Chapter 55 Clever Hongjin

Hongjin has been clinging to her father, the Emperor, for the past two days. She complains that her younger brother has a group of study companions around him, and he has people to attend classes and talk with every day. She feels very bored on her own, and Hongzhou is still too young to accompany her.

Yinzhen had always doted on his eldest daughter, so he couldn't resist her pitiful pleas and coaxing. He took her back to Yongshou Palace and agreed in front of Lü Yingfeng. He couldn't break his promise to the child, so a couple of days later he came to Yongshou Palace again with a booklet in his hands.

Lu Yingfeng couldn't help but laugh when she saw the identical booklet. She tilted her head and teased him, "Now Your Majesty knows that this is the real troublesome little person."

Yinzhen smiled helplessly, his smile filled with more doting indulgence than anything else—"Our Shuer naturally deserves the best, and being a mere companion is nothing. Since she has asked, I, as her imperial father, will naturally grant her request."

As he spoke, he handed the booklet to Lü Yingfeng, then sat intimately beside her, lifting his robe, and they flipped through it together.

This one is noticeably thinner than Hongzhao's, suggesting that the Emperor had already chosen a candidate in mind long ago.

The first name that caught Lü Yingfeng's eye made her pause, as it seemed strangely familiar—"Li Rongbao's eldest daughter, Fucha Yingjun."

She read it aloud softly, and Yinzhen explained to her from behind, "Ordinary princesses' companions are chosen from suitable palace maids from the Imperial Household Department, but our Hongjin is different."

He said, “Li Rongbao’s eldest daughter is exactly ten years old this year. I heard that she is intelligent, polite, and has a magnanimous demeanor. She has already started to help the Jue Luo family with household management. I am at ease with her by Hongjin’s side.”

Lu Yingfeng nodded in satisfaction as she listened, “I have also heard about it. This girl is a good one. It just so happens that her two brothers are also by You’er’s side, and they can take care of each other in the palace.”

Looking down, the next one didn't look familiar. Knowing that Lü Yingfeng wasn't very familiar with these, Yinzhen took the initiative to speak, pointing and saying, "The next one is from the Hongyi Duke's family, Niohuru clan."

“Aling’a is guilty, but the Hongyi Duke’s Mansion is a large clan after all. I must reward and punish the more than ten branches of the clan clearly. This Niohuru Huining is the eldest daughter of the tenth branch of the Hongyi Duke’s Mansion. Her mother is from the Shumulu clan, which is also from a large clan. She herself is a quiet and uncompetitive person.”

Having explained all that, Yinzhen simply took the booklet and flipped through it—"The ones at the back are all palace maids that Su Peisheng selected from the Imperial Household Department who are of suitable age and clever enough to follow Hongjin. This will save you the trouble of selecting a personal maid for her later."

His thoughts were thorough, and Lü Yingfeng naturally had no objection—"Your Majesty's thoughts are thorough, but I can't think of so many things. I just think they are all good."

Yinzhen enjoyed her compliments, smiled and tapped her forehead, turning the booklet in his hand to the last page.

"The eldest daughter of Prince Dun, Princess Qingcheng."

Prince Dun is a member of the Eighth Prince's faction, and his disrespect for the Emperor is nothing new. This time, his eldest daughter is also on the list, and she's at the very end. Lü Yingfeng lowered her eyes to hide the deep thoughts in them.

Unaware of the danger, Yinzhen continued, “Princess Qingcheng…I intend to make an exception and bestow upon her the title of Heshuo Princess in the future. Prince Dun has repeatedly disobeyed the emperor. I brought her daughter into the palace to study with Hongjin. She lives in Shou Kang Palace and is taught by the Empress Dowager. This is both a favor and a reminder.”

“How about this?” Lü Yingfeng perked up. “Since Princess Qingcheng is here, why not bring the youngest son of the Fujin, Prince Hongxuan, to live with our Hongzhao as well? That way, the brothers can look after each other, and the princess won’t be lonely in the palace.”

Yinzhen thought for a moment and nodded in agreement—"Then let's take them to Empress Dowager's Shou Kang Palace together, so that we can keep her company and show our filial piety."

——

Hongjin was overjoyed to learn that he, like his younger brother, had a study companion. Ignoring Xuexin's advice, he would sit on a stool at the entrance of Yongshou Palace in his spare time, waiting for his playmate.

Unexpectedly, instead of his playmates, he was greeted by the Empress.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty the Empress." Seeing the Empress in an orange-yellow vest with crane patterns walking towards Yongshou Palace from afar, Hongjin, who was sitting at the door, slid down from the high stool and bowed respectfully to greet her.

Yi Xiu helped her up with a kind smile. "Hong Jin has grown taller again." He lovingly touched the fluffy tassels hanging by her temples.

Hongjin felt the touch on her head, looked up and gave a sweet smile, her eyes full of innocence—"Empress Mother, Mother went to the study to see my younger brother, she's not in the palace."

"It's alright." Yi Xiu straightened up. "I've come to see Consort Rou."

She turned her head and instructed the person behind her, "Jiang Fuhai, take the eldest princess outside to play for a while."

As he spoke, he walked past Hongjin and headed towards the west side hall. Hongjin followed behind Jiang Fuhai out. Thinking for a moment, she turned back and looked at her mother, whose steps were slightly faster than usual. She headed straight for the west side hall with a clear purpose. Her mother wasn't there yet...

Suddenly she raised her voice and called out to those behind her, "Your Majesty, I'm going to Jingren Palace tomorrow to pay my respects to you. Don't forget to leave me some tribute oranges!"

The child's voice was extremely childish, yet its penetrating power was outrageous.

Yi Xiu paused slightly, a rare crack appearing on his kind face. He turned around and saw the four-year-old girl pulling a bewildered Jiang Fuhai as they ran outside to play.

Yixiu gritted her teeth, turned around and strode quickly toward the west side hall where Consort Rou was.

Upon entering the palace, he saw that An Lingrong had not dressed up and was already using a thick quilt even though it was not yet winter. Naturally, he showered her with concern and took the opportunity to notice a corner of the rolled-up quilt.

"I've only come to check on your illness. No need for formalities. Just make sure you don't catch a cold." As she spoke, she pinched the blanket and pretended to pull it up, but actually used her strength to lift it more than halfway.

There was nothing under the blanket; it was completely empty.

Her pupils contracted, but her expression remained unchanged. However, someone as perceptive as An Lingrong would not miss this somewhat abrupt action.

Her heart was pounding like a drum. If she hadn't heard Hong Jin's shout just now, the place the Empress had lifted would have been the hiding place of the doll embroidered with Nian Shilan's birth date and time.

Seeing that the Empress was not there, he knew that his trip had been in vain. Fearing that he might alert the enemy, he pretended that nothing had happened, gave a few instructions, and then left with Jianqiu.

Jiang Fuhai naturally followed the Empress. Hong Jin, while playing by herself, secretly kept an eye on them. Once they were out of sight, she led the nanny behind her out of Yongshou Palace and headed straight for the Imperial Study.

When Lü Yingfeng received the news from her daughter, she felt something was wrong. With Hongzhao fanning the flames, she, not one to hesitate, rushed back.

This time, unlike usual, she did not have Xuexin announce her arrival beforehand. Instead, she simply pushed open the door and entered the west wing hall, just as the Empress had done earlier.

The moment the door opened, the person inside jumped up in surprise and threw whatever they were holding at the burning brazier in front of them.

But the flames did not engulf the doll immediately. Lü Yingfeng could see clearly that it was a witchcraft doll with writing on it and needles stuck all over it.