Chen Yuwei's expression softened instantly. She walked to the two children and hugged them. "How are you two little princesses? Were there any problems with your meals while I was away today?"

Upon hearing this, the wet nurse who was taking care of the princesses shook her head repeatedly, "Your Majesty, the two princesses had breakfast smoothly as soon as they woke up today, without crying or fussing. They are the most adorable little masters I have ever served."

It's surprisingly easy to take care of them; they rarely cry or fuss and can entertain themselves most of the time.

"Yes, Your Highness, the two young masters are behaving very well. My heart melts at the sight of them."

She was so sensible, even clever enough to know roughly when Chen Yuwei would return from her trip.

The two children were playing in the side hall today, but the moment the Empress entered, the two little masters suddenly put down their toys and ran outside.

If the wet nurse hadn't known that she hadn't said anything, and if no one in the side hall had given any prior warning, everyone would have thought it was a hoax.

The wet nurses took turns praising the two daughters in Chen Yuwei's arms.

Chen Yuwei's smile widened unconsciously. She lowered her head and kissed He Zhuo and Fu Ling'a's little faces, then waved her hand to signal that the wet nurse could leave.

Suddenly, only the two children, Chen Yuwei, and Xia He, who was standing by to help, remained in the room.

"Mother, Mother"

"What's wrong?"

He Zhuo wanted to go play with his older brothers.

"Fulling, too, Fulling, too!"

"Sweethearts, your brothers have to go to class, so they can't spend time with Hezhuo and Fuling right now. How about your mother stays with you instead?"

"..."

Children become restless when they start talking. Even though Ho Cho and Fu Ling'a are girls, what they think about most all day is going out to find someone.

Occasionally, Chen Yuwei would take them to the Prince's residence.

Since Yonghu went to the Prince's residence, his daily schedule has been quite full.

Since classes haven't been suspended in Buku, students can't be absent from the study either.

Yonghu has to take care of both of these things, and he seems even busier than Yonghuang and Yonglian.

When Yonghu gets busy, he doesn't have much time to rest.

Normally, Chen Yuwei would visit Yonghu during his vacation, and she would usually bring Hezhuo and Fuling along.

Unlike Yonghong and Yongkun, who had not yet moved to the Prince's Residence, Hezhuo and Fuling'a spent a lot of time with Yonghu at the Qianqing Palace every day learning Buku, and the relationship between the three brothers was not affected by the distance.

Chen Yuwei has more things to worry about in Zhuo and Fuling'a.

This made the two children remember what it was like to go out, and once they were able to run and jump, they were even more eager to go out.

After carefully comforting the two children, he also made sure that Hojo and Fuling had a great time.

Chen Yuwei wiped the sweat from her forehead, sighing inwardly at how difficult it was to raise a child.

Even with the help of servants, Chen Yuwei had to personally handle many things to maintain a good mother-daughter relationship and prevent it from becoming awkward or distant.

"Have the kitchen bring up some of the prepared pastries and drinks."

He gave a few instructions to the wet nurses who were serving the two princesses: the weather was not warm yet, so even if they wore more clothes, they should not wear less.

Go and make the arrangements.

Xia He nodded in agreement and turned to leave.

...

In early April, the Emperor issued an edict in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, officially finalizing this year's imperial concubine selection.

Eligible young women from all over the Qing Dynasty began flocking to the capital.

The selection of candidates will take place in August, and the candidates will enter the palace in September. It is only the beginning of April now. Although the time is tight, there is still time.

Those who have been planning this for a while have already made all the necessary preparations, while those who have no interest in it will not take this path.

News from inside the palace was sent out, and news from outside the palace was sent in.

Chen Yuwei, fanning herself with a butterfly fan, brought her two daughters to the Imperial Garden for a spring outing. Before they could even sit down and rest, they ran into a gossipy palace maid.

"What's all this commotion about?" Chen Yuwei tilted her head. "Xia He, go take a look. I haven't been to the Imperial Garden for a few days, and I didn't expect it to be so lively."

Xia He nodded, glaring resentfully at the palace maids not far away.

"Let's go, let's have a proper talk. You dare to spout nonsense in front of the Empress? Watch your tongues!"

Seeing that the people had gone far away, Chen Yuwei turned her head and told Xia Yu to take He Zhuo, Fu Ling'a and the wet nurse to play aside, "Watch out for your surroundings, don't let them stray too far from me."

Another group of people left in a hurry, so Chen Yuwei simply sat down on the soft cushions that had been laid out to rest.

A gentle breeze brushed against her cheeks, lifting a few strands of hair, allowing Chen Yuwei to feel the charm of spring.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xia He hurriedly ran back from a distance.

Chen Yuwei had dismissed the servants around her, and there was no one else within a radius of several meters except for Chen Yuwei.

"master"

"What did you find out?"

"These are just snide remarks I've heard from who-knows-where; Master need not take them to heart."

"Ha, sarcastic remarks? Not necessarily. Perhaps someone is trying to test me."

"Consort Yi has been dead for so long, how can you still pin the blame on me? Could it be that the three princes who were ill before have fallen ill again?"

Chen Yuwei sneered and spoke in a voice that only she and her servant could hear.

Xia He was startled by her mistress's words and shook her head repeatedly, saying, "This servant has not heard any news about the princes' quarters, but at Xianfu Palace, Prince Yongzhang is indeed feeling unwell again."

Xia He had a strange expression on her face, looking like she understood but didn't quite.

Chen Yuwei glanced at it and said, "Even the Emperor insists that Consort Yi was responsible for Yongzhang's affair."

What, Consort Chun, are you still not convinced? Do you think I played a part in causing Yongzhang's mental breakdown?

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