Chapter 108 Entrusting the Orange Treasure

The moon is carved through the clouds.

The Imperial Noble Consort held Hongzhao affectionately, watching with a smile as the Emperor across from her lifted his daughter onto his lap. His face was beaming with the joy of a loving father. Seeing Hongjin's happy expression, she felt a sense of happiness and peace in her heart.

"Ying'er has given me two wonderful children, and she has taught them to be so obedient and sensible. I must reward you properly. You have no idea how much our You'er has made me proud today." Yinzhen held his giggling daughter in his arms, then looked at his beloved son nestled in the arms of the Imperial Noble Consort, and couldn't help but sigh.

Lu Jiaying shook her head slightly, a playful glint in her eyes, and smiled, "If Hongzhou and Hongyan knew, they'd probably be jealous."

Awards and commendations are meaningless to her now. Yinzhen laughed and tilted his head back when he heard her joke, saying, "Yes, I was wrong. Ying'er gave birth to four good children for me."

“Our Hongjin is the best one, isn’t she?” He lowered his head and deliberately leaned closer to tease his lovely eldest daughter in his arms, and as expected, she smiled sweetly in response.

"How are Hongjin's studies going lately? What are you learning now?"

Seeing that the Emperor wanted to know about his daughter, Lü Jiaying naturally explained everything to him in detail—"Recently, she has been studying literature and history with the palace ladies and tutors. She is not bound by the rules and precepts for women. Hongjin is also studying the books that Hongzhao left for her when she was first taught."

"Hmm." Yinzhen nodded in agreement. He had always liked women who were well-versed in poetry and literature, so he naturally wouldn't object—"It's a good thing for girls to study and understand principles. I have a few books with annotations in my possession, and Hongzhao has already finished studying them. It's a good idea to bring them over for Hongjin to take a look at."

Looking at her daughter's bright eyes, which resembled her own, Lü Jiaying smiled and reached out to smooth the stray hairs on her forehead. "Yes, that's what I thought too. Hongjin is currently learning riding and archery. Our Manchu girls naturally can't be ignorant of this. Fortunately, Hongjin is also interested."

"Hmm, not bad." Yinzhen naturally couldn't say a word against Lü Jiayingfeng's educational methods. He hugged his eldest daughter in his arms and said with concern, "Since you want to learn, then learn well. In a couple of days, I will find you a master who knows how to ride horses. If he teaches well, he can protect our Shuer a bit."

"Thank you, Father Emperor." Hongjin bowed in his arms, mimicking the manner of the ministers, his clear voice making Yinzhen laugh again.

Inside the room, the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine were enjoying the bliss of family life, surrounded by their children, when a faint strain of singing drifted into the hall.

Yinzhen paused in his speech inside the room, and his voice became even more distinct in the silence. Lü Jiaying's smile remained unchanged as she listened intently for a while, then raised an eyebrow and said, "Who has such refined tastes? The Peony Pavilion in Kunqu Opera, the Dream in the Garden, is truly elegant."

Among those in the palace who could sing Kunqu Opera and dared to sing loudly outside the palace in broad daylight, there was probably only Consort Yu. Her question was entirely meant as a joke.

Yinzhen met his teasing gaze, chuckled, and tapped him from afar—"You're getting bolder and bolder, even daring to joke with me now."

"Su Peisheng, tell Consort Yu to go back to her own courtyard. Don't upset the Imperial Noble Consort here." He turned back with a smile and instructed Su Peisheng, who also looked at the Imperial Noble Consort with a sullen face.

"Don't." Lü Jiaying stood up and walked to the Emperor, beckoning to Hongjin. Hongjin, being sensible, got out of his father's arms and walked to his mother's side.

"My sister is young and is favored by the Emperor. Your Majesty, please don't neglect her because of me. The 'Dream of the Garden' song has already reached my doorstep. How can the person in the dream not appear in time?"

Yinzhen was pulled to his feet by her. He was determined to dote on Yu Ying'er now. Yu Ying'er's frivolous and arrogant nature suited him just the way he wanted. However, he was unwilling to offend the Imperial Noble Consort because of this. Seeing Ying'er's consideration for him, he naturally felt incredibly comforted.

