Prologue, Stealing the Dragon and Changing the Phoenix
Wuya ceased her sobbing, and Kangxi froze, having turned halfway. The palace maids and eunuchs in the room, whether genuinely sorrowful or feigning compassion, also halted their lamentations. For a while, the only sound echoing in the room was a low moan: "Water, water..."
Panic; any normal person, upon waking up from a good sleep only to find themselves in a room full of people in ancient costumes, with their body unresponsive and an unbearable thirst, would undoubtedly react with fear. Fortunately, it wasn't long before the remnants of Yin Zuo's consciousness surfaced in Cheng Tianming's mind, allowing him to understand exactly where he was and whose place he had taken.
Ah! The Wuyashi was struck as if by a thunderbolt from the heavens, trembling all over. After standing in a daze for a long time, she let out a mournful cry and lunged towards the small body hidden beneath the brocade quilt on the couch. "My child, how could you leave like this? How am I to live on, your mother?"
"Doctor Sun, hurry! Hurry! Quickly check on Little Liu'er." Ultimately, it was Kangxi who first regained his composure, issuing a series of orders for Sun Shengzhi, who was secretly feeling somewhat anxious, to immediately take the pulse of the Sixth Prince.
Cheng Tianming, although he has always studied in the fields of science and engineering, is not a bookworm. His interests are quite broad. While he cannot claim to have extensive knowledge of history, he at least watched every episode of popular series such as "Kangxi Dynasty" and "Yongzheng Dynasty" when they aired. He is quite clear about the struggles for succession among the princes and Yongzheng's rise to power.
Alas, the Empress Dowager has sought atonement, and I, as a humble servant, have truly done my utmost; the Sixth Prince has departed!" Sun Shengzhi shook his head and replied in a low voice.
Cheng Tianming, with a master's degree in chemical engineering, unfortunately comes from a family without wealth or influence. Approaching thirty, he has only managed to secure a minor position in the government, akin to a typical clerk whose name and title do not even come with parentheses in official documents, belonging to the type that must bow and scrape to everyone he encounters
Well, Sixth Brother, hehe, this status is quite high, a legitimate descendant of the dragon, hehe, interesting
Congratulations to Your Majesty and to the noble Consort De. The young prince has finally passed this significant hurdle. The fever has subsided, and although his pulse is somewhat weak, with some time for recuperation, he should be fine. I will prepare a few prescriptions for the young prince to aid in his recovery.
The Wuyashu clan originally served as a maid to the Tongjia clan, the consort of Emperor Kangxi, and was noted for her beauty. Later, she gained the favor of Kangxi. In the 17th year of Kangxi's reign, she gave birth to the Fourth Prince, Yin Zhen, but he was raised by the Tongjia clan and thus lacked a maternal bond from a young age. In the 19th year of Kangxi's reign, she gave birth to Yin Zuo, the sixth prince. According to Qing law, he was supposed to be raised by other consorts or the Imperial Clan Court. However, due to his frail health, Kangxi specially decreed that he be raised by Consort De, setting a precedent in the Qing dynasty. Unfortunately, the frail health of the sixth prince could not withstand the challenges, and in March of the 24th year of Kangxi's reign, he succumbed to a sudden high fever that extinguished his life.
The child has already passed away, please accept my condolences. The pain of losing a child is truly heart-wrenching. Kangxi, with a grim expression, looked at Uya, who had collapsed on the couch and was already crying uncontrollably. He brushed his sleeve and turned to leave. Suddenly, the frail body of Yinzuo on the couch trembled slightly beneath the silk quilt. A faint moan emerged amidst Uya's sobs, "Water, water..."
"Good, good, hurry up, hurry up!" Upon hearing that Xiao Liu'er was fine, Kangxi was greatly pleased and did not bother to pursue Sun Shengzhi's crime of deceiving the emperor, hastily ordering him to quickly prepare the prescription.
On one side, the Wuyas were crying inconsolably, while on the other, upon receiving the news, Kangxi hurriedly set aside state affairs and rushed over. Although Kangxi already had more than a dozen sons and had endured the painful experience of losing young children in his early years, each time he faced such a loss, it felt as if his heart were being ripped out.
March in the capital is always filled with continuous rain and biting cold, yet at this moment, Sun Shengzhi, the chief physician of the Imperial Medical Institute, is drenched in sweat, and his two fingers, which are taking the pulse, involuntarily tremble slightly— the young master on the bed has already passed away! Sun Shengzhi lets out a quiet sigh and straightens up. The anxious and restless De Fei, Uya clan, stands beside him and repeatedly asks, "Chief Physician Sun, what is the matter? What is the matter?"
Sun Shengzhi, disregarding the sweat pouring down his forehead, hurriedly approached the bed. He had claimed that the Sixth Prince was dead, yet now the Sixth Prince was still alive. On a smaller scale, this was the result of inadequate medical skills, which would inevitably lead to dismissal and punishment. On a larger scale, this constituted a grave offense against the emperor, warranting the destruction of his family and lineage. Sun took a deep breath to steady his heart, which was racing like a startled deer, and extended two long, slender, yet strong fingers to once again touch the pale wrist of Yinzuo, exposed beneath the blanket.
Seizing the throne? Too perilous! Becoming an emperor? Too arduous. Since I have managed to traverse time, I might as well settle for being a peaceful prince. Hmm, I really need to take good care of my waist, and I must also diligently practice the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Ah, splendid, splendid! The beauties of the Qing Dynasty, here I come! Alright! ... In this moment of excitement, Cheng Tianming, oh, it should be that little body of Yinzuo that immediately can't handle it and faints again, causing a flurry of chaos in the room...
I have crossed over, and it turns out to be "Qing Dynasty Crossing." Damn! I can't go back, and I will never see my parents again. What the hell is this all about
Without mentioning Sun Shengzhi, who had narrowly escaped disaster and was bustling about preparing prescriptions, Yin Zuo, lying on the sickbed, was somewhat dazedly looking around. His thin face was filled with confusion and unease. The Sixth Brother was awake, but the person who had awakened was no longer the original Yin Zuo; instead, it was Cheng Tianming, who had traveled through time.