You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 363 The Violent Chiang Kai-shek and the Cowardly Shunzhi

A thousand willows line the riverbank amidst the mist and smoke, and ten miles of cool shade lead to Jade Spring.

There are two small mountains on the outskirts of Beijing, one called Yuquan and the other Wengshan. The two mountains are not far apart and have always been a forbidden area for the royal family.

Yuquan Mountain needs no further explanation.

Wengshan was later renamed Wanshoushan during the Qianlong era.

At the foot of the mountain lies a lake called Kunming Lake. It is said that although this lake is small, it can train the world's most elite navy, which can roam the four seas and bring down even the most distant enemies.

Lake surface~
A small boat braves the wind and waves.

"Your Majesty, the lake is windy and cold today. Why don't we go ashore?"

"No!"

Shunzhi rowed with all his might, as if a fire of anger burned within him.

Sitting on the boat, Lady Dong'e's eyes were slightly red. She twisted her fingers, but she didn't know how to comfort him. She could only silently watch the young emperor.

The small boat is sailing against the wind.

Plainclothes cavalrymen silently watched from the shore.

……

When the boat reached the middle of the lake, Shunzhi put away the oars and stared coldly at Dong Eshi.

"Were you sent by him to spy on me?"

"I am not."

How did you get to the capital?

“A noblewoman from the capital came to Hangzhou and took me away from my father under the pretext of the Qing Emperor selecting a concubine. Then, I was brought to the capital and sent to the Emperor.”

"A beautiful and well-educated Manchu woman like you is a rare find. Didn't he touch you?"

"If Your Majesty does not believe me, I can prove my innocence."

Do I look like an emperor to you now?

Emperor Shunzhi suddenly stood up.

The wind was strong today, and there were waves in the lake. He stumbled and almost fell into the lake.

"Your Majesty, be careful."

Shunzhi opened Dong E's arms.

"You people would love for me to fall into the lake and drown so that you can support a new emperor to ascend the throne. But I will not do as you wish. I will not seek death, nor will I abdicate. I would rather be executed than let that traitor usurp the throne."

After saying that, Shunzhi turned his back and stopped looking at her.

It was dangerous to say these words, and he could have lost his life as a result, but the risk was worthwhile because he vaguely felt that Dong Eshi was trustworthy.

For some reason, he fell in love with Dong Eshi the moment he saw her.

A feeling of déjà vu.

It's a feeling of being destined to meet again in a past life.

The character of Dong E is too perfect: gentle appearance, knowledgeable and reasonable, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, kind and generous, and a devout Buddhist, as if the character was created for her.

It was precisely because of its perfection that Shunzhi was afraid.

……

at this time.

Jiang Qingyun had arrived at Shunzhi's bedroom. He looked around the room with great interest, occasionally picking up a book from the shelf and flipping through it.

"Third Grandfather."

"This servant greets the Grand Secretary."

"How will things be soon?"

"Everything is normal; he's reading, shooting arrows, taking walks, and boating. I'll go find him."

"No need."

"Yes."

"I'm sorry to trouble you to stay here. You're still young. Do you have any ideas about your future? Just tell me, and I'll do my best to help you."

"As the Grand Secretary commands."

"I want to hear what you have to say."

"This servant has only ever served others her whole life; she has no other skills."

"How about leaving the palace and becoming a wealthy man?"

“This servant is a useless person, this servant does not want to leave the palace.”

"Alright. When Emperor Fulin returns to the capital in a few days, you will continue to serve as the Grand Eunuch of the Forbidden City, with the same rank as the fourth grade."

"Thank you, Chief Minister."

"How is that girl from Hangzhou doing lately?"

"This young woman is in a rather awkward situation."

"Oh? How do you say this?"

“This servant can tell that Shunzhi likes her very much, but he is also always on guard against her.”

"That's right."

Jiang Qingyun was secretly delighted. This was wonderful; the inertia of history was terrifying.

