While the children were being vaccinated against smallpox, Yinzhen received an imperial decree from Kangxi to give Meng Guqing a grand funeral.

After all, she was a concubine listed in the imperial genealogy and the daughter of a Mongolian prince, so the ceremony was of a high standard, and many people came to pay their respects.

Changning didn't want to be disturbed by the guests, so she directly declined, saying that she was too saddened by the passing of Qingfujin and needed to rest and recuperate.

The Fujin (principal wife) tacitly accepted Changning's statement and even helped cover for her.

However, Changning really didn't expect that there would be such a foolish and audacious person who would insist on paying a visit to her.

Upon asking, it turned out to be that crazy old woman, Li Si'er, again.

Changning was truly impressed by her. Li Si'er was like an unkillable cockroach. No matter how much she mocked and ridiculed her, or even when Changning had her maid Zhang curse at her, Li Si'er remained determined to get close to her.

Moreover, unlike his previous arrogance, Li Si'er is now quite humble, repeatedly saying that he appreciates Changning's personality and temperament.

Changning looked at the person next to her with disbelief, as if she had heard a joke, and asked, "Am I really that good-tempered?"

Zhao Fuhai bowed and replied with a smile, "Master is a celestial maiden descended from the heavens, naturally different from ordinary mortals."

Changning was amused by him. Although she treated the servants and people around her with great kindness in the courtyard, her reputation outside was not so good.

They're just resourceful, attractive, and have a strong sense of self-worth.

Chang Ning said that this kind of persona is quite good.

Although Li Si'er had changed her ways, Changning did not intend to have any interaction with her. She still refused her visit and instructed the gatekeeper not to report to her if it was Li Si'er.

In Changning's view, Li Si'er was like a ticking time bomb. She couldn't agree with her personality at all. She acted arrogantly and domineeringly outside, relying on the power of the Tong family. Sooner or later, something bad would happen. And the same goes for Longkodo.

However, when talking about Longkodo, Changning thought of Nian Gengyao. She had asked her brother before and learned that Nian Gengyao was only a junior scholar in the Hanlin Academy and it was not yet time for him to shine.

His father, Nian Xialing, is still the Governor of Huguang Province. As for whether he has a daughter named Nian Shilan, Changhua has no idea. Presumably, even if he does have a daughter, she wouldn't be very old, and if she reaches the appropriate age, she would definitely participate in the imperial concubine selection.

Changning couldn't help but think of the film and television portrayal of the Nian family's daughter. It was said that even the combined beauty of the Manchu and Mongol Eight Banners couldn't compare to the magnificent majesty of Consort Hua. She really wanted to meet her someday and see if she was as beautiful as the legends said.

However, she still did not want Lady Nian to enter Yinzhen's residence like in history.

Historically, Lady Nian was extremely favored, following the same path as Yinzhen himself. From the moment she entered the household, she enjoyed exclusive favor. All of Yinzhen's children were borne by her alone.

As the first imperial concubine of the Qing Dynasty to come from the Han Banner, Lady Nian's power was not to be underestimated. Although Changning had nothing to fear from her now, she still instinctively hoped that no more women would enter Yinzhen's harem.

Changning felt increasingly troubled and decided that she shouldn't worry unnecessarily. What she needed to do now was raise the children.

I wonder how they are doing in Wufutang?

However, Changning vaguely remembered that Honghui in history should have been vaccinated at around eight years old, and died a few days later.

Honghui is now over ten years old, which is much later than when he was vaccinated. I suppose the outcome might be different.

Although Honghui was the eldest son and a strong rival to Fengsheng'e for the position of Fourth Prince, she still didn't want anything to happen to the child.

Honghui was already sickly and weak, so he wasn't a big threat. Moreover, Fengsheng'e himself was very capable, intelligent and clever, far surpassing ordinary children. Yinzhen was also aware of this, and now his teaching of Fengsheng'e had begun to develop in the direction of becoming his successor.

It can be said that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Feng Sheng'e should be the next emperor after Yongzheng.

Changning hoped that Feng Sheng'e could be a compassionate emperor. The higher one climbs, the colder it gets; the closer one gets to imperial power, the more one understands the unpredictable nature of the emperor's might.

Under the oppression of Emperor Kangxi, the princes who were all outstanding, such as Prince Zhi, the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, Yinzhen, the Eighth Prince, the Thirteenth Prince, and the Fourteenth Prince, were reduced to fighting to the death.

The familial bond between the father, sons, and brothers in the Tian family is so weak that it is both shocking and chilling.

If she could preserve that soft, warm place in Feng Sheng's heart, Chang Ning felt that this was what she, as a mother, should do.

Of course, if Honghui harbored ill intentions, Changning would deal with him without hesitation. But for now, it seems that Honghui is merely somewhat competitive, which is a perfectly normal display of a young boy's pride.

Normally, Honghui takes good care of Fengsheng'e and Feiyang'a, showing the demeanor of an older brother.

Moreover, according to Feng Sheng'e, some of his cousins ​​in the palace were jealous of him and didn't want to see him in the limelight, so they took advantage of their physical strength to try to embarrass him, but Hong Hui always came to his rescue.

Therefore, Changning sincerely hopes that Honghui can be healthy and safe.

As such, Changning paid close attention to the results of this smallpox vaccination, and would frequently send people to inquire about the children's situation inside.

Wanhe's son, Hongchun, was also getting vaccinated this time, and she was extremely worried. She had nowhere to go and no one to talk to. So she often came to Changning. It seemed that just having someone to talk to could alleviate the considerable pressure and worry in her heart.

Changning was well aware that, normally, Hongchun was the Fourteenth Prince's own son, and even if Wanhe was worried, she should have gone to the Fourteenth Prince to complain. But she came to her instead, which meant that Wanhe was no longer favored.

Wanhe had already lost the favor she once enjoyed, but she still maintained a certain level of respect because of their long-standing relationship and Hongchun's position as the eldest son in the Fourteenth Prince's heart.

However, according to Consort Tian of the Third Prince's residence, the Fourteenth Prince is now deeply involved with his primary wife, Lady Wanyan, and has also married a new secondary wife, Lady Irgen Gioro.

How could he possibly be in the mood to look for Wanhe now?

Changning couldn't help but sigh, but Wanhe herself was alright; she just stayed with Hongchun and lived her life.

Changning told her everything she had found out. All the princes and princesses who had been vaccinated were doing very well. Although some had symptoms of fever and vomiting, they were being treated in an orderly manner and none of them were in critical condition. Overall, things were going very well.

This put Wanhe at ease, but she also felt a little embarrassed for disturbing Changning's pregnancy. So after returning home, she ordered two large boxes of children's toys to be sent over.

This left Changning both amused and exasperated. She recalled how Meng Guqing would bring her piles of medicinal herbs every time she gave birth.

Unfortunately, she wasn't by my side this time during childbirth.