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Authors: Zhao Rui-Yong, Zhou Su
Submitted by Bihailan, in Chinese
Source:
Wu Jing Sina Fan Club
Chapter 3 19. The Garden outside
Kangxi's Chamber
The princes and grandsons, their concubines who are kneeling on the floor,
looks at the old eunuch.
The old eunuch reads out, "By Imperial Decree, Fourth Prince is to see the
Emperor."
"Zha!" Yongzheng gets up and rushes into Kangxi's Chamber.
All the other princes and their wives murmur among themselves, "Why did he
summon only Fourth Brother?"
"I have been kneeling here for half a day. He arrives for just a
while only, yet he is
the only one who gets to go in?"
20. Kangxi's Chamber
Kangxi glances at Yongzheng as he approaches. Yongzheng kneels sadly in
front of Emperor Father ,"Emperor Father! Emperor Father!... ..."
... ...
Kangxi closes his eyes, "Fourth Prince, it's time to crown the price. I am
thinking of letting your Fourteenth Brother ascend the throne..."
On hearing this, Yongzheng sweats heavily.
... ...
Kangxi closes his eyes, thinking deeply. Yongzheng's eyes emit a
vengeful look. Hongli senses his father's murderous air. Kangxi opens
his eyes again. Yongzheng's face turns pale due to disappointment. Hongli
stares at his father. Kangxi peers at the "sickly" Yongzheng and then at
the aristocratic Hongli, his mouth showing a very minor smile that is not
easily noticed.
However, Yongzheng has perceived Kangxi's smile. Yongzheng contains his ecstasy of the
success of the brainchild which he has been meticulously hatching for
years; yet Kangxi fails not notice it. Yongzheng has triumphed over his Emperor
Father.
Suddenly, Kangxi says, "I have changed my mind... ... I've decided to let you
be my successor to the throne... ..."
Yongzheng pretends to be stopped dead in his tracks, "Emperor Father, my
body... ... cannot... ..."
Hongli looks at his father, as if looking at a stranger.
"You're a stable person, are able to withstand hardships ... ... do not hanker after
status, do not delight in power struggle, and are a devout Buddhist who does kind
deeds... ..."
"However, I am not impressed by your temper."
Yongzheng is shocked.
Finally, Kangxi says, "I will still pass the throne to you. You must agree
to two conditions... ..."
Yongzheng is touched, "Emperor Father! ... ..."
Kangxi continues, "Firstly, prevent the Imperial Families from plotting
against each other and this of course refers first to you. Do not be
violent. The throne can easily make one a kind-hearted person, but can also easily make
one an extremely cruel person... ... Can you bear it in mind?"
Hongli listens attentively.
Yongzheng appears to be honest, "Okay, Emperor Father.“
Kangxi, "Secondly, once you have ascended the throne, you will proclaim
Hongli the crown prince. Got it?"
Yongzheng is moved to tears and looks at Hongli.
Breaking down into tears, Hongli lunges into Kangxi's embrace, "Emperor Grandpa!
Emperor Grandpa!"
Kangxi hugs his grandson, "The person I have chosen is your son... I
don't pin much hopes on you!"
Yongzheng feels as if he has been given a real, tight slap squarely in his face.
"I have high hopes on Hongli. Compared to all of you, he is more like his
Emperor Grandpa." Kangxi doesn't disguise the fact that he thinks the
world of Hongli.
Hongli yells, “Emperor Grandpa!”
Kangxi, in great joy, says, “A dynasty of abundance and peace. After
Kangxi, comes Hongli. Hongli ...”
Hongli, “Emperor Grandpa!”
“You like the pure lotus that grow out of muddy water? You simply love
it, eh?” says Kangxi benignly.
Hongli is moved, “Aye.”
Kangxi blinks and smiles at Hongli and Hongli reciprocates him. Such is the
chemistry between the grandfather and the grandson, the two generations of
emperor.
Kangxi issues an order, “Summon Zhang Ting Yu, Long Ke Duo and all the
princes here.”
Old eunuch, “Zha!”
Chapter 7
19. Outside The Palace Door
Raining cats and dogs. The Imperial Guards, who are armed with sabres,
raise the torches as they guide the horse-drawn carriage ferrying Crown Prince
Hongli to the door.
Inside the carriage.
Zhao Hui consoles, “Your Highness, please do not believe their nonsense.
How could you be Great Elder, Chen Yuan Long’s son? Why would His Majesty swop
the babies? This is ludicrous.”
Hongli, letting his body sway along with the rocking carriage, says
nothing. But his eyes are telling us, he is in deep reflection.
“They’ve admitted to defamation, Your Highness, why are you still
worried?”
A loud roar of thunder. The lightning pierces through the curtain, flashes
on Hongli’s face. He is musing over Yongheng’s words,” You’re too
benevolent, to the extent of not being like a descendant of Aixin Jueluo...
...”
Hongli suddenly tells Zhao Hui, “Zhao Hui, find someone from the opera
tomorrow, borrow a costume of Han ethnic and send it into the palace.”
Zhao Hui is puzzled.
20 Empress Niuhu Lushi, Gardening Hall.
... ...
Hongli, wearing Han clothing, steps into the hall, “My respects to Empress
Mother.”
Niuhu Lushi is astounded. Hongli stares nervously at her. Niuhu Lushi
looks at him in a daze. All of sudden, she bangs on the table and stands
up, “Hongli, have you gone mad? Why did you put on Han clothing out of the
blue? Have you forgotten you're a Manchurian?”
Hongli smiles innocently.
Niuhu Lushi, in a most earnest tone, says, “Quick, take them off. What if the
Courtiers see you dressed in this manner?”
Hongli pretending to be like a babe in the woods, “Empress Mother, this is but a
small matter. I went to the theatre... ...”
Niuhu Lushi utters, “As the crown prince, you shouldn't be so frivolous.”
Hongli smiles, “The Han clothing looked so different, so inviting. So I
wanted to borrow a set to put on, to let you see if I look like a Han.
Quick, tell me."
The palace maids hesitate.
A little palace maid enters the room, clapping her hands in excitement,
she exclaims "Indeed, Your Highness resembles a Han!"
Without delay, Niuhu Lushi gives her a tight slap. Hongli gives Niuhu
Lushi a cold glance.
Niuhu Lushi harshly says, "What are you standing there for. Get out!"
Hongli acts like a happy kid, "Empress Mother, simmer down. I will remove
them right away."
Hongli disrobes, Niuhu Lushi snatches the Han clothing, walks to the
doorway and throws them out, "Qiu-er, burn the clothes."
Qiu-er replies, "Yes, Her Majesty," and incinerate them.
Hongli walks out, steals a sweeping glance at the Han clothes and
hurriedly heads towards Yuedong Doorway. He walks to Zhao Hui's side and
stops. He looks at the clothes being burned to ashes. The howling wind
causes the ashes to flutter about in the air.
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