As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and this certainly applies to Heyue and Shisan.

Although Heyue didn't feel much when they first got married, it was only now that she truly felt the sweetness that a newlywed couple should have.

The two were very affectionate that night.

The next morning, Heyue was too tired to get up, but Shisan was full of energy.

Seeing Thirteen's smiling face and teasing eyes, He Yue rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand, biting the back of it hard.

Because he was too weak to bite deeply, Thirteen's smile widened even more. He gently ruffled Heyue's hair with his other hand and softly comforted her, "Sweetie, stop making a fuss. What will the children think if they see this?"

He Yue felt extremely embarrassed by the way the child was being coaxed.

"You bullied me as soon as you got back. Just you wait, I'll definitely get my revenge!" He Yue vowed fiercely.

Thirteen's smile held a hint of ambiguity: "Alright, I'll wait until you get your revenge. Now get up, the children have come to pay their respects."

Heyue's cheeks were flushed as she was helped up by Hailan to get dressed and wash.

As Heyue and Shisan sat on the soft couch in the side room, Hongchang led his younger siblings in.

Knowing that the Heyue family had been reunited after a long separation, Emperor Yongzheng granted Tongxuan and Tongya permission to stay at his home for one night.

Hongxiao was still young and somewhat distant from the thirteenth brother. He let go of his second brother's hand, ran to Heyue's side, grabbed Heyue's hand, and climbed onto her: "Mother, I want a hug."

Heyue smiled and picked up Hongxiao, giving him a big kiss on the cheek, which made Hongxiao grin happily.

Tongya and Hongmu stood there looking aggrieved, glaring at their father with accusatory eyes.

Hongchang, Hongtun, and Hongjiao, on the other hand, respectfully greeted Thirteen and Heyue, their expressions filled with excitement.

Seeing the indignant looks from his youngest daughter and Hongmian, Thirteen awkwardly touched his nose and tried to put on a gentle smile: "Yaya, Hongmian, come to your father's side."

Hongmu paused for a moment, but finally couldn't help but run into Thirteen's arms, complaining aggrievedly, "Father, Mumu thought you didn't love Mumu anymore."

Thirteen patted his son's back, amused: "What are you saying? How could your father not love you?"

Tongya cursed Hongmu inwardly for being spineless, snorted, ignored her father who was so easily swayed by women, ran to Heyue's side, snuggled into Heyue's arms, and pouted aggrievedly: "Mother."

Sensing the resentment in her daughter's tone, Heyue gently ruffled Tongya's soft hair, glared at Thirteen, and comforted Tongya: "Don't be angry, Yaya, Mother will teach Father a lesson for you."

Thirteen glanced at Heyue, then reached out and pinched Tongya's little cheek, snorting, "You little brat, you're holding a grudge against your father now? You dare to ask your mother to deal with your father."

"Damn it!" Tongya stuck out her tongue, buried her face in Heyue's arms, and ignored Thirteen.

Thirteen shook his head and chuckled.

Having appeased Hongmo, Thirteen stopped teasing his youngest daughter, who harbored resentment towards him. He looked seriously at Hongchang and Hongtun and said, "During the days that your father was away from the manor, it was thanks to you two that we were able to take care of your mother and brothers and sisters. The manor was able to remain peaceful and safe because of you. Your father is very gratified."

Hongchang and Hongtun were filled with excitement and joy, and said in unison, "This is what we should do. We are also very happy that our father has returned safely."

Thirteen nodded in satisfaction.

After the family finished their conversation, they sat down in the main room for their meal, enjoying a harmonious and happy time together.

Emperor Yongzheng gave the thirteenth prince a day off, allowing him to spend time with the children at home and not to rush to court.

Thirteen spent the whole day at home with Heyue and the children. Tongya's resentment disappeared, and Hongxiao became familiar with his father.

That evening, palace officials came to fetch Tongxuan and Tongya back to the palace.

That evening, Thirteen discussed his plans with Heyue.

