vstars Chapter 194 What is the greatest pain in life?
Chapter 194 What is the greatest pain in life?
There's a saying that everyone has to pay the price for their choices. Yinzhuo certainly paid his price readily, but the cost seemed a bit high. After Yinzhi left happily with the silver notes, our Prince Zhao's heart was practically clenching with pain.
"Sigh, someone as shrewd as me has long since abandoned foolishness. How could I have been swindled out of ten thousand taels of silver with just a thumb ring... Oh, Dexi, tell me, was I stupid? Why didn't I think of Third Brother, who was born in the Year of the Leo? He really knows how to ask for money... Oh, my heart aches, it's throbbing..."
Dexi helped his master carefully to the bedside and sat him down. Then he returned to the table, poured Yinzhuo a cup of tea, and brought it over to him, offering words of advice.
“My lord, didn’t you always say that money is just an external thing, something you can’t take with you when you’re born or when you die, and that the greatest pain in life is dying before you’ve spent all your money? Since that’s the case, why are you in such a hurry to get some fire going? What if you hurt yourself by doing this? Your chest is hurting terribly. Why don’t I invite Physician Wang over and have him take a look at you?”
Yes, it's true that money is just an external thing, and it's also true that the greatest pain in life is dying, and having no money left to spend is also generally true. But Dexi, I haven't said the second half of what I wanted to say. Do you know what the most painful thing in life is? It's having all your money while you're still alive...
But now that things have come to this, even if he feels heartbroken, there's nothing he can do. Yinzhuo can only keep comforting himself, "This money is worthless, we can earn it back..." But even if the money is worthless, it doesn't stop him from feeling heartbroken.
“Dexi, you say life is so short, right? One blink and a day is over; one blink and your life is over. You know, you can’t take money too seriously. It’s just ten thousand taels of silver, right? We can’t be that upset, can we? Our oil mill brings in hundreds of thousands of taels a year. It’s just ten thousand taels, right? We can’t get so worked up over this, can we…”
Dexi was almost driven to despair. His master's words were too frightening. Why did he suddenly close his eyes and not open them again? But at this moment, he dared not speak rashly, for fear that he might say something wrong and suddenly provoke his master.
"My lord, it's getting late. Didn't you say you were sleepy earlier? How about I help you wash up?"
It's said that an adult's breakdown is instantaneous, and Yinzhuo perfectly exemplifies this. His breakdown truly came and went quickly. Just a moment ago, he was wallowing in self-pity, heartbroken to the point of despair. But after his self-consolation through a period of self-deception, he has clearly convinced himself.
"Yes, wash up, go to sleep, and when you wake up, it's another beautiful day..."
Whether the next day was wonderful for others is unclear, but it was certainly wonderful for Yinzhuo. He got up early in the morning and went to Emperor Kangxi's place to plead with his father for a long time before finally getting permission to go out. Once he had the permit, he didn't waste a second. He bowed to Emperor Kangxi and then turned and left with Akshang, Hatu, and the others, leaving his father, Emperor Kangxi, completely bewildered.
"You scoundrel! Weren't you just praising your father like that? Now that you've achieved your goal, you're complaining about everything, aren't you? Liang Jiugong, go and bring that brat back to me..."
Upon hearing his father's words, Yinzhuo quickened his pace. He had no choice but to hurry; he had gone to great lengths to get his father to agree to let him out. If he slowed down and his father dragged him back, he would be furious.
For several days afterward, Yinzhuo went out early and returned late, exploring almost every corner of Hangzhou. At first, it was just him going out with his guards, but later he was entangled by Yintang and Yinxi. When the three of them got together, things got even more outrageous. How crazy were they? Well, let's just say that ever since the day he was allowed to go out, Kangxi never saw his precious son at the imperial palace again.
"Father, you said we're going back in a couple of days, so why are you still keeping me from going out? Father, I'm begging you, please let me go out for a bit more, okay? I haven't even had a chance to sell Mother's and the others' gifts yet."
That's right, the result of being too arrogant and unruly was that Yinzhuo confined his father to his quarters, and it was only two days before the troop was about to return to the capital. It's ridiculous that he had finally managed to get out of the city and was about to go back, and you still want to keep him locked up. How could Yinzhuo be willing to accept that? The answer is naturally no. But this time, his father was determined and held firm. He managed to withstand Yinzhuo's ultimate move—acting cute and being unreasonable.
After several attempts, Yinzhuo finally gave up. He gave Dexi some silver and asked him to take Akshang out to help his mother, the thirteenth and fourteenth princes prepare gifts. He then packed his things and moved directly to Kangxi's courtyard, planning to spend the next two days inseparable from his father. His main purpose was to keep him company and let his father know how annoying he was.
"Eunuch Liang, could you please pour me a cup of tea? I'm so thirsty..."
"Father, could you get me some snacks? I'm feeling a bit hungry..."
"Father, look, it's almost noon. Your son is hungry and sleepy. Why don't we go back? What's so interesting about West Lake? He's seen enough of it the past few days..."
Kangxi's head was buzzing at this moment. Yinti, Yinzhi, and the others' hearts were pounding, while Yinzuo's mood was visibly soaring.
"Yinzuo, you little brat, are you asking for a beating? The cabin is so big, there's not enough room for you to sleep, is there? There's so much food on this table, but you can't eat it all, is there? I think you're doing this on purpose. If I hear you call out 'Father' again, I'll have someone throw you into this lake to feed the fish."
It is said that fatherly love is like a mountain, silent and unspoken, but it is clear that Emperor Kangxi's father was an active volcano. He had only been holding back for two days before he couldn't hold back any longer and was about to erupt. But there is also a saying, "Challenge the limits and surpass yourself." Obviously, his eldest son likes to jump around on the crater.
"Amma..."
The moment the name Yinzhuo was uttered, Yinti, who was sitting closest to him, jumped up, his pupils contracting. He then took several steps back to maintain a safe distance. Yinzhi, Yintang, and Yinxi followed suit, all rising and moving closer to Yinti. The message was clear: you two handle your own business; we're just innocent bystanders, don't drag us into this…
"No, eldest brother, third brother, what do you mean? Father is going to throw me into the water to feed the fish, not you. Why are you running away?"