Chapter 93 (Final Chapter)

After Ruyi entered the Cold Palace, the harem finally came to a state of complete peace.

In October of the fourth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, Jin Yuyan gave birth to the fourth prince, Yongcheng, and was promoted to the rank of Consort Jia.

In June of the fifth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, Chen Wanyin gave birth to the third princess, Jingyun.

In February of the sixth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, Yi Huan gave birth to the Fifth Prince, Yongqi.

In May of the seventh year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, Su Lüyun gave birth to the sixth prince, Yongrong.

In the third month of the eighth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, Lu Muping gave birth to the fourth princess, Jingyu.

In April of the eleventh year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, Empress Fucha Langhua gave birth to the seventh prince, Yongcong, who was Hongli's youngest son and also his youngest child.

The imperial harem had many offspring, and the court was peaceful and harmonious.

Wherever Hongli's gaze fell, it was under the iron hooves of the Qing Dynasty; he could attack wherever he wanted.

I've heard that Japan, across the sea, is overflowing with silver. Let's attack!

I heard that the King of North Korea was disrespectful, so we attacked him!

I heard that Russia is pushing its luck on the cold border, and we're going to fight!

They fought with fierce spirit and pride, and they achieved the scene of all nations paying tribute, truly a magnificent celestial empire.

Looking at the map alone, the Qing Dynasty had expanded its territory by more than double, and Emperor Hongli could be called the "Martial Emperor".

However, not all ministers recognized this title. After all, their emperor was a man of both literary and military prowess, and in everyone's eyes, he was truly an emperor whose achievements surpassed those of the Three Sovereigns and whose virtue exceeded that of the Five Emperors.

Aside from military development, progress in people's livelihoods was also exceptionally rapid. The emergence of girls' schools contributed a large number of outstanding talents to the imperial court.

"What the superiors like, the inferiors will surely follow." Under the leadership of Emperor Hongli, the common people gradually abandoned their prejudices about gender. After all, in a prosperous and rapidly developing era, there was a shortage of people everywhere.

In the emperor's words, aren't men and women all his subjects? As long as they can get things done, who cares about their gender or appearance?

The officials, who were nearly exhausted from the tedious government affairs, wholeheartedly agreed and eagerly requested the emperor to recruit people, men or women, as long as they were alive and capable of working.

In the thirteenth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, Hongli saw off his two uncles, Yinzhi and Yintang, one after the other.

On his deathbed, Yun Si smiled as he looked at Hong Wang, who was weeping uncontrollably, and Hong Li, who sat silently beside him, and sighed with relief.

“My life has not been in vain. Hongwang, since you regard the Emperor as your younger brother, then you should be loyal to him for the rest of your life.”

After giving Hongwang a few words of advice, Yinzhi turned to Hongli and said, "What a wonderful misunderstanding, Your Majesty. Hongli... The most successful thing the Fourth Prince has ever done in his life is to have a son like you..."

In the last second before plunging into darkness, Yinzhi felt a pang of regret. He regretted that everything was just Hongwang's wild imagination, and he regretted that Hongli couldn't be his son.

Yun Tang didn't have time to leave a will. The night before, he was excitedly showing off Wan Qing's achievements to everyone, but he passed away peacefully in his sleep that very night.

After his death, Wanqing met with Hongli with a box of silver notes and a short letter, saying that it was a million taels of silver that Yuntang had arranged to give to the emperor before his death.

The letter was very simple: “The tenth prince is ignorant, but he has taken advantage of the emperor for so many years. As his uncle, I cannot be stingy. Your Majesty, take care.”

In the fourteenth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, shortly after the death of Prince Dun's wife, Lady Borjigit, Yun also passed away.

On his deathbed, Yun smiled and remarked, "In my life, I wasn't clever enough, but I was lucky enough. I was born into a noble family, had two good older brothers who supported each other, sensible children, and a wife who accompanied me throughout my life... The luckiest thing was that I mistakenly identified Hongli at the Yuanmingyuan... That's enough, that's enough..."

In the fifteenth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, Hongli announced his abdication.

"I have been on the throne for many years, and now I am weary of my duties. I have decided to pass the throne to the Crown Prince."

