Chapter 117: Chapter 117

In fact, there really was a bit of a connection.

Holding the freshly minted princely title, the Tenth Prince was momentarily stunned but quickly accepted it with joy. After seeing off the palace eunuchs who had come to deliver the imperial edict, Yin E didn't forget to inquire about his Ninth Brother's situation.

The young eunuch smiled obsequiously:

"Reporting to Your Highness, this servant has already learned that besides Your Highness, the Ninth Prince, Twelfth Prince, and Thirteenth Prince have also been promoted this time..."

"Aside from the Ninth Prince being granted the title of Beile, the others were all conferred as Gushan Beizi."

Oh~ Just Beizi? Tsk, the Emperor is as stingy as ever. And those elder brothers who were unjustly criticized for so long didn't even get any compensation.

But it's no big deal—as long as my Ninth Brother got promoted!

At this thought, the Tenth Prince immediately cheered up, repeatedly ordering his servants to open the storeroom. Didn't the Treasure Pavilion just deliver a batch of night pearls recently? He needed to pick the biggest and brightest one for his little niece!

Almost simultaneously, at the Ninth Prince's residence.

It seemed that after this incident, the Emperor had grown extremely wary of the elder princes. Otherwise, given the Emperor's temperament, he would never have done something so humiliating.

The Third and Fourth Princes have been in court for so many years, yet they're still only Beile!

The Fourteenth Prince fared even worse—probably thoroughly implicated by the Uya clan and his elder brother the Fourth Prince.

Tsk, but what does that have to do with me?

Picking up his sweet, soft little daughter, the Ninth Prince snorted lightly and quickly put the matter out of his mind.

Meanwhile, An Ning once again marveled at the Emperor's ruthless tactics that destroyed both body and soul.

After this incident, the Fourteenth Prince would likely hate the Fourth Prince to death—whatever fragile brotherly affection they had would be completely gone.

But wasn't this expected?

Placing the final white chess piece on the board, she reflected:

In the original timeline, Kangxi's late-period promotion of his sons was largely meant to suppress the Crown Prince's faction—though later events suggested he might have lost control.

But this war, at least around the time of the first Crown Prince's deposition, had always been a contest between father and son.

At its core, it was a struggle between imperial power and heir apparent authority.

Now that one player had exited the game, there was no need to continue the charade. Moreover, after witnessing the Crown Prince's incident despite heavy protection, Kangxi's wariness toward his sons had undoubtedly peaked.

Whether it was the Fourth Prince or Eighth Prince, anyone trying to build substantial influence like in their previous lives would first face their father's thunderous wrath...

Seeing everything proceed according to plan, An Ning finally relaxed slightly and ordered the slightly messy chessboard to be put away.

While spectating dramatic events like the "Nine Dragons Seizing the Throne" was undoubtedly thrilling, such chaotic political struggles would only further destabilize the already corrupt late-Kangxi bureaucracy—which would be disastrous.

Rather than leaving the mess for the successor to patch up, it was better to suppress these tendencies from the outset.

As for Yongzheng—with his exceptional workhorse constitution, why live as a carefree country gentleman? This lifetime, he might as well fulfill his potential. At least in An Ning's view, some of his reform measures after ascending the throne had been quite useful...

Indeed, sensing the Emperor's constantly unnerving gaze, Yin Zhen remained silent for a long time before discussing with his advisors and ultimately choosing the "isolated minister" path as a last resort.

Truthfully, given the current situation, Yin Zhen had considered retreating.

But strategic retreat requires having options—in his current predicament, retreating would only make the Emperor more suspicious of his ulterior motives. This retreat might cost him not just the throne, but any future central role in court.

As long as the true culprit behind the Crown Prince's incident remained unknown, he would remain under the Emperor's severe surveillance.

At this thought, Yin Zhen grew even more bitterly resentful toward whoever orchestrated the previous incident.

Running through possible suspects among his brothers—the Eldest, Third, Eighth, even the Fourteenth—who could it be?

Yet despite his resentment, this didn't stop him from becoming increasingly diligent at court, presenting himself as utterly devoted to the empire and the Emperor, willing to sacrifice everything.

Even knowing it would offend countless officials, he persisted in implementing certain policies. Memorials accusing him of "corruption and treachery" appeared every few days—he might as well have stamped "impartial and incorruptible" on his forehead!

His already stern expression grew even more intimidatingly severe.

This demeanor made Yin Tang—who leisurely attended morning assemblies before happily playing with his precious daughter—roll his eyes in disgust.

"Tsk, this Fourth Brother is utterly pretentious!"

Across the room, An Ning elegantly sipped tea and rolled her eyes:

"Whatever Fourth Brother does is his own business—it doesn't affect you!"

Was this really necessary?

"Besides, isn't he doing good work?"

Burning himself out for the empire's sake, contributing his share.

Who knew why her husband found this so objectionable.

Some people just inherently clash—whatever one does will seem hypocritical to the other.

Even the most well-behaved cat would be disliked for shedding fur.

Sure enough, the next moment she heard:

"Hmph, I just can't stand his fake righteousness!"

Downing his wine, Yin Tang couldn't help but sneer.

"We're all brothers—who doesn't see through his little games? Full of ambition yet pretending to be detached and desireless..."

"Remember when we were all in the Princes' Quarters? Whenever our mother sent treats for me and Tenth Brother, he'd get that look."

"I kindly shared Mother's pastries with him, and instead of gratitude, he'd give me attitude!"

An Ning massaged her temples and sighed after a long pause:

"You should really be grateful for your privileged status in this life."

With this personality of yours, it's a miracle you've survived to adulthood without being beaten to death.

As if I don't know you're secretly mocking me again, Donggo.

An Ning: Secretly? I'm doing it openly!

However, this leisurely life didn't last long. At the start of the new year, as the Prince Li's residence was completed, Yin Tang received special appointment to the Imperial Household Department.

In the past, the Ninth Prince might have been pleased—what man doesn't want recognition?

But now, he truly had no ambitions!

Moreover, the Imperial Household Department was undergoing major reshuffling, full of trivial yet annoying tasks.

Glancing at his wife and daughter playing happily on the grass, the Ninth Prince clicked his tongue but still dutifully attended his duties daily, becoming—after the Fourth Prince—another of the Emperor's overworked beasts of burden.