Chapter 26 – Meeting the Crown Prince

That one sentence froze them both in place.

Yinreng lifted his head in puzzlement. Seeing that the newcomer was dressed as an imperial consort, he understood she must be someone from his imperial father’s harem. But hadn’t his father always most disliked anyone from the harem coming near him? Why would he call someone in when he knew his son was present?

Yu Ying’s step faltered, but she still obeyed Kangxi’s summons and moved to stand beside him.

Father and son were playing chess.

Yu Ying’s gaze, out of her control, fell on the young man across from them—just in time to meet the eyes that were studying her in turn.

[So this is Yinreng, the deposed Crown Prince of the Kangxi reign?]

One thought—and the veins on the hand holding Kangxi’s chess piece instantly bulged.

Yu Ying looked at the young man sitting opposite: dressed in an apricot-yellow robe embroidered with dragons, sitting upright on the couch, dignified and poised.

[What a refined and handsome young man!]

[Honestly, Kangxi, say something—at least introduce us!]

Only then did Kangxi seem to snap out of it. He spoke to her: “Wei-shi, this is the Crown Prince.”

Then to the prince: “Baocheng, this is Noble Lady Wei of the inner palace.”

Hearing this, Yu Ying finally curtsied to the prince. “This concubine greets Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Though surprised that his father would introduce someone from the harem to him, Yinreng still rose politely and clasped his hands. “Noble Lady, no need for such ceremony.”

Listening to Kangxi’s introduction, Yu Ying forced herself not to roll her eyes.

[Look at this—I* am just ‘Wei-shi,’ and the Crown Prince is ‘Baocheng.’ He doesn’t even bother to hide the difference in importance.]*

[No wonder the other princes later grew resentful of him.]

As she looked at the Crown Prince—so dignified and graceful—Yu Ying’s mind ran through countless thoughts.

[The only formally established Crown Prince in all of the Qing dynasty.]

[Deposed twice, reinstated twice—finally imprisoned until death.]

[The Crown Prince appointed to win over the Han officials. As much as Kangxi loved him in the early years, he would despise him in the end.]

[Just an experimental pawn of history.]

[His end was so tragic that later emperors never again dared establish a clear heir while living.]

[But he doesn’t look the least bit tyrannical or unhinged.]

[Maybe Kangxi just needed excuses to depose him.]

[Though some say he really was driven mad in the end.]

Truthfully, Yu Ying had always felt sympathy for Crown Prince Yinreng. Now that she was seeing him as a young boy, she couldn’t help feeling even more pity. Her expression softened with a trace of compassion.

Yinreng, however, felt increasingly uncomfortable under her steady gaze. She was a consort—shouldn’t she avoid looking at him like this?

He shifted slightly, trying to ignore the odd sense of scrutiny.

Neither of them noticed that Kangxi’s expression was growing darker and darker.

At that moment, Kangxi felt himself sway. He had grabbed the armrest to keep from collapsing when the first sentence from Yu Ying’s mind struck him.

But he hadn’t yet steeled himself when, one phrase after another, each like a blade, kept pouring into his ears without warning.

His eyes turned bloodshot. His breathing grew ragged.

Then he heard her thought—the Crown Prince was eventually driven mad—and at last, with a choked gasp, blood spurted from his lips.

The two others in the room were so startled they cried out.

“Your Majesty!”

“Father!”

Yu Ying quickly caught Kangxi as he slumped sideways, landing herself seated beside him. She turned to Yinreng urgently. “Your Highness—please, call Liang Jiugong and have him summon the imperial physicians right away! And get a few people to help carry His Majesty to the bed.”

Yinreng bolted for the door without a second’s delay.

In an instant, the study was filled with frantic footsteps.

Soon, Kangxi was carried behind the screen onto the couch he normally used to rest between reading memorials.

Yu Ying sat at his side. Yinreng stood close by, his face pale.

How had it come to this? What could have angered him so badly that he vomited blood?

She looked at the bright red stains by his mouth, then turned to the young eunuch waiting nearby. “Wei Zhu, bring me a basin of water. I’ll wipe His Majesty’s face.”

With Liang Jiugong off summoning doctors, the only attendant left was Wei Zhu.