At the grand court assembly, Hongli dropped a bombshell without a care in the world. Although he had already delegated most of the political affairs to the Crown Prince and several princes, and hadn't been particularly diligent, his sudden announcement of his abdication still caught everyone off guard.

The ministers exchanged bewildered glances, all showing expressions of astonishment. Grand Secretary Nian Xiyao stepped forward first, knelt on both knees, and cried out, "Your Majesty is wise, but the nation's great cause is flourishing, and Your Majesty is in the prime of life, full of energy, and perfectly capable of leading our Great Qing to prosperity. We believe that abdication at this time is inappropriate, and we urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"

Is your age the age for resignation? He's still working diligently in his official position, and he hasn't retired despite how hard he works. The Emperor shouldn't even think about sneaking away!

The other ministers all echoed loudly, "Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

As for how much of this is out of concern for the country and how much is out of personal dissatisfaction with the ongoing internal competition, that remains unknown.

Hongli's gaze was firm and unmoved: "My mind is made up. Since I ascended the throne, I have been working day and night to manage state affairs, as if walking on thin ice. Now I want to temporarily leave the court intrigues and go out to see the true state of my country. This will also allow the Crown Prince to gain experience and shoulder the heavy responsibility of the Qing Dynasty as soon as possible."

These words caused the ministers' faces to contort in disgust. Who was truly toiling day and night? How could Your Majesty utter such words? "Walking on thin ice"? And wanting to go on vacation? Who could tolerate this?

No one could tolerate this, so Crown Prince Yonglian stepped forward and said, “Father, I am still inexperienced and afraid that I am not able to handle the many complexities of state affairs immediately. Father, your life is tied to the safety of the nation. If you abdicate at this time, there may be unforeseen changes. I hope that Father will consider the well-being of the Qing Dynasty and rescind your decree.”

Being the crown prince was already exhausting! He didn't want to become emperor so soon!

Hongli shook his head slightly and smiled: "Yonglian, there is no need to belittle yourself. I believe in your abilities. Moreover, during my reign, many regulations have been perfected, and with so many ministers assisting the Crown Prince, what do I have to worry about? I also ascended the throne at a young age and grew up amidst trials and tribulations. The Crown Prince should also have this opportunity. My mind is made up, there is no need to say more."

He insisted that he wouldn't listen and no one could persuade him. After a three-day stalemate, Hongli successfully abdicated, and the eighteen-year-old Yonglian officially ascended the throne.

Not long after Yonglian ascended the throne, Hongli went out for a stroll by himself. Just as he stepped out of the city gate, he encountered Yunli, who was leading his horse and waiting for him.

"What are you doing here, Uncle Seventeen?"

"How could I be absent from this journey of enjoying nature? Perhaps Hongli needs a guide?"

The two looked at each other for a while, and Hongli smiled, "It's good that Seventeenth Uncle doesn't regret it."

"I will never regret it."

Yunli mounted his horse and followed behind Hongli, the two of them galloping gracefully.

Meanwhile, in the palace, upon learning that his father had run away and seeing Prince Guo's resignation letter, Yonglian was struck dumb. He immediately ran to catch the restless Yunxiang and Yunzhen, grabbing their arms and wailing.

"Grand Uncle, you won't leave me, right? You'll help Yonglian, won't you?"

Yunxiang and Yunzhen exchanged a helpless glance, nodded under Yonglian's incessant nagging, and watched as Yonglian's face instantly lit up with a smile, pushing a mountain of official business onto them. The two sighed.

Very good, very good! Those two brothers truly served Hongli and his son like slaves their entire lives!

In the water towns of Jiangnan, Emperor Hongli, lying leisurely on a small boat with his face covered by lotus leaves, smiled with satisfaction upon learning that Yonglian had bestowed additional titles upon Yunxiang and Yunzhen.

Great, everyone has a bright future ahead of them!

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Next World Preview—

Mythical God Gao Yao!

System 556: Master, the character design in this world is "male god"—

Landis: I understand, male deity!

Gao Yao: I will climb to the highest point step by step! I want to be Zhao Gao!

Landis: What are you doing here, acting like Zhao Gao! Wouldn't it be better to be a god?