Yinzhen was indeed a monarch with great courage. He ordered the reopening of the sea ban and the suppression of commerce to focus on developing the economy. He also ordered the Fourteenth Prince to continue fighting against Japan. If he failed to conquer Japan, he was not required to return to the capital.

Changning originally thought that the Fourteenth Prince would come back for the New Year, but it has been delayed for who knows how many years. She thought that the Fourteenth Prince would definitely be dissatisfied, and maybe the Empress Dowager would also feel sorry for her son.

So when she went to Cining Palace, she had already thought about how to persuade the Empress Dowager. The Fourteenth Uncle was at the age when he was about to make great achievements. He was ambitious and naturally hoped to achieve something. Although he could not return to the capital, the rewards for him and the condolences for the soldiers would definitely not be lacking.

To her surprise, when she arrived at Cining Palace, she didn't see the Empress Dowager looking so heartbroken. Instead, she saw her laughing happily in the room with Consort Cheng and others who had come to visit her.

Ah, this...

When the Empress Dowager saw Changning arrive, she waved to her and said, "Come here and sit down. Good child, it's so kind of you to come see me in this cold weather."

After summoning Changning, she turned to Consort Cheng and said proudly, "Look at my daughter-in-law, she is the most proper and well-mannered. She is a good empress and raises her children well."

Consort Cheng was already quite old, but Changning looked her over and felt that she seemed to have gained some weight and looked even better than when she was in the palace.

He must be more comfortable living in his son's mansion now that he has finally left the Forbidden City.

Consort Cheng had always relied on the Empress Dowager, and the two had some relationship. Now she smiled especially kindly and sincerely: "If you ask me, you all know how to pick people. This Empress is a once-in-a-millennium talent. The Empress Dowager is truly blessed!"

My son's eldest daughter gets along very well with the Second Princess. She always comes back and tells me she wants to go to the palace, saying the Second Princess is a rare, straightforward person.

The Empress Dowager smiled like a chrysanthemum: "Hutuli is indeed a good child. With Yierha about to get married next year, and looking at this beautiful young lady, it's hard not to think about Hutuli's future. According to my own selfish opinion, since this child loves to play, I'll keep her for another two years."

Changning nodded: "Your Majesty, I have also mentioned it to you. Hutuli is still young, so it is fine to choose a consort later."

"The best husband should be of noble character, loyal and capable, and kind to others. I think Fashan from the Guarjia clan is quite good, and he is a good match for Yierha. The Emperor has good taste. It is a blessing for Yierha and Hutuli to have such a father," the Empress Dowager said with a smile.

Since the Empress Dowager brought up the princess's marriage, Consort Cheng smiled even more happily: "Yes, yes, I also think Fashan is a good girl. My eldest daughter is honest and straightforward. I'm most afraid of encountering someone with a wicked heart who will be deceived by her. If she marries someone nearby, I can also support her, right?"

The Empress Dowager's smile remained unchanged, but Changning understood the unspoken message.

Consort Cheng was subtly probing, having heard that forty-nine Mongol tribes would be coming to the capital at the end of the year, and she was afraid that her eldest granddaughter would be sent to pacify the Mongols.

Changning understood that Consort Cheng had entered the palace to get a definite answer from the Empress Dowager and to ask for a favor.

However, the Empress Dowager could not agree on her behalf. After all, she did not interfere in court affairs. Although she could still speak with Yinzhen and the relationship between mother and son was not as bad as the historical records described, she was unwilling to offend her son for the sake of others.

However, if she were to ignore it completely, the Empress Dowager would feel awkward about refusing to make her a concubine.

Just then, she arrived, and the Empress Dowager let slip a hint, wanting to see if there was anything of interest in Changning.

Changning knew that ever since the Mongols were coming, every member of the imperial clan with daughters had been making a fuss.

Seeing how much the Emperor doted on the princesses, it was impossible for him to send them to pacify Mongolia.

The eldest princess, needless to say, has already stayed in the capital. The second princess, even more so, is the Gulun Taihe Princess—not just in the Qing Dynasty, but in all the previous dynasties, what title was ever bestowed upon a royal palace?

This shows how much importance is placed on it.

If she weren't a princess, someone would surely have asked for a crown prince to be made.

The remaining third and fourth princesses are only two or three years old, so it's even more impossible.

Who can be cannon fodder?

She must be a member of the imperial family, one of the emperor's nieces!

However, Changning knew that since Mengguqing and Wenkedunke gradually took control of the discourse in Mongolia, the Qing Dynasty now had a very large degree of control over Mongolia.

Therefore, there is no need to force a marriage alliance between the Manchus and Mongols.

If it is a marriage alliance, the prince from the Mongol side can also reside in the capital.

So Changning replied with a smile, "Your Highness need not worry too much. There's always a way out. The eldest princess is destined for greatness and will surely live a happy life, so that Granny Ma won't have to worry about her."

Hearing the Empress say this, Consort Cheng was overjoyed. Despite her advanced age, she was almost moved to tears. The Empress Dowager quickly supported her, saying, "Alright, alright, Sister Cheng is just overjoyed. We only hope that your eldest princess will have a smooth and peaceful life in the future."

Consort Cheng nodded repeatedly, looking at Changning with gratitude. She wanted to say something but couldn't open her mouth. She was already holding back her tears, and if she opened her mouth, she would probably burst into tears.

Changning felt a pang of sadness watching this, for Consort Cheng was truly a compassionate person.

After leaving the Cining Palace, Changning breathed a long sigh of relief.

We should treat the children better in the future...

We can't hit Hongchen anymore...

Hutu didn't say anything to her for secretly reading her own storybook...

After late autumn, the forty-nine Mongol tribes marched into Beijing in a grand procession.

"Mother! Mother! I heard that many people have come from Mongolia, including many princes and dukes, is that right?" Hongzhao was extremely excited after hearing this news.

Changning looked at him amusedly: "Yeah, so what?"

Hongzhao's eyes lit up: "Then, is Naritai here too?"

"Na Ritai?" Changning paused deliberately, looking at his expectant gaze, and shook her head, feigning difficulty. "It seems not!"

“Huh? That shouldn’t be the case! She wrote to me the other day, saying she wanted to ask Abu to come to the capital for a visit.”

Hongzhao scratched his head, wondering what was going on.

Just as he was feeling a little disappointed, he saw his mother covering her mouth and chuckling. He immediately understood and shouted, "Ahhh! Mother, you lied to me!"

Changning laughed heartily: "Just kidding, who told you to be so easy to fool? Hongzhao, remember not to be too naive!"

Hongzhao pouted and muttered, "What! Only Mother would lie to me!"

Changning smiled, "This silly boy."

However, this year, instead of going to Mulan Qiumi as before, Yinzhen sent Mongolian nobles to the capital, presumably to show off the power of the nation.

The Qing Dynasty is now a completely different country. It has won consecutive victories against both the Dzungar Khanate and Japan, and the morale of its people is at an all-time high. In addition, with the opening up of commerce, the country is thriving.

What needs to be strengthened now is Mongolia's fear of the Qing Dynasty, as well as the economic and trade relations between Mongolia and the capital.