Southern Tour

Queen Li did not take any action until she found out anything.

These days, news about Wang Rongqing has been coming in one after another, but Queen Li just took a look at it and suppressed it.

However, there was another exciting piece of good news in the palace, that is, Emperor Yongping decided to tour the south.

No matter how wonderful this palace is, after living there for a few years, it becomes just so-so. Every blade of grass and every tree in the palace is the same, and you'll eventually tire of it. Back when I was at Prince Xuan's mansion, or at home, I had more freedom. With permission, I could wander out of the palace with a sign and my maids and guards. But now that I'm a palace empress, that's no longer possible.

Nowadays, if one wants to go out for a walk in the palace, apart from being granted the grace to attend Huiwen's full moon banquet like Li Qingping did before, one can only hope that Emperor Yongping will not be bored in the palace - go to the courtyard outside the capital, go to the frontier to escape the summer heat, or anything else.

Emperor Yongping has been on the throne for eight years. In the first few years, he stayed in the palace because he was busy with state affairs. In recent years, Emperor Yongping's position has become unshakable, so he has begun to think about going out.

Emperor Yongping had originally agreed to go to the frontier to escape the summer heat, but it happened that Empress Li was pregnant at an advanced age, so the plan was put on hold.

There were no more accidents during this southern tour, but the list of people accompanying the emperor had not been released yet.

Almost all the concubines in the harem, big and small, were trying their best to add their names to the list of people accompanying the emperor.

The concubines not only tried to curry favor with Emperor Yongping, but also received a lot of cakes and purses from the Kunning Palace. They were quite clever, playing both sides.

It was only natural that Empress Li should accompany the new emperor on his first southern tour. However, Hehuang had just turned one year old, and Empress Li was worried about her young son, so she was in a dilemma.

Queen Li was holding a pen to write a list of the concubines who would accompany the emperor. Looking at He Huang who was sleeping soundly, Queen Li's heart was wavering.

"Hehuang just got weaned and has to get up at night to drink rice porridge." She said softly, with a hint of hesitation in her tone, "Besides, this child has been recognizing people since he was young. If I leave, what will happen if he cries at night?"

Huixin advised, "Master, if you don't accompany the Emperor this time, I'm afraid the Emperor will have a grudge against you."

Empress Li understood what Huixin said. After all, Empress Li was not only Hehuang's mother, but also the Empress of Daqi. There were some things she had to make choices about.

As for which was more important, Empress Li had already made her own judgment. It was just that as a mother, she could never let go of her child.

Queen Li looked at the memorial in her hand.

During this southern tour, the Grand Empress Dowager, over eighty years old, was no longer fit to travel long distances and would have to stay in the palace. Although the Empress Dowager was not Emperor Yongping's biological mother, out of filial piety, Emperor Yongping would definitely accompany her on the southern tour.

Among the princes, the Crown Prince and several already married and established princes, with the exception of Prince Yong, would accompany the emperor. The Fifth Prince and Prince Xuan, the Sixth Prince, and Emperor Xuan Yongping would also be brought along. The rest were too young to handle the long journey, so they wouldn't be brought along. Of the princesses, the Emperor had said only the sisters Yu Jin and Yu Xi would be brought along. The two consorts could also come along thanks to the princesses' connections.

Prince Yong did not go because his wife was about to give birth, and it was just right that Prince Yong stayed to supervise the country with several of his uncles.

As for the harem list… even if Empress Li disliked Noble Consort Yi, she would definitely be on the list. Not only her, but also Consort Rong and Consort Zhuang, who represented the aristocratic families, would be on the list.

The Southern Tour inevitably included a visit to Jiangnan. Due to the chaos of the previous dynasty, prominent Jiangnan families had established their own military power, forming alliances among themselves and defying imperial authority. Although this situation was later severely suppressed by the rulers after the reunification of the empire, there was still a tendency to overemphasize these aristocratic families. Noble Consort Yi, Consort Rong, and Consort Zhuang accompanied the emperor precisely to counter these Jiangnan clans.