"The Emperor said that he would let me return this time and did not intend to let me go back to the Northwest. The Eighth Prince and the others were still unwilling and always caused trouble for the Emperor. The ministers adopted a wait-and-see attitude. As for the matter between the Emperor and his brothers, Ma Qilongkeduo and the others could not interfere."

Yunli is still young, and there are very few in the court who can truly assist the Emperor. Therefore, the Emperor has made it clear that he intends to appoint me as the Grand Minister of State Affairs, to join forces with Ma Qi and the others against the Eighth Prince and his ilk.

He Yue understood that no matter how loyal a minister was, he could not be as reliable as the emperor's own brother, especially since the enemy they were facing was the late emperor's son.

The Emperor and the Thirteenth Prince have always had a deep relationship, and it's not appropriate for the ministers to interfere, so the Thirteenth Prince is the most suitable person to do it.

With Nian Gengyao and Yue Zhongqi on the outside, and Ma Qilong, Kodo, and the Thirteenth Prince on the inside, even Yun Si and the others couldn't cause any trouble.

The following morning at court, Yongzheng indeed appointed the thirteenth prince as the Grand Minister of State Affairs. At the same time, he established the thirteenth prince's eldest son, Hongchang, as the heir apparent. To show his favor, he also ordered the thirteenth prince to select one of his sons to be a Prince of the Second Rank.

Thirteen requested that his second son, Hongtun, be granted the title of Prince.

With the war in the Northwest temporarily quelled, Emperor Yongzheng ordered Nian Gengyao to return to the capital, leaving Yue Zhongqi in the Northwest.

Nian Gengyao returned to Beijing shortly after the thirteenth emperor, and Yongzheng appointed him as Minister of War.

This surprised He Yue.

Then He Yue recalled that because the thirteenth prince was granted the title of Grand General, Nian Gengyao missed the opportunity to become Grand General.

Now that the war has ended, there is indeed no need for a Grand General to remain in the Northwest.

Although Nian Gengyao was transferred to the Ministry of War, he did not wield military power like the Grand General Wang. He was only in charge of logistics in the Northwest, which prevented him from becoming too powerful.

It seems that Emperor Yongzheng had already taken precautions against Nian Gengyao.

Given this, it seems that Nian Gengyao will no longer have the opportunity to act arrogantly. I wonder if Nian Gengyao will still act as he did in history.

That year, the new emperor completed his mourning period for the late emperor and began to remove his mourning clothes.

The first imperial concubine selection during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng was proposed by the Ministry of Rites at the beginning of the year.

The talent show will be held in mid-March.

Nowadays, there are very few concubines in the harem. They are all women from when Yongzheng was a prince. Back then, when Yongzheng was still Prince Yong, he was not fond of beautiful women, so there were far fewer women in his household than in other princely residences.

Besides the Empress, there was only one Noble Consort Nian, two Consorts Xi and Qi, three Concubines Mao, Ning and Yu, and one Noble Lady Qiao.

These concubines are all old, it's indeed time to bring in some new ones.

The young women had already arrived from all over the country at the beginning of the year, and among them was Shu Yu, the eldest daughter of Yi Duli and Zhao Jiayan Yue.

Shu Yu is now seventeen years old and has grown into a beautiful young woman. Because she did not participate in the talent show, she has not been betrothed.

In the Qing Dynasty, if a woman who did not participate in the imperial concubine selection married without permission, her family would be punished.

It is worth mentioning that Shu Yu is much prettier than Yan Yue and her sisters, and she is also quiet and gentle, which makes her very attractive to men.

Therefore, before Shuyu entered the palace, Yanyue specially visited Heyue, saying that she hoped Heyue could persuade Shisan to find someone of similar character among the royal family, and that Shuyu should not be allowed to keep her nameplate under any circumstances.

It's no wonder that Sixth Sister is so worried. She wants to prepare for the worst because Shu Yu is too beautiful. Even if she doesn't catch the Emperor's eye, she's worried that she might cause trouble in the palace.