Chapter 27 – Awakening

As soon as Yinreng heard him, he quickly ran over, poured a cup of tea, and held it to Kangxi’s lips.
“Father, please drink some tea.”

Kangxi accepted and took a sip from his hand.

When he finished, Yinreng set the cup back on the table.

Kangxi watched this child, running back and forth. This was the son he was proudest of, and now, having suddenly learned of the fate awaiting him, Kangxi didn’t know how to face him.

“Baocheng, come sit here. Father wants to talk to you.”

Ever since Kangxi had ordered everyone else out of the room, Yinreng had been reflecting anxiously, wondering if he truly had angered his father. Now, hearing Kangxi call him over, he approached nervously and sat down, looking at him and cautiously asking,
“Father… was it me? Did I make you angry?”

Seeing his son like this—and remembering the tragic end he would meet—Kangxi felt even more uneasy.

“Baocheng, why would you think that? You have always done very well. You are the son I am most satisfied with. Never belittle yourself.”

Hearing such affirmation, Yinreng’s eyes turned red. Kangxi had always been strict and demanding with him. Yinreng knew this was because his father held high expectations, but he was still just a twelve-year-old child who longed for direct praise from the person he admired most.

He had grown up listening to tales of his father’s exploits—ascending the throne at eight years old, outmaneuvering Oboi. He had always felt proud and in awe of having such a father, but he also feared he would never measure up. Yet now, hearing that he was his father’s greatest pride, it was as though those words alone could soothe all his long-standing insecurities.

“Your son… your son was afraid I still wasn’t good enough.” With such resolute praise, Yinreng finally voiced the fear in his heart.

Kangxi felt, for the first time, that he truly saw his Baocheng. He had raised him at his side from childhood, teaching him the arts of rulership by example. He had assumed Baocheng was proud and confident, never imagining he harbored such anxiety.

He studied this son carefully. To think that he would one day depose him—was he truly wrong about him? Or was Baocheng simply not suited to be crown prince? And in the end, who had inherited the throne?

At present, aside from the Crown Prince, only the eldest son, Yinchi, had recently begun attending court after marrying. The other princes were still too young. It was all still far off. But Kangxi couldn’t imagine passing the throne to anyone other than Baocheng. If in the future even he would personally depose Baocheng, what good end could any of the others meet?

If Yu Ying could have heard Kangxi’s thoughts just then, she would surely have agreed with all her heart:

Kangxi, you’re very clear on your own nature!

But Yu Ying did not know, and neither did Kangxi.

Having spoken his heart, Yinreng felt much lighter, no longer caring if his father might scold him.

But Kangxi felt no inclination to scold. He lowered his head in contemplation.
Enough. Baocheng lost his mother at birth. Unlike the other princes, he had no empress mother at his side. I disliked seeing him close to the Hesheri clan. No one was there to guide or comfort him—how could he not overthink things?

He thought of Yu Ying again. It seemed she had no ulterior motives toward Baocheng. And since she knew future events, if she could be devoted to Baocheng, perhaps she could help him avoid that fate.

This idea flashed through Kangxi’s mind.
No… not appropriate. Better to wait and see.

“You are still young, Baocheng. There is nothing to fear. I will always be here to shield you.”

While father and son were warming to each other inside, Yu Ying stood outside the study in the cold wind, her resentment rising to the sky.

Liang Jiugong and the other attendants were also standing by. Seeing this Noble Lady Wei left outside, they all began to speculate—
Did she offend His Majesty somehow?

It was hard to say how much time passed before Yinreng finally came out, eyes red, and said to Yu Ying,
“Noble Lady Wei, Father asks you to come in.”

Yu Ying noticed he looked as though he’d been crying.
Did Kangxi scold him until he cried?

Feeling her direct gaze, Yinreng belatedly realized how embarrassed he was. He quickly lowered his head and led his servants away without looking back, returning straight to the Palace of Yuqing.

Watching the boy flee, Yu Ying couldn’t help but chuckle.

Ah, why so shy?

