Spring of the tenth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign.

Hongli returned to the Qianxi Second Palace with the Emperor's decree. Looking at Empress Fucha, who was eight months pregnant, he couldn't help but feel guilty: "You..."

"Your Majesty, there's no need for this." Lady Fucha was well-preserved during her pregnancy and looked radiant. She smiled and let Hongli hold her hand. "Your Majesty promoted Lady Fucha to the rank of Consort because of Lord Gao's dedication to water conservancy. I understand."

"Hmm." Hongli didn't say anything more. He gently stroked Fucha's belly, pulled her down to sit, and said, "Father ordered me to go south. The dike must not be damaged again this year. However, this round trip will probably take two or three months. I'm afraid I won't be able to make it back in time for your childbirth."

Lady Fucha smiled and gently shook her head: "Your mother has already arranged everything, so you can rest assured." She thought for a moment and then added, "Sister Gao is not that kind of domineering person. Recently, I have been feeling unwell, so I have entrusted everything in the mansion to her to manage, and she has done a very good job."

"That's good. Fortunately, Mother has returned to the palace. If you need anything, go to Yongshou Palace. Mother and I have already discussed it."

Hongli was really worried and gave him instructions again and again. In the end, Fucha couldn't stand his nagging anymore, so she called Yaliqi out to play with her father while she went to pack his luggage for his trip.

Before leaving, Hongli went to Yongshou Palace again. Qian Shengyan said without him having to say anything, "If you are at ease, let Lvliu serve by the side of the Fujin. She has the longest service by my side and is quite experienced in serving pregnant women and new mothers."

Green Willow is now an aunt, a prominent palace maid not only in Yongshou Palace but also throughout the entire Forbidden City.

Hongli did not refuse and immediately expressed his gratitude. He also thanked Lvliu in particular before leaving with peace of mind.

If he were to ask who he trusts most in this world, it would undoubtedly be his own mother. With this arrangement in place, he feels much more at ease when he goes out.

Gao Bin, the father of the Gao family, is now in charge of water conservancy in the south. He is currently at a location on the Qiantang River. Hongli traveled light and quickly arrived at Qiantang. Hongli did not rest that day. He followed Gao Bin and walked around the river embankment, thus understanding the progress of the current project.

However, he didn't want to stay in just one place. Spring and summer are prone to rain, and this time he was going to travel along several rivers, big and small.

Half a month later, Hongli arrived at the Yangtze River. He spent his days either on horseback or on foot. Not to mention him, a prince, even the guards who accompanied him would find it unbearable.

One day, passing by a restaurant, Hongli decided to make half a day's repairs and set off again the next morning.

The restaurant wasn't in a bustling area; only passersby came and went. Hongli Yu Bailong, dressed as a wealthy young master, didn't attract much attention.

After taking a nap, Hongli got up and stood on the second-floor corridor looking down. The restaurant was quite large, with many pedestrians passing by. There was a stage built on the first floor for performances, such as lively acrobatics. If the audience was happy, they would throw money onto the stage, which added another source of income for the restaurant.

"Young master, the meal is ready." The guard whispered a reminder from behind him. Hongli nodded, turned around and sat down to eat. After a while, a singing girl came from the other side, asking each table for food.

The woman was delicate and frail, her frame even more fragile than the pipa she held in her arms. A song cost only ten coins, and Hongli, seeing how pitiful she was, let her sing a song at the guards' table, then casually tossed her a small piece of silver.

"This humble servant is Liu Qianqian, thank you, young master." Liu Qianqian had a voice unique to women from Jiangnan, and she looked especially pitiful when she bowed.

Hongli nodded slightly, without saying anything more.

Who knew that Liu Qianqian had only taken a few steps when a commotion arose. It turned out that a handsome young man insisted that Liu Qianqian sit on his lap and sing a song. Liu Qianqian naturally refused. Feeling humiliated, the young man snatched Liu Qianqian's pipa and pretended to smash it.

Liu Qianqian was crying so pitifully that a guard couldn't bear to watch and cautiously glanced at Hongli: "Young Master, should we do something about it?"

Hongli didn't really want to get involved.

Such things are not uncommon. It is indeed pitiful for women to sing for a living, but the pitiful ones are not limited to this one place or this one day. He can't interfere every day, and—according to his seventeenth uncle's experience, interfering too much might lead to romantic entanglements.

Moreover, Liu Qianqian isn't new to busking; she should be able to handle this level of trouble on her own.

Seeing that Hongli remained silent, the guards understood his meaning. But then Liu Qianqian screamed behind them, accompanied by the sound of tearing cloth. One of the guards couldn't sit still any longer: "Young Master..."

"Go." Hongli had no choice. He couldn't just stand by and watch a woman be humiliated. Besides, the guards would think he was heartless and might alienate him.

A short while later, Liu Qianqian, wrapped in a guard's cloak and holding a pipa with a broken corner, thanked him while crying.

Hongli shook his head and had someone give her some more silver so she could buy a new pipa.

Unexpectedly, the next morning, just as Hongli was about to go out, he was stopped by Liu Qianqian, who had changed into men's clothing.

"I have no parents, and my adoptive father passed away the day before yesterday. Originally, I only wanted to earn some copper coins to bury him, but thanks to your generosity yesterday, my adoptive father has now been buried. I...I..." Liu Qianqian bit her lip, "Thank you for saving me yesterday, young master. I...I am willing to serve you as your servant..."

"It was he who saved you." Hongli casually pointed to the guard standing behind him and said no more, but the meaning was clear.

He saved you. If you want to repay his kindness or become his slave, go find him.

Liu Qianqian's face paled: "If it weren't for Young Master's orders—"

“I didn’t give the order; he asked for it.” Hongli frowned slightly, thinking to himself that what his seventeenth uncle said was true; it was indeed troublesome.

Liu Qianqian had no choice but to go find the guard, but she hesitated and her eyes were completely glued to Hongli, her thoughts were obvious to everyone.

Hongli didn't care. What business was it of his guards to find a wife? But when they rested halfway, Liu Qianqian came closer to him again and wanted to recite a poem. She wrote a poem about plum blossoms with the lines "The wind and rain send spring away, the flying snow welcomes spring." Although it was not the right season, she did have some talent.

That's all there is to it.

Everyone was bound by imperial orders, and Hongli was especially worried about his wife and children at home, so he was in a great hurry to get going. Liu Qianqian, a frail woman, was finding it difficult to keep up. That evening, she came to Hongli crying again: "Young Master... I've never ridden a horse before, and my legs are all chafed... sob sob..."

Hongli: ?

And then what? What's it to him?

But he still wanted to be a good person, so he gave Liu Qianqian some money and told her to find a place to live nearby, whether she got married or started a small business, she could make a living.

Liu Qianqian accepted the money but still didn't leave, remaining in the group on the same horse as the guard.

Hongli did not slow down because of the presence of a woman.