SFS Chapter 260 The Death of the Supreme Emperor
Chapter 260 The Death of the Supreme Emperor
Chapter 260 The Emperor's Death
The carriage moved slowly forward, the wheels creaking as they rolled over the ground. As time passed, the sky gradually darkened, and the once clear blue sky was now dyed orange-red by the setting sun.
Finally, the carriage arrived at Changchun Garden. Buerhe and Yinreng hurriedly jumped out, then carefully helped the Grand Empress Dowager down. Meanwhile, Concubine Yi and Liang Jiugong had been waiting at the gate for a long time. They spotted the carriage approaching from afar and hurried forward to greet it.
However, the Empress Dowager looked around but did not see Xuanye. Her heart sank, knowing that with Kangxi's character, if he knew she was coming, he would definitely go out to greet her personally and would never let her wait there for long.
Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It seemed that the situation was more serious than she had imagined. She was afraid that she couldn't even hold on to a trace of luck.
Concubine Yi's face looked a little pale. When she saw the Empress Dowager, she tried hard to force a smile, but the smile seemed very forced.
She said softly, "Why are you here too? You've been traveling so long, and it's almost dark. We're really worried that you're rushing here at this time!" As she spoke, Concubine Yi couldn't help but shook her head slightly.
The Grand Empress Dowager frowned slightly, patted the back of Concubine Yi's hand, and said soothingly, "Don't worry, my old bones are still strong and can withstand this ordeal. But what about the situation with Xuanye?"
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's question, Concubine Yi suddenly looked embarrassed and moved her lips as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she did not open her mouth.
Seeing this, Yinreng quickly came to the rescue of Concubine Yi, saying, "I have already informed the Imperial Madam of the matter. If the Empress has anything to say, please feel free to speak."
The Grand Empress Dowager nodded, looked at Concubine Yi with a firm gaze, and said earnestly, "Speak, I want to hear the truth. No matter what happened, we will face it together."
Seeing everyone's solemn expressions, Concubine Yi finally spoke slowly, "As soon as you left, the Emperor immediately summoned Imperial Physician Liang and asked him to take his pulse again and examine him carefully. However, when he learned the results, the Emperor was furious, even more angry than before.
If it weren't for the quick response of Imperial Physician Liang and his full efforts to save him, the retired emperor would have died on the spot..." Speaking of this, Concubine Yi paused with lingering fear, and then continued, "After that, the retired emperor even threatened the lives of Imperial Physician Liang's nine clans, forcing him to tell the truth. Imperial Physician Liang had no choice but to report the truth to the retired emperor.
From that moment on, the Emperor, in a rage, drove all of us out. Even when Eunuch Liang tried to enter, he refused to allow him to do so. If you two hadn't arrived just in time, Eunuch Liang would have already been about to ride into the palace to seek help."
After hearing these words, Yinreng was shocked. He never expected that so many changes would happen here during their absence.
Thinking carefully, he realized he was completely unaware of this. Perhaps it was because someone was always following him, and the secret guards responsible for delivering the message were unable to report to him due to being unseen. However, facing this situation right now was indeed a difficult problem.
After all, no one could fathom what the Emperor was thinking at the moment, nor what he was contemplating, or what he intended to do next. Yinreng knew the gravity of the matter and dared not act rashly, for in life-or-death situations, some people would resort to any means necessary to protect themselves.
It is no wonder that Yinreng had such thoughts. If we just recall the various events and actions that Kangxi has experienced in recent years, it is actually very normal for Yinreng to have such thoughts, isn't it?
Yet, at this very moment, the Empress Dowager's heart was burning with anxiety. She hurried forward, quickly reaching the door of Kangxi's room. She reached out and knocked hard on the closed door, calling out anxiously, "Xuanye, Your Majesty, it's me! The Empress Dowager has come all the way to see you."
To everyone's astonishment, the door, which had been tightly shut like a solid wall, creaked slightly after the Empress Dowager called out several times, then slowly opened. Immediately afterwards, Kangxi, looking haggard and as if he had experienced many hardships, slowly walked out of the room.
Kangxi looked up and saw the Grand Empress Dowager standing outside. He hurried forward, his face full of concern, and said, "My Lady, why did you choose to come at this hour? It's freezing cold today. If you catch a cold, how can I rest assured?"
The Grand Empress Dowager gazed intently at the haggard Kangxi in front of her, her heartache evident in words. She couldn't help but stretch out her hands and stroke Kangxi's body up and down, muttering to herself, "Xuanye, are you all right? I heard from Concubine Yi that you've been alone in this room for a long time, and you haven't allowed anyone else to enter. How could this not make the Empress Dowager worried?"
When Kangxi heard this, although he was a little angry that Concubine Yi had invited the Empress Dowager without his permission, when he felt the sincere and deep care from the Empress Dowager, a warm current surged in his heart, and all his resentment disappeared instantly.
Kangxi said to the Grand Empress Dowager with a smile, "Mother Empress, I'm really fine, you can relax! I'm in good health." After that, he carefully supported the Grand Empress Dowager and slowly walked into the house.
Seeing this, Yinreng did not dare to delay and hurriedly led everyone to follow him into the room.
Kangxi was immersed in deep thought for the entire afternoon. After repeated thinking, he finally figured out many things.
Whatever, now that things have come to this, I probably only have a few days left to live. Why bother obsessing over things outside of my own life? In the end, I might end up with my family and friends shunned and abandoned.
Just as Yinreng had said before, he decided not to interfere with the Tong family anymore.
