The Qing Dynasty's Mascot

Yinreng had drifted above the Forbidden City for more than two centuries. When he opened his eyes, he was back in the familiar Yuxiu Palace.

After witnessing the Forbidden City's transformation over the centuries, Yinreng had completely lost interest in the throne. He squeezed his eyes shut in despair. Not again? QAQ.

Yinreng sat hugging his knees on a rockery and sighed at the sky, when he suddenly heard a baby's loud cry.

He made a quick calculation. That's the Fourth Prince!

With tears in his eyes, Yinreng clenched his tiny fists. My savior! Fourth Brother, this time I'll launch you straight into the spotlight!

From then on, Yinreng had a new purpose in life:

1. On the surface, to avoid the miserable fate of being confined and enjoy a happy, carefree life, he'd be cheerful, sunny, and positive, while being completely useless: in short, a mascot.

2. Secretly, he'd spare no effort in helping the Fourth Prince take the throne, while constantly smoothing things over between his brothers and building a harmonious family.

The usually quiet Forbidden City suddenly came alive.

Kangxi tested the princes' riding and archery. Yinreng accidentally fell off his horse, slightly sprained his ankle, and spent three months recovering in bed.

Kangxi tested the princes on government affairs, starting with the youngest. When it was Yinreng's turn, he said, "Father, I think my brothers are all right. I agree with them. Fourth Brother especially makes some excellent, well-reasoned points."

Kangxi went on his first southern inspection tour. Halfway there, he heard that Yinreng, who had been left behind in the capital, had snuck out of the palace with his brothers the very next day. They played until just before the palace gates were locked, thinking they'd covered their tracks perfectly.

Kangxi: "..."

The princes thought their Second Brother was the best big brother in the world.

At last, after ten years of tirelessly maintaining his airhead beauty persona, Yinreng's plan started to work.

Kangxi finally decided that his second son really was just a pretty face, and that for the future of the Qing Empire, he had to reluctantly depose the Crown Prince.

But he hadn't expected the princes to kneel in a row and cry, "We beg Father to reconsider!"

The Fourth and Eighth Princes were especially active in pleading his case. Kangxi even overheard their secret complaints: "Father's really gone senile. If Second Brother isn't Crown Prince, does he think one of us should be?"

Kangxi: "???"

Reader's Guide:

1. The focus is family affection. There is a romance, but very little of it.

2. The Fourth Prince transmigrated here. Mm. Yinreng doesn't realize it at first.

3. Blurb archived on October 6, 2023.

Theme: Everyone can shine