Chapter 133: Shooting Oneself in the Foot

Prince Fourteen had taken control of the foreigners' movements and, alongside Prince Ten, scoured Yongping Prefecture from top to bottom, capturing over a dozen rebels from the Heaven and Earth Society. However, the man in black who had infiltrated the Prefect’s residence that day was not among them.

The Ninth, Tenth, and Fourteenth Princes were all deeply frustrated and promptly drafted a memorial to the Kangxi Emperor, requesting his imperial decision. Just then, news arrived that traces of the rebels had been discovered in Tianjin. Unable to wait for a reply from Kangxi, Prince Fourteen mobilized two thousand troops and gave chase.

After failing to dissuade him, the Ninth Prince hurriedly sent a message via carrier pigeon to Kangxi, urging him to send reinforcements along the route. Prince Fourteen was only nineteen; if anything were to happen to him, the Ninth Prince would have no way to answer to Consort De.

By this time, Kangxi had finished his hunting expedition and returned to Beijing, though he remained at the Changchun Garden rather than moving back into the Forbidden City. Upon receiving the Ninth Prince's report, he immediately ordered the officials in Tianjin to cooperate with the Fourteenth. The Crown Prince, who happened to be present, remarked with a hint of suspicion, "Father, the Fourteenth Brother’s actions are far too reckless. If those rebels are deliberately luring him deep into a trap, wouldn't he be at risk of capture, much like the Ninth Brother’s secondary consort?"

Kangxi glanced at the Crown Prince. The news of Yan Yan’s capture was a state secret; the Ninth Prince would never have reported it, and Kangxi himself had only learned the truth through the secret guards under Wu Dan. How did the Crown Prince know? Had he infiltrated his own secret guards, or were there spies within the Qianqing Palace?

Kangxi’s suspicious nature flared up. The deeper he thought, the colder his spine became. Unaware that his slip of the tongue had triggered Kangxi’s paranoia, the Crown Prince shifted the topic back to river management. Shortly after, the Eighteenth Prince arrived to pay his respects. Kangxi gestured for the Crown Prince to pause and beckoned the boy over: "Come here and tell me, what did you learn from your tutor today?"

Having just turned seven, the Eighteenth Prince was at a lively and innocent age. Living in the garden away from the rigid constraints of the palace, he was even more spirited. He came to greet Kangxi at this hour every day to share afternoon snacks. This was the second time the Crown Prince had encountered this, and his eyes darkened slightly as he pondered the implications.

Prince Thirteen also arrived to seek an audience with Kangxi, intending to apply for funding for the second Eight Banners Combat Competition. Already in a foul mood, the Crown Prince snapped the moment he heard the request: "Thirteenth Brother, this is sheer folly. The Eight Banners competition is a drain on resources; how can it be held every single year?"

Thirteen, momentarily bewildered, stared at the Crown Prince before bowing: "Your Highness, this year’s competition builds upon the last and will not require much silver, as the venue and equipment are already in place. I only require a modest sum for essentials."

The Crown Prince, acting the miser, retorted unpleasantly, "You hold a post in the Ministry of Revenue; you know the state of our coffers. How can you ask for funds for such mere entertainment?"

Realizing the Crown Prince’s volatile state, Thirteen wisely held his tongue, planning to consult the Fourth Prince later. However, the suspicious Kangxi was far from pleased. Had he not shown enough importance to the first competition? For the Crown Prince, the heir to the nation, to dismiss the competition—which was vital for the unity of the Banners—as mere "entertainment" was deeply disappointing.

Kangxi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is the Ministry of Revenue truly so strapped for cash? Yinxiang, tell Yinzhen to submit a memorial immediately. I wish to see just how poor my empire has truly become."

Thirteen pursed his lips and shot an annoyed look at the Crown Prince. If ever there were an example of someone lifting a rock only to drop it on their own feet, this was it. Though he dared not show his anger toward the Crown Prince, he complained bitterly once he reached the Fourth Prince’s residence: "Fourth Brother, what is the Second Brother thinking? Doesn't he know how much silver he owes the Ministry of Revenue? Now, with the Emperor ordering a clearance of all debts, I wonder how he will manage to save face."

The Fourth Prince remained somber. While he believed the debts to the national treasury had to be cleared eventually, doing so in such a rash manner was far too reckless. Soon, the Fourth Prince’s advisor, Wu Sidao, arrived leaning on his cane. Thirteen stood up quickly, smiling, "Master Wu, please sit. I am at my wit's end and hope for your guidance." Knowing how much the Fourth Prince respected the man, Thirteen treated him with equal deference.

After hearing Thirteen out and examining the ledger of debts in the Fourth Prince’s hand, Wu Sidao sighed: "This task will be difficult. The Fourth Prince must decide whether to offend the court officials first or the powerful nobility."

The Fourth Prince’s expression remained unchanged, but Thirteen jumped up. "Is there really no way to offend no one?" Wu Sidao casually waved his fan, pressed his hand against one of the debt slips, and smiled: "Then you have no choice but to offend him."

Thirteen looked down, bewildered, only to see the bold signature of the Tenth Prince on the slip, indicating a debt of two hundred thousand taels of silver.

Thirteen stared at his Fourth Brother, who was also transfixed by the document. Meanwhile, far away in Yongping Prefecture, the Tenth Prince, who was locked in a tense standoff with Anna, suddenly let out a massive sneeze. Anna covered her nose and mouth in disgust, snapping, "Ill-bred, lack of class! How can you do that in front of a lady?"

The Tenth Prince, clearly not understanding her words and having no intention of waiting for an interpreter, slammed his hand on the table and roared, "One thousand taels of silver! Not a copper more!"

Upon hearing the interpreter, Anna’s eyes widened. She nimbly packed the ten pistols into a case and made a face at the Tenth Prince. The Prince stood up, glaring furiously: "You madwoman..."

Seeing the Tenth Prince’s grimace, Anna looked at the interpreter. Seeing the man feigning deafness, she knew the Prince had not uttered anything pleasant. She shouted, "What did you say? Say it in English if you dare! You pig, you big stupid pig!"

Yan Yan, who had been sipping tea, spat it out and burst into uncontrollable laughter. The Tenth Prince went berserk, shouting, "Little Sister-in-law, what did she say? You can’t take her side against me!"

Anna jumped in front of Yan Yan, nudging the Tenth Prince aside, and declared, "Yan Yan and I are good friends."