Chapter 147 Sea Bull

The palace was filled with joy, but Ganlu Temple was a completely different story.

Zhen Huan was given the name "Mo Chou" by the abbess. Here, she was just Lady Mo Chou, not a noble lady in the palace. No one served her. She had to do everything herself, such as chopping wood, washing clothes, and carrying water. She carried her own bundle with only a few changes of clothes and a zither in her arms as she followed the abbess to her residence.

Without the Empress and Consort Qi's instructions, Jingbai naturally wouldn't deliberately make things difficult for her this time. However, she was inherently snobbish and looked down on those who had fallen on hard times from the palace. Even if she didn't make things difficult, her temper wasn't exactly mild.

"This place is quite nice for you, madam. There are other women practicing Buddhism nearby, so you can look out for each other." The abbot led Zhen Huan into her courtyard, speaking slowly as they walked.

Having someone in the same situation always gives one a sense of reliance, so Zhen Huan couldn't help but ask, "May I ask, Abbot, who is the lady beside you...?"

"She is the daughter of Lord Zhen. I heard that Lord Zhen's whole family was recently convicted of a crime, and this lady has managed to escape a calamity in Ganlu Temple."

Zhen Huan froze, raised her eyebrows, and asked hesitantly, "May I ask your name, madam?"

The abbot answered them one by one without any concern—"This lady did not want to change her name, so she kept her original name, Huanbi."

"This lady gets along very well with Consort Shu, who is also in our temple, and often visits her. I'm afraid you won't be able to see her now."

——

On the first day of their marriage, Hongshi and his wife were required to pay their respects to the emperor in various places.

As they emerged from Shou Kang Palace, a servant dressed in festive attire approached Hongshi and his wife.

"Third Prince, His Majesty specifically instructed that you and your wife should come to Shou Kang Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, and your wife should follow me to Yong Shou Palace to pay respects to the Empress. You can go directly to Yang Xin Hall to pay respects, and then come to Yong Shou Palace with His Majesty."

Hongshi had no objection to these words. It was a time of youthful innocence and sweetness between the newlyweds and his wife. He turned around and gently squeezed Dong Eshi's arm. "Huiyi, the Empress Dowager is the kindest and most approachable person. You don't need to be too nervous. Your younger sister should be in Yongshou Palace right now. She is the most innocent and lovely. She will help you if you need anything."

Before Dong E entered the palace, her family naturally did their best to inquire about her. The empress in the palace was the birth mother of the crown prince, and having many children was considered auspicious. Since her husband had said so, she naturally wouldn't be too uneasy anymore, but she would still be nervous.

Her eyes were full of gentleness. She smiled slightly and grasped Hongshi's hands in return. She didn't say much, just nodded slightly, and turned to follow the attendant toward Yongshou Palace. After taking a few steps, she turned her head to glance at Hongshi again. A breeze brushed her cheek, and Hongshi almost squinted at her.

The attendants beside him couldn't help but cover their mouths and suppress their laughter when they saw their prince looking so dazed. "Prince, let's go. The Emperor and the Crown Prince are still waiting in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. There will be plenty of opportunities to see the Princess Consort in the future."

...

Although Yinzhen did not attend the entire wedding yesterday, someone would naturally report everything that happened to him. When he heard that the two children, Hongzhao and Hongshi, were making a fuss, he didn't even realize that the corners of his mouth had quietly turned up several degrees.

Logically speaking, Hongshi had reached a certain age and married, so it was about time for him to enter the court and participate in politics. He could also be given a title of Beile, since he didn't have many sons and wouldn't hesitate to bestow such titles.

But he always had other plans in mind.

In his opinion, the good relationship between the brothers now is not really good. Back then, he and Lao Ba also had their share of playful banter. As long as they each had their own stance, and with those who had ulterior motives stirring things up, no one could say what would happen in the future.

He would never let his You'er fall into the same situation as the deposed crown prince. All his brothers were determined to pull him down, and he had seen the bitterness of it all over the years.

Hongshi will be granted a title, and naturally he will have to enter the court in the future. However, this favor cannot be given by himself; it would be most appropriate for Hongzhao to give it. Hongzhao is not an intolerant person, and although Hongshi is foolish, he is grateful and trusts him in this respect.

"Your Majesty, the Third Prince requests an audience outside the palace."

Su Peisheng's voice interrupted his thoughts. Hongzhao, who was standing next to him, also put down his pen, sat up straight, and looked at his father expectantly.

Seeing his childlike nature, Yinzhen couldn't help but chuckle and teased, "Can't you see that our Crown Prince can't wait any longer? Why don't you call his good third brother in quickly?"

——

Hongjin from Yongshou Palace looked down and smiled at the gift her maid was holding—a pink tourmaline bracelet with eighteen beads, a gift from her third sister-in-law. She carefully took it out, put it on her wrist, fiddled with it for a moment, and then smiled sweetly.

"Thank you, Third Sister-in-law. This bracelet is so beautiful. I will wear it every day." After saying that, he ran to his mother and held up his hand. "Your Majesty, look, doesn't it match my clothes perfectly? Third Sister-in-law and I are truly of one mind."

Just as her husband had said, the eldest princess was innocent, cute, and easy to get along with. Dong Eshi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but her face remained expressionless with her head bowed and eyes lowered.

As Lü Jiaying hugged her daughter, she couldn't help but secretly praise her. This child had good self-control and was indeed a kind-hearted person.

"Good child, don't stand on ceremony, come and sit down." Xuexin stepped forward and led her to sit down below the Empress. "Let's chat for a while, and when the Emperor comes with the Third Prince, you two can pay your respects together and then go to Xianfu Palace to see Consort Jing. Then this day will be over."

She leaned forward with concern, saying, "Good child, are you tired?"

Upon hearing this question, Dong Eshi seemed to think of something, her cheeks flushed slightly as she gently shook her head, "Your Majesty, I didn't walk much this morning. Your Majesty and I are both kind and compassionate, how could I be tired?"

Lu Jiaying and Feng, being experienced people, could naturally see that the young girl was a little shy. They couldn't help but chuckle. She was a playful and joking person at heart, and even with her high position and power, she could hardly change this nature. Just as she was about to speak again, she heard Su Peisheng's voice from outside.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Everyone in the room stood up. The emperor's two sons, one in red and one in yellow, walked forward with their heads held high.

The difference is that Hongzhao had eyes to look ahead, while Hongshi had eyes but they were glued to his wife, showing no intention of stopping even when they got close.

If Hongzhao hadn't been quick enough to grab him from behind, this silly third brother might have stepped on his father's boots.

(Yinzhen: Sea Bull!)

Yinzhen walked up and sat down with the Empress. He looked down at his son and daughter-in-law below, bowing respectfully in response to the servants' chanting. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Hongzhao and Hongjin, who were whispering together. A strange emotion suddenly surged in his heart.

"Seeing Hongshi and his wife always reminds me of our You'er and Shu'er getting married in the future. I wonder how happy the Empress and I will be then," he whispered quietly in Lü Jiaying's ear.

Lü Jiaying followed his gaze to her two children, her eyes softening even more – “Whether I’ll be happy or sad is still unknown. Hongzhao will always be by my side, but Hongjin will have to marry into another family in the future. Just thinking about it makes me incredibly sad.”

Yinzhen didn't speak, but simply squeezed her hand tightly to comfort her.

There were some things he couldn't say outright, but he already had other ideas in his mind.

Judging by the days, the Dzungar envoys should be arriving in Beijing soon.