0p0 Chapter 408 Diligence
Chapter 408 Diligence
In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the air was filled with a faint scent of ambergris.
On the imperial desk was a treasure box (a box used to hold seals, jewelry and other valuables) that was seven inches and eight tenths of an inch high and eight inches square. When opened, it contained the Queen's golden seal made of 3.6 kilograms of pure gold, three inches high. On it was a dragon button composed of two intertwined dragon patterns, and attached with a yellow ribbon.
(Note: The Empress's Golden Seal was a symbol of her status. It was made by the Imperial Household Department before she was enthroned. After her death, it would be melted down and made into the next Empress's Golden Seal. The Palace Museum has a collection of the last Empress, Wanrong's Golden Seal. The image is included in the "Author's Note" section below.)
Yongzheng sat in front of the imperial desk, picked up the golden seal, and looked at it carefully. His eyes lingered for a long time on the four words "Empress's Treasure" written in both Chinese and Manchu characters in jade seal script, and then he put it back on the treasure pool beside him (an instrument for holding golden seals, used in conjunction with the treasure box to protect and set off the golden seal).
Yongzheng raised his hand and gently fiddled with the jade beads in his hand. Each bead was round and smooth, and cool to the touch. The subtle rubbing sound was clearly audible in the silent hall.
His gaze passed through the lingering smoke in the hall and fell on the distant palace wall, and his thoughts became deeper.
At today's grand court meeting, some ministers requested that the crown prince be appointed as soon as possible on the grounds of "pacifying the people and stabilizing the country's destiny."
The appointment of a crown prince not only concerns the foundation of the nation, but also the stability of imperial power and the future of the royal family. However, once the crown prince is established, it is like announcing to the world that one has entered old age, and the majesty of imperial power will be undermined. Moreover, he personally experienced the thrilling, brutal and bloody struggle for the throne among the nine princes. During those days, brothers turned against each other and conspiracies and calculations were endless. He already had an inexplicable aversion to the word "crown prince."
However, time flies, and years are merciless. Now he is past the age of knowing the destiny, his temples have turned white, and his health is no longer as good as before. He knows clearly that the time has come to consider the matter of the crown prince, but who should he appoint as the crown prince?
His thoughts involuntarily drifted to the princes.
The eldest prince, Honghui, died at the age of four, and the second prince was stillborn.
Although the Third Prince was the eldest son, he was unremarkable in talent, neither his literary nor his martial arts skills were outstanding. Although his tutor often praised his efforts, he was a blockhead who refused to learn. He had also spent some time with the imprisoned Empress, whose actions disgusted him and led to a growing dislike for the Third Prince. Although the Third Prince's polite words, "Your Majesty is wise, and I trust you," when he came to pay his respects after the Empress's accident, comforted him somewhat, this ultimately could not change the fact that the Third Prince was not up to the task of major tasks: how could a mediocre prince shoulder the responsibility of governing such a vast country?
Thinking of the Fourth Prince, Yongzheng's face darkened slightly. The Fourth Prince's biological mother, Li Jingui, was originally sent to him by Yunsi when he was drunk, bribing a servant. Yunsi also made a big fuss about this, slandering him for being unrighteous, causing Emperor Shengzu to be dissatisfied with him. Every time he saw the Fourth Prince, Yongzheng seemed to see that unbearable past, a stain that he could not wash away no matter what. So, he placed the Fourth Prince in the Old Summer Palace to raise him, out of sight, out of mind. But even so, the Fourth Prince's existence was still like a thorn, deeply embedded in his heart.
The fifth prince, Hong Zhou, was the same age as the fourth prince, but he had been frail and sickly since childhood. To maintain his health, he was kept outside the palace. Perhaps due to his long absence from the strict rules of the palace, coupled with his poor health and constant pampering, the fifth prince developed a playful and unscrupulous nature. Even Emperor Yongzheng heard of his outrageous behavior outside the palace. Such a personality made it difficult for him to shoulder the heavy responsibility of inheriting the throne.
