Spring in the Hall of Paintings

After the intense battle, Rongxuan protected Emperor Kangxi and broke through the encirclement. His battle robe was stained with blood, which was indistinguishable between that of fallen enemies and the wounds on Rongxuan himself. After shaking off the pursuing soldiers, Rongxuan knelt before Kangxi and bowed, saying, “Your servant is late in rescuing the emperor. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me.”

Emperor Kangxi moved his cracked lips. Throughout history, the credit for saving the emperor has always been the most glorious. It’s easy to add flourishes to success, but much harder to provide help in times of hardship. Kangxi, as the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty and the Son of Heaven, never wanted to die like this. He ruled the world, but just moments ago, he had been trapped in the encirclement. In terms of Kangxi’s dignity, he would rather die than surrender. When Rongxuan charged forward to protect him, it reminded Kangxi of something from long ago. When he was sixteen, during the elimination of Ao Bai, a person had also charged forward to block the great warrior Ao Bai of the Manchu people.

That person was Rongxuan’s biological father. The removal of Ao Bai was one of Kangxi’s proudest achievements, but the process had been extremely dangerous. Proud and full of vigor, Kangxi preferred to think of the result and not the struggles during the process. Additionally, The Tong Family’s Matriarch, who had always been strong-willed, never brought up any requests to Kangxi, so he easily forgot Rongxuan’s father’s role in saving him. Had it not been for Tong Rongzhi, who had gained Kangxi’s favor with his cleverness, the emperor might have never thought again about the declining Tong family.

The past and present were intertwined, and Kangxi couldn’t afford to forget. Helping Rongxuan to his feet, Kangxi praised him: “The Tong family is full of loyalty and courage. I will not forget.”

“Your Majesty is my master,” Rongxuan replied, “It is my duty to protect the emperor. It is thanks to Your Majesty’s divine power that we could break through the encirclement.”

Rongxuan may have spoken clumsily, but he was very clear in his mind. The credit for saving the emperor was already secured. However, he had noticed Kangxi’s embarrassment. Although it didn’t matter now, later, when the emperor recalled this moment of hardship, he would undoubtedly feel displeased. Even if he didn’t punish Rongxuan, he would likely not be given significant responsibilities again. So, Rongxuan proactively praised Kangxi, as if to suggest that the emperor’s majestic presence had granted additional strength to his own bravery and skill in battle.

If anyone else had spoken these words, Kangxi would have considered them as sycophantic or deceptive. But Rongxuan was different. He was never one for eloquence, and his words were in perfect alignment with Kangxi’s thoughts, causing the emperor to look at him with higher regard.

“Rongxuan, what should we do now? I need to meet with Fei Yanggu. I must find out who betrayed my whereabouts. I will not spare this person.”

“Let me think for a moment.”

Rongxuan quickly tended to his injuries, took out a map that his daughter had prepared, and carefully studied the direction. Kangxi stepped behind him and asked, “What is this?”

“Your Majesty, this is a map of the northwest. It is a map I had prepared in advance, knowing that Your Majesty might go on an expedition. It was collected and compiled for emergency use. The marks on the map indicate safe routes.”

Rongxuan initially thought about mentioning his daughter, but when he remembered that she was a talented young woman, he stopped himself. Some things were best left unsaid. A girl’s fame being too widespread was not necessarily a good thing, especially since Yun Wei was so beautiful. Rongxuan didn’t want Emperor Kangxi to be distracted by thoughts of Yun Wei. In other words, Rongxuan had never considered becoming Kangxi’s father-in-law.

Kangxi took the map, glanced at it, and said, “This is different from an ordinary map. Why is that? Also, the handwriting…”

Kangxi, being an incredibly perceptive person, immediately recognized that the handwriting was that of a woman. Rongxuan’s face remained unchanged. After all, Yun Lan’s reputation was already well-known, and she was also involved with the Fourth Prince. Even if the emperor had any thoughts about her, he would never try to compete with his son for a wife. Rongxuan felt no guilt: “This is something I heard from my niece, Yun Lan. As you know, my niece is very intelligent, with unique ideas. She’s regarded as one of the most talented women of the time, and you’ve even praised her.”

Not stopping there, Rongxuan also took out a deerskin water flask and presented it to Kangxi, continuing, “This is also Yun Lan’s idea. It holds half again as much water as a regular deerskin flask.”