Since Empress Li and Concubine Yi are both accompanying the emperor, and the Empress Dowager is not in charge now, one of the two concubines must stay in the palace to take charge.

Queen Li frowned, even more conflicted than before between her child and the southern tour.

Now, the two women sitting on the throne were both her sisters, and she felt it was inappropriate for either to go or not. She was also afraid... that the one who stayed would become alienated.

Concubine Ke enjoys fun and entertainment, and she's probably looking forward to this southern tour. Concubine Ding, while seemingly aloof, is actually quite enthusiastic about going out. After all, few people enjoy being cooped up in the palace all the time.

Never mind that for now, let’s just list the rest first. Queen Li left a line blank and continued writing.

Among the concubines, Rongpin and Zhuangpin had already confirmed their participation. Jiapin was the most senior, and her temperament had calmed down considerably in recent years, so she would follow. The Princess of Yong was about to give birth, and Anpin had already expressed her concern for her daughter-in-law, volunteering to stay in the palace. If Anpin didn't go, Jingpin wouldn't go either. Over the years, the two of them had grown accustomed to chatting together, and without one of them, it would be less fun.

Next in line, Noble Lady Wan and Noble Lady Qi will definitely accompany the emperor, and a few beauties and talented women who have been favored recently should also be brought along.

Queen Li suddenly paused on Concubine Le's name.

Concubine Le Jin was once favored for a while, but she has been quiet for the past two years. But if I remember correctly, Concubine Le's father is currently working at the Jiangnan Weaving Factory.

In this case, let's add Lady Le's name as well. Whether or not she can seize this opportunity depends on Lady Le's own luck.

After everything else was planned, Queen Li returned to the decision of the concubine position. The names, personalities and abilities of her two younger sisters kept circling in her mind.

"Master, it's time to take your medicine." Just at this moment, another senior palace maid Huiyue came in with a bowl of medicine and placed it on the table.

Queen Li looked at the medicine with a serious expression and sighed.

I have to make a choice.

Empress Li took the medicine bowl and drank it all in one gulp without changing her expression. She then wrote Concubine Ke's name on the list of people accompanying the emperor. She bit a plum to soothe the bitter taste in her mouth. After having the medicine bowl put away, she instructed Huiyue, "Go to Yonghe Palace and invite Concubine Ding to come."

Huiyue took the order and left.

Empress Li then instructed Huixin, "Go to the Imperial Household Department and the Imperial Hospital separately. This tour will mostly be by water, so the boats must not have even the slightest mishap. Have the Imperial Household Department oversee the thorough maintenance of the vessels for me. Also, the Imperial Hospital should prepare more seasickness pills. Jiangnan is hot and humid, and most of the accompanying concubines are from the capital, so they might not be able to acclimate to the climate. So, we need to prepare more of these pills as well."

She said coldly, "The Southern Tour is a matter of great importance and cannot afford to fail. If they are found not to be doing their best, they will be in great danger."

Huixin responded and went out to work.

Upon hearing that Empress Li was looking for her, Li Qingping quickly arrived at Kunning Palace.

"I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to stay in the palace during this southern tour," Empress Li said straight to the point. "Noble Concubine Yi and I will be accompanying the emperor, so a high-ranking concubine must be in charge of the palace."

Li Qingping nodded to indicate that he understood, but his expression didn't change much: "I expected this."

"You..." Queen Li looked at her and sighed helplessly, "You might as well make a scene and say that you also want to go on the southern tour."

Li Qingping smiled and said, "Of course there are regrets. I'm not a very generous person, but since it's my sister I'm certainly generous. And I know that every decision the Empress makes is justified."

Queen Li suddenly thought of something that happened a long time ago.

