When the topic of having children came up, Yu Ying looked embarrassed and sighed with her eyes downcast, "The prince never comes to my room, how can I have a child?"

"You're just too kind and too honest!" Consort Xi whispered, offering her advice.

"You should know that women also need to learn to use some tricks. Look at that Su Shi, why did she win Hongli's favor? It's because she is deep in thought and knows how to pretend to be weak and pitiful, so that men will feel sorry for her."

"But my daughter-in-law is the legal wife, how can she resort to tricks and schemes like that?" If Hongli doesn't come, fine, Yuying doesn't bother with any tricks.

Consort Xi shook her head. "You can't say that. Whether it's the principal wife or a concubine, the one who wins the man's heart is the biggest winner. Besides, the little tricks between husband and wife are just a matter of affection, not something despicable."

If you take the initiative to show goodwill, say some kind words to Hongli, coax him, and don't bring up the issue of incompatibility again, and if the two of you stop arguing, he will be willing to spend time with you. After all, you are a member of the Fucha family, and he will ultimately give you some face and won't go too far.

Consort Xi was an experienced woman. Although she was never favored by Emperor Yongzheng in her life, she had a good son. It was because of this son that Emperor Yongzheng treated her relatively politely on the surface.

Therefore, she clearly understands that if a woman can't rely on a man, she has to rely on her children. As long as there are children to hold her together, the relationship between the two will be closer.

Yu Ying currently only has one legitimate son, which is far from enough; she needs to have more children.

"Now that Hongli is older, he's becoming increasingly unruly. He has his own ideas, and he has a problem with me because I interfere too much. So I can only offer a few pointers; the key is still you."

"It is your responsibility as a wife to have many children, and your favor with the emperor benefits Yonglian and your family. It's a win-win situation, and you should make the most of it."

Consort Xi earnestly persuaded her, and Yu Ying dared not disobey her, so she obediently agreed.

"Thank you for the reminder, Mother. I will keep your teachings in mind."

Inside the house, the two were busy scheming, while outside, the family was enjoying themselves. However, pleasant times are always short-lived. Before they knew it, it was almost late afternoon, and no matter how reluctant Su Yushan was, she had to say goodbye to her son.

Tangdou was also reluctant to part with her brother. Fortunately, Yonghuang gave her a snowflake bracelet, saying that he had made it himself. Tangdou was delighted and stopped complaining. She obediently waved her little hand and said goodbye to her brother.

Studying in the palace was a dull experience. Every night, Yonghuang would miss his family, but he didn't say anything. Knowing it would be useless, he simply kept it to himself.

He asked his master for half a day off today and didn't practice riding and archery, which gave him these few hours to reunite with his family.

Now that his parents and sister have all left, his sister walks forward while waving back at him. Yonghuang feels both relieved and sad, because he knows very well that he will not see his mother and sister for a long time to come!

Yu Shan didn't even dare to look back, afraid that she would be unable to resist turning back again.

After struggling to reach the bend, she couldn't help but look back. The distance between mother and son had grown vast, but she could clearly see that the moment she turned around, Yonghuang immediately forced a smile. It was obvious that he didn't want his mother to worry about him.

Knowing she was upset, Hongli put his arm around her shoulder and continued walking forward, saying he would bring her over again when he had time.

Every time she came here, it ended in unpleasantness. Su Yushan really didn't want to cause any more trouble for Hongli. If it weren't for the child, she wouldn't want to come here and be disliked. It's best to avoid coming to the palace!

Yu Ying did not want her son to meet Yong Huang, so she had the nanny take Yong Lian away directly, without letting her son witness her leaving.

After leaving the palace gates, the group rode in carriages back to their residences.

Inside the spacious carriage, Hongli sat in the main seat, with Yushan and Yuying on either side. The heartbroken Su Yushan barely spoke throughout the journey, as she had to continue to endure the pain of separation from her son.

A hush fell over the carriage; everyone was lost in their own thoughts. Hongli ignored Yuying until they were almost back at the residence, when he coldly warned her.

"Considering it's Mother's birthday today, I'm not holding it against you. This is the last time! If you dare to mention any incompatibility again, I will never let you see Yonglian again!"

These words struck Yu Ying like a heavy hammer, making her heart tremble. She knew very well that Hongli had always been cold and unyielding towards her, and he would never change his mind once he had said something.

Last time, because she accused Su Yushan of stealing a dragon and replacing a phoenix, Hongli ordered her to be confined to her quarters for half a year. It was only after her elder brother won a battle that Hongli lifted her confinement.

They are clearly husband and wife, so how did things come to this?

She still remembered that when she first entered the manor, Hongli treated her fairly well and would visit Lanzhao Courtyard twice a month. However, the two later had a dispute, and Hongli developed a rift with her, no longer wanting to see her.

Yu Ying came from a prestigious family and had her own pride. Originally, she thought, "If he doesn't want to come, he doesn't want to come!" She really didn't want to lower herself to beg for his favor. But today, Consort Xi's words were like a blow to the head!

She began to reflect, and as time went by, she seemed to have forgotten her original intention and that she was living for her family.

She couldn't help but wonder if she should try to change things, to find a way to ease the tension between them. If things continued to escalate like this, the knot between her and Hongli would likely become intractable, impossible to untie...

After thinking it through, Yu Ying finally decided to humble herself and, one afternoon, bring ginseng soup to Hongli's study to request an audience.

The Fujin (wife of the emperor) rarely came over on her own initiative, so Li Yu assumed she had something important to report and went inside to inform her.

At that time, Hongli was reading a book and was not busy, so he let her in.

Yu Ying put down the food box, personally served him a bowl of ginseng soup, and respectfully invited him to enjoy it.

Hongli didn't even glance at it, nor did he put down the book in his hand. His tone was clearly impatient. "Get to the point."

Knowing he had little patience for her, Yu Ying didn't press the matter further. She placed the soup bowl on the table and said apologetically:

“I have been reflecting on this for the past few days and realized that I was indeed too extreme. I can’t accept Bao’er’s departure, which is why I was so suspicious and annoyed Your Highness. From now on, I will reflect on myself every day and never make you angry again.”

Yu Ying had been so stubborn for so long, how could she suddenly see the light? Hongli became suspicious, guessing that his mother must have said something to her that caused her to suddenly change her attitude.

Sensing the scent of conspiracy, Hongli's expression grew even colder. He merely hummed in response and said nothing more.

She had said so much, and he had only replied with a single word? Yu Ying felt utterly defeated. Just as she was thinking of how to change the subject, she suddenly heard Hongli ask a question.

"Are you done talking? You can go now, I'm very busy."

Yu Ying felt rather embarrassed, but remembering her purpose, she told herself not to be discouraged and mustered her courage to say:

"Your Highness has not visited Lanzhao Academy for a long time. Tonight, I have prepared a simple meal to welcome Your Highness."