On the way back to Yuqing Palace, Yinreng kept his head down and walked very fast.
I am not a child anymore—why am I still so prone to tears? Will Father think I am not steady enough?

Meanwhile, Yu Ying walked into the room and looked at Kangxi lying in bed. The more she looked, the less pleased she felt. Without any formality, she plopped down by the bed, her tone full of irony:
“Truly, Your Majesty, it’s impressive you didn’t forget I was still outside freezing.”

Kangxi had become accustomed to her lack of decorum and disregard for rank. He only frowned faintly at her words.

“What do you think of the Crown Prince?” he asked cautiously.

[Hmm? What? Wait—Kangxi hasn’t gone feverish, has he? Why would he ask a mere noble lady to comment on the Crown Prince?]

“Speak freely. I will pardon you,” Kangxi said, hearing her internal misgivings and growing impatient. He was desperate to know her thoughts on the matter.

“This concubine met His Highness for the first time today. In my eyes, His Highness has the bearing of a true heir—composed, dignified, every movement reflecting the demeanor of a crown prince. Naturally, he is excellent in all respects.” Yu Ying racked her brain to produce the most flattering answer.

[Praise! Just keep praising—at this moment, Yinreng is still Kangxi’s treasure. Praise will never go wrong!]

[Though really, it’s all because Kangxi lived too long.]

[The older he grew, the more muddled he became!]

[In the early years he could be called a wise ruler, but in old age he insisted on “benevolent governance,” turned a blind eye to corruption, and only targeted his own sons.]

[He left such a mess for Yongzheng—poor Yongzheng had to replenish the coffers by confiscating estates and finally worked himself to death.]

[Honestly, for someone to hold the position of Crown Prince for over forty years—how could he not be outstanding? If Yinreng had inherited the throne, maybe everyone would have been better off!]

[It’s all Kangxi’s fault!]

Kangxi didn’t care what she said aloud; he only wanted to hear what she truly thought.

He heard her praise him as a wise ruler—then immediately call him muddled in old age and blame him for living too long and burdening the next emperor. His heart twisted in grievance.
So my longevity was a mistake too?

But hearing her affirm Baocheng as excellent, imagining that if Baocheng succeeded the throne it would be good for everyone, he felt a surge of pride again.
I knew it—my Baocheng truly is the best!

As for that so-called Yongzheng—best he never take the throne at all. He was still his son; working himself to death was no proper end.

Kangxi’s eyes brightened.
Since Heaven has allowed me to learn the future in advance, surely it means I have the chance to change it.

With that, Kangxi looked at Yu Ying more and more favorably.
Indeed, she is Heaven’s blessing sent to me, Aisin Gioro Xuanye.

Seeing the satisfaction in his eyes, Yu Ying thought her flattery must have struck home and felt rather smug.

Little Kangxi—easy to handle!

“Ahem—Wei-shi, what you said is not wrong. Baocheng is indeed excellent,” Kangxi coughed once, replying calmly as if nothing was amiss.

Harboring a vague guilt for planning to use her, Kangxi’s manner grew all the gentler.
“You must have been frightened when I fainted just now.”

It was better not to mention it, because as soon as he did, Yu Ying recalled it vividly.
“Yes, Your Majesty, this concubine had never seen anyone cough up blood before. You collapsed right into my arms—I was so scared I couldn’t stop trembling. Thank Heaven you are safe!”

Watching her put on this show of concern, Kangxi could only find it amusing. Just moments ago she had thought he’d lived too long, and now she claimed to worry for his safety.

Normally, Kangxi despised those who presented one face openly and another in secret. But perhaps because both sides of Yu Ying were laid bare to him, he found her transparent foolishness surprisingly tolerable. Besides, after testing her a few times, he was sure she meant no harm to the dynasty.

He also noticed that whenever she felt guilty, she tended to revert to formal titles.

“By the way,” Yu Ying suddenly recalled, “why did Your Majesty summon me today?”

Kangxi, too, remembered. But he couldn’t very well say it was just to have her meet the Crown Prince. He pondered a moment, then spoke with deliberation:

“I have decided to bestow a title upon you. I wished to have you come and see it.”