Li Qingping and Concubine Ke were born in the same year, but the former became the elder sister two months earlier. Although he was not much older than Concubine Ke, Li Qingping loved Concubine Ke very much. Because of this, sometimes Concubine Ke and Li Qingping were closer than to her biological sister. When she was learning needlework as a child, Concubine Ke always loved to pester Li Qingping to help her draw patterns. Li Qingping said no, but he always softened his heart and helped Concubine Ke with a lot of homework. It was because of Li Qingping's protection that Concubine Ke had such a pure character. Li Qingping always tolerated Concubine Ke to the greatest extent possible.

"Next time, it'll be your turn to go, and I won't let her go," Empress Li mused. "But this time... the Grand Empress Dowager is old, and neither Concubine An nor Concubine Jing are in charge. I'm still worried about her first tour outside the capital, so I need someone who can handle the situation to stay."

Li Qingping said, "I know."

Empress Li thought about it and said, "Hehuang... Hehuang is still young, I am worried. If, if..."

"When you asked me to help take care of He Zhao, you weren't so cautious." Li Qingping held Empress Li's hand and said, "Sister, do you no longer trust me?"

Queen Li was shocked and tears immediately flowed down her face.

"It's not that I don't trust you, Qingping..." Queen Li cried and laughed, "It's just that I've been thinking about it wrongly these days, and I'm always worried that you will blame me for it."

Li Qingping smiled and said, "I now have a son and a daughter, and I am one of the Four Consorts. Can a mere southern tour cause us sisters to become estranged?"

"In fact, I had originally planned not to go." Li Qingping lowered his eyes. Although he was indeed a little disappointed and unhappy, he still sighed: "This is not a marriage with that kid, Xu. If he himself doesn't care, then I, as a mother, will be even more worried. I thought that after I had walked most of the palace, I could invite all the ladies to come in and have a chat or something..."

"In fact, I have been struggling with this for a long time, just like the Empress. But it's hard to have the best of both worlds. I think I'll have a chance after the Southern Tour, but this is the only time I can marry He Xuan."

Empress Li was stunned for a moment, then wiped her tears and smiled, "Anyway, you have the final say in the palace when the time comes. This is a serious matter concerning the prince's marriage, so go ahead and do whatever you want."

Li Qingping felt a little regretful: "It's a pity that Yujin and Cancan are going with me, and there is no one to accompany me to take a look."

Empress Li said directly, "Let Yulang and Ping'an enter the palace to accompany you. I'll tell the clan officials later that they won't have to stop them from passing the cards into the palace."

Li Qingping was satisfied with Empress Li's assurance and said with a smile, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Qingping, everything in the palace is up to you during this period."

After Li Qingping left, Queen Li sat there, breathing weakly.

Her emotions had just been so turbulent that she felt dizzy. Empress Li's health had been declining since the birth of He Huang, and her foundation was already depleted. However, the Kunning Palace was tight-lipped, so not only were the outsiders in the palace aware of the situation, but even Li Qingping and Concubine Ke were completely unaware.

"If, if Qingping does a good enough job staying behind this time, I can rest assured..." Subconsciously taking out the news brought by Wang Rongqing and reading it several times, Queen Li sighed softly in her heart.

If this matter gets out to the palace after they leave Beijing, I don't know if Qingping can handle it. Although if that doesn't work, Queen Li has a backup plan...

But it would be best if Li Qingping solved it himself.

When the list of concubines accompanying the emperor on his southern tour was passed around the palaces, some were happy while others were worried. Concubine Le was pleasantly surprised that Empress Li still remembered her after she had fallen out of favor for so long. She hadn't held out much hope to begin with, but now she had to pack her bags quickly.

At the beginning of March, Li Qingping led Concubine An, Concubine Jing and the minor concubines who stayed in the palace to see off the southern tour army.

Li Qingping looked up at the sky. It was a fine day.

I don't know why, but I feel like something big is about to happen. I hope these next few months will be peaceful.