The key to being a man is whether one is strong enough. If a man is not capable of shouldering the responsibility, even if he tries every possible way to gain more help and support for the Tong family, when the time comes to truly face difficulties, it will be useless, and the Tong family will ultimately be doomed to decline.
He knew very well that over the years, although many people had expressed envy for the Tong family's power and even called them "Tong Banchao", in reality, deep down they were filled with contempt.
After all, the Tong family's previous generation of prominent figures have either long since passed away or are now old and frail. Now, the only one who can barely hold up the family's facade is the relatively insignificant Fahai. If this continues, the Tong family's decline is only a matter of time.
Just like the once prominent Dong E family, although there was a woman like Dong E who disgusted the royal family, because the men of the Dong E family were ambitious and talented, they are still active in the court today and maintain a certain status and influence.
Their clan occupies a considerable position among the old Manchu surnames. Even he likes to use that old guy Fei Yanggu in wars, right?
Kangxi said to the Empress Dowager with a sincere face: "Empress Dowager, I have thought it through completely. In the future, I will never be as stubborn as before!" Seeing Kangxi's serious and determined look, which did not seem to have any intention of pretending, everyone felt relieved.
So, the family sat together happily, enjoying this rare warm moment and having a hearty meal together. After eating and drinking to their heart's content, everyone returned to their rooms with a sense of satisfaction and fatigue.
Meanwhile, Hongye, far away in Weihaiwei, Shandong, was busy attending to affairs. Suddenly, a swift horse galloped up like the wind, its hooves kicking up clouds of dust. The rider galloped all the way to Hongye, hurriedly dismounted, knelt on one knee, and presented a handwritten letter from the capital, stamped with the emperor's imperial seal.
Seeing this, Hongye's heart tightened, and he quickly reached out to take the letter. He quickly opened the envelope, his eyes eagerly scanning the words on the letter. However, after just a few glances, Hongye's face changed drastically, and his hands began to tremble uncontrollably. Then, as if losing its support, the letter slipped quietly from his hands.
Hongye stumbled twice, and if the guard beside him hadn't been quick to catch him, he would have fallen to the ground. Xiao Lingzi, the eunuch who had been following Hongye closely, also hurried forward and carefully picked up the scattered letters one by one and put them away properly.
Xiao Lingzi looked at Hongye with worry in his heart and asked softly, "Prince, has something big happened in the capital?" This question was like a thunderclap, instantly waking up Hongye who was in shock.
Hongye's eyes were red and filled with tears, and his voice was hoarse from excessive excitement. He shouted anxiously, "Quick, prepare a horse for me immediately! I must leave for the capital immediately. The emperor is still waiting to see me!"
Upon hearing Hongye's order, Xiao Lingzi didn't dare delay even a moment and hurriedly ran to fetch Hongye a thick cloak and enough dry food for the journey. Meanwhile, the well-trained guards also sprang into action, assembling their troops and preparing sufficient horses and escort personnel along the way.
Just a quarter of an hour later, everything was ready. Hongye jumped on his horse and led this hastily formed team, galloping towards the capital at the fastest speed.
When Hongye finally arrived at Changchun Garden after many hardships, the sun had already set, a streak of blood-red sunset shimmering across the horizon. Kangxi lay on his sickbed, his breath weak, like a candle in the wind, ready to go out at any moment.
A heavy, oppressive atmosphere permeated Changchun Garden. All of Kangxi's descendants had gathered there, their faces solemn, their eyes filled with tears. Numerous ministers and members of the imperial family had also arrived, quietly waiting nearby.
Seeing Hongye's dusty and slightly exhausted figure appear at the door, everyone stood up tacitly and filed out, leaving this space to the grandfather and grandson who were about to say goodbye.
Kangxi raised his hand with difficulty and gently stroked Hongye's face, which was a little rough due to his hurried journey. He said in a trembling voice: "Hongye, the emperor has spoken out of turn... I wanted to accompany you through the long road ahead and watch you lead the Qing Dynasty to glory, but now it seems that it is no longer possible.
Ahem, but, the Emperor Mafa has always firmly believed that my Hongye is the most outstanding child, and will definitely become a wise ruler in the future, even surpassing your father and even surpassing the Emperor Mafa! Over the years, the Emperor Mafa has taught you meticulously, teaching you the art of governing a country, and you have also been diligent and studious, living up to my expectations.
"Ahem, now, the Emperor has nothing more to teach you. I can only leave you with one final piece of advice—don't let your emotions get the better of you. As a ruler, letting your emotions get the best of you will be your greatest weakness and downfall in governing. Remember! Remember!" With that, Kangxi slowly pulled a smooth jade pendant from his bosom and handed it to Hongye.
The jade pendant shone faintly, its intricate dragon carvings evidently of no ordinary quality. Kangxi panted and continued, "Ahem, this is the token of my secret guards. After I depart, they will be at your disposal. With this power, you can protect the country and eliminate treacherous villains. But be sure not to abuse your authority, lest it lead to disaster."
Hongye clutched the jade pendant tightly, feeling the lingering warmth from Kangxi's palm, tears streaming down his face. He choked up and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will remember your teachings and live up to your expectations. I will do my best to govern the country."
Kangxi nodded slightly, a relieved smile on his face, then slowly closed his eyes, and the hand holding the jade pendant slid directly onto the quilt. Hongye, who had been trying hard not to disturb Huang Mafa, could no longer hold back and shouted loudly: "Huang Mafa, Huang Mafa, wake up! Huang Mafa..."