Chapter 15 The Black Hand

Suo’etu’s paternal affection remained intact, but his heartache gradually surged, his face turning blank.

To put it plainly, it was like finally riding a rocket into the sky, only for the airbag to eject before even leaving the atmosphere—completely deflated.

How had it come to this—his silver? He truly couldn’t bear to part with it…

Earlier, Suo’etu had been secretly delighted. Since the Crown Prince was handling the debts, the Hesheli clan would surely show some leniency, while Mingzhu and the Eldest Prince were bound to suffer.

Everything had been progressing so smoothly—how had it come to this dilemma? How had it fallen on him?

If asked whether he was happy, he wasn’t particularly so; if asked whether he was upset, he wasn’t that either.

A lofty hat was thrust upon him, and Suo’etu had no choice but to take it, firmly place it on his head, and resolutely refuse to remove it.

Just look—the young master couldn’t eat or sleep well. This was tearing his heart out! And his moral character… Could it possibly be worse than that old fox Mingzhu?

The Crown Prince watched him with an inscrutable gaze. Suo’etu clasped his hands in a gesture that was half-laugh, half-sob, as if he had finally steeled himself. Trembling, he gritted his teeth and said, “Since the young master makes this request, how could this old servant… dare refuse?”

The Fourth Prince was utterly stunned.

Minister Suo had been notorious in the Shunzhi era as a rascal, even daring to defy his own father, Soni. Only in his later years had he mellowed slightly. Forget about this sum of over three hundred thousand taels—once something entered his grasp, when had he ever spat it back out?

From the selection of the first empress in the early Kangxi era to the fierce debates over the Crown Prince’s investiture, Suo’etu had reaped every benefit. Gradually, the nickname “Never Spits Out” spread through the capital. The Fourth Prince was lost in thought, dazed, unaware that an even greater shock awaited him.

His beloved nephew Yuanbao, whom he considered a kindred spirit, beamed and exclaimed loudly, “Great-Uncle, you’re so good to me!”

Hearing this, Suo’etu’s heartache finally eased, replaced by self-satisfaction. With reddened eyes, he declared solemnly, “As long as the young master is happy, anything is worth it.”

“…” The Crown Prince looked at him as if he were an idiot. Even the upright Yinzhen couldn’t take it anymore.

“Then please return and settle the accounts, or convert it into banknotes. Tomorrow, Father, Fourth Uncle, and I will come to collect it personally,” Hong Yan said cheerfully, painting a grand picture. “By then, the entire capital will know of the Hesheli clan’s contributions and Great-Uncle’s noble character! Hanmafa will surely reward you generously, praising you as a true pillar of the state!”

Suo’etu pictured the scene and immediately perked up, floating on air as he agreed and strode off.

The Crown Prince watched as his rascal advisor abandoned all pretense of wisdom. After a long silence, he looked down at his son and asked, “Where on earth did you learn these skills?”

Hong Yan replied sweetly, “I just learned them from Nalan. He thought I was dull and lacking in literary talent—I could tell! They say the slow bird must fly early. As Father’s most devoted son, how could I fall behind?”

Before the Crown Prince could respond, Hong Yan seemed to remember something and eagerly added, “Father, I need to ask you for a favor.”

Though the Fourth Prince sensed something amiss, he was moved by Hong Yan’s diligent and studious spirit.

Yuanbao shared his interests and had helped him and his second brother so greatly—this small request was truly insignificant. Thinking this, Yinzhen quickly asked, “What do you need? Fourth Uncle can provide it too.”

The Crown Prince had been about to scold Hong Yan when Fourth Prince swooped in to claim his son, leaving him displeased.

“Suo’etu mentioned the banquet would require Fourth Brother’s efforts. If it adds to your burden, how could I feel at ease?” he spoke with an air of exceptional wisdom.  

Hong Yan glanced between them, fully aware of his role as a charming troublemaker. He coughed softly and said in a gentle tone, “Nephew wouldn’t trouble Fourth Uncle. Does Father have any talented scholars skilled in poetry? Preferably young—just one will do.”  

The Crown Prince was slightly surprised but quickly fell into thought, not questioning Hong Yan’s purpose.  

When it came to literary talent, the first person the Crown Prince thought of was Nalan Rongruo—unfortunately, heaven envied his brilliance. His admiration for Rongruo did not lessen his disdain for Mingzhu, so he skipped over the gifted younger members of the Nalan family and considered his maternal relatives, the Hesheli clan…  

The Hesheli family had hardly produced any bright minds devoted to literature from a young age.  

Judging by Suo’etu, they were good enough as study companions, but poetry was out of the question. The Crown Prince resolved to ask his advisors upon returning to the palace and calmly took Hong Yan’s hand, saying, “I’ll remember. I’ll assign someone to you first thing tomorrow.”  

Then he quietly asked Yinzhen, “Fourth Brother, you’ve been accompanying me on these trips with little rest. Would you like to visit the rear palace?”  

The Fourth Prince’s faint smile stiffened slightly. After a long pause, he nodded calmly. “It’s time I did.”  

“Lord Prince, Her Ladyship has been unwell since returning from the Empress Dowager’s palace and is unfit to receive visitors. This servant was just rushing to summon the imperial physician,” Lüwu said hurriedly, holding a token as she curtsied. “My deepest apologies, Lord Prince.”  

