keep their distance. No wonder the officials privately called him "Cold-faced King". Thirteenth brother Yin Xi was handsome and elegant, with a carefree air about him in every gesture. Third brother Yin Qi exuded a strong literary aura from head to toe.

  Yuan Zhen slightly bowed and said: "I've seen Third Brother, Fourth Brother, Thirteenth Brother."

  Yin Qi, Yin Zan and Yin Xiang all gathered around, Yin Ruo smiled and said: "Good guy, you've been unconscious for five days and five nights, you almost scared us to death."

  Yinzheng also said: "The Empress Dowager and Mother are both worried and cannot eat or sleep."

  "Yes, Empress Dowager was so anxious that she sent three teams of imperial physicians to diagnose the illness one after another. It is said that Imperial Physician Xue was even penalized with a year's salary deduction."

  "I am unfilial, causing the Emperor and Empress Dowager to worry about me."

  "Alright, alright, it's not all your fault."

  "Please, Your Imperial Highness, three elder brothers are waiting in the house with tea."

  "Never mind, looking at you like this, we are here, you also can't rest well. We came today just to see how you're doing, now that we've seen you, we can be at ease. Take good care of yourself and rest."

  "Your Imperial Father and Empress Dowager are fine. I will go give them your regards. You focus on recovering from your illness."

  Looking at the hastily departing figure, Yin Zhen was puzzled for a moment. How could his second brother, Yin E, as the Crown Prince, condescend to come and visit him? Was he trying to curry favor with him? Returning to his study, Yin Zhen soon figured out the reason. Last year, one of the charges against Yin E when he was deposed was that he had no fraternal love for his brothers. This was Yin E's way of learning from his mistakes and making amends. The other princes probably thought the same way, all trying to impress Kangxi.

  After sitting in the study for a while, Yongzheng felt that it was not proper. Since he had already gotten out of bed, he should go and pay his respects to Kangxi, lest he be criticized.

  Qianqing Palace's Western Warm Pavilion, Kangxi was reviewing the memorials when he heard the eunuch Li Dequan report, "The 14th prince is seeking an audience outside." He was taken aback for a moment.

  At this time, the Kangxi Emperor was already 56 years old. Although he usually paid attention to his health, the eye bags and grey-white beard that had formed from long-term lack of sleep made him look quite old. After a brief moment of astonishment, Kangxi repeatedly said: "Quickly, quickly, call him in." As he spoke, he put down his pen and stood up.

  Yin Zhen's face was pale, and he walked in with a staggering gait. It wasn't an act; the long distance from Xi Si Suo to Qian Qing Gong had truly exhausted him. Kangxi furrowed his brow as soon as he saw Yin Zhen's state and pointed at Li Dequan, saying: "Quickly, help him sit down." As he spoke, he walked over.

  Yongzheng struggled and kowtowed, "Your son greets Your Majesty."

  "It's all right, it's all right." Kangxi said as he and Li Dequan helped Yongzheng up. After Yongzheng sat down, Kangxi spoke with displeasure: "You just woke up last night, why didn't you stay home to rest properly? What urgent matter brought you here from so far away?"

  Yongzheng said: "I, your son, have nothing important to say, I just came over to pay respects to the Emperor."

  "What nonsense."

  "Your Majesty, I have been unconscious for five days and five nights. Your Majesty has sent three batches of imperial physicians." Yong Zheng paused before continuing: "It's all my fault for being unfilial and causing Your Majesty to worry. I got out of bed yesterday and feel fine today, so I came over. Please don't worry, Your Majesty. I'm young and have a good physical foundation, so with more activity, I'll recover even faster."

  "You people, when you're young, don't know how to cherish your bodies. When you get old, it's too late to regret." Kangxi said, his face already clearing up after a moment of gloom. He then turned to Li Dequan and said, "Reward Old Fourteen Tea."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty." Seeing Kangxi's expression soften, Yin Zhen hastily and cleverly said: "Actually, I came to pay my respects just to let Your Majesty see with your own eyes that I am no longer seriously ill, so as to put Your Majesty at ease."

  "Ah, it's rare to see you show some filial piety." Kangxi stroked his beard and said: "After drinking tea, I'll have someone send you back in a sedan chair. You don't need to come for the next few days, just recover from your illness and then come pay your respects again."

  "Your Majesty, I still need to go and pay respects to Mother Empress."

  Upon hearing this, Kangxi's face broke into a smile. He stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Good, good, you have shown filial piety, it was not in vain that your mother has been praying for you every day in the Buddhist hall."

  After leaving the Yangxin Hall, Yinzhen felt much more at ease. In this era, when competing for the throne, moral character was placed first and foremost. Even if you had exceptional abilities, if you were labeled as unfilial, it would be almost impossible for you to succeed. After all, Kangxi advocated ruling the country with filial piety.

  As for going to Empress Dowager De's palace to pay respects, Yongzheng felt particularly at ease, as Empress Dowager De had always been the most fond of him. Indeed, when she saw Yongzheng in this state and hurried over to ask after his well-being, her heart ached unbearably, and her eyes instantly turned red. She pulled Yongzheng close, asking about his cold and inquiring after his well-being, chattering on without end.