They're going to officially appoint Bao as the crown prince!
Although the news did not come from the Emperor himself, the fact that no one stopped it from spreading in the inner palace itself indicated the Emperor's attitude.
This was fine for Xiuning, but it was unacceptable for Consort Nara, who had just sent her son out of the palace.
Are you kidding me? Doesn't she have any competitiveness in the job market?
"Ha, what need is there for competitiveness? The Emperor is currently very troubled by the rebellion of the vassal kings."
In my opinion, once our crown prince is established, the emperor should mobilize troops and engage Wu Sangui and his ilk in a decisive battle.
At least in times like these, the Hesheli clan and their allied families cannot refrain from contributing, since the position of crown prince has already been given to them; they cannot simply accept no cost whatsoever.
Chunyu helped Xiuning up, and the two of them stood under the pear tree in the center of the Qixiang Palace courtyard.
It's very cold now, and the pear trees have long lost their lush foliage, leaving only a few clumps of dry, withered branches that occasionally creak and groan in the cold wind.
The cloak wrapped around her body blocked most of the cold. Xiu Ning tightened her arms and gazed at the scenery in the distance.
Chunyu muttered to herself, "Another war?" The troops sent out before hadn't made a move yet, and now the court was about to mobilize troops again. She doubted whether the Qing Dynasty could withstand it.
Xiu Ning nodded helplessly as she thought about the chaotic fighting that had lasted for several years. "The border is difficult to deal with, and it will also involve several surrounding alien tribes."
Moreover, before the crown prince was decided, no one would think of risking their life to sell themselves for the emperor (referring to the Hesheli clan). Now that everything has settled down, whether it's to give face or to fight for their own future, they finally have a reason.
"We don't know how long the fight will last. Remember to send some messages home and tell them to stay calm."
Some things, you might fight with your life and still not win; take care of yourself.
There are infinite possibilities in life. Although the Qing Dynasty lasted for a short time, it was in the early Qing period. The man on the dragon throne was able to live a long life.
Chunyu couldn't understand the specific meaning Xiuning was trying to convey, but she understood what a servant should do. She obediently replied "yes" and carefully remembered what Xiuning had told her. She held Xiuning's wrist and carefully escorted her back to her room.
...
Just before the end of October, Bao Cheng finally returned safely from Qianqing Palace to Kunning Palace.
Hesheli Fangyi was waiting at the door. When she saw Bao Cheng being brought back wrapped up tightly, she hurried forward anxiously.
"This humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress and wishes you good fortune."
Liang Jiugong bent over and gestured to the palace servants holding Baocheng to let go.
The weight in her hand was unexpectedly light. Hesheli Fangyi didn't bother to check it, but simply smiled and nodded to Liang Jiugong.
"Eunuch Liang, please come inside."
Liang Jiugong quickly waved his hand, "Your Majesty has invited me, and this servant should not refuse."
Unfortunately, there are matters to attend to at the Qianqing Palace, and this servant will take his leave so as not to disturb Her Majesty and the young prince's reunion.
"If that's the case, then I won't keep you any longer, Eunuch Liang. Tan Yun, take me to see Eunuch Liang off."
Hesheli Fangyi forced herself to say a few polite words, and then, without waiting for Liang Jiugong to leave, she turned around and carried Baocheng away first.
Seeing this, Tan Yun looked a little embarrassed. She smiled and subtly mentioned to Liang Jiugong that her master was just too worried about the young prince and had no other intentions.
Liang Jiugong is no ordinary palace servant; mishandling him could lead to disaster.
"Ah, I understand perfectly well. Her Majesty the Empress is just too worried about the young prince." She's just so anxious that she doesn't even want to save face for him.
Inevitably, he felt a little annoyed, but Liang Jiugong was a respectable man who had served Emperor Kangxi for many years. He understood that the Empress still held a position in the Emperor's eyes, so what did his little grievance matter?
He chuckled and laughed a couple more times before walking around. Liang Jiugong then turned and left with his men.
Seeing that Liang Jiugong did not show any dissatisfaction, Tan Yun breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness.
Inside the house, Hesheli Fangyi, who had returned a step earlier, quickly unwrapped the swaddling clothes covering Baocheng, only to find Baocheng with a face full of pockmarks.
Hesheli Fangyi: ...
Hesheli Fangyi was on the verge of tears. Even though she had been mentally prepared, the blow was still too great.
This is bad news; the emperor's appearance has been ruined.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. The young prince is still very young. With proper care and the application of the scar-removing ointment prescribed by the imperial physician, he will be fine."
The wet nurse serving Bao Cheng quickly spoke up, afraid that she would be punished if she was a step too late.
There's no way around it; how can a child resist the itch?
Bao Cheng's unconscious scratching and fiddling left behind one pit after another.
The wet nurse thought to herself that she could only see the face; in reality, the little prince had much more to offer, but it was all covered by his clothes.
"How could Bao Cheng have lost so much weight? The imperial physician diagnosed him, is he really alright?"
Hesheli Fangyi held Baocheng in her arms. After the initial shock, her face was full of heartache.
It's obvious at a glance that their own child is suffering.
The wet nurse could only explain that being sick is different from recuperating, and that she would definitely lose weight. The imperial physician also said that this was a normal phenomenon and that she would recover after a period of rest.
Hesheli Fangyi remained skeptical about whether Baocheng could be restored.
But I'm still happy that my son is back.
That evening, Hesheli Fangyi generously rewarded a group of palace servants who served Baocheng.
Because of the oversight in the smallpox incident, Bao Cheng's entourage has been completely replaced with new people, and the candidates were even provided by Emperor Kangxi, so there is basically no possibility of spies.
"Take good care of Bao Cheng. Report back on everything, big or small, promptly. In the future, I will surely reward you handsomely."
When Hesheli Fangyi spoke, she especially gave repeated instructions to the wet nurses around Bao Cheng, trying her best to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
"Your Majesty, dinner is ready."
Tan Yun walked to Hesheli Fangyi's side and whispered a reminder.
Upon hearing this, Hesheli Fangyi waved her hand, signaling the few people who were listening to her reprimand to leave first, and then turned around and took Tanyun's hand to go to the outer hall.
...
On the third day after Bao Cheng returned to Kunning Palace, Hesheli Fangyi resumed her daily greetings.
However, this time, few people came to pay their respects.
"Oh, you mean Consort Shu? The palace servants from Yongshou Palace came to report that Consort Shu unfortunately caught a cold and fell ill, and her cough also relapsed. She won't be coming out before the New Year."
Hesheli Fangyi looked at Consort Tong who was asking questions and calmly explained the reason.
"Consort Shu is ill again. She's been getting sick quite frequently lately," Tong Jia Rongyue said with a hint of regret, before smiling slightly.
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