Early in the morning, just as dawn was breaking, Lin Yun got up to do her hair and makeup.

Today is the day that Daiyu and Hongtun will enter the palace to express their gratitude. She is filled with both anticipation and emotion.

Having not seen Daiyu for two years, Lin Yun had intended to attend the ceremony yesterday, but the Emperor smiled and said, "Let the young couple enjoy themselves first; it's not too late to see them tomorrow." Lin Yun had no choice but to give up, but she couldn't contain her excitement any longer.

The palace maids gently and quietly did her hair and makeup.

Today, Lin Yun specially chose a light gold casual dress. Her hair was styled in an elegant yet gentle updo, adorned with a few pearl hairpins, making her appear graceful and poised.

She examined herself in the bronze mirror for a moment, then instructed, "Go and fetch the pair of jade ruyi from the storeroom, and prepare some fine brocade and jewelry to reward the newlyweds today."

Emperor Yongzheng did not attend the morning court session today. He knew that Yun'er valued Daiyu as her goddaughter, so he accompanied her to Kunning Palace to wait for the new bride to pay her respects.

He entered the inner hall and, seeing her so solemn, couldn't help but smile and say, "The Empress is putting in so much effort, it's like she's marrying off her daughter."

Lin Yun turned around and smiled: "Although Daiyu is not my biological daughter, she is more like one to me than my own. She has been raised by my side since she was eight years old, and now she has finally become a royal wife. How could I not be happy?"

Emperor Yongzheng nodded, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes: "I understand."

He paused, then added, "Hongyao and Zhaohua will also be coming today. The siblings haven't seen each other in a long time, so it's a good opportunity for them to get together."

---

Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), a eunuch's announcement came from outside the palace gates: "The Prince Yi's heir and his wife have arrived—"

Lin Yun immediately sat up straight and looked toward the palace gate.

A moment later, Hongtun and Daiyu entered side by side.

Hongtun, dressed in the court robes of a prince's heir, was handsome and dashing; Daiyu, in a bright red dress and a jeweled crown, moved with the lightness of a willow. The two entered the hall, knelt down together, and respectfully bowed: "Your subject (your subject's wife) greets Father Emperor and Mother Emperor, and wishes you good health."

Lin Yun looked at Daiyu's lowered eyes and felt a pang of sorrow in her heart.

She said softly, "Get up quickly."

Emperor Yongzheng nodded and said, "No need for formalities."

After the two got up, Lin Yun carefully examined Daiyu.

Two years had passed since I last saw her, and she had grown even more beautiful, with exquisite features and an ethereal air, though a hint of newlywed shyness still lingered in the corners of her eyes.

Lin Yun couldn't help but beckon: "Yu'er, come here and let your mother take a look."

Daiyu stepped forward slowly and bowed gracefully before Lin Yun.

Lin Yun took her hand and asked softly, "Was yesterday alright?"

Daiyu blushed slightly and said softly, "Everything went well, thank you for your concern, Mother."

Lin Yun patted her hand and smiled, "Good child, from now on we're family."

Emperor Yongzheng coughed lightly, signaling the eunuch to present the reward.

A pair of white jade ruyi scepters, two bolts of cloud brocade, a set of red gold headdresses, and a box of South China Sea pearls—each piece is a treasure.

Hongtun and Daiyu thanked her again, and Lin Yun specially placed a jade bracelet on Daiyu's wrist, saying gently, "This is your mother's gift, wishing you and Hongtun a long and happy marriage."

Daiyu's eyes reddened slightly, and she solemnly agreed.

---

At that moment, a series of light footsteps came from outside the hall.

Hongyao and Zhaohua ran in one after the other, followed by their two younger brothers, Hongxi and Hongsheng.

Upon seeing Hongtun and Daiyu, Zhaohua exclaimed with delight, "Brother Hongtun! Sister Daiyu!"

Although Hongyao was already thirteen years old and much more composed, he couldn't help but smile when he saw his elder brother and sister-in-law: "Second brother, second sister-in-law."

Hongtun smiled and patted Zhaohua's head: "You've grown taller again."

Daiyu then took out several embroidered pouches from her sleeve and handed them to them, saying, "These are small gifts for you."

Zhao Hua couldn't wait to open it and saw that it was an exquisite sachet embroidered with lifelike butterflies, and inside were small sandalwood carvings of dolls. She immediately fell in love with it.

Hongyao also thanked him sincerely, his eyes filled with joy.

Lin Yun felt gratified as she watched the children enjoying themselves.

She turned to Yongzheng and said, "Your Majesty, look how good their relationship is."

Yongzheng nodded, a profound meaning flashing in his eyes: "Yes, harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things."

The Kunning Palace is filled with a warm and peaceful atmosphere.

The Jia family mansion, however, was completely silent.

After attending Daiyu's wedding, Baoyu seemed to have lost his soul, sitting blankly in his room all day, and even stopped reading the poems he loved.

Baochai walked in carrying a bowl of lotus seed soup and said softly, "Second Master, would you like some soup?"

Baoyu seemed not to hear, staring blankly out the window.

Baochai bit her lip and whispered, "I...I'm afraid I'm pregnant."

Baoyu then came to his senses, but only gave a faint "hmm" and said nothing more.

Baochai felt a chill in her heart and silently withdrew.

When Aunt Xue learned that her daughter had been neglected, she was both shocked and furious. Bao Yu wanted to let his daughter suffer this injustice in silence without any explanation, but he couldn't.

So she went straight to Madam Wang and said, "Bao'er is pregnant, the marriage can't be delayed any longer!"

Lady Wang was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately went to inform Grandmother Jia.

Grandmother Jia was exhausted from the recent news of Daiyu's marriage. Upon hearing this, she could only sigh and say, "Let it be. I'm too old to manage it."

She's only thinking about Yuan Chun's marriage now. Yuan Chun is already twenty-seven years old. If she doesn't make arrangements soon, she'll really end up alone. How can this old woman close her eyes in peace?

With tacit approval, Madam Wang immediately discussed the marriage with Aunt Xue, setting the date for the wedding to be held on the eighth day of the following month.

---

Inside the Kunning Palace, Lin Yun was chatting with Emperor Yongzheng.

"Daiyu's marriage is finally settled. Now it's time to worry about Hongyao."

Lin Yun flipped through the register, which was filled with the names and family backgrounds of noble ladies from the Eight Banners.

Yongzheng suddenly said, "I have made up my mind about establishing a crown prince."

Lin Yun paused, then looked up at him.

Yongzheng's gaze was firm: "Hongshi is absurd, Hongzhou is mediocre, and Hongyao is the only choice for Crown Prince. Why not take this opportunity to announce it to the world?"

Lin Yun pondered for a moment, then said softly, "I will obey His Majesty's will."

She felt that her body was not the same as before, and the effects of the spiritual spring water seemed to be slowly disappearing. If it was just the effects of the spiritual spring water disappearing, that would be fine, but she was afraid that other accidents might happen.

The emperor was about twenty years older than her. Without the spiritual spring water, what if the emperor passed away before her…

Only when Hongyao becomes the crown prince, or even truly takes control of the Qing Dynasty, can she truly rest easy.

Otherwise, what would happen to her and her four children if she had no connections in the Qing Dynasty?