Chapter 64 Appreciating Plum Blossoms

Qingying wouldn't listen to reason, and Yixiu couldn't force her to change her clothes.

She could only chat with the concubines and royal wives at banquets, and she would never let anyone's attention fall on Qingying.

Feng Ruozhao and Fucha Langhua, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, also moved closer to the middle, trying to block Qingying's body. In short, they wanted to minimize the loss of face.

Since the purpose of the trip was to appreciate plum blossoms, after a simple meal, everyone, led by Yixiu, went to the plum garden to admire the plum blossoms.

There was no escaping it now, but the women of Prince Bao's mansion surprisingly showed a tacit understanding. Fucha Langhua, supporting Feng Ruozhao, followed behind the Empress, Consort Hua, and two other noble consorts of the imperial family, with Qingying standing behind them. Tongjia Zhilan and Gao Xiyue, with their maids, tacitly surrounded Qingying, trying to expose as little as possible.

Although the sunlight wasn't intense, it did dispel some of the winter chill. Aside from the matter of Qingying, everyone was in a fairly good mood.

In the plum grove, red plum blossoms dot the landscape like freshly applied rouge; white plum blossoms resemble snow, pure and flawless; and green plum blossoms are unique, a striking touch of verdant green.

"Enjoying plum blossoms in winter is indeed a great pleasure. Plum blossoms stand proudly against the snow and frost, which shows their resilience and is worth appreciating."

Princess Consort Dun smiled and offered a few words of praise, to which Yixiu responded with a smile: "To receive a word of praise from Princess Consort, this trip to the Plum Garden today has not been in vain."

Now, Yixiu no longer cares about the symbolic meaning of the red plum blossom, and even looks down on it. Thinking of Wanpin at the end of the procession, she wonders what Rouze would feel if she knew that the flower that symbolized her love with the Emperor could also become the flower that symbolized the Emperor's love with someone else.

It's another regrettable situation that Rouze died too young.

Upon seeing the scenery in the garden, Gao Xiyue couldn't help but exclaim, "The plum blossoms are truly beautiful!"

Tong Jia Zhilan also offered a couple of words of praise. Regardless of whether she genuinely liked it or not, the Empress had taken the lead in expressing her liking, so she should also be a little more perceptive.

"What Princess Yue said is true. This plum blossom is not afraid of the severe cold and blooms alone. It is truly a gentleman among flowers."

The two were admiring the plum blossoms, and no one paid any attention to Qingying, but Qingying suddenly spoke up: "My two younger sisters don't also like plum blossoms?"

The surprise and disdain in her tone were undisguised. Even someone as naive as Gao Xiyue could hear it, and her face darkened. Not wanting to lash out in front of so many people, she could only ask in return, "Doesn't Consort Qing like it?"

"Of course I like it; plum blossoms symbolize nobility..."

Qingying hesitated, only saying half of what she wanted to say. But the way she looked at the two of them clearly showed that they were not a good match, which made Gao Xiyue furious.

Meanwhile, Nian Shilan, who was impatient with these social interactions, was looking around listlessly when she overheard the conversation between the three. She already disliked Qingying, so she immediately lashed out.

"High-mindedness? Hmph, in this palace, they're nothing more than playthings for people to amuse themselves. Consort Qing, you seem to take it quite seriously?"

Yi Xiu's face darkened. What was Nian Shilan up to now? Did she dislike her and deliberately single out Qing Ying to embarrass her?

When Consort Hua called her name, Qingying suddenly remembered Consort Hua's stern rebuke during the imperial concubine selection, and couldn't help but flinch slightly. But she still tried her best to remain calm and curtsied to her.

"Your Highness, Consort Hua, you flatter me. Plum blossoms bloom in the frost, displaying a proud spirit, and have been praised by scholars and poets. Of course, I like them."

Nian Shilan sneered, "You like it, so why shouldn't others be worthy?"

"I just didn't expect my two younger sisters to like it too."

Qingying's words not only made Yixiu's face darken, but also made most of the people's faces turn black. What does that mean? Only you can like her, and no one else is worthy?

No wonder Consort Hua was furious; anyone would be furious in her situation.

As a result, everyone couldn't help but take a few more glances at Qingying, and then they noticed something amiss.

One of the imperial concubines couldn't help but blurt out, "Consort Qing's clothes..."

Although she shut up in time, everyone understood what she was trying to say. Their gazes toward the Empress and Consort Jing were filled with sympathy. This is your niece, your daughter-in-law.

Yi Xiu and Feng Ruozhao were both stunned. In their past lives, they had committed arson, murder, and robbery, and in this life, Qing Ying had become their niece (daughter-in-law).

The atmosphere froze instantly. Finally, Nian Shilan adjusted her headdress and sneered, "Since Consort Qing likes plum blossoms so much, and enjoys the praise of scholars and poets, then copy down all the poems about plum blossoms from ancient times to the present. Otherwise, how can you demonstrate your unique fondness?"

Qingying felt that no one present understood plum blossoms. To prove her pure love for them, she immediately knelt and agreed: "Thank you, Your Highness Consort Hua. I understand and will certainly copy them carefully."

Seeing Qingying thank Nian Shilan, Yixiu's face darkened even more. She finally understood just how much Qingying bullied the weak and feared the strong. She spoke to her politely, but Qingying wouldn't listen. However, when Nian Shilan was forceful, Qingying would do whatever she was told, treating punishment as if it were a reward.

Fucha Langhua was about to collapse. It was too humiliating. She never thought that she would be so disgraced in public because of a concubine!

In a fit of anger, Fucha Langhua's vision went black and she collapsed, only to be caught in time by Lianxin beside her.

"Madam!"

"Langhua!" Feng Ruozhao rushed over anxiously. "Langhua, what's wrong? Quick, quickly summon the imperial physician to examine the Fourth Princess Consort!"

Did you hear that? This is Hongli's legitimate wife, his proper daughter-in-law! Qingying is not!

The crowd was also somewhat panicked, and they could no longer continue admiring the plum blossoms. They quickly settled Fucha Langhua in a nearby palace to await the imperial physician's examination.

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Yongzheng was talking with his brothers. They had all gone through the case of the raid on the Imperial Household Department together. Their relationship wasn't exactly great, but it was quite good. At least judging from the laughter in the hall, the atmosphere was very pleasant.

Hongli was chatting with his two uncles, Yunzhen and Yunli, when Jiang Fuhai, who was by the Empress's side, walked in happily.

"Greetings to His Majesty, greetings to all the princes."

"Jiang Fuhai, what brings you here? Has something happened in the inner palace?"

Yongzheng naturally recognized the chief eunuch by the Empress's side. Judging from his joyful expression, it couldn't be anything bad.

"Your Majesty, the Princess Consort of Prince Bao is pregnant!"

"really?"

Emperor Yongzheng was overjoyed. Offspring, it was about the continuation of the imperial line!

"This servant would not dare to speak nonsense. It was Physician Wei who diagnosed that Princess Consort of Prince Bao is already one month pregnant."

"Haha, great! Hongli, you're going to be a father!"