Chapter 133 – Qing Transmigration Tale (42)
“Emperor, this occurred so close. There is such chaos right now it is not possible to investigate,” Zhang Ting Yu whispered. “We have to plan long term.”
Kangxi’s gaze could not help but land outside the tent. There were more than a dozen of his sons kneeling there.
Maybe there was more than one person behind this. But they were all undoubtedly hidden among his sons.
To him, it was not important who it was. What was important was there were people among his sons who would kill their father and ruler.
“Right now, people are afraid,” Zhang Ting Yu said, “This subject requests the emperor to return to the auxiliary palace first and then decide.”
Kangxi closed his eyes. “Granted.”
Even until he got onto the carriage, Si Ye was a bit dazed. The emperor was in such a hurry to return to the auxiliary palace. He likely was afraid inside.
“Has Eldest A-ge and Second A-ge been settled?” Si Ye asked Su Pei Sheng who was kneeling and taking off his boots.
Su Pei Sheng hurriedly responded, “Eldest A-ge and Second A-ge are in the same carriage, and Wang Chao Qing is serving them. He does not dare to slack off.” Then he looked down and struggled with the boots again.
The boots, the lower part of his robe and his pants were all frozen, hard to take off.
With the brazier’s heat, the ice had melted, but his pants were fully well.
“Master, change all these.” Su Pei Sheng handed over clothing for Si Ye. After feet were frozen, they could not just be warmed with the fire or hot water immediately. Otherwise, it was even worse.
Si Ye changed his pants, boots and socks before he dared to lean back against the side of the carriage. Outside the carriage were dozens of the imperial guards. A-ge like him were not under house arrest like Commandery Prince Zhi, the crown prince, and Thirteen, but they were also not free. Before the emperor made his decision, people would watch them, and the brothers would not dare to talk to each other in secret.
Now, he felt more relieved.
With the emperor’s people around him, at least his safety was more guaranteed.
He also wanted to know who were the people behind all this.
They returned to the auxiliary palace with only light luggage. The emperor summoned the civil and martial officials along with the members of the imperial house in the auxiliary palace before the sun even came up. Si Ye was able to hear the noise from the carriage. Clearly, people panicked after this sudden change.
When the guards outside invited him to get off the carriage, he closely followed behind Third Prince and entered the hall.
The main hall was full of light, but bone chillingly cold.
The emperor’s voice was cold and mechanical, void of all emotion, “…… Does not abide by the ancestral virtues, does not follow Zhen‘s orders, unscrupulous and commits evil, cruel and immoral, he is deposed of the position of crown prince……”
Si Ye’s legs gave out, and he knelt down.
Everyone in the hall knelt down.
How serious was the matter of deposing the crown prince! The emperor just said to depose him.
In reality, being able to depose the crown prince so easily itself showed the problem. It showed that there were no powerful factions behind the crown prince the emperor would be wary of.
After being the crown prince for thirty years, even if something went wrong with his mind, he would not do what the emperor had said.
Now, deposing the crown prince was just to steady people’s hearts after this rebellion.
Regardless of who had instigated this matter, the crown prince had to be sacrificed to prove that the emperor’s imperial power was as firm as before.
He could not help but think of Zhuge Liang weeping and killing Ma Su. Zhuge Liang used Ma Su’s head to uphold military law. The emperor used the crown prince to steady people’s hearts.
Si Ye did not know if the crown prince was truly innocent in this matter. But he was deposed so easily. No one had thought of this.
In the hall, the crowd was kneeling on the cold ground, shouting, “Emperor, think again.”
Si Ye believed that his brothers were not feeling joyful surprise right now, but shock and terror.
He did not know how long he knelt on the ground before someone helped him to the carriage. In the warm and narrow space, his heart slowly settled down.
He had to recognize a reality. The crown prince had truly been deposed.
There were the howling wind and the heavy snow. He opened the window and looked at the white world outside. The desire in his heart slowly took over. He looked at the guards who were said to be protecting him but in reality escorting him, Si Ye slowly closed the window. The cabin was not as warm as before, but this bit of coldness caused him to be more clear minded.
Hong Hui was at the establishment gates, waiting for Si Ye. When the carriage stopped, and he saw so many guards, his heart jerked.
Si Ye’s legs had been frozen and were still numb right now. Su Pei Sheng was about to help Si Ye off the carriage when Hong Hui charged over and carried Si Ye on his back without a word.
Si Ye felt an urge to cry. His eyes turned red. The child was caring about him.
“Put A-ma down,” Si Ye said softly. “A-ma can walk.” In reality, his child was short, and carrying him, his legs were dragging on the ground. His feet were numb and there was no feeling touching the ground.
Hong Hui said in a low voice, “It is fine! This son is strong, we are about to arrive soon.”
Si Ye did not dare to struggle, fearing that the child would slip and fall. He let Hong Hui carry him to the study.