Kangxi looked at the flask and smiled, “I didn’t expect Yun Lan to understand Western mathematics well enough to make such a flask. She’s not just passingly familiar with the subject, but truly skilled. The Tong family has produced a brilliant woman.”

“I envy my third brother for having a daughter like Yun Lan,” Rongxuan said, his face flushing. His thoughts briefly drifted to Yun Wei’s eyes, which shone like stars in the sky, and he couldn’t continue. Seeing Rongxuan’s awkwardness, Kangxi chuckled knowingly, “Rongxuan, though you don’t have a daughter like Yun Lan, you have opportunities and flexibility that Rongzhi doesn’t. You’ve managed to apply Yun Lan’s ideas practically, and that pleases me greatly.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Rongxuan rubbed his head, relieved. At least Yun Wei was safe now, thanks to this misunderstanding.

Kangxi and Rongxuan began to analyze the map and discuss the direction for their next move. At this moment, Rongxuan demonstrated impressive strategic skills. His ability to organize troops, arrange formations, and calm his subordinates was exceptional. Kangxi, observing silently, nodded approvingly. He had always seen Rongxuan as loyal and honest, but now he realized that Rongxuan also had a keen mind for military affairs. Kangxi considered him a capable general, and Rongxuan’s position in his heart rose even higher.

After drinking from the deerskin flask, Kangxi placed it carefully by his side. Rongxuan attempted to retrieve it, but it was clear that the flask was too important to be taken away. On the battlefield in the northwest, water was a vital resource, and it could not be spared. Rongxuan continued to protect Kangxi as they moved forward, encountering several small-scale skirmishes along the way. Thanks to his clever arrangements, Rongxuan managed to resolve these without causing any harm to their forces.

Whenever they set up camp, Rongxuan could mingle with his subordinates, creating a bond of camaraderie that deeply moved Kangxi. It felt as though anything could be joked about, but when it came to strategic decisions, although Rongxuan would listen to his subordinates’ opinions, he was always the one to make the final call. Once a decision was made, no one was allowed to challenge it. Rongxuan often said, “Any objections or doubts must be kept to oneself. Orders must be followed, whether understood or not, with no deviation.”

Rongxuan’s unique way of leading the troops opened Kangxi’s eyes. Privately, Kangxi asked him about his experience, and Rongxuan, in his usual straightforward manner, explained a time when he was leading the southern campaigns against pirates. Kangxi clapped him on the shoulder and said, “I must thank you. You have cultivated a great general for the Qing Empire.”

“Your Majesty, if you think this servant is of use, please inscribe a monument in this servant’s honor.”

“I not only do it for him, but also for the brave souls of the Eight Banners who died in battle.”

“Long live the Emperor, long live, long long live!” Rongxuan’s eyes filled with tears. The heavy burden on his heart was finally lifted. He wiped his wet eyes. It is often said that a man should not shed tears easily, but a man who does shed tears can touch the heart even more.

The words of Kangxi were interrupted by the sounds of shouting and killing ahead. Rongxuan swiftly dropped to the ground. They were currently standing in a mountain pass, looking down a narrow path. Rongxuan furrowed his brow and lowered his voice, “Your Majesty, it’s the Fourth Prince and the Eighth Prince.”

“Yinzhen, Yinti, how did those two end up together? And they’re surrounded?”

Kangxi cherished his sons, especially these two brothers. Unlike the other princes, it could be said that, aside from the Crown Prince, Kangxi’s favorites were the Fourth and Eighth Princes.

“Your Majesty, allow me to go and assist the two princes.” Rongxuan rose to make preparations, but Kangxi grabbed his arm and whispered, “Rongxuan, you have saved me.”

Rongxuan kneeled before Kangxi, his words full of resolve and loyalty as he said with firm conviction, “My mother taught me to serve my sovereign and repay my country. The two princes are royal sons, and I must go. If Your Majesty truly cares for me, should I sadly fall in battle, I ask that you take care of my wife and children. I swear, I can never repay Your Majesty’s great kindness.”

Rongxuan knew that the map and the water flask were both in Kangxi’s hands. They weren’t far from General Fei Yanggu’s camp, and even if he died in battle, Kangxi would be safe. Rongxuan feared death, especially when facing the riches and glory within his grasp. He was human, and like anyone else, he wasn’t eager to give that up easily. But if he didn’t go, and the two princes came to harm, Kangxi would surely resent him in the future. The Fourth and Eighth Princes had to be safe, and Rongxuan had no other choice.