As for the current emperor, Chen Yuwei felt a sense of being neither interested in him nor willing to give him up.

Well, it can't compare to when I was younger, but there's no other choice, so I just grabbed this and it'll do.

Although she knew exactly what Hongli was thinking, Chen Yuwei still had to greet him with a smile and offer her kind words when facing him.

After all, during this month-and-a-half-long trip outside the palace, the Emperor still had the time to bring back a few young concubines and maids amidst his busy schedule, which shows that the journey was relatively easy.

While massaging Hongli's shoulders to relax his body, Chen Yuwei tentatively inquired about his experiences on the road.

Once Hongli arrives at Yikun Palace, he subconsciously relaxes, both physically and mentally.

He really didn't intend to hide it from Chen Yuwei, and he probably also realized that what he did wasn't very ethical.

He abandoned his beloved concubine in the palace twice, and each time he was in the wrong.

"Wei'er, don't worry, if there is a next time, I will definitely take Wei'er with me."

Chen Yuwei: ...Here we go again, here we go again. Hongli, with his bullshit promises, is walking towards us once more.

Chen Yuwei smiled calmly, her reply was perfect, "Your Majesty, I have always believed in you. Even though I stayed in the palace, Your Majesty did not forget me, and I am content with that."

Hongli was deeply moved and held Chen Yuwei's wrist tightly, refusing to let go. "Wei'er, you are still the most obedient and sensible person in the palace. How fortunate I am..."

blah blah blah —

Hongli was truly gifted with flattery; he was a prime example of someone who could speak eloquently without hesitation.

Chen Yuwei looked touched, but she couldn't help but laugh inside.

We're all seasoned foxes, so let's not play these ghost stories here.

Instead of wasting time talking about these things, it would be better for Hongli to quickly tell Chen Yuwei some interesting stories from the journey, which would make her happier.

Unfortunately, Hongli had a habit of veerging off-topic, and the conversation would inevitably drift away from the main point.

Chen Yuwei could only patiently correct him several times before finally hearing the new version of the story about the Empress's adoption.

Interestingly, Gao Hongshan also has a brief role in this film.

Initially, the Emperor intended to entrust Yongcheng to Gao Hongshan for upbringing.

It's all because Gao Bin is so capable; he's not only competent himself but also helps him solve problems.

Hongli had no way to promote Gao Bin, so he tried to give Gao Hongshan a respectable position.

Consort Jia's Yongcheng is a perfect match for Gao Hongshan in terms of both status and position.

"It's because Yongcheng and the Empress are so destined to be together that I've thought it over and over again and I really can't separate them."

Although Consort Jia secretly wished for Yongcheng to live in Chengqian Palace.

But the Empress is the mother of the nation; how can she shirk her responsibilities in this matter?

The more Hongli talked, the more he felt that he was right. Now that Yongcheng was being raised in Changchun Palace, he brought much joy and laughter to the originally quiet palace.

This is a great thing! He and the Empress will have a legitimate son, and Yongcheng could be given to Consort Gao. Besides, Consort Jia is also willing to do so.

Hongli's thoughts were utterly shameless. Fortunately, Consort Jia was unaware of this. If she knew that the Consort Gao she had deliberately chosen to avoid suspicion was actually her son's second choice for foster mother, Consort Jia would have cursed Hongli to death.

After hearing the story, Chen Yuwei felt that rumors should not be believed, and her understanding of Hongli's bottom line was refreshed once again.

To snatch someone else's son and still be so self-righteous, truly worthy of being called Hongli.

"Your Majesty is right. Yongcheng is living well under the Empress's care, which proves that Your Majesty's decision was wise."

The small compliment landed on Hongli's rump, making him feel comfortable. "Yes, after I made this decision, the Empress Dowager even came to argue with me."

If the Empress Dowager's suggestion had been followed and Yongcheng had been kept by Consort Jia's side, Yongcheng might have continued to fall ill for several more periods.

Consort Jia took great care of her child, but she didn't have much of a mother-son relationship with Yongcheng.

The ministers of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau had been divining for several days on the road, and the ominous signs all pointed to Yongcheng.

Hongli was too embarrassed to tell Chen Yuwei that the reason he brought Consort Jia and her son out was because the Imperial Observatory had calculated the outcome.

Fortunately, everything was resolved smoothly on the way, and there were no other problems except for Yongcheng. Otherwise, Hongli might have had to resort to feudal superstition again.

It's important to know that the feudal superstitions of ancient emperors were quite frightening; in fact, due to the witchcraft incidents that occurred in the past, many people in the palace died.

Hongli casually mentioned the Imperial Observatory to Chen Yuwei.

But in that environment, even the slightest disturbance would prompt Emperor Qianlong to carry out the orders of the Imperial Observatory.

The Imperial Observatory said that Consort Jia and her son had problems and might hinder him, so the most likely thing Hongli would do was to find an excuse to abandon Consort Jia and her son outside and let them fend for themselves.

And it's easy to find such reasons, like Yongcheng being sick, or Jiapin being sick, or Jiapin and Yongcheng being sick together... Anyway, there are countless excuses, so there's no fear of not finding one that can stand up to scrutiny.

In the end, none of Hongli's preparations were needed. The Empress's intervention was twice as effective, not only resolving the trouble smoothly but also giving her another son.

Hongli concluded with these words, "Although the process was tortuous, the journey was fortunately smooth."

Chen Yuwei: ...

Yes, very much so. I didn't realize there were so many stories behind leaving the palace.

Fortunately, Hongli, being a sieve, liked to ramble on and on about random things; otherwise, Chen Yuwei would have had to start from other angles to find out the truth.

Besides, secondhand information is nowhere near as reliable as firsthand information. It turns out that Consort Jia was able to bribe the Imperial Observatory and coordinate forces inside and outside the Observatory, all for the purpose of staging this grand drama.

Tsk tsk, I must say, Consort Jia really went to great lengths to find a good place for her own son, Yongcheng.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!