Hong Yun came around the screen and said when he saw Si Ye return, “The hot water has been prepared, soak now. Di–Eniang‘s medicine has been put into the water. It can drive out the cold. Us sons feel very good after using it. A-ma, try.” The palace physicians were very busy right now. It would take a long time to summon them. It was better to depend on themselves.
Then, he went forward and help Hong Hui take off Si Ye’s boots.
Si Ye felt that even if he did not soak in the bath, his heart would be warm.
The two children were frightened about this matter. Si Ye soaked in the water and said, “It is fine! A-ma is here, go and sleep. Rest well. Maybe tomorrow we are returning to the capital. You will not be able to rest well on the road.”
Hong Hui saw that he was fine and left with Hong Yun. Last night, he had not slept much.
Si Ye soaked in the hot water and slowly sighed in pleasure. The coldness was forced out by the medicine. He shuddered. The medicine was so domineering.
When the water cooled down, he felt warm from inside to out.
He ate, and laid down on the bed. He thought he would be unable to sleep, and did not expect sleeping so well.
Si Ye originally thought that they would return to the capital tomorrow. But the emperor sent an edict to depart for the capital during the night.
He did not dare to have Hong Hui and Hong Yun stay in their carriage alone. On such a snowy day, any accidents could occur.
Father and sons packed up what they needed to use and squeezed into one carriage. They traveled back to the capital behind the emperor’s imperial procession.
In reality, it was not much of a squeeze. Si Ye’s carriage was divided into three sections. There were tables in the front. It was possible to eat and write on there. Three to four people could sit in there. The middle section was a bed large enough for two adults to sleep is in. The father and two sons could squeeze in there, and it was very warm. The last section was the place to wash and go to the toilet, and was separated from the middle with the screen.
Si Ye sat in the front and read while Hong Hui and Hong Yun were playing weiqi wrapped up in blankets.
Hong Yun said in a whisper, “Brother, did you see Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle and Thirteenth Uncle? They are in awned wagons, how cold would they be?”
Hong Hui glared at Hong Yun. “Do not be chatty.” He was a bit afraid right now. A fallen phoenix was not as good as a chicken.
Hong Yun pouted and said, “In the past, I disliked Hong Xi and Hong Yu, but now I feel they are pitiful. I see that they want to sent clothing and braziers to their a-ma, but the servants do not allow them to get close, and they speak very badly. Nothing has happened yet, but anyone can step on them.”
Hong Hui absent-mindedly put down a piece. Such a situation was something that no one had expected in the past.
In his eyes, the crown prince and Commandery Prince Zhi were like two unmovable mountains. Now, the mountains had fallen down. With the emperor’s soft words, they had nothing.
For the first time, he knew the terror of imperial power.
Indeed, the charisma of imperial power constantly tempted people close, even if this was the savage truth.
The road was slippery on a snowy day. They did not travel quickly. Si Ye tried to not mention these unhappy matters in front of the two children. He only read to the two children, or advised them about their moves on the game board.
After staying on the carriage for ten days, they entered the capital.
The imperial sons were all escorted back to their establishments by the imperial guard. In reality, their establishments had been surrounded several days ago.
Lin Yu Tong knew the final result, and knew that nothing should happen to Si Ye. But she was not confident about whether there were any hardships during the process. While they still lived life normal after the establishment was surrounded, in reality, she was a bit afraid.
When father and sons returned home, Lin Yu Tong’s tears almost came down.
So much thinner!
They must have suffered on the road.
She secretly inspected the two children, and did not let them leave, telling them to live in the side rooms for now.
Hong Zhao blinked his eyes, and did not dare to go forward. After Hong Hui teased him, he showed his true personality, grabbing onto Si Ye and calling “A-ma“. The courtyard filled with his laughter.
He was at an age that he did not know worry.
Si Ye looked at this child and relaxed a bit more.
At night, when the children went to rest, Lin Yu Tong laid on Si Ye and did not move. “Such serious events occurred, Ye did not suffer hardship?”
Husband and wife had not seen each other for half a year. Si Ye wrapped an arm around her waist and said with a smile, “Fine, just knelt for half a night.”
“Did you soak in the medicine?” Lin Yu Tong pretended to pull Si Ye’s hand and used the chance to take his pulse.
“I did.” Si Ye pulled Lin Yu Tong’s hand. “You were worried too?”
Lin Yu Tong nodded. “So frightening, I heard the news. The people in the capital did not dare to move around.”
Si Ye gave a small sigh. “It will pass.” People would forget when they turned around.
Lin Yu Tong went close and whispered, “Who did it?”
The two were close. A fragrance came at him. Si Ye smiled and pulled her into his arms. He whispered, “If you serve Ye well, then you will be told……”
Outside, the wind howled and the snow was very heavy. Inside, it was very warm, and the red candles swayed……
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