Ulanara's lips trembled involuntarily.

During the Kangxi era, there were many children, and many of them did not achieve success, so none of them received posthumous titles. The same was true during the Yongzheng era.

Her Honghui doesn't even have a posthumous title. Hongli and Hongzhou have both been granted the title of Beile, and they are so young that they will likely be promoted even higher in the future. But her Honghui seems to have been forgotten forever.

That was her only child in her life, a child she never dared to dream of.

Ulanara was surprised by Shushen's words; she hadn't even considered this possibility. After all, Honghui was only eight years old when he died, and hadn't even married yet, so how could he have been adopted?

But it's not impossible. If Honghui's lineage really has a child, then when she dies, Honghui will have someone to worship him and remember him. She might even be able to use this as a reason to ask the emperor for a title for Honghui, a hereditary title, so that generation after generation, someone will always remember Honghui.

Shushen is the daughter of Prince Li, and now she is a Heshuo Princess. Although her child's rank is a bit lower, it's not necessarily a bad thing.

"My daughter has seen experienced grandmothers and doctors, and it's very likely she'll have a boy this time," Shushen said softly.

Ulanara was genuinely moved, but she didn't say anything, only asking, "What do you mean?"

Shushen naturally noticed her reaction and knew she had succeeded more than halfway. She smiled and said, "Daughter just hopes that Your Majesty can be happier... I lost my birth mother when I was young, and it wasn't until I entered the palace all these years that I..."

"Shushen," Ulanara coldly interrupted her, "There's no need for such talk between us. Let's get to the point about your purpose."

After being confined in Changchun Palace for nearly two years, even the most foolish Ulanara was forced to come to her senses.

She's indifferent now, she doesn't fight anymore, she just lives on, waiting for the next emperor to ascend the throne. No matter what, she'll still be the Empress Dowager.

But if she continued to fight, the emperor was not one to be merciful. He could drive away his own son without a second thought, and even if he died outside, it would be done quietly without anyone daring to speak of it. Ulanara was truly afraid. Better to live a wretched life than die. She still had a future, she still had hope.

The temptation of giving Honghui a son was too great for Ulanara to resist. At this moment, she only wanted to hear Shushen's request. If it wasn't so difficult, she could try her best.

Shushen roughly understood what she meant, and gave a bitter smile: "What purpose do I have now..." But seeing that Ulanara really turned her head back, as if she really wouldn't listen if she didn't speak, Shushen stopped talking. She bit her lip hard and whispered, "Empress Mother, I just want to leave someone here with you."

Half an hour later.

Shushen left Changchun Palace with the help of her personal maid. The eunuch Wang who had guarded the gate when she entered did not appear, nor did her maid Cui Cui, who was originally by her side, return.

Shushen seemed oblivious, and was helped into a sedan chair and left the palace.

A human life, along with an elderly nanny, was left in Changchun Palace.

Guo looked up from her account book and at the palace maid Zhen'er who had come to report: "Princess Shushen has left?"

“Yes…” Zhen’er was still somewhat displeased, “Now that you, my lord, are in charge of the harem, the princess comes and goes without even informing you…”

"Fine, she is the Empress's adopted daughter after all." Madam Guo continued her calculations. "Was she searched before she came in?"

“We checked, and nothing was brought in or taken out.” Zhen’er hesitated for a moment. “However, it seems that Princess Shushen was less accompanied by others when she left.”

"Investigate and see what's going on." Madam Guo was also puzzled. Why would Shushen send someone into the palace? Could it be to send a young and beautiful girl to help the Empress secure her favor?

Now that she's in charge of the harem, she needs to find out if there are any extra or missing people.

Eunuch Wang hadn't been very discreet in his actions, and Zhen'er quickly reported back, her face filled with reluctance and anger: "...By mid-afternoon, the person had been tortured to death and thrown directly into the dry well behind Changchun Palace. A human life was only exchanged for the princess entering Changchun Palace once."

Guo's face also showed anger: "I forgot, His Majesty sealed off Changchun Palace, yet Shushen can come and go freely... I've noted this down. Investigate who let Shushen into the palace, and that eunuch Wang—"

"Your Majesty!" Zhen'er couldn't help but interrupt, and then whispered her advice, "Your Majesty is in charge of palace affairs after all. Whether it's the palace guards or the eunuchs of Changchun Palace, Your Majesty... you should think twice."

"I know, but I want you to investigate thoroughly. The palace exchanges letters with the Emperor daily, and I will also send one to ask the Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort how to handle this matter." Guo rubbed her temples, still unable to quell her anger. "I also want to see who dares to be so audacious as to let someone into the inner palace when neither the Emperor nor the Imperial Noble Consort are present!"

At this time, in the Mulan Hunting Grounds.

During lunch, Yinzhen brought up the horse race again that afternoon and asked Qian Shengyan, "You really don't want to go and watch?"

Qian Shengyan was exasperated. She glanced at Yinzhen, her face clearly saying, "Isn't it enough that the Emperor decides? Why are you asking me again?"

Yinzhen smiled, seemingly relaxing his attitude with great tolerance: "You can go and see it."

Qian Shengyan's eyes immediately lit up. Watching the game up close was a rare opportunity.

Yinzhen continued, "But as an imperial concubine, it is really inappropriate for you to stare at other men without looking at them."

Qian Shengyan: ...

Qian Shengyan couldn't help but ask, "Then shall I look at it sideways?"

As she spoke, she even gave a demonstration, glancing sideways at Yinzhen: ─━ _ ─━?

Yinzhen almost burst out laughing. He coughed lightly, quickly covering it up, and waved his hand as if showing great compassion: "Alright, remember your place, go then." After saying that, he added, "I am not such a petty person."

Qian Shengyan: ...

Su Peisheng, who was setting out the dishes: ...

Never mind, the Emperor is supreme, whatever he says goes.

The afternoon horse races were indeed exciting, with even some freestyle racing. Qian Shengyan watched with great enthusiasm, and Hongshan jumped up with joy.

He even wanted to have his pony brought out to compete with others, but Su Peisheng stopped him, saying with a smile that the Emperor said he would definitely arrange a competition opportunity for Hongshan.

It was after this horse race that Hongshan made his own riding partners—the sons and grandsons of several Mongolian princes. The boys, who were about the same age, rode pony races with Hongshan, which was very interesting. Qian Shengyan went to watch a few races with them. The little kids riding their pony horses were really cute, chattering away.

After that day, Qian Shengyan could clearly see that Foerguochun's attitude towards Erongan had changed.

The previous formality seemed to have lessened, replaced by a greater sense of familiarity and intimacy. Unable to contain her curiosity, Qian Shengyan quietly asked Hongli what had happened during the hunt that day.

Hongli, mimicking his mother, lowered his voice and whispered, "Folguochun saved Errong'an once."

Qian Shengyan was stunned. This was a beauty saving a hero?

"But there's something strange about how this rescue was done," Hongli continued.