Hongli argued righteously that the palace was too cold in winter; even with underfloor heating, it was still dry and freezing. The Empress Dowager suffered from a leg ailment that was prone to relapse in winter, while Changchun Garden was relatively warm even in winter, which was conducive to her recuperation. Therefore, he believed it was unnecessary to bring the Empress Dowager back to the palace.

The ministers also said that the New Year is the most important festival of the year, and the most important thing is for family reunion. If the Empress Dowager does not return to the palace, the people of the country will surely gossip and think that the emperor is unfilial.

These words enraged Emperor Hongli. "It is precisely out of filial piety that I disregarded my longing for my mother and allowed the Empress Dowager to spend New Year's Day at Changchun Garden. The imperial physician said that if the Empress Dowager's leg ailment is to be cured, she must stay at Changchun Garden and soak in the hot springs for a long time. If she stops, it will be difficult for her to recover."

"I have my own reasons. You are ignorant of the details and yet you speak nonsense and spread alarmist rumors. What are your true intentions?"

Hongli found a plausible reason, saying it was for the sake of the Empress Dowager's health. The court officials looked at each other, speechless.

Zhang Tingyu wanted to say more, but Hongli directly announced the adjournment of the court, not giving him a chance to ramble on.

Even after the emperor had left, Zhang Tingyu was still not satisfied and kept pestering Prince He, wanting him to persuade the emperor.

Hongzhou chuckled and said, "Since Lord Zhang is so concerned, why don't you go to Changchun Garden yourself to invite the Empress Dowager?"

Zhang Tingyu paused for a moment, then smiled ingratiatingly, "Your Highness is too kind. I am of lowly status and have no right to invite the Empress Dowager. Besides, the Grand Council has many matters to attend to, and I dare not leave the capital!"

Hongzhou didn't like hearing that. He raised his eyebrows and retorted, "Are you saying that I'm very idle and have nothing to do?"

Realizing his slip of the tongue, Zhang Tingyu immediately corrected himself, "This humble official had no such intention. I only wish to ask Your Highness to ease the conflict between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."

Hongzhou, walking with his hands behind his back, retorted with displeasure, "What conflict? The Emperor and the Empress Dowager are getting along perfectly well! How could you believe those rumors?"

Zhang Tingyu cupped his hands and explained, "This humble official does not believe it, which is why I wanted Your Majesty to bring the Empress Dowager back to dispel those rumors."

Zhang Tingyu was adept at making polite remarks, and Hongzhou knew perfectly well what he was thinking. He didn't say it aloud, but readily agreed because he didn't want to listen to the old fox's rambling.

"I'm going to see the Emperor now. The Grand Council can't do without you, so get to work!"

After dismissing Zhang Tingyu, Hongzhou leisurely headed to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Upon entering the hall, before he could even speak, Hongli laid it all out beforehand: "If it concerns the Empress Dowager, then let's not discuss it."

Hongzhou smiled awkwardly, "Your Majesty, I have indeed come for this matter. But please don't be angry, Your Majesty. Let me finish what I have to say. Since they all want to invite the Empress Dowager back to the palace, I will make a token trip. Then I will say that the Empress Dowager does not want to return to the palace, and that will shut them up."

Hongli really didn't see what was so good about his so-called good idea. "Are you sure the Empress Dowager won't come back with you after you go to Changchun Garden? What if she agrees to return to the palace?"

"No way!" Hongzhou was confident that he could handle it. "The Empress Dowager is angry with you! She won't come back unless you go there yourself."

"Don't be too absolute. If she comes back, then you can stay at Changchun Garden for the New Year."

Upon hearing Hongli's offer, Hongzhou's smile vanished, and he immediately cowered, "No way, Your Majesty! I was only trying to help you out. You can't be so cruel to your younger brother!"

The fifth prince meant well, and Hongli understood that, but he still didn't want the fifth prince to get involved in this matter.

"The conflict between me and the Empress Dowager may be unknown to others, but how could you not know? I finally managed to send her away, and I don't want to bring her back. If she returns to the palace, she will surely cause trouble again, and I will not have peace again."

The emperor insisted on not allowing the invitation, and Hongzhou, seeing his determination, stopped arguing and said, "Fine! Then I won't bother, saving me the trouble of making the trip."

Learning from past mistakes, Hongli resolutely refused to compromise this time, neither inviting the Empress Dowager himself nor allowing anyone else to do so.

This was the first New Year that the Empress Dowager did not spend in the palace. With fewer tedious rules, Hongli felt unusually relaxed.

The Empress Dowager in Changchun Garden was greatly disappointed. She had previously calculated that by the end of the year, Hongli would definitely try every means to ask her to return to the palace, and at that time she would definitely be firm and embarrass him.

However, man proposes, God disposes. Hongli didn't even come, not even bothering to put on an act!

The Empress Dowager, having miscalculated, grew increasingly angry, lamenting that her son was heartless and had completely forgotten about her.

However, the Empress Dowager was concerned about her reputation, and she would not return unless Hongli came, lest she be ridiculed.

Hongli understood the Empress Dowager's temperament, which is why he was able to continue living a peaceful life.

After New Year's Day, it would be the seventh year of Qianlong's reign. The Fifth Prince had turned two and was ready to be vaccinated against smallpox.

For each child she cared for, Su Yushan's greatest anticipation was getting them vaccinated against smallpox. Only after the vaccination could she truly relax. However, the ten-odd days leading up to the vaccination were also the most agonizing for her, simply because the vaccination could fail.

Fortunately, God was kind to her, and all four of her children survived the most difficult period safely.

After successfully getting vaccinated, the next step is to name the child.

If we're talking about birth order, then the Fifth Prince should be Yongqi in history, but Hongli named this child Yongrong!

Yongrong, who was originally the sixth son, became the fifth prince, a situation that surprised Yushan.

History has changed so much silently, and Su Yushan is increasingly lost about the future. She is unsure whether the fate of these children will also be reversed.

Whether these changes are good or bad remains to be seen.

Spring has passed and summer has arrived; it's time to set off for the Summer Palace once again.

Every year when Su Yushan went to the Summer Palace, she was filled with trepidation, because the Darhan King would also be there.

Three years ago, Hongli said that he would arrange a marriage for Rongyu after she turned ten. Now that Rongyu is twelve, the Darhan King has repeatedly requested a marriage decree. Hongli also felt that it could not be delayed any longer, so he decided to formally arrange a marriage for the two children.

Hongli had already postponed the engagement for several years because of Yushan, and now he really had no way to refuse. Lezhuer had always behaved well in the palace, and Su Yushan could not find a reason to refuse, so she could only agree.

Upon learning that her father, the Emperor, intended to arrange a marriage for her, Rong Yu reacted strongly, simply because she deeply disliked Lejur.