"Third Eunuch, has Master Tianji been coming recently?" "He gets viciously insulted by Emperor Shunzhi as soon as he arrives, and he can't stay there at all. On the other hand, that young lady often prays to Buddha alone, and she seems very devout."

……

Half an hour later.

Emperor Shunzhi and Lady Dong'e have returned.

Jiang Qingyun stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, looked at the two of them, and laughed loudly: "Fulin, to be able to sail on Kunming Lake with your soulmate in this life, your life has not been wasted."

Emperor Shunzhi was stunned.

Lady Dong'e, who was standing to the side, quickly bowed and paid her respects. This was the second time she had seen the legendary usurper, and she was terrified.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Grand Secretary."

Jiang Qingyun waved his hand, and Dong Eshi left with her head down and small steps, with Liu Rushi quickly following behind.

The two were left staring at each other, creating an awkward atmosphere.

"Fulin, have you thought about what I told you last time?"

"I am willing to study Buddhism here every day."

"Still haven't made up your mind?"

"If the Grand Secretary forces me to become a monk, I will not refuse."

"When the Eight Banners entered the pass, they slaughtered countless people. Their sins are so grave that they cannot be erased even after five hundred years. I am advising you to become a monk so that you can atone for your sins. If you do not become a monk voluntarily, the effect of atonement will not be good. I have enough patience to wait for you to change your mind."

Upon hearing these words, Shunzhi felt both fear and resentment.

……

"Fulin, shall we wrestle?"

"what?"

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd and at Jiang Qingyun's repeated invitation, Fu Lin had no choice but to accept the invitation to wrestle on the spot.

Inside the palace.

When Lady Dong E helped him change his clothes, she was so nervous and flustered that her concern was palpable.

"Your Majesty, please be extremely careful."

"Ah."

Shunzhi, now dressed in tight-fitting shorts, nervously stepped onto the ring.

The area was filled with eunuchs, palace maids, and guards, all of whom had volunteered to watch.

Liu Rushi and Dong Eshi stood in the corridor not far away, with Liu Rushi deliberately holding Dong Eshi's small hand.

"Little sister, don't be nervous."

"Yes."

"Is your sister still a virgin?"

Lady Dong'e remained silent, her face flushed red to the roots of her ears.

Liu Rushi smiled gently and said softly, "Sister, if the Emperor is willing to become a monk, he will be free. When you have time, go and persuade the Emperor. It is already the best he can do for Liu Shan. Don't be stubborn and test the Grand Secretary's sword."

Arena.

Jiang Qingyun stretched out his arm and beckoned with his finger.

"come!"

Fu Lin was filled with trepidation, his mind was unsettled, his steps were unsteady, and his stance was unstable. He was knocked down by Jiang Qingyun as soon as he rushed forward.

Everyone cheered in unison.

"it is good!"

Fu Lin got up and made another move.

After a few moments of stalemate, he was once again heavily knocked down.

Dong E clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her flesh without her noticing, while Liu Rushi, standing beside her, took in the changes in her expression.

……

When Jiang Qingyun knocked Fu Lin down for the third time, he revealed a perfectly timed contemptuous smile.

"Fulin, your mother is right. You are indeed too weak, both in literary and martial arts, and in willpower. Practice hard, and we'll compete again next time."

After speaking, he walked away.

Fu Lin struggled to get up.

"Where is my mother?"

No one answered.

Fu Lin looked around and saw that everyone's eyes were disrespectful and even gloating, which instantly made him furious.

Only Lady Dong'e rushed over in small steps, took out a handkerchief, and wiped away the tears from the corners of Fulin's eyes.

"Your Majesty..."

Fu Lin could no longer control himself and cried like a teenager.

The two embraced and wept bitterly.

From this point on~
The emperor and his concubine were deeply in love, and their relationship progressed rapidly, like a pair of star-crossed lovers.

(End of this chapter)