Only a woman like this is worthy of standing by his side.

He looked back at her with deep affection, and squeezed Lü Jiayingfeng's hand tightly—"In a couple of days, I will have a painter come to paint your portrait. Ying'er, put on your auspicious clothes and come with me to see it."

Historically, only the empress could be included in paintings alongside the emperor, so Yinzhen's intentions were practically obvious.

With a gentle, watery gaze, Lü Jiaying nodded with deep emotion, personally fastening the buttons on the Emperor's cloak before carefully seeing him off.

"Hongzhao, have dinner at Louyue Yunkai. I will send someone to pick you up later." Even after he had left, he turned back and loudly instructed him.

Lu Jiaying pushed the child into the house, then stood at the doorway, watching with a calm gaze as Consort Yu swayed her head and gracefully walked to the Emperor's side, bowing gracefully. She then followed the Emperor to the Jiuzhou Qingyan Palace with light steps, and before leaving, she didn't forget to turn back and give herself a light bow.

Her arrogant manner made her laugh even after seeing it many times.

She remained calm and collected despite knowing the inside story, but the unsuspecting people outside thought quite differently.

This mere Consort Yu has actually stolen the Imperial Noble Consort's favor! Even the powerful Consort Hua and Consort Wan couldn't have done this before. Could it be that the Emperor has truly been bewitched by this woman who came from the Yimei Garden?

Yu Ying'er was naturally even more pleased with herself. On one hand, she was grateful for the favor she received, and on the other hand, she was genuinely afraid of Consort Hua. She spent the last few days by the Emperor's side, openly and subtly praising Nian Gengyao. However, because she wasn't very bright, her words were immediately obvious as deliberate.

Despite his annoyance and resistance, Yinzhen seized the opportunity to bestow another title upon Consort Yu, making her "Lady Miaoyin".

Zhen Huan was intelligent; she clearly understood the current situation in the court and could deduce the Emperor's general intentions. Therefore, she deliberately avoided direct confrontation.

As her arrogance grew, the Emperor added fuel to the fire by following Consort Yu's pillow talk and stripping Nian Shilan of her title of Consort. Although she still didn't have a title, at least she regained her rank as a consort.

Before we knew it, it was July, and it was time to send Hongzhao to the Mulan Hunting Grounds.

On this day, Yinzhen specially invited his thirteenth brother, Prince Yi, to play chess. Although it was called a game of chess, every word he uttered was actually a plea for instructions.

“That day, Nian Gengyao submitted a memorial to me, advising me to consider the brotherly affection between Yinzhi and Yintang. He was leaving himself a way out.” Yinzhen frowned, holding the chess piece tightly but not putting it down.

Prince Yi stared at the chessboard and nodded in agreement—"Yes, if the Emperor can even let go of the Eighth and Ninth Brothers, then he will be even more fearless."

After pondering for a long time, Yinzhen carefully placed a piece on the board—"But what he said is almost the same as what Longkodo said. They both have the same thoughts. They are both my trusted ministers. It really makes me feel disheartened. Prince Dun often speaks up for Yinsi and Yintang in court. Their collusion is probably already a fact."

Yinxiang picked up a white chess piece, pondered for a moment, and then dropped it straight down—"That's why Your Majesty wants to send the Crown Prince to Khorchin now."

Yinzhen nodded helplessly, the reluctance in his eyes genuine – “Hongzhao has grown up by my side since birth and has never been away from me for so long. I am also reluctant, but there is really no other way. I am not entirely confident about this matter. If it succeeds, everything will be fine. If it fails, Hongzhao will be the first to be affected. I cannot gamble.”

Prince Yi was quite moved by his elder brother's loving fatherly heart, as this was the first time he had witnessed such meticulous arrangements. He put down the chess piece in his hand, solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will protect the Crown Prince and ensure that he is not in the slightest danger."

This time, Yinzhen did not stop him from bowing. He tossed the chess piece back into the box, his gaze heavy with entrustment, "Then I'll leave it to you, Thirteenth Brother."