Yinzhen’s phoenix eyes darkened slightly as he nodded and asked, “Was Mother unwell yesterday?”  

Lüwu shook her head and whispered, “Perhaps she was slighted at the Empress Dowager’s palace. She’ll recover soon.”  

Consort De hadn’t just been slighted—her dignity had been stripped bare.  

It happened to be the fifth day of the month, the day for paying respects at the Empress Dowager’s palace. There was no avoiding it, especially since the Empress Dowager had issued an edict to discuss the Ninth Princess’s marriage. And so, all attention fell on Consort De. Consort Yi took every opportunity to twist the knife, addressing her as “Sister Consort De” and asking if she needed financial assistance. Consorts Hui and Rong pretended to mediate but only fanned the flames.  

Only the Noble Consort maintained a composed smile, though everyone in the rear palace knew that the palace authority once held by Consort De had fallen into her hands.  

The Empress Dowager, indifferent to such matters, showed no special regard for Consort De despite the Ninth Princess being raised in her palace—nothing compared to the favor shown to Consort Yi, mother of the Fifth Prince.  

The ordeal of paying respects finally ended, and Consort De fell ill immediately upon returning. Not even the news that the Ninth Princess would remain in the capital after marriage could lift her spirits.  

The Emperor had decreed the Ninth Princess’s marriage to the eldest grandson of the Tong family, scheduled after the Eighth Prince’s wedding. Anyone who heard it would sigh in admiration—the Emperor truly doted on the Ninth Princess.  

But if Consort De had her way, she’d rather her daughter marry into Mongolia than become a daughter-in-law of the Tong family!  

Tong Jia’s, Tong Jia’s—she could never escape them. Remembering her brother’s exile and the near-destruction of the Uya clan, Consort De’s heart bled with hatred. How had she given birth to such a scourge?  

The Fourteenth Prince’s status had been downgraded, now on equal footing with that wretched Zhangjiashi’s son. He even forced a smile when paying respects at the Palace of Eternal Harmony—it was like cutting her flesh! And then there were the hundreds of thousands in debts. No matter how frugal she was, when would she ever repay them?  

The Palace of Eternal Harmony’s staff had been replaced, her informants nearly all gone. The only one left under her control was Li Jia in the East Palace.

Consort De lay on the couch, her face pale, her nails digging deep into her palms.

Hong Yan! Wasn’t he the root cause of all this, colluding with his uncle?

That little bastard would get his comeuppance.

Lüwu also harbored resentment toward the Fourth Prince. She forced a smile as she finished her curtsey before hurrying off to the Imperial Hospital.

Yinzhen pulled a string of prayer beads from his robe, slowly rolling them between his fingers. He silently recited the mantra his confidant had taught him, reminding himself not to get angry—anger breeds illness, and no one would take his place if he fell ill.

His wife came daily to pay respects, even bringing Honghui yesterday, yet his mother had turned them away at the door. He understood her anger over the Desheng affair, but what fault could a one-year-old child possibly have?

How absurd.

Only when the cold tension in the air eased did Yinzhen glance at the nervous Su Peisheng. “Let’s go.”

Su Peisheng murmured an acknowledgment, hesitating before whispering, “Would Your Highness like to visit the Fourteenth Prince?”

“He’s never welcomed my presence. Why should I force myself upon him?” Yinzhen replied coolly. “Have you forgotten what happened with the Thirteenth Prince? After so much smooth sailing, it’s time he learned a lesson.”

Su Peisheng thought to himself—wasn’t that the truth?

The Fourteenth Prince had been in a foul mood lately, but who had ever wronged him since childhood? The Thirteenth Prince indulged and flattered him, and His Highness sent him every precious gift, treating him with the same care as Honghui. The mistress certainly had her opinions about this.

“Enough of these troubles. Tell me—what exactly does Yuanbao need those people for?” The Fourth Prince’s mood shifted abruptly, his eyes now bright with curiosity, all gloom vanished.

“How could this lowly servant fathom the ingenious thoughts of Yuanbao?” Su Peisheng chuckled in relief. “If I could guess, wouldn’t I be his confidant too?”

Yinzhen was visibly pleased by the word “confidant,” casting a smug glance at him. “At least you have some sense.”

Su Peisheng: “…”

My lord, if word of this spreads, will you still be so proud??

That evening, at the Tong residence.

Tong Guowei was overseeing the accounting when a servant announced Nalan’s arrival—knocking at the side gate, no less.

He stroked his beard, a shrewd glint in his eyes. “Show him in.”

In the study, Tong Guowei and Mingzhu sat facing each other. Upon learning the Tong family had gathered the silver, Mingzhu’s hand paused mid-sip, his tone laden with meaning. “To curry the Emperor’s favor by yielding to the Crown Prince’s whims may not be wise.”

Tong Guowei set down his teacup. “What do you mean?”

“You haven’t heard?” Mingzhu feigned surprise.

Closing his eyes briefly, he recalled the intelligence from his household, his expression turning grave.

“In just a few days, the famously reticent Fourth Prince has gained a confidant. And this confidant is no ordinary figure—not only advising the Crown Prince but also wielding immense influence, even deceiving the Emperor. His true purpose? To overthrow our Great Qing dynasty!”