The Sixth Prince, now five years old, has reached the age of enlightenment. Under the careful guidance of Concubine Hui, he has already mastered the "Three Character Classic" and the "Hundred Family Names." His daily behavior exudes a sense of wit, and he treats his younger siblings with a brotherly demeanor. He appears to be a promising talent. With careful nurturing, he may achieve great things in the future.
However, Yongzheng harbored a hidden concern. Having initially supported the Shen family to counterbalance the Nian family, he now faced a rapid rise in power, prompting the need for suppression. If the Sixth Prince were made Crown Prince, the Shen family's influence would inevitably become even more difficult to control. The consequences of this, like external relatives interfering in government and causing political unrest, would be disastrous.
The Seventh Prince was still young, yet incredibly intelligent and lovable, earning Yongzheng's affection. Every time he saw him, Yongzheng's heart surged with a rare warmth. However, the Seventh Prince was still a child, and his future was full of uncertainties. No one could predict what he would become. Making him the Crown Prince was too risky.
Yongzheng was well aware that the imperial court and the harem were inextricably linked, like one entity. His appointment of a Noble Consort within the harem would inevitably cause a major uproar within the imperial court. The ministers, ever adept at deciphering the emperor's intentions, would determine which prince to support based on the situation within the harem. The stakes were complex, and the slightest misstep could ignite unrest within the court. In that event, not only would his position as crown prince be jeopardized, but his own imperial authority would also be threatened.
Thinking of this, Yongzheng's eyes became more profound. He sat quietly on the dragon throne, weighing the pros and cons in his mind. For a moment, the hall fell into deathly silence.
Su Peisheng, wearing a dark blue eunuch's python robe, stood beside Yongzheng. His eyes moved slightly, and he subconsciously gripped the whisk in his hand, which symbolized the chief eunuch of the Forbidden City. The handle of the whisk was made of smooth sandalwood, and years of rubbing made it increasingly warm. The white dust tail was soft and neat, trembling slightly in his hand.
Thinking of what Jinxi said a few days ago, he knew that it was time for him to show some attitude.
He walked out of the hall, brought a cup of tea, and gently placed it next to Yongzheng's hand.
Yongzheng picked up the teacup and took a sip, then frowned and asked, "What kind of tea is this?"
"Your Majesty, this tea is called 'Three Friends of Winter,' and is brewed with pine needles, bamboo leaves, plum blossoms, and freshly collected winter snow. You see, the weather has been getting increasingly hot these past few days, and this tea will relieve the heat and dryness, making it perfect for summer drinking."
As Su Peisheng spoke, he secretly glanced at Yongzheng's expression out of the corner of his eye.
"That's quite an ingenious idea. Who sent it?"
"Your Majesty, it's Concubine Duan!"
"Concubine Duan?"
"Yes. These days, Concubine Duan has been sending gifts here quite often. I am also amazed by them!"
"I have been feeling bored these days, and this tea comes at the right time. The jasmine tea last time also appeared when I needed it." Yongzheng gently put down the teacup, and slowly stroked the rim of the cup with his fingers, as if he was savoring the taste of the tea, and as if he was pondering Concubine Duan's intention.
Su Peisheng bowed slightly, with just the right amount of respect on his face, and said softly, "Your Majesty is wise, and Concubine Duan has always been thoughtful and considerate. I'm sure she's always concerned about your health."
Yongzheng snorted softly, a faint smile playing on the corner of his mouth. "She is thoughtful indeed. But she was rarely so attentive in the past, but lately she has been sending gifts frequently. Do you know why?"
Su Peisheng's heart trembled, and he lowered his head quickly. "I dare not presume to guess what the Empress is thinking. But in my opinion, Concubine Duan may feel that the Emperor has been very busy with government affairs these days, and she wants to share his worries and relieve his fatigue."
Yongzheng nodded, his gaze returning to the cup of "Three Friends of Winter". After a moment's silence, he said, "Tell Concubine Duan that I appreciate your kindness. There's no need to go to such great lengths in the future. If you're so kind, why not take good care of Princess Wen Yi?"