And besides, it was better that not too many people knew the Emperor had collapsed like this.

After Wei Zhu hurried off, Yu Ying finally looked at the Crown Prince. His face was as white as paper.

She sighed softly.

Still just a child.

Rising, she fetched a brocade stool and set it in front of him.

“Your Highness, please sit for a moment. His Majesty has always been in strong health—he will be fine.”

When Yinreng didn’t respond, Yu Ying dared to take his hand in hers.

The moment she touched him, she shivered—it was ice-cold.

Feeling the warmth of her palm, Yinreng finally turned to look at her. “Noble Lady… do you really think Father will be all right?”

In those years, Kangxi not only adored this child, but Yinreng’s love for his father was deep and sincere.

How did this father and son ever come to such a terrible end?

“Yes, Your Highness,” she said gently. “I’ve seen His Majesty daily—he is always strong and well. He will certainly recover. But Your Highness—your hand is so cold. Here, hold this to warm up. We can’t have you worrying His Majesty further.”

She handed him her small personal hand-warmer.

“Thank you, Noble Lady.”

Before long, Wei Zhu returned with a basin of water.

Yu Ying wrung out a cloth and carefully wiped the blood from Kangxi’s face.

When she finished, she dropped the cloth into the basin.

“Wei Zhu, please have a few people clear away the low table. Those bloodstained chess pieces will have to be discarded.”

Wei Zhu quickly withdrew to fetch help.

Meanwhile, Liang Jiugong finally reached the Imperial Medical Bureau. Without wasting breath to explain, he simply seized the Emperor’s personal physician and raced back to the palace.

The poor old doctor nearly fell apart trying to keep up.

Hurrying as fast as they could, they finally arrived at the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

At the sound of movement, Yu Ying and Yinreng both looked up.

Seeing the physicians, they quickly rose and stepped aside.

The imperial doctor glanced at the unconscious Kangxi and immediately sensed this was no small matter. Without stopping to bow, he went straight to the bedside to feel the Emperor’s pulse.

As he examined it, understanding dawned in his heart.

Opening his case of golden needles, he drew out a few and swiftly inserted them into the Emperor’s body. Only then did he stand and bow toward the Crown Prince.

“Physician Zhou, there’s no need for ceremony,” Yinreng said at once, supporting him to keep him from kneeling. “How is my father?”

“Reporting to Your Highness: His Majesty suffered a sudden surge of anger and agitation. I have already applied acupuncture—he should regain consciousness shortly.”

“Thank you for your efforts.”

Physician Zhou bowed again and stepped back.

Yu Ying didn’t say anything more, but turned back to look at Kangxi, her mind still in turmoil.

How had this happened? What could have made him so furious he coughed up blood?

Reviewing everything that had occurred since she arrived, she still couldn’t think of anything. Could it have been something that happened before I got here?

She turned to Yinreng. “Your Highness… did you anger His Majesty earlier?”

Yinreng shook his head. He looked bewildered. By his own reckoning, their time together had been quite pleasant.

For a while, neither of them spoke. There was nothing to do but wait.

Before long, Kangxi stirred and slowly regained consciousness.

“Your Majesty—you’re awake!”

“Father!”

Opening his eyes, Kangxi saw the two of them sitting nearby. Remembering the thoughts he’d heard before he fainted, he was momentarily at a loss for how to face them.

“I’m fine—you’ve both been frightened,” he said at last.

[Frightened? Who wouldn’t be, if you got so angry you vomited blood?]

Yu Ying was about to speak when Kangxi shot her a look.

“Wei-shi,” he said curtly, “you go out first. I have things to discuss with the Crown Prince.”

She hesitated. “Then… shall I return to Changchun Palace?”

Kangxi glared. “I said wait outside, not go back. What—standing in the corridor is too much to ask?”

“No, no—of course not!” Yu Ying stood up at once. “I’ll wait just outside.”

And with that, she retreated as fast as if something were chasing her.

[I knew I shouldn’t have come!]

“The rest of you, leave us, too,” Kangxi ordered.

Soon, only he and the bewildered Crown Prince remained.

Kangxi looked at Yinreng, his expression complicated. When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse almost to breaking.

“Baocheng—”